Political Machinations

Nero is still engaged in debauchery while Rome burns. This is the view I have of the political intrigue that takes place in Sri Lanka, completely devoid of concern for those affected by these games.

People are sworn enemies one day, and bosom buddies the next, when they see a benefit for them or their agenda. This is a daily occurrence in Sri Lankan politics as can be seen by some of the recent alliances. People are in favor today and out the next all due to a minor episode or indiscretion. Most of which are as a result of unsubstantiated rumor of he said she said type.

People are very insecure lest they lose their plum positions. The patron’s egos are constantly massaged and sycophancy is seen as a prerequisite for largesse. So those in power tend to be isolated from reality and are presented with a picture that is completely distorted from the ground situation.

Access is granted for a fee or favor ensuring further isolation, and solutions are not judged by their merits, but by other criteria in the nature of what is in it for me?

All those in the political arena are subject to this, not just in government but all opposition parties. Then all the people become prisoners in their position, not being able to speak their minds, but resort to riddles in explaining positions not to upset those they owe allegiance to.

Sadly the only party that had a chance to bring good governance back into the political arena has been hobbled by their ideology which is out of date, but which they are totally enslaved by. I mean the JVP in this context. Many of the JVP members in Parliament have now had an insight into the rights and wrongs of politics, They came in untried and tested and were the perfect schoolboys to see what is wrong with the present setup. They could then attain the moral high ground like no one else had, but blew it away on doctrinal arguments, which could easily be attacked on the grounds of credibility.

An example is the recent attack by a JVP MP on the price manipulation of rice by senior government ministers and their relatives. It was done in the context of attacking the rich using their monopolistic position to corner the market and therefore make super profits. It should have been attacked on the grounds of ethics, where senior ministers or their kith and kin should not be permitted to purchase the government stock of paddy, but the bidding process open to all in a sort of fair auction, permitting all interested parties to bid. It is easier to do this as otherwise they would merely be seen as sour grapes, attacking a businessman who has seized an opportunity to make money afforded by the state.

Attacking the lack of ethics and good governance is not anticapitalist and therefore not the party line. This enslavement has marginalized them, and now they are just seeking ways to keep afloat their outdated agenda.

The JVP members are unable to say what they want in Parliament if it does not adhere to the strict party line and this is enforced in a brutal manner by threats and intimidations of personal freedom. The doctrine is now defunct, of the communist collective good overriding the individual liberties. The party by not being able to grow up to its responsibilities is now being marginalized. Failing to see that in the world context, even China has shed its philosophy, and transformed itself will be the JVP’s downfall.

The UNP is in no better position, with factional intrigue, and people all jockeying into place to be the next leader, with so many people believing they are more qualified than the next person. Rumors therefore abound of who is siding with whom, without agreeing on a clear message to attack the government with. This enables the current government to carry on regardless due to the lack of an effective, cohesive and concerted opposition.

The SLFP cadre are so mortified about being disenfranchised that they are fearful of any dissent toeing the line, even though most ministers operate with no power and only that granted them by the President in control of the purse strings. Their loyalty has been bought by their portfolios, which give them status and so nothing concrete happens as far as implementing policies are concerned or fashioning new ones to take the country forward or address even the basic issues of the day. Speeches are made, foundation stones are laid, and thanks to the state media everyone is informed that things are under control and anyone expressing dissent is unpatriotic.

The country therefore languishes, drifting aimlessly with no one in Parliament truly interested in what is happening in the country, and the war is used as an excuse for every ill that has befallen the country and the reason why nothing has been done about it.

There is no effective opposition to curtail the excesses of government

In a functioning democracy, the lack of a credible opposition is a considerable hindrance to keep the party in power from abusing that power. The govt. in all the speeches its ministers give, is constantly attacking the opposition on all fronts, even though the opposition is not rising to the bait and replying to it, in a sense giving a smug, its not worth it type reply.

I am not saying that there is no opposition, but it requires effective opposition, giving a cohesive framework that is both clear, and also focused, so the message is real and credible. The problem with the UNP is that it is playing cheap politics attacking policies without giving clear cut solutions which maybe harder to elaborate, and easier to attack. Nevertheless a well thought out campaign with clear objectives in mind can easily be set up as the way the country is heading is ripe for counter action.

In order to get a clear message, the internecine warfare must stop, and a united front established. It is easier said than done and requires considerable leadership skills. People have now got into the habit of jockeying for power, to dethrone the current leader of the opposition and therefore various camps are being set up with divided loyalties. It seems almost that there is palace intrigue to get rid of the leader by all means possible. This infighting should be tackled by the leader and a consensus agreed upon in the interim to speak with one voice in a united manner to get the message across.

The media unit should work in tandem with the message. There does not appear to be a strong message or strong media unit to deliver it. It appears that the media unit if there is one is in disarray, with no one putting it in order. The opposition is just going about their daily business, attending funerals but not addressing the concerns of the electorate that is desperate for a voice.

The JVP is doing a better job accusing the government of being corrupt, incompetent and duplicitous, than the UNP. This is not good in the eyes of the public who are now not represented. The people are desperately looking for someone to represent them in the midst of an unprecedented period of high inflation and falling purchasing power.

It is in the interests of the future of the UNP that they act quickly to seize the void created by their inaction, and present their case with a united message.

Politicians and aspirants feel it is necessary to attend funerals

Funerals in Sri Lanka, are very elaborate events, where many villages have a committee that springs into action to assist the bereaved bear the cost. Of course this is one communal activity that is organized well and one could cynically say that when one is down there are helpers, but when one is successful there are more than a fair share of people ready to pull them down a couple of pegs. In villages everyone attends and helps at funerals.

In my opinion, Sri Lanka has a tradition of expecting political leaders to attend funerals or funeral houses, which is onerous and wasteful. With the increase in death rates, this process can consume these peoples time and therefore detract from other important matters of state that need their attention.

A concerted effort to wean the public from this expectation is needed. It is not easy to get a consensus view, so one would have to make a statement or precedent coupled with a clear explanation of why it is not possible to attend funerals. It would be appropriate at the same breadth to decline invitations to attend weddings as well, as this too takes as much or more time.

Often a long journey is made from Colombo to a far flung post to attend a funeral and therefore they must be persons with means in order to attend especially if no allowance is paid for such attendance. People have told me that one big reason they don’t want to get into politics is because they must attend too many funerals, leaving them little time to do what is expected of them, or promised by them if elected.

Few attend funerals out of a sense of friendship with the family of the deceased, only as a requisite and treat it as a big chore. It is therefore only as a duty, and out of fear of being labeled uncaring. This behavior is then two faced and any plausible explanation that can be given to drop this practice could be accompanied by another more productive and tangible benefit to the electorate. Of course, I would lump the placing of foundation stones in the same light as that too is a useless exercise. A completed project that is declared open on the other hand is a different kettle of fish.

I think someone prominent must make a statement by breaking this habit, then it will be easier for others to follow, and all the world would be indebted for the sacrifice that could affect one’s political fortunes.