The SL we know will cease to exist: MR

Through this draft constitution, the government seeks to divide the country into nine semiindependent federal units. The powers wielded by the central government today, are to be devolved to the provinces

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday Sri Lanka, as we know it, will cease to exist if the new Constitution which was drafted by the same people who drafted the ‘confused 19A’ and a confused LG electoral system, was passed in Parliament.

In a statement, he said the proposed new draft constitution was one of the three dangers the country will face in the new year.

“Through this draft constitution, the government seeks to divide the country into nine semi-independent federal units. The powers wielded by the central government today, are to be devolved to the provinces. Each province is to have a separate police force. Provisions have been introduced to weaken the central Parliament and the legal framework in such a manner as to make it impossible for the central government to respond adequately to an emergency in order to safeguard the peace and integrity of the country. This draft constitution has been prepared by the same persons who drafted the completely confused 19th Amendment.

The same parties that drafted this proposed new constitution introduced a new elections system for the local government bodies and provincial councils in 2017.

Today, the very people who enthusiastically voted for that new elections system say that no election in the future should be held according to that new system. If the new constitution drafted by the same people is passed, Sri Lanka as we know it, will cease to exist,” Mr. Rajapaksa said.

He said there were reports of the government attempting to buy MPS to get the new Constitution passed.

“Thus, Sri Lanka now is confronted with three deadly dangers namely the new Constitution, collapsing of economy and breaking down of the governmental mechanism.” he said.