When the ‘October Revolution’ commenced on 26.10.2018, the UNP had 107 members in Parliament including the solitary SLMC member. The UPFA, TNA, JVP and EPDP respectively had 95, 16, 6 and 1 members. Between the period from 26 October to 9 November, eight UNPers, namely, Ananda Aluthgamage, Wasantha Senanayake, Ven Athuraliye Rathana Thera, Suresh Vadivel, Wijeyadasa Rajapaksha, Dunesh Gankanda, S.B. Nawinna and Asoka Priyantha pledged their support to the UPFA. Additionally, the sole member of the EPDP and S. Viyalendran from the TNA also supported the UPFA. As a result, the membership of the UPFA parliamentary group increased to 105 decreasing the UNP’s strength to 99

Thereafter, six UPFA members, namely, A. H. M. Fowzie, Piyasena Gamage, Manusha Nanayakkara, Vijithamuni Soysa, Lakshman Seneviratne and Indika Bandaranayake crossed over to the UNP. Suresh Vadivel and Wasantha Senanayake double crossed to pledge their support to the UNP. Meanwhile, Sivasakthy Ananthan of the TNA decided to be independent and refused to support the UNP. In this backdrop, the parliamentary strength of the UPFA, UNP and TNA respectively are 97, 107 and 14 members.

Prima facie lie

The proposed Federal Constitutional Bill needs the support of at least 150 members to approve it by Parliament with a two thirds majority. According to the above figures, the UNP, TNA and JVP coalition presently has only 126 members. Obviously, the Speaker cannot exercise his vote. Hence, it needs the support of another 25 members to legally approve the Federal Constitution Bill.

Sumanthiran claims that there were 21 SLFPers to support this disastrous Bill which may lead to break Sri Lanka into nine autonomous States. This appears to be a prima facie lie uttered by Sumanthiran to attract parliamentarians from the Opposition. After offering lucrative ministerial portfolios, only 23 SLFPers supported the UNP Government in the name of a National Government. Six of them have already joined back. How is Sumanthiran so confident about it?

Sumanthiran’s statement reflects the monetary power of the TNA and its European friends. Although the majority of Sri Lankans have expressed their vehement opposition to the proposed Constitution, he is still confident of getting it approved with a two thirds majority in Parliament. How will he attract Opposition members? Obviously, not by offering portfolios, since the number of portfolios has already reached the constitutional bar. Hence, is he offering money as rumoured during crossovers?

There is another interesting question to pose. What happened to the so-called defenders of democracy? Soon after three UNPers assuming ministerial portfolios of the UPFA Government, the so-called democracy defenders came to the streets with placards and screamed Don’t sell our vote!”. Both local and international media highlighted these campaigns. The Media published stories about bribing MPs almost on a daily basis. Embassies appreciated and supported these campaigns.

Of course, votes should not be for sale. However, is democracy a one-way traffic road? Going one direction is legal and democratic but not vice-versa? Let us forget these unknown defenders for a moment. What happened to the Embassies, NGOs and the Media which yelled about democracy? Should they be motivated with a bag of dollar notes to commence their pro-democracy protests?

By now, six UPFA parliamentarians have crossed over to the UNP. According to Sumanthiran, another 21 parliamentarians were on their way to mark the largest crossover in the history of this country. However, the defenders of democracy are dead silent.

‘D Day’

Sumanthiran has repeatedly said the Constitution would be approved by Parliament before the next Independence Day, i.e. 4 February 2019. We are less than a month away from the ‘D Day’. However, we have not seen such an important Bill as yet. That may be the case with Government parliamentarians. However, being an Opposition MP, Sumanthiran knows not only the time period, but also the contents. According to Sumanthiran, neither President nor Governors have any power in respect of Provincial Councils. The Governor should always act on the advice of the Chief Minister. Further, any number of Provinces can be amalgamated to establish one Provincial Council.

After hearing a few provisions in the Constitution from Sumanthiran, it is crystal clear that the new Constitution is based on the constitutional proposals produced by the Steering Committee and Sub Committees of the Constitutional Assembly despite vehement public protest. Sumanthiran is the true leader of the Government. He decides the contents and the deadline for the new Constitution. His authority over the Government was clearly displayed in November 2018 in Parliament.

When Lakshman Kiriella, the Leader of the House, acted against Sumanthiran’s wishes, he shouted at the Leader of the House having PM Wickremasinghe helplessly looking on at the incident. On 19th December, when I entered the Parliament Complex with President Rajapaksa, MP Vijithamuni De Soysa was on his way out. After exchanging pleasantries, President Rajapaksa said I have no grudge about your crossover. But I have an appeal to make. Please do not commit the sin of supporting the disastrous Federal Constitution”.

I have the same appeal. It is not only for the ones who have crossed over and those to crossover, but also to UNPers. Please do not commit the sin of dividing our beloved motherland by supporting the Federal Constitution!