Coalition Politics: New Lessons

Learnt

By Lionel Guruge- Sunday, April 12, 2015

The confrontational situation that has arisen in regard to
passing the 19th Amendment to the Constitution may create a political crisis. This is a
problem that has to be managed with great care.
There are a number of parties staunchly opposed to any change to the Executive
Presidency. On April 9, the Speaker has stated in parliament that a number of
provisions of the 19th amendment should be subject to a referendum, and others
should be passed with 2/3 majority- this situation where the matter has to be taken up
to the Supreme Court would have been avoided if there was an open discussion among
parties about these issues, and some kind of consensus.
A good deal of progress could have been made if there were common consensus,
instead of lawyers and academics deciding constitutional formulation on their own
without dialogue on the matter.
What is to be done?
Currently new experiences are being obtained regarding coalition politics. However the
two main political parties, namely UNP and SLFP, do not seem to have a full
understanding of this matter.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has not educated his party, from the grassroot
level up to the higher echelons in this regard. The main reason is the fact like every
other political party, there is no internal democracy and a contradiction between the
opinions of the leadership and the practical situation within the UNP.

The manner, in which President Maithripala Sirisena is acting in this regard, is also far
from satisfactory. On receiving leadership of his party he ideally should have given a
broad awareness of coalition politics and his programme of work to the Provincial
Council and Local government representatives of his party.
But that did not happen.
What the country needs today is a broader political system, based on consensus. If a
solution is to be given to the problems of national importance which has remained
unresolved since Independence, political parties will have to move away from narrow
attitudes.
100-day programme
Prior to the elections, Maithripala Sirisena entered into agreements with various
political parties to implement the 100 day programme. Serious consideration may not
have been given at that time to the practical problems which might arise in
implementing the programme. Due to the fact that the 100 day programme has
remained stagnant, a series of problems with explosive tension have been created.
Therefore it is urgent for the political parties who have committed themselves to the
agreements, unite and create new convention. Serious dialogue has to be made in
regard to the promises made to people and a few practical decisions must be taken. If
not, the parties to the agreement may resort to continuously attacking each other, out
of distrust, and in fact such a situation is gradually emerging.
Must conventions be eternal?
Conventions and agreements need not be stone carved letters. These are created for
the well-being of the people and updating them is acceptable in accordance with the
changing circumstances and needs; what is important is a good intention.
For that a humane, vigilant and prudent approach is essential.
The President has a responsibility to hold discussions with all parties that played a
decisive role in bringing him to power. However, if it is decided to get the 19th
Amendment passed in haste, it can safely be predicted that the 19th Amendment will
also go the way of the 17th Amendment.
The SLFP Chairman has not yet been able to win the majority of the local level leaders
of his party. A considerable number of those seem to be partial to the former President
Mahinda Rajapaksa and it is important to have his support at this juncture. It is all
important to have the support of all parties in the politics surrounding conventions.
Similarly statements and acts of both the former presidents, Chandrika Kumaratunga
and Mahinda Rajapaksa gravely damage coalition politics; they have to act in a more

responsible manner at this juncture as senior leaders and their objective should not be
to fulfill their personal grudges.
We need to consider, in case a consensus is not reached about the 19th Amendment,
the next government after a snap poll. If a snap poll unfortunately has to be called it
should be analyzed what alternatives can be adopted for it. Necessary avenues have to
be made at this moment for further strengthening democracy and providing solutions
to the national problem.
National unity
The UNP and JVP are asking for a snap general election based on a strategy of gaining
power. The objective of SLFP is to enhance its strength and go for a general election
after a delay. However, it is important to have a dialogue among political parties in
regard to the structure of the new government which is to come into power.
What is the nature of the national government which may come into power for a
period of two years?
Comments and suggestions of both major parties and minor parties have to be
entertained in this regard.
The public shall be aware of the structure and the programme of work of that
government. What is most important within the aforesaid period of two years is to
create a new constitution which safeguards national unity.
Rulers do not seem to have a practical understanding regarding the expectations and
the problems in the life of the people of this country at this moment. Popular speeches
made in regard to lessening the cost of living and the opinions of people are
contradictory to each other.
The people living at marginal level do not receive economic benefits.
This situation would create seriously contradictory opinions among people in the
Sinhala- Hindu New Year season. This will also affect the voter base of the present
government.
Challenges of good governance
Some problematic incidents of the present government may have adverse effects on
the UNP. The appointment of the Central Bank Governor is an arbitrary decision of the
Prime Minister.
When persons are appointed to main positions in public service what is most
important is not the decision of the Prime Minister or Ministers but having a specific
methodology in that regard. Delay in appointing persons to the Foreign Service may

cripple that service.

Regarding the Local Treasury Bills controversy, a discussion could have been brought
by the Government with the Opposition, but they decided this based on the meeting of
the party leaders.
They did not discuss and reach a consensus. This shows that both parties are ignoring
the necessity for consensus.
This also shows the lack of commitment to coalition politics and is a good pointer to
steps that should be taken in future.
The Prime Ministers tour to the North has had both positive and negative outcomes.
He had the opportunity of addressing all public officers including principals of schools.
However, provincial council and local government representatives seem to have been
ignored.
When education problems are discussed we have to consider the fact that most schools
come under the purview of the provincial council.
The Prime Minister has discussed the relevant subjects without considering the
political authority or the secretaries and directors of the Ministry of Education. A
person who consented to share power in practical terms has built up a methodology
which rules from Colombo and not one that is founded on sharing power.
Another example of this was the statement that Ranil Wickremesinghe made
suggesting giving a thousand (electronic) tablets to students of Royal Collage.
This implies that the students of Royal are more important than rural children. So it is
clear he has not thought about how many students in the country have no drinking
water, no subject teachers, no sanitation or other facilities, and certainly have not seen
even a basic computer.
This shows a contradictory attitude of actually being Colombo centric whilst he speaks
in favor of power sharing.
Participation of the minor political parties is important in politics which is based on
conventions. Winning their trust is a condition which should not be missed; Mr. Ranil
Wickremesinghe had even signed the peace accord in such an arbitrary manner. The
result being that that peace accord did not last very long.
Political stability has not yet been built up in the country. We are faced with the
challenge of creating a new political culture. Under these circumstances it is important
that political parties give serious thought to the question of whether they are placed on
the right track and are prepared to create a new convention.

It is the responsibility of the government to arrange the inclusion of the contribution of

academics, media institutions and all citizens in this exercise.
lguruge8@gmail.com
Posted by Thavam