Sri Lanka's Sirisena exits, with reform promises unfulfilled

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has decided t to seek re-election next month after failing to fulfill many of promises of his first term. A record 35 candidates filed minations Monday for v. 16 election, with former defense chief Gotabaya Rajapaksa considered favorite.

Rajapaksa, who served as defense chief under his bror, former strongman President Mahinda Rajapaksa, is popular for his part in ending government's long civil war against ethnic mirity Tamil rebels a dece ago. He has been accused of condoning rape, torture and showy disappearances of critics, but is considered a hero among ethnic majority Sinhalese for his role in defeating Tamil Tiger rebels.

Sri Lankan President, Sirisena, who would have h difficulty beating Gotabaya Rajapaksa, did t pay a deposit by a Sunday deline, making him ineligible to file a mination. Rajapaksa represents a party that broke away from Sirisena's party and has loyalty of a majority of its members. end of Sirisena's presidency is marked by unfulfilled expectations of good governance, ethnic harmony, and ecomic progress.

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Sirisena's promises

Sirisena pledged to abolish a powerful executive presidential system within 100 days of coming to power, change constitution to allow power-sharing with mirity Tamils and investigate alleged abuses committed during final sts of fighting between government and Tamil rebels.

He also promised to take action against Rajapaksa family, whom he accused of corruption and abuse of power.
Sirisena's election in 2015 elevated Sri Lanka's status in international community, which h shunned country during Rajapaksa ministration over its human rights record.

His alliance with current Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, whose party Sirisena h worked against throughout his political career, was seen as a new kind of political culture and something that or countries could emulate. But Sirisena took over leership of his previous party, Sri Lanka Freedom Party, which Rajapaksa h led, against wishes of his partners.  As a result, many former members of Rajapaksa government accused of corruption who opposed policies of Sirisena-Wickremesinghe alliance joined Cabinet and began to have a bigger say in government.

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Inste of abolishing presidential system, Sirisena only diluted its powers. Under pressure from Rajapaksa camp, he anunced that he would t allow any government soldiers to be punished for alleged war abuses, despite having promised

U.N. Human Rights Council to investigate and prosecute suspects. His party delayed presenting its views on a new constitution to share power with Tamils, and process has w stagnated in Parliament. ministration also failed to punish members of Rajapaksa family for alleged wrongdoing.

In meantime, Rajapaksa formed a breakaway party and with his popularity from ending civil war won over a majority of Sirisena's supporters, weakening Sri Lanka Freedom Party. His relationship with Wickremesinghe also turned sour with a tussle for power and exploded last year when Sirisena sacked Wickremesinghe and appointed Mahinda Rajapaksa in his place, seemingly in hope of securing his support for reelection.

A court decision restored Wickremesinghe, and Rajapaksa has t given Sirisena expected support and inste fielded his bror as a presidential candidate.

Sirisena's failure to prevent suicide bomb attacks on Easter Sunday triggered public anger against him. suicide blasts, blamed on two local groups inspired by Islamic State group, killed more than 260 people at three churches and three hotels.
Sirisena's presidency, however, has probably been best for freedom of media and speech. Tre union and student activism have been at ir peak.

"We elected Maithripala Sirisena with so much hope, and w feel so cheated by him," said Nalaka Gunawardene, a media analyst.

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"He missed a historic chance to heal our divided society and inste deepened its polarization," he said. "He did end Rajapaksa era authoritarianism and restored our freedoms, but se alone cant redeem him."

Though Sirisena's political future looks bleak, he is holding talks with Rajapaksas in hope of gaining a political position in exchange for votes of his supporters. He told a recent public meeting that his focus is t on presidency, but on being a force in a powerful government.
35 candidates for presidency are most ever in Sri Lanka, after 22 candidates in 2010.

Rajapaksa said after filing his mination that he is confident of winning.

His main rival is Sajith Premasa from governing coalition. He is a son of former President Ranasinghe Premasa, who was assassinated in 1993 by Tamil Tiger rebels.

"We are extremely confident that vast majority of Sri Lankans of all ethnic backgrounds irrespective of cast and creed will support this monumental, path-breaking program that will make our country prosperous," Premasa said. "We shall embark on a democratic political program ensuring that rights of all citizens are protected."

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Also among candidates are two Buddhist monks, four people from predominantly Buddhist country's Muslim mirity and two Tamils. re is one female candidate.

It is likely that Muslim and Tamil candidates will attract protest votes against main parties, which are led by ethnic Sinhalese. Tamils are displeased that Sirisena's government failed to deliver on promised power-sharing arrangements and answers to families whose relatives went missing in civil war. Muslims are unhappy that government failed to stop persecution of Muslims after Easter Sunday bombings.