A “Horrendous Move” — CBK
- “I Am Not Greedy For Power”
- Chandrika Kumaratunga
- Condemns The 18th Amendment
By Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema
Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga condemned the 18th Amendment proposed by the government saying it is a “horrendous move” and that she could not agree with it in any way.
Speaking to The Sunday Leader Kumaratunga said that being “a total democrat,” she believes that rulers must not grab power, but on the contrary make it even more democratic. Kumaratunga said she had been firmly committed to abolishing the Executive Presidency and tried to do so in 2000 along with the devolution package, since the position was extremely dangerous to democracy. “Abolishing of the Executive Presidency was also included in the package,” she said,
“I was always against the Executive Presidency and the extreme powers vested with it. When I proposed to abolish it, G.L. Peiris said not to and asked me to keep it for one or two years. But I said it should be abolished in one year,” she claimed.
When asked if she would contest once again if the two-term limit on the Executive Presidency were lifted through the proposed constitutional amendments, Kumaratunga said she would not. “I’m not greedy for power,” she said.
“I was dragged into contesting by the party after being defeated so many times. I came in when the country was in a bad way. I made four promises and except for bringing in peace, I fulfilled the rest. Even with regard to peace, I managed to complete three quarter of the war,” she said.
Kumaratunga maintained she had made a promise to herself and her children that she would not ever contest after her second term.
Reiterating that she was not greedy for power, Kumaratunga said she was the only former President living in a government residence paying for everything with her personal money.
“Finally, Ranil Wickremesinghe shook hands with me in front of the media and agreed with the draft and when I asked if he would support it in parliament, he said ‘I suppose we will,’ However, every one knows what happened when it was presented to parliament on August 3,” Kumaratunga said.
Speaking of the callous manner in which the government is currently treating her, Kumaratunga said that many letters written personally by her to the government with regard to her facilities and security have been ignored.
“Three weeks before my daughter’s wedding in the UK, my security was withdrawn and one week before her wedding reception in Sri Lanka, the government closed down my office,” she said. “Websites maintained by the government have said that I have robbed and that I have purchased mansions overseas. But in reality, I actually live in a two-bedroom flat in London. There are a few politicians who have visited me and they know it is true,” she added. Finally when asked to describe President Mahinda Rajapaksa in two sentences, Kumaratunga said she could not respond to the question, as “a white van” would be sent for her.
“Contrary to many stories being said, I have never robbed a cent during my tenure and I now live by selling lands that were given to me by my parents,” she said adding that she has already sold four such ancestral lands for her survival. “After five years, I was given Rs. 11 lakhs by the government to paint the house and have been given three vehicles that are over 12 years old.”
Elaborating on the abolishing of the Executive Presidency she said that Prof. G.L. Peiris and she worked on the modalities of the devolution package in 2000, and then Attorney General Sarath N. Silva, Dr. Jayampathy Wickremaratne, Dr Neelan Thiruchelvam and M.H.M. Ashraff drafted it. However, Kumaratunga was unable to receive the necessary approval due to the opposition by the UNP, she said. Explaining her failed move to abolish the Executive Presidency, Kumaratunga said while the UNP agreed on almost all the content in the draft in 2000, they resorted to various delaying tactics to avoid discussion on the abolishing of the post.
“When it was time to discuss the abolishing of the Executive Presidency, the UNP asked for another date. Finally I gave them seven dates to discuss the matter, but on every occasion they asked for more time. When I asked what they were waiting for, they said they were not ready and wanted approval from the Ex-Co, as it was a crucial issue. The delegation that used to consist of six to seven members reduced to about two to three when it came to discuss the abolishing of the Executive Presidency. Ranil Wickremesinghe did not even attend some of the discussions,” she said.
Dear Madam, we are very happy with that constitution because you could contest for the next presidential election and win very easily . You could create a Cabinet of young intelectual properties of SriLanka.
Is it a wind up or is this how much you understand?
If she contests next time, regardless of the party she will contest from (May be Ranil will let CBK run next time having done with Fonseka) it will easily be the easiest walk over for MR. A cabinet of ‘intellectual properties’, you mean ‘a cabinet of patents’???
Yes my friend ,
she could contest, but who will vote for her , only idiots and psychiatric patients will vote for her ,
will you vote for her?
” I completed three quarters of my promise to end the war’ Who is she kidding?
there is nothing to blame on Tamils for this issues. All want change. Sri Lanka is becoming resistant for change by adopting the change. I agree with Chandrika
CBK is talking like an angel now. She is the worst leader we had. She would have done the same thing what MR is doing today had she got the backing at that time. MR is much better than you. Didnt you chase away a democratically elected government? MR learnt dictator style ‘madness’ from you I guess.
Government big enough to suppy everything you need is big enough to take everythiing you have …..The course of history shows that as a government grows, libery decreases.
(First attributed to Thomas Jefferson, quoted on page 123, in a book titled, The Assault on Liberty, by Dominic Raab, first published in Britain by Harper Collins, London, 2009.)
What is this woman talking now!
She dismissed the UNP govt. for absolutely no reason and the the first thing she did was to appoint a committee to see how presidential term limits could be changed !!
Corruption was no different to now.
She also created the current monster !!
Not to worry. 19th on the way. No more elections as it’s a waste of money.
…..correct, no more elections!! We are under the Rajapaksa Dynasty (life sentence for the voters).
Chandrika, your lucky time is over. Although your father created SLFP the members change with time. Cheers for the section that is beneficial. Now Mahinda is strong. His brother is a strong man in Sri Lanka. He knows how to dispose people using his power. Forget about politics. Engoy life with your children and grand children. One day every one has to turn into a handful of ashes.Time is not known. I wish Mahinda knows about.He should look after his weight that may quickly lead to death
Chadrika,the worst leader we had.Gutless Chandrika turned a blind eye when Ranil & Prabhakaran drawing plans to create the EELAM.
Gutless Chandrika? Didn’t she kick Ranil And his team out of the office? Who really was the gutless one?
That B-with a inc and ponai Magy should be held responsible for this situation.
Palitha,
When you say a blind eye, I guess no pun was intended right?
This woman seem to have dimentia!!!! It was the worst time in SL during her governance even surpassing the abject misery the Sri Lankan s had to undergo during her mothers regime. However, now it is even worse under Rajapaksas.
Thanks to Ranil the opposition cant even booo …. a rat.
wow……Gabriel has come down to SriLanka in human form,meya den Baba………hold on………women,you have forgotten,you are a person for your political gain did numerous things,let me remind you few things,to get in to power you accused the UNP to have killed your husband and joined hands with JVP,Remember! even the JVP will admit they did,as someone said you kicked an elected government with the help of saline wimal,you sold the gas to Shell where we still suffer,you shaved the heads of artist and burnt houses of them with your nalu batta,who opposed you,now you are talking of a white van,and talking of not power hungry,well if you would have got the numbers you would have done the samething or more,please do one favour for yourself and us, take your children’s advice, stay home don’t grumble at least you have a government house to live,where many citizens has to pay huge amounts as rent,enjoy your drink like I do.thank your parents its not their fault that you have to sell lands to live they must beweeping from their graves,just don’t try to be Gabriel Angle,you will go to the record books as the only President who did not do a thing to the country, so hush,more you talk more damage you do to your self.
Thwe way Rajapakshe moving I think CBK is far better.
Sorry Chandrika but you had 11 years to abolish the ex presidency but you failed. You got JVP to support you on condition that would abolish it within 1 year. You MUST be held accountable for the failure. The buck stops with you.
Also in 1994, you told on platform that you would hang any public official who would be corrupt. But in reality you did not even send a few to jail.
So I am afraid you too did not fulfill your commitments but took us all for a ride.
THE POT CANNOT CALL THE KETTLE BLACK. AS THIS WOMAN, CHANDRIKAS COUSIN, DR BRIAN SENEVIRATNE SAID, THE BANDARANAYAKES WERE THE BANE OF SL.
You could not have said it better. The present day monsters are a creation of the misguided policies of SWRD.
Her lies continue. She Loved the powers she had and the foreign jaunts at tax payer expense.. She had the chance, immediately upon her landslide victory as PM in 1994 to do this. But her inner cabal knew this will not happen. They laughed and sneered when we asked this question from them.
Perhaps she is not that greedy for power relatively speaking. I grant that. She did try to stay on when she realized her own CJ that she appointed hoping he will be her crony will decide in her favor. But this CJ of a different caste backed MR and the constitution. She wanted to remain as President for one more year. If she stops her petty barbs at Mahinda perhaps she could have got some recognition. If she travels to the N.E she can see things that never happened under her regime happening. She is the one who blasted Sarath Fonseka and refused to give him an extension when he came after her to kiss her behind begging for an extension. She called him a cad and said very soon Fonseka will want to sit in my seat. But to get back at Mahinda because she was petty and on advice from her crony kitchen cabinet member Mangy she shamelessly endorsed Fonseka. The same Fonseka who said “That bloody drunken bitch, I will fix her” when she turned his begging down. He then removed her security even without telling Gotabaya R or the Secy to the PResident. Amazing how she has amnesia now. And yes she also shot her mouth off about “komis kaakkas” but what did she do? There is a lot more corruption now, but there is also a boatload more of massive development work going on. She claims she has a flat in London but ON WHAT MONEY? She claims she sold her property to do that. How much property did she dispose of to own a 2 bedroom flat in Hyde Park? and to travel up and down like she does? And what about Water’s Edge? Poor thing, when her daughter got married she shamelessly invited S.Leader Editor and Ranil to the head table! The same S.Leader editor who blasted her and made comments about her lovers including Sanath Gunatillke on a regular basis to attack her on Ranil’s behalf She had no shame to make politics out of her daughter’s wedding! She loves to shoot her mouth off and insult people but when people give her as good as she gave she cries foul.. She was incompetent. Her only plus point is she was a very moderate person on the ethnic issue. But she failed to abolish the Executive PResidency when it suited her. Surely she also tested the waters to see if she can cling to power via her Silva Sarath CJ and it boomeranged on her. NONE of today’s development work occurred under her. She was always running off secretly as President and was away when the Tsunami happened; was away when a lot of the military defeats happened and was away when the Kelaniya power station was attacked too. She had a new Sri Lanka record for gallivanting across the world without informing anyone for fun and frolic. Mahinda did not do that. She has NO record to speak of in fighting corruption(Water’s edge anyone?) . She has A ZERO record in economic development. Under her regime a lot of military bases were overrun by the Tigers with no heads falling. Under her ,the notorious NWP election happened and she tried to blame General Ratwatte. She got some diraccha lanu from Mangy and backed Sarath Fonseka, the same man she ridiculed as Cad, a womanizer and a UNP JHU plant and refused to give him an extension.
“Perhaps she is not that greedy for power relatively speaking”…
She had no idea what would happen at the end of the second term. She couldn’t think beyond the next minute. Her confidantes like Mangala were very very short sighted too, as they themselves have proven now. Had she known, that she may had to go home oneday, she would done something about it. In contrast, MR is taking steps to secure a long term in office, even before his first trem ends. whata a difference between the two!
Yes she does not know or cannot make up her mind whom to blame for her amazing compassionate husband. It was the UNP she said but it was the murderous terrorists in the JVP; when it suited her she says this or that.
I can’t see so many wrong things with Bandaranayakas. But I think the Sinhala only act was an foolish act.
WELL YOU ARE RIGHT;THE SINHALA ACT WAS THE START OF THE ROT.
THEN SHE WAS THE ONE WHO STARTED THE “ROT” BY WHAT,
SHE DID TO RANIL. AND THEN WAS SHE NOT THE ONE WHO
SPONSORED MAHINDA.
WELL NOW MAHINDA IS SHOWING HIS GRATITUDE.
WHO KNOWS WITH THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS AND YOU
ARE STILL AROUND, YOU MAY BE ABLE TO CONTEST MAHINDA
AS THE COMMON OPPOSITION CANDIDATE,SINCE SARATH FONSEKA WOULD HAVE BEEN HANGED SEVEN TIMES OVER FOR WIPING OUT
TERRORISM. SO THERE YOU ARE.!! LOOK AFTER YOURSELF AND WE MAY NEED YOU. YOU MAY BE ABLE TO LEAD THE “DECAPITATED”UNP.
WHO KNOWS THE UNP MAY WIN AFTER ALL WITH A BANDARANAIKE LEADING. THE “GOP”
That’s why you need to read not write! Sinhala only act was a foolish act? Do you think if not for that act, you would be anywhere near where you you are today? It is not foolish but it was wrong the way it came out. It was not foolish but stupid because it was JR’s idea. JR’s policies were inward looking and self-centred, he himself first. SWRD was a man with no ideas, so he just implemented his pal JR’s idea, without listening to good folks like NM and Colvyn, who went on record to say it has to be altered to Sinhala-Tamil only.
Very True – JR is the one who suggested Sinhala only policy – Hansard.
SWRD grabed it from JR and used as a tool to come to power. SWRD (in spite of NOT having his own ideas) ignored the optimistic interllectuals then.
So the pessimism and negetiveness prevail till now.
Who dismissed Ranil’s government? Who accused the UNP of killing her husband? How much ancestral land is there to sell if Land reform limited ownership to 50 acres? So with her 50, and her mother’s 50 how much is it all worth? Dr. Rajitha Senaratne who was her close comrade claimed she was basically penniless when she had to go into exile when JVP terrorists attacked her husband. So when did she finally make money then? Does she not know it was Fonseka who removed her security to spite her when he was made commander by Mahinda because she turned down his extension?
chandrika you were a dictator during your regime, I fully agree with RohanF.
what about the Air Lanka deal,the Waters Edge, Answer the allegation in the book written by Victor Ivan Chaura Rejina, about the jewelery uoh have etc
I fully agree that in your term the country did not achieve any thing
Chandrika is paying for what she did to our country and President Mahinda when she was her cabinet. Her actions after intoxication created havoc in the country. She ruined armed forces with her henchaiyas, incapable boot liking commanders.Almost handed over the country to LTTE.
Madam I have never voted for you before,,, but in the current climate you are the only one who can win an election,,, although you have promised your children never to contest again,,,I am sure your children understand the dictatorship of the present regime and will ask you to reconsider that promise and save this nation,,, pl come back for the sake of this nation and not for your seld,, Ranil the serail looser wil never win an election again
Dudley, Are you ok? Because any sane person in their right mind would not invite her back to politics.
my, my, my, what an honest statement from a very honest politician!!!
How can she even face people and tell them that her hands are clean ??
Foolish, idiotic, and dumb Sri Lankans, do not be taken foe a ride by what this lady says.
Lies, all lies, and more lies
Listen everyone. The Bandit Queen has just opened her mouth. What a sham. This woman ruined the country and now she is such an innoccent Poosi Patiya.
[...] Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga condemned the 18th Amendment proposed by the government saying it is a “horrendous move” and that she could not agree with it in any way. Speaking to The Sunday Leader Kumaratunga said that being “a total democrat,” she believes that rulers must not grab power, but on the contrary make it even more democratic. Kumaratunga said she had been firmly committed to abolishing the Executive Presidency and tried to do so in 2000 along with the devolution package, since the position was extremely dangerous to democracy. “Abolishing of the Executive Presidency was also included in the package,” she said,………….… read more [...]
Don’t lie Chandrika. How you could open your mouth and say that you are not power greedy when you wanted to go through another one year. You are the person to be blabbed for everything. If changed the constitution in 1994 after you came to power, this would have not happened. Now it’s too late. We could only wait a see how Hitler or Hit-lier govern this country until his son takes over. You also blame GL for not agreeing with you to change the constitution. Who was GL? GL was not the President at that time. You had the all the power to do anything except converting a man to a woman or woman to a man. So Chandrika, people will not get caught to your crocodile tears anymore. I think you are trying to enter politics once again.
She has no where to go and her performance during her presidency prooved it and I too voted thinking there is future but it was worst. She let the war grow and the tamil tigers and Solheim fooled her to the top making Tamil tigers so strong where finally the country had to sacrifice 6000 soldiers and there were bombs left right and centre.She cannot even compaired near to mahinda he had a goal finished the war the most important factor for our country to move forward.Despite all the stories by people who does not appreciate what MR has done see Tourism has opened the flood gates the most important to all Sri Lankans the biggest revenue earner and Infrastructure Development,Port,Airport, Roads what more do we need we need peace and development.CBK you are a real waster now retire as people of Sri Lanka still pays you the salary.
CBK – Sounds like Cold Blooded Killer- did starve Vanni Tamil Children to death and now the evil woman facing destruction by the SINHELLA WAR CRIMINAL Mahinda Rajapakshe
Dear madam
you dont have any authority to talk about any of politics now, what did you do for 11 years, just wasted time and money of the Gov, lots of curruptions,
Mr. Runil or Mr. sajith , yes they can talk and comments ,because they are still clean hand people and trying to do some thing for the country.
It was her father who created the Sinhala only policy and drove out the Burghers. It was she who forced out the UNP & Ranil as leader, and subsequently said this was the biggest mistake she made. So it was she who put the nail on the coffin on Sri Lanka as mR will go through with amendments to the constitution and remain as president until such time he hands it over to his offspring Namal (mind you not even Basil will get a chance although it is Basil that is the smooth worker). Till then, the citizens will watch and wait till the time there will be infighting in the royal family!!!!
Ranil was and is the only leader who became the leader by luck. JRJ tried to groom him to take over but found he was a lame duck and groomed Gamini D & Lalith Athulathmudali – but Ranasinghe Premadasa became the PM and then President. Ranil became the prime minister when Ranasinghe Premadasa met with a premature and untimely death. So the true leader is Ranil, who never fought for leadership and was never greedy for it. He is sticking to the leadership of the UNP which is the best choice. If Sajith were to be made the leader, then the faction like Ravi Karunanayake etc would not accept it. If Ravi K becomes the leader then the Sajith faction would not accept him. I dont think even Dayasiri J would like Ravi K or Sajith P as leader!!!
This woman is crying sour grapes. People remember the lousy time under your mother, the days of cooperative coupons and bale clothes and rice from the moon. 7 years of starvation and stagnation. 3 pounds forex for people going abroad, while your clan lived it up. You were a disaster. A nepotist, an abject failure as a ruler. Never punctual, holding up commercial airlines until u arrived maybe after an extended session with ur current lover, probably sanath or some other stud. Remember what JR said about u governing? How can a spoilt little girl run a country? He was right. So i suggest u just live it up in London. U can fulfill your lust discreetly with the many studs in that town!
It is CBK that is to be blamed for this ‘Horrendous move’ by first not abolishing the executive Presidential system as promised by her during her tenure and then nominating MR after her two terms. And she jolly well knew what the outcome would be for the country in general and to her in particular. She has no say here now.
Your pukka sahib daddy comes back from ur beloved Blighty, exchanges his top hat and tailcoat for national kurtha and sarong, and starts the rot which has plagued this place since then. Old timers remember his first speeches in Sinhala. He was not fluent in it. He just roused rabid nationalism as a political tactic, and many have paid for it with their blood and limbs. You too, you one-eyed ogre. Stay away from Lanka. Go and coo to your half-breed grandkids, the brats your daughter made with the Brit whitey!
Ranbanda
I think her half breed grand children may stand a chance to rule this country.
Take our nearest powerful neighbour for example.
What a talk ? Another saint.. she thinks everything she has done to the country all have forgotton.. how about the elections at her time.. very free & fair – isn’t it ? please be at home..nobody care you at least than a street dog in colombo.. Bandaranaike name is a curse to Sri Lanka.. ur stras have dimmed .. Now notorious family regime, another curse to the country…
King’s stars are shinning at high now.. but not forever.. thats the nature…
A honest politician is an OXYMORON!
At least she has properties to sell and spend.
There are many old Govt. pensioners who are not paid their pensions for more than a year now.
She must have done this before MR if she had 2/3rd majority. She was the most power hungry leader of modern times. She did her best not to give the leadership to MR. Better you keep away from politics. You did not do any good to our country. You tarnished the image of your great & well respected parents. We dont want to listen to you. Pls get lost
You look different but the politics it is still just rotten egg stuff. It stinks. Only talking about yourself and so-called political leaders but not one word about the plight of ordinary people whom you and your likes have exploited to the full. Just enjoy your two-bedroom flat in the UK or what does it matter even if there is a palace in the shires. The ordinary Sri Lankans anyway derive no benefit.
I remember when she take oaths as president in 1994.. just an ordinary woman.. even by the dress, .. but now….?????
One Air Lanka Pilot told me that she got a house in Paris for selling Air Lanka to Emirates… Who knows ?????
Sonali,
I doubt it. Rajiv’s Indian/Italian half-breeds are very much in India. Their mother still wields power, but grandma chandrika is a nobody here now. And her brother, the Clown Prince, is dead as a dodo. So this rotten clan is a garawetunu walawwa. They are history! And cheers to that. The fat lady can ask her sister sunethra to send her some spices to spice up her life a bit in her 2-bedroom London flat (if we are to believe that’s what she’s got.) Maybe make some curry for her suddha son in law.
Dear Mr.Ranbanda,
If she gives her address and phone number I could visit her flats in London with a sweet icing cake from Vancouver.
no use take a scotch,her cake eating time is long gone
Madam, you started the rot by appointing Sarath Silva to head the judiciary and who danced to your tune for five years before he abandoned you for more promising prospects when he saw the way that the political wind was blowing. As a young person who is just starting out in the legal profession, I blame you for destroying our faith in the judiciary. We have to cope now with judges who bend every way that politicians dictate, something which did not happen even under JRJ or Premadasa.
You are the one who started the rot. Don”t you DARE preach to us now about what is ”horrrendous”! All right minded people despise you and rightly so! The SL should not give print media space to these hypocrites. Why don’t you come out and say- as you promised to do sometime back – what the ‘biggest mistake” during your Presidency was?? At least have the courage to do that without talking utter rubbish.
Mr palipana, u immigrated from Australia to Canada over the week? Hmmm … You can always bring some canadian cake for me if u come to the highlands of Lanka. i’ll offer u a glass of kithul ra.