BADAGINI and SUDU-KODI AVURUDDA – Jeyaraj Fernandopulle family cannot be alone in not celebrating

Sinhala Tamil New Year, or the ‘Aluth Avurudda’ as we call it, is the time of ultimate celebrations. We all, the adults, have pleasant reminiscences about Avurudu of our younger days. The excitement of waiting for the dawn of Avurudda and the delight we had each year spending Avurudu holidays playing with friends can never be taken off our memories.

It is unfortunate that an incompetent and self centred dictatorship that only concerned in building a dynasty and filling family coffers instead of serving the nation, depriving that joy to our children this year.

There were instances in recent past, we as a nation have decided not to celebrate Avurudu, deviating from the tradition. In the aftermath of Japanese bombing Colombo city in 1942 there were no Avurudu celebrations. In 1971, the JVP insurrection took our joy. In 1973 too we did not celebrate Avurudu because of the death of ex-Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake on April 13. Petta bus bomb, killing at least 200 innocent civilians changed our celebration mood in April 1989.

This year 2008, too will be added to this ‘non-Avuduru’ years list by many because most of us are in no mood for celebrations, beaten by two fronts BADAGINI and SUDU-KODI.

So far unprecedented price escalations, a direct outcome of the poor economic management of Jayasundera-Cabraal duo takes Avurudu off from many poor families in Sri Lanka. With their harvest destroyed and cost of living far above the affordable limits, some of them are not even in a situation to buy new clothes for their children. Preparing sweets too is a nightmare with the increasing cost of food items.

Sorry kids, it is not your fault that you do not get new clothes this time. Such things are common any failed state. Please do not blame your parents for not giving you new clothes and sweets. Blame the greedy politicians of the current regime for cheating you and your parents while they themselves celebrating the Avurudu happily with their families.

That is the BAGADINI part. The other stumbling block that prevents us celebrating Avurudu is the SUDU-KODI. This is the direct outcome of the restart of war by current regime after 2005 Presidential Elections. Since then all we see is SUDU-KODI here and there. It is such a common sight under this regime, perhaps SLFP can make SUDU-KODIYA (a while flag) its party symbol.

Ironically, Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle’s family too will not be celebrating Avurudu this time. They have little consolation. They are not alone. More than 5,000 lives were lost after the restart of war by current regime by scraping the Cease Fire Agreement. None of those 5,000 families might be celebrating Avurudu this time. Perhaps, if this government continues this number might be 10,000 by next year. Who is responsible for making this land an ‘Amu-Sohona’? Is turning the country to one big mass grave a promise under Mahinda Chinthana?

On left President Rajapakse is assisting first lady to light the stove. Little he might have imagined the sparks of war he lit in 2005 could have caused so many lives including some of his close associates.

When will we be free from hyper-inflation and food prices that increase on daily basis?

When will we be free from meaningless war that takes a minimum of 500 precious lives every month on average basis?

When will we be free from this incompetent, self-focused and war mongering regime that turned the country to a failed state just within a period of mere two years?

If there is any such date, then only we will be able to celebrate Aluth Avurudda in a peaceful and prosperous land. Let us not lose hope.

Had UNP won in 2005, Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle would have been alive today

First things first, let me take this opportunity to condemn the ruthless act by terrorists and express my deepest sympathies to the family members of Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle. Two of us had one key similarity. He too, just like me, was a lawyer turned politician. His loss will be felt, not just by SLFP but by all of us. I wish Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle’s soul rest in peace.

Having done that, I cannot help wondering if UNP had won the Presidential Election in 2005, Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, Parami Kulatunge, Nadaraja Raviraj, T. Maheswaran and 5,000+ others would have been alive today.

Also, if Mr. Ranil Wickremasinghe had won the Presidential Election in 2005, Sri Lanka would not have been the failed state what it is today. People of this country could have happily celebrated Sinhala Tamil New Year too, being able to buy the essential food items at affordable prices. They would not have to mourn for untimely deaths.

Unfortunately, now the whole nation suffers because of the wrong decision they took in 2005, being blinded by a set of shallow promises – never meant to be fulfilled and used as gimmicks only to win an election.

To the ordinary people of this country since 2005 November, it would have been like attending to a series of funerals. They only see ‘SUDU KODI’ (white flags) everywhere as if the country had entered a ‘BHEEMA SAMAYA’. It always happens in countries governed by incompetent, selfish and power hungry leaders. Ask citizens of Zimbabwe.

When President Rajapakse, after winning the Presidential Election largely due to the indirect support of tigers – for whatever the reason, decided to enter the war path in 2005, deviating from the successful negotiations of the previous UNP government, the true patriots of the land, the international community and basically every rational thinking individual was against it. Given the last 30 years horrid experiences of war, one does not have to be a defence expert to predict the fallacy of the decision to go for war. It could have only harmed the war ridden nation for 30 long years.

If power blinds an individual absolute power blinds him absolutely. In spite of all indications that staring war is seriously damaging to the nation, and serious warnings by those who know the destruction a war can make a blind decision was made to make a blind war.

Today morning Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle became the latest victim of the war madness of the post 2004 era. No doubt who did it, but nevertheless everybody who willingly supported the war madness, has to be responsible for his untimely demise. It is fruitless going on blaming the terrorists. After one puts the snakes to one’s ‘odokkuva’ what is the use of shouting ‘kanavo, kanavo’?

What lessons Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle’s demise teaches us? Let me list few.

Number One - It is dangerous to monger war. You yourself can be the next victim.

Number Two – There is a huge difference between a country governed by a competent experienced leader and an incompetent and selfish leader only interested in the welfare of his own family. (Nobody can deny the two year period under Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasnghe was the most peaceful and most economically successful period that we ever knew for a long period. Why? Because Mr. Wickremasinghe was an experienced and intelligent leader whose first concern was the people of this country, and not his family)

Number Three –You have to use your brains and think long term when exercising your vote. Otherwise when you realize the mistake it would be too late. (Had the majority of the people used their brains in 2005 Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle would have been alive today, a coconut would have cost no more than Rs. 20 and the county would not have been a failed state.)

Number Four – It is scaring to be ruled by a government who cannot even provide security to a high ranking minister. Better not rely on such a weak government.

Number Five – It is high time the country should have somebody who is strong enough to run it properly and bring peace. So better not be fooled for the second time too. Any idiot can present a set of shallow promises but only and experienced and wise leader can deliver.

We only wish the people, irrespective of their ethnic, religious and political differences, will make the right decision next time to select a strong leadership that can bring peace to this land and prevent untimely deaths like that of Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle. That would be the greatest respect we can pay for Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle.