Topic Of The Day:-“End Sri Lanka’s Crisis”
Rajapaksa’s resignation is the first step, but the President must reinstate Wickremesinghe
Mahinda Rajapaksa’s decision to resign as Prime Minister, an office to which he was controversiallyinstalled by President Maithripala Sirisena, is the first sign that the dragging constitutional crisis in Sri Lanka is heading slowly towards a resolution. He had also played a part in the unfolding of the crisis set off by Mr. Sirisena, who made ill-advised moves by invoking his executive powers repeatedly for political and partisan ends. The two leaders had come together against common rival Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was removed as Prime Minister unceremoniously on October 26 to make way for Mr. Rajapaksa. However, they saw little success either in Parliament or before the courts. Despite Mr. Rajapaksa failing to prove his majority in several motions in the House, he had steadfastly remained in office, seeking fresh elections instead of stepping down. Sri Lanka’s politics and economy have been caught in a downward spiral due to a constitutional crisis since Mr. Sirisena appointed Mr. Rajapaksa as Prime Minister. However, Mr. Rajapaksa was unable, or unwilling, to demonstrate the extent of his support in Parliament. At one point the President prorogued Parliament, and later dissolved it. However, the Supreme Court restored the legislature in an interim order. Thereafter, in a series of votes, a majority of the 225-strong House has been voting against Mr. Rajapaksa.
Mr. Rajapaksa’s resignation offer has come at a time when several parliamentarians moved the country’s Court of Appeal seeking a writ of quo warranto for Mr. Rajapaksa’s removal. In an interim order, the courtrestrained him from functioning as Prime Minister. The absence of clarity on whether there was a legitimate government in office placed other countries and multilateral financial institutions in a quandary as to who they should deal with. Mr. Rajapaksa’s resignation may pave the way for the installation of a government that enjoys a majority in Parliament. Meanwhile, the President’s credibility has taken yet another beating after the Supreme Court ruled categorically that his dissolution of Parliament on November 9 was illegal and void. The court has rejected his claim that he had an unfettered right to dissolve Parliament at any time, notwithstanding provisions in the Constitution that barred such action for the first four and a half years of the legislature’s term. The court dismissed his camp’s attempt to stretch and twist the meaning of some constitutional provisions in order to justify his bizarre actions. Although Mr. Sirisena has been obstinately sticking to his position that he will not appoint Mr. Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister “even if all 225 members” were with him, there are indications he may be forced to alter his stand. Nothing short of respecting the current composition of Parliament and reinstating Mr. Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister will solve the current imbroglio.
MEANINGS AND WORDS
1) controversially
Meaning : in a way that gives rise to controversy or public disagreement.
Synonyms : disputed
Antonyms : certain
Example : “the horse was controversially disqualified from first place”
2) invoking
Meaning : cite or appeal to (someone or something) as an authority for an action or in support of an argument.
Synonyms : conjure
Antonyms : answer
Example : “the antiquated defence of insanity is rarely invoked in England”
3) executive
Meaning : relating to or having the power to put plans or actions into effect.
Synonyms : director
Antonyms : attendant
Example : “an executive chairman”
4) rival
Meaning : a person or thing competing with another for the same objective or for superiority in the same field of activity.
Synonyms : competing
Antonyms : assisting
Example : “he has no serious rival for the job”
5) Despite
Meaning : contemptuous treatment or behaviour; outrage.
Synonyms : against
Example : “the despite done by him to the holy relics”
6) demonstrate
Meaning : clearly show the existence or truth of (something) by giving proof or evidence.
Synonyms : determine
Antonyms : conceal
Example : “their shameful silence demonstrates their ineptitude”
7) prorogued
Meaning : discontinue a session of (a parliament or other legislative assembly) without dissolving it.
Synonyms : delayed
Example : “James prorogued this Parliament, never to call another one”
8) dissolved
Meaning : (with reference to a solid) become or cause to become incorporated into a liquid so as to form a solution.
Synonyms : soften
Antonyms : appear
Example : “glucose dissolves easily in water”
9) interim
Meaning : the intervening time.
Synonyms : provisional
Antonyms : finished
Example : “in the interim I’ll just keep my fingers crossed”
10) restrained
Meaning : characterized by reserve or moderation; unemotional or dispassionate.
Synonyms : discreet
Antonyms : communicative
Example : “his restrained, gentlemanly voice”
11) pave
Meaning : cover (a piece of ground) with flat stones or bricks; lay paving over.
Synonyms : cobblestone
Antonyms : strip
Example : “the yard at the front was paved with flagstones”
12) dissolution
Meaning : the action of formally ending or dismissing an assembly, partnership, or official body.
Synonyms : divorce
Antonyms : connection
Example : “the dissolution of their marriage”
13) unfettered
Meaning : not confined or restricted.
Synonyms : divorce
Antonyms : connection
Example : “his imagination is unfettered by the laws of logic”
14) stretch
Meaning : (of something soft or elastic) be made or be capable of being made longer or wider without tearing or breaking.
Synonyms : extend
Antonyms : contract
Example : “my jumper stretched in the wash”
15) obstinately
Meaning : stubbornly refusing to change one’s opinion or chosen course of action, despite attempts to persuade one to do so.
Synonyms : adamant
Antonyms : amenable
Example : “her obstinate determination to pursue a career in radio”
16) indications
Meaning : a sign or piece of information that indicates something.
Synonyms : expression
Antonyms : misinformation
Example : “the visit was an indication of the improvement in relations between the countries”
17) reinstating
Meaning : restore (someone or something) to their former position or state.
Synonyms : renew
Antonyms : destroy
Example : “the union threatened strike action if Owen was not reinstated”
