Dissanayake aims to have constitutional reforms which involve public in country's administration

Presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake today (Nov 4) asserted that he would introduce constitutional reforms to ensure equal public participation in the country’s administration.

“We have proposed to form a People’s Assembly,” he told a news conference, adding that the people, irrespective of any differences, should be made equal stakeholders, in this exercise.

The media briefing was held at the Waters Edge Hotel in Battaramulla.

The National People’s Power (NPP) candidate explained that constitutional changes would be introduced after obtaining public opinion, and would also primarily focus on strengthening human rights.

Responding to a query, the candidate said he believes that political prisoners should be released in a bid to establish social justice, given the huge delays in legal proceedings.

“Certain suspects have been remanded for some 20 years, although being acquitted for that offence would see a maximum jail term of seven years,” he observed.

Dissanayake said that failure to level charges, and the inefficiency of the Attorney General’s Department to intervene in these cases, have also caused huge delays in legal proceedings.

Meanwhile, the NPP candidate stated that he would adopt a “balanced” and “non-aligned” foreign policy, if voted into power.

“All former (Sri Lankan) governments have adopted a foreign policy that is aligned with a powerful country. As a result of this, other countries have taken actions and implemented policies which have affected us,” he observed.

Commenting on his proposed developments in the agriculture sector, Dissanayake stated that his government “would acquire all agricultural lands vested with multinational companies” to support the next farming generation.

He also aimed to develop Sri Lanka’s tourism industry based on the country’s “environment”, and its natural resources, targeting to provide tourists with clean drinking water, fresh air, and a peaceful surrounding.