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In 75th anniversary message, President calls on Lankans to rise as daughters and sons of one mother to build back better Campaign begins for March 9 local council polls but uncertainty continues; Supreme Court to hear petitions next Friday Ranil determine
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What lies ahead for Sri Lankans as they crossed the milepost of 75 years of Independence yesterday? Do the events singularly or collectively foretell a turn for the good or will the bleak scenario drag on under the heavy weight of the main issue – a speedy economic recovery?
The questions and many related issues are much in the minds of discerning Sri Lankans as they are taken through another journey of pomp and pageantry, glitter and glamour, this time with more aplomb. Drawing more attention worldwide is the presence of special dignitaries. That includes the Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland, those from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan, and Japan. Other than Japan, all others are members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). That this regional grouping is mired by issues between New Delhi and Islamabad and has turned inactive is no secret. That explains why the big player, India has sent its number two in foreign affairs. Its Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishanker was here on January 18 on a three-day visit which had far more important connotations.
An officially declared bankruptcy notwithstanding, the nation is not only playing host but has also lined up a colourful array of ceremonies. Protagonists say it is a future investment for the country. Those opposed, however, say it was “an extravaganza.” They include even ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) members who do not want to voice their views in public.
Local council elections
The issues are far too many. Among the wide-ranging issues, the foremost seems to be the conduct of local council elections on March 9. The tug of war continues between those who demand polls, seemingly larger, and those opposed, who are in lesser numbers but wielding heavier political clout. Strangely enough, though, all sides have fielded candidates, thus sparking speculation over who would lead and who would follow. The Election Commission continues to set the ground though one major factor remains. That is the hearing by the Supreme Court on February 10 on two different petitions from two breakaway SLPP groups in Parliament. Senior Finance Ministry officials have testified that financial resources are scarce for the elections at a time when the country is facing severe hardships. Another apparent deterrent is the ban on public officials, individually authorising the expenditure of state funds.
Though the local council elections are by no means a game changer in terms of governance, the outcome would still be a litmus test for the SLPP-led coalition headed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Since President Gotabaya Rajapaksa ceded the presidency and fled the country that was declared bankrupt, a broader test of public opinion countrywide has not been held. Other than such an outcome, the event also portended a newer line-up of political parties, a contrast from the past. As revealed in these columns last week, the emergence of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) to be a shoulder-to-shoulder rival of the main opposition party, the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB), has gained political currency in the recent weeks. One of the main reasons appears to be the SJB’s inability to make a strong impact in the public mind on the multitude of issues over hardships faced by the people. In addition, its position with regard to key issues, like for example the full implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, is not unambiguously known.
Another festering political issue is the implementation of 13A which President Ranil Wickremesinghe is determined to enforce in full. Highly placed government sources revealed that the subject was discussed with the Mahanayakes of the Malwatte Chapter (Most Venerable Thibottuwawe Sri Siddharatha Sumangala Thera) and Asgiriya Chapter (Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanaratna Thera) early this week. They had both expressed opposition to the full enforcement of 13A and pointed out that no previous president had implemented it fully. President Wickremesinghe had explained that as head of state and government, it was his responsibility to see that the laws are enforced. He pointed out that 13A had remained in the constitution for years after it had been approved by Parliament. If it was not suitable, it should have been removed from the constitution through amendments. This has not been done. The two prelates and two other heads of nikayes (sects) have also sent a detailed letter to President Wickremesinghe, urging him not to enforce 13A. President Wickremesinghe had said that he would make a pledge in his policy statement on February 8 that he would implement 13A in full.
Another issue which government leaders have refrained from dealing with at length is the prolonged power cuts in addition to the impending increase in electricity tariffs. A further blow has come from the increase in taxes – all contributing to trade union agitation. The issue has been made complex by this week’s increase in fuel prices – a measure that snowballs into price rises in food, besides other goods and services. Cumulatively, the issues for the people are relatively unprecedented and are bound to reverberate for a long time after yesterday’s 75th anniversary of Independence celebrations.
Successful passage of UPR
On the overseas front, there were a few including Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, taking the credit for the successful passage of the Universal Periodic Review at the UNHRC headquarters in Geneva. The formulation of the report has been funded by the UN Development Programme from Colombo after local officials said they