He is commenting to BBC Sandeshaya with regard to 15 proposals put forward to the government by the Buddhist leaders to be considered when drafting a new constitution.

There is one national anthem, but there should be no serious opposition if Tamils are permitted to sing it in their own language, but in accordance with the same melody, he said.

Protecting and nurturing Buddhism

The main among the 15 requests made to the president and the prime minister is that the new constitution should have the already existent clause that the state would protect and nurture Buddhism.

First contained in the 1972 republican constitution formulated by a team led by Dr. Colvin R. de Silva, it is a tradition not limited to Sri Lanka only, Wimalaratana Thera noted.

The next clause says other religions too, will be protected, he stressed.

No to non-religious state

Some who see with a somewhat extremist outlook want Sri Lanka to be a non-religious state, the university VC said, adding that there was no such need.

Another proposal is that Sri Lanka should continue as a unitary state, which even opposition leader R. Sampanthan accepts, and there is no hurdle to devolve powers within that, he said.

Hybrid court rejected

Buddhist leaders also want the government not to give allowances to foreign countries and institutions to interfere in Sri Lanka’s judicial affairs.

Asked as to whether they opposed a hybrid court as proposed by the UNHRC, he said Sri Lanka can have an independent, local mechanism in accordance with international conventions.

Westerners cannot dictate terms to Sri Lanka on how its law should be, the Thera stressed.

Continuing with the present national flag, safeguarding supremacy of parliament and not dividing provinces on the basis of race or religion are also included in the proposals by Buddhist leaders.

No positions for those with dual citizenship

Also, persons with dual citizenship should not be allowed to hold political or official positions in the country, they say.

Wimalaratana Thera noted that they could not have one foot here and another in a foreign country, which had happened in the past.

Such persons can commit any wrongdoing and flee the country, he said.