During the last few years (2015-2019), Sri Lanka political instability was obvious and the Government went in to a struggle to secure its ruling power rather than addressing the issues and need of the people. It influenced the country’s well-being with a rapid reduction of economic growth and moved towards political uncertainty.
Such political uncertainty created many negative impacts on economic, social and national security of the country while some positive impacts on improving reconciliation and international relations.
The latest political crisis developed in Sri Lanka at the beginning of 2018. But, the trends of political uncertainty was created in 2015 due to the establishment of coalition Government with a team of opposition headed by the president.
Coalition Government has been kept more attention on solving internal pressures such as UNHR and finding of ways to punish the politicians and the officers who involved in corruption and miss used of powers during the last regime.
Sri Lanka is an island country of 65610 sq. km situated in the center of Indian Ocean. The Population reached to 21.4 million in 2017 and Sinhala, Tamil and Muslims are the major ethnic groups living in the country while another 16 minority groups spread out all over the country. Besides of the few incidents among religious groups which, are not organized by any extremist, there is no any riots between any communities since 2010.
More than three decades, there was a civil war with world recognized terrorism group and ended in 2009 having huge loss of human and physical resources to the nation. Soon after the completion of the war, national and international pressure was created and pushed the Government for the implementation of reconciliation and building up a long term mechanism for promoting peace and harmony.
In 2015, Maithripala Sirisena was elected as the new executive president and new parliament election was conducted in the same year. Civil societies, Minor political groups and number of regional and national level political parties came to an agreements for defeating the previous ruling party. But they were unable to get majority seats. United National Front only won 106 seats out of 225.
First challenge for the Government was to find the majority in the parliament because United National Party (UNP) couldn’t secure single majority over 113 seats. Therefore, for the first time of Sri Lankan political history they had decided to establish a National Government. Team of the second largest party (United Freedom People’s Alliance) joined with UNP and formed a coalition Government with the support of the President.
Political uncertainty emerged due to establishment of this new Government and appointment of cabinet because parties having difference political and economic objectives and policies within the coalition. Finally, Government was able to address the issues of reducing powers of executive presidency and establishment of independent commissions such as Election, Public Service, Police, Human Rights, etc. but economic growth of the country slowdown and reached to 3.2 in 2018.
Even though, the GDP growth decreased ensuring the reconciliation and good governance for the betterment of the public shows much interest. Previous Government in the parliament during 2005 to 2010 was much powerful and many minority parties joined with major parties and contested. United People’s Alliance (UPFA) was able to win the election with majority ensuring 144 seats. Also their voter’s percentage increase up to 60%.
Economic Growth rate was significant during the period of 2010 to 2016 showing more than 5% annually. Meanwhile the Government was able to complete many mega development projects and infrastructure development projects even in North and East provinces where resettlement was taken place after the ending of war. But many incidents were reported and criticized the government on violation of human rights and misconduct of public fund and resources.
Political conflicts within the ruling parties of new Government developed day by day and the internal arguments and open criticisms were highlighted. It came to at the maximum level in 2018 and coalition government was declared to be dissolved.
In May 2018, a team of members (UPFA) quitted from the Government. Government tried their best to reshuffle the Ministries with available members having advices from the president. Continuous arguments and conflicts between both ruling parties was ended in October 2018, by dissolving the government and the appointment of new prime minister and a cabinet by the President. Next, he was failed to secure the new government and finally dissolved the parliament after few days and appointed a temporary cabinet.
The action taken by the president was argued by the scholars and legal experts and filled the cases in front of the Supreme Court. Constitution of Sri Lanka was passed in 1978 and it was amended for 19th occasions. Last amendment was done in faith of reducing President’s powers and forming up independent commissions in terms of minimizing arbitrary powers of appointment of public officers and conducting investigations against allegations and violation of rights etc.
Those amendments made to the constitution seem to be inadequate or complicated. Reducing executive power of the president also put on the table and arguments had been developed in both sides. It was identified as a serious constitutional crisis in the country. Finally, Supreme Court decided and declared the actions of the president as violation of the constitution.
Again, the previous Prime Minister and the cabinet were reinstated immediately. During the couple of months, most of the capital projects (Local and foreign funded) were suspended or delayed. Rate of foreign currency rupees against USD were risen and Tourism sector significantly declined with foreign investment.
Some of the cross cutting issues during the period of political instability and the constitutional crisis affected the economy and the social cohesion of the country. National security was totally neglected. Also drug and underworld activities were risen with national and international connections. Bargaining power of the political parties are considered as much influence factor. It is developing in the country through the minor ethnic and religious groups. Co-existence cannot be promoted while organizing minority groups as separate entities. The Govenment did not introduce such policies and practices because an instable Government is totally depend on minor parties to secure its power.
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