The constitution should be based on equality, autonomy and self-determination, and the Tamil homeland in the north east should be strengthened, he has told radiogagana.com.

He was detailing the proposals his party has submitted to the committee tasked with entertaining public views for a new constitution.

‘Sinhalized’ military

The military has become ‘sinhalised’, he alleged, adding that at least one regiment functioning in the Tamil language should be established for Tamils and Muslims.

In order to change the dictatorial nature of the state, the presidency should be done away with and a mechanism accountable to parliament introduced, Karunaratne said.

Also, democratizing the state should be done by preventing caste, religious and aristocratic influences and average citizens allowed to live free of fear, added the NSSP leader.

Rural, estate, fisheries communities

Rural, estate and fisheries communities too, should be incorporated into society, he said.

If Muslims want a unit for them in the east, Muslims who become linked to that should be given indirect citizenship of that unit, stressed Karunaratne.

His party has also proposed that a relationship be formed to enable civil society to channel its views and ideas to parliament, he added.