|
|
|
  |
| Sunday, 12 December 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
High priority for constitutional reforms Speech by Constitutional Affairs and National Integration Minister Dew Gunasekara at the debate on the vote of his Ministry To start with, the Ministry of Constitutional Affairs and National Integration is a new Ministry. It was so named on September 10th, with the incorporation of the subject of Constitutional Reform, the peace-building, the ethnic affairs and national integration under one Ministry. They were earlier attached either to Finance, Justice, Industries or Mineral Resources. Firstly, I touch upon the Peace - Building Project. It is aimed at building support among various constituencies for resumption of peace negotiations. The building of peace consciousness is a central focus of this project. The promotion of multi-culturalism and trust building among different communities has also been another focus of the project. With regard to the promotion of national integration, the Ministry plays a planning role, implementation role, advisory role and catalystic role. In this task, the National Integration Programme Unit (NIPU) operates as the agency through which we operate. It is also engaged in building confidence among all ethnic groups, in cultivating mutual interaction and understanding among ethnic groups; in monitoring and countering ethnic and language-based discrimination. Promotion of the culture of peace, human rights, equal opportunity and equality of treatment is another task. Training programmes We are also called upon to prepare the public service through training programmes to implement effectively the national integration policy. The need for constitutional reform takes a high priority in the agenda of our Ministry. We are presently engaged in an awareness programme on the need for changing the Constitution. The groundwork for constitution-making is being prepared by the Advisory Committee. The Ministry has undertaken a new task of monitoring the implementation of the provisions of the Constitution. This is an aspect which has been totally neglected or overlooked. The solutions to the problems which are incorporated in the fundamental law of the country remain unimplemented. For example, the provision of Tamil as an official language though it came into operation in 1987, remains in the Statute Book for the last 17 years. In spite of various efforts at various times, nothing tangible has been achieved. Here, the main problem in regard to the implementation lies with the Public Service. It is my considered view that the Public Service needs to be motivated before it could be activated. Here the political will and leadership are necessary at all levels. 4-member committee Our Ministry has taken an initiative in this regard. The Cabinet has recently accepted my recommendation to set up a Ministerial Committee to monitor, review, report and recommend speedy measures for implementation. The four-member committee comprises Ministers of Constitutional Affairs and National Integration, Public Administration & Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government and Finance & Planning. This Committee will prepare a work plan in order of priority for speedy implementation of the provisions of the Constitution. We will be launching a new Project - Equal Access to Justice very soon, before the end of the year. It is a UNDP Project aimed at ensuring equal treatment to all sections of the society, having in view the disadvantaged - the poor, displaced people, disabled, minorities, women, children etc. - in particular those in rural, distant and difficult areas. The launching of this project takes place in Katuwana Divisional Council Area of the Hambantota District. So, the Ministry is called upon to pursue a triple policy of constitutional reform, peace building and national integration - the subjects which are inter-related, inter dependent and integral. Peace building Accordingly, the vision of our Ministry is to achieve a constitutional order that ensures unity in diversity, peace and good governance. Mission of our Ministry in brief is to formulate strategies, policies and programmes and implement them to achieve a constitutional change that reflects the will of the people and promote power-sharing and devolution, ethnic and religious harmony, peace building and national integration. |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
