Q: Some of the statements already made by Sarath Fonseka, like he is willing to go beyond the 13th Amendment and that he would adopt UNP economics, are anathema to the JVP. It was the JVP that literally set the country on fire, over the Indo-Lanka Accord and the 13th Amendment. So how will they explain their stand now to the country?

A: Fonseka has given an interview to the Lanka (JVP affiliated) newspaper this coming Sunday. There he explains that what he meant by beyond 13th Amendment is that the Amendment is now too old and we should go for a new one, not necessarily more than, but may be less than the existing one. That is the idea he is now trying to put across. In actual fact, he will not even give the 13th Amendment. He stands where the JVP is. He is not a person who is willing to distribute powers.

http://www.nation.lk/2009/12/13/inter.htm

They now get an extension which the General got the “sack” by his own team – that may bring memories back to the writer who held State position in 1994. That the JVP support base was eroding was plain to see in the past few elections where they ventured to go alone. Their pin-up Weerawansa is now in the capitalist mould – in dress, luxury travel and life-style; spouse and all. A frontliner JVP firebrand of the 1971 vintage came to be identified with the lucrative fishing industry and enriched himself by the billions – while the State entities under him were losing to the extent he was gaining.

He remains, arguably, the most influential capitalist in the fishing industry owning dozens of modern boats, craft and all. Yet another who came pleading the cause of the exploited paddy farmer –together with his siblings – now is the biggest and richest rice merchant and paddy mill owner in the country with luxury hotels and all in the bag. Exploiting the farmer appears to be his name of the game. He is now an aspirant to the No.2 job in the land. Nandana Vindana came through the JVP road and is now in the Capitalist Highway breaking pledge after pledge. Not bad for those who came in Bata slippers and broken bicycles to politics – one might say.

Mr Rajah enters the domain of comedy when he wants us to believe “the JVP will lead the people towards real democracy” They had their chance with several powerful Cabinet positions and proved their management skill is rhetorical only. Many women offer payers daily at home their children in the universities should be protected from killers within them and wives of husbands in the CEB, CPC, the Port and elsewhere plead with their favourite deities to save the country and their dear ones pray for protection from the clutches of these
“saviours”.

Two Regional Councils as panacea – is worth a try. But will the dominant Sinhalese accept that? They have refused power-sharing so far. Yes! Tamils appear to be closing their ranks – but not sufficiently. The Tamil future lies in Tamil hands and will depend on Tamil lands – that is the reality. The Fonsekas and the Rajapapaksas can fight and quarrel for the Sinhala destiny. Tamils have endured so much suffering under both – and others – they are in the process of carving out theirs. They may go with those reliable who will offer them enforceable and transparent just terms.

We are with Mr Rajah both political and economic development must go hand in hand – something which the Tamil polity has concluded long ago, I don’t believe the TNA will make itself available for sale. They seem to be just about the only honest principled grouping in the country. The Tamil nation is far too wiser – though poorer in body and spirit – courtesy the 2 modern Thusta kaimunus. But their hopes and their resolve is stronger than ever before. The days when justice to Tamils was denied under militaristic heel and political perfidy is on the way out.

ISS

I have published an expanded version of my argument in Why should Tamil speaking communities give critical support to Sarath Fonseka?

Hence the choice before the Tamil people is a Hobson’s choice. Let the contradictions among the Sinhalese people and their leaders work out. The Tamil parties should officially keep out of any commitments to either candidate in this election. The tamils must exercise a free vote. There should be no boycott or a Tamil candidate. Ideally they should vote for the only credible third candidate who has announced his candidature- Wickramabahu Karunaratne and cast their second preferential vote to one of the other candidates of their choice.

What the country needs is not Mahinda Rajapakse or General Fonseka. We need a Southern consensus on justice to the Tamils.