{"id":228406,"date":"2022-07-25T12:46:35","date_gmt":"2022-07-25T07:16:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?p=228406"},"modified":"2022-07-25T12:46:35","modified_gmt":"2022-07-25T07:16:35","slug":"president-wickremesinghe-the-current-pohottuwa-government-the-way-forward-a-call-from-citizens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/president-wickremesinghe-the-current-pohottuwa-government-the-way-forward-a-call-from-citizens\/","title":{"rendered":"President Wickremesinghe, The Current Pohottuwa Government & The Way Forward \u2013 A Call From Citizens"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Presidential election\u00a0held on 20th<\/sup> July placed Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe in the office of 8th Executive\u00a0President of Sri Lanka by votes in Parliament. Media publicized the idea that this was the fulfillment of a personal dream of a politician with a Parliamentary career of 45 years. Surprisingly, his first official visit after taking oaths on 21st<\/sup> July was to meet the Armed Forces Chiefs at Defence Headquarters, creating a reasonable fear of use of force in the exercise of political\u00a0power. And what happened in the early hours of the 22nd<\/sup> July?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Citizens watched in stunned disbelief as they witnessed the brutal military attack against protestors including media and lawyers \u00a0in GotaGoGama on Galle Face Green. The protestors had made it clear by their words and actions that they were clearing the site. We join others in condemning this obviously well-planned attack which is not only a blatant violation of the right to peaceful assembly and association of the protestors, but also of the democratic rights of all the people of Sri Lanka. We hold the administration of President Ranil Wickramasinghe who had just been sworn into office, and the military authorities, responsible for this violation of the Constitutional rights of the people and international human rights commitments of Sri Lanka.\u00a0\u00a0 We demand disciplinary inquiries and appropriate measures against those responsible for these events. We call upon the President to pledge in an address to the nation, that this will\u00a0not happen again, and that there will be no further interference with the People exercising their rights of peaceful political protest.<\/p>\n

A powerful peoples\u2019 protest resulted in the elimination of the Rajapaksa family from leadership in government, amidst serious allegations of corruption and misuse of power. This encouraged a public expectation\u00a0 that Parliament would elect a person as President who was not connected to this family to fill the vacancy of Gotabaya Rajapaksa. They believed that the new President would lead an all party interim government for a very short time till a General Election is held as this was the general demand in the country. However, 134 MPs voted to confirm Mr. Wickremesinghe as President on 20th<\/sup> July, and also\u00a0to protect their seats in Parliament. The voting has confirmed the view of the People\u00a0 that these MPs are concerned only with their petty\u00a0 personal and political agendas and have absolutely no intention\u00a0of heeding the voice of the People for a change in both leadership and accountability in governance.<\/p>\n

Ranil Wickremesinghe\u2019s own election as President is unique in a system of Parliamentary democracy. He is a person who lost his long-term constituency due to serious allegations of involvement in the Central Bank bond scam and poor leadership. Although his election was procedurally valid and constitutional, it reinforced public perceptions that a dysfunctional Parliament was continuing in office. Rhetoric on the preservation of Parliamentary democracy, Constitutionalism and the national interest has not removed the lack of public trust in the government. Worse, there are grave allegations of bribery and corruption in voting, because of the actions of some persons within and outside Parliament, as late as the day before the election, resulting in the 113 votes pledged for the consensus opposition candidate not being cast for him. It is clear to the public that ugly political deals were made in this Presidential election, when the recovery of the country demands personal integrity, and commitment to national interest, from MPs.<\/p>\n

President Wickremesinghe\u2019s \u201cnew Cabinet\u201d was sworn in on 22nd<\/sup> July. It was the very day on which there was a shocking military attack on peaceful protestors. Astoundingly, the new Prime Minister, Dinesh Gunewardena, when questioned by journalists on this event stated that the government was fulfilling its law and order obligations. It is very clear that the Pohottuwa government\u2019s swearing in of four Cabinets in four months has not in any way changed their understanding of the People\u2019s demands for democratic and accountable governance.<\/p>\n

The new President\u2019s call for unity in responding to our devastating national predicament and for systemic institutional change seems a hollow promise in light of the political realities of this government.<\/p>\n

Therefore we demand of the President that he addresses immediately the following immediate public concerns:<\/p>\n

1. The need for a General Election within the next six months.<\/strong> It is impossible to initiate economic recovery without political stability and a government recognized by the People. We must find the resources to fulfill this important public need and explore all options available to do so.<\/p>\n

2. The urgency of abolishing the Executive Presidency. <\/strong>The shocking incidents of 22nd<\/sup> July demonstrate once again the urgent need to do away with the Executive Presidency with its over focus on a single, all powerful individual in governance. The President has the right to refer an issue of national importance for the views of the People at a Referendum under Article 86 of the Constitution. President Wickremesinghe has endorsed this change many times in his political career, including in 2018-2019. He must therefore call for a Referendum on this issue and lead the current government in obtaining a 2\/3 majority to realise the result of such a Referendum.<\/p>\n

3. The critical importance of upholding fundamental rights of the People as the foundation for democratic governance. <\/strong>Limitations on such rights must be strictly within the law and Article 15 of the Constitution and the President cannot act outside those limitations. As Commander in Chief he cannot permit or authorize abuse of power\u00a0by the armed forces or law enforcement agencies on the grounds of national security or threat of anarchy. The negative international publicity for the events of the 22nd<\/sup> July demonstrate that the violation of the Peoples\u2019 rights will destroy our international image and prospects\u00a0of getting broad based international support for economic recovery.<\/p>\n

The President and government must realise that the People will no longer accept meaningless rhetoric on a national consensus and unity in resolving the political\u00a0and economic\u00a0crisis\u00a0of this time. National unity is critical if we are to cope with the challenges of an economic recovery but it will not come through governance based on illegal use of force and suppression of protest and through the usual political lies and broken promises made to the People.<\/p>\n

We wish to remind the President, Cabinet, and Members of Parliament that they are only repositories of our sovereign powers and are duty bound to serve us diligently, efficiently and by fulfilling the public trust placed in them.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Ranil Abayasekara – Senior Lecturer, University of Peradeniya (retired)<\/li>\n
  2. K Nihal Ahamed \u2013 Human Rights and Environmental Activist<\/li>\n
  3. Geoffrey Alagaratnam \u2013 President\u2019s Counsel<\/li>\n
  4. D. C. Ambalavanar, Visiting Lecturer in Surgery, University of Jaffna<\/li>\n
  5. Arjuna Aluvihare – Emeritus Professor of Surgery and Vice Chancellor, Peradeniya, one time UGC Chairman<\/li>\n
  6. Darshan Ambalavanar – Director, Theological Education, CACM (Church of the American Ceylon Mission)<\/li>\n
  7. Annaluxumy \u2013 Social Activist<\/li>\n
  8. Safarich Anfaz \u2013 Artist<\/li>\n
  9. Roshan Arrupre – College Principal Batticoloa<\/li>\n
  10. Rajan Asirwatham – Former Country Head and Precedent Partner KPMG<\/li>\n
  11. Safana Gul Begum \u2013 Attorney-at-Law<\/li>\n
  12. Bisliya Bhutto -Former Member of Puttalam Pradeshiya Sabha<\/li>\n
  13. Yohesan Casie Chetty – Attorney – at – Law & former Headmaster S. Thomas\u2019 Preparatory School Kollupitiya.<\/li>\n
  14. Galkande Dhammananda Thero<\/li>\n
  15. Bishop Duleep\u00a0 de Chickera<\/li>\n
  16. Ruwanthie de Chickera \u2013 Artists of the Peoples\u2019 Movement<\/li>\n
  17. Harendra de Silva \u2013 Consultant Paediatrician<\/li>\n
  18. Marisa de Silva<\/li>\n
  19. Anushaya Collure – Activist<\/li>\n
  20. Radhika Coomaraswamy \u2013 Retired International Civil Servant<\/li>\n
  21. Andrew Devadason – Clergy,\u00a0 Anglican Church, Diocese of Colombo<\/li>\n
  22. Niroshan de Mel – Vicar, St. Michael & All Angels, Polwatta. Area Dean, Colombo South Area Deanery.<\/li>\n
  23. Priyan Dias – Emeritus Professor, University of Moratuwa<\/li>\n
  24. Shanthi Dias<\/li>\n
  25. C.C.Elankovan \u2013 Attorney-at-Law and Development Consultant<\/li>\n
  26. K J Brito Fernando \u2013 Human Rights Activist<\/li>\n
  27. Priyanthi Fernando – Former Executive Director, Centre for Poverty Analysis<\/li>\n
  28. Shiekh MBM Firthous \u2013 Chairman, Bismi Institute<\/li>\n
  29. Aneesa Firthous \u2013 Human Rights Activist<\/li>\n
  30. Bhavani Fonseka – Attorney-at-Law and Rights Activist<\/li>\n
  31. C Ranitha Gnanarajah – Attorney-at-Law<\/li>\n
  32. Mario Gomez \u2013 Attorney-at-Law<\/li>\n
  33. Shyamala Gomez \u2013 Executive Director, Centre for Equality and Justice<\/li>\n
  34. Savitri Goonesekere \u2013 Emeritus Professor of Law and Former Vice Chancellor, University of Colombo<\/li>\n
  35. Camena Guneratne \u2013 Professor, Open University of Sri Lanka<\/li>\n
  36. Dileni Gunewardena – Professor of Economics, University of Peradeniya<\/li>\n
  37. Pulasthi Hewamanne \u2013 Attorney-at-Law<\/li>\n
  38. S Ratnajeevan H Hoole \u2013 Prof. of Electrical Engineering (Rtd) and former Member of the Election Commission<\/li>\n
  39. Ameena Hussein \u2013 Writer<\/li>\n
  40. Bishop Kumara Illangasinghe<\/li>\n
  41. Deekshaya Illangasinghe \u2013 Activist<\/li>\n
  42. Fathima Nabeela Iqbal \u2013 Peacebuilder, Sisterhood Initiative<\/li>\n
  43. Chandra Jayaratne – former Chairman, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce<\/li>\n
  44. Rohana Jayaratne – Economist.<\/li>\n
  45. Tissa Jayatilaka- Retired Academic and Academic Administrator.<\/li>\n
  46. Sakuntala Kadirgamar\u00a0– Executive Director, Law and Society Trust<\/li>\n
  47. Pavithra Kailasapathy \u2013 Professor, University of Colombo<\/li>\n
  48. Thiru Kandiah \u2013 Retired University Academic<\/li>\n
  49. Chulani Kodikara \u2013 Co-Editor \u201cPolity\u201d<\/li>\n
  50. Sepali Kottegoda<\/li>\n
  51. Herman Kumara \u2013 National Fisheries Solidarity Movement<\/li>\n
  52. Mahaluxmy Kurushanthan \u2013 Women\u2019s Rights Activist<\/li>\n
  53. Lawrence\u00a0 – Parish priest, Batticoloa<\/li>\n
  54. Jansila Majeed \u2013 Women\u2019s Rights Activist<\/li>\n
  55. Bennette Mellawa \u2013 Director CARITAS Anuradhapura<\/li>\n
  56. Farah Mihlar \u2013 Senior Lecturer<\/li>\n
  57. Buhary Mohamed – Human Rights Activist<\/li>\n
  58. Juwairya Mohideen \u2013 Women\u2019s Rights Activist<\/li>\n
  59. P Muthulingam \u2013 Executive Director, Institute of Social Development<\/li>\n
  60. Ramani Muttetuwegama – Attorney-at-Law<\/li>\n
  61. Rohini Nanayakkara \u2013 Former General Manager, Bank of Ceylon and Chairperson LOLC<\/li>\n
  62. M. Navaratna Bandara \u2013 Professor, University of Peradeniya (retired)<\/li>\n
  63. Gananath Obeyesekere- Prof. Emeritus,\u00a0 Princeton University, USA,<\/li>\n
  64. Ranjini Obeyesekere-\u00a0 Retired\u00a0Prof. Princeton University, USA<\/li>\n
  65. Nalinika Obeyesekere \u2013 Veterinary Surgeon, Colombo<\/li>\n
  66. Arjuna Parakrama \u2013 Professor, University of Peradeniya<\/li>\n
  67. Sasanka Perera, Professor of Sociology, South Asian University, New Delhi<\/li>\n
  68. Sumika Perera Co-ordinator, Women\u2019s\u2019 Resource Centre<\/li>\n
  69. Suren D Perera \u2013 Attorney-at-Law<\/li>\n
  70. Pethiyagoda – Agronomist, Former Ambasador to Italy,<\/li>\n
  71. Chryso Pieris\u00a0 – Centre for Reconciliation and Development<\/li>\n
  72. Dr. Jayasiri T Peiris.<\/li>\n
  73. Brother Lionel Peiris – Society of St. Francis<\/li>\n
  74. Sydney Peiris<\/li>\n
  75. Mirak Raheem \u2013 Researcher and Activist<\/li>\n
  76. PM Mujibur Rahman \u2013 LL.B<\/li>\n
  77. Dr Ramesh Ramasamy\u00a0– University of Peradeniya<\/li>\n
  78. K S Ratnavale \u2013 Attorney at Law<\/li>\n
  79. Sheila Richards<\/li>\n
  80. Mahbooba Rifaideen \u2013 Attorney-at-Law<\/li>\n
  81. Rosairo S J – .\u00a0 Chaplin Home for the Elders,<\/li>\n
  82. Sahayanathan\u00a0– Superior of Batticaloa Jesuits,<\/li>\n
  83. Gameela Samarasinghe \u2013 Professor, University of Colombo<\/li>\n
  84. Jeanne Samuel<\/li>\n
  85. Shreen Saroor – Human Rights Activist<\/li>\n
  86. Paul Satkunanayagam- Counseling Centre Director,<\/li>\n
  87. Kalana Senaratne \u2013 University of Peradeniya<\/li>\n
  88. H.Sheriffdeen – Emeritus Professor of Surgery, University of Colombo.<\/li>\n
  89. Vanie Simon – Women\u2019s Rights Activist<\/li>\n
  90. Kalani Subasinghe<\/li>\n
  91. S Sumithra \u2013 Human Rights Activist<\/li>\n
  92. Sujeewa\u00a0 – Provincial Jesuits Sri Lanka<\/li>\n
  93. James Suresh – Director ETI, Batticoloa<\/li>\n
  94. Sirany Thevakumar \u2013 Community Activist<\/li>\n
  95. Mahendran Thiruvarangan – University of Jaffna<\/li>\n
  96. Sandun Thudugala \u2013 Director Programmes and Operations, Law and Society Trust<\/li>\n
  97. Deepika Udagama -Professor of Law, University of Peradeniya and former Chairperson Human Rights Commission<\/li>\n
  98. Jayadeva Uyangoda – Professor\u00a0Emeritus, University\u00a0of Colombo<\/li>\n
  99. C.Visvalingam – former President, Citizens Movement for Good Governance<\/li>\n
  100. M A Wahid \u2013 Youth Activist<\/li>\n
  101. Ruvan Weerasinghe – University of Colombo.<\/li>\n
  102. D Wijayanandana<\/li>\n
  103. Jayanta de S Wijeratne<\/li>\n
  104. Gamini Wijeyesinghe<\/li>\n
  105. Senior Superintendent of Police (ret) and United Nations International Civil Servant UN International War Crimes Tribunal, The Hague, The Netherlands.<\/li>\n
  106. Affected Women\u2019s Forum<\/li>\n
  107. Alliance for Minorities<\/li>\n
  108. Centre for Human Rights and Development<\/li>\n
  109. Centre for Social Concerns, Jaela<\/li>\n
  110. Eastern Social Development Foundation<\/li>\n
  111. Families of the Disappeared<\/li>\n
  112. Human Elevation Organisation<\/li>\n
  113. International Centre for Ethnic Studies<\/li>\n
  114. Mannar Women\u2019s Development Federation<\/li>\n
  115. Muslim Women\u2019s Research and Action Forum<\/li>\n
  116. Muslim Women\u2019s Development Trust<\/li>\n
  117. Rural Development Foundation<\/li>\n
  118. Star Rural Women\u2019s Society<\/li>\n
  119. Women\u2019s Action Network<\/li>\n
  120. Women and Media Collective<\/li>\n
  121. Women\u2019s Voice Movement<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":228400,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,1,2375],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-228406","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-colombotelegraph","category-news","category-stories"],"yoast_head":"\nPresident Wickremesinghe, The Current Pohottuwa Government & The Way Forward \u2013 A Call From Citizens - Colombo Telegraph<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/president-wickremesinghe-the-current-pohottuwa-government-the-way-forward-a-call-from-citizens\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"President Wickremesinghe, The Current Pohottuwa Government & The Way Forward \u2013 A Call From Citizens - 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