Sunday Times 2
Descent of democracy
In the run-up to the Presidential election, it is opportune for me to express my academic point of view as I did at previous occasions from 1977 onwards. It is public knowledge that I have extended my maximum support to President Mahinda Rajapaksa through my contributions to the print and electronic media.
At this juncture, I must confess that when I shed all my portfolios of the United National Party subsequent to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Rajapaksa Government, I was solely governed by my national commitment to protect and safeguard the national interests where the top priority remained the unitary nature of this country within a democratic parliamentary system.
Presidential poll 2015: Which way the farmers?
The present trend in the political landscape of Sri Lanka, as far as I understand, indicates that the country is heading towards an unanticipated direction with more and more powers being concentrated in the hands of the Executive Presidency. Unless this trend is reversed at the upcoming election, it is my humble opinion that it would affect the country at large in all the spheres of public administration.
Already we are experiencing unprecedented political interference in state arms such as the public service, the judiciary and the police which are required to exercise independence. The resultant outcome is visible distinctly and manifested in the high cost of living, corruption, bribery and wastage. The change that has occurred in the public institutions has eroded democratic rights and freedom enjoyed by the people. This change has happened to the detriment of the socio-economic life of the masses, especially the poorest of the poor. In other words, as the opposition parties allege this is a “march towards family hegemony”.
As we know such trends were not tolerated by the public. In the past, they have exercised their democratic rights at fair and free elections to defeat such trends when there were moves to promote the Senanayke and Bandaranaike family hegemonies.
In the circumstances, many Sri Lankans, perhaps, would be puzzled as to what course of action they should take in correcting the visible adverse trends in politics, if they are to uphold the socio-economic and cultural value system of this country.
It is no public secret that the presidential election is being held, two years prior to the end of the second term of President Rajapaksa. The people had exhibited their gratitude to President Rajapaksa at the 2010 presidential election, solely because he provided the political leadership to win the 30-year war against the separatist terrorists – the LTTE. The legitimate expectation we had then was that President Rajapaksa would strengthen democracy and bring economic relief to the nation. By 2014, can we say that our expectations have been fulfilled when President Rajapaksa seeks a third term on his own initiative?
In this connection I have framed two questions with four possible answers with the hope of enlightening the public knowledge on current political affairs.
The two questions and the possible answers are:
1. Who wanted this presidential election two years prior to the termination of the current term of office of President Rajapaksa?
Answers: (a) the people; (b). parliament; (c) the Opposition; (d) President Rajapaksa, his family and astrologers.
2. To achieve what national objectives?
Answers: (a) To accelerate the development programme; (b) to protect the country from the so-called “international conspiracies”(goni billa or bogeyman); (c) to empower the poorest of the poor/reduce the cost of living; (d) to strengthen the Rajapaksa family hegemony (for two years plus another six years.) An addendum: If a, b and c options are the objectives expected to be achieved, intelligent voters may ask why cannot the Government utilise the two remaining years of the President’s term, instead of going for a third term?
If we look at the internal affairs of the country it is not difficult for us to understand the modus operandi of the State machinery in the domains of the public service and the judiciary. Politicisation has become the trade mark. An unprecedented level of corruption, wastage and abuse of public wealth has become the hallmark of government spending. Top most attention has been paid for infrastructure development where there are allegations of large-scale irregularities.
Foreign loans at higher rate of interest are obtained while there is little or no transparency in tender procedures. Agricultural sector is neglected with little or no attention being paid to restore the village tanks.
Democratic institutions are undermined by the emerging tendencies of family hegemonies while the law enforcing authorities remain mostly silent due to pressure from criminals and gangs backed by government supporters.
In the domain of International affairs, we have become a marginalised country. This is a fact to be admitted by anyone who understands the ABC of international politics and diplomacy. This was solely due to the incompetence shown by the Ministry of External Affairs and others above and behind the scene. It is no public secret that the West including the United States has “undeclared bitter enmities” with Sri Lanka due to the unrealistic policy approaches followed by the Government.
With our politically appointed envoys unable to carry out diplomacy, the Government hired PR firms in the US paying millions in public funds. In Parliament, some months back, JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake exposed the names of political appointees who head or hold big posts in Sri Lanka’s key missions abroad. Sullied in the process is the image of Minister G. L. Peiris, a law professor with double doctorate. The foreign affairs of the country have gone astray. This sorry state of affairs has not been witnessed under any previous government.
The presidential contest would become tense in the coming weeks. Shifting of loyalties is possible even after eating hoppers in the previous night. Things are changing.
Nelson Mandela, the African hero who ended apartheid and became president after a decades-long battle handed over his leadership to those who deserved. This was because he thought he was “not the one and only man” capable of ruling the country. There are so many better qualified people and this is a fact to be understood by any leader. I recall the Israeli legend of David and Goliath. David, was a small boy but he defeated the strong “Goliath”. In the current contest, President Rajapaksa is the strong man and coming from “medamulana walawwa” while Maithripala Sirisena is relatively a small made man hailing from Polonnanruwa (Rajarata), the ancient kingdom of heroic kings such as Maha Parakramabahu and Maha Vijayabahu.
It is learnt that the farmer community which is the majority community in the country may prefer a poor farmer’s son who has “very clean hands” and 47 year long track record in politics. None of his family members have accepted any political positions and he said that he has no intention of bringing his family and clan into politics. Sirisena attended a reception organised by the UNP Lawyers forum at the Mount Lavinia Hotel a few hours after he handed in nominations. He brought huge laughter to the well-attended audience when he said how he kept his two hands very tight (in a praying position) to avoid any dirty hands shaking his hand at the time of departing the Election Commissioner’s office.
Sirisena has given a pledge to the people that he will rule the country from his own home once he gets appointed as the President at the January 8 election. Undoubtedly such wording may have gone to the bottom of the heart of the grassroots people, who represent more than 70 per cent of the population. The main political slogan of Rajapaksa is “International conspiracy of the diaspora and the NGOs” but this has lost its lustre. The word of Lord Buddha is “sathymewa jayathi” meaning “only the truth will win.” Hence I do not dismiss the belief that is fast becoming popular – that Maithri will stand a better chance to win the presidential election.
(The writer is former professor of International Relations, University of Colombo, and Attorney-at-Law)