President Wickremesinghe, current Pohottuwa Govt. and the way forward: A call from citizens

President Ranil Wickremesinghe

The Presidential election held on 20 July placed Ranil Wickremesinghe in the office of 8th Executive President of Sri Lanka by votes in Parliament. Media publicised the idea that this was the fulfilment of a personal dream of a politician with a Parliamentary career of 45 years. Surprisingly, his first official visit after taking oaths on 21 July was to meet the Armed Forces Chiefs at Defence Headquarters, creating a reasonable fear of use of force in the exercise of political power. And what happened in the early hours of 22 July?

Citizens watched in stunned disbelief as they witnessed the brutal military attack against protestors including media and lawyers in GotaGoGama on Galle Face Green. The protestors had made it clear by their words and actions that they were clearing the site. We join others in condemning this obviously well-planned attack which is not only a blatant violation of the right to peaceful assembly and association of the protestors, but also of the democratic rights of all the people of Sri Lanka. 

We hold the administration of President Ranil Wickremesinghe who had just been sworn into office, and the military authorities, responsible for this violation of the Constitutional rights of the people and international human rights commitments of Sri Lanka. We demand disciplinary inquiries and appropriate measures against those responsible for these events. We call upon the President to pledge in an address to the nation, that this will not happen again, and that there will be no further interference with the People exercising their rights of peaceful political protest.

A powerful peoples’ protest resulted in the elimination of the Rajapaksa family from leadership in government, amidst serious allegations of corruption and misuse of power. This encouraged a public expectation that Parliament would elect a person as President who was not connected to this family to fill the vacancy of Gotabaya Rajapaksa. They believed that the new President would lead an all-party interim government for a very short time till a General Election was held as this was the general demand in the country. However, 134 MPs voted to confirm Wickremesinghe as President on 20 July, and also to protect their seats in Parliament. The voting has confirmed the view of the People that these MPs are concerned only with their petty personal and political agendas and have absolutely no intention of heeding the voice of the People for a change in both leadership and accountability in governance. 

Ranil Wickremesinghe’s own election as President is unique in a system of Parliamentary democracy. He is a person who lost his long-term constituency due to serious allegations of involvement in the Central Bank bond scam and poor leadership. Although his election was procedurally valid and constitutional, it reinforced public perceptions that a dysfunctional Parliament was continuing in office. Rhetoric on the preservation of Parliamentary democracy, Constitutionalism and the national interest has not removed the lack of public trust in the government. 

Worse, there are grave allegations of bribery and corruption in voting, because of the actions of some persons within and outside Parliament, as late as the day before the election, resulting in the 113 votes pledged for the consensus opposition candidate not being cast for him. It is clear to the public that ugly political deals were made in this Presidential election, when the recovery of the country demands personal integrity, and commitment to national interest, from MPs.

President Wickremesinghe’s “new Cabinet” was sworn in on 22 July. It was the very day on which there was a shocking military attack on peaceful protestors. Astoundingly, the new Prime Minister, Dinesh Gunawardena, when questioned by journalists on this event stated that the Government was fulfilling its law and order obligations. It is very clear that the Pohottuwa Government’s swearing in of four Cabinets in four months has not in any way changed their understanding of the People’s demands for democratic and accountable governance. The new President’s call for unity in responding to our devastating national predicament and for systemic institutional change seems a hollow promise in light of the political realities of this Government.

Therefore we demand of the President that he addresses immediately the following immediate public concerns:

1. The need for a General Election within the next six months. It is impossible to initiate economic recovery without political stability and a government recognised by the People. We must find the resources to fulfil this important public need and explore all options available to do so.  

2. The urgency of abolishing the Executive Presidency. The shocking incidents of 22 July demonstrate once again the urgent need to do away with the Executive Presidency with its over focus on a single, all powerful individual in governance. The President has the right to refer to an issue of national importance for the views of the People at a Referendum under Article 86 of the Constitution. President Wickremesinghe has endorsed this change many times in his political career, including in 2018-2019. He must therefore call for a Referendum on this issue and lead the current Government in obtaining a two-third majority to realise the result of such a Referendum.

3. The critical importance of upholding fundamental rights of the People as the foundation for democratic governance. Limitations on such rights must be strictly within the law and Article 15 of the Constitution and the President cannot act outside those limitations. As Commander in Chief he cannot permit or authorise abuse of power by the armed forces or law enforcement agencies on the grounds of national security or threat of anarchy. The negative international publicity for the events of 22 July demonstrate that the violation of the Peoples’ rights will destroy our international image and prospects of getting broad based international support for economic recovery.

The President and Government must realise that the People will no longer accept meaningless rhetoric on a national consensus and unity in resolving the political and economic crisis of this time. National unity is critical if we are to cope with the challenges of an economic recovery but it will not come through governance based on illegal use of force and suppression of protest and through the usual political lies and broken promises made to the People.        

We wish to remind the President, Cabinet, and Members of Parliament that they are only repositories of our sovereign powers and are duty bound to serve us diligently, efficiently and by fulfilling the public trust placed in them. 

1. Ranil Abayasekara – Senior Lecturer, University of Peradeniya (retired)

2. K. Nihal Ahamed – Human Rights and Environmental Activist

3. Geoffrey Alagaratnam – President’s Counsel

4. Dr. D.C. Ambalavanar – Visiting Lecturer in Surgery, University of Jaffna 

5. Arjuna Aluvihare – Emeritus Professor of Surgery and Vice Chancellor, Peradeniya, one time UGC Chairman

6. Darshan Ambalavanar – Director, Theological Education, CACM (Church of the American Ceylon Mission)

7. Annaluxumy – Social Activist

8. Safarich Anfaz – Artist 

9. Rev. Roshan Arrupre – College Principal Batticaloa

10. Rajan Asirwatham – Former Country Head and Precedent Partner KPMG

11. Safana Gul Begum – Attorney-at-Law

12. Bisliya Bhutto – Former Member of Puttalam Pradeshiya Sabha

13. Yohesan Casie Chetty – Attorney-at-Law and former Headmaster S. Thomas’ Preparatory School Kollupitiya

14. Rev. Galkande Dhammananda Thero

15. Bishop Duleep de Chickera

16. Ruwanthie de Chickera – Artists of the Peoples’ Movement

17. Harendra de Silva – Consultant Paediatrician

18. Marisa de Silva

19. Anushaya Collure – Activist

20. Radhika Coomaraswamy – Retired International Civil Servant

21. Andrew Devadason – Clergy, Anglican Church, Diocese of Colombo 

22. Rev. Niroshan de Mel – Vicar, St. Michael and All Angels, Polwatta. Area Dean, Colombo South Area Deanery

23. Priyan Dias – Emeritus Professor, University of Moratuwa

24. Shanthi Dias 

25. S.C.C. Elankovan – Attorney-at-Law and Development Consultant

26. K.J. Brito Fernando – Human Rights Activist

27. Priyanthi Fernando – Former Executive Director, Centre for Poverty Analysis

28. Shiekh M.B.M. Firthous – Chairman, Bismi Institute

29. Aneesa Firthous – Human Rights Activist

30. Bhavani Fonseka – Attorney-at-Law and Rights Activist

31. C. Ranitha Gnanarajah – Attorney-at-Law

32. Mario Gomez – Attorney-at-Law

33. Shyamala Gomez – Executive Director, Centre for Equality and Justice

34. Savitri Goonesekere – Emeritus Professor of Law and Former Vice Chancellor, University of Colombo

35. Camena Guneratne – Professor, Open University of Sri Lanka 

36. Dileni Gunewardena – Professor of Economics, University of Peradeniya

37. Pulasthi Hewamanne – Attorney-at-Law

38. S. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole – Prof. of Electrical Engineering (Rtd) and former Member of the Election Commission

39. Ameena Hussein – Writer

40. Bishop Kumara Illangasinghe 

41. Deekshaya Illangasinghe – Activist

42. Fathima Nabeela Iqbal – Peacebuilder, Sisterhood Initiative

43. Chandra Jayaratne – former Chairman, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce

44. Rohana Jayaratne – Economist

45. Tissa Jayatilaka – Retired Academic and Academic Administrator 

46. Sakuntala Kadirgamar – Executive Director, Law and Society Trust

47. Pavithra Kailasapathy – Professor, University of Colombo

48. Thiru Kandiah – Retired University Academic

49. Chulani Kodikara – Co-Editor “Polity”

50. Sepali Kottegoda

51. Herman Kumara – National Fisheries Solidarity Movement

52. Mahaluxmy Kurushanthan – Women’s Rights Activist

53. Rev. Lawrence – Parish priest, Batticaloa

54. Jansila Majeed – Women’s Rights Activist

55. Fr. Bennette Mellawa – Director CARITAS Anuradhapura

56. Farah Mihlar – Senior Lecturer 

57. Buhary Mohamed – Human Rights Activist

58. Juwairya Mohideen – Women’s Rights Activist

59. P. Muthulingam – Executive Director, Institute of Social Development

60. Ramani Muttetuwegama – Attorney-at-Law

61. Rohini Nanayakkara – Former General Manager, Bank of Ceylon and Chairperson LOLC

62. A.M. Navaratna Bandara – Professor, University of Peradeniya (retired)

63. Gananath Obeyesekere – Prof. Emeritus, Princeton University, USA,

64. Ranjini Obeyesekere - Retired Prof. Princeton University, USA

65. Nalinika Obeyesekere – Veterinary Surgeon, Colombo

66. Arjuna Parakrama – Professor, University of Peradeniya

67. Sasanka Perera, Professor of Sociology, South Asian University, New Delhi

68. Sumika Perera Co-ordinator, Women’s’ Resource Centre

69. Suren D. Perera – Attorney-at-Law 

70. U. Pethiyagoda – Agronomist, Former Ambassador to Italy,

71. Rev. Chryso Pieris – Centre for Reconciliation and Development     

72. Rev. Dr. Jayasiri T. Peiris

73. Brother Lionel Peiris – Society of St. Francis

74. Sydney Peiris 

75. Mirak Raheem – Researcher and Activist

76. P.M. Mujibur Rahman – LL.B

77. Dr. Ramesh Ramasamy – University of Peradeniya 

78. K.S. Ratnavale – Attorney at Law

79. Sheila Richards

80. Mahbooba Rifaideen – Attorney-at-Law 

81. Rev. Rosairo S.J. – Chaplin Home for the Elders

82. Rev. Sahayanathan – Superior of Batticaloa Jesuits

83. Gameela Samarasinghe – Professor, University of Colombo

84. Jeanne Samuel 

85. Shreen Saroor – Human Rights Activist

86. Rev. Paul Satkunanayagam – Counselling Centre Director

87. Kalana Senaratne – University of Peradeniya

88. A.H. Sheriffdeen – Emeritus Professor of Surgery, University of Colombo

89. Vanie Simon – Women’s Rights Activist

90. Kalani Subasinghe

91. S. Sumithra – Human Rights Activist

92. Rev. Sujeewa – Provincial Jesuits Sri Lanka

93. Rev. James Suresh – Director ETI, Batticaloa

94. Sirany Thevakumar – Community Activist

95. Mahendran Thiruvarangan – University of Jaffna

96. Sandun Thudugala – Director Programmes and Operations, Law and Society Trust

97. Deepika Udagama – Professor of Law, University of Peradeniya and former Chairperson Human Rights Commission

98. Jayadeva Uyangoda – Professor Emeritus, University of Colombo

99. A.C. Visvalingam – former President, Citizens Movement for Good Governance

100. M.A. Wahid – Youth Activist

101. Ruvan Weerasinghe – University of Colombo

102. D. Wijayanandana 

103. Jayanta de S. Wijeratne

104. Gamini Wijeyesinghe 

105. Senior Superintendent of Police (ret) and United Nations International Civil Servant UN International War Crimes Tribunal, The Hague, The Netherlands

106. Affected Women’s Forum

107. Alliance for Minorities

108. Centre for Human Rights and Development

109. Centre for Social Concerns, Ja-Ela

110. Eastern Social Development Foundation

111. Families of the Disappeared

112. Human Elevation Organisation

113. International Centre for Ethnic Studies

114. Mannar Women’s Development Federation

115. Muslim Women’s Research and Action Forum

116. Muslim Women’s Development Trust

117. Rural Development Foundation

118. Star Rural Women’s Society

119. Women’s Action Network

120. Women and Media Collective

121. Women’s Voice Movement