Slogan of 'new constitution' being used to incite tensions - PM

Unscrupulous elements are using the slogan of a "new constitution" to incite tensions in the country, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said.

Addressing a special ceremony to mark the Thai Pongal festival at Temple Trees yesterday (Jan 13), he urged the public to not be deceived by such false campaigns.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe pointed out that there was no truth in a new constitution nor had one been forwarded as a bill. "If a construct is such, then you can point it out, however this is not the case," he said.

While refuting news reports which claimed that there was a split in the Police due to the proposed constitution the Prime Minister called on the relevant authorities to prove their case.

On the same note he said that Minister of National Integration and Social Progress Mano Ganesan is taking every effort possible to create a peaceful environment which enables the people of all ethnicities to live peacefully.

Further, he said that even if a new constitution was proposed it would have to be passed with a two thirds majority in Parliament.

“It is only the Parliament and the Constitutional Assembly which can have a final say on this matter” Mr. Wickremesinghe said.

Ministers Mano Ganesan, Daya Gamage, Arjuna Ranatunga, Vadivel Suresh, MPs R. Sampanthan and M.A. Sumandiran and the Prime Minister’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake attended the event.