By Hilmy Ahamed –
Hilmy Ahamed
“Sirisena has betrayed a nation. Has he got any conscience? The next parliament needs to impeach him”. This is probably what is there in the minds of 6,217,162 voters.
The common opposition that facilitated the election of Maithripala Sirisena as the President, has had the shortest parliamentary life in recent history. While there was consensus among the common opposition that parliament would be dissolved after 100 days of the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe administration, the government and the President could not bring forth the promised reforms of the hundred-day programme due to a hostile opposition, which commanded the majority in parliament. Sirisena-Wickremesinghe cabal tried to implement the 100-day programme by extending the 100-day deadline. The 180-day failure, forced the president to dissolve parliament. Now, elections have been announces and many political analysts predict that the UPFA will have an uphill task against the United National Party and its partners. The desperate ones in the SLFP have played their trump card by bringing the former President, Mahinda Rajapaksa to the B team as a contestant. Mahinda probably believes that he could end up as the Prime Minister and his former job as President would only be a bullet away, or so said President Sirisena.
A large proportion of those who voted to make Maithripala Sirisena President, believe that the once humble President Sirisena has shattered the hopes and aspirations of millions of Sri Lankans with his shameful betrayal of their January 2015 vote. It is believed that that Ranil Wickremesinghe and the daring politicians who crossed over with Maithripala to challenge Mahinda Rajapaksa in January 2015 would not be let down by the majority of Sri Lankans at the forthcoming elections. The average person on the street is convinced that the noble ideals of the common opposition would succeed again on August 17th 2015 with or without Maithripala Sirisena. A strong and stable government would be formed thereafter where necessary constitutional reforms could be implemented to strengthen Sri Lanka’s democracy.
The total silence from Maithripala Sirisena on Mahinda Rajapaksa’s re-entry as a candidate to contest the parliamentary elections of August 2015 was the most chilling episode of this drama. The President probably attempted to give the impression that he was doing his best to stall Mahinda Rajapaksa, but the majority of the Sri Lankans who voted for the president risking their lives to elect him, as their choice will be disgruntled. President Maithripala stands accused and probably will go down in history as the man who saved the party and destroyed the country.
How can President Sirisena justify the reentry of Rajapaksa? Only six months ago, he branded ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa as the biggest megalomaniac who stole billions of the people’s money. Maithripala’s betrayal of Mahinda Rajapaksa after his (appa) hopper meal is no match to the sadistic betrayal of the common opposition voters who gave him over 6.2 million votes. If Maithripala is allowed to continue as President after the August 17th election, he would end up as the most unhappy President since JR Jayewardene brought in a new constitution in 1978. He has none other to blame.
The vast number of SLFPers who risked their lives to support Maithripala has been left in total disarray. The youthful politicians in Arjuna Ranatunga, Faizer Mustapha, Hirunika Premachandra and Duminda Dissanayake probably have learnt their bitterest political lesson from this principle less politicians. Maithripala who spoke and acted like a saint has become their biggest traitor, in the minds of the majority. Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister or leader of the opposition will not forgive these youthful politicians for their treachery, when they deserted him to support Maithripala. Will Maithripala at least protect them from the wrath of Mahinda Rajapaksa? Or will he sacrifice them again. They probably have the option of joining the UNP or some other coalition as their last resort.
Maithripala will stand accused of destroying the future aspirations of these capable young politicians who have not been tainted with corruption or other vices.
Funlover / July 10, 2015
I like to imagine that the crocodile from Hambantota wins the August election. I like to imagine that the Polonnaru [Edited out] will be hauled to Galle Face Green by the Medamulana [Edited out],
I will stand there with a glass of water in my hand, watching as his mouth opens, the tongue sagging, eyes go up, and PSD’s last breath leaves him. And I shall take a sip of water, contemplate the nature of man, and walk back home.
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Shrikharan / July 10, 2015
The people of the country should learn a bitter lesson. The fact of the matter is President Rajapakse is the President of the country then and now. He is a man who led from the front. President Rajapakse has still two more years to go and let him, a man with a spine rule the country. Let this backboneless invertebrate Sirisena give up. Rajapakse will do the job of the President from where ever he is. So why make such a mockery and become ridiculed again being a rubber stamp of President Rajapakse. In the best interests and self-respect of the country, this phylum invertebrate Sirisena please hand back the post to President Rajapakse and get into a white van which am sure your friend will help you.
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Sinhala_Man / July 11, 2015
I, too, have had my faith in Maithri shattered, and I can understand why so many people are questioning his possession of a vertebra. Yes, he should have thought of the danger that 6.2 million would be exposed to, or shall we say, at least a half million who proclaimed to all their acquaintances that they were committed to getting rid of MaRa. However, I agree with this part, too, of Hilmy’s analysis:
“Shrikharan”, how can you claim that Rajapaksa has “has still two more years to go”? He unfairly called early elections because he thought it propitious, but he was voted out – fair and square. He has taken leave of his senses now, and imagines that the majority of his 5.7 million voters still support him. This is nonsense. He has his die-hard supporters, but millions have now realised that he is not invincible. All too many voters in this country vote for the guy they think is winning, and MaRa got many votes from those who are quite literally illiterate; they didn’t read or listen to intelligent T.V. debates, they just saw the posters and cut-outs.
Maithri doesn’t automatically become as bad because he lost his nerve; for this, so many of us have censured him, and I’m sure that he’s felt the insults. However, is it not also true that far too many Tamil politicians and so-called Diaspora Representatives made too much noise, which enabled the “sincere racists” feel that all was not lost for their cause. No, that isn’t an oxymoron; unfortunately many reasonably intelligent people are xenophobic. It is also true that Bondgate has undermined not just the U.N.P (many realise that it was Ravi K. who was most to blame, and then Ranil W. and the fact that Mahendran is Tamil doesn’t help either), but it has also led to disillusionment with “all leaders of the Rainbow Revolution”. Lastly, the 120 or whatever rogues in parliament who did all that they could to hinder Maithri assumed an importance far in excess of voters like us.
So, now the question is “whom to vote for?” Many will vote for the J.V.P., and I may also do so. But I do agonise over exercising my franchise, and I’m likely to assess as best I can the possibility of voting for the U.N.P. if I can find THREE people who could be considered honest in my District List. ONE won’t do. Also, an Arjuna Mahendran resignation (even if he feels he is not to blame) or a clear proclamation by the UNP that there will be thorough investigation, will help win my vote.
There look like being far too many small, honest, idealistic parties in the fray. These next elections are too important to “waste” a vote by “making a statement”, which I often do by voting for a decent “no-hoper”. The very worst thing to do is to boycott the polls.
Therefore, it is up to us, the voters who constituted the 6.2 million, PLUS those who have now come to realise how evil MaRa was, to vote intelligently, and the sooner we stop “My3 bashing”, the clearer will be the issues.
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Shrikharan / July 11, 2015
Oh Sinhala_Man I agree with you when you said “Maithri doesn’t automatically become as bad because he lost his nerve; for this”. All I am trying is to wind him up. I still love him and want to wake him up before the dangerous criminals capture power do more damage!
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Sinhala_Man / July 11, 2015
Dear Shrikharan,
This is the quote from Hilmy’s article that I thought I had inserted, but obviously haven’t.
“The average person on the street is convinced that the noble ideals of the common opposition would succeed again on August 17th 2015 . . .”
Regarding your first comment, yes, I believe you, but it is significant that you had to clarify. “Winding him up” is a legitimate strategy, but there is always the danger of satire being misunderstood. There is this famous example:
https://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/Texts/modest.html
Try plunging in to it without reading the introductory paragraph by Jack Lynch.
“By the time Swift published A Modest Proposal, he’d already had his work misinterpreted by the Queen of England and countless other humorless readers who didn’t understand irony. Swift wasn’t winning any popularity contests, that’s for sure.” Actually, Swift was beaten up on the streets of Dublin for writing this.
As usual, Wikipedia helps give you the background:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Modest_Proposal
And there is a comprehensive discussion here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00h3650
It wouldn’t be a bad idea for us all to devote the next few days to contemplating such things that have no direct bearing on what’s happening here until the good professional politicians get their act together. To me, Maithri is still one of them, and I’m hoping that he will still be able to pull a rabbit out of the hat, although I recognise the improbability. However, it is still very possible that his causes will yet succeed, and that he will be viewed kindly by history.
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hussain sadik / July 10, 2015
Colombo Telegraph has given the wrong headline – It should read F U Sirisena
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Mohamed Faris / July 10, 2015
Why are some people always taking a racist tone to every comment they make. They probably were not born to a women but probably monkeys. Why should their be some much anger at the Muslims. What has teh Muslims done to deserve this. We have stood by the nation at all times, and still a few bunch of racists continue to call us names and no ordinary Buddhist protests
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Mahinda Perera / July 10, 2015
Hilmy [Edited out]. He is a good analyst, but is p[Edited out]
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Native Vedda / July 10, 2015
Mahinda Perera
“Hilmy [Edited out]. He is a good analyst, but is p[Edited out] “
We are not good at reading between lines.
Please let us have your complete comment hereafter.
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sumaya jayaratne / July 10, 2015
Sirisena Betrayed 6,217,162 voters. He will fry in HEEL for it. I can’t take my vote back and I will mourn about it for the rest of my life. Nest time,[Edited out]
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sumaya jayaratne / July 10, 2015
At least 500,000 should get on to the streets and protest when the former butcher hands over his nomination
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Shrikharan / July 10, 2015
Instead of General elections I think better to have another Presidential election. I am pretty sure President Rajapakse will win handsomely getting more than 80% votes and even the North & East Tamils and Muslims will vote for President Rajapakse totally disillusioned by this spineless creature, phylum invertebrata Sirisena.
Even in the moment of crisis President Rajapakse used cleaver strategy to get his wish through. All the people of this country have learnt a lesson. It is better to have a cruel, revengeful, vindictive but a man with backbone and courage to be the leader and president of the country than a soft, kind, indecisive person without any backbone or courage to become the President and mess the country.
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Sylvia Haik / July 10, 2015
Shrikharan, I see there’s no shortage of idiots. You have been customised with a “cruel, revengeful, vindictive man” for 10 years that you cannot recognise sincerity if it hits you in the face. You think Sirisena has no backbone because he chooses to follow the law to the letter. I am not surprised at your attitude because even Hitler had his supporters.
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Shrikharan / July 10, 2015
Sylvia Haik, I must thank you for replying my comment. I quote you wrote “I am not surprised at your attitude because even Hitler had his supporters.”
Your conclusion is wrong. I supported My3 and voted for him. I really got pissed off for what he did when he let down all who voted for him. How can he clean up politics when he gave nominations to the very people he criticized as very treacherous and dangerous.
This comment came out due to my bitterness to what he did and because I felt let down. In a way out of love I had to him and not hate! We do at time criticize our own parents /children in similar fashion which is not because of hate but of love and affection!
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Romesh / July 10, 2015
Chandrika – Ranil used MS to defeat HE Mahinda Rajapaksa, not for the love of MS.Noting was proven in the last 6 months. No proper evidence let alone a conviction.
It is ‘innocent until proven guilty’ and not ‘guilty until proven innocent’.
Why are you all so worried? If you all are so democratic, let the people decide without bashing MS.
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anemagekata / July 11, 2015
Nothing has been proven?? Exactly not just 6 months…but for years..who owned white van, who are grease yakkas, who funds BBS,who refused to bring about a political solution to the minorities, whose family owned a government???
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Mohamed Faris / July 10, 2015
Long live Ranil and the UNP. They would be sure winners because the animal is contesting from the UPFA
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whywhy / July 11, 2015
Faris
Colombo voted the UNP in at the local election and that
was the beginning of UNP resilience. And then comes the
victory of Harin in the UVA with a sizable increase in
votes after decades of erosion in the UNP vote bank. A
promising trend to build up on !Here comes the bizarre
turn of events that leads to shaking MARA announcing
presidential election two years before the end of his
term . An agitated MARA at the growth of UNP vote base,
takes the risk of going to early polls. Now, UNP, what
does it do ? It was not ready for the emergency
situation! Why ? Because of inside KACHAL about a
winnable candidate !That’s the story that continues
to date. It is only a hope that UNP should win !
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sadiya waleed / July 10, 2015
I was skeptical of Sirisena from day one. But when I saw the feeble efforts made by his government to bring the crooks of the past regime to justice, I thought that he was good after all. I guess, now we see his true colours. Yes, this has to be the greatest betrayal in our history. Lets hope for the best under these circumstances :-(
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arjuna devapriya / July 10, 2015
[Edited out]…. Sirisena. I voted for you
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arjuna devapriya / July 10, 2015
[Edited out] sirisena, I voted for you
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Indra / July 10, 2015
Why do Mystinking3 January 8 voters sound so desperate?
Can’t they see the ELEPHANT in front of them?
Come August 17, Vote UNP.
Let Mara, the Thief/Murderer/Rapist, and the invertebrate Mystinking3 Sirisena both go home.
Isn’t that justice enough?
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arjuna devapriya / July 10, 2015
It is not that UNP will not win, but the treacherous act of Sirisena cannot be forgiven. Yes, mythree balls should be hit for a six
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gigurawa / July 11, 2015
Yes Hilmy Ahmed.
Ultimately Sirisena held prisoner by ISIS and LTTE had to escape from his captors of religious and ethnic extremists who have no sense of belonging to this country, although the accrue every benefit at the expense of this country.
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Human Rights Activist / July 11, 2015
Sirisena is a ROUGE, what a wrong selection for the position of president.
Sirisena is a LIAR. He lied to Millions.
The next Govt should kick this [Edited out] out quickly.
Let the TYRANT MR contest anywhere in the country, he will LOSE.
After the election both MR and MS should be locked up in Welikada.
Only if MR is voted out and MS kicked out the sinhala people can proudly
say that after all they are not Modayas and rouges like MR and MS cannot fool them anymore.
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gigurawa / July 11, 2015
Betrayed the ulterior motives and hopes of parasites who have no loyalty to the country which have sustained them
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abey / July 11, 2015
Mr President. You have become HERO to traitor in just 6 month. Are you brainless? Since Dec 2014 you have been warning the MR gang against massive corruption drugs etc but now with your blessing everyone is contesting the election except Sajin Vaas , Mervyn and Duminda. It seems you decided those 3 are the only crooks. You have really proven what MR said during Prez elections i.e. that you have have no spine. I’d say you have nothing or how else could you betray 6.3 m voter with such apathetic manner. Never in the history of Sri Lanka a single person has betrayed so many, so soon. Enjoy your Presidency.
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Samantha Perera / July 11, 2015
What is the panic. let people decide.
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Shrikharan / July 11, 2015
To say in short and sweet, Maithripala Sirisena is duty bound by the people who voted him to power to reject the nominations of Mahinda Rajapakse a person who accused him of very serious wrong doings including a failed coup attempt.
If he does not have the courage of his conviction then he should first scrap the General elections and re-contest another Presidential election when he and Rajapakse fight it out again.
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Sinhala_Man / July 14, 2015
I enthusiastically voted for Maithri, and was recently bitterly disappointed. I have read the many sincere and disgusted comments about My3, but I do not agree. Much has been achieved. 6.2 million people may have seemed to be in danger. That was going to be if Rajapaksa returns. I think that is now out of the question.
So, I think that My3 has acted shrewdly, and effectively. A year from now we may think much more kindly about him. However I do agree with this: it would have been better if he had acted more courageously at this juncture.
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PETER PERERA / July 11, 2015
i cannot take my vote back from this invertebrate……a man who talks only…..a man who has put the party and himself before before the country ……and betrayed all his people who nearly gave their life…i have self pity……what to do he has to be impeached with the new parliament there is no way that a party of murderers, thieves, and robbers of peoples money can come into power……we will win let us unite sinhalese,muslims,tamils and have a common goal.sinhalese now are not fools. the % of fools are few.the money they robbed is not in banks iam sure they are probably locked in secure vaults and with business well wishers. this guy is dangerous to our country……including the present one who cannot stand on his own feet in the country……..how can he internationally???
Please think before you vote.
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shirley / July 11, 2015
Lost your own party / lost your supporters- Parties who brought you there , the all powerful presidency eh ! What is your Next option left ???
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Jayasingha / July 11, 2015
Let’s face it. Sirisena is not leader in any sense. He is a mediocre person who was Gen: Secy: of SLFP due to his seniority in the party without any leadership roles. He was easily cajoled into betraying MR and the party for regime change and to fulfill the needs of the west with the help of UNP and so called yahapalana group. Further Ranil’s minority govt: tried to dominate MS but he was saved by the majority opposition in parliament.
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Niroshan Fernando / July 11, 2015
This spineless DAMBO needs to be impeached after August 18th
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commando695 / July 11, 2015
Aiyoooooooooooo…SIRISENA !!
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MYM Siddeek / July 11, 2015
Brutus will learn a bitter lesson in his life time on the 17th August if what the media report is true.
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upul jayasooriya / July 11, 2015
The new coalition will thrash Mahinda in to orbit and never will he try his political antics again.
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fathima cader / July 11, 2015
Sirisena will pay for this in this world as well as the next. Our vote to him should have been flushed down the toilet
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samantha perera / July 11, 2015
Sira mala when MARA comes in to parliment
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Jayn / July 13, 2015
During Sirisena’s 40 year political career he achieved none and is such a fool, couldn’t even safeguard the file that he claimed contained details of anti smoking bill. He was elected as the president because of people wanted to get rid of a crook and not anything else. This reminds me the gospel truth that when you elect/select an idiot to do a job, he certainly do it in an idiotic way.
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