DATE=8/6/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SRI LANKA/BLAST (L-O)
NUMBER=2-265180
BYLINE=VANDANA CHOPRA
DATELINE=COLOMBO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A day before Sri Lanka lawmakers are to debate
a government proposed draft constitution, an explosion
rocked a suburb of the country's capital. Vandana
Chopra reports from Colombo a grenade exploded during
a meeting of an organization opposing the new basic
law.
TEXT: Police officials say the explosion was targeted
at members of the National Joint Committee, an
umbrella group of Sinhala nationalist and Buddhist
monks.
Party officials say the meeting was being held to
discuss various protest demonstrations planned for the
two-days parliament is to debate the new constitution.
Lawmakers are to vote on the proposal August ninth.
The new legislation aims to spread more powers to the
regions in the north and east of the country, an area
dominated by Tamils. The government is hoping to
partially meet Tamil demands for a separate homeland.
Tamil rebels rejected the new constitution in June,
saying they are not interested in talks unless they
recapture their former stronghold Jaffna. But
President Chandrika Kumaratunga told parliament last
week that she hoped the guerillas would understand the
realities of the situation and agree to talks.
Tamil separatists have been fighting for a homeland in
Sri Lanka's north and east since 1983. About three-
quarters of Sri Lanka's population is Sinhalese.
The reform package has met stiff opposition from
Buddhist monks, right-wing Sinhala parties, and the
main opposition United National Party who feel the
reform proposals will lead to a division of the
country.
In the past, the United National Party said it would
not support the reform proposals if they are rushed
through without a full discussion with the Buddhist
clergy. Sri Lanka is a predominantly Buddhist country
and the Buddhist prelates have considerable influence
in the country's politics. The Tamil minority is
predominately Hindu.
The ruling coalition, which has a thin majority in the
Sri Lankan parliament, needs the support of the main
opposition and other mainstream parties to get the
two-thirds majority needed to pass the reforms.
Government officials say President Kumaratunga is
likely to push the reforms through the house before
the six-year term ends August 24th. General elections
are due after that.
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. If they are defeated she can blame the
opposition for ruining her peace efforts. (SIGNED)
NEB/VC/RAE
06-Aug-2000 11:04 AM EDT (06-Aug-2000 1504 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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