New Constitution design in offing

by Uditha Kumarasinghe

The newly formed National Unity Government will press ahead with the drawing up of a new Constitution and some important reforms to the legal system once the Cabinet of Ministers begins formulating policy and programmes, the Sunday Observer learns. The government leadership wants to make the maximum use of the favourable political environment for consensual politics provided by the broad multi-party coalition as well as the readiness of other parties in parliamentary opposition to support progressive reform, according to high level sources.

Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa told the Sunday Observer that the new government will introduce sweeping constitutional reforms including electoral reforms, reduced presidential powers, increased powers to Parliament and enhanced guarantees on media freedom. Rajapakshe said the new government was committed to introducing a new constitution addressing various aspects that have been ignored before.

“Constitutional reforms we intend proposing will cover all aspects, not just one area. This is a unique opportunity in the annals of our political history for all political leaders and the people to contribute to constitution-making,” he added. In the interim, various laws that will address shortcomings in different sectors will be introduced shortly. The Minister disclosed that several new laws including a law on the Right to Information, Independent Audit Law, and Children’s Judicial Protection Bill will be introduced in the coming weeks.

He also said a new parliamentary committee system will be introduced to ensure all parties are able to work together and contribute to a new process of nation building.

“The formation of the national government by the UNP and the SLFP shows that we are now slowly moving out from the primitive democracy and are attempting to become an advanced democracy that brings political parties together to work for the people. There are some urgent needs to be fulfilled and it is necessary for all parties to contribute to this process of seeking solutions to critical issues,” he noted.