Editorial
Crisis deepens in Sri Lanka
A set-back to peace initiative
The mercury of Sri Lankan politics rises and dips without much pre-warning, as is the case with nations plagued by sectarian and centrifugal tensions. Days after Tamil Tigers offered to share power, something went fatally wrong in the island nation. President Kumaratunga exercised her prerogatives boding what looks like a constitutional coup on November 4 while the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister were on an official visit to Washington. The peace process has been in danger for some time due to an ongoing tug of war between a constitutionally powerful president and a prime minister hailing from a different political platform. But none expected the danger to come to roost at a time when the peace process evolved into something concrete under the Norwegian stewardship and cooperation from many others of the international community. Even funds were allocated for the reconstruction of an economy that had festered amid fratricidal warfare lingering since the mid 1970s, The sacking of the defence, interior and information ministers is indicative of the President's unease with the peace deal that had been diligently worked out with international partners. Obviously, she did not look kindly on the peace deal's 'consent' to accepting the minority Tamils' rights to run their own affairs, excepting national defence and foreign policy. The crisis has all the familiar ring of a constitutional instability, especially after the suspension of the parliament. It has been highlighted by Prime Minister Wickremesinghe's harsh criticism of the president's move from his 'involuntary exile' in Washington. Like the LTTE, Wickremesinghe too cautioned that the president's move will scuttle the peace deal. What seems evident is that the president had acted in desperation. If the parliament is not revived, the island nation will be thrown into a deeper constitutional crisis with the prospect of peace cast adrift into a newer gray area.
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