On rising from the ashes

The Galle Face demonstration has many lessons for us. The power of peaceful protest, common causes unite people, corrupt uncaring leaderships are self-destructive, tenacity and resilience among the demonstrators are crucial and we are a society of humane people.

The often heard comment is that this demonstration is doomed to fail, for lack of leadership – meaning political participation. In this respect, The Samagi Jana Bala vegaya (SJB) has astutely gained traction, by the organized Kandy to Colombo march culminating at Galle Face, on May Day. I see this as a demonstration of endorsement, rather than as a hijack. Some have foretold chaos (Arajitha yugaya) if the Rajapaksa hierarchy is disturbed. We hope not.

For the Prophets of doom, I can only say, “Just you wait and see”. This is a triumph for youth. Once they reach their goal, then a difficult future awaits. The tenacity and stubborn resistance of the old guard is not hard to understand.

Apart from a desire to continue in power and savour the benefits and luxury, enjoyed even by their wayward offspring, there is an element of fear that any spoils of office, stashed away in safe havens, are at risk.

I am no expert on such matters, but my understanding is that the old anonymity (the so-called numbered) Bank Accounts can no longer enjoy protection from scrutiny, especially if they pertain to suspected illegal transactions, involving State resources;. I believe that following the widespread thievery of State Funds, by the likes of Marcos (Philippines) and Suharto (Indonesia) among other despots, the shackles that protected their accounts from embarrassing disclosures, no longer remain. Unfortunately, South Asia has had more than their fair share of delinquents. The recent ouster of Imran Khan, probably relates to his declared crusade to remove the over-powering stench of political wheeler-dealing in Pakistan.

While the immediate future for our country lies in Sri Lanka addressing the real economic plight of the country. IMF or not, rescheduling or debts or not, the fact remains that beyond immediate relief, there has to be a system change. There can be no progress without change, but all change is not necessarily progress. Two radical truths of the recent rebellion are, to my mind, the strength of “people power”, and the reluctance and obstinacy of those on the gravy train of untrammeled theft of national resources, to give up.

Unfortunately there seems to be an understanding, within the polity, of a “You scratch my back and I will scratch yours;” call it collusion, unholy alliance, partners in crime or whatever, it has led to a relentless journey towards national destruction.

The apparent hostility and opposition within political groupings is fake. The real battle is between “politics” versus “the people”. I would call it the “Cahoot Principle”. “Cahoot” meaning partnership, conspiracy, company, collusion, bunch, group, band or similar collective. A structure of solemnity, and principle is built around this. Cabinets and Parliaments are two such structures that manifest as symbols of this reality. They cloak themselves in a nobility that makes them invincible and incapable of being reduced to nudity.

The last month, Galle Face and widespread peoples’ rallies, processions, Satyagrahas and “fasts unto death” are possibly signs that at long last, this truth is being recognized – the penny has finally dropped. Our vocabularies have new words to enrich them – “games”, being one of the main ones in use – with the flavor of dark conspiracies, unholy alliances and political play acting.

All the while, the play-acting, which shows in the body language and conviviality continues. The pretended hostility displayed on political shows, though palpably fake, still deceives some. Meanwhile, the public coffers are robbed, champions of truth are murdered, hallowed institutions especially of Justice and judicial structures are relentlessly raped, law enforcement authorities compromised, dissenters murdered, boot lickers rewarded and nepotism rampant .These are indicative of moral decay.

Unless the well-articulated demands of the masses are respected and implemented, more violent expressions are possible. This could lead to further discontent and less manageable hell. The Rajapaksa cabal, which has exploited its power in manifold directions, has to go. The rank absurdity of enormously expensive cars, carrying their unworthy contents, from house to house, all through the night is repulsive.

The wholly unethical bribing of politicos for their shifty loyalty, merely enrages the already restive crowds. While the nation writhes in near-death agony, this buffoonery of head counts, alliances, no-confidence motions are irrelevant and must stop. The key villains in the political circus, cannot hide themselves for ever. Already the multitude are learning that surrounding their hideouts is an effective weapon. What is now a trickle may become a deluge. One hopes that “sleight-of- hand politics” has had its day: the time for honesty has begun.

The two major problems that assail the Nation are (i).The dire state of the economy, crippled by debt and thievery, leading to a possible collapse of our economy, ( if it has not already done so), and (II) Political instability.

No temporary fixes will be sufficient. But within that reality, somethings needs to be done. The Rajapaksas will soon be out. Resigning or escaping with their ill-gotten wealth. They should be retained, until every one of them and their accomplices, in this robbery of national assets, are stripped of the money they have robbed. Everything, whether held as cash or real estate (locally and abroad), should accrue to the State, and be sold by auction. Those officials who have aided and abetted in illegal cash transfers, should also be punished.

Dubai, Seychelles, Western capitals and more recently Uganda as a minimum, deserve priority. The complicity/unwillingness/inability of successive Governments to stop this haemorrhage is astonishing. This unlawful activity could possibly not have gone unnoticed. The obvious inference would be that most of them have been in this game themselves.

The fear must be that any systematic effort (paper chase) may well take them to surprising destinations. This country has to be rid of this abominable crime. The “Cahoot” principle is probably operative. If one were to just Google (“Ten richest politicians/people in Sri Lanka”) may reveal some unexpected names. The leading horses will be no surprise but the other “jockeys” might.

If these, perhaps largely undeclared largesse of dubious origins, and held as financial and real estate, in their names, proxies and their immediate and peripherally related family, were unearthed, withdrawn or sold, much of our current liabilities could be covered, international respect be restored and any future miscreants be discouraged.

A thought that constantly crosses my mind is –what would their offspring think of the rotten depths to which their parents have descended, in acquiring this astronomical wealth, which is now theirs to flaunt? Or, have these disgusting degenerates themselves been dulled to believe that crimes are OK, if only they are smart enough to not get caught? Time was when our parents were our role models, and thievery, lies, deceit, deception and debauchery were simply not morally acceptable.

The expected response, if seizure of assets is demanded, would be – “But the Law does not provide”. The choices would be (a) Change the Laws or (b) Defy them. The first may take too long, the second may provoke lengthy legal process. Regarding the second, the usual response to perceived State injustice is to challenge the complainant to “go to ourts”. Everybody knows what that means in wasted cash and time. But here is a case where the plaintiff is the State and the respondent is the presumed miscreant.

It is painfully true that even if the “Galle Face Forces” triumph in evicting the ruling cabal, along with its innumerable sidekicks and stooges, “What next”? I hopefully believe that “behind the scenes,” options are lined up, and await the cleansing of the seats, after which there would be a team or a seamless take-over.

The oft heard remedy as lying in a new constitution is highly debatable. But this would make this contribution too long and stretch the indulgence of the editors too far. This has to remain the subject for a separate piece.

Dr Upatissa Pethiyagoda