12th December 1999

Her vasana chakre spinning other way

Forces of nature also helped her in her rise to power by killing off every political personality who had been in a more powerful position than her. Lalith Athulathmudali was killed, R. Premadasa was killed and so was Gamini Dissanayake. Ossie Abeygunasekera, who had been a virulent critic of Chandrika was also killed. Anura Bandaranaike who had won the support of a majority of the SLFP parliamentary group left the party and joined the UNP. Ms. Kumaratunga's mother became physically too debilitated to compete. Not only the SLFP, but other parties big and small supported Ms. Kumaratnga. A powerful group in the UNP too supported her, not forgetting a large number of NGO's who supported her in one voice.

It seemed that she also had the discipline required to get the support of each of these forces who were coming forward to put her in power. Although she came to power due to good fortune, it appeared that the same good fortune had given her the political wisdom necessary for taking over political power at the decisive moment.

However, after she came to power, everything started turning upside down. She abandoned the forces that had helped her and came to depend on a cluster of close friends. She forgot the political reforms that she should have effected. She revived old enmities and followed a policy of alleged vindictiveness against opponents in the party. Instead of seeking the assistance of a group of wise and experienced advisers she turned to a flock of ignorant personalities like Balapatabendi, Ronnie Peiris, Rajan Britto, Sanath Gunathilake and Tara de Mel. Instead of relying on the senior and experienced members of the Cabinet she descended to the level of depending on immature and young people like Mangala and S. B.

Ms. Kumaratunga could have ensured for herself a second term in office if she had conducted a law abiding administration marked by humility, although she had not done a good job of work. However after she came to power she became autocratic and selfish. Thus a leader who had been respected immensely by the people began to despise her.

She came to power at a time when there was a lot of discourse in the country about democratic freedom. The promises made for the purpose of coming to power too were based on the main issues of that discourse. But after coming to power she did not fulfil any of those promises, and made no honest attempt to fulfil them either.

In the presidential election '94 she wanted a mandate to abolish the executive presidency, and she got it. She neither abolished it nor even reformed it, and now she is presenting herself for another presidential election. She also promised that all necessary powers to do away with election abuse would be given to the Election Commissioner. She failed to do this too.

The people once loved Ms. Kumaratunga. She was their great hope. But now the people are disillusioned. In place of love there is ridicule.

The forces that helped her to come to power are scattered now. Some of them are silent. Some others will be voting for other candidates. At the last presidential election the minority parties in general, too, were supportive of her. But this time the TULF does not support her. The PLOTE and the EPRLF too do not support her. Chandrasekaran who is from the hill country has withdrawn from the government and is about to support the UNP. Only Douglas Devananda's EPDP supports her now. Even in the EPDP there is no consensus about it.

Even the PA activists are not happy with her. A majority instead of working for her genuinely, appear to be working nominally.

The wheel is now turning, not to her advantage but to her disadvantage. Although there are alleged plans to win the election in the same manner in which the Wayamba election was won, it is doubtful whether such a plan can be implemented.

From the Blue Corner

Editorial/ Opinion Contents