This letter is written on the premise that the people of Sri Lanka wish to bring an end to the current Executive Presidential system – a system that has over the past 31 years often led to authoritarian, even dictatorial, rule by elected people’s representatives who showed scant regard for democratic norms, or even salutary Constitutional provisions, such as the 17th Amendment, introduced to ensure checks and balances.
The Presidential election is a golden opportunity for Sri Lanka and her people to bring an end to this much criticised and even feared system of government.
The last two elected Presidents – Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Mahinda Rajapaksa – promised to abolish the Presidency. The people expected a substantive change in our system of government, even if the executive Presidency continued. These promises fell by the wayside. Once entrenched in office, both Presidents concentrated on further consolidation of power and authority around themselves.
Bringing about change was not beyond the powers 0f either of these two Presidents. It was just that it was not in their political interest to proceed with change. Even the United National Party, while in the Opposition, offered the required Parliamentary support for Constitutional change. In fairness, it must be said that it is only the much maligned JVP that was consistent in their campaign for a change of the Executive Presidency, but the party was let down by both the candidates they supported.
The one opportunity Parliament had to clip the wings of the Presidency was thwarted by Mrs. Kumaratunga, when in 2002 she dissolved the UNP government after it was two years in office, when in fact its mandate from the people was for five years. This was a serious misuse of power by a President, although within the legal framework - a framework that needs to be changed.
What is different about the 2010 presidential election, as against elections and broken promises over the past 16 years?
There is no doubt regarding the position of Mr. Rajapaksa and his coalition on the Presidential system. He and his group are bent on continuing with the system and perhaps perpetuating it. The Common Opposition candidate, Retired General Sarath Fonseka, on the other hand, says he will end the Presidential system and ensure the office of President is responsible to Parliament.
Voters ask how Genera Fonseka can make this change happen when the power to do so lies with Parliament, and that too with a 2/3 majority? The answer is simple. All political parties supporting General Fonseka are committed to changing the Presidential system. Should General Fonseka be elected, the parties that support him will hold a substantial majority in the next Parliament, enabling Constitutional change.
In brief, the position would be as follows:
– Sri Lanka will have its first elected “apolitical” President since the 1978 Constitution was enacted. That would be a breath of fresh air in an otherwise badly polluted environment.
The general election to follow will be presided over by a non-political President who will himself not have a party or candidates of his own. That also is welcome and should assist in the conduct of a free and fair poll
.– The UNP and the JVP who are working together with the common objective to dismantle the Presidential system will contest in coalition,
– It is logical to assume that the UNP and the JVP, once their members are elected to Parliament, will jointly work towards bringing about change in the Presidential system.
What needs to be remembered is that Parliament cannot be dissolved within the first year of its election, and in the current circumstances the people of Sri Lanka will have to place faith in the newly elected Parliament to bring about Constitutional change. It is only fair that General Fonseka be given the opportunity to facilitate change our people seek.
– The parties that support General Fonseka are capable of delivering on this objective, and the voters in turn should not miss out on this golden opportunity for change.
This writer wishes to comment on the nature of the UNP/JVP combination. It is strange and surprising to see these two arch-rivals working together. Some see it as unholy. But then the discerning voter must know to what purpose they have got together.
What Sri Lanka needs today is change. Change from a system that permits arbitrary power and suppression of the people. All right-thinking people who oppose this system should grab this opportunity and ensure change will happen. This could well be our last opportunity in a long time. If we miss it, we will again live to regret another lost chance, and leave room for “Kings” to be elected under the guise of Presidents. As things are, it may well lead to a new dynasty as well.
“Deshapremi” |
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