DATE=8/3/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SRI LANKA CONSTITUTION (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-265103
BYLINE=VANDANA CHOPRA
DATELINE=COLOMBO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga
says that a new constitution has been presented to the
country's parliament. The proposed constitution is
aimed at ending the long Sri Lankan ethnic war but the
Tamil Tiger rebels have already rejected it. Vandana
Chopra has more from Colombo.
TEXT: Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga
appealed to members of the parliament to vote in favor
of the new constitution disregarding party lines.
While presenting the constitution, in an emergency
session of the parliament, President Kumaratunga was
booed throughout her speech by the main opposition,
United National Party which opposes the measure. It
will take a two thirds vote of parliament to pass the
proposed constitution.
The draft constitution aims to grant more autonomy to
the regions of the north and east of the country
including one administered by the Tamil Tigers.
But it stops short of meeting the rebels' demand for a
separate homeland and therefore they have already
rejected it.
The reform package will come up for formal voting in
parliament on August 9 after which it will be
officially sent to the Tamil separatists.
Although the Tamil Tiger rebels rejected the new
constitution in June, President Kumaratunga said
Thursday that she hoped the guerillas will understand
the realities of the situation and at least agree to
talks.
The reform package has also met stiff oppostion from
Buddhist monks who say it will lead to a division of
the country.
President Kumaratunga came to power in 1994 promising
constitutional reforms. Political analysts say her
party will be in a strong position if the reforms are
approved and if they are defeated she can blame the
opposition for ruining her peace efforts.
Meanwhile the capital Colombo was placed under a
tight security blanket and thousands of heavily armed
police and army personnel patrolled the streets
because of fears of rebel attacks. (SIGNED)
NEB/VC/PLM
TEXT:
NEB/WTW/
03-Aug-2000 07:21 AM EDT (03-Aug-2000 1121 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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