Editorial

8th February 1998

The Jubilee Jumble

So the Government botched another one. The 50th anniversary celebrations seemed doomed from the day it was decided to hold the ceremony in Kandy, the citadel of the ruling Ratwattes.

The bomb was bad enough; the theatrics of the resignation was worse and then came the fiasco in Colombo.

Surely there must have been a moment when Prince Charles felt like many Sri Lankans. Watching the poor soul seated alone with no one even to talk to - "what am I doing here" feeling. That is probably why he referred to the occasion as a "memorable one" and Prince Charles is known for his wit. The Sunday Times Special reports point out how Sri Lankans in and around Colombo were under "house arrest" on February 4.

There were no people’s celebrations organised. The Opposition had to have their own separate celebrations . VVIPs and the nation waiting, the President came late keeping her mother, the chief guest, a VVIP tango - and then came the President’s speech in English only - what a disaster. Those who defend her every mistake went to the extent of saying how great it was, because the BBC world service relayed her speech to the world.

No one says she should not have spoken in English - but her primary role as Head of State and Head of Government was to address her own people, her voters and her fellow citizens in the language they understand. So much for that.

Now that the party is over, it will be back to business.

Hardly had the heir to the British Throne Charles left the sovereign shores of Sri Lanka to the safer salubrious mountains of Nepal and Bhutan - a lethal bomb exploded in the heart of Colombo reminding all of us that a very explosive situation exists in our 14 -year- old civil war.

At this very moment of time this country has never been so divided. The minority Tamils are divided - those like the LTTE who want nothing short of Eelam, those who favour an ‘armed democracy’ (like the EPDP, PLOTE, TELO etc), and an ‘unarmed democracy’ (TULF) those who wish to live with the Sinhalese as one nation as Sri Lankans.

The Muslims are divided and the Sinhalese are divided right down the middle on party lines and now the package has even divided the Maha Sangha. It is this fragmented nation that is at war with itself.

Surely all these bombings must convince the un-convinced that the LTTE terrorists must be combated with all the might and resources at the State’s command. A State fighting the terrorists only with one hand and their perceived enemies (UNP, media, judges, public servants etc. )with the other, cannot win a war as ferocious as it is.

We felt so proud of our valiant men and women in the Armed Forces - when we saw them parade in their regalia on February 4 but because some among us hate this Government so much they don’t want those very men and women to win in the battle- field.

The bitter acrimony between the Government and its perceived opponents has resulted in a vicarious thrill for those who hate this Government each time the LTTE secures a victory over our security forces.

We unfortunately see no signs of a united Nation fighting a Fascist terrorist organisation. The acrimony is getting worse much to the advantage of the LTTE. Standing before the Nation, the President talked of "uniting all the peoples living in it", "Let us those of us, who have taken on the responsibility to guide and govern the Nation, whatever our political party or affiliations may be, march towards the future in unison putting behind us mean desires for petty, personal or political gain."

At least on February 5, President Kumaratunga and Ranil Wickremesinghe shook hands at the banquet to Prince Charles. Let that be some beginning towards national reconciliation and the peace the good people of our nation long for.

The President’s words at the parade so stateswomanlike must now however transform into deeds and the onus is on her to do so. There is no other way.

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