Some Rationally valuable Points for All Voting Sri Lankans . To Consider in Electing a President who will be the Right President
Posted on November 29th, 2009

By Ananda Ariyarathne

All should vote so that the decision shall be clear and convincing, to ensure the correct decision. For most of the Sri Lankan Politicians, from the time it became a so called independent country, were more concerned about staying in power or trying to come into power if they were not in. Therefore, elections became completely an exercise to outwit the opponents.

The present situation in Sri Lanka is just another example for the same thing. The naked truth is not what is going to happen to Candidates and but what is going to happen to the Nation. It is this priority all, voters as well as those who seek votes, seem to have forgotten, or have thought of ignoring.

For the first time in the history of Sri Lanka, a simple hearted and an unsophisticated politician took the initiative and boldly exercised the authority and achieved something which looked very very remote if not impossible. That was the leadership he gave at a time the country was helplessly waiting to experience an uncertain future. It was proved that terrorism is not an almighty phenomenon but a very vulnerable development that can be destroyed completely.

All the Political Leaders, this country had, contributed in their own way to create such a menace like communalism and to help in creating a monster like Prabhakaran out of a simple citizen, and some even tried to make him a divine figure. There was no point in trying to justify actions as what was needed was to find an ultimate solution. It was purely surgical to remove a malign and a cancerous growth in order to save the patient. If all of us can think for a moment disregarding our so called ethnic origins, was not it what happened when LTTE was militarily defeated ?

The war for peace is not yet over. The war in the Hearts and Minds Sector is not over yet. It is the most difficult task as it needs very serious attention to human feelings and to the negative aspects that prevent in achieving such and delay the realisation of the ideal environment for the healing process. During the crucial days and hours of the final stages of the war against LTTE, some factions tried to rally round external forces against the government that was trying to see and end to the problem.

For all the sincere people this is a ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…- National Need ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚and it must be so. We cannot have a different a ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-realityƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ according to party politics. The physical and psychological needs of a human being will not vary or will not become adjustable according to party politics. Therefore, who is in the driving seat is not the issue. The issue is the fact that the destination should be reached. It does not matter who does it as what is important is that it has to happen.

This is how it becomes so significant for the Voter. Once the vote is cast there is no chance of reversing it. That is why all have to be fair and clear in what has to be decided. At the Presidential Election this time it becomes so crucial because of that. Due to adventurous and short sighted politics, and due to the personal glorification more than the needs of the Nation, Sri Lanka suffered enough , we all cannot forget the agony of over a quarter of a century of destruction and carnage.

Whether one likes it or not, the ultimate fate faced by the LTTE was inevitable. No Nation has a history free of negative developments and there is no Nation consisting of one ethnic kind within the boundaries. Therefore majorities and minorities are inevitable in any society.

It is pure insanity if we think that we can have separate arrangements for each ethnic group. We are in a world that has no barriers now and whatever barriers, which are there, are only to have discipline so that it does not become a commotion. So, anyone who talks about winning rights, they are misleading the masses.

What Sri Lanka faces now is a scenario after crushing a tyrannical force which bled the country for more than quarter of a century pulling all the people into a bloody mess without any exception. The end of Prabhakaran and his LTTE is definitely a blessing for all. I am sure even the LTTE hardcore cadres also welcome the change in their hearts. It was purely a surgical development. The patient was saved. Now let the patient gain strength.

What did Ranil do when the operation for freeing the East was done ? He ridiculed the whole operation and he and his supporting factions ridiculed even the Army Commander who has become their candidate for Presidency.

What does it mean? It means that they do not mind being led by that Army Commander who was ridiculed by them not so long ago. What is really happening ? Who promoted such an idea ? Who will be benefited by a change ?

When the war was on, how many times did he go to India to pressurise Indian Government to intervene. Ranil is personally responsible for the negative image of Sri Lanka during the war against terrorists. What was he after ? Was it the emancipation of Tamil People ? Or the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…- Driving Seat ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ ?

It is really funny how the change came. Ranil who became so destructive by trying to prevent the government getting a ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…- Loan ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ and even went to the extent of saying that, declaring that no repayment shall be done by his government if he would come into power. He tried to weaken the government expecting that it would fall , for the obvious wishful thinking that he would get the government. He failed in that.

Then he went around setting fire to the image of Sri Lanka asking the European Union not to give GSP and he succeeded in doing so. Then, he started shouting inside Sri Lanka for GovernmentƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s inability to get GSP harping on the fact that so many factories had to be closed and the employees became jobless. I wonder what kind of ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…- Ethics ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚motivated him to do so, when he was engaged in convincing those in European Union forgetting those unfortunate employees. The government did not fall.

In the meantime, the developments within the government also gave reasons when loud mouthed Ministers and important people who did not care how the war was fought but were basking in glory given by the victories gained by the joint efforts of the Armed Forces, Police and Civil Defence in achieving stability. On the other hand the irresponsible behaviour that gave reasons for allegations on corruption distanced even the factions which wished well, from the government, giving strength to Ranil and the forces that would be naturally interested in the downfall of the government. The result is the unnatural alliance.

All those who have been united in fighting against the government have been motivated so, due to their pent ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” up anger and frustration about a variety of reasons. UNP, being the main party opposing was meandering through a path of one failure after the other due to bad leadership.

I start wondering, if Ranil had the courage to call a spade a spade, he would have supported the government from the time the Offensive started to liberate LTTE held land. Instead of ridiculing the army and the Government when efforts were made to liberate those areas, he also could have boldly stood up with the President. That way, he could have qualified to claim and share the glory. His sarcastic and negative attitude alienated UNP from the people and even the staunch UNP supporters did not approve. The latest strategy by Ranil to topple the Presidency another illogical approach by him. That may be why he thought of getting the former Army Commander to take their side as if to say that they also have inherited the credit. Again poor judgment.

When he had the opportunity he did things that strengthened LTTE and did not manage the Security intelligently. When things started happening, he should have supported the government. If he did so, he need not have gone to the extent of leaning on others to come into power. Because, UNP also would have shared the victory, then. He let that opportunity slip and feels miserable now. What was he really after? Well being of the Sri Lankan Nation or his personal glory ?

Why has JVP joined the group? I had a lot of respect for JVP as the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…- Voice of Protest ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ in this country. The only valid reasons they can have are that President Mahinda Rajapakse did not pursue the expected goal- the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…- Abolition of Executive Presidency ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ and the increased ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…- Corruption ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚.I have no doubt about their genuineness when it comes to serious work for the Common Man. In Tissamaharama they proved how public money could be used for development. When they decided to leave the government at a crucial time, what they expected was its fall. While being inside the government they could have done more. They took a wrong step and got distanced.

What are the others doing ? Rauf Hakim who has more signs of a Rebel without a Cause never thought that government would be victorious in the war against Prabhakaran and his goons who were glorified as Militants who fought for a cause. When it comes to light how the wealth amassed was used by the LTTE Custodians, those contributors feel relieved now that the burdens are no there anymore. All those are promoting separation and segregation. What minorities do not have their rights protected and who have been denied ?

What are the Tamil Parties doing ? They are a lot, with the misconception that it is demeaning to say let us work together. Only Douglas Devananda and Anandasangarie had the courage to say something boldly. Out of the two, Douglas Devananda realised the truth earlier and was bold enough to come directly ready to work together. Anandasangarie ,who has my utmost respect, could have been more cautious , because he joined later. But both of them I believe are examples for all. I do not mean those two, when I mean Tamil groups and the parties with socialist approaches did not have such fanatically oriented racist attitudes . I mean the others who might have had the feeling that Prabhakaran would come victorious on day. Or it could have been out of fear. Whatever it was, their reluctance due to any reason alienated them from the government and now due to that they have become not a harmless set but also a useless one at that, which is not definitely a healthy image among the people who they are supposed to represent. So ,naturally they waited for an opportunity to have an ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…- honourable exit ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ from their stagnancy. So the call came.

Unite to defeat the villain of the nation. The villain who had ruined Sri Lanka with the help of his two brothers. Are they hated because they did what others could not do ?

I think the president did right by having his own brothers close by and especially like Gotabhaya who has proved to be an excellent Military Strategist and Basil who has proved to be a very successful negotiator and a target achiever.

Last Presidential Elections was fought by a half hearted lot and Mahinda Rajapakse had more against him and some even watching to see whether he would swim and get to the other side. How many Ministers in this government were waiting to see Mahinda failing as they had more faith in Chandrika who can be called the most disastrous Head of State Sri Lanka ever had. It was JVP that stood by Mahinda and it was spearheaded by Wimal as we all know. If one does not see it, he must start thinking and thinking repeatedly. Is it not MahindaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s strong will that took him through? I see him more as a very successful circus master who kept the wild animals at bay while the artistes were performing their feats. That itself is an achievement as he did the near impossible by keeping severely contrasting kind of people with unimaginably varying wave lengths, together.

In the middle of obstructions caused by people like Ranil in Sri Lanka as well as abroad, by others at international level in the past , is it wise giving leadership to a party or an allianceƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  consisting of political leaders who would miserably fail as statesmen, with a very few exceptions, to decide the future of a country, knowing well that Mahinda has done more than enough as the Head of State of Sri Lanka.

He gave leadership to a nation, even brought impossible personalities together. Sri Lanka is hundred percent united geographically now and people also of all backgrounds have started appreciating the value of peace and being together, respecting each other.

He stood firm at the time of opposition and his patience and ability to let matters to be managed by professionals especially in the sphere of war and related matters brought in stability. In the face of intimidation by external powers, he did not give in ,definitely with the unfailing support from his two brothers before others while a very cool Secretary ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” Lalith Weeratunga standing by him made those crucial things happen.

This does not mean that everything was bright. Rising cost of living, employment, and infrastructural needs of the nation are lagging behind. This is where the President has failed and he becomes responsible when his Ministers have failed. Their eloquence in public speeches and praising the President alone cannot save a country.

Starting with the Prime Minister who has become reduced to a ceremonial figure by his own choice all of them except for a very few, have tried to do something seriously, what can they say as achieved ?. Spend a day and then another day and so on. When the opportunity comes they praise the war heroes and the President thinking that the victory over LTTE has given them a life long mandate. This is where it is wrong. This is where opportunities are given for fingers to be pointed at them. Naturally, when there is no integrated plan for economic growth, development of manpower to meet the needs of that kind of economic growth, education gearing up for such a national need, no plan for public health to provide a healthy nation, no plan for increasing the export earnings as the top most priority to meet the import requirements, when the agriculture is not planned to make the most, and so on, how can the overall position of Sri Lanka be improved ? This leads to poverty and then to crimes that would dominate the day to day life. All affected by low incomes and leading to corruption. How can the low and order be maintained. Who have failed ? Is it the President or the Ministers and the bureaucracy ?

It is obvious that people suffer because the day to day matters are not solved properly.

Now at least the Political base is firm and security is better what is our need at present ?

Is it to change the President who has proved to be the best so far in the history of post independent Sri Lanka ?

Does the former Army Commander have a better capacity to lead this country simply because of a group of friends who have become friends on the principle of ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…- EnemyƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s enemy is a friend ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ and decided to have him to represent all because the individual leaders have no confidence in themselves as the people have not shown their confidence so far when enough opportunities were provided ?. Is what they want what the country needs now ?

Should the Sri Lankans be carried away by emotions ? Now or never. All should convince themselves that what Sri Lanka needs is stability. The present President has proved beyond doubt that he is the best so far in spite of having faced the most complicated difficulties.

Or should the people get carried away because Ranil has put them to it and a popular Army Commander has been put forward as the figurehead with publicly spelt plans had been shown, to punish Mahinda Rajapakse ? IsnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t it a case of people being mislead because of a leader who has failed and has no future ? It looks more like a personal vendetta of Ranil.We have to be worried about a country.

What can a candidate like the Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka do, if elected, with a set of Masters who have varying agendas as their unity is only to defeat the President ? He will be clueless. As a man with regimentalised thinking he would try get others to work. But did they get together to work ?

What he did in the Army cannot be done with the politicians who have no respect for such discipline and the very base on which they became united is a temporary arrangement to crush an opponent. It may be a game for them but they are playing with the future of trusting people and a country that can be turned into a heaven on Earth, if political leaders are honest and dedicated.

That means a Government full of clashes and different opinions as it is natural that they will never see eye to eye when it comes to policies .Is it what Sri Lankans need now ? Ranil has no care for such as he is after one thing.

Answer is very clear. All should reject the idea of such an unholy alliance and re-elect Mahinda Rajapakse as he is definitely the better option and prove that ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-VotersƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ are not some zombies and nitwits who can be manipulated. That way, you would have done both. You would take the right decision and that way will prevent a National Catastrophe. And take a different decision,if necessary at the General Elections. If all are interested in what is best for the people, why cannot they learn to work together.

But as it is true that a lot of inefficiency has crept in governance, reject all those Ministers who have become burdens on the President at the Parliamentary / General Elections due to come. Use the preferential Voting to show the rejection of useless politicians who have become national burdens , and it will be a great service done to the nation.

Rationally,it will be Mahinda Rajapakse in this context. It is inevitable to feel sorry about Sarath Fonseka who did a great service in uniting the Country but he cannot be the choice as future under that option is scary and uncertain.

Let only sincere and honest politicians remain.

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