SLFP General Secretary, Minister Duminda Dissanayake yesterday disclosed plans to meet the Chief Prelates of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters to discuss their stance on Constitutional reforms.
“The SLFP, as a party will meet with Chief Prelates of both Chapters to conduct discussions to learn their actual opinion on constitutional reforms. At present, we only know what the media reported,” he said.
Minister Dissanayake further said that he met the Chief Prelates three weeks ago, where he explained to them that constitutional change would not downgrade Buddhism or divide the country.
“The draft of the new constitution consists of a series of recommendations that will be debated in Parliament. There might exist things we cannot agree to, as individuals. But, no country can create a new constitution, where 100 per cent agree with,” he said.
Dissanayake said that as a country, Sri Lanka is in need of constitutional change. “We can’t escape this reality. This is one promise that three consecutive Presidents of the country had been making during their Presidential campaigns,” he said.
Minister Dissanayake said that there is a necessity for discussions to decide what is to be included in this new constitution.
“The SLFP will not agree to a constitution that will contribute to the downgrading of Buddhism or to division of the country. If the 13th Amendment is going to be fully implemented, we have expressed the need for a President elected through the voting of the people,” he said. (DA)