The victory for the PM and the government in defeating the No Confidence Motion is not about juggling ministerial portfolios. It is about reaffirming their commitment to the agenda presented at the 2015 elections.  Power politics should be put on the back burner as being a non-issue. Let the conversation be about corruption then and now and how to get at the culprits not as political vendetta but as cleansing of the Augean stables , a preventive/ curative measure.  Instead of this what is happening? Lots of political dialogue around the fate of the Ministers who voted for the no confidence motion. In some convoluted way the fate of the Ministers, the SLFP and UNP coalition in the unity government all seems to be tied up. It is not about the country and the people but it is all about the SLFPs central position in the coalition government. It is becoming like child play where kids say if things don’t work their way – right or wrong- they will not join in the fun and games.
When will politicians make people the focal point of their career?

There is a crying need to instill integrity and accountability in the makeup of our decision makers. No longer is it tenable to think in terms of me and my interests or me and my political party. All players should be in for the greater good of the people and to make decisive economic track for the development of the country that could be transferred to benefit the people to improve their wellbeing. Strategies must be need based and not be externalized. Increasing cabinet ministers or shuffling with different combo in name boards for ministers is a futile exercise. The way forward would be to Invigorate the economy by inviting investments for productive enterprises that would contribute to GDP growth, to trade, internal and external, increase employment and put liquid cash in people’s hands. This will help the nation to exploit free trade agreements and of the much touted GSP agreement.

Cognizance must be made of the recent violence, its implications for domestic small scale enterprises, for creating investment friendly climate,for tourism and for sustaining friendly relations with Muslim countries. It cannot be dismissed as fractional incidents which it certainly was not. It was a fermenting issue that spluttered in the open consequent to a road rage incident, the immediate provocation. Behind it all remains attempts to create divisions among the communities, through hate speech, and propaganda of population explosion within the Muslim minority that will affect adversely the majority community.  The No c Confidence Motion vote endorsed the coming together of the majority and minority communities to ensure the continuance of the elected government. To that extent an exercise in the nation building process was achieved. It is claimed that an understanding between the UNP and the TNA  is the forerunner to the minorities voting in the government’s favour.  Naturally a minority or any one for that matter will ensure that there is a quid pro quo to follow from their support. If peace, co habitation, human rights and well-being can be ensured what could be wrong in supporting a government favourable to strengthening a united nation?

The government post no confidence motion victory should expend its energy in creating trust and confidence in the plural society that is Sri Lanka. Anti-hate speech legislation must be introduced to make a statement that government will no longer permit communal disturbances provoked by hate speech for narrow sectarian advantage.  The government must also make a consistent stand on individuals and groups who time and again provoke communal unrest. They and their band wagon of supporters must be investigated for the source of their strength including financial resources. This may be one way of preventing future communal unrest, death and destruction of property.

The minorities too wage a not so subtle divisive campaign. It must be charitably looked upon as an end result of frustration of a quest that leads to nowhere. If there is hope to be retrieved from actions taken or promised, at least the people at large if not the leaders can be brought into the fold. For this one’s dignity must be ensured as being an integral part of the Lankan citizens by inherent right and not by favour.

Media freedom another residual from the casualty during the former regime has been released to a large extent from its captivity. The Right to Information Act has been hailed as a path maker yet there are complaints that information is not always easy to get. This can be a teething problem and can be set right in time. The movement is in the right direction.

The newly resuscitated government cannot as said earlier remain stagnant. The 19th Amendment cannot be the end of the story. Those who agreed to terminate the post of Executive President must live up to their promises.

The members of the government must be made aware of the theory and practice of the concepts behind a coalition government.  That there is a give and take in each partners’ identity and postures have to be understood. The common agenda agreed upon is sacrosanct and need be followed without breaking it midstream.  Individual political party interests must be sacrificed in favour of the common agenda for the betterment of the people and the country.

Politicians must be made to understand that they survive as long as they remain principled followers of the common mandate agreed upon. There can be no two power points for referral of decisions. Contradictions cannot be permitted to take root. How is this possible may one ask with justification. This will be possible if politicians are thrown up from the bottom levels evaluated for their performance and not for their privileged links to the ruling elite families or powers that be. Politics has to be viewed as a learning process, the track to be marked from the local unit and upwards. It should not as it happens here be of persons planted at the top with no experience or even theory. The bottom up process will throw in tested men and women with experience, practical knowhow. This process of performance evaluation has been lacking in our political system Hence we are condemned to have old men and their family members to run the country.  Consequently the disaster levels of mishap remains high.

The unity government has been shaken to its core, the victory must be relished regardless of minor hi coughs. But soon enough reality must be faced and the people’s agenda be implemented. Time is running short and politicians have to get activated. Their performance that will sustain them is watched by eyes within the government and by the opponents. The need to count in reconciliation in the south and the rest of the country remains a priority.  Let us hope there is some residual wisdom amongst those who engineered the crafting of the government. The same spirit must remain to see through the implementation of at least the main points in the agenda of 2015.