18th June 2000

Prabhakaran is not our only threat

A solution to the question of how to solve the problem of Prabhakaran can be found only if it is possible to stall the collapse that is occurring in the entire political system and enliven the political spirit of the country through a successful reform.

The entire political system is in the doldrums. The ruled have no confidence in or any respect to the rulers. There is no alternative group of leaders who are trusted or respected in the country. The people have transactions with the existing political parties only because it is necessary to align with one party or the other for dignity in a context where the entire society is politicised.

The decay in the political system is found in all other institutional systems too. Censored The lower ranks of the police have no confidence in those above. The employees in the departments have no faith in the heads of the departments. There is a belief in the society that everybody has a price and that even in the actions taken for the benefit of the public there is a hidden price. Even the reverted institutions like the Judiciary, the temples and the churches have not been able to exist outside this decay.

Although there is a recognition that in a democratic political system, the legislature, the executive and the judiciary must be independent from each other, now all those institutions appear to be in the grip of the executive. The principle that every action that the executive and the legislature does must always be under the surveillance of the judiciary, too appears to have been turned upside down. Even the Commissioner of Elections does not appear to discharge his functions according to the law and to his conscience. The Auditor General does not appear to examine all the transactions of the government. According to the Constitution, all financial activities of the State must be controlled by the Parliament. However, what the large compensation paid to the gas company for the increase in price without the approval of the Parliament, shows is that even the control of the finances has now come under the executive to some extent. Although it is essential that all appointments to the higher posts are examined by Parliament, the Parliament itself does not appear to know that it has a particular responsibility in the matter.

If we cannot find a way to extricate ourselves early from this very great decay in the national political spirit of the country, destruction of the country will become inevitable even if the military threat posed by Prabhakaran is eliminated.

If it is possible to have an all-party-conference for the purpose of identifying the principles that will, in the minimum help strengthening the political system through a reform and will help arriving at a consensus, it will certainly be possible to get better results. It might be possible for all parties in the democratic stream to get together and consider the possibility of starting immediately a discussion with Prabhakaran and also consider what should be done to stop the collapse that is going on in the political system. After identifying the principles required for the purpose, it will be possible to reach a consensus on new reforms are to be enacted on the basis of those principles, and thereafter hold elections irrespective of whoever may come to power through those elections.

It is difficult to reach a consensus after elections. However, if a consensus can be reached before the elections and if parliamentary elections in which everybody will have faith, and which will be respected by everybody can be held, it will be possible to create the political will in the country to have the vision and confidence necessary for arriving at a solution not only to the existing inter- racial crisis but also to other problems. It is only if such a process is initiated that it will be possible to have a political revival in the country.

From the Blue Corner

Editorial/ Opinion Contents