The thunderstorm across the country that has been looming for months seems to have passed after yesterday’s election of the successive President. Political pundits’ predictions that the race would be a close one were effectively debunked by the incumbent President’s large majority.
However, now that the race for the Presidency is over and the democratic process is complete, the entire citizenry is looking forward to ending their grievances in short order. Hence, the new President, his Cabinet members, and all other parliamentarians are compelled to discard petty political differences and unite to find short-term and long-term solutions to the ongoing gruesome crisis.
Sri Lanka is a democratic country bound by various international agreements where any political process must take place through the
Belittling comment
Parliament and strictly in accordance with the Constitution. Sadly, soon after the election of the new President, the JVP leader, Anura Dissanayake made a belittling comment in his speech that subtly indicated that the members who voted for President Wickremesinghe received payoffs. The statement was made in front of foreign media who were attending the event.
No doubt that Dissanayake has the right to make such derogatory statements based on his personal opinion. Nevertheless, such unsubstantiated comments can paint an ugly picture of the international community, which some are waiting for an opportunity to slander Sri Lanka. Whether one likes it or not, at this crucial juncture, the country needs international help.
One can accuse his own party of similar actions when he supported former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2005 and when he worked hand in hand with the current President, Wickremesinghe in 2015. He seems to have conveniently forgotten these facts.
Ranil Wickremesinghe, one of the most senior and most experienced politicians in the country, though disliked by a faction of the general public, has time and again proven his proficiency in multiple areas during his tenure as a politician. In particular, somewhat similar to President J. R. Jayewardene, is quite effective in managing foreign affairs.
The race for the presidency was no cakewalk due to the strong opposition of the protest campaign, “aragalaya”, lately spearheaded by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the Frontline Socialist Party, also known as the “Peratugami” Party. The two political parties reaped the most valuable harvest from the campaign started by some of the genuine and nonpartisan protesters whose goal was to oust former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
The two contestants, in their post-election speeches on Wednesday, said that the structure of the current sitting Parliament does not reflect the opinion of the general public. However, wasn’t this the case since the country’s independence in 1948?
Dishonest tactics
Usually, after a few years, usually two to three years into governance, since 1948, most successive Governments became unpopular among the masses and were ousted at general elections, except when the then rulers used deceitful and dishonest tactics. Hence, the neutral analysis is that it is not a new occurrence that the current parliamentary representation also does not reflect the public view.
Regrettably, with the involvement of the Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF) and other similar moments, the peaceful protests have become unruly and unlawful. Protests have become more aggressive, with protesters disregarding national laws and acting irrationally.
They were inspired by pledges by the lawyers that they would be represented free of charge. Later, the same legal bigwigs changed their stance, but the damage was done.
The arson of President Wickremesinghe is an example of the boisterous and disruptive behaviour of some of the protesters. In fairness to the actual “aragalaya” protesters, however, it must be mentioned that the arsonists were allegedly led by a political force opposing President Wickremesinghe’s political ideology, as per the ongoing investigations.
Despite the appointment of the President, leaders of both the JVP and the Frontline Socialist Party keep on threatening that they will resort to drastic trade union action, ignoring the country’s dire economic disaster. Although they are unable to do much outside the democratic frame, they can certainly incite hatred among the masses, which may lead to further chaos. In particular, because of the availability of unregulated social media, they can disrupt the country with free-for-all propaganda.
However, the task at hand of the entire citizenry now is to find ways and means of coming out of the immediate difficulties, if not sooner. In order to achieve this, the foremost requirement is foreign currency. Hence, the first and foremost mission is to establish political stability through the new Parliament.
Friendly countries
If not, any assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, and other friendly countries will be delayed further. Such delays at this juncture can be disastrous to the inflow of essential supplies such as fuel, LP gas, medicine, and essential foodstuff.
Therefore, it is the solemn duty of the entire nation to support a peaceful political existence. Any attempt to disrupt the country’s peace through strikes, demonstrations, or other trade union action spearheaded by dubious and opportunistic political parties must be vehemently rejected.
The public must be made aware that almost all leaders of such trade unions are full-timers of their unions and are either paid through their membership fees or those who are attached to Government unions are paid by the Government. Hence, they do not lose anything by organising protests and disrupting the day-to-day functions of the average citizen. Historically, these troublemaking elements do not allow peaceful governance for any democratically elected Government to function.
The new President, the Cabinet of ministers who are due to be appointed, the joint Opposition and the other parliamentarians should consciously realise that, unlike on previous occasions, they will not be permitted to act on their own whims and fancies. After the incidents that took place during the past three months, the entire nation is aware of the alleged corruption and malpractices. Hence, the ordinary citizens of the country are more alert and organised. Therefore, the new trend will not allow such nefarious occurrences any further.
The nation expects the Government to act swiftly on current burning issues but also demands a smaller Cabinet, less State expenditure, a curtailing of the enormous perks enjoyed by politicians, and more importantly, transparency in all Government transactions.
Hence, President Wickremesinghe has an enormous responsibility to respond positively to the public on governance, economic grievances, political stability, and social harmony.
As mentioned in his post-election speech, he should genuinely and honestly seek the cooperation and collaboration of the entire parliamentary opposition. The new President has the daunting task of establishing the trust of his political rivals, the general public, and the international community. From now on, his actions will be monitored by everyone, domestic and foreign.
Golden opportunity
President Wickremesinghe possesses a golden opportunity to prove himself when he appoints the next Cabinet. Without submitting to outside pressure, (as the country has seen with the former President), if he appoints his Cabinet scientifically and logically, without bias, he will have an opportunity to establish himself as a good leader. Unified governance is the most crucial requirement at this dark moment, and the country expects him to realise it.
Also, his immediate solutions to red-hot day-to-day issues confronted by the public will be an acid test for his intended tenure. When he assumed office as the Prime Minister, he pledged that he would put an end to many of the current problems faced by the masses.
Now he has a better chance of proving himself. If not, the country will respond negatively in the next election.