Friday, 24 April 2015 00:53
-
- {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The iconic 100-day story of the new Government came to a close on Thursday with arguably more challenges than accomplishments to its credit. This is not necessarily a criticism though as the extremely ambitious plan also set out to make changes not seen for decades in local politics.
The final week of the 100-day plan was overshadowed by ill-timed politics. The questioning of the Rajapaksa family has shifted focus away from the 19th Amendment that was to have been the triumphant culmination of its effort to instill good governance and promote reconciliation within a country still struggling despite deep-rooted democratic ideals. Even though the 100-day deadline is effectively over, the Government still faces a multi-pronged challenge.
The latest events saw former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, who was at the Colombo Prison Hospital, being transferred to the Colombo National Hospital after becoming inexplicably I’ll after being taken into custody. Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa was also summoned by the Bribery Commission and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa is also expected to give a statement to the anti-graft body on Friday.
Former Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa and two other senior ministry officials, who were arrested by the Police FCID over allegations of financial fraud, were remanded last night until the 5 May by the Kaduwela Magistrate.
Rajapaksa, former Economic Development Ministry Secretary Dr. Nihal Jayatilaka and former Director General of the Divi Neguma Department R.R.K. Ranawaka were produced at the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court. They were arrested on charges of misappropriation of funds in the Divi Neguma Department, which came under the purview of the Economic Development Minister. Attempts to summon the former President sparked chaos in Parliament and forced the postponement of the 19th Amendment. Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala de Silva insisted they would not back the legislation unless a spruced up version in line with the Supreme Court ruling was presented to the court and sent back to the House. He argued that the Opposition’s Parliamentarians could not trust the Prime Minister as it was in his best interests to rush the amendment.
During the Cabinet meeting this week an agreement was reached to present the Right to Information Act as an urgent bill and push it through before Parliament was dissolved next month. Changes to the electoral system changes are also standing in the waiting line. It is imperative that the Government focuses on these incredibly important pieces of legislation to ensure that it achieves the mandate given by the people. Another challenge will be managing investigations of the Rajapaksas. Not only does this mean finding evidence and undertaking due process mechanisms that will be harshly judged and possibly challenging for Sri Lanka’s mired legal system but also keeping a lid on hardline elements which will use unscrupulous methods.
Criticism has been levelled at pro-Rajapaksa politicians and protesters of promoting a modified national flag devoid of the strips that represent minorities. This is an ugly hint of the behaviour of the previous Government that allowed hardline organisations to grow within the country. It also represents the extremes to which they will go just to see a politician or political faction they support returned to power. But clearly taking the extremism route is going too far.
Many of the goals under the 100-day plan were long-term. The coalition had a very short window to prove its credibility to the people before heading into elections where a verdict will be provided of their effectiveness.
Now the Government has to focus on the last leg and realign itself to fresh challenges made all the harder by the honeymoon being mostly over. The people are getting ready to decide yet again the future of their nation.
