The current political situation in Sri Lanka focusses on the upcoming presidential election, which must be held after September as per the constitution. Political parties are taking extensive measures to prepare public opinion for their respective candidate’s victory.
The people’s reactions to the issues that led to their struggle have now changed, and the traditional political response process, where people divided into coloured parties, has transformed into an economy-based response process.
Most people believe that the fundamental problem in Sri Lanka is the weakness of the economy, and without strengthening it, no solution can be found for any situation in the country.
The real problem in Sri Lanka
Many people are currently struggling to meet their basic needs such as food and medicine due to financial hardship.
Even with a monthly income, it isn’t easy to make ends meet. Those who engage in daily occupations, such as day labourers, have been hit the hardest.
It is uncertain whether they will get to work tomorrow or not. As a result, fulfilling the basic needs of families in such situations has become a severe problem.
6 million distress – food and health issues
The United Nations has reported that Sri Lanka is currently experiencing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence in 1948. The World Food Programme has revealed that over 6 million people in Sri Lanka are facing food insecurity, which is roughly 30% of the population. Additionally, more than 500,000 people have fallen below the poverty line.
The decline in domestic agricultural production, shortage of foreign exchange reserves, devaluation of the local currency, food shortages, and rising cost of living are identified as major contributing factors that limit people’s access to healthy and affordable food.
The economic crisis has caused many families to experience hunger and poverty. The World Bank has estimated that millions of Sri Lankan citizens have become poor due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The World Food Program has noted that 86% of all households have resorted to purchasing cheaper and less nutritious food. Some families have even had to skip meals entirely.
The government has a significant responsibility to provide food and drinks to all citizens by 2023. However, it has not yet provided this benefit to the severely impoverished population.
The turning point created in the country
During President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s administration, the country fell into an economic crisis that resulted in bankruptcy. Financial analysts have indicated that this crisis was caused by the informal economic policies that have been implemented for a long time.
In Sri Lanka, the selection of candidates for presidential elections has been carried out informally, with popularity being the most critical factor. This has resulted in the people supporting famous personalities instead of those who can adequately understand the country’s crises.
Sri Lanka has reached a crucial milestone in its political journey, which offers an opportunity to become a turning point in politics. Therefore, discussions regarding the upcoming presidential election should focus primarily on this issue.
Abolition of Executive Presidency
There is a growing conversation about abolishing the office of the executive presidency in Sri Lanka, even before the presidential elections. Currently, the President of the country is Mr. Ranil Wickramasinghe, who leads the United National Party.
The government has been formed with the leadership of the representatives of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna. During their discussion, they proposed that the executive presidential system should be abolished before holding a presidential election.
This proposal has become one of the most talked-about issues in the society. Many have pointed out that the majority of forces in the country, including the main political parties, are in favour of abolishing the executive presidential system. Hence, there will be no opposition to it from within the country.
Therefore, the President has been presented with a proposal to take measures to abolish the executive presidential system, considering it to be a basic need of the country.
Is ‘abolishing the executive presidency’ a plan to preserve power?
There is a debate in society regarding the plan of Ranil Wickramasinghe, who recently became the Prime Minister again by abolishing the executive presidential system. While many believe that the system should be abolished, concerns have been raised about Wickramasinghe attempting to seize power in other ways.
Various parties and civil organisations emphasise that the next leader should be elected by the people’s vote, and both presidential and parliamentary elections should be held this year.
The government has indicated that it is possible to obtain the consent of two-thirds of the parliament for a democratic political system that abolishes the executive presidential system and transfers power to the parliament. However, a referendum should be held, and steps should be taken to obtain the consent of the majority of the people.
Some have also pointed out that the economy will likely stabilise after March. Therefore, a social discourse on the need to abolish the executive presidency should be started, as all parties, including Podujana Peramuna, United National Party, United People’s Force, and Janata Vimukti Peramuna, have promised to abolish the executive presidency in many presidential elections. They believe that creating momentum is crucial.
The former President is also in favour of the proposal
The Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and former President, Maithripala Sirisena, has announced that his party will support the proposal to abolish the executive presidential system. He has also stated that he has received information about the preparations to bring a related proposal. Sirisena made this announcement while attending a conference organised by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party.
A different opinion from the opposition leader
Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa argues that now is not the right time to abolish the office of executive President. He asserts that the government should only abolish the executive presidential system after the presidential and general elections that the people expect.
Additionally, he highlights that the current President is temporary and thus such an amendment cannot be approved under his tenure. Premadasa believes that this is a conspiracy to seize power without the mandate of the people.
Furthermore, he believes that it is clear that the government is scheming to carry out this amendment in light of the upcoming presidential election, with the intention of cancelling the election altogether.
Premadasa, who is also in favour of cancelling the presidential election, urges the government to hold the election on the scheduled date and allow the people to express their opinions democratically.
The opinion of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna
The Janata Vimukti Peramuna has become a powerful force in Sri Lankan politics, and their stance from the beginning has been to abolish the executive presidential system.
The party leader believes that this system, which grants unlimited power to one individual, has contributed to the country’s decline. However, they do not agree with any sudden amendments to the system. The Janata Vimukthi Peramuna also believes that this decision was not made in the country’s best interest.
The party’s National People’s Power believes that the President and government’s attempt to remain in power without holding elections through another constitutional concept is a move to maintain control without popular support.
President’s remarks and acceptance
President Ranil Wickramasinghe has announced that both the presidential election and the general election will be held this year. However, the opposition has raised doubts regarding the validity of this statement. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has pointed out that despite the President’s announcement, his supporters continue to advocate for the abolition of the Executive branch.
Previously, President Wickremesinghe called for all political parties to submit their development plans before the elections.
However, critics have pointed out the irony in this statement. Not only has the agreement signed with the International Monetary Fund in March 2023 not appropriately been publicised but his government’s plan related to it has also not been made clear.
Critics believe that a leader should present well-defined plans to other parties, not just make baseless statements.
The people’s focus is on the economic factor for the upcoming elections. They will base their decision on financial planning and necessary reforms for a harmonious life and policy matters.
The people are more interested in the plans to recover the country’s stolen wealth, resources, and other values and to use them for the well-being of the country and the ordinary people. Therefore, the upcoming presidential and general elections have become very important matters, and the people are eagerly looking forward to them.
