By Arun Kumaresan –
Arun Kumaresan – Air Vice Marshal (Ret’d)
Dear Shyamon,
Sajith Premadasa’s (SP) announcement came after it became well apparent that RW is not contesting. The first challenge Ranil Wickremesinghe (RW) encountered, when UNP MP’s questioned the constitution of the proposed ‘Democratic Alliance” and in particular to the composition of the ‘Leadership Council’ of the said Democratic Alliance, which was asymmetric; if not, it had an hidden agenda. (Only one UNP’er – RW – out of the 7 or 8 would be members). It was checkmated by UNP Working Committee (WC) by a majority of 48 vs 12 in support of the tabled constitution. This gave them the momentum to identify a leader from within.
If and only RW as the leader of the grand old party should have told he is the UNP candidate – I presume everyone would have accepted irrespective of the eventual outcome ( may be Harin F and few others would have taken an ‘off’ for 5 year from politics). He did not; he was even reluctant to name Karu J. The grapevine was abuzz that it will be Patli C. There was a grave doubt whether this was an attempt to protect his (RW’s ) title as the UNP leader ; which would have stand contested , in the event Karu J or Sajith P becomes a winner at the Presidential elections
If fielding Patli C is true (no offence to him intended ), this would have been the third time UNP would have outsourced its nomination to a 3rd party. Yes, RW would have come and said to the UNP rank & file that, it was unanimous decision of the Leadership Council, in the event the said constitution was accepted upfront by the Working Committee of the UNP. It is sad UNP, under RW’s Leadership; has had 4 consecutive defeats (4th one outsourced) at Presidential elections & the 5th too – courtesy MS ( SLFP Gen Secy) there was a win. One of the main demand of those objected within the WC was to have 50% + one representatives in the leadership council. The other was to appoint the UNP Presidential candidate prior forming the alliance.
With regards to the experience of SP; he is the deputy leader; as at now stands as the legitimate successor to RW. Since RW assuming leadership it has had roughly 7+ yrs in power in national Governance. ( 2+ yrs from 2001 – 4) and the present from 2015 to date. All the Cabinet Ministers have had ONLY that experience sans RW who in addition to pre 1994 also have held the coveted appointment as Leader of the Opposition, which RW is seemingly very comfortable. (Exceptions: Karu & Navin and few other who returned may have had bit more under MR’s regime !!!!! Gamini Jayawiickrama Perera under pre 94 era). SP has been a cabinet minister the full term of the UNP led administration being loyal to the party without crossovers during those 7 years. Also it appears you were surprised by the presence of Eran W. Of course it is positive as Eran W & Dr Harsha’s presence enriches SP’s team.
In absence of a name in your article suggesting a person as a Presidential candidate from UNP; I am afraid your critique of SP amounts a mere blind worship of RW or out of prejudices arising out of the ideology of ‘elitism’, it attempts to protect – RW at any cost in the belief that he will remain even as a ‘Leader of Opposition’ at any cost. I respect your right to be loyal to RW.
Today’s letter by Ahimsa Wiickramatunghe , the episode of Vajira A telling the PM will respond to the issue of passport to GR has relevance. Bond Scam & SRILANKAN bungle by his inner circle too is very relevant & needs mention. RW is an artist who plans & executes strategies to protect himself and not the party. His record from 1994 to date justifies – he is not a straight forward leader. In a lighter vein, RW, if he had mastered the game of chess; he would have earned the title of a ‘Grand Master’. But now the new generations of chess players are emerging to counter his technique. First, was the defeat at the WC ; 48 to 12.
Why not RW convene the WC and put forward a name of a better candidate & may it decide; but once again contesting elections is all about winning. Not working on a strategy that eventually leads up to the appointment of the “Leader of Opposition”.
Yes, RW has now been intimidated by the working committee for the first time. I certainly will agree on that.
With utmost respect to your mature wisdom & lifetime experiences you have had.
Best regards
Arun
Related posts:
Sajith’s Intimidation At Badulla
Salagama American / August 15, 2019
Bravo. An Australian who pontificates about Sri Lanka as a foreigner is laughable. Sajith can beat Gota despite him being Dhoby caste.
Gota is southern Govigama but Kandyans cannot stand the way Rajapakses flooded every office with their family members and Southerners.
I think you are correct. Even Govigama Ratnapura UNPers and senior leaders like Thalatha want Sajith. Perhaps Ranil will be good in Canberra? Mangala Samaraweera will be a genuine liberal secular leader but his scope is limited to Durawa caste in Matara and he will be attacked for orientation. Ranil too will get attacked for his token beard wife.
So it will be Govigama vs Dhoby like Sirimavo vs Premedasa and possibly the same result. Perhaps Ranil shamu is best in Canberra?
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Sinhala_Man / August 15, 2019
Dear Hali American,
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Can we never get over our medieval caste system? I feel that Mangala S. is the best of the UNP, but I do appreciate the truth in what you say. He will be attacked two or three nasty ways. I do acknowledge that caste will decide how about half a million Sinhalese will vote.
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What say you to Nagananda, though? A real problem is that he can’t be evaluated in half an hour by stuff on his website – not yet, anyway. But I’ve “wasted” much time on him, and pronounce him genuine. He’s from Ratnapura, schooled there upto O. Levels, then at Ananda. There can be no real complaint about his English, but one can tell that he’s not from an “English-speaking background”. I’m sure that his children sound as British as Sajith.
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Caste? Dunno! It won’t decide how I vote, and it’s a delicate question to approach. You can be sure that I won’t easily talk about it again – unless you ask me after giving me time to check. It can be discussed with highly educated people – Indrajith Coomaraswamy’s father-in-law, himself Salagama, used to live half a kilometer away, and quite happily asked how Hali-Ela got its name? A knowledgeable guy who’d contested a seat for the LSSP told him that the Brits had billeted their Railway Construction labourers there. And I read Janice Jiggins. Even the LSSP kept the Govigama N.M. Perera as leader, instead of the more popular Colvin. And the Communists had Dr S.A. Wickremasinghe – with Mangala’s father also being an honest Communist M.P. from the same area, where the Communists were very strong because of these individuals.
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As you know, half the Sinhalese population is Govigama, and not being from somewhere near the coast, the chances are that that’s what it is.
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And I’m sure that he’s non-racist. I’ve listened for hours, so fire your objections at me.
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Emil van der Poorten / August 15, 2019
sinhala_man:
Thanks for that very interesting discourse on the caste system. I once asked a (lime-mining caste) friend what the explanation was for the Govigama being “superior” to the other castes because all the caste appeared to be based on occupation and nothing else. His explanation was simple: “Count the numbers. There are more cultivators than those engaged in any other occupation.” Hard to argue with that!
Also, there are old LSSP stories how, at a time of national political crisis (the JVP uprising), Bernard Soysa sought counsel from N. U. Jayewardene (the “boss” of the caste group) rather than N. M. or Colvin who were his brothers-in-political-arms!
Fascinating stuff!!
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Emil van der Poorten / August 15, 2019
sinhala_man:
A footnote I forgot to add: the “great leveller” is money powerful position and you have referred to an instance that you have quoted.
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Sinhala_Man / August 18, 2019
Emil, by “instance you have quoted”, I guess you mean Chandra de Fonseka, whose only child, Tara (PhD, but non-working mother) is married to Indrajith Coomaraswamy. The generosity of such persons is not always fully appreciated by most people up here. The house here was left to the 19-year-old Thai girl they brought back with them, when Chandra and wife turned up here about 1978. I’m guessing that year. People here just couldn’t understand the man.
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He had got a First Class in Classics and still read Ancient Greek literature. CCS, the with FAO. He tried very hard to work at the grass-roots level through NGOs that he founded. His Jaffna Tamil wife had very poor sight, and so few knew much of her – she rarely ventured out of the house.
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Hamlet / August 15, 2019
Salagama American:-
In this Day and Age, Do People still talk about Caste, and let it Influence their choice of Candidate, when they Vote? What about Education and Ability?
Caste is an outdated Concept, leftover from when Occupations were Hereditary!
Did not know that there were a Southern Govigama clan, based in Hambantota!
Maybe, the Raja Pakshayas adopted what they believed was the Highest Caste, judging from their behaviour since then! Their name says it all. The Crawlers who Kow Towed to Royalty!
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LAW / August 15, 2019
If we are to remain true Sri Lankan. it is time that you guys even in your least way prevent bringing up cast as the issue when it is not.
the bottom line is that RW does seem to be threatened by SP. as SP is known to be a no-nonsense person in the performance of his responsibilities. if we are looking at a positive outcome the people require first to decide are they to choose a thief or a murderer. obviously, the answer is that you are better off with a thief. next who is the least thief of the whole lot. and the answer will be SP. and to my knowledge, we are better-rewarded because he is no thief and has qualites of a good leader plus a man liked by the masses. a sure winner.
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babanpunchi / August 15, 2019
Dear Hali dog,
you sound to be busier with caste and creed as our MAHINDALA PALA from DOWN under would do. Mahindapala has no life wihtout mentioning the HALLALA caste, but you the kind of sinhala buruwas sound to be busy with rathaa caste.
What matters if the blood flow in your system are homo sapiens ? THe kind of frogs in wells in SL, not having seen a world beyond their bounderies would very often behave so, but there are also exceptions such as EAGLE EYE aka mahindapala would not see it beyond even if they would permanent residents in a developed world.
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Fathima / August 15, 2019
Arun Kumaresan – Air Vice Marshal (Ret’d), Short but sweet.
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Sinhala_Man / August 15, 2019
Dear Arun,
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I remember our exchanging comments a couple of times. You a distinguished Air Force man, and me a retired village school teacher, but you Oh, so politely “Sirred” me!
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Never mind all that. Why not make use of your Three Preferences – and give the FIRST to Nagananda? I’ve not met the guy, nor never will, but isn’t it time we put these politicians in their place? Let me know what a man like you thinks of the guy. I’ll definitely respond.
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Pandu de Silva / August 15, 2019
Dear Sinhala Man
I visit CT occasionally as I prefer my time away from the madding crowd and without getting my pressure up by these idiot politikkas.
This is the first time I have heard you say something that is silly by a long half?! Espousing Naga’s cause. This is a silly lawyer who has ‘drafted’ a silly constitution that is far worse than any other document on hand and who cannot argue a case properly in courr but only files for public attention from what my friends in legal circles say.
He is now collecting money from the public from what I hear. Tsk, tsk…to what depths have we fallen?
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Sinhala_Man / August 15, 2019
Thanks, Pandu, for telling me that I usually talk sense!
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I haven’t myself been able to locate a copy of that constitution that he brandishes. If you know a link to see a soft copy, please provide it. “Attention seeking” – yes, a justified criticism, but I still see him as honest. Collecting money? That’s what they do in America, isn’t it? He’s been asked those questions, and he answers them.
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So much talk of these political families; mine made a foray into it close to a century ago. My grandmother (who saw even my own daughter) had a proctor brother, V.S. de S. Wikramanayake, who was a member of the Legislative Council, and Mahinda’s Uncle, Don Mathew Rajapaksa, was his clerk. There are stories of betrayal, but I was born in Bandarawela, so I can’t vouch for them personally. Another brother, Edward Beauchamp Wikramanayake, had two sons who were Q.Cs. Eric Byrd Wikramanayake was Sir John’s Minister of Justice – never elected Members then – from the Senate. I do know one thing – they were a world apart from the Judges and Lawyers we now have.
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Yes, prejudices I have against both lawyers – and military men – I’ll give it in another comment!
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Given the depths we have fallen to, we’ll have to keep open minds right upto polling time!
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mahulchandran spencer / August 16, 2019
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2
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M C Spencer / August 16, 2019
Please be kind as to specify the exact area of the comment policy for me to amend and submit later..
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Sinhala_Man / August 18, 2019
I get your point. I wonder whether you approved or disapproved of what I said.
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D. P. / August 15, 2019
S_Man,
Nagananda? Are you out of mind? Haven’t you leaned the lesson of the likely danger of electing untested candidates for public office even after the saga of MY 3? SL media have been extremely poor in scrutinizing the backgrounds of public figure they favor. The country doesn’t know anything about NK. I heard that he even tried to keep his British dual citizenship a secret and that applied for renunciation only after one social media reveal it! How do we know how many more secrets he has in the baggage?
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Sinhala_Man / August 15, 2019
Dear D.P.,
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Yes, I’m very concerned that Nagananda began his campaign about two years ago, but we still don’t have any clear-cut picture of what he is going to do that can be referred to in any of our three languages in a few minutes.
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Late last night, I inserted a relevant comment here.
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/all-presidential-candidates-must-be-transparent-must-enter-into-a-social-contract/
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I’ve had to listen to him for hours on end. I agree that it is his duty to provide us with something coherent. You ought not to take my assessment as sufficient, but he has clearly told us that we have to wait only until the end of August – of course, that can again get extended. No, I don’t agree with you about his British Citizenship having to be ferreted out – but you can’t find out without listening for hours.
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I have to put more in there to satisfy the Jaffna Tamil domiciled in England – Dr Sankaralingam.
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Let me hope that he has people monitoring all these comments. We can’t be expected to take Facebook and innumerable Youtube videos seriously – useful as they are at getting messages across to younger people. I’m pretty sure that many of those young people will be guided by what we seem to think. They are adults; it’s not our business to advise them.
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We have to be both patient and alert – a bit contradictory, isn’t it?
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D. P. / August 16, 2019
S_man,
First thing first. A new Prez under 19 A will not any power to guide national policies & therefore, there won’t be anything NK could do by himself without the backing from a major party in the parliament. With Sajith, it is different b’cos he has a formidable backing.
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On the other hand, with the existing hidden loyalties, Gora presents a significant threat of leaning towards a military style rule.
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If NK intends to present himself as a serious politician, he must form a party first and contest a parliamentary or, at minimum, a PC contest first. It is too risky to waste a vote on unknown character in this Prez election when the stakes on democracy are too high.
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Sinhala_Man / August 16, 2019
Dear D.P.,
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Almost all of what you say is eminent common sense. Most of what I write is on the assumption that we’re all fed up with all politicians.
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However, it is very important to understand the system.
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You end with a last sentence that indicates that you haven’t understood the system in use to determine the winner of the election.
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“It is too risky to waste a vote on an unknown character in this Prez election when the stakes on democracy are too high.”
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The whole point is that given that if all of us vote FIRST for those who we think are the most honest, we’ll end up splitting the initial vote many ways. It is almost inevitable that nobody will get close to 50%. Now will follow the counting of the Preferences.
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Only the two thought to be the fittest by the greatest number of voters will thereafter stand any chance of winning the election. To these tallies will now be added the Preferences of those who opted for less popular figures. So, that’s where (in your case), you could vote for Sajith.
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That is the rationale behind the system. No system is perfect, and this one is bound to be not understood by many. Where could your voting go wrong? If you really want Sajith, and he doesn’t even get into second place because you placed him second or third.
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If Gota reaches 50% (plus one), how you voted wouldn’t have mattered a jot.
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In some election systems, the FIRST Preference carries greater weight than subsequent preferences. Here it doesn’t. It is difficult to be fair in every way. It’s like a multiple-choice question paper. The simplest system counts only the right answers. More complicated systems deduct marks for wrong answers – and the deduction even takes cognisance of the number of distractors.
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Sinhala_Man / August 17, 2019
Continuation:
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“In some election systems, the FIRST Preference carries greater weight than subsequent preferences. Here it doesn’t.” It is difficult to be fair in every way.
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I’d appreciate your response.
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As for Nagananda, it so happens that I have listened long and closely. As things stand, he can’t get many votes. I think him good enough, but he must know how to reach out to all voters. He says he’s got a time-table for his campaign, and to wait until the end of August. Well, he’s told us himself, therefore, to write him off if nothing happens in early September.
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Let’s keep open minds.
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Hatharabirikatharina / August 15, 2019
Sinhala Man,
it is a country specific term “Sir” in SL yet today. Like for example, lanken MBBS title holders just use the title before their names not knowing its legal boundness. In England, they just MBBS title holders ask us to address them rather with Mr. I always write them not as Dr so and so, but as Mr so and so.
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This is what I experienced in SL, they the people as Medial DOCs make every efforts to be above the others. Just mentioning them being MBBS title holders make them life much easier, no matter they respect ethics and morals of the society. Just imagine the way GMOA members are upto do th ejob for Rajapakshes than to their beloved nation, whose funds paved them the way to get their degree for free . GMOA members are reported to be the MONSTERs in current day health care issues in the country. They behave as if their hearts and minds are robbed out by Rajapakshe rascals. I have no idea why media would not stand against GMOA:?
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In England, Sir is a title being awarded to erudites and various other remarkable artists/personalities.
:
I got to know few assi. lectuerers, that are used to call their Uni teachers as ” Sirs” even if they are part of their own staff.
:
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Sinhala_Man / August 16, 2019
Come, come . . . those who have made so much of this “Sir business” below. I was only trying to establish some rapport with – (Ret’d) Air Vice Marshal Arun Kumaresan.
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If you scroll down halfway in the comments on this article you will find where we had first “met” each other below.
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/an-unprecedented-mandate-12-million-votes-to-repeal-78-constitution/
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I don’t know about all the conventions about using this word, “Sir”. I can tell you what I meant, and then let’s get on to more important tasks. From what Arun had already written, I had come to the conclusion that he was an extremely nice man. That was despite my not going too much out of my way to associate with military people. But what is going on around us in all parts of the world, has made me realise that it may sometimes be necessary to use armed force.
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It may be that I’m not quite up with modern trends, but I feel that Arun was falling back on an admirable British way of giving any stranger the greatest possible respect by addressing as “Sir”. I also believe that there was a tradition in the old British Civil Service of the “Servant” addressing any member of the public, however humble, in this way. And that was not such a foreign concept even in our villages when we replaced the elected Headman with a “Grama Sevaka”. Unfortunately, the newer generation of Civil Servants chose to protest and ensured that they got called “Grama Niladhari” If it was all a gaffe on my part, please forgive me.
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Now can we please not discuss such trivialities, and, instead, focus on more momentous issues.
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kolla / August 15, 2019
Will from a shit hole anything clean and good appear ?
We will have only leaders who are relatively less smelly than the other.
If a Sri Lankan ever became Prime Minister of Australia will anyone want to migrate there ? Retired people like Shymon will then want to return to Sri Lanka and enjoy the sun and sound here. He can then sit in front of his TV and watch his manly leader Ranil talking high philosophy and fooling everyone !
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nalmen / August 15, 2019
mangala is a shrewd election tactician
if he abandoned ranil for sajith it is because he knows ranil cant win
caste is no longer relevant today though religion maybe
ranil is trying to use the dunf to get nomination but if the unp allows it it is doomed and the rajapaksas will rule forever
only ranil will benefit as they will look after him as he did them
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The Oracle / August 15, 2019
Shyamon is a dyed in the wool RW worshipper , a rapidly dwindling commodity today . There are those more knowledgeable than myself , who profess that RW has by virtue of his despotic leadership of the UNP , done more damage to this country than VP . SP on the other hand appears to lack vision and maturity .
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Mallaiyuran / August 15, 2019
Ranil has not said he wants to stand for election, but only he wants to become president. He promised to give the PM position to Vaalaiththodam Jr, while Ranil didn’t want him to stand in the election. That is why he is promoting Lame Duck, Old Brother Prince. Every day I am reading something on Media that it is claiming Old Brother Prince has not cancelled his US citizenship. We, CT followers know that Ranil skipped the needed amendment for Election Commission to vet the application of those who lack citizenship requirements. So Old Brother Prince can stand to election like Geetha, but cannot attend to the job, if he/she wins (It is nowhere said that a dual citizen should not stand for election knowingly- it is not a crime). But Sinhala Buddhist Modayas, who are good on voting for wrong candidates, will make him win. Then he will be removed from EP by Court. That time PM will take over that position. But the good thing is it is irrelevant when PM took it over, but he will be the EP until the EP’s term becomes over. Then Ranil can give the PM Job to Vaalaiththodam Jr. Vaalaiththodam Jr will lose the election in the coming September. Then Old Royal will have no way but for forge a National Unity Government with Ranil.
Shaymon Jayasinge has no idea of what Ranil’s master plan is.
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Rohan / August 15, 2019
Friends, by this episode, it’s very pathetic to say that Shyamon brought himself to the class, caliber and level of Dayan Jayatilleke. Man, Ranil shows as if he is a fine gentleman but now people know very well that he is a mean scheming selfish man who gives no two shits to anyone but what matters for him is himself and his cronies. It’s high time for him to pack and go, none want him any more, and his days are coming to a close. Only his boot lickers wants him and the rest despise him.
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Jey / August 15, 2019
Sri Lanka has the habit of anointing Teflon coated recycle Leaders. They are not leaders but parasites who takes the mass for a ride and in the process they make their dollars ( or rupees). Now that India, China and the USA have their say in the bigger vision ,Sri Lankan politicians , from top to the bottom are not concerned of the feeling of the mass. it is how big is my bank balance. the whole lot Sinhala, Tamil and Moors politicians are corrupt to the core morally and otherwise. The Buddhist monks also played their part in destabilising democracy with their racial tone and connoted Buddhist philosophy. These made big players, India, China and the USA to set foot and play their game to their advantage. Sri Lankans, you stupid fellows have lost it BIG time. may be few centuries in the wilderness may enlighten you a bit.
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K.Anaga / August 15, 2019
Dhoby’s work is to clean dirty clothes. Similarly, Sajith will clean the dirt surrounding the UNP and its leader Ranil. Ranil’s dirty tactics have been exposed by Ahimsa and by his own foul mouth.
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Hatharabirikatharina / August 15, 2019
Sinhala Man,
it is a country specific term “Sir” in SL yet today. Like for example, lanken MBBS title holders just use the title before their names not knowing its legal boundness. In England, they just MBBS title holders ask us to address them rather with Mr. I always write them not as Dr so and so, but as Mr so and so.
–
This is what I experienced in SL, they the people as Medial DOCs make every efforts to be above the others. Just mentioning them being MBBS title holders make them life much easier, no matter they respect ethics and morals of the society. Just imagine the way GMOA members are upto do th ejob for Rajapakshes than to their beloved nation, whose funds paved them the way to get their degree for free . GMOA members are reported to be the MONSTERs in current day health care issues in the country. They behave as if their hearts and minds are robbed out by Rajapakshe rascals. I have no idea why media would not stand against GMOA:?
.
In England, Sir is a title being awarded to erudites and various other remarkable artists/personalities.
:
I got to know few assi. lectuerers, that are used to call their Uni teachers as ” Sirs” even if they are part of their own staff.
:xxx
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Raj / August 15, 2019
What’s this Sir business! In North America sometimes we use the word ‘Sir’ if you don’t know the name of the addressee; it will be Madam, if its is a woman. That’s how we respect others!
Recently, at a Metro/Subway station I heard this conversation between a beggar and a passer-by:
Passer-by to the beggar: Sir, I have a sandwich, I brought with me for my lunch. I have already had lunch with a friend and may I give this to you?
Sir is a beggar and the beggar is a Sir! So, what’s the big deal?
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kali / August 15, 2019
Leave Sajith & RW to sort out their problems. It is miniscule compared to what is unravelling around us. I take it you are Indian and Retired Air Vice Marshall. Please cocentrate on how to bring Gotha & Mahintha under Indian control.
They now share the following accolades. They are both
THUGS, CRIMINALS , THIEVES , CROOKS and as it turns out LIARS ( With the Issuing of the Passport to him while still an American) big time. They will pose a threat to India left unchecked.
How can Gotha ever become a President
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The Good Nitizen / August 15, 2019
This article is all about Cast prejudise and Protection of Elitism
Today all Sinhalese Stand shoulder to should (At least most of them) as per the Dahamma .
So its bedtime stories for RW.
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The Good Nitizen / August 15, 2019
meant to say the article by Shymon ..
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The Good Nitizen / August 15, 2019
Dear Sinhala Man , politics is no child play , even if Gota wins, without his Brother MR a vetran politician he Gota will mess up , remember its MR who will be the real ruler here .
Politics , especially to lead the Country you need to be a politician with atleast 10 years of expeirience .
no thanks,no Nagas or wewo-singhes.8
I prefer Gota to him , at least the one with L board has an experienced driver beside him
The President must be either Gota or Sajith , PM must be MR or Mangala Samaraweera and the oppessition leader must be either MR,Sajith or Anura Dissanayake .
JVP(gauranteed) will make good progress coming General Election ,
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Raj / August 15, 2019
SLPP has already run half of the race and now within the vicinity of the winning post.
UNP is still struggling to find out someone within to run the race. Nobody knows if they would outsource it for the third time. If RW runs he will loose the race only; but if SP runs he will loose both (presidential race and the Deputy leadership of the party).
SLFP will finally support the SLPP; if not it will disappear from the electoral MAP.
JVP is nowhere to be seen since it is not considered a political party but a trade union with party status! Even hardcore leftists smell a rat there!
Tamil and Muslim parties are regional; can not win any presidential election at all. If they support the UNP they too will be losers.
Anyways, this presidential election will be an interesting one!
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kebab / August 15, 2019
Is Shymon the philosopher behind Ranil ?
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JD / August 15, 2019
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Wera / August 16, 2019
Caste matters when it comes to the matter of executive leader of Sri Lanka. SP is displaying his character right before our eyes by defying the party. When we call our selves a Sinhalese Buddhist nation with Buddhism enshrined in the constitution what does that mean. It means observing the traditional customs when it comes to the head of state. Exeptions can always be made if the person is deserving. But the said person SP is already showing his intransigent qualities and lack of respect to his party’s rules. Please see the excellent speech given by Sarath Fonseka given on the 13th of August particularly the later part of it. He will enlighten you about the history of the Premadasa’s which should be remembered at this point in time. Even the Ebony furniture at temple trees disappeared to be replaced by cheap imitations during Premadasa’s time. I hate to say it but that is the mentality of dhobi caste people.
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