We are alarmed by the recent turn of events, where Mr. Maithripala Sirisena has called upon Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa, who does not command a majority in the Parliament, to form the government.
In 2015, the country voted in Mr. Sirisena, on the promise of change and good governance. The majority of people voted in the Coalition Government too, in the general elections, with Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe at the helm. Neither Mr. Wickremesinghe’s Government nor Mr. Sirisena have kept their promises to the people.
The last three years have been a series of manoeuvres between warring factions in which divided loyalties and self-serving opportunism ruled the day. The current move is simply a culmination of these acts.
Although there have been some positive changes during this time, such as the opening of space for civil discourse and freedom of speech, the legislation of the Right to Information Act, and the return of some military-held lands, the current regime’s neoliberal policies, not to mention the impending Counter Terrorism Act (CTA), build on similar policies of the previous regime and provide little relief to the people. With a global economic crisis looming large, the country is facing challenges all round.
The announcement of the President calling upon Mr. Rajapaksa to form the government, and then proroguing the parliament, makes us think that Mr. Rajapaksa does not have a majority at this moment. Such a postponement also signals a time of political manipulation of a precarious situation and warns of a premeditated and near autocratic take over. It weakens the already fragile fabric of democracy that we have and spells further danger to dissent, protest and people’s collective action.
The struggle for democracy is not just about the constitution. It resides in economic, social, and individual welfare, the right to dissent, and a commitment to pluralism. Although important to consider the unconstitutionality of the President’s act and the precedence that it sets, our concerns go beyond those of a constitutional crisis. We want to stress that democratic processes need to be cherished and upheld at all times. Rather than continuing to support the ‘lesser evil’, let’s work toward bringing all people together as a citizenry to build hope for our collective futures.
We wish to call upon all those in positions of power, particularly all political actors, to pledge their support for democratic processes. At the same time, we wish to pledge our support for democratic action. This is the moment to begin a collective action by students, teachers, workers, women’s groups, religious groups, and others working toward social justice, to form a coalition and a counter force against authoritarian reaction.
Endorsements
- Dr. Ranil Abayasekara, University of Peradeniya
- Prof. Liyanage Amarakeerthi, University of Peradeniya
- Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Open University of Sri Lanka
- Swasthika Arulingam
- B. Aswini, Women’s Coalition for Disaster Management
- Crystal Baines, University of Kelaniya
- Dr. Lionel Bopage, Australian Advocacy for Good Governance in Sri Lanka (AAGGSL)
- Anushaya Collure
- Dr. P. A. D. Coonghe, University of Jaffna
- Dr Enoka Corea, University of Colombo
- Marina Daniel
- Prof. Kumar David, formerly University of Peradeniya
- Marisa de Silva
- Dr. S.J.S. de Mel, University of Peradeniya
- Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri, University of Colombo
- Dr. Kanchuka Dharmasiri, University of Peradeniya
- Geethika Dharmasinghe, Liberation Movement
- Prof. Priyan Dias, University of Moratuwa
- Fr. T. L. Rohan Dominic, Claretians
- Rasu Eeswaran, Graduate Student, Michigan State University
- Evan Ekanayake, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Colombo
- Avanka Fernando
- Ruki Fernando, Human Rights Activist
- Priyantha Fonseka, University of Peradeniya
- Nilshan Fonseka
- Kasun Gajasingha, University of Peradeniya
- Sunila Galappatti
- Mario Gomez, International Center for Ethnic Studies
- Devaka Gunawardena, Collective for Economic Democratisation
- Prof. Dileni Gunewardena, University of Peradeniya
- Dr. Ranil Guneratne, Formerly University of Colombo
- Tasneem Hamead
- Dr. Farzana Haniffa, University of Colombo
- Rohini Hensman, Writer, Independent Scholar
- Kaushalya Herath, Lecturer
- Dr. Rajan Hoole, formerly University of Jaffna and University Teachers for Human Rights
- Deekshya Illangasinghe
- Saman Ilangamuwa, Journalist
- Prof. Qadri Ismail
- Mihiri Jansz, Lecturer, Open University of Sri Lanka
- Sumedha Jayakody, The International Centre for Ethnic studies
- Prabhath Jayasinghe
- Dr.Prince Jeyadevan Professor of Chemistry, University of Jaffna
- Dr. D.R. Jayewardene, University of Colombo
- I. Jeyanthi, Women’s Coalition for Disaster Management
- Rev. Dr. Joseph Jeyaseelan, Claretians, Sri Lanka
- S. Jeyatheepa, Women’s Coalition for Disaster Management
- Dr. Ahilan Kadirgamar
- Prof. Thiru Kandiah, formerly University of Peradeniya
- Dr. Ranga Kalugampitiya, University of Peradeniya
- Saman. M. Kariyakarawana, Visiting Lecturer, University of Sabaragamuwa
- T. Karthika, Women’s Coalition for Disaster Management
- Niyanthini Kadirgamar, Graduate Student, University of Massachusetts
- Dr. Pavithra Kailasapathy, University of Colombo
- Chulani Kodikara, PhD Candidate
- Rushira Kulasingham
- Peace S. Kulasingham
- Dr. Ramya Kumar, University of Jaffna
- Dr. Shamala Kumar, Univ. of Peradeniya & University Teachers for Democracy & Dialogue
- Dr. Vijaya Kumar, Professor Emeritus, University of Peradeniya
- Prof. N. Savitri Kumar, Ph.D. Research Professor, Institute of Fundamental Studies
- Prof. Amal S. Kumarage, University of Moratuwa
- Kaushalya Kumarasinghe
- Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala
- Dr. Vivimarie VanderPoorten Medawattegedera, Open University of Sri Lanka
- Dr. Saumya Liyanage, University of Visual and Performing Arts
- Rita Liyanage, Formerly University of Peradeniya
- Dr. Prabha Manuratne, University of Kelaniya, University Teachers for Free Education
- Dr. Sudesh Mantillake University of Peradeniya
- Saravanabavan Mayuran, Government Surveyor
- Achala Meddegama, Entrepreneur/Environmental Conservationist
- Juwairiya Mohideen
- Rumala Morel, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya
- Thulasi Muttulingam, Journalist, Jaffna
- Sabreena Niles, Lecturer, University of Kelaniya
- Afrah Niwas
- Dr. Gehan Panagoda, University of Peradeniya
- Buddhima Padmasiri, Lawyer
- Thadchaigeni Panchalingam, graduate student at The Ohio State University
- Chaminda Perera, Assistant General Secretary, Ceylon Federation of Trade Unions
- Nicola Perera, University of Colombo
- Vihanga Perera
- Ramindu Perera, Open University of Sri Lanka
- Muthulingam Periyasamy, Institute for Social Development, Kandy
- Thiagi Piyadasa, Lawyer
- Noelin Prins
- K. Rajaledsumi, Women’s Coalition for Disaster Management
- Rajany Rajeshwary, Feminist
- Kshama Ranawana
- Sumathy Rajasingham
- Sanjayan Rajasingham, Graduate Student, Yale University
- Vasuki Rajasingham, Principal, Nuffield School, Kaithady
- R. Rajiththa, Women’s Coalition for Disaster Management
- B. Rakini, Women’s Coalition for Disaster Management
- Dr Harshana Rambukwella, Open University of Sri Lanka
- Sandamini Ranwalage, Graduate Student, University of Miami
- Madhubhashini R. Rathnayaka
- Dr. Champa Ratnatunga, University of Peradeniya
- Peter C. D. Rezel, Strategic Inspirations, Boralesgamuwa
- Dr. Kanchana N. Ruwanpura
- Athulasiri Samarakoon, Open University of Sri Lanka
- Dr. Dinesha Samararatne, University of Colombo
- Prof. Gameela Samarasinghe, University of Colombo
- T. Sangeetha, Women’s Coalition for Disaster Management
- S. Sasiyanthini, Women’s Coalition for Disaster Management
- R. Sathanayaki, Women’s Coalition for Disaster Management
- Shreen Saroor, Women’s Action Network
- Muttukrishna Sarvananthan, Pointpedro Institute of Development
- Sharmila Seyyid
- Fathima Shahira
- Dr. Jani De Silva, Independent Researcher
- Vanie Simon, Social Activist
- Priyalal Sirisena, Attorney-at-Law
- Prof. Sumathy Sivamohan, University of Peradeniya
- Esther Surenthiraraj, University of Colombo
- Rev. Jude Sutharshan, Principal, Christian Theological Seminary, Chunnakam
- Prof. V. Thevanesam, University of Peradeniya
- Dayapala Thiranagama
- Mahendran Thiruvarangan, University of Peradeniya
- Dr. Darshi Thoradeniya, Visiting Lecturer, Dept. of History, University of Colombo
- Sandun Thudugala, Social Activist
- Tanuja Thurairajah
- Dr. Ramila Usoof, University of Peradeniya
- Nelum Uttamadasa
- Deanne Uyangoda
- Prof. Jayadeva Uyangoda, University of Colombo
- S Vijiyaledsumi, Women’s Coalition for Disaster Management
- Thiyagaraja Waradas
- Amali Wedagedara, Graduate Student, University of Hawaii
- Devaka Weerasinghe, University student, University of Sri Jayewardenepura
- Natasha Weerasinghe, Art teacher/home maker
- Dr. Ruvan Weerasinghe, University of Colombo School of Computing
- Prof. Carmen Wickramagamage, University of Peradeniya
- Prof. P. Wickramagamage (Emeritus Professor), University of Peradeniya
- Upul Kumara Wickramasinghe, Graduate Student, University of Durham
- Prof. Nira Wickramasinghe, Leiden University (formerly University of Colombo)
- Dr. Sinha Wickremesekera, Medical Doctor
- Priyan R. Wijebandara Independent Journalist and Visiting Lecturer
- Asanka Wijesinghe, Graduate Student, The Ohio State University
- Subha Wijesiriwardena Women and Media Collective
- Lal Wijenayake, Convener, Lawyers for Democracy
- Dileepa Witharana, Open University of Sri Lanka
- Setheeswary Yogathas, Women’s Coalition for Disaster Management
- Dr. L. M. Zubair
