TUESDAY, 11 JUNE 2013 10:30
The Catholic Bishops Conference in
Sri Lanka (CBCSL) has called the government to discuss with all parties
to bring about a totally new Constitution instead of amending the 13th
Amendment to the Constitution.
The
full text of the statement issued by the President of the CBCSL, Malcolm
Cardinal Ranjith and Secretary General of the CBCSL, Bishop Valence Mendis
follows;
“We
have learned through the National Media that there is an intense debate going
on with regard to the 13th Amendment of the National Constitution. This
amendment provides for the devolution of power to the provinces and has been in
effect over the last two decades. There have been a few examples of tension
with regard to the use of devolved authority, but by and large the system has allowed
greater participation of people in the matter of governance.
Even
if this systems may not be perfect, it is our contention that at this moment
when Sri Lanka is striving to make permanent the hard won peace_ after a 30
year conflict, pondering upon this constitutional provision, may lead to over
centralization of authority and to international meddling in the internal
affairs of this country. Essentially the problem in the North is a National
question for which the solution is to be found by the local political
leadership of both the Sinhala and the Tamil communities. What is needed is the
proper study and careful consideration of all factors along with a broad based
consultation of the different political parties and civil society groups before
any changes are to be made. We are not convinced that this is happening.
It
is also our contention that instead of tinkering with continued amendments to
the Constitution, it is time for us to think about a totally new Constitution
which is fair by all communities and all political and social forces and helps
to bind people together while respecting diversity. For this reason, we the
Catholic Bishops would request the Government not to proceed with the proposed
amendment to the 13th amendment or to its total repeal but to discuss with all
parties, specially through the Parliamentary Select Committee, and think about
a totally new Constitution which would guarantee justice, peace and true
prosperity for all citizens of this country irrespective of ethnic, religious
or social differences. In that respect it is only fair that the Provincial
Council election in the North be held as scheduled according to the 13th
Amendment and later study the possibility of a new Constitution.”
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