Unity Government turns one year:

Certainly, not a bed of roses

By Uditha Kumarasinghe and Anurangi Singh

“The policy statement presented by the PM in Parliament in November 2015 outlined the policy decisions which the Government will take for the economy to move upwards, from the current lower middle income country to a higher middle income status within the next five years. This was in my opinion, a very comprehensive and a composite statement. Unfortunately, the budget that was presented two weeks later had not reckoned the goals nor the philosophy outlined by the PM...”

– Dr. W. A. Wijewardena

(Pic: Sudath Malaweera)

Exactly one year back on August 21, 2015 history was created in Sri Lanka, politically, when the two main parties reached a consensus to govern and make the country prosper, together. This was a fresh experience for the people.

One of the salient features of good governance (Yahapalanaya) was that President Sirisena as pledged in his political manifesto took measures to prune the powers of the Executive Presidency while the enactment of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution helped to re-establish independent commissions which will function outside the influence of the Executive and handle key areas of governance, such as, elections, public service, police, judiciary and others.

The Government fulfilling yet another overdue measure, appointed members to the Constitutional Council. Although much remains to be done, the incumbent Government which assumed office on August 17 last year has taken several praiseworthy initiatives to ensure good governance.

President Sirisena contested for the Presidency in the January ’15 elections to bring political stability to the country and embark on a much-needed reconciliation process. The August 17 General Election held under the leadership of President Maithripala Sirisena was recognized as one where the use of state power and resources was at a minimum. Election laws were also observed properly.

The manner in which the General Election was held depicted the Government’s sincere efforts to promote the good governance principles in the country.

It has already achieved remarkable progress as regards freedom and good governance. Under the National Unity Government, Sri Lanka has improved from 165th position to 141st in the World Media Freedom Index, a clear testimony to the democratic space enjoyed by citizens at large. The Government has shown that it is willing to listen to the citizens’ collective on controversial matters and the appointment of Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy as the Central Bank Governor is a clear manifestation of that transparent policy.

Significant changes

The Government, during its short span of one year in office has been able to make comprehensive constitutional reforms. The enactment of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution and the Right to Information Bill has facilitated significant changes in the country’s socio, economic and political fabric. Parliament adopted the 19th Amendment to the Constitution in April 2015 with a two-thirds majority. With its enactment, the powers of the Executive President were reduced and the task of making key Government appointments entrusted to the Constitutional Council.

The 19th Amendment ensured an independent judiciary, for example, the Supreme Court recently ordered Parliament to stop considering a Bill to raise Value Added Tax (VAT) because the drafting of the proposed legislation had not followed due process. The 19th Amendment is seen as critical after President Sirisena’s predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa was accused of authoritarianism during his regime. Under the 19th Amendment, the President cannot dissolve Parliament by using his power. It also brought back the two-term limit for a President.

A year ago: Ranil Wickremesinghe assuming duties as Prime Minister

The SLFP and the UNP signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to form a National Government for two years. The SLFP General Secretary Duminda Dissanayake and the UNP General Secretary Kabir Hashim signed the MoU on behalf of the two parties. Later, both parties decided to extend the MoU up to five years and continue their cohabitation till 2020.

The new political culture created the necessary environment conducive for journalists to perform their duties in a free and fair manner. State-orchestrated attacks on journalists and white van abductions have come to an end, and journalists have the opportunity to engage in a balanced media reporting. Fulfilling yet another long felt need, Parliament on June 24 this year passed the Right to Information Bill (RTI). The RTI is expected to foster a culture of transparency and accountability in public authorities by giving effect to the right of access to information. It will promote a society where people would be able to more fully participate in public life, combating corruption and promoting accountability and good governance. Subject to the provisions of section 5 of the RTI Bill, every citizen shall have the right of access to information which is in the possession, custody or control of a public authority.

Speaking to the Sunday Observer on whether the government has in fact gained any economic development, the former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Dr. W. A. Wijewardena said, first, all representatives of the Government must talk in one voice. Pointing out an example where such coherence was not present, he said: “The policy statement presented by the PM in Parliament in November 2015 outlined the policy decisions which the Government will take for the economy to move upwards, from the current lower middle income country to a higher middle income status within the next five years. This was in my opinion, a very comprehensive and a composite statement. Unfortunately, the budget that was presented two weeks later had not reckoned the goals nor the philosophy outlined by the PM. Therefore, it was in many aspects contrary to government policy and the budget had to be revised on many occasions and eventually, all revenue measures had to be taken out. In addition, a number of new methods were introduced and the budget has gone out of control.”

Freedom of expression

Acclaiming the government’s desire to retract to the correct path, Dr. Wijewardena says; “The government had very rightly decided to continue with the Colombo Port City program with a new flavour, which means, instead of developing it as a real estate project it is to be converted into a financial hub, the goals of which is very challenging. The government has to introduce ICT to a high level to develop the Colombo Port City as a financial hub. Probably, if we get support from China they should be able to get it done. But, other major projects, such as the Volkswagen in Kurunegala, Megapolis covering the entire Western Province and the introduction of the economic infrastructure for economic planning are yet to be done. We have already lost one year, and to map out these plans, they have to go in for another term within the next four years. This is where the government has lost. At the same time it has attained in other areas such as, improvement of the human capital and human rights record of Sri Lanka, freedom of speech and the freedom of expression which was not available in the past and the RTI. All these will add to the economic development not immediately, but in the long run.”

The immediate pressure the government faces, is the external reserves imbalance where there is a high imbalance of repayment and declining foreign reserves. The Government’s inability to meet foreign loan payments forced it to go for a bailout package with the IMF. All the parties in the unity government will have to speak in one voice, which I don’t see. There, the government lacks the skills to manage consensus building among the different parties”, said Dr. Wijewardena. former Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Devasiri, commenting on the course of the Unity Government said, performance wise there doesn’t seem to be a change from the previous regime.

“As far as the performance of the Government is concerned, I don’t see any discontinuity between the previous Government and this Government, especially, in the ideals of the movement that brought this Government into power. Democratisation, good governance, social justice and ethno-religious reconciliation were the ideals of the popular movement that brought President Maithripala Sirisena and the present Government into power. However, I can see two changes. One is in the field of ethno-religious reconciliation, especially, the minority ethnic groups enjoy some freedom compared to the situation under the previous Government when extreme nationalist forces threatened the multi ethnic and multi religious character of our society. Now however, there is space for ethno-religious minorities to breathe freely and express their ideas freely.”

Political transformation

“There is also improvement in the democratic atmosphere, with wider space for people to express their views and enjoy the freedom of expression. These performances are not due to the conscious steps taken by the Government that came to power in January 2015, but due to the nature of the political transformation that occurred. In the actual functioning of the Government, we can’t see those who are in power respecting these ideals. As regards practices of good governance, there is much criticism about how economic affairs are conducted, decisions made, power is abused and public wealth misused. In these areas, we see continuity rather than discontinuity. There is continuous criticism towards the Government, not only from the forces who represented the previous Government, but also those who supported the January 8 silent revolution. So we can’t be happy about the performance of the Government.”

“The unity government concept is good as it promotes a sense of unity but that’s really not what we need. We need a strong opposition that would not just continuously try to sabotage and object everything the government does. Now that the government has a 2/3rds majority they are incompetent in certain areas - e.g. - bringing in regulations and then rolling back as in the case of VAT. The country was embroiled in debt, and to judge it in one year would be unfair - the previous government comforted us with a beautiful picture, but the current one is burdening us with the bitter truth. I prefer the latter, hoping the PM, especially, would lead the fight to rid the country of debt.” – said, Suwan Fernando, a senior executive in the Private Sector.

“In the recent past no one established a clear majority to form a single party government. Therefore nearly always we have had coalition governments. Coalitions fail to work in SL because we have no national policies. This time there is no clear opposition, which, regardless of which party you support is bad for democracy. While the ‘unified opposition’ is in existence it is not represented through an opposition leader in Parliament and is more focused on bringing the former president back in to power, than focusing on real issues. Ultimately, it is the country that has lost out. The reason why most individuals including myself are disheartened is because, this government promised ‘good governance’, which led them in to power, but unfortunately they have failed miserably. The President, although ‘executive’ says he hears Cabinet decisions when they are published on paper. Every thug, goon and corrupt official of the former government, who the public outright rejected, is part of the new government – ultimately, it’s the same old wine in a new bottle.” – says a citizen who prefers to remain anonymous.

Racial segregation

Coalition government is important at a times of crisis. But at the moment the country is in no crisis. Different parties came together to end the regime of Mahinda Rajapaksa because many believed that although Mahinda ended the war, the rest of the family was corrupt. The country expected a change. Unfortunately, nothing changed. Common problems remain the same then and now. The university struggle will remain because politicians are politicians. VAT and taxes will rise because the implications are on the people, and not politicians. Racial segregation will persist for the benefit of the politicians. The country is treading downhill but the same would have prevailed in the previous regime. Are there any investments projects going on? Is getting loans a good thing for a country? Are there any infrastructure development or is it that the government won’t give publicity unlike the previous regime. The unity government is not even as good as the coalition that existed during CBK’s time. - Dr. Sulakshini

“Usually unity governments are formed during war or emergency times but here they are formed just for survival, so there’s no need for such a system. It won’t help the country to move further.” Isuru Abeywickrema, an Attorney-at-Law.