The words of this famous hymn should be absorbed and the words instilled into the minds of defeated politicians, and others screaming their heads off, like El Desperados with lie after lie, to instill fear and incite people about things which do not exist. ‘I vow to thee my country, all earthly things above, entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love.The love that never falters, the love that pays the price, the love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice’.
Minister Mangala Samaraweera talks about the nitty-gritties of Budget 2018 with his secretary before it was presented in Parliament
Those defeated rulers seem to have selective amnesia about their conduct
Genetic inheritance is always a powerful force
The President and the Prime Minister have both stated that there would be discussions with all sectors
Those defeated, sacked from parties and scribes living in comfort in other countries, to which they fled long ago, are included too. Why don’t’ they write about the countries they are domiciled in? They use fabricated statements planted by those wanting to create problems in the Government and stir trouble. Some of them would do well to turn the 
searchlight within and take a look at their own lives. Those defeated rulers seem to have selective amnesia, about their conduct while at the helm of power, like those promoting them have as well. The consort of a previous ruler spent state funds on a trip to Paris, in a style which the Queen of England rejected, perhaps her dream was that she was a reincarnation of Marie Antoinette! I’m sure her time in Paris is crystallized in time, locked in her memory, like a rare jewel in a vault! Their siblings and spoiled brats were no better, state resources were extravagantly used in a way, that this country never had the misfortune to ever witness earlier. Genetic inheritance is always a powerful force, which was obvious in the behaviour patterns of the former ruler and his family. All known for brawn rather than being mental heavyweights, except perhaps when it comes to ill-gotten gains, making innocent people pawns in their game and letting them face the music. Today, both the President and the Prime Minister lead simple lives, although the latter was born with a silver spoon in mouth, he doesn’t flaunt his lineage or wealth nor does he take or use what belongs to the state to boost his power, his image or exist in the reflected glory of the largesse of his ancestors.. His siblings never go to ‘Temple Trees’ without an appointment and don’t throw their weight about in any of his offices or abodes.
One must clean one’s stable
Others shouting their heads off, starting new parties, pointing fingers, should point them at themselves. Have they brought up their children to observe the laws and rules of the land, including never driving vehicles for which they don’t have licences for, or never driving after consuming alcohol? Were their children punished for this offence if they were guilty or for anyone being killed as a result, as others without influence during that time were punished? One must clean one’s own stables, before venturing to preach to others and trying to lead political parties. One must learn to follow before one leads, walk before one tries to run or march! Others too, hailing from prominent UNP families have stated that they are joining other parties. As they have never contributed to the UNP or the country in any constructive way, I think the UNP’s gain will prove to be a loss to whatever party they join. They preferred to snatch greedily the juicy morsels thrown to them by the former ruler and acted as if the sun shone out of the rear end of their benefactor! All these persons must ask themselves if they were good sons to their father’s,or good brother’s to their siblings? Where are their values which have earned them the right to point fingers at others and thrust themselves into politics, riding piggyback on the revered names of past Leaders? Why has his thinking changed?
Another who had to leave the Government recently, and campaigned for the Presidential elections and at the Parliamentary elections at which a new constitution was one of the election promises, now asks why is there a need for a new constitution. Why has his thinking changed? Why didn’t he state his reservations before the elections? He seems to be asking for more punches to be aimed at the shattered remains of his political life. He is now being seen openly with the former ruler, although his secret meetings with him abroad, while being in the cabinet, are now well-known. Other jokers in the pack, trying hard to hug the spotlight are that famed wizard of Maths, the one who threatened to bomb Parliament, which would have been treason if it happened in the UK, and a former academic often seen hosting young journo’s to lunch at expensive restaurants, the favour being returned no doubt,with publicity for his cause.
Desperate tactic
The new constitution is only in the draft stage. The President and the Prime Minister have both stated that there will be discussions with all sectors, before a final decision is arrived at. The people voted for a new Constitution. The Government has to honour its promises. The recent debacle of a previous ruler arriving at Parliament on a bicycle accompanied by several security vehicles, which consumed large amounts of petrol and leaving Parliament in a luxurious limousine, was yet another desperate tactic, typical of his limited brain power. One can perhaps understand their suffering, it must be difficult to revert to life without state funds, to fund their every whim and fancy. But one can’t fool all the people all of the time. The recent meeting in Anuradhapura, to which people were transported saw groups engaging in fisticuffs and being hospitalized. This is the type of politics practiced by them.
Those who didn’t dare to talk during all the atrocities, corruption, abductions, murders of journalists, during the previous regime are now making good use of the freedom of speech to hurl false brickbats at the Government. Some of these people laughed when Mangala Samaraweera was appointed as the Minister of Finance. They should eat their words now as his Budget has been hailed far and wide, as being an excellent one. They were silent when a war hero, one who actually fought and led the forces on the war front, was thrown into jail and treated in an inhuman manner. Those who took the credit for the victory have never fought on the frontlines or faced anything stronger than face powder! The previous regime thrust this country into a black hole of despair, and billions in debt from which recovery seems remote. This Government has had to deal with all that to keep the economy afloat. But in our President and Prime Minister, we have two rocks of competence, decency, endeavor and integrity. We no longer have aggressive parvenu’s steering the ship of state, who climbed and clung to a greasy pole, convinced that their failings were unseen, invisible and unrecognized. Therein lies hope at last, of a distant dawn for the country and its people. But the Government on its part, must speed up the process, to make sure that those who robbed the country dry are severely dealt with. This is what most right thinking people are awaiting.
‘From all that terror, lies of tongue and pen, easy speeches that comfort cruel men, we have learned lessons. Deliver us, Good Lord’
