Sri lankans look forward to a new Constitution
The Maithripala Sirisena Government's decision to kick-start the process to adopt a new Constitution for Sri lanka will gladden the hearts of those who had placed trust in the regime's promise of sweeping changes in governance and reconciliation with the Tamil community. Despite coming from different parties, President Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe have joined hands in the ambitious task, and it is good to know that both these leaders draw widespread support from their respective constituents in going ahead. They have no option but to succeed because they received public mandate for precisely that. They cannot be seen going the way the former regime led by Mahinda Rajapaksa had, promising the moon on the integration of the Sri lankan Tamil community devastated by the war between the state and the terror group, liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, in the larger national mainstream, but not really emerging with credibility in the end. One reason for the failure perhaps was the complete lack of trust between him and the Tamil groups. Mr Sirisena came to power with a clean slate, although he had been part of the Rajapaksa Government before revolting and breaking away in the run-up to the presidential election last year. But the President and his Prime Minister may not necessarily have an easy passage on the new Constitution, despite the overwhelming support the effort has among the people. Besides having to balance the interests of different sections of society and ensuring political stability to push the new document through, the two leaders can have to contend with the more serious spoiler — extremist elements across the socio-political spectrum who can even resort to unrest and violence to derail the process. Of course, the extremists will be drawing oxygen from political leaders and parties too, and the President and his team will have to tackle them diplomatically but firmly. Finally, the entire effort could run into deep trouble if certain provisions of the proposed Constitution are deemed unacceptable to significant sections of the stakeholders. Colombo will have to develop a consensus, which is easier said than done.
Yet, this was the best time for beginning work on a new Constitution and taking the process forward speedily. Both Mr Sirisena and Mr Wickremesinghe enjoy the advantage of considerable political capital, but this is not an ever-lasting commodity. Once, for whatever reason/s, it begins to deplete, the two will find it increasingly difficult to effect systemic changes in governance. The decision to have a Constituent Assembly which will seek inputs not just internally but from outside as well, to draft a broadly acceptable Constitution is welcome. The general contours are known — reforming the electoral system and abolishing the executive presidency, besides others. But the devil lies in the details, and it's here that the President and his team will have to walk the talk.