Third Republican Constitution: A Phoenix Rising From The Ashes

By Wimalanath Weerarathne-Monday, January 18, 2016

The latest political maneuver of the United National Front for Good Governmence (UNFGG) at present is to bring before the people a new people-centric Constitution.

Three committees have been appointed  thus far, of which Dr. Jayampathi Wickramaratne heads the committee entrusted with the task of drafting the new Constitution. Attorney-at-Law Lal Wijeratne chairs the committee mandated to engage the participation of ‘civil society’ organisations together with the public at  and thereby ensure that there is good dialogue with the people. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe heads the Parliamentary maneuverings and even tabled a resolution converting Parliament into a Constituent Assembly for the purpose of formulating Sri Lanka’s Third Republican Constitution on January 09.

The Constitution is the fundamental law of the country and represents the aspirations of its people. The constitution is crucial in  that it ensures that  the rights and freedom of the public are is ensured.

1947 Soulbury Constitution

The 1947 Soulbury Constitution directed the newly-born Asian nation for the next three decades. The Constitution was based on the requirements of none other than the ‘Father of the nation’ and first Prime Minister of independent Ceylon – D.S. Senannayake. This Constitution was not built on the aspirations of the native people and adhered upon us by the British Raj just like the Colebrooke – Cameron Reforms (1833), Crewe MaCallum Reforms (1912), Manning Reforms (1922); and finally the Donoughmore Reforms (1931) which introduced universal suffrage to the then Ceylon.

Although, minority leaders complained to the colonial rulers that the Soulbury Commission did not represent their interests,  the influence of Premier Senannayake and Lord Soulbury prevailed upon them.

1972 First Republican Constitution      Read More »