‘Constitution must be people friendly’

(FASTNEWS | COLOMBO) – Constitutional expert attorney Lal Wijenayake says the consent of all factions must be sought in the event the government seeks to amend the Constitution or introduce a new Constitution with its two thirds majority.

Speaking to media in Kandy Wijenayake said failure to do so will result in grave results.

He said a countries Constitution cannot be changed as if playing a game, as a country could become unstable when changing a Constitution.

Wijenayake noted that prior to formulating a Constitution, discussions must be held with representatives of all segments in society, in order to formulate a Constitution that will be approved by all.

If not, he claimed that the Constitution will be like the one in 1972, where it became the Sri Lanka Freedom Party Constitution, citing that as discussions on the matter was coming to a close, many people on the Constitutional Council exited.

The attorney claimed that the Constitution in the year 1978 was not a Constitution for the people but for JR Jayawardene.

Therefore, he said any new Constitution must be a peoples Constitution.

Lal Wijenayake added he hopes the two thirds majority of the new Parliament will be used for the benefit of the country.

He noted that a two thirds majority can be misused, while it can also be used for the betterment of the country and to reach decisions for development.

He expressed hope the government, as promised, will use this two thirds majority for the benefit of the people.