CBK's Latest Tactics-SLFP is Better Off Without The Bandaranaike Siblings

By Darmitha-Kotte

There is no doubt that the late Mr.S.W.R.D.Bandaranaike formed the SLFP and that the late Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike carried on her late husbands legacy to keep the party in tact and bring dignity to the country as the First Woman Prime Minister in the world. Her entry into the world of politics, was not through her own free will but a need of the hour after her husband's untimely death. Even though she did not possess the paper qualifications that her children supposedly possess, the late Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike learnt fast, and conducted herself with decency and decorum and eventually became a highly respected figure in world politics. Even though Sri Lanka was a poor developing country in the Asian region, Mrs. Bandaranaike was able to leave an indelible mark in the history of world politics. To the grand old lady's utter disappointment, her two children Chandrika Kumaratunga and Anura Bandaranaike proved that they had other loyalties other than keeping the party in tact or maintaining the dignity of the "Bandaraike " name. In her own lifetime, both these children joined other political parties and worked openly against the interests of the SLFP. Citizens of Sri Lanka do not have such short memories.

Chandrika Kumaratunga took over the SLFP leadership during the 1990s.Till then, she was working together with her late husband Vijay Kumaranatunga and his SLMP party. She forgave her brother and took him into the SLFP because she needed "Bandaranaike support" in the party even though he hurled insults on her from UNP platforms in the not so far away bygone years! We still remember what exactly he said about her-coming from one's own brother, those words were not " so complimentary" or decent to say the least. Now we see him cry on behalf of his sister, which is quite ironic! With her entry into the SLFP, she also brought in people to the party who we see are not doing constructive work for the party but playing games at " rocking the boat." SLFP party stalwarts were side-tracked by her and prominent positions were given to her newly recruited party members-that was the only way in which she could manipulate the party. Party stalwarts, had been with the party during the most trying times of the JRJ-Premadasa era and stood by the late Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike through thick and thin- it is they who held the party together!

Chandrika Kumaratunga's 11 years as leader of SLFP and Executive President of Sri Lanka was just a fiasco of traitory to both the country and the party. The citizens of this country expected so much from her as the daughter of two Prime Ministers of this country. However, her forte was not to live upto the expectations of her late parents but to rule the country through manipulations, intrigue and accomplishment of personal ambitions. We do see articles in the newspapers about statements she makes from time to time about the "wonderful policies" that she initiated- to us, we do not consider them as anything worth talking about except that our country moved on the path of indecent politics and personal vendettas! When the time came for her to step down, it was with indignity and much speculation about the numerous financial and material perks that she personally manipulated. What is all this sob story of her brother about the wonderful contributions that his sister made for this country? How many legal battles are waiting for her to face? Could it be because she was so honest, sincere and true towards a nation that expected so much from her? Mr. Bandaranaike, it is time you stopped shedding crocodile tears for your sister and became realistic and honest with the people of this country. To say the least, Sri Lanka can well do without either of you either in the party or this country because we see too well, that both of you are "time-servers" and a great liability to the State!

In the build up to the 2005 Presidential Elections and after, we have watched with utter horror how the two Bandaranaike siblings stood in the way of the party, how they sabotaged the election campaigns, how they wished the UNP would win over their own party candidate, how Chandrika Kumaratunga took great pleasure in harassing President Mahinda Rajapakse and inconveniencing party decisions. We have seen how the Minister of Tourism has been wasting State Funds for his international tours. Tourism, is not for the Minister to visit other countries but for him to introduce Sri Lanka to foreigners! To do this, one needs to invite foreigners into this country, not vice versa!

If both Chandrika and Anura are as patriotic to their party and country as they claim, then they will give their full support to the current government instead trying to create rifts within the government or the party. Now we see articles in the weekend papers about the Party Convention and the attempts of the 2 Bandaranaike siblings to create problems for President Mahinda Rajapakse and the SLFP by making petty allegations against the party about not inviting former President in time! If you are so concerned about the party and the country, please put aside your petty personal agendas and prove your patriotism- as yet, we have not witnessed selflessness. Instead, what we see is an attitude of "sour grapes" and arrogance. We Sri Lankans have witnessed enough of this from the Bandaranaike siblings and we do not want any more of this. The country has far more important issues in hand, than catering to the whims and fancies of two spoilt children! The country can do without you.