Time for the Opposition to Take the Lead in Sri Lanka

It is surprising how difficult it is for politicians to read the message coming out loud and clear from the ground. And how the two persons in Sri Lanka - President Gotbaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremsinghe– struggled to survive through patchwork permutations even though the people's voice Go Gota Go was clear and loud. After the first wave of protests a few weeks ago Rajapaksa stayed on, and sought to allay sentiments by changing the Prime Minister and bringing in Wickremsinghe. The few weeks were enough to convince the Sri Lankans that this 'operation' was not in answer to their demands, but to ensure that those in power continued to remain in power. And now even as the masses moved into the Presidential palace, and set the ancestral home of the Prime Minister on fire, the effort has remained to somehow stay on in power. And it was again left to the people to make it clear that this is not acceptable, and they expect all connected, in their perception, with the downfall of Sri Lanka to go. No petrol, no money in the treasury, no food is not something people can be expected to live with.

It is imperative now for a new sound alternative to emerge. It is for the politicians in Sri Lanka to rise to the occasion provided by the people, and bring in a cohesive stable government to ride out the times. And bring in an economic blueprint with a time frame that is then followed to the last letter. The visible delay will only contribute to turning a peaceful movement into anarchy, as without leadership and direction the masses will soon start pulling on all sides. It is important thus, to prevent this. And the only way possible is for the opposition leaders to pick up the reins, join hands, and work with the people in a transparent and open fashion to at least set Sri Lanka on the right track.

Reuters has come out with a story, picked up by sections of the global media that a core group of activists has helped flag and sustain the protest. And has identified a Catholic priest, a digital strategist and and a popular playwright as the key actors in the current developments. Perhaps they provided a platform of some kind, and reached out to alienated and angry groups, but the mass outpouring as everyone in Sri Lanka knows came despite and inspite such proddings. And the people, resentful and furious, came out on the streets with all religions and classes and communities together in the one point bid to get rid of the government.

Meanwhile instead of hurling abuse that has found its way into the media, the erstwhile PM and President should look into why the people have made them flee. They are so fearful of their lives that they are looking desperately for a safe haven, and yet are questioning the masses. It is apparent to all political observers that the peoples movement is indigenous, and in one sense apolitical. The Opposition too has been caught unaware and is now scrambling to get together a leadership and make use of the opportunity that the citizens of Sri Lanka have offered them. It should be a message to those who do form the government that one, the people will not accept excuses; two, they will expect quick delivery; three, that the expectations will be very high; four, that all patience has run out. In short the new government will have a people's gun to its head and will need to get cracking. This is extremely urgent and important to save Sri Lanka from anarchic violence, and restore it as a more aware and vibrant democracy. The peoples movement has to be turned into an asset and not become a liability for the island.