19 March, 2024

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Anura Is Ready To Lead, Sajith Asks The Government To Leave, Gota Mulls Referendum & Sirisena Calls It Silly

By Rajan Philips

Rajan Philips

The title is a mouthful. But that is the state of Sri Lankan politics now. Nonetheless, some saw a spark, and others a specter, when in December JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake told his Party convention and the country at large: “We are ready to take up the leadership of the country”. There is a swagger about the JVP now, justifiably after Mr. Dissanayake’s relentless probing in parliament, his exposé of the Fortress Energy Agreement, and the growing media interest in the JVP and its electoral front, the NPP. But their detractors are questioning if what the JVP/NPP is showing is enough to vault it from 3% and 3 seats to even 30% and 75 seats, let alone 50% and 125 seats.

That is a fair question to ask. But it should not be difficult to see, except for those who are stuck with anti-JVP beams in their eyes, that the present JVP is not the same JVP of the 1970s and 1980s. Unlike in 1971, there is no Left in Sri Lanka for the current JVP to go far or ultra-Left. And unlike during its second coming in the 1980s, there is no Right in Sri Lanka for the JVP to go far-right and chauvinistic. Now, there is only the Rajapaksa regime that it is neither Left nor Right, but downright corrupt, incompetent to the core, and civilizational when convenient. The present regime is the singular marker on the political landscape that defines the relative positions of all its detractors and contenders, including the JVP.

As for Sajith Premadasa, he has higher numbers – 42% of the vote in 2019 and 54 seats in parliament; and so, goes the argument, he and his Party have greater entitlement than the JVP to reach 50% and 125 seats. Sajith’s proponents assert his paternal name recognition and take his readiness for granted, even though the younger Premadasa has not declared his readiness the way his father did, or Anura Kumara is doing now. He has, however, while celebrating “his 55th birthday in the North”, on January 12, has “urge(d) the present government to resign,” as Sri Lanka “needs new rulers who can take the nation out of the economic crisis.” Among the “many things to be done to get of the current national tragedy”, Mr. Premadasa has added, “the most important thing is to handover the nation to an able leader.” Who would it be?

Election, which election, or Referendum?

Where does all this leave the incumbent President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa? His term in office so far can only be described as “terrible two” (years). Even though he is not shying away from his record, the President blames everyone else other than himself for the state of his presidency and the plight of the country. He told newspaper editors when he met them before Christmas that he has three more years to turn the ship, or the situation, around. Since then, he has got wiser and wants two more years added to his term to compensate for the alleged loss of two years due to Covid-19. A simple question is how have Bangladesh and Vietnam, and other comparable countries who too have had Covid-19, been able to manage their economies well? In the case of Bangladesh, it is cash-rich enough to offer Sri Lanka currency swaps to tide over its forex shortfalls.

The President is now mulling over, as headlined by The Island on Monday (January 10), a proposition put to him by an anonymous young Sri Lankan at the Dalada Maligawa, “why a referendum couldn’t be conducted to ascertain whether the electorate approved him extending his first term by two years as Covid-19 deprived him of 2020 and 2021.” The President, according to his Media Division, complimented the young citizen that “he should be appointed an advisor to the President”! But even before the President could have the referendum idea astrologically vetted by Gnanakka in Anuradhapura, his predecessor from Polonnaruwa has poured cold water on the referendum idea.

Indeed, the very next day after The Island’s main story, former President Maithripala Sirisena told the Daily Mirror that “it would be unrealistic for anyone to imagine the extension of the term of the present government by approval of people by referendum.” In his view, “the next parliamentary election would come first,” and given the country’s long history of government by alliance, the next government would be a different alliance with his SLFP playing a major role in it. All signs are the SLFP is on the way out of the Rajapaksa alliance, and it is no secret that alliance-brokers are trying hard for a Sajith-Sirisena political front. They have been together before in spirit, now they can be in person.

Now it is also different. Everything is different for that matter, and to some the Easter Sunday retribution clock is ticking on Maithripala Sirisena more than on anybody else. Mr. Sirisena would want a different government that includes him sooner than later. This present government gives him no protection. And he has zero prospect of being President again. A PM position in a new Premadasa presidency will be a good outcome, and he could do better than being a ‘name board’ PM, as the old Premadasa dig goes. But every plan has a snag. The preferred election for the Premadasa camp is not the parliamentary election but the presidential election. The brokers will have their work cut out. But they cannot quite determine which election would come first.

The JVP’s preferred election is also the parliamentary election. Sunil Watagala, the JVP Central Committee Member and Legal Advisor, told the Sunday Island (January 2) that the government has proved to be a failure and it should hold elections after dissolving parliament. That might lead to a new parliament and a different majority, but the President will remain until his term is over. That is the vicious cycle of the JRJ Constitution. For his part and for the SLPP, President Rajapaksa would have no election rather than any election. Hence his curiosity about the referendum option. If only a referendum can postpone all elections with the people exercising their sovereignty in one fell swoop. But isn’t the President on course to have a different referendum for his ne constitution? So, which election or referendum will it be? Parliamentary or presidential? A constitutional referendum or a ‘terminal’ one? Or two referenda in one and no election? Back to the 1982 future?

Crazier and Crazier

Talking about the President’s new constitution, no one knows if it is still on track or has gone off the rail. The President’s constitutional project is just like his fertilizer fiasco in thought (or lack of it) and in action. But, fortunately, there is no physical devastation in the constitutional project. To put this in perspective, the 2019 presidential election was the first election in 25 years, since the 1994 presidential election, when the presidential system or the constitution were not on the ballot. Yet, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the first elected political leader without any prior familiarity with anything about the constitution, set himself up to deliver a new constitution wholesale, not just routine retail amendments. But like everything else about this government, the President’s constitutional project has turned into a spectacle. And this one in a court room.

Two prominent lawyer members of the Experts Committee that the President gazetted up to draft his new constitution, namely, Romesh de Silva and Manohara de Silva, are pitted on the opposite sides in the Yugadanavi fundamental rights case before the Supreme Court. Manohara de Silva is appearing for one of the petitioners challenging the government’s LNG contract with the American company, New Fortress Energy, while Romesh de Silva is representing one of the government respondents, the Ceylon Electricity Board. In a case that is shaking the very stability of the SLPP caucus and the Rajapaksa cabinet, not to mention the hallowed sovereignty of the country.

There is nothing wrong in two lawyers taking opposite sides in a court case. What is wrong is in the President’s appointment of lawyers from the unofficial bar to officially draft the country’s constitution. In times past, when propriety was premium, lawyers from the unofficial bar who worked on constitutional drafting or government business would take leave of absence from their private practice and accept temporary appointments in government. Not in the present regime. And stuck as he is on every front, the President is hardly in a position to present whatever draft that his committee may have prepared, let alone pursue its passage in parliament and a referendum.

While there is a great deal of esoteric chatter about constitutional changes, the people are agitated about their hardships and the very strong likelihood of their getting even harder. There is Covid-19 and the concern that the current calm might turn into another infectious storm, the way it happened in the last cycle. There is imminent food shortage and there are fears of mass starvation. Power cuts are looming and there is no crude oil to refine. There is no foreign exchange for anything and the Pied Piper of the Central Bank is fooling the entire cabinet that he can cash-swap Sri Lanka out of indebtedness without even saying IMF. The mystery of misfiring gas cylinders has become more mysterious after the same-day firing and rehiring of the Chairman of Litro Gas. Things are no longer getting curiouser and curiouser. They are only getting crazier and crazier.

Resistance and protests have already surfaced across the country and in every cross-section of society. There is no indication that the government is capable of providing any redress to the people on any matter that is hurting them. All indications are that the government is clueless about anything and everything that come before it. The expectations are that people’s frustrations will spill over into street protests and agitations. The fears are also that the government might use mass agitations as excuse for a military crackdown. On the other hand, calling on the military might be a step too far and precipitate government collapse. There could be early elections, or there might be attempts to have term extending referenda. This is the backdrop in which Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Sajith Premadasa are staking their claims to take charge of the country. They have a long way to go, even though the present government is running out of road. (To be continued).

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Latest comments

  • 9
    22

    in the 80 we thought the JVP was not the same as the seventies. and now he thinks it is not the same as the 70s and 80s . lmao . get burned twice want to get burned for good ?

    • 11
      0

      From 3% votes and 3 seats to a vertical takeoff to 50 % votes and 125 seats in less than 3 years, is beyond the capacity even for Hitler. Readiness to leap will not inspire anyone, democratically inclined or with a revolutionary bent. Let it be known that Lenin said in June – July 1917, Russians were not ready for a revolution. At a point of time, Trotsky said “If distress alone can launch a revolution, the world should be in a state of perpetual revolution”.

    • 11
      3

      And in the 70ties
      .
      People thought SLFP would be a people’s party that would work for the people
      .
      People thought UNP would be a people’s party that would work for the people
      .
      And in the 80ties
      .
      UNP did whole lot of good things by introducing ” OPEN ECONOMIC POLICIES”, giant projects like Mahaweli and lot more regarding apparel industry (setting Free Trade Zones). Peoples life turned out to be booming… however

      UNP govts lasted until 1994
      .
      Insurgency in 89-92 cornered JVPrs again /would that be different where similar unrests broke out——- would that be different in any other like minded countries ? NO
      :
      JVPrs entered in parlaimentary politics and for the last 30 years, they have been the only party to have done things much better being away from tradition corruptions/crimes – which has has become the deadly cancer to this nation
      .
      From 1994-2015 – SLFP led coalition govt ruled this nation and made it a ” nation” where no respect and dignity would prevail. Empty vessels like Wimal Rajapkashe Buruwanse misled the ” gawky” people for their voter gains/selfish agendas.
      :
      We in europe know – many in EUROPE would not know even the geographical location of the SL/ sure, it became a ” paradise for holiday makers” starting from UNP govt …

      • 11
        3

        .
        JVPrs entered in parlaimentary politics and for the last 30 years, they have been the only party to have done things much better being away from tradition corruptions/crimes – which has has become the deadly cancer to this nation
        .
        From 1994-2015 – SLFP led coalition govt ruled this nation and made it a ” nation” where no respect and dignity would prevail. Empty vessels like Wimal Rajapkashe Buruwanse misled the ” gawky” people for their voter gains/selfish agendas.
        :
        We in europe know – many in EUROPE would not know even the geographical location of the SL/ sure, it became a ” paradise for holiday makers” starting from UNP govt …
        :
        Above all from 2005- 2015 regime style authoritarian rules ruined country/nation as nothing can reverse. Whole lot of huge debt burdens heaped up through huge mismanagement of Rajapakshe two terms.

        So called CHINESE INVESTMENT INJECTIONs were tricked to twist the gullible mindset again and again. Mahinda Rajapkshe became untouchably wealthier, also owning ” PRIVATE JETS” like some richt wealthy men in europe and america – but sucking the last cent of the poor man.
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5EPrJCvxX8

  • 15
    1

    “…except for those who are stuck with anti-JVP beams in their eyes, that the present JVP is not the same JVP of the 1970s and 1980s.”
    *
    We cannot dismiss opinions so easily. There are those with deep-seated suspicions.
    If the JVP is to get far in the polls, it has to address the fears.
    Let us agree for argument sake that the JVP is a born again party. But it has to tell us in what way it has changed. Have they broken with the Wijeweera cult? What stands in the way? Why are the so slippery on the national question?
    I never considered the JVP to be Marxist. Have they got out of their 5-lectures mindset? It was at the turn of the century they emulated Colvin or went a step further to worship the mahanaykes to get their election manifesto blessed by them. Does that mark a change?
    They flirted with the SLFP under CBK to win seats then fell out and then got close to Mahinda R, only to be taught a bitter lesson. Mahinda split the JVP in three really, but we attribute only two to him.
    Perhaps its is not the JVP of the 1970s and 1980s

    • 2
      14

      I doubt it. prof

      but every 20 years or so our memory fades to the point they get a chance again. but this time it will be the end of the country.

      I can tell this without one day seeing my head on a stick because I don’t live in the country.

      Their playbook is the same. just a different issue. I see the jeppos on this site. It is unfortunate that Sajiths daddy did not finish them off and put an end to this plauge.

    • 1
      3

      In the 2015, Presidential Election both JVP and LTTE thought themselves to be smart and wanted Mahinda to win the Presidential Election over Ranil for different reasons.

      JVP thought after they could outflank Mahinda on the hardline racist front and replace him as the Sinhala Buddhist heroes and on the other hand LTTE feared Ranil and his western allies and both thought Mahinda to be weak on their shortsighted strategy.

      Mahinda proved both to be wrong by destroying LTTE decisively and sending JVP to political wilderness.

      Thus JVP had earned a permanent third force with a voter share of 3-4 %.and graduated to be only an effective opposition outfit.

      They need imaginative slogans similar to their 5 lectures of 1970s or SWRD’S Sinhala only in 24 hours slogans of 1956 that could lift them to victory in a democratic election otherwise they have to remain at the same place with slight up and downwards movements.

      Remember in the heat of elections, it is always two parties or two men race.

      • 2
        0

        Usually two party race – I agree.

  • 8
    1

    Similar effort to 1972 constitution making!!! BS
    The 1st elected parliament to be extended by FIAT!! Of the government in power in Sri Lanka!
    They (UF) claimed that they have spent 2 years making the new (!st) Republican constitution (Not attributable to FE crisis!!) reason for extending the term of then Parliament and government and then inexperienced PM!!!
    Now the same ‘Lot – meaning ex SLFP, present SLPP’ – claiming they were trying to cope with Covid and requesting a referendum from the people to extend parliament111
    What nonsensical argument by insane ‘LOT’????????
    Let us have a General election first and foremost, to cleanse the parliament of refracts, bootleggers, drug dealers, and bribe takers and corrupt and incompetent messiah’s, who claim the “high heaven and deliver nothing”, idiots from the august assembly and to enable the people to deliver a vote of confidence or no-confidence on these insolent messiah’s!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Referendum cannot do this, so it has to be a general election.
    The president will go on for next 3 years and if he turns the tide of the nation, then he could do a second term of 5 years until 2029, which is better than 2026 by a referendum!!!!!!!!!!

    • 2
      7

      Mahila,
      “Let us have a General election first and foremost, to cleanse the parliament of refracts, bootleggers, drug dealers, and bribe takers and corrupt and incompetent messiah’s,…”
      —-
      This is what regime change mafia told the voters in 2015 and brought ‘Yahapalana’ Government which became a great disaster to this country. The guy who went on charging Rajapakshes for corruption robbed the Central Bank not once but twice and allowed the robber from Singapore to escape. The character certificate Ranil gave is not worth even a piece of toilet paper.

      Once bitten twice shy.

  • 8
    1

    Vacancies exist, 2 key plumb jobs, come up unexpectedly in the last 24 hours.
    The employer (self-styled Voluntary humanitarian organisation) looking for a prospective candidate with following attributes:
    1. Fund Organiser for relief work:
    Outgoing personality, displaying compassion and friendly approach towards donors who could help in accumulating Substantial Funds towards TSUNAMI relief to those affected islands of Tonga and the nearby Islands in the Pacific, speedily and with facilities to disperse relief to all concerned in this tragic event, who have lost most of their assets fully or partially as a consequence of these unforeseen event.
    Place of work: TBA (one’s Home country is acceptable as work could be carried out online!)
    Remuneration
    By way of a commission paid based on the funds collected by the person. Considering the severity of the event and magnitude of relief required for reparations, funds collected would be substantial, so the resultant remuneration.
    This would be in addition to flight costs, subsistence for living expenses.
    In case the prospective candidate has means to use his own aircraft for flights to and from the affected sites in the Pacific littoral, reimbursement would be US$ 6,000.00/hour and from point to point, including non-flying hours.

  • 5
    2

    Part II
    No Propeller planes or Helicopters permitted. Jet propulsion aircraft of less than 5 years antiquity, only considered, as the sites includes vast pacific ocean states and short Take Off and Landing capability required.
    Embraer Legacy Jets are preferred, for the operation and would be compensated.
    The remuneration shall not exceeding 25% of collection.
    They would be paid to any bank account nominated by the prospect, including Saint Marino
    2. Judicial and Legal Aid Advisor
    Must have vast experience in Jurisprudence in a country of significant importance in South or South East Asia or Oceania. Retired Chief Justice and/or Attorney General would be considered for this position.
    He must be adaptable and flexible to deliver the desired judgement as necessary.
    IMMUNITY: If incorrect judgements are made and it “pricks” their conscience after a period of time, such clemency as desired would be provided “by way of ”PUBLIC APPOLOGY” is deemed sufficient and cannot be contested an any court whatsoever.
    ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES invited to apply with past experience sighting reference of events.

    • 12
      0

      Why worry about what happens in 3 years of which none of us have any control over, humans are a very complicated species, totally unreliable, life is so very fragile, we see how vulnerable our tomorrow is, and yet the arrogant man bowing, kneeling to his God dares to decide his tomorrow while he is fully aware he has no certainty of his next breath.

      As for me let the whole nation open the lid in three years to come and let the devil out, I care too less.

      What matters for me is my Country today, I prefer to humble myself to only pray and hope that our Country’s Economy is stabilized and saved from a major financial catastrophe.

      Nothing else matters for me but our Country.

  • 3
    14

    JVP/NPP form a coterie of those who missed the bus or taking a ride on the foot-board. There is nothing profound in their way of thinking like the snake wavering from side to side. Their thoughts are antique , rusty and bug infested. There is not a single pearl among the crowd for picking.

    • 14
      1

      HP,
      .
      Then tell us please the alternative !

      i dont think people would welcome another term of WADAYAKA/Gota-baya led politics from 2024.

      Gota has not clear vision at all –
      If he would support – corruption free -viyathmaga led future, how could he be abl eto appoint – MURUTHTHETTUWA BP as the VC of UOC ?????
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRkKYt_ukPg

      We should all stay behind NPP so that we can finally stand against ramphant corruption being continued by the known high criminals under current govt.
      :
      Gota s speech made to the gathering yesterday – made it very clear, he is a in a big problem – some thoughts would hav ebeen there bugger to make real changes but what if his siblings and their henchmen would not leave any GOOD systems be implemented ?
      .
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H_YDOmio8k

      • 4
        4

        Dear Leelagemalli! Unless you can find an honest politician who can lay down the hypocritical Sinhala-Buddhist Baggage it is for sure eternal hopelessness. I cannot pick one single individual who is steadfast in their own mind and capable to separate black from white or vise versa from what we got now. JVP/NPP cannot come anywhere near.

  • 11
    3

    All in all Sinhala masters fool around while Tamil and Muslim subjects cheer and jeer from the sidelines.

    • 10
      6

      I only have contempt for the sinhala beggars who considered themselves a superior race and racists to minorities and now these sinhala beggars are vieved with contempt because of their choice of political masters and resulting destruction of sinhala land

      • 7
        7

        Gus what a shame you ape the racism of the Sinhalese, people like you are no better.

        • 3
          0

          Like the HUMBUG ISREALI JEWS who went to sinhale land and helped in the genocide of the tamils including in reports I read of experimenting with nerve gas on tamils I believe in an eye foir an eye and a tooth for a tooth and in the collective punisshment that the israelis (vis a vi paletinians) and the sinhalas who effected it on tamils. The sinhalas have created the racists tamils like me and they have done a GOOD JOB! Only thing that the sinhalas have achived in the 70 years since independence is racism and the begarra state of sinhale

        • 1
          0

          Svenson,
          after the 1983 riots a sinhala beggar told a Western reporter who repoted this in the media that buddhism does not allow killing of even an insect but it is ok to kill tamils! Maybe this is the thinking of the Pakis who despatched the sinhala beggar in Paki land. Sinhalas created my racism of sinhalas including from interactions I have had in my country. They have done a REALLY GOOD JOB and have to be pround of the only thing other than the destruction of sinhala land that they have created in the 70 years since independance!

      • 5
        0

        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

  • 15
    3

    Well, we have to do something Noble for the Motherland. And JVP-NPP are very Noble indeed.
    *
    Since the 1980s, world politics and economics have changed exponentially in developed capitalistic countries to incorporate Marxist principles.

  • 11
    2

    “Gota Mulls Referendum”

    He should! but the question should be different. He can have one or two questions.

    1. Should I continue for the next three years?
    2. Do you think I am qualified even to run a 7 Eleven?

    • 2
      0

      Gota was a security guard in the USA. He is a qualified war criminal

  • 3
    1

    If we summarize this article in one sentence it is “Every political grouping has high hopes to grab power. But…….”. Whatever change that has to take place within the democratic space is to wait for the next election, say in another two years, unless all the political parties get together and precipitate one. Things are getting out of hand so bad that will an unknown fellow, simply takeover with the consent of the forces? If that unknown fellow is a civilian there could be an ounce of civilized conduct. If that fellow is a military man himself, Boy! expect the gun toting community go berserk. Women and teenagers of either sex would not be safe out there in the road. Like in North Korea members of pleasure squads will get top priority.

  • 10
    3

    Sri Lanka is a complex and confused state. There is no policy for the state. Only state policy they have is Buddhist Fundamentalism and anti Tamil. All the major political, economic and social and institutional activities, programs of those governments are around this circles.
    We all agree that SLPP is a Rajapaksa family party or institution even though the current regime which is a coalition of number of political parties. The collapse in the economy and threat to the sovereignty and the suffering of the people in the South made conflicts between SLPP and other partners.
    The major factor that contributed to the conflict is Easter Bombing. It is now clear that this regime benefitted from Easter Bombing and now unable or unwilling to take action against that terrorism or to find the background of the Easter Bombing. So, there is a valid reasons to believe that this government cannot go any more.

    We are discussing about JVP or and SJB about as but we are not discussing about SLFP or UNP or Tamil and Muslim Political Parties.

    Even though Rajapaksas are weak in popularity, they are financially, militarily and tactically very powerful. They still have the support of the Buddhist Fundamentalism.

    • 0
      8

      Ajith,
      “Only state policy they have is Buddhist Fundamentalism and anti Tamil.”

      The present Government who has an anti-Tamil state policy (according to your view) consist of leaders who eliminated barbaric Tamil terrorists who killed more Tamils than others and liberated about 300,000 innocent Tamils kept as a human shield by LTTE who shot those who tried to escape. Tamils live in peace thanks to Rajapakshes.

      If there is an anti-Tamil state policy how come more and more Tamils flock to Colombo? We do not see any out-flow of Tamils from Sinhala majority areas.

      • 0
        0

        I met a tamil lady who lived under LTTE rule and she told me that Jaffna was safer for tamils under the LTTE than now. Now sinhalas are deliberately involved in corruption of tamil youth and the barbaric sinhala forces are involved themselves and with tamil criminals in criminal activities. She even said that in one instance muslim door to door traders returned to a house where a lady was alone during the day and killed her for her gold wedding chain. It is bullshit that the tamils were more oppressed than by the sinhala state. In any even the sinhala state created the LTTE and people like me. In parting it is bullshit that the sinhala state will be like singapore. It never will be in the next 1000 years and will be exporting housemaids to singapore and sinhala newspapres will be glorifying their exported housemaids/servants for singaporeons , malaysians and in iother countries!

    • 1
      8

      Ajith,
      “They still have the support of the Buddhist Fundamentalism.”
      —-
      There is nothing called ‘Buddhist Fundamentalism’.
      Rajapakshes have the support from Sinhala Buddhists because they eliminated barbaric Tamil terrorists who massacred Sinhala Buddhists for three decades and restored peace.

      • 0
        0

        EE
        The barbaric sinhalas created the LTTE like they created my racism. Standardisation, government politicians and barbaric sinhala armed forces burning jaffna library. brabaric sinhala forces shooting and killing tamil participants in world tamil conference in Jaffna, constant anti tamil programs since independence 1959, 1973 and constant anti tamil racism and deliberate minimisation of job opportunities for tamils in the public sector, refusal to give licences for major factories in the North and East,sinhale government facilitaing sinhales encroachment of traditional tamil homelands. The LTTE was justified in attacks against the barbaric sinhala forces. The fact that the sinhala armed forces were and are barbaric is recognised in may countries that the barbaric sinhalas want to migrate too. They take their deceiving and crooked nature overseas, A friend in Australia sent me this link: Victorian Legal Services Commissioner v Dhanapala (Legal Practice) [2021] VCAT 1562 (22 December 2021).

  • 4
    1

    There has been some debate as to whether some of Sunil Handunnetti’s speeches smack of Sinhala-Buddhist chauvnism. I think not.
    .
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OnTAH0Ds2c&t=629s
    .
    I think that the NPP is right to be cautious about ex-Ministers and the like from other parties wanting to join them and bargaining for future portfolios. What the NPP needs are supporters, not more “leaders”.
    .
    I have taken Handunnetti at his word and obtained his mobile number. I rang twice yesterday, in the evening; it was picked up the second time by a man who spoke decently and suggested that I speak between 7 and 8 most mornings. I’ll do that one of these days, to satisfy myself and so many of those making comments who seem so unwilling to just extend support without extracting “promises”.
    .
    Panini Edirisinhe

    • 2
      0

      Sinhala_Man: Thanks for giving that link. I too did it, but it was not available. Re. that concern of “Sinhala/Buddhist Chauvinism” fears, I think NPP too has to get mixed in that concept, because the composition of it is varying, unlike a full JVP ideology. Yet, if it is so even, JVP too has to change from a full Marxist ideology to a “System” that blends with S/L cultural background of multi-ethnic/religious concepts.

      In his speech, Sunil identified as an “Ex-Co” member of NPP and not as a JVP member. That is what I have been telling them for so long. I am glad it is happening. This is the time to bring a “Different” organization under NPP with a different policy and action plan so that all from different shades of politics could support a “Solution” to our problems.

      • 1
        0

        Dear Simon,
        .
        I’ve just responded to oc at the bottom of this article:
        .
        https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/your-slip-is-showing-mr-president/
        .
        Simon, you say that something was “not available”. What was that? Not clear to me.
        .
        You seem to welcome the change, but many others don’t! At least we guys are open about what we understand, and what we don’t understand! That seems to me a positive feature of our approach. So, thanks!

  • 4
    0

    This country has reached its peak of “No Return” on all matters of Governing, Politics, Economics, and Social status within and internationally. The people have lost all faith and hopes of “SWITCHING” power from one of Governing to Opposition. Now the discourse is to change from “Switching” to seeking “SOLUTIONS”. In the pursuit of finding “Solutions” all the political parties from UNP, SLFP, NPP to SJB have failed in the task of Governing plus “Management”. This is the “Environment” and the “Situation” that the people have become very serious in finding “Solutions” even at the expense of relinquishing political party affiliations. In that scenario, “NPP” is gaining “Recognition” as the “TRY OUT” that would offer a much desired “SOLUTION” instead of a traditional “Switch Over”.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSHKDdArx6E This is available on the “Life Traveller” channel.

    This is a presentation by Sunil Handunneththi of NPP at the inauguration of “Jana Saba” in Kottawa
    in the village Liyanagoda.

  • 2
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    Sorry. The above link is not available now. You can get it now at S/L News Room on Jan. 16.

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    One more correction in my original comment. In the list of political parties, in place of NPP, it must be stated as “SLPP”. Sorry for the mistake. It is a typographical error. Thanks for understanding me.

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      That typo is obvious, Simon, but it’s good that you acknowledged it.
      .
      Yes, when I tried out that link that I myself put on two minutes ago, it said that “This video isn’t available any more”.
      .
      But it is still available if one does the roundabout trip. Why does anybody want to confuse us like this? It’s bad enough having all the real life problem without the Internet creating more problems!

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        Sinhala_Man: Thanks for your response. Lots of people are trying to confuse the people by directly commenting on JVP’s past records, and making every attempt to blow off the new organization NPP. This is partly to blame on the JVP too. The three MPs in Parliament are actually elected on the NPP nominations and that is rarely mentioned in media including social media. The NPP must have its own platform and upload these videos and keep those saved to be visited by the people.

        That Sunil H’s address at Kottawa in Liyanagedera village is one of the best for NPP. I do not know why such clips cannot be saved and published by NPP.

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          Simon

          You are trying to be too kind to JVP/NPP, Fascists without power or state, passing on their opportunistic paranoia to the people.

          Please review their 60 or so years of existence, statements, …. actions and records.

          Only last week Sunil Hadunnetti one of the remaining old guards told Daily Mirror “India eyeing to construct shortest route to Trincomalee from Dhanushkodi” by building a bridge. The world is moving closer while Gota, Sunil and Sinhala/Buddhists are attempting to prove they are an island by their dumb-ass isolationist policies.

          Further Sunil said “told a news conference that the sovereignty and safety of the country would be at stake in the future and requested Mahanayake Theras and Civil Society groups to intervene in this matter.”

          https://www.dailymirror.lk/latest_news/India-eyeing-to-construct-shortest-route-to-Trincomalee-from-Dhanushkodi-Hadunnetti/342-228925

          Whats wrong with these very stupid people?

          Please pass this link to him and JVP/NPP:
          A space elevator to the moon could be doable — and surprisingly cheap
          New study suggests that a lunar space elevator could be built for about $1 billion using existing technology.
          https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science/space-elevator-moon-could-be-doable-surprisingly-cheap-ncna1051496

          Whether it is possible or not futurologists are coming up with new ideas. Sunil like cows chewing cud again again. However cows produce milk Sunil produces recycled garbage, garbage in garbage out.

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            NV: Thanks. Please give me your option. I am not going to go back to “60 so years”. I need a “Recovery Plan”. Who does it will be my option.

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    Desperate times call for desperate measures. JVP got 3% and 3 seats before the Covid debacle, and the total unravelling of Gota’s presidency and the evaporation of the Rajapaksas’ Diyasena aura. It all looks like prehistory now. This unprecedented crisis seems to be having at least one positive impact. Sri Lankans are showing signs of veering away from blind party loyalties, and from destructive ideologies like ethno-nationalism and religious fundamentalism. They realize it is these rigid attitudes that have caused so much suffering in the country. Now it’s a matter of survival for all the people. And that calls for pragmatism in defiance of the conventional pundits and power brokers. This thinking is gaining ground especially among the Millennials and Generation Z who constitute the majority of voters. They’re not prepared to listen to the monks on how to vote anymore. Their priority is a clean and efficient administration, without any corruption or divisive politics, that can salvage the ruined economy and bring quick relief to the working people and the poor. In this anti-corruption thrust Sajith’s SJB and Maithri’s SLFP are increasingly perceived as more of the same old, same old. And the UNP is of course a goner. In this context it’s the JVP that holds some promise and is likely to emerge as the major player in the next parliament even if it doesn’t win a majority.

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    [Contd. from above]
    .
    In this anti-corruption thrust Sajith’s SJB and Maithri’s SLFP are increasingly perceived as more of the same old, same old. And the UNP is of course a goner. In this context it’s the JVP that holds some promise and is likely to emerge as the major player in the next parliament even if it doesn’t win a majority.

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    We are a country addicted to seeing new rulers at every election and J R J changed it
    for the first time , putting into play all his ‘ foxiness ‘ and gamesmanship . Sirimavo
    did it in 1970 only extending the term by two years . J R J and Sirimavo needed more
    time to test their Economic policies but the public support for both were lacking and so
    all kinds of jugglery to stay in power ! However , these two had some vision and
    mission for their actions ! But what was the idea behind Mahinda craving for more
    time and power if no nothing Nepotism ? And this is the Wind that J V P is striving to
    exploit in its favour . J V P is doing the talks right because there are wrongs everywhere .
    They also have some trust worthy guys to help them run the show but the question is ,
    it is the whole country that is corrupt and how long will they take to correct the
    situation ? Some of their plans about income-generating are not without flaws ! We see
    that the economy is in deep trouble and there’s no Aladdin magic escape here ! Does
    the J V P tell people not to expect miracles ? Remember that you are talking about
    taking over a bankrupt business ! And you have no experience in running a business !
    So you need to make some valid promises before asking for votes !

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