My Ignorance That Seeks Answers

By Kusal Perera -

Kusal Perera

Commenting on the Opposition slogan of “Abolishing the Executive Presidency”, Communist Party boss DEW Gunasekera had said, this is only to muster co-operation amongst them against President Rajapaksa. Yes it is. What’s wrong in choosing a demand or a slogan that most could agree ? The fact that DEW cannot subscribe to it as he chose to support President Rajapaksa for the third time, does not invalidate the opposition efforts in forming a broad alliance. What my ignorance cannot comprehend is, not why the opposition cannot choose a slogan (politically right or wrong) that brings most together, but how even a namesake Communist Party could support a regime that lives with racist criminal activities and lives to loot and plunder an economy.

Much different to DEW, I accept the right of the Opposition to decide what their election promises are. Having accepted that right of the opposition, I retain my right to differ on what they promise for the elections. My differences in terms of political relevance to what we need to address right now. In terms of socio political relevance to turn this country around and move democratically forward.

01. Abolition of the Executive Presidency (EP) – The general explanation that reasons out why it should be abolished was what Rev. Omalpe Sobitha told the Muttiah Park gathering yesterday (12 Nov.) To quote, “…..the executive presidency which, with its unbridled powers is the main cause of undemocratic rule, rampant corruption, breakdown in the law and order situation and the unprecedented crime rate.”[The Island/13 Nov.] Going back 30 years or so in history, no one attributed all this in such scale to the Executive Presidency (EP) rule of Jayawardne, the creator of this “monster”. Talking about constructions in Mahaweli development work, Sarath Muttettuwegama the sole “Left” MP then in parliament accused the Jayawardne government of corruption that was around 10 percent the most. The scales are different and we now talk of 40 percent or more as “kickbacks”. What that would mean is, the provisions were there, for any despot to use. That possibility lies mainly with total impunity, a President enjoys even after retirement or defeat.
The question that needs discussion is, “will the scales be this high in undemocratic rule, rampant corruption, breakdown in the law and order, if the President can be taken to Courts by any concerned citizen”? One may say, “Well, we are not talking of shorter scales, but a total eradication of everything evil under the Executive Presidency”. So goes the justification for abolition of the EP and re introduction of the 17 Amendment. Agreed. We need a paradigm shift, away from all evils under the Rajapaksa regime. Hence the proposal to get back to “parliamentary rule”.                                     Read More