UNP and its call for foreign Intervention
Posted on December 16th, 2012
S. Akurugoda
As per a press statement issued by the party secretary Tissa Attanayake of the UNP, the party is urging the President to appoint a committee comprising judges selected by the Secretary to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association to probe the charges against the Chief Justice.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Mangala Samaraweera, in fact, had sent a letter requesting the Commonwealth Secretariat to order his disciplinary body, the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, to probe Sri Lanka on the impeachment of the Chief Justice (CJ).
These politicians have forgotten or trying to mislead the people knowing very well that the only provision available for probing the CJ in the current Constitution of the Republic of Sri Lanka, whether right or wrong, is the impeachment through a PSC and any other way of probing outside these provisions is not legal or Constitutional.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
This is not the first time that UNP or its leaders call for foreign intervention to solve internal issues of the country. The United National Party has not moved much away from its faith on international support (than national support) reminding us its pre 1956 era.
If UNP continued to be in power since independence, without a break, what would have been the status of British air bases that existed in ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Katunayake and Trincomalee, foreign policy aligned to the west in its entirety,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ education system under ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ missionaries, oil distribution owned by British and US ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ companies and many more of the systems that existed before 1956 ?
Both the Soviet Union (former USSR) andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ China establish diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka after 1956. The foreign relations were biased towards the West to such an extent that even Russian scientists were not allowed to visit Sri Lanka to observe the total solar eclipse occurred in 1955.
The influence of the church towards higher education, employment, business etc was at its peak prior to 1956 and the government assisted schools and orphanages run by missionaries were instrumental in religious conversion. The Sinhala education was limited to ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”pirivenaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ (education centres maintained by Buddhist clergy at temples) and that was the time, the Sinhala educated youths were depicted as monkeys in cartoons appeared in a group of newspapers published by RanilƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s farther, Esmund Wickramasinghe.
The anti-Buddhist anti anti-Sinhala stance of the UNP was a major factor contributed to the stunning defeat of the party in 1956. The UNP under the leadership of Sir John Kotalawala insulted the Buddhist monks, suggesting that their (MonkƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s) buttock should be painted with ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-tharaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ (tar). Sir John, being a retired service personal of the old generation, failed to understand the heartbeat of the ordinary people and used to utter whatever comes to his mind without considering their repercussions, probably not to the same extent as the current top rankingƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ UNPers.
After the social revolution of 1956, the orphanages started diminishing since the government withdrew its financial assistance. The most of the government assisted schools were taken over by the government, except few, and the financial assistance was withdrawn to schools which were not handed over to the government. The reaction to those steps taken by the government of Mrs Sirimavo Bandaranayake was the 1962 abortive coup led by the top brass of the police and the armed forces, all of them were found to be ardent supporters of a particular religion. Subsequent nationalization of the foreign owned estates and Petroleum distribution would have, definitely, caused some more blows to their owners of the West.
In short, since independence, UNP was not in favor of changes to any of the system introduced by their white masters.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ JR Jayawardane (JRJ) was once popularly known as ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”Yankee DickeyƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ because of his political affiliation said to have had with USA.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sri Lanka is one of the very few countries who supported the British governmentƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s move, when the British fought with Argentina over the Falkland Islands in early eighties. In fact, UNP under JRJ had lot of expectations from the so-called international community led by his favorite ‘Yankees’ when came to power in 1977, but received nothing in return when India started interfering in his administration.
The idea of calling Commonwealth intervention came from its party leader Ranil WickramasingheƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ followed by Mangala Smaraweera,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Laksman Kiriella and Tissa Attanayake. They are the very same people who never thought that LTTE can be defeated militarily and ,instead, got confused over Thoppigala, Pamankada, Alimankada, Salvation Army and what any ‘Gona‘ can do when our security forces were waging war with the outfit and capturing their major strongholds . The solution put forward by the UNP to the LTTE terrorism was to negotiate with the outfit and to get assistance of the so-called international community. In fact, they brought a new form of colonialism to the country under the so-called ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”Co-ChairsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢of, Norway,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ European Union,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ USA and Japan ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ during RanilƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s term of office as Prime Minister after signing the ‘Ranil-Prabhakaran’ pact.
I am not sure whether there are politicians in other countries, within the commonwealth, are making similar claims of intervention of foreign elements in their internal affairs after the receipt of independence from the British rulers to the extent that our politicians are claiming for. Knowingly or unknowingly, the damage that these shortsighted power-hungry politiciansƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ are making to the country by calling foreign intervention for everything and opposing everything for the ‘sake of opposing’ is irreparable.
December 16th, 2012 at 12:52 pm
Very appropriate point Akurugoda.
Perhaps, we, all expatriates, should get together and produce propaganda materials to educate people during the next general elections and warn the public of the covert intentions of these UNP &JVP traitors who are hell bent on selling our sovereignty in return for handful of dollar bills.
December 16th, 2012 at 4:29 pm
These calls for intervention is a well rehearsed and produced plays of neo-colonial masters. This also justifies their R2P agenda. The path is well cleared now for them to be able to move into any developing country when and as they wish so that they can continue to exert control over the economy and resources in these locations. It is a well crafted strategy – get the locals fight and kill each other and move in when the time is right – all at the expense of the locals – no US soldiers (or very few) die these days (unlike in the days of Vietnam) which keeps the low income Americans (who supply their children as soldiers) happy as their children are not killed in other parts of the world anymore. Didn’t Obama brag about the fact that they were able to get rid of Gaddafi without sacrificing a single American soldier? Sadly, it appears, Sri Lankan are fast buying into this strategy which will see the country being turned into a pile of rubble just like in Iraq, Libya, Pakistan to name the latest victims. What more can one expect – we did exactly the same thing in 1815 and asked British to intervene to save the country!
December 16th, 2012 at 5:35 pm
I cannot understand why people continue to vote for these ridiculous and most stupid members of the UNP. They have no national pride they have this colonial slavish mentality imbedded into them. During the DNA Government of Ranil Wickramasinghe during Chandrika’s presidency it seems Ranil had English men employed in his Ministries as advisers and experts
December 16th, 2012 at 6:19 pm
What eversaid and doneby these failed & bankrupt politicians,UNP/JVP/TNA willnever ever win the future elections.
Akurugoda has nicely highlighted the rediculous trteacherous proposals describing nicely how these decendants from the OLD SCHOOL BOOTLICKERS OF THE WEST and also the ARDENT EXTREMISTS OF THE CHURCH trying to mislead the Sri Lankans.But, the general public are gradually realising the danger in supporting these opposition hooligans.
Another point is I strongly believe that Sri Lanka is being protected by the Lord Vishnu.1962 Coup-deta is a point in example,because one High Ranking Police officer at that time was so worried the previous night and exposed the hidden agenda of the Caxxxxxcs Officers and at the 11th hour Madame Sirimavo and theGovt was saved.I can still remember the incident where an Army detachment lead by Army Officer Capt Paulier who occupied Katubedda Tech(Now University) where I too was a student at that time,KILLED HIMSELF BY SHOOTING HIMSELF AFTER EXPOSURE OF THE COUP.
We all Mother Lanka lovers should take every posible action to support Mother Lanka as NeelaMahaYoda says.
December 17th, 2012 at 1:25 am
In Sri Lanka ordinary people know that UNP party leader Ranil Wickramasinghe, and others like Mangala Smaraweera, Laksman Kiriella, Jayalath Jayawredna and Tissa Attanayake and rest were all “Back Lickers of Sudda”. They are the very same people who do not knew were Thoppigala, Pamankada, Alimankada.
The difference between Salvation Army to brilliant Sri Lankan army. So that do we can expect from these “Godda Suddas”.
December 17th, 2012 at 8:02 am
Re past near 500 yrs of Colonisation in Sri Lanka :
Whilst it is a good thing to keep some of the useful ideas brought in by Colonists, useless ideas such as neo-Colonisation should be thrown out !
December 17th, 2012 at 10:53 am
Why is that UNP is still hell bent on asking western countries or support organizations to intervene, when Sri lANKA ALONE, can handle our own affairs.
True that politicians tend to influence but all countries in Asia to some extent do this. By asking other countries or organizations to intervene in itself is admitting our failure to manage our own affairs.
When will UNP learn or are they that bankcrupt arn’t there any independent thinkers or qualified professionals in the UNP to find solutions.
During Ranil Wikramasinghe’s brief government almost everything was handled by the WEST or India.
Shame on these people to still promote these ideas & humilate our own Sri Lanknan nationals.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment………….jayasiri
December 17th, 2012 at 12:16 pm
Neo-Colonisation > neo-Slavery.
Wasn’t 500 yrs of it enough for the poor masses of Sri Lanka, which led to insurgencies & terrorism ?
A few may be disgruntled with Democratic self rule. Such folk ought to migrate to a country of their choice. I agree with Jayasiri : ” …. humilate our own Sri Lanknan nationals”. What a shame !
The present GoSL is attempting to circumvent & navigate through tragic situations caused and laws imposed during Colonial past and near history. They are doing a commendable job of it, considering the circumstances we are caught up in.
“Govern well or be governed”, is also true. We hope the Jnt. Opposition notes this. Who is trying to de-stabilise Sri Lanka – certainly not the GoSL ! Getting rid of the present GoSL is not the answer. Work together toward a lasting prosperity for all Sri Lankans to enjoy.
December 17th, 2012 at 12:24 pm
Charles, why some people still vote for these failed politicians is because they have never voted for anyone else, and they are by default UNP voters. My uncle who is 92 will and had always voted for the UNP. He does not want to know what is happening in the country or outside the country. He lives in a world of D S Senanayaka. My other friends who are Catholics will only vote for the UNP (no matter what) because they only see and believe what the UNP, and the white masters say. And they don’t care a damn about the country. As to the JVP, I know of no one who would be stupid enough to vote for them. But my uncle will most probably will not vote in the next election.
December 17th, 2012 at 12:25 pm
Charles, why some people still vote for these failed politicians is because they have never voted for anyone else, and they are by default UNP voters. My uncle who is 92 will and had always voted for the UNP. He does not want to know what is happening in the country or outside the country. He lives in a world of D S Senanayaka. My other friends who are Catholics will only vote for the UNP (no matter what) because they only see and believe what the UNP, and the white masters say. And they don’t care a damn about the country. As to the JVP, I know of no one who would be stupid enough to vote for them. But my uncle most probably will not vote in the next election.