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We need a vision, goodwill and unity
Some politicians are honest. Some are crafty. Some are mere jokers. Some are pretenders. Some are gentlemen. Many are rogues. This is Sri Lankan politics and we have an election involving all these characters. I would like to take your memory back to the past.
Former President J.R. Jayewardene in his famous San. Francisco speech quoted the Lord Buddha as saying that hatred could not be overcome by hatred but by love. After the Second World War and the defeat of Japan, he came forward to save Japan from the wrath of the world. I am happy to say that I was instrumental in placing a plaque in memory of him at Kamakura Buddha statue to honour him for this. In addition whenever the country suffered due to animosity and misunderstanding I did my best to unite the UNP and the SLFP.
We have forgotten what the United States, Canada and Europe did for us. Who was responsible for the removal of GSP? Who gained from this? We have often been misled. That has been our weakness right along. We look to the media of the country to keep us informed of international moves that could prove destructive to our nation.
At the time when our country’s future was at stake, we were not prepared to place our confidence in Ranil Wickremesinghe. It was only with some reluctance that we did so in 2001. We should cast our mind back to the mismanagement and corruption that prevailed at the time of the Chandrika Kumaratunga Government. Regretfully the then President had little respect for the Buddhist clergy then. She is wiser now.
We have politicians who have come to understand realities when they get older. We know those who tried to destroy the UNP then, and tried to tarnish the good name of Ranil Wickremesinghe, who, with great difficulty, tried to improve our economy. The tragedy is that the number of evil doers has increased while the number of good people is on the decline. The critics are talking about Ranil Wickremesinghe’s short terms of premierships without speaking of earlier achievements. We have enough to talk about his achievements as we prepare for the general elections next month.
It is Ranil Wickremesinghe who led a peaceful walk from Tissamaharama to Jaffna. The pride of Gangaramaya, the elephant ‘Ruwan Raja’ too accompanied the team to Jaffna. The elephant was lost to the Gangaramaya at the end. There was no one who gave an elephant as a replacement. There are ill-intentioned people around Mr. Wickremesinghe. As in the case of most politicians, these people will attempt to bleed him and even destroy him. Mr. Wickremesinghe is from a well-known family and is of proven competence, a person could not realise his full potential, because President Kumaratunga did not allow him to do so, and brought about the fall of the UNP Government of that time. I believe that we are fortunate to have him back. We, from the Gangaramaya, did our best to bring unity between the UNP and the SLFP.
Unfortunately, Karu Jayasuriya defected from the UNP at that time. He should not have done that. Today, Mr. Wickremesinghe has to lead the party to victory. I will not speak from any political platforms, but I will speak the truth and from my heart whatever the circumstances.
Those who were hell bent on getting commission and kickbacks even from western countries should be reminded about the stories of yore, again and again. The hundred day saga that was extended many a time is a shame when we talk of our history. Since we have come to a final decision to go to the polls the public will have the last laugh. The majority community has been blinded. Those who made the majority community blind can only be cursed. We must not allow communal minded parties to raise their head. All communities, people of all faiths, must come together to build a firm foundation at this election. The Sinhala majority must unite the minority parties without allowing them to be divided, otherwise the future of the country will be bleak.
In the United States, the crisis over the coloured people has become a major issue. In our country, we must learn from these events, without politicians being blinded by the power that comes, when elected. A new political vision has to be introduced. The Ven. Maduluwawe Sobhitha Thera has indicated that he is giving up his active life and will now concentrate on meditation. All those who pushed him to that end must start meditating themselves.
It is useless calling others by names such as rogues, hooligans and so on. They must realise the mistakes done by them, own up the mistakes, seek pardon from the people and present themselves at the election for a fresh and clean administration. Anybody can make mistakes, but we must repent, say sorry and start afresh. Those who have done wrong must apologise and solemnly promise that they will work with honesty. Party politics is immaterial. What is important is sincerity of purpose. It is useless blaming the others but we must now cultivate goodwill and work for unity.