President reiterates supremacy of Parliament

President Mahinda Rajapaksa reiterated his faith in parliamentary democracy when he said that finding a solution to the problems faced by people living in the North and the East lies entirely with Parliament and not with the Executive Presidency.

The President told the monthly Breakfast Meeting with media heads at Temple Trees on Tuesday that a solution to the problems in the North and the East could be found through a Parliamentary Select Committee as any amendment to the Constitution should be passed by Parliament. The President stressed that he was not prepared to grab the supreme power of the legislature and would be only too happy to endorse whatever solution recommended by such a Parliamentary Select Committee.

He said that appointing a Parliamentary Select Committee to seek a permanent political solution to the problem was by no means a delaying tactic – it sought to obtain the concurrence of Parliament for any decision made.

The President’s commendable decision amply demonstrates his faith and passion in parliamentary democracy. Having completed 40 years in Parliament, President Rajapaksa has convincingly proved his faith in the legislature, though he enjoys full executive powers under the Constitution. Unlike some of his predecessors, President Rajapaksa never exploited his executive powers to devalue the authority of the legislature.

The President said that strengthening Parliament is a vibrant democratic process as it is represented by all major political parties as well as all ethnic groups in the country. Moreover, many party leaders and parliamentarians have pointed out that a solution to the grievances of the people in the North and the East should not be confined to discussions with one particular party or two. Party leaders too have stressed the need to pass the responsibility of finding a solution onto Parliament, as it comprises all parties and groups within it.

Despite the fact that some prophets of gloom project this as a move to kill time, it would definitely expedite the process of finding a solution and implementing it. Even if the President, the Government, any party or group were to find a solution, that too should go through the legislature and an amendment should be passed in Parliament and that too with a two-third majority. But whatever solution agreed upon by the Parliamentary Select Committee could be passed in Parliament with a greater understanding among all major political parties. On the other hand, a Parliamentary Select Committee could work out a timeframe to reach a conclusion. It will ensure the collective responsibility of Parliament, and give a patient hearing to the concerns of all parties.

When constituted, the Parliamentary Select Committee could go ahead with its negotiations with all political parties represented in Parliament.

Simultaneously, the Government would continue its current dialogue with all Tamil political parties, including the Tamil National Alliance (TNA).

Only opportunistic politicians see the new move as a delaying tactic. The Government and the President are keen to address the grievances of the people in the North and the East as they had been the worst affected due to the LTTE’s ruthless terrorism and moreover, subjected to untold misery during the past three decades as the Tiger terrorists did not care a dime for civilians.

These hapless civilians had been rescued a little over two years ago due to the supreme sacrifices by the Security Forces. President Rajapaksa has an abiding interest to improve the lives of those civilians who were rescued from the jaws of LTTE terror. However, the solution should be honourable and acceptable to all major political parties represented in Parliament.

In point of fact, the new move to appoint a Parliamentary Select Committee is by no means a delaying tactic. The Select Committee procedure would in fact expedite the matter. The Government has conducted six rounds of discussions with the TNA. Simultaneously, the TNA and other political parties could have a dialogue through a Parliamentary Select Committee.

Else, there could be undue delay if one were to wait for these talks to conclude to present a solution to Parliament. What is considered by the Select Committee is a parallel activity. The process would be concurrent and not successive. It would amount to telescoping two consultative processes.

The previous attempt to find a solution through an All Party Representative Committee (APRC) failed as some parties withdrew midway during the talks. This resulted in the APRC filing only a part of the report. The President said that the Government would not repeat the same mistake.

Instead, an obligatory dialogue could be developed through a Select Committee answerable to Parliament, the only body which has the final power to introduce the requisite legislation.

The President is convinced that an effective and honourable solution could be found through the proposed Parliamentary Select Committee. He would view this exercise with an open and positive mind.

Nevertheless, he was not ready to compromise anything that would have an adverse effect on Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The President has categorically said that what the LTTE tried to obtain through an armed struggle would never be granted at a negotiating table. This does not necessarily mean that the President and the Government are not willing to listen to the genuine grievances of those living in the North and the East. Tamils, Muslims or Sinhalese; those living in the two provinces have their own problems, for which a tailor-made solution is the need of the hour.

No other country or international organisation, for that matter, could have more concern for the Tamils or any other ethnic group in the North and the East than the Government or the President. Extraneous elements need not advocate the type of solution that should be provided. This is the prerogative of the Government, political parties and ethnic groups represented in Parliament. Sri Lanka has the wherewithal to find its own home-grown solution to add more value to the lives of the people in the North and the East. Our brothers and sisters need a helping hand to improve the quality of their lives. The Government’s sole objective is to make that goal a reality.