The Mirage Of ‘Rajapaksa Magic’ Being Exposed! Yet Another ‘Annus Horribilis’ For Sri Lanka!

By Mohamed Harees –JUNE 14, 2021

Lukman Harees

“A journey, towards a mirage, never ends.”― Ehsan Sehgal

Another Annus Horribilis indeed! Sri Lanka appeared to be continuing on its disastrous path on all fronts, this year too, (thanks) to its disoriented, beleaguered leadership as it faces further domestic woes and foreign policy hurdles. Yes! the people are now increasingly getting disgusted and angered, and now baying for the blood of yet another government that had failed them. However, as it is often said, ‘the lesson of history is that no one learns’. Thus, with a slavish electorate with a short term memory, which is typical in Sri Lanka, there aren’t any visible signs in the horizon that public activism is aptly geared to counter the growing political comical drama and at best appears to be confined to mere rhetoric and memes in the social media. Ultimately, come the next election! there will be a re-enactment of the same drama as witnessed in the past, ignoring all the irreparable damage, caused to the nation during their tenure of office. Sad but true! 

Sri Lanka is the perfect example when it comes to stereotypes of mismanagement in the post-colonial developing world: rampant corruption, lavish elitism, and nationalist policies that cater toward the majority to manage the remnants of colonial antiques in the post-colonial era. Sri Lanka also represents a classic case of a country degenerating on the ethnic and political fronts when pluralism is deliberately eschewed. Multiple issues including colonialism, a sense of Sinhalese Buddhist entitlement rooted in mytho-history, economic grievances, politics, nationalism and communal violence all interacting with and stemming from each other, said to have pushed the island towards majoritarianism. This, in turn, then led to ethnic riots, a civil war accompanied by terrorism that ultimately killed over 100,000 people, democratic regression, accusations of war crimes and authoritarianism.

However, given this majoritarian mindset that has become embedded as well as the undermining and weakening of state institutions that nearly three decades of civil war and post-conflict authoritarianism promoted, it was just wishful thinking that the lessons learned can then enable a more inclusive society that emphasizes common citizenship over divisive ethno-religious identities. Sadly, this majoritarian trend went to a new peak, when in November 2019, the people of Sri Lanka, the much talked about ‘69 lakhs electorate’ which predominantly comprised of the majority Sinhala Buddhist voters, enabled a ‘military strongman’ Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s ascent to the presidency. On the heels of a well- orchestrated Islamophobic campaign after the terrible Easter Sunday attacks, this historic win made his supporters euphoric that the country is finally on the path of security, development and prosperity. After a Yahapalana spell which was another disaster, the Sri Lankan public thus yearned for a Leviathan who could give them stability, prosperity, and, especially, security.

Authoritarian populism thus returned to Sri Lanka. It was the expectation that a combination of Gotabaya’s military technocratic efficiency and non- political profile, and Mahinda’s hard-nosed political stature will prove wonders for Sri Lanka. The Post 2019 victory in Sri Lanka, portrayed two realities. One, a new regime buoyed by its triumphant support base and eager to consolidate an iron political grip. Second, weakened political opposition, with ranks in disarray. These dynamics of power consolidation and unbridled triumphalism and widespread fear across the voter divide began to threaten the democratic space which was gained over the previous Yahalapana time (only significant gain). However, despite all conservative expectations, the country ended the year 2020, questioning Rajapaksas’ self-proclaimed technocratic credentials as the domineering president also failed to prevent a third wave of COVID-19 infections, despite some initial successes.

One and a half year later, there seems to be no real government in power. The cabinet has a vicious reputation of having a bunch of comedians and idiots. Their various statements are looked upon as comical memes in the social media. For example, Namal (knowing his family rule) says no more nepotism and Mahindananda wants to import fertilizer without micro-organisms! Many SLPP heavyweights appears to be falling silent and also keeping a sense of aloofness. Gotabaya dream has been dubbed as a mirage and called as, in the social media – a misfit, inefficient, joker, comic in a circus and also a ‘cardboard Sando’. Many of his so-called Sinhala Buddhist camp including prominent monks and nationalists have started to desert the sinking ship. Gota’s vain attempts to salvage his pseudo ‘Sinhala Buddhist champion’ media image through employing two veteran media men (Sudeva and Kingsley) was called as an attempt to stop the diarrhoea  by tightening the groin cloth. Economic crisis has become uncontrollable, with a spiralling cost of living, Sri Lanka has been carrying its begging bowl to its (once poorest) neighbour B’desh, in order to bridge its foreign exchange deficits. The recent fuel hike led to a hilarious episode of the governing SLPP calling for the resignation of the minister in charge. Infighting has become the norm!

One might argue that the coronavirus could slow down the government’s consolidation of Sinhalese Buddhist majoritarianism, and may push it in a more pluralist direction. Conversely, as economic conditions worsen and the regime’s popularity tanks significantly, Gotabaya and his hyper-nationalist entourage appears to be tempted to whip up ethnoreligious mayhem to mask the political blowback from COVID-19 and many other crises, as a diversionary tactic. COVID-19 actually allowed hate groups and their opportunistic political patrons to fan Islamophobia, including the irrational forced cremation policy which was only reversed due to international pressure.

International community has been referring to the situation for human rights and the rule of law worsening on a “daily basis” in Sri Lanka. The Rajapaksas have continued to militarize public life, render the country as a debtor and tributary to China, entrench marginalization of minorities, intimidate activists, and abandon the transitional process in the aftermath of a vicious war that left more scars. Intimidation and harassment of civil society in Sri Lanka had led to the shrinking of civil space, and had had a “chilling effect”. Amnesty International said in a recent report it had witnessed an “alarming crackdown” on civic space and the targeting of minorities, including Muslim communities. Investigators looking into wartime abuses have been jailed, forced to flee the country or put under travel bans, in a clear message that the government sees accountability for past crimes as an affront.

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