By Harim Peiris –
Harim Peiris
The speed of the Rajapakse regime’s impeachment against the Chief Justice was so swift, at the political speed of a duty free Lamborghini, that the defense against this unrestrained assault on democratic fundamentals in Sri Lanka was slow in coming.
However, starting things off where it should were the lawyers for the Chief Justice who produced a comprehensive and stinging refutation of the main charges against her, that of large sums of money in her account. The explanation which was also quite easily established and readily proved was something likely to be quite common in Sri Lanka, an overseas based family member remitting money for the purchase of an asset in Sri Lanka, in the CJ’s case, her sister sending funds for the purchase of an apartment in Colombo. Her lawyers reiterated what the CJ’s young son in his Face book profile first clearly indicated, the Chief Justice was not going to be intimidated and go quietly; she was going to fight this tooth and nail.
The main weakness in the CJ’s defense is really a political one, namely Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe’s unwillingness to mount a serious challenge to the Rajapakse regime on any issue, just ask FUTA. One actually wonders, if Ranil does consolidate his own power within the UNP, whether the situation would change. That of course is the hope for some push back on authoritarianism in Sri Lanka. The way for Ranil to consolidate his power, is not still more manipulation of the much maligned UNP constitution, but rather a political accommodation of his detractors and rivals within the Party and especially his charismatic young deputy leader Sajith Premadasa. Ranil should realize that even his own loyalists in the UNP Working Committee, who so overwhelmingly voted for him as party leader turned around and voted for Sajith Premadasa as deputy leader, clearly indicating their desire that the two work together. They also recognize quite astutely that all Ranil’s weaknesses are complemented by Sajith’s strengths. This desire of the UNP Working Committee hasn’t changed but it hasn’t worked because Ranil has instead tried soft peddling opposition to the government, leaving the door open for the political assault on the Chief Justice.
Mangala Samaraweera, a former campaign manager and foreign minister for President Rajapakse and now an opposition front bencher, UNP media coordinator and fierce critic of the Rajapakse regime came out swinging in defense of an independent judiciary, safeguards and guarantees for the integrity of the officer of the Chief Justice. Using the occasion of the second reading of the budget in Parliament, the UNP front bencher built on the political arguments consistently made on the issue by the UNP deputy leader Sajith Premadasa, who from early on had consistently advocated strong political resistance to the assault on the judiciary.
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka, for the first time in over two decades summoned an extraordinary general meeting, to discuss the assault on the judiciary by the government. Bar Association Chairman and UNP Parliamentarian Wijeydasa Rajapakse presided over a gathering of over one thousand lawyers who were fairly unanimous in their opposition to the impeachment and passed a motion urging the President and Speaker to reconsider the Government decision and also in the alternate to ensure strict procedural safeguards and the integrity of the process. Government members including Cabinet Members present at the meeting were noticeable by their stoic silence as their impeachment initiative was universally condemned by their fellow lawyers.
There is strong merit in the legal argument that Parliament exercising judicial functions is ultra vires the Constitution. Before Sri Lanka’s 1972 republican constitution, final appellate jurisdiction rested with the Privy Council in the UK. When the House of Lord’s acts in a judicial capacity, it is only the Law Lords and not the other lords, spiritual and temporal that sit on such deliberations. Sri Lanka’s republican constitution vested the judicial power of the people, exercised by Parliament through the Courts, the apex of which is the Supreme Court. Parliament does not directly exercise judicial power except in the specific and limited case of its own rights and privileges.
Joining the international chorus calling the Rajapakse Administration to some sanity and urging judicial independence was the United Nations (UN) through the Office of its Special Rapporteur on independence of judges and lawyers, Gabriella Knaul who reminded the regime that “irremovability of judges is one of the main pillars guaranteeing the independence of the judiciary”. While not reported in the press one can be certain that visiting US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Dr.Alyssa Ayres would have reiterated US concerns on the impeachment expressed by the US PRUN in Geneva at the UPR recently.
There is also informed political speculation, that besides the Divineguma Bill, the other domestic legislative imperative for the Administration, is the guttering of the 13th amendment to the constitution and the current Chief Justice and the ruling on Divineguma would prevent that. Hence CJ Bandaranayake must be sent home before the 13th amendment is guttered.
While the government presses on gung ho, seeking to impeach the Chief Justice, gutter the 13th Amendment thereby centralize power and restrict freedoms further, the UK House of Commons today gave the first indications that it was seriously considering joining the Canadian Prime Minister in a boycott of CHOGAM to be hosted by Sri Lanka next year. India’s Congress Party facing a tough re-election battle in a general election due early in 2014 if not earlier and with the Tamil Nadu votes and support being essentially a swing state for power at the Center, would hardly consider a photo opportunity of its Prime Minister at CHOGAM, with a 13th Amendment guttering President Rajapakse, a vote winner in Tamil Nadu.
The Rajapakse regime is likely to succeed in its single minded effort to get rid of Chief Justice Bandaranaike. However this would occur only with significant and possibly irreparable collateral damage to its credibility and legitimacy, both domestically and internationally.
*Harim Peiris served as Presidential Spokesman from 2001-2005
gamini / November 19, 2012
Not so long ago this writer was sining hosannas to CBK. The Rajapaksas not taking to him kindly, the bugger is trying fish in trouble waters with his warped thinkng. Under an article titled ‘Mangala Defends CJ While UK Mulls A CHOGAM Boycott’, he is trying to project his views on the UNP which is irrelavent to the article. This bugger thinks he is Cat’s Whiskers?
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Dominique / November 19, 2012
Why can’t you people just stop spreading haterd?
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Wuliangguobinjiu / November 19, 2012
I dont think so!
If you dont like his comment you have the freedom to not read it!
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gamini / November 20, 2012
Dominique, it appears that you do not know the meaning of the word ‘Hatred’. Hatred is animosity towards a person.I have no hatred towards this man, whom I have never met or known. I have only said who this man Harim Peiris is, a Humbug, judging from his previous utterence.
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janaka / November 20, 2012
What is haterd?
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Ben Hurling / November 19, 2012
Agree with Gamini the writer is a boot licker. He was one of CBK’s spin doctors. I guess he has no bone to suck in the current regime. This guy is no patriot. Just a corrupt political henchman.
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Olympian. / November 28, 2012
You mean like CBK’S EX Polish envoy turned British tax payer swindler? MR TG OF WIMBLEDON LONDON SWEDISH/ BOSOM MASSAGER?.
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Leela / November 20, 2012
I cannot but agree with gamini this time.
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Ben Hurling / November 20, 2012
Leela is doing for MR what Harim was doing for CBK.
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Leela / November 19, 2012
Harim Peiris was the presidential spokesman (2001 – 2005) for the most lied, corrupt, inefficient and ever late President of Sri Lanka. In April 2004, Harim Peiris was also the Chairman, SLRC. Imagine tons of lies he must have uttered to defend his president.
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Pandukabaya de Silva / November 19, 2012
I do not agree with this writer’s argument that the impeachment is unconstutional. On what grounds is he saying so? Even a third grade law student can read up the Constitution where the impeachment is specifically provided for.
One can argue that it is not proper for polticians to be sitting in judgment over a Chief Justice but that is an argument with the Constitution itself.
This writer should have, in his term in CBK’s time, tried to change that instead of preaching now!More importantly he should have raised his voice with his CBK-President against that Sarath Silva who tarnished the judiciary and made it easy for any politician to pick up the phone and demand to talk to the Chief Justice.
What did he do then? Nothing I bet! Like Mangala who is now running about, shouting from the rooftops!
What is the point of talking of Law Lords?
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Medamulana Meeharaka / November 19, 2012
whatever .. whatever… ideally the major states in the commonwealth like UK/Can/AU/NZ/SA/India should boycott CHOGAM to be held in the Rajapaksha land of Hambantota.
As a singhalese its like a booomerang that we have to go after these external powers to get away of the blood soacked fingers of the Rajapaksha’s.
With the absolute power that the Rajapakshas have on their disposal, even this boycott will not make them civilised thoug a strong signal will be given as any of the first world democracies will not accept Rajapakshars and only those rogue states like Swaziland/Uganda/China/Pakis etc etc. will be with them.
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Senguttuvan / November 19, 2012
Donors and the world should have stopped the Olympics being staged in poor Greece in 2004. Greece could not have afforded it. But pride took over from good sense and Europe/the world had to pay for it in recent years when the bankrupt Greeks failed in many of their financial commitments. Ask Nivaard Cabraal.
Sri Lanka – struggling to keep her head above water, financially speaking – is burdening her largely poor population with tax after tax.
Holding CHOGM here is nothing but one more example of sheer ego.
The Sri Lankan people have not asked for it and don’t want this in our state of the economy.
Senguttuvan
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Kabi / November 19, 2012
What to ask from idiot Ajith Nivaard Cabraal? If he knew about Greece situation, why did Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) invested its foreign reserves in Greece bonds?
As per Ravi Karunanayka MP, a parliamentary committee was informed that the monetary authority had lost 2.2 billion rupees (about 16 million US dollars) on Greek bonds.
He is one of the foolish central bank governor the CBSL ever had.
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Leela / November 20, 2012
Matters that can be easily proved such as investing in Greece bonds, and things that ordinary people feel should be the basis to oppose the government not the separtists’ and Eelamists’ themes.
Leela
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Kabi / November 20, 2012
People like you are a opportunists, racists and liars. You have your own definitions of patriots, traitors, ealamists, and separatists. I don’t need to fall into your definitions of the same.
If I say 60,000 Sinhala youth were killed in 89-89, you would agree but if I say more than 40,000 tamils died in 2009 you would not agree and I become a separatist, LTTE supporter and ealamist. Because your love to human is limited to a race that is SINHALESE.
If I condemn government for killing prisoners in recent attack in welikada prison, you would agree and I become a patriot but if I condemn Bindunuwawe Rehabilitation Camp Massacre where more than 100 tamil youths were killed, I become a ealamist, traitor LTTE supporter etc.
Try to be human first show your love to all humans irrespective of race and religion without limiting yourself to Sinhalese.
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Wuliangguobinjiu / November 20, 2012
Kabi:Quote”Greece situation, why did Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) invested its foreign reserves in Greece bonds?”Unquote
Greece is the citadel of western civilization which was plundered by the Romans and quite recently by Hitler himself (gold still in Swiss banks)They still have enough and more treasures and wont sell- proud to be what they are.Medical, hotricultural words still in Greek why no translation? ;)
“Rothschild’s” the co-heads of One World gave not just Greece and Ireland the feasibility study and backed it up therefore the collapse. No one even the present President of US or future can question Rothschild’s, Goldman Sac’s and JP Morgan. In 2007 the Chinese for the very first invested $100 billion the maximum the CPC can invest in a year with JP Morgan and JP invested it with Freddy, Maggi May within 3 months all collapsed- bankrupt (after 3 years new birth possible). With the recent input to Freddy by Obama administration it has become the 2 leading Blue Chip Company. China once bitten invests in Germany and this year its buying $1.3 trillion of products and brands.
The crust is try not to look down upon the fallen greats because the answer lies in you. If contradictions exist always look inwards.
Anyway Germany and the other northern nations have much to lose by letting Greece go back to its original currency. Poor nations don’t buy quality they just export the very best quality they can produce to the rich.
Sri Lanka, China and India’s largest export market is still E.U.
See Iceland which unknowingly followed the others not knowing global financial markets; collapsed was named terrorist and have gradually recovered by doing what it knows best without even joining the EU. Iceland is incidentally the mother of all democracies.
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kabi / November 20, 2012
The question was about whether the investment decision of cbsl correct or wrong. Not about the great countries like Greece. Ajith Nivard Cabral himself has caused lots of losses being the governor of central bank.
A few examples where his decisions or participation made huge losses are;
1) CPC hedging deal where billions lost
2) Greece bond investment where billions lost
3) Un-successively defended rupee against usd whereby eroding foreign reserves
4) Commonwealth game bid
5) He had a hand in NSB deal as well he escaped from it.
6) losses from investments using EPF and ETF money
one can add more examples of his failures.
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Wuliangguobinjiu / November 20, 2012
Kabi:
Don’t deny what you are saying about Cabaral. His greed keeps him there- the boss is always right for him.
I wanted you guys to understand the collapse of the western financial system which is affecting the wider world. What is important is not use Greece because like the Spanish the Greek public listened to what Brussels the Gravy train was dishing out.
Once again Cab’s is like any other government servant pleasing his boss and has no dharma in him they dont get heart because there is none but cancer may be. ;)
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Lanka Muslim, UK / November 19, 2012
Why do we charge the writer on his past behaviour? The crux of his article is of the situations that the Govt. would have to face on the issue of the CJ. Is not his conclusion on the matter correct?
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Pandukabaya de Silva / November 20, 2012
@LankaMuslim. This is a good commment. So let me explain why. It is not simply for the sake of merely abusing them that past behaviour is brought into the picture.
I believe strongly that n Sri Lanka we have a culture of total hypocrisy. This manifests itself in one particular way in the political scene. An individual, when in the seat of authority or power does all the rotten things in creation and then, when pushed out of power, goes around preaching like saints. This is a Sri Lankan condition. Good examples of this are Sarath Silva and Chandrika Kumaratunge with their lesser minions like Harim Peiris and Mangala S.
What they say and the points they make do not resonate however because there is a lack of honesty in this. People know that – if for chance, these characters get catapulted back into power, they will do exactly the same thing. What do we find that speaks to the contrary?
So, like my Christian friends are fond of saying, there must be a moral ephiphany on the part of these people – they must own up to what they have done, admit it, apologise for it and then move on. At least there would be some honesty in that.
Otherwise as ordinary people think (I know many of the ordinary Sinhalese villagers in the South think like this) it is a case of exchanging one set of devils for another
Now who believes them when they preach?
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C. Wijeyawickrema / November 19, 2012
This Harin P was a CBK hand-kisser supporting GL-Neelan package deals.
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TRUTH MUST PREVAIL / November 19, 2012
The main issue is acquiring a low priority by people talking for or against the Rajapaksa’s or the CJ.WHAT IS IMPORTANT HERE IS THE DESPICABLE MANNER IN WHICH RAJAPAKSA WHO HELICOPTERS FROM TEMPLE TO TEMPLE ACTING WITH SUCH VENOM AND VENDETTA AGAINST THE WISHES OF THE MAHA SANGHA, THE OTHER RELIGIOUS LEADERS, CIVIL SOCIETY,BAR ASSOCIATION,OPA AND ALL CIVILISED CITIZENS WHO ARE HELPLESS.HE IS THERE TO ACT IN A JUST AND FAIR WAY TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE LAWS OF THE LAND.ITS COMMON KNOWLEDGE THAT HIS CRONIES LIVE OUTSIDE THE LAW AND HE PROTECTS THEM LIKE LAMBOGINI MERVIN A PEON OF THE CWE NOW KUDU BILLIONAIRRE.
JUST BECAUSE HE WON THE WAR HE CANNOT ACT IN THIS WAY AGAINST THE LAW, THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE THROUGH MANY RESPECTED AUTHORITIES AND ALSO WORLD OPINION.THE COUNTRY BELONGS TO ALL NOT ONLY TO THE RAJAPAKSA’S
EVEN A CHILD IS AWARE THAT RAJAPAKSA IS THE MAIN ACTOR HELL BENT TO HAVE HIS WAY AND THAT ALL THE CLOWNS WHO DANCE AROUND HIM ARE DOING SO TO RETAIN THEIR POSITIONS AND COULD NOT CARE A DAMN ABOUT THE IMAGE OF THE COUNTRY.THEY WILL DROP HIM AS THEY DID TO CBK NO SOONER HE FALLS.
CAN ANYONE SAY THAT SRI LANKA EVER RUSHED A BILL WITH SUCH LIGHTENING SPEED TO EASE THE MASSIVE BURDENS PEOPLE CARRY WHILE THEY LIVE WELL.THE DAMNING CASE IS THE DRUGS CONTROL BILL AS PER PROF SENAKA BIBLE’S RECOMMENDATIONS IS STILL TO SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY.
THE JUDICIARY MUST BE INDEPENDENT AND THE CJ HAD DONE NO WRONG AND ALL JUDGEMENTS WERE BY THREE JUDGES WHY ONLY IS HE GUNNING FOR THE CJ.I DO NOT KNOW THE CJ FROM ADAM AND THE NEED IS TO PRESERVE THE DIGNITY OF OFFICE.
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Pandukabaya de Silva / November 20, 2012
Please do not type in CAPS. It is very difficult to read.
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M Y Foote / November 20, 2012
Yes no capitals please!
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Jayantha / November 19, 2012
I believe this impeachment brought against CJ is to eliminate the last hurdle MR has for his selfish dictatorial rule. I only wonder where MR plans to take the country and who advices him. CJ will come out clean and MR has to prepare his exit strategy.
Yes RW was a lame duck until Fredrica Jansz highlighted it during her last interview. That’s why MR was going after Journalists than opposition because he felt they were a greater threat to him than the sleepy, lethargic, boneless and strategy less opposition. RW realizing this did mention that the UNP should behave like military force and people are watching him deliver his words. All my sincere thanks to journalists who gave their lives fighting for people’s rights, justice and democracy in the country.
CW and USA coming to help CJ and to establish true democracy, independence, justice and peace in the country is good news.
It’s good MR to be taught and listen how to govern with justice, democracy and equal rights learning through the hard way.
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Safa / November 20, 2012
It is better if CHOGM is not held here as it is simply a huge waste of money simply to publicise Hambantota. MR having wasted billions in Hambantota is now risking even more billions to showcase it. These stupid idiots didnt realise that ports evolve due to economic activity and the the population of the area and not by building concrete and steel structures. Myanmar Govt built a new city but nothing happened and now they are running behind the US to get things started.
Ports Authority is running at a loss even in Colombo, leave alone Hambantota. Can these people deliver? Nix.
“Plagued with inefficiencies and incompetencies, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has failed to reap the benefits of the ports in the country while also losing the battle in building a hub port in Colombo. A probe into the SLPA has also revealed that excluding the Colombo Port; most of the other ports in the country were running at a loss. The government’s foreign policies have also taken its toll on the SLPA’s business with India becoming less forthcoming in sending vessels carrying containers to Sri Lanka from Indian ports.”
“The parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) in its probe on the SLPA has highlighted several shortcomings at the Authority. In the Committee’s last report to parliament, it has been highlighted that out of the estimated total consultancy fees of Rs. 978 million, in the construction of the Galle Port, a sum of Rs. 455.5 million had been incurred up to the end of 2008 and due to the delay in other works on construction contract, the consultancy service had been suspended temporarily at the moment.”
“Meanwhile, an agreement entered into between the SLPA and the South Asian Gateway Terminal (SAGT), the Authority had paid an indirect taxed amounting to Rs. 284,402,724 for a period of 11 years. It has however been informed that the Authority has no other alternative other than paying these taxes for 35 years from the year 1999, as per the agreement, although the shortcoming had been identified. Another shortcoming on the part of the SLPA is that there is a recoverable rent income of Rs. 93,403,172 as at August 31, 2011 of which Rs. 55,517,194 had been remaining for more than five years. Two cranes purchased at a cost of Rs. 444 million in the year 2008 had been idling even by June 30, 2010.”
“In the Oluvil Nautical Training Institute, the number of students following the courses was less than 20 although a staff of 102 had been deployed for the purpose.”
“Amidst all these issues, the SLPA had engaged in several controversial construction work including Sooriyawewa Cricket stadium and the Ceremonial Hall at the Temple Trees. The COPE has been informed that the Authority had been involved with these construction works upon Cabinet decisions and for the construction of the Cricket ground Sri Lanka cricket had paid Rs. 1200 million so far and for the Ceremonial hall, Rs. 11.9 million had been reimbursed out of the total expenditure of Rs. 35 million.”
All these scams are being carried out under the direction of the President who is above the laws of this land.
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janaka / November 20, 2012
Yes you are correct and the fat man who tried to steal tsunami donations for helping hambantota is now finance minister?
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Jayantha / November 20, 2012
Safa: My deep concern is due to all MARA’s. blunders with Zero knowledge in both economy and governing of the country, they are loosing Billions of tax payer money. On top MR is going to add another mega white elephant project costing 18 Billion rupees. That is the Chinese satellite project which half educated Rohitha Rajapakse was talking about. My question is MR while cutting the education budget, shedding FUTA demands, shedding all the Govt. service projects is pumping 18 Billion rupees for a shaw-off Chinese satellite project. If he wants commission let him get from Chinese direct. Why tying up a fake, unwanted, unbearable project burdening the already burdened taxpayer. The Norochcholai coal power project broke down 12 times in the first year.This satellite cannot even be reached in case something happen. Do our scientiests have sufficient knowledge to rectify any problem if it occurs? What is the life span of this satellite. Every other day there is a power cut in the country, and how this pallekele workstation is operating with constant power failures. Where is the opposition parties? Arent they questioning on these issues? Who passed it? The “yes sir” gon parliament. I don’t know even God knows where this Cra.., uneducated , s.b, a…h..taking the country.
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Senguttuvan / November 20, 2012
Sogam – not far from CHOGM – in Tamil stands for sorrow. In Sinhala I believe it is sokaya. It certainly will not stand to the credit of the Rajapakses if they are subject to sorrow again in the eyes of the wide world. Looks like even the Rajapakse pal Kamlesh Sharm is ducking for cover.
Senguttuvan
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watcher / November 20, 2012
Harim, Can you remember taking a “very powerful lady” to a abortion clinic in middle of the night?
Late doctor should have gone public… Great late father would have been shamed badly.
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Sunila Mendis / November 20, 2012
If leela describes CBK as a the most corrupt President,full of lies Is she saying that the current president is the most virtous leader to govern Sl? Do you know that the road map for 21st century development( Highways, airports ,harbour, develpment of sattelite towns, Education and Health Reforms etc) which the current President is pushing with multi billion rupee kickbacks was designed in the year 2000 under the leadership of CBK.At that time I was a senior Assistant secretary in President’s office.
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gamini / November 20, 2012
Sunila, I find that some Sri Lankans build up relationship with Political leaders and thereafter they try to side with such leaders and try to cover up any wrong doings done by them, offering various excuses. This is wrong. I have no special affliation to RW. I see him conduct himself as a decent person, even when abuse is heaped on him and has leadership qualities establishing Discipline in the Party and Honest to the core. He never tries to bluff people wearing the National Dress, as he believes the person is more important than the dress. Besides he projects and conduct himself better than any other in the International, Arena the Sri Lankan image. Believe me if anything to the contrary is revealed of RW, I will condemn him, with the contempt he deserves. The problem is that many berate him for no known reason, but because he does not try to act too familiar with any. Can one blame him for being so, knowing the Sri Lankan mentality and character?
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Sam / November 20, 2012
I have seen your kind of lankens are in both sides in the country ( kapuwath maruwath mama UNP or SLFP like) Nothing to say about his politeness, eudcation, family background and above all uncorrupted moving with poor mans funds. Actually I myself respect him for him being ALONE like that – but what I see here is people want him to react more together with all opposition fractions. What could bring us all, if he just stays mum most of the time, not even showing adequate resistance to the ruling thugs. I honestly believe he should build up his party FIRST and then work agianst the rulers. then only we the nation – that are left helpless today can respect him further… You the WHOLEHEARTED supporters should make him clear by everymeans that the need of A strong oppostion is obligatory right at this critical stage of the country. See each and every comment you add on RW are only good. But mostly only bad about CBK… in every line.. For me as one who sees all these matters being beyond the seas, feel .. CBK also did more to the country, but her efforts were not supported by his ministers adequately. Ours is a nation that women cant work with the men easily, but the manner that CBK handled all these at the beginning was acceptable. Have you criticised RW just single time on this or other forums ? To me, your comments are most of the time valuable. Seeing all facets closely, you add them. But Gamini, I really dont believe if RW WOULD not work for his failures systematically, NOBODY CAN STOP the country will have to face the unexpected in the near future. And nodoubt, I bleieve RW is the only PERSONALITY I think could gear up the economy and the country in this post war scenario. No doubt, he will be able to get on with International community having BETTER relations with them. We the nation are dependent on the IC as one of the poor countries in the world. So SUPPORT from IC is indispensable. We dont have Gold or oil springs to finance our infrastructure projects. Mastricht treaty had invested multi billions after Germany was defeated – in the rebuilding process. So if IC could invest our country by introducing proper systems, nothing can stop ours becoming a prosperous nation. THIS WE HAVE TO ACHIEVE UNDER A LEADER WHO BEAR A CONVINCING CHARACTOR – this I see Mahinda does not have – but RW for sure.
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gamini / November 20, 2012
Sam, I am not a Kapuwath Maruwath UNP. I applaud where applause is due. But certainly deffer when wrong is done, by whomever. Principles stand over friendship and Kinship.
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Leela / November 20, 2012
Sunila
We knew that cleaver people like you had implanted bright ideas in CBK’s mind on how to take us to 21st century during eleven year her rule. I’ve heard of CBK’s caliber from Ossi.
Indeed, we haven’t forgotten that some of you rammed us peace thavelams while others plugged us with BOO and BOT concepts. Now, to talk about peace thavelams first; we remember very well that so many thavelam hands had had danced on every other street corner to spread the word about peace. Never mind your NGO colleges who sponsored them made a fortune ordinary people actually thought peace is just around the corner.
All peace dancers were gone when LTTE almost dislodged our entire defense forces from the North and East before CBK lost her parliamentary majority. So much for her peace thavelams.
Now about her BOOs and BOTs: If I remember right, at the beginning of CBK’s governance in the mid 90s, there were many artists’ impressions of what is to come through full page ad in daily papers. One of the illustrations by Chandrika’s southern development authority was so impressive; it even included an airport with Learjets in the background. People were so mesmerized by her BOO and BOT concepts, they thought businessmen will come down to Sri Lanka in hordes. So they didn’t object when CBK handed over the most valuable land in Kotte to her chum to build a new golf cause beside Diyawanna Oya near the Parliament so that her BOO and BOT entrepreneurs may talk business leisurely.
The question is; what is the end result of CBK’s 11 year rule? Plans, yes; but any egoistic monkey could have made them. BOOs or BOTs, no; just back hand deals to sell out our assets popularly known as Tawakkal, Air Lanka, Shell Gas, Water’s Edge and etc, etc. The Golf cause; all we see is few landscaped patches the size of my garden in the back of the Waters-Edge; CBK’s chum had blocked out and sold small part of that land at the other end.
What do you say Sunila?
Leela
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Sukumalie / November 20, 2012
Yours should be filled only with rubbish – not to see things as they really are… How dare you raise this kind of question as if you had been blind folded for those 11 years.
If CBK^s govt was unable to get them banned Ltters on almost every western soils -can anybody think even that the war could ever beeb won against brutal Ltters ? That was not an easy tasks at all, but late Kadirgamars great service made that successful. That was the reason why people of the country respected him as a great FM.
If her govts were unable to purchase collosal amounts of high tech sophisticated weapons – strenghthening the hands of the lanken forces – do you ever think this could have been won immeidately MR was elected to the office in 2005 ?
So you the guys feel, that MR ^s pragmatism made it – so why is that his pragmatism seem sto be not working with RULE OF THE LAW..
is that as you repeatedly say.. minor minor issue.. ?
Sure, the criminal records were not that high under CBKs rule, as it is the case for today…. but today, there is no war –
On the education sector, how many times she and her govts made reforms to improve the school education. I know from my relatives that they themselves confirmed that they as teachers have to prove more in teaching at the schools according to newly introduced curricula. This was already in late 90ties. Teachers that worked for few thousands were offered better salaries under her rule. Persioners were given the hikes accordingly.
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Leela / November 20, 2012
Sukumalie
I doubt you know what you’re talking about. A great man minister Kadiragamar, I would give credit for getting the UK to proscribe LTTE as terrorist Group in 2000. CBK can take credit for appointing Kadiragamar as a minister.
India banned LTTE in 1992. And the US designated LTTE as a Global Terrorist (SDGT) on 2 November 2001 together with many others after WTO bombing by Al Qaeda on 9/11. Needless to say, a few countries followed suit. In 2006 only, 27 countries of the European Union listed the LTTE as a terrorist organization as a group. Canada did it in 2006. So, if you want to give credit to CBK you can do so but those who have an iota of a brain can see the truth.
It is like RanilW saying; Karuna is the reason for LTTE demise and it is he who split Karuna and LTTE. I almost forgot; the education reforms you say that CBK made for the benefit of the country if any, you must explain in a language we can understand not jargon.
One cannot have both peace and war at the same time. But that is what Chandrika did up to 2000. As a result, by the year 2000, morale of the entire defense forces of Sri Lanka was at the lowest ebb ever. After a series of misdirected, misguided and moreover half hearted wars 40,000 troupes got as trapped in Jaffna by April 2000. Peace thawalams were the real culprit for the low morale of soldiers at the time.
None in the so-called IC or India helped us to push LTTE back. It was Pakistan and Czech Republic that helped us with multi barrels to get out of the quagmire not to mention the change of command in Jaffna to Janaka Perera and Sarath Fonseka.
If only CBK had the foresight like MR to place the right man Janaka Perera as the Army commander at the time that difficult situation would never have arisen. So much for her capacity and capabilities.
Leela
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Sam / November 20, 2012
You re right to say – that CBK govts started those projects. I still remember how telephone lines to the village level were developed by her govt immediately she was elected then. Ours are a folk that forget even the greatest things within overnights. As one of the commentators shared to this forum, many behave as if they have a IQ lower than 70. That can well be the reason for all our problems. Sure, her GOVTs failed to do more, but she had her reasons. I observed this so closely each time back in the country also during her days since early ninties. I personally knew many that said, if CBK s relations would not have worked properly, no that many funds could have been provided by IC in the rebuilding of the country after tsunami. Imagine, if that kind of natural disaster would destroy the country these days, how many of IC donate our folk. Winning the war against Ltters is a good thing, but the manner that MR handled it was not at acceptable by IC. Now from the UK to any other developed country, SRILANKA is a brutal nation WHERE tamils are being deliberately ill treated. Easily assaults and Killings of any locals regardless of where they are have become their day today agenda. I believe these are not party politics, but peoples mind have been changed a lot.
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Pandukabaya de Silva / November 20, 2012
All you supporters of CBK, eat your hat!
As a lawyer, I dislike her and even hate her for foisting Sarath Silva on us. She is the one who first made that break in appointing a man from the gutter to the highest judicial position in the land. From that point, it was easy for the likes of the rajapakses to interfere in the judiciary as the prestige had already been lost with that gutter rat.
So hold you tongues, you CBK bootlickers. You people are as despicable as the MR bootlickers.
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gamini / November 20, 2012
Sam, you say that soon after CBK was elected in ’94, you remember how telephone lines were drawn to villages. Infact telephones were for the affluent of this country prior to ’77. It is not all who had or were able to get a Telephone. If someone had a good connection to the Political Party in power one’s application was entertained. There after the Linesman had to be appeased and looked after to get the connection, as he alone approved whether there were loops available. After ’77 once the economy was opened with Telecom being privatised and other competitors coming in to the market not one telephone but any amount of connections were available for payment. When the Telecom Dept. was charging Rs. 80/- as annual rental, The mobile Companies were charging Rs. 600/- per month as rental and various packages were offered to the consumer and there was a mad rush by the people to get connected. The govts prior to ’77 had no clue in doing business. Although prior to ’77 Kandy, Colombo was a trunk call, by late ’80s one could go to any Telephone Booth and dial any part of the world. Today a Telephone, mobile or standard is a common feature and is no status symbol. Due to theft of Copper wire today all villages are connected through CDMA. So where was CBK drawing telephone lines after ’94. To be frank CBK had a Golden Opportunity to take this country forward, only if she had used her head, rather than her body. She should have hounded the Corrupt in the UNP and punished them and she should have been strict with her own. No she did not do so after paying lip service to Transparency and Accountability. Possibly she would have felt that her exercise will make the UNP strong ridding all the corrupt. Thereafter she started the paduru Parties and the whole country is still on the Padura.
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Leela / November 20, 2012
I agree to the contents in full.
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rednaxela / November 21, 2012
Before condemning Mahinda, CBK should be put on the dock. She is the Mother of All Evils. Even now she comes to the Country as if she is the Saviour! She should be hanged first! If not for the Bandaranaikes, Sri Lanka would have been better off. I will never forget Mrs. B’s queues, rice and chillies embargo, the weevil infested bread obtained from being in the queue for hours. We couldn’t even get a box of matches. Will we end up like this again?
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Mahela / November 21, 2012
Yes the way MR’s doing business and people who advise him depicting as a king, very soon country could go back to 1500AD. Leave alone Bread now thay talk about eating Mannokka, Batala, and polkud in the parliament. So prepare to be a Vedda (Adi vasi) pretty soon.
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Raja / November 22, 2012
Whether the CJ is innocent or guilty, it is absurd to reject allegations against her without a proper inquiry, which could be handled only through the process of impeachment. If in fact the CJ is guilty of serious irregular conduct, then she must be laughing at all those giving her a clean bill and calling for the withdrawal of this inquiry. It is true that we need to keep the Govt free of corruption, even though this is an impossibility in any country in the world, but it is even more vital for a robust democracy to ensure that the judiciary is free of corruption. Now that there are allegations against the CJ, her reputation will remain blackened, unless a proper inquiry is made to clear her, if she is innocent as claimed. Let us not pretend the CJ or the President are above law.
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