by Upul Kumarapperuma

At the time of the campaign for presidency, Maithripala Sirisena and his team advocated for a new political and socio economic culture in the country, which had become the main attraction for the upper middle class, the middle class, and the minorities to cast their vote for electing him as the President.

Unlike other politicians, President Sirisena made a self-proclamation that he would play an apolitical role in his national government. Both terms namely “Apolitical President” and “National Government” were able to win the hearts of the aforementioned sectors as the country was fed up with the political turbulences created against the opposition during the Rajapaksa rule.

The imminent necessity of having an apolitical President was triggered by the conduct of then President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He grabbed enormous power for the sake of law and exercised that for his survival. Therefore, the country believed that an apolitical leader would be the foundation for a depoliticized society and a social structure which would run separately from the whims and fancies of politicians.

Long-standing dream

Ruling the country by a national government is a long-standing dream of the majority of the patriots of this country. There has been a belief in the country that the country is idling in the same place because of the mono party rule, which has resulted in arbitrariness and political favoritism in governance.

With the blessings of the majority and with hopes of a new era, Maithripala Sirisena assumed duties as the President of Sri Lanka in January this year. The people wholeheartedly believed that the President would change the existing character of the system with some bold reforms. His first move as the President was to deploy an operation to capture the leadership of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. He was able to succeed as the chairman of the party with some other party stalwarts. That was the first unexpected shock hit by the country. Though the operation was successful on the part of President Sirisena, the majority who had voted for him were discouraged and depressed with his move.

The country got another major shock after the general election. It was the establishment of the national government with a group of parliamentarians, who have been alleged of corruption and other malpractices and misconduct. Even though the civil society and other concerned citizens raised their voice accusing that the President acts contrary to the mandate given to him by the people, the President was tightlipped on his appointments.

In addition to the aforesaid concepts, one of the main slogans carried by the common candidate’s team was the one against corruption and nepotism. The entire team vouched that they would bring the perpetrators of corruption before the court of law. The team came to the general public with facts and figures of corruption and illegally acquired wealth of the leaders and henchmen of the previous regime.

Nepotism of the Rajapaksa and other political families became a hot topic not only at the election stage but even on television debates. The entire country was told to get ready for a radical political and economic reform just after the election. Today there is a huge criticism mounted against the government for their inaction in taking a stand against corruption. Ironically, most of the people who have been accused of corruption and looting public money have now become a part of the so called “national government” which has reasoned to increase the ministerial portfolios up to a three digit figure contrary to the promise they gave to the country.

It is a known fact that during the Rajapaksa rule, a different political culture was created for the convenience of governance. The country was politicized and polarized as much as possible and is still facing the consequences of the Rajapaksa political culture. The middle class and the concerned citizens of the country wanted a change in the political culture in the country which was heading towards a disaster.

Old mechanism

Today what the country is experiencing is the repetition of the same old mechanism. There is a serious allegation of soft-peddling the investigations into corruption and some of the looters, against the government. The members of the Cabinet who have been appointed to introduce good governance to the country were under investigation until they joined the national government. The voices raised against nepotism are now employing their blood relatives in key positions of their institutions. The members of the Cabinet of the national government are fighting for their clients in the open. It is sad to note that the spirit of the so called national government is now ebbing. The President is going to lead the local government election campaign of his political party. The people who subscribed to the yahapalana government are now showing the signs of extreme frustrations.

Most powerful shock

The pioneer of the concept of national government, the President himself gave the most powerful shock to the entire concept by taking the SLFP leadership ignoring all his promises to the country. His conduct shows that he is still a conventional political creature with no elevation from that level.

The recent remarks made by the President further establish his willingness to remain in politics as a politician but not as a revolutionist who would be instrumental in changing the character of the country.

Even though the government has taken certain steps to restore normalcy, the law and order and uniformity of the country, politicians have failed to show their honesty to the nation.

If the much expected experiment of national government fails for the reason of greediness and power hunger of individuals, and if the country remains locked in stalemate, both President and Prime Minister should take the responsibility.

Courtesy:The Sunday Leader