A Golden Opportunity Not To Fritter Away

By Emil van der Poorten -November 22, 2014

Emil van der Poorten

The decision of Maithripala Sirisena to throw his hat into the ring has resulted in what must be the biggest sigh of political relief experienced in Sri Lanka in a long time, not to mention the usual fire-cracker sounds of celebration!

While it is easy enough to see this as an unmitigated blessing to a land that is drowning in a cesspool of corruption, a word of caution is not simply needed, it is essential.

Particularly given the players in this melodrama, one needs to bring more than a bit of circumspection to bear here.

While there is likely to be a significant amount of speculation as to who exactly had the greatest responsibility for getting Sirisena to “turn,” there is little doubt, given her appearance on the platform from which the announcement was made, standing right by Mr. Sirisena, that Chandrika Kumaratunge played a significant role, probably calling in her markers from way, way back.

Given that lady’s track record one would be well advised to apply the old adage to an evaluation of Mr Sirisena: “Tell me who your friends are and I’ll tell you who you are.”  And, let’s face it, that wouldn’t put the erstwhile Minister of Health at the upper level of any band of political angels!

Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge doesn’t exactly have a sterling record in the matter of not being vindictive and vindictiveness is no recipe for a return to good governance if Mr. Sirisena is successful in his quest for the Holy Grail. Neither is she, by any stretch, an example of someone who displayed principle and competence at the time she claimed to steer this country.  However, let’s assume that she has seen the light during her particular journey to a Sri Lankan Damascus. After all, Saul did end up as Saint Paul, even if that particular religious fact is being quoted in this particular instance by an unbeliever!           Read More