The great Sri Lankan democracy!

"Why a soldier cannot be a president, if he goes through the democratic process and abides by democratic norms, we fail to understand. Soldiers have even in contemporary history been successful leaders of nations such as former Supreme Commander of the Western Allied Forces in World War II, General Dwight Eisenhower and Gen. Charles De Gaulle of France."
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By Gamini Weerakoon

(October 18, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) If the number of elections held is a measure of the practice of democracy in a country, then Sri Lanka should rank among the best in the world. Eight elections in 16 months and all won by one party led by one leader — President Mahinda Rajapakse. That should make ours not only the best democratic country but also have one of the best democratic leaders.

Al Capone way

Cynics, and traitors (i.e. those not with the UPFA government) may disagree. Some may say that Al Capone’s advice has been followed: Vote early; vote often. But we Lankans have been following that advice — with embellishments — down the years. It happens all over the world. It happened when George W. Bush stole the presidency from Al Gore although in a different way. Some Americans believe that in a democracy it is not the voting that matters but the counting. It is taking place right now in Afghanistan where incumbent President Hamid Karzai is way ahead in the polls but those meddlesome international observers and even the Afghan Elections Commissioner are saying that mass scale rigging has taken place. In the nine recent Sri Lankan elections such allegations would not stand a chance with the massive majorities scored, our inimitable Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake would say.

Why not ‘Ranaviru’?

So, now where do we go from here? Obviously some more elections — at least two around the corner say the pundits. Which comes first — presidential elections or parliamentary elections? Some pundits say that Rajapakse should go for a presidential election since he is the war hero and any other challenger would not have a chance. But others say that there are political machinations underfoot to make another war hero also to be presented.

Minister Susil Premajayanth, UPFA General Secretary, addressing the media on Wednesday said that ‘anyone cannot win a presidential election’ because some busybodies wanted it. That pronouncement of the Education Minister however goes contrary to what we were taught in the civics class, long years ago. Our teacher said that any one could become the prime minister (there were no presidents then) if he had the talent and worked hard at it.

Premajayanth had pointed out at former Pakistani President Zia- ul Haq. Pakistan has been in a terrible mess after Zia took over power in a military coup. The people of this country don’t want that kind of situation, Premajayanth had surmised. We wonder what the Minister had in mind when he singled out a military personality — a Pakistani general at that. It was quite different to the signature tune of the UPFA we have been hearing in the past few months where ‘Ranaviru’— from foot soldiers to generals — were the heroes and saviours of the nation.

They were considered the salt of the earth that should be honoured, rewarded and placed on the highest pedestals of patriotism, we were told.

Why a soldier cannot be a president, if he goes through the democratic process and abides by democratic norms, we fail to understand. Soldiers have even in contemporary history been successful leaders of nations such as former Supreme Commander of the Western Allied Forces in World War II, General Dwight Eisenhower and Gen. Charles De Gaulle of France.

Astrologers will decide

Coming back to the question of which would come first: presidential or parliamentary elections, it is our considered opinion that only the astrologers could say that. There will be a ‘royal’ astrologer who will give the auspicious time to hold which election first, depending on the horoscopes of the personalities involved. People in this thrice blessed land are well aware of the role astrologers play not only in politics and war but most aspects of day-to-day Sri Lankan life.

They determine the times all important events in our personal and public lives should take place — marriage, time to enter hospital, time for laying of foundation stones etc. except the poor fellows can’t stipulate the time to be born or die. But the times to declare war and peace, be sworn in as presidents, prime ministers, ministers, MPs or even lesser offices are all determined by the stars above and astrologers down below on terra firma.

However, we are also considered a people who do not look beyond our nose. Thus, we wonder whether our politically conscious public has considered, what we hope to have after the two elections.

Biggest problem

There is the biggest obstacle to the progress of the nation, over which a war for three decades has been fought. The problem remains unresolved even though the war is said to be over. But after the victory our political masters seem to have lost sight of the problem staring in their face. The logical thing to do would be for each contestant for presidency and each party making a bid for power to place their proposals before the public and seek a mandate.

But politicians have gone silent on this all important issue. Obviously they are attempting to hide behind the fig leaf of the All Party Conference. Tissa Vitharana, the doughty Marxist, has exhibited patience, determination and a resilience of a very high order to work out a solution but his task is that of a driver of a stagecoach with a score or more of horses pulling in different directions.

Another poll?

It is apparent that the contestants will hold their cards to their chests hoping the others will play theirs. Given past performances that won’t happen and they would wait for elections to be over. After that they will want a new constitution to be drawn up for the problem to be resolved. That may require a referendum on the proposals — that is another national poll! Aren’t we an ideal democratic nation?

Meanwhile what are the newly elected provincial councillors doing? There were great many promises made on election platforms on what these devolved grassroots level democracies would do for the benefit of the neglected people. What we can count on is that these grassroots level democrats will be soon riding on high powered bullet proof chariots — having discarded their former chariots and also accepting increased perks from the newly appointed parliament and perhaps the president as well.

What a great democracy Sri Lanka is!

-Sri Lanka Guardian