Belated advice to the President from a disenchanted Muslim..!

-Dr.  Marina Thaha Reffai-

The end of war certainly gladdened the hearts of all Srilankans (except a few of course) and the feeling of gratitude amongst the citizens was of course total. The terror of  the sounds of bombs, the sleepless nights when people of the house have to go out with no certainty of coming back whole or alive, the abject helplessness of the common man – all were brought to a stop with the cessation of war. We are and will be always thankful to the President who did it and the team that carried it out.

But then one cannot submit to terror, intimidation and murder just out of gratitude.  Whoever who concocted this stupid theory of garnering the Buddhist votes by terrorizing and oppressing the minorities – they need to get their heads examined. But more so, the President, after governing the Srilankans for almost a decade, if he did not know the pulse of them, then there is something seriously rotten in his governance. How did he fail to realize that the Srilankan Buddhists are truly Buddhists in their hearts in spite of apparent  westernization, lack of practicing the outward rituals etc. and they will reject anti Buddhist activities?  How did he miss the fact that the war weary nation does not want another war amongst them – not now, not ever? How? The signs were not muted. The writings, the speeches, the vigils, the outcry of the Buddhists were very loud and clear. Except a few NON ENTITY individuals the Sinhala Buddhists –from the illiterate farmers to the highest intellectuals spoke out – yet he kept silent. AND STILL, AMAZINGLY, IS KEEPING SILENT.

Almost 350 oppressive, destructive  incidences against the minorities, mostly against the Muslims, went totally unheeded.  Not even a hum. How did he fail to realize irrespective of who voted for him. He is the sovereign head of the state? That he has the responsibility to safeguard each and every single citizen irrespective of party affiliation, cast, creed or ethnicity? I remember reading in the newspapers,  in the early political career of Namal Rajapakse, his quote “ We will not help you since you did not vote for us”  - the thought went through  my head – here goes a failed politician in his early career.

The amazing situation is – even now – right in the middle of the fight for survival – the President is being advised to commit more and more blunders. His party members have walked into Muslim settlements and have said blatantly “we don’t need your votes”. The leaflets asking the citizen to vote for him are being handed over to the pedestrians and motorists on the road – carefully avoiding any Muslims. How come such a veteran politician does not realize that every single vote counts? And that a  good leader tries to please every single citizen?

Mr. President, You have to look at the coterie around you with a fresh look. They are trying to bury you.