Sunday Times 2
Procrastination: The cause of UNP debacle
There are various reasons given for the defeat of UNP presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa. Some even said it was the lack of support from the Buddhists. Well Sajith managed to get over five million votes and a majority who voted for him, would have been Buddhists. There were so many Buddhist monks who supported him and several civil organisations which are predominantly Buddhist rallied round him.
Sajith Premadasa
I see another reason. The lack of decision-making power in the UNP leadership. Even now we see this with regard to the general elections. They talk about democracy for their own good. In practice, it is quite different. It was clearly shown in the UNP leader’s response when it was clearly and definitively conveyed to him that the time had come to elect another leader. He avoids a decision till it comes in his favour. Fortunately or unfortunately, he has a few followers who uphold him after losing so many elections. For the general elections, Ranil Wickremesinghe is playing the same game of postponing the election of a party leader other than himself or Karu Jayasuriya who is not much popular in the Party.
If we go down the memory lane with regard to the presidential election, we see that the delay of appointing Mr. Premadasa helped in a long way the popularity building of both Gotabaya and Mahinda Rajapaksas. Although Mr. Premadasa went round almost on his own without the approval and blessings of the party leader who finally had to say alright to Mr. Premadasa, Premadasa’s confirmation came because of the pressure from the UNP backbenchers. By that time Rajapaksas have covered many temples and professional organisations creating for themselves a vote-base.
Mr. Wickremesinghe’s post-election statement that he knew that Premadasa would lose has a great inner meaning. Well some of the statements he made definitely favoured Rajapaksas. He said he would be in any case the Prime Minister which he failed to realise. He brought the American MCC agreement, with which the Rajapaksaa group went to town saying that a big portion of the country is to be given to the Americans and frightening people that the Americans would come and take over the country if the UNP came to power.
There were so many names that the UNP steering committee proposed, including Mr. Wickremasinghe, that the people were wondering who was going to be the UNP presidential candidate. When Mr. Premadasa was given the ticket it was too late and people were already with a certain mindset. In spite of all this, for him to get so many votes was creditable.
In politics, one will have to understand that among the top leadership, whether in the governing party or opposition, there is a certain understanding. They support one another and they are secure wherever they may be.
The then Yahapalana Government ignored many of the shortcomings of the then opposition. For five years the process of procrastination continued and many of those involved in various crimes and drug peddling continued to be free and enjoyed political privileges. Do not be surprised if the same trend continues under the present Government, although over the TV and other media the emphasis and proclamations differ from reality.
Dear brothers and sisters of this country of ours, it is high time to be concerned of the destiny of our country. Let us be aware of what is happening and be critical of these power-seeking politicians who work mostly for their own good. Let us not be gullible. Let us form small groups in our own neighbourhood and become aware of the trends and forces of our society. Let us come together and present our needs to the authorities. I find that there is a re-awakening of some of our villagers. They demand the renovation of roads, supply of water and facilities for farming and so on. These indicate that our people are becoming politically active.
Dear intellectuals and professionals, come down from your comfort zones to the world of the common people. Let us enlighten and empower them to take part in the decision making process and do not allow the vociferous politicians to take our people for a ride. Today the powerful will be with us and tomorrow they may go in search of greener pastures. The poor will be with us and let us join hands with them and create a better world for us and for our future generation.
(The writer is a former Rector of Aquinas College of Higher Studies)