Is Gotabaya a war hero: A response

Many refer to Gotabaya Rajapaksa as “A war hero”. This is totally erroneous. He was a highly overrated person, the creation of the master puppeteer to advance dynastic succession. He proved that he was

Gotabaya Rajapaksa

unsuitable and was responsible for this unmitigated disaster that needs no amplification and fled the country in disgrace.

What was of paramount importance for the parents was to find a person within the clan who had no son, who would offer a threat to the crown prince, a mediocre man who was to trade on the clan name which by now stinks to high heaven for corruption.

He was fortunate to get past the Hulftsdorp hill thanks to a shameless principal who sullied the name of an institution that produced admiral products. It’s common knowledge that a product now in “Silk” had done yeoman service to the country in recent times and stamped the name of the illustrious profession for the powers that be to take cognisance of their views.

The long-term plans were manifestly clear and the fact that we have a gullible electorate backed by ignorant “men in robes” lulled the ambitious parents to steadfastly pursue dynastic ambitions.

Any man who left his uniform at the height of a barbaric insurgency cannot by any stretch of imagination be considered a hero. I boldly say so as the man to whom the mantle fell to guide our troops to victory, now Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka made a public statement before he took command. He did say, “I will finish this and not leave it to my successor to finish.” That is a hero whom the country recognised and truly saluted as he performed. Need I remind your readers how he was incarcerated in jail by this family whose worth is known to all today?

It’s common knowledge after a near decade overseas where GR sought greener pastures, GR was summoned by his brother after his questionable victory by 180,000 votes to liaise the military operations.

This combination unquestionably facilitated proper liaison with combined services to successfully bring to an end an insurgency that cost a fortune both in terms of men and materials.

What was done to the man who delivered on his promise to the nation is well known though granite plaques distorted truth. I sincerely hope that before long the plaque that was placed by the “Sandhiruseya”, where billions were siphoned off from the army vote to commemorate the victory by pretending to salute the heroes will have the name of the real hero. 

Sandahiru Seya is in close proximity to the sacred Ruwanweli Seya initiated by Dutugemunu but completed by King Saddhatissa (source Wikipedia) where he personally felled his enemy Elara.

This location was selected to distort history and for future generations to get to know that a Dutugemunu the second existed and destroyed a Tamil after a protracted insurgency. The current plaque is a gross distortion of truth where future generations will be given the erroneous impression that a second Dutugemunu defeated his enemy in battle, not on the ground but from air conditioned rooms in the capital city.

That the nation is in dire straits due to waste of hard to come by resources, profligacy, cronyism, and kickbacks is well known nationally and internationally. For the first time all Sri Lankans spread all over the world joined hands to drive a corrupt family out of office.

The objects of aragalaya within a democratic framework that existed from 1931 must be strengthened with new thinking and changes effected with the participation of the new generation who are out to make life better for the nation as a whole. That all these years within an archaic framework families of politicians like maggots multiplied and lived in clover with their family while millions were deprived of basic needs.

The new thinking must encompass all races and religions as an integral part of the country and must not leave room for parasites to creep in using race and religion again. The archaic frame must be changed and meritocracy must reign supreme.

Those entering the legislature with qualifications must be adequately compensated so that they will not rob the state. When men of integrity enter they will not function as signal posts that will move when leaders pull the lever as was evident in recent times.

Alex Perera