Fonseka- the undefeated commander but defeated politician

General Fonseka- the undefeated commander but defeated politician
President Mahindra Rajapaksa won a second term Presidential Election of January 26 with an unexpectedly big majority although this election result has been called into question by the main opposition candidate, General Sarath Fonseka. The election results telecast by the state media as they stand demonstrate a schism in the thinking and expectations of the ethic minorities and ethnic majority populations. President Rjapasha obtained a smaller portion of votes in the North, East and central hills where Tamils and Muslim predominate and also in the capital city of Colombo where the proton of Tamils and Muslims is high. Elsewhere in the country in the Sinhalese-dominated areas, the margins of victory for the president were high.
The political analysts say that the result of the elections has a potential of further dividing the country on both political and ethnic lines unless the spirit of magnanimity prevails. One of the important challenges for president Rjapasa will be to address the sense of alienation of the ethnic minorities and provide a political solution for the their problems and grievances by way of devolution of power. There is no question at all that it was Geneal Fonseak’s entry into politics that turned around the opposition’s political fortunes. His candidacy revived that effectiveness and party machineries that were dormant and dispirited. The challenge he posed compelled the government to adopt people friendly actions to prevent erosion of its electoral support
The abuse of state resources that took place prior to the election to secure the president’s victory has been documented by election mentoring organizations. The displaced voters in the North of the country waited for hours for public transport but did not arrive for them to cast their votes and others who kept away due to the series of grenade explosion prior to voting in Jaffna which intimidated away into not voting. The low voter turnout in the North is indicative of an inability of the people to participate fully and voice political sentiments and demonstrates the distance to go to achieve democracy.
By preventing the international organizations and media from operating in the battle zones, the government was successful in keeping the costs of war out of the realm of the public discussion. This enabled public morale to be kept at a high level, as they watched footage provided by the government of battlefield victories, but not of the human coasts. As a result, the government’s call for recruits to join the military and for economic sacrifices to support the war effort was met with public support. It enabled the government to defeat the LTTE in a manner that few had thought possible. But this victory has come at a price. For the past year or so, the issues of war crimes and economic sanctions have been hanging over the country. Although the government has claimed an international conspiracy to defeat it, the government itself cannot disclaim responsibility for the difficult situation it finds itself in. it now appears that the government was over confident in the president’s political popularity. And estimate 50000 to 300000 jobs will be at stake, with different figures bring conceded by the government and claimed by the opposition. Sri Lankan went to the polls actually to decide a race that has become too close to call. The election itself was the most bitterly contested one in recent times. It has been seen the most one-sided utilization of state machinery in favour of the ruling party candidate in a long time. The departure of former army commander General Sarath Fonseka and his joining the opposition has deprived the government leadership of its monopoly regarding credit for the war victory over the LTTE. This has meant that President Mhaidnra Rajapaksa can no longer appeal to the majority Sinahlese electorate for their vote of gratitude to himself alone.
The president himself has given a different reason, a more compelling Elections of 2005 the Tamil people of the north and east in particular found they unable to freely cast their votes due to the boycott call made by the LTTE. Few Tamil voters even those outside the north and east felt inclined to cast their votes in these circumstances. According to the president his decisions to call for early presidential elections was influenced by a most salutary desire. This was to obtain a fresh mandate for the post-war reconstruction of the country, and obtain it from the Tamil People of the north and east as well. This rationalization by president Rajapakse is a positive one. It needs to be built upon to counter the ethnic fragmentation and to ensure national unity. One of the longstanding grievances of the Tamil people has been their marginalization from the mainstream of politics and of governmental decisions making. Tamils have felt that due to their status as minority they and the representatives have they elect, do not count for much. Although they may vote at elections they feel that the governments that are eventually formed are neither beholden nor respond to them after the elections.
As the Tamils of the north and east are the largest of the ethnic minorities, their choice can tilt the outcome of the elections in a decisive manner. This led both presidential candidates making extravagant promises to the electorate. There are several reasons why people go to the polling stations to cast their vote on Election Day. One reason was be to vote for the party or candidate who promises to serve the voter’s personal interest most, such as to obtain employment or better conditions of living. On this count, both of the main presidential candidates made extravagant promises to the electorate. People voted to fulfill their civic duty as they believe the elected will do most to improve the larger system of governance. Now question arises how it would be possible for Rajapaksa to fulfill the public desire and his promises.
Democracy is not the doing the will of the majority of the minority for that would justify even harming and acting against the interests of the minority who disagrees. The National Peace Council of Sri Lanka holds that democracy and freedom go together and without freedoms, such as freedom of the media and freedom of expression implemented by the Rule of Law, there is no democracy. It is biggest challenge for Rajapaksa to establish democracy.

Md. Masum Billah
Programme Manager: BRAC Education Programme, PACE
10 th floor, BRAC Center, 75, Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212.
Phone: 9881265-ext2422(office), 9355253(home), 01714-091431(cell)
Email: mmbillha2000@yahoo.com