When ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Founder cum chief strategist Basil Rajapaksa recently called for a General Election ahead of the scheduled Presidential Election later this year and subsequently met President cum United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe on at least two subsequent occasions behind closed doors, those in the know knew something was brewing. And, it seems that these days Sri Lanka is being treated to the scripted drama behind those closed doors, one episode at a time.

However, notwithstanding whatever was decided by the two, at the end of the day there can only be one winner and both probably know that, which is what makes for a tantalising, no-holds-barred battle of wits, notwithstanding the fact that the majority of voters have already made up their mind and the chances of these two parties making a significant impact remaining a remote possibility at this point.

With the chips down and the beleaguered SLPP keen to retain as many of its 150 seats as possible, it has obviously seen the writing on the wall and is therefore in relentless pursuit of a General Election ahead of the Presidential Poll, because if the latter were to take place first, its chances of claiming at least a few consolation seats will be doomed, given the current mood of the electorate.

Interestingly it is the opposite for the President and the UNP, who realise that a Presidential Poll first will not only give more time to leverage the State apparatus to serve its political purposes – as currently being done through thinly-veiled propaganda in the guise of development projects, thereby hoping to turn around its miserable showing at the last outing – but also give Wickremesinghe a fighting chance by contesting under the cloak of an independent candidate. How the evergreen UNPers see their Leader once again abandoning the party colours in favour of neutrality is an altogether different story and one that is unlikely to help the party’s cause.

Given the drastic aspirational contradictions between the current governing bedfellows, a parting of ways sooner than later seems inevitable. Going by the episodes that have unravelled thus far, it appears that a unified strategy has been agreed upon, minimising collateral damage to either party from the imminent yet carefully structured divorce. It is in this backdrop that retired Sub Inspector of Police and current General Secretary of the UNP Palitha Rangebandara’s services appear to have been utilised the other day.

Rangebandara, seemingly playing according to the script, set the cat among the pigeons by suggesting that both Presidential as well as Parliamentary Elections be postponed by two years, allowing the incumbent President as well as the SLPP-dominated House to continue. But the spontaneous reaction to the suggestion by all other political parties, the electorate, and even sections of the diplomatic community triggered an avalanche of criticism that soon turned into a political tsunami for the President in particular and the UNP in general.

This serious miscalculation of the public mood left the President and the UNP scrambling into damage control mode. On the other hand, the imbroglio presented the SLPP a perfect opportunity to take the moral high ground, claiming that deviating from the election schedule was unacceptable. The SLPP’s heir apparent, Namal Rajapaksa was quick to pounce on the full toss, claiming “postponing elections is not healthy for any democracy and extending the terms of the President and Parliament undermines the fundamental principles of a democratic society”. This epic faux pas has resulted in the UNP needlessly squandering the political capital it has accrued through the economic turnaround.

The damage caused by Rangebandara’s miscalculated missile will likely be profound for the party as it will surely find out at the hustings, which is why the President was quick to distance himself from Rangebandara’s bomb. Even the party’s Chairman joined in the denunciation of Rangebandara, painting a sorry picture of the confusion that has confounded the grand old party. Having handed the initial bout to the SLPP, it will now have to recoup and rethink strategy if it is to do better than the last time.

Therefore, taking for granted something as profoundly important as the conducting of a Presidential Election – which the people as well as almost every other political party has been demanding since July 2022, following the resignations of the last elected President, Prime Minister, and entire Cabinet – is utterly callous and insensitive to the people’s democratic aspirations. Those making such pronouncements must remember that people grudgingly accepted the constitutional manoeuvre that planted Wickremesinghe in office on the understanding that they would be presented an opportunity to exercise their franchise at the right time. Well, that right time is now within sight and to play around with the people’s legitimate aspirations is in fact playing with fire and both the President and the UNP appear to have learned that the hard way.

The unwarranted episode also points to just how much those close to the President are out of sync with the ground reality. What takes the cake however is Rangebandara stating that a referendum could be held “only if necessary,” following parliamentary approval for an extension of term. It seems that not only are the office bearers of the UNP out of touch with reality, but even with the Constitution. Having been an MP from 2000 to 2020, it is unpardonable that Rangebandara is unaware of what he has sworn to uphold on multiple occasions.

For the record – and Rangebandara’s seemingly limited knowledge – the term of a president can be extended only through a constitutional amendment, which must also be approved by the apex court as being in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. Article 83(b) of the Constitution specifies that such an amendment must have the support of 150 MPs and thereafter be approved by the people at a referendum. Therefore, a referendum is not something that is optional as made out to be by the UNP General Secretary. What it suggests is that he is either completely ignorant of the law or is being used as a mouthpiece by someone.

Rangebandara’s careless remarks very nearly caused mass social upheaval, but, for some reason, the law that is being implemented very diligently on members of the public with regard to such inflammatory pronouncements that can cause or lead to social unrest does not seem to be applied to the UNP’s General Secretary.

In order to redeem himself, Rangebandara announced that he would clarify his statement on Friday (31) but has since postponed it for Monday (3). In the meantime, adding fuel to the fire, one of the President’s many advisors, Ashu Marasinghe has sprung to Rangebandara’s defence, claiming Wickremesinghe could be and should be granted an extension by resorting to the same modus operandi suggested by Rangebandara.

Subsequently, both the President and Prime Minister have publicly distanced themselves from that stance, announcing that the Presidential Election will be held on the previously specified dates, while no mention has been made of a General Election. Therefore, the entire episode seems to be an attempt to test the waters on whether the nightwatchman appointed in July 2022 can stay at the wicket even after the match has been declared as over.

Extending tenure of office is not something new in this country. The first time such an extension took place was in 1975, when then Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike extended her term by two years. With J.R. Jayewardene’s UNP sweeping into office in 1977, that Government wasted no time in stripping Bandaranaike of her civic rights. However, just five years later in 1982, the same J.R. Jayewardene resorted to the only instance this country has ever had a referendum in order to bypass a General Election that was due that year. Now, J.R.’s nephew, the incumbent President, appears to have been obliged to at least test the waters for a repeat performance.

For all intents and purposes, the latest attempt at ‘operation extension’ is part of a seemingly continuing multifaceted endeavour to keep the President in office beyond the specified term, notwithstanding claims to the contrary. Just last month an all-island motorcycle tour was organised in order to mobilise the masses towards that cause.

Therefore Rangebandara’s suggestion seems to be a part of that continuing endeavour and by no means a random outburst. It is apparent that the latest googly bowled by the UNP’s current bigwigs comes as a desperate measure in desperate times, with Wickremesinghe’s continued calls for Opposition support having no takers. Previously the UNP May Day rally was hyped up to be a ‘turning point’ for the party, with predictions of a mass crossover of Opposition MPs to its ranks. That too came a cropper. It is in this backdrop that the latest drama has unfolded. If, as the Party Chairman predicted, Wickremesinghe can attract 10 million votes, why go to all this trouble when he can be duly elected with a thumping mandate?

Given the way things are turning out, the villains seem to be slowly turning into heroes, while the heroes are well on the way to becoming the villains.