Lesson Learnt in Revolution at Cairo (LLRC)       

(By Lenin Benedict-Toronto)

History has once again proved that any country or dictatorship will be over thrown by the united power of people.  The waves of Democratic revolution which starts at Tunisia, followed by Egypt sweeping across the whole of Middle East changing its political landscape. It is yet to reach the shores of Asia and other parts of the Globe but it is certain it will rock each and every nation that is governed by emergency laws and ruled by dictators. When it reaches the shores of Asia, Srilanka will be definitely the first one to get hit.  The news of uprising by people in police state and the message that carries will make the people of Srilanka to fall in line with them.

In the Egyptian revolution, there is a lesson to be learned by the suppressed people living all over the world and particularly by Srilankans and most particularly by Tamils of Srilanka. There was not one shot fired by the people of Egypt against the Government forces or police, or looting or setting fire to private or Government properties. Notably there was no big clash between the revolting masses and the forces. Though at one point, the President supporters and forces in civil attacked the protesting masses, as planned by the president of Egypt to provocate the masses to lead the country into a civil war. But the patience and unity shown by the people of Egypt lead to the victory to oust autocratic President Hosni Mubarak, who ruled the country under military laws and emergency for 29 years. This is a significant event in the modern world, a lesson to all dictators and notably to the people of the universe, unlike the Russian and French revolution, the people revolution can be won without a bullet also even without a ballet. Without spilling a single drop of blood, without taking up arms a revolution was won.

The second significant thing here was the revolution won without a proper leadership in the case of Egyptian revolt. This is a unique and unimaginable thing had happened ever in the history of the world. Unlike other revolution, there was no firm political party participation or trade union call for a strike or a single leader who lead this mass protest. It was the most democratic victory to the people of Egypt without even getting proper guidance and orders to follow and what to do next. It was only in the middle of the situation Mr. El Baradei and the opposition involved negotiating with the government authorities. But Mr. El Baradei nor the Muslim brotherhood did not command the people or lead the people of Egypt for this protest that lead to the victory of revolution. It was in the appropriate time of the protest, the working class, the trade unions supported and other organizations joined and changed the revolution as a mass strike. The Egyptians have written a new history of politics and revolution in the world to follow. The Egyptians, who were the oldest civilization of the world, have also shown a political civilization to the modern world.

The third unique factor in this victory of Egypt revolution was the masses of Egypt have overcome their difference of religious and political differences. The participation of all section of the people of Egypt leads to the emerging victory. The undivided mass of Egypt which set its goal to defeat the ruling regime was one of the major factors in defeating the autocratic president. The goal of winning democracy and a new leadership for the Egypt and the thirst of freedom has over ridden all the differences within the masses, which lead to a united fight against the ruling regime of dictatorship. The Muslims belongs to various sects and Christians join together to defeat the autocratic President, who have divided them for decades was a shock to the regime. This unity ensures the victory of revolution without any doubt. 

The fourth amazing factor was the political slogan of the people of Egypt. Though the regime promised to make some concessions to the demand of the revolting mass, the entire mass never gave up the main demand of Dictator President Ouster. They never compromised with their main demand, which strengthens the hands of the people of Egypt to go forward and due to sticking strongly of their demands, more support came from rural areas of Egypt. This was unexpected by the ruling regime and which took measures to break the growing support that lead to strengthens the hands of the protested people in Cairo. Starting at Cairo, the people of other parts of Egypt began to understand the historical duty of the citizens, which the over whelming support poured throughout the country for a regime change and the voice of the people heard throughout the world. The people of Egypt did not compromise their freedom and democracy for petty reform to bread and butter. The people of Egypt never compromised their Democratic revolution just for reform; as a result a new nation was born.  The political slogan of freedom and democracy by the people of Egypt reached every capital city of the world, and the people of International community who really stood and stand for it, responded by huge demonstrations in support of Egyptian people ignoring the American intervention.

In this context, Srilankans have to learn many things. In fact, we as a Nation have to give up our differences to fight dictatorship and autocratic rule by uniting the divided community. Nothing could be possible with the divided masses but everything is possible with united masses and that what the Egyptian experiences has taught us. Srilankans should understand their future depends on the unity of all the communities in the country and their rights, Democracy and freedom will be ensured only by such unity. Their future, social life, economy, political rights and their existence are interlinked with each other and will be threaten by the divide and rule of the Srilankan government which continues for decades. This revolution in Egypt has also taught us the courage to stand firm in our plight for freedom and democracy, which cannot be suppressed by Emergency laws. We have to consider the fact that the army in uniform has never shot a single citizen, knowing the real cause for unrest and indirectly supported the uprising of the masses. The military has taken a right stand in this mass apprising without taking sides with Dictator President and took a neutral stand and has done its duty to protect the democratic right of the citizens and to protect the country.

 Much more to the contrary of the Egyptians, Srilanka has organized labour unions and strong political opposition parties to counter any threat unlike the countries like Tunisia and Egypt. We Srilanka have a history of conscious working class movement and labour organizations which have lead to fight for our political right. Our political freedom can be achieved by a compromising working program within the progressive and forward looking political parties against the ruling autocratic dictatorship regime. Let Srilankans not be blind folded by bogus developments projected by the government media or for bread and butter, for our precious freedom and democracy. Let us not push our children to live in political slavery under Rajapakse Dynasty.  Let our voice for freedom and Democracy blasts the ears of Dictator.

Unite O ‘Srilanka

Preserve Your Freedom and Democracy.       Preserve Your Dignity

Long Live Srilankan Unity and Democracy