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Kumaratunga postpones referendum

Bowing to pressure both from within the government and the opposition, Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga on Tuesday put off the controversial referendum on a new constitution by two months to avoid any confrontation.

The president rescheduled the August 21 referendum for October 18, as there was a "broad consensus emerging among the various political parties and organisations on the proposed referendum", a statement from the presidential secretariat said.

"To continue with the referendum at this time may exacerbate confrontation at various levels rather than facilitate the evolving consensus on constitutional reforms," the statement said.

Kumaratunga has been facing a widespread opposition to her proclamation of July 10 proroguing parliament till September 7 and calling for the referendum.

The opposition had described the referendum as a ploy to delay a no-confidence motion against the minority People Alliance government in parliament and the first step towards imposing a new constitution on the nation.

State-run television said the president delayed the referendum to get more time to consult the opposition and the powerful Buddhist clergy.

PTI

Kumaratunga suspends Lankan parliament till September 7

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