7 December, 2024

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Any Dealing With President Who Lacks Legitimacy Is Political Suicide

By Amrit Muttukumaru

Amrit Muttukumaru

Whatever the background of those in the current parliament, they are aware that accepting a person such as Ranil Wickremesinghe who was rejected outright by the electorate and hence lacking legitimacy as President is a political ‘kiss of death’. Hence, why did the overwhelming majority in parliament vote for him to be ‘back-door’ President knowing the circumstances under which the beleaguered then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa appointed him Prime Minister? Is not the answer self-evident? Let me spell it out.

Only a fraction of the 225 MPs elected in August 2020 will dare go to their electorates knowing full well the hostile reception they will receive for being COMPLICIT in the untold suffering the people are undergoing due to the gross mismanagement of the economy under the stewardship of then President Gotabaya. This applies in particular to the 145 members in the Rajapaksa controlled governing coalition in which the SLPP is predominant.

The vast majority of the 134 votes obtained by Wickremesinghe to be President came from the 145 member governing coalition which continues to prop him up in the knowledge that the last thing they both want are elections!

Wickremesinghe being so confident that the Rajapaksa coalition will support him, does not behave as a person whose party has only one seat and that too on the ‘National list’. Imagining that the UNP is in power, he is back to his old game of appointing cronies and hangers-on to key positions in state institutions.

‘Aragalaya’ View

 The ‘Aragalaya’ protesters are spot-on when they condemn all 225 members of the current parliament. Of course there are exceptions. The only members who have REFUSED to be part of an All-Party Government (APG) under Wickremesinghe are Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka of the SJB – Harsha contradicts Sarath Fonseka on All-Party Govt. (2:19), three JVP MPs under the leadership of Anura Kumara Dissanayake and two MPs of the Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) under the leadership of Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam. Sarath Fonseka did himself no favours by reportedly being part of the ‘bus ride’ with some SJB MPs to the Presidential Secretariat for discussions with Wickremesinghe – Moves to form all-party Government (‘The Sunday Times’ 7 August 2022). The JVP which earlier reportedly was to meet Wickremesinghe –   JVP to take part at discussion with President: Handunnetti’ (‘Daily Mirror’ 8 August 2022) now seem to have changed their mind.

Irrespective of the nature of the discussions, keeping away from Wickremesinghe would ENHANCE the CREDIBILITY of both Sarath Fonseka and the JVP.

How could anyone seriously committed to the welfare and interest of this country and its people for whatever reason meet with a President who lacks legitimacy?

President without Legitimacy?

How Ranil Wickremesinghe became the country’s Executive President is a case study of the socio-political and economic rot in this country.

Here is a person who led the UNP to electoral oblivion at the August 2020 parliamentary election and failing to win his own seat in the Colombo District which for long has been a UNP bastion being ensconced in the position of Executive President. Although the votes obtained by Wickremesinghe was not released in the public domain, it is widely perceived to be less than a measly 20,000 votes! The irony is that he is replacing a man forced to resign for good reason who less than three years ago obtained a whopping 6.9 Million votes. Is this not PERVERSE?

He ultimately got into parliament only because of the single ‘National List’ entitlement of the UNP. Even this has been questioned. Wickremesinghe is savvy enough to know in his heart of hearts that his ‘National List’ parliamentary membership is UNCONSTITUTIONAL since it is inimical to Article 99A. This is due to the alleged failure of the UNP General Secretary to submit his name to the Election Commission as its nominee on the ‘National List’ within the specified 7 days after then Chairman of the Election Commission – Mahinda Deshapriya had requested the General Secretary to do so.

Repression

The watershed island-wide ‘Aragalaya’ protest movement famously began its journey on 9 April from the vicinity of the presidential secretariat at Galle Face. The catalyst for the ‘Aragalaya’ was the 31 March mass protest close to the private residence of then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in Mirihana. The clarion call for ‘system change’ commenced with the catchy slogan ‘Gota Go Home’ demanding the immediate resignation of Gotabaya, dismantling of Rajapaksa dynastic politics and the return of the allegedly stolen Billions. After the resignation of Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister and Gotabaya Rajapaksa as President, hardly anyone in the country let alone the ‘Aragalaya’ would have bargained for a two in one NIGHTMARE resulting in the effective retention of the Rajapaksa clan together with the electorally discarded and wily Ranil Wickremesinghe as President.

Before even the ink had dried after Wickremesinghe was sworn in as Executive President on 21 July, the brute force of balaclava concealed armed security forces was unleashed under his watch in the dead of night on hapless unarmed ‘Aragalaya’ protesters. This was despite the earlier assurance given by protesters they will vacate the area a few hours after daybreak. It is the supreme irony that the reputation of then President Gotabaya for intolerance of dissent and use of violent methods has been SURPASSED by Wickremesinghe reputed to be a pacifist in relation to the response to the Aragalaya. Even when the protesters were storming the President’s House in the Fort on 9 July, Gotabaya surprisingly did not give the order to security forces to use violent methods. Wickremesinghe did so within 24 hours of being ‘elected’! This by no means should be interpreted as going ‘soft’ on the terrible violence prone ‘administration’ of the Rajapaksas.

Media Hype

There is something about the PRINTED word that makes it more credible and hence more influential to condition the HUMAN PSYCHE in a manner that the social and visual media cannot match.

Almost everything about Wickremesinghe’s political life relating to his purported democratic credentials, management skills and ability to obtain FDIs is for the most part a MYTH planted by businessmen owned media led by the country’s dominant newspaper company Wijeya Newspapers Limited (WNL) with its stable of Sinhala and English newspapers. This myth smartly propagated by spin doctors in western funded NGOs has been picked up by gullible sections of the country’s middle class and influential sections of the western political dispensation. The International Democrat Union (IDU) of which Wickremesinghe is Chairman of its Asia-Pacific branch is an example. Other than being ‘MILKED’ by Wickremesinghe to enhance his image among gullible sections of the population, this western link has not materially benefitted the country in terms of economic assistance and FDIs. This is plain to anyone today with the country struggling to get foreign exchange.

WNL is owned by his maternal uncle (mother’s brother) Ranjit Wijewardene the feared CZAR of the print media in this country.

The next in line Upali Newspapers Limited (UNL) founded by Wijewardene’s late cousin Upali Wijewardene is now controlled by Upali’s widow Lakmani who is the daughter of Sirimavo Bandaranaike’s late brother Dr. Seevali Ratwatte. Both WNL Chairman Ranjit and UNL founder Upali are cousins of J. R. Jayewardene who brought his nephew Wickremesinghe into politics.

The media HYPE includes Wickremesinghe’s accumulated vast political experience as a six-time Prime Minister with access to global funding and investments. What the media fail to mention is (i) only in ONE instance was he able to complete even 3 years in a 5 year term for a PM (ii) during his six-time tenure as PM, his United National Party NEVER had a majority in Parliament (iii) his record in getting FDIs is DISMAL. Does anyone recall the DUBIOUS “$ 3.85 billion oil refinery in Hambantota” and the 2017 Volkswagen vehicle assembly plant in Kuliyapitiya which turned out to be a HOAX? There was even a ground breaking ceremony for the Volkswagen plant! Was not Harsha de Silva involved in this?

The country has paid a HEAVY PRICE by not taking cognizance of the mischief wrought by the businessmen controlled media. This is particularly so of WNL which publishes the country’s ‘go to’ newspapers: ‘Lankadeepa’/ ’Sunday Lankadeepa’ (Sinhala) and ‘Daily Mirror’/ ‘Sunday Times’ (English)

Dynastic Politics

It is apparent that the real MOTIVE of WNL to go out of its way to promote Wickremesinghe’s dismal political track record is to carve out a political future for Wijewardene’s laid-back son Ruwan who was given out of turn appointment as UNP Deputy Leader by first cousin Wickremesinghe. This is all part of DYNASTIC politics.

On the dynastic project look no further than the WNL owned ‘Daily Mirror’ (7 September 2020) Op-Ed article in vivid COLOUR  “Back To Senanaiksm And Save The Party” DIRECTLY promoting Ruwan whose mother Ranjani is a grand-daughter of the co-founder of the UNP and the country’s first Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake.

Wickremesinghe’s FAIRY TALE entry into the world of politics at the age of 28 was after his uncle J. R. Jayewardene led the UNP to a landslide victory at the General Election held in 1977 where the UNP obtained an unprecedented five- sixth majority in parliament. In this landslide victory, Wickremesinghe effortlessly won his Biyagama electorate under the then ‘first-past-the-post’ system. Jayewardene lost no time in appointing his nephew as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and later as the youngest Cabinet rank minister.

Shameful

Does not Wickremesinghe who rarely misses an opportunity to tout his purported commitment to democracy where he often refers to ‘Latimer House Principles’ which relate to transparent and responsible governance have any SHAME? Also shameful is that he is DEPENDING on Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s SLPP to fill the balance period of Gotabaya’s tenure.

Despite almost the entire country knowing that Ranil Wickremesinghe is in effect a CLONE of the Rajapaksas or at the least a PROXY to do their bidding, WNL had the nerve to have the ‘Editorial’ ‘The ”house” Rajapaksas built comes tumbling down (‘Daily Mirror’ of 21 July) after he won the parliamentary vote for President with the overwhelming support of the Rajapaksa controlled SLPP.

Is it not the height of HYPOCRISY for WNL after beating the COMMUNAL drum on the EVE of the parliamentary voting for the country’s executive president with the front page “Dullas, Sajith agree to fulfill TNA demands in return for support” (‘Daily Mirror’ of 19 July) to opine AFTER Wickremesinghe won “Let there be no place in our country and in our political culture any more for scheming politicians who fan the flames of communal, ethnic and religious divisions like it has repeatedly happened in the past.” (‘Daily Mirror’ Editorial of 21 July)?

Fear of WNL

The fear of WNL is such that the appointment of Ruwan as Minister of Mass Media by cousin Ranil (then PM) did not draw even a whimper of protest from either the state or private media although he had ACCESS to information from COMPETING media institutions.

Although Ruwan was State Minister of Defence during the ENTIRE PERIOD of the Yahapalana government, no one – not even the now unusually quiet Cardinal has demanded accountability from Ruwan for his share of responsibility for the Easter Sunday carnage. Even if he was kept away from some meetings of the National Security Council, are we expected to believe that Ruwan did not have knowledge of the attack even to the extent of Harin Fernando’s hospitalized father?

Apart from this, would not have investigative journalists from his father’s media empire have tipped him off?

Ruwan reportedly stating “there was no information to suggest that Zahran was engaged in terrorist activities” (‘Daily Mirror’ 19 Aug 2020) is CONTRADICTED by SI Srimal Sanjeewa of the CID informing the Presidential Commission probing the Easter Sunday attacks that

Zahran had been conducting a training camp in the Puttalam area “from 2015 to 2019” on “the use of Type-56 firearms and hand grenades”. (‘Daily Mirror’ 1 September 2020).

Why does no one CALL OUT Ruwan for his share of responsibility for the Easter Sunday carnage? Is it the fear of WNL?

Conclusion

The country has paid a HEAVY PRICE for IGNORING the PROPPING up of the profile of Wickremesinghe by influential sections of the businessmen owned media. While this is so even in the case of the Rajapaksas and Sajith Premadasa, they come nowhere near the promotion of Wickremesinghe by the DOMINANT print media ‘house’ WNL. This must be viewed in the context of the PRINTED word being more credible and hence more influential to condition the HUMAN PSYCHE in a manner that the social and visual media CANNOT match.

Inadvertently WNL in the midst of its ‘doctored’ news to prop up its owner’s nephew has let the cat out of the bag by revealing the UNCONSTITUTIONALITY of Wickremesinghe’s appointment as Prime Minister which automatically DISQUALIFIES him to be Executive President – Ref. ‘Backstage moves in Ranil’s election as President (‘The Sunday Times’ 24 July 2022) – “If ex-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had named him Prime Minister and later made him acting President, the journey there onwards to the highest office in the land has been through a path defined by the Constitution.” (emphasis mine)

How could anyone seriously committed to the welfare and interest of this country and its people for whatever reason even meet with such a President?

Why are we not hearing anymore about corruption and related issues such as Sri Lankan names in the ‘Panama Papers’/ ‘Pandora Papers’, accountability for the egregious Bond Scam / Easter Sunday carnage and the PARDON for Ranjan Ramanayake mooted by Wickremesinghe on the eve of the parliamentary election for President?

Would not Ranjan Ramanayake be an ideal person to move ‘Aragalaya’ further forward by EXPOSING the DUPLICITY of politicians now jockeying for power/influence?

I urge the ‘Aragalaya’ movement and others to CONSIDER encouraging a NEW political entity under the leadership of Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, M.A. Sumanthiran, PC, Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, Dr. Charitha Herath and some others. There is no use demanding a ‘SYSTEM CHANGE’ in a VACUUM.

Latest comments

  • 6
    2

    Amrit Muttukumaru, You did well, – indeed, very well -, up until your final para.

    • 2
      1

      Yes, it appears his last para arises out of the severe drought for leadership in Srilanka. Remedy will be worse than the disease.

      • 3
        3

        Dealing with an illegitimate president is like dealing with a prostitute as some bodies wife.

        • 7
          18

          Nathan,
          Anyone who thinks Sarath Fonseka is leadership material needs to visit a shrink.

          • 7
            17

            Nathan,
            This is what the author himself wrote about SF: “This in turn led to cabinet minister Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka admitting he had received Rs. 100,000/= from a PTL related company either by cash or cheque.”
            https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/2018/06/
            Do we need to say anything about Nalaka Godahewa?

          • 22
            10

            old codger

            “Anyone who thinks Sarath Fonseka is leadership material needs to visit a shrink.”

            1) Anyone REFUSING to ADMIT that the bond scam is ‘EGREGIOUS’ despite meekly ACCEPTING Dayan Jayatilleka’s assertion: “the Auditor-General of the day said had caused an incalculably large drain of finances over an incalculable period of time” cannot be helped even by a “shrink”!

            2) Are not such persons feigning ignorance of the implications of “incalculably large” and “incalculable period of time”?

            3) https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/ranil-resign-awaken-aragalaya-3-0/

            4) I have already stated: “I now believe that suggesting the name of Dr. Nalaka Godahewa is a MISTAKE.”

            Amrit Muttukumaru

            • 4
              15

              AM,
              “Are not such persons feigning ignorance of the implications of “incalculably large” and “incalculable period of time”?
              Surely even you know that the bonds were issued for a term of 30 years, not an incalculable long period?
              Please do go ahead and tell me what the loss ( in real terms ) is for 30 years, now that I have made it easy for you.
              I know you won’t.

              • 5
                15

                AM,
                I don’t suppose you consider recommending a person (SF) you yourself described as corrupt a mistake too?

                • 17
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                  old codger

                  1) Don’t put words in my mouth. I did not ‘describe’ Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka as “corrupt”.

                  2) My reference to him is given in CONTEXT in my ‘Colombo Telegraph’ article “‘Bondgate’ Mother of all Lankan Financial Scams?” – “This in turn led to cabinet minister Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka admitting he had received Rs. 100,000/= from a PTL related company either by cash or cheque.”

                  3) https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/bondgate-mother-of-all-lankan-financial-scams/

                  4) Under the circumstances, it was clearly wrong to have “received” anything “from a PTL related company” – ‘admitting’ (although many others have not) does not mitigate the wrong.

                  5) If Fonseka wants to be a CREDIBLE politician he must REVEAL the circumstances under which this took place and what transpired AFTER receiving “Rs. 100,000/= from a PTL related company”.

                  6) SUBSEQUENT events are crucial to determine whether PTL received any BENEFIT from Fonseka?

                  7) Your ‘DOUBLE STANDARDS’ has to be CONDEMNED. While you are so concerned about Fonseka getting “Rs. 100,000/= from a PTL related company” you IGNORE Ranil Wickremesinghe under whose DIRECT WATCH the ‘Bond Scam’ took place! He is now the Executive President of the country.

                  8) How can anyone have ANY CONFIDENCE in whatever you say when you IGNORE Wickremesinghe (i) who UNPRECEDENTEDLY brought the issuing agency for Treasury Bonds (CBSL) under his direct purview? (ii) who HANDPICKED Arjuna Mahendran a foreign national to be CBSL Governor?

                  9) The clearest PROOF that you have CONFIRMED Dayan Jayatilleka’s assertion that the “Auditor-General of the day” had said that the Bond Scam “had caused an incalculably large drain of finances over an incalculable period of time” is you saying “I would think his opinion is more an indication of the quality of the “Generals” we have in this country than anything else. You might remember that the Supreme Court decided that any provable loss is not more than 360 million annually. Peanuts, as they say.”

                  10) With due respect to the ‘Supreme Court’, do you really BELIEVE they know MORE about matters such as the ‘bond scam’ than the ‘Auditor-General’?

                  11) https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/ranil-resign-awaken-aragalaya-3-0/

                  12) Instead of QUESTIONING the “Auditor-General of the day” via ‘Colombo Telegraph’, why don’t you have the COURAGE to question him DIRECTLY? Of course you can do so only if you have the COURAGE to come clean and reveal your true IDENTITY!

                  13) To you Sarath Fonseka receiving “Rs. 100,000/= from a PTL related company” is more important than Ranil Wickremesinghe under whose DIRECT WATCH the ‘Bond Scam’ took place!

                  14) Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka with whatever frailties is seen to be one of the few genuine proponents of principled politics/governance from among the current parliamentarians. He is also seen to have zero tolerance for corruption and hence a thorn in the side of many.

                  15) Please note that any further engagement with you will be considered unproductive and a sheer waste of time.

                  Amrit Muttukumaru

                  • 7
                    15

                    AM,
                    I will am your opinion of SF: “) Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka with whatever frailties is seen to be one of the few genuine proponents of principled politics/governance from among the current parliamentarians.”
                    You mean the guy who said ““I strongly believe that this country belongs to the Sinhalese but there are minority communities and we treat them like our people” He says. “We being the majority of the country 75%, we will never give in and we have the right to protect the country. We are also a strong nation. They can live in this country with us. But, they must not try to, under the pretext of being a minority, demand undue things”.
                    Of course, you haven’t shown where I have “accepted” Dayan’s opinion either.
                    As to the Supreme Court’s expertise, is it not a fact that an OL student could calculate the “loss”? In any case, all this argument is pointless because rates are now over 21%, turning that “loss” into an effective profit. So, in your opinion, should the Central Bank be sued for making an “egregious ” profit?

                  • 8
                    0

                    No matter what anyone says or does, I believe FM SF can do better if people give him a chance. He does not wait to rise up against truth and error. If this country really wants to get rid of corruption, he deserves to be the strong minister of the country.

                    I did not say that as he once said that this country belongs to the Sinhalese. Some say so because of heated arguments, but they don’t mean it from the heart. If a father hates his child for being gay, … it doesn’t mean he really hates him. Fathers who cannot help their children wholeheartedly suffer entire life. I have no doubt, SF or the like will never stay away from crime fighting operations.
                    I got to know SF personally a few years ago. Considering the true sacrifices he made for this nation, he should be considered one of the best.
                    However, I think Sri Lankan society is still not ready to clean up honestly, despite all the speculations against corruption and high crime rate.

              • 19
                11

                old codger

                1) Please do not PREVARICATE.

                2) On the ‘Bond Scam’ after you have ACCEPTED Dayan Jayatilleka’s assertion: “the Auditor-General of the day said had caused an incalculably large drain of finances over an incalculable period of time” why are you fighting shy of ADMITTING it is ‘EGREGIOUS’?

                3) In response to Jayatilleka’s article you stated: “You might remember that the Supreme Court decided that any provable loss is not more than 360 million annually. Peanuts, as they say.”

                4) https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/ranil-resign-awaken-aragalaya-3-0/

                5) With due respect to the ‘Supreme Court’, do you SERIOUSLY imagine they know MORE about matters such as the ‘Bond Scam’ than the ‘Auditor-General’?

                6) If you are now BELATEDLY attempting to QUESTION the “Auditor-General of the day”, have the COURAGE to take it up with him. You can only do so if you have the COURAGE to come clean and reveal your true IDENTITY!

                7) Further engagement with you on the ‘EGREGIOUS’ Bond Scam is unproductive and hence a sheer waste of time.

                Amrit Muttukumaru

                • 5
                  16

                  AM,
                  “On the ‘Bond Scam’ after you have ACCEPTED Dayan Jayatilleka’s assertion: “the Auditor-General of the day said had caused an incalculably large drain of finances over an incalculable period of time”
                  I am curious to know where I have “accepted” DJ’s assertion?
                  I would be the last person to accept his “expertise ” on the matter. Come on, surely you can do the sums yourself, now that an “incalculable period” has been reduced to 30 years?
                  Don’t tell me it’s too complicated–I can manage within CT’s word limit, as I have done many times.
                  What does my identity have to do with it? The truth is the truth.

                  • 6
                    4

                    Mr. AM,
                    .
                    I can assure you. That OC would never accept DJ’s theories. We who are frequent contributors to CT will never agree with DJ, who is a lap dog of the Rajapaksa’s and their brutal politics.

            • 5
              4

              Dear Amrit Muttukumaru,
              .
              When you, an identifiable man, photograph etc, admits to making a mistake, you gain in stature.
              .
              How can anybody possibly know the hundreds of thousands of vocal Lankans who matter? I disagree with Nathan here Having written much, it was necessary for you to name some people whom you would trust. O.K. Godahewa and Fonseka already deleted
              .
              Where does the admirable Shanakiyan Rajamanikkam stand in relation to your observations? How dare you speak of THREE JVP members, instead of two? Dr Harini Amarasuriya has clearly stated that she is not a member. You ought to have spoken of the NPP instead, whose leader is also AKD. When you don’t observe the distinction, what can you expect from the average reader? And from the majority of voters who are literate uneducated guys?
              .
              How do you estimate 20K personal votes for Ranil?
              .
              I’ve studied this:
              .
              https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Sri_Lankan_parliamentary_election
              .
              If we know the votes polled by the UNP in the Colombo District, common sense to credit upwards of 95% of them to Ranil as preferences. In no District were the Preferences for UNP candidates counted, because they were not getting a seat in any District.

              • 4
                1

                Shanakyan Rajamanikkam is young and naive as Hirunika. These youths are prepared as bait by their seniors. Lack of experience makes them fall deeper. I thought, SR must be a genius, but lately his behavior has been above average. They tend to work beyond their limits. Sajith Premadasa’s actions also showed his immaturity. So are Hirunika’s “middle finger” actions. She herself says that she cannot win voters if she does not wear a saree. She seems to know the norms of Sri Lankan society, however, she has become quite cheap in my eyes lately. Sad reality. They were highly respected but because of small actions it all disappeared like a drop of water on a hot plate.

            • 4
              2

              Continuing………
              .
              I know one fellow who voted for the “Aliya” (Elephant). Ramaswamy, a crazy old man who has been allowed by my sister to live in an outhouse. Did he know that a guy named Ranil W. existed? Yes, definitely. Did he have awareness of issues? Certainly not.
              .
              The NPP tally? I think that they had awareness of issues, but their tally was less than double that of the UNP. Sandwiched between them, for total votes received, is the TNA, which has got ten seats. It doesn’t trouble me.
              .
              The District votes were counted; are the now on the web? May be, but I don’t know. How many have even a vague memory? Very few.
              .
              Jaffna Man who has commented even today, may remember:
              .
              https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/purchasing-power-parity/
              .
              All regular readers know that to be Professor Jeevan Hoole. He’s more than done his duty by our society. Let’s hope that he tells us something.
              .
              But why bother? None of us regards Ranil as legitimate President.
              .
              Lewis Carroll’s White Queen would have said, “Off with his head“.
              .
              Panini Edirisinhe

          • 0
            1

            “I urge the ‘Aragalaya’ movement and others to CONSIDER encouraging a NEW political entity under the leadership of **************. There is no use demanding a ‘SYSTEM CHANGE’ in a VACUUM.”
            OC, is not part of a vacuum also vacuum?

            • 1
              13

              SJ,
              “OC, is not part of a vacuum also vacuum?”
              I do hope the author’s expertise in Physics is comparable to his expertise in “incalculable large” quantities.

        • 0
          0

          KV
          Look at the queue. Are they not the prostitutes?

    • 1
      2

      I totally agree. Final paragraph does not make any sense. Why do we need a 11th party in the queue of already existing 10 parties.

    • 12
      1

      Nathan

      1) Proposed ‘New Political Entity’

      2) Among the names suggested for CONSIDERATION by the ‘Aragalaya’ movement and others for the leadership of the proposed ‘new political entity’, I should have REITERATED the names of prominent Public Interest Activists – Nagananda Kodituwakku and Hirunika Premachandra.

      3) In this connection, I refer to my article: “Should Aragalaya Consider a Political Movement led by Nagananda, Fonseka & Hirunika?”

      4) https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/should-aragalaya-consider-a-political-movement-led-by-nagananda-fonseka-hirunika/

      Amrit Muttukumaru

    • 17
      5

      Nathan

      1) Proposed ‘New Political Entity’

      2) Among the names suggested for CONSIDERATION by the ‘Aragalaya’ movement and others for the leadership of the proposed ‘new political entity’, I should have REITERATED the names of prominent Public Interest Activists – Nagananda Kodituwakku and Hirunika Premachandra.

      3) In this connection, I refer to my article: “Should Aragalaya Consider a Political Movement led by Nagananda, Fonseka & Hirunika?”

      4) https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/should-aragalaya-consider-a-political-movement-led-by-nagananda-fonseka-hirunika/

      5) I now believe that suggesting the name of Dr. Nalaka Godahewa is a MISTAKE.

      Amrit Muttukumaru

    • 6
      1

      Legitimacy and legality are two different things and it has been realized by a large number of people in this country by now. Unfortunately, the majority of our country seems to be illiterate. Apart from the provision of free schooling, there has been no impact on their personal development. If that were done, the people would not appoint high level criminals as leaders.
      But to prevent the country from becoming Somalia (anarchy) there was no other option but to take power from Gota. I don’t care whether AKD or SP is president but the truth is these guilty minded Sri Lankans will never see logic.
      :
      Imagine for a moment that everyone rejected Gota’s proposal, what would happen? 83, 89 and May 2022 has experienced it well so can we expect anything but blood bath across the country? The youth did a great job but in the end they were manipulated by the bloodthirsty thugs of the countries (that is the real mirror of this pseudo-Buddhist country). The way they left Baira Lake (Colombo) by bus was a bloody response. Some may be satisfied at this point but not me… I have always hated the Sri Lankan way of puffing up with false pride. That is why I left the country for another destination with human rights and different values.

      • 4
        0

        The entire country was turned upside down by the false opinion created by the Sri Lankan media by placing the lives of the Rajapaksas above. In retrospect, I see this as a self-proclaimed schizophrenic sent by Mother Kali to heal covid patients. However, the Gotabaya-led government gave room to the schizophrenic man, sending a message throughout Sri Lanka that would not change to the people of Madagascar or the many illiterate Brazilians. The result was the death of innocent people who could have been saved from the plague. Nevertheless, the Sri Lankan media gave priority to accurately and timely portrayal of Gota’s actions. More than 17000 innocent people died due to wrong decisions.

        To me, Gotabaya and his brothers are beyond the level of Guantanamo mega-criminals and perhaps the real mega-criminals. Sri Lankan media should explain this to the nation. If not today, when?
        They deserve life imprisonment. If our courts come forward to take action, the future of this nation will become a country ruled by law.
        However, later the young man was manipulated by some leftists and his reputation evaporated like a drop of water on a hot plate. Its fate was similar to that of a pot full of cow’s milk, but later it was spoiled by a drop of dung.

      • 0
        0

        The way they threw buses to Baira lake… sent the message across the globe.
        :

      • 2
        0

        “That is why I left…..for another destination with human rights & different values.”

        What a shame you left, Leelagemalli, adding to the drain of decent values as well as to the brain drain.

        How did those values take root in you? Didnt they spring from somewhere deep inside this very country that you rejected? Weren’t they nurtured here?

        Sadly, so many who have so much to give abandon this benighted land to bless another that is already overflowing with all these positive qualities.

        How will we grow? Change?. Improve?

        • 2
          0

          “That’s why I went… to another destination with human rights and different values.”

          LM:
          My Dear Sister Manel, to tell you the truth, that and the necessity of taking care of my life — since leaving the country at the very beginning, I have not been able to close my eyes, INSURGERNGY 89 lost a dozen or more of my lives. . Companions. best friends. I lived in denial. Those were the hard days of my life (early 90s).
          .
          What a shame you left Leelagameli adding good values ​​to the gutter as well as the intellectual stream.

          LM.no way,I don’t think, in today’s context, you necessarily have to be in the home country to provide service to your country, I believe you can do more from outside while continuing to carry out your own work-related assignments. Otherwise, if I was physically in the country, I would have been killed and shot. To me that country is my motherland, but the people and the whole society are cruel. You may not have experienced all this. So it’s a long story.

          tbc

          • 2
            0

            How did you instill those values? Were they not born in this country whom you rejected? Didn’t they feed here?

            LM:From my childhood I was sensitive to my fellow citizens and their equal rights. My classmates didn’t. Therefore, I do not think that it was created in me by Ceylon society. I’m a newbie on campus, Peradeniya suffered a lot when it started, so I’m bitter about our own people and their hateful hypocrisy. Some are untold stories.

            Sadly, many who have so much to give leave this precious land to bless someone else who is already overflowing with all these positive qualities.

            LM.Community builders must be physically in the country to do their work, however, as naturalists there is little we can do about it. If I had been a member of the academic staff of the university, I would have been fired because I could not cope with the general mentality of Sri Lanka. I experienced it well after meeting some crew members who came to Europe and how they were rude to each other and very mean to their own crew members. These are not mere precedents. I intervened in such a dispute and allowed peace. I am talking about the deans of Sri Lankan universities. The truth is bitter, but absolutely true.

          • 3
            1

            I’m so sorry, Leelagemalli, I should have remembered the tragic events that compelled you to leave. You have hinted at them before.
            And it is very clear to me that despite being immersed in another place that you care very much for the land of your birth and do what you can for it in so many ways.

            I am so moved to have encountered someone like you on CT.

            • 3
              1

              Thanks MF. Of course yes; I contribute a lot. However, I am not at all satisfied with what has been done so far and also look at the stagnant conditions in the country. I also gave money to the victims of the 2004 tsunami. Actually, my colleagues (Texas and Berlin) collected them as a courtesy to me. Wherever I am, I do everything I can to speak about the injustices happening in Sri Lanka. however, I don’t hesitate to share my share. I also worked for AI in the late 90s. Also worked for World University Service. In the last 15 years, I have exposed many things related to the injustices of the Rajapaksa and their henchmen. However, it is all futile looking back. That is why I believe it is futile to expect people to vote for competent legislators without educating the average properly.

            • 3
              1

              Dear LM,
              .
              I’m going to now make a comment that is dangerous for me.
              .
              I make it knowing you to be the most gentle and affectionate of friends. When thinking of the course of History we must overcome our outrage at what we ourselves suffered.
              .
              Just a few days ago, I called a highly intelligent, cultured, tri-lingual, rich, Up-Country Tamil friend. We discussed this. He asked me whether I was not aware that very many more than the JVP killed, were massacred by the State – “Batalanda and all that”, he said. I know that all this is seared into your memory; I was out of the country for most of that period.
              .
              The history was written by the victors.
              .
              I’m not asking you to forget the pain you still feel when you recount those terrible days.
              .
              I remember what preceded that in the University, during my time there:
              .
              https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/violence-against-tamils-at-peradeniya-university-a-portent/
              .
              You will find me commenting there, and below other articles, six years ago. I think that it was after that was written that I re-established personal contact with Rajan Hoole after a near 45 year break.

              • 3
                0

                Thanks SM,
                .
                I understand that our cactus walk doesn’t always work, however, if it is called for, you should take good care of yourself.

                Venomous reptiles surround you, but I am far from their target. As said repeatedly, the main issue is the cultural and non-cultural divide.

                And even the highly praised monks are hypocrites. I hope to hear something from those monks who dared to give power to Gotabha by publicly saying, “It doesn’t matter if Gota is a Hitler, he should rule the country”.

                What happened to that Ghansara today? Where did they go today?
                To this day I don’t trust anyone there, not even my family.

                I am trying to do a good job by providing free meals to those who are really in need… I know that the people of Mattakulia and the area of Urbanites are suffering the most as they are unable to cope with the inflation of 80% daily requirement today. All others come next. I think if people would be HANGRY, they would not see anything else.

    • 16
      1

      The entire article is good; I have re-read it, taking into account the 57 comments now on display. It is not vitiated by the final paragraph.
      .
      AKD and professor Charitha Herath seem to me exceptionally good men. Sumantiran is not bad. Where’s Shanikayan, and Bakeer Markar?
      .
      Godahewa – don’t know. I’ve been told that he has qualifications, but clearly nobody is enthusiastic about him.
      .
      I can’t understand how that last paragraph can damn Amrit Mutukumaru.
      .
      old codger, how can you regard Ranil as a saint? Incidentally, why does his first cousin, Rajiva Wijesinha, hate him so much? I’m beginning to join the chorus of those who demand the identity of old codger since he has begun to make unbalanced statements.
      .
      Panini Edirisinhe of Bandarawela (NIC 483111444V)

      • 4
        11

        SM,
        “old codger, how can you regard Ranil as a saint?”
        What makes you think so? NO politician can be a Saint. All of them, bar none, are on a scale between “realist” and “mass murderer”. I have explained before that it’s simply logic. The country needs :
        1. A non- racist as leader. On this count, SF, Champika, even CV Wigneswaran etc, are out. Sajith too is too afraid of the monks.
        2. The leader must have a head for economics. Eran W is good, but is a Christian.
        3. The leader must be acceptable to the IMF. Both AKD (sorry, SM) and Wimal would have the IMF running for cover.
        So, since we live in the real world, AND also want IMF money, what’s the alternative? You tell me. And if you think an election will solve anything, just have a look at that picture I posted the other day, showing a young athlete worshipping Namal.
        I don’t think RW is a Saint, but unlike the author, I don’t run a years-long vendetta accusing people of “egregious ” dishonesty and run away when challenged.
        “Incidentally, why does his first cousin, Rajiva Wijesinha, hate him so much?” Ah, but perhaps you don’t know that Rajiva is related to Mahinda too?

        • 2
          0

          OC
          Is Rajiva Wijesinha an unblemished character?
          He has grudges I fear:
          He was not made the minister that he wanted to be. He sulked and then quit the job offered.

          • 1
            0

            Wijesinghe is a swollen person. For some reason, he went into his hibernation all these years and months. He is not willing to put up with anything but himself. He is also not team oriented. He was unable to work with his team members for several months after taking over as Minister of Higher Education. That was at the begining of good governance govt.

        • 2
          1

          Dear oc,
          .
          You have said, “Eran W is good, but is a Christian.”
          .
          Does this mean that you will reject every person who associates him/herself with a religious group gets disqualified?
          .
          You’re not the person to say that the leader of the country should be following the religion of the majority.
          .
          My view of this is that religion is a personal thing, and the State ought not to ask any questions about a person’s beliefs.
          .
          OTOH, one cannot take away anything from the civic rights of religious clergy. They should be allowed to contest any election. It is up to the voters to not vote for clergy if they think it undesirable for clergy to be in elected offices. I see the objections that could be raised, but I don’t want to get drawn into hypothetical arguments.

  • 11
    17

    It may well be that Ranil’s position is “illegitimate “, as the author loudly claims.
    Nowadays, even the author might have noticed, despite his tinted glasses, that Ranil has done a better job so far getting rid of queues that the “legitimate” President he replaced.
    It is better not to mix one’s own personal and unprovable prejudices, like media monopolies and bond scams into public writings.

    • 3
      3

      OC,
      I made every effort to explain to anyone I spoke to before November 2019 that Rajapakse’s return should be strongly opposed.

      My focus was not only on the tuk tuk drivers but also on the highly educated university staff. However, my efforts ended up sounding like I was talking to a wall or deaf people. That discourse continues now, but we are miles away from our achievements. The Sri Lankan media should question themselves whether they have done their job close to the expectations of the citizens of this country. My good colleagues asked me yesterday how and why social media platforms are given unfettered freedom to spread divisive thoughts at a highly critical juncture in this nation. The Europeans, as wealthy nations, would put some limits on their new alarms if they threatened peace with society. That’s when I thought – even today there are no ethical and moral codes introduced in Sri Lankan media.

      I have collected many posts on CT and other forums, whenever I get a chance to do so, my only wish is to warn the nation. I think I did it right. However, how many of them take that question. Our people don’t like to think about anything seriously. That is where we should focus.

      • 6
        0

        LM,
        “The Sri Lankan media should question themselves whether they have done their job close to the expectations of the citizens of this country.”
        If you watch, say, Derana, Sirasa, Rupavahini, you might think that they live in different countries. And that does take into account the social media pundits with their upvote-driven hype.

        • 5
          0

          And that does not take into account the social media pundits with their upvote-driven hype.

        • 2
          1

          OC,
          .
          I am very interested to know how and who controls the news that is part of news broadcasts/telecasts before it becomes headlines.

          Would really appreciate it if someone could explain this to me. why is exclusively dependent on ratings ?
          -`
          Why does it only depend on ratings? This is not the case in Germany, the UK and France. They have a code of conduct before they broadcast or telecast. Why is a low-level journalist authorized to serve as his media outlet in Sri Lanka?
          My EU colleagues are questioning why Sri Lanka has allowed irresponsible news makers to engage in alarming and fear-mongering issues, even if the news remains “untrue”.

          In recent years, with people’s lives getting busy, television media has become people’s main source of news. So in that context, people will be in danger if satirical news of Sirasa, Derana and other Pachavahini channels become their news.

          • 4
            0

            LM,
            “Would really appreciate it if someone could explain this to me. why is exclusively dependent on ratings ?”
            TV stations are rated according to viewership. The more viewers they have, the more ads they get, and the more money they can charge for those ads. Private channels must make a profit to survive. In the UK, people have to pay an annual licence fee to keep the BBC going even if they only watch ITV. The German system is the same: https://allaboutberlin.com/guides/gez-rundfunkbeitrag#:~:text=until%2020131.-,How%20much%20is%20the%20TV%20tax%3F,to%20pay%20the%20TV%20tax.
            So, public TV can run without ads, and be unbiased (or so they tell us ).

            • 2
              0

              Thanks OC,
              .
              But as I recall (from the 80’s) I think Sri Lankans paid the same tax for radio and TV…or am I confusing it with something else?

              I absolutely do not believe that TV channels depend only on the news ratings of the owner.
              You are right, in Europe we pay quarterly fees. That’s more than any other country.
              .
              If so, it is inevitable that viewers will be misled. Why are the responsible authorities not acting against it? Why do they allow the viewership to be destroyed by the arbitrary actions of the TV channel owner?

            • 2
              0

              “So, public TV can run without ads, and be unbiased (or so they tell us ).”
              OC
              It does to some degree in UK and perhaps Germany, but bias is avoided in matters concerning leading players within a country.
              But when the system is challenged, ethics fly out of thew window.

              • 1
                2

                We are well aware that misleading news headlines are common on Sri Lankan television channels. TV news being the primary source for the many in SL today, authorities should have long taken actions against this.

                Misleading of this degree should not be continued in a country this way.
                We came to know how that “cobra fake relic fairy tale” was aired on some PVT channels where no case was filed. As far as I know, no such talk is allowed on any TV channels in Germany. Perhaps, I think if Professor Sarwan (a CT writer) could add his thoughts to this. I am not sure, if he reads our comments these days.

                However, I do not understand as to why the Sri Lankan authorities have not yet introduced their code of conduct. The role of the media minister should be to help restructure the system to make it world-class. What did Mr. Dulas Alahaperuma do as the Minister of Media recently? Did he ignore it on purpose? he should have concerned on this long outstanding issue seriously; besides he is said to be a senior journalist long before he entered the active politics.

                • 1
                  0

                  LM,
                  “We came to know how that “cobra fake relic fairy tale” was aired on some PVT channels where no case was filed.”
                  In a country where Astrology is taken seriously enough to be proposed as a ministerial subject , do you expect something different?
                  Actually, it is quite legal to broadcast these programs, but they must be labelled clearly as “entertainment “, with a few dancing girls included. Code of conduct? How can a set of corrupt ministers design a code of conduct?

                  • 1
                    1

                    OC,
                    Even though I am out of the country don’t you think we the audience should stand up to today’s media mafia (more dangerous than any other Maifa network including drug trafficking)? Why do we viewers let arbitorily decide the channel owner and his uneducated crew decide what we watch?

                    Most of them remain baseless, hypothetical levels……including most of them. That women like Roshan Watala or Sirasa TV moderators, Chatura Alvis or Dilka are less educated than employed. Their questions to the forums prove it well.

                    I think we should all unite against the media mafia that has taken root in this country. But today some people avoid showing anything against Rajapaksa, so the damage done by today’s crooks to this nation is immeasurable.

        • 6
          0

          old codger

          Ranil has appointed a well known public racist and hatemonger as his Prime Minister.
          This is what this hate monger told the UNHRC in February 2020 ““I wish to place on record, Sri Lanka’s decision to withdraw from co-sponsorship of Resolution 40/1 on Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka,” –

          Will this hate monger say sorry (for his existence) to the victims and their kith and kin before begging the diaspora to bail out the island? Will the most parochial patriot lift ban on singing national anthem in Tamil?

          This shameless racist has lifted ban on Tamil Diaspora, now expecting the Tamil Diaspora is so stupid, in return it trusts him.
          What a disgraced patriot.

          • 0
            0

            Native,
            “Ranil has appointed a well known public racist and hatemonger as his Prime Minister”.
            Tails don’t wag dogs, so I expect DG to meekly do what he is told.

            • 2
              0

              old codger

              “Tails don’t wag dogs, so I expect DG to meekly do what he is told.”

              Do you still believe Philip Gunawardena didn’t wag SJ’s Socialist hero SWRD?

              • 0
                0

                Native,
                “This shameless racist has lifted ban on Tamil Diaspora, now expecting the Tamil Diaspora is so stupid, in return it trusts him.”
                If he did it, he is being meek as instructed. That prima donna Omalpe Sobhitha doesn’t seem too pleased.

            • 1
              0

              OC
              Is DG any worse than any other feasible PM material before us?

              • 1
                0

                SJ,
                “Is DG any worse than any other….?”
                Probably not worse than Dhammika Perera.

    • 3
      2

      Dear oc,
      .
      Let me confirm that the fuel queues are gone; credit to Ranil, and to the young minister, Kanchana Wijesekera.
      .
      Of course, I see this as a crisis created and solved by essentially the same guys! Now, all goods are priced beyond our reach, but we accept that as necessary, not because of our fault, but because of Ranil’s current henchmen.
      .
      There’ll be gratitude for Ranil if, having established order, he has elections ASAP. Amending constitutions shouldn’t be his business. Had Ranil been a younger man with legitimate future ambitions, I might excuse him. But when this old man, who has had all the chances to do things when in his prime, now wishes to hold on, knowing that his should only be an interim spell, I cannot forgive him.
      .
      Panini Edirisinhe of Bandarawela

      • 2
        3

        SM,
        “Of course, I see this as a crisis created and solved by essentially the same guys! “
        Don’t you think that’s wildly inaccurate? Did Ranil or Kanchana create all those shortages? No, it was the fake supermen, the Rajapaksas and their henchmen.
        I don’t believe Ranil wants anything more than to finish Gota’s term. He’s not going to win any election, even if he creates an economic miracle.
        One thing I DON’T believe is that the lofty motives of the Aragalaya have converted the majority. You only have to listen to Elle Gunawansa or Omalpe Sobhitha to figure that out. An election will bring inmore of the same. Closet racists who know that racism and populism, not hard economics, win votes. There will be many who argue that Covid trashed the Rajapaksas.
        Be careful what you wish for.

    • 3
      0

      Final comment (07.35) after staying up all night:
      .
      Dear old codger,
      .
      Since you so much admire Ranil, could you explain the mess that he, and he alone, has made of this “Yuan Wang-5” lass?
      .
      https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/china-silent-on-details-of-talks-as-its-ship-is-set-to-dock-at-lanka-port-3256749
      .
      As unnecessary a hat as ever Gota put on! If it’s too late to respond here, please do so elsewhere.

      • 1
        5

        SM,
        Again, it wasn’t Ranil who granted permission, but Gota. I see nothing sinister in the visit, but the Indians are furious. Perhaps the tamasha that Ranil organized to receive the Dornier surveillance plane will mollify them somewhat. If either China or India refuses to take a haircut on their loans, there will be no IMF deal either.

        • 3
          5

          SM,
          “Since you so much admire Ranil…”
          My interest in Ranil is purely to do with efficiency. Just as I admire a good plumber or electrician, you see.

        • 1
          0

          OC
          Indians lack subtlety in diplomacy. (I know that this in an understatement.)
          Once permission to dock was granted and confirmed, it is embarrassing for the host country to withdraw permission.
          Having twice succeeded in doing the dirty on the Chinese, the Indians thought that they have the SL government in their pocket with their recent $ 4B loans. The Indian media boasted about this prospect.
          Had India merely expressed its concern and explained the causes for concern, it would have been possible for Sri Lanka to give assurances about the visiting vessel not abusing its stay. That way, a point would have been made and a warning given to Sri Lanka.
          India went on the overkill and asked for refusal of entry. When Sri Lanka, not so cleverly, asked China to defer the scheduled visit, China objected through diplomatic channels while Indian media gloated about India’s success.
          Certainly the Indians need mollifying after what they perceive as a severe snub.

  • 3
    1

    SL citizens should request their parliamentary REPRESENTATIVES to get a completely NEW constitution to be put forward for REFERENDUM as soon as possible. This new constitution should INCORPORATE the list of items ARAGALAYA wants to bring in. Ranil W was able to keep himself as HEAD of UNP 3 decades with the HELP of Rajapaksas. That’s why he bothered to bring any court cases against the crooked Rajapaksas in 2015. The Good Governance GoSL of 2015 was a damn FLOP.
    Those who was rejoicing the loss of Rajapaksas in 2015 became the FRUSTRATED lot. Now again in July 2022.

    • 1
      5

      Aragalaya damn flop and wasted time also. Now, the ARAGALAYA people should suicide for the sake of the lies and it is really Harakiri

    • 2
      0

      Naman,
      Morning.
      “This new constitution should INCORPORATE the list of items ARAGALAYA wants to bring in”
      very good idea.
      we also have some list of items to bring in with a referendum and they should be also included in the reforms, and not limited to the Aragalaya ‘List of Item only’

    • 3
      0

      N
      SL citizens could request ANYONE BUT their parliamentary REPRESENTATIVES to do anything useful.

  • 5
    2

    i don’t think you can say that ranil has no legitimacy now as he has been elected by parliament.

    when gota resigned ranil should also have resigned because he was appointed by gota.However he did not and his house was partially burned because STF attacked the media.Now it is different situation and he has very right to continue as constitution rules have been maintained in appointing him as the president.So for the author to say not to deal with him will be a loss for the country struggling to survive this crisis.The correct thing is to have a election but until then in the interim it is ranil with whom the coutry has to deal with.However if shortages and queues don’t subside people will rise up.

    • 8
      5

      Whatever is said in a constitution is not a Gospel. A man who has no real legitimacy even to be an MP, how can he be a President? Ranil’s appointment is under fortuitous Circumstances.

      • 2
        8

        The Parliament is uttermost supreme and the majority of the MPS elected the President PM legally elected by Parliament. No one can challenge also

        • 4
          1

          NP,
          .
          let me help you correcting yours. Parliament would have been uttermost supreme if the composition of it would have been the mirror image of the very people. Is it the case as of today ?
          :
          It has become as of today, the THITHPOLak or a place for red light business makers- which defend the high criminal Rajapakshes produced by DA Rajapakshe.

          Now or later you will have to widen your EYES NP… get well soon !

      • 4
        1

        varunan

        constitution is the only bible we have in a democracy.If amendments have to be made or a entire new constitution has to be done to reflect changing times then we have to do that.Until then the present one is what we have to look at to see whether the rules have been breached.Fortuitous or not his appointment was legal.We have to respect that.Also no point in talking about the problem always.What is your solution?

      • 5
        0

        If the constitution is not relevant, how does one define legitimacy?
        KV, whatever the circumstances, he was elected based on rules, not appointed.

      • 4
        0

        (Part I)
        Kanapathy Varunan,
        Good Morning.
        “A man who has no REAL LEGITIMACY EVEN TO BE AN MP, how can he be a President?”
        You may have a valid point, if his becoming a MP is ‘suspect’ or lacks Legitimacy?
        However, in this country, we have a written constitution, unlike The UK, which in contrary has an unwritten constitution and a Monarchy Federated by 3 constituent States/Nations of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland! The UK is not a Republic
        The UK is dependent on traditions and the Queen Reigns and no more Ruling the country, since the “Magna Carta” on the advice of the House of Commons and the duly elected PM!!?? In contrast our Kings until 1815, Ruled the country, which ceased with British conquering the Kandyan Kingdom in 1815!
        The contrast is the written constitutions should be adhered to the letter and cannot be deviated, as it is the instrument vested with the Power of Sovereignty of the people (with whom the ultimate sovereignty of SL, lies!)
        The constitution of country has been approved by the sovereign people and/or their elected representatives.
        Therefore, dare say has more sanctity as it has been ‘tested’, than the Gospel!!

      • 1
        0

        (Part II)
        Be that as it may, the RW saga if taken from 2020 August parliamentary elections,
        1. United national Party (UNP) had legitimacy in being the party being conferred with the element or allocation of 1 (One) Parliamentary seat – based on total votes polled nationally – in accordance with the constitution and election laws enacted and accepted since 1981 and as such was not contested or questioned by any party as illegals according to provisions in the constitution!! Therefore LEGITIMATE
        2. RW as the leader of the UNP, as per their Party rules was nominated by the UNP party secretary as the Person to represent UNP in parliament, to represent the UNP electorate nationally. This decision is the duty and responsibility of the members of the UNP and therefore, be deemed as LEGITIMATE, and cannot be termed as illegitimate, by any other, which is the preserve of the ‘Card carrying’ members of the UNP and not any other!
        3. If not, then action, by means of a ‘No confidence’ motion and remove the Party Secretary by members of UNP and none others are eligible to do so!! This too hasn’t happened!!

      • 1
        1

        (Part III)
        4. This ofcourse according to the legislation and constitution excludes who may be UNP supporters at large in the electorate, but not “Card carrying” members of UNP. Therefore it is LEGITIMATE!
        Unless, I have missed out a part which is crucial to your claim of Illegitimacy, I would seek your assistance to point it out, which I would be thankful???
        Therefore, your contention that, “man who has no REAL LEGITIMACY EVEN TO BE AN MP”, is absolutely and totally UNTENABLE, WHICH ABOUNDS AS ONLY A “FANTASY”, NONE OTHER!!??
        The parliament election as Executive President of SL the successor to Gotabaya (elected by 6.9 million Sri Lankans in November 2019), for the balance of GR’s term until 2024, is legitimate and also legal (in accordance with the constitution as amended in 1981), in every right and reason, without any reservation!?
        Let’s get new EP, proceed on his mandate to restore SL’s economy and a change in system for a better Sri Lankan future, and a resplendent isle??

    • 1
      1

      Please shankar,
      .
      Instead of playing with words, why not we grant that Ranil has got to be President by legal means, but that he lacks legitimacy.
      .
      A legitimate President is one elected by the citizens, acting collectively. Not by 134 crooks voting to preserve their jobs and their pensions.

    • 0
      0

      Shankar,
      .
      Remember? Gota did not resign but was driven out by the youth of the struggle.
      :
      A few days later he announced his resignation from the presidency.
      :
      This is considered an emergency. Nowhere in the Constitution do you see that the Prime Minister must also resign after leaving the office of President. If yes..please come with facts.

      Now back to legality and legality…
      .
      Reptilians chose RW for their survival or other hidden agendas by rejecting AKD and DA.
      .
      At the same time, public perception of the country is now distorted compared to the situation before November 2019.
      .
      I don’t think that any Rajapakse person will be able to go free if caught. Today people hate them like vermin. Nevertheless, both RW and the elected Premier (nasty voice, but obedient to the Rajapakse dogs) are considered caricatures of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (the crow is the guardian).
      :
      So this is really dangerous for the electorate and the public. So how does the IMF or other institutions buy it as a stable government? ?

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        apologies, Legality and Legitimacy

  • 2
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    The weakness in all these arguments is that the Aragalaya was forceful about removing the Rajapaksas from power, but was clueless, divided, and adrift about what should come next. Despite all the known negatives about RW, SL followed a constitutional process in electing RW. I am not as well aware of the ground situation in SL as people on the ground are, but I have read that the anti-RW protests on Aug 9 fizzled out without adequate participation from the public. The fact remains that 6.9 million people, mainly Sinhalese, elected the SLPP, and the SLPP MPs followed a constitutional process to elect RW. Therein lies the weakness of the opposition. Once he has become President, even the SLPP can’t do anything to unseat him from power easily (Not that the SLPP has anything of that sort in mind, and any impeachment route doesn’t seem to have adequate public support.) I think people need to face the reality that RW is likely to stay on as President till the current term expires. So what they should focus on is to ensure that — 1) he is mindful that it was the Aragalaya that made his rise to power possible. 2) keep the pressure on him to root out corruption

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      Despite all the known negatives about RW, SL followed (you mean Engineered?) a constitutional process in electing RW. Come on man. Too artificial logic, somewhat like one SL always uses. SL used a provision in the constitution for Rowdy King to stage the coup. There was a parliamentary process took place to dismiss CJ Shiranee. The army officer who murdered Raviraj was released because according to Sinhala Only Jury, the case was not proved. Zero casualty in the Nanthikadal war because UN officials left the country. The protestors started to provoke the army and police, but not Old Rowdy brought the prisoners to TTH.

      May I ask you where you found your constitutional provisions to appoint Ranil Evil as the EP? Is that 19A or 20A 18A or… where? What was the suppression level when the protest started, and what was the level when it ended. Who organized the Aug 9th protest? When was he/she established his/her influence within the mass? You want to go on your path, to your conclusion, not the balanced path, do you?

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      The constitution must be interpreted congruent to the people’s thinking. Anybody in the parliament can become the EP, other than shameless Ranil Evil, who never got the people’s mandate for this job. He knows the people’s opinion and he didn’t stand for the election in a row for the past three elections, if the constitutional purpose and EP selection process were interpreted for the people, but not to save the Royal rowdies from UNHRC, Ranil would have still skipped the election. If the protestors have won, IMF loan, FDI all are guaranteed. Now Evil is looking for Auspicious time to bring back Hitler. Then Hitler would be crowned by 145 Afghani donkeys, as the 134 constitutionally electing Evil Ranil. Then I guess you may have to have your justification edited, because none of them will be matching in those circumstances.

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      There are other big players in the drama that do not receive a mention.
      I will not throw a stone at that hornet’s nest but wait until the story begins to unravel in due course.

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    We suddenly find ourselves in a deep well unable to get out, and when all others refused citing various reasons to shoulder the burden, Ranil stepped in. He may have both good and bad in the past, but it is useless digging out the pedigree now because he has been elected constitutionally to Parliament and then to Presidency, whether we like his face or not. Need of the hour is to survive until next lection and then decide to keep or throw him out.

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      R
      I doubt if RW has much interest in afterlife, I mean life after next election.
      My feeling is that he, having go the job he longed for, will step out– as a happy man or an unhappy man.
      Either way, he will not be elected in a national election, unless UNP subdues SJB, SLPP self-destructs, and JVP makes little progress.

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      Ragu,
      .
      I don’t like military men. Therefore, I’ve never been enthusiastic about Fonseka.
      .
      I didn’t like him even when he contested the Presidency, but I voted for him – Third Preference, behind Vikremabahu and (can’t remember now, either Wije Dias or Siritunga, although I’ve never been a Marxist). And remember that it was Ranil W. who wanted Fonseka to contest. That third Preference would have counted fully had others, (like you?) voted for him. You would also have ensured that Mahinda Rajapaksa would have been looked upon more benignly than now.
      .
      Fonseka gained in stature owing to the fortitude that he displayed during his imprisonment.
      .
      Even now, I wouldn’t want him to be THE leader of the country. An important Minister? Yes.
      .
      People like me didn’t object to Ranil coming forward as an advisor. Even as Prime Minister, except we knew that he would be difficult.
      .
      Well, looking at what you’ve written it’s not quite as objectionable as what old codger (a guy I normally agree with) has said.
      .
      Our problem with Ranil is that there’s no sign of early elections.
      .
      Panini Edirisinhe of Bandarawela

  • 0
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    “There is no use demanding a ‘SYSTEM CHANGE’ in a VACUUM. “

    This is a theory similar to the theory of Viyathmahas postulated, after the runaway of Gothapayal, that Anarchy was about to set in the country so the parliament must be preserved and Ranil, who was PM be let be promoted to EP, as per the constitution. Sadly, it was also the constitution the protestors wanted to have discarded as the constitution itself is a fraudulent document, so many times altered to instate elites and Sinhala Buddhists to keep the control over the minorities, but not drafted the country could grow in better in the elements of the human life or to gain ability manage modern challenges faced worldwide. Corruption and or weakness started to appear in the Ceylon Constitution as soon as the Soulbury constitution came into operation. Otherwise, how do you explain the S29, a weak or corrupted element drafted to satisfy Don Soloman, allowed DS to disenfranchise Tamils and leave them in the middle of the road as orphans without a country? That is why we need to return to the very beginning of Ceylon, even before the UN accepted it as a new country and restart from zero (the zero mile ground zero), that is the vacuum.

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    The fresh start is only about real democracy. Democracy is not the prewritten constitution, established parliament, elected Prime Minister, or even the EP. Remember, how the American democratic republic started with the Proclamation of Emancipation. No constitution, no senate or house and no president, was named in that document; not even His Excellence, Ranil the evil. It was a start in the vacuum. They all came out of the thin air, brand new for that time, which was completely different from the evolved, shadow monarchy system, the Westminster Parliamentary model, which drove Ceylon into a failed and non-existing nation. Remember, Scotland did not want to go away because the system there is not faulty for Scotland, but not good for Ceylon. Because at that time Lord Soulbury had made sure that it would look after the interests of Don Stepehen but would not create any new Aisa Miracle. Langkang, with three brand new constitutions, and 22 amendments has evolved to the world no. 1 Pariah nation. So, the protestors (, which includes us, though physically did not step in that land, but have the concern of it every day) wanted to start everything anew, nothing connected to the Old Langkang, that means to abandon the current political and social culture of Langkang.

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    Bhagavatha Purana describes how the Brahman completely abolishes the 59 universes in the final day (Day is only for earth, so it is an instance) and recreates the universes. In the meantime, he vanishes himself thus not to remain in the vacuum to spoil the vacuum he created for the new universes. Then he (he is not a god) reappears into the vacuum as first and creates 59 Bramas with a duty to create 59 universes.

    Recently, in a small in the USA, in the police department, racially provocative jokes were exchanged. Major said that the minorities cannot take that police department policing them and he closed the police department completely. So, there was a vacuum. Town council did not recreate the new police department instantly. So, they let the vacuum as is and passed a resolution to hire the neighboring county to do the policing. But, when there was no policing from the town, there was no anarchy developed as the Viyathmaha pundits explained during the protest, but the majorities and minorities well received the TC decision. There are so many international arrangements available to manage a country temporarily, without 225 + 1 thieves. But that all, at the end, will make minorities equal to the Sinhala Elite Viyathmaga, so they were not ready for that. That is why they all sought Evil Ranil’s shade.

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    I like to bring another example of this vacuumed confusion. When a Hindu woman marries a man and he wears the Thali (Goden, undegradable garland) on her, the Brahmin interpret that action to her that she there on had severed her all kind of attachments where she was born, and she have to have transferred all to husband family. Father and mother of the girl will swear, pouring water from their hand, that they are giving away everything including her daughter relationship to the bridegroom family. If she had died as a child, the parents would get a 31-day bereavement exclusion period. But if she dies on the next day of marriage the 31 days will not apply for them, but it applies for the husband’s family, for whom she was a stranger until then. After marriage she take a new life out of the vacuum. This arrangement rarely makes any woman’s life a might mare from on but prepare both families & the couple ready to the new arrangements & remind that they all have a duty in the new couple’s happy life.

    Protestors want to take the Hindu bride taking severance from the current Kleptocracy, Communist, Fraudulent, Wildlife Sanctuary, SinhaLE Lankawe and its managers, the Sinhala Intellectuals, In Sinhala, the Viyathmaga. That means a full cut off.

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    Now let us see if out of the 225 parliamentary Afghani Donkeys, anyone could be graded as an angel. Our grading has already appeared too many times CT, so no fruit in arguing on that. It will not change. But the protestors point was not individually grading them or put them on a referendum and check the people confidence in them. Gothapayal who ran away to Singapore to seek refuge from the 6.9 M Wildlife Sanctuary, SinhaLE voters and Ranil Evil who replaced the runway Hitler King as the new EP are the classic examples of people ‘s opinion of one’s suitability for the job. The Langkang constitution, the election laws, the political culture, all are the ingredients of the Langkang the cesspool. If you touch in that water to pick non existing pearl out of it, certainly one is going to spoil one’s hand and nose, too, as Mr. Muttukumaru did this. He quickly shook off his fingers when others started to question him. Remember the recent comment (just at the time Ranil was appointed as PM) from Norwegian Envoy Solheim that there is no statesman in Sri Lanka to do what the protestors are asking for. That is why Ranil and Viyathmaha invented the Anarchy and suppressed the protest.

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    Protestors were clear on that 1). this legacy government should go out as whole, 2). an interim government be formulated, 3). Within that they are in majority 4). and with technical consultants helping them, 5) then reformulate the constitution and election laws 6) with a new political culture and start it all over again from 1948, the “0” starting point. They thought then only real developments can be started and Western FDI can be attracted. The Westminster model democracy that is evolving from the past legacy did not work for Langkang. So, with a French Revolution to wipe out the corrupted system and in American style, sudden development from the war is what can work for Ceylon. This means, not just Ranil and his 225 Eval Pai-s (Satan’s henchmen), but the citizens too have to stop interpreting & reinterpret the Protest in our own convenience but reappear as modified enough to adopt into the new country. Being too smart or knowing a little bit above all is not the only quality needed to the new Changes system. Being without an urge to win others, beat others in talks, dominate others, discount others, and insult others are unwanted destructive traits for the new land.

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    Dear leelagemalli,
    .
    1/4
    .
    Comments now displayed.
    The link to the Hoole article works, but it is only one of three, which appeared a week apart. The incidents referred to took place in March 1983. The island-wide pogrom was in July; what happened in Peradeniya was a planned dress-rehearsal. It was the UNP that was responsible. I see no evidence that you have seen those three articles.
    .
    To understand what you and your friends experienced in 1988 /89, it is absolutely imperative that you study what happened during my period. In that middle article that I have linked you to, see comment by Bandula Idamegama who talks about his brother, Ananda. I taught Bandula for two years and a bit from 1971 to 1973 – until I was kicked out of Kandegedera M.V. by the young corrupt racist Principal (now dead). Grades 8 & 9. I was inexperienced, but I worked really hard, visited every pupil’s home. Lovely unspoilt area, even now, in the middle of Sarnia Group. Bandarawela is crowded and built-up. Ananda was “Under 9 high-jump champion”. I didn’t actually teach him, but I had visited their home. The wealthy in the village, staunch UNP family.

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    2/4
    .
    I met Ananda again in Peradeniya.
    He was then an outspoken JVPer. Remember that I was 34 when I entered. Not ragged. My batch-mates, students of English from Colombo and Kandy schools were prime targets for ragging (those with me had come to Peradeniya from the Dumbara Campus in Polgolla, so they were ragged all over again. But those doing English didn’t really get caught. Few of them lived in Halls, even I didn’t. Had Dumbara closed when you entered? Its very setting up illustrates the gross misunderstanding of what was happening. I was in a good position to observe dispassionately.
    .
    Enough has been said in that place, by others, not only by me, about who was responsible for racist attacks. Reading that – by clicking on the link that I have provided – is more important for you than anything else that has come on today.
    .
    Ragging is a quite different matter. Mainly done by Sinhalese students; nothing to do with politics. The JVP leaders, then as now (today it is the Pertugami, aka, “Anthare” aka “Front-line Socialist Party”) were never involved in ragging. They were far too serious about their idealistic politics.

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    3/4
    .
    Among the raggers there may have been some nominal JVPers. There’s no politics in ragging; it’s sadism, and hunting for a girl in a junior batch. Am I not being rational?
    .
    The ragging situation today: You really must listen only to people whom you can really trust. In April I telephoned one of our all-round most honest academics (Moratuwa University), my pupil, Professor Amal Kumarage. Please see his article, and my comments:
    .
    https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/the-fuel-price-hike-repositioning-transport-logistics-sector-to-lead-economic-recovery-in-sri-lanka/
    .
    Note the reference to my telephoning. I took the opportunity to check on what he thought of ragging. Exactly what I’ve told you here. He will not mislead for convenience.
    .
    Haven’t you realised that you get carried away by your feelings? Remember how you absolutely gushed about these people, then said that you found them distasteful: YouTuber Sepal Amarasinghe (justified) , and Dr Muta Janapriya (unjustified, although I’d like you to note that I still think him rather racist. However, a good man). The best humans have faults. Think of Galileo, Beethoven, Tolstoy, Gandhi, Gorbachev. If you don’t know their faults, ask me. The wisest are sometimes act foolishly; can’t think of striking examples!

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    4/4
    .
    See how much the “experienced Ranil” dithered about the ship Yuan Wang 5.
    .
    https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-62558767
    .
    I wonder what you think of “jumping MPs” Harin Fernando & Manusha Nanayakkara. You tried to justify what I labelled as opportunism. We all have feelings, but I try not to get carried away.
    .
    Fantastic inventions plague us when over-exploited. The internal combustion engine; all advances in medicine which have led to over-population, which in turn leads to destruction of life forms; nuclear energy; education which produces misfits (like me!).
    .
    This is a time to think and reflect. The Aragalaya is over for now, but the situation is volatile. It is difficult to predict what will happen next. Don’t be caught off guard. You are a man whose views count here on Colombo Telegraph. There are 22 million Lankans; we influence the thinking of at least 220. May not seem much, but it is significant.
    .
    Panini Edirisinhe; Retired Village Teacher; NIC 483111444V of Bandarawela

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