Collective effort is the need to save Sri Lanka, not individualism

Today all eyes would be on Parliament and how its members will vote to pick the President to serve the remainder of the term of ousted Gotabaya Rajapaksa. It is a three-cornered fight between the Prime Minister and Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe, SLPP MP Dullas Alahapperuma, and JVP Leader and MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The appeal from the majority of the people and protestors as well as the clergy was for a common candidate from the Opposition. Such a move, it was argued, would put an end to the corrupt Rajapaksa legacy as well as their chosen interim administrator Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Soon after Wickremesinghe was appointed Prime Minister by Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the people’s movement (Aragalaya) added the ouster of Ranil as part of their campaign. Whilst Wickremesinghe acknowledged he was taking a serious responsibility as Prime Minister in the country’s most difficult time in the national interest, critics were quick to blame him for giving a lifeline to the Rajapaksas. On the same token, it is seen Wickremesinghe is likely to protect the interests of Rajapaksa loyalists under a future government. Be that as it may, given the common call, the split in the broader Opposition is disappointing. It is in that context that the decision by the main Opposition party Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa to quit the race and pledge support to Alahapperuma is seen as a redeemer. SJB admitted that on its own it can’t form a majority hence it was pushing for a common candidate. With the 19th Amendment slated to make its return, the post of Prime Minister will be critical. The broader agreement between SJB and Alahapperuma camp on the common minimum economic program is most welcome.

Last week the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) stressed on the onerous responsibility of all MPs to the people and serve the country’s best interest when voting for a new President today and not the personal or political interests.

“In electing the new President, the Members of Parliament now represent the entire electorate of Sri Lanka and must perform this onerous duty respecting the sovereignty of the People and their wishes and uphold democratic values,” BASL said in a statement.

“The need of the hour is to make decisions based on the best interests of the country and not the personal or political interests of any individual or political party. Members of Parliament must do everything in their power to prevent Sri Lanka from plunging into further chaos and to restore social, political and economic stability,” it added.

BASL call and similar appeal also by the clergy is on the back of reports about various horse-deals to buy MPs. Nevertheless the public’s expectation is that the Opposition MPs sans JVP will support the candidacy of Alahapperuma who is considered as a rallying force.

Whoever may win the close contest, it is paramount that he must reach out to all and form an all-party temporary caretaker government to urgently bring economic stability, resolve the shortage of essential items, especially fuel. A formal full term regime is secondary and can be established via a proper election early next year.  The incoming President will be wiser and successful if he can come to terms with reality that it is no longer an individual’s game but a team effort. Sri Lanka’s recent history is replete with great examples of miserable failures of those who assumed and functioned on the basis of individualism. The worst ever crisis faced by Sri Lanka can only be resolved fast for the benefit of hapless people by a collective effort. The longer the MPs and political parties fail to realise the stark truth the suffering of the people will prolong. Failure to sincerely and jointly address pressing social and economic issues will only further fuel the political instability that has been festering the country for several months. 

Today’s outcome in Parliament must deliver for the very stakeholder which the august house represents – the people. If not, as seen in recent months, people won’t be forgiving but be rebellious to ensure there is good governance and committed leadership and responsibility by MPs and political parties to put an end to immense hardships.