Democracy Expended By Opposition?
By any standards – either in a democracy or within fascism even – 61 years is a long time to get things right. 61 years is how long Sri Lanka’s politicians have had to practise democracy, fine tuning things as they go along. The United National Party is the party with the most experience – being the oldest political party on this island. One would safely expect then, that the politicians of this nation would know a thing or two about practising democratic values.
Mahinda Rajapakse
Instead, the opposition led by none other than the UNP have cast aside, perhaps forgotten even, that they too are the elected custodians of democracy and that they have, inter-alia, been given a specific power of attorney, to represent and safeguard the people’s interest in upholding democracy and democratic ideals and principles in this country. Any breach of that understanding is nothing but a breach of trust.
Casting aside the need to uphold democratic values, the collective opposition have in their wit, turned to a most unlikely ally: General Sarath Fonseka, CDS, former Army Commander.
Sarath Fonseka
By turning to Sarath Fonseka, certainly by the very act of considering Sarath Fonseka as the “common” candidate the opposition has all but admitted that they are indeed bereft of any clear thought out strategy to combat the possible re-election of the incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Of course they will take the wind off the sails from President Rajapaksa in that the “war victory” will not be his sole preserve at the next hustings in case the General throws his hat into the ring.
Man in uniform
Ranil Wickremesinghe
The very fact that the opposition is even considering a man in uniform is to blatantly disregard the norms of our political structure. Sarath Fonseka is still very much “in” uniform. True there has been no official statement by the combined opposition to that effect yet. He has not resigned and technically holds the highest job in the armed forces. Is it morally right for the opposition to court Sarath Fonseka and rock the fragile peace that prevails upon this island? Some may think so and yet others may not. Perhaps the opposition does so knowing the Presidential temperament and therefore deliberately does so to rock the boat.
If, Ranil Wickremesinghe, after so many years of expertise in politics and the UNP being the oldest party around (apart from the LSSP and the CP) cannot offer a suitable candidate who can offer a real, political challenge to Mahinda Rajapaksa, it is then nothing but the most serious indictment on the political parties of Sri Lanka – even more significantly so, when one considers that the UNP and its leader may consider using an ex military man as its candidate to challenge the incumbent President. Yet again the UNP might still present a candidate as a third contender. However there is no gainsaying that General Sarath Fonseka is free to contest after he relinquishes his position. That is his democratic right.
Forgotten
Has the opposition forgotten the killings carried out with impunity, the allegations of unacceptably large civilian casualties in the war effort, the inherent risks of sending the armed forces missed signals? What about the threats to the media? The 15 journalists who have been attacked and killed, the journalists who have been attacked but not killed but who have fled the country who preferred exile to a bloody death and what indeed, about those journalists who were not given such a choice: those who died within the ambience of a democracy that various governments have sought to create for Sri Lanka? This government is equally guilty of all these and General Fonseka was its Commander of the Army.
Is it that these sacrifices, these events are expendable in the pursuit of power, under the guise of “saving the nation?” The question really is, this, saving the nation from what? The democracy that we now enjoy, however lop-sided it may appear to be at times, is far better than being ruled by a military man. Military men by the nature of their work, give orders. They are quite often, perhaps born with blinkers on. The chance of meaningful dialogue is not an inherent trait. They are more at home giving orders than sitting at a round table. President Rajapaksa would know more about the General’s credentials more than anyone else. He led him politically. He is equally to be blamed for over emphasising the military for political gain.
Unqualified and inexperienced leaders
The last time that Sri Lanka played with sympathy and elected unqualified and inexperienced leaders to head the country, saw a veritable disaster: Mrs. Bandaranaike was elected on the back of her husband’s assassination and led the country down a very steep economic debacle. President Chandrika Kumaratunga was propelled into the top position in a little over 18 months despite not having held any form of government office. The country suffered for 11 long and weary years on the economic and peace fronts. The possible election or the very consideration of giving an unqualified person from a totally different background the opportunity to take Sri Lanka into its next phase of development, is a notion that is preposterous in the extreme and sets a deadly precedent for the future.
The opposition appears not to have learnt the lesson that every other Sri Lankan of average understanding has taken note of and that is this: President Kumaratunga was helped into power by the JVP who had a MOU with the President. They went so far as to withdraw their own presidential candidate, having hope that the lady once elected would abolish the Executive Presidency. True to form, she barely looked at the document once in power.
The JVP clung on to power for a while before pulling out.
Once again, the JVP – this time brokered by Mangala Samaraweera – entered into an MOU with Mahinda Rajapaksa and went one better: they had it in the manifesto, in writing, the Mahinda Chinthanaya. Four years nearly, into his first term, President Rajapaksa has displayed no hurry to abolish or amend the Executive Presidency. In fact he will contest a second term.
Municipal disaster
The UNP for all their stated responsibility in politics went further: they persuaded the people of the city of Colombo, to vote for a three-wheel driver, stating that once elected they had the mechanism to administer the functions of the Colombo Municipal Council by proxy. The disaster that followed is not only part of contemporary folklore but also an important lesson for students in Sri Lanka.
The significance of all this is that mere words are insufficient to change the Executive Presidency, if it needs changing. The people of the country have been taken on many a ride for too long. With the end of the war, they wish to see that their nation is transformed into a veritable developed nation – with all the attendant benefits that it brings.
The opposition now seeks, to hand over the country to a military man on the same basis, a signed MOU. And what pray, guarantees do they have for the mechanism they speak of to ensure that the military man will not – like what has happened to us in the past – “stuff” the nation on this important aspect of governance?
No match
Opposition politicians like Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sajith Premadasa, Karu Jayasuriya, S.B. Dissanayaka, Somawansa Amerasinghe and Mangala Samaraweera have all but admitted that they are no match to take on President Rajapaksa. But General Fonseka is another kettle of fish and the incumbent President knows this best.
Sarath Fonseka was himself brought into the top position by none other than Mahinda Rajapaksa. General Kotegoda who had two and a half years left of his term was asked to resign and Fonseka brought in to defeat the LTTE. The Presidential instructions were clear: defeat the LTTE. And Fonseka delivered the goods. Since then it appears that the General clearly has fallen out with the President or at the least is not the happy bunny one would have hoped for.
Certainly the government mishandled Sarath Fonseka after the war and the entire Fonseka scenario is all the government’s own making. By sidelining the General, by not acceding to his request to be at the helm until after the Army’s 60th celebrations, perhaps the General felt slighted.
But we do know that when the General refused to serve under a forces colleague who was proposed to be the CDS the government accommodated him by putting him at the CDS and retiring the other. Alarm bells may well have rung down the corridors of power as to what plans there were from the armed forces.
Piece of power play
In a piece of power play the President removed the General and replaced the forces heads pretty quickly. The President and his men, perhaps due to national security issues have been unable to be forthcoming on this issue.
However, the actions of the General post his appointment as CDS – where it is now not clear that the General had other ambitions, political even, in his retirement or was pushed into such action or even at this stage to consider a political future due to the mishandling of the regime — certainly would appear that despite the “mishandling” the President has been vindicated in his “power play” decision to replace the hierarchy of the armed forces with minimum delay according to some party stalwarts. It took the country by storm but there now appears that at least from the point of view of the ruling party leaving the General to seek out his retirement at his pace may have been prudent.
On Wednesday, at a function hosted by the UNP Provincial Councillor A.J.M. Muzzamil, attended by around 200 party faithful down Alfred House Gardens, Ranil Wickremesinghe and Mangala Samaraweera fielded questions from some of the invitees. One wanted to know what they intended to do now that the opposition was proposing to hand the country over to a military man and the guarantees that man too would not turn his back on the issue of the Executive Presidency. In the full knowledge that there is no guarantee, the audience was assured they “would ensure at any cost that their programme would be adhered to.”
It appeared from the answers provided that it certainly would not be Ranil Wickremesinghe accepting the common candidates’ role. It appeared that at long last R.W. was stepping aside in favour of another candidate. So much so that some wondered if Muzzamil’s function was not a farewell for Ranil Wickremesinghe as opposed to a meet-the-faithful meeting.
Meaningful dialogue
What is very clear in this post war scenario is that the government – whoever it may be – must enter into meaningful dialogue with the minorities. It is the minorities that feel threatened and uneasy by the mighty victory recorded in the north. Much work has to be done and it must be done swiftly. The economy is languishing in first gear and any government must be able to focus on these issues that continue to dominate the people’s minds.
It beggars belief that the minorities would engage the likes of a former military man in meaningful dialogue. This seems to be the problem with President Rajapaksa too. It follows too that by turning to a military man to represent the opposition alliance, the wrong signals are being sent out to the armed forces: that the politicians are unable to come up with a credible candidate to lead this country into the future.
The possibilities available to a former military man who finds himself at President’s House without the proper support from parliament, is frightening: will he turn to his former colleagues for support in order that he gets his own way? Will Ranil Wickremesinghe be the third candidate to woo the minority votes on top of the block UNP base?
Dynamics of the situation
All in all the President, having considered the dynamics of the present situation, where the return of Sarath Fonseka from the USA has raised more questions and intrigue than straightforward answers, may well be advised that the way forward would be not an early presidential election but indeed, a parliamentary election which in any event is due by April 2010.
President Rajapaksa has the luxury of a legitimate two year balance term. He may well use this period to have a parliamentary election and bide his time for a presidential poll. This line of action could nullify the ambitions being harboured by the General especially when the dynamics change once Fonseka enters the civilian world. It is left to be seen what kind of appeal the General will have and enjoy once he is plain Fonseka. In turn Fonseka (General, retired) can use the two years to indulge in a crash course on politics, public administration and to learn of the vagaries of that very special breed of people: the voter. It might bode well for Sri Lanka too.
President Rajapaksa must not shy away from the clear challenge that the opposition has thrown at him even with the help of the General or not. It is a challenge that the President must take on wholeheartedly because, it has a significant impact on the values of democracy and good governance for the entire country – not only now but for future generations to come. The Rajapaksas like a challenge, November 15th will provide an indication as to how well Mahinda Rajapaksa takes that challenge on.
Discuss this article at www.thesundayleader.lk
general has nothing to learn the governance,if it is to function rule of law.in politics what he has to learn is how to abuse power,how to steal money from government etc…,it is better to elect a man without political corruption and let him to lead the country for rule of law and prosperity.
agree with sam perera, we need a man who does not have corruption charges.
It is obvious that the UNP, JVP and opposition has no idea how to face a snap presidential Election. They are clutching at a straw in Gen: SF and use him. They now want to piggy back on SF and dump him along with the Exec: Presidency after 180 days if he wins. Ranil then can win the Gen: Election and become Exec: PM with all exec: powers which he now says are excessive. Who is fooling whom? Gen: Fonseka is being taken for a sucker by the opposition. They are insulting an officer and a gentleman of the Sri Lanka Army. They did this when the forces were fighting the LTTE also.
I agree with victor,but i wonder how and why SF got into trap set by those bankrupted , unpatriotic,traitors oppositions alliance . you see these JVP had no where to go ,look at Manoganesan he is dictating terms to SF only with small vote bank,look at hakeem almost no place for him in Muslim community .Has mangala agreed that SF can lead salvation Army—I can’t imagine how people become cheap for power Thank god I’m not a politician
hey mr. thajudeen,
who says mr. hakeem has no place in muslim communitiy? don’t try to divide muslim community into pieces and be a traitor .
Dear mr,Badur we are living with all community very peacefully ,Rk tried his best to make trouble regarding Azan and Fardha you think he is for muslim you know how many person has left his party .personnally i know Akurana pradesiya sabha member recently left from SLMC he was there since the party was formed if he has any support why doesn’t contest in his own seat ???????
dear mr. thajudeen,
wait and see he will. also, who left the party are only for perks from mahinda government. don’t you see they cheeted their muslim voters ??? and become the traitors of muslim community ???
VICTOR,Since the End of your Punakku master the Moda Raja has begun supporters of Moda Raja do talk crap like this. Do you think General is that stupid?? General will be appointed as Defence Minister and all defence and Police will be under General and RW will allow General to bring the country Law and Order back on track while RW as PM will bring the economy back on Track. By the way, 2 , US 7 Eleven Toilet Cleaners can come back to US and start thair cooley jobs again..
Political leadership and forces get togther and save the country by one of the facist forces. People of the country also help to both parties by giving their fullest support. I,m of the view that the cvilian leadership and the leader ship for forces are different tracks. Hon.president has experince in politics nearly 40 years and we belive that he has a vision to develop this country. Abolishing the Ex. presidency is depending on the strength of the civil society. They have to strugle to change the pattern. I do not think it is a good solution to accept a common candidature – Generalto solve the common man’s problems. We love General accept him, honour him as a Professional Military man. But not the Political Leader. MR is the best solution under the present position and long run development. Changing Leadership wlil not be good solution for the problems faced by the country. Hence i do not support a leader who can give the orders only without having experience people faced today.
we cannot find any solution without looking at the global situation.Hence people should decide either we want to democratic or military govt. Accordingly it is better General not to enterpolitics
What is the choice a corrupt leader or a killer in Army Uniform. I am not writing about the killing the LTTE but about killing of Media People including my friend Lasantha. It was a very well known secret that killer was the goons of Sarath Fonseka ask from Upali Tennekoon or Kenneth Noyhair about the trauma they under went. Killer in Army Uniform is not better than Underworld King pin.Both do not understand or comprehend democracy or freedom. Other wise who will advoacte the killing of LTTE caders who are in IDP camps. Ranil Mangla will know to their utter shock how they have sacrificed democracy in their quest for power. They will be the first to desposed off
good move, go ahead hon. ranil people are behind you. gen, s. fonseka can win easily and send home this corrupted gov. and it’s politicians including mr. mahinda r.
i think badur is not in this world and his political analysis is very very poor sri lankan are not fool to vote to a party which betrayed their country and SF alone didn’t win the war the all three forces won the war same SF was there when UNP goverment was in power ,all sri lankans know what happened during the war and how government face some problems
It is a very positive action taken by the opposition alliance (UNF) to nominate General SF as the common candidate to get rid of the King of Devil Administration. General SF will not be breach the trust as a Officer & Gentleman after he become the President. He will abolish the Ex. Presidency within 06ymonths.
Reading the column I could not help but feel that there is a hidden motive by the columnist which may be instigated by personal animosity than genuine concern regarding democracy in our motherland, anyway the present political landscape in Sri Lanka is such that elections are conducted and won on the military success of the recent past. The president and government shamelessly abuses the war victory to strengthen their hold on power. This is more than evident by the results of recently concluded provincial council elections. Unfortunately majority of Sri Lankans vote for either petty personal gain or for personality cults, they do not relate to reasoning and farsightedness. Everyone knows the voters can be easily be swayed by drumming the war victory at least for a few more elections to come. The opposition is in an unenviable position of not having this advantage to pose a challenge to the Rajapaksha regime and the only option is to turn to a personality who the voters relate to with the military success. It’s not rocket science to figure this out. Therefore the much speculated candidacy of General Fonseka as the oppositions’ common candidate is not a surprising move. In fact it is opportunistic politics at it’s best. Should the General contest and win it can be construed as we sacrificing democracy over a military rule as he will be contesting as a civilian candidate not as a serving military commander. This assumption hold no ground what so ever, of course his mentality may be militaristic but I believe his discipline and professionalism will be a pleasing change from the usual lot of corrupt, self-serving politicians we unfortunately have to vote for otherwise. Moreover if we can have ex-military personnel serving and representing our country as important diplomats all over the world why not an ex-military officer of the highest rank as president? I cannot understand why some people are so agitated by this news which by the way is still just speculation. Above all things Sri Lanka desperately needs a good clean up in the political department and it’s about time that some one with guts does it!
Dear Gamaya;
there is nothing wrong with SF the problem is the party he is gonna join i.e unpatriotic ,bankrupted,parties can anybody go along with JVP ,how they destroy the country and still they are doing that ,look at Mano He is a 100% poor LTTE ;r, -this is the time JVP and MG should be chased from political map ,if not they will damage the country than LTTe
i am clueless about Sri lankan poltics and wish to remain that way. Nonthless its refreshing to note that Sri Lankans had enjoyed democracy for 61 years.Realy great man, realy great .The only thought that struck me was, if only my father had planted 61 teak or mahogany trees or more I would have had something to busy myself in Sri Lanka.Come to think of it my father was a very wise man.
Nishthar Idroos
Oh common guys, don’t we all need a better future. A peaceful country where all communities can live as one as Sri Lankans, economically strong and fearless place in the world. If yes, then we need a change now, not before it is too late. Our Motherland had suffered by war for last 30 years out of 61 years of freedom. But, have we ever had the proper democracy in the past 61 years. The answer will be big NO…!!! So, at least Gen. SF be elected and lead the country to the future. MR might have 40 years of experience but, where does he leads the country by now……??? Once Ex. Precedent Late Mr. R P was in power almost every youth had a job and engaged with their own living and no time for them to utter nonsense but, now youth misplaced and misled. If this continue what will be the future of our country. So let UNF bring Gen. SF to power and let Hon. RW (who has more experience than any politician in the country) guide the country for a better future.
Sri Lanka need a leader with an extensive experience in international exposure. All these have a very narrow mind and doesn’t have a clue, about the other side of the world. Addressing in Sinhala at UN is great but it doesn’t make us a great nation. Instead of being friendly with every nation against the west, we need a leader who can work with whole world to bring Sri Lanka out of this misery.
YOU mean SMS RANIL
Since Independence, We had so called Political Leaders with distingusged foriegn Degrees who supposed to bring the Good Democracy, Good Governance and Peace among the communities. So far No One able to bring real democracy, good governance and genuine peace among the communities. Every citezen know about this. All these leaders brougt to the country was problems, problems and more problems and created many Prabaharans.
What is wrong with a highly diciplined the General leads the country in the future. Pleses stop saying , he does not know about Public Administration.Plesae read the history and find what these leadrers with knowledge of public administration and long history of politacal knowledge brought to this country.
Need Big Change , We can belive in real change. I really think that General Sarath Fonseka will be a good leader and reach all communities with his good and diverse team.
Good Luck Sri Lanka, Good Luck Sri Lankans, Good Luck General Sarath Fonseka. Oh God ,plesae make Sri Lanka best country in all South Asia.
To rule a country you dont need political experience in present day context . The basic requirement is honesty, simplicity and sincerity overall has to be a good human being.
The so called experienced political leaders in Sri Lanka has really messed up the country in style since Independence . To me most of the politicians are cowards.
SF takes up the position of President he might do a better job than the so called experienced political leaders. The first and foremost thing SF has to do is to clear off corruption made by the parlimentarians and top ranking government officials.
Sri Lanka needs a change in governance to prospher and to make it a pearl in the Indian Ocean..
Rgds
SRI LANKA NEVER HAD SKILLFULL WISE LEADERS FROM THE BEGINING OF THE INDEPENDENCE.ALL LEADERS PROVED THEIR SELFISHNESS AND STUPIDITY.THAT’S WHY SRI LANKANS BECAME,LAWLESS,POOR AND VIOLENT.COUNTRIES LIKE SINGAPORE,MALAYSIA,MALDIVES,SOOUTH KOREA, AND TAIWAN PROSPERED UNDER WISE LEADERS WHO SAW THE FUTURE AND TOOK RIGHT ACTIONS TO MAKE SPEEDY DEVELOPMENT.SRI LANKA’S FOOLISH LEADERS TOOK ACTIONS TO MAKE COUNTRY POOR,LAWLESS AND VIOLENT.SOCIALIST POLICIES USED TO STAY IN POWER AND LOOT THGE PUBLIC MONEY AND REVENGE FROM POLITICAL OPPENENTS.CURSE THESE AND THOSE CANCEROUS GERMS WHO MADE SRI LANKA A HELL.
IF THE GENERAL FONSEKA, CAN FUNCTION THE RULE OF LAW,LIBERALISE THE ECONOMY FROM GOVERNMENT CONTROL AND ALLOW FREE MARKET SYSTEM TO GROW,STOP CRIMES AND CRIMINALS,HAT’S WHAT ALL NEED TO MAKE SRI LANKA A PEACEFULL,PROSPEROUS AND SUITABLE COUNTRY TO LIVE.
i realy agreed with badur, mr.hakeem is the only able leader after ashraff, other members from east who are real traitors of muslims , they bow down to rajapaksa brothers for their own benfits,and forget how they come to parliament with slmc votes.They will againg come back if another government comes to power , they not worried about muslims they are for their pockets.
Dear Hussain
Your hakeem also was in the government can’t you remember
Everyone ants to be an Executive – Do they know wht it amounts to?
Sorry for the error – want and not wnat
This shows the bangraptcy of true leadership in the country. It seems that all the parties are bangrapt for leaders. God save our country