Triumph that demand for stern echo – By Sunil Thenabadu
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) together with the backing of the NPP supporters merit applause ovation and genuine felicitations for their entire well-coordinated management, information gathering, propagation of a gigantic visualisation that echoed with the masses. They have efficaciously fashioned a mammoth upsurge of funding with sustenance, terminated in a decisive victory over the corrupt factions of the past rulers that have together contributed to the destruction of our nation and motherland curbing the many aspirations of the masses.As voters, we must remain mindful that Sri Lanka has witnessed landslide election results in years 1970, 1977, 2005, 2010, and 2020—all of which ultimately resulted in a landslide towards the nation’s ill-being, leaving the country burdened with massive debts, corruption, indiscipline, brain drain, and monetary collapse.
What is ironic in 2024 is that this landslide triumph may be one of the most momentous of the century. However, it also calls for critical resonance. For the very first time, even most of the Jaffna people voted in favour of the NPP. This could signify the beginning of the end of the divisive politics that have traditionally exploited racial and religious dissections. Perhaps this hugely marks the emergence of a novel, more united political scenery one that promotes a united Sri Lanka as one nation working toward an identical society across every nick and corner of our motherland.
Despite the landslide, we must be fully aware of the potential for illegitimate propaganda if proper actions and precautionary procedures are not taken. The constitutional gateways of concealed and unconcealed political corruption remain open while, as a nation, we lack the compensatory capacity to face another political or financial crisis. Therefore, we must remain vigilant and ensure the continuity of national oversight to keep our new Parliament and President on track despite the many distractions that could hinder their efforts for national freedom and development. One key strategy is to remain non-aligned but work with external forces through clear, transparent, and fair agreements that prioritise national advantage.
In this context, the priority for the NPP should be to make the Judiciary and the Bribery Commission sovereign, buoyed by a vigorous quality assurance system and a clear definition of ‘contempt of court’ to implant answerability. It is a fact that no national institution can thrive without answerability and transparency.
An independent Judiciary and Bribery Commission, free from political interference, can be achieved through a parliamentary act requiring a two-thirds majority, which is now only a formality having won an unbelievable 159 seats in the 225 member parliament This is supreme and should be implemented at the earliest opportunity to prevent politics from declining legitimate progressions Such reorganisations when established will help resolve the stalemate that has muffled development—particularly in tackling political corruption, including to linked severe crimes such as rape and murder.
Additionally, these reforms will simplify the legitimate deviations necessary to avert the legitimisation of political corruption, enabling the onslaught of a constitution that has been operated uncountable times to allow dishonest politicians to act with liberty despite deliberate violations of virtuous governing power.
Sunil Thenabadu in Brisbane
e mail sthenabadu@hotmail.com.
