A new constitution that does away with the party politics system and fosters unity among the divided peoples of Sri Lanka has been drawn up by businessman Mithra Wettimuny.

Wettimuny, who is also a former test cricketer and an authority on abidhamma, recently formed an organisation called Sudassanaya which is currently spreading awareness about the proposed constitution among the people. Sudassanaya holds that to have a united Sri Lanka, there must be an abolition of the political party system. "The political party system has destroyed our country, caused racism and advocated the creation of parties based on race," noted Mr. Wettimuny in an interview with ‘The Island. "It fosters racism and divides people. And, a divided people are always a weak people". The war itself has been caused by party politics, he pointed out. If there is no party system, there will be no war.

When asked whether Sudassanaya will present its constitution to the present leaders of the country, Mr. Wettimuny said it may happen eventually. "At present, however, they are too firmly entrenched in the existing system and the proposal will only end up in the wastepaper basket," he smiled. The first objective, said Sudassanaya Secretary Major General Ananda Weerasekera, is to build an awareness among the people in order that they will thrust forward and that ultimately their will would prevail. Ultimately, Sudassanaya hopes for a referendum on the issue.

The alternative constitution was designed by Mr. Wettimuny in consultation with a constitutional expert. Among its salient features are that Sri Lanka will be a unitary state headed by an Executive President elected by the people. The Cabinet of Ministers would be selected from the public by the President (subject to ratification by the legislature) and will be qualified and suitable. The Cabinet of Ministers, Mr Wettimuny explained, will comprise nine Provincial Ministers and Functional Ministers who will not be members of the national legislature and who will function on the delegated authority of the people.

Meanwhile, it is recommended that the national legislature will comprise of 200 members, referred to as ‘senators’, also elected by the people. The members would perform an honorary service and would not be required to attend to any executive or administrative functions. The President and the Cabinet of Ministers would be answerable to the national legislature. Meanwhile, service in the national legislature would be honorary and will carry no remuneration or prerequisites except reimbursement of travel and board and lodging.

Sudassanaya maintains that the constitution would effectively ensure the independence of the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary. Judges of the Supreme Court, the Appeal Court and High Court will be appointed by the President only on the recommendations made by a panel consisting of retired Supreme Court Judges. Significantly, there will be no Provincial Council system. Addressing the sticky area language, the constitution has that Sinhala and Tamil will be state languages with English as the link. The right to practice any religion will be safeguarded although the state would be obliged to safeguard and foster Buddha Sasana.

Justifying the continuing existence of the Executive Presidency which has been a point of much debate in recent times, Mr. Wettimuny noted that abuse of this position would be halted by checks and balances in his proposed constitution. Among these is the independence of the legislature - the Executive will be held accountable to the legislature.

Sudassanaya is to embark on a comprehensive awareness programme on the constitution, offering it as a feasible alternative to a public who has long been torn apart by party politics. Explaining the necessity for such an alternative, Mr. Wettimuny noted that a recent survey among 10,000 persons, it was found that the majority of them rejected the party system while all wanted a sound economy.

The organisation has now launched a membership drive but maintains that its aim is not power - that, it says, is what distinguishes it from a political party. The Sudassanaya lays claim to "A new vision and a new path", saying it wants to aboish a system "which destroyed our national heritage and made us a weaker, poorer and a divided society".
"As long as the forces of peace remain disunited, the forces of war will prevail," said Mr. Wettimuny, "The day the forces of peace united, the forces of war will collapse".