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Opposition spill-gates open against regime considered a law unto itself
View(s):A large number of opposition protestors marched to Hyde Park in Colombo on Tuesday, in what was billed the first of joint opposition
With trumpets and placards the joint opposition proceeds to the Hyde Park meeting. Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara, Susantha Liyanawatte and Indika Handuwala
rallies aimed at toppling the “dictatorial Rajapaksa regime”.
Opposition political parties, members of the clergy and civil society are coming together on a common platform, with the objective of toppling the administration of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The rallying cry was the urgent need to bring about a regime change, with 2014 as the “turning point” for the drive.There was a damper early on in the day when members of the Democratic Party (DP) headed by former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka, who were expected to join the main rally, decided to go it alone and hold a separate meeting near the Colombo Fort railway station the same day.
However, the main rally went ahead as planned with United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe leading the Opposition onslaught against the Government.
“This coming together of opposition forces from all strata of society marks the beginning of the end of the Rajapaksa regime. We have come together to raise our voices against oppression, increasing corruption in society, graft, thuggery and a call for the abolition of the executive presidency,” Mr Wickremesinghe said, as he addressed the enthusiastic crowd which had gathered.
He said the destructive path that the present regime was moving on has to be halted. “Today, the country is being run by a nexus involving drugs, ethanol, casinos, prostitution and commissions. The culture and values of the country are being completely destroyed by those involved in these nefarious activities,” the UNP leader said.
The Convener of the National Movement against Casino Business, Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera, the Chief Incumbent of the Kotte 
Naga Vihara said people feel the need for a law abiding, corruption and violence free country where justice is upheld. “The direction that the country is travelling needs to be changed. To achieve this objective, all opposition forces have come together,” he said.
“The country has been dragged down a precipice and if we are to come out of it, major changes will have to be made to the Constitution. The executive presidency against which many warnings were sounded when it was introduced in 1978, has now proved how dangerous it is,” the Thera said.
He added that, if corruption is to be stamped out, Parliament must pass legislation to impose heavy punishment on offenders.
UNP leadership council chairman MP Karu Jayasuirya said that the notion that this government could not be toppled is fast being eroded. “This government no longer has super powers.” he said.
UNP General Secretary MP Tissa Attanayaka said that it is time to change the Rajapaksa regime and it was for that reason that opposition parties and trade unions along with a prominent journalist union has united.
“2014 is going to be a year of battles against the Rajapaksa regime,” he said.
Ven Girambe Ananda Thera, Anunayaka of the Sri Lanka Ramannya Nikaya, said that the campaign launched at Hyde Park is a historic event. “People had much hope when they elected this government, but all their hopes have been dashed, as the government has not been able to fulfill their promises.”
Free Media Movement’s (FMM) Sunil Jayasekara said that a climate has been created in the country where people can commit any crime and get away with it, if they are influential enough.
“Today, people are unaware of the corruption and malpractices which take place, as the media is unable to report on them due to suppression. In a country where you cannot speak about crime and injustice, democracy seems to be a dream,” he said.
Members of the Federation of University Teachers Association (FUTA) and the Nava Sama Samaja Party led by Wickramabahu Karunaratna also participated in the rally.