The intra party war within the United National Party (UNP) should be dragged out for as long as possible and under no circumstances should Speaker Karu Jayasuriya become the UNP compromise candidate, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa advised his political loyalists last week.
Karu Jayasuriya
“As Leader of the UNP Ranil Wickremesinghe should be the candidate how can he give that position to anyone else? It has to be him” the former President noted. He added that the public battle against for the candidacy was keeping the UNP fractured and in serious turmoil. “Eka apita waasi” the former President told his allies, Colombo Telegraph learns. Mahinda Rajapaksa added that it was highly unlikely that Wickremesinghe would give way to Premadasa. “Kula prashnayakuth thiyenawa ne” (there is a caste issue too) he chuckled. The real threat was elsewhere, he emphasised.
He expressed concern that some factions of the UNP were trying to broach the speaker of Parliament as a compromise candidate to break the deadlock between Wickremesinghe and Premadasa.
Former President Rajapaksa said that resolution to the UNP crisis would dash SLPP hopes of winning the presidency.
“Sajith must not give up the battle, and that he must keep on fighting and he must refuse to work with Karu Jayasuriya,” the former President said.
“Tiran eka bala ganiyi” (Tiran will look after that matter), SLPP frontliner Basil Rajapaksa who was present at the meeting replied, Colombo Telegraph learns. Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Dinesh Gunewardena, Dulles Alahapperuma and several others who have not yet been identified were also present, Colombo Telegraph learns.
Tiran Alles remains a staunch backer of Premadasa, but is fully backing former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s election campaign. He was present at the SLPP convention on 11 August. Sources close to Alles say he is convinced Premadasa cannot win the 2019 election. However Alles hopes that by running, Sajith Premadasa can wrest control of the UNP leadership and party machinery even if he loses, the sources added.
Mahinda Rajapaksa said that the current deadlock over the UNP candidacy was giving the SLPP a major advantage as the weeks tick by to the presidential election. He said the SLPP campaign events were well underway and the whole party and constituent allies were beginning to rally around Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the Pohottuwa candidate.
“If they decide on Karu it will be a problem since he will unite the UNP. On top of that, he could even get the JVP and “NGO karayas’ to join the movement. This would be a big risk” the former President warned recalling how the same alliance had defeated him at the 2015 election. “Demaluth Karu ta kadey yayi (Tamils will also support Karu). That will make things difficult for us,” he explained. “Sajith Karuth ekka ekathu wunoth Sirisena wunath e paththata paniyi, (If Karu and Sajith get together even Sirisena could jump to that side)” he added.
He urged SLPP politicians to step up attacks against Jayasuriya and his credibility. “Keep saying he is a biased speaker of parliament” the former President urged recalling Jayasuriya’s positions during the October 2018 coup.
The former President confided to his party faithful that he had already made arrangements to convey this message to Prime Minister Wickremesinghe. “But I explained that he must not give way to any other candidate since he is the leader of his party and he must contest,” Mahinda Rajapaksa said.
SLPP sources told Colombo Telegraph that the former President may have indicated to Wickremesinghe that even if he loses the election, the new Government would ensure his future was secure.
Last week an increasingly isolated Wickremesinghe dug in his heels and vowed to contest the presidency if the Working Committee vote went in his favour. Having lost nearly all his one-time allies the UNP Leader is determined to fight Premadasa’s insurgent presidential campaign by challenging him to a vote at the Working Committee. With both sides refusing to give way, calls are mounting for a compromise option that will break the gridlock and allow the UNP and its alliance to get its presidential election campaign off the ground. Speaker Jayasuriya has remained non-committal on stepping forward as the candidate, insisting that he would only do so if the entire party rallies around him. (By TB Bambaradeniya )
Craig / September 9, 2019
I had always felt that Karu was the UNP’s (and our) best bet to defeat GR. Mahinda is spot on!.
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Amarasiri / September 9, 2019
UNP,
Does the UNP represent the interests of the People or the interests of Ranil W or Sajith P?
What about Kari K or Sarath F as this will give the SLPP headaches?
Looks like both Sajith P and Ranil W are going to be losers.
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Dinuk / September 9, 2019
Like US puppet Bondscam Ranil, Karu is a traitor to Sri Lanka. We know that Saudi Arabia funded the Wahabi -Salafi suicide bombers on Easter Sunday and the Saudi Embassy had advanced notice of the bombings but Karu has invited the Wahabi Saudis to Lanka and Karu went to the airport to welcome them>
What sort of monstrous joke is this? Those who were behind the Easter bombings with the US special Operations Forces being welcomed to Lanka by the Traitors Karu and Bondscam Ranil when there should be an inquiry into how the Saudi role in the Easter carnage and funding to Hizbullah, and Bathudeen to land grabs in Mannar, WIllpattu and Eastern Province for the US bases to turn Lanka into a US colony and unsinkable aircraft carrier.
Saudi Shoura Council Speaker leads delegation to Sri Lanka for high-level talks
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Don Stanley / September 9, 2019
Why are BBS and other Buddhist monks and Cardinal Malcom and other Christian priests not protesting against this abomination of the Saudi Wahabi shura visit from one of the biggest terrorism exporting countries in the world which is implicated in the Easter massacre?
Is Sri Lanka already a colony of the superpower rogue state and its Saudi buddies who have spread Wahabi terror the world over on US instructions to divide and destabilize Asia
US puppet Bondscam Ranil must be impeached for the Easter Carnage and cover up. He is dancing to Trump’s tunes after getting his instructions in the Maldives to well come Saudi Wahabi terrorism spreaders.
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Shamil / September 10, 2019
Saudi Arabia which exports Wahabi Terrorism to support the US Empire has destroyed Yemen and many other countries.
Protests should be held outside the Saudi and US Embassy now and on October 21 – 6 months commemoration of the Easter carnage.
While Daoodi Bhora community are peaceful and welcome in Sri Lanka, the Wahabi Saudis are not and should not be allowed in Lanka.
Where is big mouth Sinhala nationalist Wimal Weerawansa at this time?
Rather than attack local Muslims communities it is the foreign designers of the Easter carnage – Saudi Wahabis and US Special Operations Forces (SOF) who must be held accountable and there should be protests outside US and Suaid embassy in Colombo.
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Shamil / September 10, 2019
Saudi Arabia which exports Wahabi Terrorism to support the US Empire has destroyed Yemen and many other countries.
Protests should be held outside the Saudi and US Embassy now and on October 21 – 6 months commemoration of the Easter carnage.
While Daoodi Bhora community are peaceful and welcome in Sri Lanka, the Wahabi Saudis are not and should not be allowed in Lanka.
Where is big mouth Sinhala nationalist Wimal Weerawansa at this time?
Rather than attack local Muslims communities it is the foreign designers of the Easter carnage – Saudi Wahabis and US Special Operations Forces (SOF) who must be held accountable and there should be protests outside US and Saudi embassy in Colombo.
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abc / September 13, 2019
What are you smoking?
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Mohd / September 10, 2019
Amarasiri, Sajith is the only choice UNP has now, no one else. I guess UNP needs some one to attract the rural votes. Rest of areas they need to win through showing their unity.
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Truth be told; so far, Gota is doing his campaign very well, and he doesn’t blame the opponent, he says what he will do, given a chance. This looks more professional & different than Sajith’s unofficial campaign. Sajith needs some matured approach in his campaigns, these days he can’t win votes saying he is ready to die for the country or he will make every woman a millionaire sort of things.
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D. P. / September 9, 2019
After deep thought, I came to the conclusion that this information “learned” by a CT source has to read in-between-line! Firstly, if MaRa actually gave this “eyes only warning”, I strongly believe that it was “intended to be learned” by the TC. That is b’cos I’m 99.99% certain that MaRa camp is extremely worried about the possible Sajith’s candidacy. Therefore, I believe that this “secret warning” has to be understood as an indirect message to encourage the the group of UNP ers that is looking for a compromise between Sajith & Ranil camps.
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There is another obvious pattern within CT essays written on this subject so far: 1. They have mostly been for NPPM, mostly anti Sajith & anti GoRa while a few for Ranil. This “learned warning” follows the same pattern. I think that the short CT essay invoking caste into the politics via a secondary source of Vaasu may carry the same intention.
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This is election time. Therefore, readers must be aware of the possible of attempts of misdirection by “planting” innocent looking news with ulterior motive of helping favorite sides. With this particular essay, it is possible that SLPP did planted a “secret” then the writer got carried away or may be there is something else. Don’t forget the fact that all major parties are spending millions on expert political strategists to deceive voters!
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Ruwan / September 9, 2019
Amen!
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Amarasiri / September 9, 2019
Craig,
Has anybody done a quick poll for the candidates to see how it will turn out? Of course, polls are subject to error, but will give some indication as to where it stands.
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shankar / September 10, 2019
actually not a poll,but a pol sambol has been done by the UNP.
when MP’s were sent a survey and asked whether poll is necessary,98 guys in the parliament who don’t have o’levels wrote back that coconuts are very essential.
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edwin rodrigo / September 10, 2019
I agree. If they don’t do it, I will do it in Matugama area.
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shankar / September 10, 2019
craig
bollocks.Mahinda knows if karu is put forward it is a cake walk for gota,so this thing has been planted by him.He was not known as the medamulana machiavelli for nothing.He knows that if they talk like this at a meeting it will leak out to the press.
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Raj / September 11, 2019
And CT was fooled by him!
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Amila / September 12, 2019
If karu contest he will get defeated worst than that of Fonseka.. Who will vote for 80 year old grand father.. Also he is a famous frog like politician.. ( ftom unp to upfa then from upfa to unp )
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Hela / September 9, 2019
CT is becoming a “kala paththare”.
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kp / September 9, 2019
Because all our other media aren’t bought out propaganda rags for one side or other at all! Yes, only CT is the issue here.
Aney meh.
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Estate Labourer / September 9, 2019
Don’t read it then and under no circumstances send in any comments!
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John / September 9, 2019
Karu is the worst speaker in Sri Lanka’s parliamentary history. He has never been a noteworthy politician in Gampaha distric, even ‘Paba’ got more votes than him in 2010 parliamentary election. The whole point of Yahapalan retard’s ‘October coup drama’ is to build imageless Karu an image. Karu has been manipulating the parliament and weakened the opposition.
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Ranil is not fond of Sajit. He prefers Karu because almost 80 years old Karu will be an obedient muppet to him as the president, just like the speaker. Except Karu, non of the UNP top brass has the Sinhala-Buddhist (patriot) image. That’s why Ranil wanted Sirisena.
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If Karu has any interests in the presidency, then he should have resigned as the speaker at least a year before the presidential election.
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Jayanath Channa Madawela / September 9, 2019
Food for thought. Who is MR to be advising the UNP
who their candidate should be. The fact he has done so should be a wake-up call to all UNPers.
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Buddhist / September 9, 2019
Why is Karu not kicking out Mahinda from the Parliament? How can Karu become the President if he does not follow the rules of the Parliament by not kicking Mahinda out, who contested from UPFA and now the leader of SLPP?
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Tik / September 11, 2019
to Buddhit,
They are all scared of MR. If Karu or anyone touches him he will be kaput!
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nalmen / September 10, 2019
these are all mahindas red herrings
he knows that neither karu nor ranil can win sajith is the unp,s best bet and mahinda knows it
the young people wont vote for naaki seeyas
you have to take what he says with a pinch of salt
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SS / September 10, 2019
I wouldnt be surprised if this 225 are teaming up to divide the vote so that it is impossible for an external force to come into power.
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edwin rodrigo / September 10, 2019
One plus point of Sajith is that at least a part of the Presidential duties is DIY (Do It Yourself) for him. I mean washing Presidential dirty linen.
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palitha / September 10, 2019
Sajith will be the UNF Presidential candidate MR and GR will be looser after 31 years UNP will have their President again
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Tammy / September 10, 2019
Fully endorse your statement Palitha Use reverse sociology…. MR wants Karu to be the UNP candidate so GR can win !! he knows Sajith will be a huge threat to them. My gut feeling is GR will loose, Can’t believe CT believes this rubbish that MR is saying if he really did say it.
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Upali / September 10, 2019
Having selected his own brother insulting all senior members of the party MR is dictating terms to the UNP. He want’s a pambaya from the UNP erase the sins of GR. Heads I win Tails you loose. Wasn’t Ranil the UNP leader in 2010 and 15.?
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K.A.Sumanasekera / September 10, 2019
Keselwatta Kid , the self declared UNP Candidate has not submitted his assets declaration to the Transparency Commission.
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Penalty is 1000 Bux fine and 12 months jail..
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Looks like uncle Karu will romp in, as his leader Dr Ranil will get the jitter as he has never done it..
Also both Dr Ranil’s Forwards Akila Boy and Galleon Ravi are in the same boat as Keselwatta Kid. facing the same penalty..
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Henry fernando / September 10, 2019
Present chaotic situation in SL politics can be compared to the narration in the book of Genesis about the building of the Tower of Babel. To day we can see among Political parties and within different political parties entirely divergent views and opinion on nominating their Presidential Candidate so much so two or more candidates are being proposed from the same party which have been fractured, surely this is not to serve the country or the people, but for their selfish and ulterior motives about which the citizens are well aware. The story in the book of Genesis says how the foolish and stubborn motives were thwarted preventing the Tower being erected.
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K.Pillai / September 10, 2019
In the 16 February 2018 Local Government elections, Basil recycled the myth that the ‘treasonable Tamils will drive the Sinhalese into ocean’. So conciliation is treason. Surprise surprise people bought it. Basil called his party SLPP.
MR confiscated SLPP. Implies “The War Must Never End”.
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Jayantha deAlwis / September 11, 2019
All these fellows are crooks and/or murderers. Repeatedly they have betrayed the country and the people. All rightminded people should vote for a new apolitical candidate, perhaps Nagananda Kodituwakku. If not, they will sure to rob us up to our last red cent.
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Wera / September 11, 2019
The real power is with the prime ministership not the presidency. Karu as president and Sajith as PM is the dream ticket. Will it happen or will a few mindless buffaloes mess it all up by falling for yet another trap set for them. The following politicians are not genuine. They work for a different master. Mangy, Sujeewa, Ajith, Kabeer, Harin. Brainless incompetent and corrupt. Above all else no discipline or gratitude. Willingly falling for the traps set for them. Despicable scoundrels trying to sabotage and sink their own ship. Is there anything more disgusting than that.
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Banda / September 11, 2019
A poll by a fomer Peradeniya Don has revealed that Karu will beat GR but not Sajigth or Ranil. Ranil has not got the flimsiest chance of winning considering his dishonesty and has no shame. He was even kicked out of the Kelaniya dayaka sabha.
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Real Revolutionist / September 12, 2019
Well, Gota is a candidate now & most probably the winning one (unless UNP fields sb like FM SF)
RW, SP, KJ, RS are far behind SF.
In other words there’s nobody in UNP to substitute SF.
Mass support for these 2, (Gota & SF) is 50-50.
Whoever wins, he’ll do the same for people.
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Pon Kulendiren / September 13, 2019
The easiest way to decide PREZ candidate from UNP is to write three-letter S, R, K in three papers roll the paper, mix in a box for a minute and aska Singhal Buddhist high caste Child yo pick a rolled paper The letter shown wit be the UNP candidate
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Real Revolutionist / September 13, 2019
Pon Kulendiren
Why are you so concerned about UNP candidate when even a puppet in the UNP fulfills your requirements?
Now RW has paved the way for your people to get SP (the only untrustworthy) to kneel down before them for his ticket.
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Rajiv Tennekoon / September 13, 2019
In my opinion, Sajith is the only one with a chance to win from the UNP. If Mahinda is saying this, its pure misdirection. If Karu or RW runs, UNP will lose big. Sajith has the best chance if the minorities get behind him. The TNA might support him just to keep MR out(just like when they voted for SF) and not out of any conviction. Sajith will never give TNA what they want. My prediction – GR
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M C Spencer / September 13, 2019
Should not the referendum on the abolition of the JRJ executive presidential system and the change over to the former Westminster System be also conducted ķksiri Fernando and not Nihal Jayawickrema? Or is it a farce and the need the present setup to continue to save the clan and cronies from going to jail and create more wealth for their progeny?
Please refer above to Prof. S. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole as well.
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Lester / September 15, 2019
“. However Alles hopes that by running, Sajith Premadasa can wrest control of the UNP leadership and party machinery even if he loses, the sources added.”
Yes, this is the best outcome for the UNP. They can’t win the election, but SP can generate enough public support and internal party support to make him the UNP leader. Ranil has to go, any credibility he had was lost after Easter Sunday. The UNP needs a new image, the leader must represent that image.
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SAM / September 17, 2019
Its time old blokes are given pension. Sajit contest for Prez and Navin for PM. Whether they win or lose.
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