The Necessary Battle Over Presidential Term-Limits
“Tomorrow, perhaps the future” — W.H. Auden (Spain 1937)
Mahinda Rajapaksa: Battling for term-limits
By Tisaranee Gunasekara
The charade is finally over. President Rajapaksa has informed Sri Lanka’s Micawberian opposition that he intends to remove presidential term-limits and run for a third (and, the Grim Reaper permitting, a fourth and a fifth…) term. Clearly Rajapaksa père means to be president for life and be succeeded by Rajapaksa fils. The UNP has been deluded, yet again and (wittingly or unwittingly) made to serve the dynastic ambitions of the ruling family.
Now that the truth is out, the UNP cannot continue to cling to the mirage of consensual politics. Here is an issue which must be fought and can be won. If the Rajapaksa plan to remove presidential term-limits is successful, Sri Lanka will succumb to dynastic rule. But, if the proposed amendment is defeated, there is a fighting chance for a non-Rajapaksa to succeed Mahinda Rajapaksa, six years from now. This is a battle which cannot be evaded by any who abhors the thought of Sri Lanka in the grip of a tyrannous and rapacious family oligarchy.
Removing presidential term limits while preserving the powers of executive presidency is incompatible with democracy. Consequently, this is not a partisan issue but a straightforward battle for democracy in which all opposition parties (from the UNP to the JVP and the DNA, from the SLMC to the TNA and the TULF) can join, without reservations about political principles or electoral spoils. Since, in the final analysis, the only real beneficiaries of the proposed amendment are some members of the Rajapaksa family and their hangers-on, this issue can be used to drive a wedge not only between the ruling family and the ruling party, but also within the ruling family, causing the isolation of Rajapaksa père and fils, (Would Basil Rajapaksa, for instance, be elated at the thought of a President Namal?) The Rajapaksas, in their unctuous greed, have presented the opposition with the ideal single-issue campaign which can ‘unite the many to defeat the few’. Will the opposition grab this opportunity or miss it to the detriment of our common future?
Will To Power, Leni Riefenstahl’s artistically magnificent and ideologically diabolical movie heralded the Nazi future. Pongu Thamil venerated Velupillai Pirapaharan as a living god. Jaya Jayawe, a musical show sponsored by the state TV, presaged the Rajapaksa future. Panegyric after panegyric hailed President Rajapaksa as the ‘Lion in the Lion Flag’, ‘Our Time, Our Legacy, Our Future, Our Solution, Our Father, Our Comfort, Our Happiness, Our Light…’, the ‘Father of the Nation’ and the ‘Wonder of the World and the Universe’, ‘High King’ and ‘Divine Gift’, a ‘Golden Sword which defends the nation’ and a ‘Golden Thread which unites sundered hearts’, the Sun and the Moon (Hiru and Sandu to the South; Thinakaran and Chandiran to the North).
The final song of the evening was dedicated the President’s mother; ‘Mother, are you watching from heaven, as the son, whom the gods and the Brahmas sent to your womb from golden palaces, is protecting the nation?’ queried the songstress, while the said heaven-donated son listened with manifest complaisance, finding nothing out of the ordinary in this and other idolatrous outpourings. His demeanour indicated that he considered such slavish obeisance to be his due. It was the attitude of a man who sincerely believes that absolute power and lifelong rule as his right. Removing presidential term-limits is a sine-qua-non for the realisation of that manifest destiny.
Task of the Hour
The Rajapaksas, when inveigling opposition members to defect, use cupidity as their main psychological propellant. The opposition can use similar tactics to cause dismay and consternation in government ranks. If Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga removed presidential term limits, Mahinda Rajapaksa would not have had a chance of becoming the president. Similarly, if the Rajapaksa plan works, all senior and up-and-coming SLFP leaders will be condemned to stagnation and to end their political lives as the servitors of this or that Rajapaksa.
The constitutional amendment removing presidential term limits contains the potential to create dissension within the ruling coalition. If the amendment goes through, non-Rajapaksa SLFPers will have to be content with nothing more than toothless ministerial posts, since real power will be concentrated in the hands of the Rajapaksas. A word picture of this unending Rajapaksa future, consisting of unquestioning obedience to every caprice of the ruling family and humiliating servitude to a President Namal, for a paltry reward, should be drawn for the edification of SLFP seniors and potential Young Turks.
The prospect of such a life sentence of servility cannot but dismay any vertebrate SLFP leader. Given their dread of Rajapaksa vengeance (of which Gen. Sarath Fonseka is living proof), leading SLFPers are unlikely to join any oppositional campaign openly. But if the opposition can launch a broad and a spirited campaign against term-limit removal, some SLFPers may be emboldened into urging the President to shelve his signature constitutional reform.
There was a time when the UNP was a source of inspiration to its supporters and unease to its opponents. Today, thanks to the long, debilitating leadership of Ranil Wickremesinghe, the UNP is a source of inspiration to its opponents and unease to its supporters. Reversing this reversal totally is impossible until Wickremesinghe is ousted from UNP leadership. Fortunately the necessary battle against the removal of presidential term-limits need not wait for that felicitous change. In fact, the conduct of leading UNPers on the issue of presidential term-limit removal can become a litmus test to gauge their capacity (or lack of it) to battle the Rajapaksas.
Will Wickremesinghe be able to unite the opposition and launch a strong and spirited protest campaign against presidential term-limit removal? Which of the UNP’s Young Turks will play a leading role in this national campaign? Incidentally, the Rajapaksas are likely to make insidious attempts to exacerbate the leadership squabble and other divisive issues to prevent the UNP from focusing on the battle against presidential term-limit removal. The UNP needs to avoid such ruses and concentrate on the task at hand. Let Ranil Wickremesinghe, Ravi Karunanayake, Sajith Premadasa and others with leadership aspirations show their mettle in this necessary battle for democracy against a common enemy.
An effective and united protest campaign may also discourage potential opposition defectors. The regime does not have a two-thirds majority as yet. Unless the Rajapaksas can engineer a substantial defection from the opposition, they will need to retain the support of every UPFA parliamentarian. If some of the minority or left parliamentarians can be persuaded to dissent on just this issue, while remaining in the government, the Rajapaksa plan to remove presidential term-limits may be stillborn.
The opposition lost many battles because it never waged them. Today indifference and inaction are non-options. The term-limit removal issue is the last real hurdle in the path to dynastic rule; it is also the highest because this is an issue which cannot be justified, ipso facto, using patriotism, Sinhala supremacism or any other ism. On this issue, the Rajapaksas are at their weakest and most naked. They can and must be defeated, for a democratic Sri Lankan future to become even a remote possibility.
Dont let this constitutional amendment happen in our country.Country ,constitution and democracy is not one mans or the one partyies personal asset.If we allow this to happen we as a nation, would endup in total destruction. If Ranil cannot do this,let hand over the resposibility who can do this! Dont let this happen somehow.
But MR thinks otherwise. He thinks SL is his own property. He thinks people gave a clear mandate (less than 50% of course) to do anything. why the Airport Harbour and upcoming CW games all at Hambantota as its the only town in the country and as if MR spending his family funds. Amazingly there are nut cases who endose anything that MR does.
These UNP coolies know very well as long as a Rajapaksha contest for any elections, UNP/DNA scum bags have no chance of coming to power. Ha ha ..
LMAO at some of the comments from opposition buffoons. They are pissing their pants now.
LMAO at some of the comments from opposition buffoons. They are pi$$ing their pants now.
Lanka belongs to Rajapaksa. A man destined to rule Lanka by the hand of god. May he and his sons forever rule Lanka for a thousand years.
Mr. Patriot, It does not look as if you have got your head/brains where it should be! I am sure you are sitting on it…
Dictator like MR, the most vindictive,unrealible and selfish president, thrives and ruins our motherland socially,politically and internationally because of idiots like you.
Its so unfortunate that most of the fellow Srilankans have no common sense to realize the damage done by this regime to our lovely country.
I wish you that to you and other patriots. Each folk deserves its own ruler or the government and you deserves the Rajapaksas.
There are comments,but you doont want to post them! Arnt you?
Dont be affraid, this is unethical move aganst the peoples will. People have sourign right to go aganst whatever not going to betterment for their lives.SPEAK UP! STOP THIS ANTIDEMOCRATIC MOVE IMMEDIATELY.They havent got even 50% votes to do this!
NO Saman we who voted for Mahinda have nothing against him taking another term as our president. We prefer him to a coolie of the west. SRI LANKA HAD CHANGED .we know what would have happen if fonseka came to power with ranil and the un patritoic L.T.T.E supporting coolies. We know about RAVI-SAJITH un holy plans UNP -JVP -LSSP is out from SRI LANKAS POLITICS
Jimmy – You will be ideal for a secutiry job at the temple trees to salute your ‘big idiot boss’ round the clock and licj his boots as when you wish. HE IS THE WORST PRESIDENT IN THE HISTORY OF SRILANKA.
Mahinda Rajapakse is the most stupid politician in SL during the past 60 years.
Stupid should be replaced by power hungry and corrupt
HI p.L.J.B Palipana
Hi sad guy you must be belonging to those paraya LT.T.E fellows or heartbroken fundamentalist christian sect. YOUR MOST STUPID POLITICIAN DESTROYED THE L.T.T.E yes he destroyed your lively hood what’s to be done sad life ha ha ha ha funny you are a sad fool
James Cambell, You stupid Idiot. go and wrship your bogus King Rajapase.
Mr Palipana & Mr Hussein….
Mr Palipana….in your stupid opinion about MR…
why are you in Vanvouver, Canada..??
we Sinhala-Canadians are aware of your attemps to “back stab” Sri Lanka…
…
Millions of Sri Lankans voted for MR….
our National Hero who defeated Sri Lanka and brought PEACE…
Now Kids can go to school…Fathers & Mothers go to work…return safely home…
Mr Hussein….you object to Harbour…new Airport…Commonwealth Games ,,,in Hambantota….
Do you still want Sri Lankan maids to go and get “nailed ” in Arab lands ???
If you cant beat them…join them – go to Hambantota….
the future economic heartland of Sri Lanka…
Mr (Lanka)Wick, Nope – i am dead against exporting Srilankan female unskilled labour to middleast. You and me know the reasons! Not because of Ms Ariyawathie or not because of this single incident.
And I dont believe in ‘if u cant beat them join them’. Let me tell you i am not against developing H’tota or MR. We all want a properous country after almost 30 years of a bloody war. We have to cover that big gap in order to compete with the rest of the world. We are not competible enough. People voted for MR because he won the war, there is no doubt about that we are indebt to MR and SF, although its a team effort still a big portion of credit must go to MR as the leader of the country.
what we r against is that ambiguous policies of this government. Cabinet appointments are hopeless. Some top appointment like airlanka, petrolium, mihin air etc are/were in wrong hands. Do you honestly expect a good job from people like Johnston/Mervyn (there r many others)? I am sure many of us commenting here can do a better job than most of those clowns. Billions of Rs wasted. One year after winning the war still we are not going towards the right path. MR is busy extending his term leaving the burning issues a side. Regarding H’tota – is it the only district that voted for MR? why only hambantota. Its becos MR would like to make a permanant votebase.
If MR is genuine and if his only interest is developing the country then no one oppose him. Is he genuine?
If India can have dynastic rule why not MR? It will be fine
he hasn’t got clever enough members in the family including himself to have a dynasty.
oh to be in Sri lanka drinking Kasipuu every day—
When the BANDASIYA was given to that monk-who said MR should rule as a HUMANE DICTATOR-we got the message-Whatever HUMANE means what we know about our democracy is that people have to decide-
Where and when was such a move as 3rd.TERM mentioned in the manifesto?
Whatever the 3rd.TERM is FIRST WE WANT TO HEAR THE RECORD OF EVENTS AT THE ELECTION PETITION-
We still want to hear about the TEMPLE TREE Episode and the ECs status on that-So we will first consider the 2nd. TERM and then decide on the 3rd.TERM-
The truth is there’s no petition. At the end the only ‘gilmart’ is Fonseka himself.
Me ganu horata kelapan ape moda sinhalaya.
This paraya have given presidential pardon to rapists and murders and having our great great general locked up for nothing, because this balla also fallen into this category this paraya must shot alive now.
HEY JAY ONE CAN TRACE YOUR COMPUTER WITH YOUR IP NUMBER.
AT THE MOMENT YOU ARE INSULTING OUR PRESIDENT AND SUGGESTING HIS EXECUTION. TAKE NOTE .I AM SENDING YOUR COMMENT AND DETAILS TO N.I.B.
THANKS
Mr Jayawardena….
Thanks…Please report this threat to President MR…
to the relavant authorities….
Filthy mahinda continues to show his greed and lack of moral values where it is him and his corrupt family first and then the rest….Not even the country..This is the Rogue that is supported in Sri Lanka…
It is very clear and how long more are we going to watch how our country gets ruined by this corrupt person and regime.
So that mahinda can then continue to rob and plunder by borrowing more millions of $ for stupid projects like old aircraft etc…and continue to make a killing at the country’s expense.
This ROGUE has no limits to cheat and rob the country.
One of the biggest parasites ever to run Sri Lanka.
He is a shame and an embarassment and we have no idea how he has the courage to face the masses..as a corrupt president.
If he works on another term , then Sri Lanka will end up as just skin and bone with nothing more to suck out of us…
This is the biggest Rogue and corriupt person to ever run a country, leave alone Sri Lanka….Just a usless and shameless person with just no moral values..Shame Shame Shame on you Mahinda and the rest of the rajapakses.
A term limit removal with the present judicial immunity of the President is the end of the facade of democracy. those who will learn the consequences first will be those closest to the ruler.Remember the French Revolution how the Revolution devoured its own children. Danton, Marat and Robespierre finished with the nobles ad the clergy and then took the children of the Revolution to the guillotine. The same fate awaits all those who refuse to take a stand. If there is to be no term limits there should be removal of the judicial immunity although with a packed Supreme Court it is also no guarantee of freedom and the Rule of Law as we already see with the sycophantic behavior of those from we expect independence. The Americans say every man has his price and the price is low in Sri Lanka for like Esau our politicians are prepared to sacrifice our birth rigthts for a mess of pottage.Alas Sri Lanka
I agree 100% with RMB. Let me add that the changes in the Law that we need is to prevent Political Crossovers and Coalition Governments.
* If a MP wants to cross over to another party he should by law be declared to have vacated his seat in Parliament and a Bye-Election held for that constituency.
* If, after a General Election, no party gets an overall majority to form a government, the law should not permit coalitions of political convenience. Such coalitions have proven to be temporary and ultimately to be to the detriment of the Country. In such situations, irrespective of the cost, there should be fresh elections.
These changes will prevent Political Horse Deals and save Sri Lanka from becoming a Dictatorial Oligarchy.
Yakolis,
MR or anybody else has no moral right to extend the term limits. The executive presidency was a greedy concept that JR brought in for his own benefit and regardless of the party now, whoever who gets there, wants to keep it. JR himself tried a third term, failed, CBK tried and now MR does as well. It’s sad, SLMC put their selfishness before the future of the country. Then again, in the past SLMC always said, the executive presidency is good for them, and their recent stance of abolishing it was a ploy to work with the UNP perhaps. It’s a dark day for democracy, sad even after doing such a great service to the country by eliminating terrorism, MR also is going along the JR way.
Yakolis,
Crossover is not such a bad thing. What is bad is today’s election process. Nobody knows who their MP is. If the MP believes, the party he is in does not serve his constituents, he should have the freedom to change the party in consultation with his constituents. What we need is responsibility. They need to go back to the old system where an MP is elected from a smaller constituent than a large district, it is his responsibility to serve that constituent. If he swaps the party for his own gain, then the people in the constituency has the right to elect somebody else at least next time. If his cross over benefots the constituency, then so be it! This PR system divided the community along race,religion and other eveil social lines.
Coalition is a better concept as well opposed to single party governments, but with right parties. Often coalitions with the JVP fail because the JVP is not interested in governance and development, they are only interested in stirring and protesting.
Adolf Hitler reborn! This is exactly what Hitler did, first he won over the military, then forced himself to be sworn in as Chancellor (head of Germany) then he got rid of the opposition(jailed or murdered); now SF is in detention who else will follow?. He also suppressed the independent media and got his own propaganda machine working and the people believed him. Hitler posed himself as the saviour of Germany just like MR poses as the savior of Sri Lanka for winning the war. Can the latter mention a single drop of blood that his family has shed in this country? Are all Sri Lankans going to watch this happening in Sri Lanka???????
Hitler was a madman from peasant stock, who had no love for Germany only a grievance against the ruling classes.
leaders you get are the leaders u deserve
LOOK AFTER YOUR OWN MATTERS THAN COUNTRY MATTERS OR RATHER WHAT MATTERS TO THE COUNTRY
People get the Goverment they deserve.
Democracy is not good for a third grade country like ours, with crooks who exploit the uneducated masses.
It seems the ESe (English Speaking Elite) is afraid of MR if people does not want him for a 3rd or 4th term you can defeat him in an election (you tried with that fool of a “general ” this time but failed pathatically) Let the people decide wether they like MR or not Its simply the fear of MR that made you rant like this. People will vote him out if they do not want hime for 3rd or 4th term or do you want this country to become suddas slave land again living under a Sinhala king is better than living under a British king or Henchman of EU for us anyday.
Well said .. Colombians have no place in Lankan politics no more.. Those elite colombians must be shipped to Tamilnadu, where they belong.
We do not mind him contesting for 3rd 4th or 5th term, if Election Commissioners don’t have stress and tension after elections. We don’t mind if ECs appear from time to time during the night of election day to give us updates or if all party leaders have access to him. If SL is a real democratic country, if it has indp police, election commissions we don’t mind anyone contesting for any number of times.
It seems the WSeM (English Speaking Elite Morons) are supporting the dynasty family ruling.
MR will not only win 3rd and 4th but forever; ‘coz the country is his, the law and order is his, the supreme court is is, the elections are his and even the results are his. Sri Lanka will be the next North Korea with a open economy!
prageet; MAHINDETE DEKA PUNNA..
PRAGEETH YOU SAID IT MAN
WE MAJORITY PEOPLE OF SRI LANKA DO NOT WANT TO HAVE A PUPPET WESTERN RULER LIKE RANIL,RAVI,SAJITH,CHANDRIKA,MANGALA
WE NEED STRONG RULER LIKE MAHINDA ,GOTABAYA
WE WILL SPEAK AGAIN AT THE NEXT ELECTION
Goodbless Srrlankans from Murders, thiefs, rapists, Karuna,KP, Devanda not Poor Mervin
This is nothing to do with so called “English speaking Elites”. Their are no elites only “Fools” who think they are superior because they sent to a so called “International School”(by their perants some who didn’t know a word of English) Back to the issue. Instead of political reforms MR should say”I want to be the King for the rest of my life.I’m Aithikaraya not Barakaraya”.What a shameless lier!
It seems that most of the readers do not like what Rajapaksa is plotting. So all those who belive in democracy, its institutions and practices must find a effective way to oppose this person who thinks Sri Lanka is a piece of Real Estate belonging to his family. There is no credible opposition. The General is a rogue, Ranil is a whimp and Somawansa is full of hatred toward any thing crawkling on the earth so we the people has to go back to “squre one” and plot the strategy of building a credible opposition under an ethical and decent man that the people can trust. We need a change, and it is needed now to save our motherland.
You are perfectly right. MR cannot go on without winning the presidential elections. But will the majority sinhala people still be modayas
The new constitution should also remove immunity on the president. If not the president will be a dictator
HiCorp has never dealt with SL army. In the end the corruption and coupe charges against SF was proved false. Rajapakse knew it all along of course.
MR is the weakest president compared to JR,Premadasa and Chandrica(Personality factor). He is suffering from Fear Psycois. This conclusion was justified by one of my Vietnamese learned friend relative to Polpot. This is a serious threat to the democrasy.
I found an article in Sunday Times(a learning material).
Vanquishing the Victor;
Opposition and UNP Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe writes on the court Martial of Retd. General Sarath Fonseka.
Mervyn Silvas madness is spreading like Dengue!
people who support s MR s anti democratic move must remember one thing.We have gone very hard times in the past. When JR try to stay in power more than two terms ,country became a pond of blood.How many youths died.JR also died.His henchmen and friends are no more.What we have today is much dangerous.JR had somekind of dicipline.BUt MR doesnt have any of those characteristics.It is too dagerouse.Dont let this happen.STOP this in the firstphase.Ranil is responsible for all these things.because of weak opposition created this playground for MR.
Shot term problem – Ranil should go If sajith comes UNP WILL win again. That idiot Ranil cannot understand that. I or my families and friends will never vote for Ranil.SF is a war hero but lot of people do not want him to contest as he is like Gota. he wants revenge no political sol for common man.
At this hour oppostion should come together. But if Ranil declines the leadership I will tell u that the all UNP ers will come out and even unstabilise the Govt members.
Rajapaksha clan jolly well knows how they won the second term with the support of spine less Army officers like Jajath Jayasooriya, Daya Ratnake,Shavendra Silva,Kamal Guanratne,Manawadu,Prasanna Silva ,Prasad Samarasinghe and Mahinda Hathurusinghe to name a few.Now what they want is the constitutional authority to go for the third term. With that they know how to get elected for the third term.Actually the military coups was done by the Rajapakshas and not SF.Government controlled Media, Election Commissioner and the police also supported them.Sri Lanka is heading for danger.
Mano…
Dont you dare to insult our Heroic Army officers….
who defeated LTTE terrorism….
sent Praba floating down a lagoon….
An hard core LTTE like you is better off in “Eelaam” Toronto…
This 3rd term venture should be cut by its roots, otherwise all law abiding citizens are finished, how greedy MR_clan is before 2nd term began they are thinking of their 3rd term, UNP has become Govt lackeys
who cannot move one inch without power & perks.
Our only hope is the JVP who can confront any ruling regimes without power & perks. Poor fellows we always use them as Karrapincha
(we make use of them & dump them out).
Noone dare protest openly against the term-limit removal of the presidency. That person will be white-vanned.
This is how nazism was entrenched.
THIS BALLA IS A NATIONAL DISGRACE YO OUR JUSTICE TO HIVE PRESIDETIAL TO SUCH CRIME FIGURES, he must be hang in Bogambara in front of bublic or stines to death .
This Jayawardena is anoyhet Jarawardena like oue Jara paksha. Go and wash his back you puftha,
I have never seem better media freedom anywhere else in the world, where you can call a President “Balla, Paraya”. This itself shows how far Srilanka has come from the darkest days of UNP Premadasa regime when journalists were killed almost weekly basis.
Long live the Rajapaksha regime for the sake of democracy.
Semini from UK obviously has a govt relative who need to keep his day job.
Siyatha Media Network was burnt down few weeks ago. First ever attack in Sri Lanka against media freedom during peacetime. We thought the armed forces fought for our freedoms. All they have achieved is going from one form of thug rule to next.
@ all who cares, No my friend. I don’t have any relations in the government. I migrated to UK 20 years ago after my father ( a journalist) was killed by Premadasa’s UNP regime. Since then my family had no interest in Sri Lankan politics.
Those who blame this government obviously have no idea about how things were back in 88-89 under Premadasa. Luckily for Sri Lanka, the ‘village godaya’ still remembers how bad the things were during the Premada’s UNP era and until that generation is gone I don’t think UNP will ever come to power.
By the way.. I wonder how many of these ‘cowboy’ government haters on this site are old enough to even vote.
Instead of all the hate mail…insults…comments…etc against President MR !!!.
The solution is very simple !!!
If you dont like MR as President of Sri Lanka for a 3rd term….
Vote him out at that election…..
Remember that Sri Lanka is a vibrant Democracy….
What is the alternative; MR has ensured so far that there will be no credible candidate. People will elect this man again, because they dislike and abhor the guys like Ranil and the Corrupt General. The solution is to find a credible uncorruptible person like Nelson Mandella. Why don’t we look for one of them now to prepare for the next Presidential election.
Do you think the Voters will be given a fair chance to vote MR out, at the next?
You are not aware of the possibilities of MR continuing perpetually under
the conditions we have already amply experienced. So the answer is to nip it
in the bud Mr.Lankawick.
Sri Lanka having our own dictator in the likes of robert mugabe, mubarak of egypt and so on and so on………
we our a proud nation bend down and bite them off…………..
you are right lankawick. why all these hurra ? afterall MR is to contest for the third term right ? so, if anyone do not like him vote him out. simple. i will vote for him. sure. he is always my president. because he gave the country back to my children. long live MR.
Long live MR.
I will be voting for him.
MR carried out a genocide in the north. several thousand armies dont have much work to do now. It is time to give them some wotk and to carry out a genocide in the south. Remember what happened in the 90s for men with JVP connection. All those who dont support MR, better leave the country.
Semini,
If you are old enough perhaps you will remember track record of the Executive Presidency. The incumbent Prez has never been defeated. Why do you think my friend? The sitting prez controls the police, judiciary, army, election commissioner, you name any govt institution. The only thing that stands in the way is 2 term restriction. With this gone, you will have an unending dictatorship. By the time Rajspakse family is finished you wont even have a party called SLFP left.
Since the country is left with few political leaders due to the war and all the crisis which this country had gone through we are left with only two executive presidents one is the former President and the Current President. Only these two have a good experience in holding presidency.
The term of the President should not be limited to a certain period as we are a small country. Any one holding the office of President should be allowed to hold office as long as people want him to be in Office. To develop this country let us learn from countries such as Singapore.
So over to you fellow citizens.
Thats the thing see. Recall bombs going off in Jaffna scaring away SF voters during last election. Mahinda Rajapske has never won an election without cheating or bribing someone. His brother and son will be the same. Given this scenario what people will end up having is at a MINIMUM (18 + 18 + 18) year Rajakaspe rule. Now people like him of course with all the work he is doing. What happens in 10 years time no one will know. If things turn nasty there will not be a recourse to change the leadership. This is after all how Mugabe’s and Idi Amins were created.
Ane me.. nikan ponna katha kiyanne nathuwa hitpan gon mee haraka. How many bombs there were during the elections? Howcome TNA got more seats in Jaffna if the government cheated? Where is your supreme court Gilmart case by UNP and JVP??? UNP pi$$ stains like you must be burnt alive.
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN VILLAGE GODAYA THUGS GET POWER. THIS FAMILY HAS NO SHAME & HAVE THE NERVE TO CALL THEMSELVES GOOD BUDDHISTS. WHOM ARE THEY FOOLING ? THEY ARE NOTHING BUT A BUNCH OF SCUMBAGS.
This hora will neaver have fairr election in Sri i Lanka again remember he is first president in rhe whole world who bribe a election commissioner to get elected.
The UNP has lost it’s way and in doing so has shown each of us that it is not capable of being an effective opposition or party that has any sound vision or direction. It is to the benefit and long term security of the country that, the Rajapakse administration grows in strength and seeks to stabilize any international intervention.
I have and continue to serve the people and will do so through this Presidential Terms and the terms to come. Sri Lanka is and will be a symbol of great leadership, prosperity and success.
Mahinda.
Listen up MR, if you had a challange from anyone, such as Sajith or even your own Brother Basil, they would be beat you in a election vote. Your brother Basil is more popular then you and it shows in votes. As for Sajith, you are doing everything you can to keep Runil running the show. As you know Sajith is ready to fight and lead this UNP party.
We had greate leaders in the past.They had a stable administrations and they could have stay in power as long as they want as dictator Kings.But in this modern era, we will not allow anyone to take backward. PEOPLE LIKE SADAM HUSSAIN DID THAT.PEOPLE LIKE GADAFI STILL IN POWER,HITLER DID THAT! you may want to but we have constitution.you cannot change the constituion even if you have two third majority.you have go for referendem too.YOU ARE NOT DOING THIS FOR COUNTRY.IT IS PURELY FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY BENEFIT.DONT WARY ABOUT STABLE ADMINISTRATION AND INTERNATIONAL INTERVENTION AND SO ON.dO YOUR JOB PROPERLY AS WHAT BUDDHA TAUGHT US.Respect the citizens and their human rights,dont steal their assets, treat them with equality.Then they will give you the more powers.Otherwise you cannot do what you like to do forever!
Even though i voted him twice, (actually for the positive things his regime did), i’m opposed to this move. I still respect MR for rescuing our country from terrorism, BUT I WONT VOTE HIM NEXT TIME. While remaining as an SLFP’an, I will vote for Sajith premadasa, next time.
I would like to ask Mahinda Rajapakse, why he warry about UNP? Eventhough UNP is not capable there is no question about its capacity for its vision and direction.However, that is not a valid point to bring this unethical,anti democratic, anti people constitutional amendment.It is purely for you and your family benefit.It is based on your greed for power to misuse our national assets.It is merely requirment of your hencmen who stick to your satakaya for blood sucking.In the other hand you cant change the constitution with only two third majority.You have to get supreme court approval and through a referendem.You can buy any MP on your side by giving them peaks and perks, But I swear you , soon you will lose the entire countrymen on your side.
Mr.President, Do you have any intension to do anything good to this country? Purpose behind this ammendment is to destroy this country and facilitate your family to robe our wealth. Future informed generation will treat you like a shi* and your period will be considered as a dark era
I would like to ask Mahinda Rajapakse, why he warry about UNP? Eventhough UNP is not capable there is no question about its capacity for its vision and direction.However, that is not a valid point to bring this unethical,anti democratic, anti people constitutional amendment.It is purely for you and your family benefit.It is based on your greed for power to misuse our national assets.It is merely requirment of your hencmen who stick to your satakaya for blood sucking.In the other hand you cant change the constitution with only two third majority.You have to get supreme court approval and through a referendem.You can buy any MP on your side by giving them peaks and perks, But I swear you , soon you will lose the entire countrymen on your side
MR is surrounded by lot of Aritta Keevendus. What happend to king Rajasinghe ultimately?
Wijeyaba kollaya- W.A.de.Silva
Whatever constitutional changes brought about it is HE (the Almighty) who is above us all that decides when one to come and when one to go. Wait and see. History has taught us many lessons. One who crave most will get the least.