In a media release, the collective says that this "drafting process restricts the participation of 'People' to seeking 'views and advice' only."

"For such purpose, the PM Wickramasinghe has already appointed a 24 member committee of known and unknown persons. Leaving aside their capability and credibility in engaging "people", they are only mandated to collect views, suggestions and proposals from people and or groups and organisations. They are given a period of 03 months to collect such from the people. This 24 member committee will collate what they collect and perhaps recommend content for a new Constitution. With their political affiliations and credibility in question, there is no guarantee they will be independent and steer clear of this government's preferences in the draft of a Constitutional Bill. There ends the participation of the "People" in making a new Constitution for Sri Lanka," the media release says.

"Sri Lanka and its people cannot afford such 'politician made disasters' any more," the media release says adding that "A Constitution that needs to be made, should be one that would be valid and effective for many decades to come without constant tinkering. That Constitution therefore has to be made by the 'People' through long and serious deliberations within society."

"Internationally it is now an accepted principle in Constitution making that it is "People who make their own Constitution". This is not what is being planned here and it would not be a Constitution for the People, by the People. This would be drafted within a highly centralised process inside parliament."

DecentLanka 2015 concludes by saying, "We wish to stress here, there is no urgency to finish off making a new Constitution in 06 months as proposed. We therefore appeal for a 'People driven' process that will have a long and adequate period for discussions and debates in all 03 languages within provincial councils, local government bodies, political parties in and outside parliament, trade unions, professional associations, trade chambers, social and community groups and organisations with the right to propose changes and add new aspirations to the proposed draft before the parliament sits to discuss the draft of the Constitution Bill."

The complete media release is shown below :