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| Monday, 12 April 2004 |
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The United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) will give priority to the formulation of a new Constitution within the shortest possible period, Government sources said yesterday. President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has retained the Ministry of Constitutional Reforms under her with this purpose in mind, Parliamentarian Janadasa Pieris said. "A round of discussions has already been held regarding the introduction of a new Constitution. "The Parliament will be converted into a Constitutional Assembly to formulate the proposed Constitution," said Pieris, a media spokesman for the President. According to Pieris, a Constitutional Bill, passed with a majority in Parliament, will be directed to the Supreme Court. With the recommendations of the Supreme Court, the bill will be presented for a referendum. The main aim is to change the 1978 Constitution, abolish the Executive Presidency and to appoint a Prime Minister with full authority. A joint first-past-the-post and Proportional Representation System is envisaged for elections. Pieris noted that the United People's Freedom Alliance has received a mandate to govern the country at the recently held General Election. The UPFA government has received a majority of two thirds though the present electoral system does not interpret the mandate properly. It is confirmed by the UPFA winning 14 districts out of 22 and 106 electoral divisions out of 160. The Presidential Secretariat has reported that the Ministry of Education and Higher Education will be retained under the portfolios of the President. The President will hold the ministerial portfolios of defence as well. The Ministry of Constitutional Affairs and the Ministry of Northern Province Rehabilitation are also included in the subjects held by the President. |
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