By Dayan Jayatilleka –
Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka
With the imminent visit of the Chinese Defense Minister to Sri Lanka, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa must feel very confident. With the extensive statement by one of his loyalists, Minister Dilum Amunugama, on the President’s possible conversion into “a Hitler”, the President must be very determined, and his loyalist must be signaling that determination and intention.
However, there are questions he must ask himself, especially with respect to India, the Tamil issue and the island’s North-East periphery.
President GR having given the signal against the devolution of power, the religious Right has rallied to reinforce that position.
“A group of Buddhist monks has appealed to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and members of Parliament, representing all political parties, to put on hold Provincial Council polls, pending early enactment of the proposed new Constitution. The group has, in a two-page letter dated March 29, 2021, stressed that the Provincial Council polls should be conducted in terms of the new Constitution as much desired changes were likely to be introduced in respect of the electoral system, as well as devolution of powers.” (The Island)
Now that President GR reiterated to President Xi, Sri Lanka’s intention to learn from the ‘governance experience’ of the Communist Party of China, recent remarks by Dr. Palitha Kohona, Sri Lanka’s ambassador to Beijing, may give an indication of the state model that will emerge from the Gotabaya presidency and Constitution. Citing Ian Johnson’s book ‘The Soul of China’, Dr. Kohona emphasizes that “re-imagining of the political-religious state that once ruled China” is the vision of China of the “nominally atheist” Chinese CP under President Xi, whom Dr. Kohona seems to depict as a born-again Buddhist. (Daily FT)
President Gotabaya has to ask himself at least ten questions before he goes down the road of “re-imagining the political-religious state that once ruled” Lanka and replicating it, constitutionally or extra-constitutionally.
1. What do the Tamil parties in his government think about devolution? Can he convince them that it is a guise for separatism and should be downsized in a new Constitution?
2. Is there any Tamil party in or out of government he can convince on this question?
3. Given that it was the 13th amendment and the devolution of power that drove a wedge in the separatist movement, what would the effect of deleting or downsizing devolution be?
4. Does he think that his Tamil partners in government will be strengthened or weakened by his anti-devolution stand?
5. Does the President think that he can run the North and East without any Tamil allies?
6. Given that India switched from a position of supporting the Tamil separatist movement—though it never supported the cause of Tamil separatism—to one of supporting the Sri Lankan state, after, and due to the Indo-Sri Lanka accord and the 13th amendment, what does the President think would be the stand of India, if the 13th amendment is abandoned?
7. Can Sri Lanka withstand the consequences of an Indian response to a unilateral Sri Lankan reversal of provincial-level devolution?
8. Does the President intend to consult Sri Lanka’s international friends on the matter of devolution? Or does he think it is a purely domestic matter?
9. If he doesn’t consult Sri Lanka’s friends, can he expect them to stand by Sri Lanka if and when it faces the repercussions of unilateralism on the devolution issue?
10. Will the President care to ascertain which of the 11 states that defended GoSL and voted against the resolution at the UNHRC, and which of the 21 that spoke against the High Commissioner’s report—including Russia, China, Cuba and Pakistan– would advise in favor of or support a move against the devolution of power and the 13th amendment?
Post-Geneva Tamil Politics
The Tamil nationalist mainstream was always contemptuous of the 13th amendment, never really laid claim to it and therefore never protected it, let alone consolidated the semi-autonomous Provincial Councils.
Even after the war and the crushing defeat of Tamil secessionism, Tamil nationalism never accepted the 13th amendment as either the framework or the baseline of negotiations with the Sri Lankan government led by Mahinda Rajapaksa, which had the legitimacy to push devolution through.
Tamil nationalism strove to secure a Constitution which would go beyond not merely the 13th amendment but also the unitary framework itself.
In 2015-2019 the TNA joined the UNP and the JVP in creating a gridlock which has delayed the holding of Provincial Council elections.
Today there is no process of political dialogue between the government and the Tamil parties. Nor are there functioning Provincial Councils in the North and East. Therefore, there is no counterbalance to the unilateral creation of facts on the ground in those Provinces, through the various Presidential Task Forces.
There is also no political party with which the TNA can partner in the South, in Government or Opposition, that is willing to go beyond the 13th amendment, still less the unitary framework. Even the leftwing JVP and FSP are unwilling to commit to the 13th amendment and the provincial-level devolution of power.
That’s the hole that Tamil nationalism has dug for itself by refusing to apply the successful political strategy of the Sinn Fein of Northern Ireland in working the devolved structures that arose with the Good Friday agreement.
There’s good news, though.
1. Never has there been a broader international consensus which recognizes the principle of the devolution of power and the full implementation of the 13th amendment, as there is now, especially with the UNHRC resolution of March 2021.
2. The viable mainstream Opposition led by Sajith Premadasa, is openly committed to the maximum devolution of power within the unitary framework, and the implementation of the 13th amendment without any downsizing/dilution.
3. There is a tendency within the Government that is for the status quo on the provincial devolution of power.
Devolution, a deepening of democracy, is now defensible, both locally and globally. In the face of the politico-existential threat posed by Gotabaya regime, Tamil politics must focus on avoiding the huge blunders of the past and focusing on interweaving the three positive points listed above into a strategy.
GATAM / April 13, 2021
Irrelevant questions.
1. Those parties win less than 10% of the vote in the NPC and EPC election. They are happy without it. Appoint DD as CM of NPC and Pilleyan as CM of EPC. No need for elections or formal devolution.
2. Irrelevant
3. Not true. 13A only strengthened the LTTE and separatism. Both became stronger. TNA was born.
4. Strengthened. If there is no devolution, DD and EPDP will call all the shots in the north and TMVP will call all the shots in the east.
5. There always were/are Tamil allies without or without devolution. There was no devolution during Duraiappah’s time.
6. Not true. India switched sides after Tamils killed Gandhi in 1991. IPKF was not told to finish off the LTTE.
7. Yes. What matters is Indian national interest. 13A was passed when Indian central government depended on Tamil Nadu for political survival. Not anymore. BJP does not need them.
8. Of course he must consult SL’s international friends (= nations that voted against the resolution including China). They support no devolution.
9. Yes! They do not interfere in domestic matters of other countries. That is why they are friends!
10. No need. As a matter of policy they do not interfere in domestic matters of other countries. That is why they are friends!
/
old codger / April 13, 2021
“which of the 21 that spoke against the High Commissioner’s report—including Russia, China, Cuba and Pakistan– would advise in favor of or support a move against the devolution of power and the 13th amendment?”
As far as Cuba is concerned, I believe Dr. DJ is in for a big disappointment . Dr DJ should start writing his
convoluted dialectical justification for why the heirs of Fidel don’t follow his line.
/
nimal fernando / April 14, 2021
I detest Gota, he is a deranged serial-killer without even an imbecile’s brain. If Lankans’ average IQ is 79, roughly 50% will be below 79. I think Gota is in the lowest percentile. He doesn’t even have the little intelligence to realize he is not very bright.
–
But I believe Gota is right on this for completely different reasons.
–
Gota is right, not to give any form of independence to the Tamils. My reasons are practical and ultra-realistic not racial prejudice/hatred. I fear the Tamils like no other. The sheer ingenuity and the talent/capabilities the Tamils have shown for warfare stands in deep contrast to our own incompetence, stupidity and bickering. Open your eyes and see – I’m not making this up – Fonseka, Gota, Gunaratne, Mahinda …….. are now fighting like cats and dogs! Ever wonder how this motley crew got together to fight a war? True to form that’s our Sinhalese trait.
–
If the Tamils have a legal entity where they can legally bring in implements of war, the borders would keep changing – like Israel/Palestine/Arab-states – (take another look at the map LTTE marked as their homelands. And let’s be adult about this.) We Sinhalese would end up in the sea.
/
nimal fernando / April 14, 2021
Continued
If at some future time – relations between countries are always in flux – India decides to overtly/covertly help the Tamils militarily our goose is well and truly cooked.
–
Let’s not forget, a ragtag bunch of 4-5k amateur fighters captured weapons from our own forces and kicked the asses of hundreds of thousands of our professional soldiers for 30 years. Getting a middle-aged sick diabetic Prabakaran is not what it’s cracked up to be. We just got lucky.
–
How can a people, who are completely incapable of governing themselves competently for 70 years, show competence for war …… or anything else? It defies logic!
–
Can a man, who gets commercial flights to take off from Katunayke and land in Mattala 5 minutes later, have the intelligence to win a war? Only Sinhalese and MAGA Americans will believe in such wisdom!
–
In nature, if you plant a tree and come back a year later, you will see if the tree has grown/progressed or not. When progress or lack of it is clearly visible, it’s only humans, who have to “propagandize” their “progress” to the world on a daily basis from rooftops.
–
And yeah! one more thang …… Tamil self-governed entity will shoot off economically like a Singapore or better ……. and how is my sorry Sinhala ass going to live down that?
/
nimal fernando / April 14, 2021
–
We are what we are …… it’s our essence.
–
The truth is the hardest thing to face.
–
Many Tamils – I’ve no animosity towards them – will hate me for writing this but at least acknowledge my candour.
/
old codger / April 14, 2021
Nimal,
“And yeah! one more thang …… Tamil self-governed entity will shoot off economically like a Singapore or better ……. and how is my sorry Sinhala ass going to live down that?”
Nimal, you have got to the root of the matter! Every Hela Urumeeya and his mates knows this in his heart. What could be worse than having to take a currency swap from the Eelam Central Bank? And when they decide to build a wall to stop us immigrating?
/
nimal fernando / April 14, 2021
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/why-president-mahinda-rajapaksa-should-have-heeded-the-island/
–
:))
/
old codger / April 15, 2021
Nimal,
What a marvel of narcissism! Me, my father, my Geneva performance, my writing………
/
nimal fernando / April 16, 2021
OC,
–
Please read my comments there …… it’s the same thing
–
At times, we have to take an unpleasant confrontational tone to get a message across . :))
/
old codger / April 14, 2021
Nimal,
“We Sinhalese would end up in the sea.”
Not at all. The Sinhalese are very adaptable. Just a pottu and the reasonable use of Tamil, and nobody would know the difference.
/
Native Vedda / April 14, 2021
nimal fernando
–
“We Sinhalese would end up in the sea.”
–
I have no problem with that as long as the Sinhalese take their Tamil brethren with them. In fact I welcome it.
–
We don’t have to go to courts to claim our historical land and land rights every time state and individuals grab our ancestral land.
–
You should encourage both to peacefully leave and settle down elsewhere, may southern part of India as they both seem to have close affinity with South Indians.
–
nimal fernando
Are you going through bouts of Existential Crisis?
/
Sinhala_Man / April 13, 2021
Useful questions, Dayan.
.
We must be clear about the tenth and last.
.
Twenty two countries voted for us the people of Sri Lanka. Eleven voted for the murderous government of Sri Lanka.
.
Fourteen abstained owing to political reasons, but none of them approves of either the Rajapaksas or of the now defunct LTTE.
.
Among the 22 who voted for us are many with decent democratic governments. When the Rajapaksas want to run away, it is to such countries. However, I wouldn’t include Malawi among them. Do you get my point? I may be a villager who has never been out of Asia, but I think and try to be consistent.
.
What held me back in my career? Many dishonest and foolish people. However, that is a story that doesn’t belong here.
/
leelagemalli / April 13, 2021
I am even happier to read that my dear SINHALA man’s brave comment contained this part
–
Twenty two countries voted for us the people of Sri Lanka. Eleven voted for the murderous government of Sri Lanka.
–
Even the dead would rise up from their burials today, not being able to bear the deliberate crimes being continued by brutal Rajapakshes.
–
Senior professionals over to you, please wake up from your long slumber, if not today when ?
.
Those YT beggars/social media channel holder such as SEPAL AMARASINGHE and SUDA CREATION man though worked that obsequeous to RAJA-FAMILY, today they sound to have U-turned. Anyways, these men are still against SJB and JVPrs. I have no idea what they expect them being against pohottuwa but not respecting any oppostion groups.
:
Do we have a glimmer of hope for the future our youth in this pigsty ?
:
God bless SRILANKA !!!
/
leelagemalli / April 13, 2021
As for me, not 10 questions, going by his hitherto performance as the president, he should question himself 10000000000000000000000.
:
People are to be blamed, as to why they let them misled easily.
:
They thought if the bugger et al, became champions by having introduced jogging tracks and few other modern buidlings and roads within colombo area, the man could govern the country going beyond any experienced srilanken politician.
:
However, he has broken all records, as of today, being unable to settle even tiny issues.
:
All these contaminations became sky high with the COME back of criminal gangs. Now they make every effort to mitigate the CONTAMINATIONS by having said, that PREVIOUS govt too did that.
:
President go back to AMERICA, and leave THIS NATION in peace. You the kind of IDIOTs can only work as PETROL shed assistants or SO CALLED defence secretaries stay behind barbarian brothers.
/
Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / April 14, 2021
Dayan, since the resolution was made public, I stated in this column that India was behind including this in order to get approval and lay the foundation for military intervention if Sri Lanka refuses to implement it. You seem now to understand this though many do not have mental capacity to see through this. Sajith Premadasa has dropped his slogan of maximum devolution within unitary state and talks about implementation of 13th amendment in its present form. 13th amendment in its present form is different from the original one. His father sabotaged it removing certain subjects and powers. He is vague about full police and land powers as envisaged in the original document. No Sinhala leader will agree to share land and power with Tamils in a genuine manner.
/
Thiha / April 14, 2021
When I see that the Chinese defense minister is coming it gives me shudders. The Chinese have been bribing and manipulating not just the Rajapakshe’s but the media as well. Chyna does not give a fig leaf for devolution or anything else where minorities are concerned. It is a case of either complying or facing the firing squad. Look at Tibet look at the Uighers. A communist dictatorship does not subscribe to human rights. What the Chinese have done to Sri Lanka thru its infiltration is to pave the way for a fascist dictator to take over. This process is in a very advanced stage. Religion also has no place in such a dictator ship accept as a tool to create violence by setting one group against the other. Their willing desciple has already mastered the art of doing this. While you lot keep arguing about stupid side issues the whole country is being devoured up by the Chinese willingly assisted by their quislings. Further instructions along with more bribes of encouragement will be dished out.
/
Ajith / April 13, 2021
Dayan,
All of your questions are to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa about Tamils and India, nothing about rule of law, judiciary, corruption, stability, economic growth or dictatorship. The defeat of the LTTE has now become a challenge to India, challenge to USA and western powers, challenge to the freedom of all Sri Lankans not only Tamils. Every aspect of Sri Lanka is now going to be decided by China, not by Gota or any other Rajapaksas. For the rulers of China, true Buddhism is an enemy and democracy is bitter gourd. Not only Provincial Council but also general elections/ parliament are just decided by not people but by supreme Communist power. Muslims cannot stay under a communist power. Even Sinhalese will be banned to go to Pansala and Buddhist Monks may have to go back to India as refugees. One child policy will extend to Buddhist Sinhala as well.Even Sinhalese who now settled or living in western nations may not be able go to their motherland.
I don’t how India is going to react to its neighbour becoming a part of China under communism and surrounded by Chinese Emperor. I don’t think Tamils within Sri Lanka have the power to go against China as long as the whole country become a slave nation for China.So, tamils, muslims and Sinhalese are the losers.
/
SJ / April 13, 2021
“The defeat of the LTTE has now become a challenge to India, challenge to USA and western powers, challenge to the freedom of all Sri Lankans not only Tamils.”
*
So is there now a project to rebuilds the LTTE?
*
If it is another top secret like “TULF’s plan to achieve Tamil Eelam” which Uduvil MP Dharmalingam would not reveal during the debate with Sanmugathasan in 1975, I will not further probe the matter with you..
/
Ajith / April 13, 2021
There is no need to rebuild LTTE. LTTE is only needed to Rajapaksas and Buddhist Sinhala Fundamentalists.
/
SJ / April 14, 2021
A
Do you suggest that the sections of diaspora dreaming for Tamil Eelam and hoping for a revival of the LTTE are hand in glove with the Family?
/
Rohan25 / April 13, 2021
Serves them right, especially Hindia, they thought that by helping the Sinhalese to defeat the LTTE, commit war crimes and genocide on the island’s Tamil population, they will have Sri Lanka in their pocket. India especially the Hindians aided and abetted by the Malayalis and Tamil Brahmins, wanted revenge on the island’s Tamils, for Rajiv’s assassination at the hands of the LTTE and the IPKF fiasco and humiliation, at the Bata slipper wearing LTTE teenagers. So gleefully helped the Sinhalese providing all sorts of support. Military, logistical, economic and diplomatic support. Then even provided a lot of manpower in May 2009 to defeat the LTTE and then went to the UN and defended and praised the Rajapakses , trying their best to hide their part in this dirty genocidal war crime. They thought they had thought the Tamils a good lesson, have the Sinhalese in their pocket and Rajapakse promissed them that he will throw the defeated Tamils some crumbs. Little did they know how crafty the Rajapakse’s and the Sinhalese politicians are. Until they get what they want they will simper and promise all sorts of things and be humble and they ride the high horse. This is what exactly happened. The LTTE defeated, the Tamils destroyed but no Sinhalese cooperation.
/
Rohan25 / April 13, 2021
The Sinhalese craftily hoodwinked India the west and as usual have run to the bosom of China and Russia. Now all blinking .
The largely anti Tamil Indian or Hindian/Malayali/Tamil Brahmin establishment never realized or choose not to realize that despite the LTTE , it the Eelam Tamils are the only Indian friendly people in the region and the Tamil lands in the north and east of the island acted as a bulwark and safeguarded Southern India and now they have helped the largely anti Indian/Hindu Sinhalese to destroy this. Very soon China will be on their backdoor and they are the ones largely to blame for this. They were unable to get their petty revenge and hatred towards the Indian Tamils , so took this out on the hapless Eelam Tamils, who had nothing to with whatever imagined or real slights that happened in India , as they knew they could and now funnily are reaping the result of their petty revenge but still have not learnt their lesson but want to keep on protecting and pleasing the Sinhalese , vainly hoping some crumbs will fall their way.
/
Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / April 14, 2021
At that time Sinhalese played their cards correctly and Tamils played it all wrong. JR did a brilliant move on the advice of Americans to surrender to India, by which he put India to fight LTTE. Despite advice by Tamil civil society to go along with India and fight Sri Lanka, he did the opposite with disastrous result. Now Sinhalese are playing the cards all wrong and it is up to Tamils to play correctly. Biggest mistake is bringing China in, with the hope of avoiding pressure of granting rights to Tamils. Even Yahapalana regime played double game and allowed China to take firm footing. Sri Lanka by antagonizing the west has got into severe economic problem and is going about begging money from countries. This is a golden opportunity for Tamils to join hands with India and west to hammer Sri Lanka.
/
Sinhala_Man / April 13, 2021
I agree with most of what you say to begin with.
.
Communism? Dangerous to generalise. I don’t think that Karl Marx had much to say about God and such things. Consult a man like Kumar David who has read Marx carefully. I haven’t, and I won’t call myself a Marxist.
.
Many Marxists like Gorbachev are very decent people – still living, but very old. He disapproves of Putin who is a horror. Russia and China approves of our horrible government.
.
Ajith, never overstate your case. When you don’t know something please humbly say so. If you can’t handle subtitles, remain silent.
.
Marx said that religion is the opium of the masses. I agree.
.
However, I don’t know about the truth or otherwise of ANY religion. If one has got it right, the others are likely wrong. Most religious people think that only their religion is right but haven’t got the guts to say that the others are wrong.
/
Sinhala_Man / April 13, 2021
Sorry, my Android phone has pushed me to two errors.
.
” subtleties” not “subtitles”. Artificial Intelligence will never automatically work in our favour. We must exercise control over AI.
.
Second error- trivial; verb from. That resulted from trying to add China after writing Russia.
.
Putin is an evil man who is anti-Marxist. Old Karl Marx may be looking down from heaven. If so, his body must be turning in his grave seeing what’s happening in China and Russia- where Putin is trying to murder his critic, Navalny. He won’t bother with Gorbachev who is too old.
.
My own problems are mainly owing to the Anglican Church. Most priests, not just Matthew Peiris and Buddharakkitha, are on the Devil’s side. The problem is that you don’t listen when the case is proved
.
Also Gorby is not so popular within Russia. Why? Because owing to him, Russia lost her empire. If there are saints Gorby is one of them.
/
Simon / April 13, 2021
Ajith: It is reported that the Chinese Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka at the end of this month. This is said to be the second visit by a “High Ranking Power” official of the Chinese Government. In October last year, we had another “High Ranking Diplomat” (of the Communist Party) Yang Jiechi’s visit along with a “Troop” of the Communist Party. Our President “GR” has already received “TWO” invitations to China and he has accepted and will arrange the visit later in the month. Are all these (1.5 Billion & a further 500 million loan and “Diplomatic Visits” (both by China & S/L) prior to the “Establishment” of a “Separate Province” adjacent to the Capital Colombo? Strangely enough, none of these is considered “National Issues” by the Tamils and Muslims? Does India act as their “PROXY”?
/
SJ / April 14, 2021
S
I wonder why do people take no notice of high ranking ministers and officials from other countries visit us?
*
You may remember that during ‘peace talks’ with the LTTE, our PM would rush to Washington to show his progress report and either on his onward journey or return journey find time to obtain a compliance certificate from New Delhi.
That was when a tiny difference of opinion cropped up between the masters on what to do with the LTTE: to bake it or to roast it.
Have any idea the number of official visits from the two countries on various pretexts?
/
Native Vedda / April 14, 2021
Ajith
–
” The defeat of the LTTE has now become a challenge to India, challenge to USA and western powers, challenge to the freedom of all Sri Lankans not only Tamils. Every aspect of Sri Lanka is now going to be decided by China, not by Gota or any other Rajapaksas.”
–
“challenge to the freedom of all Sri Lankans not only Tamils.”
–
It never occurred to me LTTE was fighting for freedom of not only Tamils but others too. By the evidence suggest otherwise. Seriously when did LTTE/VP fight for the freedom of anyone? Freedom does not mean drawing and securing new fences but freeing the minds of the people.
–
“The defeat of the LTTE has now become a challenge to India, challenge to USA and western powers, …”
–
Were Hindia and other countries relying on VP/LTTE for their own security?
Oh Gosh. I am wondering when VP/LTTE could not guarantee their own security how they were able to provide security for entire world against China.
–
“I don’t how India is going to react to its neighbour becoming a part of China under communism and surrounded by Chinese Emperor. “
–
It is Hindia’s problem not ours (Sinhala/Tamil). Let Hindia do the worrying.
–
/
Plato / April 13, 2021
……..There is good news though says Born again Dayan[ No malice meant].
Tamil Politics should throw their weight behind Sajith Premadasa for survival.
That is the essence of this essay.
From the frying pan into the fire could be changed to From the Fire into the Frying pan eh?
/
Sugandh / April 13, 2021
Dear Plato…
Given Gotabaya’s intellectual capacity (i.e. the lack of it) and his primal behaviour, Dayan Jayatilleka should know that Gotabaya Rajapaksa cannot comprehend these questions, let alone find answers within him.
–
DJ is clearly peddling his newly forged International Relations Advisor role with SJB. Hence, the reassuring good news!
/
Sugandh / April 14, 2021
Dear Plato…
Given Gotabaya’s intellectual capacity (i.e. the lack of it) and his primal behaviour, Dayan Jayatilleka should know that Gotabaya Rajapaksa cannot comprehend these questions, let alone find answers within him.
–
DJ is clearly peddling his newly forged International Relations Advisor role with SJB. Hence, the reassuring good news!
/
Native Vedda / April 14, 2021
Plato
–
Is Dayan cross with the younger star a pure Jacobin orator Wimal Sangili Karuppan Weerawansa?
–
Do you know what has happened to Dayan’s “The Rising: Nugegoda Feb 18th” days?
/
Nathan / April 13, 2021
Dayan is asking too many questions from GR. I wish that he persuades Douglas Devananda to raise at least one of those from GR.
/
Sinhala_Man / April 15, 2021
Nathan and Rajash,
.
You are both of Tamil background. There are certain things that are best left for you to handle.
.
Many will claim to be leaders of the Tamils; we, Sinhalese, cannot make recommendations.
.
On the other hand, what I do suggest is that if there is an election in which strategic voting is possible, you suggest that Tamils vote for the NPP. Of course, appointment of MPs from National lists has to be taken into account. So, my NPP vote from the Badulla District didn’t get anybody elected from here (my votes went to Number 1 – a Muslim name he had, Number to a Hindu name, and number 10 to Samantha Vidyaratne who had been an MP. Were there any women on this list? I can’t remember.)
.
My vote contributed to the election of Ms Harini Amarasuriya (PhD) – not a member of the JVP. Others on the National List included Professor Kumar David and Dr Michael Fernando, the author of this article:
.
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/what-should-be-the-political-economic-alternative/
.
Seeing the comments box open, I did submit another comment, but it was rejected. I managed to put much of it elsewhere. That is what is meant by the same rules for all – not the unnecessary cremation of Muslims.
/
Rajash / April 13, 2021
Dayan one of the question that Gota need to ask himself is
Can he really emulate Hitler as requested by Dilum Amunugama
/
Paul / April 13, 2021
I saw on the news that a Minister has asked GR to be another Hitler. The German ambassador has responded saying that Hitler was no role model for any politician. What a bunch of morons our politicians are.
/
Sinhala_Man / April 13, 2021
Paul and Rajash,
.
You have both reported on something that the German Ambassador had said. I hope that the moderators will allow all readers to see this:
.
https://www.newsfirst.lk/2021/04/13/german-ambassador-to-sri-lanka-responds-to-the-controversial-hitler-statement/gjgjn
.
That comment by Herr Holger Seubert was, I guess, made in shocked seriousness.
.
However, I fear that by now the world must by now be regarding Sri Lanka with some affection as a country full of incredible jokers.
.
I’m not happy with that. I want to be taken seriously.
/
Paul / April 15, 2021
Sinhala_Man,
.
Unfortunately the politicians have disabled the Serious switch. I don’t think any country thinks of our Government in any manner other than that of corrupt, pompous clowns. In addition, the Chinese see us as ‘useful idiots’.
/
SJ / April 14, 2021
Paul
You report that the German ambassador said that Hitler was no role model for any politician.
Will not you think that Brazilian President, who has full blessings from the US, has Adolf as his role model. And he got elected!
*
German politicians know neither the worth of their products nor have an eye for the market. If they were smart, they would have minted money by flogging Nazi memorabilia to the fast expanding neo-Nazi market at home and abroad.
/
Paul / April 15, 2021
Not really. The Brazilian President may be an arrogant moron whose stupidity has caused a lot of deaths to occur, but he is a saint when compared to Adolf Hitler.
*
Possession of most Nazi memorabilia is illegal in Germany. Swastikas and SS signs are considered to be symbols of anti-constitutional organizations. Selling goods that sport them and displaying them is illegal. The Nazi salute and statements such as “Heil Hitler” are also banned in public.
/
SJ / April 16, 2021
Paul
Jair Bolsonaro is arrogant but no fool, even less a moron.
He slipped up in handling COVID-19. But he won making no secret of his Nazi leanings.
‘Relative sainthood’ apart, Hitler was his role model, and make no mistake about it.
*
As for the TIC remark in the second part, I assumed a sense of humor on your part.
However, you are only confirming my cheeky remark that “German politicians know neither the worth of their products nor have an eye for the market.”
/
Thiru / April 13, 2021
The Western world is challenged in many respects by China headed by the Communist party.
Remember the US and and the West are still against communism that is dormant now.
India has joined the West in QUAD to contain China’s expanding ambitions in the South China Sea and elsewhere.
Sinhalese dominated Sri Lanka has joined the axis of evil that China has formed because it Sri Lanka’s desires.
India does not care for Tamils or Sinhalese or Sri Lanka for that matter. China is an enemy knocking at its door in the North.
Gotabaya and Mahinda are credibly accused criminals against humanity. They know the truth of what they did at the latter stages of the war on Tamils. There is more than enough evidence to convict them if ever the case comes up in an international court. Such an event might come about not because Tamil victims want justice but because the West may not have any other trump card. Sri Lanka has no choice but to go along with China’s wishes to save themselves from such an eventuality.
Now, I am not a pundit in politics like Dayan Jayatilake, but to me the confrontation between China and the West, including India will be on Sri Lankan soil.
/
Eagle Eye / April 13, 2021
Thiru,
“There is more than enough evidence to convict them if ever the case comes up in an international court.”
—-
Really!
Why the hell you guys kept those evidences in a closet for the past 12 years.
Tamil Diaspora or the UNHRC do not have any solid evidences to support their war crimes and human rights violation charges against the Government of Sri Lanka or its Armed Forces.
/
SJ / April 14, 2021
T
Many years ago, the Tamil nationalist project shifted gear to persuading India to save Tamils from the Sinhalese.
Then it became persuading the West to save the Tamils from the Sinhalese.
Then it became persuading India to save itself from the Sinhalese— with a little help from the Tamils, of course.
Then it became saving India from the Chinese— again with a little help from Tamils.
Then it became saving the US from the Chinese with a little help from the Indians, and of course Tamils.
Now it has become saving the world from the Chinese with a lot of help from the Americans and Indians and not to mention a little from the Tamils.
*
Very noble missions they seem.
But somewhere the plight of the Tamils has gone out of sight
/
Buddhist1 / April 13, 2021
Above all the questions mentioned by the Author the first question Gota has to ask himself is:
“As the world has named me (Gota) a Human Rights Violator, how would my Grand Children
feel when they read the history books about their Grand Father? Now that I (Gota) have all the powers under 20A can I take a stand and bring about Racial Harmony, Religious Harmony, End to Corruption and above all bring all Sri Lankans to feel that they are members of the same family”?
/
Eagle Eye / April 13, 2021
Buddhist1,
Gotabhaya Rajapakshe’s grand-children will be proud of their grand-father’s achievement as a person who gave the leadership to eradicate LTTE Tamil terrorists branded as the deadliest terrorists in the world by FBI.
I wonder how the grand-children of Tamils will feel when they come to know that their grandfathers were terrorists who massacred innocent Sinhala people who allowed them to stay in their country when abandoned by colonial rulers who brought them from Hindustan to grab a part of their country.
/
Buddhist1 / April 14, 2021
Eagle Eye,
Let me tell you, today Tamil Grand Children feel that they have been illtreated by the Majority community. They also worry about their future as the Majority Community has become more Racists than ever before.
/
Eagle Eye / April 14, 2021
Buddhists1
If majority Sinhala community is becoming more racist how come more and more Tamils from North East move to South and live with Sinhalayo. Tamils are colonizing the South but Sinhalayo do not oppose that because they consider them as Sri Lankans. It is Tamil racists who say ‘Sinhalayo are not welcome in the North’. One of the reasons why Tamils (mostly Daliths) move to South is they are illtreated and oppressed by high caste Tamils. In the South, Sinhalayo treat them as equals.
/
Buddhist1 / April 14, 2021
Eagle Eye
Sinhalayo’s in the North are planted after LTTE chased them away. LTTE chasing them away is wrong. But similarly planting Sinhalayo’s as you call is worst. If the Sinhalese want to move on their own, like the Tamils wanting to move to the South, then no one will oppose them.
/
Sinhala_Man / April 15, 2021
If there was democracy within Sinhalese families, not so much racism will be apparent. My part-time gardener considers himself “educated” and has a government job. I asked him how old our mountain was. He said that he’s 56 and that the mountain is older than him. I try to tell him that using mammoties and JCBs is going to lead to erosion, he doesn’t understand.
.
My fault for not doing manual work myself; no time or inclination since I’m typing useless English comments so much of the time. Sinhalese must be used, and respected.
.
He’s also told me that all in his household must vote now for the SLPP (earlier for the SLFP). No freedom to vote any other way. Since they once voted for CBK, doesn’t it matter what she now recommends? No, it is the Rajapaksas who get their votes now.
.
I know that some of their more mature women have begun voting for the NPP. They tell me, in all seriousness, that they would be murdered if that were found out.
/
old codger / April 14, 2021
Eagle,
All of Gota’s grandchildren will be US citizens. They will support their country, the US. That’s what you should do too.
/
Simon / April 13, 2021
Dr. Dayan: You have not reminded the President, Mr. Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapakse, the “FIRST”(before presenting the 10 questions) question he must ask “HIMSELF”. The FIRST QUESTION he should have and even now ask is: AM I FIT TO BE THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNTRY? If he asked or even ask now, of course, “Sincerely” and “Honestly”, I am certain the answer would have or even would be an “Inner-self” prompted “NO”. If that answer “NO”, which I consider is more “Healthy” and “Fortunate” for the country emerged from his “Inner Engineered Energy”, your “10” questions would have been “Irrelevant” and would have saved our waste of time reading through the article.
/
Sinhala_Man / April 13, 2021
I agree with most of what you say to begin with.
.
Communism? Dangerous to generalise. I don’t think that Karl Marx had much to say about God and such things. Consult a man like Kumar David who has read Marx carefully. I haven’t, and I won’t call myself a Marxist.
.
Many Marxists like Gorbachev are very decent people – still living, but very old. He disapproves of Putin who is a horror. Russia and China approves of our horrible government.
.
Ajith, never overstate your case. When you don’t know something please humbly say so. If you can’t handle subtitles, remain silent.
.
Marx said that religion is the opium of the masses. I agree.
.
However, I don’t know about the truth or otherwise of ANY religion. If one has got it right, the others are likely wrong. Most religious people think that only their religion is right but haven’t got the guts to say that the others are wrong.
/
Lester / April 13, 2021
“However, there are questions he must ask himself, especially with respect to India, the Tamil issue and the island’s North-East periphery.”
I don’t think Gotha has much interest in Tamil issues, other than curtailing separatism. His primary concern is economic development. That is why you have this excellent partnership with China. All communities can benefit from economic development. However, Chinese investment will be concentrated in the South. So, expect the South to develop much faster than the North in the coming decades. A similar trend is there in East Asian countries that have experienced accelerated development, with particular regions growing more rapidly.
/
Sinhala_Man / April 15, 2021
Lester,
.
I hope that your prediction of great economic development in the South materialises. I don’t enjoy being poor.
.
More intelligent people than the Double-Paksas and you predict disaster for the entire country. What if they are proved right and the economy collapses. Will you then acknowledge that you were mistaken, or will you look for scapegoats?
/
Lester / April 17, 2021
Sinhala Man,
The ability of intelligent minds is to make accurate predictions into the future. On this forum, I predicted Muslims will launch a suicide attack in Sri Lanka. Although I warned them not to do it.”
Lester / May 15, 2017
0 0
“we need an answer”
If your answer is jihad, I wish you the best of luck. It took us 30 years to finish off the LTTE, so we are definitely patient. It’s important for your community to understand, if even one suicide bomb goes off, Sinhalese will not sit back…
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/is-there-an-islamophobic-hate-campaign-in-sri-lanka/comment-page-1/#comments
They did not sit back. Gota is there now.
While Kumar David and others were predicting Gota will lose the election, I predicted he will win by a landslide. He won by a landslide. See my recent predictions, very likely China will invade Taiwain (5-10 years), Saudi Arabia will collapse (due to lack of oil revenue), USA will have to go to war with Iran to preserve status quo of Israeli dominance. Recently, Iran enriched uranium to 60%. If Iran makes a nuclear bomb, expect a massive power shift in ME.
You are a simple village guy, learn to see the big picture.
/
Eagle Eye / April 13, 2021
Non-Vellala Tamils in Yapanaya do not want land and police powers given to NPC.
Maximum devolution is the aspiration of Malabar Vellala Tamil politicians.
If Sajith talk about maximum devolution of power and implementing 13th Amendment, he is digging his own grave.
/
SJ / April 14, 2021
“That’s the hole that Tamil nationalism has dug for itself by refusing to apply the successful political strategy of the Sinn Fein of Northern Ireland in working the devolved structures that arose with the Good Friday agreement.”
What confused parallel is DJ drawing.
Sinn Fein has historical lineage in the Irish liberation struggle. It is a democratic socialist party with more than a century long history, its origins long preceding Irish independence. It still works with the aim of reunification of Ireland.
It worked closely with the Provisional IRA, that effectively edged out the official IRA, to resist the Unionists, especially since 1970.
It is a long and complex story, and to invent a parallel for Tamil nationalists one needs a lot of imagination.
/
Naman / April 14, 2021
NGR was trained to be an Army man and not trained as a political Person He,a DUAL Citizen, was a Defence Secretary to his Brother in 2005 or so.
By being ruthless and above the law he was able to defeat LTTE with which the world has lost their patience especially after 9/11 catastrophe.
Does he regret his decision to give high positions in the GoSL to his unqualified & unsuitable friends and acquaintances.
Tamils along with others in SL want to see law and order/media & judiciary freedom. Can NGR provide them?
Can he not rely on the Defence Personal to run the Country?
When is he going to visit a village in North or East?
/
Pon Lanka / April 14, 2021
China’s Silk Road Diplomacy (S.R .D.) or Belt Road Initiative ( B. R. I) which was commenced in 2013 with the intention of capturing the European Markets with their cheaper goods, was complete a disaster. China also flooded with its exports to the U.S.A. more cheaper based on Dollar value . But, that was also failed due to Presidents Donald Trump’ s levy of Extra- duty on them. Sri Lanka had also been targeted through Chinese investment projects commenced in Rajapaksas’ period such as Hambantota Deep- sea Port , Mattala International Airport and most recently Colombo Port City project by selling part of the Sea coast. All these would not prosper the Sri lankan majority of the people at large. However, these may be beneficial only to the view ruling – class individuals, but, only the future citizens will have to bear these debts and liabilities in the long run. Moreover, the autonomy, the status of Democracy and sovereignty of the country would finally be lost to the Chinese Imperialism .
/
SJ / April 14, 2021
PL
The Chinese do not yet seem to know what you know.
/