If Mahinda manages to retain power his mafia regime will reach new heights
by Vasantha Rajah
Some Sri Lankan leftists naively argue that a Fonseka-victory will lead to a fascist dictatorship. They even dogmatically draw historical parallels from world history to justify their claim and defend their sectarian politics. A sober analysis of Sri Lanka's concrete context, however, tells a different story. Let me explain:
If Sarath Fonseka became Sri Lanka's next executive president there's no way he could cling on to his powers even if he wanted to; for, all political parties in parliament - including Mahinda Rajapaksa's SLFP - will have a vested interest in getting the presidential powers abolished, and the parliament's powers restored.
Therefore, obtaining the hitherto illusory two-third majority in parliament will at last become a reality if SF wins this election.
[Needless to explain how crucial it is to change the Executive Presidency as the first step towards Sri Lanka's democratic transformation. Preventing General Fonseka's victory at this juncture would be a costly mistake of all those shortsighted 'progressives' who're too blind to see any difference between the two.]
But would Fonseka be able to use extra-parliamentary methods to impose a dictatorship? I don't think so. He has no organized social power-base of his own to mobilize around him. This election is bound to leave highly agitated, self-confident and politically smart social forces within which Fonseka has not cultivated deep roots. Even the political establishment - including the military - will be deeply divided with unpredictable repercussions. Under such circumstances, there's no way Sarath Fonseka could bypass the parliament in order to consolidate his powers.
If, on the contrary, Mahinda Rajapaksa managed to retain power - probably as a result of his Mafia tactics - the consequences would be vastly different. The executive presidency - in other words, Sri Lanka's constitutional dictatorship - will continue to thrive with the backing of Rajapaksa's expanding underworld gang. His Mafia-Regime will reach new heights in its effort to try and crush the politically smart democratic forces that are unlikely to accept the results of a widely rigged election in silence. However, none of this is unlikely to prick the conscience of so-called intellectuals and artists who blindly support MR.
14 Comments
Methods adopted by MR following the so-called 'liberation of the East' is a clear message that it is MR who has already set-up the machinery for a dictatorial rule. His political allies in the Tamil community are Karuna, Pillayan and Douglas who are still para-military leaders. MR has appointed retired-Army, Navy or Air Force officers as provincial Governors, Heads of Depts. Diplomats, etc. According to a recently circulated chart of the Rajapakse Family Tree which clear shows that he and his wife are in direct control of various improtant sectors of Govt. administrative machinery which is another arrangement. The ad-hoc appointment of Ministers, numbering to around 110 or so is to keep these people under his control. As MR's administration is corrupt upto the nose he will never be able to come-out of it when there are Institutions to which he is answerable. So he is compelled to see that such Instituions do not exist. These are clearly foundations for a MR dictatorship.
While the abolishing of the excessive powers in the Executive Presidency looks desirable it may be necessary, in the text of our own political reality, for the head to retain some powers. Take the case of what Afghan President Karzai went through recently. Parliament there that does not function to the notions visioned in Westminster rejected almost 75% of his nominees to Cabinet and ground the government to a halt. In a situation where sources outside Parliament here influence government policy (the clergy, interest groups etc) justice to the minorities is impossible under the Parliamentary system. Our failure to bring peace from 1956 todate is one good example. Therefore, a balance has to be found. MR was not entirely wrong when he said "what use is a system if I as President cannot even have the influence to transfer the OIC of Tangalla"? The input of a bipartisan. non-political group of eminent persons is necessary to come out with a via medium.
ISS
Vasantha Raja, We have every democratic rights in our country under MR rule and we don't need anybody new to preserve democratic rights in SL.
We saw that the people who have close links with tigers {LTTE} like you, rally round SF to preserve democracy in SL.
Don't think that majority of srilankans are fools.
Thugs who destroy Tamil people’s shops are not mafia
Thugs who loot Tamil people’s properties are not mafia
Thugs who destroy Jaffna Library are not mafia.
Thugs who destroy Tamil’s and Sinhalese freedom and prosperity for 30 years are not mafia.
Thugs who call Indian army to kill Tamils are not mafia.
Thugs who try to give arms to Tamils and try to create a long term conflict are not mafia.
Thugs who hold robed people’s right to poll during referendum (Lamp and Pot) are not mafia.
Thugs who sell public institutions and properties to foreigners are not mafia.
Thugs who creating uprisings every year at our universities and prevent higher education opportunities for poor Sri Lankans and allow only rich people to get higher education at foreign universities are not mafia.
Thugs who allowed exchanging the rich coconut lands maintained by public agencies to value less land are not mafia.
But Mahinda Rajapakse and his government who gave free country to Sinhalese and Tamils is a Mafia.
Mr. Wasantharaja, Tamil people who suffered knows the deference between past 30 years and real Wasantham.
Tamils and Sinhales who are suffered last 30 years will decide the real mafia against their past and future.
Not the people who funded for 30 year sufferings while being in western countries.
If Rajapakse wins we will have a despotic dynastic rule similiar to Saddam Hussein in Iraq. This may be OK for some of people but no way the country can move forward nor will any benefits reach the masses.
The voice of Academics and Intellectuals in Sri
Lanka who choose to keep away for making Political
Statements at this crucial juncture need to
re-think their apathetic stand in the interest of
their country-men.
Dear Mr. Vasanthan
Do not think when General SF wins democracy will flourish. Street Goons will be replaced by Goons in Uniforms. Both candidates are same kind, we all SriLankans know that.
SF power base, if he wins, will become his military ties, folks in and out of Military .
Why in the whole SF has to loose his power to parliament??!! Will he? Lover of Democracy, human rights?
Shedding our own prejudices it is incumbent on the voting populace to elect a President who would not succumb to thuggery, corruption, bribery and nepotism.
Mahinda has done it all since he was elected and extendign his term would be detrimental to public interest.
Bahu is limping by with nary a support except an empty pledge that he would give Tamils their rights. But the poor blighter has not got a leg to stand on.
Fonnie seems the obvious choice. Before anyone says I personally would support Fonnie let it be understood I am left with Hobson's choice.
The only plus factor which comes out in favour of Fonnie is he is honest although the man stands accused of war crimes in massacring thousands of Tamil civilians in the sincere hope of vanquishing the LTTE.
He is now holding a peace dove to his enemies.Should we accept his advances?
Despite my abhorrence of violence I want to give him an opportunity to lead us; an opportunity he would abrogate if he were to go the Mahinda way.
This opportunity that Fonnie is given if not utilised to alleviate the sufferings of Tamils would bring up a very virulent form of insurgency with international support the like of which Sri Lanka had never known.
Look who is talking democracy…where were you when praba killed Tamils? You should have walked with Nadesan & Pulli with a white flag. Be happy that you survived, while many Tamils perished following your advice.
Are you the same " Vasantha Raja" who spoke of LTTE in glowing terms for twenty years? If so, how come suddenly you are so worried about uphoiding democratic rights of Sri Lankan voters? Anyway, "Its better late than never!"
LTTE supporters want SF to win thinking that it will lead to chaos and destruction of the country. We can read your minds! Keep on dreaming!
It so amusing to see the people who once whole heartedly supported the murderous Tigers now talk endlessly about democracy. I hope that come January 26th, the people in Sri Lanka who cast their vote will remember who is supporting whom and figure out for what purpose.
This writer is the LTTE supporter. What else can you expect from him, other than a stupid article like this
Politicians say terrorism is eliminated. I do not believe this. May be they have managed to eliminate a mojor faction who resorted to terrorist activities and for the time being bombs are not exploding. If the word "terrorism" is associated with sepratism of demand for self rule, I say terrorism still exists. It is a pity that various power hungry fundamentalists associate even innocent Tamils with terrorism and separatism for their own political purpose. Unless the root cause of the problem, specifically racism is eliminated, the terrorism (or call it by any other name) continues to exist.
A case in point is this. On the day before the TNA joined the opposition there appeared to have a press conference arranged at 4.00 pm at the Mahaweli Centre by the ruling faction with high profile UPFA members in attendance to receive the TNA delegation and announce their support to the Government. Unfortunately, ( and fortunately for the country) they did not turn up and announced their support to the opposition alliance. The TNA who could have been praised as real patriots had they gone along and joined them on the previous day, have become traitors or seperatists or a group of terrorists overnight by joing the other faction.
This the reality in the country. MR had stopped all actions of the Constitutional Revision Committee headed by Prof. Tissa Vitharana and all actions to address the problems of the minority. Would killing armed group and keep talking about it all the time partying would solve the problem and the so called terroris aka seperatism? NO!
Dear Mr.Vasantharajah,I hope that you are the same person who is appointed as a director of Srilankan Board Casting Corporation ,by Ex.president Santhirika Bandaranayaka.But you didnt served for the Srilankan people. Instead of that you have served for the fascist and mafia LTTE.Because you are a stooge of the Imperialism.Dear friend ,you know very well ,that the Imperialism and its plan has been defeated by totally anihilatig the Mafia leadership of LTTE.It is the great service done by Hon.Mahinda Rajapakse.For the moment it is very good enough for our people and they will cnotinue to move under the relaiable leadership of Mahinda R .Our people have gained more than 500 years of experience in fighting and defeating against the Imprerilism.