Ceylon workers Congress once again staged its drama of quitting from one side to the other-from the government to the opposition and vice versa. After the birth of the new millennium, the Cockerel symbol party has changed sides several times during the last seven and a half years.

Ceylon Workers Congress, which was in the Peoples’ Alliance in 2000, crossed over to opposition in October 2001. It contested the general election in an alliance with the UNP. When the government was defeated in 2004 and President Chandrika’s government came to power in 2004 April, CWC occupied the opposition ranks. Within 6 months the CWC changed sides. In 2004 September, the CWC accepted port folios in the Chandrika’s government. It changed sides again in September 2005.

In 2005 November, the CWC entered into an alliance with the UNP during the Presidential polls and worked against Mahinda Rajapakse. Since Ranil lost by a narrow margin, CWC had to remain in the opposition. As the CWC is unhappy over being in the opposition, it crossed over to the government led by President Rajapakse last August.

Now the CWC has again staged another cross over. It won’t be a surprise if they once again come to an amicable settlement and occupy the government ranks. As long as they believe in the slogan that they are with the government to deliver the goods to their people, it will not be difficult for them to justify their summersaults.

It is appropriate to address our minds the impact this cross over of the CWC to the opposition can have in the political arena of the country. The government will be in a difficult predicament. The government maintains a majority today because it has embraced politicians who change over from one party to another and by including political parties such as Upcountry Peoples’ Front, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress etc.

If these parties also cross over from the government, the government may have to approach the JVP for support. The JVP which will be reluctant either to face the general election or to permit the UNP to come to power may extend support to the government.

It is obvious that the government will have to become a prey in the hands of extremist Buddhist forces for survival. There can be more harassment to the Tamils and more violence unleashed on the Tamil people by way of a war and so on. It can also result in more support to the struggle of the Tamil people from the international community. This is what can be in store for the Tamils!

An English translation of the Editorial in The Sudar Oli, a Tamil daily, based in Colombo

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