The political crisis in Sri Lanka shows no signs of abating anytime soon; despite calls for snap elections. Rather, the Speaker of the Parliament has gone as far as to warn of a bloodbath if the impasse is not resolved at the earliest.
Certainly, when President Maithripala Sirisena unilaterally suspended Parliament and sacked a sitting thrice-elected Prime Minister — Ranil Wickremesinghe — he must have known that he was plunging the country into turmoil. Indeed, there has been talk of a constitutional coup; with protestors demanding that lawmakers decide the matter. This as it should be. And given that Sirisena accuses the latter of plotting to assassinate him — a criminal investigation should be opened towards this end.
Yet instead, Colombo now has a new premier imposed on it in the shape of Mahinda Rajapaksa. The latter, of course, is a familiar face to Sri Lankans; having served as President from 2005-2015. But for many, his decade-long rule is tainted with allegations of war crimes against Tamil separatists. This is to say nothing of the routine rounding up of journalists and civil society activists. Or of rumours of mass corruption; including kickbacks on mega project deals such as those negotiated with China and other countries. Interestingly, Beijing thus far stands alone in congratulating Rajapaksa on his sudden return to power.
The political ramifications of these recent events will likely not spill over to the broader region. Though, of course, other South Asian nations will be watching closely given that Sri Lanka is the neighbourhood’s oldest democracy. Then there is the question of possible Indian and Chinese manoeuvring. After all. Colombo is of geo-strategic importance to both in the great game for dominance of the Indian Ocean. That being said, the fact that Rajapaksa is back at the helm, at least for the time being, affords a certain advantage to New Delhi. For it was under his presidential tenure that the country became saddled with Chinese debt; resulting in the leasing of the Hambantota Port for a whopping 99 years.
It is hoped that the political leadership across the board undertakes all efforts to end the standoff; within constitutional parameters. This is the least that the Sri Lankan people, as the custodians of the country’s longstanding democracy, deserve.
