ProMASS News Bureau: Jan 10, 2016:
Sri Lanka on Saturday embarked on the exercise of making a new Constitution for the country by resolving to convert the current Parliament into a Constitutional Assembly. The resolution to draft a new constitution was presented to the Parliament by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe Saturday morning at a special session.
Following this, President Maithripala Sirisena addressed the Parliament and called upon all parties to unite to create the 3rd Republican Constitution for the country. According to the Prime Minister, the main aim of the exercise is to abolish the executive presidential system, ensure reconciliation with minorities and usher in wide ranging electoral reforms. The contours of the new constitution will however emerge after an extensive consultation process, both within the house and outside.