SLFP proposals, base for APRC's success

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), the main party in the ruling UPFA Government has put forward its proposals to the All Party Representative Committee (APRC).

The SLFP intends to play a leading role in finding a solution to the country's decade-old ethnic problem. That would also pave the way for sustainable development, economic growth and good governance within the island's administrative structure.

The SLFP's intentions are very clear. They are for maximum devolution of power within a unitary Sri Lanka. This would help President Mahinda Rajapaksa's aim of finding an honourable solution acceptable to all while protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka.

What the SLFP has proposed is a Parliamentary model of Government and a Cabinet system of Government led by the Prime Minister. The SLFP intends to abolish the Executive Presidency if a national consensus is reached. Else it would be continued with certain amendments.

That is a commendable move by the Government. In present day politics the world over, it is almost impossible to find a leader who would give up executive powers on his own. Leaders would neither clip their wings voluntarily nor would they allow anybody to curtail their power.

In contrast, President Rajapaksa has set an example to all. He has already expressed his willingness to give up the executive presidency to usher in peace. Under the 1978 constitution of former President J. R. Jayewardene, sweeping power is vested on the executive President.

Though there have been many dialogues on abolishing the executive presidency, none of our leaders was sincere enough to give up the executive presidency, which has become a powerful weapon. President Rajapaksa's voluntary move to exchange the executive presidency for peace is no doubt a commendable act.

The SLFP has proposed a power devolution package recognising a district as the unit of devolution. If necessary, provisions have been introduced to amalgamate two districts.

It has been proposed to increase the present number of 25 districts to 30, based on demographic and geographic factors.

The SLFP says all these amalgamations would be made while safeguarding the rights of the minority communities and the aspirations of all other communities. The SLFP has devolved power to the people, and not to institutions.

The SLFP also intends to amend the present Municipal Council and Urban Council Acts to formulate a Consolidated Local Government Act. The SLPF's proposals are very clear, transparent and open for debate.

These are not the Government's proposals but proposals by the SLFP, which believes that the people should adopt new measures to make a fresh start. The SLFP has presented these proposals to take the country forward and find a solution to the country's national problem.

Over the years, successive Governments have put forward proposals on the North and East problem without any success. But the bitter truth is that we have to find a solution to the issue. However, that has to be acceptable to all communities and should lead the way for an honourable peace within one country.

We are not saying that the SLFP has dished out the best proposal. There may be a few points which needs to be defined. But one should realise that these are only proposals that can be improved further. All those who are genuinely interested in finding an honourable solution should sit together and discuss these proposals so that we could develop a platform based on these proposals.

Some political parties, including the UNP which signed the controversial CFA without even the consent of the Cabinet, rushed to criticise the SLFP proposals. We wonder how many of them have read those proposals fully.

Of course there should be criticism from the opposition for the development of democracy, but it has to be constructive. The role of other political parties in the APRC should be to come out with their own proposals and suggestions.

If they have any constructive criticism on the SLFP or any other party's proposals, they should also present their own proposals and also highlight the grey areas that they would like to rectify. They could debate and put forward proposals at the APRC in a democratic manner.

Instead of doing that, parties should not seek cheap popularity by merely criticising another's proposals without providing alternatives or suggestions. If a party continues to criticise their political opponents' proposals without giving any of their own, it would turn out to be a political 'game' due to their lust for power.

All parties should refrain from playing to the gallery. We hope all political parties would act in a responsible manner and come out with fruitful proposals to save Mother Lanka.