2011: Same Undesirable “Baggage” With The Same Rajapaksas
Another year, the last of the first decade of the new millennium is over. Almost. The first full year budget after the war concluded in 2009 May, was also passed in Parliament a few weeks ago, for year 2011. Ready for the new year, with a multitude of promises for a gorgeous new beginning, on our way to be the “Wonder of Asia”.
Pessimistic though to begin a new year, how hopeful can we be? Year 2011 would be decided by what we carry from this year and how well. That demands a journey on the reverse, to the start of year 2010, at least.
The never losing elections
The first weeks of January was all about electing a new president. Incumbent President Rajapaksa steam-rolled the voter with all state media behind him and the whole state machinery at his disposal. This election had no choice for the voter to choose between alternate programmes. Nor did it have, in candidates, a choice to select from. The presidential “common candidate” of the joint southern opposition, was only a duplicate “Sinhala Buddhist” war hero, dressed in khaki uniform.
As one elderly Tamil person in Colombo asked me while the election campaign was on, “if the judge decides and orders a person to be hanged, the hangman has to abide by the court order. Who is the killer? The judge or the hangman?” So, it came as no surprise. The people went with the judge. The original “Sinhala Buddhist” leader, wielding power.
Rajapaksa as President again, settled the next parliamentary elections two months later in early April, pretty much with ease — the “common candidate” Fonseka, under arrest with numerous accusations and allegations, from corrupt deals to conspiracy and politicking while in service. Investigated by two Courts Martial and the civil courts, the whole opposition was in disarray. Rajapaksa was more than comfortable with an unprecedented majority that knocked on two thirds, in a parliament of 225 members. The tiny deficit necessary to make it complete, just happened and the regime now snuggles with a 2/3 majority.
Southern Sinhala people were happy electing political riff-raff, goons and duffers and Rajapaksa formed his governing cabinet with ‘Seniors’ and Cabinet Ministers. That finished off talk about who governs this country and how, the heaviest baggage we would have to carry along, for year 2011.
Type of baggage to carry
Since year 2006, when the Rajapaksas gradually took over the UPFA government to establish their own family regime, governance in this country has been plagued with heavy nepotism that de-orientated and deflated administrative efficiency with ever growing corruption and suppressive rule. With a wholly Sinhala base, it has now evolved with a group of men with no political party binding and discipline, but satisfying the Rajapaksas. All “crossers over” and “personally raked in recruits”.
The opposition simply plays truant and the government has its way with everything. This is reflected by the Parliamentary Secretary General’s office report for 2009, released a fortnight ago. It is the opposition that is wholly responsible for allowing Parliamentary Consultative Committees to be almost defunct. CC’s like “Nation Building, Justice and Law Reforms, Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services, Higher Education, Healthcare and Nutrition, Industrial Development, have met only three or four times during the whole year. CC’s on Education, Social Services and Social Welfare, Community Development and Social Inequity Eradication, Youth Empowerment and Socio-Economic Development had never met even once, during that year.
Consultative Committees have to inquire into and report to parliament on matters referred to them including bills, proposals for legislation, supplementary or other estimates, statements of expenditure, motions and annual reports. It’s an important aspect in governance ignored by an opposition that wasn’t interested in Consultative Committees.
Now lets not assume this 2010 Parliament, this Government and this Opposition is any better than what they were in 2009 and that would be what we have to carry for year 2011.
It’s their track record
Leaving aside irreversible non governance at the hands of these elected “undesirables” and the servitude of government benchers to the Rajapaksa regime, that was explicitly on show when the 18th Amendment to the Constitution came through Cabinet to Parliament, they have a track record that runs from thuggery to hooliganism to corruption and a bullying lifestyle, far less akin to any illiterate, social undesirable.
They start from roping public servants to trees with opposition mega stars and panelists finding it quite within their culture to sit together with thugs, to ministers talking lewd in parliament and assaulting MPs with no serious joint opposition and the President carrying water to a bumpkin politico who goes on a fake farce against the UN Secretary General, ‘to save the nation.’
These are men and women who get a LKR 5 million bank loan and a duty free vehicle permit they sell to dealers for around LKR 12 – 15 million. These are men and women as ministers and deputies who run around in equally luxurious state vehicles with fuel for free. They are also those who use two official fixed line phones, running bills over LKR 40,000 to 50,000 per month, paid by public funds. They each have at least over LKR 100,000 in public money, as salaries, for parliamentary sittings, mobile phones, stationary and many other trivia.
They prop up a regime that talks of development, for whose benefit, the public would not know. A regime that twice celebrated the commissioning of Magampura sea port, that since has had no ship docking, even for leisure during the month that lapsed. One that constructs an international airport, that may not have a different fate, with no foreigner having any reason to land in an obscure rural spot, many hours thereafter on road to some decent comfort and recreation. A regime that constructed and opened an international stadium with a 400m track, as bad as any road constructed by the RDA.
A regime that constructed and opened international cricket stadiums with similar lapses and other development projects, that for sure lacks no commissions, passing the right hands. It’s wonderful development with imported coconuts and Indian chicken and eggs once again, after almost 50 years.
Here is also a regime that hates dissent. Hates criticism in the media and has intimidated and beaten journalists and media into total subordination. A regime that lives on a media that knows only what the regime could digest, without any colic. No surprise, with a Higher Education Minister who claims, students were slapped, beaten, stripped naked and chased away, for protesting.
As for those thousands and thousands of Tamil people, who were herded in wired camps, who have lost their beloved ones, have no answers on disappeared family members, have now been let loose on their devastated land that has little or no livelihood, but whose future will not have a resettlement and reconciliation plan in public, there was no past, there is no present and only public rhetoric on the future.
And the opposition
The advantage, not the people but the R regime has in year 2011 too, is the nonplussed opposition. Having come down from an earlier 37 MPs to four at the last poll, the JVP cannot afford to challenge the very regime they shouted their throats hoarse in establishing, to save a Sinhala Unitary State through war. They would always be with the Rajapaksa regime on LTTE phobia, against war crimes and against any thing the regime would call “unpatriotic”.
The UNP is no different, but not quite the same with Wickremesinghe. The pro Sinhala “reformists” think they could compete with the Rajapaksas by replacing the tested and proved “Western failure” with a cheeky “Sinhala son” who has nothing but his father’s nationalism in opposing the IPKF and India, playing hide and seek with the LTTE.
So we await another new year with everything the Rajapaksas say, is good for us, Sri Lankans. They know best.
Sri Lanka, the true wonder of Asia-
- Soo, rich that president spends Rs 1400 million on UN joy trips but no money for decent salary increase to people
-sooo rich that president buys fleet of luxury cars costing billions
-Sooo rich that ministers spend Rs 300 million for elections when they earn Rs 38 laks ( quote Mr Champika Ranawaka)
-Soo rich that govt. dumps more than Rs 6 billion to prop up Mihin air
-soo amazing that no one is guilty despite Rs 870 billion ( quote Dr Harsha De Silva) of bribary and corruption (COPE report\)
- Soo, amazing that when a human ties another human to a tree, talks filth in public, assualts people he is given a minister post in Public Relations
-Soo baffling as govt. says a minister is ‘not guilty’ for tieing a person to a tree
-Soo, unbelievable that puts worlds best commander in jail for saving the country, and the govt. sleeps, hugs, tickles, cuddles, entertains, protects the terrorist leader
-Soo, effcient that govt. departments lost Rs 215 billion as at end of last year, yet…. no one responsible
-soo rich that presidentlial swearing in ceremony costs Rs 5000 million ( quote- Mangala samaraweera)
-Soo technical that after spending Rs 134000 for a sq. foot of a bridge, says it is not suitable for heavy vehicles
-Soo jolly that spends Rs 450 million for IIFA party
-soo, compassionate that govt. gives Rs 333 for displaced familities due to rain
-Soo, amazing concern for people as it gives Rs600 salary increase while Ministers/MPs are given RS 5 million loans to buy cars
and the future ……..
is soooo ambitious as the govt. plans to spend more than Rs 600 billion to bring Commonwealth games to Rajapaksa village ( but so far… no ships at the port, still no hotels for cricketers for world cup matches- 6 weeks away!)
Well, Can it be any other than the wonder of asia!!!
Well said Mahadanamutta. Brilliant. So true. When will the Rajapakse curse over this country end? I hope it will be in the new year .
Mahadanamutta. Your comment should be published in the front pages of every newspaper in Sri Lanka and overseas. You have said the truth and said it well.
Kusal Perera & Mahadanamutta, Seems like the same person .
Kusal Perera’s articles most of the time a flop.
So he commented first to get followed by supporting comments here .
ALL THIS AMOUNTS HAVE EXTRA EXAGGERATED
DON’T KNOW FROM WHERE YOU GOT ALL THIS FIGURE S
YOU FORGOT TO MENTION THAT WE LIVE WITHOUT BOMBS . CAN SEND CHILDREN TO SCHOOL .
Dear Chick Lanka,
I beg to differ. I have put the quotes of people who have given this numbers for clarification. Many other numbers well well published in the news media and not ‘plucked from the sky except for one correction. The figure of Rs 870 billion which was quoted by economist Dr Harsha Desilva is an estimate of money lost due to corruption during the UPFA govt. which includes Rs 300 billion given in the COPE report, You are welcome to correct any figures I have given if you can!
I will take my hats off to MR for the political leadership given to win the war but if he governs the way he is doing he may lose the peace !!
Also, could I confirm that I am not Kusal Perera!
Mahadanamutta,
CAN YOU TELL ME IN WHICH COUNTRY IN THIS WORLD THAT GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION DOESN’T EXIST . ALL THE RICH COUNTRIES IN EUROPE HOW MANY MINISTERS HAD TO RESIGN
WITH SCANCALS .
THIS DOESN’T MEAN I EXCEPT CORRUPTION
BUT YOUR WAY OF PUTTING IT TO A EXAGGERATED & DRAMATIC WAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IN OTHER WORDS YOU WANT TO SAY MAHINDA ROBBED EVERY CENT OF THIS COUNTRY ? IF YOU HAVE FIGURES OF THE PERIOD OF PREMADASA TO CHANDRIKA WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW .
thank you .
If some one takes such a decision such as giving minister post in Public relations as above, in any country he will be sent to a psychiatric ward for mental derangement.
Unfortunately In Lanka, he is the untouchable President !
Click Lanka,
At least these corrupt ministers are resigning, here in Sri Lanka they are promoted. Even the corrupt officers who were forced to go by courts is brought back with wider powers
Hallo Mahadanamutta, what a jealous person you are. Can you tell us which gov. in this country did anything better. Chandrika, JR, Premadasa all wasted money. But, did nothing. Of course, Premadasa made some roads, garment factories. But the others? They gave money, weapons to LTTE. Bought palaces, properties everywhere in the world.
But at least Mahinda saved this country from the terrorists. That is more than enough for us from him. Now, our children can live without fear. We have a future. Till last year, we had just survived; we didn’t know that we could wake up in the next morning. Can’t you remember all these? How all are you Mahadanamutta.
I can guess Mahadanamutta is living in the West, may be working to the UN, not bothering of the poor people in SL, just a UNP henchman. Yes, you can write, if all these facts are true, why you don’t go to the court. Is Sembakuttiarachchi is your wife? Why she is so jealous about Madam P?
As I’ve said above, I will take my hat off to MR for getting rid of the terrorists togather with the brillience of SF whose current calamity is a disgrace beyond belief while he cuddles KP in his lap.
Unfortunately if he rules the way he is doing considering the wealth of the country as his private and family wealth, foolishness of some of this judgements, inaction against corruption/bribary, persues his hyperinflated ego to bring commenwealth games to Rajapaksa village etc he may lose the peace !
Mahadanamutta, you will take your hat off to SF not MR. I can see it from your hidden words. You jealousy man, UNP henchman, listen to me. If you respect to your country you should respect to MR, similar to king Dutugamunu. He saved this country not only from Choli in Dutugamunu era, but also from Solheim, Miliband, Hillary, and all the other white LTTE people. It was not a joke. We saw the reality during 3 decades. You have no sense about your country and the about the poor innocent people. You are a henchman of Colombo 7 people. Now this country belongs to poor village people. Now our people can say that this is our government and our country.
Yes, we don’t have ships at the Hambantota harbour. But, we will get them in the future. It is better building harbours than doing nothing. At least poor village people will get some jobs.
What did you do to our country? Explain it to us. Did you do a single service to this country better than to MR. Of course, he is not a perfect president. But, you can’t criticize him like that, especially without any proper proves. He is the person who saved this country. Any jealousy person can say any numbers or stories. Tell us, what is your right to criticize MR like this? What did you do to this country better than him? If the answer is no, shut your jealous, ugly mouth.
I am not sure if you will publish this as it looks like you are afraid of the Rajapaksa dictatorship. Sri Lanka is doomed with all these clowns in power. Rajapaksa’s want only to feather their own nests they are not interested in anything else. Madam Rajapaksa is an Anglo Asian pretending to be a Sinhala Buddhist, you kidding me I know all her cousins and relatives ha! catch my tail if you can I don’t live in your country no more therefore I do not fear the white van. Shiranthi Rajapaksa is a Christian pretending to be a Buddhist what a joke. Well I guess she will do anything to be in power eh! We are hiding and watching and we will surely have the last laugh on you. Madam President “May I borrow your plate please’? so I can be fat and ugly like you”??
Where was this writer when JRJ brought Ranil to the cabinet. When JRJ allowed Air Ceylon assests disposed through his Son’s first wife, there was no probloem. When JRJ appointed his son as the head of STF was not a problem for the so called independent media. Just because LTTE backed western governments wooing for votes of Tamil Diaspora, if not for the achievements of the present government the writer would not have walked the streets of Sri Lanka without fear of death.
Somapala,
What are you trying to do?
Angry with the writer?
The achievements of this Govt. are well known and detailed in comments above, by Mahadanamutta.
When will the Rajapakse curse over this country end? We all hope it will be very soon. I cant think of another day waking up in the morning and having to live under the rule of this Rajapakse megolamaniac and his family and cronies.
Hi Ameena….Agree totally…Now the masses find the name Rajapakses so very repulsive..It is sad that the masses have to think and feel that way of the president and his family…But , it is the Rajapakses and only the Rajapakses that have to be blamed for all the corruption and unlawful rule and governance of this country and its wonderful people.
Sad to say, the friendly sri lankans may soon not be seen as that friendly with all the cheating, violence and survival techniques thay have to implement due to the overall situation and practices in the country….led by the filthy example of our supposedly leaders.
Then just get out of Sri Lanka.
Hullo SL…we Sri Lankans just don’t get out of Sri lanka bcos we have corrupt leaders who try to ruin the country by their corrupt and immoral practices.
The leaders and president does not own the country..They are elected by the people in the fervent hope and belief that they will protect the sovereignity and Integrity of the country.
SL belongs to the people and not the president or the other corrupt politicians. We are here in Sri Lanka to stay and make sure that we can contribute to make it a great and hinest place to live in…..Not to run away…
So SL(or whoever you are) pls re-think that we don’t run away from problems..We are Sri Lankans.
Today , the most ”UNDESIRABLE (Excess) BAGGAGE”’ of our country is the the RAJAPAKSES..
They are the biggest burden and threat to the country as far as all srilankans are concerned.They continue to plunder, rob, cheat the country and and is the biggest burden that srilanka has ever had.No wonder most srilankans are just sick and tired of these undesirable burdens.
What about “DOLLAR BAGGING” by so called media by working against sri lanka…….also, “BAGGING blood MONEY” DURING THE WAR TIMES by voiceing for terror by the same dollar……….now, although we do not have a SWISS MODEL DEMOCRAY, people can live without any fear…………ALL THESE NOISE come from DOLLAR media NOT FROM THE PEOPLE……………………………….who are you trying to fool hear you blood money journalists..?
Well said my friend Gamini Dullewe!
well said gamini. these media including kusal are looked after by the foreign and local scavengers. They carry on their heads and will carries others too if they are paid in doolers.
KUSAL PERERA & MAHADANAMUTTA IS THE SAME PERSON
Kusal perera ,
YOU FORGOT TO MENTION THAT WE LIVE WITH OUT BOMBS
we can send children to school .
Kusal Perera & Mahadanamutta, Seems like the same person .
Kusal Perera’s articles most of the time a flop.
SOON I WILL RETURN FROM EXILE AND LEAD THE REVOLUTION. RAJAPAKSE’S HEAD WILL HANG FROM KELANIYA BRIDGE. WAIT AND SEE.
COME WITH THE MONEY YOU ROBBED. TO HANG YOU IN GALLE FACE
WELL, AS I SEE THINGS THE “CURSE” WILL HAVE TO END IF WE THE ORDINARY PEOPLE ARE TO SURVIVE.. HOW? AND WHEN IS THE QUESTION
JUST GO THROUGH CEYLON HISTORY AND YOU WILL FIND THE ANSWER.
IT WILL COME FROM “WITHIN” WHATEVER ONE’S RELIGION. ALL AGREE OPPRESSION AND INJUSTICE WILL ONE DAY HAVE TO END. I ONLY HOPE IT WILL NOT BE A “BLOODY END”.
well said Mahadanamutta…reading the comments by Somapala is a tragic reminder that our country is filled with such fools.
All this leads to one conclusion that the country will be so indebted soon to India or possibly China that it may become a satelite outpost in a take-over bid. Is that why Chinese is already being taught to be in a state of readiness? The biggest rice cake the world has known is yet to come!
Mahadanamutta ! What an account of the KURAKKAN eating family of Hambantota, can you recollect MR asking all to eate KURUKKAN as soon as he came to power , he was braught up that way, just immagine what his family back ground will be. Thanks for giving everything in minute details, keep up your good work till we see the downfall of MR.
I am so sorry folks…… you will have to wait a loooong long time. So just be happy with what you get. by the way I am completely ok with what rajapakshas are doing.
Those who comment about the bombs in the south please keep your eyes and ears open and seek the truth. Although the bombs in the south is no longer a threat the atrocities committed against the Tamils that gave rise to that threat is still going on in the North and East under the emergency military rule. The white van abductions and enforced disappearences are not reported in the south. The people in the north and east are keeping quite fearing for their lives.
Those in the south should look back at the history of attacks in the south. There were none whatsoever prior to 1995. Yes that was the year Jaffna was retaken by the S/L army. You have been informed of the LTTE attacks by a serialisation in the government controlled newspapers. But they did not tell you what the government security forces have been doing in the N&E. Now visit the following site that will give you what really happened.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_attacks_attributed_to_Sri_Lankan_government_forces
I know, because I lost my family members in one of them. You don’t because it was kept away from you.
It is so sad that people like you remains blind for ever. You never condemn the LTTE for the calamity they brought on tamils just because of one megalomanic whose sole purpose was to be the king of tamils. Losing a family member or any body is sad but it was the LTTE who killed the largest number of tamils. Despite billions they collected they did not give a grain of rice or a panadol to tamils while to leader had posh swimming pools, etc!!
For the love of tamils they kidnapped and sacrificed tamil kids on the alter of bogus freedom. Tell me what freedom the LTTE gave tamils in the areas they dominated for decades? Freedom of speech? Freedom of expression? freedom of movement? Where were you Mr Ratnam? Did you say any thing against these ???
You say tamils are living in ‘ fear’- so do you say when the LTTE kidnapped your kids in thousands they were singing and dancing !!
Yes, emergency rule may not be perfect but thousand times better than the barbaric LTTE!
Get real and open your eyes!!
Mahadanamutta (the diaspora boy who weeps for SUN GOAT Prabha),
.
WHY DID YOU STOP at millions…..? Why didnt you make it BILLIONS…?
.
.
DID NOT YOU KNOW that “in making things up” YOU CAN COME UP WITH any number…? Come on….make it billiions…..and stop weeping for terrorists demise….yeah, sri lanka took down that FAT BOY SUN GOAT PRABHA…..!
Mr. Dullewe hit the nail at the right spot.
Please refer my answer to chick lanka. I will challange if you could prove the numbers wrong !!!!
Nom De Plum Mahadanamutta,
Who are you going to PROVE your “dream numbers” to…..YOU DONT EVEN HAVE A STOMACH TO come up in your mama given name……YOU ARE ONLY A co…war..d who has come up with some crap because you seem to be a jobless fella in some EU country…..i “cant care less” for nom de plums like you.
.
We know it is hard for all the Tamil Diaspora boys to see their mythical kingdom dream slipping away THANKS TO RAJAPAKSAS……..NOW, get a life……….rather than loitering in chatrooms!
———————Gamini Dullewe is super————–
Gamini Dullewe
TRUE Mahadanamutta likes big figures , NEXT TIME HE WILL SPEAK ONLY WITH BILLIONS ALL THE FIGURES.
I GUESS IF RANIL HAD A CHANCE TO BE IN POWER HE WILL SPEAK WITH CENTIMES !!!
Chic Lanka/ Indikatu Pancha/Gamini Dullewa,
I’ve given specific statements in my original comment. With out trying to give general accusational comments, be specific on each point I have raised and prove what is wrong in what I ‘ve said.
Unfortunately for you -the truth hurts !
Mahadanamutta
The point I am trying to make is that the conditions that gave rise to the emergence of the LTTE is continuing in the north and east in an even more draconian level. My concern is that a more viciferous organisation will emerge which will be lot more lethal than the LTTE. The white van abductions and dissapearences are used to terrorise the Tamil people into submission. This unbridled violence by the state against the Tamil people will only push them to respond in kind.
Mr. Kusal Perera and contributors in reaction. To all of you I would say that sober criticism is in order, but it better not go to the point that it disspirits yourselves and makes you feel gloomy and down.
There is so much good you can do in the places that you take in life and society. If you see an evil outside of you and if you have the will and energy to work towards its removal, then take action to remedy it, even though it may be a long, arduous and maybe dangerous enterprise.
A light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it. Give it time, patience and perseverence and flow with this tide.
Do not lose heart. Think of the ones that love you and lets step lightly into a new year with new chances.
If you were at the helm of the country you would try better, but don’t forget that there would always be those that would critizise you too. There is no perfect world and none of us have the ability to create it. We can only choose a position and strive for what we believe in.
Let things not sour us, but lets always keep hope alive. Even against all odds. A happy new year to you all.
I purchased one of these cars for my child and it is in superb condition. Just ensure that its free and clear as far as the title. Watch for police that come to the auction with the intent of driving the prices up by bidding against cars. Don’t hurry and be patient to acheive a good deal.