24th October 1999

Here she goes again and wins again!

As I have said in these pages, my friend Virudda Paakshikaya and his cohorts in the UNP were counting on the tiff between Ministers Richard Pathirana and M. H. M. Ashraff to escalate into a conflict which would bring about the downfall of the Peoples' Alliance government so that the UNP could share the spoils.

But even then I assured him that on the President's return to the country it would be "all's well that ends well" and that is exactly what happened. And now, my friend with all ministers — yes, including ministers Ashraff and Jeyaraj Fernandopulle if you have your doubts – rallying firmly around the President, you have been left high and dry because there will be no collapse of the government. Instead you will have to face an election!

And what do I see thereafter? I see the PA getting support from an unexpected quarter — from my good friend and erstwhile colleague Anura Bandaranaike who I believe is a good man who takes bad decisions.

The now not so young Anura has rushed to condemn our Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar. I shall not drag that dispute to this column except to say that Kadirgamar was probably our President's best ministerial nominee — and the fact is acknowledged internationally and grudgingly even by the LTTE. So, let's not say any more about that.

But what is more interesting is what Anura says in trying to criticize Lakshman Kadirgamar (See Box for extracts from Anura's speech in Parliament). As I see it, my friend, it is an endorsement of his sister's proclamation for snap presidential elections — because he seems so intent on praising the Bandaranaike pedigree.

What Anura says in essence is that Bandaranaikes are to Sri Lanka what the Gandhis are to India and the Bhuttos are to Pakistan: they are all born to rule. As I see it, what he is saying is that if he is not the leader of the UNP or the UNP's presidential candidate — both of which he is not — then, whoever has the Bandaranaike name in a presidential election must win. And in this case, Virudda Paakshikaya what even Anura is telling your party is that Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga will win the next elections!

Of course Virudda Paakshikaya will disagree and say that Anura Bandaranaike never said such a thing but isn't that the inference, my friend? It's either that or Anura Bandaranaike is piqued at not being nominated as the UNP's presidential candidate! What is more likely, my friend?

Anyway, we do hear that Anura's outburst has angered UNPers — most of them respect Kadirgamar too — because they wonder how they can attack Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga in a presidential election campaign with a Bandaranaike in the UNP who is so fond of reminding the people that he is a Bandaranaike!

And the ground reality is that President has called for elections because of her confidence in being re-elected. As I have said before she realizes that changes are needed in her administration — even at ministerial level, perhaps — and with a second six-year mandate she would have a free hand to act without fear or favour. And President Kumaratunga knows that all other candidates pale into insignificance in the face of her charm, charisma and track record as a sincere and honest leader.

But Virudda Paakshikaya, those are not the only reasons why Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga will win the next presidential election: there are other reasons as well and the lethargy and the inefficiency of the UNP will be a major contributory factor, I dare say.

Admit it, the UNP has been in political slumber for five years now. The previously well-oiled political machine of the UNP — now without operators of the calibre of Sirisena Cooray — is gathering rust. Even electoral organizers have not been appointed and now, with the announcement of a snap poll, the hi-tech campaigners have been caught napping, my Siri Kotha sources say.

I heard that after Wednesday's announcement there was a mad rush at Siri Kotha, Cambridge Terrace, Fifth lane, the Mayor's residence and at the Opposition Leader's official residence which looks like a War Room now! But what use will such desperate measures be, Virudda Paakshikaya?

Just to cite an example of your inefficiency, my friend, when your long-standing stalwart and former Minister A. C. S. Hameed passed away recently we saw the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress making political capital out of the event. I am not saying that you should have exploited Hameed's death but at least the UNP leadership should have taken an active part in the proceedings and prevented the event being exploited by others.

And the UNP which cannot even manage such an event has to now face a presidential poll. Tell me what you would do, Virudda Paakshikaya. As I see it your options are rather limited, aren't they?

You could run to Sirisena Cooray, beg for forgiveness and convince him to run an effective campaign for your leader. Or else your party's yuppie managers who are Ranil Wickremesinghe's closest advisors will run the campaign for him — and these are people who haven't set their feet outside the plush carpeting of their homes, their offices and their BMWs! And, you expect to win the next election against the grassroots appeal of President Kumaratunga!

Let's face it, Virudda Paakshikaya — out there, in the country Ranil Wickremesinghe is an unknown entity and little has happened over the past five years to change that and there is no way it can be changed now in the face of a snap poll.

So, what more can I say except to wish my unseen friend — just as J. R. Jayewardene once wished Anura Bandaranaike- many happy returns as 'Virudda Paakshikaya'- at least for yet another six years!

Inside the glass house

Editorial/ Opinion Contents