For seventy-four years, the Sri Lankan people have blamed their governments. But today, the nature of the public opposition directed at the new government has changed in an unprecedented way.

In the past, the people's anger was: "They come to the village during election time and give promises, but after the election, they don't even come near the area. Just wait till they come this time!" This was a common anger based merely on being deceived.

But today, the people scold the government by reminding them of a very specific pact they themselves made with the people. It is no longer an ordinary political promise, but the result of a struggle they themselves built over many years.

The Pact They Wrote Themselves

The best example is the farmers. When they cannot sell their paddy, they say this: "The leaders of the Malimawa went from one paddy field bund to another back then. When the government offered 120 rupees, they took to the streets with us demanding 150. Don't they remember that now?"

When speaking of teacher salary anomalies, they are reminded of trade union leaders like Mahinda Jayasinghe. "They were the ones who brought us to the streets demanding 6% of the GDP for education. Now they are avoiding us."

This difference was most sharply highlighted during the restructuring of the Electricity Board. In a conversation between a current trade union leader and a heavyweight in the Malimawa government, the leader accused him: "Aren't you ashamed? We are the ones who brought you to this position. We marched with you against restructuring. How can you do this now?"

The response revealed the new political reality. "Yes, I came here on your shoulders. We will do what we have to do. If you take to the streets, the police and the military are ready. Know this, we are not afraid to kill, nor are we afraid to die."

How Power Changed in the Past - Others' Fights, Their Victories

This situation is completely different from past politics. Throughout history, many political leaders came to power by "hijacking" popular movements that they did not create, but which were already brewing in society.

• 1956: The struggle for "Sinhala as the state language," initiated by scholars like Munidasa Kumaratunga, was used by S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike for his political advantage at its peak.

• 1994: The anti-corruption and pro-democracy struggle waged for 17 years by NGOs and human rights activists was used by Mrs. Chandrika Kumaratunga as her tool to come to power.

• 2005: The nationalist wave, energized by thinkers like Gunadasa Amarasekara, Nalin de Silva, and Soma Thero, was used by Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa to consolidate his power and win the war.

In all these instances, politicians merely took leadership of pre-existing popular movements.

The Politics of Creating Problems

But the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the Malimawa followed a different path. What they did was identify problems faced by the people, educate the people about them, teach them about their rights, and rally the people around them. Sometimes, their activities extended even to creating a problem where one didn't exist.

• 6% of GDP for education.
  
  

• The true mastermind of the Easter attacks.
  
  

• Printing money in Uganda.
  
  

• Rohitha Rajapaksa's rocket.
  
  

• A price of 150 rupees per kilo of paddy.

These are all "pacts" they themselves established in the minds of the people. Therefore, after the government came to power today, the people are measuring them not against ordinary promises, but against these very specific yardsticks they created. They are now forced to reap what they sowed. This is why the public's anger today is different, sharper, and more personal than before.

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