Federalism is not separatism: Prof. G.L. Peiris

28-Apr-2026

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Former Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris stated that federalism is not separatism but a broad political philosophy.

Speaking at the same memorial event, he said early federal ideas in Sri Lanka were not initially based on ethnic divisions but were influenced by multiple political currents, including Kandyan Sinhala aspirations and Marxist thought.

He highlighted past constitutional reform efforts, including proposals made during President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga’s administration, which he said contained strong federal features, though the term itself was not explicitly used.

He also reflected on the Oslo process, past peace negotiations, and the evolution of constitutional proposals, noting that missed opportunities and political resistance hindered durable solutions.

He stated that federalism should be understood as a governance structure aimed at accommodating diversity rather than division, and expressed optimism that future generations would move beyond narrow ethnic politics toward sustainable constitutional solutions.