Prof. S. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole
Ceylon Today (17.04.2020) had a story headlined “Gen Election 2020. Could be held in May.” We all know that since this date has been suggested by government sources. What is alarming however are the following three extracted paragraphs from the body of the article:
“According to sources at the Election Commission (EC), with the approval of both Director General of Health Services, Dr. Anil Jasinghe and Head of the National Operation Centre for the Prevention of the spread of the coronavirus, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, the postponed General Election could be held on the last week of May. […]
“The meeting is scheduled to be held on Monday, 20 April, with the participation of Dr. Jasinghe, Lieutenant General Silva, Acting IGP Chandana Wickremaratna, DIG Priyantha Weerasuriya and PMG Ranjith Ariyaratna. […]
“Meanwhile, the EC has undertaken the necessary steps to carry out the Election, and is planning to publicise the preference numbers of all candidates through the publication of a gazette notification.”
The high profile consultants are carefully chosen to arm-twist the Commission into agreeing to 28 May for elections. Because of the constitutional quorum of 3 out of 3, I state there was no meeting to take these momentous decisions choosing these consultants and what they will be consulted on, without my presence.
Moreover, by whom and on what basis were Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva and Acting IGP C.D. Wickramaratne chosen as consultants? Dr. Jasinghe is enmeshed in a fake-news controversy, spinning between COVID-19 and influenza. Subsequently, even WHO (where he is a Vice President) saw no need for face masks except by health professionals. However, his COVID Task Force was not allowing the public out without masks. Most alarming is Dr. Jasinghe’s statement in Ceylon Today (12.04.2020) that steps are being taken to lift the curfew by the end of the month – when most other doctors say it is too premature to decide. The masters of spin are at work.
And then why Lieutenant General Silva? He faces still unresolved charges by the UNHRC and many human rights organizations, under his command responsibility during the war, of massacring tens of thousands of Tamils. As a Tamil, I am scared of arguing with him on 20 April when we meet.
The Acting IGP Wickremaratne was warned by the Commission during the Presidential Elections on the impending problems at Chemmalai (Sinhalese colonized name Gurukanada) as a result of the police not serving a court order to desist from cremating a Buddhist monk on temple premises. He promised to act but did not. Violence flared up. Subsequently at the Commission I pointed out many election violations on which the police took no action. He then went through the motions of taking notes and promised to act. Half a year later, nothing.
Anything these three say on the Monday 20 April must be weighed carefully.
The selection of these experts is presumably by the Chairman and not by the Commission. When I went to the Commission on 1 April, the Chairman told me he is shutting the Commission premises down and to come for the meeting on 10 April. Again after that meeting he told me that he would also stay at home and for me to return for the next meeting on an as yet unspecified date. Subsequently I was informed by email on 16 April that the meeting would be on 20 April. This gave very little time for the medical examination and certification that I was free of COVID-19 symptoms. This was required prior to applying for the curfew pass.
On the basis of what I was informed, these decisions are unilateral or are owed to misreporting. The first alarm bell that the Commission was functioning despite what I had been told, came with Indian journalist P.K. Balachandran’s long headline on 13.04.2020:
“President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is Reportedly Keen to Hold Parliamentary Elections on May 28; Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya Expected to Make Important Announcement on April 20: Curfews Likely to be Lifted Completely by April 30 to Enable Election Campaigning.”
Ouch! I was by now used to getting my information from news media, rather than from the Commission. As the Chairman had asked me to check with him before writing anything, I called him but received no answer nor a return call.
The shocks keep coming: News First (15.04.2020) reported that “Keerthi Tennakoon, a former provincial governor had posted a remark saying ‘the date of the general election has been finalized’, and in response national election commission (NEC) chairman Mahinda Deshapriya had sarcastically responded saying ‘wonder who decided on the date’.”
I will know for sure, hopefully, at the meeting on Monday 20, 2020. However, it is clear that certain parties want us to think that elections will be held on the 28th May 2020 while saying the Election Commission will decide.
We need real experts to decide on when polls can be held as advised by the College of Community Physicians – Epidemiologists, public health experts and virologists/microbiologists and experts from other areas (economics, transport sector, finance etc.). The EC cannot play all these experts.
babalath appu / April 18, 2020
Thanks for your Article.
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I think ECommissioner himself has not beein doing his duties well. I have no doubt, as was the case with his predecessor -Chandananada, this man would be hijacked by the brother duo forcing him to make a date, if he would want to continue live. If not, he would have to face the same as Lasantha Wikramatunga, Ekanaligo, Wassim Thajdudeen, over 40 journalists, 24 prisoners, 11 boys that were ready to leave for europe, Sunday leader editor Janz, and several more whose life was disspeared or some had to leave the country for exile.
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We are always with you Prof. – EVEN if some men wihtin the country would spread lies about you being controversal – to the very same manner they call us CT viewers stand against the Rajakahes brutal politics.
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What angers me, if EC would nevertheless surrender to the pressure being excercised on them right these days – no doubts with hiterto 5000 tests, would not reveal how dangerous the COVID 19 problem has been and the numbers of the infected within the country – even if ballige putha Mahinda would spread lies to have done the job, entire world is aware srilanka is ranked as the one of the most vulnerable places – no europeans as travellers/tourists would arrive inthere this year..
Nor would others… all in all, this country will be hit both by Rajapkahes and Corona.. wait and see, the brother duo would bring the HUMAN flesh into the people’s consumer markets sooner than later.
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S. C. Pasqual / April 19, 2020
Mr. S. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole,
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With all due or undue respect…..
you are forgetting lots of things.
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The Election Commission is responsible for the conduct of elections to parliament in time.
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Election commission is a institution where they make decisions collectively. You are only a small part of it.
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Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva and Acting IGP C.D. Wickramaratne are responsible government officials. Your personal grudge against them don’t count. If you can’t work with them… please vacate your office.
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Jayaweera / April 19, 2020
Babalath Appu.
You are absolutely correct.
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babalath appu / April 19, 2020
Dear Jayaweera,
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As everyone of you would may be aware, srilanka is a poor country whose data of each and every citizen is not registered. Those who returned from Italy, M-E countries, Korea or other destinations, with forged passports – (most of them, since they were exported through forged agencies) – many of them would not voluntarily confess to be infected – and their wwhereabout have not yet been caught by prevailing systems in place.
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Many developed countries they have databased set up to catch any data related to even foreigners come for work to those countries even if a tiny portion of them too would not be captured by their systems either.
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With these being the reality, how dangerous it would be to push the nation into known danger – just because you want to GRAB power across the country by getting a 2/3 mandate in a backdrop of a much less voter turnout ?
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How dangerous these BROTHER duo have been? to even think of it and making plans in order to stay in power.
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If my memory is right – the very same brother duo then had 2/3 but failed in many ways, making the republic a banana to entire world – we the srilankens living on the west – were ashamed the country was thrown onto – google rechrche proved – that the country governed by Rajakashes as brutal state and then compared withthat of North koreans and Lybian gadafis.. remember ?
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D. P. / April 19, 2020
babalath appu,
A good reply but, I like to add a few more points:
1) We all must start using the name Wuhan virus for Covid – 19 from now on. As a matter of fact Wuhan virus was the original name until WHO came up with Covid – 19. Using the name of the birth place a common practice; examples are Ebola, Zika, Hanta, Mers, etc. China’s strong influence on WHO was the main reason for the name change. It is now coming light that the virus escaped from virology lab in Wuhan probably as early as Sept but Authorities in Wuhan may done everything possible secretly to contain it. They not only forced Chinese scientists to delete research materials; they also arrested first doctor who went public on the coming danger!
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2) Too much attention is given to the issue of election, thereby making it easy for China to get away with the Crime! It is a shame to see GoRa Gvt & his media gang giving a huge publicity for small donation of medical supplies instead holding China responsible for the damage done to SL economy as well as to lives of many innocent people who have never step a foot outside of the borders.
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3) Then, there is another looming danger of China taking the advantage of broken economic & financial situation of SL to own the key strategic centers via economic aids.
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4) Short term financial goals behind those who advice GoRa to insist on an early election. Media owners love elections b’cos it is an excellent source of income particularly when their regular income is depleted severely. But, almost all other businesses, an election is huge burden.
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babalath appu / April 19, 2020
Dear D.P,
thank you.
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China is not a democracy as we all know about.
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Human right violations in China are the worst and they are on the top of the world’s list.
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So what is the point of talking further about their corrupt handlings in the research.
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May well be, their target was to bring a modified virus near to SARS, MERS or the like and to win the race of manufacturing a vaccination for it and collect eay cash through it… they are so mlechcha nation to my own exp.
I have had times i worked myself with Chinese – but long ago. For the last 2 decades I had only very less contact with them. We also had students from China at German Unis. Most of them behaved as if they have no hearted feelings if any kind of human losses in that country was reported. They responded with ” china has enough population – if a few hundreds would have been dying is not at all a problem”: Meaning – they dont care about human losses.
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And the reason why I started calling them CHINESE modified virus is because the info I have come up with more or less prove that the virus may be disigned /modified and released to them.. and that super-spread into America and Europe.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bXWGxhd7ic
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You may be aware of the skiing hotspot in Europe -Tsigl Tirol. That place is the place is to have worked as super-spreader of the virus in Europe. There were TV ,moderators from Germany had caught it and now stay silent for some reasons. There are cafes and party clubs in that place where the particpants stay very close to one another while enjoying at nights – so, if anyone with infections were among them, caused others to catch it easily. Those who returned from Tirol has given their individual opinions on their infections. WHole lot of among them were infected and recovered.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCwXGuC0WcY
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D. P. / April 19, 2020
Dear babalath appu,
Tirol might have been just one source for Europe but it was mostly scientists & businessmen that carried the virus from China – to US in particular. However, SL got it from second sources such as Italy, Germany, Indonesia & India. In any case, I doubt whether GoRa regime has guts to challenge China for compensation. If they do, they must first challenge Airbus for destroying Air Lanka. GoRa regime is not in a position to challenge either China or the Airbus b’cos GoRa/MaRa themselves are the beneficiaries from corrupt deals with them!
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In any case, my last (5th) point is missing may be due to going beyond the 300 word limit. My point was about lack of suggestion for MaCo to respond to the pressure from the Gvt to fix an election date before June deadline. I think that the all community leaders & the public must take the lead in helping MaCo to resit Gvt’s pressure for early election forgoing the health risk.
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The two paramount issues now are the safety of the public and the recovery of the economy at all levels; not elections – particularly when election can wait till August. Instead of taking a huge risk just to satisfy political needs of a small group of people, why not reconvene the parliament; get necessary funding needed to restore the public lives approved; and dissolve the parliament in August? Can GoRa/MaRa offer guarantee of the safety which should come only from health experts? Is it a good idea or even a fair thing to do to waste all the sacrifices made by the forces, health workers and the general public in order to satisfy the power greed of a single family named Ra..kse?
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babalath appu / April 19, 2020
Dear DP,
really interesting the way you have been focusing on various aspects in this regard. I thank you for your hearted comments.
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Hoenstly saying, I dont see any good reason to hold elections people being kept in anxities.Besides, putting it off upto August or so, would not really be a problem as I feel it.
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Any leader that would love their own people would see first SAFE and SECURITY above anything else. And their slogans on the PE elections were to give a gurantee to then worrying nation (after the unestimable number of being killed and injured by that easter bombing 2019), but now to rush for elections irrespective of the high risks of COVID incidents – is not at all human.
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Hope the average mind set, that always become the easy pray of the greedy/predatory politicians would realize the bits at least to some extent is my wish right at the moment. I know it very well, that whole lot of our people would not want to believe in truths.
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I am not living in the country for ages – but my LOVE to our motherland and poor people has not changed a lot. We do lot more what we can whenver we travel back home. We also collected thousands of dollars at the time, TSUNAMI waves hit the costal lines killing and disspearing unestimated numbers of those in fisher community
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Sensitive SLANKEN / April 19, 2020
Dear Friends, I have quoted the following paragraph from the PREVAILING CONSTITUTION. Please read this carefully. Let buggers abuse their mouths, but nothing but EC will have to make the decisions accoridngly.
(4) Where the President dissolves Parliament and fixes a date or dates for a General Election the President may, unless Parliament has already made provision in that behalf, authorize the issue from the Consolidated Fund and the expenditure of such sums as he may, after consultation with the Commissioner of Elections , consider necessary for such elections.
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Contingencies Fund. 151
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(1) Notwithstanding any of the provisions of Article 149, Parliament may by law create a Contingencies Fund for the purpose of providing for urgent and unforeseen expenditure.
(2) The Minister in charge of the subject of Finance, if satisfied –
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(a) that there is need for any such expenditure, and
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Sinhala_Man / April 20, 2020
Dear babalath appu,
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Professor Hoole has quoted from the article that made him denounce this move by some mischief-maker. This was the article:
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https://ceylontoday.lk/news-more/13936
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Yes, it had to be responded to (although our average Sri Lankan wouldn’t have had the courage to do so).
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I saw it hours ago, but put off responding to it. Now let me get some sleep and see what happens tomorrow.
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Much of what had to be said has already been said. While wondering what to say about this particular article, I did draw quite a few parallels with J.R. Jayawardene’s dishonest Referendum in some long comments here, which not many are going to see:
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/gota-determined-to-hold-election-endangering-millions-of-lankans-amid-covid-19-pandemic/comment-page-2/#comments
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The emergence of the LTTE was a direct result of that autocratic President. Let’s hope that the Rajapaksas start understanding that History has a way of repeating itself, with some variation.
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bhumiputhra bandaara / April 18, 2020
who appointed this LTTTE agent hool the bloody fool to the election commssion this is what happens when you put the kalle going nayaa in the redda assa
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / April 19, 2020
Rajapakse gang of swindlers and murderers want to come to power on the dead bodies of Sinhalese just like how they came to power on dead bodies of Tamils in 2009. It is sad that the chairman of election commission is dancing to their tune. This propaganda of everything is fine and the country can function normally from 20th is to hold the election in five weeks time and beat the deadline of having a new parliament by 2nd of June. It is heartening to know that at least one member of the election commission is standing up against their machinations with the help of some confirmed scoundrels.
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Bodin / April 19, 2020
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Bputha / April 19, 2020
bandara: check your information first before you bark at others. He is no LTTE Bloody fool. eat your shit. You SOB first start to read not grope.
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babalath appu / April 19, 2020
Bputha,
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if anyone would stand against – for them they are LTTErs or kotiya…If I as sinhalaya would open my mouth, saying the facts – as I see them, they would call me a traitor. .. this is unfortunately the saddest stupidity levels of also that MEGA RACIST – Mahindapala. His avatar is ” Eagle Eye”.
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I have the feeling our people BEAR zero tolerance in many ways – they cant come out of their caccooons and stand to the facts… the facts seems tobe allergic to them. why ?
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Why these buggers cant see the rainbow colours is beyond my understanding.
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They are colour blind – only black and white is seen by them.
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This good Prof has every right to break the silence, if I were there, I would have don ethe same…. then they would have been attacking me as a traitor… – these are just terms but not knowing the basics. That is typcial srilanka.
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I am living Germany for such a long time. But what I got to know from FB post yesteday was – two students (srilanken students- should have been new comers to Germany), standing on a platform waiting for their next train, added a post saying ” that no body here is wearing a mask – srilanka is much safer – and where we are in this state over 10 000 have already been dead “. Fact is not even 4500 deaths being reported yet to Germany with its 83 millions of population. ‘
World rate Germany as one of the leading nations to have contained the virus from being spread – please see it
-https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/expose-godahewa-cooks-fake-news-to-boost-gotas-image-as-efficient-administrator-during-pandemic/
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but not knowing the FACTs, to allow them spreading lies seem to be in their blood.
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I am srilanken but I am against FAKE news that could harm everyone.
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Dr desperate Sinhalaya / April 19, 2020
Please CT, pardon me, this is very important, but I noticed that being lengthier, i thought to post it as pieces.
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Part 1
Dear Prof. Hoole,
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we are so grateful to you, that you have guts to break the silence. This any srilankens with some knowledge about the ground situation would commend no doubt about that. We must not allow the elections to be held – at this critical junction of the nation, being caught by a deadly virus which has also infected as given below as of now: if we compare the situation with that of SOUTH KOREA – they are reported as one of the nations that performed the highest number of CORONA tests so far. but in srilanka, the hitherto number is not even 6000, but our population is 22 millions
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World Coronavirus INCIDENTs hitherto: 2,332,471
World Deaths hitherto:160,784
Recovered number of patients hitherto: 600,006
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Be it in srilanka or any other country in developed world, these are just registered number, but how many would be unregistered ? that is evidently much higher.
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Unregistered numbers in a developing country such as ours are definitely more than the reported numbers… that is somewhat similar in a develped country because each and every one living in a developed country is captured by their regular data bases. If for example one would be caught by an road accident, the police is accessed to a national wide data base so that he could know the whereabouts of the
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as we know in SRILNANKA as one another POOR country, they are not registered at all, No data bases have yet been set up to catch every information of the citizens. THere are lot more across the country that are not seen and part of the hither to collected information.
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CONTD
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Dr desperate Sinhalaya / April 19, 2020
Part II
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But for WIMAL WEERAWANSE, the condom supporter to current Rajapakshes clan would continously interpret it as if you as TIGER DIASPHORA supporter, would always react controversal and he would further question your membership to EC is further legitimate – that is how the stupid man that twist the nation with his kind of talkative rhetorics, and that outreach the nation- actually only the gallery.but what matters for rajapakshes is to tie the gallery people with his opinions. latter is known to us all.
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My question would be – If I had sat in your position as a member of the commission, what would the very same idiots be making about my opinion ? I am sinhalaya but I totally disagree with any steps being taken by POHOTTUWA men who have been alleged to various high crimes sofar. THAT IS AGAINST MY HEART FEELINGS: Thisi is no secret any more but helpless citizens of the country are not given chance to express themselves right today with the ground situation to free media being blocked by them – similar to the situation prior to 2015.
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1)Any commission, regardless of focusing on anything, but comprising of its several members should repsect its rules and regulations – this is the basics.
There is no doubt, that current EC chair person is violating his rights in public. This is against the ethics and morals-
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to be continued
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Dr desperate Sinhalaya / April 19, 2020
Part III
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It seems nothing works properly withn srilanka without being subjected to violations- but their biased interpretations seem to be covering
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We are not reborn, but very well aware from our past memories, how current premier was then violating as presidency, presidentional powers and how he violated the law regarding the dismissal of Chief Justice –Mrs Shirani Bandaranayaka and how the commission appointed for that matter, behaved infront of TV screens? Remember ?
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2)Commiissions in general should be independent by their reactions. That is why they are called as “independent commissions”. Here it does not matter if you are representing majority or minority, you should respect your duties in compliance with the commission’s regulations
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3)If you would nevertheless violate it further, the rest of members, here two have the right to share their displeasure and correct it promptly. But unfortunately for us – any commission being setup in Srilanka does not seem to respect the guidelines from the day one on. nevertheless they add their thoughts in public as if they do their best in accordance with the guidelines set on them in such commissions
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CONTD
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Dr desperate Sinhalaya / April 19, 2020
Part IV
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4) I really respect to Prof. Hoole, he seems to have fearless courage to break the silence and show the world that the way CURRENT EC has been handling this commission as the chairman is out of compliance.
Why should he President of the commission to own such special rights what the other two in the same commission dont seem to have ? which is for example exchanging his ideas to FACE BOOK what he may be representing as a citizen should not be done within his profession. this is a greater violation. I think not just 3 members, but we need 6 members to represent such bodies. British would set it for 3 because their society is much more knowledgeable than that of ours – awareness of the political issues to them is much higher compared to that of srilanka. I really dont know why they started it with 3. Rulers seem to use british systems but not adpating it to lanken society. The law and order is also the same – they have been applying the british rule, but without being adjusted and adapted the provisions which would be a match to srilanka- that is what we end up being doomed again and again.. we need hard laws and law enforcement in order to tame every citizen of this country.
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All the best and add your counter arguments to above.. thank you and great weekend to you all
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Berlin Desperate Sinhalaya
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Amarasiri / April 18, 2020
Prof. S. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole,
RE: Alarming Goings On At The Election Commission: Prof. S. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole
“Moreover, by whom and on what basis were Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva and Acting IGP C.D. Wickramaratne chosen as consultants? Dr. Jasinghe is enmeshed in a fake-news controversy, spinning between COVID-19 and influenza. Subsequently, even WHO (where he is a Vice President) saw no need for face masks except by health professionals. However, his COVID Task Force was not allowing the public out without masks. Most alarming is Dr. Jasinghe’s statement in Ceylon Today (12.04.2020) that steps are being taken to lift the curfew by the end of the month – when most other doctors say it is too premature to decide. The masters of spin are at work.”
Is Ceylon Today FAKE NEWS?
Can somebody report to police about Ceylon Today .
So, the Mafia and cronies want to win by fake news. After all., the mean measured IQ of the imbeciles is 79.
So, the Wuhan China-19 virus, has become a blessing in disguise for Fake News. The longer they wait, the imbecile populace will starve, and may not vote for the Mafia.
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kebab / April 18, 2020
What harm in speaking to Director health, IGP and army commander. ? Are you suggesting they should talk to a few reformed terrorists instead ?
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Mallaiyuran / April 18, 2020
Are you Weerawansa JVP or Somawansa JVP? Vijaya Veera would not recruit anyone like you, would he?
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Daya Master / April 19, 2020
Is Mullaiyuran a fake for Thamilselvan the Barber?
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SJ / April 19, 2020
Can you be more civilized?
The name is Malliyuran, BTW.
One has to be sick to refer to anyone’s caste in such manner.
CT by tolerating such despicable rubbish is harming healthy comment.
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Reggie Silva / April 19, 2020
You think that is bad? Just read what the Tamils write while they cry to the Western bleeding hearts about racism.
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SJ / April 22, 2020
RS
I think that is worse than bad, really rotten.
There are Tamils, Sinhalese and Muslims who descend to very low levels. I will not name names.
Is that by any means a defence of this nasty uncalled for comment?
The CT has to be a little more alert to this issue.
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SJ / April 18, 2020
k
There is something called protocol in addressing matters of national importance like General Elections.
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Buramphisincho / April 19, 2020
SJ,
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Mr, do you think they the brother duo ( known uncultured, unedcuated bastards to the eyes of former President CBK) would ever respect going by constitutional paragraphs ?
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Not worth commenting on the issues, but we are doomed on the 17.11.2019.
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Since then, I never expected the elected to do any right things.
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Those who voted for the buggers – good riddance !
I have not th eleast respect them as leaders. You may respect them as you feel. THese mlechcha leaders are not even suitable to give a leadership to a Municipal Council.
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Unfortunatley, so called democracies such as ours would focus only HOLDING election part to their notice, after getting elected they dont repsect the least.
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Are there any good moves done sofar by GoRa to be praised with WOW effect as they many kept hopes ?
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No -not even PLANTATION tamils were given the day wage of 1000 bucks, though pledged to them in Campaigns.
No fertilizer concessions given to farmers as promised … nothing is done sofar to be called SATIFACTORY. so what more talks woudl be needed ?
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SJ / April 22, 2020
B
What has any of your swearing to do with my comment?
If a person tries to justify one wrong using another, there is something seriously wrong with the person.
There is a polite way of addressing people. But this is not the place to educate you.
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Max / April 19, 2020
No harm in speaking to them, as long as there will be no harm caused to you, if you don’t obey them.
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Simon De Silva / April 19, 2020
Max,
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we know your thoughts and minds- for such a long time.
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Is it okay also to dismiss CJ within 24 hours to the manner they did then ? there also they enjoyed with a 2/3 majority in parliament remember ?=
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Max, please for the sake of the educated, try to start your kindergarten lessions. That could give a life.
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I think it is unprofessional the manner BP Election COMMISSIONER has beeen behaving… he has no right to exchange his 2 cts via Face book… he has no right to leak the information out of that body if he is a true member of it.
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Good Prof. Hoole to break the silence – is highly commendable by anyone with sanity. Why to sit there if he would not have to act this way. He is an anotehr great SRILANKEN next to Kadirgamar to me.
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You guys help Rajaakshes to allow suck the blood of the poor again – that is very dangerous. As said above, they will bring the cadava of the dead into CONSUMER markets in the future.
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This country s outcover is SINHALA BUDDHISTS; but inside reflect wit hthat Kundu kanda in Wanathamulla.
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Let shope ballige putha Rajakshe be ROTTEN in hell for all the crimes restarted today again.
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Stan / April 18, 2020
The Chairman of the Election Commission Mahinda Deshapriya does not have a strong backbone. He will piss in his pants if Gotabaya shouts at him. He should be demoted and a stricter and more courageous person than him should be appointed as Chairman.
Long ago, there was an Election Commissioner named Chandrananda de Silva. What we need today is a man of his caliber to fill this post. He would never brook any nonsense from anyone. Sad to say, the quality of our public servants is also going down.
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Ratna-cettal / April 19, 2020
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Leelawathie Jayasinghe / April 19, 2020
Stan,
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He is making roundabouts when being questioned in forums.
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He has been abusing his power over the other two for some reasons. Is that because Prof. HOOLE is tamil ?
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Chandananada De Silva is still alive ? if yes, he could reveal to the nation, how and what stress he had been going through in 2010 election.
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The next will be the same, so long the candidate would be out of srilanka.
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NOthing would work for the betterment of the masses, if any elected person would be FROM srilanka.
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Quality of public servants had long been dminishing – but one of the pledges made by current president was to take them back to track – but nothing is in his head today, but being servile to his abuisve brother, CARAVAN moves on .. People s hatreds to RAJAPAKSHES are growing today than no times in the past.
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Julampitiye Amaraya / April 18, 2020
All I can say is, “ Naduth Haamuduruwangey, Baduth Haamuduruwangey “
People’s Have NO VOICE AT All.
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Upul / April 19, 2020
To the fools who dont see the total destruction of Sri Lankan society because of racism and communalism…you will reap the harvest.
There were many like the Rajapakses,around the world. They all ended up in the dustbins of history despite all their tricks and manipulations. Karma is always a bitch!
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A P G Sarathchandra / April 18, 2020
The members including the chairman should conduct themselves in a manner that suits an independent commission in takig decisions. Even when it comes to anouncing the decisions it’s proper if they can do it with a carefully prepaired written statement backed with reasons. The members expressing their views before and after that will eventually would make the commision look a joke in the eyes of the people. Thay should act as a bench judges and not as some foul mouthed politicians.
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SJ / April 22, 2020
APGS
You made a good point.
As long as members express views that will in no way compromise the body that they are members of, there is no issue.
Don’t you think that all political parties and government authorities should each have a single designated spokesperson?
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JD / April 18, 2020
Definitely, NGOs, journalists, academics, some Parliamentarians (We know who), Some Trade union Reps want elections postponed beyond up to October and they line up in front of the Supreme court with case by case,. So, The president will be in trouble. Then they start screaming President is not suitable. Then the Trump may appoint another president, some people and their lawyers will be very rich and lived happily ever after.
So, Sri lank become a Venezuela even though we do not have Petroleum extraction.
NGO business is very lucrative and very stately (to sabotage the country that gave peaceful living unlike the motherland), now whole families have joined the business.
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Bputha / April 19, 2020
JD I had more respect for your intelligence. I think your brain is shrinking- a diseases called -Shit eating
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SJ / April 19, 2020
B
You seem right but I fear a slow learner.
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babalawathie mudunkotuwa / April 19, 2020
JS,
are u kidding ? or are u born as an ultra fool ?
–
Do you think that the numbers known sofar are good enough to be based on proper planning for holding an election ?
:
If you guys aim only a smaller portion of voterturnout, that would be fine.
:
What is behind that ? If not dragging 2/3 madate by hook or crook ? Filling the positons by appointing the same CRIMNALs that have now been free on bails today ?
.
I have no doubt, you BPs would not sense it, even over the dead bodies of the poor people. You guys would focus on your selfish gains.
But believe or not, like or not, RAJAPAHES #S NEMSIS is seen at the end of the tunnel. So there will be LYBIAN STYLE – slaughering nature will be the consequence for all the Rajaapaksehs in the days to come. People are fed up of ballige putahs the way they handle COVID crisis.
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thumpane gamaya / April 18, 2020
Hoole…. you will be fooled again by Deshapriya on 20th.
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Sinhala_Man / April 19, 2020
Dear thumpane gamaya,
.
That is possible, but is that what you want?
.
I think not.
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ajith / April 18, 2020
Prof. Hoole,
Don’t under estimate Mahinda Rajapakse family? They are capable of doing anything including —— at any cost to have this election as soon as possible to get two third majority with the help of military whether people vote or not or whether opposition contest or not whether Corna kills people or not, they will have it before June 02. What will you choose if you face life or death? I don’t think any one have the guts to challenge them including medical experts and constitutional experts.
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Jabba / April 19, 2020
7 million people wish to have the election.
TNA, JVP, SLMC are afraid that they will have their deposits forfeited
at the coming election.
The UNP will have a fight between its two sections and end up with 20 seats, so they are trying to dodge the elections.
By the first of May, there will be no Covid-19. Already, all the new cases are in quarantine centers.
So lets open up the economy, and also have the elections.
Read the article by Prof. Kumar David in the Colombo Telegraph calling for an end to curfews and Normalcy.
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Sensitive SLANKEN / April 19, 2020
Jaba,
.#
we perfectly know if BROTHER duo would not kill them as done in war times, there will definitely be more of the infected also as of 01 May 2020.
:
Let s bet if you want ?
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I am from Health care and I can assure you – lanken numbers already reported are far from truths.
:
And srilanka is not a developed nations that have completed 10 000 tests to be that sure.. even those with over 1 million of tests are not that optimistic to confirm about the numbers how they would look like ina week or so.
.
So please DONT be a joker on the cost of RAJAPAKSHES propaganda. Now or later, Rajapakahse would have to be clear that they dont care about the human LOSSES.
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Sensitive SLANKEN / April 19, 2020
we perfectly know if BROTHER duo would not cae about the deaths done in war times, there will definitely be more of the infected also as of 01 May 2020.
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Nuwan De Silva / April 18, 2020
Can the Election Commission Chief decide on his own about the election date or is there a need to get the consent of all three Commissioners ?
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / April 19, 2020
Chairman of election commission cannot take decision alone, and everything depends on the third member. Now that one member is against holding elections before normalcy returns, there may be moves by Rajapakse gang to pressurize the third member, to make it a majority decision on conducting the election.
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Daya Master / April 19, 2020
The one member cannot hold the country to ransom.
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SJ / April 22, 2020
DM
Are you trying to protect the person holding the country to ransom?
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Jehan / April 18, 2020
If good people don’t fight now, we will end up worse than China virus, we will end up with a perpetual dictatorship from year on end, with drugs/organ harvesting/ prostitution/casino/extortion business model. No education, no health service as the ccp model plus.
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Sunja / April 18, 2020
Postpone the Elections by 2 months (to be held say around jun25) without reconvening the
Parliament, No need of calling
the white elephants again!!!
By special order/proclamation by President. due to this unique unpredictable ,
Situation with Covid-19 virus.
(You can not go by the Constitution, as it’s already a scrap)
By deciding what is best for the
People.
Govt. should not lift Curfew in
The areas already mentioned.
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Sunjay / April 18, 2020
Postpone the Elections by 2 months (to be held say around jun25) without reconvening the
Parliament, No need of calling
the white elephants again!!!
By special order/proclamation by President. due to this unique unpredictable ,
Situation with Covid-19 virus.
(You can not go by the Constitution, as it’s already a scrap)
By deciding what is best for the
People.
Govt. should not lift Curfew in
The areas already mentioned.
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Pluto PHD / April 18, 2020
The 17 th Amendment to the Constitution put in place the concept of Independent Commissions for the purpose of checks and balances against the absolute powers weilded by the Executive President. The Election Commission , one of those independent commissions appointed under the 17th Amendment is expected to function adhering to the accepted norms of consultation and consensus among the Commissioners. On credible information it is of public knowledge that the Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya is taking decisions unilaterally without consulting other two commissioners. He is a shameless and unrepentant stooge of the Rajapaksas. We could therefore understand the frustrations of Prof.Hoole which impels him to write these articles. The Professor is only exposing the truth for the benefit of the public. We should be thankful to him for bringing these covered up matters to the attention of the people.
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Kalu Nangi / April 19, 2020
Yes, it looks like Prof. Hoole is compelled to bring these to the notice of the public since there is no other forum to enlighten the public. It is strange that at a time like this when Prof. Hoole could have gone to court to get a writ to stop the Chairman from doing anything incorrect, the lawyer Hijaz (who previously appeared for him) is taken in on a false charge and the JSC has delayed the operation of courts. Looks like everything is well planned. The ones in power are ‘abusing power’. Interestingly, Victor Ivan once said “Gotabaya Rajapaksa is not a political being, but merely a military being and he tries to perceive everything from a military point of view,”. That appears to be true, going by the way things are happening now. Media muzzled and they have started an operation to brainwash the masses with the ultimate objective of a landslide win at the General Elections. This is “Operation Wuhan Virus”!
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Mallaiyuran / April 18, 2020
There is nobody in Lankawe for people to listen, believe, depend, support, count expect from…….Sinhala Mahajan lost its ID completely after January, 2015 election. That time it were foxes from the jungle got elected as government in the Wildlife Sanctuary SinhaLE Lankawe. Anura a wings clipped butterfly has any attraction for none. Comedian Ranil is calling President Trump to pay for WHO. He think probably Americans to have only two weeks memory so they would not remember how he fooled Sec. Kerry in arresting and investigating Old Royals or sold Hangbangtota to China or how he behaved in Jerusalem Embassy matter or even his speech in Oxford, the extreme anti-West propaganda. He knows well, that is why he did not ask from America help for fight Covid-19, but appeared as an advocate to Chinese WHO. Didn’t he the one fired Mangala from FAM accusing listening to UNHRC? Didn’t he send Tilak in 2018 to UNHRC to issue treat of leaving it? Is that his thinking America pay the bill and UN institutions take of Lankawe & China only?
America pays 60 Million. China pays only 30 Million. Isn’t 1.5 B Chinese population has more to gain from WHO and China has to foot more of the bill? IF JVP & UNP goes knocked down, Mahajan has only Slap Party – SLFP terrorists gang only. They can boycott the election but if they go to vote, to whom are they going to vote? So let the election to take place when it happens by the grace of Buddha, Allah, Siva & Jesus.
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Lasantha Pethiyagoda / April 18, 2020
It is still too early for career politicians to learn that there’s more to life than fooling the people and winning elections to rule over them and exploit the public funds for their personal use. You see, unlike public officials, politicians have one objective: achieve and stay in power for as long as possible at any cost to others (not themselves). Therefore, it does not really require a long article to understand the motives of politicians. Their excuses or explanations can never be trusted. Elections have always been a sham for exploiting the wealth of the people. It is no different this time either.
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Pon Kulendiren / April 19, 2020
The President and his yes men will intimidate EC members, and the Professional in the medical sector to say everything is OK, no one will get infected if elections are held, and when elections meetings are held. Let the public parenting meetings going for voting were maks, and everything will be fine. They know that Sri Lankans are idiots who can be swayed by using communal slogans. What they want is the two-third majority through less than 50% voting so that President will become dictator, and the Ruhunu dynasty can rule the country. Sri Lankans living down south can be deceived by saying Thabyas and Demals are deciding the election date in a Singha Buddhist Country. Gota should know that the international community is watching every action taken by him. Now that China is deep trouble he can not ask China to save Ruhunu dynasty The economy is in worse condition and will go bankrupt if the second epidemic of COVID19 breaks out by lifting the curfew, May lord Buddha blees Srilanka from repaying Karma
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SJ / April 22, 2020
PK
China may be in ‘deep’ s*** but the US and its European allies are in much deeper s*** to waste time on small projects like Sri Lanka.
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Chethiyasena / April 19, 2020
Isn’t it funny that a member of the INDEPENDENT Election Commission is writing articles of a political nature for a politically aligned publication?
Professor Hool looks like the Puhul Horaa in that ( Sinhala) folk tale.
??
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Buddhist / April 19, 2020
EC Chair has no right to appoint anyone or even meet a political party or civil organization without other 2 commissioners being present. Deshapriya, it appears has been bought by Rajapakses. Voters in SL and most political parties have no trust in him. It’s time he honorably resigns from the Commission or at least step down from the position of the Chairman. One of the other two can takeover. We do not want a crook as chair of EC.
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anonymous / April 19, 2020
“Voters in SL and most political parties have no trust in him. It’s time he honorably resigns from the Commission or at least step down from the position of the Chairman.”
Did I hear him say he will quit after the presidential elections in Nov.2019 or am I mistaken?
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Douglas / April 19, 2020
Prof. Hoole: You say, there needs to consult “Experts’ opinion to assess the situation of COVID 19 and then only a decision could be made on the date of the election. Thre is another “Professor” by the name Prof. Nalin de Silva, who is due to assume duties as the Sri Lanka Envoy in Myanmar, who says: “The President will be informed by NATHA DEVIYO the date to have the elections”. You, a Professor want “Experts” opinion while another “Professor” says “Natha Deviyo” will decide through his “Representative” the present President. Of the “Two Professors”, we the uneducated want to know whom to trust and rely on. In the midst of all these, the Ven. Thero of Sri Pada wants the present President GR to continue for the next five years without any election. Now we are utterly confused, with all these announcements of “Natha Deviyo”; “Professors” and “Buddha Puthras”( a saffron clothed Buddhagama Priest). What a situation, we uneducated are bombarded with. Is that fair?
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Amarasiri / April 19, 2020
Prof. S. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole,
A women arrested for reporting REAL NEWS. She reported that thee was no Food at Sathosa.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_2kuRAjUQ4
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In this backdrop, it ll not be easy to mislead the nation, as had been before. So the struggle of the current rulers would not be easy at all.
A 50-year old woman has been arrested by the CID on charges of posting false and misleading content about COVID-19 on social media.
Police said the woman, a resident of Nalla, Divuldeniya was arrested on Thursday.
The suspect woman to be produced in the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today.
Meanwhile, the police said including the arrest of this woman, the CID has arrested a total of 17 individuals for posting false and misleading content on social media.
They said that the CID is conducting investigations to arrest such people, who post detrimental posts, videos and fake news via social media and other platforms to mislead the public to create panic among them
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Nagalingam Ethirveerasingam / April 19, 2020
Thank you Ratnajeevan. I am glad you as member of the EC letting the public know the machination of the President and his officers to get the EC to hold elections during the current Pandemic. For all who want to know the daily status of the COV 2. 19 can refer to the Epidemology website – http://www.epid.gov.lk -.. It gives the details by District and by the Govt Hospitals that are keeping records and trea≥ting the victims of this Pandemic.
The data is available in Sinhala and English. Tamils and Sinhalese who do not know either of the languages I am sure know the English District names.
The data show, as of April 18, 18 Districts have 0 to 2 infected persons and 2 Districts have 5 and 7. 5 Districts cases are as follows: Jaffna 16, Gampaha 28, Puttalam 35, Kalutura 45 and Colombo 49. The Epidemologist can give the rate of infection in each of the districts and whether those over 18 can travel by public transport to and from polling station, vote and be safe from infection. They and C can also advise whether the 235 infected persons and those who are voluntarily or mandated to be in quarantine can vote without traveling.
Whether to hold election under the Pandemic situation depends on advice from organization of medical specialists. The EC have to make their decision based on the Medical professional organizations only.
A Commander in Chief and Generals make military decisions to send troops, bomb, or fire artillery against enemies based on acceptable percent of casualties of their own troops and civilians. The Parliament election is not a military operation and the people should ensure there is no casualties or violation of the laws. The EC and the Medical professionals as decision makers need to ensure there is no casualties if elections are held. If elections are held against the advise of the Medical professional organization and there is an increase of Cov 2, 19 victims, the EC will be responsible and should be prosecuted for Crimes against humanity.
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Sampath / April 19, 2020
The way the EC chairman behaves is clear that he is not independent from the present government.
1. EC chairman promised to rescind before the last election and after the election, he decided not to rescind.
2. EC Chairman was pointing one EC member may resist over the citizenship issue and he promised he can manage the member.
3. EC chairman postponed EC members gathering and respond to medial on his own.
4. EC chairman does not respond to the telephone calls of the member of the EC.
In nutshell, it seems EC Chairman is in collusion with politicians to threaten the EC members and force them to agree as the politicians want to fixed the date without considering the consequences.
However, one of the EC members already came to the public and raised his voice asking expert evidence of ending of COVID 19 impact in order to decide the date of election and thereby the EC chairman’s collusive agenda become unsuccessful.
Dear EC Charman, you should rescind from EC and join as an SLPP member.
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SarathP / April 19, 2020
Dear Prof. Hoole,
I salute your courage and hope you will stand up to Shavendra and the other bullies and thugs at the meeting. We rely on you.
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K.A. Sumanasekera / April 19, 2020
Dr Rajitha the most powerful UNP Minister ever, came out yesterday saying the current Govt Stats of this Corona Virus are all Bull.
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Dr Rajitha said there are Tens, if not Hundreds of thousands inhabitants in Lankawe. who are infected with CoVid-19..
That is why his Party does not want the Election.-
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Dr Rajitha’s statement was confirmed by the other powerful ex UNP Minister in Colombo Mr Mano Ganeeshan who said there are 50,000 Corona Infected inhabitants .
And he got all their names and their locations as well.
And Mr Ganeshan warned that there can not be Elections under those conditions.
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Wouldn’t it be better for this Election Commission member to present these serious Corona Statistics to the President and demand that he should postpone the Election.?.
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And send a copy to the United Nations as well, in case Prez Nandasena decides to disregard this grave situation as revealed by these latest statistics from the eminent Ministers who ruled our Inhabitants for the past 5 years..
.
Most importantly wouldn’t that frighten the daylight out of our inhabitant population .
Which may get them behind Dr Rajitha and Mr Ganeshan and their Leaders and not turn up at the Polling Booths?.
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Wonder whether that will amount to a Boycott of the Election?..
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Bruno Umbato / April 19, 2020
Dear Hoole Baba,
U say
“As a Tamil, I am scared of arguing with him(Shavendra) on 20 April when we meet..”
like Sira ( our former president srilankans likes to erase from their memories) who
screamed he would have gone 8 feet under if he had lost the 2015 presidential election. There are babies everywhere .. in Politics especially…. But you do not get many among professors … Hoole seems to be sacred of elections more than (H)UNP gundas ….
I do not know how these extremely biased people occupy highest positions in independent bodies. I think that this was thank to the Rani-L/Sira/’Cival’ society wolfs like Wickrambahu, Kumar David
/dollar ‘kakkas’ like Gehan, Pakir Saravanamuththu ..
How these mentioned guys and their orgs are promoted as independent non biased? … It must be the joke of the century . But for the country called Sri Lanka, it is life or death/development or bankruptcy/Sovereiginity or becoming slaves of the west… OR happy contented life or miserable life….
Srilankans should know the agendas of the highly educated famous persons who are extremely biased but project themselves as “independent/non-biased” … else country would suffer like they went through from 2015 to 2019 …
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max / April 19, 2020
Wish you Godspeed as you travel to Colombo.
The Election Commission must be allowed to meet and discuss the situation as an independent body in order to arrive at an independent decision.
They should not be subjected to intimidation by powerful officials.
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babalath appu / April 19, 2020
Max,
.
Why CHAIR person of EC allowed to make public statements that way ?
–
is it not very irresponsible ?
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Is that professional ? That man with a bed-pan style mouth piece who does not seem to know the meaning of ” independent commission” is not caught by Rajapaksehs BPs, infecting him the same ” TENSION virus” which Chandananada went through ?.
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Our sinhalayas are becoming so stupid today -.. they dont know what is the meaning of an independent election commission ?
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shankar / April 19, 2020
Why can’t they have a amendment to the constitution that if in future for any election at any level if the turnout is less than two third,the election is null and void and has to be held again.
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Max / April 19, 2020
Kebab,
No harm in speaking to them, as long as there will be no harm caused to you, if you don’t obey them.
/