Neglect of essential reforms

The major focus of the political dialogue in the country during the Aragalaya, the youth struggle, was on the need for having positive and profound change in the institutional and political system which is evil, oppressive and corrupt, and the reforms that should be introduced to overcome the situation. It can be said to have been the main theme of it.

However, by now the situation has changed, creating an atmosphere in which the struggle and its leaders have largely been swallowed up by mainstream political parties. In this backdrop, it can be said that the dialogue on the need for having a system change has been subdued and the focus is shifted towards toppling the Government.

Even a reform program of the people cannot be enacted and implemented without the support of the Parliament in spite of the fact that the sovereignty lies with the people; the support of the ruling party is essential to enact a reform program. Legalisation of major reforms such as amendments to the Constitution or making a new Constitution necessarily requires the support of the Opposition. 

Even though the enactment of a legal reform can be done with majority agreement of the Parliament, it is however essential to have the consent of a large parliamentary majority to amend the Constitution or adopt a new Constitution. A program of legal reforms may be introduced with the consent of the ruling party only; but a program of constitutional reforms that goes beyond general legal reforms require the support of the Opposition in addition to the consent of the ruling party.