Pohottuwa dispute: Corruption and Ingratitude

Ingratitude is a trait common to mankind, more pronounced in this part of the world than anywhere else. Anyone who has read Shakespeare’s ” Merchant of Venice” would not have missed that part of Portia’s outburst – “I hate ingratitude more in a man than lying, vainness, babbling, drunkenness or any trait of vice where strong corruption inhabits our frail blood.” This beautiful and very apt quote seems to fit well to Sri Lankan politics, no less to the current “dog-fight” among some of the Podujana Perumana brethren, where Wimal Weerawansa has been made to stand in the dock. The trait of ingratitude, although given more prominence over vainness, babbling and corruption by Portia, seems to be well balanced with the section of the Podujana Perumana clan, which has emerged with daggers drawn against Weerawansa.

The whole country knows who the “kasakarayas” were in the run-up to the presidential election, and later eeneral elections in 2020. These “kasakarayas,” led by Weerawansa, included the likes of Gammanpila, Vasudeva, Dayasiri J, Tissa Vitharana, Dinesh, Gunewardene, Roshan R and certain others, who, by their rhetorical and debating skills, had a Herculean task in camouflaging the Opposition allegations relating, inter alia, to drug offences where a VIP took the extreme step of taking a helicopter ride to smother the polluted air, the Malwana episode which stinks to high heaven, the dual citizenship issue, the motor races, and last, but certainly not the least, the Daisy Aachchie’s gem tale. Ironically, the helicopter beneficiary has been the most vociferous critic of Weerawansa. To now make “karapincha” out of them speaks volumes of the character of those behind the scenes of this sordid endeavour. It only provides chunks (not morsels) of food to appease the appetite of the mass media, the Opposition and enemies of the government. It would not be surprising if the “given-up for dead” UNP of Ranil W rises like Phoenix out of the ashes!

The Right of Expression

The right of expression is a fundamental right, more-so in a political outfit expressly formed as a Peramuna (a front) although it is simultaneously recognised as a political party. The NFF, headed by Weeraawansa, is a constituent member of this Peramuna, which backed the manifesto of President Gotabhaya and the SLPP in the General Election that followed. It is clear from the many blunders that have emerged, the contradictions so apparent in the recent past, that there is some hidden force which seems to go counter to the agenda of President Gotabhaya, and he is hamstrung without control of the Podujana Peramuna, but invariably has to face the music at the end.

It may be a far-sighted move for future prospects of designing individuals, which President Gotabaya has to be careful and mindful of. The tail should not be permitted to wag the dog! The victory of GR can also be mostly attributed to his own record as Defence Secretary. One may not always agree with the politics of Weerawansa, and his NFF, but in this instance he seemed quite right in his analysis that President Gotabaya needs to strengthen himself with some power and authority in the Podujana Peramuna. The SLPP certainly did not succeed on its own with its dwindling popularity and strength, although PM Mahinda Rajapaksa’s image and record contributed, in no small measure, greatly assisted by the horrendous conduct of the yahapalana regime! Sri Lankan people forget everything in two weeks, as Prabhakaran quite rightly said not so long ago. Weerawansa’s comment is timely and worth serious thought.

Let ingratitude bring its retribution in good time.

I. P. C. MENDIS