On Parliamentary Elections: Difficult & Different Scenarios
Sarath Wijesinghe
Election is due
Elections are due. It appears that it will not take place soon. Wickremesinghe is on the volcano of the no confidence motion signed by over 112 opposition MPs which is unprecedential in the Westminster Modal. If the motion is won by the opposition it is a moral victory for them in the eve of a general election. Sirisena is operating a campaign to get the motion withdrawn exercising his power as the President of the country and the SLFP with wide powers. Wickremesinghe is using the technicalities of the Parliamentary procedure to drag it on and on simultaneously demanding for the dissolution of the Parliament under the existing system. The Power for dissolution of the existing Parliament is with the President of Sri Lanka who is also the President of the SLFP elected for Presidency mainly by the UNP electorate with the promise that Wickremesinghe would be appointed the Prime Minister. Appointment of Wickreesinghe as the Prime Minister, whilst the previous Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne was still in office and the removal of the former Chief Justice Mohan Pieris by merely sending a letter from the President’s office are controversial and unconstitutional issues. As a tactical move and to get round the Rajapaksa supporters Sirisena appointed Jayaratne and Wickramanayaka – both ex-Prime Ministers as advisors to the President and by enlarging the Cabinet to over 80, breaking the promise that the Ministers will be restricted to 25. Sirisena fulfilled the initial promise of appointing Wickremesinghe the Prime Minister and now disclaims any agreement with UNP any longer to pacify the SLFP for the impending general election. Is he free to use the discretion to dissolve the Parliament soon is a million dollar question and the most decisive decision of the hour.
The speculation is that Parliament will be dissolved soon, which is a demand of the UNP as well as the JVP. SLFP is adamant that 20A should be passed and no confidence motion should be taken up, before the dissolution and whether it is possible to put 20 A into practice at the next election is on doubt due to technical issues. It appears that the Cabinet has decided to conduct the next election on the same proportional system to enable rich and powerful to enter parliament with ferocious infighting among contestants on preferential system of electing MPs. UNP is linked has 20th Amendment to the no confidence motion against Wickremesinghe threatening to jeopardize the 20th Amendment which appeared to have been settled. Read More