The ‘King’ was marching towards the realm of authoritarianism. The infamous 18th Amendment was one of the steps aimed at consolidating power and authority.
by Mass L. Usuf
One of the most common accusations against the voters is that they suffer from amnesia (a partial or total loss of memory) especially, when election time nears. This is so because most people forget the unfulfilled promises, the corrupt activities and the other evils committed by the person or party that is seeking to be elected. Is this allegation fair and reasonable?
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This nation has had only two major political parties. First was the United National Party (UNP) founded in 1946 by Don Stephen Senanayake. The UNP was to be a non-communal political party with a pro-western anti-communist ideology. Then came the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) which was established in 1951 under the leadership of S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike. The SLFP proclaimed the party as democratic and socialist. He appealed to the clergy, ayurvedic doctors, teachers, farmers, and the workers (Pancha Maha Balawega) to join the party. Bandaranaike is reputed to have messed up the fragile equilibrium that existed between the communities by his national language policy. English the widely used link language at that time connecting all communities lost its place. The Tamils in the North were receiving letters in the Sinhala language which was alien to them. This ‘Sinhala only’ policy was met with significant opposition from the minorities, particularly the northern Tamils.
Besides these two giants, there were several other political parties. One of the oldest is the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK). The ITAK was founded in 1949 as the Federal Party (FP). It was the largest ethnic Tamil political party. The Marxist-Leninist Janatha Vimukthi Perumana (JVP), also known as the People’s Liberation Front was founded in 1964. There exist several other political parties based on ethnic, racial and ideological orientations.
Transmogrify
Generally, it is the name of the party that was used by the voter to identify a political party. Sometimes the symbol of the party was also used. This method has strangely transmogrified into a different form. Today, in Sri Lanka, the majority of the people talk in terms of personalities and not the name of the party or the symbol identifying the party. So, it is common to hear names like Mahinda or Ranil or Maithripala when referring to the respective party. More like a personality cult. The background to this is not as strange though. Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa had been in government for a long period. All throughout that period, Mr. Ranil Wickremasinghe had been in the opposition camp. By usage, the public have now come to identify political parties by these two personalities. The common question that is asked by the average person is whom are you supporting? Not the question, which political party or party symbol are you supporting? Even when politicians in the Rajapaksa camp speak, they say we will bring Rajapaksa back to power. They hardly mention the name of the party that Rajapaksa represents. Ditto with the Ranil camp.
The First Chance
Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa in his victory speech in the august assembly of the nation, the Parliament on 19 May 2009 said:
“We should live in this country as children of one mother
No differences of race, caste and religion should prevail here
All the people of this country should live in safety without fear and suspicion
All should live with equal rights
That is my aim ………..
This is the objective of the Mahinda Chinthana.”
The nation, be it Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Malay or Burgher in unison saluted Mr. Rajapaksa for ending the war. The nation even named him “Dutugemunu” and sometimes as “Raja” (King). Post war history laments that this ‘King’ before long began to lose his head and acted in a manner which ultimately made him lose his ‘crown’ also.
Autocratic Authoritarianism
This is a dangerous cocktail. An autocracy is a government in which a single person takes upon himself absolute power. Authoritarianism is characterized by a strong central power with less constitutional accountability. Also, limited political and individual freedoms for the citizens.
The ‘King’ was marching towards the realm of authoritarianism. The infamous 18th Amendment was one of the steps aimed at consolidating power and authority. The two-term limit on holding the office of the President was removed and other important checks on the exercise of executive powers were weakened. The symbiotic relationship that those around him desired to have with the “Raja” was a great threat to democracy. The ulterior motives of the servile politicians, unctuous alleged criminals and racist political affiliates were to exchange sycophancy in return for power, promises and privileges. Included in this list of beneficiaries were the family, extended family, relations and the polity of bootlickers who called themselves supporters. Unchecked corruption was inbuilt into this system.
Civic Sense Guillotined
Sadly, unfortunately and tragically good governance, human rights, media freedom, co-existence, rule of law were all being queued up to the guillotine. The cancer of degeneration had metastasized affecting the innocent people. The culture of threat, abusive speech and violence became endemic penetrating all walks of life. The Bodu Bala Sena, Ravaya and several mushroom extremist organisations were a law unto themselves. They trespassed into both private and government properties with impunity. The then Government and Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa are alleged to have nurtured these organisations. Gotabaya himself was riding the wave of unprecedented authority unhindered by all the allegations that were hoisted against him ranging from corruption to killings. The populace fell victim to their demagoguery and manipulations.
Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch once wrote, “Unlike traditional dictators, today’s would-be autocrats typically emerge from democratic settings. Most pursue a two-step strategy for undermining democracy: first, scapegoat and demonize vulnerable minorities to build popular support; then, weaken the checks and balances on government power needed to preserve human rights and the rule of law, such as an independent judiciary, a free media, and vigorous civic groups.”
Mark Twain said, “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.” These are times when blindness to reality sets in and actions deliver unintended consequences. The ‘King’ was unceremoniously thrown out of office in January 2015.
The Second Chance
Post January 2015, the media was breathing fresh oxygen. The Police began policing with dignity and without political interference. There was a natural smile of joy on the faces of the people. The racist extremists went into hibernation. The humble “hopper” had shot into stardom. “Rata beragath kema” (the food that saved the nation), with a sign of a hopper. In general, a sigh of relief, calmness and serenity swept across the entire nation of right-minded, civic and peace-loving citizens.
This tranquillity was deceptive and did not hold for long. The people enmasse voted out the evildoers in January 2015 certainly not to usher in another band of wrongdoers to re-enact the same script. By default, it seems that is what had happened. The idea of a joint government between the UNP and SLFP though unique was a miserable failure. The promise of bringing to justice the alleged criminals, murderers, fraudsters, money launderers and those who misappropriated government funds was a mirage. The political stunt of ousting the Rajapaksa regime was succeeded by the same corruption, nepotism and fraud of the predecessor. It made no difference. However, it has to be acknowledged that freedom of expression was restored, the Constitutional Council was re-established and the fear of authoritarianism diminished.
Yahapalanaya, My Foot!
If the government as alleged was protecting the corrupt of the previous regime, who will save this country? While the handful of irresponsible, inefficient, uncouth, misfits play ball game with the country and its future, the masses are looking agape helplessly. The clarion call for the establishment of law and order and, the strengthening of the rule of law vaporized once the yahapalana government came to power. An increasingly common refrain one hears from the public these days is that whichever government comes to power, all are the same. This statement encapsulates a mix of resignation, disdain and hopelessness expressed in so many words.
What Is Next?
Given the previous and present wretchedness, what is next? Again, the two giants, the UNP and SLPP, the mutated SLFP, will come to the fray at the forthcoming Presidential election. Like the pendulum, this time around are the people going to vote for the opposing candidate Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa?
This is where the talk of amnesia becomes relevant. People who are not ardent or blind supporters of Mahinda or Ranil or any other are working hard to ensure that the public does not slip into that state of amnesia. So, they keep reminding of the sense of fear and corruption under the Mahinda regime and the corruption under the Maithripala/Ranil rule. The dismal performance records of both these contenders are clear.
A natural development that had taken place in the political arena is the entry of an alternative political platform. A whole host of intellectual, professionals, civic minded citizens have got together to establish what they call as the ‘third force’. Thereby giving the marooned voter an opportunity to consider someone other than these two goliaths. Indeed, this is a welcome move and a growing sign of the disgust that the people are experiencing. In this context, the JVP has come forth this time as a strong contender and as an alternative to the UNP and SLPP. There are also others who may declare their candidature from this alternative platform in the near future.
Decide For The Progeny
On previous occasions since there was no alternative to UNP and the mutated SLFP, the amnesia theory was justifiable. Given the changed circumstances, the amnesiac condition cannot be considered fair and reasonable this time. Voters now have three choices:
1. To analyse and rationally choose the better of the two evil goliaths or
2. To blindly bring back to power their masters whoever it may be or
3. To consider the alternative forces that have convincingly emerged.
History or the past is an excellent teacher. Therefore, without being amnesiac think well before making your choice. Do not be emotional or sentimental. These can prejudice your decision. An understanding of two salient points is recommended. First, consider what is good for the nation and the people as a whole. Second, bear in mind democratic principles, freedom of expression, rule of law, human rights, socio-economic policies, racist extremism and national security.
The End.
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