We are caught in a whirlpool of corruption far from what the late Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera would have even imagined possible after three years of yahapalana governance. It is indeed appalling to see the birth anniversary of the late Sobitha Thera becoming the unveiling centre for such corruption, ranging from Perpetual millions of Aloysian linkage to the political corruption of the past and present.
President Maithripala Sirisena certainly made a big show of corruption exposure, with the deserving target of his coalition partner UNP, when the SLFP is also badly exposed with Perpetual-Aloysian corruption, with the million rupee cheque cashed by former Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera. It is now known that Aloysian cheque payments would cover at least 118 persons, across the political divide of the UNP and SLFP, and include other persons.
In a situation of increasing political isolation, President Sirisena, certainly had cause to make his loud proclamation of non-corruption on the birth anniversary of Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera. But the very event he chose for this, and the contents of his strong declarations and allegations, also raise important questions on the very stuff of Yahapalanaya or Good Governance, that was the key slogan of the Common Candidate for the Executive Presidency in January 2015.
He certainly can make strong claims of not being involved or supportive of the UNP-led or organised corruption. His appointment of a Presidential Commission of Inquiry to probe the Central Bank Bond Scams, in 2016, is certainly a flower on his lapel. He is correct that the late Sobitha Thera would not have wanted the government formed after the defeat of the corrupt Rajapaksa Presidency in January 2015 to be involved in any Bond Scams. But, his loud and flashy protests, as well as allegations against others, do not erase the fact of a coalition government – of which he, was, is and remains the leader. Even with personal cleanliness or innocence, the leader of a government, one having the powers of an Executive Presidency – of JRJ politics – cannot remove oneself from the stuff and substance associated with such government. In very simple terms, the leader of the pack is answerable for the pack. And this pack is very much a combine of the UNP and SLFP (UPFA) - the two teams led by Ranil Wickremesinghe and Maithripala Sirisena, the latter being the captain of the pack.
Executive Presidency
Ven. Sobitha Thera would certainly not have supported or promoted bank heists. But it is also important to remember there were other matters of political importance that Ven. Sobitha Thera, and others who backed the Common Candidate, were very keen on achieving. The first was the abolition of the Executive Presidency. We are now facing the shocking reality of it being abandoned by the “Unity Coalition” and being pushed with difficulty and little hope by the JVP. It is also important to recall some of the political realities of the Common Candidate’s success, now being given a different political twist – in the hope of a difficult SLFP reawakening.
The Common Candidate Maithripala Sirisena knew the UNP had only 47 members in Parliament. But, its leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as Prime Minister soon after Mr. Sirisena was sworn in as President. No one looked for a parliamentary majority. In fact candidate Sirisena’s manifesto said Mr. Wickremesinghe would be sworn in as the new prime minister. One must not forget this minority government did push through the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, bringing some restrictions to the powers of the Executive Presidency (with some shortcomings, too) obtaining a two-thirds majority and more in parliament. That was the public mood – the Ven. Sobitha Thera’s expectation in limited terms.
The most important thing to be done after the success in the Presidential Poll was to dissolve parliament. Who did not do it? Does one forget Sobitha Thera’s saying the pan is hot, but the ‘roti’ is not toasted? Before 19A, the Executive President had all powers to dissolve parliament at that time. Why was it not done? Was it to get a UNP budget with voter concessions, passed with the support of the Rajapaksa-led SLFP? Was dissolution delayed to enable those elected to parliament for the first time in 2010 to get their pensions - part of yahapalanaya or tactical politics?
There is a much to be recalled in this short history of yahapalanaya, where the crooked politics corruption play an important role. President Sirisena has criticized comparisons with Mahathir Mohamad; fair enough, some facts may be wrong. But, Mahathir Mohamad at 92 years has acted very fast to arrest the former Prime Minister. Yet, what of the huge delays in bringing to book even some, if not all, who were crooked and corrupt in the previous government – the Rajapaksa Regime; of which one must admit Mr. Sirisena was a Cabinet Minister for nearly ten years? It was a hugely corrupt Cabinet, and we now learn that he was not.
Delay in catch
What was the cause for all the delays in bringing those corrupt politicians, Ministers and MPs, officials, and family members to book? Was it solely because Law and Order, and Justice, were ministries held by the UNP- Sagala Ratnayaka and Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe? Why was the first questioning of the former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa – re- Siriliya Saviya – done in the then Speaker’s residence? There is a whole range of questions that arise about the importance given to the fight against corruption by the Yahapalana government, steadily and speedily moving away from the pledges given to the people; and from the expectations of the Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera; and these are certainly part of the Head of Government and State – the Executive President’s responsibility.
There are also questions about how the President himself found fault with the Bribery or Corruption Commission for bringing action against decorative uniformed members of the Armed Forces and former Defence Secretary, who had to move in Court with such decorative and ceremonial apparel. Do uniforms prevent persons being brought to justice on corruption or fraud? Is that any part of Ven. Sobitha’s thinking?
President Sirisena has also been taken aback by legal action taken against former Minister T.B. Ekanayake for giving an official vehicle to another, former Deputy Minister Priyankara Jayaratne for giving a job to his daughter, and former Minster A. H. M. Fowzie for misusing an official vehicle of another ministry. Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera (Secretary – UPFA) earlier said on TV that these were only sprats, and the search should be for the sharks. The President too, no doubt, thinks such sprats should not be tracked or caught. The issue is that the Common Candidate never said in his campaign that the law would not be used against sprats, while promising action against the big sharks of the Rajapaksa Regime. The fact today is that those sharks are very much free. Does not the catching of sprats help prevent the growth of watchful sharks, even later? One more point, is it in order for political power to result in one’s brother being appointed to head one of the most profitable state organisations in the digital age? Does political brotherhood assure special privileges on the management and control of the paddy market? What is the Sobitha thinking on this?
SLFP – SLPP crises
Captain Cool, Arjuna Ranatunga, who led Sri Lanka to World Cup glory in Cricket, has said ‘Cricket corruption goes right to the top’. Although his reference is to cricket, there is enough to show that corruption in the country keeps moving to the highest in every field, especially in business and politics. Dayasiri Jayasekera’s million rupee encounter with Arjun Aloysius is just one window to this whole range of corruption prevailing in politics and governance.
The explanations being prodded by him are a mockery to people who clearly voted to fight and eradicate corruption from society.
The UNP remains shamed by the corruption of Arjuna Mahendran and son-in-law Arjun Aloysius. The latest million is shaming the SLFP, especially the 16 who shamed Ranil Wickremesinghe over the Bond Scams, voted against him in the recent No Confidence Motion. This Aloysian chain of corruption has tied many of our politicians today. The talk of 118 more would be Aloysian millionaires, raises important questions about the situation in both politics and governance. The increasing silence of the Joint Opposition over issues of corruption, adds to the problems caused by the divisions within the SLFP.
If the 118 Aloysian millionaires are exposed, it could also cause major problems within the SLPP too. The SLFP in this critical phase, of bad leadership and major divisions, can hardly expect to be a future king maker with such corruption. But, how much will this disperse to the ranks of the SLPP too, and what effect it can have on the presidential line up of the SLPP, will certainly be a major issue, bringing new concerns to the SLPP leadership.
There could be a new phase for the anti-corruption strategies of Ven. Sobitha Thera.
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