Need of a new constitution to Sri Lanka

The constitution of a country is the most crucial instrument which lays the foundation to build a decent and disciplined society. However some unhealthy provisions in Sri Lanka's constitution have led the country to severe erosion of it's moral and ethical conduct denying it the rich civilisation that it had been once proud of.

Such a flawed constitution naturally loses its significance and purpose resulting in the break down of law and order creating utter chaos in society. The deterioration of law and order in the country has been such that coupled with bad governanace it has earned the status of a ‘pariah’ or ‘failed state’ in the eyes of the international community.

The situation prevailing in the country is such that the president is able to do anything unchallenged giving the lie to the perception that the country is a democratic state. The concept that democracy is the rule ‘of the people, by the people, and for the people’ is no longer valid because once the people have cast their votes and elected a government thereafter they become virtual non-entities.

As it is, the President appears to be above the law and is able to do things according to his whims irrespective of the wishes of the people. The millions of rupees allegedly given to the LTTE to stop a section of the people from exercising their franchise is a case in point.

Parliament has now become a safe haven for crooks, under world personalities, drug barons and criminals whose behaviour has disgraced the whole nation and reduced the citizens to mere puppets.

During colonial rule even a police constable was not recruited without proper screening of his/her pedigree. But today it is different. Any Dick, Tom or Harry, with a letter from a minister could enter public service and also claim a promotion whatever his service record may be.

The JVP and JHU maintain a stony silence on the corruption rampant among their colleagues in the legislature but beat the war drums calling for a full scale war while the price of bread, fuel, milk foods and every conceivable item has gone beyond the reach of the common man.

We all must be thankful to our patriotic politicians who swish past us in their intercoolers surrounded with armed escort and enjoying life at public expense, because at least according to the book they are working for our welfare.