Sarath Fonseka,Caste Factor and Presidential Poll; a Historical Irony
By Uvindu Kurukulasuriya
The caste factor which has for long been swept under the carpet has begun to raise its ugly head in Sri Lankan politics with the entry of Sarath Fonseka into the Presidential elections.
It is of special concern that in his column Ninavva in the last Lakbima volume this distasteful topic of caste was begun by another Presidential candidate. This candidate who contested the Central Province Provincial Council in 1988 distributed a leaflet with a rubber frank to boast about his maternal link to the Kotalawala lineage.
Although he is a Marxist, in his leaflet communication to the Kandyans he alluded to his aristocratic origin. In mentioning Sarath Fonseka’s entry into the fray he surfaced the caste factor by stating that “Rajapkshas and Fonsekas” cannot tread the same path and that “in any case, Silvas, Fernandos and Fonsekas came to fight.” Just as Wickramabahu Karunaratna who calls himself a Marxist did, there’s no doubt that Fonseka’s opponents will assuredly use the caste factor against him.
Generally, a major characteristic of the South Asian identity is caste. When it was necessary to enthrone a kshatriya prince in the Kandyan Kingdom in the 18th century a Nayakkar caste Tamil-speaking Hindu was made king, in addition making him the protector of Buddhism. Such ideas about the identity coming down from the feudal past are still prevalent. Otherwise, Wickramabahu Karunaratna would not have distributed the above-mentioned kind of leaflet to the Kandyans or surfaced Fonseka’s caste origin through his columns.
Sarath Fonseka’s ascendancy is an interesting phenomenon in both Sinhala nationalism and caste politics. This reminds me of an incident that occurred at an important political crossroads a hundred years ago. It was the first election in Ceylon (Sri Lanka, since 1972). It was a limited election for the “Educated Ceylonese.” The British decided to elect one Ceylonese to the legislature and the seat was named “the seat for the Educated Ceylonese.” A physician, Sir Marcus Fernando, came forward as a candidate for this seat. Although he received the support of powerful people like P.B. Ratnayake and L.B. Ranaraja the minds of govigama families like Senanayakas and Jayawardenas were grated by the physician’s caste origin. As the Sernanayaka-Jayawardena group could not find an individual of the govigama caste to defeat Marcus Fernando they selected Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan who was then living in retirement in India.
Vellala in the Tamil caste hierarchy is equal to govigama in the Sinhala caste hierarchy. In this election this govigama-vellala alliance was able to defeat Sir Marcus Fernando of the karawa caste. This first election has been historically recorded as a caste contest.
What is remarkable in Fonseka’s entry into politics is the incident which is diametrically opposite to what happened a hundred years ago. This is the fact that when Ranil Wickramasinghe could not find an opponent to the govigama Rajapaksha he went against his great uncles Senanayakas and Jayawardenas and proposed a candidate of the karawa caste. In any case, Wicramasinghe does not consider caste like his cousin Rukman Senanayaka.
Ranil was requested not to propose a durawa caste person like Ranjan Ramanayake for the Provincial Council elections of Sabaragamuwa. But he rejected this request resulting in Ranjan Ramanayake recording the highest preferential poll at Sabaragamuwa. Similarly, he rejected the request made by some not to forward a second-class govigama person like S.B. Dissanayake at the Central Province elections resulting in the latter obtaining the highest number of preferential votes. It was the same in the case of Rosie Senanayaka.
This is the difference between Ranil Wickramasinghe and Rukman Senanayaka.
The nomination of Fonseka is the victory of the liberals in the internal conflict of liberals and conservatives of the UNP. On the other hand, the fact that the JVP, which represents the “subaltern” people, selected Fonseka is quite remarkable. From the perspective of caste the only important person missing in this contest of selecting the “Sinhala hero” is the salagama caste political leader Nimal Siripala de Silva.
Fonseka will get the support of people who aid govigama Chandrika Bandaranaike-Ranil Wickramasinghe, the durawa political leader Mangala Samaraweera and karawa-subaltern Tilvin-Somawansa group.
The arrival of Fonseka who invalidated the slogan “born that side of the Bentara ganga” and how the caste factor will be used in this election will be a fine educational or research ground for social scientists and anthropologists.
9 Comments
The caste factor is in our blood –and that cannot be denied. The brilliant Dr. Colvin R. de Silva used to say “that factor that is spoken in whispers” - which in a way speaks for the decency of our people.
Just today I read somewhere in the UP/India some high caste Hindus shot dead a dalit in the village – for the crime of being seated on a chair and watching TV. And that is 21st century India. I,of course, remember Arundathi Roy reminding us that India lives in several centuries simultaneously. We are not that bad, are we?
If you want to see one common factor among both the Sinhalese and Tamils you will see that in the caste factor. Many close Sinhala friends have asked both of us (my wife, that is) to find a match for their son/daughter.
But we have always had this problem of usually not knowing what caste they are. Asking this from close mutual friends is in itself a delicate matter. Our post and pre-1948 political history, to a large extent, is influenced by the caste factor. To some extent it is on the wane now.
Sometimes class replaces caste in marriages – both here and in India (where in some instances we know Brahmins have married Muslims) Even the Left, anti-establishment movement in Sri Lanka have fallen prey to caste-considerations both then and now.
While the Goigama men controlled the post-Independence political scene those of other castes went into the Opposition and Left politics. Some educated Karawe friends of mine even today carry the caste factor pretty far.
Post 1970s Tamil Liberation movements too are divided on the caste issue. PLOTE, to a large exgent is, Vellalar-dominated while the LTTE was on the other side of the spectrum. I am afraid at least for a generation or two we will have to live with this. As an educated friend told me both he and his (medical doctor) wife do not care much about this and want to see a change.
But they quickly added they want to see their children and theirs married into their own caste structure. Perhaps it is true the human species gains some satisfaction in dividing itself into selected groupings. Take, for instance, the Club culture the British introduced us into to though, admittedly, not as sharp as caste differences.
But encouraging as it is, the average Sri Lankan voter is able to rise above the caste factor, which is a sign of adult democratic traditions.
ISS
In this day and age, caste, creed, race, religon, rich or poor should not be an issue when casting our vote. Of course the reality may or maynot be so. Some people still cling onto their old mindsets, beliefs and affiliations. They harbour suspicion and doubt about other people based on old stories and superstitions. Also there are people to stoke these fires to gain their own advantage.
This type of ancient thinking is the same which is holding back our country from entering the modern era of progress and democracy. The talk of International Conspiracy is also similiar. Narrow nationalism and inability to see beyond ones nose has fuelled this frog in the well attitude. This is a similiar mindset to caste discrimination.
What we need today is an open mind, to excercise our intelligence and judgement unfettered by old mindsets and prejudices. Let us accept what is said in good faith and opt out the talk of Gonibillas, Yakas and Nagas.
What rubbish is this about caste politics? I'm a Karava but I'm voting for Mahinda.
MR.Kurukulasuriya also wants to promote his own man.Now He has forgotton the past
The British wanted the Sri Lankans to be divided as Tamils, Sinhalese and Muslims. They brought the cast tactics in 1797 by giving jobs to the two largest casts namely the Goigama and Vellala so that the majority of Sinhalese and Tamils will depend on them for jobs, loyal and subservient. This divide and Rule Policy kept us fighting among ourselves so that they can rule the paradise.
Will we ever wake up and see us as Sri Lankans?
The British wanted the Sri Lankans to be divided as Tamils, Sinhalese and Muslims. They brought the cast tactics in 1797 by giving jobs to the two largest casts namely the Goigama and Vellala so that the majority of Sinhalese and Tamils will depend on them for jobs, loyal and subservient. This divide and Rule Policy kept us fighting among ourselves so that they can rule the paradise.
Will we ever wake up and see us as Sri Lankans?
Beyond the human made differences such as cast, religion, language, etc etc if we consdier all as human beings, is the only way to move forward for the benefit of everyone in that island choose to call by majority sinhalese as Srilanka.
Any political parties or institution built on the fundamenatls of true democracy and human rights will only survive in the long run and receive widespread recognition by every nation across the globe. This is the only way move forward to create opportinuities, which will bring prosperity to everyone in that island and eventually they overcome with all the human made barriers.
It is sad that in the 21st century we still judge people according to their
caste. Srilanka where the Dhamma of the enlightened one is totally lost, as I see
it, by the behaviour of our people. Good luck to the General its high time the
Silvas, Pereras,Fonsekas ruled the land, maybe they will do a better job! The next
big change should be Tamils, Muslims as presidents & primeministers only then
can we say that we are truly 'cultered' & ready for the 21st century.
We are also beleive the cast sysytem. But in social works and the politics it should not. Because we need now to develop our country in collective manner not more diviations.
Hence I do not beleive this Factor.