The urgency of a regime change

Sri Lanka's main opposition activists hold torches during a demonstration to denounce the shortage of cooking gas, kerosene oil and a few other commodities as the country faces a major foreign exchange crisis, in Colombo on January 5, 2022. 
Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA (AFP)

Many definitely have a serious interest in handing over the government to the JVP/NPP as it seems only, they can deliver the people from the hell that the Rajapakses, with the help of the UNP and the SLFP, have dumped them in. It is true that the people have run out of choices. So, they have concluded that perhaps the JVP/NPP must be given the chance to walk the talk. 

I am happy the JVP has taken the hint from the article I had written to the Daily Mirror (A challenge to the SJB and JVP sincerity, 18 December 2021 or from the Autochthonous Constitution of Nagananada Kodituwakku) and declare that the members of parliament are truly servants of the people and it is therefore absolutely essential to slash redundant expenses, permits, perks and allowances they have so far liberally given themselves. 

Fine, but the important point I made there was; where is the guarantee that they will implement what they promise in their manifesto? This is a problem of credibility. For donkey’s years we have been led up the garden path by all political parties and left in the lurch. This experience is so deeply, painfully and humiliatingly felt by us that now we suspect all…. that’s why we call some of those at Diyawannawa thieves. How can we believe that the JVP having associated with those at `Diyawannawa for so many years enjoying the salaries, attendance allowances, perks, pensions, car permits, etc. and even using the illicit, ugly national list fraud to return to parliament, are squeaky clean and untarnished?

We need to act fast. The traitors are selling off the most lucrative and important assets of the nation. The JVP says they will start with whatever is left. There will be nothing left; Pulmodai minerals, Trinco oil tanks, power generation, harbours, airports and what not will be gone in three years

Handunnetti has declared (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ED07Pt7-K2Q) that they will include the implementation of promises in the manifestos of political parties in the fundamental rights section of the constitution. Then they can be taken to courts when they default on them. Brilliant idea! But will they include it when they come to power? On what grounds are we to believe that they will implement what they promise when they come to power? Given the frailty of human nature and the unavoidable pull, like gravity, of Tanhawa (I have not heard of any JVP members who are saints or arahants!) we simply cannot believe or trust anyone, especially from the Diyawannawa. That’s why there are agreements, properly drawn and signed by decent gentle(wo)men.

Hence, I proposed in the above article that they sign publicly a valid legal instrument declaring that they will implement what they promise to the people before the elections. If the JVP wants us to trust them they must sign such an agreement. Knowing that the people are pushed to the wall and are forced to choose the JVP, their refusing to sign such an agreement means, they are abusing the helplessness of the people who are left without options; then I’d say they have neither sympathy for the people nor respect for them. People are expendable, pawns to be used and discarded to gain power. If that is the case then they are just like the other stinking scoundrels. 

But what is worse is the title of this small note. We need to act fast. The traitors are selling off the most lucrative and important assets of the nation. The JVP says they will start with whatever is left. There will be nothing left; Pulmodai minerals, Trinco oil tanks, power generation, harbours, airports and what not will be gone in three years. Manjula Nishanka clearly explains this to Abhisheka Fernando (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeVt5-k2FVA) 
I understand the JVP’s reluctance to try any other method but elections for a regime change having experienced bitter, tragic failures before. They have told if the people step onto the road they too will be with the people. They give the impression they are complacently waiting for the people to hand over the government to them like they say in Sinhala – bandesiyaka thiyala denakan balan innawa! Can we afford this delay? All I am asking is this; what will be left for you to work on when you come to power in 2025?