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The evil that men doth lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones.

By Charles Perera

Mark Antony’s Oration at the burial of Ceasar came to my mind when I read many recent article on former President Ms.Chandrika Kumaratunga. The world may change, but the minds of people are the same led by attachment , aversion or delusion.

Some are ready to forget and forgive, and others ask for the pound of flesh. Ms. Chandrika Kumaratunga was elected to the Western Provincial Council in1993 with an unprecedented majority, and in 1994 as the President with a record of 62 per cent of the votes caste. To say she was the much loved President at the time is saying the least. Thereafter, she won over peoples greater love and appreciation. She became the President at a time the people of Sri Lanka had suffered not only economically, but also morally, going though untold misery, pain and fear. The country went through a dark period of its history under JRs autocratic presidency and then Premadasa’s ruthless high handed governance. After that period of uncertainty, fear, murders, assassinations ,and torture houses, coming into power of Ms.Kumaratunga was a welcome change.

Being the President and governing a country is not an easy task. SWRDBandaranaike, made Independence of Sri Lanka from British rule meaningful. He really brought freedom to the man on the street. Sirimavo proved herself even a better Prime Minister. Chandrika Kumaratunga too brought in remarkable changes. She was the one who initiated action for a political solution for the ethnic problem to pacify the terrorists. At the time she was not criticised, but Ranil did not as always, cooperate with her, refusing to attend meetings she had arranged. She was young , and was not politically corrupt

But the popularity of political leaders does not remain constant. At the beginning of their term of office they are liked, as time goes on, when cost of living goes up, demands of salary increases are not met , their popularity begin to wane. No political leader of Sri Lanka among the Prime Ministers and Presidents of the past, has a clean record. They are all subjected to criticism for one thing or another, except perhaps Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike .

The present President Mahinda Rajapakse is by far the best among those past political leaders we have had. He is sincere, selfless, friendly, dedicated and all out to do a good job. But even his popularity will not last long. Already we see change of heart in certain quarters. One may not be wrong to guess that Victor Ivan, may already be taking notes for his next book Chaura Raja, perhaps.

Ms. Chandrika Kumaratunga, had her bitter period of Presidency, under UNF Government of Ranil. But the people were still with her, blaming her for not taking over the important Ministries that Ranil was keeping without even consulting the President on important matters. The people were thankful when she finally began to curtail Ranil’s power and took over some of the Ministries. But having taken over the Ministries, she did not or could not go forward to bring about necessary changes to put right the mismanagement and corruption with which the UNF government was accused.

It was thereafter, that Ms. Chandrika Kumaratunga’s popularity began to wane. Added to that was her willingness to make the terrorists a party to disbursement of funds for tsunami reconstruction work, which marked her down fall. People s dislike for her was made evident when she did not give her full support to her own Presidential candidate Mr.M.Rajapakse. It was at that stage of her Presidency , Anura –Chandrika duo openly worked against Mahinda Rajapakse ’s election and courted the hatred of the people.

That was an unfortunate decision and the only way now open for them to correct this error is, firstly by stopping criticism against the President Mahinda Rajapakse, who whether they like it or not is their President as well. And secondly both Chandrika and Anura should throw their pride to the winds ,and apologise to the President Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse, to let bygones be bygones.

If they would do that, it would be proof of their greatness and proof of Bandaranaike blood in them ! and people will appreciate it and may even forgive them.

You all did love (her)once, not without cause: What cause withholds you then, to (pardon her)now.

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