Opportunity to create an indivisible Sri Lanka must not be squandered - Sampanthan

Speaking in parliament today (21), Leader of the Opposition R.Sampanthan appealed to the members of the House not to squander the opportunity to create a constitution with a substantial bi-partisan consensus that will be beneficial to every member of the Sri Lankan community creating an indivisible Sri Lanka.  

In his speech today, the Leader of the Opposition stated that the process of formulating a constitution has been a prolonged and complicated one. He cited the numerous efforts brought forward by several political regimes highlighting the fact that, each one of them helped shape Sri Lanka into what it is today. 

“We are engaged in the process of making a Constitution for our country, the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.  As Sri Lankan Members of Parliament we on behalf of the people we represent are engaged in making the basic Supreme Law - the Constitution of Sri Lanka.” He said emphasizing the enormity of the task at hand.  

He further stated that the Constitution of Sri Lanka will be accepted as the framework on which an undivided, indivisible Sri Lanka can be built. 

R.Sampanthan further stated that to date, no constitution has been framed on the basis of a substantial bi-partisan consensus of the differing people within Sri Lanka, particularly the Tamil community, or on the basis of a bi-partisan consensus of the main two political parties.  

He further stated that the political demographic of the country is such that every party regardless of scale will have a role to play in the formulation of an effective constitution that will do justice to every member of the community.  

The Leader of the Opposition stressed the poignancy of the current constitutional assembly stating that the present efforts of the assembly will be the first opportunity where a constitution may be drafted based upon the reasonable consensus of both major political parties giving the constitution the credibility and legitimacy it so desperately requires. 
  
It was further stated that it had been a long standing goal of the Tamil speaking people to create a constitution that gives reasonable and acceptable arrangement that recognizes the identity and dignity of the people. R.Sampanthan further stated that the negligence of the diversity of people reaped disastrous results for the people of Sri Lanka for over 3 decades. 

He also stated that this unfortunate situation prompted many erudite Sri Lankans to find employment overseas to rid themselves of social segregation. It was emphasized that a new constitution needs to be drafted to salvage the credibility of the nation in the eyes of the international community. 

The Leader of the Opposition in his closing remarks implored with the House to collaborate and facilitate the creation of a new supreme authority that will pave the way for a better tomorrow for the general populace of Sri Lanka.