Hettigoda's politics a new dimension
by A. Kandappah
While the November 17 Presidential contest is between two leaders of the two main
political parties, there are, in fact, eleven others in the fray. Even previous Presidential
polls attracted several others than the two principal contenders. On the coming
occasion, as indeed on the previous, the contestants outside the 2 major parties may
not end with a large slice of the votes.
Even what they offer to the electorate as solutions to the more urgent problems of the
people, do not create much waves.
However, there is one candidate attracting much attention. Victor Hettigoda of
Siddahlepa fame a.k.a. Siddahlepa Vedamahattaya. Some unkind analysts have
dismissed him as a non-starter while others have called him names.
The more charitable say he will not poll more then 0.11 per cent of the votes.
Whatever, the result is, in Hettigoda's entry there are many welcome features.
Endowed with a pleasing personality, he comes out as a decent man who impresses
you at first sight.
While I do not claim a personal friendship with him except for casual meetings; I have,
however, known his charming son Asoka at close quarters. Asoka, an old Thomian
and US-graduate now runs much of the business and is an articulate and intelligent
lad.
Senior Hettigoda has imbibed sufficient culture and values in Asoka that enables the
lad to be one of the more popular figures in the country's Trade Chamber movement
where he is the current Secretary of the National Chamber of Commerce - a position I
held previously.
Victor Hettigoda does not offer "the moon and the stars" for his politics is anchored
solidly in firma terra. His is not the politics of hatred and excluvism. While his offer of a
cow to each family may first seem hilarious, let us not forget the more serious JVP
talked of a cow and milk for each house in their April 2004 General Election campaign.
When the late Thondaman was made Minister of Rural Development with the
Livestock Board coming under him, he also talked of increasing the milch cattle
population in the country to provide more milk. Statistics reveal Thondaman kept to his
word and increased the milk production in the country.
Sri Lanka is predominantly rural and semi-suburban. A well-orchestrated campaign to
increase milk production - like what took place in Swaminathan's "AMUL" milk
revolution in India, can make Sri Lanka self-sufficient in milk, provide jobs for several
lakhs of rural farm hands and increase rural income.
Hettigoda also brings a fresh approach to the National Question. His is the language
of compassion and understanding. While the preferred language of many hard-line
Sinhala politicians to refer to the North-Eastern Tamil youth is a derogoratical "kotiya"
Hettigoga sensitively calls them "Lamai" - something I think, will not be left ignored in
North Eastern ears.
The germs of aggressive nationalism have been patent in the Sri Lankan organism for
far too long. The only hope for a cure of the Sri Lankan delirium lies in the potential
growth of moral forces in the country and the re-discovery of the basic law of human
relations - the law of the interdependence.
Political polarization throughout much of our society has reached the dimension that is
intolerably divisive.
Whether we like it or not, we are emotionally a divided nation. Sooner than later we
must realise one dominant race cannot do without the other. We need both to make
Sri Lanka united, peaceful and prosperous.
We must create the necessary space to accommodate both the long sought needs of
the Tamils and the apprehensions of the Sinhalese, while looking into the demands of
the Muslims. Hettigoda has the necessary credentials for what should make the ideal
Sri Lankan politician of the tumultuous times we live in.
The leader of the UNP or UPFA cannot freely talk their minds in the more sensitive
issues in view of the vulnerabilities in today's highly charged election atmosphere.
Hettigoda is free of these inhibitions and so openly asks "if the JVP's bestial history
can be forgotten and they rehabilitated to occupy the front benches of Parliament,
why cannot the LTTE be treated the same way?" He adds "if we treat them (LTTE)
with understanding they will give-up war and contribute to rebuild the country." He
says, Sinhalese Governments have so far behaved as if the North and East does not
exist.
"Why don't we rebuild the main roads in the North and East? Help set up industries
and provide jobs in Jaffna, Batticaloa and Trincomalee. If production in the North and
East increases the National GDP increases", says Hettigoda. "Our national income
levels increase bringing Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim citizens of this country to a higher
quality of life." He has no hiccups with Federalism so long as the Centre in Colombo
handles Finance, Foreign Affairs, the Police and Armed Forces.
When the 1st and 2nd are known on November 17, Hettigoda may not be within the
two but there is in him much that is needed in the rebuilding of our shattered nation.
Men like Hettigoda should have a prominent place in the running of a Government in
the future to unite the nation.
In my view, he is the ideal candidate as Minister of National Unity, Rehabilitation and
Reconstruction of the North and East in a future Government.
He has cured the ills of individuals and now, given a chance, might succeed where
others have failed in the task of curing the larger ills of the land. I have no doubt if he
choses to formally visit the North and the East, he will get a warm and spontaneous
welcome.