JVP will always stand for constitutional reforms - Vijitha Herath

JVP Secretary MP Vijitha Herath said  the  party continues to believe that a constitutional reform is necessary.

"The existing constitution is 40 years old. The world has changed since then. Sri Lanka has also undergone several changes," he told reporters at a press briefing yesterday (Jan 13)

MP Herath further explained that the JVP has always maintained its stance on opting for a new constitution in order to abolish the executive presidency, strengthen the unity amongst the people in order to create a developed society, resolve public issues and protect the fundamental rights of all citizens.

He also pointed out that the new constitution was not a novel thing to be discussed.

Discussions on the new constitution commenced in 2015 during which the entire Parliament became a constitutional assembly, MP Herath said. He added that political parties formed their own operational committees under which several sub committees were formed.

“An all party conference was held in July 2006 under the government of Mahinda Rajapaksa to put forward proposals for a new constitution. Following the conference, a new committee comprising party representatives was formed. Later, an executive committee was also formed and a report was also submitted” Mr. Herath said while adding that the JVP was involved in all such committees.

He also said that recent discussions on the new constitution had surfaced since the sub-committee appointed to finalise the draft of the new constitution had failed to do so due to the wide array of opinions being expressed within the committee.

Mr. Herath added that it is only a set of proposals that have been submitted before Parliament and not a draft bill of the new constitution.

The JVP parliamentarian also refuted allegations claiming that the proposed new constitution was an attempt to divide the country.

"The JVP will always stand for a new constitution which abolishes the executive presidency, changes the electoral system and protects of the rights of all citizens" he reiterated.

“Certain groups of people are using religious places of worship to create false perceptions on the new constitution” the JVP parliamentarian said.

He also proceeded to refute allegations raised by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa who alleged that a sum of Rs 400 million is tipped to be provided to those who support the new constitution.