By Vishwamithra –
“Our great democracies still tend to think that a stupid man is more likely to be honest than a clever man, and our politicians take advantage of this prejudice by pretending to be even more stupid than nature has made them.” ~ Bertrand Russel
Extinction of a societal system, dismissal of its traditions and values and its very raison d’etre could be defined as a birth of another system of values, morals, ethics and manifestly different social dynamic whose entry would be rather slow in arrival than what it was thought to have been. When the promised elements of the new system suffer delays in deliverance, the would-be recipients of the Utopian components of the ‘new’, if not singularly disciplined in terms of the outlines of the new system, might take to streets the same way they did in order to oust the ‘old’.
Such an unexpected rebellion must be halted at all costs but if the forces of the ‘State’ are employed in the suppression of that kind of a revolt, the collapse of the much-vaunted Utopia would be inevitable before it was born. Such tragic occurrences, in fact, have taken place in recent history of the world and the consequent anarchic state will only feed on itself in the most ungovernable fashion. It was Colvin R de Silva, a yesteryear leftist ideologue, who said that ‘in order to make an omelet, you have to break the egg’. Once the egg is broken you can’t put it back into the broken shell and remake the egg; it’s not in the realm of possibility.
Such breakdown of a new system would happen only if there was no prior planning; planning for any and all contingencies. The National People’s Power (NPP), they say, has made all plans for the smooth delivery of, if not all, at least the most immediate and urgent needs of an unwell economy and a suffering people. The pain of the people cannot be overstated; nor could it be ignored on grounds that they had got used to it. Such careless and callous neglect of what the people endure would not be without more drastic consequences.
Yet the people’s determination to toss out the system that has been not only been responsible for the collapse of the economy but also for the gradual and sure erosion of a value system that has nurtured and shaped our collective sociopolitical culture seems to be gathering momentum on a day-to-day basis. The team for ‘change’ and its path is certainly on a upward trajectory and the spokes that are being thrown into the wheel of demand for change are being augmentative in number. Withstanding all these insults, challenges and vilification is in itself a daunting challenge for the NPP as it is a brand new phenomenon for them to be the front-runner in an election. It’s time for them to employ every tactic in their bag to turn those insults, challenges and vilification and hurl them back to the ones who have chosen in desperation to silence the NPP.
As much as they seem to have planned for a future government, they need to have within their own ranks who could get into a tactical game and still prevail at the end. It may not be easy but given the talent and skills the NPP possesses, it is certainly within the realm of doable deeds.
Even at this eleventh hour, on the very eve of the election, pundits are engaged in a valiant effort to bring the Ranil-led coalition and Sajith-led SJB together and such a panic-stricken maneuver would enhance the emotions of the people who have already made up their minds to vote for Aura Kumara Dissanayake. The contempt and ridicule at which the people hold Ranil Wickremesinghe is being grossly understated. If Sajith joins Ranil, he would be doing that stupid deed at his own peril. The contemptuous level those Pohottuwa rascals are being viewed by the general public is not yet known and those at the top leadership level are being closely guarded and protected by those who are intimate with them. It is a vicious circle of lotus eaters who are waiting for the crumbs that may fall within their reach and their greed has never known its limits.
At the same time, in the event this unholy alliance between Ranil and Sajith comes true, the electorate might be faced with a binary choice instead of a multiple choice as is the case now. Things will definitely take totally a fresh turn; how successful AKD and the NPP would be to exploit such a situation and present it as a much more amenable pick before the people. Dividing the electorate right in the middle whereas those who are already identified with the existing power structures, those who are already enmeshed in a failed economic policy, those who have been tarred by the brush of corruption, dishonesty and nepotism will be on one side and those who challenge that past, those who are eager to shed that past and carve out a new path will be on the other side. The choice becomes increasingly understandable and easy, even for an adolescent non-voter.
Yet on the other hand, in the context of numbers, when the two parties, Ranil and Sajith get together their combination would secure a bloc of votes that has been hitherto divided; the combination of the two blocs might be a more daunting number for AKD and the NPP to overcome. The advantage AKD has is that his rival becomes one and only one- status quo. Given the context of change being the main thrust the voter is motivated to go to the polls on September 21st, it becomes much more facile for the voter to identify as to who is opposed to ‘change’ and that concept of ‘change’ alone could drive the voter towards the Mālimāva.
There are pros and cons for all alternatives. But in a an ultra-charged atmosphere of an election, ‘change’ is a very motivating cause for the youth in particular and an extra ounce of effort could easily prompt his or her parents also to vote for the same premise: ‘change’. Change as a concept of ‘motivating a people’ has been unbelievably powerful through the ages. Whether the incumbent is a dictator or a democratically elected leader, the inherent property of ‘change’ has been an irresistible element for the people. Overthrow of a sitting leader has other romanticist character and its alluring quality has, more often than not, swayed many voters, especially the young whose flirtation with ‘change’ is innate and natural.
However, over the years we have been underestimating the power of the youth’s influence on their parent generation. If a voting-aged youth is gainfully employed, whether he or she is a contributor to the family’s income, their opinions and allegiances to various schools of thought is not callously discarded by the parents. If that is the case with a majority of voters, AKD’s inroads into the middleclass and lower middleclass cannot be overstated. Having been battered by the unkind forces of the marketplace, these two classes are the most affected segments of our society whose upward mobility has been seriously hampered. Instead of climbing up on the societal ladder they have been subjected to spiraling down with unbearable hardships and economic downturns.
Such a drastic behavior in society’s economic premise has had a telling effect on this generation and their options for upward move in society is being thwarted beyond all expectations. NPP’s tagline of ‘Pohosath Ratak, Lassana Jeewithayak’ (Rich Country, Beautiful Life) would appeal to the rural lads and damsels. They have been robbed of their dreams; dreams of creating and organizing a beautiful life for their children and themselves. Their lamentation and pain is being unheeded by the successive ruling Juntas. What was explicit in 1971 and 1987-1989 periods is fast becoming relevant today, especially in the context of the economic collapse and the country’s bankruptcy. However, the then JVP’s approach was one of doctrinaire and ideological-based on now-outdated Marxian/Leninist principles.
NPP’s attack on the total status quo is more pertinent now. Those who have been identified as defenders and protectors of the status quo, its natural stakeholders and future inheritors have been noted and their close allegiance to the Pohottuwa, SJB and Ranil Wickremesinghe can be put together in one single basket. The people’s incessant demand coupled with the NPP’s consistent DNA for the ouster of the status quo has galvanized a greater majority of the country’s youth. ‘Change’ that is the consequential outcome of the ouster of the status quo, albeit an absence of an acutely defined set of sociopolitical and economics representations, continues to place itself in the mindset of the younger generation in haunting shapes.
The status quo is facing extinction. It’s no exaggeration. Whether it would mean that what follows after its extinction more voter-friendly and long-lasting or not would be seen much later after the event. The event’s historic occurrence would be groundbreaking, to say the least. Change, if it could embrace all and deliver the inner core of the concept of ‘Rich Country and Beautiful Life’ (Pohosath Ratak, Lassana Jeewithayak) which has been elusive to millions of poverty-stricken Lankans for many decades, would be welcome at every corner in the land. A Utopian dream is being envisioned by many; parents and grandparents, children and adolescents, men and women of all walks of life while it is also being dreaded by more than a few. That is absolutely understandable.
*The writer can be contacted at vishwamithra1984@gmail.com
chiv / September 9, 2024
Since independence , Status Quo, has never been under threat for 75 long years. Hence a country with more than 20 million population, had only family rule / kleptocracy ……… Senanayakas, Bandas, uncle / nephew, Rajapaksas and Premas. Out of which last three are still around contesting. Outside of
family status quo these political families are also inter related by marriages. How this species is now endangered, because of an election, is yet to be seen. Are the voters out of their 75 years Status Quo ?? Silly, Stupid, Sorry and now Status Quo ………. Lanka.
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Jit / September 9, 2024
Not really Chiv. Bandaranayakas were totally different from Senanayakas and then John Kot and JRJ were total newcomers to the concept of family bandyism if you’d call it so. Plus Premadasa, a slum dweller and Wijetunga, a rural villager were again totally outsiders to each other who held the highest political position of the country. So were Rajapakshas, who came from a peasant family in the deep down south. There may be local politicians handing over their reins to their kith n kin but generally multiple families or individuals have held the office of the PM or Presidency in SL. The problem is with our common people. they would worship whoever that would sit on that big chair. People really do not understand their power in a democracy. The pathetic subservient mental status of our people is the main reason why they are still suffering even after 73 years of so called independence!
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Mani / September 9, 2024
Yes, it would be indeed interesting to see how the electorate chooses between the devil and the deep blue sea. Hopefully, two years from now, they can sleep undisturbed – by not riding the 6.9 million wave again!
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old codger / September 9, 2024
“Yet the people’s determination to toss out the system that has been not only been responsible for the collapse of the economy but also for the gradual and sure erosion of a value system that has nurtured and shaped our collective sociopolitical culture seems to be gathering momentum on a day-to-day basis”
So, the people’s determination has been responsible for the collapse of the economy? Over to you, Mr. English Man of Golf Links Road Bandarawela.
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nimal fernando / September 9, 2024
He’s pawned his golf clubs ……. and playing marbles on the Golf Links Road …… with his caddy. ……. The story of Lanka in a nutshell!!
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Sunil Abeyratne / September 10, 2024
OC,
The ambiguity can be removed by the addition of a comma and replacing ‘that’ with ‘which’.
In the context of the essay, what the writer intends to convey is clear.
Are we pedantic in our approach?
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old codger / September 10, 2024
Sunil,
A good writer doesn’t leave room for ambiguity.
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Sinhala_Man / September 10, 2024
Dear Vishwamithra,
.
I am in Maharagama; I’m sorry that I’ve not been able to comment on your articles very much this past week.
[edited out]
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leelagemalli / September 11, 2024
Dear OC and logical thinkers of this forum,
Why should Vmitta or Sangamitta be aware of the geographical locations of a schizophrenic? Why should we CT readers worry about SM’s today?
-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFRp6i0p8pE
Why is he important? He might be important to our crazy boy Ruchira and some of his heroes, about whom SM continues to wax heroic.
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The truth is that the despicable man is being promoted by a guy named AKD (a leader of a fascist group) whose profile is extremely dubious.
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AKD (HARIDA HARIDA) may be good at public speaking to please the ignorant masses. Wimal Weerawansa (former colleague) also managed to mislead millions in favor of Rajapakse dogs for a decade or more.
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When incumbent president addresses Anura as “my friend (mage mithraya)”, Anura feels that he is trying to be friendly (GON JOKE). RW questions how AKD will make wonders after taking power. These are real good question taking away the anxities of the masses. … is not that so ?
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How will AKD lead being against IMF recommendations that are now confirmed by both parties (country and IMF)?
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The gallery laughs…. Punnaku Kannan roam the city unable to fathom the depth of crucial issues.
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Sunil Abeyratne / September 10, 2024
Dear Readers,
Here is a link to an alleged plan to create disturbances in Sri Lanka on the 12th.
Apparently, the purpose is to prevent NPP from winning the elections.
I cannot vouch for the accuracy.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=Z_wXQvPX3Es&si=RpTIiawViVBuR50l
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nimal fernando / September 10, 2024
He’s already talking like a dictator …….. there’s a new fire in his voice/tone ……. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsQrjRz_9Cg
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Might as well have a real dictator ……. in place of Ranil’s cowardly, sneaky, underhand, wishy-washy, dictator to the poor/powerless, subservient poodle to the crooks, …….. dictatorship.
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Brave New Lanka ……. here we come.
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What say you, Native? ………. Are you shivering in your boots ……. now that the Bolsheviks are storming your Ranil’s Winter Palace?
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Native Vedda / September 10, 2024
nimal fernando
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“….. now that the Bolsheviks are storming your Ranil’s Winter Palace?”
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This is not new and nor it is the first time, even the Mathematician Wimal Weerawansa who was once the firebrand of old JVP warned Ranil he would be ejected from Temple Trees during the time of Mahinda’s failed coup in 2018/19.
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AKD wanrns Wimal Weerawansa, Johnson Fernando, Prasana Ranaweera, ….and others for misbehaving in the parliament, and MPs’ whose benefit entitlement will be curtailed, …. Keheliya Rambukwella would have joined either Sajith or Ranil, …..
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He hasn’t told the crowd how he was going to curtail his party’s own men/women misbehaving inside and outside parliament.
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Douglas / September 10, 2024
The “Old Guards” (Bandaranaike; Kothalawala; JRJ; Premadasa; Ranil W; Rajapakses) over seven decades maintained the “Status Quo”, but in the high spirit of excessive indulgence in luxury and splendor, forgot or knowingly failed to SUSTAIN the system.
However, messages were transmitted in 1971, 1983, 1988/89. In all those instances, the “Old Guards” saw that those messages were ruthlessly subdued and retained the “Status Quo”. But to their surprise and bewilderment, the next hard-hitting message was delivered in April 2022 which shattered all hopes of SUSTAINING the “Status Quo”, resulting in the total collapse to the extent of chasing away a President (elected with a massive 6.9 million votes) and his entire Government. Yet, the “Old Guards” are still hanging on to a decayed staw (Ranil W, Sajith R) combined taking a last ditch to sustain the “Status Quo”.
But, all the “Old Guards” know that the “Status Quo” cannot be sustained and its COLLAPSE is unstoppable on 21 September 2024. However, that “Message” delivered in April 2022 will reveberate hereafter if and when the “Status Quo” were to emerge.
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nimal fernando / September 11, 2024
In human-history, social transformation occur – it’s a long running natural phenomenon – not because the people who come to power through them are good …….. but because the people who are in power, who they replace, are so bad, corrupt and terrible.
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In many instances, the people who ended up in power, were even more terrible than the ones they replaced ……. people’s freedoms were suppressed for decades/generations ……. i.e. Iran, Russia, China, Cuba, Vietnam, North Korea, …….. only change that happened was sometimes the life-time dictator got replaced by another life-time dictator – like what happened with Khrushchev/Brezhnev – through an internal power struggle among themselves: the people/citizens had no control/input/voice whatsoever.
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Native believes ……. Lalkantha, Tilvin, et al …… already have the knives out for AKD. …….. The long night will arrive when Bandarawela wakes up from slumber.
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nimal fernando / September 11, 2024
cont
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My wishes are very modest ……. I wish Lanka becomes a Buddhist country as its name implies ……. and people start practicing road/traffic rules/manners as true Buddhists …….. along with Buddhism. Traffic rules first though! ….. That’ll be great training to be true Buddhists – a feat none of the thousands of temples dotting all over the land couldn’t achieve for 2500 years!
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When that happens ……. one will know if a real transformation has takes place ……. or if it was all nothing but hot air ……. as in all the elections before …….
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Native Vedda / September 11, 2024
nimal fernando
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“Native believes ……. Lalkantha, Tilvin, et al …… already have the knives out for AKD.”
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It is not just the old guards (puritanical Marxian conservatives) within JVP/NPP but you will find a small number of powerful group which prevent party being ideologically reconstructed, take middle path, or seem allied with liberal ideals, …. in every party. The leaders have to educate these people, drag them out of their ideological paranoid nest, …. in the process whoever wants to bring change will be hurt, discarded, …… This gang of 4,5, 6,7,…… should be told to get lost (bug**r off) in no uncertain terms.
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Other parties too should show such gang of 4,5, 6,7,.. where to get off.
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I suspect Sumanthiran and Sanakian are struggling to modernise Federal Party whereas the leader elect Sritharan is very comfortable with his old nationalism and praising your hero and his boys for his own survival.
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It is time for all these Sri Lankan parties to reform ideologically and structurally. The parties are existing in Anagarika Homeless Dharmapala’s time. Is there anyone who can play the role of a catalyst to drag them out of their core medieval believes to present time.
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I am told UK exited European Union due to pressure from a few noisy a******es.
Watch how one such person Dinesh has jumped ships recently.
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Is it true hardliners are starved of love and sex?
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Lasantha Pethiyagoda / September 13, 2024
Don’t be fooled by slogans or catch cries. Watch the ACTIONS of candidates instead. If a candidate surrounds himself with fraudsters who have been in many parties, do not trust him as he has no principles. Instead, look for discipline and sincerity.
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