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A 'national govt':
Beyond confrontational politics
by K. Godage
The SLFP's call for a national government is indeed a most refreshing
decision. Yes let us put an end to confrontational politics which has
done immense harm to our country. I have written on numerous occasions
calling upon the authorities to consider adopting the Executive
Committee system which we had under the Donoughmore Constitution.
Yes in recent days there has been a most interesting debate about the
abolishing of the Presidential form of government. This wish has taken
the proportions of a demand because the previous government, which is
identified with the Executive President, has, during his second period
as President, has abused its privileges and taken decisions which were
arbitrary, authoritarian and not in the national interest.
The result of what has happened is this demand for the abolition of
the Presidential form of government. To my mind the best alternative is
a revised Executive Committee System somewhat similar to that which we
had under the Donoughmore Constitution, form a national government
comprising of all the main political parties to establish a truly
democratic system to ensure good governance and the supremacy of the
Rule of law to ensure justice for all.
In forming a National government, the President would be ceremonial
figure. Let us reintroduce a form of Cabinet government comprising of
the heads of the Executive Committees along with a separation of powers.
We must also have the 17th Amendment back ensuring independent
institutions.
We should most definitely have the Right to Information to curb
corruption. We should also reintroduce Article 29 from the Soulbury
Constitution to safeguard the minorities of our country .
Let us also consider introducing the Indian Pachyaat Raj concept on a
trial basis in two or three provinces including the Northern Province,
for grassroots empowerment will lead to grassroots development.
We must actualise the devolution through the devolution of functions
and finance.
Under the Executive Committee system power would be shared and we
would have true participatory democracy at a national level, it would
also make for consensus building and serve to end confrontational
politics as we know it today. Yes the system must be taken to the
Provincial Councils too.
We should also reform the electoral system which breeds corruption.
The UNP and the SLFP have accepted that Managed Devolution may be, I
repeat, maybe the answer to our problem in the North.
When the people vote for the two major parties they also endorse the
above mentioned policies.
Power sharing should be the fundamental basis for governance, any
departure there from would make a mockery of the will of the people as
expressed through an election.
When we reflect on the situation in our country in the past few
years, one wonders as to whether we been anesthetized to injustice,
violence, to corruption and to what is fundamentally wrong? I have often
thought that we the people are the victims, victims trapped in a certain
system created for us by itinerant politicians.
But then again are we not co-conspirators for by not confronting
them. We allow the power hungry politician to dictate terms and decide
for us? Take the example of political parties virtually buying
politicians from the Opposition to obtain support for spurious
legislation.
We must come forward and take responsibility and not let evil, in
whatever form, triumph.
The political culture of this country has been built on adversarial,
confrontational politics without regard to the national interest. There
has also been an erosion of human values. Our politicians have missed
the wood for the trees.
The cement that has held this form of confrontational politics
together has been, the vulgar pursuit of political power, for with it
goes the opportunity to mount the gravy train and get rich. Have we not
become a morally degenerate society?
Our political parties must learn to co-exist and make political
cooperation an art form.
We must change the system, let us do it now.
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