By Shamindra Ferdinando

Dissident SLPP MP Prof. G. L. Peiris has alleged that President Ranil Wickremesinghe is making a last ditch attempt to consolidate political power without facing elections.

The President’s recent attack on the judiciary, in Parliament, over the Supreme Court determination on the Gender Equality Bill, highlighted an extremely dangerous and volatile situation that should be addressed by those interested in preserving our cherished democracy, the retired top law academic said.

Addressing the regular Nidahasa Janatha Sabhawa press conference on Monday (24) Prof. Peiris said that President Wickremesinghe was working overtime to advance his agenda, contrary to the Constitution. The President seemed to have reacted to the Supreme Court determination, believing that the independent judiciary posed quite a serious threat to his agenda, hence the blistering attack on it.

The former External Affairs attacked the President over his continuing efforts to somehow postpone the Presidential Poll. The President targeted the judiciary as he knew the Supreme Court is constitutionally empowered to thwart his despicable bid, Prof. Peiris said, emphasizing the pivotal importance of the entire country taking a strong stand in support of the judiciary.

Presidential election is scheduled to be conducted in Sept/Oct this year. Prof. Peiris alleged that in line with the overall political strategy, adopted by the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government, the Parliament last week approved a contentious proposal to allow President Wickremesinghe to spend as much as Rs 8,750 mn over the next three months, ahead of the elections. A vote wasn’t taken on the proposal.

The internationally renowned law academic questioned the very basis of the Parliament’s approval for such a vast sum of money, obviously for politically motivated projects. The required funding could be even obtained through loans, Prof. Peiris said, alleging that the government was engaged in a massive effort not to win, but to buy over the electorate.

A group of MPs, led by Prof. Peiris, recently switched its allegiance to the main Opposition SJB.

Prof. Peiris explained how the government exploited the situation, both in and outside Parliament, to its advantage, regardless of the consequences. The enactment of new laws has become a key part of the government’s political strategy, hence the SC determination on certain Bills angered the government, Prof. Peiris said. But President Wickremesinghe’s attack on the Supreme Court should be examined against the backdrop of the SC taking a stand contrary to that of the UNP leader’s increasingly dictatorial approach.

The former Minister alleged that Wickremesinghe would make an attempt to secure a 2/3 majority in Parliament, through bribery, and make a case for postponement of the Presidential Poll. The stepped-up attack on the judiciary and the Supreme Court, in particular, was an attempt to soften up the vital organ that could stand in his way, he declared.

The academic emphasized that the Parliament couldn’t disregard the SC determinations under any circumstances. The top Opposition spokesman urged all political parties, regardless of differences of opinion, to take a common stand on the disgraceful bid to influence the judiciary. “Like all other sectors, the government is trying to politicize the legal process.”

Prof. Peiris questioned the proposal for the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to review the SC determinations, a move that undermined the very basis of democracy. “SC judges are being harassed and pressurized to toe their line. An attempt to grant an extension to Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam, PC, threatens to destroy the entire judicial setup,” Prof. Peiris said, appreciating the brave stand taken by the Bar Association in that regard.