Nepal, the only Hindu country in the world, passed a resolution in its Parliament last Friday (March 9th) opting for a federal government.

275 members out of a strength of 330 voted in favour of federalism. A majority has voted in favour of federalism.

Within 54 days of the declaration of an interim constitutional Council, following an agreement between the Nepal government and the Maoists, this resolution has been passed.

The armed struggle of the Maoists and the non violent struggle of the democrats have paved the way for a new constitutional change promising equality between the haves and the have-nots. There are provisions in the new constitutional amendments to give representations to minority groups and backward communities.

There are many lessons that Sri Lanka can learn from the political history of Nepal.

While the political leadership of the Nepal has realized the need for a federal government to meet the aspirations of all sections of the society, Sri Lanka is still committed to its philosophy that only the majority community is entitled to all resources and that all other groups are secondary citizens of the country, although 60 years have rolled by since independence.

It is our hope that Sri Lanka and its leadership will reflect a sense of maturity in its approach to the political problems of the country.

An English translation of the Editorial in Thinakkural, a Tamil daily, based in Colombo

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