Owls may see ‘Batalanda’ better at night!
By Prof. Samitha Hettige.
The Gampaha district located in western SL covers an area of approx
1387 SQKMs. The Biyagama Divisional
Secretariat of Gampaha is approx 59 sqkm. It was part of
Kelaniya electorate since 1947 till 1977. President JRJ was its first Member of
Parliament (MP). In 1956 R.G. Senanayake who signed the Rubber Rice Pact with
China (RGS) defeated JRJ at Kelaniya. After the defeat, JRJ never contested
Kelaniya & entered Parliament from ‘Colombo-West’ co-representing with
Socialist MP Bernard Soysa. JRJ-Bernard bond is still remembered by many who
cherish true democracy. In 1977 Kelaniya was divided creating Biyagama. Ranil
Wickremasinghe (RW) (great grandson of Helena Wijewardena who renovated
Kelaniya Viharaya after being destroyed by the Portuguese) became the first MP for
Biyagama. During 1977 – 88 UNP government, RW initiated many development projects
for Biyagama including the Fertilizer factory & the Export Processing Zone. During the 1987 uprising, fertilizer factory’s
staff housing (at Batalanda in Biyagama) were assigned to the armed forces
battling the uprising. Thus it’s the ‘Batalanda’ camp. The primary responsibility
of a democratically elected government is ensuring the safety of its citizens
(especially the unarmed). It’s a topic discussed more widely in the west after
September 11th attacks & it can be discussed in detail quoting
many case studies.
Batalanda in London.
Batalanda
discussed ‘N’ times since 1987 was again discussed in London when RW visited an
event connected to Electronic media. As it was indicated that the ‘Batalanda
Commission Report’ wasn’t tabled in Parliament during the past 3 decades, it
was tabled recently. From their London maters Sri Lankans first flavored democratic
elections in 1931 & are still having a democratically elected government after
nearly 100 years. Some Sri Lankans may remember how conflicts surfaced whenever
they elected strong governments which had the ability to rule with confidence. 1971,
1983, 1987, 2013 & 2022 are notable. Did those conflicts prevent
development & created space for competitors? OR was there another agenda behind
these conflicts?
Batalanda at night.
Sri
Lankans elected a President & a very strong government in 2024. Respecting
democracy, the government is planning to hold local government elections (LG
polls) soon. At such a time, the people who wish progress may ask themselves…
1. Is economic restructuring necessary?
2. Should there be a strong
government for that?
3. Why defeated Ranil W is targeted?
4. Did someone made government hit
RW by creating a guilty feeling as its on track with the IMF?
5. Will opponents tell people at LG
polls that government is passing pressing issues with Batalanda?
6. Will that weaken the government
at grass roots?
7. If the government pulls out of
the financial management track what will be fate of the economy?
8. Is someone worried about RW working
with Socialists like JRJ & Bernard creating synergy?
9. Will such unions help reap more benefits
from the Belt & Road Initiative & the Indian Economy?
10. Where will the country end if conflicts
continue?
The Defence Services Command and Staff College is located at the Batalanda
hosing scheme at present. The Owl in its logo requests Sri Lankans to manage
conflicts with wisdom & knowledge (Views expressed are personal).
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