PM submits steering committee’s report on new constitution

Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe submitted an interim report on the new constitution compiled by the Steering Committee, to the Constitutional Assembly earlier today (21). 

The Constitutional Assembly aimed at drafting a new constitution gathered at the Parliament earlier today (21). 

A report complied utilizing the findings and opinions of the 6 sub-committees appointed by the steering committee and the Lal Wijenayake report on Public Representation was submitted to the Assembly by the Premier. 

Accordingly it was decided to table the interim report in parliament before documenting a final report on the new constitution.   

The new constitution was a key promise of Sri Lankan President and Prime minister during the 2015 elections and is primarily meant to address the grievances of minorities. 

The report will be debated both within and outside the Parliament before the final bill is passed through a two-third majority followed by referendum.

Presenting the report, PM Ranil said it is a historic moment as the government and the opposition have joined together to fight a common conspiracy against country that had once been ravaged. 

He said they can not allow this valuable opportunity to be lost as the process can put the country into a transformation and usher into a new era of prosperity and development.

The interim report has replaced the word ‘Unitary’ with ‘unified’ but has refrained from proposing a federal status for country which Tamil political groups were demanding. 

It has also kept the special status for Buddhism while giving equal status to other religions. The proposal to end executive Presidency has not been agreed upon by major parties and Prime minister hoped that they will soon arrive at a consensus. 

The report has also advocated greater devolution of power to provincial councils in order to address various needs efficiently.