Reading between the lines

IN a finely poised contest any word uttered by President Maithripala Sirisena is imbibed with added value. Despite choosing to stay largely silent during a feisty campaign President Sirisena’s last minute missive to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has raised red flags on both sides.

President Sirisena made his views about his predecessor crystal clear at the start of campaigning and the second round of words, even though delivered in a more staid manner, has significant punching power. 

The President, never one to mince his words, laid out his deep displeasure over Rajapaksa continuing to use nationalistic rhetoric to whip up racial tensions and pithily reminded his predecessor of the bitter defeat he suffered in January as a result of promoting divisive politics.

Recalling the illustrious history of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), Sirisena went onto polish its inclusive credentials but once again showcased how he was powerless to prevent a split in it by means other than stepping aside. Having turned the other cheek when Rajapaksa was plotting to re-enter politics through a different party and over the battle of the Ranatunga family, Sirisena attempted to gain ground by pointing out that Rajapaksa loyalists were wooing Sirisena behind the former president’s back. Criticism was also levelled at Rajapaksa for allowing smaller parties to hijack the voter base of the SLFP.

He also insisted other party seniors, including sibling Chamal Rajapaksa, were eligible to be Prime Minister, should the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) take the lead at the election. At that point, Sirisena assured that he would intervene to ensure that the party could form a coalition Government but appealed to Rajapaksa to step aside and render up the coveted premier post. 

Such a stance by the President could raise concerns in the United National Party (UNP) camp, which may have expected Sirisena to join forces on a National Government that would see the UNP holding onto the Prime Minister’s seat.

President Sirisena backing his own party has put even more pressure on the UNP to make a strong showing on Monday so that a clear lead is maintained making it difficult for the Prime Minister post to be wrenched away by any other candidate.

Rajapaksa’s short response clearly indicates his supporters are confident that any attempt by the President to block Rajapaksa’s return as Prime Minister can be overturned. This is especially underscored by SLFP seniors rejecting the hypothetical offer of the Prime Minister post in response to the letter. Storming ahead, the followers of the former president also do not feel the need to conclusively distance themselves from allegations that their brand of politics is dividing the country along racial lines and clearly do not feel the weight of their actions.

The fickle nature of politics could paint a much more different picture next week. Depending on the people’s decision the mathematics could well see a different set of bargaining chips rolling about. It is almost certain that if the UPFA does not stage an impressive show the SLFP will flock back to Sirisena to regroup, creating a fresh set of mathematics on how a national government might be formed.

As campaigning ends, voters now have to turn inward and make their decision by listening to their conscience, which is hopefully intent on the peace and prosperity of the nation.