Presidential policies

As Presidential Elections inch closer, the policies that different candidates will propose will need much consideration from voters. Many of them will develop from earlier promises made and in response to the current challenges in the country. One aspect that has been part of every major election for decades in Sri Lanka is how to resolve the national question and whether the process to abolish the Executive Presidency can be completed after the next election cycle. 

The parliamentary debate on Constitutional reforms last week threw up some interesting viewpoints. UNP Parliamentarian Jayampathi Wickramaratne called for Parliament support to complete the abolishment of the Executive Presidency, which was the platform that swept the present Government into power in 2015. Addressing Parliament, Wickramaratne explained the sequence of events that led to the establishment of the 19th Amendment. He reminded parliamentarians that the 19th Amendment was only a short-term measure that was introduced to reduce Executive powers after the Supreme Court had said that a referendum would be needed to complete the abolishment and strengthen the legislature, until the Executive Presidency could be abolished through a new Constitution. 

Unfortunately the new Constitution making process died a slow death over the past four years and it will not be completed in the remaining months. This has left the next set of presidential candidates to grapple with the familiar question in a fresh context. Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa has reiterated his earlier stance that he will propose an Amendment to the Constitution but this is likely to turn back the work done by the 19th Amendment. It is clear that Rajapaksa, who has already enjoyed two terms with the full powers of the Executive Presidency, would seek to consolidate those powers rather than share them with Parliament. 

However, those who backed the abolishment of the Executive Presidency, including minority parties, will prefer to see the process continue. Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera, who has possibly been the only Parliamentarian who has steadfastly pushed for a Constitutional solution to the national question, has insisted that it is important to continue with the formulation of a new Constitution as it was the best way to bring true peace and unity to Sri Lanka by ensuring the rights and representation of all communities.

Given the economic and political issues that are uppermost in the minds of the people it is unlikely that the voters, especially the Sinhala Buddhist voters, will see much point in a new Constitution at the next presidential campaign. They are more likely to back the Rajapaksa proposal of amending the existing Constitution and doing away with the impasse between the President and parliament. But this comes loaded with additional questions of parliamentary supremacy and whether the gains made through the 19th Amendment can be so easily dismissed? What of balance of power and should the people’s mandate not be respected by the Executive?

Economically, Sri Lanka cannot return to loan based, high-debt creating growth fuelled by weak institutions and strongman decision making. There has to be a balance where democratic institutions are able and encouraged to function. If that space is taken away then there is danger of a repressive political culture returning and these considerations must be taken into account by the voter at the next elections.