Gotabaya would be a nightmare for Tamils and Muslims

By Taylor Dibbert

I’m confused as to why G.L. Peiris is so confident that support from minorities is going to “seal their candidate’s victory at the upcoming Presidential Election” (see ‘SLPP confident of minority support for GR’ - http://www.ft.lk/news/SLPP-confident-of-minority-support-for-GR/56-687642).

It’s true “that the current Government had failed to deliver on the promises made to minority communities during the past four-and-a-half years”. The present administration clearly hasn’t addressed minority grievances adequately.

However, it’s hard to see how an incoming Gotabaya Rajapaksa administration would treat the country’s numerical minorities in a more just way. On the contrary, it’s more likely that another Rajapaksa regime would erode the nation’s fragile democratic gains. And, concomitantly, an anti-minority agenda should be expected.

There’s no doubt that Maithripala Sirisena and company have been huge disappointments, and corruption is still a big problem. But we shouldn’t conflate a rudderless, incompetent and weak administration with a ruthless, nepotistic and authoritarian regime that obviously espouses dynastic ambitions.

Gotabaya surrogates like Peiris are promulgating nonsense. Then Gotabaya surrogates like Peiris are promulgating more nonsense. Gotabaya is new to politics, though his record is well-known. He oversaw the slaughter of Tamil civilians in 2009 and was an active participant in the rising authoritarianism that followed. Tamils and then Muslims suffered disproportionately.

Gotabaya is going to get plenty of votes because he’s trampled upon minority rights, although he shouldn’t get to have it both ways. Tamils and Muslims are not going to be better off if the Rajapaksas return to power. 

The Rajapaksas are inveterate racists with formidable undemocratic credentials – from war crimes to sustained militarisation to white van abductions and more. 

Gotabaya surrogates like Peiris are essentially pathological liars or highly delusional.