The Death Of A Nation
Mahinda as Big Brother
If you want to see the shape of the new constitution, look at the last two elections. To quote George Orwell’s 1984, “if you want a vision of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face — forever.”
In the last General Election the government requested a two thirds majority in parliament. They got it. Or more precisely, Ranil gave it. Ranil has emerged as good as a fourth brother to Mahinda, holding the opposition down while Mahinda stomped the life out of it. Now the UNP has hemorrhaged enough green blood to give the President the power to write them out legally, making the whole process look pretty.
The new constitutional changes create an Executive Presidency Plus. There is no more pesky Constitutional Council keeping Mahinda from appointing whoever he wants and there are no more term limits to keep the population from re-anointing the President every six years. It’s a seamless system. Mahinda appoints the custodians of state TV, the keepers of state funds and the police. Then he runs in an election with the shameless backing of state resources, with the power to throw the opposition candidate in jail. This is exactly what Mahinda did against Sarath Fonseka and now he’s trying to codify the policy into law.
And law this will most certainly become. Ranil as the fourth brother has been trusted not with business, military or even Parliament. He is just the Parliamentary eunuch — completely ineffective — Fredo to Mahinda’s Godfather, he simply keeps an eye on the opposition MPs until Mahinda decides he wants to take a few.
Ranil is a sucker for negotiations. The LTTE suckered him once and Mahinda has suckered him again. While he was talking to Prabhakaran, Chandrika took his ministries and the LTTE took his votes. While he was talking to Mahinda, Mahinda took his MPs. If Mahinda is the father of the Constitution, Ranil is most definitely the mother, but the deformed child belongs to us all.
Mahinda’s 18th Amendment is effectively a red sash around the Constitution. It eliminates the (imaginary) checks on presidential power written in the 17th Amendment and gives the President unbridled power over government institutions, Parliament and the police. Mahinda has already shown no compunction about abusing those powers to win elections, so this he will presumably do until he gets tired (another 12 or 24 years?) or until his son Namal is ready for the throne. This is Mahinda’s vision for Sri Lanka. To the opposition its a boot, to Mahinda it’s just his smiling face, glittering in various transmutations for eternity.
It is vanity and foolishness. This is not a Constitution, it’s taking Sri Lankans a step back from the Magna Carta. In this case Sri Lankan nobles (i.e. politicians) are giving back power to the king. All that is left of democracy is elections, with an elections commissioner appointed by the king.
Mahinda’s vision does not extend beyond his own body and blood. He has no thought of the next 200 years, of what these powers might do in other hands, of what sort of template he is laying for a future nation. There is no vision beyond his own family and no humility of placing nation before self. Perhaps he and Namal are the best leaders for the country, but why not trust the country to decide? Why not implement a template to prevent any future tyranny instead of entrenching a benevolent dictatorship in law? Mahinda may be a functional leader now, but all things are impermanent. Situations change, people change, even sons rise and fall in their fathers eyes. Even Sinha Bahu gave birth to a child so incorrigible that he had to be expelled from India. That bad blood can flow in any dynasty.
Yet, under this new Constitution, Mahinda places the country at the same grave risk. Perhaps Mahinda only abuses state power for noble ends, perhaps the end justifies the means. But what about the leader after Mahinda? Should he be trusted with the same powers? And the one after that, and the one after that?
Mahinda obviously hasn’t thought that far. He seems to like himself and he seems to like Namal and that is presumably enough for the nation. But it’s not.
Sri Lanka has been crippled by spoilt dynastic fruit throughout its history, which Mahinda has presumably read. Even Vijaya, the founder of our nation, was such a Malaka Silva type despoiler of people and property that he was ejected from his native land. In more recent times, the Bandaranaikes used all their inherited power to waste this country’s precious time. Sri Lanka’s historical dynasties have also been wracked by murder, military takeovers and violent overthrow. Because that was the only way to effect change. The point of a working constitution is to enable stable change, not preserve power. Without a working constitution pressure builds up and eventually explodes in violence.
Mahinda has already ignored the checks and balances in the Constitution as is, that could have gone on forever. What he could not violate was the simple math of term limits, so he’s simply writing that out of existence. With that goes the last check on the absolute power of the Presidency. Now the only check is death, revolution or palace intrigue, hardly a stable template for a democratic nation. In Mahinda’s shortsightedness, he has lost track of his duty as a leader. A Constitution is not supposed to think 10 years ahead or 50 years ahead, it’s supposed to think for hundreds. It’s not supposed to imagine best case scenarios, it’s supposed to plan for the worst. Most importantly, it is not about one man but about the people. That is who power belongs to, and that is who this new Constitution takes power away from.
Sinhalese can have mahinda for ever……Lazy as__holes
I enjoy reading these articles. All writers are in disarray not knowing what to write to this news paper. No matter what article goes in this news paper Mahinda is going forward with the full support of Ranil. Mahinda is from south and he is not a fool to hand over his enormous power to an idiot after him. The next stage of the amendments will be for that. RW is with a good understanding with Mahinda and they both will drive the country forward neglecting criticisms from all corners of the world. Since RW is the only honest politician in the opposition, he will be rewarded by the people in the near future. RW knows it very well and is waiting for his turn to come unlike selfish, oppotunistic SF.
Not everything but I agree, this paper is struggling to find quality writers. The articles are so substandard.
Maybe you a substandard Ruwan.
i agree , quality of writing could use some help.
Lankaputhraya, you are in a dreamworld! It is because of people like you that the rest of the country suffers.
Well, this newspaper is going bonkers!!!
Now the guy, who gave it 11 millions is a “bad” guy!!!
Of course, it is easy to take money, when it is not earned…
Hey Machang lankaputhra
What ever You are smoking its damaging your brains. are you nuts? Ranil? ever getting rewarded? The tamil hate him as he split LTTE, Sinhalese hate him as he abandoned them at time of nation needed him the most, abandoned Sarath Fonseka, Abandoned Mano Ganashen, SLMC, The Buddhist. All to be the leader of the Now Slowly defunct party. Honestly I Think We Needed Leaders like Praba who always stood by his people & did by them. He will always be a hero to his people.
sorry to say either you are dreaming or you are a great ideot
Who is this as-hole? His brains have obviously been placed on the wrong side of his anatomy.
yeah thats why we screwed lazy tamils last yeah! i can undestand your anger with MR who destroyed LTTE.
Excatly, Marlon!!!
Why are you so worried about third term of the presidency. If the president continues his term without an election then there will be an issue. People will decide whether to extend his period or not. CBK came to power after 17 years UNP rule. If people wants to keep the current president what is the provision in the constitution for that? People’s leaders like Mao Tse Tung, Fidel Castro ruled their country continuously with the full blessings of people. One can see it against the democracy but from the people’s point of view, that provision should be there in the constitution. For example Sri Lankan cricket team has a brilliant player. He is asked to leave the team due to number of matches he played. That is his brilliant time of playing. If you are a cricket lover what is your opinion? Are we going to lose him just because of the law? Same thing applies here. If Mahinda delivers what people expect from him why should people throw him away. On the other hand if this post was renamed to an executive prime minister position what these pundits are going to say? From the recent experience from Maldives we understand group of parliament members can blackmail the executive president or executive prime minister at any time. In the modern world some MPs are sold for big money pumped from outside powers to go against peoples wish in the parliament. These types of parliaments sabotage the forward march of developing countries. Since we are just emerging after the war we should have a strong leadership to overcome all kinds of sabotaging from inside and outside the country.
You’re comparing cricket to politics? That’s the worst analogy I have heard. People pay money to get entertained by matches… And where have you been living to think that mahinda is delivering what people are expecting from him? Do you seriously believe all that crap? I think you’re just trying to promote government propaganda. You must be truly ignorant not to understand the depth of all the problems we have. Do you really not understand the danger of having a weak opposition? Can you describe the happy ending you have in mind? Can you please give me one example. Do you see ourselves ending up like Singapore? Or is it Japan? Maybe Malaysia or Norway? Please show me this positive scenario. How is all this going to work out?
Pri, I am not promoting government propaganda. I just looked the problem in a positive mind. I know ruling a country is not a game. My point is, if Mahinda plays a people friendly role in Sri Lanka and take the country forward what people should do after his second term? As long as the present government does not use any dirty tricks to split opposition like JR did for SLFP in 80′s, weakness of the opposition is their inability. You can’t expect recovery of opposition from the government side anyway. The government side always tries to weak his opponent. That is the reality even in supreme democracies in the world.
Are you for real? Have you heard of utilitarian ethics? Having a ‘strong leadership’ might be a good thing for our country. But what about all the other heart wrenching sick things that are happening because of your leadership? I can’t believe people like you exist… Whatever good there is because of the new constitution is NOTHING compared to all the terrible things that we are going through. Stupid, stupid people… I can only cry for my country
I agree your point. Behind all strong leaders, we have experienced heart wrenching sick things. That is why we need a strong people friendly opposition to the country. I should say opposition should be more people friendlier than the government side after the election. What we see in our opposition, they are not people friendly but they are friendly among themselves to come to the power next time. They must put a side election mentality till the next election and must work on a country first agenda. Then they can gather people among us. They should not only target elections. They can do lot more to the people while they in the opposition to get their attention.
Wow what an amazing article, very well done
Bravo Sunday Leader! You are doing your duty by informing the masses what they are in for. It is so sad and shocking that this ruling clan is taking the illiterate, uneducated and uninformed people of this country for a ride.
For those who stood by this president during the Eelam War IV and for those who thought this president deserves a second term, this is a huge disappointment. Today we are speechless, angry and very sad.
I keep asking “WHY”? Why is this happening to my people? Why are we so unfortunate? Is this part of our “DNA”, part of our culture that does not create personalities bigger than life? Is it that extreme greediness and power hunger that destroy our people and our leaders? This is like a bad dream unfolding in real time. One day you become a hero and next day you shoot yourself or self emulate and become nothing but a hateful character. MR could have left a great legacy as someone who changed the direction of our country but instead, he put himself and his family first and destroy or kid’s future and their hopes.
What part of MR’s brain does not understand that these changes are going to have a far reaching negative consequence on our unborn children? What part of his brain does not realize that over the years people will hate him just like the way our generation hate politicians like Bandaranayke and Jayewardene for their short sighted decision.
Agreed Chand. I wont be surprised if CBK form her own party now. Yes after SWRD and JR, MR is going to be in the history ‘hate’ list.
SL politics is so strange, it could turn anything up side down in no time. MR at the moment thinks that he is intangible. Time will prove him that he is bloody wrong.
A new party by CBK? What will it be? ‘Scorned Woman Party’? ‘Legalise Marijuana Party’? ‘Ronnie and Me Party?
The ranil and me “bajawu party”
why this obviously brilliant (I’m talking about mahinda…you can’t come to the presidency if you don’t have brains.. regardless of financial well being and political pedigree[well there is BUSH] ) and let’s agree patriotic man with a chance to do so much, after which he will be remembered for 100s of years ,is simple throwing it all away is beyond me.
for what????????..in the hope of continuing a despotic rule over our country for the benefit of his family??? why are we so self destructive..why can’t we seem to see this unbelievable opportunity to build and become a regional power if not a global one
You are so right. You can’t ascend to the Presidency if you don’t have a brain! Fonseka proved it.
Any fool can become the PRES in this fools paradise. Aren’t you observing it for the last several decades…?
Good article-TAKING THE SHORTEST AND EASIEST JOURNEY TOWARDS DICTATORSHIP-ABLY ASSISTED BY THE HENCHMEN!
Why do our leaders cling on to power by hook or by crook???
They know how much corruption under his nose……..
They know how much his family ( and extended ) has gained……
They know their skeletons in the cupboard……
They know how many illegal things they have done…..
They know under their orders how many people have disapeared form this earth……
They do not want another regime to unearth his massive ‘graves’ and punish not only them but the whole dynasty……..
Hence to protect all near and dear the only option is to remain in power for ever……
But they may need to remember all powerful Saddam, Milosevic, Chauchesu etc perished by peoples power and by international law !
Regional power? ha ha ha, mate which side you woke up this morning? MR is building his dynasty, how come you cant see that. Any normal human being could see that unless you are deaf dumb and blind.
I agree with you in one point that MR & Co going to be the regional power if not a global one but not the country.
Mugabe Robert, Mubarak ???, and now Mahinda R.
What next????
..Mervin???
Mahinda Rajapakse with his 18 amendments is not trying to be a dictator by all means.He is a leader who created a new country after defeating LTTE,and electing himself for this covited post by popular vote,even the amendment says that the incumbent president should seek extention by a by election.So far people of S.Lanka have endorsed his Mission &Vision in terms of governance.This is the very reason why section of the main opposition,and Muslim Congress throwing their support to him.UNP & JVP are typical opposition parties who are engadge in a scare campaign to of no avail.Let this president carry on with his good workThe most competent leader of our time.
SO is it OK to leave a constitution that potentially could make a monster of the position behind when he leaves it? Or are you assuming that he will be the president for ever?
Elections are held in countries like Iran,Cuba and North Korea too!
At least Hugo Chaves of Venezuela gave his people a referendum on extending his term limits and he lost it.
The opposition in SL is in disarray. The war memories are so afresh in most people’s minds and they all remember how the UNP behaved when the war was in full swing. Outside Colombo and Kandy city limits, MR will always be victorius. A referendum will be a waste of money.
“The war memories are so afresh in most people’s minds and they all remember how the UNP behaved when the war was in full swing. Outside Colombo and Kandy city limits, MR will always be victorius. A referendum will be a waste of money.”
Not quite. The people’s support for MR with respect to the war memories has surely been cut in half if not more after the way he treated Fonseka.
“.. cut in half if not more after the way he treated Fonseka.”
Not at all. I saw a Commemoration of war heroes event recently organised by a local MP and it was well attended. Fonseka never enjoyed a respect outside Colombo, as evidenced by the presidential election. Even in Colombo he was polled well below the leading candidates in the other parties.
Fredirica, As good always….. Forget about your criticism about who tried to remote control your writing. Do what is best which you are doing now. Responding to this article brings me lots of thoughts. First olf all I don’t agree with you when you compared Ranil to a mother. Please don’t disgrace the motherhood. We are at crossroads and in a grave situation. It is so dissappointing to see that some agree with MR’s so called ‘brilliant leadreship’ and that we should give him all mighty power to change the course of Sri Lnaka. When all the governments mollicoddled Tigers MR defeated it the way that it should be dealt with. All hats up to him, he did the right thing. But our question him what next? His main ally who was a key figure in defeating the LTTE is under custody, just because he opposed MR in policy decisions. He thought he could do better.But instead of respecting a different point of view now he put the opposer behind bars. Now it is an interesting part, not enough of war victory , MR capitalizes on war vote and goes ahead with a constitutional ammendment which will cripple entire democracy of Sri Lanka. In this case Mura who commented first to this article do not have a say. You in the first place destroyed democracy , peace and harmony in our country. As for Ranil he will stick with MR ‘s blessings as the glorified opposition leader for ever. We are all screwed !!!So be it .. Like Palitha Ranathunga says lets hope and pray that he will not be a dictator…….and after all we elected MR and we pay or reap the harvest.
“The point of a working constitution is to enable stable change, not preserve power.”
Very well said!
You have touched appropriately on the fundamental truth of change, with historical references. In the face of this truth, may our leaders and political parties realise that all attempts to concentrate power in themselves, and seeking perpetuity, fly against this truth! And worse, they create misery and chaos for the hapless citizens!
In the light of such historical evidence of chaos that ensues when rulers and governments ignore this natural law of change, decay and death, democratic governance evolved, seeking to establish sytems that enable people to manage change in the least disruptive manner.
And, that is the best any State could do, when all things that come to be, cease to be.
In the limelight of credit for having defeated terrorism, the present leaders can do much to ‘govern,’ for which no constitutional changes of the type proposed, are necessary! On the other hand, many pernicious laws, provisions, and practices, that have been done, constitutionally, and unconstitutionally, that created the space for armed opposition to arise in the first place, can be removed, and systems be established to maintain peace and good order, and for creation of economic opportunity, and prosperity.
In another piece by Prof. Sarvan, in today’s edition, reference is made to this opportunity that the present government has, to inspire in all the peoples, a sense of undoing past errors, and moving toward ‘a time of building,’ national harmony, peace and prosperity.
And so, we can only hope that the past errors of seeking perpetuity, is also realised by the present leaders, and hopefully, the Opposition will do its part in making the right and timely demonstration of the naive proposals, and show a better alternative!
WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM A SHAMELESS MAN WHO CAME TO POWER BY FOUL MEANS IN 2005 & WHO TRIED TO PLAY OUT THE TSUNAMI FUNDS–REMEMBER HELPING HAMBANTOTA FUND ? MY LATE DAD USED TO TO SAY THAT IN THE WORST OF MEN, THERE IS SOME GOOD. IN THIS CASE HOWEVER, I SEE NO GOOD. ALL I SEE IS THUGGERY,SHEER CORRUPTION, UNBRIDLED GREED FOR TOTAL POWER & ALL THINGS UNDEMOCRATIC. THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THESE SCUMBAGS COME FROM A VERY BAD FAMILY. THEY MUST REMEMBER THAT THEY CANNOT TAKE THIS ILL-GOTTEN WEALTH WHEN THEY LEAVE THIS EARTH.
I ENDORSE AND UNDERLINE EVERY WORD YOU HAVE WRITTEN
I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THE NATION IS DEAD AND THE BURIAL TOO IS OVER
WITH OUR “DOUBLE FACED” POLITICIANS.
MARK MY WORDS, WE DO NOT HAVE TO WAIT LONG FOR THE NEXT
TSUNAMI.
BY THE WAY HAS THE HARBOUR FILLED. ?
I THOUGHT HARBOURS ARE BUILT IN THE SEA NOT ON LAND AND
WATER PUMPED IN.
I saw a article on lankaEnews saying that water filling ceremony cost Rs 700 Million is that true?? how can this goat waste so much money like this for his ugly face to be proud of when there are so many people in SL without a house to live in!!
(created a new country after defeating LTTE)
Yes you are right. MR did his job for which he was elected. We are all grateful to him. Dont foreget that he got paid and all the expensive perks too that goes with his office.
But how does it follow that we should give him more power than so powerful existing office. Dont you see the imminent danger for our country.
What is more important to you. The country or Rajapasha rule?
His Excellency MR freed the country from the terrorism. Need to eliminate any future threat to the democracy, so need full powers over Army, Police and the Supreme Courts. (Though white Vans are preferred to jails).
Also His Excellency need to rapidly develop the country by having a system similar to China.
China – Single Party – One Leader – One Child – No Religion.
Sri Lanka – One nation , One Party , One President & one religion.
Namo Namo Namo Shiranthi Rajapaksa Ma ta.
What more can u expect? It’s all part of the game in API WENUWEN API. M..asses asked for it and get it. Amendments are done for the benefit of the
m..asses MR says to keep himself & his family in power forever. A2/3rd majority gobbled up over a cup of coffee with RW and the opinion sought will be announced to the benefit of the RAJJURUWO as has always been at the KINGS COURT since 1994 . The nation knows what to expect. Fredrica. You are also party to all what is happening. Your conscious will tell u although, it was your part of cheap journalism. No amount of words, reams of newspaper
& editorials is going to change the course of a FAMILY DYNASTY we can see
taking shape all in the name of the M…asses. Hurr…ah magey MAWBIMA!.
Son of a …itch Ruwan Fernandez !!!
I feel you have taken the roll of late Shaksepere. As far as the epressions in all the articles published in this paper can be grasp by any fair english known person. Which side of your body part start tingling during Sundays.
Ruwan F where are mate? Soussi shut you up or what?
Lew Kwan Yew of Singapoe …was in power for over 50 years…
He is still the “Power behind the throne”….His wife was a powerfull minister…
Eldest son, present Prime Minister of Singapore….other son, Commander of Armed Forces…
Queen Elizabeth II….crowned in 1951…nearly 60 years ago…
She was NEVER elected by UK voters…
will pass the throne to Eldest Son…who will NOT be elected by UK voters…
Where are the “Political Pandits” …who oppose President MR ???
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth has no political influence at all.
In fact she’s not even allowed to vote. She is a constituitonal Monarch that’s all. She is head of state with no powers at all… that’s a fact.
That’s why we all like her she’s not political in any way shape or form.
So with respect you cannot say the situation is the same in this instance..
hey CSW,
it’s true that Lew Kwan Yew was in power and his family is still in power in singapore. But he’s established a powerful democratic system as well. The judicial, police is independent of political meddling. Singapore is one of the least corrupted Asian countries. Do we see even a slightest of an intention of enabling such systems with the new amendment.
The problem here is not about MR ruling the country for a long time, but paving the way to politicize every democratic institution in the country. Why do you want absolute power to develop a country? Why do you want the power over every aspect of the police, state media, elections commission to develop a country? This is the real problem.
Its not the PERSON, but the SYSTEM which will fuel development.
FYI, Lew Kwan Yew didn’t do it alone, his “executioner” (according to LKY) Goh Keng Swee was instrumental in shaping country’s military, education, housing etc. LKY established a well functioning system, just browse for HDB, LTA, NEA. These are well functioning institutions which propel the growth of singapore. That’s why LKY is adored in Singapore.
Time will decide whether MR is adored or cursed
“Queen Elizabeth II….crowned in 1951…nearly 60 years ago…
She was NEVER elected by UK voters…
will pass the throne to Eldest Son…who will NOT be elected by UK voters…”
This why education is required for f_ools like you. The Queen and the Royal family have no powers whatsoever to run the country. All power resides with the Prime Minister and the parliament who are all elected.. The Queen is as good as Fonseka was with his “Chief of Defense Staff” position – zero power.
You are an absolute moron the Queen has no power at all and she aint that rich either.. I bet our president MR and familiy are richer than the queen of England!!
The 3rd class and low caste b***** see how he behaves and how he ruined this
country for his own benefit and today the entire country people are suffering due to this b****** an ungreatful 3rd class rascal he deserves death sooner or later.
It is the armed forces can teach this b***** a lesson, unlike Indra Ghandi the
one time prime minister was shot by her own security personnal and why not
Mahinda get a bullet by his own security man? and you better watch it very soon it
will take place. You MR b****** go to hell.
I never wish anyone’s demise, but if it is for the goodness of a nation … Ranil Good riddance!!!!
Sajith wants to vote with the government.
If it is a secret ballot, every single hardcore UNP MP will vote with the government, there is no question about this. Ranil’s exit to India at this time and hour explains it all. He says the government hasn’t given him enough time but knowing the bill is out on the 8th, this man has gone on a pilgrimage.
Unfortunately, those who opposed this position throughout the past 30 years are now in the government, so there is no opposition to it now.
Ruwan you dead wrong. In a secret vote even many SLFP would vote against it. Any moron can see the downfall of this amendment. 17th amendment was passed unanimously in the parliament even MR voted for it but up to this day it has been not executed.
This Ponna President only after more power..
You really think the SLFP will vote against themselves?? SLFP won’t mind if MR stays in, not a third term but even fourth or fifth as long as they win. Unlike in the UNP, SLFP has no competitors for the power. That’s how it works when a party is in the government. In 1980′s SLFP was in disarray as well. As for the UNP, not only they have internal power struggle but in theory, UNPers prefer a strong executive position. You seem to be frustrated but that is what happens when you take politics too much into yourself. It is not too late to understand it is just a business.
Why all this apocalyptic moaning? The 18th amendment does not eliminate elections. If the people tire of him, then they will eventually throw him out via election. Although at this point, who else is there to elect? Frederica Janz?
Yes, there may be misuse of state resources for elections propaganda, but can you honestly point to a regime that has not done so time after time in Sri Lanka ever since the evolution of media here? At least now we have dissenting newspapers (such as this one) in all languages – something that was not there during JR’s reign, and was barely flowering during Prema’s tyranny. But the country didn’t go away after that. Here we are, 20 30 years later, still complaining. Let nature run its course. The country will take care of itself.
What a foolish philosophy! Dictators were and are silly idiots.
So you have a better idea? Let’s hear it.
You are partly factually right but we have seen the effects of this post in the past, It undermines the democracy. It should never be strengthened. Yes there is an alternative, go back to 1972 constitution. What is wrong with that? Only JR didn’t like it,.. in fact more than disliking, he wanted more power to take revenge from his political oponents and also he didn’t want to be held responsible for anything like 1983 riots for example. So he made this ghastly constitution.
Anyway, MR has no moral right to make this constitution any stronger. He was always protesting against it in 1980s, but he finds it is enjoyable when he is on the chair. He should apologise from the people for misleading them in 1980s before he makes it more powerful.
Throw him out thru elections? were u in SL during last prez elections? people threw him out but strangly, magically, amazingly & sadly he came to power, and strengthning it now. Why MR should do it, while he can rig votes? Simple logic – to be in power till the end he needs to extend it, so even whn people reject him still he will be there with the help of Mervyn, Buruwanse, SB, Siraa etc…and ofcourse with EC saying contradicting things, same as last time.
Hussein, You are singing Fonseka’s song. What you don’t know is, the guy who nicked all our ID cards and money and ran away in 1989 and appeared suddenly like a clean man in 1999, Somawansa wrote that song. FOnseka himself said a week before the elections that he had the support in cities but suburbs still was a problem. In deed that was what happened. He lost badly in outstations and there is nothing to argue about. The general election was totally fair according to Ranil himself, and the respective parties still secured same votes they had in the presidential. Those stories are nonsensical
there is no democracy, no equal freedom, there is no equal rights amoung citizens, so why u guys worring abt amendments, 3 times 4 times precident..ministries.. just go to work earn bread for your family, just worry about how tomorow buy 1 kilo rice to feed ur kids.. just leave this guys, long live gost town
Dictator: “The country will take care of itself.”
Shows how stupid u are Dic. What a moron. Why dont u let the the thieves loot ur house. no need of police coz the house will take care of itself. HAAA hAA.
Excellent article. No doubt the patriots will tear it down but if the British embassy was issuing free visas they would be queuing up to get out. Enjoy these brave, independent writers while you still can.
Nobody can take away MR’s great achievement of defeating the terrorists, although the miserable opposition supporters claim it was the military that did it. It was MR who trained, armed, financed and fed the military. It was MR who kept India quiet, who played off China against India, who bore the pressure from the EU, UN, US etc without flinching. It was MR who saved this nation from terror. It’s just a shame that he is throwing this great achievement away.
Yes, it is MR who is now brainwashing the masses and taking away our democracy so that he and his family will rule forever. One day your children will ask you why you were silent when this great crime was committed on the nation.
According to your Quote: you say ”MR trained, armed, financed and fed the military.” Are you kidding me MR J Edward. This is obviously bogus behaviour. I hope you have a direction in life, otherwise youll be a good SLFP or party organiser like Mervin or other goons. IT will be an excellent career path for you. Contact me if you want to join, we are looking for personalities like yours. email: organiser@slfp.mr
@Edward you seems to be an ignorant fool or an MR Cohort, does not know simple truth, it was India who fully backed him to tilt, it was they who wanted Prabakaran eliminated it was they who kept UN,EU. & US at bay & now they are amply rewarded MR didnt do a bawl except purchasing arms, at this stage China never interferes in any internal matter of any countries their interest is only trade , & CIA is on their trail in all their moves, open license is given by India & MR to Americans to monitor in Srilanka, Go & see in the East how USAID is given a free hand to manage all pradeshiya Sabahs & UCs, why regularly US Warships & military personals are arriving.
Sheriff, your ability to call me an ignorant fool is most impressive, as is your detailed knowledge of the CIA. Have you considered becoming an MP?
Edward, Sheriff is correct. India wanted the LTTE out, that is the only reason MR was successful. Even if MR tried to play the China card, India could have easily bailed out the LTTE had they wanted to. The Congress party kept Tamil Nadu at bay. If it was any other party other than the Congress at the head, the LTTE would still be there today. Look at what happened with the letter from the NAM countries to the UN against the war-crimes panel. MR went to India to undersign it and they refused, and now, no letter of support from the NAM countries.
Just after the successful end of WWII the British electorates defeated the victorious Winston Churchill in 1945 in favour of Clement Attlee to build the nation but idol worshiping Asians cannot bring themselves out of preserving dynasty of their leaders. You can see how Sri Lanka is pushed down the slope of economic bankruptcy and racial animosity. Ethnic differences are exploited for electoral gains in almost all the elections since 1948 and instead of benefiting from multi-culturism by encouraging and promoting inter racial harmony Rajapakse brothers are building their dynasty on the vengeance of political dissenters and ethnic minorities.
Our electorates can only elect MPs who go after perks and optical illusion of power at the expense of principle and policies.
Saro, That’s because there were no shameful leg pullers in Britain during that time. Even when they went to massacre poor Iraqis, Churchill’s party was in the opposition but supported the government. Our problem is, our opposition has lost their credibility during the war and now they find it is hard to explain to the public why they could be trusted.
The best option is for Fredrica to become the President and then all the problems in the world will be solved.
Out of all the dumb comments you have made since day one on here, this is the first one I say could make sense. Though I dont think she is interested in it, if she was President at least there would be no coruption or white vans and media would be free to write what they want.
Human thinks someway and plans elaborately but the God often decides otherways.
Indra Ghandi groomed his yonger son Sanjay for Politics but the nature decided it should be Rajiv Ghandi. Rajiv planned for a second term but the nature decided it should be Narasima Rao.
More recently the nature choosed Manmohan Singh for Indian Premiership over Sonia Ghandi.
President Premadasa had some great plans. But by stange twist it was DBW, his Prime Minister became President and for the benefit CBK, he decided not to contest.
Likewise due to VP’s boycot, MR became president robbing the chances of Ranil.
If MR is beliving in these thing, ofcourse he is, he may be better off appointing Namal as the Prime Minster thereby ensuring the dynasty to continue if nature decides otherwise
Very true Rattapakse . wellsaid. There is one more character missing in your list of examples.—- V.Prabakaran
Hi Tony,
TY.
But, I have mentioned this elsewhere, that VP’s goal may become a reality not by him but by MR’s actions.
MR is doing exately what VP did, ignoring the fastly changing world around them.
Rajapakse got rid of the tiger terror in SL. State has terror tactics at its disposal, so does America. It is not unique to SL. People can get rid of Rajapakse through democratic channels It seems to me that people are not in a hurry to change government.
We need honest intelligent people in this country. Who appointed those crook politicians? All those corrupted politicians have been relected by citizen of this country. Sixty two yrs ago this country was ruled by britishers and we had disciplined nation. There was an article in the 1952 Readers Digest magazine which says….Ceylon was the best country in asia, second to Japan..
I am sure next 62 yrs this country will be the poorest country in the world.
ROFL. To all the patriots who saluted the victory over the Tamils and to all the Sinhalese people who crowed and accepted that not one civilian was killed in the last days of the war. To the clergy who blessed guns and weapons of destruction to so called free media which never investigated the mass arrests of Tamils or the Nazi like policies of the government. May you all rejoice the spoils of war. Mugabe, Mubuto, Papa Doc, Gaddafi, Stalin, Iran , Suharto revolution all won freedom for their people as well. May Sri Lanka follow the successful paths of these great nations and their leaders.
Now LTTE is gone who do we blame for our demise – yes yes the meddling west and the UN.
Whataever new clauses are introduced in the constitution to make power stronger, there is one person above us watching the happenings. That is GOD. He will decide whether President is worth living to serve the country enjoying the amendments. When there is rise in a cunning way there will be fall. He cannot bring any amendments to to allow him to live longer. One day he will turn intohandful of ashes. When, no one knows.
Yes Pon . You are correct. But when people gets the hunger for power they forget that fact you are raising. They assume being above the law, above the normal people above international community, and presume that rules of nature and universe is also under them.That is where they meet their downfall.
Anichcha Watha Sankara;
Good bye Sri Lanka.
long live Idi Amin.
This is a sparkling piece which rings true, scarily, depressingly so. Still, nice writing. Well done, Freddie.
There were many much greater leaders who saved their respective countries in the recent past. But they never wanted to remain in power or to do manipulations to retain power like like MR. Sir.W.churchil ,Gen.Eisen were real statemen who respected democracy in UK and US after the WW-2 . Even emperor Hirohitho of Japan fully accepted his responsibility for the defeat, without putting the blame on anyone else.
Those were the qualities of leaders whose counties later became developed beyond the imaginations. selfish leaders like MR can easily deceive foolish srilankan people. Wait.. Wait .and see what is in store for everyone. A sinhaleese prabakaran has been created now.
Tony,
I like your comparison to other world leaders but if you also do some constructive analogy many people accepted the faults of their leaders- Germans & Jews, Japan and war crimes. But in Sri Lanka – the Sinhala majority only feels pain when they feel it but when the Tamils were being harassed and imprisoned many Sinhalese welcomed this tyrant. Irony – don’t you think
We are a small country and it is not easy to find national leaders every twelve years ; hence it is better to remove time constraint / limit on president’s tenure , if the president is popular he should be able to get elected as much tme it is possible.
Look at UNP after demise of Hon. Gamini Dissanayake stilll we could not find a national leader to lead the party and country , so there is a chane of leadership vacum if this constraint is not removed .
Don’t worry MR will remove the limit for a young UNPer to lead the country as much as possible time period, no body knows what is next , For sure this benefit will go to UNP very soon ,
If Neru had known Ginna was having cancer he would have given the premier to Ginna; and present Pakistan would have not been created.
If SWRD had known that DS is going to demise within a year , he would have not left UNP as he was a deputy leader of the party & Today’s SLFP would have not created.
So MR thinks this will benefit for him ….but who knows for whom this will help ??
Anti-sri lankan Sunday Leader doing FEAR MONGERING………………..
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Anti-sri lankan Sunday Leader doing FEAR MONGERING………………..
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Anti-sri lankan Sunday Leader doing FEAR MONGERING………………..
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Anti-sri lankan Sunday Leader doing FEAR MONGERING………………..
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Anti-sri lankan Sunday Leader doing FEAR MONGERING………………..
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Idiots, people ARE WITH THE GOVERNMENT……………YOU CANT BUY WE SRI LANKANS …..like in other places………tell this to your DOLLAR MASTERS…..!
You seriously need therapy man!
Your black or white, shortsighted, narrow-minded brain needs a time-out to understand things in a broder prespective!
Why are you wasting valuable space, repeating what you had to say?
If people are with the Govt.,then why rush this Bill without allowing the people
to have a chance to discuss. Is it because of the fear that dishonest MPs bought over with perks may change their minds when confronted by their voters?
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Anti-sri lankan Sunday Leader doing FEAR MONGERING………………..
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Anti-sri lankan Sunday Leader doing FEAR MONGERING………………..
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Anti-sri lankan Sunday Leader doing FEAR MONGERING………………..
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Anti-sri lankan Sunday Leader doing FEAR MONGERING………………..
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Anti-sri lankan Sunday Leader doing FEAR MONGERING………………..
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Idiots, people ARE WITH THE GOVERNMENT……………YOU CANT BUY WE SRI LANKANS …..like in other places………tell this to your DOLLAR MASTERS…..!
SK Gamage, Very well said!
Our dollar media seem to be dirtiest and the biggest sri lanka haters! Is this the legacy of pro-terror media bandith Lasantha Wickramathuga.
Uncle Gamage dont worry about aunty Sri Lanka. She will come out strong all Lies are on her side. Keep the LIEon flag flying high.
One truth make you anti
Two lies make you aunty
three Lies make you Uncle
Many lies make you a true Sri Lankan.
Look at what happens with regard to Lions, so will it hppen in Sri Lanka too, after all they proffess so proundly about their roots,The flag denotes something on the contrary to the Dhamma, the Lion a flesh eating animal,and also with a sword a weapon to maim and kill, what you profess you are so you are exactly that, despite being somewhat human, the people have brains of a lion, so be it, the People deserve what they so desire.
It is not the lion Che. It is LIEon which is in the Sri Lankan flag
If the Mahvamsa story is to be beleived, don’t we have lion’s blood in our bodies??
The facts are there. The truth is that Sri Lankans have traditionally supported two parties over many decades. UNP or SLFP.
MR has been cleaver in manipulating the elctoral system and the state mchinery to win power. Ranil on the other hand has got his head stuck up his back side and politically naive. .
Sri Lankan electrorate has not progressed sufficiently since independence to put to good use democracy we inherited . Had we done it we would not be bickering today nor would we witness blatant political malpractises..
Give the devil its due though. Dont compare MR to Mao / Castro /Mugabe / Kim Il Sung /Chusesku et al . Uner those despotic power hungry dictators, the ordinary people did not have enough food to feed. At least he can argue ( to no avail) but with our bellies full.
” Uner those despotic power hungry dictators, the ordinary people did not have enough food to feed. At least he can argue ( to no avail) but with our bellies full.”
Have you been living in Sri-Lanka lately? Do you know the cost of living? Tell the rubbish above to those that struggle to feed themselves daily.
All working according to Prabha’s master plan. Get the enemy to destroy himself so that he will never come back. Sri Lanka a wasted land with failed people.
LankaLiar, though you are a remanent of LTTE, you have valid point. By looking at the rate that MR is tinkering with the constitution to promote himself, Sri Lanka may be heading towards a major political catastrophy. But Lanka liar remember, there are honest and incorruptible and able Sri Lankans (other than equally corrupt former General) to replace MR at any time. So don’t plan to celebrate the destruction of Sri lanka so soon after the death of your leader Prabha.
I am not a remnant of LTTE. I am a remnant of SLTE who worked day and night to develope my country. But was chased out because I could not lie and behave like a Lankan.I dont celebrate someones death . I only mourn whoever it may be. I hear you celebrate death and murder. But remember our true flag the Lanka LIEon. Nations governments constitution religion and culture are for civilized men. Do we need them in Sri Lanka. Let Ma Hinda have his time. and vote for Gotha for president. if they dont just tie them to the nearest tree. We will think about what to do next. Hard knoxy Please please please show me the Honest Lankan I want to see him. I thought they are exticnt. Do you mean Karuna Douglas Pillaiyan these the the tripple gems very honest. May the tripple gem bless Sri Lanka LIEon
Liar, your people have been trying their best to destroy us for more than 2,000 years! But we are still here! And we’ll be around for another 2,000. So eat your heart out, Chola!!!
Yes they have destroyed the people what remain is not people some thing else. That will remain for another million years as long as you keep the Lankan culture in tact. Please vote Gotha for president.
EDITOR, PLEASE TAKE PART OF THE BLAME FOR PERPETUATING THIS REGIME, YOU RUINED GENERAL’S CHANCES AT THE LAST PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION INNOCENTLY OR BY DESIGN.
A Lion may rule for a short while but some day he will become weak and Old then another Lion will come and Challenge him and Kill him and after that He will Kill every sibling of the Former Leader of the Pride, this is Sri Lanka’s Destiny, and It will go on and On and On, after all, they so proudly say that they are decendants of Lions,, If left alone these 20Million Lions in Human form will Devour each other in a matter of Time, Territorial Conflict will definitely happen so as in the Lion Kingdom so will it be, for Sri Lanka. Blood lust and control being the Motto, a very sad situation for the Lionesses though, for they do the hard work,and end up with nothing as the Lazy Lion gets the Prized Prey,and selfish as they are they gobble everything up leaving very Little behind,for their families, Sri Lanka’s Lifestyle in a Nut shell
I don’t why many on this site are painting a bleak picture of Lanka. We are the new Singapore
1. We have a dictator
2. A government filled with hand selected cronies
3. A deep sea harbor
4. Now we have Chinese, Indians and Maldivians
5. Finally we are embracing multiculturalism by learning Chinese- OMG what happened to the Sinhala only act
We are the new Singapore except for the money part
Sinhala only act is for Sihna lease. Not for Chinese and Inians.Now it is Mahinda only act.
For the money part there iare our friends- Chinese, Indians, Russians, even Americans.
The govt is deceitful, and determining the war victory further strengthening Sinhala and Buddhist chauvinism in the country. It is urgently required to have a permanent political solution to the ethnic crises to improve the economic growth in the country as the govt has debt of Rs. 4347 billion. Those who lay down their lives for the shake of the country and the freedom of the nation, the govt should ensure the freedom of each citizen in the country.
One cannot dote on a War Victory forever, Besides there are the forgotten Heroes, No Appreciation or Thanks Or Gratitude is Given to the hard working Taxpayer, after all it was their Hard earned Money that Bought the Weapons that won the War for Sri Lanka, without the Taxpayer the Leaders Whether Military or Government hadn’t a hope of doing anything,. If the people are foolish enough not to see this, it is their folly, and due credit is not given to the proper source who contributed greatly to the Victory, what we see now is absolute stupidity, the consequences are going to be Terrible, sadly the Majority seem to be in the process of making a suicidal choice,
If the war was won with Zero civilian cauaity as MR claimed recently,
and if he has nothing to hide, clear the accusation of war crimes,
then he could dote on the victory. Even then, he can’t boast as he had to be supported by powerful (but rougue) nations.