Daily News Editorial

A show of strength and unity

12 September 2016

Saturday’s 70th Anniversary Convention of the United National Party (UNP) made history in more ways than one. Although the UNP is not the oldest political party in the country, it is one of the two formidable political forces that has ruled the country on and off for several decades. The UNP can look back with pride on some of its achievements during those seven decades, from the Accelerated Mahaweli Programme to the liberalisation of the economy.

The Convention created history by having as the chief guest the country’s President, who is also the leader of the UNP’s chief political rival the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). The very presence of the SLFP leader on a UNP Convention stage would have been unthinkable even a couple of years ago, when the idea of any union between the two major political forces was anathema to most people.

In fact, President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe must be given credit for changing this mindset and heralding in a totally new political culture from January 2015 onwards. Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga was also on the stage, augmenting the UNP-SLFP nexus of good governance.

Coincidentally, the SLFP itself held its 65th Anniversary Convention during the previous week, where the importance of political unity was stressed by most speakers. The President reiterated his commitment to this ideal at the UNP Convention, saying both major parties must work together to rebuild a fractured nation seeking lasting peace and reconciliation after a protracted conflict. Prime Minister Wickremesinghe endorsed these ideas, noting that it was vital to “forget our differences and ideologies to move forward as a country by adopting newer ideologies to fit the modern world”. He described the proposed new Constitution as a golden opportunity to create national unity and a truly Sri Lankan identity.

It is rather rare for leaders and politicians to atone for their mistakes and it takes a lot of courage to do so. While addressing the Convention, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe showed his calibre when apologised for any mistakes the party may have made during its many years of rule. This humble acknowledgement and apology on behalf of the party is worthy of emulation by other politicians who very easily forget that their role is to serve the public to whom they are accountable. The lack of accountability has been a hallmark of Sri Lankan politics for many decades and the Prime Minister through his actions has effaced this black mark to some extent.

Many critics have branded the UNP as a Western-oriented party that lacks a local touch. While the crowds that thronged Campbell Park from early morning proved that this allegation is wildly off the mark, it is from the resolutions passed at the Convention that one can actually gauge the present thinking in the UNP. This is significant because they also probably point the way to the UNP’s proposals for the new Constitution.

Among the resolutions was a pledge not to allow any foreign force to threaten the country’s independence or undermine, ridicule or exert pressure on the people’s sovereignty. This alone disproves the Joint Opposition’s claim that the UNP was going to “sell” the country to Western powers. A resolution calling for ensuring the foremost place to Buddhism while upholding the rights of the Hindus, the Muslims, the Christians and others to practice their faiths was also passed. This too is significant because the JO and several other parties had alleged that moves were underway to remove the foremost place given to Buddhism and make Sri Lanka a secular state through the next Constitution. With both major parties committed to retaining the status quo on Buddhism, the critics can rest assured that nothing contrary will happen.

The resolutions also pledged to uphold the independence of the judiciary, the rights of citizens to hold their views and the right to express their opinions. These rights have already been ensured through the 19th Amendment and other corrective measures and they are likely to be strengthened in the future. Another resolution called for improving the economic conditions of the Northern people who had suffered as a result of the 30-year-old war. The Government is already engaged in this task.

Even if the two major political parties go their separate ways after 2020 as sometimes speculated, the current five-year period of the National Unity Government will go down in history as a golden era in local politics. It has shown the world (some countries are reported to be studying this model of cohabitation) that even the bitterest political rivals can get together and work for the betterment of the country. Ethnic divisions led us on a path of destruction and political divisions should not be allowed to take us on a similar path. Ethnic and political unity is essential as the Nation heals its wounds of conflict - the UNP-SLFP Conventions have shown us that this is the only way forward.