Masses can see through Opposition's wiles

It is still fresh in people's minds how the New Democratic Front (NDF) candidate Sarath Fonseka acted during his unsuccessful Presidential election campaign. He made sweeping statements and his close supporters did not vote for him.

One of the many outrageous statements was that he branded those who opposed his political ideology as his enemies. In most of his campaign rallies, Fonseka said these people would be brought to the Galle Face Green to be punished in public after his 'victory'.

In the same vein, Maithripala Sirisena is also contesting under the same party and symbol and making similar statements which undermine the independence of the judiciary. Maithripala has threatened to even close the Katunayake International Airport from January 8, 2015 midnight - the day of the Presidential election, to prevent his rivals from leaving the country after his 'victory'.

This very statement undermines the law of the land. What is more baffling is that such a statement comes from a man who preaches good governance, democracy and the independence of the judiciary.

Moreover, if any citizen is accused of any offence or breach of the law, it is a matter for the judiciary to decide as the Executive has no power whatsoever to punish or impose rules on a citizen. This was exactly what Fonseka threatened to do in the 2010 January and five years on, another NDF candidate - Maithripala is doing likewise.

Any citizen has the right to travel abroad provided he has a valid visa and only a Court ruling could prevent a person from leaving the country. This is the general practice in all countries, even those which do not practise democracy. Nevertheless, Maithripala has threatened to take over this right and curb citizens' foreign travel which could be done only by a judge.

This means that Maithripala is yearning to acquire not only Executive powers but also to take over the Judiciary if he becomes President. Could any person in his right senses expect such abominable conduct from a man who had pledged to abolish the Executive Presidency within 100 days of assuming office?

This alone goes to prove that Maithripala would not only retain the Executive Presidency but also take over the powers of the Judiciary to become a dictator. Only those who had worked with him closely would know what a conceited, domineering and selfish man he is. Had the masses been fully aware of the real Maithripala Sirisena, he would not have attracted even one percent of the votes he had polled at the last general election.

The million dollar question today is whether the JHU and the UNP need a dictator of this type to replace President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who has barely exercised his full Executive powers, vested under the 1978 Constitution introduced by none other than the former UNP leader - the late President J.R. Jayewardene? Perhaps, the prime reason for the JHU to quit the Government and support Maithripala was the Executive Presidency. The true colours of the so-called common candidate and the dictator in him could now be seen clearly with his sweeping statements.

If parliamentarian Maithripala Sirisena could make such wild statements, one could well visualise how he would act if he were to become President. Those who shout from the rooftops would realise that President Rajapaksa has been too benign and exercised his Executive powers, the least, compared to his predecessors.

Those who follow Maithripala, blindly and live in a political fantasy would realise the bitter truth only when it is too late. A dictator of this nature would by no means agree to prune his powers and would rather introduce Constitutional amendments to give more teeth to the Executive Presidency.

Maithripala is insatiable and would take the law into his hands to wreak vengeance from his political opponents - be it within his own 'government' or any other political party. Could anyone perceive Maithripala's hidden agenda and expect him to turn King Sirisangabo and hand over the Executive powers to the Prime Minister. Is Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe guaranteed the Premiership which Maithripala promised at the outset of his election campaign?

It is as clear as daylight that Maithripala is taking the power-hungry UNP for a good ride and exploiting the JHU's slogan to abolish the Executive presidency. If an upstart Maithripala could make such weird statements, what would he do if he secures Executive powers is anybody's guess.

The UNP should realise this imminent danger. Their enemy is within their ranks. Wickremesinghe made the supreme sacrifice for the second time in good faith, in the hope that the political opponent whom he is unable to beat single handedly - President Rajapaksa, could be ousted by an extraneous force who has come to the UNP's rescue. Ranil even in his wildest dreams would not realise the impending danger and what a costly exercise it would turn out to be.

It is a foregone conclusion that Maithripala would never install Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister even if he wins next month's polls. If his mentor and former President Chandrika Bandaranike Kumaratunga feels that she could make a comeback through Maithripala, she is sadly mistaken. Maithripala is not the same man who had served in her Cabinet ten years ago.

The other lurking danger which jeopardises the country's national security is the assurances that Maithripala and his cohorts have given the LTTE rump. By a strange quirk of fate, nine members of the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam were in Singapore at the same time when Maithripala, Wickremesinghe, Chandrika, Mangala Samaraweera and their bandwagon were in that country recently.

The conspiracies were hatched by top members of the so-called common opposition while in Singapore.

The Maithripala gang is supporting the anti-Mahinda Rajapaksa sentiment along with various international forces. Since the LTTE rump and a few Western countries are hell-bent on a regime change in Sri Lanka, they are exploiting Maithripala to achieve their vicious goals.

Chandrika Kumaratunga, Maithripala Sirisena, Champika Ranawaka, Ranil Wickremesinghe, Mangala Samaraweera and Sarath Fonseka had been in Singapore on November 2 for a variety of reasons. It has now come to light that a powerful LTTE delegation, including nine 'ministers' of the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam were also in Singapore during this period. More details of the Opposition's greatest betrayal with the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam will come to light sooner than later.

Sri Lanka has a patriotic leader who can face any international challenge and no other force on earth would be permitted to raise its ugly head again. Hence, this unholy alliance is teaming up to wage a battle against its common enemy - President Rajapaksa. They resorted to various tactics and even attempted to take undue advantage of the UNHRC. Having failed miserably in all such attempts, the LTTE rump and the West have got together to use the Presidential election to oust the leadership which had been a stumbling block to them during the past nine years.

Minister Keheliya Rambukwella last week said that Maithripala and his team had entered into agreements with 44 people. It is mind-boggling how they can ensure the country's stability with 44 such elements. The masses will by no means permit them to destabilise the country.

Although Maithripala is preaching good governance day and night, he must first and foremost set an example by revealing to the public the agreements he had entered into with various political groups, especially the TNA and the Tamil Diaspora which support the LTTE rump. The masses have their grave reservations about Maithripala's and Chandrika's moves. They would descend to any level and betray the country in their lust for power.

The LTTE rump is acutely aware that the time is opportune to tap the Opposition politicians who are going hammer and tongs to capture power at any cost. The LTTE cohorts know only too well that these Opposition politicians could be bought over easily because they care less for the country. The masses should remain vigilant over these opportunistic politicians who are ever willing to even sell a part of the country so that they could control the rest.By contrast, President Rajapaksa has not signed any agreements with any political group for that matter. The constituent parties of the UPFA have worked closely with the President for the past 10 years. A large number of members of the so-called common opposition have a visceral hatred against the President. The masses are deeply cognizant of these threats and would teach these disgruntled elements a bitter political lesson.