By K.M.Ravindran, Prasar Bharati Special Correspondent, Colombo
Colombo 24 Nov 2005

With the formation of the cabinet, the Government of President Mahinda Rajapakse is fully in place and the process of power change in India's southern neighbour is complete.

The November 17th poll, to choose the fifth Executive President of Sri Lanka, could be termed a watermark in the Sri Lanka's political history. It heralded the beginning of new a political leadership with none from the illustrious Bhandaranaike family in the vanguard. It also signaled the end of Ms.Chandrika Kumaratunga Bandaranaike's charismatic presence as the President of the island nation for 11 years as the constitution doesn't allow the head of the state to seek a third term.

The polls, patented by the boycott call by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) than the sporadic violence in the East and the North, the incumbent Prime Minister and the nominee of the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse edged past the opposition stalwart and former Premier Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe by a slender margin. The boycott call by the Tamil outfit led to the lowest ever polling percentage in Wanni electoral districts of Vavuniya, Kilinochchi and Mannar besides Jaffna and Trincomalee. This, to a large extent, ensured the defeat, second raw, of Mr.Wickremasinghe who as the Prime Minister of the island nation had brokered the historic Cease Fire Agreement with the LTTE in February 2002. As the counting of the ballots, that began soon after the polling and continued non-stop overnight got over next morning Mr.Rajapakse, the lawyer turned politician from the south turned out to be the winner polling 50.29 % of the votes, just 0.29 % more than the mandatory requirement. That was his 60th birthday.

Two days after his swearing in Mr.Rajapakse appointed Mr. Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, a veteran SLFP leader as the Prime Minister. 73-year-old Wickremanayake, a 'soft speaking hardliner' was the Minister in charge of interior and Buddha Sasana besides being the deputy in the Defence Ministry that was held by the President herself in the previous Ministry.

In another two days, the Council of Ministers comprising 25 Cabinet Ministers was constituted by the new President.

The President seemed to be well on the course to break his on path as he successfully restricted the number of cabinet Ministers to 25 while there were 35 in Ms.Kumaratunga Ministry. Also sworn in were 25 non-cabinet Ministers and 30 Deputy Ministers.

The Priorities and immediate challenges

Soon after his inauguration, President Rajapakkse had declared that he would 'steer a macro-economic policy that ensures social justice' and widen the opportunities for individual development that could lead to 'building a new economy', which could take Sri Lanka to a strong position globally. On finding a solution to the decades long ethnic crisis, the new president said that he was committed to 'peruse the peace process to achieve 'honourable peace' that will 'respect the aspirations of all the communities'. He also expressed his readiness to engage the Liberation Tigers in discussing a 'political solution' once they are ready to return to the negotiation table 'which they unilaterally abandoned'.

On economic policies front Mr.Rajapakse, has been labeled as 'conservative' and 'traditional' as opposed to the 'liberal open economic policy' of Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe, his challenger in the Presidential poll. The hard-line, pro-left Sinhala party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the Jathika Hela Urumaya, a political entity of powerful Buddhist Bhikkus that supported Mr.Rajapakse in his Presidential bid are also known for their opposition to liberalization and open market. However the new President, who has more than three decades of parliamentary experience and claims to come from grass roots, is expected to know what is good for his larger constituency that is Sri Lanka.

Coming to the issue of peace, that has been almost a perennial unanswered question for the past two decades or more. Mr.Rajapakse is quite clear in his perception here. His approach could be summarized in three points. 1. No question of division of the country.2 The peace has to an honourable one, acceptable to all the sections of the 20 million Sri Lankan population.3. LTTE is not the sole stakeholder in the ethnic issue. Hence it was no surprise that the new Head of the State wants to review the Cease Fire Agreement, which according to its critics gave 'too much' to the LTTE.

Mr.Rajapakse, who is a known human rights activist in his country said after taking the oath that 'as the President of all the Communities - Sinhalese, Muslims, Tamils and others, the peace I envisage will ensure human rights of all' in the country.

Colombo-New Delhi ties

The bilateral ties between India and Sri Lanaka, which the slain foreign Minister Mr.Laxman Kadirgamar once termed as 'at an irreversible excellence' is expected to continue its onward journey during Rajapakse regime as well. The importance he attaches to New Delhi was unmistakably evident when he said at his inaugural address, which was delivered in astute Sinhala, that he in his efforts to achieve 'honourable peace' invites 'India that had always showered affection on our little island' and other international community including friendly Asian Countries...' At one of his campaign rallies Mr.Rajapakse said 'India is very important in Sri Lanka's peace efforts'.

President Dr.Abdul Kalam in his congratulatory message to his counterpart said 'Sri Lanka and India enjoy excellent bilateral relations in all spheres'. Dr.Kalam expressed the hope that under the leadership of President Rajapakse the two countries 'will be able to cement and strengthen it further'.

Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh besides sending his message of felicitation also telephoned to Sri Lanka's new leader. Dr.Singh told Mr.Rajapakse that he 'look forward to working together in further strengthening bilateral relations'. The Indian Premier added that he is looking forward to welcoming Mr.Rajapakse to India' at an early date'.

The UPA chairperson Ms.Sonia Gandhi echoed similar sentiments when she, in her message, said 'the two countries are tied through deep and special bonds'.

India's High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Ms.Nirupama Rao was the first diplomat to have called on the new President on the day he assumed office. During the talks, that lasted more than half hour, both discussed matters of mutual concern. Ms.Rao, on behalf of the Government and the people of India, conveyed to the President continued commitment to peace and prosperity of the island nation. Mr.Rajapakse responded by saying that he looks at India as a very valuable and great neighbour.

The 'special bonds' between the two neighbours ranges from the shared culture to shared history and to shared perception on global realities. If the successful Free Trade Agreement between the two countries, signed more than five years ago, stand out as a testimony of excellent model of bilateral economic cooperation, the stupendous efforts by India, the first country to have rushed in for relief and reconstruction works when the tsunami waves devastated the Island nation last December is seen as a great gesture by a great neighbour. It is hoped that 'showering of affection' as said by Mr.Rajapakse and sharing the common concerns would continue 'irreversibly' in the days to come.