“The most unkindest cut of all”

"The Jailing of SF is a blessing in disguise for him. Millions of people who considered him a war hero have not changed their mind despite the fact that most of them chose MR for the Presidency over him. It hurts most of them to see him suffering in the hands of the Rajapaksha family while the real traitors immerse themselves in luxury."

by Helasingha Bandara

(September 22, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The jailing of Sarath Fonseka (SF) is not the only example outcome of the repertoire of Rajapaksha skills which are predominantly wily, unethical, unprincipled, unjust and self-centred. In the context that SF was instrumental in creating the path on which Rajapaksha trod towards the glory that he and his family are basking in today, revenging upon SF becomes ‘the most unkindest cut of all’.

SF, like any of his predecessors, faced the insurmountable obstacle of having corrupt officers within the ranks of the army who passed military secrets to the LTTE. Their actions caused death to many a soldier and many defeats to the armed forces. Realising the grave need to discipline the army, SF punished some officers and made others refrain from dealing with the LTTE. Although this cleanup accelerated the victory over the LTTE it unfortunately bred many enemies of SF within the army. Those opportunistic traitors excluded, the rest of the armed forces who battled against the murderous LTTE are boiling with anger to see their skilful and patriotic commander is being humiliated and jailed while the Karunas, the Pillayans and the KPs who have been alleged to have caused death to thousands of heroic soldiers including 600 unarmed policemen, are enjoying lecherous and luxurious lives at the expense of the ordinary people of the country. Underplaying of the ticking of such a time bomb can be suicidal for many.

I have no disagreement that everyone irrespective of social, political or economic status should be punished for offences. SF should not be made immune to punishment if proven guilty.

A simple answer to Dayan Jayathilaka’s question

“I reiterate my main question: If we don’t respect the decision of the courts (the legal system) and disagree with those of the people at repeated elections (democracy, popular sovereignty), what do we have left, who is the ultimate arbiter”

Is “yes we should” if there are courts and “yes we should” if they were free and fair elections. Unfortunately in today’s Sri Lanka we have neither. Instead of courts we have courts cum puppet theatres. For the poor and the powerless they function as courts. The case against a girl who stole five Rupees is a glowing example. For the politicians, for the hierarchy of the security forces or for the underworld those courts become puppet theatres. If justice is delivered to everyone in equal quantities we should not be disgruntled, but is it?

Some section of our society believes that Rajapaksha is good for the country . They cite examples from mega development projects in his favour. But how good Rajapaksha can be while he retains the services of Karunas, Pillayans and Devanadas to suppress the democratic voices of the North and the East, Mervin Silva and his underworld to control the South, the pole-vaulters from the opposition to pass his bills, Ministers and the MPs of his party to keep him in on the throne and his own family members to protect him, not including the peripheral perk seekers? While having the obligation to please them all he is unable to be any good even if he wishes.

The Jailing of SF is a blessing in disguise for him. Millions of people who considered him a war hero have not changed their mind despite the fact that most of them chose MR for the Presidency over him. It hurts most of them to see him suffering in the hands of the Rajapaksha family while the real traitors immerse themselves in luxury. That hurt will turn into anger as time passes by. Three years is enough time for SF to learn from his mistakes, learn about politics and improve his demeanour. This jail sentence may resurrect the hero in him and the masses may follow his path.