The President's peace-making potential

At a time when the powers of the Executive Presidency are being voluminously talked about and debated, the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) proposal helps highlight the continuing importance of Parliament as a repository of the legislative power of the people. Given the overwhelming Parliamentary strength of the UPFA, the PSC idea, we find, also helps to underscore the complementary and cooperative fashion in which the Executive Presidency and Parliament could function for the greater good of the country.

These branches of government need not be at cross purposes at all in a dispensation where responsibilities of governance are clearly demarcated and delegated. In the context of evolving a solution to our conflict, for instance, it will be the principal responsibility of the PSC to arrive at such a settlement. But we have the President's assurance that he would stand by the decision of the PSC and make provision for the implementation of its proposals. This amounts to recognizing the sovereignty of Parliament and of its importance as the sole law-making organ of the state.

The PSC would propound the proposals and the Executive Presidency would implement them. In other words, the two branches of the state would act cooperatively and co-exist in a state of symbiosis on this question.

We are led to these reflections on hearing what TNA MP R. Sampanthan had to say in Parliament recently on this issue. He said, among other things, that President Rajapaksa 'will be the President of this country for the next six years. And for the first time since President J.R. Jayewardene, his Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa enjoys a two-thirds majority in this House that enables him to act meaningfully in regard to the resolution of the conflict by being able to implement the required constitutional amendments to bring about such a peaceful resolution of the conflict.'

It could be said that the veteran TNA MP has put across the potentialities of the Presidency on the conflict-settlement front, most lucidly and concisely. Thus far, the public has heard from numerous quarters that the present President is best placed to resolve the conflict once and for all. Now they know why. He would wield undisturbed Executive power for the next six years. He is backed by a huge Parliamentary majority which would give him all the required legislative support.

Over and above all, he possesses the necessary Executive power to bring about the relevant progressive changes that would give effect to the recommendations of the PSC. This is the importance of being President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The above considerations provide the reasons why President Rajapaksa should be seen as being in the best position to deliver durable peace to this country.

This could very well be the last opportunity that has come our way to put a peaceful end to our wasting and long drawn conflict and we would not be wrong in mentioning that the President holds the most crucial keys to a lasting settlement.

Nevertheless, the onus is on Parliament to work out the terms of the settlement through the PSC mechanism. With this process, the President would not wish to interfere. And Parliament is indeed the most suitable deliberative organ on a settlement because it has within its fold the entirety almost of political opinion in this country currently.

Accordingly, Parliament is favourably positioned to arrive at a settlement which would be just by all our communities.

Therefore, it is up to Parliament to seize this moment. It is at liberty to specify a time frame for its peace deliberations and to conclude its business within these prescribed time limits. It has the assurances of the President that its prescriptions for a settlement will be implemented by him. Therefore, the moment could not be more opportune to work out a lasting settlement. Do not squander this golden opportunity, we urge Parliament.

But please, let us not have any more acrimonious and mutual fault-finding and accusations, we also tell our political community. Be determined to arrive at a just solution and be focused on this only, we request.

Opportunistic politics have been the bane of this country from 1948 and such politics have got in the way of resolving the conflict. We need to approach the sacred task of finding lasting peace with pure and well intentioned hearts and minds. May this be so, is our earnest wish.