WHAT’S YOUR VERDICT?

It’s election time and another presidential election is almost upon us. Almost three years and eleven months ago, to the date, President Sirisena sent shock waves through the nation when he announced his candidature for the post of President of the country on November 21, 2014. The election was held at a time when the previous incumbent had successfully tinkered with the Constitution to permit him to contest the presidency for a longer period than was originally stipulated.

Candidate Sirisena campaigned on a platform of eradicating corruption, which had taken a stranglehold of almost every aspect of life. He promised to usher in a corruption-free era and bring to book the people in power who allegedly had milked the country for the benefit of friends and family. The then candidate Sirisena promised to abolish the Executive Presidency. He also promised to be a one-term President.

Journalists had become targets of political harassment, a number of journalists had already sought sanctuary in foreign countries in fear of their lives, a number died mysteriously and a number of others were at the receiving end of physical punishment. Candidate Sirisena promised to ensure journalistic freedom, stop harassment of journalists and usher in an era where journalists had a right to freedom of information regarding matters of public interest. There were also claims of abductions. It was also a time when minority communities and political opponents lived in fear of life and limb. Sadly a number of places of worship and business houses belonging to minority communities came under attack, while the forces of law and order turned a blind eye.

Candidate Sirisena promised that these would be a thing of the past and not happen under his watch. He added culprits would be brought to book. He promised to end political interference in judicial processes and ensure the independence of the judiciary. He also promised that the cost of living which had reached astronomical heights would be brought within the reach of ordinary citizens. He also promised that he would appoint then Leader of the Opposition Ranil Wickremesinghe his Prime Minister and work together to usher in an era of Yahapalana or Good Governance.

Today, three years and eleven months later, how would you and I mark our present President’s report card? Has he passed brilliantly or failed miserably?

Hats off to President Sirisena! One of his first acts was to bring in the 19th Amendment to the Constitution which curbed his powers but has not abolished the office of the Executive President. While the 19th Amendment to the Constitution has its weaknesses, President Sirisena did keep his promise to the nation regarding the reduction in powers of the Executive President. He also appointed Wickremesinghe as PM. Whether the change was for the better or worse, electors will decide at a general election.

Sirisena promised to be a one-term President. He is not contesting the forthcoming election. Many believe however, this is because he has no chance of re-election. Be that as it may... its another promise fulfilled even if by default. A major failure of President Sirisena has been that his inability to end fears of minority communities. Sadly, attacks on minorities continue, even if not as ferociously as previously.

The country also looked forward to a corruption-free era. Their hopes were dashed when an Opposition MP revealed a bond scam of gigantic proportions perpetrated by the very government which promised to eradicate corruption. President Sirisena was not personally involved in the scam. But it was the work of his chosen partners, and under his watch. He has also not brought to book the culprits behind the scam though the years have rolled on. Unfortunately for us; the mundane citizens, the cost of living is now higher than when our President and his cabinet took power.

While President Srirsena has had more than a fair share of failure, one of his achievements has been in ensuring media freedom. During his term, journalists have been able to perform their tasks without fear. Under his tenure the ‘Right To Information’ Act also entered the statute book. One of his greatest achievements however, has been ensuring the independence of the judiciary and ending political interference in the Judiciary via the empowering of the Independent Constitutional Councils.

And then, he engineered a constitutional coup, sacking his Prime Minister, and appointing another in his stead and illegally dissolving parliament... The judiciary he empowered, held him out of order and Sirisena had to eat humble pie.

Another of his weaknesses has been his constant mood swings and inability to take responsibility for shortcomings or failures like the security lapse which resulted in the Easter Sunday carnage.

So, what’s your verdict?