Special statement from Inter University Students Union

Press Release : Inter University Students Union

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Government led by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa began its term with a two-thirds majority in Parliament following Rajapaksa securing 6.9 million votes at the 2019 Presidential Election.

It is clear that this government had no clear understanding of the economic, political and democratic aspirations and demands of the people and acted in an arbitrary manner paying little or no heed public sentiment. By the beginning of the year 2022 this precipitated a serious political and economic crisis as well as a breakdown in democratic processes, principles and institutions. The country was brought to the brink of anarchy. The people, objecting to this state of affairs, responded collectively and with determination. They effectively ousted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and the government.

The people thereby invalidated the mandate given to Gotabaya Rajapaksa by way of 6.9 million votes and the SLPP by returning 133 members to Parliament. As such the SLPP no longer has the people’s mandate to be involved in matters of governing the country. This party and its politicians have no right to remain in power through any conspiratorial means. And yet, it is no secret that a group within the SLPP is sparing no efforts to get Ranil Wickremesinghe appointed to the vacant post of the President. The SLPP Secretary, Sagara Kariyawasam, has openly stated that his party would support Wickremesinghe’s presidential bid.

Ranil Wickremesinghe is a politician who suffered a humiliating defeat at the parliamentary election in 2020. He was able to return to parliament through the single slot in the National List allocated to the United National Party. At this historic moment when a president who secured 6.9 million votes and a party led by Mahinda Rajapaksa who obtained 133 parliamentary seats have been effectively ousted, it is imperative that the SLPP desist from conspiring to make someone like Ranil Wickremesinghe the president.

Having been rejected even before the Rajapaksas were ousted, Ranil Wickremesinghe simply cannot fulfil the economic, political and democratic aspirations of the people. He was appointed Prime Minister in May 2022 as per the political will of Gotabaya Rajapaksa and not the people of this country. And yet, it is ironical and a travesty of justice that such a man who no constituency whatsoever is now positioning himself to become president with the support of the SLPP. It cannot be stressed enough that he has no political or moral authority whatsoever to aspire to being the president, the prime minister or even hold any responsible position in government. In fact the sensible, civilised and democratic course of action that he can take is to bow to the will of the people and resign forthwith.

The SLPP came to power by defeating Ranil Wickremesinghe. Therefore it is a grotesque twist of democratic norms for this very party to even consider him as a possible successor to Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Such a turn of events would turn all democratic principles on their proverbial head.

The very fact that someone like Ranil Wickremesinghe could very well slip through constitutional loops to secure the presidency is a serious and dangerous state of affairs. What this implies is that the constitution simply lacks the provisions to enable the resolution of the burning political, economic and democratic crisis that the country is facing at this juncture.

If anyone recommends, endorses or conspires to ensure a Ranil Wickremesinghe presidency, the democracy credentials of such a person needs to be examined. It would be an open, tragic and scandalous flouting of all democratic norms. Indeed it is a slap in the face of people’s sovereignty, especially since the recent protests in their geographical spread, unabated nature and single minded purpose, clearly demonstrated what the people of this country truly desires at this point. They are not ready to even consider a situation where someone who was not even directly elected to Parliament and who, furthermore, is not responsible to the people is made president through the manipulation of parliamentary numbers that have no longer any value in the eyes of the people. Anyone and everyone involved in facilitating such a turn of events must take full responsibility to the instability, chaos and even anarchy that may result. The people have asserted their sovereignty. They will continue to do so.

This is a moment when the entire country is suffering enormous economic and political deprivations. It is important therefore for all forces to come together and find solutions to the most urgent of the country’s economic ills. Schools and universities remain closed; education is at a standstill. The hospitals are struggling. There is a transportation crisis of unprecedented proportions. Inflations has had a crippling effect on individuals, households, industries and all economic activity. A practical programme has to be designed to resolve these issues. The political stability necessary for this can only be brought about by a political regime that accurately reflects the will of the people. Therefore we request from all parties represented in parliament to act in accordance with the sentiments of the people and desist from becoming involved in conspiratorial political games that can only push the entire country into turmoil. At the same time we request from the parliamentarians of the SLPP that they desist from getting involved in any activities or processes that are of a conspiratorial nature and which would invariably bring upon further tragedies upon the country and the citizenry.

For this, only one thing needs to be done. Just as Gotabaya Rajapaksa resident, so too should Ranil Wickremesinghe, who has no mandate whatsoever, resign forthwith. An interim government capable of delivering on the people’s demands should be established and it should accept the proposals put forward by a people’s council that draws from the protests and protestors. All individuals and parties who aspire to power should accept the proposals of the Aragalaya. This along would pave the way for political stability and economic recovery.

Thank You.

Wasantha Mudalige,

Convener,

Inter University Students Federation.