Why was Sri Lanka’s Parliament dissolved? To hold elections – who opposes it?

Two questions readers need to ask & answer. Firstly, who are objecting to people going to vote? Secondly, why did those who are objecting to people going to vote not file FRs against sacking Ranil as PM? From the point of view of the People’s rights which is more damaging? Answering this will clearly show the precariousness of the situation to the general public.

Let’s ask the question differently. Why was Sri Lanka’s parliament dissolved – simply answer is to allow the People to go for elections & vote. Wasn’t this the best form of democracy? That’s what we think, but over 10 petitioners including UNP, TNA, JVP, CPA, Transparency International, even a member of the Elections Commission doesn’t think so. They joined to  file Fundamental Rights against the dissolution of Parliament & holding of elections. How strange! Wherever, have you heard of Political parties & NGOs supposed to be promoting democracy & People’s power going to court to stop People exercising their power with the vote? What is more ridiculous is when embassy staff sponsoring these groups are also present in court to see if their stooges are actually following through on their orders! Are we living in 21^st century or have we returned to colonial rule? What is poignant is that none of these parties cared to go to Supreme Court against the sacking of RanilW as PM though all of them verbally protested & issued statements against the sacking too, but the very same parties filed FR’s against holding elections

What is now more than certain is that these parties filed FRs against the dissolution because they were afraid of going for an election & before the people knowing that the People would be ruthless in their vote. These very parties are fully aware that they lied to the people since 2015, that they haven’t delivered on their promises, that their promises were only campaign slogans, that they have giving nothing for the people and most of all they know the people are fuming over selling the assets of the country to foreigners & allowing the external parties to dictate terms far beyond their diplomatic protocols. People are not stupid. They are watching all these & waiting for an election to voice their anger. To prevent this the petitioners have filed action. Whatever the judgement, these realities is nothing none of the petitioners can evade accepting.

We are in exciting times – since 26^th October we have seen the sacking of a Prime Minister, a return of a democratically defeated President as the new Prime Minister, the proroguing of Parliament, the dissolution of Parliament & now an interim court order until 16^th December where the Supreme Court will declare judgement against those filing FRs against the dissolution of parliament to hold fresh elections.

We have also seen 3 addresses to the Nation by the President – citing why he sacked the PM claiming his name being associated to an attempt to assassinate the President, the ruining of the economy, the detrimental consequences to the nation from the sale of national assets, the behavior of the Speaker & the cultural differences of the former PM & himself.

But taking things positively inspite of so many attempts & plots baiting the public, they have remained restrained and not fallen into the Western traps that was part of their media build up.

As citizens we must all log our disgust at all the parties that have lined up to file FR’s against the dissolution because their arguments have nothing whatsoever to do with protecting democracy, honoring the constitution or abiding the rule of law except to protect themselves electorally as they are not prepared to go before the people at an election as they have not got their lying machines ready to fool the people with their xmas goody bag of bogus promises ….

Shenali D Waduge