Living in a fantasy

Presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka seems to be living in a world of fantasy, created by a handful of bankrupt politicians in the Opposition.

Instead of commanding the respect he earned as a military officer, Fonseka is now craving for power.

The JVP has taken the lead role in Fonseka's election campaign, even overshadowing the UNP, the main political party in the Opposition. Fonseka, who has a proven track record with the bullet, is now getting ready to capture power through the ballot.

Fonseka's Presidential election campaign is spearheaded by the JVP, which had attempted to capture power through the bullet in 1971 and 1987/89. On analysing the recent statements made by JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe, one wonders whether the JVP still has faith in the bullet.

It is evident that Fonseka has become a political prisoner under JVP custody as the Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe plays games to hold on to the UNP leadership. While the JVP is perhaps attempting to use Fonseka to achieve their 1971 and 1987/89 objective of capturing power at any cost, Wickremesinghe has 'auctioned' the political identity of the UNP in the latter's quest for power.

As a result, Fonseka is fast losing the respect, dignity and credibility he earned as one of the Tri-Forces commanders who led Sri Lanka's relentless battle against terrorism. It seems that Fonseka has taken wrong signals from the overwhelming support and gratitude the masses extended towards the Security Forces.

He now attempts to grab the entire credit for the elimination of the LTTE terror, notwithstanding the significant roles played by the Sri Lanka Air Force and the Navy as well as the supreme sacrifices made by the soldiers who manned the forward defence lines (FDLs).

While appreciating the role played by Fonseka as the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, it is needless to state that he should not overestimate himself. We had exemplary military officers of the calibre of General Denzil Kobbekaduwa, but their efforts could not be turned into results as they did not have the support of political leaders.

Fonseka has vast experience as a seasoned Army officer but is a babe in the 'Political Montessori'. Is the blind leading the blind as bankrupt politicians such as Ranil Wickremesinghe, Mangala Samaraweera, Somawansa Amarasinghe, Rauf Hakeem and Mano Ganeshan have joined the bandwagon to show Fonseka the 'path to victory'?

The Retired General, who is marching from grace to disgrace, dropped the first bombshell when he elaborated on the powers he intends to grant for a future President. Though the common slogan of the UNP, JVP, SLMC, Samaraweera and Ganeshan is the abolition of the Executive Presidency, Fonseka seems to have other ideas.The cat was out of Fonseka's bag when the Retired General said he does not intend to play a namesake role played by former President William Gopallawa, who did not have executive powers. To which extent will Fonseka abolish the executive powers of the President, if elected, is best known to him.

Not knowing the gravity of Fonseka's statement and the price they would have to pay for backing a former Army officer, the JVP and UNP are dreaming of capturing power at any cost. The masses are deeply cognizant of how the JVP disrupted the people's day-to-day life during their second armed insurrection in 1987/89. Sixteen years after the failure of their 1971 insurgency, the JVP waged another armed struggle in 1987. Two decades after the unsuccessful 'local red revolution', the JVP is now attempting to sing a different tune under the shadow of Fonseka.

Does Fonseka have answers to any of the burning issues in the country? The answer is an emphatic no. He waxes eloquent on the abolition of the Executive Presidency ad nauseum. That has now turned out to be a repeating groove on an old record. Unlike the clear-cut policy statement of the Mahinda Chinthana, Fonseka has so far been unable to outline his policies on the country's economy, education, defence, foreign and health sectors.

Fonseka has already endorsed Wickremesinghe's 'Regaining Sri Lanka' policy which was rejected in toto by the masses at the 2005 Presidential Elections.

The UNP and the JVP must clearly state whether they would revive the 'Regaining Sri Lanka' and eat humble pie.On the other hand, Fonseka says that he has come forward for the Presidential Election because the Government ill-treated him. But people know only too well how Fonseka was overrated and granted many privileges, including a 25-perch plot of land worth over Rs. 90 million. What more could a retired Government servant demand?

Nevertheless, Fonseka cries foul and says that he is contesting the Presidential Elections as he was disheartened. Does this imply that he is taking to politics after retirement to settle a personal score and not for the love of the country and the masses? If Fonseka had even an iota of feeling for the country, he would never have joined hands with people such as Wickremesinghe, Samaraweera, Hakeem and Ganeshan,

These opportunist politicians worked overtime, providing the ammunition for certain countries in the West, to tarnish Sri Lanka's image before the 'International Community' and slow down the humanitarian operation.

Could a patriot with a conscience ever even imagine doing such things? Certainly not! The masses are closely watching Fonseka's moves and to which extent he is going to tarnish Sri Lanka's reputation with these shameless Opposition politicians.

We still respect Fonseka's right to contest elections as any other civil citizen in the society. But the biggest tragedy is the manner he has chosen to enter mainstream politics. It is a pity that power-hungry Opposition politicians are attempting to use Fonseka's credibility to devalue the recent success of the Security Forces. The man who was not good enough, according to Samaraweera, to lead even the Salvation Army, is now proposed to lead the nation!