Restored Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and his re-formed cabinet will look forward to the New Year with a sense of challenge beyond the normal expectations that ensue with the annual calendar transition. He and his colleagues must now work even harder than they would have anticipated before the storm of October 26. The aftermath is that of a drastically worsened economic outlook and a nation that is, itself, picking up the pieces from that battering of constitutional norms and political sensibilities.
As a man who has faced decades of political challenges and, now having overcome the gravest political challenge other than that of war, Wickremesinghe is equipped with the confidence gained by solid experience.
Equally important, the Prime Minister is also supported by a political party and coalition that just did not crack under the sustained assaults of constitutional gimmickry, deceit, political manoeuvres and plain bribery and intimidation.
In a country that has long experienced political trickery of various kinds ending in betrayal, conspiracy, violence and murder, politicians have long been known to be susceptible to such pressures and enticements; and, political parties have too easily split asunder under the weight of perfidy. Not so the United National Party nor the United National Front despite the multifarious inducements and threats that flooded the political firmament during the crisis of the past several weeks.
The judiciary has done its bit for the country this time – rising to the occasion in a series of historic judgments in quick succession. In a time of constitutional chaos, when voter constituencies despaired, when whole social and economic sectors seemed frozen in time due to the uncertainty, as business confidence plummeted, the judiciary stepped in.
Court administrations worked smoothly under pressure of time and the gaze of suspicion or hope, sittings were conducted on time and with probity, leaving no room for doubts and speculation. Finally, without inordinate delays that could have sparked untoward reactions from an anxiously watching nation, the court calmly delivered its determination.
Clear but carefully elaborate rulings were delivered on legalities of claims to premiership, of parliamentary majority, of prorogation of the national legislature and, finally, of the dissolution of Parliament.
The court determinations were unambiguous, just as the exigencies of the crisis demanded. The people were informed as to what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’. The authority of the law and, above all, of the Constitution was firmly upheld and onus bestowed on those qualified in accordance with Constitutionally defined norms and practices.
Never has the country’s judiciary worked under such pressure as it faced in this recent episode of Constitutional crisis. As the time of judgement neared, much of the nation held its breath. News media tracked the progress of their Lordships, literally step-by-step: from chambers to bench, from the start of reading to the end of a judgment pronouncement.
It was a moment in history for the judiciary.
Now, a restored Government faces its own moment in history.
As the New Year dawns, the country needs to be lifted out of the depths of political despair and taken out in to the light of recovery. The judiciary has provided the stepping stone. It is up to Wickremesinghe and his cabinet colleagues to lead the way out of crude machinations and deceit and into the sunshine of collaborative, transparent governance.
If the immense challenge of the economy is to be met, it is imperative that every sinew is flexed to achieve that collective strength that will draw in all energies – from the Presidency, to Parliament, the Opposition and beyond to the Provincial administration North and South.
With political confidence taking a battering, a useful handle is offered to build confidence through the regaining of inter-ethnic peace and solidarity.
The ethnic minority leaderships stood firmly in support of constitutional and national integrity belying past rebellion and secessionism.
Now is the time to stitch together a social unity that will help boost political stability.
It is the ratings that will count in the final economic analysis. And it is up to the political leadership – in government and in opposition – to co-operate in re-building the economy and topping the indexes.
As we enter this festive season, our faith can only be buttressed by a genuine hope for this land in the immediate future.