The truth about Champika Ranawaka

Malinda Seneviratne’s column (Dated 18-52023) The Republican Credentials of Patali Champika Ranawaka was an attempt to analyse Champika Ranawaka’s (CR) modus operandi.

Malinda hypothesized, and his data seemed to support the proposition, that CR’S operational mode is tailored to build his own image, his own cult of personality at the expense of the rest. Malinda, as a testimony to his claim, has listed a number of defunct organizations which CR himself was instrumental in organizing and later defecting. Malinda laments “...Misfortunes of these organizations haven’t stopped his star from rising in the political firmament..”

First, the aforementioned organizations were social creations and actions were collective. Groups of like-minded congregate around a common purpose and the decisions were taken collectively over which CR commanded zero monopoly.

For example,asoka Abeygunewardana, a former member of the CR group wrote a book (Revolution of the Era, 2015) claiming that Asoka himself was the mastermind behind bringing down Mahinda Rajapaksa regime in 2015.True or false, this is just one such example which negates Malinda’s claim that CR is running a oneman show and the rest are mere puppets and victimized followers.

I can produce a number of cases in support of my counterclaim but I have limited space allowance. Secondly, Malinda says,“...political parties are mere vessels that allow him to move from one shore to another as Champika once openly stated...”

But this is in contradiction with what CR had often repeated that he doesn’t see an intrinsic value in a political party but a utilitarian one.

Not necessarily less political efficacy but from a practical standpoint a party serves as a vehicle of political expression, a tool to advance a nation’s destiny.

Conditions foster and shape the party system.who would carry at the end of the day the vessel on their back once they have reached the destination?

DHAMMIKA

AMARAKOON