Balance of power?

Thursday, 24 May 2012 01:19 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

SRI Lanka’s political sphere has become rejuvenated, with many wondering what the Government’s next step will be. Several incidents have come together to make the environment more interesting, with three points in particular standing out.

With the release of former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka, the public is watching every step of the Opposition. Fonseka himself has stated that he will continue to engage in politics despite his civic rights being taken away and will continue to work towards the removal of the present ruling party. His interviews have also reignited the debate of allegations of war crimes and the fate of upcoming elections.

Movements towards a new political party that will involve Fonseka as well as the main Opposition renewing their invitation for him to join their ranks make the upcoming eastern elections more arresting as people attempt to weigh the impact on the masses. Thrown into this mix is the United National Party’s stance on the proposed Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) that would have a huge bearing on its validity and eventual outcome.

Into this the UNP has also dropped the Action Plan to implement the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) recommendations demanding that the document be tabled before Parliament to prevent any undue confusion. UNP MP Lakshman Kiriella has alleged that the Government is playing a double game by revealing a different Action Plan to the international community than what they plan to present before the public. Such a stance calls for the Government to be more transparent on its plans to build trust both among politicians as well as people.

For the PSC to be effective, it needs to have the consensus of all parties, particularly the minorities led by the Tamil National Alliance (TNA). Now that a more vociferous opposition is growing, there may be more pressure on the Government to highlight previously unexplained points in the reconciliation process. At best the Opposition has a new voice that might gain the people’s ear more than what was previously experienced.

As elections in the east loom closer and Tamil parties scramble to form a comprehensive opposition, the Government is under ever-increasing pressure to meet deeds with words. Rebuilding and infrastructure development still hold the Government well but it needs to balance out the equation by concentrating at least half as much on the ethnic issue, especially in the eastern elections.

Implementing the LLRC recommendations was one way in which the Government could convey its sincerity to forge reconciliation, not only between the Sinhalese and Tamils but also north with south. How the Government proceeds with the rest of the recommendations and how fast they are implemented will decide the fate of ethnic relations within the country and Sri Lanka’s reputation among the rest of the world.

For a long time the Government has enjoyed being at centre stage. While it has dealt with its share of criticism, it has done so with the assurance that its commitment to economic development overshadows most of the arguments levelled against it. Whether this is a sustainable platform will be proved in the months to come.