Give the President his January 2015 mandate
Once upon a time in this resplendent isle, a Commissioner of Elections broke down and cried before the public on national television in the midst of announcing the 2010 Presidential election 'result.'
The public consensus was that this weak but essentially decent public servant had been broken under the Rajapaksa Presidency, then at the postwar height of its glory. On record, the (then) Commissioner affirmed his inability to ensure the safety of a single ballot box.
The steely resolve of the Elections Commissioner
ed to the judiciary. Here again, this is not a magical restoration of the institution ravaged since 1999. But at least now, independent judges in office may act without fear of consequences. The question of jurisprudential capacity at all levels of the system is however a different question altogether.
In comparison to those positive developments, the exact opposite confronts us when we look at the ghastly parade of clowns who have entertained the Sri Lankan public during this election campaign. It may well be said that nothing can be worse than the last Parliament of Sri Lanka full of pot bellied crooks. At times however, one is led to seriously doubt if the ruin can ever be righted.
Plethora of bad choices
This is not limited to one party either. On one side, some rub their hands in unctuous self-promotion even as they indulge in paroxysms of praise for the ' peoples' victory of January 8th 2015.' Making things worse, seasoned politicians of the United National Party (UNP) 'lose their cool' when they are questioned on the Central Bank bond issue and other matters. It almost appears that the public is being told, 'be grateful for small mercies after we brought back democracy; now, do not dare question us.' One can only profess bewilderment at such colossal arrogance.
On the other side, rank communalism predominates as some UPFA candidates gather the 'Sinhala Buddhist' ranks against the 'Other.' Promises of a 'new front' are belied by the presence of the same old sour faces. Media advertisements carrying President Sirisena's face over the UPFA party colours does not suffice to meet this deficit of trust.
Meanwhile the UNP mantra that the President is willing to work only with them is equally unconvincing. As was pointed out in these column spaces, President Sirisena has been placed in this current predicament precisely due to the faults of the UNP as well as the UPFA. On its own part, the fiery orators of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) still do not seem able to rise above scoring political points against the major parties. In this unruly melee, some hope is offered only by young fresh-faced candidates of all party colours as well as 'differently abled' candidates putting themselves forward on behalf of a sorely under-helped community.
Need for eternal vigilance and critical pressure