Political Crossroads And Way Ahead

June 4, 2012

By Laksiri Fernando -

Dr. Laksiri Fernando

There are all indications that politics in Sri Lanka has come to a new stage; sort of cross roads or crisis. The government has terribly stumbled on several policy and political issues, leaving the impression that it has lost or is losing momentum and leadership. There is new polarization on the ethnic front simmering underneath or even on the surface.

The government has not been following a proper democratic path since the beginning, and if that was understandable during the war time (2006-2009), it is not the case after the end of the war. Things have become much worse since then for no excuse. The 18th Amendment was a turning point.

After the war, reconciliation should have been the first priority. This is apart from economic targets or ‘Wonder of Asia.’ No one disagrees with having economic targets for development whether all are realistic or not. But that is not a substitute for reconciliation or other political issues such as reinstating democracy after a long drawn out war. For reconciliation to begin there should be a political solution or even some arrangement for that. At least the elections should have been held to the Northern Provincial Council without delay. Proper negotiations should have been initiated with the TNA whatever the difficulties. That was not done.

The government first stumbled on the issue of the UNHRC resolution. The failure to understand the difference between 2009 and 2012 was the main reason. Immediately after the justified war in 2009, majority of the international community or the UNHRC was not ready to condemn Sri Lanka. In addition, the Ambassador in Geneva was highly skilled in bringing a broad coalition in support of the country. But no country believed that terrorism was the only problem behind the conflict in Sri Lanka. They only wanted to give Sri Lanka a chance for reconciliation and human rights. This does not necessarily mean that all countries vote purely considering human rights issues. There are other interests involved.

The situation in 2012 was different. It was not a failure of the new Ambassador in Geneva. She was only caught up in a bad strategy from Colombo. It may be correct to argue that the report of the LLRC was only out in November 2011. That was the subject of the resolution. Therefore, you need more time. But the countries primarily voted at the UNHRC considering Sri Lanka’s performance since 2009 on reconciliation and human rights. Even those who voted against the resolution, in solidarity with Sri Lanka, emphasised the need for improvements.    Read More