A realistic assessment of a way out of the current impasse at the UNP

The current vendetta of the Sirasa TV and related group against the Opposition Leader has created a false picture of him as being a huge deterrent to the misfortunes of the party. It is really regrettable that a personal feud between Killi Maharajah and Ranil Wickremasinghe because RW did not give the requested National List seats to a subsequently proved turncoat Sri Ranga is behind a feud that is affecting ability of the opposition to fight this government for all the mammoth list of wrongs being carried out against its citizenry every day. To these opportunists who are using this sub human media campaign for their own benefit further focuses their being complicit in helping this government to ride the wave of discontent in the country, due to the minimal opposition.

It is not too late for people first to call a spade a spade and publicly demonstrate the very harmful affects of this vendetta for the body politic of this country, something which Mr Maharajah does not appear to care about, which calls into question his patriotism and love for the motherland! It is to Ranil’s credit that he does not answer these baseless allegations as he would provide further fodder for sub-humans to carry out dirty maniacal acts against possible the only ethically trustworthy leader this country has today.

I must add that I am no Ranil fan and would point out many flaws in his inability to show the leadership to galvanize his party to fight the fight, but in the absence of any obvious choice he is all we got today to fight for us. So let us hope he can rise up to the expectations to lead a satyagraha and encourage the public to take to the streets to show their disgust over the current actions of the government.

It must be remembered that the likes of Maithri Guneratne and his 20 point charge sheet would not get a hearing, if Sirasa’a anti Ranil campaign was dropped. The viewer by being ignorant of the background, gives it more credibility than it deserves due to the airing which they believe gives it an added significance. This misperception of the level of its importance is the key to the public perception  that must be corrected as it has no merit.

It must be remembered that as Mahinda’s star wanes and people see him for who he really is, kissing babies but telling them that a debt of Rs100,000 will be transferred to him to pay when he grows up, is not the kind of gift anyone, let alone the future of Sri Lanka wants. In that light, Ranil’s desire to cut govt. debt looks very admirable and sensible, even though at that time jobs were not given, and some cut so that inflation could checked, but which was politically suicidal.

People vote with their bellies in Sri Lanka and not with a heart, so it takes a while to realize that the heart is the true way and the belly merely a short term fix. Now the contrast between Mahinda and Ranil is even greater to the latter’s benefit, as showman ship gives way to honesty and integrity in an unsustainable profligate administration. In time when people get more educated, conscious of their environment over themselves, they can then better view what is better for development of the country.

It takes little to realize that Karu Jayasuriya in no sense can be given the leadership because of his past actions, that would alienate more people from the party, and that Sajith is still not able to take on the leadership, not having displayed leadership potential over a period of missteps and faux pas, showing a dintinct lack of maturity that his followers must point out to him, as he can yet be saved to lead the party once he is more able to understand nuances of politics and responsibility. His going to Hambantota is just one of the many missteps he has made in his road and until you know where you went wrong, it is difficult to choose the right direction.

This therefore leaves only Ranil at the helm to guide the party until a suitable leader emerges. This may take place in 2012 once the nationwide agitation against the failed state hots up and I believe all problems will clear themselves by the party convention in December 2012 coming soon after a spate of Provincial Council elections. Unless RW completes changes his appeal it will be difficult to change the government before a new leader of the opposition appears to take the UNP and the country forward.

In the interim, the charge sheet should be discussed at the working committee as it is against the party leader and he should not interfere in the normal procedures adopted to take care of such complaints. If fault is to be found on Mr Guneratne they should clearly state that and implicate him openly just as he has openly accused Ranil of a cacophony of ills, and punish him for impudent behavior. Some of the allegations are extremely distasteful, giving mouthwatering table gossip for those who love to see the UNP in distress and but makes some UNPers sick to the stomach that the accusers could stoop so low to get a response from RW. He will just treat it for what it is, sour grapes!

Now that the tide is turning the consensus at the village level is for a truce and united party to fight for the people and thereby regain credibility to fight the government with renewed vigor. It is only Rajapkse who benefits from this status. The people once informed of the facts are more able to make up their minds, than some of the Colombo elite who look for a scapegoat for their own inadequacies.