Dictator gone mad

Tuesday, 13 November 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

President Maithripala Sirisena

By Tassie Seneviratne

Much concern has been expressed by so many about the manifestly obvious signs of mental derangement in the actions of the Executive President Maithripala Sirisena since of late, leaving everyone dumbfounded. In one instance he has been described as a “dictator gone mad”.

In 1978 when J.R. Jayewardene introduced the system of the all -powerful Executive President, a no lesser person than Dr. N.M. Perera said, “If an insane person becomes such a president, what is the state of this country?” What prophetic words? Exactly that has happened today.

This is too serious a situation to pass off with mere comments – the whole country is on the brink of an explosion.

As a matter of the highest urgency, an application needs to be made in the District Courts by way of an ‘A’ report seeking a court order to have the patient examined by a psychiatrist. When suspicions are confirmed medically, he will have to be removed as provided by Article 38 (2) (a) of the Constitution which reads: “Any Member of Parliament may, by writing addressed to the Speaker, give notice of a resolution alleging that the President is permanently incapable of discharging the functions of his office by reason of his mental or physical infirmity - - - - “

Such is the action that Mangala Samaraweera, (MP) should take rather than make public comments about the obvious. This can be taken up with the challenge that the dissolution of Parliament was unlawful.

(The writer is a Retd. Senior Superintendent of Police and Fundamental Rights activist.)