The
just concluded presidential election is an national election, in other words
for who are claiming to be patriotic it is an election for one nation known as
Sri Lanka, with pluralistic society born and bred for centuries of years. The so
called “patriotic”, as far as for few Sinhala Buddhists schemed scholars or if
I put it in somewhat correct English terms narrow minded Nationalistic people,
(still I am pondering for an absolute correct term in English to describe these
people) substantiating the victory of the opposition common candidate is as of “minority
votes”, and votes of “minority of the majority” only; it is absolute
nonsense. I thought Dr. Dayan
Jayathilakke is a well-educated scholar, but it is quite absurd to interpret a
national election, that would elect a person with highest authority to rule
entire nation of pluralistic society in such a manner. This Dr. Dayan Jayathilakke was one time
Governor General of amalgamated North-Eastern Province, and did he looked after
the interests of only Sinhala Buddhists there and upon that he was promoted to
represent the Sinhala Buddhists only in the foreign missions? Here it reveals
the problem of the Tamil Community of Sri Lanka, who wanted to live amicably
with untainted self-respect that includes certain decree of self-reliance. For example
during 1970 to 1976 their economic status of the northern population was flourishing
through the economic policy of the then government, though at the expense of
southern Sinhalese Peasants for whom agricultural infrastructure was poor then.
This was the reason for the losing presidential candidate of the 1982
presidential election, Hector Kobbekaduwa who was the minister for Lands and
Agriculture during 1970 – 1976 securing votes more heavily than JR in Northern
Province then.
Now coming back to last weeks’ presidential
election if by chance the northerners have voted heavily for Mahinda Rajapaksha
for his infrastructure developments, restored train services, roads, etc. the
disposed president wouldn’t have come out with this nonsense of an
interpretation of a national election. That
didn’t happen because one of many reasons importantly the most of the highly
fertile agricultural lands are either under the control of army or unable to
made use for self-reliance. Maithiripala Srisena being a paddy field farmer
from Polannaruwa had an appeal in those section of people, similar to that of
1982 presidential election.
I don’t see this presidential election results as an
absolutely polarized ethnic issue, though with certain degree of disapproval
among minorities, but rather a common cause of rectifying the turmoil this tiny
nation has undergone during the autocratic rule of last five years; true these
minorities felt the failure of good governance than the majority community.
Based on this factor, unmistakably difference in dissemination of truthful facts
had played huge role in the election results of the south. This is revealed
where urban has heavily voted for Maithiripala Srisena and even in the townships
of remote districts same pattern has prevailed despite Mahinda Rajapaksha
winning those districts. In remote villages where only the Govt. Media are
traditionally predominant voted in favor of Mahinda Rajapaksha and in most
electorates just edging out. “The war will be at their gates if opposition
elected” was drilled into the brains of very remote villagers and failure of
governance had zero effects. This villagers for a certain decree need not worry
much about the day to day living, where home grown or environment kept them in
manageable limit, but for urban it was a huge problem that influenced the vote
cast in favor of common opposition candidate in big way.
It is an absolute absurd to describe these
election results as of minority component because a back of the envelope calculation shows that Maithripala
Sirisena was given a majority of 654,521 by the peoples of Northern and Eastern
provinces that are predominantly Tamil and Muslim areas. This huge majority was
in fact reduced substantially to 450,000 because of the majority given to
Mahinda Rajapaksa by the Sinhala voters in the south. The irony of this is that
Mahinda Rajapaksa actually got the majority of Sinhala votes in the south
notwithstanding the fact that Sinhala voters were also disappointed of the
regime for different reasons. In most of the electorates the count was neck to
neck run. Based on these facts actual description of the victory of Maithiripala Srisena is that the Sinhala voters of the south, who were yearning for a change of government just enlarged votes accumulated in the minorities predominant areas. it should be the most fitting results for a healing society off three decades of war and misunderstandings
Mahinda Rajapaksha’s highest majority was achieved in Tangalle electorate of Hambanthotta district (62,739 – MS 32,596) = 30,143,Mulkirigala (52,202 – 27,601) = 24,601 and in his own electorate Beliatta (39,513 – 21,912) = 17,601
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; this means even within his own district Mahinda Rajapaksha could not completely rouse the roster of racialism despite army personals were organizing musical programs in support of Mahinda Rajapaksha and through minimum propaganda Maithiripala Srisena mustered a total of 138,708 votes. Where comes the minority votes here? Another electorate Mahinda Rajapaksha secured higher majority was Ampara (76,409 – 47,) = 28,751, this is an electorate within a clearly pluralistic district of Digamadulla, despite Maithiripala Srisena securing a comfortable victory. This results clearly manifests that most of the Sinhalese are living in fear that is installed in them by the autocratic rulers for the family’s benefit despite celebrating the war victory for five consecutive years in Colombo. Sivaskanthan alias Pillaiyan and V. Muralitharan alias Karuna have been continuing their life style of intimidation to survive amongst the innocent people since their teen age unabated. Though same pattern is manifested in Seruwila electorate of Trincomalee where Mahinda Rajapaksha won only by slender margin of 1885, indicates family’s install fear theory is just fading out.
Mahinda Rajapaksha’s highest majority was achieved in Tangalle electorate of Hambanthotta district (62,739 – MS 32,596) = 30,143,Mulkirigala (52,202 – 27,601) = 24,601 and in his own electorate Beliatta (39,513 – 21,912) = 17,601
; this means even within his own district Mahinda Rajapaksha could not completely rouse the roster of racialism despite army personals were organizing musical programs in support of Mahinda Rajapaksha and through minimum propaganda Maithiripala Srisena mustered a total of 138,708 votes. Where comes the minority votes here? Another electorate Mahinda Rajapaksha secured higher majority was Ampara (76,409 – 47,) = 28,751, this is an electorate within a clearly pluralistic district of Digamadulla, despite Maithiripala Srisena securing a comfortable victory. This results clearly manifests that most of the Sinhalese are living in fear that is installed in them by the autocratic rulers for the family’s benefit despite celebrating the war victory for five consecutive years in Colombo. Sivaskanthan alias Pillaiyan and V. Muralitharan alias Karuna have been continuing their life style of intimidation to survive amongst the innocent people since their teen age unabated. Though same pattern is manifested in Seruwila electorate of Trincomalee where Mahinda Rajapaksha won only by slender margin of 1885, indicates family’s install fear theory is just fading out.
