Constitutional reforms: NABF alleges country will be a Federal State
CHATHUSHKA PERERA- SEP 13 2018Allegations were raised by representatives of the Buddhist clergy that the JVP, the Government, and the TNA is intending to make the country a Federal State through the proposed 20th Amendment to the Constitution, under the guise of abolishing the Executive Presidency.
These views were expressed at an event organized by the National Academic Bikkhu Forum (NABF), held today (13) with the participation of ordained academics and several members of the Buddhist clergy.
The speakers claimed that the working groups which were engaged in conducting public consultations prior to the drafting of the Constitution were biased. Hence it was urged that the reform process be halted and steps be taken to reinforce the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance. It was further claimed that if the reforms are implemented, the division of the State would diminish the respect and moral authority guaranteed to the Buddhist clergy under the current Constitution and would ensure the end of Buddhism in the country.
Meanwhile, addressing concerns regarding local food production, Professor Ven. Induragare Dhammarathana Thera, an academic attached to the Kelaniya University that the British were responsible for introducing weeds, weedicides, pests and pesticides to the country, which by the time they granted Sri Lankan Independence had destroyed local farming and fertility of the soil. He further claimed that local agricultural researchers of the country are dependent on the internet to conduct research and have never even seen mud.
