Hoping for a New Dawn in India-Lanka Ties

Newspaper Rainbow Series 30th November -0001 Save

Context: There is a need for proper checks and balances to restore civil liberties and to protect human rights while promulgating constitutional reforms in Sri Lanka.

Issues related to Sri Lankan politics:

Fractured opposition: It paved the way for the Rajapaksa brothers to pursue their ethno-nationalist political campaign.
Lack of respect for civil liberties and human rights which is leading to suppression of dissent in Sri Lanka.

Discrimination against the Tamil minority and the rise of Sinhalese nationalism has been fuelling the populist political culture in Sri Lanka.

Centralisation of authority: Due to the weakened checks and balances on power.
Aggressive campaign for unity: aimed at promulgating constitutional reforms and possibly a new Constitution.

Repealing of the 19th Constitutional Amendment.

Reinstating the Constitutional Council, which made the Council’s advice binding on the President regarding appointments to the independent commissions.
The President was barred from re-contesting after the completion of two elected five-year terms.

Strained relationship with India:

Mahinda Rajapaksa’s proximity to China at the cost of India.
In 2015, Mahinda Rajapaksa publicly attributed his defeat to the Indian intelligence agencies.

Conclusion: Recent elections in Sri Lanka must also pave the way for a better relationship between India and Sri Lanka.