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Sri Lanka will conduct a referendum next month to ascertain the public viewpoint for constitutional reforms. President Kumaratunga issued a proclamation at midnight July 10, for the conduct of the referendum on August 21, 2001. The President has invoked the provisions of Article 86, which permit her to submit to the People by Referendum any matter, which in the opinion of the President is of national importance. The country’s 11.9 million voters will decide whether Sri Lanka will keep its 1978 constitution with its complex proportional representation system or move to a new constitution that reflects better the current needs of the country. “Although the PA won more than two thirds of the Parliamentary seats at the last two elections, that mandate is not properly reflected in Parliament because of the electoral system that is tied to the Constitution,” the government said in a special press release issued last night. “The essential prerequisite today is a new Constitution that reflects the will of the people,” the press release added. “Accordingly, the Government has given an opportunity to the people to express their opinion on the issues confronting the country today. It is with the firm conviction that the sovereignty rests with the people that the Government has decided to hold a Referendum on August 21.” The Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) however, described it as an undemocratic decision. “The people are being asked to vote for a constitution which they have not seen,” said Wimal Weerawansa, Propaganda Secretary of the JVP. “The provisions laid down in Article 85 of the constitution have not been complied with. It is an autocratic decision, undemocratic and dictatorial,” he added.
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