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President Rajapakse being ushered to
the chamber by Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara |
Post
1948, the year in which Sri Lanka gained political
independence from the British, perhaps the most defining
political moment was May 18 when the LTTE was defeated
militarily.
Yet
the moment not only calls for celebration but also for
deep political reflection and efforts to rebuild the
war-ravaged north, its people, their homes, livelihoods
and infrastructure.
As
celebrations reached fever pitch throughout the country
over the crushing of the LTTE signifying the end of a
protracted war, President Mahinda Rajapakse prorogued
parliament under powers vested in him by Article 70 of
the Constitution and convened the Fourth Session of the
Sixth Parliament of Sri Lanka, a ceremony like no other,
to mark a new political beginning in a country that has
quelled a 30 year long rebellion.
There
was much expectancy in the galleries, filled to capacity
with the clergy, service commanders, diplomats,
officials and special invitees who eagerly awaited the
President to make his ceremonial address to the House.
As not
just the eyes of this nation but also that of the global
community remained focused on Sri Lanka, a jubilant
President Mahinda Rajapakse was accorded a grand welcome
outside the parliamentary complex.Blessings were invoked
upon the President just at the entrance to the
parliamentary chamber by young students who chanted
Jayamangala Gatha and moments later, a jubilant
President Mahinda Rajapakse entered the parliament well
flanked by Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake,
Speaker W.J.M Lokubandara, Chief Government Whip Dinesh
Gunawardena and parliamentary officials at the
auspicious moment. The clock read
9:48 am.
Official declaration
Amidst
loud clapping from both sides of the divide, generating
hope that the two parties may finally demonstrate the
much needed political maturity to usher in a political
solution to complete the process, Rajapakse took the
Speaker’s Chair to declare the war officially over and
to make what is now referred to as the presidential
‘rallying call.’
In
seconds he broke into Tamil, the country’s official
second language to speak about equality and to emphasize
his responsibility and duty to protect Tamil civilians.
Amidst
thunderous government applause, the President declared
that only this parliament may legislate hereafter,
having had the experience of one third of the country’s
territory being ruled by a terrorist outfit where
existed separated judiciaries, banks, police and other
institutions. “What they lacked was only a LTTE
parliament,” he emphasized.
In
heroic tones, the President also declared that what the
parliament legislates henceforth would have full
applicability in the entire country and all the 225
legislators could now play a role in the unification
process of a once divided country.
The
President also reminded the legislators of a time when
the LTTE was significantly a smaller outfit carrying
small arms. Way back in 1975, the LTTE commenced its
killing spree with the assassination of Jaffna Mayor
Alfred Duraiappa. Since then, the country had
experienced twin fold violence, he pointed out.
“In
1975, when Duraiappa was killed, the LTTE did not have
an inch of this island under its control. But by the
time this regime sought to liberate the island, they
were in control of two third of the coastal area and
15,000 sq km were under LTTE rule,” he reminded a House
that maintained pin drop silence.
Challenge
The
Head of State also spoke of the international
recognition the LTTE had come to enjoy, the
justification of its cause and the building of a
diaspora that posed him with immense challenges at the
time of being elected president.
“By
then, areas were demarcated and a deed of transfer was
already unofficially written,” he remarked, inferring
that the 2002-2004 period when the Norwegian sponsored
truce prevailed, had helped the LTTE to further
consolidate its territorial and political bases here and
abroad.
He
also recalled a time when India through a peace accord
required the LTTE to hand over weapons, an effort that
did not meet the expectations. The Tamil people
applauded when the LTTE resorted to a symbolic laying
down of arms, and that gesture spoke for the non-violent
nature of the Tamil community, the President told a
House that listened with rapt attention.
Rajapakse also did not forget to pay a glowing tribute
to the troops for their heroic victories — “They are the
world’s most professional and disciplined army who
engaged in innovative warfare and maintained the highest
standards of humanitarian law.”
There
were references to the richness of the Tamil culture and
their piety to gods. The President then noted it was
heartbreaking to witness a community with such a rich
heritage reduced to refugee status due to the actions of
terrorists. “They should fall at the feet of the
civilians and seek forgiveness. The lesson learnt here
being that nobody should fuel the flames of terror.”
Collective victory
The
House yet against broke into applause as Rajapakse spoke
of pluralism and a multi ethnic identity. He declared to
buoyant House that the defeat of the LTTE was by no
means the defeat of the Tamil people, but was indeed
their collective victory.
He did
not forget to mention the second phase, the crucial
political phase that must soon follow, but sounded
unprepared to relent on the call for a federal solution.
He
however pinned his hopes on the peaceful resolution of
the conflict and said the military success certainly did
not signify the end of the problem.
On a
futuristic note he spoke of “Uthuru Wasanthaya,” a
special programme for northern resurgence and invited
local and foreign investors to help rebuild the north.
As for the government, he gave a firm pledge to create a
climate conducive for business and economic development
where other players could play a pivotal role in
rebuilding.
In his
rallying call for those who have left Sri Lanka,
President Rajapakse invited those who fled the island
due to terrorism, specially the Tamils, to return home
and help rebuild. “Our professionals should come back
and play their part in this moment of history.”
Not
forgetting his detractors, Rajapakse took the
international community to task next. “We do not need
advice on how to resettle and feed the people. Post
tsunami, we did not allow a single citizen to go
hungry,” he reminded.Moving on to the most significant
part of his speech, the Chief Executive next spoke of a
‘home gown solution’ acceptable to all communities and
promised to deliver the same as soon as possible.
No time for experiments
“We do
not have time for costly political experiments. But we
offer our own local solution. For this endeavour, we
only need assistance but not any stumbling blocks
created by the international community,” Rajapakse said
with a note of warning.
The
President sounded euphoric as he claimed what was once
considered impossible was achieved due to the military
strength and declared the word ‘minorities,’ no longer
had a place in the Sri Lankan vocabulary.
“There
are only two types of people in this country hereafter —
those who love the country and those who do not,” he
said, with a subtle note of warning.
“This
is a victory for global peace, it is an example to the
world,” he gushed, inferring that his formula was the
right one to curb global terror.
He
then gravely noted that when the island fell to the
British in 1815, the lost dignity was never recovered.
“We have been speaking of a glorious past, that’s all.
But from today, you have a glorious present and an
equally bright future,” he solemnly promised.
Inferring yet again the failures of the political
leadership before him, President Rajapakse in his
ceremonial address to the House reminded his listeners
of the need to play the role that destiny demands. “I
accepted a historical challenge when assuming office. I
willingly accepted it. Those who cannot fulfil such a
role have no right to dabble in politics. Not stopping
at that, I also accept the next challenge before me,
which is to rebuild the nation anew,” he declared.
Tribute
Closing his address, Rajapakse paid a glowing tribute to
the families of war heroes and his own and made special
mention of his “Sahodara Samagama,” invoking much
laughter. And then he concluded on an emotional note
that, for him, his first, second and third commitment
was to his motherland. “It should be so for all of you.”
As the
President noted in his address, the real challenge
remains the rebuilding of a war ravaged nation. And what
should not be forgotten is that the root causes that
fuelled a rebellion and reached unprecedented levels of
terrorism require to be addressed through political
means.
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Dazzling star
 When
the President delivered his ceremonial address in
parliament and declared the war officially over, it
was a solemn moment and one that called for
reflection.
But in the parliamentary galleries, there appeared
to be some euphoric beings who failed to understand
that it was not just a solemn moment but also a
ceremonial occasion.
Among the maimed officers and soldiers in their
ceremonial garb, diplomats, officials, artistes and
well-wishers who eagerly waited to hear the
President was actress Sangeetha Weeraratne. She
became the centre of attention soon, dressed up as
if she was at the Sarasaviya Film Festival instead
of the public gallery in parliament.
Scribes were heard muttering that the solemn moment
called not for dazzling clothes and giggly behaviour
but to mark the end of a bloody war and to show
empathy towards thousands of fellow civilians
languishing in refugee camps.
TNA’s need for evolution
Last Tuesday, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA)
members were conspicuous by their absence. Given
their political positions, it does not take a rocket
scientist to figure out the reason for their
ceremonial boycott.
But, having functioned as a proxy for the LTTE since
their election, it still remains their role to give
reflection to the Tamil political grievances,
despite the LTTE’s defeat and to now evolve and
offer fresh political thinking to the legislature.
Ranil typically absent
Among those missing in action (MIA) when parliament
assembled to formally record the military defeat of
the LTTE was none other than Opposition Leader Ranil
Wickremesinghe. On a European tour, he has informed
the President of his inability to attend the
ceremonial sitting.
Given Wickremesinghe’s penchant to absent himself at
significant moments, this nation can only wonder as
to how indeed he decides on his political
priorities.
Jayalath offered Pulmudai job
There is humour in even the most solemn of moments.
UNP’s Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena has been clamouring
to go to the no fire zone (NFZ) and being denied,
has been claiming his right as a legislator was
violated.
But the government legislators in a mischievous mood
preferred to single Jayawardena out, as opposed to
all others politicians who have been requesting for
access to the former war zone. A cheeky government
non cabinet minister was heard saying last Saturday
that the medical doctor turned politician should be
offered a new post and that’s to offer his medical
services at the make-shift hospital for the IDPs in
Pulmudai!
Competing forces
The parliamentary drive on May 19 was gaily
decorated with streamers, banners, posters and
cut-outs of President Rajapakse. But soon it was
evident that it was much more than street décor but
a tug of war between two ill reputed UPFA
politicians, Mervyn Silva and Duminda Silva trying
to out do each other in the number of posters and
banners hoisted by each.
“That’s a sad breed of politicians trying to score
petty points” onlookers were heard commenting.
A moment of silence for the dead
President Rajapakse’s ceremonial address did not
lack the dignity and solemnity the moment demanded.
Yet, speaking of a 30 year old bloody war that had
cost much in terms of lives and property, what went
missing was a moment to remember the dead. Over
23,000 troops have laid their lives to achieve this
end and the LTTE cadres, violently misguided as they
may be, were also Sri Lankans.
As
much as it was a moment for celebration, it also
called for a solemn moment to remember the dead.
There is dignity when remembering not only the
victors but also the vanquished. At the very least,
the House should have maintained a minute of silence
for the valiant soldiers. |
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