Seminar
In the seminar that followed papers were read by:
Mr. Rodney Vanderghert, Chairman, Public Service Commission on “Public Officers and the 17th Amendment to the Constitution”.
Mr. Ranjith Abeysuriya P. C., Chairman, National Police Commission, on “The National Police Commission and the public complaints procedure”.
Mr. Uditha Egalahewa, Attorney at Law, Consultant to the Ministry of Constitutional Affairs and National Integration on, “Recent Trends in Fundamental Rights Jurisdiction”.
Mr. Sampath Dassanayake, former Advisor to the North-Western Provincial Council discussed practical aspects in “The practice of Devolution”.
Mr. Rohan Edrisinha, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law, University of Colombo, analyzed the provisions of the 13th Amendment, which introduced devolution and its implications for the public service. He stressed the need to carry forward the provisions of this amendment towards achieving Federalism.
The Seminar ended with a lively panel discussion with many important and interesting questions being raised on aspects of the Constitution, Fundamental Rights and Devolution.
The Second Seminar – Kandy 
The second in this series of seminars on Constitutional Provisions related to Fundamental Rights, Public Service and Devolution was held at Kandy, on October 07, 2005 at the National Institute of Co-operative Development, Polgolla.
Here too the focus was on the higher ranks of the Public Service. There was very good participation from the District Secretary of Kandy, to a large number of Divisional Secretaries and key officers from the Provincial Administration of the Kandy District.
Prof. Ranjith Amarasinghe, Professor of Political Science, University of Peradeniya and Senior Advisor Ministry of Constitutional Affairs and National Integration, initiated the discussions by explaining the purpose of the workshop, in the current context of interest in the Constitution, the importance of Fundamental Rights and the furtherance of devolution.
Dr. Ranjith Ranaraja, Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration – the Ombudsman – made a presentation on the Public Service and the Role of the Ombudsman, helping the participants better understand the functions and effectiveness of the Ombudsman.
Mr. Shavindra Fernando, Deputy Solicitor General explained the Constitutional Provisions Related to the Public Service and the Police.
Mr. Uditha Egalahewa, Attorney at Law and Consultant to the Ministry of Constitutional Affairs and National Integration, in his presentation on “Recent Trends in Fundamental Rights Jurisdiction” used several examples from case law both in Sri Lanka and abroad to emphasize the increasing importance of respect for the Fundamental Rights of the citizen.
Prof. Ranjith Amarasinghe made a presentation on the “Devolution Experience in Sri Lank and other countries”.
Each presentation was followed by a Question & Answer session, which helped clarify many issues raised by participants regarding the Constitution, Fundamental Rights and the Public Service.
The Third Seminar - Galle
The Third in this series of seminars on Constitutional Provisions related to Fundamental Rights, Public Service and Devolution Development was held at Galle, on 11th November 2005 at the Management Development and Training Institute, (Southern Provincial Council).
Mr. Ranjith Wickramaratne, Chief Secretary, Southern Provincial Council done welcome address.
Prof. Ranjith Amarasinghe, Professor of Political Science, University of Peradeniya and Senior Advisor , Ministry of Constitutional Affairs and National Integration, initiated the discussions by explaining the purpose of the workshop, in the current context of interest in the constitution, importance of Fundamental Rights and the furtherance of devolution.
Chief Guest – Hon. Kingsley Wickramaratne, Governor, Southern Province Addressed the Audience.
Prof. Bertrum Bastiampillai, Former Parliamentary Commissioner of Sri Lanka, made a presentation on the Public service and the Role of the Ombudsman(Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration).
Mr. Harsha Fernando, Senior state Counsil, Attorney General’s Department, addressed the audience about Constitutional Provisions Related Public Service and Police.
Mrs. Viveka Siriwardana de Silva, National Project Coordinator, Equal Access to justice Project, Ministry of Constitutional Affairs and National Integration made presentation about Public Service and Fundamental Rights.
Mr. Uditha Igalahewa, Consultant, Ministry of Constitutional Affairs and National Integration addressed the audience about 13th Amendment, Statue Making: Issues and Problems.
Mrs. Viveka Siriwardana de Silva, National Project Coordinator, Equal Access to justice Project, Ministry of Constitutional Affairs and National Integration made presentation about Public Service and Fundamental Rights.
Mr. Uditha Igalahewa, Consultant, Ministry of Constitutional Affairs and National Integration addressed the audience about 13th Amendment, Statue Making: Issues and Problems.
Each presentation was followed by a question and Answer sessions.
The Fourth Seminar - Wariyapola
The fourth in this series of seminars on constitutional Provisions related to Fundamental Rights, Public Service and Devolution was held at Wariyapola, on 02nd of February 2006, at the Wayamba Training centre, wariyapola.
Mrs. M.S. Wickramasinghe, Secretary, Ministry of Constitutional Affairs and National Integration, done Welcome Address and initiated the discussions by explaining the purpose of the workshop in the current context of interest in the constitution, the importance of Fundamental Rights and the furtherance of Devolution.
Chief Guest Mr. Athula Wijesinghe, Governer, North-West Province addressed the audience.
Mr. Sampath Dassanayake, Former Consultant, Ministry of Provincial Council and Provincial Administration explained about 13th Amendment to the constitution and Practicable of the Devolution of power.
Next Prof. Ranjith Ranaraja, Commissioner for Parliament in administrative affairs, made presentation on the Public Service and the Role of the Ombudsman(Parliamentary commissioner for Administration).
Mr. Uditha Igalahewa, Attorney-at-Law, Legal Consultant, ministry of Constitutional Affairs and National Integration, explained about “Public Service commision and the 17th amendment to the constitution.
Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne, President, Senior Advisor, Ministry of Constitutional Affairs and National Integration made a presentation about Public Service and the Fundamental Rights.
Mrs. Viveka Siriwardana de Silva, National Co-ordinator , Equal Access to Justice Project, explained about Public Service and Equal Access to Justice.
Each Presentation was followed by Question & answer session, which helped to clarify many issues raised by participants, regarding Fundamental Rights and Devolution of power.
Create awareness as to the need for Constitutional Reform:
Under this programme, the Ministry has commenced a series of Public Seminars to create awareness as to the need for Constitutional Reform of the 1978Constitution. These seminars are held with the collaboration of the Dr. N.M. Perera Centre
Programme 1
An awareness programme was held on 15th of June 2005 at the Auditorium of the Badulla Central Library. This meeting was held under the patronage of the Minister of Constitutional Affairs and National Integration Hon.D.E.W. Gunasekara, Deputy Minister of Port and Civil Aviation Hon. Dilan Perera being the guest of honour at this meeting, as part of the project Dr. N.M. Perera’s book on the 1978 constitution “ Critical Analysis of the new Constitution” was launched in summary both in Sinhala and Tamil by Senior Lecturer Dhamma Dissnayake of the Colombo University.
Programme 2
Second Awareness Programme was held on 15th March 2005 at the Auditorium of the Kandy D.S. Senanayake Library. This meeting was held under the patronage of the Minister of Constitutional Affairs and National Integration Hon. D.E.W Gunasekara with Minister of posts and Telecommunication and Up Country Development, Hon. D.M. Jayaratne being the guest of honour.
Programme 3
The third programme was held on the 17th May, 2005 at Kurunegala Town Hall. At this seminar Prof. Ranjith Amarasinghe, Prof. A.M. Nawaratne Bandara of the University of Peradeniya, Senior Lecturer Dhamma Dissanayake of the University of Colombo and Media Consultant Mr. Lucien Rajakarunanayake were the special guests. As the series of events to commemorate the 100th birth centenary of Dr. N.M. Perera was completed, the awareness programmes based on the theme “Constitution, democracy and peace” have been scheduled to be carried out.
The first seminar on this theme was held on 30th of July 2005 at the Youth Society hall at Anuradhapura.This seminar was presided over by the Minister of Constitutional Affairs and National Integration, Hon. D.E.W Gunasekara. The Chief Minister, Hon. Berty Premalal Dissnayake of the North Central Provincial Council was the special guest at this seminar.
The second seminar was held on the 12th of August 2005 at the Kegalle Town Hall. This Seminar was presided over by the minister of Constitutional Affairs and National Integration, Hon. D.E.W. Gunasekara, and the Minister of Justice and Legal Reforms, Hon. John Seneviratne was the Chief Guest.
Awareness Programme to Public Officers relating to the Provisions of the Constitution(13th Amendment)
In Terms of this programme public officers were made aware of the salient features of the Constitution. The first of the series was held in Colombo which was limited to secretaries of Ministries and Senior Public Officers. The Second programme was held in Kandy.
Awareness Programme to Public Officers relating to the implementation of the Official Language Policy.
The objective of this programme was to create awareness among the public officers as regards the necessity of implementing the official languages policy, The first of this kind was held on 07.07.2005 at Badulla. A large number of Public officers participated.
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