Constitutional Reform Committee sittings:

Where are the youth?

by Dhaneshi Yatawara

Over 1,500 proposals have been submitted to the Public Representation Committee on Constitutional Reforms (PRCCR), Chairman, attorney-at-law Lal Wijenayake said.

This was the total number submitted as far as written submissions via mail, email, fax, social media, personally handed over to the Secretariat and at the public sittings in the four districts in 12 days.

“There was a lack of youth representation at all the sittings. The Committee would like to see an increased participation of youth,” he said, adding that the only significant youth participation was in Matale,where a group of schoolchildren made their submissions.

The PRCCR hopes to hold extra sessions for youth to submit proposals next month, as the public sittings will be completed by the end of this month. “Since the Committee has not scheduled for next month, we should allocate more time for youth. Other citizens who missed the opportunity during the scheduled public sittings could also hand over their proposals during this time,” he said.

Apart from the public proposals, the PRCCR sought proposals from religious leaders and reputed scholars.

The next hearing scheduled for two days, starting tomorrow (8) will be held in Galle, Kegalle and Kilinochchi. The 20-member PRCCR is divided into three panels and will hold public sittings in three districts.