By Vishwamithra –
“Politics is about a lot more than winning and losing. I think politics at its best is about compromise, shade of grey and about issues.” ~ Matt Taibbi
It’s quite difficult to survive in politics if one sees only black and/or white; or even right and/or wrong answers and solutions do not exist in the real world. Great idealists who have dedicated their lives to the cause that they chose, one time or the other, have compromised in order to reach agreement with their adversaries. From time immemorial man’s pursuit of happiness has invariably been entwined with the give and take principle. Those who are glued to their positions without making any concessions to the other side, more often than not, have ended up in the ‘unsuccessful’ category. That is how our civilization made advances; that is how man has progressed over thousands of years of his time on earth.
The above is on the more idealistic plane; such analyses have proven that in a secular world, man has made his progress without the aid of any external super-mundane force but by his own inner force and volition. He has had his share of being gifted by his own fellow men and women; never has he achieved anything by himself nor has he advanced alone. No ‘god’, no supra being has helped him other than his own kind.
The world is eternally moving towards a dynamic equilibrium. In that movement, when confronted and challenged by issues hitherto unbeknownst, when the pull is tense and tight, it has always moved towards the center, the middle, never towards the fringes. On numerous occasions history has shown us by many an example that this dynamic equilibrium is keeping all of us balanced and yet moving. It is a beautiful spectacle. When one is devoid of religious and cultural irrationality, which are consequent upon religious beliefs and faith, it dawns on man that without that center, absent that middle ground, he hardly travels in real terms. However, every now and then, the world has seen extremities which are beyond endurance, beyond compare and beyond all precedent, but their existence has always been short-lived and those who have driven man towards such extreme ends have not really made man realize a fresh enlightenment; on the contrary, such men and women have cornered their subjects to insufferable pain and agony for the path to be righted had actually looked like an extreme.
In the context of this profound volatility, such is the case of the appeal of the National People’s Power (NPP) today. The irony stares in your face. The NPP, which is a progressive footstep of the old Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), is appealing to the saner minds whilst those who are purported to be the ones who are treading the middle-path are being driven, by their own extreme thought and deed, literally crazy. They seem to be severely affected by the open endorsement shown by the thousands of Sri Lankans showing up at the rallies organized by the NPP. It is in that paranoia the status quo is responding to the palpable and magical surge of the National People’s Power.
What is that status quo consisting of? All the traditional political parties and their respective leaderships along with their dwindling numbers amongst the masses in general and of the so-called intelligentsia in particular. The status quo was so confident about the lavish loyalty of their own followers. Now the fundamental question arises whether the NPP, one time considered as a fringe political entity, has been moving further away from the center and the traditional political parties have been moving to the center.
What is happening is quite the contrary. Gripped by the potentiality of an election-loss, the traditional parties have been slowly but surely, instead of moving to the center, driven away from the middle-ground while the then a party of the fringes, JVP, is visibly moving to the center. It is being expressed by their leadership, especially Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD), in their mass meetings and press briefings and also in special programs aired every now and then by the mainstream television media and the fast-developing social media. This political dynamic is constructively increasing the very optics of the respective sociopolitical stances adopted by the NPP.
The ’87-’89 period in our country is being fast forgotten by the electorate. Both Ranil Wickremesinghe and his main UNP cohorts along with the Rajapaksa-clan may remember the gruesome atrocities committed by the then JVP; but when one considers the average age of the leaders of the UNP and SLPP, their very age indicates that their preoccupation with an age gone by is an investment with the past. However, both Sajith Premadasa and AKD belong to the ‘now’. Sajith is 57 years old and AKD is 55. Both are at the prime of their lives. The masses relate to them much more assuredly and smoothly and with a fair sense of authenticity. Voters who belong to the ‘now’ not only demand a more empathetic leader, they are also more attracted to a leader who is more authentic. Yet Sajith’s cosmetic approach to public relations is proving to be a chronic display of in-authenticity and an utter sham. The open and easy reference to Sajith Premadasa as a person who is seriously devoid of real leadership qualities and is being caught up in a vortex of narcissism contribute to this emerging adverse image. The departure of Patali Champika Ranawaka and the imminent leaving of Sarath Fonseka from the ranks of the Samagi Jana Balavegaya are two glaring examples of the leadership traits or lack thereof Sajith Premadasa.
Yet AKD’s challenge is not limited to his performance and public image amongst the masses whose main concerns are not constrained to the overt aspects of leaders. His real challenge lies in the very performance of political flexibility and adaptability when he is faced with real machinations in the field when elections are held, results declared and efforts under way to form a workable government. If AKD can show that amount of flexibility to accommodate some men and women who are now very critical and disparaging of the policies and principles of the NPP, the country will see him as a mature man. When a compromise is the answer, clinging on to an idealistic stance is a great obstacle in politics. Being the ‘art of the possible’, in politics, AKD will have to exhibit maturity and wisdom when challenged by circumstances beyond his control.
Compromises could be reached without sacrificing one’s core principles; holding on to an inflexible position could lead to total loss of political present, leave alone the future. Is AKD capable of such political craftiness? Is he prepared to make concessions to his political adversaries so that, at least for the sake of the country’s economic stabilization, a manageable governing machinery could be constructed and run efficiently without resorting to or coming to terms with corrupt practices?
AKD’s speeches in Canada and his answers in the Q & A sessions are an eye-opener in that, he not only denounced the old JVP’s policies of violent machinations during the ’87–’89 period, he also emphasized the NPP’s commitment to the policies and enactments oriented more to the left of center policies than to the ultra-left.
In other words, AKD seems to be seeing the shades that dwell in between black and white. So long as he commits himself to a rational and balanced system of governance, there might emerge a chance of AKD coming out as a winner at the forthcoming Presidential Elections. Commitment aside, the very possibility of AKD seeing the colors of gray among the extreme colors in the spectrum is a matter for relaxation by all who are concerned whether the NPP would install a government representing the outdated communist or socialist economic theories.
Yet it is not assured that AKD and NPP have divorced from the fringe-principles of left-wing communist regimes of Eastern Europe. What lies ahead for AKD and the NPP is a challenge that has not been tackled. Joseph Conrad in his magnificent novel, ‘Nostromo’, wrote thus: “Kings, ministers, aristocrats, the rich in general, kept the people in poverty and subjection; they kept them as they kept dogs, to fight and hunt for their service.” Anura Kumara Dissanayake would be faced with the challenge of unleashing the power of the people (which rulers consider as ‘dogs’) as Conrad writes.
A miraculous phenomenon, indeed it would be, if AKD becomes our next President. It would be the greatest challenge not only for AKD in particular but in general for all those left-wing politicians whose rhetoric alone is standing as a challenge to the status quo. A binary choice is awaiting the voting masses. In that choice, the voter has to make a judgment call, which if incorrect, after all the dust settles, AKD and the NPP would in turn be judged by history as another set of demagogues that appeared on the horizon and faded away long before sunset as a bunch of fake messiahs. However, they, at least for the time being, appear to be remarkable and better than ordinary.
*The writer can be contacted at vishwamithra1984@gmail.com
Nathan / March 27, 2024
““Politics is about a lot more than winning and losing. I think politics at its best is about compromise, shade of grey and about issues.” ~ Matt Taibbi”.
I am sorry for Matt Taibbi. It seems that he has never learnt of a Sri Lanka.
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Nathan / March 27, 2024
Why is JVP unable to shed its name that makes me recoil at all the hurt it had caused me for being a Tamil.
Those who ask me to believe in NPP should ask AKD this one simple question.
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old codger / March 27, 2024
Nathan,
“Why is JVP unable to shed its name?”
It has a different name-board now, National People’s Power in English, but don’t you think that makes it sound like an electricity supplier?
They could hire better translators.
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Bert / March 29, 2024
JVP/NPP looks good just because there is no alternative. It is still a Sinhala party that attracts lot of current and ex-military and monks. I know there are Muslim moulve’s but looking at SL history this batch goes into any tent if it sees a gain.
Anura speaks almost everyday but how much has he spoken about the injustice done to the Tamils .
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Sugandh / March 30, 2024
Hello Bert:
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So this peoples’ revolution is not a revolution but a revolt against the political status quo!?
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Military and monk participation in NPP politics is a definite damper on the credibility of the supposed revolution.
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When AKD talks of law and order, it is entirely unjust not to speak of State terror and injustices inflicted on the Tamils. But seems it’s an awkward position for a JVPer to face that head on and simultaneously having to explain the violence JVP inflicted on the citizens…. while too in the company of military and monks.
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leelagemalli / March 27, 2024
Nathan,
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I still can’t make up my mind about NPP. Lal Kanta, a senior member of Janata Vimukti Peramuna, talks about the new approach of their intentions for a future government.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgUdJnKC80s&t=1082s
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At the same time, most of them will not change to a UNP or SLFP government. They behave as if they are not against indianization even if their 5 lessions it included. Our JOKERs that are the torchbearers of NPP, become speechless whenever we raise the issues.
Some late undergarduates dont seem to know what they are talking about anything. They should better learn from youth how they are asked to answer some cruitial questions.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8fXsmnz9dw&t=513s
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The self-proclaimed future president AKD says the same thing once he is blessed with an electoral victory.
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leelagemalli / March 27, 2024
Nathan,
I think it’s clear to you that I take your comments very seriously and I’m not racist to anyone on this planet.
You lately advised many of us to turn a blind eye to anything coming from (I assume) that former teacher who is harassing me and the few because we post comments anonymously.
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However, I found another comment yesterday, where he attacked me individually again. Why on earth should he continue his persectution on us this way ?
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He may be sick with mind for some reasons, but why should we be targeted ?. Even a high criminal would not repeat his or her mistake but this guy does.. how come.?
Don’t you think you should warn him about this? Thank you. I hve already informed CT on this … because I may avoid from commenting on CT … just because of the guy s harrassments. He has created his keepers to stand out in CT today (Keepers- Ruchira Baba and Lester the parasite).
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Nathan / March 28, 2024
My dear leelagemalli,
If you would have observed carefully, you would have noticed that I IGNORE certain comments. Those comments come from individuals I refrain from associating. That is what I recommend for you.
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leelagemalli / March 28, 2024
Nathan
Thanks, but you have to tell yourself that even if you are a kind person, you are contradicting yourself for no good reason and ignoring some differences.
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I think these problems are more with “boomers” than others. My cousins are over 70 years old. Many of them are scattered around the world for their own reasons. They dont belong to ones left the country after CIVIL WAR broke out in 1983. They have seen a better world, but they remain spiteful. Only one cousin sister who was good with me but died prematurely in CA a few years ago. I think it might be Sri Lankan genetics.
.
Many Sri Lankans who do not fit in with other races behave like that. They don’t even bother to think about it. Despite being an educated person, eldest in my family, the sister (who lives in SL) is not in tune with the facts. her arguments are mostly like that of OUR RAMONA. Can you imagine ?
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tbc
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Ajith / March 27, 2024
Nathan ,
It is true that we cannot forget what jvp did to the Tamils but that is no different to other major political parties did to the Tamils and what they are doing until now as rulers.
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leelagemalli / March 28, 2024
Ajith,
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may I ask you to elaborate more on what the JVP has done to the Tamils of Sri Lanka?
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I thought that the JVP did more harm to the sinhala youth of Sri Lanka during the 89-92 rebellion. I know more than 50 or more, that were killed for no good reason.
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I wish for an accumulation of NPP supremacy under Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. But she does not seem to have any power in the JVP-led NPP. ….
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Ajith / March 28, 2024
Leela,
JVP did not involved directly in any violence against Tamils but they are directly involved with the demerger. Of north east and they are against to devolution of power to the Tamils.
But I don’t fully agree with you that they are against to Sinhalese or their intention to hurt Sinhalese. The number of Sinhalese murdered by the state machinery is much higher than the number of Sinhalese murdered by Jvp. In my view Buddhist Sinhala fundamentalist and Sinhalese politicians are responsible for most of the collapse of the country.
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leelagemalli / March 29, 2024
Ajith,
.
A crucial factor in lanken mlechcha politics sinking so deeply is the involvement of Buddhist priests in racism dominated politics.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTrpgRrmbKI
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Knowing this more than anyone else,, AKD kneels before them to attract them and convey the message to the Sinhala Buddhists to get votes.
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And PEOPLE loudly rejected it in ARAGALAYA. And we demanded a real change.
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But the AKD is following the same path as the Rajapakse criminals. Guess who he’s fooling today? The AKD is not mature enough to govern this nation. Either it should be stopped or the nuclear power plant should be allowed to take effective control.
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Ajith / March 30, 2024
Leela,
The possible choice before the people are: Anura Dissanajaka NPP), Sajith(SJV), Ranil UNP). Namal or Basil. Among these all kneel down to Sinhala Buddhist Fundamentalism to get the Buddhist Sinhala votes. We have sufficient evidence to proof since 1948 that both Rajapaksas and Ranils/Sajiths political institutions have to take responsiblity for the complete destruction of the country. AKD/NPP is the only institution we have not even tested. Unless we give a chance to rule this country to get at least some experience of governance than using the same old music again and again to lead the country towards disaster over disaster. The People had the power to remove the monster Gota from the chair within two years. So, if AKD go wrong there is nothing to loose but people will chase away them oif necessary.
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Douglas / March 29, 2024
Dear LM: Please read the BATALANDA REPORT together with the killings by “PRA”; “BLACK CATS” etc. by Ranasinghe Premadasa. Also remember, “Tharawatte Ajith”. All that information is in the records.
Answers to your questions are public, but you refuse to be open-minded and escape the pre-conceived norms.
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leelagemalli / March 29, 2024
Dear Douglas aka JVP Promoter,
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I dont myself know about you, my staple is not PUNNAKU.
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You may lie about the insurgency but U cant fool me anymore. My escape from being caught by slaughter was not for nothing but I had no other options
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. I was just an undergraduate as many others that were tortured by brutal LAL KANTHA and Nalin Hewage-styled JVPrs and govt forces.
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I think, your Kadamandiya people would help you remind if as usual you and lanken living in the country would have lost their memories.
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Please kindly search for Janaka Seneviratne ( my best buddy -lived in Angulugaha) from Peradeniya university and kULATUNGA (Sand-kasten friend lived in Ahangama)from COLOMBO, how the victimized parents fell misery since their beloved sons were murdered down by JVP in that insurgency.
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Be happy, your children were not caught by those killings.
:.
We perfectly knew that it was JVP who headed 89-92 barbaric acts that took my sand-kasten friends and all not knowing for what purpose they were murdered down. We also knew that govt had their mechanisms to control it.
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That is everywhere around the globe but unrests were introduced by JVPrs nobody else. How many times, I had to commute between uni and home. I had hideouts to escape mylife.
:
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Douglas / March 30, 2024
Dear LM: Please note I am not a JVP promotor, but a NPP promotor.
For the rest of the matters about ’89”, I would not exclude JVP. It was a time of terror unleashed by both the Government and JVP. What I wanted to point out was, that you only put the entire blame on JVP which fact is incorrect.
I feel sorry for your plight PLUS that of many others in the hands of TERROR unleashed by the Government and JVP. Please say the TRUTH and FACTS. To tell that, you need not know me.
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leelagemalli / March 30, 2024
Dear NPP Promoter Douglas,
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To tell the truth and facts – focused.
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I don’t lie like other people. I meet victim families who lost their beloved sons in the 89-92 era, sometimes I travel back home.
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Some mothers become completely paralyzed while others suffer from various psychological and varied other health problems. Some of them stand before me, tears streaming from their glassy eyes but not saying a single word.
Helplessness is governign in their facial and body expressions.
I am dumbfounded and fight for them but not actively enough.
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Lalkanta is still too stupid to deny their allegations. They must finally dispel the doubts of those psychopathic people.
:
I left my place at Peradeniya-Hilda Obeysekera Hall and escaped with my life. I sometimes feel i should have stayed and got killed among them. Those who failed to do so ended up in the soup of some JVPrs or by the state machinery.
To be honest, you dont want to dig up the graves of the dead, there are plenty of credible videos and acceptable covers of this. Even today, every time I go back home, I cringe.
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You seem fine with some comments in favor of NPP. I would also like it if NPP dominates in JVP-NPP combine.Some thoughts of Dr Amarasoriya comes as naive as it shhould not be.
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leelagemalli / March 30, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVRS3Bxri_w
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SRILANKENS play same political games as usual, ahead of elections .
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Sinhala_Man / March 27, 2024
Dear Nathan,
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You know I now enthusiastically support the NPP, but I think that you know that I’m no racist.
.
The NPP cannot afford to shed its vital JVP support base. The typical JVP supporter was never really anti-Tamil. The organised hatred of Tamils came more from sections of the UNP. Given the clear changes in NPP thinking, their great fear is being branded as “Rathu Ali” – green elephants. I feel that the problems that face us now as we attempt to install an efficient government are the apathy and cynicism of most citizens.
.
JVPers tend to be idealistic, but I agree that they were not sufficiently alive to the problems of Tamil speakers. Also true”, Wijeweera analysed our economic ills as stemming from the “import of Indian labour”. Those words in parenthesis indicate how he dehumanised these poor people who were brought in by Colonialism. I blame him for that.
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I must also re-assure Naman that although JVP supporters constantly attack “Elites” (you will hear frequent reference to “Prabhu Panthiya”, especially NOW. It means “Elite Society”), they want civilised life to return.
.
Please keep engaging with me; we must get rid of misunderstandings.
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Nathan / March 28, 2024
“Rathu Ali” – green elephants… ???
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Sinhala_Man / March 28, 2024
Sorry, Nathan.
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I should have said “Rathu Ali” – Red Elephants.
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That mistake shows that I must be more careful about what I write. I’ve got to work things out.
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This may be symptomatic of how unsatisfactory everything in the country has become; or it may be that I’m getting senile!
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You’ve done me a favour by pointing out a real error this time!
.
Panini Edirisinhe
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Nathan / March 28, 2024
Dear Sinhala_Man,
If it appears that I am for pointing out errors of others I am truly sorry.
It was self-promotion. – See, Nathan knows Sinhala!!
No. Not really.
I asked myself a simple question: How did SM make such a silly mistake…. .
The Elephant is the mascot of UNP. The Colour of the Party is Green.
Green Elephant.
If I deserve a prize for my logical thinking, I am ready to accept it.
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Nathan / March 28, 2024
Dear Sinhala_Man,
… The NPP cannot afford to shed its vital JVP support base.
Don’t tell me that if NPP gets the rein, I should expect NPP to abandon its JVP support base.
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Sinhala_Man / March 28, 2024
No, Nathan, I don’t expect them to be as dishonest as that!
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If I did, I would stop supporting them.
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I think that they will be honest; they’re trying to be realistic in what they advocate. If mistakes are found to have been made, they must immediately be acknowledged.
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Whom can we trust, 100%.
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I think Kumar David, and what about, Asoka Seneviratne, the author of this?
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/the-curse-of-jrj-constitution-continues/
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In a sense, I don’t know much about him, and I haven’t read all his articles. I haven’t made many comments in response to his articles. It may be that I ought to change that. Why?
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It is almost impossible for us to hear the absolute truth from anybody, and I know that even I’m liable to very occasionally short-circuit to the truth. Why? Not dishonesty. The truth could seem vexing.
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This Asoka is not a politician, and he has nothing to lose from honestly telling us what he thinks.
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Panini Edirisinhe
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Naman / March 27, 2024
(1)
I am not sure how AKD is going to control the Sinhala Buddhist Supremacists ( Fundamentalists) once he is the President.
He needs to educate the rural Sinhala people so that they DON’T fall for the racial & religious troubleshooters preaching
(2)
I wonder on how he is going to convince the “ELITES Sri Lankan” that their wealth and their way of LIFE is going to be SAFEGUARDED
For the last 76 years THEY (Educated or uneducated) have proven that they are barbarians.
They are still very active in SL.
AKD needs to convince the Mahanayakas to dissociate from the Troublemakers
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SJ / March 27, 2024
“He needs to educate the rural Sinhala people so that they DON’T fall for the racial & religious troubleshooters preaching”
The worst of communalism, both Sinhala and Tamil, we find is an urban literate phenomenon.
If in doubt, read some of the comments on these pages.
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whywhy / March 27, 2024
Naman ,
This is a Politically , Culturally , Religiously and Linguistically
divided country and if that is not enough , Class and Castes too
eating up any effort of unity . A country of Greedy Citizens who
joined the army of both Russia and Ukraine for money, Aljazeera
reported . Three lives on the side of Ukraine lost a couple of
months ago and the latest two on Russian side . It is a country
gone to stray dogs that NPP is chest beating to purchase and
promise to Refurbish , for them , nothing to lose even if they
failed because it is already a lost land . They believe they can lead
by example , one of their best bet of corruption free governance .
I believe , Too Late For That . Corruption and Greed now over the
Nose . Reached its Saturation .
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leelagemalli / March 28, 2024
Dear Naman,
.
1) AKD can be a good Sinhala speaker on stage. But he has no experience of South Asian political progressivism. Additionally, he never pursued his career as a physics graduate. However, he is adept at pointing fingers at other politicians, even though most of the allegations are based on anecdotal information. He is doing it in and out of the parliament for the recent years.
I closely study his public speeches everywhere today because I try to examine the person scrutinigly. Remember, Buddha told, just because others say about something, you dont trust anyone or anything. That is my way of beliefs.
Some allegations are just “false information”. Mere allegations cannot convict anyone, but JVP-led groups dare to brand others as real criminals. That is unique to JVPrs.
AKD emphasizes that all Sri Lankans living outside the country should help assuming everyone earns big money for that.in rich countries. To my knowledge many average people living in Europe are facing many price hikes in their life today after the COVID crisis. Not even 200 000 lanken academics live out of the country. So AKD should be very careful with his “hearsay-numbers” in his speeches.
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leelagemalli / March 28, 2024
cont.
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2) If questions are thrown at him in English, I see him get flustered, unable to understand them. So often his answers go astray. Nor are the others next to him to translate them to him.
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3) My option would be that all the good candidates representing Sri Lankan recoganized parties and organisations should come together under an one single commission for a period of 5 years and then be empowered to rebuild this country economically, educationally and in many other ways and afterthat they should leave it to the people to decide who will govern this. . nation. The respective parties are responsible for the mess that has arisen in this country at the moment.
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Pundit / March 27, 2024
A friend migrated to Australia where he applied for positions he was more than adequately qualified for, He was repeatedly told at interviews that “he had no experience in Australia”. He finally managed to find employment and proved to be a great acquisition for his employer, outperforming his peers.
This appears to be the dilemma faced by the NPP today, the negative propaganda that they have “no experience in leadership”.
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nimal fernando / March 27, 2024
“This appears to be the dilemma faced by the NPP today, the negative propaganda that they have “no experience in leadership”.”
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With or without experience or even knowledge …… it won’t be difficult for anyone to outperform the lot who bankrupted the country!
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It looks like the Ship of Fools ……… was headed to Lanka …….. more bad tidings ………. https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/northeast/ship-baltimore-bridge-collapse-sri-lanka/
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Douglas / March 29, 2024
nimal fernando: How to “outperform” when AKD doesn’t know ENGLISH, as emphasised by Leelage Malli – the political Guru of this forum?
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leelagemalli / March 30, 2024
Sensitive people recognize it easily, while others stay like KADAMANDIYA community. Thank you.
Douglas,
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Be honest with yourself Mr. Douglas. It is not at all a big deal. Look at AKD s body language at that time, some activists raised their genuine questions in English in that meeetings. Koheda yanne malle pol-answers were among them.
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I am not against any leader being unable to know any other langagues so long they are supported by their own interpreters. However, no such interpreters were organized for POOR AKD’s meetings in CANADA.. why ?
:
And please compare the answers AKD gave them. And look how much anger and frustration there was after the Canada meetings.
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TRUTH IS BITTER Mr Douglas. But you have to clear your eyes sooner than later.
:
You should be able to digest the criticism in the coming days.
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Native Vedda / March 29, 2024
nimal fernando
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“With or without experience or even knowledge …… it won’t be difficult for anyone to outperform the lot who bankrupted the country!”
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Now tell us who is going to implement, enforce, ……. policies of the new JVP/NPP policies and objectives, it is the same good old functionaries and 1.50 million b***s carriers. What policies get implemented.
Aragalaya Vasantha Muthalige has already discovered cause, Hindians are taking over this island.
In the mean time China caught Dinesh by his b***s and dragged him all the way to Beijing, to sign a particular agreement:
” ECONOMYNEXT – All Sri Lankan districts including in the island nation’s North and East will sign a “sister district” deal with China’s Chongqing province for investments and improve production capacity, State Minister of Social Empowerment Anupa Pasqual, said. – economynext.com, 20 March 2024″
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Already Chinese Ambassador to UNHRC Geneva calling Sri Lanka China’s neighbour. Vasantha Muthalige seems okay with that arrangement, doesn’t mind it.
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JVP/NPP has not issued any statement regarding twinning all twenty-five districts with Chongqing province.
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leelagemalli / March 27, 2024
Pandita Pandita,
this is public secret, but people , as usual are reluctant to perceive.
.
Politics in a country full of criminals rather than good is not the same as what a CEO of an organization or even a professor in a field can do.
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whywhy / March 27, 2024
Pundit ,
I really feel uncomfortable to say this to you because there are
many like you who believe everything those who migrated to
the West or elsewhere say , of their work or study experiences .
I advise you to ask yourself a very simple basic question that
will lead you to find the truth yourself . ” Who taught people
like your friend the Skills he mastered to outperform the
masters of the masters on their own soil ? Please do not bring
Obama and Rishi for your defence .
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Ruchira / March 27, 2024
Honestly I am not sure what the author is trying to communicate here. Whether he thinks the NPP should compromise its position to accommodate certain political factions that are already banckrupt and lost. His writing is a little cryptic, does anyone else understands what he means…!?
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Leonard Jayawardena / March 27, 2024
Author:
“AKD’s speeches in Canada and his answers in the Q & A sessions are an eye-opener in that, he not only denounced the old JVP’s policies of violent machinations during the ’87–’89 period….”
AKD did NOT denounce the violent methods of the old JVP from what I heard of the snippets of his speeches as reported in the media. He only expressed regret for what had happened at that time and said he was deeply distressed (Sinhalese “kampa wenawa”) by it. If heard him right, he said that the violence was not “opa-pathika” (Pali, meaning, “born without the normal union of man and woman”), that is, the JVP violence did not happen in a vacuum. There was cause and effect. Many (including Secretary-General of the UN) have tried to justify Hamas’ attack on Oct 7 the same way.
May be the author heard AKD say things I did not, but if all that he heard was only what I and others heard, that is, what was reported in the local media, then either the author’s ability to understand the Sinhalese language or his intellectual integrity is questionable.
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kugan2 / March 27, 2024
75 yrs gone another 25 to go that is 2048 by that time it will be fully Sinhala Buddha country.
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Yes economy is down now but that’s not the case look at Ethiopia now open the doors for investors.Tea is doing very well as before we have pluckers stateless people (they are not Indian /Sri Lankan citizens)they would contribute with their blood for our foremost Sinha-lea.
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SJ / March 27, 2024
P
No experience is stealing public funds could be a good thing.
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Raj-UK / March 27, 2024
Wikipedia describes the NPP as follows. ”The National People’s Power is ideologically leftist and working-class centered. The NPP is led by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna.[8] The predominant goal of the NPP is the nationalisation of Sri Lanka’s resources” I don’t know what shade of gray Vishwamithra would define the above statement as but to me, it is in black & white. AKD maybe a moderate but if he wants to distance himself from the old JVP, of which, he is still the leader, why carry the JVP baggage to his new party? Isn’t there a conflict of interest of being the leader in both parties? Is this the gray area Vishwamithra is talking about?
I support labour in UK & believe in a fairer society but I don’t subscribe to left wing politics in SL, therefore, in principal, the NPP is not for me. Maybe I am influenced by my profession because as an engineer, I go by facts & figures, there being no gray areas. Those who have decided on the NPP in the absence of any other credible political party, should consider the Wikipedia description seriously & be prepared to accept a ‘socialist’ regime, the depth, maybe, Vishwamithra can define with his shade of gray.
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Sinhala_Man / March 28, 2024
Dear Raj-UK,
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I have checked the Wikipedia entry on the NPP, and I find it most inadequate.
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Wikipedia is a useful way in which to commence any search for facts, but one has to go deeper than that to understand.
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I started writing this; then found that a “Face the Nation” programme had run yesterday. I’m still listening. I’ve seen 100 minutes of 137; but clearly this is a disgusting display by people who think that they own the country, and we are there to serve them:
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTBZiwfgQ7c
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Not recommended, except that it may show how low we have fallen.
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I hope that you remember how enthusiastic I was about the programme ten days ago.
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old codger / March 28, 2024
SM,
I don’t see why you are so annoyed with Face the Nation. You have to take the bad with the good. What is good about it is that Chaturanga Abeysinghe was shown up as having poor debating skills, even compared to the sleazy Nalaka Godahewa. Chaturanga is a very good businessman, but even he cannot suggest anything innovative that isn’t part of NPP policy.
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Sinhala_Man / March 28, 2024
Shameer Rasooldeen, the moderator, is the one guy who emerged with some credit. He was doing his job, but he had at least prepared himself, and was throwing common sense at the guests.
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You appear to have viewed the whole of the programme, or is that just bluff? How can anybody find the time to watch all this?
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More bluff here:
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https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/MPs-rally-for-snap-general-election-amidst-Presidents-push-for-Presidential-poll/108-279757
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If the members of the Parliament really want Parliament to be dissolved, they can do it. But they won’t, just see.
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So, Ranil will contest as a “common candidate”. What is “common candidate”? Surely others will be allowed to contest.
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More rubbish here:
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https://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=98244
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What on earth is the Student Parliament? See photographs of an actual event to Tuesday. And not at it says that an election was conducted by the Elections Commission. Funds also spent?
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Why can’t we have properly conducted scheduled elections?
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old codger / March 28, 2024
SM,
“You appear to have viewed the whole of the programme, or is that just bluff? “
No, I am good at getting at the gist without actually wading through all the talking heads.
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leelagemalli / March 28, 2024
Dear OC,
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This news made my day. I am doubly glad to see GHANASARA is imprisoned again.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1qbQtBBwtc
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Look, the law and order is in its way today… is not that so ?
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old codger / March 28, 2024
LM,
Excellent news. But I’m afraid some idiot will release him again.
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leelagemalli / March 28, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc3q-t-DS3w
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chiv / March 29, 2024
LM, these may be just election gimmicks. But lets hope he stays there for 4 years. Also this time Pissu Sira seems to be checkmated, in his own game. On 4th, he is told to appear before judge to tell his newly found conspiracy theories. This may pressure him to surrender to Ranil or vacate post so that party can join mega alliance.( CB is working on it ). What do you think about Prasanna telling there is no one person in SLPP including Namal deserves candidacy ? What will make Namal matured, experienced and eligible in 10 years ? any ideas. Also bribery commission has filed legal action against former CB Governor and Bankrupt specialist Cabral. ( purchased Greek debt bonds causing loss of Rs. 1, 843, 267, 595 . After elections files may be again closed or political victimization may be re- opened. Interesting times, Silly , Stupid and Sorry L….
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chiv / March 29, 2024
LM, take a look at today’s Island online article by Cassandra cry, Aiyo “knew it all “
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leelagemalli / March 30, 2024
Chiv,
DIWAYINA and ISLAND NEWS newspapers were branded as highly biased. Their actions have proved it so far. They should be banned in a civilized world. However we are diving in an uncivilized world iwhtin srilanka.
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leelagemalli / March 29, 2024
Chiv,
Thank you
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I hardly believe that it is based on eleciton gimicks. but DADORIYA aka Ghanasara RASCAL made verious high crimes in public as if he was blind. His testesterone mirror was stimulated by the carrots being offered by RAJAPAKSHE rascals.
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As I repeated, it is almost like the blue flies covering stinky garbage in Wanathamulla. Lanken politics is so stinky. I have no respect to these beasts any more, even if I continue with my charity work down there for the poor students in schools and the elderly people who are really in need.
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leelagemalli / March 28, 2024
Dear OC and all other rational thinkers,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTBZiwfgQ7c
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I think corrupted Godaheva will soon breed his evil nature to SJB. Watch out SAJITH:…. you are in danger … sooner than later.
What kind of doctor should he get?He should be genuine first. How can a person be a liar in this way?
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What Godahewa stresses is that good governance should be the main factor in destroying Sri Lanka’s economy is beyond all facts.
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By 2015, the whole world knew that Mara’s government was squeezing from loans arbitory taken from China and seeking an economic bailout. This auidece should be deaf.
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Cicero / March 27, 2024
Vishwamithra, as usual, writes well. His mission is to dress the wolf in lamb’s clothing. AKD will find it difficult to wash off the brutalities the JVP committed. This included the Pol Pot like elimination of the old and the possible elimination of the Tamils. From the point of view of the Tamils the extreme atrocities committed by the Sinhala right is mirrored by those committed generally by the JVP. So, that is an initial problem. AKD visits foreign states to create the impression that the diaspora will help his party when and if it comes to power. The more rich parts of the diaspora are Tamils who have no interest in doing that. It is more likely that Sajith, malapropisms and all that, will still get more votes from the minorities. AKD has no record of bad English because he does not give speeches in English. As for crowds, the television shows equal crowds at meetings. It is difficult to go by the crowds. I also add to the May Day crowds of the JVP but they have not shown any impact at election time. We cannot forget the 6.9 million Mahavamsa Morons yet.
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Sugandh / March 28, 2024
Hello Cicero, that’s alarming commentary. Gosh, nowhere for the Tamils to turn! So you reckon Tamils shouldn’t take a leap of faith on NPP/AKD and their pledges for equitable treatment of minorities?
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Other than for its anti-corruption pledges, I do wonder how NPP will manage the wishes of the 6.9 million of the recent times. NPP has to be truly progressive and revolutionary to counter the demons that are deeply ingrained.
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In anticipation of NPP’s evolving campaign, and how NPP will fare when Pohottuwa SB Fascists get down and deep…
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leelagemalli / March 29, 2024
Sugandh,
.
“Other than for its anti-corruption pledges, I do wonder how NPP will manage the wishes of the 6.9 million of the recent times. NPP has to be truly progressive and revolutionary to counter the demons that are deeply ingrained”
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Rumor has it that AKD’s Canada rallies ended up leaving people somewhat unhappy. As we are treated by AKD’s promoters in CT, as evasive on crucial questions like how to stabilize the economy once they gain power – they are caught in growing distaste. Only talks but walking the talks will be not easy to them. SJB has instead produced their economic policies.
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Sugandh / March 29, 2024
Hello leelagemalli, good to hear from you.
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Are you concerned about potentially a few Viyathmaga/SLPP/SLFP members crossing over to SJB? Nalaka Godahewa has already declared he will be contesting as an SJB candidate.
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Some will agree that SJB’s strength is made up by some of its original members (all of whom are ex-UNPers) but excludes the SJB leader, Sajith Premadasa.
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As we get closer, the circus is beginning to heat up. It’ll be a confusing landscape. Can NPP maintain its momentum?
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leelagemalli / March 30, 2024
Sugandh,
I am not an expert but think JVP-NPP is popular only on social media. There are also speculations that most of them are through fake FB accounts created by some 5000 to boom their images on CYBER.
As some CT commenters make us feel that the JVP led NPP will be the next ruling party, I was tempted to collect my information through phone calls to Sri Lanka yesterday. Some educated youth (reliable sources) clearly told me that no matter what anyone predicts, Ranil will be the winner if he becomes the common candidate.
He is seen and bold headed respectful and educated candidate to make real changes into paralized srilanken authorities. without whom I spoke yesterday some individuals working for tourism industry and in the 30-40 age group and some of them are ex-teachers (60-70 age group).
According other sources, People across the country have many questions about the Janata Vimukthi Peramuna.JVP should focus on them sooner than later, otherwise, theirs would be dissapeared like water drops falling on to heated metal.
Some key issues such economiy and gapping up the loads of debts are ignored yet today with constant dodging. AKD’s repeated allegations of corruption and poor performance will not carry them that far anymore. They should be clear, that most Sri Lankans including JVPrs are very corrupt.
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tbc
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leelagemalli / March 30, 2024
cont.
Corruption is like bark to a tree in Sri Lankan culture. Be it sinhala buddhism, society or culture it is prevalent as is any fallen nations. Sometimes levels are even much higher than anywhere.
Today, increasing number of people question that the JVPs are attacking others but they have been in Sri Lankan politics for the last 52 years out of 75 years since independence.
People’s trust is descresing day by day. The NPP is not powerful in the JVP-led NPP coalition.
Thanks to Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, X Genzers, Millenials and Z Genzers have more respect for NPP, however, older groups have no idea about NPP. People s awareness about many things remain as before. Media fraudster houses are to blame.
Not even 40% of people in Sri Lanka have access to social media. Most of them are not boomers. Many of the Boomer generation are still chasing the “middle beasts.”
Remember that the female teacher who was dipped by the youth in Baira Lake as an act of revenge is still honeymooning with KAPUTAS et al these days.
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She is said to be the head of a teacher’s union somewhere. She is one of the good examples that the kind of mindset would never change, they are like rats stinky garbage dumps.
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Naman / March 28, 2024
“ . Great idealists who have dedicated their lives to the cause that they chose, one time or the other, have compromised in order to reach agreement with their adversaries.”
Could the Sinhala Buddhist supremacists compromise with their Tamil Speaking SL Citizens?
SBS or SB Fundamentalists has STILL not realise that their Mentality is the main cause of the economic RUIN of SL.
LEARN to respect the minorities and their RIGHTS.
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Naman / March 28, 2024
Leonard J
The October 7th Hamas attack on Israel is in fact SIMILAR to 21/4/19 Easter Bombings that was timed to go off when the Tamil Christians service was beginning. Sometimes countries run by crooked narcissists are prepared to SACRIFICE their OWN citizens in order to survive politically.
We live in a such a NASTY world
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Lester / March 29, 2024
Even with the Easter attacks, you are fixated on Tamil Christians. It’s evident who the true fascists are.
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Sugandh / March 29, 2024
Hello Naman,
Can you please clarify for us your specific reference to “Tamil Christians Service” per your comment comparing the Oct 7th Hamas attack to the Easter Sunday bombings in SL?
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whywhy / March 28, 2024
” Give and Take Principle ” is not a Panacea for all ills everywhere in the
modern world . NPP’s uncompromised position in this regard should be
appreciated and encouraged but will it happen that way this time or some
other time in the future ? JVP itself has no such hopes and that is why an
NPP is getting born . JVP started its Give and Take principle with NPP in
my view . But I do not trust the crowd that hits like Tsunami to every NPP
rally . Tsunami causes destruction and gets back to where it originated
from . Want the Crabs to walk straight ? Crabs can not learn to do so .
Look at this :
1 .Namal Rajapaksha appointed National Organiser SLPP .
2 . At the committee meeting Held At His Father’s Wijerama Residene .
3 . His Father remains the Leader .
4 . His Uncle Basil remains in the party working for the party .
5 . There are members in the party Standing At Ease , ready to Say , Yes
Sir to the future Dutugamunu Reincarnation !
Not Crabs ?
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ramona therese fernando / March 28, 2024
Great Essay by Vishwamithra, full of philosophical musings also.
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But let’s consider a small part of the essay. “Both Ranil Wickremesinghe and his main UNP cohorts along with the Rajapaksa-clan may remember the gruesome atrocities committed by the then JVP; but when one considers the average age of the leaders of the UNP and SLPP, their very age indicates that their preoccupation with an age gone by is an investment with the past.”
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Truth is, it was the capital amassing governments of Jayawardena and Premadasa who did the first gruesome set of atrocities towards the masses who were suffering without sustenance (although Premadasa was far more kinder than Jayawardena). Any of the then JVP’s atrocities were retaliatory.
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ramona therese fernando / March 28, 2024
“If AKD can show that amount of flexibility to accommodate some men and women who are now very critical and disparaging of the policies and principles of the NPP, the country will see him as a mature man. When a compromise is the answer, clinging on to an idealistic stance is a great obstacle in politics. Being the ‘art of the possible’, in politics, AKD will have to exhibit maturity and wisdom when challenged by circumstances beyond his control.”
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Well, he can use Ranil sitting in the back-benches to run some of the money-arranging procedures.
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Leonard Jayawardena / March 29, 2024
Naman:
The only similarity between the Oct 7 attack and the Easter Sunday bombings is terrorism.
I don’t have the exact statistics but I think the majority of the Easter Sunday victims were non-Tamils, so your theory doesn’t stand up to facts. At least, a large number of non-Tamils, too, were killed. In which language was the church service in Katuwapitiya, Negombo, where the majority of the victims were Sinhalese?
The only point on which I agree with you is in Hamas sacrificing their own people. But, arguably, these are willing victims because, according to a recent survey done, the vast majority of the Gazans support Hamas and their attack on Oct 7. If an election were held today in Gaza– and the West Bank– Hamas would win a landslide victory.
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Naman / March 29, 2024
“ . It is more likely that Sajith, malapropisms and all that, will still get more votes from the minorities.”
—> Cicero
Tamil speaking SL voters should NOT vote for Sajith Premadasa as he too wouldn’t go against Buddhists Monks and Sinhala Buddhist Supremacists/Fundamentalists.
He had REPEATEDLY told us that he will go along with genocidal Security Forces & will protect them from any inquiries. Where was he during 1977 /1983 Riots due to state terrorism?
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Naman / March 29, 2024
Minority voters too should vote for AKD’s NPP in the coming elections be it Presidential or Parliamentary.
They only HOPE for Law & Order to be EQUALLY applied and the crooked ones politicians/Businessmen sentenced according to the laws.
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