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| Sunday, 23 March 2003 |
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Int'l constitutionalists here to hold seminars on federalism by P. Krishnaswamy Two eminent federal constitutionalists of the Canada-based Forum of International Network on Federalism who are now in Sri Lanka on the invitation of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) will hold seminars among Tamil parliamentarians on federal concepts, SLMC sources said. They will be joined by a team of experts of the Forum, for extended seminars and workshops among members of local government bodies and university students in the North and East. They will also educate prominent Muslim citizens of the Eastern Province on federal concepts, the sources said. SLMC leader Minister Rauff Hakeem accorded a reception last week to Chairman of the Forum, Bob Rae, and his colleague Prof. David Camaron at "Dharusalam", the party headquarters. Speaking at a well attended discussion that followed, Bob Rae disclosed that the Forum is made up of senior academics and former politicians who work on federal constitutions around the world. Bob Rae said that although there were different examples of the federal concept, neither he nor Prof. Cameron were in a position to indicate any particular form of federalism as a solution to the Sri Lankan conflict and that it would be inappropriate for them to do so. "It is very much for the people of the Island to decide what form of federalism and what form of constitution would be needed. We can provide the expertise on federalist concepts throughout the world", he said, explaining that they would like to be looked at as a very useful resource towards evolving a suitable model of federalism for Sri Lanka. Minister Rauff Hakeem presented a detailed account of the peace initiatives undertaken over the past two decades. He explained the outcome of the Indo-Lanka Peace Accord of July 1987, peace efforts of successive governments under the leadership of President R. Premadasa and President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. He said that they are happy since the Muslims' aspirations and their right for independent representation at the peace talks have now been recognised. |
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