New Lanka Constitution could be presented in parliament by Nov

Colombo, Aug 29 (PTI) Sri Lanka’s new draft Constitutioncould be presented in Parliament before the next budget whichwould be announced by mid-November this year, Foreign MinisterMangala Samaraweera has said while hoping that it willcelebrate the country’s diversity. "We hope to be able to present that (Constitution) inparliament before the next budget," Samaraweera said whileaddressing a gathering in Point Pedro in the northern provinceyesterday. The 2017 government budget is expected to be presented inParliament mid-November. It was important to recognise the religious diversity inSri Lanka in formulating the new Constitution, Samaraweerasaid. "We have been busy creating or placing a foundation for anew Sri Lanka. Based on the three pillars of democratisation,reconciliation and development," the minister said. The process of finalising the new Constitution isunderway and it will hopefully celebrate the diversity of thecountry, he said. Samaraweera said, it is time to come to terms with thefact that Sri Lanka is a multi-racial, multi-religious,multi-lingual country. The Maithripala Sirisena government has set in theprocess of making a new Constitution since January this year. A 21-member steering committee consisting ofparliamentarians from across all political parties has beenset up. The aim is to replace the existing 1978 constitution. Inthe new Constitution, the Prime Minister will hold the supremeexecutive power. PTI CORR AMS ASKAMS