Tamil party's support vital for new Constitution: Kiriella

The support of Sri Lanka's main Tamil party is crucial to the adoption of a new Constitution, a senior minister said today. "In 1972 and 1978, the Tamil parties did not take part in the Constitution-making process. Their support this time will be very important," Minister of Higher Education and Leader of the House of Parliament Lakshman Kiriella said in Kandy. 

The Tamil minority has largely stayed away from efforts by the two Sinhala majority parties in formulating previous Constitutions. They raised black flags against the 1972 Constitution. 

Tamils are the official opposition in the current Parliament, boosting efforts to achieve national reconciliation. TNA leader R Sampanthan made a passionate plea in Parliament early this week for an inclusive process. 

Cabinet spokesman and Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne, meanwhile, said the Constitution making Parliamentary select committee's proposal would be approved in Parliament on January 26. "We will be accommodating all the opposition-moved amendments," Senaratne said. 

The government last Saturday moved a resolution in a special session of Parliament to convert the whole Parliament into a Constitutional Assembly.  However the opposition parties have pointed out technical issues opposing the move. This will be Sri Lanka's first attempt of changing the Constitution in the last 37 years. (PTI)