By M D P DISSANAYAKE

The Vision Statement  issued by Mr Gotabaya Rajapakse,  had received overwhelming approval of the general public.  Then Mr Mahinda  Rajapakse faced the General Election without a new Vision Statement, but committed to comply with that of the elected  President.

Now there are several  brickbats attempting to drive their own personal Agenda’s overriding that of the President. 

a.      GEVENDU KUMARATUNGA:

The new national list MP Mr Gevindu Kumaratunga was an unknown quantity until recent times, even though he is the grandson of Late Munidasa Kumaratunga.    He formed Yuthukama  (යුතුකම) meaning Foremost Duty.   He was not voted into the  parliament by the people. He declared war against the proposed 20 amendment.  According to him, it is difficult to meet the media unless changes are made to the Draft.   Gevindu forgot two factors.  Firstly he is not the media spokesperson for the government=and must be intelligent enough to express views on contentious issues.  Secondly, if he has any concern regarding the Draft, his Foremost Duty (යුතුකම) should be to express his views with the government hierarchy, instead of undressing in public.

      B. PREMARATNE DOLAWATTE: Another young energetic lawyer moving up the ladder, from the Colombo District wasted no time in trying to get into the Picture.  Inspired by Gevindu, he assumed a high role of attempting dictate terms to the President and PM.

     c. WIMAL, DAYASIRI:

These are experts on all fields, willing to step forward to become heros.  Wimal did many improvements as Industries Minister before the general election, but now he is more of a constitutional expert than an Industry Minister.  The Industry Ministry is a complicated specialised role, realising this, the President has  decentralised the role for Pharmaceuticals, Textile, Batiks, Wood and Metal work, Jewellery and Gem manufacture,  Clay related Industries etc.   With microeconomic  attention, the President has given wide powers and funds to State Ministers to embark on large projects in these areas.    Wimal should be happy about the structure and try to work as a team instead of speaking out of turn on matters outside his role.  Dayasiri has held several senior cabinet ministerial roles, but had not made any significant contribution. 

      D. VASUDEWA NANAYAKKARA:

It is no secret that Vasu dislike President Gotabaya.  He has been given a Cool Job, as Minister of Water Supply.   But prefer to speak out of turn, just like Wimal, on any subject.

                  TRYING TO PLAY THE OLD GAMES:

There are several MPs, Ministers, lobby groups trying to play the old game of politics to derail the pathway formulated by the President and approved by the masses. 

This is a great opportunity for the President to exert his authority on Ministers and MPs, trying to undercut his policies.   If the President attempt to bargain or compromise on the gazetted 20 Amendment, it will be an extremely  difficult task for him to formulate a new Constitution.  The President will be deemed as a weak person, lacking leadership.  The Opposition, local and international media will provide widest publicity that Gotabaya has backed down. His authority will be tarnished.

Few SLPP mps and Ministers have provided much needed weapons to the opponents of  the government.  The general public expect stern action by the President, against the culprits, regardless of their standing within the Government  Group. The Political bickering must stop.

Therefore, we hope, the President will NOT agree to  change an iota of the proposed Draft of 20A, but continue further processing  in the Parliament, with due regard to the determinations, if any, by the Supreme Court.