Sweeping reforms, including Senate, for reconciliation

A proposed National Policy on Reconciliation calls for an amendment to the Constitution to create a Senate.

Legislation in particular areas should require the consent of two thirds of the Senate in addition to two thirds of Parliament or the First Chamber.

This is one of the highlights of a set of proposals formulated by the Presidential Advisor on Reconciliation, Rajiva Wijesinha. He has been assisted in the task by law lecturer Salma Yusuf.

This 12- page report notes that the current time frame provided in the Constitution to get the constitutionality of proposed legislation verified by the Supreme Court is grossly inadequate. It says that the government should make endeavours to reach a consensus on an appropriate constitutional amendment to provide an ade- quate time frame to challenge proposed legislation.

Here are other significant highlights among the recommendations. The Government shall make every effort to give full effect to the Interim and Final Recommendations of the LLRC so as to maintain the confidence of the people in the reconciliation process. The Government shall work comprehensively and cohesively to implement the National Action Plan on Human Rights that has been adopted by Cabinet, with particular attention to improving the capacities of and faith in the police, to ensuring better protection mechanisms for women and children, and to streamlining the judicial system to promote confidence in its operations.