by Dr Upul Wijayawardhana Courtesy The Island

‘Den Kendawath ne’ was the instant response I got from a good friend of mine when I rang him to find out how things are with the new government that came to power with so much of fanfare and promise. Judging from my stunned silence, as it took me some time to understand his cynical comment, he went on to say that the ingredients for polkiri kenda, viz., rice, coconut and salt are all in short supply or so expensive that the average Sri Lankan cannot afford them. For those who could not afford the luxury of a meal of rice and curry, a large cup of the gruel made by boiling rice with salt and coconut milk used to be an inexpensive alternative with reasonable nutritious value. Those who liked a little ‘heat’ chewed on a green chilli but that too has joined the rank of expensive luxuries!

It is blatantly obvious to any, except for the blind supporters of the NPP, that the inability to tame the ‘rice mafia’ is the biggest failure of this government. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD), during the presidential as well as the parliamentary election campaigns, waxed eloquent on how he was planning to tame that mafia, but what happened? He has done exactly what all other governments have done in the past; shouting about it and importing rice while the rice mafia carries on regardless continuing exploitation! To add insult to injury, the government is yet to announce the guaranteed price for rice; it has let down the farmers who voted the NPP in droves. AKD is increasingly looking to be a man who talks without follow-up action. In addition, he has recently demonstrated that he has mastered the art of diversion in an attempt to camouflage the failures. For the sceptics, of course, it comes as no surprise as the NPP won the elections with a raft of promises impossible to keep, as well as a concerted campaign of throwing mud at the opponents.

AKD’s campaign against Mahinda Rajapaksa is bound to backfire. No one would disagree that the generous ‘grants’ to retired presidents, extended to surviving spouses too, need revision, especially because of the difficult times facing the country. However, he seems not to understand that right things also need to be done in the correct manner through legal and constitutional means. Instead, he is attempting do so by shouting at public rallies!

AKD dropped a bombshell by announcing at a rally in Katukurunda, Kalutara on 19 Jan., that he would ask MR to leave the residence the latter was occupying or pay the rent as assessed by the government valuer, completely disregarding the accepted norms. It is either a demonstration of lack of political skill or arrogance of the highest order. MR, the consummate politician that he is, responded by stating that he is prepared to comply provided the request is made in writing. Of course, he did so, knowing fully well that instructions could not be given in writing without a constitutional amendment changing his entitlements. Why AKD did not use his massive majority to effect the constitutional change and take appropriate action but resorted to browbeating MR needs examination. Perhaps, he quoted massive figures to capitalise on envy so that the failures of the government would be forgotten and anger would be directed towards MR. It obviously was a diversionary tactic!

Not being contend with this, an acolyte of AKD announced that MR needed not wait for written instructions but could leave, to solve the problem. It is a pity this new breed of politicians, who promised to change the system, seems to be changing the system for the worse; not adhering to rules and regulations but use force, verbal or maybe otherwise!

It is well known that memories are short in Sri Lanka and it is no surprise that the NPP is capitalising on this to discredit MR, a vain attempt it would turn out to be, most likely. MR has his faults, the biggest being not knowing when to retire gracefully. Even when he tried to retire, some of the young Rajapaksas and thugs in the guise of politicians prevented him from doing so. Instead, they decided to attack the protesters in Galle Face; exactly what those behind the protests wanted and rest is history!

Whatever MR’s faults, it cannot be forgotten that he ensured that the impossible was achieved. Experts were unanimous that the LTTE could not be defeated militarily but MR’s sheer determination proved them wrong. Many are trying to claim credit for the annihilation of the Tigers and some commentators seem determined to reduce the credit due to MR but it goes without saying that if not for MR’s political leadership things would have been very different. We would either be still in the throes of a continuing war or the likes of Solheim would have seen to it that Sri Lanka was divided, just like what happened in Sudan.

It is a great shame that MR ended his political career in disgrace but, still, we cannot forget what he achieved, there being much more than the finishing of a prolonged insurgency. No one can deny he has earned his place in Sri Lanka’s history and if an attempt is made to erase that grateful Sri Lankans, of whom there are many, would retaliate though they have been silenced at present.

As I mentioned in my piece Are the actions of the government, so far, purely cosmetic?” (The Island, 15 January), NPP government is showing early signs of failure and as mentioned in the editorial Only delivery can save govts.” (The Island, 27 January) it will have to face consequences, if no course correction takes place.

It is high time that AKD became a man of action, not words, and behaving in a manner befitting the dignified position he holds than behaving like an opposition politician!