Maithripala Sirisena has been sworn in as the Executive President. It is heartening that the transfer of power was smooth and the post-election period has been peaceful. The Elections Commissioner, the IGP and the security forces commanders deserve thanks for a job well done.
A political leader is best judged by the way he leaves office. For, they usually stick to power like limpets. In the late 1950s, an outgoing Prime Minister just walked out of Temple Trees carrying a suitcase, into which he had packed all his belongings, boarded a Galle-bound bus and went back home. W. Dahanayake was his name. Following the UNP’s defeat at the 1994 general election the then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe emulated Daha and left Temple Trees immediately so that his successor could move in without any delay. Yesterday morning another leader did so. President Mahinda Rajapaksa did not wait till the Elections Commissioner announced the winner in the presidential contest; he conceded defeat and left Temple Trees as early as 5.30 am. Subsequently, he handed over the President’s House and went to his Tangalle residence.
This is not the first time Mahinda Rajapaksa has lost. He was defeated at the 1977 general election when he was still a youthful parliamentarian. But, he made a comeback some years later and went on to become Opposition Leader, Prime Minister and President in quick succession. Real leaders are said to be like tea bags; you know how strong they are only when they get into hot water!
The newly elected President has spoken like a true leader. Now that he has talked the talk, he has to walk the walk, as they say. He has made many promises and it is imperative that he make good each and every one of them if the people who voted for him are not to be disappointed. There is bound to be a general election sooner or later and his team contesting it will be judged by his performance. His is an uphill task. What he has engineered is not just a change of government but a paradigm shift in Sri Lankan politics. He has to ensure that the change he has promised will certainly be for the better.
President Sirisena is backed by a motley alliance of political forces and his success in honouring his pledges and living up to people’s expectations hinges on his ability to hold that fissiparous group of ambitious politicians together. Only the late President J. R. Jayewardene was able to prevent splits in his parliamentary group. (He obtained undated resignation letters from his MPs.) All other elected presidents, to wit, Ranasinghe Premadasa, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Mahinda Rajapaksa, failed to do so and faced problems.
In this country governments change, but politicians remain unchanged. After being ensconced in power they do more of what their predecessors did. Will the new administration be able to make a difference?
Most of all, it is incumbent upon the new dispensation to ensure the security of ex-President Rajapaksa as well as all others responsible for defeating terrorism. He made enough and more enemies by prosecuting the country’s successful war on terror and they will never forgive him. They are celebrating his defeat overseas!
It won’t take long for the new President to realise that uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.
President Sirisena has called upon the public to refrain from hurting others, physically or otherwise. Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, slated for premiership, too, has made a similar call. This gesture of magnanimity is to be highly appreciated and it is hoped that their supporters will do as they say. After all, one of their promises is to restore the rule of law.
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