"War has brought misery and barbarism to all people of Lanka"
by Dr.Vickramabahu Karunaratne
The local “bourgeois democracy” including Lakthilaka, Victor Ivan and the rump of platform for freedom has decided to save democracy by getting General Sarath Fonseka elected. They have made a pandemonium in educated circles about the prime need to get rid of corruption; and hence pressed the point that the removal of executive presidency is the prime task today, for the Lankan masses.
Discussions, seminars, and debates started in practically all the media where they have a say. It was a calculated attempt to push the campaign for devolution and discussion on the Tamil national problem, to the backyard. Sarath has been educated by these gentlemen, to stick to the subject of executive presidency and the corruption flowing from it. It is like going back to the days of autocratic monarchy where democracy had to work in secret societies and whispering messages.
But the setback in the armed struggle has not removed the burning interest of the Tamil people for freedom. It is still the most damning attack on the corrupt and unjust regime. If the struggle against executive presidency is an important aspect of the campaign for democracy, then the fight for devolution and autonomy is thousand times more important. What does Sarath Fonseka has to say on that subject? He has said the13th amendment is now obsolete and in consequence he has made the topic of devolution itself obsolete.
Just because a tough general has ignored the pressing problem of the Tamil nationality, it cannot disappear like mist. Somebody reminded of the words of the late S.J.V. Chelvanayakam: “When asked by a journalist [Walter Schwarz of the Guardian] how the TULF would achieve its goal, Chelvanayakam replied prophetically: ‘We would make such a nuisance of ourselves that they [the Sinhalese] would throw us out.
The trouble with these gentlemen of democracy is that they do not realize that the Tamil national problem is not an isolated problem of the Tamils but a gangrene developing in Lankan society eating into the Sinhalese as well. It will be stupid to campaign for release from the executive presidency and for a new constitution for that purpose, without the necessary item of devolution of power being given to the Tamil nationality. Whether it is in a constituent assembly or the Parliament, the Tamils and consistent democrats will vote only for a new constitution with a devolution acceptable to the Tamil people and the other minority communities.
Devolution itself is a mechanism to arrest the power of the executive presidency. Even the 13th amendment reduced the power of the president in several aspects. In the first place, the president cannot dissolve the provincial councils nor could he remove an elected chief minister. The executive president who could remove any cabinet minister or even the prime minister was humbled by the 13th amendment; at least to some extent. If we give more powers to the provincial councils, particularly in relation to the police, judiciary, land and finance, then to that extent the power at the centre will be reduced. This will be so, whether the power at the centre is in the hands of an executive president or the cabinet of ministers. Why are these gentlemen of democracy, eager to neglect the pressing problem of democracy, namely the national problem, and concentrate only on the executive presidency?
Clearly they do not want to take the bull by the horns. Mahinda could be pardoned for his attack on democracy made by his chauvinist war against the Tamil people.The plain truth is, that this war has brought misery and barbarism to all the people of Lanka. Obviously, the general who brags about his heroism in the battle against a rag tag army of the Tamil youth cannot condemn the war. General Fonseka cannot raise a finger against Mahinda and say “you are a war mongering corrupt dictator”. Because both of them are responsible for the hell-hole that we are in today. On the other hand, Mahinda has shown his fraudulent nature, by accepting the 10 points programme of Douglas Devananda that includes autonomy for a Tamil homeland and the right of self-determination to the Tamil peole! It is very necessary to avoid both the fake and the fraud and to vote for the truth.
9 Comments
It is a shame and a lost opportunity that Prabakaran wilh all his wisdom did not appoint Dr Bagu as the political chief of the LTTE,rather than going for mediocre candidates Thamilselvam and Nadesan.
Dr Bahu would have have enjoyed more acceptance to Wester Governments for his academic credentials. He would have had a lot of support amongst the Marxist Sinhalese as well.
He is wasting his time attacking the ex General and the UNP.It is now obvious that he is e is not going to attract any Tamil votes either, as both pro LTTE and the anti Fonseka, & anti Rajapaksa Tamil votes will be split three ways among the three TNA factions.
If he is really about the welfare of Tamil in Srilanka ,he should resign his candidacy and support Rajapaksa.Rajapakse will help the poor Tamils, who have been subjected to so much misery, courtesy of the LTTE and its diaspora backers ,over the last three decades.
Dr Bahu's ideas about the Provincial Councils wiln Police and full Fiscal powers ,will make Srilanka another Afganistan. The people elected to the parliament atleast have some sort of sophistication and standards. Has Dr Bahu ever studied the character and other attributes of most of the Provincial Coucil members?
I have seen A lot of comments here often, about the alleged misdeeds of Mervin.If the devolution strategy of Dr Banu takes place,there will be at least one Mervin in each district.
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What does Sarath Fonseka has to say on that subject? He has said the13th amendment is now obsolete and in consequence he has made the topic of devolution itself obsolete.
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SF pointed to 13+ where there is already consensus. In fact, MR promised to India 13+ as well.
The difference however, MR broke his promise to even implement basic 13th. He has broken every other promise that weakens his power and authority. That is why he is also against independent police, election commission and a public service. Once he is given another 8 years, he will employ the usual delay tactics for the entire tenure. The Sinhala nationalist moron thinks he is doing them a favor. He is in fact refusing political reform for selfish reasons. The moment he dilutes his power, he cannot maintain his 'Dutugamunu' persona. Not only he abuses his executive powers, he cunningly uses his brothers to bribe and blackmail the opposition. The only force that can check his powers has been rendered impotent. Not only has he unethically undermines the opposition, he is continues to place his family members and his cronies in all strategic positions within the entire administration. Its the combination of all these that makes MR very dangerous for everyone including the Sinhalese.
SF on the other hand has kept all his promises. He is also able to meet his political obligations including abolishing Presidential executive powers in one shot with 13+.
Dear Bahu,
You are losing your votes! The rhetoric on dividing/devolution will never win. You are once again trying to divide the society as Tamil and Sinhalese and taking us back to the dark age. What we need is democracy, equality and the re-instatement of law in thie god-damn country.
We are not living in the raja raja chola or Parakramabahu era but in the modernest of times, and at the pinnacle of human advancement. It's a sad plight that Sri Lankan constitution is still stuck in the 1978 and tries to protect Buddhism in the expense of the country and it's citizens where it should be the otherway round.
This is not Taliban, this is a country with a 2500 years history where all ethnicities have lived here for more than the history of England and everyone has the same rights!
What the Sinhala Voter cares is what is promised to
the Tamils. Neither Candidate wants to commit himself
in this direction - and loose Sinhala Votes.
The Northern Tamil Votes are not going to be a decisive factor this time around - as the numbers are cunningly
reduced with the help of the Com. of Elections! The
Camps were meant to create this reduction. The TNA
taking any side on 4th Jan. will NOT be of substantial help to either of the Candidates on 26th Jany.?
"......the Tamil national problem is not an isolated problem of the Tamils,it is a gangrene which has developed in Lankan society and eating into the Sinhalese as well....and devolution is a mechanism which can arrest the power of the executive presidency.."
This is an absolutely correct assessment coming in a nutshell from a true Lankan patriot and democrat.Any one trying to say something contrary to rebut it will only be wasting his time delving in b....it and be causing a stink for which there is currently no dearth in the country.
Dear Bahu:
I have written this before. You need to be there at the highest levels in seeking solutions to the country's ills. But our political system is so bizzare and subverted good and able men are kept out of governance. As I've written before, you are among those Sinhalese whom Tamils will celebrate in due time - for you spoke for justice, peace and reconciliation - fearlessly loud and clear. As Lenin and other pragmatic Leftists are wont to do, please throw your lot behind the forces seeking change. You can keep, maintain and give expression to your own brand of the solution when the change comes. But the votes you will secure if you go alone will be wasted if you go solo. If these are added in search of change, there is much good that can come out of it. Think about it. No one will accuse you of betraying the cause. As Lenin was to say "the end will justify the means" The present is the closes you have come to the portals of political power. Don't lose it.
ISS
What does Bahu have for Tamils? We have been duped by these do-gooders who profess to sympathise with the Tamils?
What are his credentials and how many votes can he muster?
Bahu is a cousin of Chandrika and an NSSPer.
Vasu went to Jaffna with Viyaja but he co-horted with the powers that be. Tamils obtained zilch for his efforts.
I do not say his (Bahu's) intentions are mala fide. But there is only so much you can do. His canvassing which started way before the war escalated has not convinced Tamils that any Sinhalese would have the best interest of the Tamils who have been let down by successive Sinhala leaders.
Bahu must come out with a clear manifesto and recognise they are on the brink of creating a separate state if the govt that would ascend to power could not deliver on the autonomy for Tamils.
Is he prepared to give us autonomy?
Otherwise let him be prepared for more virulent form of Tamil uprising and Palestine would look like a tea-party.
Bahu is a breath of fresh air in Tamil politics, if not in SL politics in general. The past 60 years of Tamil politics, when they went behind one of the two main SL (Sinhala) parties, painfully shows let down and failure. The reason is clear. These major Sinhala parties harbour a virulent strain of Sinhala chauvinism beneath the surface, and do not espouse any just solution for the national question as can be observed in their political manifestoes. Tamils have been like the person who unknowingly lends support to robbers only to be robbed by them!
It is time the Tamils realise that there is a class of Sinhalese people who are egalitarians, and try to enlist their support for the Tamil cause. I would even say it is the luck of the Tamils that there is an erudite person of the calibre of Dr. Bahu in SL politics, engulfing the higher aspirations of people with which Tamil people can readily concur. The struggle against cast and women’s rights will fit in well with Dr. Bahu’s left policies.
If the Tamils support the left and make them get at least 25-30% of the vote in this presidential election then it may signify the birth of a third force in SL politics backed by the working class, the Tamils and broadminded Sinhalese. Imagine the SL parliament with a third or more of the parliamentarians not from either of the major parties and coalition politics! I think it is time for the Tamils to strengthen the hand of Dr. Bahu who has been a fearless campaigner than even anyone from TNA for the Tamil right of self-determination if necessary leading to secession. But with a leader like Bahu tell me who wants secession?
In addition I would liekto point out that we are now entering an election with hopes of a better leadership which would learn from past mistakes.
Mistakes which brought terrorism on a daily basis, impoverishment of all the communities due to vast defence spending, corruption which prolliferated at least since 1977 with JR's open economic policy, disruption of family life especially among the poor classes which sent women to the Middle-East to raise their heads above ugly poverty brought on by this same open economic policy and state-sponsored extra-judicial killings.
Also suppression of freedom of expression.
These are the evils our country has been facing to date.
Added to this is the rapid marginalisation of minorites including Muslims, particularly in the East.
The question now is whether Bahu has put out his manifesto on how he could deliver on the aboove apprehensions and whether he has the support of eligible persons or politicians to bring this to fruition.
I do not for one moment think that Bahu or any other contenders are serious about the Tamil question.
If 13th Amendment weakens the power of Executive Presidency and devolves powers to the Provinvial Councils, there is also the fear raised by Govirala that this would spawn Mervin De Silva like gangs such as we are already seeing in breakway Tigers such as Karuna and Pillayan and Douglas.
So we need a clear mandate from candidates as to how the next successor would fulfill the aspirations fo the masses.