Right is might and must prevail

Errant politicians should be scorned with public disdainReject rulers who demand subservience, ‘discipline’

By Dilkie Umagiliya 

It’s simply nauseous to read the dailies saturated with political rhetoric, misdeeds, manipulations, decay and putrification of our nation. Editors and guest columnists have no decent topics to analyse/ critique and are mired in this never ending erosion of governance. Well informed, articulate, analytical, unbiased writers have to stoop in writing of mundaneness of political goings on. A hopelessness engulfs the air we breathe.

The Rajas dominate, although in a fluid situation, crown themselves the redeemers. Bombastic egos encouraged by servile media. Is Sri Lanka barren of intellectuals, professionals, persons of knowledge and lineage, to lead this country forward, without continuing to fall back on corrupt aged recycled third-raters? We fawn and ingratiate (flatter and please) in the presence of these louts who were elected by default. 

Sri Lankans are an intelligent, focused and hard-working people. The private sector proves this beyond doubt. 

The business community (SMEs, corporates) industrialists are the movers and shakers, the engine of growth, focusing international limelight on this otherwise politically blackguarded State. Entrepreneurs of excellence battle corrupt, inept, incompetent politicians without an iota of knowledge, ethics and decency. Dictating from their pedestals on how to manage the economy and ourselves. 

We witnessed unbridled violence and destruction of public property in November in Parliament by the representatives of the people. I don’t need to dwell on the gory details. The despicable riot enacted in the name of upholding democracy! There sat Raja, leader of this uncouth political hotchpotch of an alliance, watching with vile glee.

 

Digitally recorded for posterity. 

We continue to watch 225 unworthies (unfit, ignoble, unseemly) and their lackeys and stooges roughshod over 22 million right-thinking, hard-working, intelligent, innocent and naive people.

Talented and bright young people are passionately looking over the seas to follow their dreams for a fulfilling life. Visit a foreign education fair or visa issuing authority to feel the urgent clamour to get out. They are disinterested in elections/ presidential candidates and or promises made by wayward, unscrupulous, self-appointed ‘leaders’. Children of a lost generation with no prospects of keeping up with contemporaries in the rest of the world. 

Education is the least of the priorities of any government. In fact, progressively reduced budgeted allocation for education is constantly ‘misappropriated’ for upgrading umpteen ministries, and provide luxury vehicles privileges for legislators. How they lord it over us!

The British Parliament, the world’s oldest democracy, is still housed in the centuries-old Westminster, members sitting cheek by jowl. Literally squeezed in. In comparison the Sri Lankan Parliament complex is a palace. Unworthy of the sitting buffoons. 

Students in rural districts, and a majority of the student population don’t have a cat in hell’s chance of acquiring 21st century technological, artistic or academic skills. Bombarded with worthless exams which take them nowhere. Lacking in English language skills to boot. A minuscule number qualify to enter university. For the rest heartache or enrolling in expensive privately funded institutes with very limited choice of courses and questionable tuition. 

We are compelled to read the self-proclaimed attributes and qualifications of the Rajapaksa prince-in-waiting who says he is ‘ready’ to lead with discipline and more discipline. Discipline at the expense of legitimate rights of citizens. Sending shivers down our spines. We have tasted his powerful ruthless command. 

An authoritarian Lieutenant Colonel, voluntarily retired at the height of the war. What self-adulation, a bombastic ego. Attributes of an autocratic military man who will lead the assault ‘his way’ with an iron fist and jack boots demanding unquestioning subservience. Dissent is tyranny. 

Governance of State and leading a battalion in war are as dissimilar as chocolate is to charcoal. The looming dread and fear on the horizon is a possibility, by hook or by crook. He ‘realised’ that aspirations of the youth are based on political stability, which he says is synonymous with the family. The Cosa Nostra. We remember Duminda, monitoring MP Defence Ministry ‘ably’ assisting the Secretary, today on death row. The many cousins, uncles, grand mums and best friends now pursued by international lawmakers. He himself facing charges of misappropriation of public monies.

We tolerate persons accused of misdeeds against the State and misappropriation of State funds to aspire to the highest seats in the land.

In developed democracies, persons even if not charged in a court of law, if there is whiff of scandal or inappropriate conduct will be barred from seeking public office. 

In Sri Lanka unscrupulous persons are chosen to govern the country and manage State coffers. A tragedy indeed. 

Unfortunately the good mixed with the bad and ugly are struggling to survive.

I will continue to ‘have a dream’ of a Sri Lanka blessed to be governed by able righteous persons without racial or religious prejudice, for the good of all citizens. 

This is the 21st century where human rights and dignity is recognised as foremost. Equality and justice for all without favour or fervour. We need compassionate leaders versed and read in the great philosophies and literary works of the world. Persons with ability to appreciate aesthetic and artistic interpretation and intellectual pursuits. Not country bumpkins Wansas, Silvas, Bathius, Nanthans and Karunas who shamelessly name-call eminent persons visiting the country. We don’t want rulers who demand subservience, ‘discipline’ at the expense of our individual likes and rights. Citizens treated without respect and recognition. 

India, our closest neighbour, sharing cultural and dynastic relationships, recognised and respected as the largest democracy in the world, has maintained secularism in the post-colonial era. Refined secular aesthetic leaders Nehru, Shastri, Desai, VP Sigh, Gowda, Gujral, Manmohan Singh with a gentle nature and appreciative of diverse cultures brought unity in diversity. Mahatma Gandhi led the way. A mentor who imparted the ways of tolerance, acceptance, nonviolence and importantly humility and a humble lifestyle. 

None of our legislators/“leaders” have any of these attributes. They are pompous, corrupt ignoramuses.

Public enemy No.1 of the State were consecutive governments, conducting affairs with impunity, with no concern for the people’s aspirations and wants. 

We should take heed of Director General Customs Charles’s reinstatement and people’s power. It was the collective cry of the trade unions, wholesalers and retailers and sympathetic activism that compelled the Government and Minister to their knees and bow down. 

The people are all powerful. We must not forget – right is might and must prevail. Errant politicians should be scorned with public disdain. How dare they view citizens like cattle.