Finally — a credible opposition candidate
A pathetic feature of Sri Lankan democracy in the past few years has been the absence of an effective opposition to the Rajapaksa government. The absence of such an opposition resulted in the breakdown of law and order and with it criminals, thugs and other unsavoury characters ruling the roost. President Mahinda Rajapaksa now facing a presidential election is answerable to these charges of gross abuse of power, corruption, breakdown of law and order in addition to the high cost of living which his faithful media has ignored or glossed over. Had there been an effective opposition much of it could not have taken place because of the pressure brought upon him by the opposition.
Philosophers and statesmen down the ages have stressed on the need for an effective opposition. Benjamin Disraeli is attributed with the saying: ‘No government can be long secure without formidable opposition.’ The stability of British democracy through centuries has been attributed to Britain having invented the phrase, ‘Her Majesty’s Opposition’ and made the opposition a part of the governing system.
Unfortunately this government and even some of the previous ones as well, do not consider a political opposition being necessary for good governance. The philosophy now in vogue is: If you are not with us, you are traitors. All those not with Mahinda Rajapaksa are not only traitors but lackeys of Western powers attempting to subjugate the country, mercenaries bought over by foreign NGOs, closet LTTE agents determined to bring back terrorism and divide the country etc. Perhaps they should listen to Sigmund Freud, one of the big names in modern psychology: ‘Opposition is not necessarily enmity; it is merely misused and made an occasion for enmity.’
Sri Lankan politics has evolved in a manner where the opposition is considered an evil and deadly enemy. A vile and vicious opposition has to be created even if it does not exist. Without such an opposition there is no target for verbal fire power. That is not democracy but so it has happened.
But Rajapaksa should not bear the sole burden of the growth of evil due to the absence of an opposition. Ranil Wickremesinghe lost the presidential election to Rajapaksa by only a small majority. Rajapaksa’s political alliance could not even muster a simple majority in parliament. The UNP in the main should be held responsible for permitting Rajapaksa to become the undisputed ruler with such a slender majority because of their failure to oppose him. The second biggest opposition party in parliament was the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF). But they were not concerned with the mainstream politics of the country and were used as appendages of the LTTE. The Rajapaksa Government ignored them considering them to be LTTE proxies.
Their failure to join with the UNP and other mainstream parties resulted in Tamil people being deprived of their fundamental rights without an active opposition. The splintered Muslim Congress fared no better. Even as of now the TULF appears to be keeping aloof of all major parties.
Having only a slight majority over the UNP at the last presidential election, Rajapaksa went about in a Machiavellian way in acquiring unbridled power. He first locked horns with the JVP who helped him very much in winning the election. JVP comrades true to their Marxist ideology were making impossible demands on Rajapaksa and were soon in opposition benches. Mangala Samaraweera, the power broker and Foreign Minister who brought Rajapaksa to power was out of the government soon along with another staunch supporter, Sripathi Sooriyarachchy. Rajapaksa then bought over 18 UNP MPs offering them ministerial posts and sat pretty on his presidential throne. Enlarging the cabinet using powers of the Executive President did not matter to him because it was the tax payer who would foot the bills of the 100 strong cabinet along with their perks.
The UNP and JVP could not get the public to rise up in protest about this blatant abuse of power. The JVP appeared to have one foot in the government and the other in the opposition because when the occasion arose where the opposition could have defeated the government on its budget proposals, the comrades back-tracked under the flimsy excuse that they did not want to vote with the UNP. Election promises were thrown into the dust bin such as the pious pledge of Mahinda Rajapaksa to abolish the executive presidency. The 17th Amendment that could have corrected some of the abuses of powers of the Executive President was ignored by Rajapaksa. The opposition did nothing tangible about this political amnesia.
It will be recalled that when the UNP ruled the country for 17 continuous years, the opposition though lacking a majority took to the streets in the south, led by Mahinda Rajapaksa such as with the Mothers’ Front and Jana Ghosha. Beyond the scenes created in the chamber of parliament the UNP and even the JVP could not proceed further. That resulted in erosion of the fundamental rights of the people in silence.
It does appear that with the election close at hand a whiff of liberalism seems to be blowing through the Presidential Secretariat. The IDPs from Jaffna held in Vavuniya camps were released to go back to their homes last week. On Thursday a decision was announced that roads in the city of Colombo would not be closed during VIP movements. Is this due to the emergence of a strong opposition candidate?
Let’s hope that this decision on opening of roads will apply to all those personages called VIPs and some so called VVIPs would not be exempted and would still enjoy the pleasure of travelling on deserted roads. There are many roads still closed or with check points where traffic is halted causing much inconvenience to the public. Will the stupid one-way traffic scheme introduced in some parts of Colombo be removed whether it was imposed for security or other reasons?
More important will be ensuring the rights of all citizens to have a free and fair election. Already some political meetings have been attacked by gangs of thugs and these meetings had been abandoned. This is a new phenomenon where public meetings have been attacked regularly. The opposition should take up this matter immediately with the IGP.
President Rajapaksa talks from a very high moral pedestal these days. Therefore he is doubly responsible to ensure that free and fair elections are held according to the law of the land. The culprit behind the attacks in Colombo and its environs is easily identifiable. It is also the belief among the public that he has been able to get away from outrageous acts of thuggery because he has patronage at the highest level.
General Sarath Fonseka is known as a firm and strong personality who will tolerate no such cowardly acts. He is capable of meeting fire with fire. He should not tolerate even those saintly looking personalities clad in spotless white with trays of flowers in hand letting loose political goondas to smash up their opponents. Opposition parties should back him firmly to ensure the will of the people will prevail when the day of reckoning comes. The old Latin phrase Vox populi, Vox dei — the voice of the people is the voice of the gods, still holds good.
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Vox populi, Vox dei — the voice of the people is the voice of the gods,
This did not happen in the last Prez election!
Sarath Fonseka is the white van thug you fool.
And yes Ranil the son of God, the chritian lost to the godless budhist Rajapakse. too bad there are no God’s sons running this time
Mahinda is not following budha’s teaching, so please don’t say he is a budhist
To dd alvis
Prove it you fool.
Maybe you are one of the goondas in the white van because you are so assured in you statement.
don’t display your ignorence idiot! to give more comments i will not waste my time with a person of lower interllect!
Well written argument but when the only chance of an effective opposition is through a military candidate you have to wonder what depths Sri Lanka will plunge to.
Personally I have no faith that SF can cut it as the prez. His whining resignation letter really says it all for me
Interesting . . .
Again the minorities are the King maker.
If the Tamils are to reflect the suffering endured during the battle, then they can’t only blame Sarath for that since it happened under Rajapaksa’s administration.
So that subject is closed! What do these candidates offer for the Tamils?
Past anti minority statements from Sarath will hurt him now. PLOT is wise in this regards to side with the president.
Ranil is the need of hour. How many realize this. It is the economy you stupid!
Correct, That is why we called this mission as ” SAVING PRIVATE RANIL”
the sunday leader who hacked SF now side with him?? politicians / journalist they are all actors! well well….. what a world we live in!!!!
Hey tell your M.R. to open the Rupavahini & ITN to the opposition
without dashing pots in empty house.
Not my MR he is leader for whole country! Rupvahini / itn are all govt meadia even if your idiotic ranil comes. s/leader is independent! u are da empty pot who cannot see how media manupilates!
Truth,
Can you write as ‘LIES’ as it appears more appropriate to you. tRUTH is something that mahinda government tries to hide because it is their best ‘enemy’.
Absolutely shocked to see Sunday Leader blatantly taking sides with SF – the last unbiased newspaper of the SL falling by the wayside? The ghost of Lasantha will undoubtedly weep …
Sunday Leader toeing SF shamelessly – the last unbiased paper of SL falls by the wayside. The ghost of Lasantha must be weeping for sure ..
Your editorial is correct and goes with the time regardless to the previous adverse remarks about SF. Besides, Azath Sally is right in his comments. But he has to understand the ground reality. Opposition parties are rallying around the General not for the love of him but for the hate towards the president, his conduct, his 100 member cabinet, his family, his allies and the murderers and jokers he harbours. Your enemy is my friend is the logic here. In other words diamond cuts diamond. The MR tree can be cut with SF axe only. Is not that you had been clamouring Azath all these days? Did not MR deprive you from the municipality with his cheap politics? Do you want to garland him? Saner sense should prevail Azath otherwise your political future will be doomed with the SLFP that you plan to join. Do not think you are championing Muslim cause but deterring only.
No doubt SF shed venom towards the minorities but did not his boss approve it keeping silent without pulling his collar? If so who is the greater Satan? On the whole this government is not minority friendly even though largest Tamil-Muslim ministers are accommodated which is for the sheer survival of the government. UNP has all the right to join any devil to defeat MR for the damage he had done to that party. Details are not necessary. Let bygones be bygones. Let us work for a new Lanka.
A Muslim
To you also, theme will be “SAVING PRIVATE RANIL”
Hey! I take offense when any of you sneer the military or any rank for that matter. Ranil is NO “Private” cause he has none!!
Well Said, I totally agree with you in all the points that you have raised. Azath Sally should know his depth no much tears will be shed by losing him to opponent camp. Colombo Muslims are mostly UNP’ers. Azath you can switch allegeance but the UNP block vote will remain intact. Act wisely if you want to remain a successful politician. This is not the time for bickering this is time to oust a President who is not very minority friendly.
Why blame Ranil for the important opposesition. The consitition by default make the the opposition redunent. At the time when the consitition was in the making it was said UNP will be in power untill 2025 further it was tinkered to suite the parties need for about twenty times. Unfortunately power changed hands, the previous president and the present faulted Ranil for the peace pact with LTTE though he was not genuine, remember he got Karuna out of LTTE. which cost him the presidentship. We vote for a party and MPs are elected depending on the votes received by the party. But they can join the all powerful president’s side and make hay. The communal card and war aganist terrorisim was used to kill and curb democratic rights and humen rights. We all know what happened to those who dare tell the truth to the pepole including corruptions at higher level. Most in majority community were very happy because it was war aganist terrorism. Whoever wins the election will not worry about the people both know the taste of unlimited power.
d.d. alvis: Hav’nt read such nonsense in a long time ! Son of God is Jesus Christ and not Ranil because Ranil as the whole country knows is a Buddhist. Rajapaksha is not a good Buddhist who goes around worshipping all the Hindu Gods in India and the so-called Buddhist monks who support him are real devils fond of worldy comforts. And as for the White Vans: the whole country knows who the real culprit is and all this will come out after the Elections.
HA HA You are also in to “SAVING PRIVATE RANIL”
Haven’t we had opposition candidates that aren’t “credible”? To Call SF credible is an insult to those who have gone before him. How can he be “credible” when he is suspected of withholding information from the president while serving as Army commander in the final operation? Why did he not put down his foot as commander and say no to the President’s erroneous orders? The answer is simple! This is because SF did not and does not have the guts like Nevile Samarakoon to say “NO” or “go to hell Excellency …” and call a spade a spade!” He could not see right from wrong and could NOT persuade or convince an executive leader at a time when the latter’s actions or orders were unwarranted. This proves that SF is no more a crustacean and a suspected war criminal who hides in his shell when challenged rather than show any integrity in leadership. People like General Colin Powell i a similar instances lost everything including his good name and career in the US while in Sri Lanka, SF is used as a pawn with his cold bloodied hands. Equally perplexing is this column calling him “CREDIBLE” is sickening!
Why not you call yourself ‘BloodyFool”.
Because I’m not a pee brain circumcised “DICK” like you!
What about the tamil girls who were raped by the Sri Lankan soldiers in the North?
Also, what about the legal proceedings to the death of the Editor of the Leader News Paper. In my opinion, the two murderes are trying to rule the country.
ohh poor girls were raped in da north??? when making up something do it right! murderer is yr prabhakaran who faced his karma
I respect both heros MR & SF.
But remember who appointed SF as the commander (he was ignored by previous leaders)
At least SF should have some respect for that.
Corruption should be eradicated, but it exists all over the world, predomonantly in the so called civilised west in big time (I live in UK & I know the hypocracy of the West.) What we call bribes they call consultancy fees.
All the politicians, when in oposition played that card since early 70’s in Srilanka, only to find when they came to power they were worst than the previous lot.
I am for SF only if he did not join the traitor Ranil, who sold our country to the West (Norway, UK, US etc)
He himself is a dictator, never gave up the leadership of the UNP after loosing so many elections
JVP a murderous maxist party who is responsible for 1000′s of deaths since 1971, then widly known as ‘ Che Guvera’. (I was in SL university at that time). IF SF willing to get their support, he might as well get the support of A Hitler & Pol Pot
The best is to MR & SF to join hands for the good of our much loved mother land. (of course eradicate the corruptions incl MR family & SF family)
God bless Srilanka
All those who call Ranil a traitor are the TRAITORS.
All those who call Ranil a traitor are the Traitors. If not for those agreements India would have invaded SL a long time ago. Only by giving false promises to the Tamils India is kept at bay. India is not a supporter of the Tamils. Ranil lost elections only after Chandrika used her executive powers by pulling a peoples elected governement from under his feet in two years at the instigation of the JVP. She kept the 3 important ministries with her without letting the then UNP govt do their job. Thereafter the SLFP coalition used all their powers to win elections. Without false propoganda by the govt media and govt abuse during elections this govt. and the last presidential elections would never have been won by the blues. This any one can see. Even hardened blue supporters know this fact. The MRs of this world can never win without buying over the UNPers or by treacherous election campaigns. Right now the govt is being run by the UNP crossovers washing dirty linen of the govt and loud mouths like Mervyn and SB
Excellent editorial, I commend you for it…. However if Sarath Fonseka is to win he must start talking about what matters to the People and this country…
Now that he has mentioned the lack of security for hi that is enough… he should nw concentrate on what it is that he can and will do if elected to make this country a better place:
For instance:
What will be the health system. How will he transform the health system of this country.
How will he develop the infrasstructure
How will he improve the education.
How will he make the per capita income which recently has been announced at arunf $2000 (big deal, what is $2000 in today’s world, we should see how we can make it $30,000) – $30,000.
How will him make this nation another Singapore.
Unless Sarath starts talking things that matter to people, he will not win.
Sarath cannot simply depend on the economic policies of the JVP to make this country a better place. He must have his own vision and mission.
Also we as Sri lankans must be smart and stop choosing leaders based on emotions and gut feelings. We must start weighing up the policies and see who has the better policies which in turn would improve our livelihoods.
Anyway, keep up the good work…
If You are GOOD, then you Opposition is BAD.
Sarath Fonseka is an Honest Man, Brave Soldier, Respects the Tamileelam Soldiers as the Tamileelam soldiers Respected the Singheelam Soldiers when they got killed in the Battle.
For the last 30 years of War, Sri Lankan Government killed most of the Tamileelam innocent People than the Tamileelam Soldiers. Even at the last pitch, they killed most of the Innocent people to make Tamileelam Soldiers to Surrender,….. even then they killed the Surrenderars. That is the Cowardly Evil.
Only Buddhist Singheelam can do that.
We ONLY can hope the Honest and Brave Sarath Fonseka can Bring Peace and Harmony to the Eelam/Hela(Singheelam/SInghela and Tamileelam)