Presidential Election: 13th A & The Dilemma Of Politicians

By Ayathuray Rajasingam -January 5, 2015

Ayathuray Rajasingam

The President Mahinda Rajapaksa and common Candidate Maithiripala Sirisena have not given a clear solution for on the implementation of the13th Amendment, strengthening of the country’s economy, Press freedom, and Constitutional Reforms so far. What Mahinda Rajapaksa asserts is about development while Maithiripala Sirisena asserts about curtailing the powers of the Executive President without a clear explanation. Rajapaksa kept on dodging on the above issues while Maithiripala Sirisena has just ignored the 13th Amendment and had not spelt about the required Constitutional Reforms for the betterment of the country.

Mahinda Rajapaksa as usual avoid answering the implications of the 13th Amendment. Since the 13th Amendment has provided Land & Police powers for the Provincial Councils, one ponders how Maithiripala Sirisena will address his mind towards this issue, though he asserts Military Force will not be removed, which will be an obstacle for the civil administration in compliance with the 13th Amendment. But Maithiripala Sirisena & his supporters are only keen to oust Mahinda Rajapaksa without touching the implications of the 13th Amendment.

In case, the Common Candidate become victorious, whether Maithiripala Sirisena bring in a new Constitution or Amendments to clip the wings of the President is still not clear. Both candidates failed to pinpoint to the people that this hybrid constitution requires change for a vibrant democracy. If both candidates are to adapt a meaningful step, then it would be to establish an Upper House which should have the power to monitor the activities of the President and refer it to the Judiciary with its report thereof. But both Presidential candidates are silent in doing away with the uni-cameral system, which has been the curse of Sri Lanka. The manifesto specifies that the cabinet shall consist not more than 25 members. But it would have been meaningful had the manifesto proclaimed that a bi-cameral system is a must, with a Cabinet that includes Two members from the Upper House (preferably for Justice and Foreign Affairs). Both candidates have avoided this aspect. Even if they pass a new Constitution ignoring the provisions of the 13th Amendment, it will be regarded as a challenge to the Indo-Sri Lanka Peace Accord.Read More