THE HINDU Editorial Vocabulary- February 19, 2018 - Topic 1

Alliance divided: on Sri Lankan politics

Sri Lanka is in the throes of a political crisis after the two main parties in the ruling coalition suffered a dramatic defeat in the recent local government elections. Fissures between the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, led by President Maithripala Sirisena, and the United National Party, led by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, have deepened. 

The fragile ‘national unity’ government they run together is beset by instability and uncertainty. The local council polls, won resoundingly by the Sri Lanka People’s Front, which has the backing of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, have brought to the fore popular disenchantment with the ruling parties, particularly over unemployment and rural distress caused by drought. Even prior to the elections, Mr. Sirisena disagreed often with his Prime Minister over policy measures. In his campaign, he highlighted an inquiry report that indicted some associates of Mr. Wickremesinghe in a mammoth scandal in the sale of government bonds by Sri Lanka’s central bank. It was no surprise when the parties contested separately, but neither of them foresaw the outcome, which could mark the return of Mr. Rajapaksa as a major political force. After the results were out the alliance came under stress as Mr. Sirisena wanted the Prime Minister to resign, but the latter has made it clear he will stay on. Amidst efforts by each camp to form an alternative regime that would exclude the other, Mr. Wickremesinghe has said the coalition stands. There is talk of a Cabinet reshuffle as a means of settling their differences, but the durability of the alliance remains in doubt.

The coalition rides on the moral strength of the twin mandate of 2015: Mr. Sirisena’s victory in the presidential election over Mr. Rajapaksa, and the alliance’s decisive win in the parliamentary elections held later. It is imperative to Sri Lanka’s interest that the President and Prime Minister remain faithful to the original mandate, which was for good governance and institutional reform. Mr. Wickremesinghe says he is committed to it, and that he will take “corrective measures” on the economic front. The fact that economic disillusionment had in the past led to social unrest, conflict and extreme nationalism should not be forgotten. The alliance had obtained public support for its reform agenda and for showing a path away from authoritarian trends and institutional decay. It would be unfortunate if partisan interests are placed above the people’s aspirations. The two leaders should seek to sink their differences and win back popular confidence. The coalition should continue to pursue the process of framing a new and inclusive constitution. It should fulfil its promises on reconciliation to the war-affected Tamils, whose backing proved crucial in their march to power. One electoral setback should not result in the project of national reconciliation falling victim to narrow political interests.

Vocabulary

Throes: intense or violent pain and struggle, especially accompanying birth, death, or great change.

Example: He convulsed in his death throes

Synonyms: agony, pain, pangs, spasms, torment, suffering, torture, travail

Coalition: an alliance for combined action, especially a temporary alliance of political parties forming a government or of states.

Example: A coalition of conservatives and disaffected Democrats

Synonyms: alliance, union, partnership, bloc, caucus, federation, league

Antonyms: antagonism, discord, disunion, divorce, enmity

Fissures: a long, narrow opening or line of breakage made by cracking or splitting, especially in rock or earth.

Example: ‘Earth fissures several feet wide and deep have been observed in Lucerne Valley,’ he said.

Synonyms: opening, crevice, crack, cleft, breach, crevasse, chasm, break

Fragile: easily broken or damaged.

Example: Tourists also damage the fragile ecosystem by dumping plastic waste and driving over the grasslands.

Synonyms: breakable, easily broken, delicate, dainty, fine

Antonyms: significant, rugged, unbreakable, important

Disenchantment: a feeling of disappointment about someone or something you previously respected or admired; disillusionment.

Example: Growing disenchantment with the leadership

Synonyms: disillusionment, disappointment, dissatisfaction, discontent

Inquiry: an act of asking for information.

Example: The deluge of phone inquiries after a crash

Synonyms: question, query

Indict: formally accuse of or charge with a serious crime.

Example: His former manager was indicted for fraud

Synonyms: charge with, accuse of, arraign for, take to court for

Antonyms: acquit, condone, discharge, excuse, exonerate

Regime: a system or planned way of doing things, especially one imposed from above.

Example: Detention centers with a very tough physical regime

Synonyms: system, arrangement, order, pattern, method, procedure

Reshuffle: an act of reorganizing or rearranging something.

Example: He was brought into the government in the last reshuffle

Synonyms: reorganization, restructuring, change, rearrangement, shake-up

Decisive: settling an issue; producing a definite result.

Example: The Supreme Court voided the statute by a decisive 7–2 vote

Synonyms: deciding, conclusive, determining, key, pivotal, critical, crucial

Antonyms: hesitant, undecided, suspensive, hesitating

Mandate: an official order or commission to do something.

A mandate to seek the release of political prisoners

Synonyms: instruction, directive, decree, command, order, injunction

Disillusionment: a feeling of disappointment resulting from the discovery that something is not as good as one believed it to be.

Example: The high abstention rate at the election reflected the voters' growing disillusionment with politics

Synonyms: disillusion, disenchantment

Decay: the state or process of rotting or decomposition.

Example: Hardwood is more resistant to decay than softwood

Synonyms: decomposition, putrefaction, festering, photodegradation

Crucial: decisive or critical, especially in the success or failure of something.

Example: Negotiations were at a crucial stage

Synonyms: pivotal, critical, key, climacteric, decisive, deciding, life-and-death

Antonyms: immaterial, unimportant, noncrucial

Reconciliation: the restoration of friendly relations.

Example: His reconciliation with your uncle

Synonyms: reuniting, reunion, bringing together again, conciliation

Antonyms: alienation, chastisement, condemnation, curse