Why President Rajapaksa had to face a revolt from within

Wednesday, 26 November 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

When the President decided to go for an election the only c

hallenge for him was from the Constitution, whether he had the right to contest. The verdict was very clear, Ranil would get a drubbing. The President’s family members and advisors went around with their usual arrogance. They were sure Ranil would get decimated. According to the papers, Ranil also thought he could win and went around organising his team.

Today the situation is totally different; the Government has even resorted to blocking televised meetings, fearing more crossovers. The papers say 60 MPs - some say 26 MPs - will this be the biggest defection in our political history? President Premadasa too faced a similar revolt in losing touch with his MPs and with his family and friends only enjoying the trims of office. I believe these are the reasons the President is facing a fight for his political life:

The arrogance of siblings and other relatives. They forget their rise was on the back of the humble people of this country and as a result even the good work they do is getting criticised, unlike the President, who has maintained his simplicity. While the relatives are an asset to him on the one side they are becoming a liability to his political future.
The creation of the family enterprise - for example the abuse of his BIL at Sri Lankan Airlines, his nephew in the USA.
Many of his advisors have lost sight of the ground situation because they spend more time enjoying the perks of office rather than looking after the affairs of the President.
The deterioration of the law and order situation, the state of the public service and the Judiciary.
Misleading the public with wrong information.
The exorbitant cost and wastage of government development projects as reported in the media.
Mismanagement and corruption within banks and the financial sector. The current leader has openly appointed his relatives (Wijesinghe, Cabraal, Fonseka, Wickremasinghe, Mr. and Mrs. Thambi, Wijethileke) and friends (Dr. Jayamaha, Dheerasinghe, Hulugalle, Preethi Jayawardane, Sujewa Rajapakse, Perumal, Aruna Fernando, Sujewa Mudelige) to bank boards.
The activities within the Colombo Stock Exchange and SEC which resulted in the resignation of Mr. Karunarathne and Mrs. Weeratunga.
The open abuse of the EPF, with a loss of over 11 billion reported in 2011. Not presenting accounts on time to Parliament.
The mishandling of international affairs. The foreign service is packed with friends of the powers that be and incompetent officials.

There is a saying that all good things must come to end finally. If the President is to regain the confidence of the public and win the elections he can do so by dealing with some of these issues. He must not runaway with the idea that he was the only man responsible for ending terrorism. One of the key men who executed the war for him was thrown into jail and the Government must not think that putting concrete on the road is development. If these are addressed now the President can become the only man in history to for a bat a third time. Finally, if change does come, all those responsible for pillaging public assets should be dealt with by the law and much-needed independent commissions must be installed immediately to bring back dignity to public institutions. Priyantha