-By Dhanu Ramawikrama
(Lanka-e-News -14.Oct.2024, 10.45 pm) After the overthrow of the corrupt government, nearly 50 prominent political figures, including three former presidents, have decided to step away from politics and not contest the general elections. While it is certain they will not run for elections, the duration of their political hiatus is unclear. Several reasons can be identified for their decision:
1. The people’s rejection of the corrupt governance and their strong refusal to support the politicians involved in leading the country astray.
2. Business tycoons who supported corrupt politicians by funding their campaigns have now refused to provide financial backing, knowing that the chances of election victory are slim.
3. A lack of confidence in recouping the money spent on election campaigns due to the certainty of losing their parliamentary seats.
4. Inability to switch political sides or defect to the government for financial gains, even if they become opposition MPs.
5. Not only the loss of duty-free vehicles but also the loss of other perks such as official residences, water, telephone, and electricity bills paid by public funds under the policies of the new government.
6. Many of these politicians have been involved in serious undisclosed crimes, fraud, and corruption. With the loss of power and the prospect of running for election, the risk of these scandals being exposed increases, along with the fear of legal consequences under the new government.
7. The current government has already begun investigations into severe corruption and fraud, with more investigations likely to start. Therefore, some are trying to maintain peace and avoid challenges to the government’s existence.
8. Propaganda, lies, and false political narratives built around the JVP and NPP have collapsed in front of the people, removing their negative image.
Since 1948, Sri Lanka’s ruling class has been shaped by two layers of elite governance. One group, originating from weak, colonial-era aristocratic families, directly participated in corrupt governance, maintaining power through imperialistic strategies. The second layer emerged after 1977, comprising a group of wealthy, unscrupulous businessmen. This group supported governance in two ways:
• Individuals expelled from leftist movements for disciplinary reasons or those who betrayed leftist values and joined corrupt aristocratic circles.
• Individuals who amassed wealth through illegal activities such as crime, drug trafficking, and extortion, gaining public representation through thuggish influence within major political parties.
Once this group, representing corrupt businessmen, joined the country’s governance, they treated the country’s resources and economy as a means to acquire personal wealth. Consequently, they not only surpassed the corrupt aristocrats but also plundered the country’s economy more aggressively, leading to a swift economic collapse.
However, today, these corrupt politicians, who were part of the ruling power, are stepping down from the electoral battlefield, waving white flags, as they have looted significant wealth from the people. The public must remember this.
• Mahinda Rajapaksa, Maithripala Sirisena, Ranil Wickremesinghe, Lakshman Kiriella, Wimal Weerawansa, Champika Ranawaka, Bandula Gunawardena, Dullas Alahapperuma, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, Vimal Weerawansa, Janaka Bandara Tennakoon, D.D.J. Senewiratne, Gamini Lokuge, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Gevidu Kumaratunga, Shehan Semasinghe, S.B. Dissanayake, Kanaka Herath, Nalaka Godahewa, Ali Sabry, Chamal Rajapaksa, C.V. Vigneswaran, Prasanna Ranatunga, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, Keheliya Rambukwella, Siripala Gamlath, Geetha Kumarasinghe, Pradeep Undugoda, D.B. Herath, Gunathilake Rajapaksa, Vijitha Berugoda, Jagath Pushpakumara, Kumarasiri Rathnayake, Gayashan Nawanandana, Lohan Ratwatte, Sudath Manjula, Udayakantha Gunathilake, Mayantha Dissanayake, Karunadasa Kodithuwakku, Ajith Mannapperuma, Karunaratne Paranavithana.
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by (2024-10-14 17:50:05)
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