Minister Vijitha Herath told Parliament today (22) that the government is committed to holding Provincial Council elections as required and will bring a new constitution through a referendum in the future.
Minister Vijitha Herath told Parliament today (22) that the government is committed to holding Provincial Council elections as required and will bring a new constitution through a referendum in the future.
He stressed that the administration has not systematically violated the rights of any individual for political purposes, noting that a five-year plan for national unity has already been approved by the Cabinet.
The Minister further stated that foreign interference is unnecessary in the country’s accountability process, adding that independent investigations are underway into incidents such as the Easter Sunday attack, the killing of journalists, and other politically motivated crimes.
Herath said that new bills will be introduced to safeguard children’s and women’s rights, while the gazette repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act will be issued in early September. He also affirmed that the government will not interfere in matters related to the Chemmani mass graves and will continue to protect the rights of persons with disabilities.
Highlighting a milestone in cultural recognition, the Minister said that for the first time, the government has formally acknowledged the Malay community as a people with a distinct culture, and steps will be taken to incorporate this recognition into legal and administrative processes.
