New Constitution: Talks put off indefinitely over corona fears

Committee still confident 6-month deadline can be met

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Meetings scheduled for last Saturday (23) to discuss proposed constitutional and electoral reforms couldn’t be held as political parties believed some of those expected to attend them, had been affected by Covid-19, well informed sources told The Island.

The Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU), the National Freedom Front (NFF), the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) and SLPP National List MP Tiran Alles sought postponement due to the fear of Covid-19 epidemic.

They were the first group of lawmakers to make representations to a 9-member committee led by Romesh de Silva, PC, tasked with preparing the new draft Constitution for parliamentary perusal.

The postponement was sought at the eleventh hour, sources said.

Sources said that President’s Counsel de Silva decided to put off meetings with lawmakers for the time being. Over a half a dozen lawmakers, including Health Minister Pavitra Wanniarachchi have tested positive so far. The committee consists of Romesh de Silva, PC, Gamini Marapana, PC, Manohara de Silva, PC, Sanjeewa Jayawardena, PC, Prof. Naseema Kamurdeen, Dr. A. Sarveshwaran, Samantha Ratwatte, PC, Prof. Wasantha Seneviratne and Prof.

G.H. Peiris. Justice Minister Ali Sabry, PC, named the committee in the first week of Sept. last year.

Asked whether the committee would find it difficult to finalize a proper document within six months due to postponement of meetings with political parties, authoritative sources said that regardless of the setback, the outfit was confident of meeting the deadline. Sources said that a delay couldn’t be justified. “If required, the committee can always depend on zoom,” a source familiar with the ongoing constitution making process said.

Sources said that the SLPP, the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balavegaya and the UNP hadn’t submitted proposals so far and their participation remained under a cloud. The JVP, too, refrained from submitting a set of proposals though the breakaway JVP faction, the NFF handed over its proposals several weeks ago.