Sri Lanka, Feb. 5 -- Opposition politicians representing several political parties have called on the government to initiate and actively participate in a national dialogue aimed at drafting a new constitution.

The appeal was made at a discussion on constitutional reform organised by the One Text Initiative, which brought together Members of Parliament and party leaders from across the opposition.

MP Dayasiri Jayasekera said the government appeared to be deliberately avoiding discussions on a new constitution, despite pledges made in its own policy framework. He claimed that the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) had consistently concealed its true ideological position on constitutional reform.

MP Harsha de Silva stressed that government...