On conflict and consensus

by Gnana Moonesinghe

Often differences of opinion erupt into conflict. There is no society where differences of opinion leading to confrontation do not exist. This is no cause for despair as there are as many solutions as there are problems. But precautions must be taken to resolve them early and prevent their growing too difficult to resolve. Conflict situations have to be understood in all their different aspects comprehensively without fear or resentment.

People come together for a variety of reasons. One is to get together for the task of nation building. How is a nation built? The principles or basis on which a nation rests and our commitment to the concept of a nation. These are questions that require answers. An analysis of such issues may indicate clearly that certain rules and a regulatory mandate are the basis on which a nation is built; also the need for our commitment to work together.

In any country problems arise; the important feature in such a situation is to resolve them without letting them ferment and become unsolvable; at the least it should be possible to reach a consensual agreement. Otherwise the problem can grow and transform into a confrontational issue. To resolve problems as and when they arise, there must be in place a reference document to be followed; one with the rules and regulatory mandate to be followed.

In the case of a nation this document will be the constitution and the by laws that have been legislated as and when necessary for the country. While being armed with the constitution it is necessary to be flexible in order to accommodate and respect the views and opinions of those with contrary views and are in opposition so that at least a consensual agreement can be reached when all else fails.

In seeking resolution of problems it will be helpful if ideas and individuals expressing them are kept apart so that controversial opinions will be based on ideas and not on those expressing them. In the case of Sri Lanka the distinction between the abuse of the system by corruption and people so incriminated were not separated.

President Gotabaya was held responsible for the financial crisis; identified as the culprit and demands for his expulsion were vociferous. Since the protests became loud and clear, it became impossible for the President to continue in office . He was compelled to vacate his position but before that appointed a new prime minister, RW, to replace his brother, Mahinda, after two or three other leaders approached declined appointment. When GR eventually resigned, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was elected by parliament to serve Gotabaya’s balance term as required by the constitution.

The protest movement linked the economic crisis and the political turmoil together; hence the demand for the removal of the President, a system change and the formation of an all party administration.

With the passage of some weeks of protest, people with political agendas different from those of the original protesters entered the picture which became more prone to violence.

Some of those in the fray wanted President Gotabaya removed so that no room would be available for anybody from the Rajapaksa clan to enter the political system. Compromise was ruled out and a non violent stance became difficult if not impossible.

Based on the constitutional requirement for the election of the successor, a vote was taken in parliament and a new president was elected by 134 votes. RWpolled 182 while his two opponents received 53 and three votes respectively. Democratic election by peaceful means should have eliminated confrontation. However confrontation continued as this was the tool chosen by the dissenting groups to continue their protest.

For any agreement to be binding in the democratic process, it has to be offered in a spirit of cooperation. This was perhaps the shortcoming in Sri Lanka’s case as the spirit of cooperation did not exist. A spirit of triumph over the departure of the president from office was evident and this denied the spirit of cooperation to the process that followed.

A blame element persisted; such a stance can lead to violence, guilty consciousness and a feeling of alienation which detracts from the ability to resolve conflict. This is what happened in Sri Lanka. Although President Wickremesinghe was elected according to the constitution, there are sections of the nation who do not think he was entitled to the post. They remain alienated and angry outside the consensual agreement.

Although it is said that interplay of ideas produce solutions , in the Sri Lankan context this failed. Here the opposing parties want to place blame on the other side and have no desire to compromise and develop better understanding. It is a question of all or nothing. The opposition wants the new president out with no compromise, no attempt to reach a solution together and sort out the problem. An all party administration is sought but the dissenting groups will not join.

The president has gone to the IMF for assistance as a last resort and we are compelled to follow what they prescribe. The opposition groups are opposed to the electricity tariff hike which they say will drive the SMEs to the ground. In that case the SMEs must find an alternative method to survive.

In the same issue of the newspaper that reported this development, the World Food Program (WFP) states that over six million Lankans are not food secure. Even prior to this crisis, people suffered from food shortages. Why did not the WFP assist before the situation got this bad?

Situation gets more confusing with passage of time. Harsha de Silva announced recently that while he will not join the govt., his economic plan to revive the national economy can be used by President Wickremesinghe’s government. The question that arises is that if the success of the plan is assured, why not associate themselves with the plan.

Ideas are being thrown without responsibility. Harsha like many others want a general election. Since there is constitutional provision to continue the present government for another two years why not follow the procedure in place? Also it is clear that we cannot afford an election at the moment. We do not have the funds to finance an election says the Elections Commission. It must not be forgotten that elections will not alleviate the peoples’ hunger. Politicians’ hunger for power may be resolved if the people are willing to accommodate once again those without the concern of the people on their agenda.

Eran Wickremaratne says solutions are not possible based solely on the funds provided by multilateral agencies extending assistance. That we are faced with an economic crisis need not be reiterated by anyone. Wickremaratne says that under no circumstances should we agree to domestic debt restructuring. The IMF assistance is on the basis that we produce a debt restructuring plan.

We hired legal and financial experts to prepare a strategy to present to the Directors of the IMF Board. Once it is passed a four year plan for Sri Lankan economic revival will be formulated.

The stock exchange advanced under the new order though it declined more recently. There has been an increased flow of tourists to the country. Inflation is declining and petrol and diesel are available. Gas is freely available. Plans are being made to get fertilizer to the farmers. Once cultivation is underway food shortage would be a thing of the past. All experts in the country should in the interests of the nation join hands to work with the administration to find a lasting solution.