UNP opts out of debating Constitution Bill

[TamilNet, Thursday, 03 August 2000, 14:44 GMT]
Sri Lanka's main opposition, the United National Party (UNP) has decided not to participate in the debate on the new Constitution Bill submitted by the Government to the Parliament. This decision was taken at the UNP parliamentary group meeting chaired by Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe, Leader of the Opposition Thursday.

When the debate commences on Tuesday in Parliament, Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe will issue a statement in this regard, UNP sources said.

A decision will be taken at the next UNP parliamentary group meeting on Monday to formulate a strategy that should be followed when the vote on Constitution Bill is taken up, the sources said.

Meanwhile, three days have been allocated for the debate on the new Constitution Bill in parliament. According to the State run Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation the debate on the new Constitution Bill is to commence in parliament on Monday, August 7 at 9.30 a.m.