WHERE EVERY PROSPECT PLEASES AND ONLY MAN IS VILE

These words were written by no less a personality than the late Bishop Heber, hundreds of years ago, about our country - then it was Ceylon - a much more musical sounding name than its present one, Sri Lanka. The words ring true today, when the cruelty of man to man continues unabated in a myriad ways by words, deeds, lies and more lies.

• Yahapalanaya government has kept to its promise of transparency and of bowing to the wishes of the people in more ways than one
• Some mongrels from hell also have the audacity to question the Bond Commission report airing their views in print on the web
• It was also a previous UNP government which was the first to have a Ministry of Women’s Affairs in the 70s
• Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe is the last of a rare breed of gentleman politicians

We hear a ruler of yesterday-famed more for dictatorial deeds and corruption than anything else, berating the government over the SAITM issue. Who started this ball rolling? It is a pity that he continues to suffer from selective amnesia about many sins committed during his tenure of office. Then we have his son; anyone with a zero IQ is aware of how he managed to become a lawyer, now airing his views on the report of the Bond Commission and the President’s statement. 

We are aware that during the tenure of the former regime, no Commissions were appointed about any allegations of corruption, violence, murders, abductions or anything at all. Those who robbed the country and milked its coffers dry, all got off scot free and those talking big now, because we are free to talk or write as we want, were too frightened to open our mouths, fearing being taken away in white vans, attacked or murdered as happened to so many during their term of office. A brother of the former ruler, who it is rumoured plans to contest the Presidency is printing photographs of himself in front of a bookcase full of books. 

We are aware that during the tenure of the former regime, no Commissions were appointed about any allegations of corruption, violence, murders, abductions or anything at all

As he is better known for brawn and other qualities, rather than academics, one wonders if he is copying a similar pose in a picture taken of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe a few years ago. But then we all know that Ranil is an avid reader, who has facts from history, literature and any given subject at his fingertips and can talk knowledgeably on any subject at any time.  

The Yahapalanaya government has kept to its promise of transparency and of bowing to the wishes of the people in more ways than one. We also had the resignation of two Ministers which would never have happened during those horrific Rajapakse years. Would a Prime Minister or anyone in high office have come forward voluntarily to give evidence before a commission? If summoned, one can be sure whoever summoned them would never have seen the light of day again but would have suffered a similar fate as the late Lasantha Wickrematunge and others. A grim reversal of the grandeur enjoyed by them while in power seems to have affected them badly, having never ever having had it so good, and thus words seem to leave their mouths before being sorted out in their brain! 

Some mongrels from hell also have the audacity to question the Bond Commission report airing their views in print on the web. To my mind, this is contempt of court, for which he should be dealt with severely. These mongrels have been sued earlier, by distinguished Sri Lankans and even for contempt of court. It is rumoured that they tried to settle their lawyers fees with gifting cakes instead of paying the fees! Such men should be left to rot in the drivel they write, as they are not known for their ability to get on with others, even their nearest and dearest! Perhaps their inability to get anywhere in life and earn respect from their fellow beings has affected them.  

We also have those trying to lead parties, who are unable to discipline their children and protect them, instead of allowing them to be punished for blatant breaking of rules, in incidents in which the innocent lost their lives. How can they lead parties when they cannot control their own children from going against the rule of law? Young politicians must realize that loyalty to leadership of the party they belong, is a must.

They have to learn to walk before they try to run or march, learn to follow before they try to lead parties, even mushroom ones! We have candidates who have made no contribution in any sphere at all coming forward including some who are trying to ride piggyback on the names of distinguished ancestors. Their behaviour to their own father’s, siblings and spouses cannot earn them the respect of anyone with the correct values and principles!   

Let it not be forgotten that It was this government which kept to its pledge to increase the representation of women in all decision making bodies of government, as can be seen by the many women contesting the local government elections. It was also a previous UNP government which was the first to have a Ministry of Women’s Affairs in the 70s.

The UNP by its very name itself, is for all nationalities in our country. It has never been only for one ethnic group. In its journey throughout our political history, it has embraced all our ethnic and religious groups, which is how it should be. Inciting religious or racist enmity is not part of its political agenda. UNP leaders then and now, have always worked for the preservation of our architectural and cultural heritage and this government has created an oasis of cultured civility among communities. 

Some mongrels from hell also have the audacity to question the Bond Commission report airing their views in print on the web. To my mind, this is contempt of court, for which he should be dealt with severely

A Sri Lankan who lives abroad and comes back every few months told me recently that he saw many improvements in every sphere, since he was here last in June. People must see this and not continue to nitpick on issues all the time. We have to be thankful for the freedom that is now ours, devoid of the constant fear of being picked up in a white van, and the rampant corruption during the last regime. 

In Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe, the last of a rare breed of gentleman politicians, we have a Leader who throughout his tenure as UNP leader, was the fulcrum of the struggle to restore democracy and freedom and was able to achieve it together with President Sirisena. Mongrels from Hell can continue to bark and howl, but the caravan must move on at any cost, to prevent a return to the dictatorship which we had to endure till 2015.The only thing I fault the government with is that they did not speed up the process of dealing with those who robbed the country. This has to be done promptly without further delay.