Comments on: One step forward, two steps back https://groundviews.org/2007/10/05/one-step-forward-two-steps-back/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=one-step-forward-two-steps-back Journalism for Citizens Wed, 10 Oct 2007 15:10:57 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.1 By: Anthony https://groundviews.org/2007/10/05/one-step-forward-two-steps-back/#comment-1220 Wed, 10 Oct 2007 15:10:57 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/2007/10/05/one-step-forward-two-steps-back/#comment-1220 Why is to so difficult for social commentators in Sri Lanka to understand that politics in Sri Lanka are decided by the Sinhala seige-mentality. In our country, the majority fights an armed insurgency and receives little sympathy from minorities and even less of the same from the international community. It also contends with both real and perceived economic discrepancies and the historic rancour about British favouritism towards minorities.

It is in recognising the aspirations of this frustrated and scared people that the Rajapakses (and now Ranils) of this country strive to get the Sinhala people on board. In my opinion, the JHU and JVP form the extremist conscience of the Sinhala people, a kind of political loss-leader if you will. The Sinhalese identify with the moderate party that has even the partial support of the M&Ms (Monks and Marxists). In that sense, the 10% of the vote the JVP commands is hardly indicative of that party’s support.

Ranil’s only crime is that he has come very late to this party.

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