The Old Regime Is Falling; Surely

By Shyamon Jayasinghe –July 13, 2015

Shyamon Jayasinghe

I write, of course, from the framework of the Yahapalana movement. From this perspective what we observe now happening is tremendous and exulting. Also, looking back at the short-lived betrayal theories posted on President Maitripala Sirisena’s wall, it all seems that those who indulged in that outcry were misinformed and lacking in tactical political knowledge.

Our story began with the bring-back campaign. Who wanted this campaign? Not Mahinda Rajapaksa, who had by that time virtually resigned himself to the status of a retired-hurt President. Mahinda had handed over the reigns of the SLFP and UPFA to his slayer and successor, the humble Maitripala Sirisena from BOP 400 Polonnaruwa farmers colony. It all originated with the fear that enveloped many of Mahinda’s cronies who had charges arrayed against them and the realisation among them that their lucrative careers were at an end. In the part of the prosperous world that I live, politicians don’t fear the fall because the business sector absorbs them. On the other hand, the claustrophobic world that is Sri Lanka perhaps hardly offers pollies any option but to fight for return.

What future did persons like Wimal, Vasu, Tissa Vitharna, DEW Gunasekera, Dinesh, Aluthgamage have? Wimal spoke derisively and contemptuously against Yahapalanaya. He and his other cohorts refused to see that the Yahapalanaya slogan did have an appeal among the ordinary and even less vocal masses. Wimal, whom Dayan Jayatilleka praised as a ‘Jacobian Orator,” cried in his sharp shrill voice with eerie tone, “Yahapalanayo…koh mung?” “Sirisenayo, koh mung? Ranilayo koh mung...” The Jacobin Orator had been off the mark. We know that at least now.                                          Read More