By S. I. Keethaponcalan –
Dr. S. I. Keethaponcalan
Ever since the election year dawned on Sri Lanka, doubts about whether the election would take place persisted. Even some leading political players were skeptical. Many ordinary Sri Lankans did not believe that it would take place. They believed Sri Lanka’s shrewd political class would find a way to cancel the election in 2024. This doubt was finally resolved with the gazette notification, which scheduled the much-anticipated presidential election for September 21. Reportedly, many aspiring candidates, including President Wickremesinghe, have paid their deposits.
The official confirmation of the election would undoubtedly generate animated discussions and debates about many issues. One of the questions would be about the Tamil attitude toward the election. The conventional wisdom is that the candidate who wins the minority, especially the Tamil confidence, would win the election. Once, it was suggested that the presidential election could not be won without minority votes. There is very little truth in it. Gotabaya Rajapaksa won the 2019 presidential election without minority votes, a fact he repeatedly emphasized in his book, The Conspiracy to Oust Me from the Presidency. Nevertheless, having the Tamil votes could be helpful, which explains the interest in the Tamil attitude.
Tamil Attitude
A segment of the Tamil polity always prefers to boycott presidential elections. In line with the LTTE philosophy, this segment likes to treat presidential elections as an affair of the South. This time around, the call for a boycott is muted. There could be two reasons for this. One, they learned a lesson in 2005. Two, Gajendrakumar Ponnampalam, leader of the Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF), is absent from the political scene, most likely due to health issues.
This time, there has been a demand to contest the presidential election by fielding a common Tamil candidate. The demand marks a shift from the traditional Tamil attitude vis-à-vis presidential elections. Traditionally, the Tamils have adopted a pragmatic approach, voting for a moderate Sinhala candidate instead of contesting the election. In all postwar presidential elections, they have voted against Rajapaksas. The Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF), the premier Tamil political party of the 1970s and 80s, never contested a presidential election. The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) followed the same policy. The Tamil voters complied with their main party’s approach.
In 2024, despite the doubts about the presidential election, Tamil polity remained active, working on the concept of a common Tamil candidate. The North-based Tamil civil society was active and promoted the idea of fielding a common Tamil candidate. Last week, several Tamil groups, including political parties and civil society organizations, signed an agreement to boost the idea. The quest to field a common Tamil candidate stems from the notion that the Sinhala candidates the Tamils voted for in the past have not delivered on their promises. The sentiment is not unjustified. For example, Maithripala Sirisena, who won the 2015 election with the support of the Tamil voters, delivered nothing. His promise to devolve power did not evolve beyond appointing parliamentary committees for constitutional reform. Many candidates the Tamils favored, for instance, Sarath Fonseka, turned against them after the election. Therefore, one cannot condemn the Tamil groups for contemplating the idea of fielding a common candidate to contest the forthcoming election.
The Concept
The concept of a common Tamil candidate entails two distinct components: (1) the Tamils should contest the presidential election, and (2) the candidate should be accepted and fielded by majority, if not all, Tamil opinions.
The second component, the concept of a common candidate, is fragile. First, the Tamil polity is not a unified unit that can agree on and field an “effective” common candidate. Selecting such a candidate itself would create conflict and disunity. In 2019, Tamil political parties, including the TNA and C.V.Vigneswaran’s Tamil Makkal Koottani (TMK), signed what they called the 13-point proposal. The coalition collapsed almost immediately. The TNA, an essential component of the 13-point coalition, without consulting other partners, endorsed Sajith Premadasa. Vigneswaran decided to stay neutral. Therefore, it won’t be surprising if the new alliance also collapses.
Second, there are hardly any charismatic personalities who could effectively contest the election and gain most of the Tamil votes. This issue could ultimately undermine the idea of fielding a common Tamil candidate. However, it is possible that proponents of this idea are imagining Vignesvaran as the common candidate. A couple of weeks ago, Vigneswaran suggested that the election should be postponed to preserve the existing stability. He also (ridiculously) suggested that the election should be delayed because no candidate will secure the required 50 percent (plus one vote) in this election (MP Vignesvaran says “Good for the country if election is postponed” Daily Mirror, 7/4/2024). This argument is absurd because the Constitution has devised mechanisms to deal with situations where no candidate has the votes to win the election in the first count. Moreover, this could create a bad precedent where authoritarians could postpone elections based on the notion that there are no clear winners.
Nevertheless, the crux of Vignesvaran’s argument is that he likes Wickremesinghe to continue in office. Would he undermine Wickremesinghe’s chances by contesting the election as the common Tamil candidate? Most likely not. He will contest only if it helps Wickremesinghe to win the election. This reality could considerably weaken the idea of a common Tamil candidate and force the proponents to field an ineffective or unattractive candidate, which would not buttress the Tamil position.
Third, the Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) is not part of the alliance that promotes a common Tamil candidate. It has not participated in the signing of the agreement. Recently, ITAK parliamentarian Sumanthiran declared that the party would work against and defeat the common Tamil candidate, if fielded. Reportedly, only the Sritharan faction of the party favors the idea of a common Tamil candidate. Therefore, without the support of the main Tamil political party, the idea could fizzle out. When Kumar Ponnampalam contested the 1982 election, the TULF called it a “cheap stunt.” He garnered only 2.67 percent of votes. Therefore, the idea of a common Tamil candidate does not look promising at the moment.
Contest as an Experiment
The first component of the concept that the Tamils should contest the forthcoming presidential election is promising. First, the presidential election is a significant political event. As a part of this system, the Tamils should participate by contesting the election. Tamils contesting the election should not be viewed as an anti-national decision. Second, Tamil participation could upset the election results, strengthening their political power in the long run. Therefore, the main Tamil political party, the ITAK, should field one of its leaders as the candidate and mobilize resources to secure most Tamil votes. It should lead the discussions to form a grand Tamil alliance. Currently, the discussions are led by civil society groups. Nevertheless, the indications are that the ITAK would directly or indirectly support one of the Southern candidates and continue with its routine politics.
*Dr. S. I. Keethaponcalan is a Professor of Conflict Resolution at Salisbury University, Maryland. He was formerly a Professor of Political Science at the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Ajith / July 29, 2024
“Therefore, the main Tamil political party, the ITAK, should field one of its leaders as the candidate and mobilize resources to secure most Tamil votes. “
ITAK is on longer the main Tamil Political party. Since 2009, ITAK as part of the TNA had gone a declining trend in representing Tamils. With the split among the TNA group ITAK now lost its main status. Further, after ITAK gone into the Courts and now divided further and Tamils has lost their confidence and trust in the ITAK and its leadership. There are two groups one is lead by Sritharan, Mawai Senathirajah and Other lead by Sumanthiran, Sanakiyan . The division between these groups are eminent and one group think they knew all three languages fluently and other group are only fluent in Tamil only. These differences are very sensitive. Similar tactics is used among the Sinhalese leadership as well. They describe AKD is only fluent in Sinhala and Ranil is fluent in English. The fact is you need to communicate with people first to win the trust of the people. ITAK is a federal party. There is no solution acceptable within a unitary system if you belongs to ITAK.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / July 30, 2024
There are pros and cons for a Tamil candidate. Basic fact is that a Tamil candidate cannot win, even if he is nominated by a main stream Sinhala party. Those who are against a Tamil candidate is right on this as not to waste bargaining power. Tamils voted for winning Sinhala candidates like JR, Premadasa and Chandrika and got nothing from them other than state sponsored violence and continuing discrimination. Anyone who says that they will discuss with Sinhala candidates and decide on whom to vote, is taking Tamils on a garden path. I will categorically state that Sinhala candidates will promise several things to get the votes, but none of them will honour it. To come to common Tamil candidate, it may be a waste of time and energy, but if the one selected will bring to light to the world loud and clear about suffering of Tamils and betrayal by Sinhalese, that will go a long way which the Sinhalese are afraid of and through their proxies trying to sabotage. We must respect the decision of Tamil masses and not politicians who only do things for their benefit.
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SJ / July 31, 2024
Which is the main Tamil nationalist political party then?
Some LTTE proxy?
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Ruchira / July 29, 2024
I am no political scientist or pundit. Neither I am very knowlegeable of the deeper science of politics. But from my general understanding of what politics is all about, I feel the author despite being a former Political Science Professor of the University of Colombo, along with Tamil politicians, and the Tamil polity, makes a very fundamental mistake when they subscribe to views such as the following:
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“… Tamil participation could upset the election results, strengthening their political power in the long run.”
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Because politics as a science in my understanding does not recognise ethnicity as one of its basis, though ethnocentric politics could exist. Politics are based on people’s needs, wants, and aspirations. How they could be best met according to diffferent political and economic doctrines. People form alliances and pledge allegiance to different political programs and parties based on their personal ideologies not based on their ethnicity or even the language they speak.
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Trying to infuse an ethnic flavour into such a discourse in my view is counterproductive. Especially so when there is no unity among the Tamil polity to field a common candidate. This in my view is a more evolved sociopolitical position than wanting to field a common candidate. That means the Tamil polity is ready to look beyond ethnicity to meet their needs, wants, and aspirations in life. A position that should be encouraged not discouraged.
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TBC
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Ruchira / July 29, 2024
Democracy based on universal franchise at the end boils down to a percentage game. In such a context playing Tamil-Politics put tamils automatically at a disadvatage as they are within Sri Lankan borders, a minority.
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To overcome this, in the past, Tamil political leaders have made demands according to democratic ethos are unfair and unjust. The biggest example is the so called claim for 50:50 representation in the legislature, made by G.G. Ponnambalam (GGP), which the British thought was an attempt to make a mockery out of democracy and thus aptly rejected. Nevertheless having spent a considerable time here on CT forums, I could see that the sentiment still exists among some Tamils and pro-Tamil individuals as a fair claim. The last piece written by Rajan Philips refers to this as a claim for a Balanced Representation, still trying to justify the claim. I never knew Rajan but I gathered that he is considered as a seasoned political critic with some recognition. Yet I find his such stances rather regressive ideologically. Such ethnocentric biases (another being pro-indian) of his are well reflected in his otherwise good essays.
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TBC
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Ruchira / July 29, 2024
Failure of GGPs 50:50 demand seems to have played a significant role in the subsequent emergence of Tamil militia who wanted a separate state for the Tamil Speaking Citizens in the North a East of Sri Lanka. Everyone knows the fate of this militant initiative…
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TBC
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Nathan / July 30, 2024
TBC is a misnomer; TBD – To be Duplicated – would be accurate!
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Now to 50:50 demand.
Ruchira, Tell me about it. What was it exactly?
No. I’ll tell about it.
50:50 stands for equality.
… Everyone knows the fate of this militant initiative.
You are right.
What you don’t want to speak about is that the whole world knows about the fate of our beloved country.
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If you have love for your motherland demand Equality and Fairness for all.
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Ruchira / July 30, 2024
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy. The key to maintaining the website as an inviting space is to focus on intelligent discussion of topics.
For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / July 30, 2024
50:50 demand by GGP has nothing to do with equality. It was put forward at the Soulbury commission for equal representation in parliament, viz 50% for Sinhalese and 50% for minorities. This is a stupid proposal, as nowhere in the world will any ethnic or religious group who have absolute majority will agree. DS in order not to spoil the chances for independence, offered 60:40, but GGP refused to accept it. After independence GGP was willing to go along with full power to Sinhalese. Had he acted wisely and asked for federal set up at Soulbury commission, fate of Tamils would have been different. Equality and fairness should be on enactment of laws and implementation of policies. Had there been equitable distribution in education, employment and economic activity of the provinces, it would have been different.
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SJ / July 31, 2024
So, DS would have agreed and Lord S would have obliged!
What b******t!
Even the FP thought of federalism after 1948.
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Mahila / July 31, 2024
SJ,
“So, DS would have agreed, and Lord S would have obliged!
What b******t!
Lord S, had he envisioned what was in store – DOWN THE TRACK – Deprivation, Starvation, Incompetence, Ineptness in development, Killings and very Importantly on STANDARDISATION and DISTRICT QUOTA – which magnified out of proportion the percentage of EDUCATED UNEDUCATED INTELLIGENTSIA of the Country Lord S may have agreed!!??
Even the FP thought of federalism after 1948.”
Very true indeed and that was, indeed, fortunate as there was NO ALTERNATE GATEWAY to CONTROL THE METHOD TO MADNESS and INEPTNESS, that has been unleashed on the People!!?? NO Satyagraha and No VADDUKODDAI (BATUKOTTA – as the PROVERBIAL Late ‘PRINCE CHAMING EDITOR’ would put it with Alacrity time and time again) RESOLUTION too!! Saved us lot of Money and Lives and stress in day-to-day life!!?? On the other hand, too there would not have been any LSSP’er being Leader of the Opposition, which would have been bad, we would have lost many talented leftists Sages!!! That was ‘Great Talent POOL’ of SL Society!!??NO Rice Hartal, NO UF government or ULF either!!!???
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SJ / August 1, 2024
Lord S was no angel.
The founder leaders of the FP have plenty to say on him.
He did the dirty job for the empire.
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Nathan / July 31, 2024
50:50 stands for equality.
Stands for equality does NOT mean demanding equality.
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Ruchira / July 31, 2024
We were referring to 50:50 DEMAND by GGP. You can stand on your head wearing your shitty sarong with or without a bloody Amudey underneath – we don’t care.
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Try to make sensible comments or else don’t barge into the middle of other people’s threads of conversation, like some mentally shittarded joker.
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We have plenty of them here and we can do with one less. World will be a little bit better.
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And remember to take some Ring Worm Treatment – You PERVERTED SENILE JOKER.
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old codger / July 31, 2024
What about a 3% reservation for Karawes?
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Mahila / July 31, 2024
OC,
Would that recognition of 3% give you any additional upliftment, then we ill all wholeheartedly agree and promote that proposal!!??
In my view the Karawas as a whole undoubtedly would exceed 3%!!???
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old codger / July 31, 2024
Mahila,
That was for Ruchira’s benefit.
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Ruchira / August 1, 2024
“What about a 3% reservation for Karawes?”
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Yes. It will be a Karawa World here after.
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The Age of Aquarius just dawned.
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3% at K at the top. .
It will be reserved for them for a long time to come.
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Untill we make this place a civilized one free of scum like you.
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Their warrior qualities have been proven and they have earned it rightfully.
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R
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Ruchira / August 1, 2024
3% of K @ the top.
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old codger / August 1, 2024
“Imagine the smell. You know that they don’t use deodorant, right?”
Says Lester.
“Brahmins are smarter than Karawes” says Lester.
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Ruchira / August 1, 2024
I could see that someone’s Memo is always incomplete.
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There’s a Reservation for Reids too, and their breed. Which is even higher.
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For Good Reids. They will lay the foundation of the Age of Aquarius.
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There will be no reservation for the Greedy scum though.
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The Psychos and The Rapists. For them it will be RWT. With or without YOgut.
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SJ / August 1, 2024
oc
50-50 on linguistic basis?
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Mahila / July 31, 2024
REPLICATES A QUITE OFTEN ENACTED SCENE WITH REPETITION IN THE PROXIMITY OF MULLERIYAWA AND ANGODA!!!???
WHO IS SENILE AND WHO ISNT IS MOOT POINT!!!??? FORCED FASTING, DEPRIVATION, AND STARVATION FOR PROLONGED PERIOD HAS BROUGHT FORTHE INTO THE OPEN, DECAYING POTENTIAL “POTHEADS”!!!??? THE RECCOMENDED TREATMENT WOULD NOT RECTIFY – MAY AGGRAVATE IT!!?
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Mahila / July 31, 2024
(Part 2)
Shoulders with GRANDIOSE FELONS is UTOPIA of Achievement – ‘Survive on Crumbs”!? NAY!?
OK, so what did you all achieve to Crow about???? BANKRUPTCY and also an ABLE (???) FM – Finance Minister, IF SUCH ADJECTIVE could be sustained, who could only proclaim ‘Kaak Kaak’? The Boeing will come down!
IF ANYONE OF THE CITIZENS HAVE ANY SENSORY FEELING for ‘SHAME’, being associated with SCUMBAGS they may have already, start jumping into the sea devoid of clothes, to run away from this COUNTRY!!!??? Let alone a separate state in this ‘BEWILDERED’ state and go to distant ANTARTICA, WHICH IS BETTER!!???
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Mahila / July 31, 2024
“Failure of GGPs 50:50 demand seems to have played a significant role in the subsequent emergence of Tamil militia who wanted a separate state for the Tamil Speaking Citizens in the North a East of Sri Lanka.”
WHAT ELSE DO YOU EXPECT THEM TO DO!!??
Especially, being governed by Inept, Uneducated, unethical Idiosyncratic government, who were only keen to beat the WORLD RECORD IN THE NUMBER OF TIMES THEY SHOULD AMEND CONSTITUTION of the country, Looting and Robbing the state – Public Money and interested in Foreign Junkets that developing the country to become economically self-sufficient!!?? They had surplus economy in 1947 and the only thing the “MUTTS” achieved in 75 years is running it to GROUND!!!??? All the Bu____s, in Governance for 75 years didn’t SERVE THE masses – THE SOVEREIGN PEOPLE of this country, but SERVED THEMSELVES and ANNOINTED PANDANKARAYAS, to educate the masses, not the truth but their “GRIM STORIES” OF AGGRANDISEMENT!!! What a Shameful LOT of “SHIT-BUCKET CARRIERS” aligned to Power-hungry BEGOTTEN LOT!!!??? NO wonder they wanted a separate state, not that i support that process in any measure, but seems logical, rather than be cocooned, with shameless, “SHIT-BUCKET CARRIERS” who feel rubbing
(TBC)
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Ruchira / July 31, 2024
Perverted Senile Joker Nathan who needs Ring Worm Therapy,
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What are you implying? That your GG Ponnaiah did not demand 50% representation in the legislature for minorities?
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Mahila / July 31, 2024
(Part 1)
Dr GS.,
“50% for Sinhalese ‘AND 50% FOR MINORITIES’.”
Some unique BROTHREN of our ILK, need time – comprehend such complications to get it right!!?? Such NOTATIONS as ‘minorities’ for some devoid of rudimentary erudition needs an EXPLANATORY note!!!??? All our highly educated didn’t attend Royal College or even follow “First Aid in English”, therefore they find it very DIFFICULT AND RATHER STRESSFUL with whatever the other attendant conditions may be of, not their OWN making!!!
Let me make it EASY!!?? “50% for MINORITIES” – is definitely, not a RESRVED QUANTITY as used in other forms of contemporary discussion for accession to the August Assembly!!?? This process only ensures a valid process for initiating a conference (discussion), enabling confluence of thought, ROBUST DISCUSSION of REASONS THEREOF, for such action and validation!!?? Even 2/3rd Majority Legislation would REQUIRE ENTIRETY GOVERNMENT VOTES PLUS 50% OF MINORITY (as detailed above) to be effectively passed with those minority votes, before becoming “the Law of the Land”!!?? What a nice landscape that would have been – enjoyable and the constitution of DSRSL, would not have turned out to be “KALAPATHTHARA” OR GLORIFIED ‘RACESHEET’!!??
Such classification only means that 50% of the Seats in Parliament
(TBC)
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Mahila / July 31, 2024
(Part II)
are to enable Minorities (ALL – Tamils 60%, Muslims 20%, Tamils of recent Origin (upcountry Tamils) 10%, Malays 5%, all other Minorities (Sindhis, Parsees, Jains) Burghers 5%) make up the other 50%!!!??? So, these 6 categories of minority communities, as long as they unite to ensure the check and balances, are enabled in Parliament, ensure good governance and expenditure – economic stability!!!???
So, the balance of Power in Governance is maintained!!?? Therefore, bulldozing of fictitious legislation through the Parliament with 2/3 majority, and bad governance without sound reasoning (Not saying it wouldn’t happen given people like MaRa exist in the real world and unscrupulous earnings are at their disposal to buy MP’s) would be absent!!!???
Not to divide the country and have separate country for themselves, but for the greater GOOD OF ALL CEYLONESE (that time the country was CEYLON and INHABITANTS CEYLONESE!!!???)
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Mahila / July 31, 2024
With Apologies, TBC – To Be Continued!!!??
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old codger / July 30, 2024
Ruchira asks:”Ruchira on A Common Tamil Candidate
Who the F…… runs this stupid website? . Why aren’t they publishing my valuable comments? Do they think I’m a nut like Lester?”
Apparently they do.
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Ruchira / July 30, 2024
Kariya, thota Sinhala therenewada, meka thamai tho puke ariya wesa ganige basawa. Mama umbata baya naha pakayo. Thota sudda sinhalen kiyyane, tho karana dewal mama danne naha kiyalada hithanne. Pethi gahanawa mata ahu unoth thowa, konaka indala. Bala ganin mama thota karana dey. Kari wesige Putha.
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Ruchira / July 31, 2024
Rx – Ring Worm Therapy.
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Ajith / July 30, 2024
“Everyone knows the fate of this militant initiative…”
You may sigh to express the fate of this militant initiative but the outcome is not in favour of the Country. The outcome is very clear evidence that is bankruptcy, corruption, increased of poverty, international playground for super powers etc. All this happened at the end of militant initiative. It gave an opportunity to understand who are the robbers of this island.
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Mahila / July 31, 2024
“Failure of GGPs 50:50 demand seems to have played a significant role in the subsequent emergence of Tamil militia who wanted a separate state for the Tamil Speaking Citizens in the North a East of Sri Lanka.”
WHAT ELSE DO YOU EXPECT THEM TO DO!!??
Especially, being governed by Inept, Uneducated, unethical Idiosyncratic government, who were only keen to beat the WORLD RECORD IN THE NUMBER OF TIMES THEY SHOULD AMEND CONSTITUTION of the country, Looting and Robbing the state – Public Money and interested in Foreign Junkets that developing the country to become economically self-sufficient!!?? They had surplus economy in 1947 and the only thing the “MUTTS” achieved in 75 years is running it to GROUND!!!??? All the Bu____s, in Governance for 75 years didn’t SERVE THE masses – THE SOVEREIGN PEOPLE of this country, but SERVED THEMSELVES and ANNOINTED PANDANKARAYAS, to educate the masses, not the truth but their “GRIM STORIES” OF AGGRANDISEMENT!!! What a Shameful LOT of “SHIT-BUCKET CARRIERS” aligned to Power-hungry BEGOTTEN LOT!!!??? NO wonder they wanted a separate state, not that i support that process in any measure, but seems logical, rather than be cocooned, with shameless, “SHIT-BUCKET CARRIERS” who feel rubbing
(TBC)
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Mahila / July 31, 2024
“Such ethnocentric biases (another being pro-Indian) of his are well reflected in his otherwise good essays.”
Must disagree, that’s not ETHNOCENTRIC but a necessary and IMPORTANT INGREDIENT to act as a BULWARK against ETHNOCENTRIC Sinhala Buddhism been incorporated into the constitution converting a Liberal SECULAR DOMINION CONSTITUTION TO AN ethnocentric constitution within 23 Years (1971) of Independence, by a bunch of CHEATERS and NINCOMPOOPS, WHOSE ONLY PAST-TIME AND HOBBY, SEEMS to be “LYING and DECEPTION” and then be NOT accountable for their FOLLIES!!!???
TRADEMARK SIGNATURE QUALITY BY NOW YOU KNOW WHOSE!!??
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Ruchira / August 1, 2024
Lying & Deception can not be countered with even more Lying & Deception.
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It’s the Truth that sets you free and win at the end of the day.
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The article I made reference to in the above comment as far as I can remember has got nothing to do with Sri Lankan politics. It was about world affairs and Rajan was trying to portray India as an exemplary country in the affairs of the world.
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That said the kind of position you take has only led to violence and war, destruction and death. Look at all the wars currently being fought and brewed around the world. They all stem from the exact same dynamics you describe.
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UKRAINE allegedly wants protection from bigger bully Russia, hence they allegedly want to join Nato. What’s the result? – war.
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Israel an isolated jewish state artificilly forced upon the arab world based on some historical claim of ownership to the said land, similar that of Tamil Speaking Citizens claim of the ownership of North & East, Sri Lanka, allegedly wants the support of the western allies for balance of powers against bullies in the middle east and the Palastine militants who has their support an aligned interests. What’s the end result? – Never ending wars. One after the other.
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Same is true in relation to Taiwan.
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Similar dynamics are shaping the destiny of Sri Lanka.
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TBC
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Ruchira / August 1, 2024
Continued from above…
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And just for the record, your claim that the north and east belongs to Tamil Speaking Citizens because of some Tamil Kingdom that existed in the past appears to have no basis.
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Your last surviving prince, heir to the thrown of that alleged Tamil Kingdom, who has been living allegedly in exile, in Norway, appears to have no “Tamil-blood” and is of Sinhala decent.
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Worst News is he appears to have been a product of stray genes to use your own jargon. But to put it crudely his mother has been a whore.
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So your last surving prince is a bastard. A son of a bitch. Who appears to have no Tamil Blood.
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There goes the support you so far got from Norway, up in smoke.
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R
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Ruchira / August 1, 2024
So Mahila, in addition to not having Tamil-Blood, this prince appears to be connected to organised crime, along with your LTTE and Tamil Diaspora members, at least some of them. So is Eric Solheim.
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With these connections to international crime networks and Italian Mafia, they are trying to seize state power in Sri Lanka.
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This is well supported by India’s very own Mafia Family of Gandhis, hailing from Nehru-Gandhi family, particularly Rahul Gandhi though his Italian mother Sonia, and RAW.
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Also is connected to this criminal network are current President of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremasinghe and his acolytes across a spectrum of political parties and political families present and past, like the Rajapaksas and the Bandaranayakes.
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An effort that must be stopped at all costs. And has been stopped at great cost.
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So Tamil Speaking Citizens would have to charter a new discpurse to their future politics in the North and East as well as the island nation as a whole. Your learned colleague Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam has already got the memo and is already initiated his new political discourse. You could join him and support him or perish the consequences.
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TBC
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Human Touch / July 29, 2024
Dr. S. I. Keethaponcalan
Thank you for a lovely article.
If I were a Tamil person, I would unite the Tamil community under one umbrella and decide to support a candidate who seems reasonable to the Tamil population. I would then negotiate key positions that should be given to Tamil politicians in the new government.
When the election comes, I would leverage the Tamil vote to the fullest extent and help elect the new president. This way, any politician serious about winning will recognize the importance of the Tamil vote and work to satisfy the Tamil people as well.
If I were a Tamil person, I would choose Ranil Wickremesinghe, as Vigneshwaran has suggested, and put every effort into making him win. All other politicians are unreliable and unlikely to deliver on their promises once elected.
We must acknowledge that since RW came into power, there has been minimal interracial tension. Unlike Gota and Mara, he has not resorted to dirty tactics to gain favor from the Sinhala masses. This is a significant change from the past.
Think wisely and play the game strategically. Tamils need to use their vote to the maximum advantage instead of wasting it.
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Ajith / July 30, 2024
“If I were a Tamil person, I would unite the Tamil community under one umbrella and decide to support a candidate who seems reasonable to the Tamil population. I would then negotiate key positions that should be given to Tamil politicians in the new government.”
Very good thought from a Sinhalese person. Who is the right person or candidate who seems reasonable? How do you assess this? Based on previous experience or something else? The past experience tells only one thing. That is all the past leaders failed because they brought bankruptcy to the country. None of them solved not a single issue including Ranil who promised to find a solution before 2024 February have forgotten what he promised. If you have some contact with can you contact him and let us know the findings.
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Human Touch / July 30, 2024
Ajith
This is typical of you, why am I not surprised.
Switch on your thinking cap and reason.
Do you expect RW to fix all the mistakes of the past 75 years in just 2 years?
Aside from that think carefully and find out if RW has done anything against the Tamil public in the form of racial discrimination or played any dirty tactics to make the Tamil people look bad in order to gain cheap popularity amongst the Sinhalese.
The Indian origin Tamil people have understood this and they are all aligned behind RW.
Why don’t you listen to Viggie and learn a bit of politics. Don’t always be on the losing side because you choose to use your emotions to decide on important issues like this.
You your brain and extract maximum benefit out of the vote.
Vote coherently and consistently, that way politicians will approach you as a community and try to win favor from you all by giving you what you deserve.
Learn to play politics like the rest of us and feel belonged instead of standing on the edge of the circle and crying every time like our JVPers.
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leelagemalli / July 31, 2024
Thank you HT@
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We can spoon feed, but we can’t always spoon feed stubborn men. They should also do their part. This is what some experts finally say.
“Do you expect RW to fix all the mistakes of the past 75 years in just 2 years?”
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Our people are short-sighted regardless of race, religion or whatever. They have that in their genetics.
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What would be the situation today if RW did not take the risk of the presidency from a man (GOTABAYA) who messed up the whole country and was driven away fron the country, leaving it similar to TSUNAMI HIT WEST COASTAL BELT in Sri Lanka?
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No cooking gas, no fuel, no medicine, nothing enough to pay the daily needs, forex reserves being empty….. remember ??????????????????
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Our people have to learn a lot to respect properly.
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Sinhala Buddhism, Hinduism, Malcolm LED Catholicism do not open their eyes to other religions operating in the country. Most of them are real beasts that have no further explanations in Biology.
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leelagemalli / July 31, 2024
cont
They are stuck somewhere, unable to understand what they are talking about.
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Ajith or people like him are worst for Northern Sri Lanka. The kind of men spread only lies for not having studied the situation enough.
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. He is a narrow minded person due to some personal reasons. I thought the seniors would lead by example.- aiyoooooooooo.. what happened this nation ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CoLTozx0FQ&t=1723s
I have no respect for young Arun Siddhartha (he is a Rajapakse holdover) but he has exposed the true nature of Northern Sri Lanka from the Tamil point of view. I think Ajith or people like him should take tuition from the new politicians in the North.
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Ajith / July 31, 2024
Who said RW to solve all the problems? RW was the only one who brought most of the problems?
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Ajith / July 31, 2024
The burning of Jaffna library and July 1983 riots, Burning of Banda Chelva pact, PTA are gifts of UNP.
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SJ / July 31, 2024
HT
The FP had overwhelming electoral support which grew since 1956 to 1965. It stagnated thereafter. The Tamil Eelam ploy worked, with the FP repackaged as TULF. That was the best that the FP ever managed.
Since then the Tamil vote is much divided.
The non-TNA vote in the last election was overwhelmingly more than the TNA vote. A good share of the non-TNA vote went to EPDP, TMVP, UNP, SLFP and the likes. I doubt if those votes except those of CVW’s supporters will vote fr the common candidate.
*
BTW, a new Left Alliance has been announced with one Tamil party and two Sinhalese parties, with a sane manifesto. Its aim is not to gather votes to win but to take a political message to the public. Wonder what impact it will make.
*
Beware of the trick of asking the Tamils voting for the common candidate to give their second preference to U-No-Hoo.
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Ajith / July 31, 2024
Chasing out Tamils from 1958 and militarising north east para military groups like EPDF(Eelam) and TMVP ( Tamil Makkal viduthalai Pulikal) getting votes is great?
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Ruchira / July 31, 2024
Rx – Ring Work Therapy stat.
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Ruchira / July 29, 2024
Failure of GGPs 50:50 demand seems to have played a significant role in the subsequent emergence of Tamil militia who wanted a separate state for the Tamil Speaking Citizens in the North a East of Sri Lanka. Everyone knows the fate of this militant initiative…
.
TBC
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Douglas / July 29, 2024
A “Sinhala”; “Tamil”; “Muslim”; “Burghar”; “Malay”; “Vedda” candidate. Next, it will be “Buddhist”; “Hindu”; “Mohomadame”; “Christian”; “Born Again” candidates. Again, it will be “Goigama”; “Vellala”; “Karave”; “Salagama”; “Rodi” candidates.
What are we and where are we heading in this 21st century? Ironically, all these propositions are either PUBLICLY or SECRETIVELY mooted by the so-called “Professionals” and “Opinion Shapers” who mingled among the “Elite” class of contenders whose motive is nothing but to secure power for their well-being and those of their families and associates.
What are we going to leave for the generations to come after us? Isn’t it DISGUSTING to hear these “Professionals” making public statements in justification of these DIVISIONAL types instead of speaking in terms of solidarity, freedom, and fraternity of HUMANS?
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SJ / July 31, 2024
D
Voting is already on those lines, you should know.
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Ruchira / July 31, 2024
Rx – Ring Worm Therapy (RWT)
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SJ / July 31, 2024
Are you cured now?
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Human Touch / July 31, 2024
SJ
Are you kidding, Sir?
There is no cure for him.
To add to his list, I think he has multiple personality disorder too.
The doctors who were trying to help him have ended up going crazy because his case is out of this world.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
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AYATHURAY RAJASINGAM / July 30, 2024
The concept of a common Tamil candidate for the Presidential election will not in any way help to meet the aspirations of the Tamils and the Muslims will never support it who have now turn towards Sajith Premadasa. It is better for the Tamils to support Ranil Wickremasinghe at the Presidential election. India also knew that Ranil Wickremasinghe supported the 13th Amendment when it was passed at the Parliament. Since India has been applying pressure to implement the 13th Amendment, it is better for the Tamil politicians to support the BJP Government for its implementation for which Ranil Wickremasinghe will give a reasonable hearing this time. Ranil knows if 13th Amendment is not implemented this time, the country will have to face serious consequences, one of which will be the sudden poverty resulting from the fall of Sri Lanka’s Rupee to an unprecedented level.
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Nathan / July 30, 2024
Ranil Wickremasinghe supported the 13th Amendment.
??
What transpired in between?
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Lester / July 30, 2024
Which one is the bigger loser, Ranil or the 13th? Time will tell.
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leelagemalli / July 30, 2024
Lester the stupidiest,
.
Why not u go to ur neuro surgeon?.
These topics are not for the stupid men of ur nature. ChatGPT will not relieve u either.
Why not u give us a break?
.
Medamulana dogs 🐕 promised 13 plus remember?
Poor voters were draged to their power intoxications on and on.To me, both people and Rajapakses are to blame. RW did his best whenever chances were given to him.
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U tubers are the most powerful parasites of the day. They cut their neck by their own.
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Their low level news become people s breaking news today in our hell filled with human beasts.
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Lester / July 31, 2024
Leela,
“Why not u give us a break?”
Did you take English lessons from the toddy tapper or the local pi*p?
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leelagemalli / July 31, 2024
Lester the PIMPIYA,
Btw, why don’t you change yourself for your own good?
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Some of your comments may not be acceptable to everyone.
You always change the subject when we start cross-examining. What if ChatGPT is no longer available for your accuracy?
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I hope your misbehavour is clear to us today. You need a male/female partner to fix you well.
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Ghanasasra and you seem to have a lot more in common than meets the eye. Why not you get married to him ?
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Dont you think it will be a win-win situaton for you?
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There you will do a real good thing to sinhala-maddog-dominated society and to entire humanity.
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Further to this, I advise you to learn “comment writing” from SJ, MF, HT, OC, NV and lanka scot. To tell you , Japanese housewives in their 60s and 70s go to university, why can’t you study a subject that can fix your mental struggles?
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Our good CT reviewers mentioned above will always be there to guide you, no matter what abusive statements your crazy mind is forced to make.
I am afraid, I am sick and tired of your comments.
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Besides, I as born sinhalaya, have always hated Sinhala_racism since childhood. I hated Dr. NDS ever since I heard about him. Glad he ended up in the US he hated the most. That is karma.
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Lester / July 31, 2024
Leela,
“You need a male/female partner to fix you well.”
So that is what you are doing in your free time. Is that why you moved to Germany? P*ing is legal there. A friend told me a story once. The son in Germany went to see the ware. The father was just leaving as the son arrived.
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AYATHURAY RAJASINGAM / July 30, 2024
Ranil supported the 13th Amendment during J.R.Jayawardene’s rule.
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Ajith / July 30, 2024
The truth is neither JRJ or LTTE did not willingly agreed for Indo-Lanka accord which included 13th amendment with Rajiv Gandhi. It was forced by Rajiv on UNP government. Ranil did not support the proposal by Chandrika.
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Lester / July 31, 2024
India should not have trusted the LTTE. First Indira, then the useless son. The only thing India had to do was extradite VP after capturing him in TN. Bugger would then permanently disappear in Welikade, along with the fake freedom struggle.
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Lester / July 31, 2024
*da
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AYATHURAY RAJASINGAM / July 31, 2024
Ajith,
The LTTE cannot be a party to the Indo-Sri Lanka Peace Accord, since the Peace Accord is between two countries. Moreover, at that time Wahabbism was a threat to democratic countries in South Asia.
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SJ / August 1, 2024
“at that time Wahabbism was a threat to democratic countries in South Asia”
In 1987?
Ha Ha Ha
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SJ / July 31, 2024
What did he do since?
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Ruchira / July 30, 2024
“Ranil knows if 13th Amendment is not implemented this time, the country will have to face serious consequences, one of which will be the sudden poverty resulting from the fall of Sri Lanka’s Rupee to an unprecedented level.”
.
Probably the best thing that could happen to Sri Lanka!
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LankaScot / July 31, 2024
Hello Ruchira,
” the sudden poverty resulting from the fall of Sri Lanka’s Rupee to an unprecedented level.”
.
Probably the best thing that could happen to Sri Lanka!”
Do you seriously want to see people dying of malnutrition in Sri Lanka?
Best regards
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Mahila / July 31, 2024
Full Agreement on that!!?? Question is whether Fox’s Nephew understands!!???
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Ajith / July 31, 2024
It is rather better to opt for supporting AKD and get rid of 13 th amendment and get rid of Indo Lanka accord..
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Fairmindedone / July 30, 2024
It is fairly elementary – What is the purpose of this common Tamil candidate? Nobody has spelt out the rationale for the same.
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It is imperative that this aspect is made known to the people – and explicitly. Otherwise, it is a ruinous wastage of valuable votes of the people. Just free the people, let them decide.
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Meanwhile, do ALL get together, revisit the previous resolutions by the Tamil leaders and enunciate the outcome without fear or favour. Set the goal first, though SJV’s 1949 resolution is still the best at present. That should lead all into the FP.
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If not, how would the Ceylon Tamil society achieve its lost rights? Please work on it. Indirect boycotting of the election will deprive the people more and into dire straits.
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Ajith / July 30, 2024
” Nobody has spelt out the rationale for the same.”
Did any one spelt out the purpose of the President election?
.
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Ajith / July 30, 2024
The primary objective of the common candidate is uniting Tamil political parties with one voice. Secondly, to tell the Sinhalese that we are not against to any Sinhalese political leader and give an opportunity for Sinhalese to find a leader who can govern the country to bring back rule of law and minimise the corruption and to eliminate corrupted political institutions without bringing the racial and religious politics. So far, executive presidency influenced by racism, religious fundamentalism which encouraged Politicians to corrupt the country, mis use of the resources and power and brought bankruptcy to the country. what is the purpose of electing another executive power?
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Fairmindedone / July 31, 2024
“The primary objective of the common candidate is uniting Tamil political parties with one voice. “
.
One voice for ? It is better to set the goal. It appears to be none is known explicitly.
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SJ / July 31, 2024
Fmo
Do not ask embarrassing questions and further confuse them.
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Ajith / July 31, 2024
Srimavo advisor for Buddhist special status now Ranil propagandist? Any surprise?
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SJ / August 1, 2024
Hello!
Still inside the bunker?
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Ajith / August 1, 2024
Yes I am still inside the bunker because Rajapakse family and Ranil Family is now united and possible white van culture may return again. I thank you for your warning.
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SJ / July 31, 2024
“Did any one spelt out the purpose of the President election?”
The constitution has I would have thought.
What pathetic excuses do you come up with for a bunch of politically bankrupt Tamil politicians.
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Ajith / July 31, 2024
Oh ho,
You thought it is your constitution has. What a joke? The President says it is he is superior than constitution?
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Mahila / July 31, 2024
HE WOULDN’T BE AN EXCEPTION!!?? HE WOULD LIKE TO JOIN MADURO OF VENEZUELA IN THE PARADE; IN WHICH CASE THE RESULTS MAY COME OUT EARLY BEFORE COMPLETION OF COUNT!!!??? SOUTH-SOUTH CORDINATION!? EXCELLENT JV!!??
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SJ / August 1, 2024
“your constitution”
????
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Ruchira / July 30, 2024
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy. The key to maintaining the website as an inviting space is to focus on intelligent discussion of topics.
For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2
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Ruchira / July 30, 2024
Who the FUCK runs this stupid website?
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Why aren’t they publish my comments in full!?.
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Why am I being censored?
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This is a blatant violation of my fundamental rights!
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Including political rights!
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I will sue your sorry asses off in the international criminal court!
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Mark my words…
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No justice * No peace.
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AMEN
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Plato / July 30, 2024
This election is all about electing a President who would bring about a System Change.Different people have different meaning to what system change is all about but it simply boils down to a departure from the hitherto style of governance.
The Tamils too, I believe are anxiously awaiting a change to address Tamil issues.
How will a Tamil candidate contesting the Presidency usher in that change?
A Tamil candidate would only be seen as a spanner in the works…………..
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Fairmindedone / July 31, 2024
Throwing a monkey’s wrench is tantamount to making the Tamil voice silent. At least the dominant Tamil party, the FP, is making some sense at times of need for the Tamil people.
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paragon / July 30, 2024
These guys like MR.VICKEY,MR.ADAIKALM,MR.SITHAR ,SURESH AND SRIKANTHA are just playing to the gallery and in a i also ran mood.How ever heart to heart they all do not like this common candidate proposal.IF THEY ARE SERIOUS ABOUT THIS MATTER CAN ALL WHO ARE SUPPORTING WILL BE ABLE TO PROMISE THAT THEY WILL NOT GO TO MEET THE NEW PRESIDENT THROUGH THE BACK DOOR TO WISH HIM OR TO GET THEIR PERSONAL FAVOURS FROM THE NEW PRESIDENT? THEY WANT TO HAVE THE CAKE AND EAT THE CAKE IN THE SAME TIME.
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Ajith / August 2, 2024
“THEY WANT TO HAVE THE CAKE AND EAT THE CAKE IN THE SAME TIME.”
Unfortunately, none of the leaders are prepared to make deals because they have clearly learned lessons from the past any Party that supported by Tamil Parties will lose the votes of Sinhalese. Further, looking at the Ranil supporters in this forum are afraid that the Tamil People and Sinhalese people are not going to their votes to Ranil because Ranil is the one who protects Rajapaksas and that is the reason Ranil pretend to be neutral but in fact they are together.
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