New constitution: president takes over

Feb 13, 2017

President Maithripala Sirisena has taken over the task of introducing a new constitution or effecting essential political reforms, reports say. Until then, the task was in the hands of prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Also, steps were being taken simultaneously to probe war crime and human rights violation accusations, relief for the victims in the north, introducing a reconciliation mechanism etc.

Civil society activists say they were informed by the president at a recent meeting that he has considered criticism of the process and decided that one of the two should receive priority attention now. He intends bringing a constitutional reform and is to launch a round of talks with leaders of political parties. A new constitution will be considered after seeking the public opinion at a referendum.

Accordingly, PM Wickremesinghe is likely to agree for a constitutional amendment that will be possible through the two-third parliamentary majority the government wields. The UNP, SLFP or the JVP has yet to comment on a new constitution or the reports of the six subcommittees on a new constitution.

The president has noted that a local mechanism to probe war crime charges would supply fuel to the Mahinda faction to build a strong opinion against the government, which will cause its defeat at a referendum. That will pave the way for the Rajapaksas to gain power again, and what should be done now was to do what can be achieved, he noted.

However, foreign minister Mangala Samaraweera recently told foreign journalists that the government was ready for a referendum on a new constitution. Minister Lakshman Kiriella told parliament on February 09 that the referendum would be held with the SLFP’s support.