The NPP’s Dilemma: Arresting Politics and Unarresting Progress
by Rajan Philips The 22nd Amendment has given the government’s critics a convenient cudgel to beat up the government. But there has been no crushing blow by any effective opponent. Too many people have been taking too many turns and striking too many blows, but no one has landed anything to shake the government in […]
The dilemma faced by the NPP revolves around the tension between maintaining political power and pursuing genuine progress. Critics have two main arguments against the government. First, they point to the historical divide between the old JVP and the current NPP government, arguing that the 22nd Amendment enables the NPP to dismantle parliamentary democracy. However, this claim is hypocritical, as the chief accuser, GL Pieris, previously supported the 18th Amendment which aimed to extend Mahinda Rajapaksa's rule.
The second attack on the government revolves around the JVP-NPP cohabitation in the Yahapalanaya diarchy, led by Sirisena and Wickremesinghe. Some question whether Malimawa will become the second Yahapalanaya, but this comparison is absurd. The real issue lies in the perception that voters gave an "overwhelming mandate to Malimawa" after the disastrous Gotabaya presidency. However, most of these voters were former Pohottuwa supporters who switched allegiance to Malimawa.
A more pressing issue is the government's handling of Namal Rajapaksa, who has become a symbol of the NPP's "arresting politics." Despite his arrest in connection with the Airbus purchase scandal, Namal Rajapaksa claims the timing of his arrest is designed to derail his political rally scheduled for September 12 in Anuradhapura. The government's response to Ranil Wickremesinghe's comment about forex reserves in 2028 further highlights the NPP's concern about the economic performance of the government.
Ultimately, the real question remains whether the government's focus on political rallies and rhetoric overshadow its responsibility to address real economic issues and corruption.
Written by urgent.news from The Island Sri Lanka's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
