INTRODUCTION
Starting from the 1950s, the party system was dominated by the
social democratic Sri Lanka Freedom Party and the liberal conservative United
National Party for decades. Recently, however, the influence of the two parties
has diminished significantly. Both are dominated by Sinhalese politicians and
appeal to Sinhalese sentiment.
BACKGROUND
Sri Lanka has traditionally operated
under a two party system. Power has traditionally shifted between the two main
political parties. the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the United National
Party (UNP). Both
embrace democratic values, international nonalignment, and encouragement of
Sinhalese culture. Past differences between the two on foreign and economic
policy have narrowed. The UNP ruled first from 1948-56 under three Prime
Ministers--D.S. Senanayake, his son Dudley, and Sir John Kotelawala. The SLFP ruled from 1956-65, with a
short hiatus in 1960, first under S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike and then, after his
assassination in 1959, under his widow, Sirimavo, the world's first female
chief executive in modern times. Dudley Senanayake and the UNP returned to
power in 1965.
ELECTION PROCEDURE OF BHUTAN
The
1978 Constitution introduced a radical departure to the previously existing
electoral system and electoral districts. The previous system was based on
constituencies with individual candidates nominated by recognized political
parties or independent candidates. The candidate obtaining the highest number
of votes in respect of the constituency was declared elected. This system,
commonly described as the First-past-the-post (FPP) system, was changed in to a
system of Proportional Representation in respect of 22 electoral districts.
The allotment
of the number of members to be returned from each electoral district is made by
the Commissioner of Elections in terms of Article 98 (8) of the Constitution.
In all, 196 Members of Parliament are returned on the basis of the voting in
the respective electoral districts. The 15th Amendment to the Constitution
introduced Article 99A, which provides for 29 members to be declared elected on
the basis of the total number of votes polled by the respective political
parties or independent groups at the national level (the National List). Thus,
we have a proportional system at the district level and a proportional system
at the national level based on the same poll.
POLITICAL PARTIES
SRI
LANKA FREEDOM PARTY (SLFP)
The
Sri Lanka Freedom Party is one of the
major and most well known political parties in Sri Lanka. It was founded by
S.W.R.D Bandaranaike in 1951 and, since then, has been one of the two largest
parties in the Sri Lankan political arena.
It first came to power in 1956 and since then has been the predominant party in government on a number of occasions. The party is generally considered as having a democratic socialist or progressive economic agenda and is often associated with nationalist Sinhalese parties.
UNITED
NATIONALIST PARTY (UNP)
The
United National Party (UNP) was the main party of the independence movement.
its widely respected leader, D. S. Senanayake, became Ceylon’s first prime
minister after independence.
The
UNP has served as the country's ruling party, or as part of its governing
coalition, for 38 of the country's 74 years of independence, including the
periods 1947–1956, 1965–1970, 1977–1994, 2001–2004 and 2015–2019.
The Sri Lanka People's Front commonly known by its Sinhalese name Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), is a political party in Sri Lanka.
Previously
a minor political party known as the Sri Lanka National Front (SLNF) and Our
Sri Lanka Freedom Front (OSLFF), it was relaunched in 2016 as the SLPP and
became the home for members of the United People's Freedom Alliance loyal to
its former leader Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The SLPP split from the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), a centre-left, Sinhalese nationalist, and post-colonial party, which political scientist Jayadeva Uyangoda described as "a progressive, social democratic, centre-left political party, that made tremendous contribution to social change and democracy". The SLPP borrowed the elements of nationalism from the SLFP but not its economic outlook. The party is opposed to federalism in Sri Lanka.
CURRENT
POLITICAL STATUS
On 9
May 2022, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa submitted his letter of resignation
amidst mass anti-government protests. Sri Lanka's economic crisis is primarily
the result of internal factors, including mismanagement and corruption. In
early 2022, Sri Lankans faced power cuts and shortages of basics like fuel.
The following year, elections were postponed indefinitely. Rajapaksa’s successor, Ranil Wickremesinghe, warned parliament that holding an election during the economic crisis could be disastrous.
ROLE OF POLITICAL PARTIES
In Sri Lanka, political parties play a central role in the country's
governance and public life. They compete for power through elections, forming
governments and shaping policy.
1. Electoral Competition and Governance:
Political parties are the primary actors in Sri Lankan elections, vying
for votes and seats in parliament. The party that wins a majority of seats
typically forms the government, while the opposition plays a crucial role in
scrutinizing the government and advocating for alternative policies. The
two-party system, historically dominated by the UNP and SLFP, has seen a shift
with the rise of new parties and alliances.
2. Policy Formulation and Implementation:
Political parties are instrumental in shaping the country's policies
across various sectors, including economic development, social welfare, and
national security. The ideologies and priorities of the ruling party
significantly influence the direction of government policies. Smaller parties
and coalitions can also influence policy-making by forming alliances or
advocating for specific issues.
3. Representation and Mobilization:
Political parties represent the interests of different segments of
society, including ethnic and religious groups, social classes, and geographic
regions. They mobilize support through public rallies, media campaigns, and
grassroots organizing, engaging citizens in the political process. Parties also
play a role in shaping public opinion and discourse on key political and social
issues.
4. Challenges and Transformations:
Sri Lanka's political landscape has been marked by challenges such as
ethnic conflict, social unrest, and political violence. Political parties have
faced criticism for their role in exacerbating these challenges or failing to
address them effectively.
The rise of new political formations and the changing dynamics of party
politics reflect a broader transformation in Sri Lankan society.
CONCLUSION
Regressive
government policies and inadequate social protection left many Sri Lankans at
risk from the worst effects of the country’s economic crisis.
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