by Cyril Wimalasurendre

Education Minister Professor G. L. Peiris revealed on Saturday at Getambe Rajopawanaramaya that a draft of the new Constitution would be presented to Parliament before the end of 2021.

 During a conversation with Venerable Keppetiyagoda Siriwimala Nayaka Thera, the Chief Incumbent of Rajaopwanaramaya on Saturday afternoon, Prof. Peiris said that adequate time would be given the stakeholders to discuss, comment and make suggestions to the draft of the Constitution.             

Buddhism would be given its due place in the Constitution, which would satisfy all groups and parties, Minister Peiris said, adding that the ideal situation to adopt a Constitution to replace the existing one was the current period. “The government has a two-thirds majority in Parliament and many political parties are with the government headed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa,” he said, adding that opportunity would be given to everyone in Parliament to express his or her views about the proposed Constitution. 

Most Venerable Keppetiyagoda Siriwimala Nayaka Thera urged the government to adopt a Constitution that would safeguard the rights of all sections of the people and protect the Buddhist heritage. The people had given a mandate to the government with a two-thirds majority. The government must treat it as the duty and responsibility to satisfy the people according to the assurances given to them.

 “The people have resposed their faith in the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and given it a two-thirds majority and also the support sought for the abolition of the 19th amendment. It is now left to the government to satisfy the public.

 The prelate urged the government to respect the law of the country unlike the yahapalana government.

Prof. Peiris was expected to call on the prelates of Malwatte and Asgiriya yesterday.