By

Prasad Gunewardene

Dilan or Harin?

They are; National List prospect Dilan Perera (UPFA) and Harin Fernando (UNP) who is also the incumbent Chief Minister in the Uva Province. It was Dilan who started the ball rolling bringing bottles of poison to a news conference. Like a Dispenser, he said; this bottle is for Ranil Wickremesinghe, this bottle is for Ravi Karunanayake, this bottle is for Mangala Samaraweera and this bottle is for the Central Bank Governor. Udaya Gammanpila, Dulles Alahapperuma and Dilan held the bottles in hand posing for a photograph to the media. This exhibition of poison bottles received wide coverage in the print and electronic media.

The next day UNP candidate and Uva Chief Minister Harin Fernando brought two large plastic cans of Glyphosate (a banned chemical) to a media conference. Displaying the two cans, Harin said that Dilan would have to consume that poison when the UPFA is defeated at the 17 August general election. So, the electoral battle has now turned into a ‘Poison Battle’. However, we would not lose either of them as none of them took the challenge in open to take poison once defeated on 17 August. If they are keen to accept the challenge, nature has given them seven days more as the poll is scheduled on 17 August.

Politics have already become ‘poison’ to the people in this country. The antics of politicians from time to time over the past decade had truly made them to take poison. The members whom they elected in 2010 cross sides for personal gains. An UNPer became a SLFPer overnight and vice-versa happened. The political stage looked confused in an unprecedented manner. When the people woke up in the morning; a SMS text message would appear on their mobile phones stating so and so had crossed over. Such was the dirty styled politics witnessed in the recent past. The cross over business also gave popularity to ‘Hoppers’ as claims were made that some crossed over after partaking hoppers at the palace. Sometime ago Coffee became popular as allegations were made that after having coffee at the palace political backstabbing occurred.

The people were fed up of dirty politics practiced by their legislators and a few set themselves ablaze. What was promised was never done. Even farmers threatened to take poison. The political developments in the past decade and a half created an unhealthy atmosphere in the country. The people finally thought that there would come a day when politicians themselves would decide to end life taking poison for the errors they have committed on the people at State expense. Politicians gave no priority to people’s needs, but increased political rivalry leveling allegations of corruption and fraud at each other. To the people, it was like the pot calling the kettle black as they knew the humble beginnings of their representatives who became rich overnight after being elected through their votes. All such acts were committed in the name of serving the people though it did not happen in real terms. Those made people view them as poisonous elements.

Though records may indicate thousands of people in this country having committed suicide either by taking poison or by other means when politicians have failed them on promises, no politician has ever committed suicide having failed to honour pledges. However, the upcoming election seems to have changed the minds of some politicians. That was why; poison has been introduced into the political scene. The people may not approve such a drastic step by politicians in this country where Buddhism is practiced by the majority. But there is a saying that Karma cannot be prevented. Politics is the profession of politicians and their bread and butter. They could live better lives only if they emerge victorious at elections to form governments. Dilan’s name is placed on the National List, while Harin has entered the contest. It’s a tough battle for both though Dilan is assured a place in the National List. Securing a place in the National List is also in the hands of the voters as slots are distributed according the vote bank of respective political parties under proportionate representation system. Who will take poison on 18 August when the election results are announced is the question. Is it Dilan? Is it Harin? Let’s wait as it’s only a week away.

Courtesy:Ceylon Today