Reflections on a people's verdict

The final results of the General Election are now known. The UPFA has almost achieved the impossible with 144 seats in Parliament. It is only six short of the magical figure of 150 which would have given them a blank cheque to cash in an emergency.

Obviously the voters were fed up with the hung Parliaments that resulted from the proportional and preferential voting combination. It is a vote for stable government. They would have also kept in mind the cost at which stability was achieved by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Among other things the jumbo Cabinet was also a byproduct of that voting system. It is political stability that guaranteed the victory over terrorism.

The voters, being more intelligent than political leaders saw the need for a stable government to usher in a new phase of development. The politicians on both sides of the divide have to deliver now.

A salutary feature of the new Parliament is the large influx of new and young MPs. The voters have been quite discerning in retiring several old hands, including some heavy weights on the Government side. The lacklustre performance of the previous Parliaments would have given them the idea of electing young MPs. This is also a reflection of the people's desire for change.

The new Parliament is, however, defective in one sense. The female representation is extremely low. It shows the indifference shown by the political parties to achieving gender equality. The defect has been marginally minimized by the inclusion of several women as National List MPs. Sri Lanka could take a cue from African countries and even India in this regard.

The UNP and the JVP had taken a severe beating at the elections. Both parties are paying for their opportunist policies. While the UNP could not extract itself from its pro-Western orientation and dogmatic adherence to neo-liberal economic recipes, it was rather its flirting with anti-national elements that sealed its fate as a worn out party.

The JVP by abandoning its traditional base and socialistic orientation embraced a retired General with dubious credentials displayed opportunism of the worst kind. In its eagerness to come to power quickly it even embraced the neo-liberalism of the UNP during the Presidential Election. Only an open self-criticism and an impartial review of its policies could prevent the party from splinting further.

There have been also several observations on the Northern and Eastern vote. Some interpreted it as a protest vote on ethnic lines or a reiteration of separatist sentiment. Such conclusions are simplistic and superficial.

The result of the General Election shows that the Northern and Eastern voter is now taking stock of the new reality. The reality today is different. The destruction of the LTTE is definite. However, the trauma of war and the trials and tribulations of the period of war are still carved too deeply in the mass psyche in the North and East. It needs time and new experience to heal the wounds of war.

Even then the future trends are visible even now. The TNA, the LTTE proxy then fared badly at the elections. From 23 their representation has diminished to 14.The UPFA has fared better than at the Presidential poll. What is required now is for all to discard old theories, positions and prejudices and explore possibilities for dialogue and inter-action.

The new Government needs to give special consideration to developing the economy of these areas and guarantee livelihood opportunities for the people, especially the youth.

As the President emphasized the concept of minorities and minority communities should be done away with. Sri Lanka is inhabited by several national communities and all are on an equal footing.

It is wrong to go deep into history to substantiate solutions to present day problems. Many changes had taken place since then. Similarly it is not very prudent to imitate foreign solutions. A homegrown solution would be the ideal. Yet the ideal is a goal. It is not possible to reach the ideal at once. Hence, the need for a pragmatic solution.

In this regard it is noteworthy to recall what the former Chief Minister Varadaraja Perumal told our reporter a few days back. He wanted the Government to put forward a solution which could be implemented now, at this juncture. Whatever reforms for which consensus exists should be implemented, he said. The rest could wait for future consensus, was his opinion. Whether it is 13th Amendment plus or minus what is more important is implementation of an agreement reached by consensus.