Negative Attributes of Mahinda Rajapaksa: Candid assessment of Presidential Candidates – 1
By Rajpal Abeynayake
Yes, we have to talk about the Fonseka candidacy, but before that we have to get to grips with the Rajapaksa incumbency.
The incumbent, Percy Mahinda Rajapaksa has a record. The people have to vote on that record.
The challenger has a record; but not in power, not as incumbent, in any substantial political office.
Electing Fonseka is therefore more a matter of taking a chance, and there are demerits in that. But those can wait to be looked at on another day.
First, we need to talk about the man in power.
He finished off the LTTE and ushered in peace. There is no doubt about it, and if people are asked to vote in gratitude, I have no doubt that Mahinda Rajapaksa would be the winner by leagues.
But gratitude belongs to another realm. An errant father would earn out gratitude, even if he embarrasses us in later life, for the simple reason that he brought us into this world, educated us, and gave us a future.
His transgression would not make us strike him off the census or voter’s list as the Head of the Household.
But gratitude doesn’t belong in the political realm. Mahinda Rajapaksa as all other presidents was elected to do the job of ushering in peace, and though all previous presidents could not do it, he did.
People are grateful, but that does not mean that he necessarily needs to be handed the country for that effort.
As I keep telling friends, if gratitude is the criteria, parliament can vote for him eight palaces, the best cases of whisky weekly if he is so inclined, and prescribe for him a ex king’s life replete with luxury —- though he would not be provided seven virgins a week, as some Islamic suicide bombers are pledged.
Short of the seven virgins, I mean, the country can vote a scrumptious life for him in retirement, and I would call that ample gratitude.
Consolidate that peace
The voters would therefore mull over the voting question based on Mahinda Rajapaksa’s performance, and his suitability based on that performance for the task at hand.
Gratitude is not in the equation.
The task at hand is not war. The task at hand, however grateful we are to him for ushering in the peace, is to consolidate that peace — to win the peace, to win the economy, and to win in terms of ushering-in prosperity, security, and good governance in times of tranquillity and resurgence.
Is Mahinda Rajapaksa upto it considering his performance in the four years in these said areas, as the incumbent?
Is it worth taking a chance on a rival whose record in these areas generally cannot be measured, because he has never been incumbent, and we are compelled to take him only at his word about his election promises?
The ratiocination between Mahinda Rajapaksa and his rival’s attributes can be kept for a later date, in these columns, but to me Mahinda Rajapaksa’s incumbency - - when you take the war out of it - - is underscored by its most striking quality, that of utter cynicism that’s the hallmark of this president’s contemporary political project.
There is utter cynicism in thinking that Mervyn Silva can be allowed to run around, intimidating and assaulting people, while the president tolerates that and enjoys Silva’s company as the Temple Tress court jester.
There is utter cynicism in thinking that spending billions on a useless airline such as Mihin Air, is all in a day’s work.
There is utter cynicism in inviting public servants for meals at Temple Tress, and then rationalising that anybody who is invited to a home is given a meal as per the ancient Sinhala customs and traditions.
There is utter cynicism in thinking that the sheer illegality of thus feasting public servants is somehow not important.
There is utter cynicism in thinking that a proliferation of Rajapaksas in all areas of administration, should somehow be allowed because it is all in a day’s work.
But there is more.
There was cynicism of an incredible degree in thinking that somehow the long duration incarceration of Tamil IDPs was a non-issue until elections were around the corner, and minority votes were required.
This level of cynicism seems pathological, and incurable.
There is diabolical cynicism in thinking that by ignoring the 17th amendment which is part of the constitution he has sworn to uphold, this piece of legislation could be wished away.
There is utter cynicism in thinking that now that there is peace in the north and the east, the full implementation of the 13th amendment is an irritation that needs not be tolerated, though the 13th amendment is part of the same constitution also.
Those who say that Mahinda Rajapaksa’s administration is not corrupt or is not guilty of widespread nepotism and family bandism, say that the projection of Rajapaksa as a dynasty-minded plutocrat is flawed, because it’s wildly exaggerated.
Nobody would deny the exaggerations which come as part of the territory in any kind of politics, but does an exaggerated caricature make the cartoon character unrecognisable? A cartoonist may exaggerate the length of the president’s nose, but put a saatakya around his neck and any nondescript artist can get that caricature right, isn’t it?
The opposition’s allegations of corruption may be exaggerated, but has the government refuted the core submission by the opposition and sections of the media that the regime is corrupt, and is guilty of unpardonable nepotism and family bandisim?
On that question, Mahinda Rajapaksa’s response has been so utterly cynical too.
He insists on the opposition proving corruption allegations against him in seven days.
It is said he has declared his assets to the Elections Commissioner, but he should have forwrded a copy to the press. Well and good if he has filed a copy with the commissioner; the press we are sure will get their hands on it..
But he can counter any corruption allegations, by requiring as a matter of ethics, an assets declaration to the public of all Ministers including those in his own family. That too after all, is required annually by law.
He is wearing his arrogance on his sleeve and contempt for process as a badge, and that’s what you call utter incredible cynicism, the most sickening hallmark of the Rajapaksa administration when you take the war out of the equation in his four years of helmsmanship.
I think he would have to pay for this cynicism, because it’s too late to undo the damage now - when he doesn’t seem to be able to get out of the corner he has painted himself into, at this stage of the game.
As said in the preceding paragraphs, whether this would mean that he would win the election or not is another matter — and it depends on whether Rajapaskas negatives are offset by the new opposition candidate’s negatives in the big picture.
But even if he wins, the President’s cynicism would cut into his majority, and there are no two ways about that.
But this utter cynicism of the regime is endemic to its existence.
Those who say that corruption allegations are exaggerated would only have to ask his Ministers to publicly and with a copy to the media, declare their assets. After all, this is a requirement for all Ministers, by law.
If he does so, his ministers do not have to issue deafening challenges to the opposition to prove corruption allegations within seven days.
But in the absence of such a morally imperative refutation against charges directed at the administration, those who see the utter cynicism of the Rajapaksa method of governance would say - - if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then it must be a duck.
If the government seems to be so utterly cynical, oblivious to the bad governance graft and nepotism that it has perpetrated, there surely must be something that is wrong with it at its core, that would make the people consider before they vote - and ruminate before they give President Mahinda Rajapaksa a free pass just because he won the war for us.
(Rajpal Abeynayake is the Editor of Lakbima News from which this column is excerpted. In Candid Candidate Assessment 2 - Sarath Fonseka, his negatives, would follow next week.)
10 Comments
At last a "fair" assesment, I eargerly await the next !
Sir, You missed out on the cynicism over the Media;
the 20 yr. sentences - the 1st of its kind as directed by the Presidency to the AG Dept.
".... invited to a home is given a meal as per the ancient Sinhala customs and traditions."...but the
Diaspora Mercy Mission Shipment did not come even in any of MR Bros momentary thoughts of humanity.
Anyway, a much desired article however late. (The
white van is garaged!) It is to be expected that Rajiv, DJ & Palitha (GOSL Academics?) will be responding before 26th Jan. . ........
You have hit the nail right on the head. Also who pays for all this and will the President and retinue be held accountable to the people? I would say cynicism is too good a word for his actions. More like highway robbery when you consider the scale and impact.
2010 Sri Lankan Elections and Thamils
Dawn of the New Year 2010, bloomed with dance, drama and fire crackers, in Sri Lanka , and for the unconcerned agents of power , in Jaffna.
95% of the in habitants in North and East, are in utter despair and unable to get off, out of 30 years of suffering, mental agony, scars of Tyranny , and trampled by iron boots of players, of both sides of war. The players of the last fifty years of polities of Tamil community, were unable or could not make through, a way of hope for the Tamil people, may or may not be due to their failures, intellectual incapability or lack of skills in polities and political management, May be due to the system, that is prevailing for governance, at present.
Now, due to a necessity of political compulsions, would be power holders of Sri Lanka , require some sort of assistance, from the Tamil voters.
Last 50 years, the votes of Tamil community, meant nothing for the power holders of Sri Lanka. They never cared for it, and the people, but managed , to get unscrupulous elements as their agents, and by fraudulent methods of money purchase of votes, and manipulations and deals, found some names of human forms, with Tamil names, to project and carry on their business, in the north and East. End result is ,Tamil community is destroyed, in every sense, and their future is supposed to be doomed, and uncertain.
After all this happened, various preachers, do-gooders, persons with supposed, with altruistic faces, media projected names, and persons who held positions of various offices, and other chairs of influences, and by virtue of their chairs they held, from within, and outside the community, are postulating and with various advises, how the Tamil community should conduct, behave itself ,at present.
Is it pertinent to ask a few questions from there names of persons /advisors / supposed intellectuals
These are for reflections of all concerned, at a situation, when tamil people are unable even to raise their heads, and to position themselves.
Well Done Rajpal,
For a change I agree with you. Let's get back to the global warming discussion over a pint at our favourite watering hole.
MR's winning the war is comparable to eradicating mosquitoes by eradicating the entire population of humans!!!!(in this case the Tamil civilians)What about him killing his political opponents? White van abductions and extrajudicial killings? State funds going into his and his extended families accounts!!!
He has sold the country to China,India,Burma and Iran!!!
MR was not very diplomatic when it came to dealing with the diploMUTTS who came to ask for a ceasfire during the final phase of the WAR.
So the Armed Forces managed to end it forthwith.!!!
Which was great relief and the kind of diplomacy MR practiced did not win us a whole lot of friends but did the trick.So ends a chapter in the history.
He did it his way and it was fighting fire with fire.
Now there is a different fight which is not going to work with MR at the helm.why ?? he is over-qualified for the task.He has 40yrs experience in Politics!!!So he is immediately desqualifid for Curtailing Corruption,bribery and Stealing State Property as they are the very reasons why politicians came to power over the last 60 yrs.
here are few examples during MR term:
1. A poor farmer Co-operative of Thanamalwila, culitvated a state land( wasted and not cultivated) since 1962 after digging a canal for miles.Recently they were informed the land is illegally used by them and they were chased out.Then a regional Political leader had hired hands using tractors to till them for the coming season to be cultivated.The helpless poor farmers went to the Police station and they were told its the POWERS that BE doing it!!! and they are just looking up the sky and pray the gods to be of their help!!!!
Mind you these are the poor farmers who elected these folks( including MR) to be the statesmen/women.
2.The State property is being used to do election work and Police officers are instructed to guard the MR cut-outs.
Gooons of MPs are attacking peaceful marches of opposition political parties and the police is silent spectators.
( e.g. Kiribathgoda, Bandaragama incidents)
3. State Media is a fountain of Gobbelsian propaganda and all one-sided blare insulting the aptitude of the general viewer thus shunning them away with disgust.
4. The MPs jumping sides justify their moves with tall stories and go on the stage and relate utterly disgusting verbal attacks on oponents with malicious desregard to common decency( comnparing their senior citizen status) , filled with hatred an set the example to younger aspiring politicians to the cliche
'the bigger the proportion of unprincipaled ethos you follow the bigger the rewards are!!!!"
5. Governement appointments are good example of how power is abused by these strange creatures who squirm when confronted yet continue to do that.
The CGR examination for some staff recruitment during the X'mas rush is a case in point.
So above few examples right under the nose of MR regime shows MR is not up for THIS task of WAR on Corruption of all sorts rampant in the society.
I voted for MR last time around and I am happy it yielded results favourable to the Country this time I am voting for Genral Fonseka and I am convinced( with the track record) he has genuine desire to see this country in a superior pedestal and make the WAR victory he managed to deliver a meanigful one!!!!
-aj
MR was not very diplomatic when it came to dealing with the diploMUTTS who came to ask for a ceasfire during the final phase of the WAR.
So the Armed Forces managed to end it forthwith.!!!
Which was great relief and the kind of diplomacy MR practiced did not win us a whole lot of friends but did the trick.So ends a chapter in the history.
He did it his way and it was fighting fire with fire.
Now there is a different fight which is not going to work with MR at the helm.why ?? he is over-qualified for the task.He has 40yrs experience in Politics!!!So he is immediately desqualifid for Curtailing Corruption,bribery and Stealing State Property as they are the very reasons why politicians came to power over the last 60 yrs.
here are few examples during MR term:
1. A poor farmer Co-operative of Thanamalwila, culitvated a state land( wasted and not cultivated) since 1962 after digging a canal for miles.Recently they were informed the land is illegally used by them and they were chased out.Then a regional Political leader had hired hands using tractors to till them for the coming season to be cultivated.The helpless poor farmers went to the Police station and they were told its the POWERS that BE doing it!!! and they are just looking up the sky and pray the gods to be of their help!!!!
Mind you these are the poor farmers who elected these folks( including MR) to be the statesmen/women.
2.The State property is being used to do election work and Police officers are instructed to guard the MR cut-outs.
Gooons of MPs are attacking peaceful marches of opposition political parties and the police is silent spectators.
( e.g. Kiribathgoda, Bandaragama incidents)
3. State Media is a fountain of Gobbelsian propaganda and all one-sided blare insulting the aptitude of the general viewer thus shunning them away with disgust.
4. The MPs jumping sides justify their moves with tall stories and go on the stage and relate utterly disgusting verbal attacks on oponents with malicious desregard to common decency( comnparing their senior citizen status) , filled with hatred an set the example to younger aspiring politicians to the cliche
'the bigger the proportion of unprincipaled ethos you follow the bigger the rewards are!!!!"
5. Governement appointments are good example of how power is abused by these strange creatures who squirm when confronted yet continue to do that.
The CGR examination for some staff recruitment during the X'mas rush is a case in point.
So above few examples right under the nose of MR regime shows MR is not up for THIS task of WAR on Corruption of all sorts rampant in the society.
I voted for MR last time around and I am happy it yielded results favourable to the Country this time I am voting for Genral Fonseka and I am convinced( with the track record) he has genuine desire to see this country in a superior pedestal and make the WAR victory he managed to deliver a meanigful one!!!!
-aj
" Mahinda has Ushered in peace" is not right he may have won the war with LTTE militararly, He has neither ushered peace nor governed the country adequeately even in Sinhala perspective. if he is capable or willing to Usher in peace He could have done it without calling an election, without the concent from Tamils, and even done it by implementing APRC which would have even pleased the International community and he would have got much needed economic support to the country by which he may have made the citizens happy and won a second term in two years time. But he wanted to consolidate his rough power using Sinhala emotions.
"MR's winning the war is comparable to eradicating mosquitoes by eradicating the entire population of humans!!!!" - says (so called) Nandasena.
True, MR did eradicate those blood thirsty blood -sucking Tamil Tiger Terrorists as he had promised; But contrary to the second part of your statement, he managed to do so with the objective of saving the entire Sri Lankan population from further murder by those sick psycho barbarian terrorists.