By Jehan Perera –
Jehan Perera
The unexpected resurrection of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s hope to be a third term president of the country has taken the centre stage of political debate. It also highlights the vulnerability of the rule of law. One of the memorable phrases of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission appointed by the former president to cope with the international demand for accountability for war-time violations of human rights was that the Rule of Law rather than the Rule of Men should prevail if the tragedies of the past were not to repeat themselves. But to politicians whose quest for power is unlimited such principles of democratic governance may be dispensed with as and when the need arises.
The possible resurfacing of the former president as a presidential candidate occurs at a time when there is lack of clarity on both sides of the political divide with regard to who might be their candidates at the forthcoming presidential elections due no later than November 2019. On the government side there is no definite indication as yet whether it is going to be President Maitripala Sirisena again who will be the common candidate, as he was at the presidential election of 2015, or Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who has been the UNP’s main aspirant for the post since the presidential election of 1999. This issue of who will be the next presidential candidate has been left unresolved from the very beginning of the government’s term of office.
It is this unresolved issue of who will be the next president that has been at the root of the problem that has prevented the government from acting as a cohesive government with a 2/3 majority in parliament. As the time for elections comes nearer, it is a cause for frustration on the part of the opposition that they are unable to capitalize on this failure of the government, and its inability to act powerfully to deliver the necessary benefits and economic development to the electorate to obtain their vote at elections. The opposition showed up this weakness of the government at the local government elections earlier this year when they trounced the government parties in most parts of the country. However, the opposition too is beset with the same problem as the government with regard to deciding who might be their presidential candidate.
Drafters Intent
With his charisma and track record as a decisive leader, former president Rajapaksa continues to be the undisputed leader of the opposition that has been seeking to form an alternative government in the country from the time of their unexpected defeat in 2015. Other presidential aspirants have been repeatedly echoing each other in saying it is left to the former president to make his decision, and that they await his decision which will be made at the correct time. The challenge for the opposition is to identity a candidate who will unify them and not cause fragmentation. The signs of such potential fragmentation have been evident in the harsh comments made by different members of the opposition against the leading aspirants from amongst their ranks.
In these circumstances, with presidential elections a maximum of less than 16 months away, the allure of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa as the opposition candidate has grown. The problem, however, is that the former president is prevented by law from becoming a third term president. At least that has been the belief so far. The 19th Amendment to the constitution prohibits anyone who has been elected twice to the office of president to contest again to be president for a third time. The 19th Amendment, which was passed in 2015, repealed the 18th Amendment passed in 2010, which itself had repealed the provision in the constitution of 1978 that set a two-term limit on the presidency. The drafters of the constitution had put in the two term limit being mindful of the possible abuses that could come if a president stayed too long in power and built up a coterie around him who would monopolise power. It was in terms of the 18th Amendment that former president Rajapaksa cut short his second term by two years to call for an early presidential election and make his third bid for presidential office.
The 18th Amendment to the constitution, which was passed as an urgent bill in Parliament within a week, without time for adequate debate either in parliament or in the country, represents one of the lowest points of the country’s adherence to principles of constitutionalism. The constitution represents the supreme law of the country. It should not be changed at the whim and fancy or deep and dark desire of those in power to further their own interests. The passage of the 18th Amendment was possible because former president Rajapaksa and his government had accumulated such enormous powers that all other institutions, including the judiciary, came under severe pressure. The separation of powers, and the system of checks and balances, needs to be protected at all costs if democracy is to prevail.
Positive Consequences
Members of the opposition and their legal advisors are now claiming that the 19th Amendment to the constitution does not prevent former president Rajapaksa from contesting the presidency a third time. They argue that prohibition of the 19th Amendment only applies to those who are elected from the time of the passage of the 19th Amendment and it does not apply retrospectively to those who were elected twice in the past. The final verdict on this needs to be given by the judiciary who will also be considering the intent of those who drafted the law in question. The intention of the framers of the 19th Amendment may be discerned in their statements made in and outside parliament at the time of the passage of the law. When there is doubt the courts will refer to the intent of the framers of the law.
The stability of a society and the trust that can be placed on its institutions depends on the Rule of Law being upheld as against the rule of men which will vary from time to time according to their whims and fancies. Whether it is with regard to the security of business investments or a sustainable solution to the ethnic conflict, there is a need for stability, in which agreements made one day are not overturned the next day depending on the will of one person or one party. The importance of the judiciary in upholding the Rule of Law and constitution can be seen in the context of the debate that is opening up regarding the possibility of former president Rajapaksa contesting forthcoming presidential election and becoming a third term president.
The re-emergence of the candidacy of former president Rajapaksa may also serve to galvanise the government to resolve its own issues with regard to facing the oncoming presidential election. The sooner this is done the better. What the country needs is unified governance in which there is cohesive decisionmaking but with the Rule of Law being upheld. In 2015, the combination of President Sirisena and the parties that now constitute the government were sufficient to win that election. The government parties joined forces because they felt that they could not individually take on the former president and the political machinery that he had at his disposal. When there is no clear choice of candidate for the government parties at the present time, the tried and tested formula might be the best to adopt, given the present absence of viable alternatives.
Hela / August 20, 2018
Which rule of law and intent was used to make Ranil W as the prime minister in Jan 2015?
Which rule of law and intent is applicable in preventing peoples’ will represented in the opposition in the parliament?
Which rule of law and intent applies in the continuation of a fake ‘unity govt’ and thereby keep a bloated cabinet of ministers?
Which rule of law or intent is used to not to have provincial elections?
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Dolalanga Siripala / August 20, 2018
You should be an idiot of high grade. We have your kind over 50% in this country.They may be eating punnakku for their 3 meals. Current govt came into being after last PE, had to respect the election pledges they had on their agendas prior to the electon. There they had clearly louded, if Presdient would be elected, he would have to appoint UNP leader RW as the PM. That is so simple if you have a brain the size of a mustard seed to get it easily.
And it was a mammoth work that UNP dedicatedly did to bring their common Canddiate to get elected. Had Mr Sirisena been with SLFP or other men, no change would have been achieved. All civil society groups led by our beleoved late Rev god like Personality Sobitha Theron and all worked diehard to get rid of the devilish figure we had by the end of 2014, none other than, today, MP Mahinda Rajapakshe. Today, he scratches back twice but those days, he thought, he was the guy to govern this country forwever.
People s denials made him psycholgoically down and hanging their Wasala s window he sent the message out, that he would take the revenge. Since then ballige putha has been on that vicicou activity until today, he is none stoppable. But entire world is making ridicule at him, but fools dominated srilanka with their media units still hang on supporting the bugger further.
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Ajay / August 21, 2018
Dear Dolalanga Siripala
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You make 2 excellent points that are deliberately overlooked or distorted by the shameless supporters of the Rajapaksas with the help of the unprofessional, unprincipled media that we have in our country. (1) It was mentioned in all election meetings of the 2015 common candidate that if he were to win he’d appoint Ranil as the PM. It was acknowledged that Ranil had the support of only 67 MPs at the time. But a victory for Maithri would be taken as an endorsement, the people were told, for appointing Ranil as the PM as long as he could command the support of a majority in parliament. People approved this by electing Maithri. And Ranil was able to get majority support to pass key legislation in parliament. Mahinda’s supporters, though they were the majority in parliament, didn’t dare to vote against these legislative measures aimed at restoring the rule of law and democracy. Because they knew the people defeated Mahinda for this reason and were fully behind the new government in making these changes. Ironically, supporters of the anti-democratic Mahinda now invoke the ‘rule of law’ to question Ranil’s appointment as the PM. This melodrama was, of course, debunked in the August elections when the UNP became the largest group in Parliament by securing 45.66% of votes and 106 seats.
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(2) Maithri became the president because a wide range of social groups that were disaffected by the Rajapaksa regime’s atrocities and corruption were inspired by the only true leader we had seen in our recent history, Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero, to mobilize for change. The wise decision by Ranil to stand down and provide UNP’s backing and its organizational resources for the common candidate is what effectively won the presidency for Maithri. These are facts that cause embarrassment and inconvenience to both the Rajapaksas and Maithri.
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Dolalanga Siripala / August 21, 2018
In a country almost ever second is connected with mythos and anything else, cant be far from the average poor mentality of rural indian folks. Indians would believe anything and everything just because their anscestors did. No matter what education you would have been blassed, but they just hang on with it.
So are majority srilankens. I happened to watch the following video to feel the ground reality of the lanken average.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6NZKjjYqyI&t=211s
None of these patients have gone to eye doctors for proper treatments.
Thousands of people agather here cant see it beyond. They dont know about the self healing potentials of the body. And just applying some oil anyone toget better sights that have been blocked for ages, should be a medical wonder. But they are people among them have been psychologically down for ever.. if they would have been geared up with … some beliefs, they could easily see the correct way to healing. Healing of a sickness is more psycological than the other way around. Please check it yourself.
But the man in the scene here is said t be forer Army man, whose filthy mouth reveals it more or less. Pleaes let all these go through to get the shadow picture of cross section of lanken society.
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Hela / August 21, 2018
Any election promise need to adhere to democratic principles and traditions. Just because the president was changed in an election, it doesn’t automatically mean a change in prime minister…….If we accept the kind of argument made by Siripala (& Ranmenika), there would be a valid argument for this fake ‘unity govt’ to resign and go home based on the most recent nationally held elections (i.e. the LG elections) where they were utterly and comprehensively defeated.
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Native Vedda / August 21, 2018
Helass
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“Any election promise need to adhere to democratic principles and traditions. “
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Weeping widow promised free rice from moon just before the 1970 elections. We know what she did after the elections.
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The president is the head of state and head of government. He is empowered by the constitution to select/appoint the prime minister as long as the prime minister command confidence in the parliament.
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Read the constitutional provision:
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Chapter VIII – The Executive
The Cabinet of Ministers
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(3) The President shall appoint as Prime Minster the Member of Parliament who in his opinions is most likely to command the confidence of Parliament.
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You don’t make laws as you go along. Its already been written and passed by the parliament and all what you do is just keep your mouth shut and follow it. If you don’t like it get the MPs to change it or change it when new constitution is being drafted.
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Aren’t you being ……………………………………
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thilan / August 21, 2018
The problem here is unp only have 23% vote base . with the support of slmc ,digambaram ,helaurumaya, and rishard they can score another 8%. In 2015 election 1.1 million votes of slfp and rajapaksha was not casted.if that votes were casted unp alliance only will get 40% of votes and slfp of Mahinda will get 47% and had won the the election .in this elec tion unp got the floating votes more than 1.1 million which are the votes also casted before maithree in 2015. The unp alliance lost the entire vote base of this floating voters In local government election because of their poor eco omic management show. So as a party unp only has 23%. Votes but the problem is slfp of Mahinda has the block votes of 46%.this vote base of Mahinda is very strong. Whether most of the floating voters was not cast their votes in 2018 election.and their choice in 2019 election will be Mahinda or gotabaya since this voters strongly believe that slfp of Mahinda only can handle this business of 80 billion which was archited by the s Slfp after 2005. If Mahinda get this 9% floating votes with his 46% block votes he or gotabaya will be the next president of srilanka with more than 55%. Unp only have 23% votes 8% of alliance party vote also not sure since Muslim Congress who has 4.6% block votes currently in unp alliance can change their mind. In future unp as a party only with 23% votes can not do any thing in srilankan politics.
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Ajith / August 20, 2018
Hela,
Every one in this country except those who misused the rule of law felt that Mahinda Regime was a threat to rule of law and gave their democratic verdict despite the threat from Mahinda regime. UNP won the parliamentary election in 2015 and the leader was appointed as Prime Minister. That is the rule of law. I don’t know whether you understand the rule of law. A political party cannot become part of government and part of opposition by law. Mahinda Rajapakse elected as an MP from SLFP, not from SLPP. If he is a gentleman he can withdraw his membership from SLFP and contest in the next election under SLPP and then ask for Opposition leadership. It is like Gotapaya wants to keep wants to keep his citizenship of USA and to become a President of Srilanka. Of course there are problems within the Government but that does not permit to justify the destruction of rule of law under previous regime.
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Hela / August 21, 2018
Ajith, are you suffering from amnesia? Ranil W was appointed BEFORE the general election with just 42 MPs on his side…….
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Native Vedda / August 20, 2018
Helass
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Could you cite all the rules of law with which the following persons were appointed Prime Ministers of Ceylon/Sri Lanka:
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DS Senanayake
Dudley Senanayake
Sir John Kotelawala
S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike
Wijeyananda Dahanayake
Sirimavo Bandaranayake
Junius Richard Jayewardene
Ranasinghe Premadasa
Dingiri Banda Wijetunga
Chandrika Kumaratunga
Ratnasiri Wickremanayake
Mahinda Rajapaksa
D. M. Jayaratne
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Are you aware of the fact that the crook and war criminal bloated his cabinet with opposition MPs, relatives and hand picked crooks between 2005 and 2015?
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Did you decide to “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” during the crook’s reign?
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Burt / August 20, 2018
NV:
Go easy on the guy. Sounds like another Village Id–t.
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Native Vedda / August 21, 2018
Burt
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I thought I am being too generous to Helass.
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Hela / August 21, 2018
Burt,
As if we are scared of your mob………..
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Native Vedda / August 21, 2018
Helass
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“As if we are scared of your mob………..”
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You are the mob.
Rest of the people need to be careful and scared.
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Hela / August 21, 2018
Gon vedda, everybody know the difference between the appointments in your list vs appointment of Ranil in Jan 2015. Yours is a pathetic attempt in trying to confuse readers. That won’t happen.
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LEELAGEMALLI / August 21, 2018
Hela and the like would lick the balls of Rajapakshes even if they would kick them out.
So we dont need to worry about the kind of social scum.
We have to wait until people s become a world free from Wimalarsiri gamlath and Champas.
The aforementioned men and women would ruin this nation FOR one reason.. they just want people like Rajakshes to return and let their pockets become thick. That is all. That is not a pain on the nation. Just selfish agendas.
Ask Wimalarisi Gamlath to come with facts…. how much wealth he collected over the years .. just having worked as a parliamentarian. ..
That can reveal everything of his UNTOLD stories.
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Native Vedda / August 21, 2018
Helass
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That weeping widow was not even an elected MP when SLFP won the elections in July 1960. She was appointed to the Senate initially to satisfy constitutional requirement for her being appointed the Prime Minister. .
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We know you are a stupid racist. However now it transpires you are stupider than the weeping widow, Wimal, Jim Softy, ………………………………………………………….. all put together.
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First fact check before you start typing.
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Burt / August 20, 2018
Hela:
I would explain this but I don’t think your familiar with the term “democracy”, so my explanations would be like pouring water on a ducks back.
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JD / August 21, 2018
BUTTHEAD BURT: Ask Vatican, they will explain it to you. IT is all about the creaton by Almighty My son. Remember to say amen at the end.
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Burt / August 21, 2018
Dimwit:
“Ask Vatican”
Why have you lost hope with the Mahanayake of the Assgiriya and Maluwatta chapters.
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Tamil from the north / August 21, 2018
Burt please be respectful of ducks………….ducks cannot be compared to Hela. They are smart and pretty and Hela on the other hand………………
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Hela / August 21, 2018
Burt,
I beg please don’t try to explain. Sira and smart brainy Ranil have explained it to us. We understand that ‘democracy’, the ‘yahapalana version’ or the modern ‘lichchavi’ version.
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Tamil from the north / August 21, 2018
Hela, which version do you prefer? Mahinda Rajapaksa murder squad version?
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S. Modaya / August 21, 2018
Dr, J:
This issue of MR for prez for a third time is Fake News, like the US citizen Gota for Prez Fake news narrative that was played earlier — to distract the Moda Masses from Bondscam Ranil Wickramasinghe’s crimes and his protection of Jarapassa thieves.
Ranil and MR and brothers are partners in crime and looting of people of Lanka. Ranil should be impeached for bondscam – this is the Real News, but the joint political corruption racket run by JO and UNP is covered under Fake News.
Long live Miracle of Modayas!
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Dolalanga Siripala / August 21, 2018
Lanken Constitutoin says it clearly, that ones who ruled this country twice would never be able to contest again.
Ballige putha would be dreaming being sat with that PENISLESS professor who then let appoint TEA tasters or even lower men to foreign offices. The man whose academic credentials are proved to be from Oxford but him to be tamed by cheaper tricks of A MAN who brought this coutnry to a hell – is so pathetic. I have no doubt, GLP has been suffering from some mental disorders. His behavours are more than pathological. Let s wait how these men would fall even deeper in the days to come.
Putting off investigations on the vicious bunch have taken that long,.. may well be, they will turn out to be speedy in the next days. so that we can see, things happening. else, CIVIL soceity would not stay mum further, they would generate another groups to stand against corruption. No doubt about that.
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Ajay / August 20, 2018
It is both pathetic and ironical that the man who abused the constitution making process in enacting the 18th amendment is now seeking to come back under the 19th amendment that was passed to rectify the damage done to democracy by him. Hope the judiciary would take the drafters intent into consideration and bar him from seeking a third term. Meanwhile, if you mean by “tried and tested formula,” the parties in government choosing Maithri as the common candidate once again, it would be disastrous, in my opinion. Maithri is the most unpopular leader in the country today. Because the people correctly understand he is the root cause of the mess they are in. Instead of being a team player, he has been damaging the unity of the government. He made a fatal mistake in accepting the leadership of the SLFP. From there on he has been preoccupied with consolidating his grip on the SLFP rather than being the President of the country and implementing the mandate of January 8, 2015. He has taken the political culture back to backroom deals and games. He should go. Then what is the viable alternative for the people who are desperate to save the country from the tyrants who are determined to return?
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Lasith / August 21, 2018
AJAY
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You couldn’t be more precise in your statements about MR and his weaseling tactics to grab power again. He knows no shame.
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On a similar note, remember during his time Colombo Telegraph was banned, yet he was the first to lament on the same CT once it was put back into circulation.
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MR and his family circle have no scruples, they will do anything and everything to to grab power again
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We the voters should be very careful in choosing the next president, the bitter lessons we have been taught for the past 70 years should be put to good use.
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You have made a splendid assesment of the situation in SL too. Maithree too is as useless as they come. Only trying to satisfy his selfish needs.
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We need to read politicians body language, understand their actual intentions by their actions. Most of all stop listening to their meaningless deceitful garbage they say and stop getting deceived every time.
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If we stop getting carried away by their bluff they will loose their hold over us.
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A genuine person will begin to emerge, a person with the right attitudes and a person with Sri Lanka and Sri Lankans at the center of his heart. This can only be accomplished if we know what we want.
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Since independence we have gone for leaders who are ready to reduce other peoples rights and privileges. This can’t continue. Taking away the right of one citizen equals taking away that right for every citizen.
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Atleast now we should keep petty differences aside and use our brains to decide who is the most reasonable option based on what he or she can do for all of us. The ball is in our court. How we play it is upto us.
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SM / August 20, 2018
Fifty-eight lakhs who voted for MR in 2015 did not believe what his opposition said about his, his family members’ and close associates’ misdeeds but, now most of those things are getting gradually exposed and next time even that fifty-eight lakhs would not be with him.
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Eagle Eye / August 21, 2018
SM
“even that fifty-eight lakhs would not be with him”
The number has increased to sixty eight lakhs after the exposure of Bond Scam. Came to power to clean the place but now shit everywhere. Even the guys who played a role in forming the Yahapalana Government are running away.
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soma / August 20, 2018
I don’t understand what these guys are taking about ‘rule of law’. We are going to courts to find out just that – what is the rule of law in regards the presidential term limit. Can there be anything more democratic and law abiding than that?
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Soma
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Hela / August 21, 2018
Agree with Soma.
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Champa / August 20, 2018
Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is the most successful and the most loved leader in Sri Lanka’s history was fit to be the President of Sri Lanka for umpteenth times as it was the wish of the people.
But when he sought election of office for the third time in 2015, his attempt was ridiculed and condemned locally and internationally for wrong reasons which paved the way for treacherous shenanigans to oust him.
Mahinda’s successor Sirisena and his PM Ranil are not leaders but liabilities to the country.
Mahinda’s humanitarian operation to rescue Tamils and Muslims in the North from a ruthless terrorist leader and his soft revolution to rebuild the war-torn Sri Lanka is already written in our history in gold.
The current jokers in high office who undermined Mahinda’s great service to the country are in no way fit to rewrite his soft revolution by carrying out ad-hoc projects. It has to be done by Mahinda Rajapaksa again.
It doesn’t matter he is constitutionally barred from contesting again for Presidency. “The harder the fight the greater the satisfaction.” People will choose he and his team again to take the country forward. Therefore the “tried and tested formula” you suggested which actually turned out to be a”tired and failed formula” will be thrown to the political wilderness at the next Presidential election, along with his cronies
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Ajith / August 21, 2018
Champa,
Do you know the most successful and the most loved leader in Srilanka’s history?
In 2015 election.
Maithripala Sirisena New Democratic Front 6,217,162 (51.28%)
Mahinda Rajapaksa United People’s Freedom Alliance 5,768,090 (47.48%)
Which is greater?
What do you mean by successful?
If he is successful, why he lost both presidential and parliamentary election within just6 years after Srilankan forces headed by Sarath Fonseka defetaed LTTE?
If Mahinda’s operation rescued Tamils and Muslims from LTTE, why Tamils and Muslims voted against Mahinda in 2010 and 2015 elections.
There should be some reasons for his failure if he is genuinely sacrificed his career to the benefit of the country? Can you tell us those reasons?
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Champa / August 21, 2018
Ayyo Ajith
Are you still believing in fairy tales? Well, you will be bruised by cupid’s misfires with the following:
At the LG election 2018, Mahinda received 40.47% while Maithree received only 12.10%!!!!
Which is greater?
That is what I meant.
Yes, Mahinda lost in January 2015. But he received 47.48% by contesting ALONE while Maithree received 51.28% with all other parties.
About Tamil/Muslim votes –
The minority parties are always opportunistic.
In every election, they fish in troubled Sinhalese waters. The more the Sinhalese parties are divided the more the merrier.
Minority parties put forward their most unrealistic and difficult to fulfill demands to Sinhalese leaders run upto every election. If their bait is swallowed upto 50%, it doesn’t matter whether it is Ranil or Maithree or Mahinda, they vote the best moron fish.
On the other hand, Tamils/Muslims in the North/East are hostages of their political parties. Unlike Sinhalese, they are not outspoken. They have the backward mentality. Their choice replicates the choice of their leaders.
My research about Tamil and to a certain extent Muslim voter pattern proves that at any given election their decisive factor was NOT the service rendered to them by Sinhalese leaders.
They don’t give a hoot whether Sinhalese leaders gave them democracy, clean water, food, roads, employment, houses, lands, improved healthcare, loans written-off, cows, farm equipment or anything. It is always new demands.
I feel sorry for Maithree and Ranil who compete with each other to cater for Tamils/Muslims in the North and East EYEING FOR THEIR VOTES. They will be disappointed!
Sorry to be blunt, but I want our Sinhalese leaders to be genuine and honest in working for the betterment of Tamils/Muslims in the North and East WITHOUT EXPECTING ANYTHING IN RETURN!
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Ajith / August 21, 2018
Champa,
There is a difference between parliamentary election, presidential election and local govt election. Mahinda Rajapakse or Maithiri did not contest in local govt elections. All what you menioned are rubbish and baseless.
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Native Vedda / August 21, 2018
Champa ………………….. the …………..
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“Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is the most successful and the most loved leader in Sri Lanka’s history was fit to be the President of Sri Lanka for umpteenth times as it was the wish of the people.”.
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If he was most successful and most loved leader in Sri Lanka’s history why didn’t he win in 2015?
He was most loved because he killed more Demelas’ than all other leaders put together.
He was most successful because he was able to con the people into believing he alone single handedly won the war and looted billions, perhaps a good actor.
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Didn’t you some months ago type you hated Mahinda and loved Wimal Sangili Karuppan Weerawansa?
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Bodin / August 21, 2018
I think Native Vedda believs that he won the war by the might of his pen. Just read all his emissions.
The LTTE assassinated praying Muslims in Kathankuddy, and they also drove out all Muslims and cleared the land for the “exclusive Tamil Homeland”, ignoring the fact that when the British captured the whole country, there were more Muslims in the Jaffna Peninsula than any other ethnic group.
Read Captain Percival’s account of Ceylon in the first two decades of the 19th century when he lived in Jaffna.
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Native Vedda / August 21, 2018
Bodin
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“I think Native Vedda believs that he won the war by the might of his pen. Just read all his emissions.”
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On the contrary the people lost the country.
What are you on about?
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When will you stop sitting on your brain?
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JD / August 21, 2018
Champa ………………….. the …………..
NAtive Vedda: Who in your extended fdmily you remembered. You dai you both porteugeuse and Tamil.
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Champa / August 21, 2018
Yako Hindian Vedda …………
Mahinda didn’t kill Demalas.
He only perished blood thirsty terrorists who have no ethnicity, religion or families.
It is nothing but his valiant political leadership that saw to the end of 34-year terror era. I don’t see any reason to con people for something which is obvious.
‘Hate’ is a big word. I never used the word ‘hate’ for Mahinda or anybody else for that matter.
I love Mahinda always but I fight too. All for political reasons, mostly for sidetracking in 2016, 2017 and half of 2018. Even though I was angry with him, I backed him in every critical moment whenever the need arose.
Now he and JO are well organized and on track again and he is in full control of them. So I have nothing to criticize now. (Too bad! I enjoy criticizing them.)
I never had anything personal against Mahinda. Yes, I scolded him, criticized him in the most strongest way, sometimes even used unsavoury language indirectly, but I still love him.
I am my own master. I write my personal opinion. I am not blind faith to Mahinda or ready to sing hosanna to him. Certainly, I am not scared of him. He is a strong character. He is unbreakable (like me!) One day I should give him a man-to-man handshake! I criticized him as I know he is strong enough to take my diatribe.
Wimal is different. I can’t ever remember criticizing him openly. Even if I posted something in anger on his website, I quickly crack a joke or write something super sweet to make him feel better. Unlike Mahinda, I don’t think Wimal can take my tirades/verbal diarrhea.
The future of the country is in their hands. I love them as much as others do for the same reason.
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Dolalanga Siripala / August 21, 2018
Mahinda Killed not only TAMIL PEOple BUT also he killed sinhalayas and muslims.
He is the blood sucker of the nation if I may remind you.
Just imagine the bugger Mahind to have forgotten, the incident at the itime, Keeth Noyar was abducted by a white van and releasted later after being assulated by his underground NORTH KOREAN STYLe MEN- ::: is not in his memories.
But the ballige putha who has lived on the blood of lanken folks, should be well aware of the fact, if the the vicitimzed was released, it should also come from the side of abuduters. His cross question is ” is that wrong to release him ?”
What a parayah this man should be. You guys who licks his asses should be even worst. You the champas who has been pracitsing the oldest .. cant see it beyond since your conodom support Wimalasiri gamlath has abused you to the core.
So nothing comes out of your cesspit would be worth to us CT readership.
Champa would sink in his hell once all is revealed to the PUNNAKKU eating majoirty of this country.
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Ajith / August 21, 2018
“Mahinda didn’t kill Demalas”
Champa
“Mahinda did not kill not only Demalas but also Sinhalas”
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Dolalanga Siripala / August 21, 2018
I got to read, this most abusive mouth piece WIMAL WEERAWANSE
s real name is WIMALASIRI GAMLATH.
I wonder why the man changed his name. If that is at all possible in lanken context.
So, now on, Champa as his long time bed partner should bring the truth about WIMALASIRI GAMLATH.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4s_ZffptLz4&t=128shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4s_ZffptLz4&t=128shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4s_ZffptLz4&t=128s
Highly abusvie, every second word would go up tremaouring the lanken soil by his mounatenous lies and fabrications.
If WIMALA SIRI GAMPLATH WOULD have been shot dead, I dont think I would share a droplet of tears. This man is highly abusve and make entire poor folks permament blind and sick.
His mouth piece should be covered by the very same covering being used for the firce dogs.
Lanken authorities over to you, pleaes reactt against the filthy mouth piece of WIMLA WEERASINGHe
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Lapatiya / August 21, 2018
Dolalaga Siripala
Who told you that filthy mouthed Sakkiliyas real name is “Wimalasiri Gamlath” was it Champa or Jimmy boy? his real is “Weera Sangili Panikkiyalage Wimalasiri”
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Dolalanga Siripala / August 21, 2018
Champa tell us what education background you have obtained ?
Is that similar to that of WIMALASIRI GAMLATH ?
So, then no wonder that you too call the MR is the most successful leader. R Premadasa was also crowned by the same titles, but ended up in pieces since the kind of high cuplpirts would not really love their own folks bu ttheir power intoxications.
Champas, there aremasses of your thinking in this country. But most of them are the prey of political predators.
Just focus on what ballige putha RajakaSHE had to say about the assulat of Keeth Noyar and the BITS he gave to FCID day before yesterday ? Most ssucsssful leader to most stupid people in this lost island added that he has not remember….
When it goes with any kind of high crimes the bugger has always either forgotten or that was not the case. The born skills this bugger should have to fool you guys, but as his personal media secretary, you guys would remain UNTURN until media coverage on the buggers a realities sooner than later. Days are numbered. Lies would never stay that way, … LUEGEN HABEN KURZE BEINE… lies would never remain buried forever.
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Sinhala_Man / August 21, 2018
Champa,
.
I take your comments seriously, and your arguments have validity – to an extent.
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Democracy of the ancient Athenian type is rarely successful because the common man cannot understand complex problems. That was why Socrates didn’t approve it, and Aristophanes, in his plays, ridiculed it. Athens was only a little slave-dependent city state, and the issues before them were simpler. They didn’t have representative government; all the male citizens (not the slaves) gathered in the city square and voted.
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What we have today is Representative Government. Again the problem is that the average citizen doesn’t even know how to vote. You’re right, the UNP is no better. They don’t practice democracy even within their party.
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Given large countries, democracy has to be representative, but then we end up with kakistocracies. That is what you will get with Mahinda Rajapaksa in power.
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There is no panacea for all this. Montesquieu is supposed to be the guy who best developed the idea of the “separation of powers”. “Supposed” ? I’m no authority, just trying to apply common sense. Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary have to be separate. What you are saying will result in all powers being given to Rajapaksa.
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This is where the constitution becomes important – it is the over-all control of laws. Most countries that have Executive Presidents limit their powers, because otherwise they turn in to dictators. Two terms was sensible, even if we on’t have mush faith in the individual MPs who Legislated it. You, yourself, have argued that the Rajapaksas were and are corrupt. Unfortunately, your determination that minority community support should not be decisive has led to your over-looking other considerations.
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I understand your concern that in some matters minorities turn in to “King-Makers”, but that is part of the system that we have. How does, “you cannot both have your cake and eat it”, apply to this situation?
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Champa / August 21, 2018
Oh, Sinhala man (long time no-see)
I love your comments as they always stand out among many other stereotyped boring comments (including some of my own comments!)
Previous government and this government was/is corrupt. There are no direct allegations against Mahinda. The general belief is, it was the people who were surrounded by him who engaged in corruption, the allegations of which are yet to be proved.
.
I love Mahinda Rajapaksa but I fully support limiting the term of the President to two, purely from my point of view as an ordinary citizen who always think about eventualities. The move is democratic and it gives people the upper hand to take decisions. On the other hand, it acts as a powerful tool that could assess the performance of a weak or an abusive President. I would like ALL Sri Lankan Presidents to know that their days are numbered!!!! (Oh, I have something to add to Nihal Jayawickrama’s article.)
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And one more thing. I would like the President or the Prime Minister to seriously consider in tabling a Bill in the Parliament BANNING all PAID advertisements for Presidential candidates. I propose that they be given free advertisements!!!! This will help curtailing undue campaign financing.
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I think you took me wrong here – “Unfortunately, your determination that minority community support should not be decisive…” Minority community is as important as the majority. What I am saying is they should think by themselves when choosing their representatives without relying on their politicians.
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I want Tamils/Muslims in the North/East to develop a bond with
Sinhalese in the South when electing the next President.
As made it clear previously, I don’t support Gotabhaya.
A new person from the general public who has his own practical vision should be given a chance this time!
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Lapatiya / August 20, 2018
All what Mahinda Rajapaksha doing is to buy the time for Namal Rajapaksha. It is oblivious that either Gota or Basil can’t contest. From time to time Rajapaksha is pulling some strings to keep his people happy. First “Mahinda Samaga Nagitimu” started from Nugegoda. Then “Mahinda Sulaga” and Co operative elections kept his loyalists alive. Then started to fight for SLFP Chairmanship. That also gave some oxygen to his loyalists as Media gave a big publicity for the matter. Then local election results. JO’s champagne was to get a premiership for Mahinda Rajapaksha. it failed. Then started asking Opposition Leadership and made big ha ho. Electronic media again gave wide publicity for the matter. Rajapaksha loyalists were very happy and they believed that opposition leadership should go to Mahinda Rajapaksha. Again failed. This will never end as “Jana Gosha” is planing to take stage on 5th Sept. Strike attempts are threatening the Govt. everybody knows who is behind this. Mahinda has visited most of the Temples in the Country. Everyday there is some ceremony in one of the Temple and Mahinda Rajapaksha will be the chief Guest. He come along with his media group and he will get enough media coverage daily. Mahinda Rajapaksha’s true nature revealed when he chased out Udith Lokubandara, personnel Assistant. He ignored CID requests to appear before CID to take a statement regarding Journalists abduction. If Mahinda Rajapaksha is behaving like this without power just imagine how he will behave with the power.
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Real Revolutionist / August 20, 2018
The argument that nobody should be given more than twice, worth taking into the consideration but should not make the law.
Everybody, as citizens of the country is entitled to rise to the top position.
When the 2nd term comes to the end of a particular leader; does he meant lose his right to enjoy the fully pledged right of citizenship?
Is it democratic? Is he a different citizen? Isn’t it discrimination? After all, the president is elected by the people.
What should be done is not violating one’s democratic right but introducing an enhanced mechanism to depower an unexpectedly intolerable leader.
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K.Pillai / August 20, 2018
Was there ever a limitation on the number of terms of the President?
Sorry, “I do not remember”.
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Sarrij / August 21, 2018
K P
Good point.
Here the problem seems to be poor drafting of the constitution; the draftsman have done a poor job due to incompetence of the folks involved; nothing new; either incompetence or a stupid mistake due to language difficulties.
Unfortunately the “locals” are incapable of framing a good constitution; foreign help is warranted..
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JD / August 21, 2018
All the comments say, that LTTE rump and protestants are aginst Mahinda Rajapakse, even though Mahinda Rajapakse gave Rs 800 million to Pabakaran kill Sinhala NAVY sailors and eventhough MAhinda Rajapske had close connections with TGTE, Emil Kanthan, Karuna and KP. Mahinda Rajapakse did not screw up the Catholic or Proteestan church. but, Mahinda Rajapakse just the way Ranil doe sit and Maithripapa Sirisena keep his eyes closed and ears deaf, just the way and Ranil brings legislation to control bhikkus Mahinda Rajapakse wanted to appoint Mahanayakes and threatned bhikkus with bombing the temples. Probably, KAruna was helping.
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Burt / August 21, 2018
Dimwit:
“ll the comments say, that LTTE rump and protestants are aginst Mahinda Rajapakse”
I will make it easy for you: Everyone other than the Sinhala Buddhists are against MR.
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JD / August 21, 2018
BUTT HEAD BURT: Mahinda Rajapakse is former CAtholic converted to buddhism because he wanted to become politically successful. Inside his house he kneels to the CRoss.
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K A Sumanasekera / August 21, 2018
This is a cool essay by Dr Jehan..
Has Dr Jehan seen the Writings on the Wall Or has he read them?.
Even if Dr Jehan become the Kapuwa ( Marriage Broker in Lankawe), can a Dr Ranil and Mr My3 Sira marriage win the next Election?.
Wonder what Odds the Colombo Bookies will lay on It?…
But UNP has a really cool dude in the Wings, but he doesn’t get a Guernsey .
Wonder Why?.
Unlike the pretend Colt from Colombo, who wrote that Book on Bond Trading by Aloysious.and the no hoper Keselwatta Kid who is hated by even his own UNP HIP Faction in Colombo this UNP Dude is the real deal.
He is affable charismatic and pure bred stuff.
He is the Grand Son of the Great Grand Leader and Founder of the UNP Mr D S Dissanayaka.
Apparently there wouldn’t have been a Pirahaparan if not for that Great Man’s foresight.
That is what my Elders said.
The most which I like in this Grand Son is his commitment to protect the rural Sinhala in Srilanka
I got to give it to him for that alone.
Besides unlike Dr Ranil, this Grand Son has the ability to think independent of the US Embassy UN, Singapore and Hindians.
Mr Wasantha Senanayaka also has a brilliant Plan to neutralize the Race Based issues involved in the current Devolution Model.
Wasnatha’s Model gives a the great majority of the inhabitant population a fair go, including that 5 Million who are on Two and Half Dollars a day.
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roy / August 21, 2018
Mahinda Rajapaksa is the local cowboy riding Donkeys. He can make crying babies lough , what more can you expect from the voters.
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Burt / August 21, 2018
“Minister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Dr. Rajitha Senaratne says if everyone gets together and select me for the fight against the Opposition, I will come forward.”
Dr. Rajitha Senaratne for President!
What say you?
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K A Sumanasekera / August 21, 2018
Berty
I say ,It will be better than Dr Ranil.
He will make Sampathar the PM and Bathudeen the Foreign Minister.
And Jail Rajapaksas.
You lot can then live happily ever after..
Not a bad thought. ..
What do you reckon mate????…
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Burt / August 21, 2018
KAS:
Should it matter what he does with S & B? If he can put the mass murders and looters of SL he’s got my vote. Too bad I don’t have one. :)
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Native Vedda / August 21, 2018
KASmaalam K A Sumanasekera
–
“He will make Sampathar the PM and Bathudeen the Foreign Minister.”
–
Alright would you like the following appointments:
Mahinda Rajapaksa – Joint President
–
Wimal Sangili Karuppan Weerawansa – Prime Minister – Minister of Higher Education, Responsible for information highways, Carpet Bombing, ….
–
Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara – Minister of Muslim Religious Affairs
–
Gotaabhaya Rajapaksa – Minister in charge of enforcement, hanging, defense, white
–
…..
…..
….
KASmaalam K A Sumanasekera – Minister responsible for b***s carriers.
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Buwa / August 21, 2018
a lot of ingenious commentary about jurisprudence here. Lol.
so i guess there are two things to wait for now.
1. for someone to file an FR case and see if MR can run again.
2. for the unp to grow a pair and face provincial council elections.
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chiv / August 21, 2018
Few days ago there was an article about saving the constitution and I witnessed many constitution protectionistand self claimed experts trying to argue each and every letter/word and the doom in changing the so called constitution. And my point of view was the constitution is of no use when it cannot be fully implemented. ( it will be a just a piece of paper good enough to parcel rice and curry). Now you see how the constitution can be changed at will accordingly to benefit politicians.So guys please dont have these time consuming extensive debates and arguments next time regarding Lankan constitution.There is no such constitution as some people want us to belief , just like else it is a SHAM to fool people.
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clean slate / August 21, 2018
It’s a folly to think that the one who wanted the constitution amended had it done in such a manner that he would deny himself an existing privilege while intently allowing it to his opponent. It was to so deny him that the amendment was specifically, and so vociferously at that time, was made.
What is there to be interpreted?
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chiv / August 21, 2018
Today I was watching the news about the current situation in Venezuela , where hoards of people are leaving the country in mass exodus where ever way they can turn to regardless it is Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil or any neighboring country. During my adulthood I too had a picture of “Che” hanged in by room. But later on I had the opportunity to visit the country as well read the political history.Leader after leader including Chavez (who was in power until death) who was elevated to a cult hero by his loyal men and by the naive public, just like in LANKA under the pretext of socialism and communism , lately staging sham elections to legalize power grabbing and eventually ran the country into ruins . Now left with the highest crime rate, corruption, debt, unemployment and in gross dysfunctional state. The people have turned refugees in their own country. And mind you this is the country blessed with massive natural resources mainly petroleum and natural gas.This is what crooked politicians do when ever they are provided with power.
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K.Pillai / August 21, 2018
Return of an unlimited presidency?
We can learn from others. Look at US. Obama was certainly heading towards a nuclear-war-free world. Conventional wars OK. Had he gone for a third term he might have succeeded. Trump stepped in saying that ‘cold-war’ is fun. He can sing this only for two terms at most.
Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan fell for the ‘wink-wink-nudge’, organised a selfie-coup, took up the good old ‘fundamentalism’ and is clearly on his way towards ‘President for life’. The Turkish lira is depreciating fast. Tayyip has to organise ‘small’ wars to distract people’s attention. The arms dealers laugh all the way to the bank! Hyper-inflation is just round the corner.
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Wait a minute. What did I want to say. Hmm….. hmm…….”Cannot remember”
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shankar / August 29, 2018
pillai
” Obama was certainly heading towards a nuclear-war-free world. “
How can you say that.He was a fraud that wa just kicking the can down the road for someone else to do the real job of eradicating nuclear weapons in iran and n.korea.With iran he put a deal for only 10 years that they cant develop nuclear weapons.Once the sanctions are lifted they will sell the oil and build up their financial resources and after 10 years continue from where they stopped.North korea too will keep on developing until they have the capability to destroy the whole of the US.Trump is doing the right thing in saying they have to get rid of all the nuclear facilities if they want the sanctions lifted.Trump is a true patriot.Obama??
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Good Sense / August 21, 2018
In enacting the 19th amendment, it is the expectation of the vast majority to limit the presidency for two terms. Was this in fact done. That is the key question. It is public knowledge that Dr. JW was behind the drafting etc of the 19th amendment. Why did he use some language enabling the people to to give different interpretations, even the most absurd. Dr. JW must account for this.
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upali / August 22, 2018
A decision is already there.When Sirisena went to courts to ask whether his term is 5 or 6 years he was told that it is 5 in terms of the 19th amendment.The same argument should apply to Chandrika and Rajapakse as well. 19 th amendment is retroactive.
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wannihami / August 23, 2018
Upali, every Dick and Mary and wannihami is a constitutional expert these days, so, since laws cannot be retroactive unless specified Supreme Court decision on MY3s term is either wrong or interpreted wrong, in that case MY3 stays one more year, but the Parliament term runs out (the 19th amendment was passed on 28 th April, i.e. previous to the Parliamentary election.), and there is a Parliamentary election before MY3s term runs out..then what happens?
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wannihami / August 24, 2018
On the other hand Upali in the 19th doodido a transitional provision provides ““The persons holding office respectively, as the President and Prime Minister on the day preceding April 22, 2015 shall continue to hold such office after such date, subject to the provisions of the Constitution as amended by this Act.” thereby the 5 year term is invoked for the office of the Presidency.
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https://tvtap.win / August 29, 2018
Great information. Lucky me I recently found your website by chance (stumbleupon).
I have saved as a favorite for later!
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