As the 100-day programme was coming to an end, President Maithripala Sirisena confronted a significant challenge. It was about showing the people that he still was the executive president. A significant part of this challenge was about getting his pet project, the proposed 19th Amendment which sought to reduce his powers, passed in Parliament. In… Continue reading 19A & the continuing power-struggle
Category: 2015
Beyond Uncertainty of Current Politics
Reporting on Sri Lanka’s current political situation can be quite exciting. However, commenting on it is difficult and hazardous. The reason is simple. The current politics in our country is in flux. Events appear and disappear so rapidly and unexpectedly that identifying any patterns and regularities in the political process, which are so crucial for… Continue reading Beyond Uncertainty of Current Politics
Jaathika Anduwa Some Reflective Thoughts
One of the most interesting themes to have emerged in the present political debate in Sri Lanka is the idea of Jaathika Anduwa, or National Government. The concept of National Government is not a new one. The credit for its retrieval in the current political context of Sri Lanka goes to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.… Continue reading Jaathika Anduwa Some Reflective Thoughts
Electoral Reforms: some critical reflections
Sri Lanka’s current debate on electoral reforms seems to be heading towards a politically inspired deadlock. Some powerful sections of the SLFP seems to be using the idea of electoral reforms either as a bargaining tool for some short-term political gains, or to checkmate the constitutional reform initiative aimed at changing the executive presidential system.… Continue reading Electoral Reforms: some critical reflections
To laugh or cry?
“I don’t know whether to laugh or cry,” was the first reaction I heard last Sunday evening when the news spread that President Sirisena had sworn in 26 ex-UPFA ministers in various ministerial capacities of his yahapalanaya government. The second response was also similar: ‘Is this what we voted Maithripala Sirisena in to power for?”… Continue reading To laugh or cry?
Rebuilding Institutions in the Transition from Soft Authoritarianism
A political goal that warrants sustained attention of the new Sri Lankan government as well as the democratic reform constituencies is the rebuilding of public institutions of democratic governance, accountability, autonomy, and checks and balances. Democratic governance requires the presence of institutions of governance that are strong enough to withstand the pressures of authoritarian regimes… Continue reading Rebuilding Institutions in the Transition from Soft Authoritarianism
Consolidating Power After A Presidential Election
In the early weeks of November 2014, it seemed somewhat clear that Mahinda Rajapaksa was set to rule the country for at least another six years. But on 8th January 2015, when he finally went to cast his vote, even Mahinda appeared to have realized what the final verdict was going to be. Never before,… Continue reading Consolidating Power After A Presidential Election
For a fresh beginning in Sri Lanka
A peaceful transfer of power without post-election violence, after a relatively peaceful campaign, is testimony to the resilience of Sri Lanka’s democracy after experiencing civil war and semi-authoritarianism Other than among the diehard supporters of the outgoing Sri Lankan President, Mahinda Rajapaksa, there was no doubt about the victory of Maithripala Sirisena, the common Opposition… Continue reading For a fresh beginning in Sri Lanka
State and Governance Reforms after Elections
Reforming the state as well as the practices of governance is a major political theme in Sri Lanka’s current Presidential election campaign. The arguments for state reform are framed in the language of constitutional reform. The agenda for reform in governance is presented in the discourse of ‘good governance.’ It is the opposition alliance which… Continue reading State and Governance Reforms after Elections