Sinister aspects of Aragalaya!

By Dr Upul Wijayawardhana

A campaign, started by a Sri Lankan doctor, resident in UK, through a WhatsApp group, became the focal point for a massive campaign against a government which put self-interest before that of the country, resulting, paradoxically, in totally unexpected consequences. True, it forced the resignation of the entire Cabinet. However, I greatly doubt that the thousands who flocked to GotaGoGama, and other sites of protest, ever imagined that their actions would result in Ranil Wickremesinghe becoming the most powerful person in Sri Lanka whilst Gota continues to be the President. Obituaries were written for the UNP after the last general election, as it was left without even a single MP, and polled less than 250,000 votes from the entire country, and it was thought Ranil would fade into political oblivion, but the reverse has happened! Ranil owes a lot for his good luck to the protesters but more to the Rajapaksa family for their bungling and Sajith for being the ‘no-leader’ of the Opposition!

The urgent problem that needs addressing is the fast-failing economy and, judging by world events, worse is yet to come. Arrogance of the West, in its attempt to subdue Putin by using Ukraine as a proxy, is forcing an inevitable worldwide recession which is bound to harm the poor counties preferentially. Even in relatively rich UK pressures are already felt. Petrol and diesel prices are at an all-time high. Prices in supermarkets are going up steadily but what is becoming intolerable are the fuel bills. From April, our gas and electricity bills have more than doubled! It was reported recently that, as power cuts would be inevitable by next year, the government has decided to reverse the decision to close down some coal-powered generators, which was planned because of environmental concerns. The number of families depending on food banks for survival is increasing rapidly. If this is the situation in the UK, hard to imagine what awaits Sri Lanka!

In this scenario, when others refused to accept responsibility, Ranil deserves our thanks for having stepped in. However, though his initial attention was directed towards solving the economic crisis, unfortunately, his emphasis has since shifted to political changes. He seems obsessed with 21A but is it the solution to the economic crisis? Very benevolently, he has opened a direct line of communication to protestors and is planning to get youth involvement, having spent his entire political life preventing youth leaders emerging in the UNP! One wonders whether he is more interested in pursuing the dream that eluded him, by becoming the President even for a short period, than sorting out the economy.

Even more sinister possibilities are highlighted in the timely editorial “Will Prez make CB independent?” (The Island, 31 May) which, whilst reminding us about the two bond scams perpetuated by the UNP, states: “It is a supreme irony that the UNP has benefited from the struggle of the Galle Face protesters, who are campaigning against corruption, among other things, and demanding that all those who have helped themselves to public funds be brought to justice, and their ill-gotten wealth confiscated forthwith. The very opposite of their wish has come true, so to speak!”

Although the protests started initially, as a genuine youth agitation, it quickly was made use of by politicians. The FSP, which polled a paltry 20,000 odd votes at the last general election, has come into prominence and its leader hits the headlines daily. However, the biggest beneficiaries are the JVP, which seems determined to capture power, irrespective of what happens to the economy. The trade union wing of the JVP is threatening to surround the Parliament unless MPs vote for an immediate election. The recent move by the JVP to join hands with FSP sounds ominous.

Many, including myself, developed a healthy respect for Sunil Handunnetti following his leadership of COPE which exposed the bond scams but, unfortunately, he seems to have regressed to the JVP ideal of destruction! He made an appeal to workers abroad to withhold remittances so that the government would fall, telling them that their relatives would be able to subsist with whatever little available! At a critical juncture when all politicians should get together to pull us out of the economic quagmire, is this the behaviour of a responsible politician?

That is not all. Though the actions of the government goons, who tore into the Galle Face protestors, is heavily criticised, unfortunately, the actions of the arsonists and murderers, who are supposed to have reacted is not condemned in equal measure. Handunnetti went a step further; he said that they should be protected at all costs! Perhaps, encouraging violence is in the DNA of the JVP. There was no shortage of political commentators condemning the voters of Matara district for not sending Handunnetti to the Parliament at the last election but his recent behaviour more than justified their decision. After all, what is worse than sending dishonest politicians to parliament is sending politicians who continue to support terror! His leader, AKD threatened MPs in his May day speech and mobs, belonging to the JVP or not, carried this out when the opportunity arose.

It looks as if the JVP is good at scoring own goals! There were many who were willing to give the JVP a chance at government but am sure are disillusioned by their recent behaviour. Unfortunately, some who don the sacred saffron-robe, also seem to be joining the ranks of terror supporters. I have written repeatedly how Bhikkhus violate the rules laid down by the Buddha by becoming politicians.

Omalpe Sobhita has, at a recent meeting, whilst emphasising the urgent need to pass 21A, stated that any MP who voted against 21A would not be able to return home. This amounts to intimidation.Does the Buddhism he practices say that the end justifies the means? Anyway, will the passage of 21A miraculously make hunger pangs disappear? When so-called Buddhist priests behave like this, what future do we have?It is high time for a different sort of Aragalaya; a movement to cultivate whatever possible wherever possible so that we prevent our brethren dying of hunger. That is the urgent need of the hour; not constitutional amendments or elections!