Chandrika's out of power bickerings
Whether it be their personal or public
lives, humans need to bow out gracefully when their work is done. As
Buddhism emphatically teaches us, clinging to anything, including, of
course, power, position and fame, could cause ceaseless suffering for
the human being and trigger unpleasant ripples in his or her social
environment.
We are led to these thoughts on listening to some recent verbal
outbursts on current politics by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike
Kumaratunga. Her sarcastic comments on contemporary governance leads us
to believe that the former President is beginning to hanker after the
power and prominence which is no longer hers. Needless to say, such
cleaving would only lead to bitterness and frustration.
It is only two Presidential terms which are constitutionally decreed.
Those who are voted to the office of President need to come to terms
with this stipulation which is fair by any standard. In fact it is
adhered to by most democratic political systems which feature
Presidential governance.
However, in clear contrast, most well known Executive Presidents of
the world prefer to retire from politics and lead quiet, contented
lives, or offer their services to their countries in publicly beneficial
projects and endeavours.
Former US Presidents, George Bush (Snr.) and Bill Clinton come easily
to mind. They are certainly not rearing to come back to power nor are
they bitterly criticizing the current US administration. In fact they
relate cooperatively and cordially with the latter.
Hankering for power and the plums of office once out of power, is,
however, not a common trait of all our past Presidents.
This was decidedly not the case with President J.R. Jayewardene and
D.B. Wijetunga is by any standard an epitome of contentment.
This is the way it should be because Sri Lanka is a democracy and
those wielding power only have a short stay at the helm of affairs.
However, while at the top or later in public life, they need to ensure
that they do not cut sorry figures of themselves or in the words of the
Bard, "strut and fret" their "hour upon the stage", to the merriment of
their countrymen.
Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga's services to the country as our
one-time President are readily acknowledged, but she very badly needs to
observe the unwritten norms and values of democracy.
Having given of her best to Sri Lanka she now needs to be a
constructive presence in the affairs of the country. Virulent criticism
of the present President or his politics just does not do her any good.
We urge the former President to think of ways in which her vast
experience could be put to constructive use for the greater good of
Lankans. |
Secret and open deals
For the moment it is sufficient to note that,
despite this alleged deal, the Tigers pretty promptly started
attacking servicemen. Logically this means, if there was a deal,
either that the Tigers decided from the start that they had been
betrayed, or else that their attacks on the servicemen were part of
the deal. If so, it is strange that President Rajapaksa, after a
short period of patience, reacted forcibly, quite unlike Ranil, who
did nothing when Tamils who had helped the Armed Forces, were
slaughtered.
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Big Match Fever - Fun or menace ?
As the excitement generated by the World Cup has
started to grip most cricket playing nations around the world, the
urban areas in Sri Lanka are also experiencing a similar phenomenon
- the 'big match fever'.
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