By Vipula Wanigasekera –
Dr. Vipula Wanigasekera
Presidential aspirant Wickremesinghe’s recent appeal to Sri Lankans to vote for the Gas Cylinder symbol, with the ominous warning that failure to do so will result in long queues for essentials, reflects a troubling mindset.
This statement, which seems to equate the temporary resolution of gas shortages with his qualification to lead the nation, is out of touch and a poor Marcom strategy. It suggests that Wickremesinghe and his advisors believe that merely avoiding crises is enough to secure the presidency, ignoring the deeper, more pressing needs of the country.
Wickremesinghe’s approach is similar to his previous attempts to appeal to the masses with shallow gestures, such as his infamous offer of chewing gum to farmers, a tone-deaf proposal that highlighted his disconnection from the realities of rural life.
Just as farmers chew betel not out of poverty but tradition, Sri Lankans are not beggars grateful for scraps of normalcy. They deserve a leader who understands their aspirations and struggles.
Many leaders have had their time—decades in fact—to prove their leadership capabilities. Yet, the country finds itself in a state of political and economic uncertainty that these veterans are ill-equipped to navigate. It’s difficult to see how these political veterans could move the country forward with the same old faces rallying around .
At some point, every leader must recognize when it’s time to step aside and let a new generation take over. This isn’t just about age; it’s about the need for fresh perspectives and new ideas in a nation yearning for transformation.
Today, it’s not uncommon to see political meetings filled with people who have been paid to attend or lured by empty promises.
Wickramasinghe probably knows, as does the rest of the country, that the real contest lies between Sajith and Anura, both of whom have yet to be given a fair chance at governing. Wickremesinghe’s candidacy appears designed to siphon votes from Sajith, which seems unfair as both these candidates are committed to fighting corruption, at least on paper —something Wickramasinghe is unable to guarantee in his campaign preceded by action during his tenure.
It’s worth noting that Wickremesinghe has never won a Presidential election outright. In previous races, he fielded other candidates, and when Sajith faced the formidable campaign against Gotabaya Rajapaksa, it was against the backdrop of an unpopular atmosphere left behind by Maithripala/Wickremesinghe Government.
Sri Lanka was brought to this point by a series of events that could have been managed better by any competent leader. The chaos under Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s administration, aggravated by poor advice from so called ‘ indispensable officials and non-experts’, left the country reeling.
While Wickremesinghe may well claim credit for restoring some semblance of normalcy, the reality is that the country would have eventually stabilized to where it is now regardless of who was in charge as officials have done quite a lot of work.
VFS fiasco was bad enough. The situation is dire, and even basic rights, like obtaining a passport to seek employment abroad—a crucial source of foreign exchange for Sri Lanka—are being denied due to administrative failures.
Information Department says the arrears of pawn advances expanded by a staggering 172 percent from Rs.210 billion in 2019 to Rs.571 billion in March this year, driven by the economic crisis.
As the country looks to the future, it’s clear that whoever comes to power will bring new hope, but massive challenges lie ahead, requiring significant sacrifices from all quarters. The masses will accept this if the leaders set the example—not with leaders for instance, who require long entourage or choppers when traveling at a time the main theme of the election is ‘ fighting corruption’ more than ‘ Salary Increases’.
Many question why Wickremesinghe could not attempt at least a symbolic cleanup within the system, or a single action of rejecting support expressed from Rajapaksa defectors to contest elections without relying on traditional political rhetoric.
*Writer is a former Diplomat, Head of Tourism Authority, Currently Senior Lecturer for ECU and Youtuber
Ajith / August 28, 2024
“As the country looks to the future, it’s clear that whoever comes to power will bring new hope, but massive challenges lie ahead, requiring significant sacrifices from all quarters. The masses will accept this if the leaders set the example—not with leaders for instance,”
The bribe culture of politics should come to an end. People have come to a stage that the corruption should come to an end. Those who brought bankruptcy should be punished if the people wants to accept the challenges. How can you promise to pay massive salary increase without money in the Treasury? How A coward who cannot contest on his party, develop this country?
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vipula / August 28, 2024
Agree
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Pundit / August 28, 2024
Don’t know much about stepping aside, but he’s the master of the sidestep and the dummy.
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old codger / August 29, 2024
“VFS fiasco was bad enough. The situation is dire, and even basic rights, like obtaining a passport to seek employment abroad—a crucial source of foreign exchange for Sri Lanka—are being denied due to administrative failures”
The VFS affair was an unnecessary attempt to fix a system that wasn’t broken. It is obvious that the Minister had a vested interest in it, and even now stubbornly resists a return to status quo. Unlike in Keheliya Rambukwella’s case, there seems to be insufficient evidence to prove corruption. Tiran Alles is a wheeler-dealer, but, as in the Keheliya case, I don’t think RW would lift a finger to save him if he made a wrong move.
I wonder if the passport difficulties are an attempt to stop people migrating?
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Raj-UK / August 28, 2024
Knowing When To Step Aside……..
Its not in the DNA of SL politicians. I remember seeing on TV, senile Mrs B, as PM in her daughter’s govt., sitting next to Charles at the Victoria Dam opening & if I remember correctly, Premadasa jnr said he will step down if he lost the last Presidential election but stayed on probably due to ‘popular request’. In UK & other developed countries, the leader of the party steps down if the party loses the election, thereby, taking responsibility, whether personally contributed to the failure or not. On the other hand, if unable to deliver, the party will kick its own leader out, even kicking & screaming, like Liz Truss, if disaster is looming on the horizon.
The Rajapakses were kicked out, a new chapter in SL political history, but instead of retiring to obscurity & enjoy the spoils that are enough to last generations, the Rajapakses are back to fight another day. Afterall, they ‘saved’ the nation from terrorism & safeguarded Buddhism, therefore, looting the country is a secondary matter which could be viewed sympathetically.
SP has not made a significant contribution in all his time in politics but neither has AKD. I would consider RW with his recent mediocre performance because among this bunch, its better than nothing, only if he would reject the undesirables who are now flocking to him.
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SJ / August 28, 2024
” senile Mrs B, as PM in her daughter’s govt.”
She was victimised by JRJ.
She was not hankering after position. She contested 1989 and was cheated of victory by the JVP which organized a boycott that helped Premadasa.
She stepped down from electoral politics since then. Her appointment as PM was to drive home a point to the UNP and JRJ. She conducted herself with utmost dignity in office. Check with memoirs of officials who knew her well.
Your bitterness towards the SLFP and the Left seems to know no limits.
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Raj-UK / August 29, 2024
SJ
I support Labour in UK & believe in a fairer society (an example is Nordic countries) but when it comes to SL politics, I have only contempt for ‘socialist’ parties, & particularly, the Bandaranayakas. However, the Bandaranayakas are not alone but they have a lot to answer for the situation SL is in today because they started & continued with the rot. Apart from CBK’s own corruption allegations, MR was the Bandaranayaka pet dog until he broke up their legacy & CBK went on to nominate another sleazy yob, Sirisena, & the rest is history. Maybe she should enjoy her retirement in affluent St Johns Wood in London without continuing to be a burden to the poor tax payer who is paying for all her perks in SL. At last, there would be one less politician sponging on the citizens.
I still remember the hardships under Mrs B’s failed policies & I don’t want to see the same happening again in my old age which is why I have no faith in ‘socialist’ NPP controlled by the JVP.
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SJ / August 29, 2024
Labour in the UK?
What has it got to do with Labour ideals ever since Tory Blair became leader. There is little to choose between the Tories and what became New Labour.
The erosion started under Wilson, but there was still hope.
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Mind your language calling people pet dogs etc.
Mahinda made a name for himself by standing up to the Premadasa tyranny. He did not see eye-to-eye with CBK when she returned from the UK from a self imposed exile following the killing of Vijaya K.
The “sleazy yob” was as much a choice of the UNP because it was unsure of defeating MR on its own.
Stop hurling politically bankrupt personal abuse at CBK.
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Raj-UK / August 30, 2024
SJ
Unlike political parties in SL, there is a difference in UK political party policy in principle. I have no respect for corrupt politicians & opportunists who abused their privileges & position & I call them what I think of them, although. I could you stronger words, I wouldn’t do so in public. As for CBK, she ‘returned from slf exile in UK’ & formed an alliance with the people responsible for the killing of her husband. What does it say about her? Did she do it for the betterment of the country?
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