IN ONE OF THE FIRST MAJOR ELECTIONS OF THE COVID ERA, IT SEEMS LIKE THE PEOPLE OF SRI LANKA HAVE OPTED FOR A MORE AUTHORITATIVE & DOGMATIC GOVERNMENT. HERE'S HOW.
Sweeping away the polls by a massive majority, the Sri Lanka Podujana Party emerged as the frontrunner in the race to the golden seat. While the world was battling with the pandemic, the island nation held free & fair elections with a robust turnout of around 71%. Under the tutelage of President Gotbaya Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka remained unscathed from the coronavirus pandemic. Years of instability, an inconclusive ethnic-civil war between the Sinhalese & the Tamils, Islamic terrorism, a stagnant economy, firm handling of the pandemic and a new foreign policy perhaps gave impetus to Sri Lanka's authoritative tilt.
COMETH THE DICTATOR
The President's elder brother is now sworn in as Sri Lanka's new Prime Minister. And Mahinda Rajapaksa has minced no words regarding the constitutional amendments he would make to stabilize the nation. Infact, these changes were a part of his party manifesto.
Under his presidency, Gotbaya made several changes to cement his power. The 18th Amendment not only removed the two-term limit on the presidency but it also did away with the need for the president to seek approval from a Constitutional Council in appointments of superior judges, the attorney general, auditor general, and heads of independent commissions such as the election commission. Hence, he could choose the major players of these democratic institutions without any constraints.
The brothers will now reportedly turn their attention to amend Article 19A. It is a comparatively new article instated in 2015 to dilute the powers of the then powerful President. It is seen as a major obstacle by the Rajapaksas to exercise their powers freely in their own interests.
COMETH THE DIPLOMAT
Under the auspices of Gotbaya, Sri Lanka had apparently veneered towards China away from India & western powers like Britain & the United States. China has invested aggressively through its famed "debt trap diplomacy". Major ruckus was raised in India & the Pacific when leaks about leasing Hambantota (a port) to China for military purposes were discovered. However, due to international scrutiny, China backed down.
China has made major inroads in India's own backyard in countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal & now Sri Lanka enticing them with huge infra loans.
The Rajapaksa brothers will be wary of America's increasing hostility towards China & its allies. They would be better off if they are not in Washington's bad book.
Sri Lanka is a major ally in an increasingly vital as well as volatile Indo-Pacific. The Quad & China will be gearing up for confrontations in hotspots like the South China Sea & Strait of Malacca. In such a scenario, Sri Lanka can be a game-changer due to its close proximity.
CONCLUSION
Sri Lanka should stay away from global power plays & focus on its own domestic mess. The Rajapaksas are no political novices and have been at the higher echelons of power before with serving as prime Minister in 2005 & 2009. They would also be wise to thaw the ice with India. Even taking China's meteoric rise into perspective, India has the power to initiate regime change and also has the Tamil connection. The world shall witness how turbulent Sri Lanka's ascendancy to authoritarianism is.
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