Hoping for a New Dawn in India-Lanka Ties

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.