Sri Lanka to Introduce New Constitution This YearSri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga called on her people on Thursday to help her government introduce a new constitution within this year to meet the needs of her war-torn country."We are fully committed to introduce the new constitution within this year after necessary consultations with broad sections of society." Kumaratunga said in a islandwide address on Thursday evening. Kumaratunga asked all political parties to join with the government in this "great and noble task." She said through the new constitution a new electoral system will be introduced to ensure the genuine and accurate reflection of the wishes and aspirations of the majority of the voters. She said that special commissions should also be established under the new constitution. The new constitution should also provide fair constitutional and political solutions to the country's 18-year ethnic conflict, the president said. She said that she also wants to abolish the executive presidency under the new constitution. Kumaratunga prorogued parliament for two months on Tuesday night in a surprise move and called for a referendum on a new constitution on August 21. Her move averted a no-confidence motion brought by the opposition after her ruling People's Alliance government reduced to a minority in 225-member Parliament on June 20 when the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress pulled out following her decision to dismiss its leader Rauf Hakeem. |
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