28 March, 2024

Blog

Release ‘Draft Zero’ Of New Constitution: CPA Tells Government

The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), noting that documents submitted to the Steering Committee tasked with pushing the constitutional reform process forward have been leaked, has called upon the government to release the so-called ‘Draft Zero’ since the leaking ‘has removed any reasonable justification based on confidentiality which has so far prevented the publication of this document.’

CPA Executive Director, Dr Saravanamuttu

The following is the full statement released by the CPA on the matter:

The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) notes the media coverage surrounding a document described as ‘Draft Zero’ – evidently produced by some legal experts resourcing the Constitutional Assembly process – which is reported to have been submitted to the Steering Committee. According to reports, this document sets out a scheme for a new constitution based on the recommendations of the Sub-Committees of the Constitutional Assembly which reported in 2016, and the Steering Committee’s Interim Report of 2017.

While this document has not been made public by the Steering Committee, it is clear from the detailed critical commentaries on its contents that are appearing in the national media that the document has been leaked. We are thus in an extraordinary situation in which critics of constitutional reform are shaping the public debate on a future constitution, while proponents of reform as well as the general public remain in the dark about the proposals before the Steering Committee. This has removed any reasonable justification based on confidentiality which has so far prevented the publication of this document.

It may be the case that the government’s conduct of the reforms process, or lack thereof, has by now almost entirely squandered the political opportunity for a new constitution created by the landmark elections of 2015. But the government continues to owe a duty of basic candour to the public that twice mandated and entrusted it with the responsibility for constitutional reform in 2015. CPA accordingly demands that the document known as ‘Draft Zero’ be published forthwith. It is the least the government can do to demonstrate some respect for the goodwill and credulity of its citizens.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Latest comments

  • 5
    1

    Why ask Parliament? Ask Chamindry Saparamadoo who is one of the ‘experts’. She will give you.S he gives anybody.

    • 1
      1

      You mean Saparamadu of “gedera yana gaman with CJ” fame? Oh! Sara why do u want to ask Government? Ask her and you will get because you are about 20 years older than she and you are in her best liked category.

  • 10
    7

    We Sinhalese are not interested. We KNOW the sinister objective of this whole exercise. We KNOW that Ealamists too KNOW that we Sinhalese are the majority and hence the end result of the referendum that entails it. Every Sinhalese should be concious of this game plan. Sinhalese must take this opportunity to establish the concept that physical relocation of all Tamils (All Tamil speaking people irrespectiveof their religion or the date of arrival) presently occupying areas outside North East should be an integral prat of a ferderal stctructure. Every Tamil should be fully made aware of this posibility before they vote.
    Soma

    • 2
      1

      This whole exercise of a new constitution to accommodate demands of Tamils for autonomy, is to hoodwink international community that government is prepared for justice and reconciliation. Despite Tamils prepared to consider a solution without division of the country, despite Tamils willing for devolution without calling the state unitary or federal, nothing seems to be forthcoming from Sinhala side as for compromise. The fact that it is stuck at the first stage itself after deliberating for three years as to what the state should be, clearly indicates that there is no hope. In Sinhalese it says that state will be “Ekiya” or unitary, while in Tamil it is “Orumitha” or united to hoodwink Tamils, and nothing in the English version to hoodwink the international community is ample proof of the deception of the Sinhalese. When court is asked to determine, they will go by the Sinhala version and confirm that it is unitary, denying any devolution to Tamils. Tamil politicians like Mano Ganesan and Siddharthan are singing a different tune now that there is no hope of a new constitution materialising during the tenue of the present government due to the upcoming elections, while other politicians like Sambanthan and Sumanthiran who told Tamils that everything will be fine under this government, are woefully silent. Fact is that except a handful of Sinhalese, rest are not in favour of sharing power and territory with Tamils in a fair and meaningful way. Tamils will never get justice under any Sinhala rule with supremacist mindset, which makes intervention by international community mandatory, to grant justice to Tamils.

  • 6
    5

    New constitution is a threat to national security. If you treat Tamils equally they will want to control us.

  • 8
    3

    We don’t need a new constitution . We need some educated , decent , honest politicians to replace the current set of rotters .

    • 3
      1

      Nosey Parker suggests the possible ~ “We don’t need a new constitution .”
      but then goes on to the impossible ~ “We need some educated , decent , honest politicians to replace the current set of rotters .”

  • 8
    3

    Oh dear! Have the dollar transfers to CPA stopped due to not meeting the performance appraisal milestone? This can’t be allowed.Come on Pakya, get the bastards to hurry up. Get Jayampathy and Suman on the phone and give a shelling.

    Who cares about the country. We, including Suna will be happy if the dollars and euros keep coming for our beef steaks and red wine at 5 star joints..

    Kick up some dust Pakya, get things moving.

  • 5
    1

    Sorry Sarwanamuttu. It will be torn apart. You can keep dreaming about your “new” constitution.

  • 5
    1

    YAhapalanay thought of postponing the election and then approve the constitution and go to election. Financier of CPA liked that, I suppose. Buddhists in thailand (from Malaysian muslims), Myanmar (from Bangladeshi muslims) and Sri lanka (from every minority group, INGOs, NGOS, businesses) have problems. Because Indian OCean is international. Maynamar is looked after by China. thailand also found a barganing something. Sri lanka is doomed. Because, all 225 want to fatten their ACCOUNTS AND MAKE THEIR FAMILIES THE KING MAKERS.

  • 5
    1

    I think Saravanamuththu has contradicted Jayampathi wicramrathne. JAympathi more than once said, his six groups earlier, there after ten groups of which each group had 6 people wrote it. Now, Saravanamuththu says it had been written for some time. and Just take it out. I heard Saravanamuththu has some leads about teh bond scam too.

  • 2
    1

    Release your expenditure reports and be transparent. Release your income sources from foreign funding. Be Transparent. Then you will have a bit of credibility.

  • 2
    1

    Smashing idea old chap. Shall we discuss this over some Vino Rosso and some Veil at Hilton or shall we meet at Shangri La old chap. I must say this is bloody brilliant.

Leave A Comment

Comments should not exceed 200 words. Embedding external links and writing in capital letters are discouraged. Commenting is automatically disabled after 5 days and approval may take up to 24 hours. Please read our Comments Policy for further details. Your email address will not be published.