Mr. Thusita Weerakoon B.A., Attorney at Law

History

ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Subha Saha YasaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ is a famous drama in Sri Lanka. There are few Sri Lankans who have not seen the drama or at least heard about that story.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  It was written and staged by one of the great Sri Lankan artists, the late Mr Simon Navagattegama.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  It appears that ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Subha Saha YasaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ is being played on the political stage in Sri Lanka, at present.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  This article is focussed on comparing and analysing the key roles played in history and in the on going political stage, in Sri Lanka.

Yasalalaka Tissa was 17 years old when he became king, having killed the king Candamukha Siva, his own elder brother.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Yasa could never forget the fact that blood was in his hands because of the brutal murder of his elder brother.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  His own conscience blamed him from time to time, since he came to power.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  He saw the shadow of his dead elder brother was stepping slowly in front of him when he walked to and from the throne.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  He hardly had any sleep. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ His heart started beating fast when his mind was subjected to suspicion and fear.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  He was thinking of a way to run away from this mental torture, at least for a short time.

Subha was the son of a Royal gate-keeper, Batta.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The close resemblance in appearance between the royal gatekeeper Subha and the king Yasa was well known among members of the royal staff and the general public. They look just like twin brothers.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  However, Subha, having worn gatekeeperƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s uniform, used to guard the entrance to the Royal assembly hall, as his duty.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The king was sitting in the throne in the Royal assembly hall having worn Royal clothes, ornaments and the crown when ministers gathered every morning, to make obeisance to the king.

Once, the king Yasa decided to play a practical joke, just to forget his mental agony.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  He called Subha and told him how the people think about their resemblance, in appearance. The two could easily mislead the rest of the world, making use of their resemblance, if they worked together and have a good laugh. The gatekeeper knew how the previous king, for whom he used to work, was killed.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  He, therefore, had no choice.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  He could not disagree, in any way, as it was the kingƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s will.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  He agreed, without knowing anything, what the king was going to do.

The king asked Subha to wear his Royal dress, ornaments and crown and sit in the throne.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The king Yasa, having worn the gatekeeperƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s uniform, stood at the entrance to the Royal assembly hall, pretending that he was the gatekeeper, while disguised Subha was sitting in the throne, as the king.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  No one could notice the change of characters. Ministers went before the throne, in the morning, to make obeisance to the king, in the customary manner.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The disguised gatekeeper burst into laughter, when Ministers showed respectful obedience to the disguised king.

The king, Yasa, had great fun acting as the gatekeeper.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  He found that the life was so simple and very easy when he was not wearing the crown, and not sitting in the throne.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The gatekeeper was overjoyed by the unexpected honour and respect he received from the staff.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  They played the disguised roles several times without the notice of the rest.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Each time the king appeared to enjoy the drama more than ever.

However, the gatekeeper, Subha fell in love with Power.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The disguised Subha, got angry having heard the disguised Yasa, burst into laughter, when Ministers made obeisance to the throne. The disguised Subha called his security officers and ordered to behead the disguised gatekeeper for contempt of royal assembly.

Present:

Resemblance

In the present political stage Sarath and Mahinda respectively play the major roles of the drama.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  They both claim that they come from down south of Sri Lanka.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Both claim that they are Buddhists.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  They both had free education in Sri Lanka.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Sarath joined the Singha regiment, in the army, 40 years ago.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  He was trained and retrained locally as well as abroad at publicƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s expense, with the expectation of the security of the country.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Mahinda started his life as a library assistant at Gangodawila University.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  He joined the SLFP, as the Beliatta organiser, 40 years ago, when that seat became vacant, after the death of his father, Mr. D. A. Rajapaksa. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ He was trained first as a library assistant, thereafter as a party organiser, Member for Parliament, junior minister, Minister and as the Prime Minister at publicƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s expense.

Sarath could have retired from the army service, with full pension, as soon as he completed 20 year service, just like some other captains, colonels or majors in the army, when they were transferred to Jaffna.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  He could have left the country to find some other job abroad, just like other many army officers.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Mahinda could have left SLFP to join the UNP government, just like some other SLFP members of the party, just to become a minister.

Sarath and Mahinda were both fed and maintained by the general public, during the last 40 years.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  They are, therefore, both immensely indebted to the general public of Sri Lanka to do their maximum in return, in the interest of the motherland.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  They both have massive responsibility to lead the country towards a new era for the sake of the younger generation.

Sarath was promoted to the head of the army, on the basis of his extensive experience and seniority in the army.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Mahinda was promoted to the leadership of SLFP, on the basis of his seniority in the party. The majority of the general public voted for Mahinda at the last presidential election with the strong expectation of eradicating LTTE terrorism from Sri Lankan soil. Sarath was appointed the chief of the army with the sole purpose of wiping out LTTE terrorism.

They were both in the LTTE priority list. They, therefore, had two options. Either they should have resigned from their posts and run away or they should wipe out the LTTE terrorism.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Once, Sarath had a narrow escape from a LTTE suicide bomber.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Mahinda escaped from LTTE assassination attempts, several times. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The compelling circumstances, forced them to have one mind.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The only option available was the strong determination and commitment to wipe out LTTE terrorism.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  It is immaterial to argue whether it was for the sake of the country or their own.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Their two minds became one, just like two simple lines cross each other only at one particular point.

After the Mullaitivu battle

Sarath and Mahinda respected each other.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  They never criticised each other until the end of the Mullaitivu battle. They were both welcome, honoured, respected and glorified, in many ways, by many organisations, religious leaders, universities and the general public throughout the island, before, during and immediately after the end of the Mullaitivu battle. They were both awarded PhD honourary degrees.

However, Sarath fell in love with powers of the commander in chief.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Mahinda fell in love with powers of the executive president.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Their love became a strong desire for more and more power, when time passed by.

Initially Sarath claimed the sole credit of defeating LTTE terrorism with the support of Mahinda. In the same way Mahinda claimed the sole credit of winning the LTTE terrorism, with the support of the army commander who is the best army head in the world.

However, first, Sarath and Mahinda both could not see the indispensable strength of the driving force of the general public who supported, in many ways, to wipe out terrorism from the Sri Lankan soil.

They both could not remember that farmers who used to eat three meals a day started eating two meals a day and donated the cost of one meal to wipe out terrorism. Working people collected funds from their monthly wages and donated them to wipe out terrorism.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Private bus owners and three wheel owners donated a huge collection to wipe out terrorism.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Many government employees, and teachers, except MPs and government ministers, donated their monthly salaries for the expenses of wiping out terrorism. Religious leaders and religious organisations collected donations and contributed to wipe out terrorism. Self employed companies, industries and factory owners donated a large sum of money to wipe out terrorism.

In addition to the payment of ordinary direct and indirect taxes to the government, every Sri Lankan, irrespective of their various differences, united together and donated the maximum he/she could afford to, with the sole expectation of wiping out terrorism from Sri Lankan soil.

All three forces; army, navy and air force were trained locally and abroad at publicƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s expense. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sophisticated and non sophisticated modern weapons were bought at publicƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s expense.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  A large amount of ammunition required was bought at publicƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s expense.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Armed cars, army vehicles, power boats and ships, helicopters, aero planes and fighter jets were bought at publicƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s expense.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  During the last 30 years all three forces were fed and maintained at publicƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s expense.

In this way, the strength and support of the general public was just like injecting special energy or giving oxygen to the fighting three forces to wipe out terrorism.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Unending massive support of the above varieties of communities or groups became a giant, huge wave which pushed forward both legislative and executive powers.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Neither Sarath nor Mahinda, therefore, could retreat even an inch until wiping out the LTTE terrorism, when the whole country was behind them, as a powerful driving force.

Mahinda started talking about the support of the general public for defeating terrorism, after Sarath resigned from the government service and when he decided to have an early presidential election.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Sarath started praising the strong backing of the general public for winning terrorism, after he decided to contest the presidential election.

At present, they both sling mud at each other.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  MahindaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s ministers play the roles of clowns just like the ministers in Subha Saha Yasa drama. Those who jumped from one party to another, just like grasshoppers or crickets, have nothing to say, other than singing epics glorifying MahindaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s deeds, just like the chorus, in Subha Saha Yasa drama. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Supporters of Sarath play the roles of clowns just like Senaka, Pukkusa, Kavinda and Devinda in Ummagga Jathakaya. Their sole target is just defeating Mahinda, nothing else.

Neither Sarath nor Mahinda has understood that the general public should be the real winners of an election, not a win or defeat of a particular person, group, party or alliance.

Neither Sarath nor Mahinda has realised the standard of discipline and moral required for a political leadership.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  They both have not realised the importance of their responsibility to mould or shape the political thinking in years to come. They have forgotten that it is their paramount duty to guide the general public to maintain law and order.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  They have forgotten that they should be examples to the present and future generations who are the owners of this world.

Neither Sarath nor Mahinda has understood that a tripod cannot stand on one or two legs.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The tripod of Mullaitivu battle stands steady with the strong support of the general public, well thought strategies of the army commander with the cooperation of the all three security forces and tenacity of purpose of the president.

By

Mr. Thusita Weerakoon

B.A., Attorney at Law

03.01.2010