"Iwasuwa Ethi" - Ranil

Ranil Wickramasinghe, in an effort to capitalize on the death of one of the finest journalists, Lasantha Wickramatunge, has stated at a meeting “Iwasuwa Athi” meaning that he has come to the end of his patience. This is a new phrase which is being used by Wickramasinghe, was obviously acquired from the UNP’s rebel group which would have used it very liberally during their effort to get rid of him from the party leadership.

Never having participated in any type of sport since school days, for Wickramasinghe, accepting defeat is alien. Since he lost the Presidential elections in 2005, his pastime has been to condemn the Government in power and the duly elected President of the country. The manner, in which he tries to drag the Government and its image southward, makes me automatically assume that the only sport Ranil knows is Tug-of-War, where going backwards with your team is winning.

He can only boast of being the biggest political loser in the history of Sri Lanka, and being the nephew of an ex President of the country. He has proved to the world that he is a leader of the weakest category. So much so, he has not been able to regroup his party and kindle some fire in them in order to form a strong opposition. A strong opposition helps the Government in power to do better. Here, how can the opposition be strong when its leader is the paramount example of weakness? (The right Sinhala word is “Nonjal”).

The hobby he relishes now is to lie in wait to find some loose end of the Government and then condemn it here in Sri Lanka and abroad. I am sure he will go abroad one of these days on another slandering mission, this time on account of Lasantha Wickramatunge. If the murder of Wickramatunga has to be conveyed to people in foreign lands, then Wickramasinghe should be the last man to do so.

When General. Janaka Perera was killed too, Wickramasinghe danced the jig and tried to capitalize on the issue and failed miserably. Today, Perera is forgotten. There may be a pattern forming for Wickramasinghe to make use of well known and accepted people who have died to enhance his dwindling popularity. Although he blames the Government for the killing of Gen. Perera, he may not have an excuse for no senior UNPer being present in Anuradhapura on the day of the blast. Of course, one would have imagined that at least the secretary of the party would be present at the opening of the office of a very high profile UNPer. I wonder why?

Wickramasinghe should first put his house in order. We hear that he begs for “Another Chance” or “Last Chance” everytime he hears that the members of the working committee of the UNP are trying to get him out of the Chairmanship of the party. The only other person whom I have heard shouting “Last Chance” is the Lottery Ticket vendor on the last day of sales. Perhaps, Wickramasinghe should take a cue from this and try to sell some lottery tickets where the profits go to the country. At least that way, he can do something for the country instead of bawling all the way to foreign lands crying “foul”.

It is my opinion that Wickramasinghe, never came up from the ranks in politics, but was made a Minister by his uncle at his very first time of winning a seat, does not know and also have the experience to lead one of the major political parties in Sri Lanka. He should get the hell out of the party and enjoy his retirement. Unfortunately, there is an ex Minister who left the UPFA in a huff (who needs the real salvation and in my opinion, who should join the Salvation Army as a Private) who is giving false hope of toppling the present Government to Wickramasinghe. For some reason, Wickramasinghe likes to “swallow” anything which comes his way. (Pun unintended)

In conclusion, let me say, “Mr. Wickramasinghe, in the unfortunate death of Lasantha Wickramatunge, the country lost the real Leader of the Opposition. It is time for you to buck up now, if you can do so, or gracefully vanish into thin air. Or, someone else will take over from where Lasantha left”.

In cricketing language, “Hit out or get out.” Personally, he should get out and let someone else bat.

(Courtesy: Iwasuwa)