Whither the Executive Presidency?

The Executive Presidency has been a passionate point of dispute for Sri Lankans for decades. So deep did these emotions run that it became the rallying point for a civil society movement in 2014 that eventually saw the ouster of a president who, perhaps more than any other before, had used executive powers most widely and, some would argue, damagingly. 

The nine years former president Mahinda Rajapaksa was in power saw how the Executive Presidency could be used to put immense power in the hands of one person. As the saying goes ‘absolute power corrupts absolutely’ and over the years moderate Sri Lankans became more and more disturbed by the repeated assaults on their freedoms and rights. 

It was the Executive Presidency that allowed for the 18th Amendment to be passed, for family members to be appointed uncontested to powerful positions, for independent institutions to be undermined and for reconciliation to be stalled. It forced law enforcement authorities to stand by while extremist organisations divided Sri Lankans and created new fears, and it silences voices opposed to oppression and injustice. 

This was why when a chance for change appeared people came out in droves to elect President Maithripala Sirisena. They voted because, despite all the empty promises that had been made by previous presidents, Sri Lankans had to keep trying to rectify a wrong and if they couldn’t abolish the executive presidency in one fell swoop they at least had to give it to someone who would use it more carefully, more judiciously. Some would call these efforts naïve but they were brave and symbolised a change in the aspirations of Sri Lankans who wanted their country to be a true democracy. 

When the 19th Amendment was passed it was understood by the voters that it was just one step in the long journey to abolish the Executive Presidency. But nearly two years on from that historical date the omens are ominous. The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Central Committee recently decided that they would support the continuance of the Executive Presidency and would push for the full implementation of the 13th Amendment rather than a new Constitution that would include an abolishment of executive powers. Special Projects Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama told media that while the president had been present at the meeting he had not voiced an opinion on the Central Committee decision. 

Flip-flopping on such a crucial issue is damaging on multiple fronts and top members of the SLFP would do well to remember that voters do not look kindly upon politicians who break their promises.  

Power exudes an attraction that is powerful to diminish and public mindsets can be easily influenced. Those who seek power would always work to instil fear in the public and prevent progress and dependence on legally empowered institutions but it is up to the Government to ensure that its pledges are fulfilled. 

Millions of people voted for the abolishment of the Executive Presidency and they deserve an end to the ambiguity, they deserve to be told what the position of the Government is and what steps, if any, will be taken to abolish executive powers. In short they deserve a president who will be true.