19 March, 2024

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A Third Term For Mahinda Rajapaksa – One Too Many

By Vishwamithra1984 –

“Political language… is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind.” ~George Orwell

No politician in the world would ever relinquish power on his or her own volition, unless there is something drastically imposed upon him or her by an outside force or an irreversible debilitating condition has set in the physique of him or her. Such is the addictive quality of power.Political power is the most potent ‘aphrodisiac’ in the world, Henry Kissinger once said. It could lure a most unsuspecting damsel into lust; it could sway the strongest of men into submission and it could also turn a most vociferous opponent into the charmer’s vision.

22TH-OPEDMAHINDA_ Photo N RamWhen one gets accustomed to this sensuous workout of political power, life outside it looks uninteresting and dull. The usual Blue Label whiskey, evening cocktail parties, scrumptious banquets at Embassy-get-togethers ending up with an occasional visit to the exclusive rooms and tables in the nearest casinos are a bit too much to say adieu to. Caught up in the vicious cycle of power and glamour, politicians build an illusionary universe; a universe whose realities are as impermanent as morning dew and as fleeting as the wanton gusty winds across a barren desert.They mistake those who crave friendships and acquaintances for life-long friends; they abandon those whose financial and social standing couldn’t keep up with the progressive rise which they themselves had accomplished.

Entwined in a web of mythical superiority of power and enrapturing sense of comfort and luxury, ruling classes, wherever they are, desperately cling on to power because that very power is infusing oxygen into their daily existence. When one describes this phenomenon of power’s lustful dynamics, another may be driven to think that those who are caught up in the web are acutely aware of this process. On the contrary, they are hardly conscious of this intrinsic nature of the animalistic and sadistic shades of power. It’s not that they are refusing to see it as they are incapacitated and blinded by the very luring nature of power; they simply don’t see it.

Mahinda Rajapaksa is no exception to this rule. Enmeshed in corruption, nepotism, phony patriotism and incompetence, the current regime, although it ran almost unchallenged for nearly two decades, is finding it rather difficult to persuade the moderates to come over to it while retaining the diehards in their ranks. Forget about Mahinda Rajapaksa but any politician for that matter, does not deserve more than a second chance. But when pitched against a cavalcade of idiotic policies, bellicose misuse of political power and outright abuse of people’s trust, the present regime is the last that could be trusted and reposed faith in.

Many argue that the ruling clan would not have life outside power. Well, that is not the problem for the people to worry about. People, at large, cannot be held hostage to the idiosyncrasies of their leaders. What happens to political leaders once they are out of it has been chronicled in our recent history in various biographies and commentaries. For instance, political giants like I M R A Iriyagolla, Phillip Gunawardene and Felix Dias Bandaranaike passed away after they lost political power although they did not show any physical debilitation while in power. Apparently they missed that element which had become part and parcel of their daily life, yet such personalities like Dudley Senanayake, J. R. Jayewardene, N. M. Perera, Colvin R de Silva and even Sirimavo Bandaranaike did last a long time while out of power. Chandrika Bandaranaike is very much alive and kicking even now. They may have been made of different stuff to do so. They apparently knew what to occupy themselves with when they were no longer in control of events, political or otherwise.

Those who suffer a fall in their personal lives- if the fall is not due to some unforeseen event such as a medical or accident-related tragedy- after being ousted from the exalted positions they once held, may be of a different mental makeup, for they are not equipped to wade through the peaks and valleys of life; they may be possessors of a different DNA. Let’s leave that to scientists and researchers. However, one remarkable person, a political leader of global significance is Fidel Castro of Cuba who handed over powers of running Cuba to his younger brother and is seeming to be enjoying a well-earned rest and recreation. Nevertheless, it must not be forgotten that Castro can relax like that because he is comfortable in the thought that power now resides with his own sibling!

The Rajapaksas can relate to that kind of political dynamic quite easily. But at the same time they have to deal with an increasingly enlightened electorate that is obviously looking for an alternative to family rule. Just because they are being elected by people is no excuse for stabilizing a family rule on an exclusive basis. It is also true that as time passes, this stabilization becomes increasingly significant as the grip that such a ‘family rule’ holds on the subject people needs to get harder and more strangulating in order for the rulers to keep that stability going.

The legal argument that Mahinda Rajapaksa cannot contest the third time is indeed gaining new friends and supporters. Yet again, such an argument is really not valid for the 80% of our voters. Constitutional nuances and legal justifications are the last thing a voter who lives in a remote village would balance his options on. His immediate concerns very much weigh on the day-to-day needs of his family- his children’s schooling, his wife’s pregnancy, his own measly income, the dilapidated road leading to his shack of a home and all these foreboding surroundings envelop his rustic life. In plain and simple words, the country’s economy and its effects or ill-effects matter much more than nuances issues that occupy the minds and heads of Colombo’s educated scholars and pundits.

While the attendant issues like corruption, nepotism, State-wastage, MPs’ thuggish conduct in and outside the House of Parliament and family bandyism would all help build a formidable opposition to the Rajapaksas, yet it’s economy and economy alone that would ultimately make the voter switch his vote.

A story that could be told with caricatures and cartoons has not been told, to date. A story of gruesome realities that reflect the megalomania of the power-holders and lying about the economy and other socio-economic statistics has not been exposed, barring Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP); a story whose chapters and paragraphs could have enlightened and enlivened the dull and inactive minds of millions of voters is left untold and that in itself is a mortal sin. A sustained campaign against the sitting powers has been abandoned at the altar of day-dreaming. But what has happened has happened and cannot be undone. It is up to the emerging forces within the current Opposition in general and the United National Party in particular that this story be told in no uncertain manner. The monolith that was the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA), according to many political scholars and writers, was founded on brittle grounds; its pillars are shaking, the roof leaking and the outer paint is peeling off, layer by layer. Legal arguments aside, whether Mahinda Rajapaksa is qualified to run a third time or not, somebody needs to tell this story in the most vivid and dramatic fashion.

*The writer can be contacted at vishwamithra1984@gmail.com

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Latest comments

  • 3
    3

    Allahu Akbar!

    • 4
      1

      @fatshitma, shut up.

    • 2
      4

      Fathima

      Iblisi Akbar!
      Shaitani Akbar!

    • 2
      1

      Nothing ill save Viswamitra, Tisaranee Gunasekera or any other “name” of disguise.

  • 8
    3

    Dear Mr. President Mahinda Rajapaksa,

    RE:A Third Term For Mahinda Rajapaksa – One Too Many

    You are 69 years old. The Retirement age in Sri Lanka is 55 or 60 years . So, it is time you retire.

    Leave at the top of your game, instead of being defeated.

    Otherwise people will say, you were defeated.

    The Choice is yours, sir. Remember, not all Sri Lankans are “Modayas”, fools

    • 4
      1

      Amarasiri:-
      “Leave at the top of your game, instead of being defeated”

      ‘Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely’ So At the Top of His Game, MR does not even consider the Possibility that He will be defeated!

      He will use every Corrupt Avenue available to Politicians, to ensure that he will be re-elected, and so go on till the day that His Brain-dead Son is ready to take Over.

    • 2
      0

      More people gather to say ‘Mahinda cannot’
      TUESDAY, 11 NOVEMBER 2014 11:5

      SPREAD THE WORD. DEFEART HIM AT THE POLLS.

      http://www.lankatruth.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7774:more-people-gather-to-say-mahinda-cannot-&catid=42:smartphones&Itemid=74

      Another seminar of the series of seminars held under the theme ‘No third term for Mahinda – Challenges of illegal presidential election’ by the People’s Movement for Democracy (PMD) was held at Anuradhapura yesterday (10th) with the participation of a large crowd.

      The Chief Editor of ‘Ravaya’ K.W. Janaranjana, former Chief Justice Sarath N. de Silva, the Leader of the JVP Anura Dissanayaka addressed the seminar chaired by Advocate Karunaratna Herath.

  • 5
    1

    Many of the folks will want to see the man go out their sights but gilmart and all other abuses will make him a president. This has been in his blood – this man is a thug by all natures.

  • 6
    0

    Political leaders of the opposition parties should take heed of what Vishwamitra has said in the last paragraph of this very eloquent article. The ordinary man is interested in what hits the stomach. It is the Colombo elite that are concerned about whether the position of Executive President should be abolished or not.
    It is the economy stupid.
    Why aren’t the opposition pointing out the corruption, nepotism, inefficiency, and the other deficiencies of this decadent Govt as the way of defeating this inept Government?.

    • 4
      2

      Leon and Vishwamithra1984 –

      Yes, last Paragraph, says it, but what can you do? Time is running out!

      Vishwamithra1984 would you be the anonymous Author of Common Sense Pamphlet, like the one written by Thomas Paine in 1776. True, the average I.Q. of a Sri Lanka is 79 compared to 99 of a USA person, but still there re a sufficient number of Sri Lankans left who can absorb the materials and share it.

      Would you be the Anonymous Author for Lanka?

      Common Sense (pamphlet)
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Sense_(pamphlet)

      “A story that could be told with caricatures and cartoons has not been told, to date. A story of gruesome realities that reflect the megalomania of the power-holders and lying about the economy and other socio-economic statistics has not been exposed, barring Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP); a story whose chapters and paragraphs could have enlightened and enlivened the dull and inactive minds of millions of voters is left untold and that in itself is a mortal sin. A sustained campaign against the sitting powers has been abandoned at the altar of day-dreaming. But what has happened has happened and cannot be undone. It is up to the emerging forces within the current Opposition in general and the United National Party in particular that this story be told in no uncertain manner. The monolith that was the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA), according to many political scholars and writers, was founded on brittle grounds; its pillars are shaking, the roof leaking and the outer paint is peeling off, layer by layer. Legal arguments aside, whether Mahinda Rajapaksa is qualified to run a third time or not, somebody needs to tell this story in the most vivid and dramatic fashion.

      • 2
        0

        Leon and Amarasiri:-
        Please read this excerpt from an article by another contributor, which contains Practical and Positive advice for the Opposition:-

        “Please stop dressing up like St,Patrick’s day revellers in Hyde Park and go to the villages and townships and listen to peoples’ hardships and tell them how you will alleviate those pains. Talk about the need for changing the primary and secondary education system to a community and value based one that will make responsible and caring citizens of our youth. Tell us how you will create meaningful jobs for university graduates.

        Tell us why the country will be better off under the UNP.

        Most importantly, start by thanking the armed forces and their families for the enormous sacrifices made during the war. Ask their forgiveness for not believing in them and supporting the forces when they needed your support. Tell them you will never forget the sacrifice. Say it like you mean it.”

      • 2
        0

        Amarasiri you have been trying your best to get someone to publish an anonymous Common Sense Phamphlet and it is very unfortunate that no is prepared/ willing to publish such a Phamphlet
        This is due to a lack of leadership. The leaders are unable to come together with a Common Candidate and as you say time is running out. These leaders can at least delegate their supporters to go to each and every village and point out what this Govt is doing – point out the corruption, inefficiencies, cronyism, lack of law and order, a politicization of the judiciary etc. How do the opposition leaders think of ousting the incumbent if they don’t have a strategy.

  • 1
    0

    Vishwamithra,

    A third term is not one too many as far as I am concerned, if the president is honest, non-partial, unbiased, really patriotic, competent, just, non-nepotistic, non self aggrandising and so forth.

    Unfortunately what we will have for a third term is what you have rightly stated, “Mahinda Rajapaksa is no exception to this rule. Enmeshed in corruption, nepotism, phony patriotism and incompetence,”.

    Well, the fools we are, we deserve what we get.

  • 3
    2

    Let the people decide . why be scared ?

    Cheers

    Abhaya

    • 3
      4

      bla, bla blAbhaya

      “Let the people decide”

      Good idea. Could you pass your good idea to Gota & MR.

      “why be scared ?”

      No we are not.

      We fear for Election Commissioner’s life only if he assures that he has a backbone.

    • 1
      2

      Abhaya

      “Let the people decide”

      Yes.

      The problem is that they need to be informed of the issues.

    • 0
      2

      If you wait for the people to decide, they’ll one day soon’ll be saying, “Enough is enough, for Heaven’s sake, Go.”. That is not an insult the Rajapakses could handle.

      • 2
        1

        Why worry about what the Rajapakses can handle ? lol .

        Cheers

        Abhaya

  • 0
    1

    every one must get together to chase this despot

    • 4
      1

      lion,
      But no separatist Tamil will join.
      If MR lose UNHRC investigation is in disarray. Who are they going to pound on for human rights? How are the NGO people continue to have perks and a good life? How are the human right watch dogs get their blood funds? How are the politicians of the west pocket lip service money? Things don’t look good for them without MR in place.

  • 0
    0

    Your Excellency,

    You failed to capitalise on the war victory against the LTTE by engaging and offering the Tamil people a truly attractive reconciliation package by addressing the the real concerns of the Tamil people. This, you and your advisors are not capable of understanding.

    Now, you have the chance to go down in history as the most popular president (ever) in the country by making a graceful exit. Please do not destroy that opportunity for yourself and the country. We have seen world leaders who have done so much for their countries in Libya and Iraq being dragged on to the streets.

    Mr President, do not want to see this in our resplendent Isle

  • 1
    0

    The man who should be shot with. His own waste should be the Eunuch who has attached himself like a limpet mine to the office of opposition leader. A serious opposition should do a pamphlet headed “8 more years?” With pictures.
    Some suggestions:
    The vermin tying up a government servant
    The mini vermin with his foreign women and attacks on military personnel
    The mayor thug with his toy pistol
    Price tags on essential commodities
    The murderer of the British tourist in the Black Maria
    Spot the police: police intermingling with pole wielding thugs during the CJ impeachment
    Destruction of Buddhism- a snarling thug wearing monk robes
    Killing of innocent people- the water protest
    Same: aluthgama mother and child looking at their ruined home
    The nationalist: the murderous buffoon with his kurakan shawl family posing like proud servants with lord and master Prince Charles
    The 600 policemen killer with his latest woman

    The pictures tell the story. The Eunuch does not want the story told!

  • 1
    0

    This unscrupulous fellow wins whatever means. He knows no fair play in politics! with the support of siblings, armed forces, goons, thugs, racists (BBS), paranoia of diaspora, Human Rights Council and you name it will win any election any given time. Not the common candidate but the common man only can defeat him in Arab spring or Hong Kong style.
    As long as this common man sleeps (that he will make sure at any cost) even Namal’s grandchildren will be one day a dictator of this country.
    And this fellow has no remorse or to be fair to himself.
    Look for example:
    – Karuna, K.P. , Pillayan all are alleged war criminals and Human Rights violators like his own brother GoRa enjoy greater political powers and immunity under the patronage of MaRa.
    -Converted to Buddhism from his catholic faith (”Percy” is a typical, Portuguese catholic name) despite his wife’s alliance to the faith in secret.
    -Through ‘Helping Hambantota’ helped himself more than anyone’s guess while the people starve to death in his own constituency.
    -‘Mahinda bloody Chinthana’ promised for abolish of executive presidency and max. of 2 term and he wants more than that.




    – fill the blanks !!

  • 2
    2

    I hope Mahinda will not only get a third term, but fourth term as well. King Vijayabahu who routed the Chola invaders ( who had wrecked havoc in Sri lanka for 80 years), was Sri Lankan king for 55 years. Under his great rule, peace prevailed and Sri Lanka prospered. I pray Mahinda will be Sri Lankan President as long as he wish for, as he is one of best leaders this nation ever had. Wish him well.

    • 1
      1

      Aravinda, I hope you are correct. The President has the same support that Prabaharan had from his people. VP would have won hands down anytime, in n elected fight.
      Both VP and MR are true sons of the soil, true warriors. Cousins in blood.

  • 1
    0

    The regime should have been voted out after the first term. Now they have manipulated all the rules, and got their servants in the Supreme Court to tilt the scales in their favor. This third term that they will be stealing, will be worse than the first two ones. Only their bank accounts will benefit. The people of SL are screwed with this lot, and their corrupt goons running this country. Here comes communal strife, chaos and confusion.

  • 0
    0

    AKD is the lone warrior, the heavy lifter of the South. The other buggers are free riders and pole vaulters like GLP et al.

    As Pundit Dayan J opined, time must be right to incarcerate AKD, to shut him up and let the Rajapaksa clan get a fourth therm in office.

    My opinion, if Srilanka wishes to look forward, we must look at ourselves in the mirror and treat our Tamil Brothers and Sisters with respect and dignity. For starters, get it rid of the Omanthai Check Point, what purpose does it serve but to tell the Tamils we are going kill you, again.

    As long as the Tamils are trampled, Rajapaksas are here to stay. Then, let’s sit back n enjoy our democratic selection.

    Btw, does anyone wish Prabaharan was still around ? Just asking.

  • 0
    0

    This time apart from the SB Moda-Voters, there is the Financier who is
    secretly involved, in meeting all costs of a PE win – it is CHINA. They have agreed to meet the costs of buying M.PP and meet the bribes to voters – so says a Writer eleswhere citing Basils visit to China for
    this purpose recently?

    MR now has a newer theory for contesting early, and why he MUST win – to save himself from UN Investigation repercussions, which twist he will put out in all Village-based platforms to garner the declinng SB Votes. It will be upto the “clean” JHU to counter this aspect, if their leaders are not taken into custody by then.

  • 0
    0

    Vivid, dramatic and a lively article. Thanks Mr Vishwamithra.
    I hope saner counsel will prevail on our Emperor to quit and call it a day, so that he could rest & retire with a semblance of honour and dignity. I believe the God gives everyone enough time to amend their crooked ways and lead a life in a straight path. Recent events in the Middle East, Latin America and even on our own Paradise Island and in South Asia in general suggest so. I hope our rulers will not fail to take heed of the warning signs.

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