Origins of Sri Lanka’s mess – Dayan admits being a proud product of the " Underya" tradition

"As for Mervin Silva and late Mervin De Silva, there is not much of a difference between them from the point of view of their political philosophies. Both are cynics who have learned the art of political survival. One behaves like a joker and the other was arrogant and “smart”. Both follow the Colombo style “Underya” tradition, and Dayan says he is proud about it."

by Basil Fernando

(September 19, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka Guardian) This discussion is about the 1978 Constitution and its enhancement by the 18th Amendment. The 1978 Constitution created an executive president who is above the law. With that, the law was no longer supreme in Sri Lanka. When the law is not supreme, the rule of law is replaced by the rule of the head of state. What he does then becomes the law. If illustration is needed, the cases filed against Sarath Fonseka are good examples. Many lesser-known citizens have faced this situation continuously. Some have “disappeared” and others are in jail without ever having committed a crime. Thousands of families have been ruined. However, there is nothing that can be done about it, except to appeal for the supreme leader’s mercy. There is nothing else left for citizens to follow or hope for. A man with self respect, like Sarath Fonseka, will not kneel before the supremo. He has no option but to suffer the consequences.

The references to R. Premadsa and Mahinda Rajapakse are about 1978 constitution. They are creatures of this constitution. The creator was J.R. Jayawardene. Mahinda Rajapakse admires J.R. Jayawardene’s political model. Now even persons jailed by Jayawardene one time or another have come to play pooja to Jayawardene by accepting his political model. Dayan is one of them. When, I mentioned admiration for Jayawadene, I meant admiration and acceptance of his political model. Many of one time opponents of Jayawardene, including Mahinda Rajapakse, have now come to be ardent followers of his political model. Dayan is no exception.

As for Mervin Silva and late Mervin De Silva, there is not much of a difference between them from the point of view of their political philosophies. Both are cynics who have learned the art of political survival. One behaves like a joker and the other was arrogant and “smart”. Both follow the Colombo style “Underya” tradition, and Dayan says he is proud about it. The fact is that this is no tradition that is worthy of admiration. The cumulative effect of many centuries of practice of Brahmin shrewdness is what that there is. Nothing creative is allowed to grow and there is neck-cutting at every turn.

It is that “Colombo Tradition” that created this 1978 model of the political system. Dayan admits to being a proud product of that tradition. All my life I have avoided been part of that despicable tradition.

The mess that this country is in today is the result created by all these great intellects.

Please refer to previous article: Fernando's Futile Follies