19 March, 2024

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Democracy Threatened: Impunity, Political Patronage & Rollback Of Devolution

By S. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole

R. Sasilan: Assistant Commissioner of Elections

Today we are opening new living quarters for our Election Commission’s man-in-charge in Batticaloa. I am so glad because R. Sasilan is a man I am proud of. He stands up for what is right without fear or favor. When a minister distributed gifts in elections some years ago, he confiscated a gift pack and filed a complaint with the police. The police, as often happens, disappeared the evidence. Sasilan sent a report to the Commission and that too disappeared. When I inquired, I was told untruthfully that he never reported it. Sasilan has what it takes to be a good officer. His experience also shows the challenges of office: fear of and the need to please the political authorities who recently just ahead of elections transferred new GAs to key electoral districts.

S. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole

Our franchise is safeguarded by people like Sasilan. May  these quarters give comfort to those who come to live here, safeguarding our franchise instead of to promote themselves by service to political authorities.

SLAS: SL Administrative Service or SL Association of Schemers?

Sasilan’s experience shows the triple challenges faced by election officials: impunity (on which I have written much and will not touch on here), political pressure, and threats to distributed power. As for political pressure, as you know the COVID curfews were mysteriously announced lifted on 19 April to clear the way for elections, a day after Defence-Secretary Kamal Gunaratne stated firmly that until COVID is curbed, curfew cannot be lifted.  Now the 100 limit on political meetings is increased. The relevant gazette is delayed. Science services political authority.

When the Colombo Returning Office had a Facebook post calling a Presidential candidate the son of a donkey, an inquiry was held. The inquiry was scheduled for 5 pm, I left the Commission after 5:30 pm when the meeting was not convened. The delay was that one officer was drunk. They met very late and declared that the RO had a new telephone, he was reading someone else’s post, his finger slipped on the polished screen, and that got posted as his. Not even a child would believe what the SLAS officers and an IT expert proffered as an excuse. I perceived a need not to find anything against a fellow SLAS officer. After the elections, the man retired and sought nomination from the ruling party. Impunity!

Today we have a situation where an RO was brought at the last minute to a big district. Gifts given for those without work under COVID came to the Kachcheri. These went to an MP who distributed them as if they are from him. There is a photo from his Facebook where his youth leader gives the package from a GS office. The furniture stock marks identify the office. An inquiry had to be launched. 

SLAS officers were the inquirers. The pickup from the Disaster Management Service was tracked by the GPS showing that the vehicle running charts are cooked up. It had stopped at a home for long periods where the contributions were offloaded on the relevant days (13-19 April). It had not gone to the Divisional Secretary’s office as claimed. The GA/District Secretary claimed he had given the goods to an Additional GA with correct instructions and certified that the distribution was perfectly done. The Additional GA claimed he had distributed the goods as instructed by the GA. The Accountant of the  Divisional Secretariat where the gifts were claimed to have been given, testified that nothing was given there. The beneficiary list given by the GA’s office was clearly cooked up and duplicated pages with beneficiary signatures not matching the signatory’s names. 

The inquirers did not dare to question the driver who asked him to go to the unauthorized places. They claimed to lack the capacity to ask the alleged beneficiaries who they were told the donor is. They claimed to lack the capacity to check the Facebook photo claiming the goods were from an MP. No one asked the GA how he certified distribution as he instructed.

The SLAS inquiry team cleared the GA claiming there was no evidence against him (although he certified that the distribution was properly done) and that he had handed over everything properly to the Additional GA. The Inquirers did not want to let down a political corrupt RO on whose reputation the electoral system hangs. 

Democracy in Danger: Threat to Distributing Power

Our franchise is in danger. One source is the SLAS itself whose structure upholds authority and impunity. The other is rolling back devolution of powers from which we have all benefitted, including the Election Commission where three members have replaced the one Commissioner. This permits greater role for dissent and alternative voices. I will focus on the distribution of power for lack of time.

Imagine Sri Lanka is one electorate. The majority will win most of the seats. It is in recognizing that different peoples have different needs to articulate, that we have several electorates to send different representatives knowing the needs of each electorate. Similarly, we have multi-member seats to allow, say Muslims to be able to return a Muslim MP in a Tamil majority electorate. The Provincial Councils are a boon to truly representative democracy. What has happened to them is like what happened to a friend’s Volkswagen Beetle when I went with him to a mechanic’s. The foot board was rusty. The mechanic kicked it hard and broke it. Then he said, “See. It needs fixing.” 

Likewise, the Provincial Councils have problems. We need to fix them without breaking them.

In my LLRC testimony, I argued for a united but federal Sri Lanka. I have three daughters and a son. They are all equally my children and equally loved. But the girls have different shared bedrooms in our house because their needs are different. Under one roof we are one family but with different living quarters. The arrangement does not make my son with his own bedroom unequal to my daughters.

Indeed the arrangement gives them greater freedom to lead fuller lives, one room with boy toys and comics and the others with dolls, wall posters, and a library with books like Pride and Prejudice. Giving us, Tamil people, different space where we can give expression and life to our peculiar needs is not separation but true happy integration.

Let me also paraphrase another family-based argument that my daughter who worked for Dr. Jehan Perera heard from him. If I were to have a voting system among my children every time we go out as a family, the three girls would outvote my son and we would always end up shopping or eating at a restaurant. My son, who would prefer Casuarina Beach, would get outvoted. In time, he would want to break off from the family and go to the beach with his friends. Majority vote would lead to separation but sharing leads to integration.

That is, the wishes of the majority cannot be forced on minorities in the name of democracy and must be mediated through a federal arrangement. Yes, a good society must allow those who wish to be different to be different.

Women

Women also are a minority in terms of power. They have different needs and sensibilities. Getting some 95% male Parliament to be their representative is not democracy. The Mannar Women’s Development Federation has said “Give one of your votes to a woman.” I endorse this. As they say, women’s rule uplifts our democracy.

There is some confusion, however. At the Presidential Elections, when MWDF urged you to vote for at least one woman, you could choose any of the female candidates. Now, however, in the Parliamentary elections, you must first choose a party, whatever it may be, and then vote for a woman from that same party. If you chose a woman from a party that you did not choose, your vote will be spoilt.

We must give choices to everyone in how our lives are run. Women especially must have a greater choice in running their lives. Vote for at least one woman from your party.

*Text of speech on 5 July, 2020 at the Election Commission’s Grand Opening of the New Quarters Building, Saravana Road, Kallady, Batticaloa

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Latest comments

  • 35
    4

    We, Sri Lankans, have benefitted immensely from having Professor Hoole as a member of the Elections Commission. What has he got in return?
    ,
    Not much in terms of pecuniary rewards or even the comforts that most of us hanker for. I’ve been reading well nigh everything that he’s written over the past five years; here rejoices that he has been able to obtain for one of his officers the official living quarters that the admirable Sasilan will be able to occupy so long as he is in his present employment. Well, so I understand it.
    .
    What is also clear, however, is that he has written about it all in a most interesting way, and been able to discuss a number of important issues that face our country in terms of the rights of individuals and of groups within the country to live according to their cultures.
    .
    Most useful insights. I wonder what other readers, and what those who find this honest man a thorn in the flesh will make of it.

    • 15
      3

      Dear Mr SM,

      Just imagine, if Prof. Hoole was not a member of EC – how would the EC have been performed ?

      Our people have no common sense to grasp anything easily. They just let THAKKDIYAS to mislead them. I really don tknow if we can still use the term ” highly literate nation” in the south asia, looking at the manner, our sinhalayas behave today.

  • 9
    28

    NO to Federalism.
    .
    Sri Lanka will need huge military resources to keep it Federal.
    Remember Perumal?
    .
    +50% of Tamils,(All Tamil speaking people scattered across the island irrespective of their religion, caste or the date of arrival) will fall within Sinhala majority provinces.
    Minorities within federal units will be heavily discriminated.
    .
    With land powers to federal units sharing of natural resources will be a complication – will definitely lead to inter Federal conflicts.
    Remember Mavil Aru,?
    .
    With Police powers in the hands of local politicians there could be mini wars.
    In Federal Sri Lanka people will be walking from place to place.
    .
    So on and on..
    .

    IF I WERE A TAMIL I WOULD STRONGLY OPPOSE FEDERALISM.

    Soma
    (Sri Lanka is an overpopulated small island,)

    • 11
      3

      I think you have contradicted yourself. If 50+ Tamils are living in Sinhala majority provinces then why worry? 50+ Tamils will be governed by Sinhala majority federal govt system establishment.

      • 2
        4

        Buddhist No. 1
        That is precisely my worry.
        IF I WERE A TAMIL I WOULD STRONGLY OPPOSE FEDERALISM.

        Soma

    • 11
      3

      Somass

      “(Sri Lanka is an overpopulated small island,)”

      If so why don’t you pack your bags and go back to your ancestral homeland in South India?

      “NO to Federalism.”

      Why not?

      “Sri Lanka will need huge military resources to keep it Federal.
      Remember Perumal?”

      You would solve half of the unemployment problem.
      According to government sources already 460,000 persons are employed in the armed forces and another 80,000 in active police service.
      You need another large completely independent security force to catch all those drug dealers/smugglers in uniform, keep an eye on 225, ….. Actually we need even larger independent force to protect heritage, prevent periodic riots, protect innocent people from you, ….

      By the way Perumal problem was created by Sri Lanka and later it was solved by Hindia.

      Stop worrying and leave the worrying to Hindia.

      Ravi Perera the Sinhala Speaking Demela was looking for fun/entertainment. Will you help/teach him how to entertain himself?

      • 2
        3

        Native
        “If so why don’t you pack your bags and go back to your ancestral homeland in South India?”
        Tamil Nadu
        Land area 130,058 km2
        Population 82.5 m
        Sri Lanka
        Land area 65,610 km2
        Population 21.41 m
        .
        “NO to Federalism.”

        Why not?
        Because I am worried over the fate of +50% of them.
        (+50% of Tamils,(All Tamil speaking people scattered across the island irrespective of their religion, caste or the date of arrival) will fall within Sinhala majority provinces.
        Minorities within federal units will be heavily discriminated.)
        IF I WERE A TAMIL I WOULD STRONGLY OPPOSE FEDERALISM

        Soma

        • 5
          2

          somass

          ““NO to Federalism.” – Why not?”

          Leave the worrying to Hindia and the Tamil Speaking people.

          Why are you scared about Federalism?
          Explain to us what is your perception about Federal system of governance?
          Why do you including your state apparatus, armed forces, saffron brigade, Sinhala/Buddhist rulers, ………………… continue to suffer from paranoia?
          Let’s hear it from you, the most active card carrying forum dwelling bigoted key supporter of fascist tendency.
          By the way have you decided next round of your riots?

          • 2
            2

            NV
            “Explain to us what is your perception about Federal system of governance?”
            My perception in short is breaking down this small island which is half the size of Tamil Nadu with a population of one-fourth that of Tamil Nadu into a number of smaller administrative units which serves no other purpose than multiplying the number of politicians with that many mini Parliaments with that many ministries with that many employees etc.. These small units are unable to generate any sustainable income of their own for necessary development work. I cannot think of a single advantage other than problems. (At present most of the Provincial council politicos live in Colombo – because they don’t have Police powers?) I am totally at a loss to understand how this arrangement is going to help solve the so called ‘Tamil ethnic question’ the purpose for which it is proposed.
            Now it is upto you to educate us over how a set of , small geographic Federal units will help satisfy the political aspirations of Tamils (All Tamil speaking people irrespective of their religion, caste or the date of arrival) taking into consideration their distribution across the island.

            Soma

            • 1
              1

              somass

              Are you kidding?

              “…………………… which serves no other purpose than multiplying the number of politicians with that many mini Parliaments with that many ministries with that many employees etc.”

              I will simplify the issue.
              Do you think I will be free to use toilets whenever I want to, irrespective of how many times I want to, what I wear when I p**s, …. rather than I am compelled to obtain authorisation from Grama Nilathari, Office Peon, GA, Office peon, Chief Minister, office peon, Subject minister, office peon, Defense Secretary, Mahasangha, karaka saba, …. President (in between 10% to one stop shop,) …
              everytime I get the urge to ease myself?

  • 4
    15

    Has anyone seen an undressed Tamil,?
    Are they different?

    Soma

    • 3
      18

      Sinhalese are girls, Tamils are boys, how to share a room? Girls like Kevum , boys like Vade. Big problem.

      • 8
        3

        Soma : Sinhalese are girls, Tamils are boys.

        Absolutely give the boys their own room.
        Girls have enough space in the south to share

        • 0
          1

          Rajash
          +50% of boys are in the South. I am worried about the safety of girls.

          Soma

          • 0
            0

            If your referring 50% boys to the rapist military that is back home then you should be worried.

    • 7
      3

      somass

      “Has anyone seen an undressed Tamil,? Are they different?”

      Seriously are you looking for a pimp?

      • 0
        3

        Native
        Is Dr. Hoole a medical doctor?
        ,-
        Soma

        • 2
          0

          somass

          “Is Dr. Hoole a medical doctor?”

          He is an engineer, with an earned DSc unlike Dr Gota unearned DSc.

    • 3
      0

      Different from what?
      Dressed Tamils?

    • 2
      0

      somass

      I always wanted to know the actual certified number of innocent civilian died in April to December 1971, between July 1987 and 1991, and over 30 years to 31 December 2009.

      Is there anyway you could direct your time and energy to trace total missing persons between April 1971 to December 2009?

      Its strange Maxwell Paranagama found no civilian had been killed by Armed forces in last leg of the war. Maxwell saw no evil, heard no evil, spoke no evil about the armed forces. How does he sleep at night?

  • 2
    11

    Sinhalese are girls, Tamils are boys, how to share a room? Girls like Kevum , boys like Vade. Big problem.

    • 6
      2

      Sinhalese are men. Tamils are girls. Can they live together?

  • 18
    3

    Dear Dr. Hoole . we all know you are fighting a lonely battle. A gang is watching you ready with a white van. That is Sr Lankan culture. CAS officers who are political stooges to get promotions will be posted as RO’s and AR:s in important electorates where SLPP is having a tough time to win. Hence manipulation in vote counting can easily be expected. There are very good chances that cunning tactics will be adopted by SLPP to get the two-thirds majority. I understand Ranils UNP breakaway group is having a secret pact with SLPP so that CBbond against him and easter attack case will be dropped. I wish that the voters will think intelligently and vote without getting intimidated. If they make mistakes in th election and take the wrong decision they will be nailing Democracy in a coffin.

  • 2
    13

    RH says “That is, the wishes of the majority cannot be forced on minorities in the name of democracy and must be mediated through a federal arrangement. Yes, a good society must allow those who wish to be different to be different.”

    Where to stop this? Divide according to gender, religion, caste, wealth etc. etc.

    • 5
      1

      Simple. a good hearted, righteous person will not keep to himself what he can share just because there are millions of needy people. he will at least share with his immediate neighbours.
      lack of a federal system, gender inequality,religious animosity, cast and wealth etc. etc. are all big issues no doubt.
      but if you don’t have the heart to solve even one issue, how would you expect the other issues to get solved?

  • 11
    2

    Mahindan Rajapuka’s article running down Sajith P and the entire opposition loyal alliance with the help of a professional English composer and his party has backfired on him.
    Daily Mirror newspaper has very kindly with the purpose of holding a few pathname candles had invited comments from its readers.
    At the moment there are 19 subscribers and believe it on not all 19 presentations are negative comments.?
    =
    On the other hand, the kallathoni of a war criminal of a so-called not knowing whether he’s coming or going totally in the bleed clueless of a bully el-president does not want to expose himself on the election hustling promotional materials.
    WHY I wonder.?
    =
    As my gut feeling is that thanks to the mighty coronavirus this gift to the globe from the Rajapuka’s godparents will be around for many a moon to come and will not disappear.?
    =
    The rich countries will survive whilst the Lord Buddha’s begging bowl carriers will gloriously attain puberty by becoming forever and ever bankrupt Kota Uda nations.
    =
    As the UNP alliance has a good great chance of cleanly conquering these pest parasites Rajapuka gang of infidels, democracy can and will be preserved.
    =
    Hopefully, corruption will be a thing or two of the past and with the unqualified assistance of the wealthy countries will make Ceylon be reborn as a nation worth its salt.?

  • 15
    2

    Dear Prof. Hoole,
    .
    Thank you for your valuable article.

    You were attacked for tiny issues such as your daughter visited you in EC, but Karuna Amman to have made public statement on the killing rate of soldiers at the time, he was then a part of BRUTAL LTTE terror group. – did almost nothing since Rajakashe rascals raped srilanken MAIN STREAM media for their benefit only. No matter even if MaRa’s wife would have been raped by Karuna, or any other FORMER terror men, Mara would protect them. :
    This shows clearly how SRILANKEN law and order work today.

    Even 10 year olds would see it that the basics rights of the people in this country today are eroding. No opposition parties are given equal chances to express their ideas in the main stream TV senders but all about Rajapakshes family s hear say become the breaking news of the state and pvt senders.
    :
    Those who stay in silence mode among the University dons and professionals, are already depressed, but their voice is not heard due aforementioned reasons.
    :
    They have not achieved almost anything during the 8 months passed, but self congradulations and self adulations are on the top of the speeches.

    • 3
      9

      leelagemalli,
      Tell Yasmin Sooka who is talking about War Crimes in Sri Lanka to take Karun Amman to The Hague. Then he will reveal all the war crimes committed by Tamil terrorists.
      He might even disclose Tamil terrorists who committed war crimes and hiding in Western Countries under new identities.

      • 6
        1

        Eaagle ultra BP, to whom I have no respect on this earth.

        : if you take all these as jokes, I question who you really are. I have no doubt in my mind, you are an another that shoud be pushed to psychiatric wards. Who on earth would agree with a guy who loudly said, the real number of the soldiers that were killed by him at a night. In a war, collarteral damage is spoken. To your PISSU brain, you are forced to think crimes committed by ltters WOULD B caught.. how ? In country where almost everything is becoming clear that Rajapkshse committed high crimes, but they returned to power. Let alone, no divine forces reacted on the serving of justice. But I have heard, MaRa is suffering a lot physically than appeared to be. May well be the bugger would have to reliquish all and kick the bucket sooner than later. That would be the best for all for the future of srilanka for sure.

        • 1
          4

          leelagemalli,
          Why you getting so upset. Are you one of those guys living under a new identity? We know that there are several people hiding in Germany.

          “In country where almost everything is becoming clear that Rajapkshse committed high crimes, but they returned to power.”

          If eliminating Tamil LTTE terrorist barbarians who committed most heinous crimes unthinkable by humans is a high crime your statement is correct. Certainly, Sinhalayo returned Rajapakshes to power because they committed that high crime.

          • 3
            1

            Why you getting so upset.-

            My gosh, koheda yanna malle polle style answers. This is why I thought no point of adding my counters to you – you should be even stupidier than appeared to be.
            :
            Why should I upset – that is how you interpret it. Nothing can upset me other than attacking on the minorities going by your racial nature. That is it. I know it very well, there are whole lot would support me with their ” thumb ups” while almost everyone known to u except that bunch that work for the self-adulation of Rajaakshe rascals.
            :
            And you dont answer my questions or add any constructive arguments, instead you just brand me as one another living disguise. Not me only, but incl you many others represent themselves on this and other forums using their ” pseudo names” what is wrong with that so long CT is informed who we are ?
            .
            If you EE would make every effort to attack me or the like men that being unbiased make every effort to improvement of the deterioriating levels of the society, then what more exchange we should have with you ?

            Eleminating terror within the country was not solely by Medamulan Rascals, but the collective efforts succeeded it also considering its own collapese by 2005. We know it perfectly how LTTE political wing and other arms ended up in that point in time.

  • 18
    2

    Dear Prof,

    You said you are proud of the Asst. Election Commissioner for his braveness to stand for truth. That is great. However, the complaints he made to his higher authorities were ignored or gone underground. What does it tell it? Truth is an enemy of Sinhala Buddhist officers in all institutions including Judiciary. Two third of Buddhist Sinhala wants such institutions and such officers. International community is prepared to give as much as loan to this country because they know well that it will go into the pockets of such officials and politicians and not to the people including those Buddhist Sinhala who endorsed such actions of their leaders. They are happy when Politicians say they killed thousands of Tamils but they don’t bother even that deaths was at a cost of thousands of their own children. It is an absolute truth.

    • 4
      11

      Ajith,
      Politicians don’t say they killed thousands of Tamils. They say they killed Tamil LTTE terrorist barbarians:
      • Who slaughtered thousands of innocent civilians for three decades.
      • Who recruited 21,000 children as young as seven years old to kill soldiers in the Sri Lankan Army.
      • Who cut 32 young Buddhist monks into pieces.
      • Who sprayed bullets at worshippers at Sri Maha Bodhiya.
      • Who bombed the most sacred Buddhist temple ‘Dalada Maligawa.
      • Who slaughtered Muslim people praying in a Mosque.
      • Who assassinated Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi who helped them.
      • Who assassinated President Ranasinghe Premadasa and several Sinhala and Tamil politicians

      Who will not be happy to hear such good news?

      “They are happy when Politicians say they killed thousands of Tamils.”

      • 4
        1

        Eagle Eye,
        You asked some questions but you know who did that and where is he. The person who did this is the right hand of your President and Prime Minister. The man who supplied arms from various country is also with them and why can’t you have an interview with what they did and expose the truth. If you ask them how many children they recruited from 2005, how many human rights activists, parliamentarians, Journalists, civilians, professionals they should tell the truth.

      • 2
        0

        Eagle Brain Dead Blind Eye

        “Who slaughtered thousands of innocent civilians for three decades.”

        These are facts well established domestically and internationally.
        The state sponsored terrorists in uniform and other non state actors.
        However, I do not have an analysis of who killed whom, and how many? Please let us have a comparative studies.

        In addition there were tens of thousands of innocent civilians killed periodically in riots. Were you part of the organised mob backed by state which burned down houses, business premises, temples, ….. committed all kind of human rights violations, including killing 10 innocent people (1974) attending a Tamil Seminar in Jaffna, … burning down the magnificent library, ….. ?

        Did you see soma during the mayhem?

  • 6
    5

    What is the long term solution? Muslims and Sinhalese don’t want federalism. Tamils want federalism. No solution.

    Only way out is Sinhala only Elam (with Muslims) and Tamil only Elam with relocation of populations both ways. Racism will no longer win votes. Politicians will have to deliver tangible development as people wish.

    As long as SL remains one country, racism sells faster than anything else in both the south and the north. The entire island is doomed. Greedy Tamils and Sinhalese don’t realise this. They want the entire country and also want federalism and coexistence. Contradictory. Just split the tribal island.

    • 5
      7

      GATAM.
      Tamil only Eelam will get only 10% of land in the North. Not a single Tamil speaking person will be allowed to live in Sinhala Eelam. Agree?
      —-
      “Only way out is Sinhala only Elam (with Muslims) and Tamil only Elam with relocation of populations both ways.”

      • 1
        2

        100% agree but 10% not fair. 16%. Be fair.

        And no Sinhala army in the north. None. Zero. No Sinhala companies in the north either.

    • 3
      1

      Part I
      .
      Gatam,
      .
      Only wayout would be to introduce the nation with a better constitution as Germans did it immediately after WWII is over. Stay not walking the talks as being promised each time, cant bring anyone of us forwrad. Those sentiments that stand against – being unable to realize the real problems of the people – should be made very clear, the need of the hour is not just lip services but to do something taking examples from the like minded nations that fought similar civil wars.
      Germans did it to their best after being defeated by the wars. The constitution of Germans is more or less similar to the bible. Whatever the conflict being spoken, a remedy to tackle is also mentioned in the respective paragraghs of their constitution.
      Perhaps before going to bring a proper constitution – the top oft he agenda would be to learn how various thought bearers be informed the need oft he hour – this should be ACHIEVED by discussion rounds by representing various religious leaders and experts in srilanken society and history. Here the media owners should be warned not to allow any kind of RACISM and EXTREMISM parties to allow their public statements hurting the wounds of the war victims of all communities.

      to be continued.

      • 3
        2

        Part II

        The laws that punish the criminals like Madhu madawa, Sarath Weerasekara or the similar men- should be punished with maximum jail terms and ones that have been inciting riots against minorities should be hung by their balls. Sinhala politicians that stand against RACISM and EXTREMISM should not be insulted by local media channels. If anyone would do so as media owner should also be subjected to maximum jail sessions.
        No country where there exist ethnic clashes ended up with peace, if rulers continued their suppression tactics. Be it in the USA or South Africa, each of their apartheid epoches, have taught the world, how brutal they each had then been. The very same ist he case in SRILANKEN context, how our SINHALESE leaders (some oft hem) are yet today that racial against their minority tamil and muslim srilankens. Asad Sali a vociferous man representing MUSLIM community makes it very clear, how SINHALA politicians treat them yet today. Tamil politicians even if they themselves have to bear their failores, open up with their thoughts, how they have so far been treated by sinhala dominated govt since independence. If any sinhala politician would stand against the truth – should be charged because all these are public secret and if there had NOT been any discriminations against minorities, I dont think- a civil war destroyed the nation fort he last 30 long years.

        to be continued.

        • 3
          1

          The laws that punish the criminals like Madhu madawa, Sarath Weerasekara or the similar men- should be introduced with maximum jail terms be given and ones that have been inciting riots against minorities should be hung by their balls.
          Sinhala politicians that stand against RACISM and EXTREMISM should not be insulted by local media channels. If anyone would do so as media owner should also be subjected to maximum jail sessions.
          No country where there exist ethnic clashes ended up with peace, if rulers continued their suppression tactics. Be it in the USA or South Africa, each of their apartheid epoches, have taught the world, how brutal they each had then been. The very same ist he case in SRILANKEN context, how our SINHALESE leaders (some oft hem) are yet today that racial against their minority tamil and muslim srilankens. Asad Sali a vociferous man representing MUSLIM community makes it very clear, how SINHALA politicians treat them yet today. Tamil politicians even if they themselves have to bear their failores, open up with their thoughts, how they have so far been treated by sinhala dominated govt since independence. If any sinhala politician would stand against the truth – should be charged because all these are public secret and if there had NOT been any discriminations against minorities, I dont think- a civil war destroyed the nation fort he last 30 long years.

          to be continued

          • 0
            2

            All that is of no relevance. All that just dissipates if two nations can be created.

            Each major ethnic group tried and failed to convince the other for 72 years. No point going down that same beaten (and burnt!!!) path. Useless. Stop wasting time, blood and treasure.

            At least now SL should put the matter to rest.
            Sinhalese have the right of self determination.
            Tamils have the right of self determination.
            Muslims have the right of self determination. (If they want to be part of either nation it is OK).

            Just honor that and split the island to suit those interests. Otherwise the might (not the right) will always prevail over the weak (not the wrong). After that both nations can focus on suitable development.

  • 10
    2

    Prof: Ratnajeevan Hoole in his elements; Brutally frank: Frankly I ADMIRE HIM FOR THIS TRAIT.

    There are a few issues that cropped up in my mind when I read his speech.
    a] Would young Sasilan be able to occupy the quarters for the usual period of his service or will he be transferred out?
    b] Whenever there is a period of drought or flooding or a cyclone or in the present instance a Pandemic in the form of Covid-19 the folks who benefit are a cross-section of the Public Service from the GSN upwards.
    Public Sector corruption was at 9% of GDP causing the country to lose 2% of growth every year.

    The CCS was abolished in the year 1962. The rot set in after that.
    By the way I hasten to add that the only Dept: that is not corrupt is the METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT!

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    Lankawe Rapist Army playing a new game worse than Jeyakumari and Gobi story. In that saga, at end the Hero Gobi was shot in Nedunkerny by a Tamil Army (I didn’t if any Tamils are also in army before or after that). Before shooting him, Gobi was forced to jump into Jeyakumari’s house compound. Then she was arrested without inquiry under PTO. Army saw Gobi jumping into the compound just because it going on patrol on that street. Gobi was a ex-rebel com army informant. After shooting Gobi, the Tamil Army killed him by accidental gun fire. There are no movies even in Hollywood like this.

    Now a Tamil teacher helped an ex-rebel to make bomb and it went off, so the man is in hospital, guarded by army. Army says he made it to celebrate Black Tiger Day. The Tamil teacher and he wrote placard to carry as one man one woman parade, but the Tamil is wrong in that Placard. There were three women were living with in that house, all are now arrested. I like to know whom the army blaming from that for draw that kind beautiful portrait? Who is the artist in that house?
    How to solve these without Tamils going alone? Anybody knows an answer?

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      Mr Mallaiyuran
      I know the answer. Get ALL Tamils (Tamil speaking people scattered across the island irrespective of their religion, caste or the date of arrival) organised and demand a SEPARATE Homeland for ALL.

      Soma

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    DEAR MR.HOOLE
    It will not be that easy to rollback provincial council system.more than tamils and muslims the singalease people and their half baked 2nd level leaders from all parties have got used and addicted to power and position granted under 13th amendment through which provincial system was introduced to please tamils at least half way through to full fill some demands made by tamils from 1948.SINGALEASE AND MUSLIMS GOT THIS BENEFIT free of charge from the tears and blood shed by tamils.THEY THE SINGALEASE FOUND AN EASY WAY TO FIND A PLACE FOR LOCAL THUGS AND KUDU DEALERS BY APPOINTING AS MEMBERS OF PROVINCIAL COUNCILS SO THEY WILL FIGHT FOR THE NEED OF THIS SYSTEM MORE THAN ANY BODY ELSE.

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    The one who made the speech (Ratnajeevan Hoole) is a mere vestige of a noble and dignified past, and no longer relevant in the affairs of SL. He represents a noble and respectable professional class of government servants which does not generally exist anymore. In such a scenario, with lowly vultures and scum ruling in important positions, he will probably need to think of an exit strategy as otherwise he could meet with an unfortunate end, with no questions asked.

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      Country is quite used to free expression by minority members. (They are free to SAY anything, of course not to DO anything. )
      He would have to be careful if he were a Sinhalese.
      There are two categories who freely express themselves:
      Women and minorities.

      Soma

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    same ole same ole . BS

    and the same old turkeys applauding. It will not happen Sri Lanka does not need a federal system
    It needs politicians who care about the wellbeing of their people who bring investment and create jobs
    to do that you have to work with the majority.

    The Current set of Tamil politicians dont care about this . They need to be replaced.

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    There is no historical,ethnic or any other basis to federalize Sri Lanka. How many times this has
    to be said ? Just because there is a bunch of ethnicities living in Sri lanka mostly due to its colonial past doesnt mean power has to be shared between all ethnicities now. Vast majority of Tamils are descending from Tamilnadu agricultural workers. And vast majority of Muslims are descending from Tamilnadu muslim refugees. Neither of these two groups have lived here for more than 300 years. They never had independent nations like Sinhalese did. So called Jaffna kingdom is a bunch of nonsense. Where are all the inscriptions of jaffna kingdom ? So power devolution trying to solve a problem that never existed.

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    “My son, who would prefer Casuarina Beach, would get outvoted. In time, he would want to break off from the family and go to the beach with his friends. Majority vote would lead to separation but sharing leads to integration.”

    What a dumb statement. If we go by that rule then we cant have 19A. Plenty of people oppossed it. So the oppossing people should get their own way just like your son ? Listen we have a constitution. You have to abide by the constitution whether you like it or not.

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