UNP - translate words into action

THE decision by the United National Party (UNP) to boycott this week's All Party Meeting called by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to hammer out a new framework for a solution to the ethnic problem certainly defies logic.

Nay, it could even be described as an unpatriotic act. As the party which launched the country into the post-colonial era, the UNP cannot turn its back on its heritage of leading the first post-Independent Government.

By the same token as a party whose leaders never tire of proclaiming it to be the largest political entity in the country, the UNP cannot abrogate its responsibility by the people.

It is a party that has governed the country for the largest duration and as a liberal democratic party has always trod the moderate ground, not given to extremist action. Its leaders, have for the most part being level-headed individuals, whose service to the public need no elaboration.

Whatever its critics may say the UNP in the public eye is a moderate political party amenable to criticism and whose core is represented by the entrepreneurial class, the landed gentry, the educated elite and professionals with conservatism underpinning its policies and outlook.

Leaders of the calibre of D. S. Senanayake, Sir John Kotelawala and Dudley Senanayake was the epitome of this conservatism that was to be the hallmark of the party where there was always room for compromise.

This common thread of the party ran down the line so much so even Ranasinghe Premadasa, considered as an 'outsider', spoke on consultation, compromise and consensus as the panacea for conflict resolution.

It is in this light that one should view the decision of the present UNP leader who is widely portrayed as being enlightened and possessed of a visionary outlook.

To that extent the by-partisan approach the UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe mooted via the Liam Fox agreement when he was Opposition Leader a decade ago went on to demonstrate his credentials as a leader who viewed the ethnic issue devoid of party politics.

Hence it is baffling as to why this sudden about-turn on the part of Wickremesinghe in spurning the offer by the President to explore a new avenue for a solution at a time the country is at crossroads.

The time has come as never before for all-party unity to defeat the aim of terrorists who are hell-bent on dividing the country.

With focus of India and the international community now spotlighted on Sri Lanka, it is incumbent upon the two major political parties to sit down and work out a structure that would meet the legitimate aspirations of all communities.

Any signs of a polarisation in the Southern political theatre could only be manna from heaven to the LTTE, now being cornered by the international community, and provide it with extra vigour to carry out its dastardly deeds.

Therefore the UNP as the principal opposition party should act with more circumspection if not for anything other than the 48 per cent of voters who supported its leader.

It is also significant here to remember the often repeated statement of the UNP leader during the Presidential campaign that should he win, he would seek the support of the SLFP in a bid to resolve the ethnic question.

It is now up to him to translate this words into deeds, for the future of the country is at stake. This is no time for dithering or petty politicking.

It is only as a united force that the country could face the challenge before it. If the UNP keeps dodging its responsibilities on the pretext of some excuse it would some day have to give an account to the people which voted for the party and its leader.

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