As we pass the 63rd milepost of self-rule, we're facing challenges seldom seen in our short history. Most of the world is out to get us, we've got a government that favours centralised rule and a president who abolished term limits that applied to him, we've got the armed forces engaged in business (vegetables, luxury cruise ships and even whale watching!) and we've got an opposition without hope. Even when things looked bleak for the UNP in 1975, with Sirimavo using her majority to delay elections by 2 years, there was a valiant and cunning leader in JR who capitalised on the unpopularity of the government (and its inability to feed its people... ring any bells?) and won a landslide when elections were eventually held in '77. Today the UNP is a party of blind leading the blind, and the other forces in the opposition are either in jail (SF) or getting routed from their traditional strongholds in the universities (JVP). And before you accuse me of being an anti-government booyaka who wants nothing more than to topple the bros from Hamba, let me remind you that people who want this government to succeed (myself included, I've seen way too many governments fail before) would want a strong opposition that acts as a watchdog against government wrongdoing, corruption and wastage. If we're to call this a democracy, the people at bare minimum deserve that from their elected opposition. For example, all the pundits seem to agree that had Gamini or Lalith not been assassinated, and had served as opposition leader from '93 - '99, CBK's government would never have grown so corrupt and
Okay then, back to watching the parade...
Good post, its a rum thing when one want a government one dislikes to succeed because there is no hope of anyone better getting in.
ReplyDeleteLook at the second tier of politicians, the young ones who are ordinary MP's and provincial councillors, the Duminda Silva's. They are our future leaders and compared to that lot Namal R looks the best option available.
Nice post and song, Chavie.
ReplyDeleteHow are you doing in this rainy weather?
Just one thing to add...JR was 'valiant and cunning' in '77, yes...but then he sat back and watched the country burn for days, calling the torture of innocent Sri Lankans by other Sri Lankans 'democracy'. Another JR is the last thing any Sri Lankan should be hoping for.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I'm glad I'm not the only one that recognises that the 'opposition' is also to blame for the status quo.
Hey Chavie, great thinking. and I bought the Bangles song just now, did not know them before. Looks like from the era of JR.
ReplyDeleteSay you are in SL, driving like an American, cops stop you for speeding, the driver, who now is in the passenger seat, letting you drive, tell the cop something in Sinhalese and shows his pass, he snaps a salute and let us go. You ask him what is the normal ticket amount is he says XXXX, you give him XXXXX for the trouble, were you bribing? Or Would you shun such privileges.
I got totally confused after my first adult visit. But I have to go back so I can do the wrong thing, I mean right thing 'cos I am supposed to be green!.
Do not take parties too seriously. They usually take the same boats, to go whale watching etc! Man this is getting too long, I need to start a blog :)
Jack Point - Thanks. :) Exactly. More often than not they're offspring of political families or businessmen and 'ordinary people' have no means of getting in (that's something for another post entirely). :/
ReplyDeleteAmila - Thanks. :D Well apart from this bone numbing cold, I'm doing good. People in the N/E/NC aren't so lucky though. :( I hear Nachchaduwa's about to burst its bund and if it does, all of Anuradhapura goes under. :(
Pseudo - Hey, I'm no big fan of JR's rule either, and his suppression of the opposition led to riots and insurrections and what not... (But note that today the opposition is pretty much suppressing itself, as opposed to some government moves to suppress it.) My point is that we need an opposition that criticises the government in a fair manner, while standing with it when it comes to bipartisan issues. Or maybe I should stop living in dreamland and come back to reality. ;D
Magerata - You do need a blog, do start one up! :D Well, Sri Lankans do love bending the rules, and seem to think the law applies to everyone else but not them. Well, paying him after the matter is done is one thing (the person driving had no idea about speed limits and fines), actively encouraging him to use bribery or privileges is another. The speeding person should I guess treat that as a first time and a learning experience, and afterwards shun the privilege, I guess. :)
And the Bangles were huuuuge in the 80s... That song made a comeback after all the unrest in Egypt.
Thanks for the thoughtful comments, guys! :)
I enjoy the parade of armed forces every independence day. Something we can be proud as a nation.
ReplyDeleteThe rest.. I have little interest.
"Anti-government booyaka"
ReplyDeleteLove it... love it!! This is what i shall hurl at the next person who antagonises me, whatever his political leanings may be!
Kirigalpoththa - Interesting to note that the hardware and the marching has definitely improved over the recent past. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd the rest, they reserve for the bloodsuckers. :D
Angel - Haha, I think I should note that the word 'booyaka' was originally coined by Ms. Makuluwo. :D Good luck and have fun with the hurling! ;)
Thanks for the comments, guys! :D
Bravo, bravo, bravo...!
ReplyDelete*Chavie receives a standing ovation*
Well said.
its time U run for president. really.
ReplyDeleteMy thought exactly!! This is exactly how I feel! you wanna form a party with me and contest the LG elections? :P
ReplyDeleteSerendib - Zank you! *bows* :D
ReplyDeleteGeeG - Haha, no way Jose! xD
Hoot - United Bloggers Front? :D We could use the coconut as our symbol! hahaha :D
Thanks for the comments, guys! :D