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Attempt at controlled political explosion
Monday, 28 May 2012 - 11:46 AM SL Time
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Time was when the military used to carry out controlled explosions to disable dangerous explosive devices. Now that thankfully terrorism is a thing of the past, the security forces are free from such risky jobs. But, the government is apparently trying its hand at this method to render political time bombs safe. A collective of pro-government trade unions is reportedly planning to stage a protest campaign to secure a pay hike and protect democracy, among other things.
The mainstream Opposition is lying supine with the UNP in total disarray. Its leaders go for each other`s jugular at the drop of a hat instead of taking on the government. The JVP is in the throes of a deep crisis following a debilitating split and the TNA is not strong enough to challenge the government`s survival politically even if it wants to. However, the government is aware that everything is not hunky dory on the political front resistance is bound to emerge either from within or without sooner or later.
Former Army Commander Gen. Sarath Fonseka, now free to engage in politics though unable to contest elections, is vowing to reinvigorate the Opposition. Anti-government feelings and the attendant resentment are welling up due to people`s economic woes etc and they are likely to find expression in mass protests, if the current rumblings of annoyance are any indication. The government seems to be trying to defuse this situation by carrying out a controlled political explosion with the help of its trade union lackeys on a mission to steal the Opposition`s thunder.
The government`s method, however, is not without parallels. In Latin America, the powerful logging industry sets up environmental groups to protest against the destruction of forests so as to keep the genuine campaigners for environmental conservation at bay. The rogue environmentalists give up their half-hearted protests after a while and laugh all the way to the bank and illegal logging goes on unabated.
It is not being argued that the pro-government trade unions should not urge their political bosses to mend their ways. But, if they think they can pull the wool over the eyes of resentful workers and the general public, they are mistaken. Old birds are not caught with chaff! Even if they are really desirous of pressuring their political masters to protect democracy, they have undertaken a Sisyphean task. The tail cannot wag the dog. There is reason to believe that the script for their protest drama has been written at Temple Trees!
The SLFP-led trade unions ought to put their own house in order before asking others to get their act together. They are also responsible for the sorry state of affairs in the public sector, characterised by inefficiency, corruption and lethargy. The SLTB is a case in point. Most of its workers numbering about 35,000 belong to the SLFP`s trade union wing. Transport Minister Kumara Welgama lamented last month that not even God Sakvithi could save the SLTB from corruption, theft and other forms of malpractices. He said all his efforts to stop theft and corruption in that institution had been in vain. The same is true of all other public institutions where the ruling party trade unions call the shots.
The pro-government trade unions should stop trying to fool the public. Their members may throng the Lipton Circus or converge near the Fort Railway Station to shout themselves hoarse with the State media in tow, but they will be wasting their time and energy. If they are keen to render some service to this country and save their government, let them stop freeloading, work hard, setting an example to others, and help rid their institutions of theft, bribery, corruption, inefficiency and lethargy.
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