The better of the two will win

By Wednesday next, we will know who our next President is, and hopefully a farsighted person from the two major contenders would be elected. Such a person would not only think that all of us belong to one Nation as members of humankind, besides placing the country in a global context
To my mind the humanist Mahinda Rajapaksa would be a statesman and a leader, whereas Sarath Fonseka would be promulgating a racist ideology if he captures power with the strength of a gullible voting public, among the numerically powerless segment in the Lankan ethnic groups.
It is surprising that some of the so-called political leaders among the Thamilians in the country are still swimming against the current to a kind of nationalism that is outmoded in terms of realistic situations. They are living in a fools’ paradise and not understanding the needs of the people at large belonging to their community. Decade after decade, they continue with an idealism that is not going to be pragmatic.
Their age- long selfishness and false sense of superiority over sections of people who speak Thamil are factors that have led to divisions among them. Now the underdogs have realized that and have fondly embraced a leader who could deliver. Whereas, the former left- oriented militants have recognized this new awakening, but a few leaders seem to live in a world of wishful thinking. They refuse to think afresh. Just as the JVP who earlier wanted to go back to the pre-Portuguese period, the so-called Thamil leaders want to go back to the golden age of the Cholas and Pandiyas. Emotionalism has rendered the younger generation of Thamilians to resort to ignorance and militancy.
Please note that I am not disrespectful to them, but the scenario has changed vastly and they should understand the present with all its ramifications.
My views are obviously personal, but they could have a “space” in a fast changing world. I am basically a literary columnist, but as a senior citizen of the country I have a right to express my opinion on current politics in the country

Associations

Fortunately, for me I do not associate politicians. That helps me to perceive things as I understand it. I wonder whether President Rajapaksa knows me at all. I have smiled with Ranil Wickremesinghe at an art exhibition when he was in the company of his wife Maithree,who knows me as a journalist and a literary critic. I am also thankful to him for sending me birthday wishes as he normally does for artistes and others. I know R.Sambanthan as a distant acquaintance in Thirukoanamalai. I know Rauf Hakeem as a playmate of my sons when they were young. I know Mano Ganesan as the son of the late V.P. Ganesan, a film actor and producer. I know Thangeswari as a researcher in archeology. They are all nice people as friends. Even then I am sorry that they have unwittingly got caught in a trap that would surprise them unexpectedly.
Maybe my predictions might not come true and yet I strongly feel that the visionary leader would emerge successfully.