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by Lionel Gulawita

Information is now revealing the undemocratic, violent and "by hook or by crook" manner as some Election campaigners then threatened, the December 5 parliamentary Election was carried out by the previous regime. Deploying terror gangs to kill and create fear psychosis, mass scale assault groups with multitude of arms, misuse of State vehicles and officers and now burning down the State vehicles used for election work to prevent identification at investigations etc are coming to light. Action is required on all contraventions of Election laws and those engaged in violence.

They should be brought before the law irrespective of party politics. Considering the scale at which the violence has been organized and executed it also calls for an appointment of a Presidential Commission so that all people concerned could receive justice in the dispensation of the law. Such an arrangement will result in the minimization of counter violence bulldozing the countryside now.

Having had relentlessly been campaigning for a National Government in the country in order to stall controversial and confrontational politics, Diriya Foundation now welcomes the Proposal for a 'Government of Reconciliation'. This proposal too has gone into another controversy in PA ranks.

Even at this late stage with unfathomable magnitude of blunders created the former Ministers may pull back a little of their cast-away political prudence if they sit a while with patience and study the proposal extended to them by the ruling UNP and build up a policy package in crisis management enabling their diffused mentalities to be rebuilt as an acceptable force in the future. The choices before the PA could be summarized into:

a. acceptance of Portfolios under the UNP Government and assist in the development efforts while maintaining an unorthodox Opposition in the Parliament.

b. Crossover one by one or in groups. This would require a Crossover Bill passed.

c. Form an effective Opposition in the Parliament.

For a strong Democracy to prevail an effective Opposition is essential. The one-time-Government Members of Parliaments should be ready and be able to sit in the Opposition as well without aversion. That accounts for the intrinisic responsibility and role-play of a parliamentarian.

Just because the Government Party loses at the Election does it mean the lost party should wreak their own Party to accept posts in the new Government. Healthy Democracy cannot prevail under such circumstances. The duty and responsibility basically demands that they should function as an effective Opposition assisting the ruling party in National Development proposals.

The concept of 'Government of Reconciliation' is not apparently fully defined and developed yet for anyone to join the ruling party. Perhaps the given one-month duration might consider the form, objectives, duration, option and alternatives of the Proposal made. The final 'yes' or 'no' should only be made known then. At that time all concerned and the people in general would also be aware how the Parliament and its associatied institutions would function. Hence the Government is judicious in allowing one month for this important matter to be conclusively disposed of.

The question of keeping the Parliamentary System and in it the political party structure alive is important. The "Government of Reconciliation' should not be brought about at the cost of jeopardizing the ingredients and essential institutions of Democracy.

However, there is a way out and examples exist for us to copy from United Kingdom has successfully tried the National Government concept during the World War. In Sri Lanka too we have the civil war in the north. Parallel thereto is run-down economy, unemployment and soaring consumer prices and a Treasury with coffers empty.

Therefore every politician should address his mind to the realities confronting the country. Trying to isolate Government or to take time to consider Proposal in 3 months is opportunities and far beyond the spirit of the Proposal.

Sri Lanka deserves good leaders and good policies. We should undergo an attitude change and be renewed in our mind sets. Everybody and the Parliamentarians should think in terms of the country and people and push self-interest to the back-stage.

Whether be it a Minister, Deputy, Chairman, or Director, the old system of selecting the candidates for jobs is understandably not going to be the criteria under the new Government.

For instance a Minister will just be a figurehead if he is without vision, understanding of problems in the Ministry he is in charge of. Similarly a Chairman or a Director will only be enjoying his perks if he does not have anything new to 'offer' to the Organization.

He must also convince the interview board how practical and innovative his concepts are in the management of the Corporation or Board he wishes to lead.

Not only the Leader and the Cabinet, but all others in top positions should be able to use their experience and proven skills and strategies to augment the productivity, controlling cost, maintaining the standards, and positively contribute to the economy.

It is only then that we can recover the country resuscitating the economy running deep into the morass.

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