Final ‘rights’ of UNP

Prior to the dust settling down on the results of the general elections, I presume it pertinent to comment on the political demise of the Grand Old Party, especially in the interests of its disappointed membership, of which the writer is merely an observer.

It is no secret that RW was under a ‘delusion’ that he was eternally correct, and that just as he had total control of the Working Committee he could exercise dominance over the entire UNP vote base as well.

Comparatively speaking, both President Gotabaya and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa believed in mingling with the common man and therefore felt not only the pulse, but also the feelings, the pain, the sufferings and even the hunger of the people. It is obvious that Ranil, as a leader, was streets behind. His attitude was rather curt and kind of make believe, and these were evident whenever he moved among the people.

RW excelled at ‘buying time’. Setting up of ‘committees’ was his forte. It would come as no surprise if he would appoint new committees to probe into the following. In fact, he may even consider it his right, responsibility and obligation to do so.

To suspend the 2.77 million UNP voters who voted for the SJB; to take legal action against them for having done so; to demand why so many of its vote base refused to cast their votes (among others).

The writing had been on the walls (on the roofs and on the floors for that matter) for the past several years, that the UNP, under his leadership, was fast sinking into the depths of the mighty political ocean; but RW refused to take note. He was only interested in safeguarding his position at the top. But now the end has come, reducing the once mighty party to live on a single oxygen cylinder, that too a ‘gift’ from the proportionate voting system.

All UNPers will most certainly join me in extending heartfelt congratulations and all success to President Gotabaya and Prime Minister Mahinda, in their efforts to take Sri Lanka to the next and higher level of economic stability.

WILLIAM OPP