-Written by Chandrarathna Bandara
(Lanka-e-News -20.Sep.2024, 11.45 pm) I believe the beginning of the end of the old era, marked by a social system intentionally maintained in a corrupt and polluted state, will occur on September 21st. If that does not happen, this note will serve as a record of that noble hope. Despite being from similar humble backgrounds, both R. Premadasa and Maithripala Sirisena cannot be compared to Anura Kumara Dissanayake in terms of personal integrity. This is because Anura Kumara is compelled to represent a collective vision and movement, which the other two have not adhered to in the same way. When that collective dissolves, Anura Kumara’s significance fades. Anyone who closely studies his long-standing political career will find plenty of evidence to trust him. Despite efforts by both Sajith’s and Ranil’s camps to find a flaw in him, the only thing they could come up with was a birthmark on his face and some baseless rumors about his marriage. These trivialities, in contrast, reveal the inhuman nature of the other major political parties.
In this presidential election, two more leftists are running: those from the Frontline Socialist Party and the Socialist Equality Party. However, I don’t think such strong leftist ideals are something the country can withstand, so I am not troubled by it. What I worry about is whether Anura’s mandate will be obstructed by the Frontline Socialists before it can be implemented. It’s unlikely the Socialist Equality Party would pose such a significant obstacle.
My political history spans over forty years. I am grateful for the understanding it has given me to observe the world. However, in seeking power, the mistakes made in 1964 are now being shamelessly repeated by the Sri Lanka Communist Party, Lanka Sama Samaja Party, and Vasudeva Nanayakkara. Their support for Mahinda Rajapaksa can be understood through the arguments they made in 1964. However, for someone like Dilith Jayaweera, who notoriously abused Gotabaya’s power, to choose him as a leader is to drag their entire history into the mud. It’s like covering one’s own face with their shirt.
For nearly six years, we worked closely with the National People’s Power (NPP), which gave us the opportunity to critically evaluate our own political past. We also understood how crucial integrity, honesty, and dedication are to politics.
The NPP’s departure from rigid leftist politics toward a form of social democracy is the journey we had hoped for.
Around 2003, I remember journalist Ravi Chandralal and I asking Sunil Handunnetti whether it was possible to form a movement within the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) that we could join. I now believe that the movement we hoped for has finally emerged.
I believe Anura Dissanayake is a leader with compassion. I wrote this for ‘Ravaya’ or ‘Anidda’ about seven or eight years ago. He can truly be recognized as a man blessed by nature, and he may very well be the first political leader to receive such a blessing. Anyone who cannot appreciate Anura’s journey from a poor farming family in Thambuttegama to a position of national leadership through education and politics cannot be considered a true leftist.
Throughout our lives, we have been burdened by our personal struggles. In addition to this, as politically conscious individuals, we have experienced sorrow watching the country fall prey to poor governance. Now, however, we have hope. There is a leader determined to realize that hope, supported by a collective working hard toward that goal. Not every lofty hope will be fully realized, but the very effort made will bring us satisfaction.
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by (2024-09-20 23:26:02)
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