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JHU's about turn

Of the many sad spectacles which greeted the eye of the beholder on April 22, when the ballot on the next Speaker of Parliament was taken, the saddest sight was provided by the members of the Jathika Hela Urumaya. Why this was so was plain to see.

For, they came with the claim of cleansing local politics of its plethora of pollutants but ended-up showing that they too couldn't be relied on to do the liberative task.

In a sense the "Dharmarajya" notion of the JHU is a throwback to the "Dharmishta" canard of the J. R. Jayewardene years. The former has already proved to be as damp a squib as the latter, and that too on the JHU's first sitting in Parliament. A very inauspicious and disastrous start.

The massive deception game which was foist on the Government Parliamentary group by the JHU in the course of the tense election of the Speaker, leads us to these comments. The understanding between the UPFA and JHU was that they would act unitedly to enable the UPFA candidate to be elected as Speaker.

For, it was understood that a vote for the UNF candidate would only help promote the separatist cause on account of the perceived link between the UNF and the North-East based ITAK, which is backed by the Tigers.

However, it was not principled politics which won the day on Thursday. At the third round of balloting, the JHU took a 180 degrees turn from their earlier claim to remain neutral in the tussle over the Speaker and two of its members voted for the UNF candidate.

Clarifying these issues, SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena said that, "the clear stand of the JHU earlier was that they will not support any party who will back the TNA. In this situation, a firm understanding was built that the JHU would act without causing obstacles to the Freedom Alliance candidate who contested for the Speaker's post.

Finally, two JHU MPs voted for the UNP candidate completely breaking this promise".

When the JHU monks (MPs) met the President they asked the President not to have dealings with the minority parties and pledged to support the Freedom Alliance in any critical situation. This promise was also made at the Sacred Dalada Maligawa.

These promises were broken with the least compunction. This could be well construed as a part of a conspiracy to oust the UPFA from power.

Whither truthfulness? Where are the hallowed principles of the JHU, which crusades for value-based politics? What is the difference between the run-of-the-mill political party and the JHU? Isn't the JHU as devious and dishonourable as those parties which thrive on political opportunism? It is no coincidence that some former UNF Ministers were seen speaking to the JHU members.

To make matters worse, there are sufficient grounds to believe that the politics of the JHU rather than being a healing presence would be bitterly divisive and disruptive of harmony.

For instance, Ven. Athuraliye Ratana Thera, a JHU MP was quoted saying that; "We never expected a horrible situation in the House. We do not accept members from the North and East as MPs of this house. The Government should work with us in the future. We will support the good work of the Government".

What an intricate web of contradictions. Words solemnly uttered today are not kept the next day. If the JHU is desirous of working with the Government, why did it renege on its pledge on the Speaker? Does the JHU know whether its coming or going?

What is more, the JHU is a bitterly divided house. Two JHU MPs voted with the Government, while two others voted against. We are entitled to tell the JHU: "Physician heal thyself". What a tragic fiasco on a maiden foray into politics?

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