Civil Society Dialigue on drafting new constitution was our electoral demand"- says Philip Dissanayake R2L

The main demand of civil society during the Presidential election campaign was to abolish Executive Presidential System. NAFSO also join the campaign and signed the MOU together with 48 organizations those who supported to common candidate tao change the regime, with constitutional, economic and democratic reforms. Newly elected govt. did not take steps to abolish the Presidential system but took the steps to amend the current constitution by 19th Amendment. Howevrr, at the funeral of Rev. Maduluwawe Sobitha nayaka thero, President Maitripala Sirisena declared that he will take steps to abolish Executive Presidential system and bring new constitution to the country.
The promise was kept and the whole parliament will play a role of new constitutional drafting assembly. At the same time a committee was established to collect people's responses to the constitution.
NAFSO with its partner organizations submitted their proposals to the constitutional  committee on 18th January at Colombo.
At the same time with much enthusiasm, NAFSO together with Veediye Dialogue and Platform for Freedom engage in district level mobilization process to animate citizens to involve effectively in the constitutional reform process.

Series of district meetings were conducted and awareness campaign launched various districts. The Negombo meeting was organized yesterday at Cardinal Cooray center which was attended around 150 people.

Philip Dissanayake, executive secretary of R2L organization addressing the gathering said; "this is a golden opportunity  during our life time. We need to have a collective effort to send a strong message to have more progressive constitution in our country."
The similar awareness programs will be conducted in Puttlam, Kurunegala and Anuradhapura during coming week.

Marian, a member of Sri Vimukthi Fisher Women organization from Munnakkaraya, who attended the constitutional drafting awareness raising meeting said; "it is like a dream that we also join the drafting our own constitution. This is the first ever experience for us".