A feather-brained project
At a time when the political Opposition is expected to play a
constructive role in public affairs, we have this allegation by the
Leader of the Opposition, Ranil Wickremesinghe, that there has been
collusion between some sections which are associated with the State and
the LTTE.
Among other things, this amounts to standing common sense on its
head. For, are not State agencies and their functionaries prime among
LTTE targets ? Have not some of them already paid the supreme price for
protecting Sri Lanka’s geographical integrity and wholeness ?
This being the case, the Opposition Leader’s allegation of State-LTTE
collusion is nothing less than a flight of fantasy and a pathetically
futile attempt at causing dissatisfaction among the people. It is a
tried and tested allegation which is known to fail because the people
could in no way be duped on these issues.
Moreover, they only know too well that it is a crude attempt at
appealing to what is considered the gut sentiment of the average Lankan.
However, the majority of the public know for a fact that the
allegation is absolutely substanceless on account of its patently
nonsensical nature. Who would believe that the State is collaborating
with a terror group which is trying desperately to undermine it ?
Therefore, this is a highly unimaginative start to the Opposition
Leader’s efforts to revive the dismembered UNP. We do not believe that
any effort could be taken in this direction by presuming that the
average voter is feather-brained.
If the UNP is desiring to make an impression on the public, it just
cannot do so by stirring public passions. Something which would engage
the intelligence of the public would need to be tried out and in this
respect the State is doing far better than the Opposition.
Although the national interest dictates that the Security Forces take
on the LTTE and neutralize it militarily, the State does not for a
moment dismiss the need for a political solution. This is what the APC
and APRC processes are all about. It is the second prong in the State’s
approach to resolving the conflict.
This is a broad, wholistic approach to resolving the conflict which
the Opposition too would do well to cooperate in rather than follow a
destructive path which would bring no dividends for the country.
Moreover, it is highly ironic for the UNP to portray itself as an
arch enemy of the LTTE. For, it was during the tenure of office of the
2002-2004 UNF administration that the LTTE reacquired some military
muscle.
The Government of those times virtually looked the other way when the
Tigers re-armed themselves under cover of the CFA. It is the same UNP
which is today taking cudgels against the State over baseless
allegations.
It could not be emphasized enough that what is needed today is
constructive politics. What sensible answer has the UNP to the issues of
the times? This is the test it has to meet. Rather than sow the seeds of
division and hate it would be far more sensible to cooperate with the
State and the well-meaning to find rational solutions to our problems. |
One sharp shock of fate - and the finest can find a darker
destiny
Hilary puts the tragedy in controlled tones in
his prologue. Kamalika, Michael and Dayan, carrying a car-load of
medicinal drugs to ‘Nawajeewana’ - an organisation that provided
free medical care and also rehabilitated disabled children. It was
dawn when, at Ambalangoda, a child suddenly ran across the road.
Dayan braked hard and swerved; and the car hit a concrete signboard.
 Full Story
Tough choices: Strategy for Sri Lanka
THE same sort of criticisms of Mahinda Rajapaksa
- and from the same sort of sources, right and ‘left’ - are made of
presidents Putin and Chavez, and were made of President Premadasa. A
word of advice for Mangala Samaraweera, though: watch out for the
Tigers. They killed Lalith Athulathmudali in order to frame
Premadasa, create a diversion and kill the latter, their main
target. They might try the same move again.
Full Story
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