New Constitution: SLFP not decided to hold a referendum

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) had not yet decided on the stance on a referendum on the new Constitution, Minister of Social Empowerment and Welfare S. B. Dissanayake said yesterday.

Though some SLFP Ministers made statements on the issue, Minister Dissanayake said that those were only personal views and not the policy stance of the party.

Addressing a press conference Minister Dissanayake said the members of the party had few rounds of discussions on the country’s new Constitution with party Chairman President Maithripala Sirisena, where they firmly showed him the fact that he could not hold a referendum as it violated his 2015 Presidential Election Manifesto,” he said.

“We pointed out to the President that his Presidential election manifesto has clearly mentioned that the country would not go for any Constitutional amendments, which will lead to a referendum,” he said.

He also said the only person who authorised to call a referendum was the country’s President, and that President Sirisena could not turn back on the promises made to the people.

He said based on the manifesto, both leading parties fielded the common candidate at the last Presidential Election, which was why they were continually pointing out to the President that he could not agree on any Constitutional Amendment leading to a referendum.

However, Minister Dissanayake said when producing a new Constitution it was not compulsory to hold a referendum.

“We can appoint a committee to create a fresh Constitution disregarding the current laws and regulations, there are ways to do so just like it was done in 1972. The dialogue for a healthy Constitution for the country is to appreciate, however the present Government cannot act so,” Minister Dissanayake said.

We can appoint a committee to create a fresh Constitution ..., there are ways to do so just like it was done in 1972.