Strong UNP Antidote To MR Challenge: Role For Ven. Sobitha Thero?
Amrit Muttukumaru
This analysis is written in good faith in the interest of the country and the United National Party. Its objective is to demonstrate that all the brouhaha and panic in the aftermath of the Mahinda Rajapaksa nomination is misplaced if only the UNP asserts itself to its potential. For this to materialize its response must be principled.
The ‘old fox’ JRJ rightly castigated for foisting on us the monstrous executive presidency, had a lot going for him in some ways. He introduced proportional representation to shield the UNP when out of office with a critical mass of parliamentarians who would function as a powerful opposition. Obviously he did not bargain this will be ruined by the shortcomings of his protégé and kinsman Ranil Wickremesinghe. JRJ had the vision, confidence and above all fearlessness to have a credible second rung in the form of Lalith Athulathmudali, Gamini Dissanayake et al. It is remarkable that the ‘street-smart’ Ranasinghe Premadasa was able to outmanoeuvre these two strong personalities. At the same time one can have nothing but admiration for the manner in which Lalith and Gamini were able to build the DUNF from almost nothing into a formidable political force.
Compare this with the pathetic leadership of the UNP today. Although Wickremesinghe must bear major responsibility for this, this is not the whole story. Wasn’t there even one person in the UNP who had the guts and wherewithal to challenge him on a principled basis in the greater interest of the party and country? Citing the excuse of the autocratic UNP constitution does not wash. The fact is that Wickremesinghe (for the most part) stands tall in a sea of spineless mediocrity in the UNP of today.
I must stress that I only refer to the leadership skills of these personalities who had the capacity to politically challenge any opposition. I am aware of allegations of an assortment of wrongdoing by them.
Countervailing Power
There is no question the Rajapaksa presidency did monumental damage to the fabric and psyche of this country. It severely undermined democratic values and the rule of law. Corruption and violence reached unprecedented heights. People had to virtually look over their shoulders before passing any adverse comment on the regime. My premise is that none of these could have happened or at the very least reached such massive proportions if only the opposition led by UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe had fulfilled its constitutional and moral responsibility. We must bear in mind that the UNP was always perceived to have the largest ‘bloc’ vote in the country. It may be so (arguably) even today. Undoubtedly the UNP even today is a powerful political force in this country. The question is what happened to this force during the 9 year Rajapaksa presidency?