Jude, it’s interesting to note that on GV certain commentators are reluctant to use the word ‘atheist’. It could be that the fingers of such folk curl up in pain when they have to type in this world. Hence, I have come across many who – while incorrectly take me for a man – make typos when it comes to the word ‘atheist’. I am sure you made a similar mistake, and assuming I am a man, referred to me as “Shantha”.

Please also note that I if my name is, indeed, Shanthi, I would not put an exclamation mark next to it when signing off.

Shanthi! Shanthi!

Shanthi not as your name, but peace.

Cheers
Jude

Sorry I meant to say Shanthi. But I typed as Shantha.

Jude

Thanks. You see the article provide multiple public images/perspectives of Fonkseka and Wickramasinghe. Angulimala is attributed to many politicians of the country, while Buddha to none. I am not sure how and why you missed that central point of the article. If you read the article carefully you realize I was dealing with the public images/perspectives, rather than the realities. I have no reasons to trust Fonseka or Wicramasinghe. You seem to have completely forgotten the sections where I caste many doubts about Fonseka and Wickramasinghe for the same reasons you mentioned. Whoever gets elected, we are betting on highly uncertain future. At the same time I do not completely exclude the possibility of “bad people” learning from the past mistakes and doing good things in the further, which applies to all Presidential Candidates.

Cheers
Jude

Firstly, I don’t know who you are or your standard of living. However, from your patronizing reply to Nikang Modaya, it appeared to me that you belong to the “bourgeoisie comfort zone”. Please accept my apologies.

No, I will not label someone a “bourgeoisie” just because that person has access to a computer, has children attending college learning – and studying under the best of professors – or has the knowledge of the English language. No, Jude Fernando, I’m not such a nincompoop as to make an assumption about someone’s standard of living based on his or her style of writing. There are very good creative writers who are economically at the bottom rung today; but, these writers may also hail from families that had, at one time, enjoyed a high standard of living.

Now what I’ve construed from your essay, which I read twice, is that Sarath Fonseka symbolizes Angulimala (I read your Angulimala essay too) and Wickramasinge the Buddha.

You say, “Wickramasinghe is an experienced and mature civilian leader full of new ideas, but he has not yet proven himself as a strong leader who can connect with the interests of the common people. On the other hand, Fonseka’s strength in the face of stiff opposition against the war by powerful international actors and media outfits, has already earned him a reputation as strong leader”

Here, I have to disagree with you on both counts. An army general will not necessarily make a good president. At the same time, can you call a man like Wickramasinge, who is enslaved to the same old thing (i.e. running to Hamuduros to get blessings), as having “new ideas”?

I guess some people cannot live without religious blessings!!!

Shanthi!

BTW, I am not sure one’s writing is a good indicator of whether one is living in a comfort zone or not. But I admire those who can read one’s ways of living simply by reading his or her writings. That is some talent.

I agree with your comment about the best teachers.

It seems, that time would be best spent if we comment about the contents of the articles if it has any worth at all.
Peace!

You said in your reply to Nikang Modaya: “However, our main challenges are first to find enough common men, and secondly to liberate them from the clutches of ‘comfort bourgeoisie zones’ in Sri Lanka. There are far too many of them”.

Have you, by any chance, liberated yourself form the “comfort bourgeoisie zone”? Perhaps this doesn’t apply to you because you don’t belong to the “common” category like the rest of us.

In order to address the “common man”, you seem to find it more fitting to write in Tamil and or Sinhala. I am curious to know whether you’re going to pitch it to us in academic language or in the simple language of the everyman. What about people who can’t read in either Sinhala or Tamil, but only read English?

Having said that, I am sure you will agree with me that one doesn’t need to be an academic to understand complex ideas. You need the best professors to teach first year students because such Profs, with their excellent grasp of the subject, can use simple langue to explain the most seemingly complex ideas.

I like my daughter’s former grade 11 social studies teacher who always told the students: “keep it simple, stupid!”

Thank you very much. I am in agreement that I should try to write in simpler language. I must admit we academics are guilty of writing to ourselves. Actually, what I really would like is to write in Tamil and Sinhalese.

I also share your optimism about the common man. If not for them we would be in big trouble. However, our main challenges are first to find enough common men, and secondly to liberate them from the clutches of ‘comfort bourgeoisie zones’ in Sri Lanka. There are far too many of them.

I think it is far too simplistic to see the current world system in terms of ‘Us’ and ‘them.’ I think the xenophobic nationalism is as bad as, (if not worse) than the colonialism and neocolonialism.

Let find some common men first!

Cheers
Jude

We are capable and free to make changes that bring us closer to the good, and to the creation of a just and equal Sri Lanka.”

The author also introduces the word “Accountability” to emphasize what is expected from a leader when the power is conferred to that person.
The word “Accountable” can simply be described as “an obligation to answer the responsibilities conferred to a person”.

So, at this important juncture that has a bearing on the future of Sri Lanka, one has to ask whether the common candidate that we elected in last election as the President of Sri Lanka can satisfactorily accountable for responsibilities conferred to him by the constituent parties and the people of Sri Lanka.

The President has two more years to fulfil these obligations, but, instead, he decided to go for election to get an extension of his presidency. As the people of Sri Lanka, we have to ask the simple question, can we trust this man for the next six years?

The General at least fulfilled his obligations by winning the war. He may be a better person and it appears that he has the desire to change the destiny of Sri Lanka.