Either One Lives For Politics Or Lives Off Politics

By Sarath de Alwis –July 5, 2015

Sarath de Alwis

“Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely”  – Franklin Roosevelt

President Maithripala Sirisena has decided to preserve the unity of the UPFA at the expense of the ‘rainbow’ coalition that installed him in office.

The Sinhala idiom ‘ Koka pennuwa’ eloquently and evocatively encapsulates the volte face of our ‘good governance’ President. He held the promise of epochal change. He has now delivered an elephantine shocker to us simpletons who hoped for clear skies over our benighted land after the rainbow of 8th January.

He remains to hold out some hope. We express our views, fearing no white vans. We roam Cyber space with no help from Ninjas. Yet, we cannot help but remain apprehensive of a return to the times of dusk if not darkness at noon. Both Mohan Pieris andSarath N. Silva were looming large at the Medamulna conclave. They too are waiting in the wings, no doubt in the hopes of the spotlights moving in their direction.

The writing was on the walls of Bawa’s edifice in the Diyawanna waters now awaiting either fresh faces or the same old. The latter is now the more likely possibility.
We should have known better. The script of the unfolding drama was out there and yet one noticed. The report of the parliamentary select committee on the impeachment of the 43rd Chief Justice is a public document. There in hangs not just another tale but the principal tale. There are six signatories – Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, Nimal Siripala Silva, Susil Premajayantha as Chairman, Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, Wimal Weerawansa, Dilan Perera and Neomal Perera”     Read More