A new era: The way forward

President Ranil Wickremesinghe 

20 July 2022 was a historic day for Sri Lanka. It was both a test in terms of the constitutional process and the culmination of longstanding democratic traditions that were put to test by the people with the un-ceremonial eviction of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. One may argue that it was forced on him to vacate office, still it did fall within the Constitution itself as he tendered his resignation. Hence, we have not deviated as a country from the constitutional process. It would have been much more pleasant, if wisdom prevailed for the resignation to fall in a more orderly manner without our President having to seek refuge from his own people.

The world at large witnessed the series of events that were associated with our Head of State having to leave and seek refuge in the shores of another country purely in hindsight of the uncontrollable situation in the country. This is both a combination of the breakdown of law and respect ignited as a result of the catastrophic economic instability. The void that got created due to the culmination of all these factors led once again to an unprecedented development in finding a successor befitting the task at hand.

The choice was once again both eventful and historical. A candidate with a mere seat in Parliament emerges within a period of six months to be the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. Within a short time after he then takes upon the role as acting President to be confirmed by an overwhelming majority of over 51 votes to become the 8th Executive President of Sri Lanka.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has a 45-year parliamentary career and held several Cabinet portfolios. He may be the world record holder to have experienced the chair of the Prime Minister over half a dozen times and surpasses any other individual in duration to have held the position of the Leader of the Opposition for 19 long years.

The extensive contribution by Ranil Wickremesinghe to parliamentary politics is unparalleled in the annals of democratic countries in the world. Therefore, this can be considered as an unmatched feat and one that would be rarely surpassed. The success story of any nation begins with the right individuals who make or break the country. History is evident of this blatant fact. Sri Lanka witnessed this in the Gotabaya Rajapaksa administration. For instance, in the game of golf, one is taught that a micro mistake can result in macro disaster. The irrational ban on the chemical fertiliser imports led to catastrophic consequences to both the production base of the country and to the individual farmer. This was the start of country-wide people’s protests and economic collapse. 

A systematic paralysis was seen in the main organs of the Government being that of power, energy, transport, food, health, education, aviation and in all other essential services.

People seeking sucker and sustenance were seen all over. Foreign relations and international connectivity was totally mishandled leading to self-isolation. India rooted in traditional ties came to our rescue. The ones responsible for this collapse including the secretaries, advisors of the president, need to assume responsibility for their said roles in leading to multifaceted disaster that occurred in Sri Lanka. It is rather a pity that the former President was not even advised in the appropriate manner to ensure a graceful exit befitting a Head of State.

The new President Wickremesinghe now stands on fire, smithering across the country with lack of fuel, adequate food, medicine and breakdown of all public services. The task is humungous. When J.R. Jayewardene took over the leadership of the county in 1977, it too had similar semblances. Today President Ranil Wickremesinghe faces similar challenges with an immense responsibility of having to rescue the nation. No doubt he is better equipped having served in the President J.R. Jayewardene Cabinet starting 40 years ago, facing a major southern insurrection coupled with the long-drawn war in the north. His astute manner in which he handled these intricate matters may stand in good stead in restoring normalcy back to the social fabric of Sri Lanka and strengthening the democratic institutional framework that can address and provide redress to the people.

In the appointment of President Wickremesinghe, there is a school of thought that is expressing the view that he does not command the majority support in terms of a mandate of the People. But this is both factually and constitutionally incorrect. 

Article 3 of the Constitution explicitly states regarding the sovereignty of the people:

Quote: “In the Republic of Sri Lanka Sovereignty in the People and is inalienable. Sovereignty include the powers of Government/Fundamental Rights and the Franchise” Unquote

Article 4 clearly states – Excise of Sovereignty:

Quote: “The Sovereignty of the people shall be exercised and enjoyed in the following manner:

The Legislative power of the people shall be exercised by Parliament consisting of elected representatives of the People and by the People at a Referendum” Unquote

Quote: Article (4e):

“The franchise shall be exercisable at the election of the President of the Republic and the Members of Parliament and at every Referendum by every citizen who has attained the age of eighteen years, and who, being qualified to be an elector as hereinafter provided, has his name entered in the register of electors.” Unquote

Thus it is abundantly clear that the franchise of the people is exercised by Members of Parliament, when 134 Members exercising their votes in the selection of the President on 20 July 2022, within the precepts of the Parliament. It was clearly demonstrated through the Parliamentary process that the President is elected by the people for the people through the franchise of the people, directly conferred on the legislators. That is how a democracy can be made functional. Thereby any misgivings associated and arguments levelled contrary to this may not be constitutionally valid.

Even a single Parliamentarian has the eligibility to be elected by Parliament successfully in the due exercise of the franchise of the people as provided for in the Constitution. Thus President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s election is a reflection of the franchise of the people exercised by the majority in Parliament. The numbers of 134 will stand out well both to the local and to the international community, that the President commands an overwhelming endorsement of the House of Parliament. This strengthens the fabric of the Government and underlines the collective endorsement of the President by the people.

The task that now lies for the new President is humongous. Amongst them, restoration of law and order, security to the people, provision of sucker and sustenance come on top. In order to achieve these fundamental and urgent challenges, he needs to be equipped with the best of governing tools starting from the Cabinet, Civil Service, Armed Forces, Police and an efficacious institutional framework. Ranil Wickremesinghe with his longstanding experience in official responsibilities that include a wide international exposure could provide Sri Lanka the stability she seeks for the sustenance of her people.

In this new world order an experienced president must act to avoid any macro disasters that may arise in any administration by ensuring unnecessary micro mistakes are made that may have irreparable consequences to Sri Lanka.

It is the utmost duty of President Ranil Wickremesinghe to usher an era of good governance based on meritocracy for the sake of the people, thus avoiding the previous mistakes successive governments have been making in Sri Lanka. One good thing about President Ranil Wickremesinghe is that he is not a populist politician and probably not afraid to make tough calls. He has nothing to lose and something to gain. If he can connect up with the world and stabilise the economy both the FDI and the trade will have a marked improvement. But he has to act now and he cannot sit on his hands anymore. 

He needs people around him who are smart, action oriented and he needs real time information to make decisions. This is the way forward to turn the country from the depths of suffering to a state of contentment. 

May the guiding principle of good governance shine upon Sri Lanka and place milestones in the Ranil Wickremesinghe regime to put “Sri Lanka First”.

(The writer is a former Foreign Minister.)