The
Significance of September 19, 2007
Dilrook Kannangara
It was revealed by a very close source to the UNP leader that every
attempt is to be made to dissolve the present government by the nineteenth
(19) September 2007. All UNP stalwarts and the SLFP-M duo have been
given strict instructions to a level maximum number of allegations against
the government to secure that aspiration of its leader. Therefore Kiriella,
Samaraweera, Karunanayake and Wickremasinghe himself are heavily engaged
in discrediting the government and its apparent and indirect allies.
UNP has launched a vigorous media campaign with the support of many
media institutions it indirectly controls. All National Congress rallies
are aimed to climax before this day. It is interesting that all Janarala
rallies are planned before this date and nothing after this date based
on the available information.
What is the significance of this magic day anyway? It is the day when
Ranil becomes the longest standing Opposition Leader of Sri Lanka. He
would be completing 3,749 days as the Opposition Leader breaking Sirima
Bandaranaike’s previously held record. There is also a very strong
superstition among some individuals that the longest standing Opposition
Leader can never succeed in getting into a higher position. They cite
the fate of Sirima Bandaranaike. Ranil is trying desperately to avoid
this hoodoo as he is a very strong believer in astrology, numerology
and the like. The UNP-SLFP-M agreement was signed on an auspicious day
at the most auspicious time. Ranil failed to capitalize on his ‘raja
yoga’ that was said to have peaked in April/may this year. He also
cited the damages to nine pandols as bad luck.
However, this heavy reliance on superstition is not likely to bring
any good luck as seen from the incredible haste the UNP has to grab
power. Due to this mighty hurry, sections of the public are wondering
why there is such a renewed interest to grab power when the UNP does
not have practical solutions to the most burning issues, namely the
cost of living, conflict and good governance. Many have pointed out
that it was indeed during the UNF government that most corrupt acts
have taken place that were revealed in the COPE report. They also point
out that lack of interest shown by the UNP to bring down the cost of
living in the case of a government change; the promise of ‘Mundo
gas’ is unfortunately still afresh in their memories. As with the
conflict, it is the UNP that has walked out of the APRC which tries
very hard to find a workable political solution. Therefore, UNP and
Ranil do not seem to have any solution to the three most important issues
facing the country today.
However, they very badly need to grab power, and they can’t wait.
Their plan to cripple the JHU support ended up in failure and Nishantha
- the businessman involved is being investigated which may lead to the
revelation of undesirable links Ranil has to the Underworld. After all
an Underworld member may buy a car from anyone but would never donate
it to anyone and everyone! His continued ridicule of Buddhist principles
has landed him in hot water. Venerable Udugama Buddharakkita Thero has
strongly approved some of Ranil’s past activities, but even his
holiness has warned him recently over his misuse of matters of religious
sensitivity.
The next attack was on the JVP; this was leveled mainly by Mangala who
had a long working relationship with them. However, instead of inviting
the JVP for a grand alliance to rule the country, Mangala threatened
them thereby arousing a hornet’s nest of angry responses from the
vociferous Reds.
Another relevant fact for the astrology savvy politician is the subsisting
planetary period; Ranil is going through the Saturn major period from
24 October 2003 to end 2020. According to astrology in which he places
so mush trust, Saturn major period is likely to bring much sorrow and
wreck especially to those engaged in public life and to make matters
worse, Ranil’s native chart contains an afflicted Saturn! One of
two things may happen; he may either remain unsuccessful or will grab
power to the detriment of the country. Beyond astrology, he would face
insurmountable challenges if he comes to power; having suffered heavily,
the LTTE would leverage the most out of his term; this would see the
country going back to a vicious, one-sided war. No amount of international
mediation and peace talks would be able to stop the LTTE as they know
only too well that is now or never. The LTTE will not do the mistakes
of the past by taking a breather; rather they would attack continuously
until the whole N-E is under their control.
Achievement or otherwise of this deadline is crucial for Ranil. If by
any case he couldn’t make it by then, chances are that the intensity
of the UNP campaign will die down. However, political horse trading
is not likely to stop soon, especially nearing November when the new
budget is due.
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