Friday, 7 November 2014 00:01
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ELECTIONS are sure to whip up the political atmosphere of a country into a storm. Sri Lanka is also seeing movement with speculations of crossovers as President Mahinda Rajapaksa sought the Supreme Court’s views over seeking a third term in power.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought written submissions from legal experts on the Constitutional validity of President Mahinda Rajapaksa contesting another term and calling for an early election. The move follows the President seeking the opinion of the Supreme Court on if he can run for the office of president for the third term as well as if there is any impediment to him calling for an election four years into his second six-year term.
The Registrar of the Supreme Court M.M. Jayasekera also wrote to the President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), stating that Chief Justice Mohan Peiris PC has requested written submissions in respect of the same issue upon a reference by President Rajapaksa.
In the background was massive speculation over a possible crossover by United National Party (UNP) front-liner Mangala Samaraweera. Those in the know were agog over alleged attempts by the Government to lure Samaraweera in with a plum Cabinet portfolio but reports indicate that after discussions with the UNP leadership, such crossover possibilities were nipped in the bud. Sources from the UNP reportedly told several media organisations the former Foreign Minister’s concerns had been addressed and he had shelved plans to cross to the other side.
Political pundits also insisted such a move was initiated by the ruling party as several of its members are contemplating changing camps to the UNP. Some analysts put the number as high as 40 but no important names have been reliably put forward. Within the smoke and mirrors game, more plays are likely to go down as the presidential poll gallops closer.
Investment Promotion Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene told reporters President Mahinda Rajapaksa would issue a gazette extraordinary on 19 November instructing the Elections Commissioner to conduct a presidential election. It is the only concrete news emerging from the ruling party’s camp so far about specific actions to be taken. With the Pope’s visit embroiled in all this, many will be happy to see a clear declaration of dates from the Government.
Despite the days counting down, the UNP does not seem to have picked its candidate yet. Latest reports have UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa insisting Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is the only man for the fray. Yet plenty of others think differently, including those seeking the abolishment of the executive presidency, who insist UNP MP Karu Jayasuriya would be a better common candidate and would get support from a wider base provided he pledges to end the executive presidency within a mandated time.
As the political atmosphere tenses, so too do entities linked to it. The Sri Lanka Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya (SLNSS) staged a lightning strike at the airport on Wednesday causing discomfort to many travellers. Reports alleged there were even power disruptions during the trade union action and national carrier SriLankan issued a short statement assuring no flights had been delayed or cancelled.
Politics usually come with an economic dimension and such tension can easily spill from one sphere to the next, resulting in negative results for all. Therefore, all political stakeholders have to ensure the country does not come to harm in a political battle for power.
