Know your boundaries and limitations of authority; act with responsibility: President tells new Ministers

By Ajith Siriwardana

Claiming that MPs and Ministers have immense power, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday he expects that all Ministers will know the boundaries and limitations of their power and act with responsibility.  Addressing the new Cabinet, he said most of the Ministers are new, not only to the Cabinet but to Parliament as well.

“The key point is that this power comes with responsibilities, on one side, a responsibility to the citizens, and on the other, a responsibility to the movement. I believe that no matter what form of power is created for us through the Constitution, regulations, or other mechanisms, we must exercise it with accountability. We are accountable to the people and to the movement. 
This is why power cannot exist in isolation or function arbitrarily. It must be bound by responsibility and commitment.

I believe that compared to an ordinary citizen, a Member of Parliament, and even more so, a Cabinet Minister, has a greater responsibility. This is something you all must understand; I don’t need to explain it anew. You are aware of the boundaries and limitations of your power. You know your responsibilities and commitments, and I trust that you will safeguard them,” he said.

The President said it is true the notion that the power is corrupt, where unlimited power leads to unlimited corruption.

“We firmly believe that power is something very significant. Power generates more power, expands its influence, and continues to grow. However, history has shown, and some argue, that power is corrupt where unlimited power leads to unlimited corruption. This is true. Power can corrupt, and absolute power can corrupt absolutely, as has been proven repeatedly,” he said.
He said the government has two distinct responsibilities, the obligation to fulfil the goals and aspirations of the people and the duty toward the movement itself.

“In our country, there have been instances where such concentrated power was created. But if we examine the outcomes of those powers, they rarely brought justice or fairness to the people. Instead, they were often wielded in ways that harmed the nation and its citizens. Some might believe that unlimited power has been granted, leading to concerns about where this unrestricted power might lead. 

To anyone harbouring even a small doubt, I want to say that it is true that we hold power. However, we also recognise the boundaries and limitations of this power. We understand the framework within which this power has been entrusted to us. It is important for all of us to acknowledge that power exists, but it comes with constraints and a purpose,” he added.

The President pointed out that the purpose of this power lies in fulfilling the positive goals and expectations that his political movement had promised to the people over a long period adding that it is a responsibility entrusted to them to use this power for the greater good and to achieve the aspirations of our citizens,” he said.

He said this transformative journey saw the enthusiastic participation of citizens across the nation where for the first time, the aspirations of the people in the North, South, East, and West have converged on a shared vision for the future.