5th Column

My dear Mother Lanka,

I thought I must write to you to let you know that, almost unnoticed amidst all the hullabaloo surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, you may have reached a critical milestone in your history. That is because yet another amendment – for the twentieth time – has been made to your Constitution.

The changes that were approved last week could bring major changes for you, Mother Lanka. Some say it is the beginning of the end of democracy for you. Others say it is the end of the beginning of a project to create a dynasty. Whatever it is, there is no doubt that what happened was significant.

Now, there is nothing wrong with changing a Constitution that doesn’t work. We saw that it didn’t in the last five years. Besides, both Gota maama and Mahinda maama did tell us at the last two big elections that they wanted a mandate to amend the Constitution – and they were given that mandate.

Of course, they didn’t spell out the little details – such as the fact that Gota maama will now have the powers of a King – but they asked for a two thirds majority to get the job done. They were given almost a two-thirds majority. That is where it got very interesting in the countdown to the final vote.

I am not sure whether you realise this, Mother Lanka, but history repeated itself last week – and let me tell you how. Ten years ago, Mahinda maama wanted to bring an 18th Amendment that gave him wider powers to govern. At that time he was also some seats short of the required two-thirds majority.

That amendment too was passed. Ten years ago, they needed even more votes to get it across the line – and they did. Then, as now, it was the political parties which have ‘Muslim’ attached to their name who voted with the Government, just a few months after contesting from the main opposition party.

Ten years ago, Mahinda maama enlisted the support of a little known teledrama actress from the Green camp to make up the numbers. Last week, Gota maama was able to rely on the vote of another little known teledrama actress from the Green camp to ensure that the amendment passed.

Ten years ago, Basil maama was involved in the behind-the-scenes dealings to ensure a two-thirds majority. This time too, I daresay the hand of Basil was very much in evidence. No wonder then that they amend laws so that even dual citizens like him can contribute to your wellbeing, Mother Lanka!

Still, seeing the antics of those who crossed over, particularly those of the fair member from the Green camp, after contesting from the opposition just three months ago, I am reminded of the saying that politics is the second oldest profession in the world – and that it has a striking resemblance to the first!

Prior to the vote we heard statements of bravado from the likes of Vasu, Wije and Vidura talking about their conscience telling them to vote against the amendment. Nothing of that sort happened, so we can now confirm that their conscience didn’t exist – which is hardly surprising for politicians.

Ironically, someone who seemed to have some conscience was Cheerio Sirisena. He didn’t have enough of a backbone to stand up for what he believed in and vote against the amendment, so he kept away, because he couldn’t bear to watch the baby he fathered – the 19th Amendment – being killed off.

What was sadder, Mother Lanka, was the attitude of some other people. They include the ‘nayaka’s who don saffron robes claiming to be your protectors, those who committed the cardinal sin of asking for too many inquires and even lily-livered legal luminaries who sit on the highest halls of Hulftsdorp.

All of them had the authority, the responsibility and a moral duty to make their voices heard on this issue. Yet, they chose to remain silent either because they endorse a virtual monarchy or because they are too frightened to speak. Their silence is deafening indeed – and maybe a sign of things to come.

For all the hair-splitting legal arguments about what is good and not so good for you, Mother Lanka, we know that politics is the art of the possible. So, even if they had an amendment which said you needed a name beginning with ‘R’ to run for the two top jobs, that too would have been approved!

Years from now, when you look back on what happened this week, you will be happy or sad depending on how these enormous powers vested in one person are used or abused. That will depend on Gota maama now but who knows which individual will next ascend to the throne, Mother Lanka?

Yours truly,

Punchi Putha

PS – If what happened last week was history repeating itself, Gota maama should be worried now. For, is it not correct that Mahinda maama was given sweeping powers with the 18th Amendment and it was the way in which those powers were used that led to his surprise defeat five years ago?