{"id":42676,"date":"2015-08-15T18:02:47","date_gmt":"2015-08-15T22:02:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=42676"},"modified":"2015-08-15T18:02:47","modified_gmt":"2015-08-15T22:02:47","slug":"when-all-hope-seemed-lost-the-arrival-of-sirisena-has-brought-a-breath-of-fresh-air-to-sri-lanka","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=42676","title":{"rendered":"When all Hope Seemed Lost the arrival of Sirisena has Brought a Breath of Fresh Air to Sri Lanka"},"content":{"rendered":"


\nby<\/p>\n

Dushy Ranetunge in Havelock Town<\/strong><\/p>\n

When all hope seemed lost, with boats full of despair leaving for Australia, the arrival of Sirisena has been a breath of fresh air. When we arrived in Sri Lanka last month from London, we sensed a difference in the population. They seemed more relaxed. It was that unmistakable aura of a population enjoying a newfound freedom and being at ease with itself. It was well deserved after that marathon long haul journey in that bouncy “white van”. It feels like spring, after a harsh winter of discontent.<\/p>\n

In London, we had visited a Tamil political event organised by Rajasingham Jayadevan, a veteran British Tamil political activist. Even at this event we sensed for the first time in many years, of Tamil citizens feeling relaxed, enjoying new hope and new freedom. They were happy with Sirisena and were embracing his generosity with goodwill. <\/p>\n

The Presidents\u2019 visit to Jaffna, after that unfortunate incident with a young girl, further enhanced this perception, with humanity and generosity. These little gestures go a long way in healing deep wounds. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The contribution by that silent and able Sri Lankan civil servant, HMGS Palihakkara, the Governor of the Northern Province, in building confidence greatly enhances the quality of governance and democracy for citizens in the North.<\/p>\n

The formidable Sri Lankan Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya, is on all counts, extraordinary. His enthusiasm and commitment are the stuff that legends are made of. Civil servants of the calibre of Palihakkara and Deshapriya are an asset to the republic and greatly enhance the quality of democracy for all Sri Lankans.<\/p>\n

The parliamentary elections underway seem unreal, almost like the ones in Britain, mostly free of those millions of posters and cutouts. The focus seemed to have moved from posters to debate. <\/p>\n

The JVP while criticizing white vans, is white washing itself, conning the peasants that\u2019s they are the path to nirvana. They are reluctant to accept office in government, as with office comes responsibility and mistakes, which would expose their slip. The JVP did most of the heavy lifting in derailing Mahinda with their oratory skills while in the opposition, and that\u2019s where their talents lie; in opposition. They neither have the depth nor the skills required for high office. <\/p>\n

The UPFA is busy swinging from the longest branch of the tallest tree, hanging themselves from Mahinda\u2019s satakaya. They seemed oblivious to the fact that like the Arab spring, there is a paradigm shift in the fundamental expectations and aspirations of the population. This is having a ripple effect throughout the country. <\/p>\n

Perhaps the penny might have dropped lately as Sirisena has replaced Mahinda in some advertisements to induce the intellectuals in this land of the highly qualified, who are yet to be educated.<\/p>\n

Despite all those fancy “international” schools in Colombo churning out lots of the highly qualifieds, education seems to have escaped all but a few. In that respect, the old traditional schools, especially the ones affiliated to Christian churches seem to do a better job in educating the young. <\/p>\n

This paradigm shift, like in the Arab world has been initiated by greater awareness, expectations, and aspirations of the general population. The momentum seems to be encouraged by the United States, the land of the free. Ranil\u2019s study tour at MIT, Social Media training by the American Centre in Colombo and now Google is giving us Loon balloons for Internet access to increase our educational awareness and gently nudge the January revolution forward. The British are not far behind in their encouragement but operate more discreetly.<\/p>\n

The Indians are also rumoured to have a certain Patali partiality towards that champion, Champika. <\/p>\n

The big powers and big business have their champions in the ring, as canvassing in a large district instead of a single small old style constituency needs big bucks. <\/p>\n

Perhaps this will change with electoral reform in the near future, after the expected pole vaults after elections onto the UNFGG from the UPFA.<\/p>\n

In a barrel full of rotten apples, and faced with Hobson\u2019s choice, the UNFGG presents itself as the more favourable option.<\/p>\n

It already has an arrow in its Achilles heel in the form of a bond issue. One cannot imagine such a fiasco at the Bank of England or the Federal Reserve. No self respecting Governor of a Central Bank would continue to hold office, given the situation that has unfolded. He seems to subscribe to Mahinda\u2019s school of “hanging on”, where “resignations” with dignity are in short supply. But then you cannot blame him, as even Ranil hung on for such a long time and we also see family rule creeping in even into the UNFGG, with some son\u2019s taking an interest in politics, the family business. <\/p>\n

Is this the “quality” that Sri Lankans aspire to under Yahapalanaya? It seems more of the same old wine. Some would argue that if you want real change, you should take the next plane out, or is it the next boat?<\/p>\n

Given the contradictions on display at the start line of the UNP administration, it would be foolish to expect quality to improve in the future. A strong and vocal opposition is the best chance to ensure the quality of democracy and the JVP has a part to play here. <\/p>\n

One of the treats we enjoyed was the Interview with Sunil Perera of the Gypsies fame dated July 16, 2015 to be found on YouTube. It was refreshing and one is grateful that he has the courage to place the grave facts before the citizens in an entertaining manner and in Sinhalese. He also speaks of boats.<\/p>\n

At least momentarily Sirisena has given Sri Lanka a chance to breathe again. Its institutions, judiciary, law enforcement, free press etc. battered and abused can once more rejuvenate and begin to evolve as in other great democracies. <\/p>\n

Courtesy:Sunday Island<\/em><\/p>\n

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by Dushy Ranetunge in Havelock Town When all hope seemed lost, with boats full of despair leaving for Australia, the arrival of Sirisena has been a breath of fresh air. When we arrived in Sri Lanka last month from London, we sensed a difference in the population. They seemed more relaxed. It was that unmistakable …<\/p>\n

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