19 March, 2024

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Executive Presidency: Sajith Wants ‘Scientific Surveys’ Before Deciding On Abolition

UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa made it clear at a press conference a short while ago that abolishing the executive presidency would not be a top issue for him, marking a major departure from his party’s position on the issue.

Addressing a press briefing at 7.15AM today, Premadasa who was flanked by Ministers Mangala Samaraweera, Malik Samarawickaema, Chandrani Bandara, Kabir Hashim and Ranjith Madduma Bandara said he needed “scientific surveys” to prove that abolishing the presidency was what the people actually wanted.

“Actually it is the cost of living that is the number one political issue” the UNP Deputy leader who is insisting on being the party’s presidential candidate told the media a few hours ago.

Repeatedly asked about his own opinion on the key issue, Premadasa ducked the questions saying “my personal view is of no value”.

In an apparent broadside aimed at civil society movements have resumed the push for the abolition of the presidency at the 2019 election, Premadasa said: “Everyone is coming up with their personal ideas and trying to place them at the highest position in the national political agenda.”

Asked if the 6.2 million votes in January 2015 not proof enough, Premadasa said things have changed since then. “Well if I may say so, mandates get outdated. We have to live with the times and we have to look at the existing contextual situation and act accordingly” Premadasa responded to a question by a journalist on whether he believed the 2015 mandate to be outdated.

Since 2014 the UNP has articulated that its position on the presidency was that it should be abolished. It was on that basis that the party supported the common candidacy of Maithripala Sirisena in 2015 and championed the 19th amendment in parliament to curb the powers of the office. But now Premadasa and his loyalists fighting to get him the candidature are singing a very different tune.

Minister of Finance Mangala Samaraweera who is one of Premadasa’s main backers repeatedly prevented journalists probing the UNP deputy leader further on the issue of abolition of the presidency. An impatient Samaraweera repeatedly shielded Premadasa from being asked for his personal views on abolition of the presidency by moving on to different questions.

With calls for a candidate committed to abolition to be nominated from the UNP in order to allow other forces that backed the 2015 common candidacy movement to join the alliance mounting, the Premadasa faction stepped up efforts to prove that the Sri Lankan public was moving away from wanting the presidency abolished.

State Minister Harsha De Silva tweeted today (17) quoting a survey by the Centre for Policy Alternatives that purportedly showed that public support for abolition of the presidency was waning. The remarks were slammed by leading academics who accused the popular State Minister of changing his policies to suit his candidate’s whims.

Premadasa backers have repeatedly fallen back on “surveys” that show him to be the only candidate to be able to “beat Gota”

Premadasa has already articulated in private meetings with political party representatives that as President he will have to “have some power” and he does not support abolishing the office completely.

At the press conference Premadasa was also quick to disown a recent meeting he held with the Tamil National Alliance in order to win their support for his candidacy. The meeting between Premadasa and the TNA held at Minister Samaraweera’s residence two weeks ago was a widely publicised affair with UNP ministers claiming it had gone off extremely well and TNA had pledged support to the UNP Deputy Leader. Premadasa told reporters that the meeting was “nothing special” and that he had met the party several times even recently in Jaffna during the Enterprise Sri Lanka exhibition. “There was no such meeting as far as I was concerned of myself meeting TNA. We have spoken and discussed a gamut of issues. It is not an extraordinary event” Premadasa said.

Premadasa’s full exchange with journalists on the abolition of the executive presidency follows:

Journalist: Everyone wants Presidency scrapped what’s your opinion on continuing the office?

SP: I don’t think there has been a scientific survey done as to the necessity about what to do about the presidency, whether it is to be kept and maintained or whether it is to be abolished. But at the end of the day I am always willing to listen to the people of this country. If the people of this country so decides, I am there.

Journalist: That is neither here nor there.

SP: I am sorry it sounds wishy-washy to you. It sounds very coherent to me. As far as the executive presidency is concerned, in 2015 we made a pledge and certain drastic steps have been taken to reduce the powers of the presidency. Right now we are in the process of discussing, consulting and having initial discussions as to where the presidency should be placed, whether it should be maintained or whether it is to be abolished. There has been no scientific survey done as to the prioritisation of the maintenance of the presidency or its abolition. Everyone is coming up with their personal ideas and trying to place them at the highest position in the national political agenda. If I may say so, some of the surveys that I have seen, they are prioritising cost of living as the most important issue in the political agenda.

Journalist: But what is your personal view on the issue?

Mangala Samaraweera: Can we move on?

SP: My personal views are of no value. My views are based on people’s views. I have no monopoly on articulating and formulating policy. That itself is a democratic process.

Samaraweera: Can we move on? Can we move on?

Journalist: But where is the leadership?

SP: I am willing to give democratic leadership, not autocratic leadership. I don’t want to become an elected dictatorship. To coin a phrase of Lord Hailsham.

Journalist: The mandate you got in 2015. You don’t think that was a mandate to abolish the presidency?

SP: Well if I may say so, mandates get outdated. We have to live with the times and we have to look at the existing contextual situation and act accordingly. The best way to formulate and initiate policy is by consulting the widest possible spectrum of opinions and formulating policy.

Journalist: With all due respect……

Samaraweera: I think we should move on

SP: We would not take decisions in a closeted cupboard.

Journalist: So you feel the 2015 mandate is outdated?

SP: Whatever happened in 2015 as a country locally and internationally everything has moved on. The social context, the economic context, the political context. It is not a static situation, it is ever changing. We should have the widest possible consultations – not only with regard to the executive presidency.

Samaraweera: Can we move on?

Watch the full press conference here

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Latest comments

  • 36
    1

    You are circled by some racketeers for their advantages. Everybody’s opinion is to abolish the presidency.

    • 3
      17

      Citizen Silva,
      Sajith never said he is either for or against it. He only said that he would follow the public opinion. Since UNP has now taken an official stand to abolish the Exc presidency, I believe that Sajith will follow the suite but, with public opinion is slightly against it particularly after the Easter Bombing, committing to it is not a good campaign strategy. I suspect that pushing Sajith onto a wrong track is the aim of the essay!

      • 2
        0

        Yes, Sajith is correct. The powers of the Presidency have been greatly reduced since the 19th amendment, and it now serves as a “check and balance” on the corrupt Parliament which Bondscam Ranil and Karu with their USAID advisors like Prasad Kariyawasam have turned into a Cesspit of Corruption.
        Indeed there is absolutely no urgency to abolish the Presidency now and it should be kept to check the PM and Parliament’s excesses, perk and privileges.
        It is the US that wants its puppet Bondscam Ranil to abolish the Executive Presidency, just as they got him to debilitate the Provincia Council system.
        Both the Executive President and Provincial Councils have blocked and saved Sri Lanka from SOFA and MCC and the US project to turn Sri Lanka into its Indian Ocean military base and servicing hub and unsinkable aircraft carrier, for which the US-Saudi Special Operations Forces (SOF) staged the Easter Carnage.

        US puppet Bondscam Ranil is desperate to abolish the EP on the behest of his US handlers – that is where the desire to abolish the EP and the PCs that have blocked the US MCC-SOFA projects comes.
        Trumpland is getting impatient as its Cold War on China and Iran escalates, with Maritime Hybrid War fare unleashed in the Indian Ocean on Easter Sunday in Lanka and they want want US puppet bond Ranil who has already disabled the Provincial Council system which has prevented the MCC land grab for US bases, now to abolish the EP to advance the US military bases project in Sri Lanka with their puppet bond Ranil..

    • 37
      5

      Sajith Premadasa just exposed his stupidity and unwillingness to abolish the Executive Presidency. He also keeps hiding and dodging questions by saying he will do what is the choice of the majority!

      So if the majority wants to kill Muslims he will do it!?

      If the Majority wants to be above the law he will do it?

      It’s good he exposed that he is an unsuitable candidate at this point to everyone…

      • 21
        1

        The more the president speaks the more his stupidity & lack of leadership qualities reveal.

        So does Sajith.

      • 4
        4

        Anonymous,
        Talking about abolishing the Exc presidency during a presidential election is meaningless b’cos all amendments to constitution must be approved in the parliament with 2/3 votes first. Therefore, the issue should be brought up during the parliamentary election; not now. The most a president can do is to propose a bill pertaining to any cabinet post president may hold.

        There was a very good opportunity to get it done along with 19 A but no party, including the JVP, didn’t try to go for the public referendum. Now, the public opinion has swung somewhat back in favor of a strongman and therefore may be the country may have to wait for another pre 2015 type whipping for the public opinion to change.

        If debates during election campaigns are capable of making voters think at least “half rationally”, then the bitter experience MaRa/GoRa rule and the stupidity of MY 3 should be more than enough for them to reject the Exc presidency completely. Since SL voters are not so dumb like before, I believe that a right argument can still make a case particularly with GoRa wanting to be a strongman! I think that the social media like TC can do a lot in redirecting the election campaign by trying to educated the voters.

      • 8
        1

        Anonymous, i tend to agree.

        The need of the hour is a wise, far thinking man in the saddle; one who will listen to public opinion yet do what is right in the end. Anyone who is guided purely by public opinion in a country already overflowing with the unwise, is seriously misguided.

        • 9
          0

          Sajith is being manipulated by those behind CoupeLk as part of the second stage of CoupeLk. What a fool to fall for it!

          • 4
            0

            Anonymous
            There is no doubt that Sajith is a fool because of his incapacity to know how he is being manipulated.
            He is unelectable.
            The country’s voters fortunately for them are well aware of his shortcomings.
            But that does not mean Ranil is perfect he is a clever dupe.

      • 7
        0

        The people behind Sajith are paid by the Rajapaksas to split the UNP to ensure a SLPP win… foolish Sajith caught hook line and sinker!

    • 12
      3

      Samaraeeera,

      Can we move on, away from imbeciles with mean IQ 79, who are confused about the mandate of 2015 and the current mad president’s illegal coup of Oct 26, 2018 that exposed what a mad, idiotic president can do for a Country?

      Do you want to replace Sirisena with Sajith?

      Replacing one imbecile with another will not do much good, even for a populace with mean IQ 79.

      Time to scuttle the office of the President .

    • 1
      0

      Everyone’s opinion? Keep me out.

      Soma

    • 11
      0

      Sajith would like to get back to the President,s house so that they can loot the place once again. Where are the Deraniyagala Paintings that were at he Presidents house.Who says sajith is honest. He is surrounded by crooks.

    • 8
      1

      Sajith Premadasa,

      The people want a scientific measurement of your IQ, to see if it is close to 79, the mean pf the populace, below it or above it.

      • 2
        1

        There is no correlation between IQ and economic development. A simple example being North Korea. North Korea has very little economic development, yet the country managed to figure out nuclear energy. Saudi Arabia has a very high GDP, yet they chop people’s heads off in public. What does an IQ test measure? How well one studied for an examination. What does IQ measure? This is a more difficult question, mostly it is a combination of genetics and environment, with the greater proportion in favor of genetics. So if your parents are professors, the chances of you doing very well in school are extremely high, regardless of the level of effort you put in. If they are not PhDs or at some such level, then the environment matters more.

        • 5
          0

          Lester,

          IQ and Wealth of Nations

          https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/IQ_and_the_Wealth_of_Nations

          Saudis are wealthy not because their IQs are high but because they were lucky.

          However, when you take out the outliers, IQ matters.

          North Korean IQ is around 106.Saudi Arabia, 84.

    • 5
      1

      So foolish. If presidential election is held Gota is going to win. Best option for UNP is to abolish it.

      • 2
        0

        Thanthai Chelva,

        What is the mean IQ of UNP? 79?
        Too many imbeciles?

  • 21
    1

    Before spending money on extensive surveys try getting rid of crooked and criminal politicians . MS while inaugurating Lotus Tower told Lanka paid billions to a ghost Chinese company which does not EXIST. . It was actually the cut paid through shell companies to Rajapaksa,s for granting the project. So end result is China gave the loan, charged what ever interest they wished, gave a cut/bribe to Rajapaksas, got its people to come and work in Lanka ,with that got accessory business established,(massage, prostitution, tobacco, alcohol, illegal money transferring, hacking ,intelligence—etc) now pumping illegal money into Gotha,s campaigning (there is no regulation to monitor outside financing ) and influence our election process. So net gain is for China and the losers are our retards.. This is part of their now infamous “silk route project “. Few readers here in CT seems to be extremely paranoid to the point of delusional, that US and the west are trying to take control of Lanka, when China is going about with its nefarious activities.

    • 7
      1

      Chic,

      “Our retards”….,

      Our imbeciles, mean IQ 79!

  • 27
    2

    We must also conduct a ‘scientific survey’ to find out whether the people want corruption to be abolished or allow it to remain. This guy is just twisting and turning like a slimy bastard. Don’t trust him!

    • 9
      0

      Estate Labourer
      All politicians since 1948 have been twisting and turning. They have learned the fine art from the British.

    • 3
      9

      Estate Laborer,
      I’m for abolishing the Exc presidency but Sajith also correct to say that the public opinion on the issue is now changed. The Easter Bombing incident as well as the increased number of meaningless strikes & road blocks by countless protest marches compelled the public to change their mind. I personally believe that the change of public opinion is based largely due to misconceptions after seen media exaggerations of unsuccessful strikes & various small protests.

      National security & freedom of speech are two different issues both of which have no relationship whatsoever with the Exc presidency but since most voters belong to the generation that lived under such a system since 1978, I believe it is nothing more than a natural alternative in public minds than what the true facts indicate. For example, Jihadists managed to evade security even when the president had both the police & the military under him.

      I believe that the current stall over the issue has more to do with minority politics than anything else. One of obstacle is 13 A. Extreme S/B racists also want it. Then, there are those who believe that strongman system is the key to a rapid progress. As things stand now, I don’t believe that country is in a mindset to do away with Exc presidency yet. To win the public mind,. Gvt must convince them first to have a strong national security system.

      • 12
        1

        DP

        If I am not mistaken, the President passed the buck when it came to taking the responsibility of the Easter terror attack, so why would the public opinion now change to keep the Presidency? Premadasa jnr has confirmed that he is going with the flow, rather than contradict (if any) a public opinion. As a potential leader, doesn’t he have an opinion on the matter, particularly, when his own party is for abolishing the Presidency? Undoubtedly, he is a slimy yob.

      • 5
        0

        DP

        If I am not mistaken, the President passed the buck when it came to taking the responsibility of the Easter terror attack, so why would the public opinion now change to keep the Presidency? As for your statement that ‘Gvt must convince them first to have a strong national security system” I agree whole hardheartedly but it is besides the point.
        Premadasa jnr has confirmed that he is going with the flow, rather than contradict (if any) public opinion. As an aspiring leader, doesn’t he have an opinion on the matter, particularly, when his own party is for abolishing the Presidency? Undoubtedly, he is a slimy yob, certainly not Presidential materiel

        • 1
          3

          Raj,
          May be you are correct to ask why Sajith don’t have a his opinion on the issue. I also think that it is better for him to say that he is for it but the implementation must wait for public consent. As a matter of fact, such a position is the reality b’cos any change to the constitution needs 2/3 majority.

          However, the issue of exc presidency is only a new spin ball in the game of trying to deny the ticket to Sajith. I saw Lanaka e News website asking how the deputy leader can go over the leader of the party to claim the ticket. But, we we all know that the original pan didn’t have Ranil as the candidate; it was a member of alliance. Ranil’s name came up only when Sajith came forward arguing that the ticket must go to UNP. The issue at stake is not the ticket itself; it is about the leadership of UNP. The current small elite group doesn’t want to lose their grip over the party!

          I’m taking Sajith’s side b’cos I believe that the current system of selecting candidates doesn’t agree with the concept of democracy. As a matter of fact, current system in all parties is one of the major source of corruptions b’cos it encourages to protect each other.
          .

          • 0
            0

            D.P.
            “Iam taking Sajith’s side b’cos I believe that the current system of selecting candidates doesn’t agree with the concept of democracy”.
            Your disbelief with the current system of selection of candidates is chiefly your reason for taking Sajith’s side. Like you he is also disbeliever in Democracy like yourself, because he too disbelief’s the current system

    • 8
      1

      Estate Labourer don’t worry mate. He won’t get the candidacy. Even if he does he cannot win. I had been a grassroot level activist of the UNP for twenty years. By my experience, I boldly say Sajith ends the race at third place if contests. His fight for the candidacy has now become a joke among the grassroot level masses.

  • 21
    3

    Mangala, Harsha, shame on you.

    • 13
      0

      They have betrayed their own souls just to become PM ( for Mangala) and finance ministry (Harsha)

  • 8
    2

    you cannot abolish the executive presidency just by saying you are for it like karu does

    it needs a two third majority and a referendum which is impossible in todays context
    mahinda has clearly said he wont support it so where is the twothirds?
    why does the press not ask gota also?

    • 10
      0

      nalmen

      I agree that abolishing the Presidency has practical problems but a potential candidate should have an opinion & stand by it.

  • 15
    2

    His responses are full of garbled cliches. I don’t think even he understands his cock-eyed answers. Mangala , Malik , Chandrani , Kabir and Madduma Bandara look like prize idiots. Where Oh where are Harsha, Ajith, Eran and Sujeewa? Fleeing the sinking ship? Hiding their heads in shame?

    • 0
      2

      I think sajith did a fantastic job here

  • 8
    0

    Like Mangala says, best if you ALL just move on and OUT!!

  • 13
    0

    What is so ‘scientific’ about a survey? The accuracy of a survey is based on the survey population (which could be focused on a biased population or manipulated to achieve the desired result), therefore, such matters concerning public opinion is usually decided by a referendum, like the public opinion sought by the British govt. to remain or leave the EU. So will Premadasa jnr. conduct a referendum too?
    It was an election pledge of Cameron to hold a referendum & he had a personal opinion on the matter but when the result of the referendum went against him, he graciously stepped down stating that he could not work in the best interest of something he didn’t believe in. In contrast, Premadasa jnr, apparently having no personal opinion on the matter, leaving for the public to decide, shows poor (or lack of) leadership. As an aspiring leader of the country, he should have an opinion as to what is best for the country.
    If the party (UNP) policy has been (& is) to abolish the Presidency, Premadasa jnr, as Deputy leader of the party, is not towing the party line, hence, not a team player & a bad example for the rank on file in maintaining discipline. Obviously, his time in UK & his LSE education has not made him conversant with the general principals on how responsible politicians behave. Many senior members of the Conservative Party in UK resigned when they disagreed with the party policy or crossed over to other parties which shared their view, as with the current Brexit issue but nobody assumed leadership of the party when the former PM, Theresa May, announced stepping down as leader when she failed to deliver her promise.

    • 1
      1

      Couldn’t have said better.

  • 0
    1

    Well, Sajith may be the strongest among the weakest.

    He can be made the UNP candidate but how can he be made country’s leader?

    We have experience after making MS the president.

    Politicians vying for presidency shouldn’t have personal lives. Reveal everything from A-Z.

  • 6
    4

    If Sajith becomes the Presidential candidate, Sinhalayo should demand a written guarantee from him that he will scrap 15th Amendment introduced by his Father on the request of M.H.M. Ashroff of the SLMC before the 1988 election to reduce the cutoff point from 12.5% to 5%.
    The reduction was with political intent and resulted in ethnic-based political parties with ethnic-based agendas to enter parliament and legislatively weaken and destabilize Sri Lanka incrementally to what it is today.
    The tail wagging the dog started because of Ranasinghe Premadasa’s decision to reduce the cutoff point.

  • 11
    0

    President Sirisena’s political career was sabotaged by his inexperienced advisers and Sajith’s political career is being ruined by unp MP’s who are using him to revange RW for not giving them the ministries of their choice. Poor inexperienced Sajith has fallen into the trap of power greedy MPs.
    If the candidacy goes to someone else these MPs will abandon Sajith and will rally around the chosen candidate. In such case Sajith’s political life ends. I think he deserves such a destiny for creating unnecessary mess to split the democratic voter base at a crucial turning point of the country’s future.

  • 5
    1

    what scientific survey?
    test the urine of all past presidents for drug addiction?

  • 2
    0

    “Scientific Survey” is a red herring.

  • 0
    0

    Changing the government’s administration system from executive presidency to full authoritative parliamentary system is the job of parliament. So Ranil is working on submitting a cabinet paper, according to Communist Pakkaya.
    There is no mandate necessary to do change like that. JR did not ask for a mandate to establish Executive Presidential system. Major changes in constitution may require referandum-attestation by citizens- even if that is not required in the incumbent constitution.

  • 8
    1

    The word ‘scientific’ was also used by Sirisena, the Gamarala, in the context of giving cabinet portfolios. I think Sajith and Sirisena are birds of same feather; they must ride together.

  • 4
    0

    Does he know what is scientific survey?

    • 5
      4

      Karu wants to transfer executive powers to Ranil and in return be assured of a state funeral.

      Soma

    • 1
      1

      Scientific survey from an AEGROTAT degree holder from LSE.

  • 15
    3

    This appalling new stance taken by Sajith with regard to the abolition of executive presidency is intolerable to say the least. This fellow thinks he’s too smart and the Sri Lankan people are a herd of sheep. This upstart is declaring his own agenda as what the people want. It’s clearly evident his outsized ambition for power is making him say outrageous things and do shameless acts. He is no team player at all. Actually he’s a psychopath. It is revealed by his constant referring to himself in the third person. “This Sajith Premadasa will not do that, but this Sajith Premadasa will do this.” Yeah, Right. What a moron. Who are his PR consultants? Only psychopaths talk like this. I’ve heard only Mervin Silva and other Pathalayo, and mobsters in Hollywood mafia movies speak like that, referring to themselves in the 3rd Person. This blatant defiance of the party policy and violation of the party decision making process in declaring himself the candidate is more than ample to kick him out of the party. This thug should not be allowed to intimidate the country any longer.

    • 10
      1

      P.S.
      I forgot to mention the other pathetic man who is all over the media referring to himself constantly in the 3rd person: Nagananda Kodituwakku. These chaps don’t seem to have even an inkling of the spectacle they’re making of themselves for the merriment of the jaded Sri Lankans. By the way, Sira’s intelligence chief Namal Kumara too is afflicted with this psychotic disorder.

  • 7
    0

    I think shouldn’t attend press meetings in English. I could see him more careful about maintaining his English that he could not concentrate on the seriousness of the subject.

  • 9
    3

    The Only candidate viable and scientifically verified as a winner who can be trusted to abolish the executive presidency is Karu Jayasuria. Sajith is a nice guy but he is not that bright. All his educational claims are bogus and papered over attempts to establish his credentials. One has to also look at his record. How he has managed his district of Hambanthota. According to what I have heard he side lined a lot of old established UNP politicians in Hambanthota which resulted in the UNP vote base in the district declining under his watch. That is not a good record. Even if you accept that hambanthota is not winnable for the UNP willfully destroying what you already had because you don’t want to respect or trust them is a telling sign of what he would do when he gets a hold of the executive presidency. There are three mandates already given at three presidential elections for the abolishing of the executive presidency. This moron either does not understand or thinks he can do what the other three presidents did after promising to abolish the executive presidency. He is unsuitable and a dangerous candidate. The Pooftar backing him should shut the hell up and go home.

  • 6
    0

    Sajith, the self-declared political theorist, thinks the 1978 JR constitution that introduced the executive presidency was enacted after a scientific survey of political opinion in the country. Sajith is indeed a scientist as documented by CT article of 17 October 2016:
    .
    “Don’t worry, we will give jobs to everyone. But, only people who worked for my victory at the election should be here, don’t bring anyone else here,” he told the people and his organisers present at the job dansala.”
    .
    “Premadasa announced that physically short people who had studied up to Ordinary Level examination will get labour jobs, while some others if they had the necessary height can even be security personnel.”
    .
    “When one job seeker wanted to join another ministry, Premadasa said, ‘I will give you a job at my ministry, because you won’t be able to get any other job. That minister is filling his ministry with his supporters, and I am filling my ministry with my supporters,’ Premadasa said.”

  • 5
    2

    We all know that Ranil is a crook and got caught to the Bond Scam. Still, he is much better than any of the other candidates, i,e. Gota the proven thug with a lot of skeletons in his cupboard, Sajith the idiot, surrounded by racketeers like Kili Maharaja, Sujeewa Serasinghe and gang of thieves.
    Few viable options people have is either JVP, Nagananda/Gamini Wijesinghe.

  • 0
    7

    I must say i found Sajith very intelligent and refreshing. High time RW did the right thing by him, the UNP and supporters and handed over the reins to this very able man. He will at least do something for the suffering masses.

    • 2
      1

      Intelligence of an aegrotat degree holder from LSE !

      Simple scientific method of recruitment: Tall=>security & short=>labourer !
      Building huts using taxpayer money is the only achivement.
      Looting artifacts of Temple trees
      Trasure hunting of temples & ancient historical sites
      Phoned MR when sister was caught, trying to bank forged currency

  • 2
    0

    What has the presidency got to do with the cost of living? By abolishing it how will this bring down the COL and various other ailments affecting the people and the country. alike. It is not the presidency but the person wearing the crown and his sidekicks are the problem. COL is going up and up and up and there is no sign of its stability. President or prime minister what we need is someone who can address the woes of the people, stop widespread corruption and thuggery by the uniformed as well as by the monks..Politicians to make a genuine effort to bring unity among the people and to work for the prosperity of the nation. ( I think I am dreaming)

  • 2
    1

    Scientific survey from an AEGROTAT degree holder from LSE.

  • 0
    0

    The rumor is RW is planning to “shadow box ” Sajith into a corner. RW has called for an emergency meeting to discuss, presenting constitutional amendment to abolish presidency , in special parliamentary hearing this month. Sajith and team have already come out opposing this move. Though the amendment may not get enough majority , it will leave the impression that Sajith is for a “President with all/full powers”. MR will support to make sure GR is leached, if he is elected. Tamil party has promised to support, if at all it is produced anytime in parliament. MS told it is the government who is sitting on it, when he is ready to sign ASAP. Game on.

  • 0
    2

    Look at this Modoyos island same old parties same old faces ,where is country now? All these 2500 yrs proud historians leasing out the resources for 99 yrs for foreigners,
    Look at the present doctor’s and the 225 white clowns ,along with saffron robes
    Even Prez candidate wants to keep the foreign citizenship that alone tells you what the hold for the country’s future.
    Keep running the loss making air line to make comfort for the elites,buses trains .. .not making money,
    1956 sinhala only blunder makes mushrooming int national schools in village level.
    All people deserve is equality life freedom terrorists gone but fear not disappeared,only concern for one community only.

  • 2
    0

    Everybody wants to abolish the Presidency because they think it is a popular stance but they have no intention of doing it. Actually, it is not the Presidency itself that is the problem, the problem is the corrupt men who occupy the post. An upright man with the powers of the President can do wonders.

  • 1
    0

    Sajith Premadasa is a well known son of a well known father. In truth, there is nothing more than that , of substance, for him to show on his political CV. His statements show just what a political lightweight he is. Why does anyone need scientific surveys to prove the blooming obvious? Sajith Premadasa seems to have been in a deep slumber if he does not see what the administrations of the Presidents we have had, have delivered. Yes, that includes what his late father had to offer, and in more recent times, can we really say we have been blessed with the likes of Mahinda Rajapakse and Maithripala Sirisena? Oh, come on, Mr Premadasa, if by now you have no view on the matter, why should we even consider you as a serious contender?

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    Your comment is right on the money. The mandate of 2015 was due to the corrupt guy who was sitting in that chair. I prefer a good intelligent person with power in that chair rather than 225 stupid looters and gangsters making decisions for us. I like Sajith but the proofters around him is the problem.

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