“Despite what we say or do, at the end of the day we are all like crabs dancing in a boiling pot of water,” said President Maithripala Sirisena as he added that it is his experiences during the past two months as the President that made him understand the true nature of politics.
“I have had the opportunity to meet the Indian Prime Minister, the British PM and the Queen of England. Those meetings made me realize that there are a lot of challenges that Sri Lanka has to face and we cannot do it alone,” he said addressing a meeting organized for the SLFP electoral organizers earlier this week (17.03.2015) in Colombo.
The President, in a very strong and emotional speech criticized certain aggressive and racist statements made by some SLFP MPs in public rallies and to the media as he described them as ‘primitive statements’ and warned them to prevent Sri Lanka from being pushed into another war.
“It was PM Bandaranaike that showed us that it’s impossible to establish a government only through Sinhala Buddhist votes. In this country, the Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities all have to come together – without such unity this country cannot be taken forward, there will be no future for this country, please understand that,” he said.
The President addressed certain factions of the SLFP who have started openly challenging and criticizing him and said, “You all have made various statements about me but none commended the deferral of the OISL report which was achieved following my election. I can say for sure the deferral of the report was granted due to my election as the President. If that report had been tabled in March, it is the very people you campaign for and hold in high regard that would fall into trouble…”
President Sirisena went on to state that since it was upon the invitation of the former SLFP Chairman and the party members that he assumed duties as the SLFP chairman, he should be allowed to fulfill his duties.
“This is not a position that one can come into by force or coercion. During the past two months I have brought about democracy into the party and because of that, many are freely making statements and for the first time, has started challenging the Chairman of the party. While I observe the freedom of speech as a positive development I also urge you all to allow me to continue my work,” he said.
Meanwhile, speaking of the upcoming elections, the President said the SLFP should cast aside primitive slogans that stir racial hatred and sideline certain communities and adopt a slogan that fits the party and ensures the well being of the country and its people.
Watch the full speech;
ela kolla / March 19, 2015
appa sira [Edited out]
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Native Vedda / March 19, 2015
ela kolla descendant of Vellaikkara Padei
Where is saffron clad thug Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara who is keeping a deafening silence on all matters concerning health of the nation. Has he lost his b***s?
The country needs him.
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Point of View / March 20, 2015
Native,
He never had to lose it :)
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Rajash / March 20, 2015
ela kolla crabs dont dance for ever in a boiling pot of hot water
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Jagath Fernando / March 19, 2015
For once an honest statement by a politician
Hope guys like Wimal Weerawanse, Champika, Ratana, Vasu, MARA understands this statement .
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JULAMPITIYE AMARAYA / March 19, 2015
They so called leaders and show case politikkas will never understand the true face of the honesty and freedom.
as many of them are crooks and siting on their Brains.
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Amarasiri / March 19, 2015
Jagath Fernando
“Hope guys like Wimal Weerawanse, Champika, Ratana, Vasu, MARA understands this statement .”
The President is saying that to the Gang of Four and Mahinda as well including theyr Shills and Crobies, and calls them Crabs.
A Great Statement, indeed!
Thank you Mr. President, Mr. Maitripala Sirisena.
Gammanpila acts the Satan
In Buddhism, Satan is Mara. In Sri Lanka it is MaRa.
UPFA Provincial Council Member Udaya Gammanpila has decided to file a petition in Supreme Court against the proposed 19th amendment to the Constitution.
Mr. Gammanpila has told media that he took the decision as a panel of 7 judges had given a decision in the amendments brought in the year 2002 that powers of the executive should not be given to the Prime Minister without calling for a referendum and the 19th amendment too allows powers of the executive to be given to the PM.
However, the main election pledge at the presidential election held recently was to abolish powers of the executive and hand over powers to a cabinet lead by a Prime Minister. There was also the pledge that certain powers of the executive would be given to independent commissions.
The present President was able to get 6.2 million votes to fulfil these promises. Also, the former President too had at certain times said he would abolish executive presidency. There could be a big portion of the voters that voted for him that would have expected the abolishing of executive powers. As such, the presidential election could be considered as a request for a mandate to abolish executive powers of the president.
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Ben Hurling / March 19, 2015
Excellent speech by MY3. All substance, no nonsense, very brave.
President spoke his heart out. A speech stupid Sri Lankans need to hear including Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Burghers and all others.
May God bless our country.
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levi / March 21, 2015
jagath
Why are you including Champika with the group. I thought Champika has confessed and reformed.
or did you mean “Gamanpila?”
levi
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Gamarala / March 19, 2015
An excellent and a rare honest speech by a Sri Lankan politician. Also a very good reply to the former Presidents covert destabilizing actions.
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AVB / March 19, 2015
Agree.. Haven’t heard any Lankan president or PM talk like this before. Sad thing is how many of these political organizers in the meeting understand what MS said…
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Kalu Nangi / March 19, 2015
Yes, excellent speech! Such ‘gems of wisdom’ from a politician with a common touch.
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Javi. / March 25, 2015
Churchill & the English politicians do it better.
talk the walk but never walk the walk.
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Amarasiri / March 20, 2015
Gamarala
“An excellent and a rare honest speech by a Sri Lankan politician. Also a very good reply to the former Presidents covert destabilizing actions.”
Yes.
This speech by the President should be widely distributed, and Printed as the Common Sense Speech By President Maitripala Sirisena 2015.
Thomas Paine of Sri Lanka, 2015.
Common Sense Phamplet.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Sense_%28pamphlet%29
Common Sense[1] is a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1775–76 that inspired people in the Thirteen Colonies to declare and fight for independence from Great Britain in the summer of 1776. The pamphlet explained the advantages of and the need for immediate independence in clear, simple language. It was published anonymously on January 10, 1776, at the beginning of the American Revolution and became an immediate sensation. It was sold and distributed widely and read aloud at taverns and meeting places.
Washington had it read to all his troops, which at the time had surrounded the British army in Boston. In proportion to the population of the colonies at that time (2.5 million), it had the largest sale and circulation of any book published in American history.[2] As of 2006, it remains the all-time best selling American title.[3]
Common Sense presented the American colonists with an argument for freedom from British rule at a time when the question of whether or not to seek independence was the central issue of the day. Paine wrote and reasoned in a style that common people understood. Forgoing the philosophical and Latin references used by Enlightenment era writers, he structured Common Sense as if it were a sermon, and relied on Biblical references to make his case to the people.[4] He connected independence with common dissenting Protestant beliefs as a means to present a distinctly American political identity.[5] Historian Gordon S. Wood described Common Sense as “the most incendiary and popular pamphlet of the entire revolutionary era”.[6]
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Jayasingha / March 19, 2015
We are in this situ because of primitive slogans by not only Sinhalese but also from Tamils & Muslims also. Don’t blame the Sinhalese only. Please Mr: President this country is having this ethnic problem due to the divide and rule policy of the British and the west who are now trying to be paragons of virtue. Don’t be misled by this sweet talk . Understand their hidden agenda.
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Native Vedda / March 19, 2015
Jayasingha
“Don’t blame the Sinhalese only.”
The Sinhala/Buddhists have been in power since 1948. They form the government, elect the president and run the state.
Whom do you blame, the men in charge or the people who are at the receiving end?
“Please Mr: President this country is having this ethnic problem due to the divide and rule policy of the British and the west who are now trying to be paragons of virtue.”
My Elders tell me the British left this island in 1948 and handed over the powers to Aryan Sinhala/Buddhists. By the way you should be blaming Ellala for all the misfortunes that be fell on all people.
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Amarasiri / March 19, 2015
Native Vedda
“My Elders tell me the British left this island in 1948 and handed over the powers to Aryan Sinhala/Buddhists”
Native Vedda, your elders have been lied to and brainwashed with Sinhala and Sinhala Buddhist lies.
To begin with the so-called Sinhala are NOT Aryan. They are Dravidians from South and a sprinkling from East India. It is ;like one of those lies about the Sun going around the the stationary Earth and there being a Rabbit on the Moon. Illusions and lies. The data supports something different.
Similarly, the so-called “Aryan Sinhala/Buddhists’ are NOt Aryan. They are dravidians. Test the DNA in their bodies and compare to the other Dravidians. Not much differeny.
“Sinhala/Buddhists:” They may be Sinhala, but not Buddhists. Sinhala Buddhism is NOT Buddhism. It is a different Religion, unique to Lanka, the Land of Native Veddah Aethoo. You may call it Mahawansaism.
Mahavamsa- An Insult To The Buddha!December 21, 2013 |
By Sharmini Serasinghe –
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/mahavamsa-an-insult-to-the-buddha/
Caution- The following is more suitable for the broad-minded and the wise. Others are kindly advised to pass!
Excerpts.
“In this “wonderland” called Sri Lanka, and in this day and age, one still comes across ‘academically’ educated, and supposedly intelligent ‘Buddhists’, but sadly lacking in wisdom, who reverently believe, that the Buddha walked out of his mother’s womb, and walked seven steps, while lotuses blossomed, under his feet!”
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ABCD / March 19, 2015
Well said Mr president. This sort of thinking is much needed in Sri Lanka
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Pot Shot / March 19, 2015
Well done Sir! way to go. Even if your party does not support you in order to bring ethnic harmony to the country we the people will be behind you. You are a President for all of us. Thank you.
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thondamannar / March 19, 2015
“
Despite What We Say, We Are All Like Crabs In A Boiling Pot Of Water: President”
Wonder to whom he referes to when he state “WE”……….
All I read day in and day out is that “He the President is in a boiling pot of water” having to please Ranil, CBK gang, keep promises to Diaspora as promised by Mangala & Jayampathy and finally whom he would back in an election? UNP or SLFP/UPFA ???????????
It appears to be you Mr. President who is like a crab at the present times.
You first contested against your own party leader and now struggling to please the Diaspora.
It is we who voted and better remember to do what you promised for the North……… East is your problem.
Remember to keep the promises made to the Northerners.
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Dr Laksiri Fernando / March 19, 2015
I am more convinced than before that Maithripala Sirisena is a frank and an open minded leader who belongs to a rare species of politicians not only in Sri Lanka but in the world at large. His vision of politics is not primarily about power but justice. Of course in politics, he will be firm against injustice and for his convictions, at least as he understands and believes. I had the opportunity to listen to the whole speech and it was primarily against any attempt to ignite communalism and hatred within the SLFP. I hope he will succeed as he succeeded at the presidential elections. His primary attempt would be to bring a lasting peace in the country through reconciliation among different communities.
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Slayer / March 19, 2015
Fools can worship anything anyone.
In this case, a fool seems to have found a false (bogus) icon in Sirisena to worship.
The worshiper needs to remember that his idol is a revengeful individual motivated purely by MR’s refusal to appoint him PM. His statements so far shows what a nigger in the woodpile he has been during the Rajapakse years. His days in power are numbered.
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srilal / March 19, 2015
“His days in power are numbered. “
can you explain , how is that possible ? impeaching him is not possible under the prevailing condition , is it a Military coup then ? don’t forget Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka got hold of the Army now , all the Gotabay’s lackeys have been side lined and eventually they will be shown the door or walikada if they try to be funny !
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Ben Hurling / March 20, 2015
Slayer,
Wow! What a “Vitriolic Diatribe” against a humble man.
A man from rural Sri Lanka, who conquered the highest office in the land. Against overwhelming odds.
Despite the corruption and violence unleashed by the now kicked out despot and his clan from Hambantota.
Cheers!
PS: Slayer is correct. MY3’s days are numbered. He will leave office in 5 years. He will not run for re-election either. Compare that with the record of the deposed & very bitter ex-dictator.
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Agnos / March 20, 2015
“His statements so far shows what a nigger in the woodpile he has been during the Rajapakse years.”
Your statement includes the N-word, offensive to people of African origin, and should not be used. CT should edit it out.
Secondly, for a variety of reasons, even people with a good conscience and good moral judgement can act against their better nature when they are forced to serve dictatorial leaders. The fact that MS was part of the old regime should not be held against him–unless someone can show he actively participated in white van abductions, murders and rampant corruption.
One doesn’t expect MR-supporters to agree with that point. But the point should be noted by critics among Tamils who say he was Acting Defense Minister in the final stages of the war and therefore responsible for war crimes. Sinhalese hardliners raise the same objections to Sampanthan because when VP was alive, the former was subservient to VP. But it has always been clear Sampanthan is a moderate leader. The same applies to MS on the other side. Moreover, people can change.
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Aia / March 19, 2015
The deferral of OISL made possible only because of the new government and the beneficiary is none other than the MR family. With losing the election, MR and Gotta were expecting the worse, thinking they would be facing the war crimes investigation as early as April 15, however, with the deferral, they have been crushing now. The guy who made it possible and by doing it, save the country’s prestige had to do lot of explaining. Lot of explaining because, he gave lot of freedom, free speech. Again the beneficiary MR and Gotta. It is a scenario and the real one, can read whatever going on. And there are journalists who accepted laptops and soft loans from previous Govt to curry favors still publishing stories portraying MR as a victim going around Hindu temples, most often, and praying to condition the minds of current rulers so they will not take revenge. MR or his cohorts hadn’t committed any offences, the actions current Govt takes are all revenge. MR has reasons to believe so as for him or Gotta, killing even unarmed men and women is not crime, IC may say war crimes, but for them what matters is how the voters see this. They were rewarded handsomely, and then bumping one or two in the South or misappropriation of public money of a few Billions is not a big deal. This is how they want the new Govt to see what they did, look for the patriotic component in all what they did. Private mercenaries with Govt arms, what is the big deal, is it a good thing providing employment to our retired naval men.
If MS had lost the election, what could have happened, MS would be in prison, or may not be even in it. All the mass medias would be ridiculing him as a back stabber who deserve what he gets as having dinner with MR at night and declaring as the challenger in the following morning. The feral Editor Rajpal having a free ride and there wont be any free speech. All one way, MR says “my way”. Basil would be enjoying the steady weather rather than feeling freezing cold in the adopted country counting the $$, the true patriotic he had been last 9 years, stolen from SL.
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Jude Fernando / March 19, 2015
I totally agree. We must do everything to help him and hope for the best.
Cheers
Jude
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Sama / March 19, 2015
I am full agreement with you here. While My3 is making every effort to send the message across the nation, MR is animating folks that support against criminals being arrested. I HAVE NEVER SEEN PRESIDENTS VISITING CRIMINALS IN PRISONS TO THE FREQUENCY MR HAS BEEN UPTO….
I have the feeling first thing new administration could have to do was to tight the legal menchanism against SHARKS like MR. He has a set of high profile crimes waiting on him… it is high time to go for investigate them and corner this man…
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Navin / March 19, 2015
“I am more convinced than before that Maithripala Sirisena is a frank and an open minded leader who belongs to a rare species of politicians not only in Sri Lanka but in the world at large.”
Frank and open minded really???
Didn’t you read that The Compassionate One has RE-appointed King Dutugemunu from Kelaniya to the central committee of the BLUE party again? Yahapalanaya in full swing I guess!! LOL.
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Bensen Berner / March 20, 2015
Well said. I couldn’t agree with you more. Bensen
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Javi. / March 25, 2015
This is the man many of you socialist talk about but can never be like.
Lenin got power and did not know what to do.
This man got power and is sandwiched between two very difficult and big naighbours and he plods along.
‘World’s poorest president’ gets $1mn offer for old VW Beetle.
An Arab sheikh seems to think the ‘world’s poorest president,’ Uruguay’s Jose Mujica, is in dire need of cash. He’s offered $1 million for Mujica’s iconic 1987 VW Beetle – but the pot-smoking leader says he will donate the money to the homeless instead.
“I didn’t give it any importance,” the humble ex-guerilla leader told a news conference, after the Uruguayan weekly Busqueda broke the story. He added that he has “no commitment to cars” and joked that his three-legged dog, Manuela, was pretty much the prime reason for holding on to the vehicle for so long.
Apparently it was Mexico’s ambassador to Uruguay who earlier suggested that Mujica sell off the car. They joked about how he could get 10 4WD trucks for the money, according to an anonymous source within the embassy.
In case the $1 million materializes, Mujica plans to donate the entire proceedings to a housing support program for the homeless. In case it’s the trucks, he has pledged to donate them to the country’s public health office, or to his campaign workers.
The president explained his decision by saying: “Human beings have a bit of fetishism; we need certain material symbols,” and added that he still keeps his father’s old hammer and shovel: “They are little things to the world, but are worth a lot to you.”
The leader lives on a run-down farm, which is under his wife’s name. The only other prized possession of real material value he reportedly owns is the 1987 Beetle.
As far as official declarations of wealth go, Mujica earns a comfortable $11,000 a month, 20 percent of which goes to his political movement. He reportedly donates most of the rest of his salary to charities supporting the poor.
The social climate in Uruguay changed in 2010, when Mujica secured his victory. The former guerilla led a radical overhaul of drug policies on cannabis possession, setting a blueprint for other Latin American countries. The legalization of cannabis enabled Uruguayan authorities to combat the neighboring Paraguayan drug trade.
Mujica is widely seen as one of the world’s most down-to-earth leaders, who has often emphasized the need for people to love one another and not focus on the material.
“A president is a high-level official who is elected to carry out a function. He is not a king, not a god. He is not the witch doctor of a tribe who knows everything. He is a civil servant. I think the ideal way of living is to live like the vast majority of people whom we attempt to serve and represent,” he once told Al Jazeera.
As for addictions, the only one Mujica says matters is “love.”
http://rt.com/news/203107-volkswagen-car-uruguay-president/
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S. Yogi / March 19, 2015
Vanakkam Tamils,
Crystal clearly understand that Sri Lankan Government is under huge pressure and will be punished by OISL report which will be deliver in September 2015 or before.
Time is NOW to keep our maxium pressure on UNHRC to bring out the report without any excuses for the simple reasons of, our over 100,000 innocent Tamil people who were GENOCIDED and over 50,000 Maaveerar who gave there life for total freedom – TAMIL EELAM.
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Ethnic Harmony / March 19, 2015
It is nothing but fair that I point out certain aspects of His Excellency’s statement as published in the CT.
With all the 30 year war, the droughts that people in the dry zone face, the miseries of people particularly in the dry zone, which His Excellency has a great amount experience, he does not make it clear what he learned anything new in meeting Her Majesty, and the PM’s Modi and Cameron. If it is global challenges then it can be new for His Excellency but it is not necessarily to the extent of crabs in a slow boiling pot, the exception can be global warming and irrepairable damage to the environment.
Priority number 1 is Good Government. I am sure Foreigners need not teach His Excellency on that. From this election itself His Excellency must always have in mind that a people across the board cutting across barriers of ethnicity and religion voted for him and perhaps this is a new experience. This is a good point where he and he alone must make use of this and build bridges across various divides there can be and for that foreigners need not teach him. His Excellency must provide leadership to all the people so that every one of them is contributor towards national development, both material and spiritual.
I am happy that His Excellency has met the foreign dignitaries and shared many a point of view realising that Sri Lanka too must learn to make its mark in the globe.
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alex / March 19, 2015
good speech … well done for denouncing hate speeches now we need a lot more action.
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Alahakoon / March 19, 2015
I am fully agree with you Sir. However, have you noticed a few lethargic applauds received from the ordinance for his speech..
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Native Vedda / March 19, 2015
Alahakoon
“I am fully agree with you Sir. However, have you noticed a few lethargic applauds received from the ordinance for his speech..”
I also saw murder in few eyes.
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Sinchuappu / March 19, 2015
Actually, President should hold this kind of open speeches monthly to heal this nation. That should be telecasted in other two langauges too to outreach the masses. Then those goons still rally round with Rajapakshe menchanims will automatically have no grounds to rise up. It is like a wave – people dont think twice but just join the other – this is the cutlure infected to the lankans today. How many of them among the audience attacked MY3 before the election. How many of them were verbally attacked him calling him ” Ayyosirisenaya”. But as Dr. Fernando made it clear, MY3 HAS PROVED that good governance can only be passed through patience, gentleness and the like not by being force and working for selfish agendas as was teh case with Rajapakashes.
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Shamil / March 19, 2015
War Criminals and Racist should be boiled first.
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Das / March 19, 2015
Great wonderful speech.All must cooperate with the govt.to achieve peace.Tamils also should forgive and forget and work for the betterment all communities.In the past true,there was Tamil kingdom,but in today’s concept I is not workable.The whole world is coming together.Eu and ASEAN are the example.Sir, in Singapore and maLaysia there is a law that any body talk about racism will be behind bars, under internal security act.These countries inspire of mixed races,Malays,Chinese and Tamils have progressed and overtaken us.In the fifties,they were behind us..if you see the encyclopedia of the fifties,it reads Ceylon enjoys the highest standard of living in south east Asia and also states that civilization was brought to Malaya by Jaffna Tamils.Look where are malaysia and Singapore today?in Singapore,the deputy prime ministers under LKY govt, and present govt.are Jaffna Tamils.if you want to progress,racism should be eliminated altogether.Those who talk racism,are to get benefits for them only not to the progress of the country.MR talk racism for his own benifit looting millions.Wimal et al also same.Please enact a law to eleminate racism and you will go down the history.All the like minded people,SLFP.UNP,JVP,TNA JHU MUST UNITE FOR THE SAKE OF THE COUNTRY SO THAT BEST MAN GET THE JOB.
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sach / March 19, 2015
Tamils forgive and forget? For what? I just cant understand how people can forget the miserable and brutal terrorism that tamils made other people subject to.
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ruvanw / March 19, 2015
Certainly heartening to hear this clear speech by the President.
I hope we can back him up as he has to do the tough job of handing out nominations as Chair of the SLFP – to be faithful to those who voted him in and boldly deny nominations even to those who have not been charged formally owing to the speed of the law, but all who stood and continue to stand to bring in the old guard. That status in the party or in the previous regime will not be a consideration so that even MR, SB, Keheliya, Susil, Nimal Siripala, Anura Priyadarshana, Duminda Silva, Mervin Silva and the many others who still hope against hope for a return of the old regime of impunity (so that their past will not be found out) are left out of the party nominations. Instead, let’s hope he can field a younger and a more honest set of SLFP candidates for the upcoming parliamentary elections.
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srilal / March 19, 2015
Could you name one person from UPFA who hasn’t got involved with any scandal ? they are all same , old ones ( DM Jayaratna , Ratnasiri W et al ) as well as the young blood ( Dilum Amunugama , Rattwatthe , Lokubandara Junior et al ) are the same , they are all bloody crooks ! Kumara Welgama is the only one with less corruption , but he also behaved and acted like kelaniya Mervin lately, can’t think even one person who is suitable to enter the parliament from SLFP side , same thing applies to UNP , except few new entrants ( Harsha , Eran , Ajith P , Ruwan , Harin, Mannapperuma et al )
JVP and JHU deserve to be in parliament despite their very colorful history , never heard any of their party members getting involved in corruption or scandals , even though JHU was very a racist party in the past , nowadays they seem to be adopting the middle path ! as for JVP , they are excellent on theory but not very practical , but their contribution need to be recognized hence at least more than a dozen of JVP members deserve to represent the general public.
PS : Nimal Siriplala , Susil P , Anura P Yapa et al don’t deserve to be in the parliament let alone holding positions in the party , especially Nimal Siripala , his outlook alone reminds the typical MR type corrupt politics in SL .
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Srinath.gunaratne / March 21, 2015
Hallo Srilal
During the time under UNP, 60,000 youth were burned alive on tyres!
Which world do you live in?
No justice, No accountability.
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Senthil / March 19, 2015
Yogi- I can understand that you are not diplomatic. Before you say something, you have to make sure whether it is the right place or right time. I am very sorry to say that you have a lot to learn to swim against the violent tides of this nasty world. You know the proverb- barking dog will never bite. Srilanka is now trying to move at the right direction and do not spoil it if you can not help.
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justice / March 19, 2015
Some ‘crabs’ have escaped with the pot of water which they have transported elsewhere.
http://www.economynext.com/Sri_Lanka_tracking_US$2bn_hidden_during_last_regime_in_Dubai__Minister-3-1327-10.html
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Muslim / March 19, 2015
Only this President and this regime can bring ethnic harmony ,because they were voted for this.
However ,the President must be on guard and stop all obstacles on the way to achieving this,gigantic task.
Big or small ,the obstructionist must be crushed with a iron hand.
People are with you Mr President ,put the obstructionists behind bars, and carry on governing.
You will be blessed for this.
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backlash / March 19, 2015
Let’s not fool ourselves. Maitripala S belonged to the extreme Sinhala
supremacist wing until he chose to cross over after the Aappa feed. He and those of his thinking now realise the Tamil Nation cannot be put down on sheer numbers alone. He has got a taste of what the UN, UK, the West and India can do to change the situation that has been placed on limbo for over 6 decades. The 6 months respite was given to him by the UN for the Sinhala side to get their act together. Otherwise, the Rajapakse Brothers would have been on their way to The Hague. A country cannot be run to the whims and fancies of a single individual only – uncaring for the security of the neighbourhood and the wide world simply because the Armed forces and the Police have been bought over.
From President Sirisena’s talk here it is clear he will have some opposition from within the SLFP itself. He has, obliquely, named Dinesh G, the ace racialist. There are many more. Hell will break out when the nominations are decided as the General Election dates are announced. Sri Lanka is not out of the woods yet. Believe me, MS understands the power, influences and resources of the global community. And, that is good.
Allowing the Tamils to sing the national anthem in Tamil also, as was done earlier, is not a favour. It was the revengeful Rajapakse who did this to the Tamils because there were demos against him in London. MS handled it a different way and is engaging with the Tamil diaspora.
Tamils should be a little more patient with the new regime. It is good if the Buddhist priesthood also follows suit in this moment of great importance.
Backlash
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Aia / March 20, 2015
Not sure if the comments you made are helpful for those who live here, instead those comments have potential to bring out some impulse if not backlash. You live up to you pseudo. You know, the world is changing, things have been changing, with that people are also changing. When VP was the north pole you wouldn’t see MS to be South pole; you wouldn’t expect that, would you?. I would judge leaders of the majority and their change of heart before and after the war. If you cant see through this, and still boasting about diaspora and next 6 months, I guess you are not reading the scenarios at play. The 2015 Prez Election is an eye opener in the need to foster a healthy ethnic relationship yet MR seemed to have learnt a lesson, so were our side of the extremists. However much one dreams never will there be Tamil Eelam, on the other hand, so long as SL is in the location where it is geographically, it cannot treat the minorities they way MR did, unless yet another VP emerges and play into extremists hands of other side. In any case, SL is the luckiest, they produce right leaders at right times, I am not saying they are best. The lesson is we should learn to live together in any case, that require some understanding of realities.
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P T Jayawickramarajah / March 19, 2015
A great Sri Lankan Statesman practicing Buddhist principles.
Dr jayawick
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Senthil / March 19, 2015
It is no point in hiding or blocking Channel 4 “No fire zone” Singhalese version. It the government think that is a fabricated film, lets the public decide. Why the government is deciding for the inelegant Srilankans people and try to keep them as Modias all the time. In our country even after our children are highly educated we uneducated parents do not listen to their advise but in the west we parents always listen to grown up children – if my son is a Doctor, there is no harm in getting advise from him. We have to change our mentality and attitude. Public have to pressurise the government to allow Channel 4 documentary and let the people to decide whether true or false. Let them grow up and change Srilanka into a multicultural Singapore no2. Hope for the best.
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aluthgama namal / March 19, 2015
I welcome the summary of the speech in English. As a tamil speaking person I don’t understand the speech in Sinhala without any subtitles.
This is very unfortunate state of affairs that no body comments on this despite the positive steps of this govt.
an efforts should be made to translate such important speeches if we are to be a united country.
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Human Rights Activist / March 20, 2015
A great speech like this one by the head of the country should be understood
by every citizen.
The English translation is very good.
What about the citizens who can understand only the Tamil Language?
It is great that the new President has said that no one can stop the
National Anthem being sung in Tamil.
Translation of Statements, Proclamations and speeches by the Head of State
into all the languages spoken in the country must be made available
to all the Citizens.
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Mallaiyuran / March 20, 2015
The speech printed in English is, purly only about the election. Last time Tamils seated him in the power. This time it is doubtful. So this is another new try. Tamils got few buses. Sinhala SLFP army commander went. Another Sinhala Governor came. Their road projects are halted. Port City project is going on.
Jeyakumari got out, but not the Child. Now Pakirathi took that brunt by wrongly coming to Lanka. Murder has been attempted on Pakirathi? Who is doing this? Only the new Black Van Thief’s!
Nothing has moved on the side of Tamils. Who wants the OSIL report postponed? Is that what Tamils asked for in the election? Is what the justice loving Sinhalese wants? He is there to move the agenda of the Sinhala Intellectuals. So he stopped the investigation. He is the only one gave speeches in the last election as “not one leader, commander or soldier will be prosecuted for taking part in the Genocide war”. They are the people claiming committing Genocide killing of the women and children is pride of the (lion) country, but allowing that investigated is shame for the country! Where is this logic is coming from?
If he is sincere can he say sorry for denial he did right after Sampanthar’s election statement will claimed, Army from North will be moved and no investigation will be done?
On the Sinhala Intellectuals’ side now Dr. Jeyempathy as join the side calling thet fooled the people with his EP election promise.
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Patriot / March 20, 2015
The essence of the presidents speech is excellent. He seems genuinely interested in finding a solution to the ethnic problem. It would have been good if he did not boast about the way the Queen shook hands with the president and his wife and how the British PM came down the stairs to greet him. Stooping so low is unnecessary for a president of a country.
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whywhy / March 22, 2015
I think describing how he was greeted by the queen and the
PM was to explain to the audience ‘how the world will
react’ if we treat them with due respect in both public
and private.MARA created a different picture in people’s
mind about the West for his political survival.This needs
to change.
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AKP / March 20, 2015
Appreciate the candid manner in which he spoke. There is hope for the country.
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Senthil / March 20, 2015
All the Singhalese public have to accept one thing. The UN war crime investigation this time is vital to stop these kind of unlawful killing of Sinhala or Tamil youths happening in the future. This unlawful killing by Army animals is a common problem in Srilanka. The main reason why the mass killing of Tamils took place is because they killed JVP youths and got away without any punishments . If we allow them to escape this time, they will repeat the same thing without any fear to Sinhala or Tamil youths in the future. So political solution under unity government, Developing the country etc are entirely different from seeking justice for the crime. We should not allow politicians to manipulate and slave drive us(ordinary citizens). Hope everyone will support to make Srilanka back to our old paradise.
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RW / March 20, 2015
What a rare gem of a politician. Excellent speech, if half our politicians thought like him, there would be great hope for our country. Maithripala Sirisena, may your vision permeate our land and pave the way for healing and prosperity!
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Abhaya / March 20, 2015
yes it is true . all this talk and no action the crab is playing till the water boils . pity is that this idiot is going to take the poor people with him to their demise.
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