The calm before a storm?

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

QUELLING worries at least for the time being of the 13th Amendment being repealed, the Government on Wednesday dismissed attempts by hardline parties to hamper the much-awaited northern elections. However, whether this stance lasts is anyone’s guess.

The restoration of democracy to the beleaguered north has been highly anticipated over the past four years. It was repeatedly focused on by the US as well as UN agencies and Tamil political parties as a long overdue right of the Tamil community and an essential facet in the reconciliation process. Even the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) in its landmark report called for the elections to be held as soon as possible to legitimise and entrench democracy in the once war-torn region.

Yet several other political parties, including the ruling one, now seem to regard this right as a “boon” of sorts for the Tamil community and have done little to repress coalition parties such as the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) from drafting documents that attempt to roll back the 13th Amendment. This lends credence to the rumours that have been floating around for several months, intimating that a 19th Amendment could be formulated to roll back powers of provincial councils as well as reduce the term of the Chief Justice.

In the former, the JHU was joined by the National Freedom Front (NFF) in its vehement objections to the northern polls on the stance that it would undermine national sovereignty and would be division under a different framework. This hardline stance has not been tossed aside by the Government despite its reconciliatory stance and acting Cabinet Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa has admitted that the Constitution could change if the Parliamentary Select Committee mooted by President Rajapaksa sanctions such a move.

In the murky underbelly of Sri Lanka’s politics, several other developments have taken place in parallel to the JHU’s decision. The Government has continued with plans to grab over 6,000 acres of land in the north, despite vehement protests from Tamil parties and residents alike. Such mass acquisitions have increased disquiet over military presence in the area with fears that another LLRC recommendation to demilitarise the north will not happen before the election – if at all. Attacks on Jaffna journalists, their offices and even on Tamil politicians themselves have grabbed headlines over the past few weeks. Couple this with zero intent by the Government to establish Police and Election Commissions or allow in foreign monitors ahead of the elections means that there is ever-diminishing hope for a free and fair poll.

Interestingly, the normally-balanced JVP has also taken the stance that the northern elections would be “counterproductive,” which would pit it against Tamil parties. India has also raised concerns during a phone call to External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris.

Internal issues of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) have also done little to quell the mounting disquiet. Yet the party insists it will stage its campaign and will only be stopped if the 13th Amendment is detracted, an increasing possibility given the JHU’s intentions. The TNA continues to battle, defiant of the undemocratic developments with uncertain hopes of success.

Given this web of developments, it is unlikely that elections will be the boon that everyone expects.