High Commission of India
Colombo

PRESS RELEASE

Commemoration of "Constitution Day" on November 26, 2015

The Constituent Assembly of India adopted a new Indian Constitution on November 26, 1949. To commemorate the constitution making process in India and the role of members of the Constituent Assembly, particularly the Chairman of the drafting committee, the late Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, India has decided to observe November 26 every year as "Constitution Day".

2. A commemorative event was organized by the High Commission of India, Colombo on November 26, 2015 at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute for International Relations and Strategic Studies. Hon'ble Dr. Jayampathy Wickremaratne, Member of Parliament, delivered a lecture titled "The Making and Working of the Indian Constitution: Some Issues of Relevance".

3. In his opening remarks, High Commissioner of India, Mr. Y.K. Sinha, emphasized that the Indian Constitution is a dynamic document that has been seen as a beacon in independent India's history. He spoke about Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's deep contribution to the process of making of the Indian Constitution in his capacity as Chairman of the Drafting Committee. The High Commissioner also read out from the Preamble, delineating the cardinal features and objectives of the Indian Constitution. While touching upon the detailed and inclusive process leading to the drafting of the Indian Constitution, the High Commissioner highlighted features that make the Indian Constitution truly remarkable.

4. Dr. Wickremaratne described the process leading to the framing of the Indian Constitution. He detailed the composition of the Constituent Assembly and the efforts to make it a representative body. He talked about the main features of the Indian Constitution and the ideals enshrined in it. Dr. Wickremaratne explained the procedure for amendment of the Indian Constitution and using various judgments of Indian courts, expanded on the concept of unalterable basic structure of the Indian Constitution and its supremacy. He also spoke on Constitution-making in Sri Lanka and expounded on the essentials that a new Sri Lankan Constitution should possess.

5. Hon'ble Leader of the Opposition, several senior Ministers and Members of Parliament, Governor of Western Province, Chief Minister of Eastern Province, civil society representatives, members of the Diplomatic Corps, and other distinguished guests attended the function.

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Colombo
27 November, 2015