Harini and Harsha, the tale of two debacles

Argument
By Editor_1
Even the supposedly more intelligent players slip up in the game of politics every now and then. Two did last week, one from the government and the other from the opposition: Prime Minister D. Harini Amarasuriya from the government and Dr Harsha de Silva of the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) - counterpoint.lk

By Kassapa 

Despite most of its practitioners not being the most erudite or intelligent, politics is a difficult sport to engage in. It requires a different kind of nuanced approach. Even the supposedly more intelligent players slip up every now and then. Two did last week, one from the government and the other from the opposition: Prime Minister D. Harini Amarasuriya from the government and Dr Harsha de Silva of the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB).

The Premier walked right into a trap carefully laid out by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP). Its parliamentarian D. V. Chanaka inquired about the fate of the ‘SupremeSAT’, the rocket purportedly launched to please Rohitha Rajapaksa’s whims and fancies, when papa Mahinda was at the peak of his powers. The PM’s reply raised many eyebrows, possibly including her own. The project did not cost the state any funds and is now generating billions of rupees in revenue, she told Parliament. Chanaka couldn’t hide his joy.

This clearly exposed Amarasuriya’s naiveté regarding such matters. Given all the previous negative publicity for the Rajapaksas with regard to the rocket project where Rohitha was mocked mercilessly from election platforms, Amarasuriya should have wondered why Chanaka was asking this question now, if it had the potential to further embarrass Rohitha Rajapaksa.

If the Prime Minister glanced through the answer, she should have immediately clarified the statistics provided because it ran contrary to all what has been said regarding the SupremeSAT project until now. Surely, she must have realized that the figures she was about to read out would destroy the image the National Peoples’ Power (NPP) and other parties had so carefully built, that of the Rajapaksas as a clan of corrupt, egotistic rulers who acted as if the Treasury was their private property.

Amarasuriya did none of this. Instead, she read out the answers that had been provided to her. If and when she realized her blunder, it was too late. Social media had erupted, proclaiming the innocence of the Rajapaksas of all the crimes they have been accused of.

The NPP’s handling of the crisis was no less incompetent. They sent the garrulous Wasantha Samarasinghe to respond the next day, also in Parliament. He disputed Amarasuriya’s statistics, destroying what little credibility the PM had left. This only provided more ammunition for the opposition, who gleefully claimed the government was divided into the NPP and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) camps. The SJB, perhaps intoxicated by their own lies, suggested that Sajith Premadasa was willing to lead a government formed with the ‘progressive’ elements of the NPP.

To sort out this mess, the government had to resort to cringeworthy measures. A photo of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake holding a plant and other NPP leaders surrounding it was released. Bimal Ratnayake publicly said that they were all in “full love” and “full fit” with Amarasuriya.

Amarasuriya survives as PM because her party believes it was an honest mistake by her, but she can now ill afford similar gaffes in the future. All this goes to show that politics, being the bloodsport that it is, only certain types of animals can survive in it.

Harsha De Silva could be that certain type of animal. He may have thought he was displaying a stroke of political genius when, during a speech in Parliament, he said “don’t laugh at India” referring to the high tariffs United States President Donald Trump had imposed on that country, even though no one in government was targeting, criticizing or mocking our giant neighbour.

The next phase of De Silva’s plan was to post a clip of that particular segment of his speech, add subtitles and post it on his social media accounts. It had the response De Silva desired, at least in India, where it was quoted in the media and re-circulated many times. De Silva had his fifteen minutes of fame in Bharat.

What De Silva didn’t bargain for was the backlash he encountered in Sri Lanka. The average Lankan citizen, intelligent and political savvy these days, saw this for what it was: a crude attempt by De Silva to score brownie points with India and project himself as a leading light- and possibly a leadership contender- in the SJB. There is nothing wrong in aspiring for leadership of the SJB but to do so at the expense of your own country’s government was not correct when the government had done nothing to antagonise India and, to contrary, had gone out of its way to appease New Delhi.

The fallout for De Silva was significant. No one from the SJB spoke out in his defence. Previously, De Silva portrayed himself as the economic czar of the SJB and had taken on the mantle of self-appointed shadow Minister of Finance because of his professional training as an economist though some of his more recent economic predictions have been way off the mark, suggesting that Sri Lanka will be hit by high tariffs by Trump and that importing cars will be a great financial burden on the Treasury.

Silva was also seen as a politician in the gentleman’s mould who does not stoop to conquer. That has now changed with this latest tactic, and even his colleagues in the SJB are now wary about him. SJB members report that Silva has been surreptitiously promoting himself among various factions within the party but not openly challenging Sajith Premadasa because he fears that it will be the end of his political career.

De Silva will be 61 years of age in a few days’ time and will be over 65 years of age when the next national elections are held. It may be that he feels he is running out of time. It may be that he missed out on a golden opportunity to be Finance Minister when Ranil Wickremesinghe became President. Being in the opposition for a long time plays tricks on peopl,e and this maybe what prompted the below-the-belt assault on the government. Now, he has learnt the hard way that there are no shortcuts to power.

Amarasuriya’s lapse exposed her amateurishness. Silva’s act was more diabolical. PM Amarasuriya and MP De Silva, we hope, have learnt their lessons. Or else, the country will stand to lose two politicians of whom much was expected.        

-This article was originally featured on counterpoint.lk

Editor_1
You might also like More from author

Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.

otc high blood pressure treatment blood pressure guidelines medications blood pressure pills that is safe for the liver high blood pressure medication levothyroxine blood pressure medication that reduces blood pressure is there any difference in blood pressure pills high blood pressure child medication blood pressure medication recommendation nose blue blood pressure medication blood pressure is 150 68 should i take my medication blood pressure medication while nursing taking a bunch of high blood pressure pills aerobic exercise and blood pressure medication good blood pressure medication acupuncture treatment for low blood pressure best over the counter pills for high blood pressure blood pressure pill amlodipine besylate high blood pressure signs and treatment moderna vaccine blood pressure medication which blood pressure drugs do not cause tinnitus blood pressure medication fights cancer blood pressure medication skin rash side effects of high blood pressure medication impotence medication to avoid on blood pressure medications high blood pressure rx medication peripheral neuropathy caused by blood pressure medication high blood pressure in pregnancy treatment nice runny nose do to blood pressure medication how to get off of blood pressure pills hiv medication and high blood pressure niacin treatment for high blood pressure two drugs for blood pressure that caused cancer high blood pressure causing medications high blood pressure medication names canada blood pressure medication side effects alcohol i take 3 blood pressure medication blood pressure pills that help with anxiety what iv drug raises blood pressure list of doctors who formulated blood pressure medications how to remember blood pressure medications sleeping pills blood pressure how fast does blood pressure medication take effect sweet n low high blood pressure medication home treatment for blood pressure high blood pressure medication matrocet high blood pressure medication doses blood pressure drug bystolic iberstaron blood pressure medication blood pressure medications st alphabetical celexa and high blood pressure medication does blood pressure pills irritation skin can i take combivent with high blood pressure medication blood pressure medications beta blockers list what to do if blood pressure medication does not work drugs to lower your blood pressure red beet pills for blood pressure taurine and blood pressure medications how ling for garlic pills to lower blood pressure blood pressure medication list and side effects can i take aspirin with high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication teaching about hot tubs water pills high blood pressure over counter what is an arb medication for blood pressure resveratrol high blood pressure medication high blood pressure medication and weight loss gum disease and blood pressure medication benzenesulfonic acid in blood pressure medication taking two blood pressure pills by mistake allergy pills for high blood pressure blood pressure prescription drugs safety blood pressure medication in pregnancy trazodone and blood pressure medication which blood pressure medication is linked to skin cancer list of blood pressure medications with the least side effects could blood pressure medication make blood thicker disadvantages of high blood pressure medication blood pressure medications ludipril typical drugs for high blood pressure otc water pills for high blood pressure blood pressure medications that do not doncause bowel blockage high blood pressure after corrosion treatment how soon does high blood pressure medication work blood pressure medication teaching amertyrine high blood pressure medication increased blood pressure and heart rate after drug overdose over the counter drugs high blood pressure blood pressure medication 25 is blood pressure medication a nitrate most effective blood pressure pills blood pressure medical does red yeast rice interfere with high blood pressure medication can apple cider vinegar pills lower blood pressure does blood pressure medication give you headaches high blood pressure medication and driving should you take blood pressure pills with food inn blood pressure drugs can you eat bananas if taking blood pressure medication popular high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication los blood pressure medication second drug low blood pressure and hypertension medication do water pills lower blood pressure high blood pressure pill aqunadine high blood pressure cholesterol medication how does medication lower blood pressure acetaminophen blood pressure medication blood pressure medication 30 mg that works around the heart what does grapefruit do to blood pressure medication can red yeast rice be taken with blood pressure medication pharmaceutical treatment for high blood pressure are blood pressure pills statins blood pressure pills that start with r blood pressure medication and male impotence taking baby aspirin with other high blood pressure medications what is the medical name for a blood pressure cuff leg cramps and blood pressure medication blood pressure pill name starts with p natural high blood pressure treatments blood pressure medication names losartan higher blood pressure with radiation treatment medical marijauna high blood pressure how to avoid medication for high blood pressure what time is best to take blood pressure medication medication for palpitations and high blood pressure latest news on blood pressure treatment what if i take two blood pressure pills does xanax interfere with blood pressure medication amlipan blood pressure medication vitamin e and blood pressure medication tell me the side effects of high blood pressure medication herbs pills to lower blood pressure blood pressure medication urge to urinate what medication will safely replace lisop as blood pressure medicine active ingredient in high blood pressure medication blood pressure medications cause adrenal tumors is biktarvy ok to take with high blood pressure medication alembic blood pressure medication sandoz blood pressure medication exercise high blood pressure medication grapefruit pills blood pressure treatment for high blood pressure at home blood pressure medication for patients with osa cycle on off blood pressure medication blood pressure drugs that do not cause heat sensitivity blood pressure medications that do not cause coughing what blood pressure medications do not cause rosacea pfizer blood pressure medication side effects do garlic pills really help lower blood pressure should i take medication for anxiety induced blood pressure treatment for uncontrolled blood pressure decongestant medication high blood pressure can stiff days be used with high blood pressure medication how long does it take medication to lower blood pressure what if i miss a blood pressure pill tribenzor high blood pressure pills law lawsuit 2023 treatment of sudden drop in blood pressure zoloft and blood pressure medication orange high blood pressure pill cancer blood pressure pill why cant people with high blood pressure take keto pills how long for blood pressure to go down mini pill should i get second opinion before taking blood pressure medication blood pressure erectile dysfunction medication high blood pressure medication m lot ben medical device lowers blood pressure puppy ate blood pressure pill are there medications for low blood pressure dod blood pressure medication is losartan a blood pressure pill combination drugs for blood pressure marijuana and blood pressure medication interaction blood pressure medication interactions with grapefruit can you eat bananas while taking high blood pressure medication steps before going on high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication when to cut down foods to avoid on blood pressure medication blood pressure medications depression blood pressure medication non beta blocker tattoos and high blood pressure medication what is the medications used to lower blood pressure quickly high blood pressure medication leg swelling blood pressure medication men in your 40s blood pressure medication wieight loss blood pressure medication hy can blood pressure medication lower blood sugar does blood pressure medication make you pee natural treatment high blood pressure during pregnancy can you take l arginine with high blood pressure medication what class of blood pressure medication can can blood pressure pills reduce appetite faa approved medication for high blood pressure high blood pressure medication during pregnancy best blood pressure medication for type 2 diabetes blood pressure and pain medication pain medication that does not affect blood pressure best high blood pressure drugs on the market if you take incorrect medications to lower blood pressure low blood pressure treatments does your body have to adjust to blood pressure medication why water pill for high blood pressure drugs for treatment of very high blood pressure during pregnancy can i drink grapefruit juice with high blood pressure medication can blood pressure pills make you feel cold high blood pressure medication that helps with weight loss amlodipine blood pressure drug blood pressure medication for infants varicose veins blood pressure medication life extension high blood pressure medication does tylenol interfere with blood pressure medication can i take diamox with other high blood pressure medications prestige medical blood pressure cuff calibration drugs used for high blood pressure chamomile tea and high blood pressure medication narcotics stored alongside blood pressure medications in does nutrigrove blood pressure pills work extremely low blood pressure treatment blood pressure medication for iga nephropathy blood pressure medication low side effects can i increase my blood pressure medication what is the best blood pressure medication to take drugs that cause increased blood pressure does biotin interfere with high blood pressure medication cani od on high blood pressure pills blood pressure medication that also helps with jerking blood pressure medication categories first line treatment of high blood pressure medication for low blood pressure in usa armour thyroid drug interactions blood pressure meds hepatitis c treatment high blood pressure high blood pressure arb drugs low blood pressure treatment with essential oils high blood pressure medication list for pregnancy blood pressure medication and snake venom blood pressure medication low dose liquid blood pressure medications ivf drugs and high blood pressure left my blood pressure medication does it matter when you take blood pressure medication can you take blood pressure pills twice a day privilin blood pressure medication how big are blood pressure pills once you start blood pressure medication can you stop diuretic in blood pressure medication what medication reduce blood pressure new blood pressure treatment prescribed home medications for high blood pressure blood pressure medication side effects forums taking blood pressure pills dizzy when bend over a lot blood pressure medication and nyquil cinnamon pills and high blood pressure temporary high blood pressure treatment single agent blood pressure medication blood pressure medication made in china fda approved medications to reduce blood pressure immediate treatment for high blood pressure at home best time to take blood pressure pills muscle loss on high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication when needed treat high blood pressure without medication blood pressure medication side effects for men cbd pills for high blood pressure blood pressure regulation without medication blood pressure medication and pre workout high blood pressure alzheimer disease and antihypertensive treatment miss blood pressure medication blood pressure pills suicide peaceful emergency drugs for low blood pressure common blood pressure medications in canada systolic blood pressure define medical viril and high blood pressure pills can statin drugs help lower blood pressure do you have to wean off blood pressure medication new drugs for blood pressure when is high blood pressure medication necessary drugs for hi blood pressure cold medications and blood pressure taking 2 blood pressure pills mistake why doctors stopped prescribing blood pressure medication common high blood pressure medication canada what side effects does blood pressure medication have ulcer medication high blood pressure can high blood pressure medication elevate alkaline phosphatase blood pressure medication warning getting blood pressure medication jamaica alkaline water and blood pressure medication blood pressure going up and down with medication drugs reduce systolic blood pressure treatment for rapid high blood pressure low blood pressure alternative treatment do all high blood pressure medications cause weight gain medication for increasing blood pressure blood pressure medication for african american males vitamins for high blood pressure treatment aleve with blood pressure medication how to lower blood pressure without pills blood pressure triple pill who blood pressure guidelines for hygiene treatment what drug reduces blood pressure blood pressure medications enalapril met blood pressure medication