Lanka legislator alleges death threat over constitution reform

A leading legislator of Sri Lanka's ruling party today alleged that he had received death threats due to his involvement in the country's constitutional reform process.
Jayampathy Wickremaratna of the ruling UNP said he had received death threats on the phone over his association in the current process of constitutional reform.
Wickremaratna who is the constitutional affairs advisor to the government said he reported the threatening phone call to parliament and said he would not be shaken by the threat. He has lodged a police complaint too.
The Constitutional Assembly comprising of all parties in parliament is to meet on December 10 to look at the reports of the six subcommittees on different areas of constitutional provisions.

The process seeks to replace the existing 1978 Constitution and will also address the problem of the minority Tamils and their demand for devolution of political powers.
The draft of the new Constitution is expected to be finalised by January, officials said.
Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa has started a campaign against the process despite his backers being part of the reform plan.