Draft of basic law to be introduced

by the Constitutional Assembly as well as other resource persons and experts in the relevant fields have been aiding and assisting the deliberations of the committees,” Mr. Iddawala said.

The Steering Committee has also heard representations of political parties who have also sent in written representations in response to published notices.the sub-committees have also met a wide range of persons and organizations in respect of their respective subjects, he said. The Report of the Public Representation Committee is also being considered by the subcommittees, he added.

Having considered the reports of the sub-committees and further deliberations, the Steering Committee will present an interim report to the Constitutional Assembly for its considerations. Based on consensus reached on general merits of the report, the drafting of the Constitution Bill will commence, Mr. Iddawala said.

The reports of the Constitutional sub-committees in the Constitutional amendment process will be made available to the Steering Committee in the first week of August, Secretary to the Steering Committee and Chief of Staff, Neil Iddawala said yesterday.

Mr. Iddawala, who is also the Deputy Secretary General of Parliament said the Steering Committee had extensive deliberations on Electoral Reforms and has commenced discussions on the form of government and the principles of devolution.

He said consequent to the appointment of the Steering Committee and six sub-committees on Fundamental Rights, the Judiciary, Law and Order, Centre-periphery Relations, Public Service and Public Finance by the Constitutional Assembly, will hold regular meetings by the respective committees on the respective subject areas.

“Experts who have been appointed