Is It A Twosome game? Ranil Playing Statesman Role, Mahinda Planning Snap Election
Rajan Philips
In last week’s Sunday Island, Hon. Ranil Wickremasinghe, Leader of the Opposition, took centre page to make the case for what he has called the UNPs’ “constitutional formulation”. The paper generously gave him double exposure by carrying as its lead story, in addition to the centre page article, Mr. Wickremasinghe’s speech before a ‘People’s Assembly’ gathering at the JR Jayewardene Centre. He told the Assembly to “forget about toppling the government” and work on the more important task of reintroducing the 17thAmendment to the constitution. Good governance is more important than a new government is what the Hon. Leader of the Opposition is trying to tell the people. But how is Mr. Wickremasinghe planning to re-introduce the 17thAmendment and “re-establish” all the good independent commissions for public service, police, judiciary, and bribery? “Once that is achieved the rest will fall in place”, he has assured. But how is it to be achieved? By writing a letter to Mahinda Rajapaksa? By moving a new 22ndAmendment, as a Private Member’s Bill, to re-introduce 17A, and standing in queue behind the JHU’s Private Member motion for 21A?