An aggressive NPP can be tempered by a breeze from France

Detractors of the NPP ask the hierarchy of this alliance why someone doesn’t spell out in a comprehensive manner its plans as to how this third force in politics would rebuild this country if given an opportunity

 Some social media users, who claim they are politically savvy, state that fake Facebook accounts are maintained on behalf of the NPP
Most protests bear fruit in Emmanuel Macron’s country. People are less divided in France and have high levels of tolerance

Sri Lanka has seen the first advertisement of a political campaign appearing on television these days. There is no clear date for any election, but this advertisement remind us about the system change we voiced for and where protesters or revolutionists failed. There were too many camps inside the ‘aragalaya’ site in Galle Face and also too many ambitious groups wanting credit or power for all the troubles they took to keep the fires that fueled the revolution going. Thinking on this line can we safely say that the National People’s Power (NPP) is also highly ambitious in gaining power in this country? 

The NPP is led by a no-nonsense politician by name of Anura Kumara Dissanayake-also fondly knows as comrade-who promises a better Sri Lanka in the event the alliance he leads secures victory at a future presidential election. But social media followers and politically knowledgeable individuals pose the question as to how the alliance contesting under the ‘compass’ symbol will rebuild this ailing economy if they win power. Some social media users, who claim they are politically savvy, state that fake Facebook accounts are maintained on behalf of the NPP with the latter’s supporters having one stock comment for each post this alliance makes on this platform. That stock comment for any post is ‘malimawata  jaya wewa’; which translated into English reads ‘victory for the National People’s Alliance. These detractors of the NPP ask the hierarchy of this alliance why someone doesn’t spell out in a comprehensive manner its plans as to how this third force in politics would rebuild this country if given an opportunity? 
Now we have to follow this guy Anura Kumara Dissanayake, also known as AKD in the political scene, much closer. When one sees the unethical and rude way in which politicians disrupt the speeches of less than a handful of refined lawmakers in parliament one must credit AKD for he awaits his turn to talk or make his speech. 

Before the NPP arrived in the form of an alliance in the political scene we saw the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) being around as a vociferous force. They possess enough and more orators who can ‘destroy’ any speaker on a political stage or television talk show who poses a different view to theirs. People of this country must not miss a vital telltale sign given out by the majority in this alliance and that is NPP seniors-the ones from the JVP baring AKD-who don’t seem to be willing to listen to opposing views of anyone.  
Just the other day this writer was listening to views aired by a Sri Lankan who lived for 20 long years in France and has made a visit to his country of birth. He gives his views on living in France in a Youtube video done by another retired Sinhala tuition master, living in Sri Lanka. This individual, who is in town, a tuition master who was gainfully employed when he left the shores of Lanka during the late 1980s, talks about the French people being refined. The French Revolution happened 224 years ago, but the French have picked up from the day the revolutionists won and they have made their contributions to develop that country. A striking feature in the country apart from the towering buildings and blooming industries is the development of the people; which he terms as being refined. According to him this is more important than an individual reaching his full potential as a successful career professional. He goes on to mention that when people are refined they develop a ‘backbone’ that helps them to stand up better for what is right and denounce what is wrong. This stance might not necessarily be taken by a working professional if his interests are taken care of by corrupt politicians forming an unpopular government. 

Another key feature in France according to this former tuition master is that people have the freedom to voice their grievances in the form of protests. Most protests bear fruit in Emmanuel Macron’s country. People are less divided in France and have high levels of tolerance when there are opposing views expressed in society. 
It’s good that an islander who immigrated to France still chooses Sri Lanka as a destination and makes the occasional visit here. This Sri Lankan we are talking about has dual citizenship and states that France takes great care of him as senior citizen and retired worker in his country of adoption. He also receives a pension which is sufficient for him and to get that he only had to invest 20 working years in France. Ageing people after retirement in France get free medicine and medical facilities and also enjoy having a travelling pass which can be used to tour for free around the city and to close by places to where they live. There are also facilities for elders which can be obtained without costs in the event an ageing and feeble citizen needs a caregiver. According to this Sri Lanka, domiciled in France it’s usually University undergraduates who volunteer in such tasks. France, according to this Sri Lankan, has turned itself into a country where one dreams to live in. 

AKD and the NPP can take a cue out of what this person has to say. Whoever who assumes power next, including the NPP, will probably vouch that everybody has to work and contribute to the country’s economy. We really don’t know whether there would be free meals for anybody in a new political set-up established through the votes of people who want to see a true change in this country. Alliances like the NPP have to mellow down a bit and appeal to the masses; not necessarily their supporters. They can be ruthlessly efficient, but there may be times when they have to carry a few passengers; in terms looking after the needy. 
We don’t need another violent uprising or a revolution like the Arab Spring. All we need is a cool breeze from France that can refresh the political set-up here in this island where change for a new Sri Lanka is inevitable.