Most Sri Lankans Oppose to any form of devolution of Power – PRC
The Public Representation Committee (PRC) set up by Sri Lankan Prime Minister Wickremesinghe to ascertain the views of the public on constitutional reform, encountered sharp differences on ethnic lines mostly biased to Tamil for Federalism.
The majority proposals received by the PRC from the public are opposing to any form of devolution of political power to the Tamils but general administrative powers such as local council power to the district developments.
The PRC is due to submit its report with its recommendations to the PM any day after 11th of May. The report will then be sent to the Steering Committee of the “Constitutional Assembly” which is a committee of the entire membership of the Lankan parliament charged with the task of drafting a new constitution for the Island nation.
Tamils politicians want a federal constitution as opposed to the current unitary one, the majority Sinhalese want the unitary structure to be retained to avoid any formation separatism in Sri Lanka.
The Muslims are opposed to the Tamils’ demand for a merger of the Northern and Eastern Provinces because that will make them a small minority dominated by Tamils and possible discrimination in the hand of Tamil extremists.
Tamils of Indian origin who were temporally brought as planation labourers want a constitution which enjoins “affirmative action” on the part of the State. Further, Indian Origin Tamils want an autonomous unit comprising areas where plantation workers are a substantial part of the population.
The 20-member PRC interviewed about 6000 people, political parties, interest and civil society groups all over the island.
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