The nation drifts without a direction


(Sunday Leader Editorial, 07 02 2010) - In a democracy, a thumping majority is expected to result in cool heads among the victors and cold feet among losers. The recent presidential election in Sri Lanka has had the opposite effect with the winners going for the jugulars of the losers and the losers preparing for rearguard action. General Sarath Fonseka is alleged by some leading personalities of the Rajapakse government of planning a military coup against the government and several of his close associates being arrested while the opposition parties within six days after the election, took to the streets and staged a massive demonstration in Colombo’s Hyde Park in protest against what they allege was a rigged election.

While all these events such as ringing the former Army Commanders hotel with armed soldiers can make the background for an excellent political thriller it is certainly of much detriment to the country which only eight months ago emerged from a disastrous 30-year war against terrorism. The people of Sri Lanka expect to reap the benefits of peace and led comfortable lives but considering the political forces at play this would appear to be a vain hope.

One reason is the bitter enmity that prevails between the former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka and President Rajapakse. The second reason is that a parliamentary election is to follow soon—within a month or two—and the political tempo is rising. This could result in greater destabilisation of the country—the exactly opposite reaction that is required now.

President Rajapakse after his 17 per cent majority and Independence Day celebrations in Kandy on Wednesday is envisaging a great future ahead for Sri Lanka. Such hopes have been entertained by previous national leaders who scored similar or even bigger majorities. Sirima Bandaranaike envisaged a democratic socialist nirvana after her massive 1970 victory and J.R. Jayewardene was thinking of surpassing Singapore in economic prosperity. But they failed because of many reasons, the main one being the failure to reach political compromises with opposition parties.

Apart from brief references being made to the need for the resolution of the Tamil problem President Mahinda Rajapakse has been artfully dodging getting his teeth into the meat of the problem during his election campaign. He appears to be continuing on this course, probably because of the impending parliamentary elections. The eight provincial council elections were convincingly won on the war cry of defeating LTTE terrorism. Soothing words were made to Tamils during the presidential election but no sooner he Tamil National Alliance declared that they would support Sarath Fonseka, the communal cry gong back to the Bandaranaike-Chelvanayakam Pact days was heard—Menna rata bedanda hadnawo– they are trying to divide the country. Rajapakse has to take the racist bull by the horns instead of side stepping the issue because it is bound to surface with time. Speaking a few words in Tamil at public meetings is good, but it will not convince the wily Tamils of the desire to meet their aspirations.

In the Rajapakse camp there are many including leading professionals who ask: What’s the problem that Tamils have which the Sinhalese don’t have? To go on these lines is to travel back in time to those atavistic days when the problem all began. Mahinda Rajapakse knows too well that though the LTTE is defeated militarily the threat is by no means eliminated .Expatriate Tamils have quite a lot of cash which they are willing to part with as they did earlier for the cause of a separate Tamil state. This is the time to make moves for a genuine reconciliation. Tamils even though in small numbers rejected Rajapakse and voted for Fonseka it should not prevent further moves for amity being made by the Rajapakse government.

If the grand visions of Rajapakse—Mahinda Chintanaya—-as they are called are to be realised, an even greater factor will be establishment of a rapport with the Sinhalese political parties—the UNP and the JVP. It need not and cannot be a political coalition but there should be a greater understanding between the ruling party and opposition Sinhalese parties on issues of national interest. The reason for the political and economic stagnation of the country all these years has been the lack of basic understanding between the ruling party and the opposition.

While Rajapakse supporters are carried away with the 17 per cent majority the fact that 4 million voters opted for the opposition cannot be ignored. As General Fonseka said he did it all in 40 days after nominations whereas Rajapakse took 40 years. The locking of horns as is taking place now can paralyse any government that is elected after the next general elections. If this continues it would be a tragedy for Sri Lanka because this new parliament is expected to draw up a new constitution that could eliminate most of the problems faced now. Despite the political optimism now prevalent in the Rajapakse camp it is highly unlikely that a two-third majority could be mustered to have a constitution drawn up the Rajapakse way. Besides if a constitution is to be durable and functional the interests of the political spectrum in the widest possible way should be covered. The greatest challenge to constitution makers will be to curb the powers of the executive president and restore them to parliament for the re-establishment of law and order such as the enactment of the 17th Amendment. But it would be extremely optimistic to expect Mahinda Rajapakse to curb the powers of the executive presidency having exploited its benefits in an unbelievable manner. Those who are expecting a new constitution to work miracles, should understand right now that any good constitution can be wrecked by unscrupulous individuals at the levers of power
National reconstruction has been in vogue in recent times as seen in the number of ministries that have been devoted to it in the over century strong cabinet of Mahinda Rajapakse. Whether these ministries are really devoted to national reconstruction or mere name plates for ministers who are without proper offices or even a desk and chair as alleged by some is very much in doubt. National reconstruction is very important to the Sri Lankan nation but let us remember that while we speak of a Sri Lankan nation let’s consider whether a true Sri Lankan has been created in the 62 years of Independence.

One of the founders of Italy Garibaldi is attributed with the remark; Now that we have created Italy, let’s create an Italian. Those who speak in lofty terms of a Sri Lankan nation should first consider whether a Sri Lankan has been created in the six decades.

Meanwhile, right now, the nation drifts on rudderless, buffeted by personal political interests into stormy seas. Will parliamentary elections make a difference?

http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2010/02/07/the-nation-drifts-without-a-direction/

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