"Nights of the Generals".
Not the famous Hollywodd WW2 film,no Peter O'Toole or Omar Sharif,but starring two irrepressible individuals who have changed the history of the island,both victors against the LTTE.One whose fortunes have dramatically plummeted and enjoying the hospitality of the state,and another who likewise earlier similarly plummeted from grace and also enjoyed the hospitality of the prisons of the GOSL!
Exit Herr General der Fons and enter another General,clansman of Mrs.Bandaranaike's family,former guest of the prisons of the GOSL,a multi-faceted man accused of many crimes which were never proven,victor of Jaffna,uncle of former pres.Chandrika,free-wheeler the "three-wheeler" (a nasty reference to his walking stick when he injured his leg),none other than "Ratty","General" Anurudha Ratwatte.
This general however never went to Sandhurst,but was a member of Lanka's equivalent to our TA.Known during his salad days as "Col.",dear old Ratty who used to travel to Colombo from Kandy by bus saw the wheel of fate elevate him to the sublime position of energy minister,but also assisting in defence matters, in the Govt. of CBK,which allowed him to exchange his bus wheels for a spanking Merc,then reduced for a time to the status of a "three-wheeler" (what an auto or "tri-shaw" is called in the island) when he injured his leg. Gen. Ratwatte's claim to fame is that it was during his stewardship as minister,guiding the troops,the govt. of Chandrika evicted the LTTE from their "capital" Jaffna.That was the first major reversal that the LTTE suffered,an ignominious defeat,huge loss of face,as they then had to retreat into the jungle never to ever return to Jaffna,the heart of the island's northern Jaffna Tamils.In great solemnity in a public celebration,Gen. Ratty then presented to his ruler,Chandrika a scroll recording the capture of Jaffna,in the manner of the ancient kings.
With neice Chandrika in virtual retirement,nephew Anura having departed to the happy hunting ground, Gen.Ratty has now emerged out of the tea bushes of the hill country ready to "do battle" once more for the clan,this time though at the hustings,though not quite either as he is going to be on the "National List",the equivalent of being mereley nominated to Parliament and assured of his seat.
Excerpt:
http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2010/03/0 ... %99s-back/
Once one of the most feared men in politics, Anuruddha Ratwatte is now on the UPFA’s National List
Anuruddha Ratwatte
By R. Wijewardene In Kandy
Anuruddha Ratwatte is amongst the most controversial names in Sri Lankan politics.
Accused of murder, corruption and nothing less than turning Kandy into a war zone during previous elections, the former General and Minister for Energy disappeared from the political scene, following allegations that he was involved in the Udathalawinna massacre. The accusation was that his sons and security personnel, on his orders, gunned down 10 SLMC supporters who were accompanying ballot boxes to a counting centre.
Ratwatte was eventually cleared of involvement in the Udathalawinna case but that was hardly the only colourful episode in his controversial career. His son Lohan, now standing as candidate for the Kandy District, was accused of involvement in the killing of Joel Pera, a Fijian Rugby player outside a casino in 1998, while in 2002 certificates of deposits worth Rs. 45 million were found by the CID, in vaults belonging to Ratwatte.
But while some might argue that there is no smoke without fire, none of the various allegations against the ex-General have been proved, and now the veteran is on the verge of making a triumphant return to parliament.
To the horror of many of his former accusers and opponents, Kandy’s one time king pin has been placed on the UPFA National List.
While some might claim that it is a travesty to use an instrument (the National List) intended to allow intellectuals and professionals to enter parliament, to ensure an ageing thug gains a seat at his home in Katugastota, Ratwatte is defiant and quietly confident that his years of experience will allow him to make a contribution to the government’s development programmes.
