All government MPs have been asked to be present in Parliament today. It is speculated that a high profile UNP MP is going to crossover today.
Dayasiri
Speculation was rife in political circles that Kurunegala District UNP MP, Dayasiri Jayasekara, would cross over to the government, in lieu of being appointed as the Chief Ministerial candidate of the Wayamba Provincial Council. Jayasekara was keen to join the government after resigning from Parliament sources closed to the MP told Colombo Telegraph. As reported last week the SLFP Working Committee had approved the matter in principle and that a final decision of President Mahinda Rajapaksa was awaited.
Jayasekara recently held a discussion with the UNP leader Ranil Wickremasinghe and reportedly promised not to leave the party. Following the meeting he told media that he would not cross over as rumored.
Shanthi Peiris / July 24, 2013
Not surprised if more members cross over. The current leader of UNP and the Opposition is the most unpopular character they have ever had and it is a pity that he do not understand or pretend to understand that he is ruining the UNP while allowing the Jokers of the corrupt, lawless Banana Republic to ruin our Mother Lanka.
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Dodo / July 24, 2013
While Ranil’s behavior is awful and he is the UNP’s virtual DICTATOR, Dayasiri should NOT join the Military Dictators Mahinda Rajapassa.
This action shows up Dayasiri to be as UNPRINCIPLED and self-serving – as are all the other corrupt, self-seeking politicians who are only into politics for self-enrichment. Just because you do not get a promotion in one party headed by a dictators there is no reason to join another equally unprincipled dictator! There are other more principled things Dayasiri could do but lacks the imagination and the principles.
Sri Lankan politics is the pits and the politicians like Dayasiri and Ranil are BOTH scoundrels – one and ALL!
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Jillmart / July 24, 2013
Maithree Wickramasinghe [Edited out] should ask her hubby to resign from the UNP and stop destroying the party and the country since the Rajapassa regime currently has NO OPPOSITION since SHAMELESS Ranil is busy fighting to stay alive with his own party members..
THERE IS NO WAY THAT RANIL CAN WIN ANY FUTURE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION EVER.
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Nelun Gunasekera / July 24, 2013
The current UNP leader as far as I can see IS about the least corrupted,’I am what you see’ no masks,not a people person(thats his problem) but very matter of fact,knows solutions to problems if the people will let him solve them.OUR PROBLEM WE CANNOT ACCEPT SOMEONE WHO SHOWS HIS TRUE CHARACTER AND PERSONALITY AND WHO DOES NOT HAVE A COMPLEX ABOUT TRYING TO PROVE HIMSELF.WHY? BECAUSE ALL THOSE WHO ARE THERE IN THE PRESENT ‘RULING SYSTEM’ ARE THOSE WHO ARE BENEFITTING FROM IDEAS AND ACTIONS THAT WERE PUT IN PLACE BY THE FORMER UNP GOVERNMENT.
IF WE THINK CAREFULLY THERE ARE NO NEW IDEAS EXCEPT NEW NAMES FOR OLD NAMES-EX GAMUDAWA,DIVINAGUMA,JANASAVIYA,SAMUDRI ETC.THINK PEOPLE.HAVE THEY DONE AWAY WITH THE CONSTITUTION THAT THEY SCOLDED JR FOR?
WE WILL HAVE A VERY FIT AND HEALTH CONSCIOUS COLOMBO CITY CROWD-WHY-BECAUSE JR MOVED THE PARLIAMENT TO KOTTE AND OPENED UP MARSHY LANDS!!!THANK THE CORRECT PEOPLE FOR THE BENEFITS OF THE OPEN ECONOMY.NOT THOSE WHO OPPOSED IT VEHEMENTLY AND ARE NOW USING AND MISUSING IT.
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JULAMPITIYE AMARAYA / July 24, 2013
But He was wearing a Mask,
when the last uprising of Southern youths in late 19 s.
do you think that mask destroyed or kept hiding for future use.
J R Gave all the ropes and masks with help of INDIA RAW Agency and SLFP, JVP, PREMDASA, LTTE, INDIAN GOV, RAJAPASSA Clan Gulf, Even RAJIV GHANDI gulp those ropes.
Sri lanka MASSES PAID and Still paying the price for that.
So J R nephew will be like the same FOX.
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Samaya / July 24, 2013
You are right. Absolutely.
Today, if you just use some words to twist the mindsets of people – you will have good cards. RW cares about the rule of law – whenever he brings anything, he goes through the paragraghs. Latter is not the case with MR, he gets on with any IRCs and even introduce them to the nation as exemplary ones.. stupid majority pay smile and become happy for any kind of foolish statments made by incumbent pres. May be he luck is there to in power.. but this is no good for the future of the country, even young ones would feel in this way. Today, there is no respect to ones who are good natured and uncorrupted charactors.
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Samaya / July 24, 2013
Why Ranil to be blamed, even if they idiots want to leave the party at this critical stage of the politics in the country. Those who cross over do you think are good politicans ? Is the ruling bunch good politicians ?
Root cause of the problem lies on our politicians mind. DJaya is an active UNP politician, but if he would cross over, nobody would respect him anymore. That has nothing to do with RW.
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gonbella / July 24, 2013
Sri Lankan politics is Sri Lankan politics. Make money while the sun shines.
Principles??? What principles??
Opposition??? Opportune opposition.
Sri Lankan party politics is for partying only, just like the image shows. Everyone is there making money while the BBS, Ravaya and Urumaya thugs are getting ready to burn the country once more.
Nero is playing the fiddle.
And the rest of us will keep singing ‘Loke Uthum Rata Lankawai’.
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Wera / July 24, 2013
Well said. I cannot agree with the tired accusations against Ranil.
There are no inteligent and honest alternatives. Sri lanka has degenerated into tje gutter.
Dayasiri will be joining the gutter.
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Aney Apochchi! / July 24, 2013
Gonbella:
You are dead right!
This piece of …………. enjoyed a real honeymoon – in more ways than one – when he crossed over to the UNP with his boss, G.L.Peiris, and, having built up a personal reputation in that party, is now on his way to his REAL home of opportunism. What else is new?
The real fault of the UNP is that it has tolerated people of this kind and given them a platform to build their personal reputations without leaving them on the garbage heaps where they belong.
Remember a fellow called Johnston Fernando who played exactly the same game, even plotting to kill Rajapassa? He, too, is doing very well indeed with his new boss.
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justice / July 24, 2013
“Cross Overs” were deemed legal by former CJ Sarath Silva.
This was the worst piece of legislation ever.
In the old days,cross overs were not permitted.Any MP not pleased with his party’s policy could only resign.
A by-election was then conducted.
Those who crossed over from the UNP to the SLFP after this government was elected,did not do so for principles,but for perks,portfolos and monetary inducements.
One who decided to cross over – Karu Jayasuria ‘returned’ to the UNP, disillusioned,when as the Minister of Public Administration,his selction of grama-sevakas purely on merit was severely criticised by President Mahinda Rajapakse.
He is one of the few who stood by his principles and did not fall prey for “inducements”.
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Fairplay in action / July 24, 2013
In my view Ranil is the most important “defacto crossover man” supporting the present government regime. As long as he leads the now dying UNP, everything will be hunky dory for those presently in power.
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Sumith / July 24, 2013
With a president with powers from presidency and 18th Amendment there cannot be any opposition. President can buy, threaten, lure anybody to UPFA. Only thing a president cannot do is convert a man to woman. rest he can do.
So just stop worrying about the country and join UPFA and rob public & country as much as you can…..
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Sumith / July 24, 2013
Further if you want a opposition to do the checks and balances of MR & UPFA look at India and west. -:)
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Disgusted UNPer / July 24, 2013
Dayasiri, up to yesterday you have been saying that you will never leave the UNP and now this is unbelievable. You were a good debater for the UNP and exposed and ridiculed the mismanagement and corruption of the ruling party. How can you turn around and sing hosannas to Govt. now? Where are your principals? Will anyone take you seriously any more? By your unprincipled action you have committed political suicide and don’t expect any sensible person to rally-round you. You didn’t realize that MR has destroyed your bright political future. Even though you have crossed over don’t expect the NCP voters to support the despicable regime that you have now joined.
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Samaya / July 24, 2013
I think this will backfire his political future. He always says that he is a lawyer, how can he criticise Mervin, Duminda and the rest now ?
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Shafik / July 24, 2013
shame on you Daya….
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susilpremawathie / July 24, 2013
Nothing to be so serious. He will loose MP post and CM post both. Its a fart. But its not a fault of Dayasiri, but RW. Now RW can bring his favorite Akila Viraj up to lead Kurunegala which is an imagination only. Before everything RW should leave the party, if not he will be ended up with his favorite Executive Committee consists of losers and condemn old codgers only.
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Piyumi Watawala / July 24, 2013
MR will go all out to destroy and demoralize the UNP because that party is his only threat.JVP is a joke. This Dayasiri incident is just another attempt. MR wants Ranil out because the UNP has no other leader who is disciplined and smart. People who join in the attack on UNP leader are just helping MR’s evil strategy. Ranil knows what’s happening only too well. MR can buy up anybody with KP’s money
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Rooster / July 26, 2013
Dayasiri is nothing but an average type artist who can sing some songs.
Dayasiri was working for MR for the past 3 or 4 years which was a known fact. dayasiri was GL’s blue eyed boy one time. In fact Ranjan Ramanayaka has done something significant to the party than Dayasiri.
Dayasiri’s cross over isn’t a loss to the UNP at all.
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Thilak Dissanyake / July 24, 2013
Look at the picture that will reveal the story. Dayasiri surrounded by Mervyn, Bandula and all the crooks. Duminda will also come.
I agree with Piyumi
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M Y Foote / July 24, 2013
How many of you remember that he is the protege of GL and crossed over from Chandrika’s government with GL et al?
So here is going back to where he belongs.
The issue is not about his going but the inability of the leadership in the UNP to retain their membership!
A good leader is one who knows how to bring out the best in the team. Ranil has sadly failed in this aspect.
I am firmly of the belief that he should understand his capacity and capabilities.
He is not a peoples person, his command of Sinhala is atrocious, which disqualifies him from a front line role.
He has good international contacts, is very knowledgeable and is very strategic. I see him playing the role of international power-broker, indulging in quiet diplomacy and steering the party.
Get a charismatic guy, I don’t find any in the current leadership to don the leadership role.
Without a rethink the UNP is doomed
M Y Foote
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Dilshan / July 24, 2013
Shame on you Dayasiri you are a sellfish pig. lastly you also jumped to the hell. one day all corrupted politicians learn a lesson from the people.
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Park / July 24, 2013
Face of a TRAITOR of the highest order. There are so many video clips on the internet where he has attacked the ruling party. Now he is joining him. What sort of politicians do we have in this country, I mean both the guys who are jumping ship and those who are requesting them to jump. Shame on you politicians of Sri Lanka. Are the voters of Sri Lanka so stupid not to understand this?
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CyrilPathiranage / July 24, 2013
This is not a UNP problem.This is a Rajapaksha government problem.They not sure to win PC election with corrupted SLFP men.They need new famous person to there victory.Dayasiri is a very famous man in UNP now.Government paid and BUY him.
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G. Panditha / July 24, 2013
Dear DoDo.
Can you tell me which political party in Sri Lanka is not dictatorial?
All parties have to follow what the leader wants. Is SLFP or the alliance have real democracy. Then it is a dilution.
Dear Nelun Gunasekera, Samaya, gonbella, Wera and Aney Apochchi:
You’ll are spot on. RW is not a pretender, like MR. He does not carry babies, to get popularity. I remember even Vijaya Kumaratinga carrying a tiny Samanera on a political stage. RW does not do those but he uses his head and not the heart. But Sri Lanka voter wants one who performs for their joy, even if they have to go hungry.
justice: If Karu did not join MR today he would have been the undisputed leader of the UNP. He dug his own grave by joining this regime. I blame his advisers. He went with another 17 but returned single.
Dear justice: I agree, Sarath N. Siva is the cause of present political calamity. When the law specifies that a person crossing over from one party to another looses his MPship, what dis Silva do? To curry favour and to support CBK. he ruled saking from a party is illegal.
Dear Sumith:
President can buy only if others a greedy. Most our politicians are greedy and MR is using their weakness.
Dear Piyumi Watawala:
There is lot of sense in what you say. As said before Karu’s cross over cost dearly to the UNP. Although he is back, he is now dud coin.
-Pandith
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Samaya / July 24, 2013
I hate Dayasiri J from this day on. I thought he was a person with principles. Anyway, immediately I read the news just now – I am helpless. This country is on a danger today. No doubt about that.
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Safa / July 24, 2013
MR is getting rather deperate to buy over a person like Dayasiri to gain votes. Looks like he is not sure of the result. What will his SLFP crowd say to this? No CM post for them?
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / July 24, 2013
The people of the NWP should deliver their verdict! I do not understand the political calculations of Dayasiri Jayasekera at this point in time when the governments standing among the people appears rather precarious.
The people as a whole are concerned about the lack of principles and opportunism of this government, it addition to the difficulties they face in making ends meet. How could Dayasiri, whom I had thought was aware of everything that is wrong in this country and with her government, have committed this act of political suicide? He was a bright star in the political horizon and has chosen to tarnish his own sheen. What a pity?
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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Don / July 24, 2013
Saddest reality. This is the political culture of the country today.
You would not keep faith on any politicians.
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Dev / July 24, 2013
I think desperation, Ranil who waxes eloquent on westminster parliamentary traditions does not follow the most basin of its traditions -that is the leader quits if he fails to win the election for the party.
Look at William Hague (also Gordon Brown in Labour who continues to be a back bencher), quit the moment he lost the election.
The Tories had to go through several leaders before they found David Cameron !
How can the UNP do the same if this man hangs on to the leadership????
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Sama / July 25, 2013
why do you think so ?
If any other MPs or Ministers would do so – there will have no opposition in the country. Why cant JVPers do the same ? It seems those lawmakers in JVP are not that cheap politicians. It is just people like Dayasiri would only love perks. He proved to all of us today, he has no charactor…
People will think twice next time before they would vote for anyone. They are not stupid as Rajapakshes believe.
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Sama / July 25, 2013
If this is a deal based on 250 mio rps, people will not VOTE for this man for sure. Jaya niyathai !!!!!!
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mahela / July 24, 2013
Dr.RN,
We understand your point and are sad about this whole episode. But it is not only Dayasiri but the cream of young bright UNP politicians that Ranil got rid of.
All started afrter Ranil started visiting Araliya Gaha Madiraya in the evenings to havfe black coffee with President Rajapakse. Who is the opposition leader who ever do this. There could be many conspiracies behind this similar to BBS.
Ranil does not give a hoot to anybody even after loosing 12 consecutive elections, while keeping a set of goons committee behind him. His only priority is to safeguard the Parliament and his 85 million rupee opposition leader seat. Has he planned any stratgey to win elections.
When MR safeguards even the Party criminals, Ranil bring to Disciplene committee for no reason the best and popular UNP young blood. Why…… He is a Homo Perv….rt and Dayasiri Jayasekera said it in the interview.
We all saw how RW acted when CJ Dr,Shirani Bandaranayake was impeached.
Knowing he will never win any elections, Ranil has a plan to destroy and dismental UNP for ever and it started today.
Please keep a box of rotten eggs, tomatoes, potatoes, cucumber and inoin ready to give a farewell dinner to Ranil. Sooner the better.
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Patriot / July 25, 2013
Dr.Rajasingham, Dayasiri is is no fool as you may think. In my opinion, he is a realist. Listen to his parting speech at parliament. Jayasekara’s speech resonate the impossibility of UNP coming to power in a foreseeable future. More importantly, it shows the weakness of the opposition if not the sorry state of the UNP. Jayasekara resigning from his parliamentary seat to face an election from a new party shows he has placed his confidence of the ongoing popularity of MR or rather the strength of the government than his own popularity.
This move by the President is nothing but politics. Just like TNA pulled a justice as their CM candidate from its magic hat, in my opinion, this move is not just a timely one but also a brilliant one. It would send a strong signal to potential TNA voter that the government too is capable of drawing rabbits out nowhere.
In my opinion, the message that the government want to send to voters of the North is; it and not India is in control of politics in Sri Lanka. And 13A will be amended in due cause whether India like it or not. So, it is in their interest to elect a PC that can work with the government for their benefit. And, diaspora, TGTE or IC cannot bring them Eelam.
I believe Jayasekara saga rejuvenate the alliance candidates and off balance the TNA campaign in the North.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / July 25, 2013
There is an avalanche of public dissent building up. This is patently palpable. This avalanche is likely to become a fact, regardless of the state the UNP is in. The UNP may be the inadvertent and probably the undeserving beneficiary considering the circumstances. It appears to me that we are on the way to changing the present government with whatever alternative that is bound to be available, unless MR makes a 180 degree turn on many matters and makes life easier to bear for the oeople. I hope Dayasiri Jayasekra will be able to ride this avalanche .
Further, under the present voting sytem, preferential votes ( manape) Dayasiri got at the last general elections were part of the votes cast for the UNP as a party. It was the party first and the candidate second. He was the most popular candidate on the UNP ticket. This factor should not be also overlooked either.
Dr. Rajasingham Narendran.
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mahela / July 24, 2013
Sad news for UNP’ers and all country loving citizens.
Dismantling and Distruction of UNP as a party just began and Ranil planned this and we UNPers knew this. Also we all know that Ranil is a Girlie Boy, although he is married, and Dayasiri confirmed it.
May be that’s the reason why he spends more time at Araliya Gaha Mandiraya than visiting villeges, while getting mega 85 Million Rupee Parliament Payroll .
All my generations including me are UNPers, ever since Independence and long before Ranil came to do Politics.
What I herd was even JRJ who is Ranil’s uncle did not like Ranil coming into Politics and was kept him away from getting top seats, now keeping a Fake Committee and harassing party members.
Ranil’s only qualification to be the party leader is that he is from Col.7, from rich parents and his uncle was the past President of UNP.
Other than that Ranil did not carry any qualifications to be a Leader who could plan to win elections. It is only during his time that a record number of exodus took place from party and still continuing.
Is Ranil a true UNP leader or a Decoy, a spy or a Dummy who give all the information to MR. I suspect him. He never critised MR on any issue, even when the CJ Dr.Shirani Bandaranayake was impeached.
He spent more time to disciplene his party members than planning to win elections. He is the least popular leader among 80% of our Villagers.
UNP Patriots, please come to save our party from total destruction from this Coward dictator.Feel sorry for Dayasiri Joining another fox crook Dictator.
Atleast Please keep some rotten eggs, tomatoes, onions and potatoes ready to give Ranil a farewell party.
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Roy / July 24, 2013
No Government can be long secure without a formidable Opposition.
Opposition will occur within the government and explode.
Its high time for Chandrika to join with Sarath Fonseka even though she may be a cow.
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Lapatiya / July 24, 2013
Now all “Deshadrohi” people in Sri Lanka might think that Dayasiri is a Traitor and he crossed over for Rs.250M. Actually in my Opinion he has chosen the right side now and I am sure that he has never taken even a single Rupee for this cross over. He Should have done this long back leaving “party Dictator” and Strengthening “Mad Dictators” arms. From today he will become a “Ape Miniha” and also he will be belongs to “Deshapremi” nade and he deserve a Responsible post in either BBS or Rawana balukaya. Reasons for Dayasorry’s cross over other than serving to the Motherland, reveled by one of his close associates and some of them are,
1. Ranil W. never carry a baby in a public gathering despite advises given by his Advisors.
2. Ranil W. never banged to his chest and say first motherland, second motherland, third motherland and forth also motherland despite advises.
3. Ranil W. does not talk about Deshapremaya, Jaathi Aalya, Bahumika Akandathawaya, etc. etc.
Suba Anagathayak – Sorry Daya
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Jayantha / July 25, 2013
Fellow Citizens. It is a sad day today. We citizens are been taken for another big ride by both Ruling and the Main opposition party.
This is what our Politicians did to us ever since Independence. Jumping from one party to another to flourish themselves while citizens rights are not been served.
By erecting a club house called Parliament both the Government and the opposition screwed the citizen while serving themselves and today is another chapter.
The new COPE report say that 72 Govt. Institutions are running at mega losses and could collapse anytime.
COPE did not audit Parliament ministers and MP’s Payroll,their benefits and perks which should be have been done and published.
According to some calculations to maintain the Parliament, Govt.is spending approximately 15,000 Million Rupees per year. This includes Ministers and MP’s Salaries and benefits. Who could afford this much of money for a bunch of uneducated corrupt do nothing so called politicians.
Parliament is run like a Mafia organization taking turns, and both Govt. and the opposition is safeguarding it.
It is hi-time COPE audit and give a report on Parliament expenses.
Also COPE should audit all the PC’s and UDC’s and Municipality counsils to check how much money is spent on these wasteful bodies.
It is time to get rid of this Parliament club house for good.
Give the administration of the country to a capable, qualified, experienced, professional committee and close down the Corrupt Parliament for good. Otherwise Parliament will collapse Sri Lanka’s economy making people to eat Punnakku…..Coconut dust.
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Wyatt K / July 27, 2013
If I were making policy for the UNP I would allow M.A. Sumanthiran to stay in the TNA if he chooses and simultaneously allow him to be a member of the UNP and its leader. Now that would really be interesting…
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Mahela / July 27, 2013
Wyatt,
Yes I agree with you,
Been a Sinhalese I still have more faith a Tamil Brother in President’s seat will be more honest and will do a better job than our Kapatiya Parliament.
Upto now not a single Tamil Politician crossed over to Government side from a Tamil Party, and that say’s it all.
Kadirgamar is a true Patriot and with high Integrity, who voiced for the 13th amendment and voiced Tamil’s right unfortunately was killed by another Tamil.
Get ready now to eat Polkudu been fed by Sinhala Politikkas after ending a 30 year war.
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