President Mahinda Rajapaksa has now formally sent General Fonseka’s resignation and its acceptance for Gazette notification, clearing the last of the impediments in the General’s way, for him to hand in nominations. In the meantime, as he has done for the past several weeks, Fonseka has held the limelight and the attention of the press.
Azath Salley and Johnston Fernando
Sarath Fonseka held his maiden press conference last Sunday – as exclusively revealed by The Sunday Leader – which was very well attended. In a move reminiscent to Barack Obama, Fonseka used his punch line: “I will win” and explained in both Sinhalese and in English, his reasons for entering the political arena. It was not he said, for personal gain but it was because he had no wish to continue to be silent. He said that due to the fact that he was previously employed by the government he could not use that link to remain silent on matters which he said needed urgent correction.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa
The economy was in dire straits amongst many equally pressing matters and he was almost apologetic in his quest to seek the highest office in the land. Certainly, he appeared to be a man who is a reluctant politician, propelled into action ironically by the actions of his previous employers. For a novice in politics, he did extremely well indeed.
There was a Q&A session at the end and the questions flew from all directions. When some of the questions needed probing answers he said it the way it was: this was not the forum for detailed responses but nevertheless the answers would be forthcoming. He alluded to his new friendship with Ranil Wickremesinghe and Mangala Samaraweera: the past he said was the past – the country’s needs were paramount and in that context, in spite of the Salvation Army leadership, Fonseka was friends with both RW and Mangala.
Gen. Sarath Fonseka and Dhanuka Tillekaratne
Some of his answers, however, raised more questions and it is of significant interest. When asked about his pronouncements on the minority issue and his by now infamous interview with a North American publication, General Fonseka said that he had been misquoted. Those statements were made in October 2008 and the General waited for an opportune moment to clarify. He has followed this up with Mano Ganesan and has been successful in enlisting his support towards his camp.
Fonny And The Green Card
With some of his answers he displayed an almost child-like naivety, which in itself was refreshing: when asked if he would give up his US-green card status, prior to the elections, he said he used it to travel to see his daughters. He admitted that a visa would do just as well but said it was simpler this way. He said he would give it up when he won the presidency. He would not “run away” and abandon the maha janathawa in case he lost.
At Odds With The Jvp
His answer that he would follow the “open economy” has caused many to wonder how this fits with his other main supporter’s vision: that of the JVP. The JVP did form part of the Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga government in 2004 which stuck to the open economy. Fonseka also said that this common alliance did not have only his intellectual power: there were others in the alliance with whom, together, they would address these issues.
Tin Pot Dictator
The General kept most of his answers business-like but he simply could not let this go: towards the end, he said that we could not leave the future of this country to a ‘tin pot dictator.’ That many construed was the opening salvo in a future that will see a veritable barrage of disclosures that would no doubt support the ‘tin pot dictator’ statement.
The Mr Clean Image:
Fonseka’s image as the champion of corruption is still under attack by websites known to have a pro-Rajapaksa stance. The General admitted that his son-in-law and the people behind Hicorp were friends. His son-in-law had been merely “helping his friend as a point of contact.” There was he said, no connection between the US version of the same company in Sri Lanka. In any event the General said that he was only part of the evaluation process and that all other matters including negotiating prices was done by the government owned Lanka Logistics. Lanka Logistics however remains an unknown entity as far as the public are concerned.
Crossovers And Support
Azath Salley’s removal from the UNP Working Committee saw a flurry of activity not from the UNP but from the government. He was courted by the Presidential Strategic Adviser and is likely to support the government at public rallies with his message: that the Tamil speaking communities within the United National Party should not vote for Fonseka. Last week Salley had indicated his displeasure along with Johnston Fernando.
Others who did not vote against but who were conspicuous by their absence at the vote included Thalatha Athukorala and Sajith Premadasa. A senior UNP member said that Azath Salley posed no problem at all: it was as they reminded us, the party who gave life to these members. Without the party the members were reduced to non-entities.
Talks of crossovers and et tu Brute’ are as usual doing the rounds. Some of these include an attempt to lure Thalatha Athukorala towards the government though that failed when Athukorala refused to cast aside her shackles of loyalty in memory at least of her brother and so the move was doused before it could gain currency. There was talk of Arjuna Ranatunga, Dr Rajitha Senaratna, Azath Salley, Johnston Fernando, Asoka Abeysingha all crossing over. All of them have strenuously denied any such move.
There was also talk of UK based Vimukthi Kumaratunga entering the fray. Though this may appeal to the long-term plans of President Kumaratunga, it is highly unlikely that young Dr. Vimukthi Kumaratunga will return to Sri Lanka and take on the political legacy of the Bandaranaikes.
Meanwhile his mother wrote to the President in her capacity as patron of the SLFP asking Rajapaksa to ensure that the SLFP maintain the lofty democratic values that the Bandaranaikes envisaged for their party. This was when President Kumaratunga wrote to Rajapaksa complaining about the incidences of violence at the Bandaranaike Memorial in Horagolla.
Websites And Scurillous Mails
The growing use of websites to fuel an almost national pastime – scurrilous mail – is an issue that perhaps the judicial authorities must take up. Hiding behind the cloak of anonymity, websites continue to publish material that even the most ardent of tabloids anywhere in the world, would steer clear of fearing the use of libel by the subjects.
However in Sri Lanka today, this has become part and parcel of the political setup with both the government and the opposition quite happy to turn the Nelsonian eye. It is this penchant for turning the ‘blind eye’ that has caused Sri Lanka to have so many mishaps when it comes to corruption and governance. Freedom of speech and media freedom are almost conveniently forgotten when it comes to websites. Is this also, an acceptance that the judiciary is not strong enough or are not focused enough on such issues?
Mud slinging of course is part and parcel of politics. It is clearly not for the faint hearted. It is very seldom that the opposing party is given nothing when it comes to mud slinging: the name of Karu Jayasuriya comes up immediately.
The allegations against General Fonseka in particular, are offensive and to the point that it may even secure momentum and gain prominence amongst the populace. Naturally the government will seek political mileage of these allegations. For Fonseka however, the gap is treacherous. If he launches legal action — we think he would — he would take high moral ground and also put to rest speculation once and for all. The digital divide is now pretty much closing in and with the use of the latest technology including SMS and the internet, information is freely available for all and sundry and that includes the rural vote base where much of the bulk of voters live.
The misinformation works both ways. There has been a campaign to project the Defence Secretary as the ‘owner’ of the former Apollo Hospital. In fact Gotabaya Rajapaksa serves as its chairman and is not a shareholder. The management of the hospital were forced to put out a statement to clarify matters.
The point is this: like we said in our column last week, it is the people within the Presidential entourage who stand accused of excesses and corruption. Similarly accusations that persons connected to Fonseka have also dipped into the cake bowl for a taste of what is to come, will be of little surprise. If the Chief Executive – with all the powers conferred upon him – cannot stop those around him, then what chance does anyone else have? Sri Lankans have shown a penchant for believing the most extreme vilification from any prominent personage and this battle is going to bring out the best and the worst of those involved.
Fonseka will need to ensure that he has an effective “Spin” department. Never before, in the annals of presidential polls in this country, has the power of the media become so apparent. It is only a fool who will be parted from the media. The ability of his team to effectively manage the misinformation coming out will be the key to Fonseka’s campaign. In this Gen Fonseka has a pro in Mangala Samaraweera and heavy weights such as Karu Jayasuriya and Ravi Karunanayake.
Failure on that part will ensure that rather like Chappaquiddick was Senator Edward Kennedy’s folly, Fonseka’s dalliances with the Canadian press on minority rights, visits overseas when a war was raging, his family’s involvement or not on other matters and his own track record at the army where he spent nearly 40 years will be the issues that dominate a Fonseka loss. Effective management of these almost trifling matters will cleanse the way for Fonseka to propel forward his vision on the campaign trail.
The UNP seniors were busy: Ranil Wickremesinghe, Karu Jayasuriya and Ravi Karunanayake met with various foreign ambassadors and brought them upto speed on the latest developments. A senior UNP member reminded this column that despite Bandula Gunawardena’s pronouncements to the contrary and his various moves, prices have in fact risen. They question whether the weather gods have launched into a conspiracy all on their own that affects Bandula Gunawardena’s better efforts.
Screaming at the top on national television does not fill stomachs nor hide prices across the country. To dole out limited stocks from Laksathosa outlets will not drive the message home.
On a more serious note, the opposition has asked for five live debates with the President. The opposition model is one without teleprompters and will cover five subjects. They have proposed a model based on having representative moderators drawn from not just the state media but from a cross section. At the time of going to press the government had not made its response known. It is highly unlikely that the government or for that matter President Rajapaksa will accept such a debate. The state owned media meanwhile continues one sided debates almost like batting without a fielding side.
The Rajapaksas continue to keep it within the family and playing it close to their own chest. The President has appointed nephew Shamindra Rajapaksa as his campaign manager and the younger son of Chamal Rajapaksa is now working out of Temple Trees.
Basil Rajapaksa is busy burning the midnight oil with meetings starting early and going on late into the night. This would limit the other senior government members to be the foot soldiers during the campaign once again underscoring the fact that it is the Rajapaksa family that calls the shots. However the architect of this campaign is none other than Mahinda Rajapaksa. It is he who undoubtedly has the wherewithal and the natural ability to campaign effectively. He is expected to take on the General fully, leaving no stone unturned. Just as well too – because the Fonseka pendulum is gaining momentum.
General Fonseka cast the line last week: he will need to maintain that spirit and purpose of mind in the next few weeks if he is to consign President Rajapaksa to the list of ‘also rans’. Interesting days lie ahead for Sri Lanka and also for the overly political minded populace.
අපි නම් නෙවෙයි...