The major democratic political parties the UNP, TNA , the JVP and several Civil organisations who forwarded petitions stating that the dissolution of Parliament was illegal, were taken by surprise when the dissolution was suspended until December 7, by a three- judge Bench of the Supreme Court.
The petition will be taken up for hearing on December 4, 5 and 6. The unanimous decision given by the Supreme Court has been accepted by all parties, as they displayed their respect for the Judiciary. This verdict given by the Supreme Court, clearly reflects the independence of our Judiciary.
As we are aware, the people in our country have diverse political views. We are well aware that some people who are against President Sirisena and some Non Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) are behind the propaganda against the dissolution. Several Western countries are of the view that the dissolution of Parliament was wrong. Supporters of the Eelam and separatist elements, are likewise against the dissolution.
Factions with Liberal ideas are within the UNP. Their main objective was to separate the President and and Prime Minister, to achieve their goals.
No faith in President
Many Western countries have no faith in President Sirisena. Whatever they say, the decision taken by the President to dissolve Parliament was correct. The dissolution will give an opportunity for the Government to go before the people and seek a fresh mandate. We are well aware that the relations between President Maithripala and PM Ranil have deteriorated so much, that the SLFP and UNP cannot rule the country together.
There is no question about the decision taken by the President at this crucial juncture. Even the Clergy of all religions in the country endorsed the decision taken by President Sirisena. Those who could not achieve their expected goals are against the President. When the President did not allow the UNP leaders to achieve their expected goals, they started blaming the President.They never accepted the opportunity given by the President to Mahinda Rahjapaksa, when appointing him as Prime Minister.
Now most of them are clearly aware that they cannot work with their hidden agendas and achieve their goals. Persons who have never stepped into a temple now go behind bhikkhus, to say that the decision was wrong .
Although some people including several NGO’S say that they highly admire the ideas of Ven Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero they get comforts and privileges from politicians and use luxurious vehicles . They always attack the President saying that he was not a true democrat. But people throughout the world have already accepted that President Sirisena is a true democrat.
Temporary decision
Some people still think that the Supreme Court has already given its final verdict. In fact, it was only a temporary decision as the Supreme only suspended the verdict. According to Lawyer Premanath Dolawatta the verdict will be given on December 19.
Everybody in the country knows that at the beginning of the Government’s term, a massive fraud occurred in the country, i.e. the Central Bank robbery. The President was highly perturbed by the Bond issue and appointed a Presidential Commission to probe it. The Bond issue was another reason for the President to remove Ranil Wickremesinghe from his post.
Destroying democracy
Considering all the facts, no one should worry about any possibility of destroying democracy in this country. As we are aware, the President is a true democrat. That’s why he even requested Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to count the Parliamentary vote accurately, in accordance with Standing Orders and democratic practices. Sadly, the Speaker did not conduct proceedings according to the rules of the Constitution although the President requested him to count the Parliamentary votes in a correct manner.
As we know some foreign countries also need to see the true political situation in the country and the Speaker should show that he is a good democrat.Peace loving democrats in the country are against the attitudes of some people who gathered at the Supreme Court premises and behaved in a disorderly manner by hooting Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara. This incident shows the negative attitudes of some of our own people.
As we know, another unpleasant scene occurred when former Prime Minister Wickremesinghe took control of Temple Trees and did not allow the legally appointed Mahinda Rajapaksa to come to his official place of residence .
Undiplomatic attitudes
We will never forget another incident during the tenure of former President Ranasinghe Premadasa - when he informed the British Government about the undiplomatic attitudes of former British High Commissioner David Gladstone. Everybody knows that the former British High Commissioner interfered in our internal matters.We will also never forget that former Finance Minister Dr. N.M. Perera was against the proposal to conduct elections under the PR system.
We also have to ask a question of the JVP - How could they have a very close alliance with the UNP? This shows that even the JVP has a hidden agreement with the UNP. They should reveal the truth.
Finally, we have to ask a question from democratic people in the country- whether they would like to elect a Parliament of their choice so that they can ensure proceedings are conducted in a proper manner.The decision must be taken by the people of the country as they should follow the democratic path of President Maithripala Sirisena.