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1 November 2022 12:08 am - 46 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Britain now has a British Asian, Hindu Prime Minister, though Rishi Sunak is whiter than White in his policies and richer than the British Royalty. That would make, at least those who see beyond the colour of the skin, question whether the new Prime minister is a representation of the average British Asian life.
The rise of Rishi Sunak to the helm of the Conservative Party - he dodged a membership vote thanks to Penny Mordaunt’s last-minute withdrawal from the race, which could otherwise have produced quite a different result - has made many ponder as to why Sri Lanka cannot have a Tamil or Muslim prime minister or a president.
Many commentators have blamed the perceived ethno-nationalistic nature of the Sri Lankan state, a yet another perceived act of discrimination at the hand of the state. Though, not being able to get elected as the head of the state through a majority vote is not necessarily a grievance. At best it is an aspiration. Unfulfilled.
But, why didn’t Sri Lanka have an ethnic minority member as the head of the state or the head of the government?
Probably, the issue is not with the structure – or the state, but with the strategy.
One might start looking at how those who succeeded in breaking this glass ceiling did it elsewhere. Rishi Sunak did not contest from the ‘British Indian Party’, but under the Tories. Barak Obama did not run under the Black Panthers, but from the Democratic Party, the mainstream political parties in a duopoly of political systems, that focused on national issues, much less on particular ethnic or religious aspirations.
In contrast, the minority political leaders in Sri Lanka have historically found it more electorally convenient to form race-based political parties. That it was a reaction to the perceived ethno-nationalism of the Sinhalese is the standard argument, with the 1956 electoral victory of SWRD Bandaranaike and subsequent Sinhala-only Act, being described as the watershed events in majoritarian politics.
However, progenitors of ethnic Tamil Nationalist politics, All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC) - founded in 1944, and Illangai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (Federal Party) in 1949, were in politics long before Bandaranaike defected from the UNP and formed the SLFP in 1951. GG Ponnambalam, the ACTC leader, campaigned for guarantees of 50-50 representation for minorities under the Soulbury Constitution. The ACTC then joined DS Senanayake’s UNP-led government, but his detractors within ACTC, led by SJV Chelvanayagam detested the collaboration with the Sinhalese political parties and parted ways to form the Federal Party in 1949.
Ethnic Tamil politics in the early stage was not a reaction to Sinhala Buddhist majoritarianism, as it is often alleged, it is in-built into the Dravidian social-political exceptionalism, they adopted as the governing ideology. That effectively set off a race to the bottom as the competitors for the Tamil vote schemed to present themselves as more nationalistic than the other, until three decades down the line, the LTTE prevailed as the sole representatives of the Tamils.
Also, the ethnic minority politics at that stage was a reaction to the demographic reality as the minority elites feared being submerged by a numerically large Sinhalese Buddhist majority in the newly independent state. The state building also entailed the rearrangement of the state for all its people to benefit from it, which itself had its toll over time, especially on the disproportionate representation of Northern Tamils in various aspects of the state, ranging from bureaucracy to standardization of the university admission. Though the latter has been cited as ethnically motivated, Sri Lanka is not the only country to opt for affirmative action to provide more equitable opportunities in education.
The British tradition of divide and rule might also have its effect. A small group of elites who thrived in that system, rather than assimilating to the new state, thought to perpetuate the old model by other means. Thus their unfilled aspirations were masqueraded as grievances and the indifference of the majority Sinhala-dominated parties to these demands hardened their struggle, finally leading to the Vattukkottai resolution, a separatist campaign and finally the LTTE terrorism. None of that makes you a palatable candidate for the majority if you stand for the dissection of the state.
That is not to say, minorities have not succeeded in politics. From Sirimavo Bandaranaike’s influential education minister Badiuddin Mahmood to a host of UNP stalwarts, ranging from ACS Hameed, and Bakeer Marker to MH Mohammed were influential within their parties and in national politics. Colombo Municipal Council has had more ethnic minority mayors, long before Sadiq Khan became the London Mayor in 2016.
Also, it is disingenuous to dismiss the two main political parties, especially the UNP or the SJB, as ethno-majoritarian, though any political party worth its salt should be mindful of the demographic reality of its electorate. Until the breakup of the UNP, Kabir Hashim, a Muslim was the General secretary of the UNP.
Then there is another problem. Ethnic minority members who managed to rise above the ethnic lines and were adopted by the Sinhalese mainstream have often been discredited and delegitimized by some of the most articulate quarters of minorities, the type of people foreign embassy staff consult to have a grasp of Sri Lankan politics.
Consider Lakshman Kadirgamar or even Muttiah Muralitharan - or now Ali Sabri, the latter, though one could detest his political party of choice - Pohottuwa - is a true Sri Lankan patriot than most Sri Lankans. The problem with the ethnic minority political project is that Sri Lankan patriotism is made subordinate to ethnic allegiance.
There is an interesting element in the British Asian upstaters of the Conservative Party. Rishi Sunak, Suella Braverman and Priti Patel are more anti-immigrant Brexiters and devotees of British colonial legacy than average White British. That might be a political survival instinct or an engrained trait of the colonial experience, where some ethnic minorities in the British Colonies were more than happy to play the second fiddle to the White Europeans, as long as they are above the majority. This illustrious list includes young Mohandas Gandhi in South Africa, who in a series of letters to the colonial administration ranted at the ‘mixing of Indians with native savages.’
Recently, Aragalaya offered an example of non-racial political activism. A few, except an extreme bigot, cared about the race or religion of Aragalaya activists, indeed, much less than their long hair and uncut beards. Many of the prominent and vocal members in Aragalaya were Muslims and Tamils and were accepted as leaders for their commitment to the cause, much less for their race.
That non-racial inclusivity and activism could be the model if Sri Lanka is to have a minority prime minister or a president.
Follow @RangaJayasuriya on Twitter
Examiner Tuesday, 01 November 2022 02:14 AM
The majority chauvinistic racist needs a foot ball to kick from one side to the other to stay in their basic inborn power hungriness.
Thiruvengadam Ramakrishnan Tuesday, 01 November 2022 04:20 AM
Britain is nominally an Episcapalian (Anglican) Monarchy, but in reality a secular parliamentary democracy.Her national goal is simply economic prosperit and democratic rights. No after-life fantacies or pretentions! SL is nominally a Sinhala Buddhist theocracy which panders to the Sangha! In reality it is a failed State and Sangha!
Tissa Fernando Monday, 07 November 2022 07:06 PM
British people got fed up with 3 previous PMs so they elected a different person. This person is entirely British, born as British, educated at a top British school, richer than the king itself, highly educated so people expect him to do something to get Britain out of current economic conditions. Remember, not many leaders survived covid impacted economic climate
Lohan Perera. Tuesday, 01 November 2022 11:53 AM
Like it or not , the past present and future Prime Minister of Sri Lanka will be a Sinhalese / Buddhist. Stop dreaming if you think otherwise. Think whats best for the Nation and learn to love Ones motherland, as is,
Nalini Bandara Tuesday, 01 November 2022 12:46 PM
We do not need an Indian colonial parasite like Sunak as president. Indian colonial parasites here control our economy and our politicians, Sunak family mage their fortunes from Kenya and Tanzania as Indian colonial Parasites who had a free ride on the British.
Mahila Thursday, 10 November 2022 01:01 PM
As long as they pluck, Bud and 2 leaves in the misty cold climes of thehills to earn foreign exchange, that's GOOD ENOUGH!! NOTHING MORE TO BE EXPECTED by these LOSERS, as those Prime Management (PM) is the PRESERVE of Sinhala Buddhist's, to ensure they pilfer, rob and loot national wealth, to bring starvation and deprivation to the masses - Just seen outcome of 75 years of governance - vistas of prosperity in Uganda, Vietnam and Singapore, where the last iconic head roosted for a few months!!!??!!??
Adwani Tuesday, 01 November 2022 03:36 PM
@Nalini Bandara - True we do not need an Indian, but now, as Cabraal said, we need not have go to IMF with bended knees, finally we went, in future too with bended knees we will seek Indian leadership to save our nation from patriotic crooks.
thiru Tuesday, 01 November 2022 04:11 PM
Sri Lankans are a frog in the well racists disillusioned by the Sangha (entirely to contrary to what the Noble Lord Buddha stood for) As long as SL's mix up religion and education and politics they will forever be dependent on foreign aid for survival- But then SL politicians are shameless and do not mind begging from any and all-citizens are happy as long as someone throws some crumbs
murthy Tuesday, 01 November 2022 04:12 PM
Lohan Perera-you should watch/listen to some of the speeches by Singapore PM Lee Kuan
VJ Tuesday, 01 November 2022 04:29 PM
The question was whether a Tamil or a Muslim could become the president of this country. Tamils and Muslims in this country are Sri Lankans and not Indians. If one believes they are Indians, the rest of the population are Indian decent too. Go and read the Mahawamsa, Prince Vijaya and his 700 plus friends married Indian brides. So the Present day Sinhala population are Indians too. It’s a bitter truth.
Amaradasa de Silva Tuesday, 01 November 2022 05:37 PM
Sri Lankans are so disgusted with our politicians, it will be no surprise a Tamil President becomes a reality.
Facts are facts Tuesday, 01 November 2022 05:59 PM
@ Logan Perera - like it or not, to be loving neighbours, SL should have two states in one country. It was so before Britain amalgamated the two states for administrative ease. King Rajasingham from south captured and taken to South India and kept in Vellore prison and died there. King Changilian of north bravely fought the British and died in the battle like ‘ Pirapaharan’!!
Martin Milton Tuesday, 01 November 2022 06:47 PM
Someone like Mr Arun Siddharth could and should be groomed for a good leadership role in NP or Central Government in Sri Lanka. MM
Vivek Kasi Wednesday, 02 November 2022 08:03 PM
Looking at all these comments especially by Nalini and Lohan, Sri Lankans well deserve all the issues they currently have. Sri Lanka does not deserve a smart young leaders like Rishi Sunak. Sri Lanka deserves the same dictator/racist/short sighted/old leaders like they always had. Sri Lankans will never learn from the past mistakes. Good luck reviving the country from current situation. Keep up this attitude and your country will go back in years! (As it already did) Can you please explain Indian colonial parasite comment? Who do you think your government currently begs for assistance? Who is the parasite India or Sri Lanka?
Punchi Thursday, 03 November 2022 08:11 AM
Sri Lanka is like a parasitic creeping vine on a tree seeking nourishment from the prosperous world including India
Sandy Thursday, 03 November 2022 08:54 AM
How many muslim countries have non muslims as president or prime minister
Mahila Thursday, 10 November 2022 01:36 PM
One cannot ever change the demented mindset of Lankans!!?? Nothing, would change even if they have grovel in filthy mud and beg for their food from India!!?? None will admit their origin as Indian! Pride of Sri Lanka!! They will instead change and manufacture history!! If that’s not demented mind then what is!!!??? Idiotic sycophants!!
Damian Thursday, 03 November 2022 10:33 AM
He himself would not have become PM if an election was called. Just like Ranil Rajapaksa
Tissa Fernando Thursday, 03 November 2022 10:46 AM
Tamil and Muslim cannot become PM or President of Sri Lanka as majority of people will not vote for them. They have not earned trust from people as majority of these Tamil, Muslim politicians are only interested in their own communities. However, a gentleman like late Luxman Kadirgamer could have become PM as people loved him for his service to the country. It is not race that matters fir minority members , it is what they stand for that matters.
lankaputha Thursday, 03 November 2022 11:34 AM
How many years Britain had to wait to get a non white president or Prime ? Sri Lanka already had more than 100 tamil kings and decendants who ruled it in past. After democracy, we had a Anglican due SWRD Bandaranayake and Husband of a Catholic M P Rajapakshe... Also, R Wickramasinghe is not a pure Buddhist.. So have some patient, we may have a Muslim or tamil leader in due time... It is just 75 years after Democracy been introduced to Sri Lanka
Rahul K.L. Friday, 04 November 2022 05:25 AM
@lankaputha (pure buddhist) As per Buddhism there is nothing called Buddhism. Find out where and in which century 'Siddharta Gautam' was born? Some raise frocks, robes and local attires when say he was born in this island. But it has been archeologically proven that this person (Gautam) was born 2 centuries ago. Gautam's father king and mother was born in the century that chronical records. Then who is Siddharta Gautam? Daily Mirror extreme media cult allow lankaputhayas which will no way sensibly debate grave matters in this country to find out solutions.
Jeff Friday, 04 November 2022 11:34 AM
Wish all Sinhala Buddhist politician's treat mother land like mother's land.......today people would have call paradise nation with prosperity
Reality Friday, 04 November 2022 04:30 PM
Malaysia only have little more than 50% MUSLIM MAJORITY. Now The BUDDHIST MINORITY of that country is struggling very hard to get monks from Buddhist countries, Because authorities of Malaysia makes it very hard get VISA for Venerables to that country. Also does anyone bother about whats happening in Saudi Arabia??, This is the reality.. can anyone name who is the non Muslim leader of any Muslim country,. One the other hand Sri Lanka those days gave 5 or 10years visa for holding a Muslim annual meeting in Sri Lanka. So now you taking about appointing a Muslim leader in Sri Lanka,. But if Muslim population increases little morethan 50%, you'll have to talk about how to get VISA for Sri Lanka..
Fred Saturday, 05 November 2022 05:29 AM
The prosperity of the country should be the aim.If Sinhala Buddhists have run it so far (quoting from comments above) and they have failed, elect someone else as leader regardless of race or religion otherwise expect a failed state to continue need the best men at the helm to succeed, just common sense
Jaykay Saturday, 05 November 2022 01:34 PM
If you go on the basis of religion then Christian man should also be counted. For Tamils, becoming president of a shit hole country what is the use...???
Dayan Sunday, 06 November 2022 11:52 AM
We had a good chance in appointing late Hon. Minister Luxman Kadirahamar as prime minister under Chandrika. If it happened, today the Sri Lanka would have been a completely different country. No rubbing of public funds would have done as happend in the past at least.
Mahila Thursday, 10 November 2022 01:22 PM
Weerasangili VW AKA “REDDEMER of Nation”, popularly known ‘Lemon Puff” was against the move with his coterie of people seeking a revolution??? Soon after LK’s affirmative consent and his declared intent, it was unfortunate he commenced journey to meet his creator, leaving others in the “MIX”, to gain leadership in SL!!?? They (VW and their lost partners) are in earnest search of that, elusive, "Pot of Gold" - THE REVOLUTION, without much success and in the process divisive politics took hold and their divided search for salvation seems ETERNAL!? Masses are now yearning for salvation, without much success!!!??
Mandayan Sunday, 06 November 2022 10:16 PM
@Lohan Perera: Can you tell us why then, Don Stephen Senanayake, his son Dudley, Solomon Wilson Diss Banda, his wife daughter, Julious Richard Jeyawardene, two sons is Fon Alein Rajapakse and finally son of Edmon Wickiramasinghe became PMs and Presidents? Don’t give us bullshit mate!
Muralidaran Ramesh Somasunderam Tuesday, 08 November 2022 10:55 AM
A Sri Lankan Tamil,, a Indian Tamil or a Muslim willl never become a President or even even Prime Minister of Sri Lanka unless the majority Sinhalese Buddhist population think more like what has taken place in Britain. I really think this will never happen and also the caste factor is a predominant factor in Sri Lankan politics apart from the race or ethnic factor. I hope I wrong but I have my sincerer doubts.
Krish Hettiarachchi Thursday, 10 November 2022 12:45 AM
The new British PM is an absolute British in education, thinking and in the use of English. When did Sri Lanka at least have a Tamil or a Muslim leader who can speak in Sinhala as Mr. Rishi can speak in English? First one has to respect the culture of the people whom he/she wants to govern to become a leader.
Mahila Thursday, 10 November 2022 12:49 PM
No doubt in any mind!! SINHALA BUDDHISM and none else!!?? All others are OUTCASTS AND BEGOTS! Bhudham Saranam Gachchami!! The only path to Peace, Prosperity, Salvation and Survival!!? Even if starvation and shortages of essentials, what is mandatory is Sinhala Buddhist Leadership, who had held sway all this time since independence 75 years ago!! Outcomes!!???
Mahila Thursday, 10 November 2022 12:49 PM
No doubt in any mind!! SINHALA BUDDHISM and none else!!?? All others are OUTCASTS AND BEGOTS! Bhudham Saranam Gachchami!! The only path to Peace, Prosperity, Salvation and Survival!!? Even if starvation and shortages of essentials, what is mandatory is Sinhala Buddhist Leadership, who had held sway all this time since independence 75 years ago!! Outcomes!!???
Mahila Thursday, 10 November 2022 12:49 PM
No doubt in any mind!! SINHALA BUDDHISM and none else!!?? All others are OUTCASTS AND BEGOTS! Bhudham Saranam Gachchami!! The only path to Peace, Prosperity, Salvation and Survival!!? Even if starvation and shortages of essentials, what is mandatory is Sinhala Buddhist Leadership, who had held sway all this time since independence 75 years ago!! Outcomes!!???
Roshanaly Friday, 11 November 2022 10:22 AM
Forget about the President, at least in Sports, are the minority selected to play.
Daya Weeratunge Wakista Saturday, 12 November 2022 03:51 AM
We wasted the only chance we had to get a non sinhala Prime Minister in Late Lakshman Kadirgamar. We was the best Prime Minister we never had.
නිදහස් ලංකාවේ පුරෝගාම් ත්රස්තවාදීන් වන බන්ඩාරනායක ඝාතකයන් Saturday, 12 November 2022 05:28 AM
@Mahila ලබා ඇති මනුස්ස ආත්මෙට වඩා ලබන්න යනවයි කියන හරක් ආත්මෙට තව ට්කක් ආවඩන ධර්මෙන් ලැබෙන්නෙ අබ සරනම තමයි.
Jayt Sunday, 13 November 2022 06:29 AM
Jews who appointed as UK pm to win India support to Israel. But will never appoint a palastinian as their pm or president event hough country belong to palestinians. How about bringing this into a debate in the world? If you are so brave, why not coming out from hiding and have debate about palastinian who's land was taken by British and given to European Jewish settlers? You Tamil should ask British "you gave palastinian land to European jews who have nothing to do with palastinian. Hallow my friend Tamil, you should ask UK to implement Tamil law in palastine and deport all russian jews back to Russia. And if can do that. I consider you are a brave Tamil.
jayt Monday, 14 November 2022 11:57 AM
so why you don't ask American, Canadian, Australian and new Zealanders to go back to Britain? Singapore Chinese are not from Singapore, they were brought by British and gave power to them by British. they did same thing all across the world. it is also part of the product of creating Israel. real owner of Singapore is Malaysian. today uk pm was not appointed by british public. he was appointed by world jewish federation to bribe indian to attract investment, weapons sale and get indian to fight muslim world on behalf of israel
jayt Monday, 14 November 2022 12:25 PM
Sinhalese spies have been trying it with western base spies. Kidirgamar was directed to be killed by tigers under the direction of their white supporters in hope of bribing Sinhalese Buddhist voters. there were many more other attempts were made, and if we dig into last 70 years of africa history, some european going to get kick of AU. massive looting took place even greater scale after colonies. Billions of dollars are missing in AU countries every year. all money are deposited into EU banks under secret code. some African are given refugee status and when they die, money own by European, some money is looted in Au through tax, not declaring tax to AU governments
jayt Monday, 14 November 2022 12:53 PM
hi he did not do any service to Sri lanka . it is Sinhalese modayas were falling into tricks laid by British. he was a Tamil spy appointed by British. where were you? British bombed sri lanka and made sri lanka hell to frighten Madam Chandrika and hoodwink her to agree to appoint a Tamil as a foreign minister. British said to her clearly " if you appoint a Tamil as foreign minister, we help you to fight Tamil" if you are a Sinhalese spy, i tell you something. try do something else rather than dragging sri Lanka into international hatred. i don't want promote hatred against British or jews by bringing past. but if you try fool sri Lanka public on behalf of others, then I also, have obligation to stop it
cpc Tuesday, 15 November 2022 11:05 PM
Appoint a tamil or muslim president for your country
ranjan kamalanathan Wednesday, 16 November 2022 12:12 AM
@Nalini Bandara - Was Buddha born in SL or India ?
Shiran Wednesday, 16 November 2022 05:24 AM
The system that rules this country is the most deceptively corrupt and hiddenly murderous in the world backed by Buddhist monks and their obediently fearful politicians who are grave sinners. That is why they always participate and showcase religious activities and the media provide full publicity. Every politician who wants to come into power or secure power visit hundreds of temples and kovils here and India spending tax payers(stolen) money. They do everything according to their horoscopes. Therefore each and every task of national interest sometimes clash with these individual horoscopal sentiments of politicians and officials. How can one expect to develop a country with this kind of rulers? Present situation shows that they can't even run the country anymore. This is the Buddhism that is constitutionally secured to fool the fanatically faithful people who are the majority and elect same morons over and over again.
Shiran Wednesday, 16 November 2022 05:38 AM
... gravest hepocrazy was, other religious representation by cardinal also wanted to secure this failed religious system (Buddhism) constitutionally. But now he is silent on this after the April 21 2019 bomb blasts.
Dilshan Perera Thursday, 17 November 2022 11:05 AM
There has never been, nor never will be a Tamil or Muslim PM or President because the minorities of this country are a thankless race that have no love, loyalty or patriotism to the country.. simple
Jayadeva Thursday, 17 November 2022 06:31 PM
UK has a national policy which needs to be followed/driven by the leader who comes to power at any term. It has a clear mandate to take country forward. Here you do not find a steady Policy even in a rural society . All runs with the ideology of the crook comes to power at every term. No matter who comes, end of the day, all crooks suck this to last drop. If a country runs on a national policy. the president can do little more on changes to build his/her crdit
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