28 March, 2024

Blog

Easter Human Massacre: Get Hold Of Sirisena

By Shyamon Jayasinghe

Shyamon Jayasinghe

“For the future of our country it is imperative that peoples’ power should grow to pr-empt any future innocuous response on the part of the political elite to a gargantuan mass tragedy of this nature”

Preamble

It is great that we writers domesticated overseas enjoy the natural right of free expression over aberrant and errant developments taking place in the beautiful island we left behind. Somebody has to come out to the open sans fear of being shot down literally or incarcerated. I was part of a band of public servants who prided on our integrity and capacity to work for the people. It had been a different political ethos that prevailed those days when Sri Lanka was still basking [at the fading tail- end though] in the inherited glory that a disciplined British administration had left behind. It was year 1994 when I retired after 33 years of service to be domesticated in Australia.

Easter Carnage

The Easter carnage that is now, again, the vociferous talking point in the island, is in global terms a national man-made tragedy of the highest proportion. 268 human lives-children and adults- were blasted by a preplanned and preconspired bomb attack in a Catholic Church. Over 500 hundred were injured and are aching in different stages of injury even today. All these were innocent folk at prayer- a situation where they would have least suspected murderous foulplay.

Nothing done; nothing ever will be done

Two years have elapsed but no serious attempt has been made by government to ferret out the culprits and bring them to account. This government, the political beneficiary of that massacre, promised at election time to do just that, but it is clearly not interested in honouring that pledge. The government’s priorities are evidently not here. If this happened in Australia or a Western country the criminals would have been caught within months. With modern intelligence technologies it is no big job to do so. What has been missing in the Lankan case was the absence of political will.

Absence of political will is a key clue

We laymen on the outside can only try and set up a narrative of the events with the available evidence. In that narrative the government’s fake promise to seriously catch up with the events will necessarily give us a clue in constructing the story. The absence of political will comes naturally when the exercise of such will would endanger the ruling political regime. In place of earnest endeavours one observes a myriad of pusillanimous acts of this government to try and erect smokescreens and generate confusion in the minds of the wounded and their families and the concerned public.

The Catholic community is, at last wakening up and is now evidently getting vociferous. We encourage them to  build a Myanmar style protest movement that would set up a critical path that would gather the rest of the Lankan community. For the future of our country it is imperative that peoples’ power should grow to preempt future innocuous response on the part of the political elite to a gargantuan mass tragedy of this nature.

We have two bits of evidence impinging on the matter of political will to act.: First, during the previous Rajapaksa government the Defense Ministry had been making payments to fund some extreme Muslim terrorist organisations. It is unclear whether Zahran himself had been a recipient. Second, a massacre of this sort succeeded in creating a public perception that the yahapalana government led by the then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe cannot ensure public security; is incompetent and must go. The clear beneficiary of the horrendous event was the defeated Rajapaksa government.

A relevant character trait of Maitripala Sirisena

The defeat of Mahinda Rajapakse and his government in 2015 had been a shocking blow to that regime. The electoral defeat had been the culmination of a movement for good governance started by Revd Maduluwawe Sobitha, a most respected and venerable monk, who unfortunately passed away not long after the Yahapalana government that had been set up. The construction of the political alliance was a deliberate act of Revd Sobitha. At a crucial meeting to select a common candidate the name of Maitripala Sirisena, a recalcitrant senior minister of the then ruling Rajapakse government, came up as someone “willing.” Revd Sobitha, the wise man, is said to have posed a counter  question to those present: “Is Sirisena reliable?” Ranil kept silent but Chandrika  affirmatively is supposed to have responded: “100 per cent!” This is how Maitripala Sirisena had been chosen as common candidate for presidency. Everyone through in their weight and the “Maitri Yugaya”  started.

Innumerable video footages are available showing Sirisena scathingly attacking Mahinda Rajapakse and his government. Sirisena spared no compunction or scruple in slaying his former mates. His tongue did an enormous U-turn. When he eventually won, Sirisena announced that he was spared of going six feet underground! The various video footages are now are part of the lore of public jocularity! But Sira isn’t bothered while everyday is a new life for him-the past deeds going into oblivion like the passing away of mist in the mountain sky. He has got this unique acumen of making U-turns without batting an eyelid and remaking a return U-turn as though nothing in the world has happened. This character trait is relevant for the narrative I present.

The second U-Turn against the Yahapalana government

The specific trait came into play again barely two and half years on the road to yahapalanaya. By this time Sirisena had felt fatigued by the decisive role of his Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. The 19th constitution Amendment had restricted the powers of the President and, correspondingly, increased the hold of parliament and its Prime Minister. It had been a compromised form of parliamentary government. This had dawned later like the tube light on President Sirisena who, by now had become frustrated. Sirisena wanted to have a second term but the government refused. It was time for a return U-turn toward the Rajapakse camp. In fact the rumour goes that Basil et al had been wooing Sirisena all along to return to the fold. Sharp-eyed Basil knew of the possibility. The mind game had started. Sira was trapped!

At the provincial government elections Sirisena slated his own Prime Minister calling him a ‘samanalaya;’ suggesting that he was a ‘bank robber,’ and so on. The opposition victory wasn’t difficult to predict. The Yahapalanaya government lay weakened and open to further pummelling. Maitripala had by now established a confidence nexus with the mates he had once betrayed even after the hopper feed. He felt he was ‘the same old good boy. Basil et all were jubilant!

Wooing Sajith Premadasa

Sira’s next move was to target Sajith Premadasa knowing that the latter had all along never been close to Ranil Wickremesinghe. Sajith also had the hunch that being Ranasinghe Premadas’s son the leadership of party and government must pass on to him as of right. Ranil had a different measure of the latter’s ability. The conflict was concealed but it had been live and seething.

Our Sira approached Sajith several times and there is video footage of a suggestive close up between Sajith and President Sirisena. Sajith repeatedly had referred to Sira as “athigaru uthumanan.’ Despite this, Sajith was shrewd enough not to fall into Sirisena’s trap. It was premature and he knew he would fail in garnering party support against his leader. The mind game on, Sajith failed to break up the Grand Old Party at that stage but wooing process formulated the germs of discontent that created a faction rift in the UNP and led to the break up of that party much later.

No-confidence motions and the 52-day government

Sira secretly backed the Rajapakse opposition’s attempt to pass two successive no-confidence motions against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. There had been high pressure lobbying.The next was the desperate and illegal ousting of the Prime Minister and the setting up of the infamous 52-day government of Mahinda Rajapaksa. Ranil showed immeasurable restraint and maturity in response. He remained unmoved in Temple Trees and  merely sought parliament disapproval of that move, which he received. With this superfine Ranil strategy the Rajapaksas were flabbergasted but the camp lost no heart.

Create a mass tragedy?

In the circumstances wouldn’t the construction of a mass tragedy be an effective catalyst? “Chaos and its chain reaction always defeats order, because it is better organized, ”[Terry Pratchett]. The objective is to develop a collective feeling of hopelessness and a public perception of the government’s incompetence and inability to ensure basic public security. This is a common strategy of protest politics all over the world from the time of the French Revolution. We have noted above how the previous Rajapakse government had put the Islamic terrorists in the government pay role.

In my mind the brains behind the easter onslaught are to be found among the Rajapakse forces then in Opposition and now in government. We may, by this token, never know who precisely they are.

Onus on Sirisena is clear

To sum up, former President Maitripala Sirisena’s midterm alliance with the Yahapalanaya Opposition is established. The Opposition’s repeated attempts to oust the Yahapalanaya government of Wickremesinghe is also clear. That the real figures or ‘mola kaarayao,’ of the monstrous bomb attack will never be found is also clear.

What we know know with some workable clarity is the role of the former president in this grim episode. The obvious thing to do is to focus on  Sirisena and hold him to account for his proven lapses in the wake of having been informed of the bomb. He was informed of the attack according to his Defense Ministry personnel although he denies that. He went to Singapore just at this time and for no urgent reason. He did not appoint anyone to act for him. He had deliberately kept the Prime Minister in the dark and blocked the latter from Security Council meetings. All these are palpably serious matters that should be pursued.

It would also be a matter of importance and relevance to check on Maitripala Sirisena’s assets.

Thus, there is enough work in the hands of a responsible government. Ignore the brains behind for the moment and go on with a Sirisena investigation now or never. The prima facie evidence we have regarding him is adequate to base a probe and hand him over to court.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Latest comments

  • 6
    2

    Had the TNA was smart enough, they could have gone along with Mahinda R after getting most of the rights for the Tamils. This would have dashed NGR dreams as well as PREVENTED the mass murder on 21/4/2019that was allowed to happen by Sirisena and to allow the success of NGR in 2019 November Presidential Election.
    Why did the Puppet Muslim Terrorists target Baticaloa and Negombo areas?

    • 16
      4

      Catholics will never get justice because chief organizers of this massacre are Rajapakse brothers (Mahinda, Gota and Basil) and China. Sirisena was roped into by China with promise of being given second term. Sirisena is culpable because without his knowledge and consent this would have not happened. His suppression of investigation and arrest of suspects and his behaviour before and after the blast are strong circumstantial evidence. Both Ranil and Ruwan Wijewardena wanted it to happen to relieve pressure from UNHRC. Also during Yahapalanya regime, Muslim terrorists were funded by defence ministry which is not possible without their consent. Muslim terrorists were brain washed by Muslim military intelligence people to attack churches instead of Buddhist temples, because Rajapakse brothers did not want to come to power over dead bodies of Buddhists. While lower ranked Muslim terrorists are in custody, Muslim politicians, businessmen and professionals who gave financial and logistical support are roaming free.

  • 13
    1

    SJ, I will start by reminding , soon after Easter I wrote here that Lankans conveniently have such short memory they will not remeber those victims by next Easter. It is sort of a litmus test on Rajapaksas , to know whether such action against MS will be taken. If they who benefitted then their hands are tied. Only the victims , their families and those foreigners who perished can keep up the pressure in seeking justice. Facts are clear that intelligence was provided and MS knew about it. MS being a smart crook (compared to Rajapaksa) soon after Geneva told the victims in a press meet he was sorry as then president for not preventing but soon added “it is collective responsibility of the whole govt and not his alone”. RW came out stating he and his govt admit to their failures. Where as Rajapaksas are trapped that neither they can admit or deny. Hence Mr.Sirculat decided to censor the 65 volume report and hand over portions which does not provide anything new.

    • 4
      3

      Thank goodness, there is another SJ.

      • 1
        0

        Lucky Coral Snake. There is the King Snake for always ” It is King snake did it”.

        The Frog is fool enough to shout out their hiding places with their own mouth.

        I don’t understand what this thanklessness is for.

  • 3
    0

    Whatever the frame work is done The truth is its own power as being self-evident The truth does not require a majority to exist, truth routes through periods. First, it is mocked. Second, it is conflicting third, it is accepted. Myanmar is under going a different days repurcussions that treatment done encouraged by some countries for some people. in this country Truth has its own supremacy. it can topple governments.

  • 10
    3

    Ah, SJ you are back from distant Australia . At least there is one unchanging supporter for Ranil, you supported Ranil blindly always . All the evidence is before you but you still don’t change ?

    May be over there you don’t get all the information. Sirisena contested Pollonaruwa and won. Ranil lost all (UNP) seats . Yes the UNP has no seats in parliament. Ranil as usual remains leader of a few ,including you.

    Who are you asking to get hold of Sirisena ? Remember Ranil’s view of corruption investigations was to have a office next to Temple Trees ( in these days of easy communication !) and appoint his wife’s friend Dilrukshi Wickramasinghe as head of bribery . Dilrukshi was caught gossiping with a major suspect and many of the police officers who were sitting next to Temple Trees are now in remand.

    In a recent interview Ranil said he had nothing against Sirisena and had a good working relationship with him . It seems Ranil has no problems with Sirisena. May be ,you should show him the evidence you have against Sirisena

    You want us to take Sirisena to custody, chase the Rajapakses away and bring back Ranil , Mahendran and Ravi K ? It is a good idea, only if you come back as their theoretician. Former eminent persons like Paskaralingam and Ratwatte are not so sure of Ranil now.

  • 11
    1

    Maithiribala Sirisena by birth, upbringing and education was a mediocre politician. No wonder Rev. Revd Sobitha, the wise man, is said to have posed a counter-question to those present: “Is Sirisena reliable?”
    Sirisena’s elevation as President of the country was a historical blunder. It was like a street beggar being crowned as the King who just passed away. In his inaugural speech, he bragged that “The time is now right to introduce an enlightened political culture to the country.” And that enlightened political culture was ‘ Yahapalanaya’ or Just and Good Governance. Before the completion of office for two years he had become the butt end of cruel jokes and a laughing stock of the country.
    Though the ignorant mocked it, subjected it to ridicule and contempt and tried to make it the laughing stock of the land, the majority who knew its true import and value as the fountain from whence all justice and liberties spring, were aghast to find Sirisena’s own role in making ‘ Yahapalanaya’ a dirty word, totally opposite to its original meaning, traduced, despised and flung to the gutter that not even UNP presidential candidate Premadasa would touch with a bargepole the word that symbolised the party creed not even three years ago.

  • 6
    1

    …. What has been missing in the Lankan case was the absence of political will.
    .
    Shyamon Jayasinghe,
    You were in Service since 1963. Is this the first time that you notice the absence of political will?
    What happened during 1983. Was there any political will to arrest the culprits?
    Did you, while still being active, express any displeasure at the absence of such will.
    .
    Why are you surprised at a culture that is the hallmark of Sri Lanka.

  • 1
    0

    Not all SJ’s are prof KIA. I got yours and hope you get mine in return (sarcasm).

  • 0
    3

    Another attempt to use this incomprehensible massacre of innocents for political advantage and to darken the minds of those remaining which is a greater sin.
    .
    If my child was killed by a drunken man and I use this to implicate my neighbour who has a border dispute with me with a theory that who gave the money for liquor doesn’t that reflect my absolute lack of love for my own child?
    .
    Now who is behind all Muslim women in Kattankudi wearing black ? Can’t this be a well funnded secret program by CIA in order to destabilse the country and turn it to a base to fight the Chinese? This kind of long-winded therories are good for imbeciles.
    .
    Then there is political correctness at play. Cardinal cannot say Quran is being used to radicalise the young even if he thinks so. He is bound to harp on this find us who is responsible theme. Neither the Commission cannot declare that religious indoctrination is at root.
    .
    Most of these theories could have some semblace of credibility if the bombs were triggered by remote control. Which could easily be done. Leave the bag , move a safe distance and prees the button on the tiny control unit in the trouser pocket. My wireless door bell can do that from 100 meters.

  • 5
    0

    “The obvious thing to do is to focus on Sirisena and hold him to account for his proven lapses in the wake of having been informed of the bomb.”

    Power makes a person to become more greedy and it even leads to the high pitch of mental dis order which results in violence, suicides and murders. Easter Bombing is such an outcome from power greediness. Rajapaksas are good example for that character. Power greediness made them to ignore friendships, respect for Lord Buddhas teaching and planned abductions, creating fake evidence, murders etc. It is also now apply to his brother Gotabaya and probably will do the same with other brother. Similarly, Sirisena knew that he has no opportunity under Mahinda Rajapaksa made a split with Rajapaksa and joined with Ranil. Rajapaksa knew that soft character Sirisena will not go to the level to carry out such murders and when Ranil was greedy of power he went back to Rajapaksa. From the day he went back to Rajapaksa, all his powers have gone to Rajapaksas and probably the decisions to stay away from any action to prevent Easter Bombing. Now he is the victim but Rajapaksas and Ranil jointly put Sirisena in the deck. You don’t need a big brain to understand the motive behind the Easter Bombing and who are capable to do such level of precision targeting Christians only.

  • 5
    0

    There are many Presidents in SL whom I hold with contempt but Sirisena tops the lot as the most despicable. CBK named MR as her successor but her disastrous choice of selection cannot be excused with Sirisena, an uneducated & way out of his depth yob by any standard. Slimy Sirisena was blatantly corrupt, has absolutely no self respect & totally incompetent. He sucked up to the Rajapkses, in the process, stabbed MR in the back, only to suck up to the same person once again whom he even feared for his life. I had some respect for RW as the better out of a bad bunch but it was all lost when I saw his sheepish grin, saying ‘what to do, I was not informed’ at a media interview. Still, as President & chief of the armed forces, the buck stops with Sirisena but probably due to his lack of intelligence & integrity, has avoided responsibility, which is proof of his lack of leadership.

    cont.

  • 4
    0

    cont.

    The only person to benefit from the bombing is GR & to those who rushed into vote for him, may find it hard to accept the man who saved the country from terrorism, as well as, the pandemic, is just another much hyped low intelligent despot whose survival is dependent on military support of his army buddies as his true qualities begins to unravel. As for holding Sirisena (& others) responsible for mismanagement, corruption & incompetence, is very much like who will ‘bell the cat’. Corruption & cronyism thrives in SL, either join in or accept it, because at the end of the day, its the average citizen who is screwed.

    • 3
      0

      Raj,
      “The only person to benefit from the bombing is GR ” Yes, good deduction.
      Similarly, who benefits from the current hoo-ha about poisonous coconut oil? GR, because he can reduce the amount of money spent on imports. And of course the local producers aren’t going to sell us oil at 100 bucks a bottle. There is a pattern to these things. Last year, imported milk powder was vilified. Then turmeric was said to be carcinogenic.
      Producing things locally is good, but not when they cost ten times what the imports cost.

  • 6
    0

    le t us return to our youthful reading for some moments. Sherlock Holmes, the fictional sleuth in Arthur Conan Doyle’s crime novels, or Hercule Poirot in Agatha Christy’s novels had one basic premise on solving crime: “Who stands to gain or benefit from the crime?”. The Third World is replete with manufactured public opinion based on organised crime, often with massive casualties. that are “worth it” from the perpetrator’s perspective. The police investigation should have revealed the motives for these crimes. Jihad and glory in heaven is only the pawn’s objective, not the grand mastermind’s. An international investigation with preserved evidence should reveal the truth, when local institutions are always subject to political oversight and manipulation.

  • 4
    0

    Maithripala Sirisena (aka as Polonnaruwa Donkey) is the worst president Sri Lanka ever had. Apart from having a very low IQ he was also the archetypal backstabber and turncoat. He actually considered himself to be capable enough to serve as the president for a second term! He must take full responsibility for the Easter Sunday massacre.

  • 4
    0

    Shyamon Jayasinghe,

    Excerpt from Your Preamble.

    “I was part of a band of public servants who prided on our integrity and capacity to work for the people. It had been a different political ethos that prevailed those days when Sri Lanka was still basking [at the fading tail- end though] in the inherited glory that a disciplined British administration had left behind. It was year 1994 when I retired after 33 years of service to be domesticated in Australia.”

    In this preamble, you refer to a golden era- at the fading tail end of a disciplined British administration.

    Was it not during this glorious period we had 1958,1977 and 1983 major riots and in between minor skirmishes which were forerunner to the present .

    Could you be proud of this era?

  • 2
    0

    Had RW never entered Srilankan politics it would never ever would have ended up in this chaotic and pathetic situation. It goes further back to SWRD & JR whose only wish was to wear the Crown.

  • 0
    1

    The other Easter massacre has all but been forgotten. On Good Friday April 17 1987 the Tamil terrorists murdered 127 Sinhalese men, women and children near the Aluth Oya village. Are the Sinhalese crying out for revenge? Are they complaining to the ICC about genocide? Do they expect the Tamil people to apologise? No, no and no again. But the Tamils….

Leave A Comment

Comments should not exceed 200 words. Embedding external links and writing in capital letters are discouraged. Commenting is automatically disabled after 5 days and approval may take up to 24 hours. Please read our Comments Policy for further details. Your email address will not be published.