Last week saw the first anniversary of President Ranil Wickremesinghe assuming office as the eighth Executive President of 
the country after the tumultuous political events in early 2022 that lead to then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation, but there were no celebrations to mark the occasion.
Busy with planning an official visit to India, President Wickremesinghe had given strict directions that there be no events to mark the milestone. It is an indication that the President is mindful that he assumed office not through a peoples’ mandate. It also reflects his modest style of governance.
Indeed, it was in preparation for this visit that New Delhi sent its Foreign Secretary, Vinay Mohan Kwatra to visit Colombo a few days prior. He spent time in Sri Lanka laying the groundwork for the President’s visit and stated he expected there to be a ‘positive transformation’ in Indo-Lanka ties.
In preparation for the visit to India, the President was keen to ascertain the views of Tamil political parties regarding the devolution of power with particular reference to the implementation of the 13th Amendment which at times has been a bone of contention between Sri Lanka and its giant neighbour.
Indo-Lanka Accord
President Wickremesinghe was a minister in the Cabinet of J. R. Jayewardene which introduced the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1987, following the Indo-Lanka Accord signed in July that year. In his political career he has been a consistent advocate for devolution of power to the periphery.
In comments he had publicly articulated after becoming President, President Wickremesinghe has clearly spelt out his stance. It is that, as the 13th Amendment, which involves devolution of power and authority over Police and land to the provinces, is in the Constitution it needs to be implemented.
The 13th Amendment came into sharp focus after the conclusion of the Eelam war and the military annihilation of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in May 2009. Then President Mahinda Rajapaksa was under significant international pressure at the time.
In response former President Rajapaksa spoke of the concept of ‘13 Plus’, hinting at the possibility of further enhancing the devolution of power even beyond what was envisaged in the 13th Amendment. However, this never eventuated and led to suspicions that Rajapaksa only used it as a stalling tactic.
Presidential promise
Tamil National Alliance parliamentarian M. A. Sumanthiran raised the issue of promises being made about the 13th Amendment previously by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa several times. This prompted the response from the President, “I am not Ranil Rajapaksa, I am Ranil Wickremesinghe”.
In this context, it is significant that in statements referring to the President’s visit to India and his official talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi there was no contentious demand on the 13th Amendment or regarding conducting provincial council polls, only identifying them as objectives.
“We hope Sri Lanka fulfills aspirations of Tamils, drives the process of rebuilding for equality, justice and peace, will fulfill its commitment to implement the 13th Amendment, conduct provincial council elections and ensure respect and dignity for the Tamil community,” Prime Minister Modi said.
This is likely to be due to two reasons. Firstly, having contributed US$ 4 billion in financial relief to Sri Lanka during the ongoing economic crisis, New Delhi is very aware that economic issues take priority at this time and that recovery from this situation in both ongoing and will be time consuming.
The emphasis has been on furthering the growing economic ties between India and Sri Lanka especially in the near future. It is understood New Delhi was very keen to pursue several avenues of economic co-operation and there were extensive discussions in this regard with the President.
The official statement released after the bilateral talks identified five areas of co-operation between the countries. These include working together in maritime activities, aviation, power and energy, bilateral trade and human resources. Officials in both capitals have been directed to pursue these.
Bilateral relations
Apart from improving bilateral relations with India, there were two other domestic issues, both with political significance that President Wickremesinghe will be busy dealing with upon his return: the ongoing crisis in the health sector and the reorganisation of the United National Party (UNP).
Issues of concern in the state health sector have been ongoing for some time. These include the shortage of essential medications, the large-scale migration of doctors including specialists and, in recent weeks, reports of deaths and other serious consequences following reactions to medications.
The shortage of medications was felt mostly during the height of the economic crisis in mid-2022. This was due to an acute shortage of foreign exchange required to purchase drugs. Doctors in the state sector were instrumental in seeking donations from overseas, so the state sector could function.
The foreign exchange crisis has eased now but the shortages of certain medications continue. Whether this is due to a lack of advance planning or whether there are other factors that are contributing is currently under investigation. The functioning of state hospitals continues to be affected as a result.
The migration of medical professionals is also the result of the economic chaos that prevailed in the country last year. Doctors, especially specialists, are leaving the country at an alarming rate and, out of a cadre of about 4500 specialists needed, only about 2700 are currently in service, officials say.
Medical concerns
What has caused alarm bells to ring in medical circles is the news that a significant percentage of newly graduating doctors have declined the offer of serving as intern medical officers. This is essential to practise in Sri Lanka. This trend suggests that these doctors wish to migrate immediately.
Compounding all these issues are reports of deaths following adverse reactions to medications. The accusation that is being levelled against health authorities is that medications imported by the state sector are of inferior standard and it is not being subjected to stringent quality control.
It has also been alleged that the National Medicines Regulatory Authority, the state agency that is tasked with ensuring the quality of medications in the country, has been functioning at less than optimal levels. Most of these criticisms have been levelled at Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.
This issue is now assuming political connotations. The Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB), the main opposition party in Parliament has submitted a motion of no confidence against Minister Rambukwella. Last week, there was also a debate in Parliament which discussed these issues.
Minister Rambukwella has maintained that all due processes are being followed with regard to the procurement of medical supplies including medications and that isolated adverse reactions are possible. He has appointed a panel of experts to inquire to one such death at Peradeniya Hospital.
In the meantime, these controversies have gathered momentum on social media and the opposition has indicated it would proceed with the motion of no confidence against Minister Rambukwella who has stated that he welcomes the move and is prepared to answer all allegations directed at him.
It is certain that President Wickremesinghe will be following these developments with interest. While continuing to retain Minister Rambukwella, the President will be aware that health sector concerns, especially when involving the lives of people are an emotive issue and require solutions soon.
Undisputed position
The other matter which will occupy President Wickremesinghe in the coming days is a quick reorganisation of the UNP which he leads. Preoccupied with addressing urgent matters in government, he has left these issues to the senior leadership of the party. They are likely to be resolved now.
Among the decisions that have been taken is to adopt a new Constitution for the UNP. President Wickremesinghe is of the view that this should be done in a manner which protects the party in the long term and does not result in even more divisions, as it happened with the SJB breaking away.
President Wickremesinghe is the undisputed leader of the UNP but he is also keen to ensure that there is a second-tier leadership and that a line of succession is ensured. A leadership council which allows a subsequent leader to emerge from among many aspiring hopefuls, is what is planned.
All this will keep President Ranil Wickremesinghe extremely busy in the weeks and months to come. Planning ahead with regard to the nation’s economy with an eye on the next Budget due in a few months as well as planning for the next election due next year will be highest on his list of priorities.
