By S. I. Keethaponcalan –
Dr. S. I. Keethaponcalan
Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States on Friday (February 20). His government is taking shape as the appointees for the cabinet and other high raking administrative positions have been announced. For better or worse, Donald Trump will be a historic figure, who will have a major impact internationally. It is likely that every country, if not person, will be in one way or the other be affected by Trump policies. Some may benefit while others may lose. Sri Lanka is no exception. There will be implications.
Trump Formula
As soon the American presidential election results were confirmed some began to apply the American realities to Sri Lanka. Former Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa also stated that Trump won because the American people are wary of career politicians and suggested that Sri Lankans should also consider the leaders from outside of the political establishments. Gotabaya Rajapaksa is not a career politician. In one of his tweets, Gotabaya also congratulated Trump’s message, “we will regain our nation.” Both these messages have deep meaning.
Some Sri Lankan politicians may be tempted to experiment with the Trump style of extreme nationalism in Sri Lanka. Trump strategically insulted and offended almost all minority groups in the United States and handsomely won. It is doubtful whether the formula will work in Sri Lanka given the demographic composition of the country. An extreme nationalist could win a presidential election only with Sinhala votes, as minorities will react with high levels of hostility. In Sri Lanka, one party or a charismatic leader getting about 70 percent of Sinhala votes in a presidential election is almost impossible. To a certain extent, Sri Lanka tried the Trump formula in 2015. It did not work.
In fact, the Trump formula did not work in the U.S either. He lost the popular vote at national level by about three million votes. So, he won on a technicality. Sri Lankan presidents are elected by popular vote at the national level. Fortunately, Sri Lanka has no electoral college.
Geneva Resolution
The immediate major impact of Trumps election probably will be on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution, which originally demanded an international investigation on the human rights violation allegedly committed during the last phase of the war.
Originally, the U.S supported the Rajapaksa government’s (final) war with the LTTE and turned a blind eye to the civilian casualties. Unexpectedly, Rajapaksa turned to China completely sidelining Washington. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka gain added significance due to the Obama administration’s desire to pivot to Asia. The United States sponsored Geneva (UNHRC) resolution on (against?) Sri Lanka helped the U.S to retain some control over Sri Lanka. Moreover, Hillary Clinton also played a pivotal role in the resolution due to her interest in human rights issues.
Now, the Obama administration is gone and Hillary is also gone. The end of the Obama era means that added significance offered to Asia in the American foreign policy will wean. America will pivot back to the Middle East and Europe. Trump does not have a broad worldview. As the president, he may expand his interest to Europe and the Middle East. American foreign policy, to a large extent, has already been “oil centric.” The oil factor in the foreign policy has been further compounded by the appointment of Rex Tillerson, former chairman and CEO of Exxon Mobil oil and gas company. Therefore, Sri Lanka, a small and non-oil producing country is unlikely to figure anywhere in the Trump foreign policy schemes. In Asia, China and India will attract more attention.
Unlike Hillary, Trump is no big fan of good governance and human rights. He believes in torture, which is fashionably referred to as “enhanced interrogation techniques” in the American foreign policy and media lexicon. Trump has demonstrated consistent resolve against “terrorism” and stated that he wants to bomb ISIS to the stone-age. So far, he has not expressed any concern for civilian safety in war zones. Therefore, Trump will not view what happened in Sri Lanka during the last phase of the war as unacceptable. The Geneva resolution, or the demand for an international investigation, will not have the Trump administration’s backing. On the other hand, European states which worked with the U.S on the resolution believe in collaboration with the Sri Lankan government rather than using heavy handed tactics.
Trump also has an affinity for strong leaders. He has constantly criticized President Obama as a weak leader and praised President Puttin and Kim Jong Un. Hence, President Rajapaksa’s politics and policies may be attractive rather than something that disserves criticism. I am sure the present U.S government, while criticizing Rajapaksa government, would have tried to learn how it finished the LTTE off. Some of the tactics may be useful to Western governments to deal with difficult situations in the Middle East. Trump might drop the pretention and embrace the Sri Lanka model of conflict resolution openly.
Therefore, the probabilities are that the ascendancy of Trump means the death of the Geneva resolution and international investigation. What does this mean for the constitutional reform process currently in place?
Constitutional Reform
President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe have reiterated the importance of finding a solution to the ethnic conflict through constitutional reform. However, it would be naive to assume that there was no nexus between the Geneva resolution and the constitutional reform process. One of the unstated objectives of the reform process has been to mitigate the demand for an international investigation. The government has no leeway on this issue. The strategy worked. We witnessed the watering down of the Geneva resolution since this government came to power in 2015.
Now, since the Geneva process (or demand) will completely die away, one of the compulsions of the reform process will also disappear. In other words, the government does not need an effective reform program to ward of international pressure. The government also does not have any serious pressure domestically, especially from the Tamil polity. Hence, the success of constitutional reform in Sri Lanka depends entirely on the good will of the government and the Sinhala people. Are there benevolent majorities in this world?
*Dr. S. I. Keethaponcalan is Chair of the Conflict Resolution Department, Salisbury University, Maryland.
Sylvia Haik / January 21, 2017
Donald Trump won the election on an unfair electoral system in USA. The electoral college votes was indeed fair in the 17th to early 20th century when the USA was sparsely populated, as the means of involving every State in the process. However, the electoral college votes had remained unchanged but the population had grown vastly disproportionately. E.g. The States on the East and West coasts are highly populated whilst the population in the mid-west states had remained static. Additionally, each State could legislate to redraw the constituent boundaries and thereby ensure success for one party or other. A fairer system would be either to do away with the Electoral College or allocate the Electoral College votes in proportion to their population
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jim softy / January 21, 2017
If Hilary won what would you say ?
there can be many systems which you would say that is the best one but it has that and this draw backs.
Anyway, Trump won. Accept it,.
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Fukushima / January 21, 2017
“”If Hilary won what would you say ?””
Killary almost 70 old hag.- Lock both Up.
“”Anyway, Trump won. Accept it,. “”
Pirates/terrorist in the west: ISIS chapter UK can not accept anything but love to live in infidel land where honey and freedom flows.
Remember they play both sides from 1948 and have taken the plum for free.- No oil farms Lanka??
If there is a Islamic terror attack now in the USA
then they start a registry of Muslims in the USA, UK would get the cold.
GTF might get sold.
Just last week goods train from China reached London and returned with wine, dry meats etc. Faster, cheaper than sea and via friendly nations. Unlike ghost of bin larden in the sea. They fear the Chinese for meeting the same treatment.
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Samuel Jayaweera / January 21, 2017
I am born sinhaalya living on the west, I SUPPORTED HC in the campaign as many germans and other folks did.
They ALL never wanted a nationalist to be US leader.
I believe no such threats as Rajaakshe et al have been fear mongering would have been the case even if Clinton would have been the leader.
It is just an another DRAMA of RAJAPAKSHE politics to mislead the folks.
And also going back to US elections, it s the tradition permitted Trump to be their next leader. Lanken s UNP and SLFP – Republican and Democrats get elected in the US, while several other countries in EUROPE too show the same style of power changes. From German SPD (Schroeder) to CSU/CDU (Dr Merkel) was seen over the last few decades in Germany.
But analysts under the guise of their favorite politicians send the message across painting in favour of each parties. That has been the tradition in brutal politics.
In lanka it has been even worst so long DJ AND the like so called political analysts spread their thoguths in favour of Rajaakshes.
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ramona therese fernando / January 21, 2017
Sri Lankan presidential elections was not a pure and direct one-on-one democratic vote, but mixed in with instant-runoff voting with final numbers decided by electors. Therefore, one can never be sure of the formula used, and how far foreign bodies were involved in the skewing of voting results (Tony Blair was in Sri Lanka during the Lankan presidential elections).
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Leonard / January 21, 2017
Oh Sylvia!
Trump won he is now POTUS get over it at least for the next 4 years before you get in to a permanent depression. Biggest looser is Obama and the Democrats who shafted Bernie to help unelectable Hillary.
Remember Obama making joke about Trump that he can imagine in Saturday night skit as the POTUS. Jokes on Obama. he is in good company George Cluny,CNN, ho! now stop it don’t want to embarrass the Wollywood.
Give the man a chance I’ll predict now he happen to be successful first one of the line to take the credit will be Obama.
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WalaGemba Raja / January 21, 2017
“So, he won on a technicality.”
Dr. SIK ( no malice intended), Trump did not win on a technicality. Any modern POTUS (Predident of the US) runs strategically to not only win the popular vote but also capture the electoral college vote. An astute leader like Obama knew this and brought in the best professional in the business to team with David Axelrod. The entire Mid Western swing states were equipped with millions dollars of foot soldiers to go door to door in a grass root level campaign that was non existent or not vibrant in HRC’s campaign. Plus for Hillary to not have considered Sen. Sanders as her deputy was one big mistake. If there was anyone to take the blame for Hillary’s loss, it is the DNC who did a nasty job by not giving enough ammo to poor Donna Brazil after DW Schultz’s disastrous handling of the DNC’s leaked information of fixing the Democratic popular vote to ouster Sen. Sanders. All this now is water under the bridge. The damage is done and the country is not slithering towards the Divided States of America. Not fare to blame Trump, Righwing media, Comey or Putin for influencing the race either. Constitutional reform is not an easy task. It’s a make or break decision for any nation and specially a nation like ours that are governed by law makers who are ignoramus buffoons who lack vision or foresight irrespective of their political hue. Soon the USA will get to where we are as a third world nation if not already according to Arianna Huffington’s masterpiece “Thirds World America”.
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K A Sumanasekera / January 21, 2017
Mr Trump used President Lincoln’s red Bible to swear his allegiance to the Nation and the Constitution.
And ended his inaugural speech as the new President seeking God’s Blessings on Americans of all ethnic and religious categories .
In contrast, Batalanda Ranil the Yahapalana PM is drawing up his Constitution behind closed doors,
To expunge Buddhism from the existing Constitution.
T introduce new clauses to include the demands of Diaspora Surendran, Abraham and the ex LTTE worldwide.
And add LGBT demands of Managala Samaraweera nd his band of Yahapalana Ministers.
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Saro / January 21, 2017
“In contrast, Batalanda Ranil the Yahapalana PM is drawing up his Constitution behind closed doors, To expunge Buddhism from the existing Constitution”.
This is far from the truth, you know it but still you want to propagate your personal views of this government. You want leaders who are corrupt and deposit fat commissions got from Chinese businesses and government in foreign banks?
The present government will allow the parliament to decide what goes into the new constitution. It is considering the reports of independent commissions that suggest to give ‘special place’ as the ‘foremost place’ as given in the current constitution contradicts with the principle that gives equality to all citizens. The new ‘special status’ if accepted by the parliament will enable the future governments to protect and foster Buddha Sanana. This will also allow the followers of other faiths to promote their religions, thereby, avoid discrimination.
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SimonP / January 21, 2017
“Fortunately, Sri Lanka has no electoral college.”
Really?? The writer doesn’t seem to understand the reasons for the Electoral College in the US and how it works well to represent the voice of the less populated States. There are benefits in this well designed Federal system. The writer is confused and fails to see the benefits of such system in SL context.
If SL has the Electoral College, it will benefit the minorities! The majority – most popular vote will not make the king but the regional people will have more weight towards electing the head of State.
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Dan Fernando / January 21, 2017
Very good point. Really appreciate.
Yes if we had this, we would have been slaved by today. All the thugs would have further been bred within the last 2 years alone. All the disspearences would have reached to all appalling levels. All the murders would have gone upto -no go levels-, all the white vanning would have reached to its all last ends, sowing fears across the nation. All the thugs would have become further rich. Gold chain robbers and others would have produced more of their jounior men. All the drug peddlers would have worked with Duminda SIlva marching to all ends. All the youth- so called blue balu forces- would have been reaching all levels similar to that of north korean young leader following Namal Baby …all those aggressive anti-muslim BBS would have won the tropies – making that aggressive Gorilla monk be next to babaric Rajaakshe brother Gotabaya;Colombo would have turned out to be beauty, but people would have been sent to doggy… since they woudld have been asked to leave slums or any belongings, since Gotabaya want them to be habitated somewhere else. Like the way Chinse dictators have been commanding their folks, people would have been shaped up, to follow Rajaakshe brothers.
World would have named Srilanka as the NUMBER ONE Dictatorship.
Trade embargo would have been imposed against srilankan.
Cost of living would have reached all evil levels, making the poor of the poor further poor.
Nothing like 10k pay hikes would have been blessed by people, but instead, Rajakashe kith and kin would have been promoted by every means.
Night races would have been tremoured the Dalaya Meduara or any sacred places on the srilanke soils… all falls.
Alll in all thugs would have been promoted, placing and giving THUGGERY to play their own dynasty.
Sky high placards of Maharja and his executionist brother woudl have been displayed every spit corner of the colombo.
Disgusting … woudl have returned to every corner.
PEOPLE WAKE UP – LIVE WITH REALITIES:: WE WERE NARROWLY SCAPED
May buddha be blessed to you all.
Bunjappu Europe – so upset hearing the overestimated talk of an another absolutely stupid AMERICAN.
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John / January 22, 2017
Dan, you are not exactly a Buddhist, are you?
BBS is the true guardian of true Muslims. Radical Islamists May hate BBS for their bravery and courageousnes.
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Dan Fernando / January 22, 2017
Sorry to dissapoint you. I am born buddhist as almost every buddhist turns out to be buddhist in the country. Howver since I left the country 3 decades ago, I learn to respect all other religions too. I dont mind any other non-buddhists have been no violent. But we perfectly observed the manner how BBS attacked the muslims and even some buddhists them not being tolerable enough to learn the basic human rights -basics of the human behaviours. The very same BBS lead to neglect the struggle of their boy (may be his own sodomite) at the time all his efforts made to come out of from the police arrest -, the reality of the facists group came to the light. Which is BBS is just another facists, racist group limited to few sinhalayas that may be inherited – XYY GENETIC composition rather than any average. Crimes regardless of wearing a sanga constume or not, should be brought before to courts. These men should be castrated by lanken laws. If we dont have adequate law provisions, we need to bring them accordingly. Then only we can ever feel the folks are being protected in this country regadless of race, religion or any other factors.
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John / January 22, 2017
Dan, you are not exactly a Buddhist, are you?
BBS is the true guardian of true Muslims. Radical Islamists May hate BBS for their bravery and courageousnes.
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Saro / January 21, 2017
Keethaponcalan: writes “Trump is no big fan of good governance and human rights. He believes in torture, which is fashionably referred to as “enhanced interrogation techniques” in the American foreign policy and media lexicon.”
According to what the SL Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera says 60 years were wasted by confrontations and conflicts. In his words “Above all, Sri Lanka’s need of the hour is breaking through the greatest obstacle that has held Sri Lanka back since Independence – our failure to accept and celebrate our diversity as a multi ethnic, multi-cultural and multi lingual society”. It could even be a rhetoric like other leaders of the last6 decades”.
He and the like minded ministers and president in the government may go for a settlement that goes some way in compromising with the reasonable demands of the representatives of N-E Tamils.
Gotabaya and Gnanasara Theroes are waiting in the wing to rouse communal extremism in order to creep in to power again to finish to the end. Sinhala Buddhists do have a choice either to prolong along the slippery slope or break with the past corruption, nepotism and authoritarianism and go for genuine development that benefits them and others and march forward like Singapore.
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jim softy / January 21, 2017
Americqa is called a country made up of immigrents. Yet, it is governed the way majority europeans wants it. All others accept it. Why Sri lanka should not be the same ?. Why Sri lanka needs a different set of rules ?
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Saro / January 21, 2017
In America everyone is equal including immigrants. That reflects in the constitution and an Irish or a black could be elected as presidents. In Sri Lanka only a Sinhala Buddhist can be elected to the top jobs. Even the scholar Soloman W R Bandaranayake had to convert to Buddhism in order to get elected as prime minister. In Sri Lanka a Muslim or Tamil has never been or will never be elected elected to the top job.
Sri Lanka asks for the religion and ethnicity in application forms and police reports whereas in other countries including America they are all Americans.
In 1949 the first PM enacted Citizenship Act which forbids anyone whose grand parent wasn’t born in Sri Lanka from contesting any election or the right to vote let alone becoming a president or PM.
After all in America all are the descendants of immigrants landed there within last 550 years whereas in Sri Lanka all are natives for millenniums, that make a big difference, though not necessary as Barack Obama’s father was a Kenyan born foreigner.
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jim softy / January 21, 2017
In America everyone is equal including immigrants.
That is why Latinos get killed, blacks get killed, muslims are only seen and not heard, how about native americans ?
In Sri lanka, in the name of Reconciliation govt is spoling buddhist schools; Ananda college, colombo. On the other hand, there so many Tamils only, Muslims only schools as well as a Tamils only areas and Muslims only areas.
So, Sinhala buddhists should understans what is happening to them.
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Saro / January 21, 2017
“Muslims only schools as well as a Tamils only areas and Muslims only areas. ” Why not?
There are 8 provinces solely dominated by Sinhalese. What else do you want?
Civilised countries, like Switzerland, Canada, Singapore embrace multiculturalism and have climbed to the top of the world. The countries that persecute minorities are struggling to make ends meet. Why do you think Sri Lanka is one of the poorest countries that live on debts? You destroy the wealth created by minorities without realising you loot your own country. The moment people like you realise everything and every one within Sri Lanka belongs to the nation, that is the time you realise you are a real Buddhist, a follower of Lord Buddha, you can prosper and be self sufficient. But the venom of racialism and superiority complex won’t allow to raise your head.
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Simon De Silva / January 21, 2017
Jimsofty the most abusive on CT:
Those get killed or harm in the US OR in the west are not the majority of migrants to each of those states.
So what matters is – what the majority communities face.
Likewise if majority of sinhalayas would bear your thoughts only, we can accept your views.
The problem in sl is – hungry nation – ana nother poor folks to the Europe AND America – feel somewhat superior but not having the least to compare with even that so called TIGER asian countries.
Most lankens think that India, Pakistan, Bangaladesh are no far better than them.
As the facts read – srilankens compared to the mentioned folks are a tiny nation in South asia – just no tiny as Maladivians.
Claming much higher social indicator values such higher life expectancy, literatacy rate, lower child mortality etc, but being caught all the worst kind of abusive politicians and their tricks easily – just because not getting the BALANCED ground realities to the folks through properly set, unbiased media.
Lanken Media Men are the biggest mafia and culprit number one of the day.
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Emanuel / January 21, 2017
“”All others accept it. Why Sri lanka should not be the same ?. Why Sri lanka needs a different set of rules ? “”
Your culture is neither prosperous european or chinese culture but very much Pakistani- kuddu,faith and sitting on money box.
Finally because Buruvas are used to Bali Tovil.
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Samuel Jayaweera / January 21, 2017
Pakistanies are blessed with Kudu just becuase their social indicators are so low… lower than that of Morroccans. And Srilankens are just 22 million population.
But the truth is if you define lanken rates of getting addicted to alcohol and drug are even more than you will get to see in Parkistan:
The difference it those men consume kudu/drugs in the country are litterate and pakistanies are illiterates.
lANKEN folks are so easy targets when it goes to become prey of any wrong doers
a) Alone the manner they get caught by Rajaapkshe tricks today are teh best evidence
b) Just read the comments to some videos in the net, there you will see how stupid the majority folks have been
c) They go after sooth sayers and soicery tricks more thananyone in the region: Yatharupa makes it very clear week to another.
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Rukmal / January 21, 2017
“Trump strategically insulted and offended almost all minority groups in the United States and handsomely won.”
Trump spoke reality. For a publication hailing from a Buddhist country, a religion that’s all about facing the truth, reality ought to be something to appreciate.
“He lost the popular vote at national level by about three million votes.”
How many of those supposed three million are in the U.S. illegally or conducted other forms of voter fraud?
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jim softy / January 21, 2017
Trump’s most burning problem will be Sinhale produce a constitution for Tamils.
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Sam Fernando / January 21, 2017
Why you the idiots to think so, if Americans will first be focusing on them ? Besides, he has just mentioned, something against radical muslims only. There will be no sinhale or only tamils, but under one nation, just an srilanken constitution. I really dont think you guys make every effort to interepret it in favour of you the extremists.
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Samuel Jayaweera / January 21, 2017
You should be absolutely sick person.
How come you feel only be so stupid ? Grow up and learn to see it beyond your nose. That can guide to be blesed with a good life.
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sbarrkum / January 21, 2017
Obama was a great President, some of his achievements
a) At war every day of his 8 years in office
b) Dropped a bomb every 20 mins for 8 years
c) Bombed Libya back to the stone age
d) Played a total of 306 rounds of golf, more than any other president since Dwight Eisenhower.
e) Ensured Saudi Arabia became the chair of the Human Rights Council
http://www.counterpunch.org/2017/01/13/the-president-who-wasnt-there-barack-obamas-legacy-of-impotence/
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Agnos / January 22, 2017
If you weren’t such a Trumpista, you would have mentioned that Obama inherited wars that were started by Republicans under various pretexts. Or that Obama stayed up till 2 am in the mornings to read letters from Americans and policy proposals even if he took breaks from intense work and played golf.
It was the Republican oil tycoons, including Bush and Cheney, who had cozy relationships with the Saudi monarchs.
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sbarrkum / January 23, 2017
Libya (and Syria) are completely Obama’s baby. Obama has dropped more bombs and killed more civilians than Bush.
Obama campaigned under the promise
a) to withdraw troops from Iraq and Afghanistan.
b) Close Guantanamo.
None of the above happened.
Bush and Cheney may have had cozy relationships with Saudis. Expected of them.
However Obama,
a) Made Saudi the Chair of uN Human Rights Council.
b) Supplied arms (including cluster bombs) to Saudi Arabia to be used against the Yemenis who have been bombed back to the stone age.
c) Has Obama ever sponsored a resolution against SA war in Yemen.
OK, Obama’s achievement is reading letters and policy.
So did Obama achieve or start any Peace by negotiation and diplomacy.
Obama is a hypocrite.
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Tassimo / January 21, 2017
You have a lot of wrong commentaries about the Electoral college system. I’m sure you’re disappointed that GTF financed Hillary didn’t win. The system works. If Hillary won, you would’ve been ecstatic. Are [Edited out]
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Lankan / January 21, 2017
“Hence, the success of constitutional reform in Sri Lanka depends entirely on the goodwill of the government and the Sinhala people.”
A very good point indeed! However, the Tamil people in Sri Lanka should understand the ground reality. They should explain what their burning issues are; (not imaginary issues such as their dreamland Eelam). The Muslims too should do it and find out how their issues differ from those faced by the Tamils and the Sinhalese. All parties should not forget about the upcountry and Colombo Tamils too, who live with the Sinhalese majority!
However, the Sinhalese will not allow anyone to break the country as a pre-condition for solutions. It should not happen and believe me it will never happen. Pirabaharan tried it militarily since no one (including India) agreed with him that he could do it democratically. (We now know certain politicians from certain countries (like Norway) misguided him and helped him but they had their own personal interests and agendas; it has been revealed now that their attempt was not to bring in any good to the innocent Tamils in Sri Lanka.
Some Tamil leaders say Mr. Sirisena won the presidential election since he promised reconciliation to the Tamils. Muslims may say the same but with a different purpose! May be true but his promise to the majority Sinhalese was quite the opposite; it was Yahapalanaya (Good governance), mainly re-establishing ‘rule of law, democracy, independence of judiciary etc’. All of the above has miserably failed and backfired by now and he is struggling like a man with no knowledge of deep-sea swimming but was pushed into Mariana Trench. Prime Minister Ranil W has learnt some (political) swimming in the Royal junior’s pool but to swim in Mariana Trench with another man clung onto his shoulders is no wonder suicidal. Unfortunately the two teams that they chose to support them (to govern the country) are like mentally ill patients who had run away from Angoda hospital! Honestly, they try their best but we should not forget the fact that they are from a ‘lunatic asylum’! Meanwhile, it is pitch dark and the central Bank bond scam like a hungry shark swimming nearby is looking for a late dinner!
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Lankan / January 21, 2017
You will see the disaster, waiting to happen if the current leaders hold any type of election giving the general public a fair chance to express themselves. Many say that Ranil’s UNP and Maithree’s SLFP may even disappear from the electoral map at the next general election. Why? They have been allegedly branded as ‘traitors’ who try to divide the country. This is the bitter truth. The TNA holds the leadership of the official opposition but the party has been well-known as an extension of the defunct LTTE. Tamils should come up with a new party that respects the democratic values and rules. If minority parties continue to work as they do today, eventually (sooner than later) they will disappear from the electoral map as well.
After all, did any Tamil think even in his/her wildest dreams that Trump would swear in as the 45th President of the United States of America? I know for sure, neither did Prez Sirisena, PM Wickremasinghe, nor the leader of the Opposition Mr. Sampanthan.
My personal view is that the general public (Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Malays, Burgers) are all fed up with their respective political leaders, just like the people in the United States; Tamil leaders manipulated by diaspora Tamils are not an exception! That’s why I believe that the electoral map of Sri Lanka will be drastically changed and re-drawn at the next election!
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Saro / January 21, 2017
“Tamil leaders manipulated by diaspora Tamils are not an exception! ”
Utter nonsense, if so they would have elected the the Tamil National People’s Front, which campaigned on an explicitly nationalist platform.
Tamils are very realistic and elected TNA which for the first time in Sri Lankan history openly declared they stand for undivided and indivisible Sri Lanka. They want a permanent solution whereby people live in harmony without getting at each other’s throat. Some elitist leaders who looked after their family and friends and inflated their foreign bank balances by getting fat commissions from Chinese in the last government will; not allow the common mass benefit from the peace divided.
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jim softy / January 21, 2017
Ranil, CBK, Mangala should not be part of a govt. They all are there to destroy Sinhala people. Maithripala sirisena is just a pawn.
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Saro / January 22, 2017
Some grapes that cannot be reached taste sour.
You will be better off with money launderers and competed brothers. They will murder journalists and anyone in disagreement with their spoilt siblings. They will fatten themselves and keep the poor as their slaves.
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Simon De Silva / January 22, 2017
MS has achieved lot more in the line of external politics.
That allowed UNHRC to turn their mind set by today. That has allowed GSP+ and other conessions towards the nation be granted.
We must not be partnersof the west, but without EU, America AND India and China, we the small nation – an another hungry folk to them only, can no means be able to improve the standards inthe country.
Do you think Swaziland, Belarus, Uganda and China could be a better fit as had been the case under your below mad MONKEY Rajapakshe ?
Then why Chinese demanded SRILANKEN to work AND respect on UN SET resolution on the the nation while Chinese invstments in progress ?
Chinese are no such friends to lankens so as the westernerS or americans.
They just want us to be partners in the chain – it is the interdependence of this world.:
No country of our poor nature can ever ris up to be a progress nation if we would not open to the world.
You may be rotten by your thoughts for various reasons, but see it right – it is the time to do so. God bless srilanka
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