A United Opposition? (Opinion)
JVP Leader, DNA Leader and UNP Leader at election event (file photo)
Yesterday it was announced that a coalition was in the offing- between General Sarath Fonseka’s Democratic National Alliance (DNA) and the UNP led United National Front (UNF).
This was following the call from some parties to have a broader alliance, for greater impact. Hardly rocket science- the UPFA already has a near two-thirds majority in Parliament. As such, the Opposition is forced to voice grievances in Parliament which are quickly drowned by the outraged shouts (and sometimes insults) on the Government side. In terms of power, the Opposition’s got the thin end of the wedge.
The main cry for many is the need for a strong, vibrant Opposition- one which is able to provide some sort of check and balance to the Government. The fact is, right now that doesn’t seem to exist.
The main Opposition party, the UNP, has come under fire of late, with several consecutive losses under their belts. What’s more, the party has turned inward on itself, with petty infighting and finger pointing. What’s more, Opposition Leader Wickremesinghe is working with the President to implement constitutional reforms. While there’s nothing wrong with having a different point of view when discussing reform, Wickremesinghe doesn’t have the political clout to stand up to the President. It looks like the Opposition is opposition in name only.
In that sense, joining with Fonseka seems like a good idea, in theory. Then again, there’s that sense of deja vu. The last time Fonseka decided to work with the UNP, it didn’t exactly end well. Fonseka has publicly said he thinks the UNP could have done more to help him once he was incarcarated. Besides that, the merge didn’t yield the fruitful results expected- the common candidate Fonseka polled even fewer votes than Wickremesinghe had previously.
So while it might make sense to join forces, the Opposition needs to put aside their political and personal differences if they want to make any sort of impact. That means no more personality clashes, contradictory statements or subtle digs.
Possible? Yes. Probable? Maybe not.
Yet another FAILED coalition with their failed policies… We the general public just laugh at these comic characters. :)
Well said..
What is Fonseka doing out of the jail.. Please lock up this mad man before he opens that stupid mouth hole again.
Maybe Oz you are an animal offspring or= of the Rajapakses.
the 2/3 majority is a vitual mathematical concept. First MR conducted Anti-social provincial Council Elections intermittently all all over island wasting around 13000+++ millinos rupees plus all the government machinery including the government servents ,rupavahini ete. Following that he went to a premature presidential elctions and won the same using all the un-democratic means in the world. After that he went to to a general election using his vitual power and all the government machinery. Following that Gen Fonseka was jailed on personal rivalry.
Now every body must have an home work to chech whether MR has 2/3 majority from the voters.
Palipana, Were you born yesterday? PC elections have to be conducted every five years, because it is a part of the constitution, the 1987 version. These have been held since 1988 and will be held until a new constitution is brought forward. MR didn’t have to do a lot to win the elections, he was so popular after winning the war and his opponent was so weak, a man who had no votebase, as demonstrated by the general election. But did your God, the Police help MR as well? Were they bias? Did you fail maths at O/L? It’s not rocket science, MR needs only 3 or 4 MP’s for a 2/3 majority in the parliament, simple arithmatic. Anyway, worry about serious points mate, the power has to be devolved, to develop all the regions in the country, you shouldn’t worry about that. What is worrying is, if Fonseka and Ranil did not cooperate, MR might strenthen the Executive president’s credentials with his 2/3, which will be horrendous. Exec Presidency shouldn’t exist and it should go, the opposition should somehow apply pressure to this effect.
Well Ruwan, I dont see anything wrong with their body languages either. They all look genuine compare to MR & Co body languages.
“Body languages”…..what a joke Ha ! – Ha !! – Ha !!!
the 3 “loser” clowns holding hands again !!!
with the “Pamankada” man – grinning like a cat in the background….
Palipane, what is your favourite leader Ranil doing with this undemocratic man. Sleeping with him ? Ranil Gahanna Gahanna Vadinawa vage….may be it thrills him.
I wish that Hon.Sajith Premadasa will act as a professional politician such as Ranil Wickramasinghe, Somawanse Amerasinghe, Mangala Samaraweera and Ravi Karunanayeke. please read the book “In Search of Excellence” .
Hon. General Fonseka is the true President of Srilanka. The level of attack against him by the government shows how feared they are. He is so strong to withstand all this.
lol… the true president was only manage to get 5% votes. Percy… you are a joker.
During the last presidential election 4million plus votes counted for SF with all govt. prpoganda against him while using maximum govt. resources and media. In vote counting centres, many counting cetres took control by govt thugs during last stage of the counting. Then alleged computer manupulation of results. With all this 5milion plus counted for MR. 5million plus did not vote out of 14million plus registered voters. Then election commssioner went missing. Then, instead of a live statement of the final winner by EC, recorded statment from EC was given in all channels. Later EC gave a live ststement in disgust followed by a completely different statement later. If you analyse all this, the answer is clear.
Step out your lala land.. Fonseka lost hands down. JVP/DNA managed to get only 5% at the Parliamentary Election. What happened to that JVP’s election Gilmart case.. LOL
General got 41% with all the intimidation. Surely everyone knows what happened at the election and who won.
You must be from some other planet
Finally we feel there is light at the end of the tunnel. Opposition please send the Jarapakshas home!:-) We want democracy in our country not idi amin & bros rule!!
Preethi, There may be light at the end of the tunnel, but the tunnel is way too long and the guys holding the light are so untrustworthy. Don’t ever go in to the tunnell, when you are in the middle, they’ll turn the light off. Just look at the body language of the three-some. Ranil is laughing like, “here’s something for you to read in the prison cell, don’t take it seriously”. Fonseka is looking at Ranil like, “we are doing this again, second time in less than 10 months”. Jilmart lokka is laughing like ‘This is fun isn’t it’. Only serious point to read is, Fonseka wants to be the leader of any alliance, with 5% votebase and Jilmart lokka wants some new subject to talk about.
Whatever it is Ruwan, it is good for the opposition and MR and Co will be shaken dramatically, I reckon.
why dont we lets see how its going to work?
i am sure it will. There must be an end to all the silly dramas for the sake of the country. If not God only knows where will be taken at the end.
Please do not bring Idi Amin to your arguments.
Idi Amin was a great man who stood up to Indian colonialism and imperialism.
Indians in Uganda, Kenya, Fiji etc are the same as the Indians (include Tamils) in Ceylon. They are the colonial parasites of the British Empire.
I hope this will work, actually its high time to be united as strong common opposition. There maybe some differences but the seniors must iron out all sorts of differences and work toward a common goal.
There is no need to be diplomatic anymore (at least for the time being) as majority of Srilankans dont understand it or appreciate it. If RW avoids speaches in sinhalese that too will help, let Sajith Dayasiri, Karu, Gayantha and JVP comrades do the Sinhala speeches. If you have to wear a couple shawls around your neck, do it. Thats the only way to win back the lost glory. (its cheating and not ethical but there is no alternative to fool the majority of people sadly, if its good for MR and clan – its good for UNP/JVP too).
Shawls around the neck and speeches in Sinhala. Boy! The lankan voters will love you,. Even people like Malinda Seneviratne who are anti-western,hardcore sinhala buddhists will start writing articles glorifying you.
Hussein, . “If RW avoids speaches in sinhalese that too will help”.. you may be right but …”If SF avoids speaking at all, that’ll help all of Sri Lanka”..
Agree Agree… well said man. That’s not all. Anoma must stop giving interviews in English.
Hussein, How about being different?? What if RW somehow gets a deal with the government and together plan some ten year programme to develop the country than making coalitions to unconvincingly attack the government? If the man is clever, he will find a way to do it,.
Hey Ruwan, You think practically. If MR is genuine, and in order to develop the country of course its a good vision. But will that happen in SL. All we need is a corruption free wise gvernment with foresight. But MR is busy with extending his term right now. We dont have a proper education system. No proper transport system. No health care for poor people (pvt docs and nursing homes are like vampires, sucking ur blood). These are basic stuff. Beautifying citites is good. But there are so many other prioroties to which immidiate attention must be paid. there are so many unaswered questions and so many unsolved problems are pending. Our ministers arent doing there jobs. Why should MR points out the Sigiria frescos are effected by pollution, isnt it the enviroment or cultural ministers job? What was the stance of the higher education minister when that university student died in south? Whn Mr CB Ratnayake said that police is most corrupted unit in the country what was the answer from interior or home ministry? Wrong ministers appointed to the job? So where is the interest? Is Hambantota harbour and commonwealth games more important than the burning issues? I dont say that is not important, but surely they can wait. I reckon that there is no genuine interest, I may be wrong.
Finally, they have come up with a sensible thing, actually its high time to be united as strong common opposition. There maybe some differences but the seniors must iron out all sorts of differences and work toward a common goal.
There is no need to be diplomatic anymore (at least for the time being) as majority of Srilankans dont understand it or appreciate it. If RW avoids speaches in sinhalese that too will help, let Sajith Dayasiri, Karu, Gayantha and JVP comrades do the Sinhala speeches. If you have to wear a couple shawls around your neck, do it. Thats the only way to win back the lost glory. (its cheating and not ethical but there is no alternative to fool the majority of people sadly, if its good for MR & Co – its good for UNP / JVP as well).
Dr.Wickramabahu Kakunarathne is an Electrical Engineer by profession and was a Senior Lecturer in Engineering Mathematics,Faculty of Engineering,University of Ceylon,Peradeniya and I wish to invite him to check the quantity 5% of Mr.Ruwan Ferdinandes is correct or not .
P.L.J.B.Palipana, CP.Eng
SURREY,BRITISH COLUMBIA,CANADA
Palipana, If Wickramabahu comes your way, let me know as well please, I have some dirty clothes to get wished. Please don’t tell me you graduated from one of the two good Engineering faculties in sri Lanka. Somebody with an iota of a brain cell will not invite Wickramabahu anywhere near his house. Your neighbours will feel sick. He was paid by the LTTE and he spoke for them. Now he is virtually jobless. He is a graduate from Engineering but he went through a bad period and never recovered, his head is permanently damaged , hence his PhD (Permanent Head Damage). If you went to school you don’t want an idiot like Wickramabahu to work out Fonseka’s vote strength. He was polled 98000 prefereneces out of 990000 voters who voted in Colombo. That’s just under 10%. But even in 2001, 11700 voted for the JVP. That shows there is no new vote at all for Fonseka. But still I gave him the benefit of the doubt, by making their 10% vote bank as 5% JVP and 5% Fonseka.
ruwan general fonseka won the election if not for the hora votes the jarapakshas did and kidnapping the elections commissioner. these were not proved as all the people are scared to come out in the open to talk the truth. Sri lanka never had an era like this – premadasas era is nothing compared to this idots regime.
You are lucky Rajapakses are running the country. If it was Premadasa you wouldn’t say a word against the govt. You too are enjoying the freedom achieved by the brave Rajapakses who did not bow down in front of the west. Ranil, Ravi, SF, the poket kataa Somay are all a bunch of idiots who do not have any faith on each other. Let’s see how long this coalition will last!
Amunala karala SF kata arapu gaman serama FINISH…. Ha haaaaa
Preethi, The election petition is with the Supreme Courts, but as your big mouthy Jilmart lokka and Tilvyn himself said, it has no substance, just a petition for their record. You may be scard of something but the majority, I mean almost everybody else is free now and they do talk. You may be frustrated he didn’t win but get over please. As Ranil said, the general election wasn’t a fraud but in that, the total votes JVP+UNP obtained was the same as what SF was polled in the presidential, what is the logic?? You are still day dreaming, the majority still are grateful for MR for liberating the country, an achievement many presidents in the past failed in. So get over as I said before.
John, YOu must be having a laugh pal… Coalition.. What coalition? There won’t be a coalition. The best chance for them to have a coalition was during the general election. It would have restricted MR from getting close to 2/3. Knowing well they were all going to lose, all of them still wanted to be the boss. SF with a 5% vote bank and RW with a massive losing streak; both wanted to be the Opposition leader. Had they made a coalition with RW as the leader, considering the UNP has a large votebase, SF would have got more votes from Colombo and the coalition would have had at least 15 more seats. The crucial juncture, they put their big stinky mouths and selfishness before the country. At a non-crucial time like this, how would they come to any agreement?
Ruwan,
You are just a sucker who misuses your writing skills. You and I may not agree with Vikramabahu’s Politics, but I could say that he works with his conscience and always stands for the weak people.
Dr Wickramabahu & Vasudeva N, two clean & very good politicians, unfortunately always on the wrong side. They both can really do something good for the country. There is no chance for intelectuals in this country because of the politics. What a waste. Some hooligans holding portfolios.
Somawanse needs a new set of dentures and Ravi K’s smile looks fake – just like the man himself.
Dear Mr.Ruwan Ferdinandes,
Really I couldn’t understand your figure 5%. So Dr. Wickramabahu Karunarathne was invited to explain us this figure. I am sure that he couldn’t also understand that figure. Now we know how the stupid figure was obtained by you using some arithmatics.
Palipana , Are you still supporting Ranil for UNP ? Can you see better now ? Are u convinced that Ranil is a looser at least now ?
Palipana,
Careful if you invite Wickaramabahu, the neighbours might stone you as well. But ok,if it makes you happy, I’ll say all 10% votes Fonseka obtained was his own votes then, which means JVP has no votebase. You are funny!
Ruwan, Do you know the politics? If the answer is know then please keep your mouth shut? You do not have any rights to say any thing about a leader like our General Sarath Fonseka. He is the best leader for SRI LANKA after KING DUTUGEMUNU.
Ruwan, Just like you, i have every right to say anything I want about anybody in politics, not only silly people like Fonseka, even about MR or RW. Is that clear? If you don’t understand democracy, don’t go barking things that you don’t know but learn first. They are our representatives and they have to be responsible. Fonseka for example, talked about white flags and he should apologise to the country unreservedly for even trying to mention it. The war is over and done with; we should leave it at that. Just because he was involved in the war, he has no right to make it a business. His words gave enough ammunition to the people who wanted to harm SL. He needs training if he wishes to further his political career. Unlike you, I don’t worship politicians. By the way, some of your writing is not clear.
Why so silly, we have seen many silly things from MR regime daily, weekly and yearly. Let see the future of SriLanka with these allaince or MR regime ?
Do not think way now dectating by MR , third term is too much for them as well as whole SriLanka???????
The next was a phone call by RW to MR – “I did exactly what you told me”
Reply “good boy”
Too late.. I saw a news today that. another 3 from UNP crossing – Lakshman, Range Bandara & Cader.. anyway good for them.. speciall this Lakshman had to chase from the party long ago.. since 1994 Ranil could not save at least elected MPs .. what a shame.. at least he has to step-down now otherwise have to chase him sake of UNP.. no future with him.. He knows that he is unpopular , now he tries to destroy the party before another one take-over..
Thanks lot gentlemen for your comments. Really we must learn how to speak to the people.I remember the opening ceremony of the IFS( Institute of Fundamental Studies-Hantana). Hon J.R.Jayawardene was the Chief guest.
During his speach he spoke only few words ” Biththarayak Kadanne Nethuwa Biththara Appayak Hadanta Be”. Mrs Bandaranayake too spoke few words and I remember she addressed to school children in Galle ” Parlimenthuwe mathi amathiwaru wage hasirenta epa. parlimenthu yanta nam dan sitama hondata hasirenta igena ganna”.
Alimankada-Pamankade man are you listening? Heres your chance. Get rid of those badly tailored Fort, Hospital Street suits and get into a national dress with a shawl to match. Only see that it is not red. Also, if you are uncomfortable with the national dress, speak to DM Jayaratne. He will tell you where he gets his wonderful lanka-looking cross between a safari suit and a hospital canteen matrons overalls tailored. And dont forget to run down Ranil and Sajith once you changed you kit. Thats the only way to win the heart of the lankan voter.
SF is the war hero. Not a politician. I donot like army personnel getting invovled in politics. Ranil is a penda. he also does not have the winning luck. If we had parlimentary election like old time UNP would be worse than a minority party and a Tamil Party member would become the oppposition leader. Then the stupid west will think that the fihlt is bettwen Sinhasla and Tamils like in 1977. Until Ranil step own the the floating votetr will give the votes to MR. That includes Me. Sagith should become the leader of UNP. Ranil can continue to be the opposition leader.. RK becomes the national organiser is a joke. UNP should function like a party that showed during JR’s time. However to make a strong oppositon is welcome.
SF is a war hero like all other members of the armed forces. He is not a different kind of a hero.
Singapore had one oposition parliament memeber and he was the oposition leader.
Guess what he was a Tamil.
Bismat – Iam not into that but thats the present trend in SL. Its pity that you have to change your own identity for some extend. And thats what MR does. (and SWRD did).
People laugh at RW and Ravi K when wearing full suite but when Gota does that no one say a word. See the hypocrisy, So its okay UNP also fooling a little bit.
“Body languages”…..what a joke Ha ! – Ha !! – Ha !!!
the 3 “loser” clowns holding hands again !!!
with the “Pamankada” man – grinning like a cat in the background
Sri Lanka need a strong opposition, even though it is week in parliment numbers you can make it a big force in the near future because MR giving all points for it …..
Those guys talking of body language, please note the photo is from the past, not yesterday !!!. It says “at election time” file photo. How studpid can one get ?
A non-starter and another attempt to ensure victory of Rajapaksa Clan. Somawansa, General, Ranil and the supporters. This is not a coalition. It is a gathering of “Sri Lankan Political Hyenas” looking for the spoils left behind by the ruling party. We need a real opposition lead by a real leader not these HYENAS.
A non-starter and another attempt to ensure victory of Rajapaksa Clan. Somawansa, General, Ranil and the supporters. This is not a coalition. It is a gathering of “Sri Lankan Political Hyenas” looking for the spoils left behind by the ruling party. We need a real opposition lead by a real leader not these HYENAS
Any party with Fonseka in it, will not last long.
Ravi, do you really need that tie around your Wangedi shaped bella? I cannot breath when I look at you.
A coalition of losers.
Great news for UPFA
The UNP should elect its leader by votes of all the members once and for all. Let Ranil, Sajtih or whoever is interested contest for the leadership and be done with this problem of leadership.
In Ceylon 9Sri lanka) the majority and the smaller minorities should get together aginst the priviledged minority who demands the continuity of their priviledges since their arrival under the British guns.
In 1951 these minority with the help of Indian intelligence service managed to divide the majority by funding SWRD’
It is time for the Sinhala and Muslim people to unite. It will bring prosperity to all the people in the country like in Singapore and Malasia.
I might be wrong but I think before 1950s MR ‘s and RW’s parents were in the same political party, the UNP.
JVP was resurrected in 1987 by funds from whom?
SF went to India before he declared that he was going to contest for presidency.
Who advised North and East voters to boycott 2007 presidential elections?
Food for thought!
Hi preethi
Please do not bring Idi Amin to your arguments.
Idi Amin was a great man who stood up to Indian colonialism and imperialism.
Indians in Uganda, Kenya, Fiji etc are the same as the Indians (include Tamils) in Ceylon. They are the colonial parasites of the British Empire