English Vocab

No Extra Year For Maithripala Sirisena

The Sri Lankan Supreme Court’s ruling that President Maithripala Sirisena’s term will end when he completes five years in office comes as no surprise. What was surprising was how such a doubt had arisen in the first place. Mr. Sirisena, who was elected President in January 2015, had wanted the court to clarify whether he would have a six-year term as the law stood on election day or whether it would be five years in accordance with the 19th constitutional amendment adopted in April 2015. That the Sri Lankan President could suddenly harbor (keep (a thought or feeling, typically a negative one) in one's mind, especially secretly) such a doubt is inexplicable (incapable of being

explained, interpreted, or accounted for) given his frequentassertions (the act of stating clearly and strongly or making others aware) that he was that rare head of state who had voluntarily agreed to a shortening of his tenure. It is the National Unity government that he heads along with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe that brought in the amendment containing provisions that considerably dilute the powers of the executive presidency. Second, the amendment has a clear, unambiguous transitional provision that the incumbent (the holder of an office or post or one that occupies a particular position or place) President and Prime Minister will continue to hold their respective offices “subject to the provisions of the Constitution as amended by this Act”. There appears to be an unfortunate trend in Sri Lanka of presidents using constitutional provisions for political ends. Mr. Sirisena’s predecessor, Mahinda Rajapaksa, had sought the court’s opinion on whether there was any impediment (something that interferes with movement or progress) to his contesting a third term. Another former president, Chandrika Kumaratunga, had a ‘secret’ swearing (to assert or promise emphatically or earnestly)-in one year into her second term, but the court denied her bid for an extra year in office.

Even though Mr. Sirisena’s supporters say he was exercising his right to approach the Supreme Court for a clarification based on a valid doubt, the rationale behind his reference could only have been political. He was obviously looking for a loophole that would give him another year in office. If he had an extra year, his term would go on till early 2021, and he would still be president at the time of the next parliamentary election, due in 2020. Mr. Sirisena possibly thought he needed more time toconsolidate (to bring together into a single or unified whole; unite; combine) his position in the power-sharing arrangement between his Sri Lanka Freedom Party and Mr. Wickremesinghe’s United National Party, as well as with respect to the joint opposition that backs Mr. Rajapaksa. The developments come at a time when there are signs of a strain (make an unusually great effort) in the coalition (a temporary alliance of distinct parties, persons, or states for joint action). The SLFP and UNP are set to contest next month’s local government polls separately. The President recently unveiled the findings of an inquiry into a bond scam that has indicted (to charge with a fault or offense) a UNP minister as well as the Central Bank governor, an appointee of Mr. Wickremesinghe. Far from strengthening his position, Mr. Sirisena has ended up looking desperate to remain in office. He could have done without this setback to his image.

1. Harbour (verb): (Keep (a thought or feeling, typically a negative one) in one's mind, especially secretly.) (विचार करना, बनाए रखना)

Synonyms: Shelter, Conceal, Hide, Shield, Protect, Cherish, Obfuscate

Antonyms: Expose, Divulge, Elucidate, Expound         

Example: The police station is a safe harbor for victims of domestic abuse.

Verb forms: Harbour; Harboured; Harboured;

Related words: Harbor, (noun) (any place of shelter or refuge, शरण, आश्रम), harborous, (adjective)

2. Inexplicable (adjective): (Incapable of being explained, interpreted, or accounted for) (अकथनीय, वर्णन से बाहर)

Synonyms: Inexplainable, Unaccountable, Mysterious,

Antonyms: Explained, Substantiated, Tenable, Understandable; Compelling, Convincing, Persuasive, Plausible,

Example: The airline was unable to give us a reason for the inexplicable departure delay.

Related words: Inexplicably (adverb) inexplicableness, inexplicability (noun)

3. Assertions (noun): (The act of stating clearly and strongly or making others aware) (दावे, अभिकथन)

Synonyms: Affirmation, Protestation, Asseveration, Avouchment, Avowal, Claim, Declaration,

Antonyms: Disavowal, Rebuttal, Refutation; Contradiction,

Example: The lawyer’s assertion will have us believe her client was not in the state at the time of the murder.

Verb forms: Assert; Asserted; Asserted;

Related words: Assertional, (adjective)

4. Incumbent (noun): (The holder of an office or post or one that occupies a particular position or place) (पदधारी, पदग्राही)

Synonyms:  Imperative, Mandatory, Involuntary, Obligatory, Peremptory

Antonyms: Elective, Optional, Voluntary

Example: The incumbent president of the company is resigning from office so a younger person can take control of the business.

Related words: Incumbent (adjective) (necessary for (someone) as a duty or responsibility.), incumbently, (adverb)

5. Impediment (noun): (Something that interferes with movement or progress.) (अवरोध, अड़चन, रुकावट)

Synonyms: Cramp, Crimp, Deterrent, Hurdle, Encumbrance, Inhibition,

Antonyms: Catalyst, Goad, Impetus, Incentive, Spur, Stimulant,

Example: According to a number of teachers, the biggest impediment to working in a small town is the low salary paid to educators.

Related words: Impedimentary, Impedimental, (adjective)

6. Swearing (verb): (To assert or promise emphatically or earnestly) (शपथ - ग्रहण,सौगंध)

Synonyms: Oath, Pledge, Vow, Affirmation, Aver

Antonyms: Benediction, Falsify, Expiate

Example: He burst into tears, begging her to forgive him and swearing to pay back everything he had stolen.

Verb forms: Swear, Swore, Sworn

Related words: Wwearingly, (adverb) swearer (noun) Verb phrases (swear by-to have certain knowledge of:),swear in, (to admit to office or service by administering an oath), swear off, (to promise or resolve to give up something,)

7. Consolidate (verb): (To bring together into a single or unified whole; unite; combine) (एकत्रीकरण करना, समेकन करना)

Synonyms: Incorporation, Coalescence, Concentrate, Centralize, Polarize, Unify

Antonyms: Segregate, Separate, Chism, Decentralize, Disperse

Example: Because the company wants to consolidate its operations in one location, it is closing down its international offices.

Verb forms: Consolidate; Consolidated; Consolidated;

Related words: Consolidative, (adjective)

8. Strain (verb): (Make an unusually great effort.) (तनाव, खिंचाव)

Synonyms: Pull, Rack, Stretch, Wrench

Antonyms: Loosen, Slack, Slacken

Example: The air traffic control system is under the strain of an immense volume of scheduled flights.

Verb forms: Strain; Strained; Strained;

Related words: strainingly, (adverb) strainless, (adjective) strain (noun) (excessive physical or mental tension).

9. Coalition (noun): (A temporary alliance of distinct parties, persons, or states for joint action) (गठबंधन, मिला-जुला)

Synonyms: Alliance, Association, Faction, Consolidation

Antonyms: Isolation, Discord, Schism

Example: The farmer’s coalition is an association of farmers who work together to set minimum purchase prices across the nation.

Related words: Coalitionist (noun) coalitional, (adjective)

10. Indicted (verb): (To charge with a fault or offense) (दोषी पाना, अभियोग लगाना)

Synonyms: Charge, Criminate, Impeach, Incriminate, Accuse

Antonyms: Absolve, Acquit, Clear, Exculpate, Exonerate, Vindicate

Example: You can't indict whole people for the crudeness of a few.

Verb forms: Indict, Indicted, Indicted,

Related words: Indictment, Indicter, (noun) Unindicted, (adjective)