Rajiva Wijesinha

“ Again there seems an unfortunate assumption, understandable in the Sri Lankan context, that getting power is what politics is about. For full time professional politicians that may be desirable, but for those of us who think politics is about responding to social change and enhancing understanding and opportunities nationwide, there is much else to do as well. I do not think I would ever have achieved electoral success as a politician. However, if I have failed only, as Ms. Ratnakara generously implies, because I have done much else, I think I should be proud. ”

“ Ratnakara will realize that public accolades mean nothing in the long run. Meanwhile it would I think be good, for her immortal soul if nothing else, if she took a hard look at the evidence and arguments I present, instead of attributing motives blindly.
I should however look at some of the advice she so kindly gives me. I agree with her that violence among students is a worry, but she fails to realize that this reflects the violence endemic in our society, that regrettably Ranil encouraged in his youth — though in that respect, I believe, he has now certainly changed for the better. ”

“ Ratnakara did not mention the name of the person but I presume she means Ranil, rather than all the other people whose shortcomings I have mentioned.
But in a sense Ms. Ratnakara’s failure to defend all those poor souls, Prabhakaran or Chandrika or Anuruddha or Ranjith Mendis or dear old Bradman Weerakoon, is my own best defence against her charming criticism. Harry Truman used to remind himself constantly that ‘The buck stops here’ and, unfortunate though it be, the Sri Lankan dispensation is even more thorough in bestowing all authority upon a single individual. ”