The Sri Lankan government on Saturday presented its plan for a new constitution, as part of efforts to reconcile with the Tamil minority and to prevent another civil war, PTI reported. Emphasising the need for a lasting solution on the conflict, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena said the constitution must “suit the needs of the 21st century and make sure all communities live in harmony”.

According to a document presented to Parliament on Saturday, the government intends to strengthen democratic rights, promote national reconciliation and establish a political culture that respects the rule of law, reported Reuters. The new constitution will also guarantee fundamental rights and freedoms that assure human dignity and promote responsible and accountable government, it said.

Ethnic minority Tamils were often favoured for higher government positions under British colonial rule. After independence in 1948, many lost their positions as successive governments favoured the majority Sinhalese population. The tensions erupted into an armed conflict in 1983. After a 26-year civil war, the Sri Lankan military defeated the rebel Tamil Tigers in May 2009. According to a United Nations report, at least 40,000 Tamil civilians were killed in the final months of the civil war.