Daily Mirror - Print Edition

Opposition Leader post can spell Luck or doom for Sajith

12 Dec 2019 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}      

When United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe acceded to nominate MP Sajith Premadasa as the Opposition Leader in Parliament, there was a sense of buoyancy among the party members who were advocating him as the best bet to steer the party in the future.

 

In a way, it is a significant achievement for Mr Premadasa who was reeling from the electoral defeat at the November 16 Presidential Election. Now, he is in charge of the Parliamentary affairs of the party. He will be entitled to different perks and authority in and outside Parliament. In Parliament, he is shouldered with the responsibility to keep the new Government under check and supervise the role of his party in this task. Alongside, he will have the privilege of interacting with foreign dignitaries’ visiting the country, a benefit afforded to the Opposition Leader post in terms of protocols and traditions in functional democracies.

However, the new position which is now held by Mr Premadasa can spell luck or doom for him, depending on his performance in the times ahead. He is yet to secure the UNP leadership which is far more vital than the post of Opposition Leader of Parliament. 

Now, Mr Premadasa is required to take his business in Parliament with due seriousness. He needs to have a thorough knowledge of the Standing Orders that govern the businesses of the House, Constitutional matters and legislative work.

If he proves himself as an active Opposition Leader in these aspects, he will be able to rebound from the electoral defeat and to forge ahead with new prospects. If that is the case, things will fall in his favour automatically within the party making it impossible for anyone to block party leadership for him. However, if he falls short of expectations in handling parliamentary affairs, it will cost dearly on his political career.


  • In his remarks on Monday, Ranil said he would introduce a new breed of leaders. He never indicated that he would appoint Mr Premadasa the leader 
  • The new position which is now held by Mr Premadasa can spell luck or doom for him

A formidable segment of the party reposed confidence in him that he would be able to revitalize the party at a grassroots level ahead of the Presidential Election enabling it to make electoral gains at the end. So, he was nominated the party’s presidential candidate. Hopes were dashed since he could not increase the core vote base of the party, let alone winning the Presidency. He missed the first chance in this manner. Now, he has been afforded the second chance – that is to perform as the Opposition Leader.

 

Performance is a must for him to make the next stride in his career as a people’s representative. Such a risk is there for him since he is not the party leader at the moment. Had he got the new post along with the party leadership, it would have been a different story. As long as it is no longer with him, only performance will determine his path for the future. 

The supporters of Mr Premadasa have stepped up efforts to clinch up the UNP leadership for him at the moment. But, it is unlikely that Mr Wickremesinghe will let go of it. For him, it is the most crucial post. As long as he is calling the shots in the party, he can groom someone of his choice as the next leader.

In his recent remarks the youth wing of the UNP on Monday, he said he would introduce a new breed of leaders. He never indicated that he would appoint Mr Premadasa the leader. So, he will not let go of it no matter what.

Also, his loyalists of the party such as MP Vajira Abeywardane try to drive home the point that Mr Wickremesinghe should remain the leader.

Govt getting down to business, challenges lie in the economic front With the issuance of the Gazette Notification announcing the subjects and the institutions coming under each ministry, the new government took a step further in settling down. Still, it looks difficult for the government to get down to business without a Parliament of choice.

The Government will try its best to conduct the snap Parliamentary Elections as early as possible. The President can dissolve Parliament only after March 1, 2020. If he dissolves it by that time, late April or early May will be the earliest possible period for the government to have the elections.

The government contemplated dissolution of Parliament before March 1 by adopting a resolution with two-thirds as required by the Constitution. But, plans went awry after a faction of the UNP and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) was opposed to the idea.

The UNP will have a hard time at the elections because of the infighting. Likewise, the SLFP will face political headwinds because Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) was not ready to compromise its lotus bud symbol despite an electoral pact stipulating that both the parties should contest under the chair symbol at the Parliamentary Elections.

SLPP considers the lotus bud as the most appealing symbol. So, it is not ready to opt for a different symbol at any cost. But, the SLFP has no choice under the current political circumstances other than agreeing to contest on SLPP ticket.

The General Elections will not be challenging for the SLPP as the Governing Party. Nevertheless, during the first year into office, the Government will have economic challenges. Already, it has introduced an economic stimulus package by reducing taxes.

The SLFP will be at the receiving end when contesting under the SLPP’s symbol. Former President Maithripala Sirisena is also planning to contest the elections from Polonnaruwa district.

The General Elections will not be challenging for the SLPP as the Governing Party. Nevertheless, during the first year into office, the Government will have economic challenges. Already, it has introduced an economic stimulus package by reducing taxes.

The Government seeks to boost economic development by doing so. But, it will face a shortfall in revenue to its coffers. The Government believes the expansion of the economic activities will enhance its revenue sources though the tax rates are lower than earlier.

The attraction of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is another key area the government is focused on. The government will succeed on the economic front if FDIs flow and economic growth expand only.