The government’s decision to temporarily default on sovereign debt repayments, akin to a declaration of bankruptcy, will deal another major blow to the country’s economy and credibility.  It comes at a time when mass protests are spontaneously taking place in all parts of the country on account of the economic hardships that the people are being put through.  The resignation of the cabinet nearly two weeks ago and the failure to appoint a new one is indicative of government paralysis which is injurious to the country.

The mass protests have continued non-stop, and continued even on New Year days traditionally devoted to the family and to religious observances.  They are a popular expression of the withdrawal of the people’s mandate from the government. The slogans both written and articulated in all demonstration sites in Colombo and elsewhere convey that the President and government have lost their mandate to govern and need to resign.  This sentiment has generated a mass movement coming together irrespective of their religious and ethnic backgrounds. 

The National Peace Council believes it is the responsibility of the president and parliamentarians who function under the provisions of our Constitution to find modalities to come together to pull the country out of the plight we are in. The focus of the mass protests has been the corruption and lack of accountability within the government.  We call on the government leadership in particular to heed the will of the people which is getting stronger by the day and restore their credibility and dignity.  We endorse the spirit of the demands currently being articulated. 

Accordingly, we call on the government to repeal the 20th Amendment that concentrates powers in the presidency and erodes the independence of state institutions that ensure accountability and transparency.  A downsized presidency and an interim government with a new prime minister acceptable to both the government and opposition is the most urgent necessity.  Such an interim government with new faces could also appeal to the international community for the necessary bridging finance to enable the economy to get restarted. Immediate attention should be given to supply fuel, cooking gas, electricity, medicines and essential goods to the general public.

National Peace Council of Sri Lanka

A meeting between pro-government lawyers and the Hon. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was held at Temple Trees this morning (18).

Discussions were held on resolving the problems that have arisen in the country so far and the prejudice caused to the country due to the ongoing struggles against the government.

The lawyers pointed out that the removal of the President was unconstitutional and it appears that without a clear understanding of the Constitution the struggles were being led by an organized group based on the problems currently faced by the people.

During the struggles of 1988-89, the protest against the assassination of the then President J. R Jayewardene ended in great devastation to the country.

The lawyers also mentioned that the struggle being waged against the President, the Prime Minister and the government by the youth without any understanding of the past and the existing laws and which is being carried out all over the country could lead to another catastrophe in the country.

The lawyers said that ordinary people do not seem to be giving money to facilitate the current struggles and that there are suspicions that some organization is spending money in an organized manner to destabilize the country.

The lawyers also pointed out that the Sri Lankan media should not knowingly or unknowingly support the struggle to destabilize the country in various ways and that the media should act responsibly in such a situation.

The lawyers said that it was timely to audit the assets of the people’s representatives and that it should start with the state institutions and government officials. They said that the corruptions of state institutions and officials are now being loaded on the shoulders of politicians since the government officials do not change although the peoples’ representatives are changing time to time. 

Lawyers further pointed out that organized gangs are using the people to embarrass the government and remove the President and the Prime Minister to achieve their narrow goals, so it is imperative that the President and the Prime Minister act with courage in fulfilling the needs of the people with a clear understanding of this crisis. 

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa stated that the government is working to resolve the crisis in the country and that the people should be aware of the political conspiracies being carried out by other organizations using the people.

A group of lawyers including President’s Counsels W. Dayaratne and Rashik Shahrukh were present at the event.

Three more Ruling Party members have been sworn in as state ministers.

Diana Gamage – State Minister of Transport
Seetha Arambepola – State Minister of Education and Technology
Vijitha Berugoda – State Minister of Ports and Naval Affairs

Accordingly, the number of state ministers sworn in before President Rajapaksa today (18) has increased to 24.

MIAP

Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith speaking to a briefing held in Colombo today (18) disapproved of the new Cabinet appointed by President Rajapaksa today by calling it a mere deception and to be serving no people’s hopes.

The Cardinal also disclosed that there were information on thugs and armed forces plotting to dissolve the protesters which would be an unacceptable and immoral response. Instead of engaging in such stupidity, the sovereignty of the people should be respected and the law should move towards a new system that is above political authority, he emphasised.

The Cardinal further noted that the rulers who deceive the public by not acting in a manner that assures the sovereignty of the people should be stepping down.

MIAP

The swearing in of new state ministers has commenced at the President’s House.

These state ministries are being appointed in relevance to the Cabinet of Ministers appointed this (18) morning.

Nevertheless, the public protest demanding the President, the Prime Minister and the government to step down are continuing for the 10th consecutive day.