Sirisena, Yes or No

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2017

‘Muddling through’ is a phrase familiar to Constitutional studies pundits. It is mostly associated with the unwritten Constitution of the United Kingdom and how for years, the British political system has generally conducted its business by ‘muddling through’.

In more recent times, the phrase has been used to describe the UK’s muddling through on the road to devolution, particularly in respect of autonomy for Scotland. The once unitary state of the UK began devolving power for fear of separation and Independence by nationalist forces in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. They even established a ‘Parliament’ in Scotland, began devolving more and more power from London’s Westminster Parliament, and now, Scotland is just one Referendum away from Independence anyway.

In a Sri Lankan context, the ‘muddling through’ seems inherent in our political culture as well, despite having a written Constitution. With 19 Amendments to the 1978Constitution, this fact hits one starkly, nowadays even more with one section of the Government of National Unity trying to run with the ball but being tackled by their own team-mates, while their opponents are trying to trip both of them on their way to the goal-line. It is rather bizarre.

Last week’s exclusive story in this newspaper was the epitome of this ‘muddling through’. The news story said that the President’s party, or at least a group in it headed by the influential General Secretary has formally proposed – to the President himself, that the Executive Presidency which they so virulently and vehemently opposed and swore to abolish, be continued. If that took the cake, it was also topped with icing. They wanted this President, who not only promised to abolish the Executive Presidency if elected, but even once ensconced in office swore at the bier of the late Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera (who led the then Opposition campaign which became the platform for the ouster of then President Mahinda Rajapaksa) that he would abolish the Executive Presidency – to be the candidate for the next Presidential election.

The story was confirmed during the week by the SLFP General Secretary. The then humble General Secretary of the SLFP and Health Minister who rode to the highest office in the land on that very platform and solemn pledge does not seem to have dissented, even though he has not consented. There was no protest or a “what nonsense are you talking”. Everyone remained the whole week in animated suspension for a word. To consider that the suggestion was not inspired is unthinkable. The current Executive President who boasts that no other President in the world shed his powers voluntarily as he did through the 19th Amendment, it seems, is slowly, but surely entertaining visions of continuing with the constitutional monarchy the Sri Lankan Executive Presidency has all but become.

If this suggestion becomes rubber-stamped by the SLFP’s Central Committee, how much the move will cut across the UNP’s plans of strengthening Parliament, and consequently giving the Prime Minister more executive powers is fairly obvious. In his New Year message, the President asked that politics be cast aside and the country concentrate on development. That is not the message coming out from his party, though.

The SLFP’s intentions seem crystal clear. From this latest salvo from his party’s closest loyalists, the incumbent President is entertaining ideas of continuing beyond 2020 when his term ends, and that he wishes to be Head of State and Head of Government as he currently is; i.e. to be the jewel and the crown.