Plebiscite postponed. Opposition to support urgent amendments to the constitution
[August 7, 2001 - 15:40 GMT]

President Chandrika Kumaratunge this evening postponed the referendum scheduled for the 21^st of August to the 18^th of October 2001.A press release issued by the Presidential Secretariat said the President had given serious consideration to the representations made by members of the clergy, political parties and professional bodies and decided on the postponement.

The President says she was pleased to note an emerging consensus among the people that there should be constitutional reforms for a more democratic form of Governance. It is significant she says, since the proclamation of the referendum, parties within the ruling alliance and of the opposition, have agreed to support the Government to introduce the most urgent amendments to the constitution even without a referendum.

However if the political parties fail to reach agreement, the President says she will not hesitate to proceed to consult the people directly through the plebiscite re-scheduled for the 18^th of October2001.The President has also thanked to all those who submitted constructive proposals for inclusion in the new Constitution in the interest of the Nation.  

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Last Updated Date: December 16, 2003 - 15.40 GMT.