MPs representing both the Government and Opposition party, yesterday (20), elected United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as the eighth Executive President of Sri Lanka, and The Morning wishes to extend its best wishes to the new President.
This appointment came after former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation, which was the result of months of protests and countless debates about the need for a new Head of State to lead the country out of the crises it is in. Although protestors claim that this is not, and should not be, the end of the people’s movement against corrupt politicians and incompetent governments, the protestors’ main demand – Rajapaksa’s resignation – has been fulfilled, although its other demand – Wickremesinghe’s resignation – is yet to be achieved. Wickremesinghe’s stunning comeback thus marks an important milestone in Sri Lanka’s political culture, and of his political career.
However, replacing Rajapaksa and his Government is merely the first step of what the country demanded. The country is in an extremely difficult situation, and as promised, the new President and the Government under his leadership have several key responsibilities.
First and foremost, Wickremesinghe should keep in mind that his appointment came about due to Sri Lanka’s biggest public uprising in recent memory, and he is therefore expected to bring solutions to the same. He should bring about the changes that the people demanded and that Rajapaksa was unable to deliver. This change includes not only new measures to reverse the economic decline, but also the discontinuation of Rajapaksa’s short-sighted economic policies. Wickremesinghe should be extremely careful not to repeat the mistakes that Rajapaksa made, even though he will likely be surrounded by the same Parliamentarians that were around Rajapaksa. That, however, does not mean that he should not be receptive to the MPs’ opinions and proposals – this is a must. However, he should not blindly follow everything that he is told.
At the same time, Wickremesinghe should understand the gravity of his role. Although this is the first time he became President, on six occasions, he has served as the Prime Minister under several Executive Presidents. While facing the economic and social challenges on which his appointment was based, he has to keep in mind that the responsibilities he is required to take as the Executive President are more serious than those of a Prime Minister. This time, he is the main man, and he cannot put his responsibilities on someone else or blame someone else in the event of the failure to live up to expectations.
If he uses all resources and strengths, Wickremesinghe can actually be one of the most powerful Presidents in Sri Lanka’s history. He has already received the support of the majority of MPs in Parliament who represent both the Governing and Opposition parties. Therefore, it is not the MPs’ confidence he needs to gain in the coming few months, but the people’s confidence. Wickremesinghe became an Executive President at a time when the people demanded change, and in a context where he did not have enough votes to even become an MP. In this context, building the country’s economy is also the main strategy he has to gain people’s trust in. In addition, steps such as re-enacting the progressive provisions of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, including those that will curtail his powers as Executive President, and ensuring law and order, will set an example that he could not do before as a Prime Minister. In fact, in a context where he has gained a name as a “Colombo 7 politician” who is closer to other politicians than to ordinary citizens, he will have to step out of Parliament and work more for the common man.
Both Wickremesinghe’s Presidency and the Government that is to be formed under his leadership are interim, and therefore, their roles and responsibilities should specifically be focused on improving the country’s economic and social crises, within the limited time that they have. Everyone in the interim Government should also be committed to fulfilling their responsibilities in line with the country’s needs, considering that this is not a new Government per se, but a goal-oriented short-term project. For this, there should be consensus on a clear timeframe as well. Without continuing the culture of being in power indefinitely, or until the original expiration date of the tenures of Rajapaksa and his Government, the interim President and the interim Government should clearly state its plans that are to be implemented within the limited time that they have. The tenure of this interim administration should end with Presidential and General Elections, and ideally, they should be held in a year.
When it comes to the formation and composition of the new Government, the MPs, including those that will be appointed as Ministers, also share the responsibility of rebuilding the collapsed economy. It is their duty to ensure that the interim President and even the interim Prime Minister are on the correct path, and not on the path that Rajapaksa took. They need to be conscious about whether the new Head of State can bring about the necessary economic and social stability. One of the ways to ensure that this interim Government is on the right path is it being an all or multi party Government, which limits the making of arbitrary decisions and increases the need for accountability and transparency.
Most importantly, the new Government should take all decisions in line with economy building initiatives that are already in progress, such as talks with the International Monetary Fund and foreign countries such as India. This should be an opportunity to tell the world that Sri Lanka is also capable of correcting its mistakes and reforming its political culture that led to those mistakes.
Such actions, not promises or temporary relief, will take the people off the streets. This need to pacify the public by gaining their confidence will be the greatest challenge of Ranil Wickremesinghe's 45-year political career, and how he handles that unfamiliar pressure will determine the fate of Sri Lanka for the rest of the year. Over to you, Mr. President. The greatest-ever challenge for Ranil
21 Jul 2022
The greatest-ever challenge for Ranil
21 Jul 2022
MPs representing both the Government and Opposition party, yesterday (20), elected United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as the eighth Executive President of Sri Lanka, and The Morning wishes to extend its best wishes to the new President.
This appointment came after former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation, which was the result of months of protests and countless debates about the need for a new Head of State to lead the country out of the crises it is in. Although protestors claim that this is not, and should not be, the end of the people’s movement against corrupt politicians and incompetent governments, the protestors’ main demand – Rajapaksa’s resignation – has been fulfilled, although its other demand – Wickremesinghe’s resignation – is yet to be achieved. Wickremesinghe’s stunning comeback thus marks an important milestone in Sri Lanka’s political culture, and of his political career.
However, replacing Rajapaksa and his Government is merely the first step of what the country demanded. The country is in an extremely difficult situation, and as promised, the new President and the Government under his leadership have several key responsibilities.
First and foremost, Wickremesinghe should keep in mind that his appointment came about due to Sri Lanka’s biggest public uprising in recent memory, and he is therefore expected to bring solutions to the same. He should bring about the changes that the people demanded and that Rajapaksa was unable to deliver. This change includes not only new measures to reverse the economic decline, but also the discontinuation of Rajapaksa’s short-sighted economic policies. Wickremesinghe should be extremely careful not to repeat the mistakes that Rajapaksa made, even though he will likely be surrounded by the same Parliamentarians that were around Rajapaksa. That, however, does not mean that he should not be receptive to the MPs’ opinions and proposals – this is a must. However, he should not blindly follow everything that he is told.
At the same time, Wickremesinghe should understand the gravity of his role. Although this is the first time he became President, on six occasions, he has served as the Prime Minister under several Executive Presidents. While facing the economic and social challenges on which his appointment was based, he has to keep in mind that the responsibilities he is required to take as the Executive President are more serious than those of a Prime Minister. This time, he is the main man, and he cannot put his responsibilities on someone else or blame someone else in the event of the failure to live up to expectations.
If he uses all resources and strengths, Wickremesinghe can actually be one of the most powerful Presidents in Sri Lanka’s history. He has already received the support of the majority of MPs in Parliament who represent both the Governing and Opposition parties. Therefore, it is not the MPs’ confidence he needs to gain in the coming few months, but the people’s confidence. Wickremesinghe became an Executive President at a time when the people demanded change, and in a context where he did not have enough votes to even become an MP. In this context, building the country’s economy is also the main strategy he has to gain people’s trust in. In addition, steps such as re-enacting the progressive provisions of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, including those that will curtail his powers as Executive President, and ensuring law and order, will set an example that he could not do before as a Prime Minister. In fact, in a context where he has gained a name as a “Colombo 7 politician” who is closer to other politicians than to ordinary citizens, he will have to step out of Parliament and work more for the common man.
Both Wickremesinghe’s Presidency and the Government that is to be formed under his leadership are interim, and therefore, their roles and responsibilities should specifically be focused on improving the country’s economic and social crises, within the limited time that they have. Everyone in the interim Government should also be committed to fulfilling their responsibilities in line with the country’s needs, considering that this is not a new Government per se, but a goal-oriented short-term project. For this, there should be consensus on a clear timeframe as well. Without continuing the culture of being in power indefinitely, or until the original expiration date of the tenures of Rajapaksa and his Government, the interim President and the interim Government should clearly state its plans that are to be implemented within the limited time that they have. The tenure of this interim administration should end with Presidential and General Elections, and ideally, they should be held in a year.
When it comes to the formation and composition of the new Government, the MPs, including those that will be appointed as Ministers, also share the responsibility of rebuilding the collapsed economy. It is their duty to ensure that the interim President and even the interim Prime Minister are on the correct path, and not on the path that Rajapaksa took. They need to be conscious about whether the new Head of State can bring about the necessary economic and social stability. One of the ways to ensure that this interim Government is on the right path is it being an all or multi party Government, which limits the making of arbitrary decisions and increases the need for accountability and transparency.
Most importantly, the new Government should take all decisions in line with economy building initiatives that are already in progress, such as talks with the International Monetary Fund and foreign countries such as India. This should be an opportunity to tell the world that Sri Lanka is also capable of correcting its mistakes and reforming its political culture that led to those mistakes.
Such actions, not promises or temporary relief, will take the people off the streets. This need to pacify the public by gaining their confidence will be the greatest challenge of Ranil Wickremesinghe's 45-year political career, and how he handles that unfamiliar pressure will determine the fate of Sri Lanka for the rest of the year. Over to you, Mr. President. Kapruka
Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Automobile, Mother and Baby Products, Clothing, and Fashion. Additionally, Kapruka offers unique online services like Money Remittance, Astrology, Medicine Delivery, and access to over 700 Top Brands. Also If you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.Send love straight to their heart this Valentine's with our thoughtful gifts!
Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Automobile, Mother and Baby Products, Clothing, and Fashion. Additionally, Kapruka offers unique online services like Money Remittance, Astrology, Medicine Delivery, and access to over 700 Top Brands. Also If you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.Send love straight to their heart this Valentine's with our thoughtful gifts!