{"id":40114,"date":"2015-03-31T17:23:08","date_gmt":"2015-03-31T21:23:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=40114"},"modified":"2015-03-31T21:24:37","modified_gmt":"2015-04-01T01:24:37","slug":"president-sirisena-failing-to-attend-the-funeral-of-his-controversial-brother-evokes-positive-memories-of-nelson-mandela","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=40114","title":{"rendered":"President Sirisena Failing to Attend the Funeral of his Controversial Brother Evokes Positive Memories of Nelson Mandela."},"content":{"rendered":"

By<\/p>\n

Rasika Jayakody<\/strong><\/p>\n

W<\/strong>hen one graduates himself to the level of a head of state, the line between his public and private lives becomes unclear. Matters of his personal life often come under public spotlight and more often than not they become subjects of discussion for the public and the media. Things often blow out of proportion and the public tend to get carried away with misinformation and misinterpretations. Politicians have to live with this harsh reality but there are great leaders who overcome this \u2018dilemma\u2019 with astuteness and political acumen.<\/p>\n

\"NM<\/a><\/p>\n

One such example is former South African President Nelson Mandela who underwent a much-talked-about divorce when he was the President of the country.<\/p>\n

In 1992, soon after Mandela\u2019s release from prison, the couple separated after Mrs. Mandela was convicted in the kidnapping of four youths by her bodyguards. One youth was beaten to death. However, the true reason behind their separation was revealed in Mandela\u2019s testimony to the court.<\/p>\n

Since being freed from prison in 1990, Mandela testified, he had felt nothing but “loneliness” living with Winnie Mandela, who once was hailed as the “Mother of the Nation” due to her contribution to the struggle of the African National Congress. Their marriage had dissolved, he said, and he became convinced of her infidelity after seeing love letters from Mrs. Mandela to her personal assistant, Dali Mpofu. Mandela\u2019s separation from his wife was a story of high value not only to the \u2018south African media but also to the international media- at large, at that point.<\/p>\n

During her husband’s imprisonment, Mrs. Mandela became an anti-apartheid figure popular with the radical wing of the African National Congress and was hailed across the world for her valiant battle against the then government of South Africa. But her influence waned after his release, as Mandela pushed the ANC on a more moderate course. Winnie Mandela pushed for violent tactics to bring Apartheid to an end and this created an irreparable split between the couple, especially in terms of political strategy.<\/p>\n

In his autobiography \u2018the Long Walk to Freedom\u2019, Mandela explains the manner in which he dealt with the controversy involving his marriage in the eyes of the public and the international media.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Mandela’s example<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAt a press conference in Johannesburg, flanked by my two oldest friends and comrades, Walter and Oliver, I announced my separation from my wife. The situation had grown so difficult that I felt that it was in the best interests of all concerned – the ANC, the family, and Winnie – that we part. Although I discussed the matter with the ANC, the separation itself was made for personal reasons.<\/p>\n

I read the following statement:<\/p>\n

“The relationship between myself and my wife, Comrade Nomzamo Winnie Mandela, has become the subject of much media speculation. I am issuing this statement to clarify the position and in the hope that it will bring an end to further conjecture.<\/p>\n

Comrade Nomzamo and myself contracted our marriage at a critical time in the struggle for liberation in our country. Owing to the pressures of our shared commitment to the ANC and the struggle to end apartheid, we were unable to enjoy a normal family life. Despite these pressures our love for each other and our devotion to our marriage grew and intensified….<\/p>\n

However, in view of the tensions that have arisen owing to differences between ourselves on a number of issues in recent months, we have mutually agreed that a separation would be best for each of us. My action was not prompted by the current allegations being made against her in the media…. Comrade Nomzamo has and can continue to rely on my unstinting support during these trying moments in her life.<\/p>\n

I shall personally never regret the life Comrade Nomzamo and I tried to share together. Circumstances beyond our control however dictated it should be otherwise. I part from my wife with no recriminations. I embrace her with all the love and affection I have nursed for her inside and outside prison from the moment I first met her. Ladies and gentlemen, I hope you will appreciate the pain I have gone through.”<\/p>\n

Perhaps I was blinded to certain things because of the pain I felt for not being able to fulfill my role as a husband to my wife and a father to my children. But just as I am convinced that my wife’s life while I was in prison was more difficult than mine, my own return was also more difficult for her than it was for me. She married a man who soon left her; that man became a myth; and then that myth returned home and proved to be just a man after all.<\/p>\n

As I later said at my daughter Zindzi’s wedding, it seems to be the destiny of freedom fighters to have unstable personal lives. When your life is the struggle, as mine was, there is little room left for family. That has always been my greatest regret, and the most painful aspect of the choice I made.<\/p>\n

“We watched our children growing without our guidance,” I said at the wedding, “and when we did come out [of prison], my children said, ‘We thought we had a father and one day he’d come back. But to our dismay, our father came back and he left us alone because he has now become the father of the nation.'” To be the father of a nation is a great honor, but to be the father of a family is a greater joy. But it was a joy I had far too little of.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mandela\u2019s brief and clear statement brought rumours and speculations to an end it never affected his popularity as a political leader. In his statement, the South African Leader was honest and sincere. The people of South Africa realized the position of their leader and empathized with him. As much it showed the character of Nelson Mandela it also demonstrated the astuteness and political maturity with which he handled delicate \u201cPR\u201d matters.<\/p>\n

Two years after he got his divorce from his ex-wife, Mandela married Graca Machel, former First Lady of Mozambique. By the time of his third marriage, Mandela was an octogenarian and was still the President of South Africa. What requires emphasis is the manner in which he dealt with the highs and lows of his personal life, without allowing things to blow out of proportion.<\/p>\n

President Maithripala Sirisena too underwent a similar challenge when his brother died under tragic circumstances following an axe attack in Polonnaruwa on Saturday when the President was on a four day state visit to China. There were various speculations and rumours about the circumstances under which the attack took place but it was later revealed that it was the end result of a personal dispute. The suspect of the case, Saputhanthrige Don Nishan Lakmal Saputhanthri (34), who was known to be a close friend of Priyantha Sirisena, surrendered to Police in connection with the attack was later remanded.<\/p>\n


\nPresident was unable to attend his brother\u2019s funeral<\/strong><\/p>\n

Priyantha Sirisena, aged 43, was a businessman who was engaged in sand-mining. He was a controversial business and his name came into limelight even during the presidential election which was held early this year. At an election meeting a few months ago, Minister S.B. Dissanayake, who was also a Minister under the previous government, openly said that \u201cSirisena\u201d had a king of sand-mining.(\u201cSirisenata innawa Weli rajek\u201d). Certain media reports, over the past few days, also dubbed him as the \u201cking\u201d of sand-mining, calling him \u201cWeli Rajaa\u201d. However, when asked about this from the Sirisena family, a close relative of the President said \u201cRaju\u201d was his childhood nickname and since he was involved in sand-mining, he was known as \u201cWeli Raju\u201d.<\/p>\n

President Sirisena\u2019s relationship with his brother had its highs and lows. When the deceased brother of President Sirisena was charged with damaging a Wildlife Department office and attacking an official in 2012, the President who was then the Health Minister of the Rajapaksa government openly criticized his brother at a press conference in Colombo. Irked at his brother\u2019s behavior, Maithripala Sirisena said he had a brother like that due to a sin he had committed in a previous birth.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will not give chances to anyone who engages in wrongful acts \u2013 not even to my siblings. If I hadn\u2019t given instructions to enforce the law, he might not have been arrested even by this point. I\u2019ve held various positions in the political arena for nearly 24 years and I believe I got those opportunities due to some meritorious act I committed in my last birth. Similarly I also think that I was given a sibling like this due to a sin that I committed in a previous life,\u201d Sirisena said addressing the press conference following the controversy involving his brother. It was clear to everyone that the statement was a sudden outburst of his emotions. However, according to family members, Priyantha Sirisena was personally involved in the election campaign of the common candidate at the last presidential election and worked hard to ensure the victory of his brother.<\/p>\n

President Sirisena could not attend the funeral of his brother as he could not return from China, due to a last minute change in his schedule. President\u2019s brother\u2019s funeral was held in Polonnaruwa on Monday with the participation of a large number of people from the area. \u201cPresident Sirisena was expected to attend the funeral following his return from China. But, he was compelled to skip the funeral as he could not return to the country on time,\u201d a family member told the Daily News on Monday night. A spokesman of the President\u2019s Media Unit told the Daily News that the President was expected to arrive in the country in the wee hours of Tuesday.<\/p>\n

Deputy Minister Eran Wickremaratne, who was present at the funeral in Polonnaruwa on Monday, shared his thoughts on the absence of the President at the funeral of his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday while I was in Polonnaruwa to attend the funeral of Mr Priyantha Sirisena. I was surprised to find that the President was late in attending his own brothers funeral due to pressing engagements in China. Despite the severe emotional stress faced by such an event, it was clear that he was forced to place the interests of his office even above those of his family.<\/p>\n

In expressing my deepest condolences to him and his family, I also express my gratitude and admiration in regards to his commitment and passion to the people of this Nation,\u201d Wickramaratne said on his official social media page.<\/p>\n

Vicissitudes in personal lives of prominent politicians cannot be hidden from the eyes of public. But, politicians have to deal with such problems judiciously in a manner that would not affect their public perception at large. Considering the manner the President has carried himself over the past few months, one has every reason to believe that he will handle the controversy involving his brother\u2019s death carefully, without harming his public image in any manner.
\n
\nRipples in blue camp over ministerial portfolios<\/strong><\/p>\n

It has now been revealed that ten more MPs of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party are likely to join the national government in the coming days. This is in addition to the 26 MPs who joined the government one and a half weeks ago, accepting ministerial portfolios. Highly placed political sources told the Daily News on Monday that the new group of MPs too will be given portfolios by the national government. With this move, 36 SLFP MPs will get ministerial and deputy ministerial portfolios from the government. Some even went on to speculate that Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala too would be among the 10 SLFP members who would be accepting ministerial portfolios from the national government, if he lost his position as the Leader of the Opposition. When contacted by the Daily News, a spokesperson of the Opposition Leader flatly denied such speculations.<\/p>\n

Be that as it may, if the Speaker recognizes the group supporting Gunawardena as an independent group in Parliament, he will become the Opposition Leader. Such a development will probably prompt Nimal Siripala de Silva to join the government with a ministerial portfolio. The Opposition Leader has already stated that he supports the national government plan without reservations.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, there are some SLFP MPs who still have not assumed duties in office although they have taken oaths at the Presidential Secretariat one and a half weeks ago. One of them was Tissa Karalliyadda, who was appointed as the Deputy Minister of Democratic Governance and Buddha Sasana. Previously, he was the Cabinet Minister of Women\u2019s Affairs under former President Rajapaksa\u2019s government.<\/p>\n

Speaking to the Daily News, Karalliyadda said he was still having discussions with regard to his deputy ministerial appointment.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are no bitter feelings with the government over this matter. But, at the moment, I am holding discussions with various parties on this new deputy ministerial position. Mixed sentiments have been expressed by various parties. I still haven\u2019t made a final decision,\u201d Karalliyadda said.<\/p>\n

The government is now facing the challenging of securing a two thirds majority in Parliament for the 19th Amendment to the constitution. One can come to the assumption that the 27 Parliamentarians of the UPFA who attended the rally in Rathnapura supporting former President will also support the 19th Amendment to the constitution which seeks to abolish Executive Presidency. The 19th Amendment curtails the powers of the Executive and empowers the Prime Minister, and that will buttress Rajapaksa\u2019s position if and when he becomes the Prime Minister. Parliamentarians of the Jathika Hela Urumaya, namely Minister Pataki Champika Ranawaka and Athuraliye Rathana Thera have already raised concerns over certain inclusions of the 19th Amendment. However, securing a two thirds majority in the House still does not look like a challenge for the national government.<\/p>\n

However, the campaign positioning MP Dinesh Gunawardena as the Leader of the Opposition seems like a concern for the government as it can be construed as a litmus test to assess the Parliamentary strength of the national government. Speaking to reporters on Monday, National Freedom Front Leader Dinesh Gunawardena said over 58 Members of Parliament (MP) were supporting a proposal to make Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) leader Dinesh Gunawardena the opposition leader. Weerawansa said the proposal would be sent to Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa for his consideration. The Speaker is expected to announce his decision in Parliament in the next few days.<\/p>\n

MR breaks silence over 19A<\/strong><\/p>\n

Breaking his silence over the 19th Amendment, Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa expressed his ideas on the 19th Amendment for the first time on Monday when he spoke to journalists at the Abhayaramaya in Narahenpita. Rajapaksa was careful enough to refrain from making a comment on the 19th Amendment as a whole. Instead of commenting on the 19th Amendment in its entirety, the former President said he could not agree with certain inclusions of the 19th Amendment which has already been presented to Parliament.<\/p>\n

“It is not good to seek advice from the Sri Lanka Bar Association when appointing judges. How can they get involved in appointments when they have to appear before judges in courts?” the former President asked while speaking to reporters at the Abhayaramaya which has now become his regular meeting place. It looked as if that the former President had forgotten criticism that was directed at him over the manner in which he handpicked judges \u2013 and even the Chief Justice \u2013 when he was in power. Lack of judicial independence was a main characteristic of the Rajapaksa administration which impeached the country\u2019s Chief Justice within a matter of a few weeks.<\/p>\n

Commenting on the SLFP MPs who have refused to accept ministerial portfolios from the government, Rajapaksa said they were the ones with backbones. It was reported it media that three MPs of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party had refused to accept ministerial portfolios from the national government.<\/p>\n

It was also in the grapevine that the group supporting the former President was planning to hold a separate May Day rally. When asked about the matter, the former President said he would celebrate May Day with the working class and trade unions.<\/p>\n

“I was always with the working class and trade unions. That will not change. I will join hands with the working class and trade unions to celebrate May Day.”<\/p>\n

SLFP may not name PM candidate<\/strong><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, there are indications that the Sri Lanka Freedom Party will refrain from naming a Prime Ministerial Candidate at the forthcoming Parliamentary election. If that happens, it will be a hefty blow to the campaign promoting Mahinda Rajapaksa as the PM Candidate of the SLFP-led UPFA. The SLFP\u2019s inclination to refrain from naming a Prime Ministerial Candidate was revealed by Minister S B Navinna who assumed duties at his new ministry last week. Navinna is also the Treasurer of the SLFP and one of the most senior-most Parliamentarians representing the party.<\/p>\n

\u201cBefore naming the PM candidate,\u201d Navinna said, \u201cthe party should win the forthcoming Parliamentary election. Therefore, all Parliamentarians should work together to ensure the victory of the party.\u201d The Minister, who joined the national government one and a half weeks ago, said the party could make a decision on the Prime Minister following the election. If the Minister\u2019s statement is something to go by, it is clear that the former President will have to contest a seat as an ordinary candidate under the SLFP ticket, to become eligible to be the next Prime Minister of the country. For that, he will have to face an interview before the nomination committee of the SLFP which will include former senior ministers of his own cabinet as well as his rival at the last presidential election who is now the Leader of the SLFP.<\/p>\n

Courtesy: Daily News<\/em><\/p>\n

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By Rasika Jayakody When one graduates himself to the level of a head of state, the line between his public and private lives becomes unclear. Matters of his personal life often come under public spotlight and more often than not they become subjects of discussion for the public and the media. Things often blow out …<\/p>\n

Continue reading ‘President Sirisena Failing to Attend the Funeral of his Controversial Brother Evokes Positive Memories of Nelson Mandela.’ »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[12],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40114"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=40114"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40114\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":40117,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40114\/revisions\/40117"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=40114"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=40114"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=40114"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}