Decimation of Mahinda’s Empire: An Act Of Salvaging Democracy
By Thambu Kanagasabai -January 15, 2015
Thambu Kanagasabai
Maithirii’s cliff hanging victory over Mahinda was greeted with relief by lovers of democracy though it looked remote before the entry of Maithiri. Maithiri provided fresh air to breathe for most of the Sri Lankan’s particularly to the minorities who were suffering in silence. Even his party members and cabinet ministers excepting his family members, were boiling with frustration and anger waiting for the opportunity to pay back Mahinda. What was the reason for Mahinda’s defeat?
Mahinda was glowing with confidence to score unlimited terms of victory relying on a never winning Ranil or some else from the opposition to contest him. A wounded Chandrika manouvered to pull out Mahiri to settle her personal score with Mahinda. Ranil’s wise decision to back Maithiri jolted Mahinda who could not find any vote catching slogans to challenge Maithirii who also exposed the skeletons in the Mahinda’s cup board. The credit for the defeat of LTTE, obviously goes to Mahinda and company but he mistakenly relied on this achievement which paled into laess importance due to the passage of time coupled with his bad governance, corruption, nepotism, non-accountability for his violent political groups or persons treating the ministers and members as figure heads and non-entities with family rule by passing the rule by consensus of cabinet and member of parliament. Mahind’s sweeping anti-democratic legislations like replacing the 17th amendment and passing of the18th amendment which clothed and granted unbridled power to an already executive presidency. This high handed act of President bared his teeth and greed for more power to don the role of a dictator. Power corrupts absolutely . Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Mahinda is classic example to vindicate this statement. Mahinda’s attitude towards persons who challenge his acts or failed to toe his line were revenged and it was counter- productive end earned worl wide condemnation. Eg: removing the former chief justice Shirani Bandaranayake.Read More