UNP- SLFP Arrive at Consensus on Constitutional Assembly Process
According to Deputy Government Whip Ajith P. Perera, MP, the UNP and the SLFP has reached a consensus on drafting a new Constitution.
Addressing the media at the Information Department, MP Perera, who is also the Deputy Power and Renewable Energy Minister, claimed that all proposals made by the SLFP had been accommodated in the resolution for the setting up of the Constitutional Assembly, reported the Island.
Following are the sections of the Resolution (presented by PM Wickremesinghe on Jan. 09, 2015) with ammendments in bold type.
1.There shall be a Committee of Parliament hereinafter referred to as the ‘Constitutional Assembly’ which shall consist of all Members of Parliament, for the purpose of deliberating, and seeking the views and advice of the People, on a new Constitution for Sri Lanka, and preparing a draft of a Constitution Bill for the consideration of Parliament in the exercise of its powers under Article 75 of the Constitution.
In paragraph 1 on page 1, delete the word ‘new’
2. The Hon. Speaker of Parliament shall be the Chairman of the Constitutional Assembly. There shall be seven (7) Deputy Chairmen of the Constitutional Assembly, who shall be elected by the Constitutional Assembly. In the absence of the Hon. Speaker, the Constitutional Assembly shall elect one of the Deputy Chairmen to chair the sittings of the Assembly.
