19 March, 2024

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Gota’s Candidacy: String Of Objections Expected At Elections Commission Tomorrow

Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s formal nomination as presidential candidate representing the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna is likely to face several objections at the Elections Commission tomorrow morning, Colombo Telegraph learns.

Gotabaya signs nomination papers

Rajapaksa, who had to mobilize an army of lawyers to fight a pitched battle in the Court of Appeal over the validity of his Sri Lankan citizenship last week may need assistance to push back against the string of objections likely to arise on nominations day over the ambiguity of his citizenship status, sources told Colombo Telegraph.

However, only the candidate and one other person is permitted to be present during the handing over of nominations, according to the Presidential Elections Act.

Objections to a candidate can be made under Section 14 of the presidential elections Act. The Elections Commission may decide whether to entertain the objection. The Elections Commission is called upon to decide on objections without delay and inform the candidate concerned. Objections can only be made between 9am and 11.30am on nominations day. Objections can only be raised by rival candidates or those who sign nomination papers on their behalf.

The Elections Commission will have to decide whether to accept Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s purported loss of US citizenship certificate as proof of the fact that he is no longer a dual citizen. Dual citizens are barred from seeking election to public office under the terms of the Constitution as amended by the 19th Amendment in 2015.

Rajapaksa claims that on 3 May 2019 his USA citizenship was renounced effective 17 April 2019. However there are no official Government records in Sri Lanka or the US that indicate his renunciation process is complete. When he met the Elections Commissioners on August 26, Rajapaksa showed them his loss of US citizenship certificate. When he was asked about the fake certificate that was being circulated on social media, Rajapaksa told the Commission that the fake document had been circulated by his supporters, and the one he was showing the Commission was the real thing, media reports said at the time. Gotabaya Rajapaksa was accompanied to the Commission by President’s Counsel M. Ali Sabry, who leads his legal team.

The Court of Appeal order was delivered last Friday without detailed reasons for the dismissal of the writ application filed by civil society activists Gamini Viyangoda and Chandraguptha Thenuwara. It is unclear if the petition was dismissed on technical or factual grounds. It is also unclear whether the order will uphold Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s dual citizenship certificate as being authentic and valid. As a dual citizen, he cannot contest Sri Lankan elections, legal experts pointed out.

The Court of Appeal has already unseated one MP for seeking election while holding dual citizenship in the Geetha Kumarasinghe case. The Supreme Court upheld the CA decision in that matter.

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Latest comments

  • 28
    88

    ‘Koti Diaspora’ members, some Civil Society Organizations and NGO guys are shitting bricks after the court’s decision. More the Government and Civil Society Organizations harass Gotabhaya, his popularity among ordinary people goes up and support for UNP goes down.

    • 51
      15

      These men even murdered them to the auspicious times.
      :
      Who would buy these MEDIA display? if not they are even stupdier than Mahindapala aka Eagale Eye from Down Under. ?
      :
      My wish is Rajapkshes to face divine forces sooner than later. I believe in truths. These men should fall dead one behind the other, going by the harm they have done and haveen doing to the poor folks in the country yet today. Hoodwinking is the key weapon of their tactics.

      • 4
        14

        My argument is not that. Rajapkses are not qualified to protect Sinhalese Buddhists who are facing global threat.. Instead, they will destroy Sinhalese Buddhists identity and will turn Sri lanka into a Tamil-Monoploid state for which all tiger diaspora waiting to see . . They originally brought by colonialists and now same spies reinventing them into lanka.

        You are going to see Tamil settlement will take place rapidly from Negombo down to south of Galle which is the Tigers goal. Look Tamil Tigers’ map. Tigers have a map covered all coastal line of Sri lanka , Tigers tell Western public that map is their areas.

      • 1
        2

        That’s exactly what should happen to the people who freed us from a brutal war and developed the country. We don’t deserve them.
        There’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance called humility. Find that line my friend, come back to the real world.

      • 3
        1

        No objections. Gota sails through with Nomination. What about his US Citizenship????
        Maybe waiting for post Elections.

    • 35
      10

      There is always the Koti Diaspora, Civil Society and NGOs excuse for the mess and all the illegal games of the Rajapakses. Pity there are some who sing and dance with these words to their self-satisfaction.

      • 7
        8

        People must understand who they are messing with.
        Ali Sabry is the head of Mr
        Gotabaya’s legal team., he is a die hard Pro Muslims for Jerusellum for only Jews , A member of The Global Muslim Zion movement , so is Muzzamil ( Wimal Weerawanse’s party member) .
        I doubt Mr
        Gotabaya will be given any trouble by The Commisioner, The Commisioner knows better how he should behave.
        quote :
        Commisioner- we live in uncertain world – where everything is unvertain ,
        end qte.
        You know Like Israel makes all the decisions in the world
        So just leave Ali Sabry and Musamil.alone is best.
        Modi was Israel’s choice so is Mr.Gotabaya, there is nothing any mortal can do to stop that.
        Who knows may be Israel may allow us to prosper like Dubai.
        Citizenship.is hardly an issue.
        PM will take care of it.
        CT better you be in good books with The comming force.

        • 1
          5

          To Israel the world submits:-
          “Who knows may be Israel may allow us to prosper like Dubai.”!
          I feel Sorry for People like You Who believe that Dubai is an Example to Follow!
          Will the Rest of us Allow Our Beautiful Sri Lanka to become a Soulless Country like the Dubai Desert?

      • 0
        0

        This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.

        For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2

    • 18
      25

      More harassment will just shift more votes to Gota. Why eliminate the opponent? Just face him.

      • 3
        4

        Well said !

    • 6
      1

      You and your perceived collective of ‘ordinary people’ must be very ordinary indeed…’morons’ would be be a more descriptive term.

      Eagle Eye, you really need to see a therapist..

    • 13
      6

      You mean Sinhala Buddhist racists? Only they vote for Gota.

      Expect riots against Muslims, Christians and Tamils if Gota grabs power once again.

      • 3
        6

        ?????? @pathima
        cry baby , cry .????

    • 1
      0

      why tigers are against him because He is a Chinese or he has Tamil behind his family?

    • 4
      3

      Eagle Eye,
      “A court decision”? But, was it a pre-written verdict like the one which sent Gen SF to jail on fabricated charges? GoRa is not getting harassed; he is getting his dues for harassment he & MaRa did to so many innocent people. Instead of worrying, you should be happy that the establishment of rule of law after 2015 does not allow angry mob to treat GoRa the way Libyans treated Gaddafi.

      When I see comments like yours, I can’t help but feel sorry for human nature that still allows slave mentality even when there is a whole free world out there enabling to think & act independently.

      What is wrong with Kumara Welgama? Character wise (womanizing), he may be no worse than MaRa but as a human being, he is thousand times better than GoRa. So, why Chamal when Kumara is already there? The answer is simple: The inability think beyond family dynasty – an obvious sign of master_ slave mentality! This is nothing but a remnant of human evolution – from living in strictly hierarchical groups during the ape ancestry! Old habits die hard!

      • 1
        1

        Dear D. P.,
        .
        Spot on about Kumara Welgama – including his one fault.
        .
        He is said to be absolutely honest – it is said that he’s so rich and well-connected that he can afford to be. It’s a pity he’s not contesting.
        .
        I’ve heard him speak only in Sinhala, but they say he has excellent English. Like Sajith in that respect alone. Welgama speaks impressively to the point. You seem to know the man – tell us more, including why he didn’t turn up today, having paid his deposit yesterday.
        .
        Nagananda has no faults – only he’s highly strung. I met him once in his office. His followers adore him, but let’s face it: there weren’t enough of them, and in certain senses, he’s an innocent. I hope that he will throw his vote behind somebody who can actually send the two major parties packing. Will deal with him separately.

    • 7
      5

      The Rajapakshe slaves will always come up with excuses like Koti Diaspora, NGO dollar kaaka, etc. etc. Knowing very well that the Rajapakshes will loot the country left, right and centre and also rule as dictators, the Rajapakshe slaves will close their eyes and support them.

      • 10
        5

        Gota is surrounded by all the top class Racists, thieves, drug and ethanol dealers, and what not. This very clearly indicates that the Sri Lankan masses are stupid asses with very low IQ. Now everybody can understand why, after the British left, the country has fallen to such low state where as all the surrounding countries have to a great extent.

        • 3
          3

          all the surrounding countries have developed to a great extent.

    • 7
      5

      Eagle eye,
      What is your problem with koti diaspora? they left because of your 3rd rated moron politicos abuse of power towards Tamils, discrimination in education, employment, and free movement as ordinary citizen. When the tigers were powerful your sinhala-buddhist-govis never set their foot in NE. What is happening today? cremation in temple grounds, fake archeological findings.

    • 5
      5

      If anyone would stand against them, they are called ” kotiya” or Tigers ” or Ltters. Where is the tolerance ? But these ballige puthas go on licking the bo trees and even the sand scattered there, making them ultra buddhists. In the reality Rajakshes are hypocrites that abuse lanken buddhism and buddhistic culture to stay in power.
      Lanken buddhists would not think twice if one would say ” sadu, sadu ” the other follows it. They dont care about the certificate Gotabaya has displayed to the media is genuine or not, he has been given the nomination today. My issues is, why US state department stayed mum over the issue. Diplomatic relations means, their former men when becoming politically active in our country, should clear the issue that are being thorny to the nation.
      Why Gotabaya’s renunciation of CITIZENSHIP was not treated well by US govt.
      Besides, the bugger Gotabaya has got a bunch of allegations on high crimes including murders. There too, STATE dept to stay mum is more than questionable to me.
      What do you make of this… ?

  • 55
    18

    This thief is trying to contest by hook or by crook. For what…. To loot the country…. Not for the betterment. How sad….. that Sri Lanka’s Rajapaksa slaves want a dishonest thief/murderer as their president. Some Rajapaksa slaves (so called Dhesapremiyo) have a dream that Gota would develop the country and be the next Lee Quan Yew. However, it is guaranteed that this thief will become another Mugabe. In that event, only consolation is that this thief is 70+ years old and only few yeas of life left to screw Sri Lanka. Regardless of the politics, all those known thieves (be it UNP, SLFP or SLPP etc) should be purged from the system and time is ripe for fresh set of energetic and young people to settle in. Until then…. God Bless Sri Lanka (as Buddha has stopped blessing Sri Lanka because of the mockery by robe wearing men who are suppose to carry his message).

    • 26
      6

      Ruwan,
      .
      There’s a particularly perspicacious friend of mine (in Government Service, and now with a PhD), who told me, as MaRa won the Presidency in 2005, and installed Gota as Defence Secretary, that Prabhakaran was doomed.
      .
      The brothers would ruthlessly eliminate the LTTE, but after that, heaven help all the Sri Lankans who are left behind.
      .
      He said that Gota had it in him to be another Mugabe, and that Sri Lanka would resemble Zimbabwe.
      .
      The only silver lining seems to be that after Mugabe’s death a few people seem to recall his constructive early years, and there has been some recovery (so they say) of the Zimbabwean economy.
      .
      Never mind Zimbabwean history, we’ve got to vote strategically to, if possible, get AKD elected, if not give NEXT Preference to the UNP guy – and never mind aegrotat degrees. What is tragic is that the Nagananda Group could not be more efficient in organising themselves – and now I find Tweets unfairly suggesting that Nagananda was dishonest.

      • 35
        11

        Fearless, strategic Sarath Fonseka is the one who ruthlessly destroyed LTTE, not the man who left Sri Lanka fearing LTTE or his brother. However, as the then commander in chief MR gets some credit but it is a myth that GR or MR defeated LTTE.

        Sad that alternate forces are not efficient but we should support them. One day, hopefully, they will be successful in purging the thieves. That’s the only solution if SL’S young to have any future. Imagine that ass Namal becoming president one day. Zimbabweans would be happy that day?

        • 1
          0

          \\\this myth impose on Sinhala public by some spies to take revenge on Sinhalese because they could not get their interest. They do this with help of local Sinhalese spies who own Sinhala and English news papers and websites

        • 6
          0

          Ruwan
          It all depends now on the EC’s decision whether to entertain the Nomination of Gota or not by examining the authenticity of the claim by Gota that he had renounced US citizenship on 17thApril 2019 by checking up with the US authorities if the claim is genuine or not.
          I have no doubt the people in the EC will do their job properly, because they are the ultimate guardians of the Sovereignty of the people of this country.

          • 6
            0

            The Election Commission has accepted all 35 of the nominations that they received today. Forty-one had deposited money to contest. Seen on T.V. by me, on Hiru T.V., but probably on all channels. At 12.43 p.m. being announced on the news of many channels. No untoward incidents.
            .
            The most significant of those who did not turn up to nominate, despite paying up was Kumara Welgama of Matugama – he’s a Member of Parliament of the SLFP for the Kalutara District. He had expressed opposition to SLPP nominations being a family affair. So, his non-arrival is a victory for the SLPP who have two nominees (the Parties they officially represent may have different names): Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his brother, Chamal Rajapaksa. No Ranil Wickremasinghe, but his first cousin, Prof. Rajive Wijesinha, is a candidate.
            .
            There’s also a Namal Rajapaksa among the 35 nominees. This is not MaRa’s son. This fellow was nominated in 2015 as well, and came fourth. A guy planted by the UNP, probably, to confuse.
            .
            The most significant feature today was that Gotabaya Rajapaksa was accepted as a candidate.

      • 6
        4

        SLPP (Sri Lanka Pawul Palanaya) is nothing but a Rajapakshe Family party where only the Rajapakshe Family will control the party. If not Gota then Chamal, if not Chamal then Basil, if not Basil then Namal, and so on. It will definitely be a dictatorship as we have seen before.

      • 4
        4

        Sinhala_ Man,
        Your information about GoRa’s appointment in 2005 is wrong; for, MaRa appointed his brother as the Def Sec only for two reason: His own safety & to keep political enemies under control! They had no idea whatsoever in 2015 whether the civil war would end the way it did.

        Three other unrelated events helped MaRa regime win the war. 1. 9/11 incident in the US. After the 9/11 attack US Gvt declared all terrorist groups as enemies of the US forcing LITTE to lose substantial international support. US supplied very important intelligence to help destroy LITTE ships. 2. A load of weapons ordered by CB Gvt from China arrived after MaRa took over. 3. Karuna Amman’s break away from LITTE after he supported Ranil’s peace agreement. Only after Toppigala fell, Mara grabbed the opportunity to continue.

        MaRa & his communication team controlled the script of the war story as they pleased. They manipulated the media exactly for this purpose. Gen SF, the real war hero of ending the war was castigated as a traitor for not supporting MaRa’s version of war. Unfortunately, public is still buying these lies.

        • 3
          2

          Thanks, D. P.,
          .
          What you say obviously amounts to a more “sophisticated” analysis tying up the defeat of the LTTE to more verifiable and “public” events. I agree with all that you say, especially the Fonseka vs Gota comparison. Don’t bother to correct the typo in your first para – 2005 twice, not 2015 even once.
          .
          Mine was more a personal anecdote, and I don’t think that I ought to reveal anything more about my super intelligent friend. He has a huge professional contribution to make to the country, and revealing some of his political thinking may be dangerous for him.
          .
          I’m a retired guy. I wasn’t allowed to contribute all that I could have – much of that undermining because I’m too open. D. P., when you first noticed my comments (quite recently although I’ve been a regular since about February 2015), you feared, owing to my pseudonym, that I was an utter racist. I hope that you’ve cleared me of that! About myself, I will answer quite frankly. You may have noticed that just yesterday, I revealed my real name, with no ambiguity.

          • 3
            3

            SM,
            please take good care of you. These idiots that would play housanas in favour of pro-Rjapakshes are hired to do so.
            Just imagine, we perfectly know that Gota failed to place his official renunciation of his US citzenship before the nation, nevertheless that big mouthed EC considered it as genuine and gave him nomiations wihtout any objections.
            Even Mahinda could become a nominee in today legal context in SL:
            Mr Nk was not given a chance because it was a real threat to lanken systems. That was a plot to corner him. Today it revealed that Mahesh senanaya too involved cornering NK

      • 3
        1

        Mr Sinhala Man,
        I want you to clear our doubts about the injustice BEING faced by our Mr Naganandna Kodithuwakku.
        I saw once you were sitting with those WIKALPAYA people, and you owe us an explanation.
        Thank you.
        I

    • 16
      14

      The biggest loot was the great bond scam… Who’s protecting Mahendran?

      • 5
        1

        All the thieves in the present system arw protecting Mahendran. They are protecting each other. Do you believe that Mahendran would be brought and punish…. In your dreams…This culture… You scratch my back… I scratch yours… should change or end.

        But to do so… first we should be out of slave mentality…but to my understanding majority in SL are slaves of Rajapaksha family…Ranil…UNP….SLFP …. SLPP etc.

        Ruling class want average people to be uneducated slaves so that they can be controlled to their advantage. That’s what I learned while riding UBER in SL. Those uber drivers were more educated than my friends …so called MDs or PhDs who were slaves to Rajapaksas or a party.

        Wonder even if God or Allah can bless SL. Not to insult any religion but since Buddha has given up on SL… Just wondered?

      • 5
        2

        Thieves in present govt and former govt.

    • 2
      1

      good! you know that. study further more how they came to Sri lanka.
      all power hungry foreign tribes brought to Sri lanka by colonialist and they are continue to feed them because colonialists knew Sinhalese Modayas serve their interest the best…all you have to say to Sinhalese Modayaa is “I converted to Buddhism and got a Sinhalese name.” additionally just include some bribes for monks and some more bribes for Modayas

    • 3
      2

      (1)Robbery of Central Bank, using Mattala as a warehouse without working on a million dollar airline deal, permanent sale of Sri Lankan real estate to foreign companies.

      (2)Nelum Pokuna, Hambantota Harbour, Mattala Airport, Nelumkuluna Kuluna, Highways, FASTEST GROWING CITY IN THE WORLD !

      Tell me who are the thieves brother.
      Doesn’t matter ‘Rajapakshe’ or ‘Wickramasinghe’ slave, some stuff are factual. Which means yours nor my opinions matter, facts don’t care how you feel. The sooner you start seeing things with a neutral mind the sooner you’ll understand. Step out of the anger for a bit and you’ll see things as they are.

      Why does age matter to be the president brother ? He won’t have to go sky diving or scuba diving. Age is a big deal as it comes with experience. That’s the only good thing that comes with age. Like a fine wine, better as it ages.

      To start with, it’s a bit hard for the Buddha to bless Sri Lanka as he has been dead for some time now. I too hope the god’s come to bless my country. It’s a hard time to be a patriot these days, because of all the politically induced people walking around. People like you Ruwan.

    • 4
      3

      Most CT readers unanimously agree on one thing. Rajapaksas are bad bad news. How is it they have a stranglehold on this country. They get away with murder, misappropriation of public money, mega commissions and kickbacks, racist policies etc etc.
      What’s wrong with the people of this beautiful country, why do we tolerate them and all most all parliamentarians who steal from the public coffers and amass wealth.
      We need to get rid of the 225 start afresh.

  • 13
    4

    Very factual article. Thanks CT.

  • 41
    5

    GOTA keeps seeking legal loopholes with the help of top-notch lawyers to protect his interests. At the same time he deprives ordinary citizens from getting justice for the crimes suffered at his hand by dodging the courts using the enormous amount of money he robbed from the people. How can such an unconscionable coward be allowed to contest the presidential elections? Is it because Sri Lanka is a Buddhist country, and believes in compassion?

    • 5
      2

      SL is the least Buddhist country in the world….If you understand what Buddha taught…not what popular robe wearing morons preech… You would not say SL is a Buddist country.

      SL is an insult to Buddhism…. Sad to say but the truth. If Buddha were alive today…. He would commit suicide thinking what robe wearing morons are doing to distort/destroy his great philosophy.

  • 26
    4

    Let him contest. It would be the best option. He will not win. General public will not vote for a family party and a person who has zero experience as a politician.
    For example,Look at what Naaga had done. Same applies to politically inexperienced gotlar too.

    He is a vegeterian too ( probably eating different type of meat ! ).
    He is not eating cake but drinks useless milk powder based tea as per the leaflet distributed for homes.
    So generally most local vegeterians are idiots, gota too is an idiot. This is why he cannot speak in public without teleprompter or answer media. He is scared that people will know that he is the biggest idiot contesting election

    • 18
      2

      Amila,

      ,
      He is vegetarian but had sharks at his official residence and fed chicken obviously tax payers money which could have used to feed poor malnourished children. Blind slaves don’t understand the logic.

      • 2
        0

        Chicken? U mean his enemie!

      • 1
        1

        my all Sri lanka supper spy agency which is the legitimate right of Sri lanka and supposed to have right in 1948.
        Removing of taking the rights Modayas voters as well as countering local spies and foreign spies, is their sole right and sole duty.

  • 32
    7

    A man who gets away with multiple murders will also get away with multiple citizenships. This is Sri Lanka after all.

  • 22
    3

    The bottom line to all this ought to be the fact that he has no abiding commitment to “Sri Lanka as is”. That is the Sri Lanka that we all live in. we have never sought to live elsewhere.
    .
    This guy must either be Monarch of Sri Lanka (21st Century term is Executive President) or a Citizen of the Most Powerful (albeit fragile) country that ever was in history.
    .
    Let him go back to America, and let us manage whatever way we can.

    • 2
      2

      Vote him out. There are 30 of others to choose from.

      Soma

    • 0
      1

      Dear S_M
      Do you have any suspicion that the elections will not be free and fair?

      Soma

      • 0
        0

        This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.

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      • 0
        0

        This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.

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      • 1
        1

        Dear Soma,
        .
        Yes, I have fears, but perhaps I was too long-winded and not sticking closely enough to the situation here and now.
        .
        I had put in details of how Election Commission Member Hoole had done good but unappreciated work in the Maldives. Let me try to get some sleep and put it more succinctly tomorrow. I’d better give you the relevant facts and let you google further and draw your own conclusions.
        .
        My two comments together approached 600 words (I was careful not to exceed). Perhaps what I have said is sufficient for you to do the thinking.

    • 2
      0

      Amen… Sinhala man… Try to understand geo political game.

    • 0
      1

      His sole promoter is Jews who wants to take revenge, and Jews will not go away unless Sri lanka welcome them as a country.

  • 18
    2

    Some responsible official in the Elections Commission should pay a visit to the US Embassy in Colombo and inquire about the current US citizenship status of Gotabaya Rajapaksa from some responsible official there. However, there are two obstacles in the way of following this course of action. One is, whether there is a responsible person at the Elections Commission, and two, whether there is a responsible person in the US Embassy. I will not be surprised if those bloody rogues in the US Embassy refuse or fail to confirm or deny whether this man is a US citizen or not!

    • 4
      2

      What bothers me, no, stumps me, is the slavish mentality of Gota supporters who will happily ignore the murders, the large scale robbing and all other unspeakable horrors this man committed. What hope is there for this country when ppl will choose to gnore? Have they forgotten the white van culture, the dissppearances, the murders in broad daylight? Hv they forgotten MIG and all other frauds and daylight robbery? How shameless do our ppl hv to be to, in their slavish adoration, just push these away under the carpet. Shame shame shame, if elected, MARA will turn this country into pol pots cambodia.

  • 14
    5

    It’s a big fart. No one could win without minorities votes. Minorities would never vote for Gota, 41 candidates going to get majority Sinhalese votes, add to that, the one who gets all the minorities votes wins the election.

    • 1
      5

      We do not need s single minority vote .
      we already have more than 7 million Sinhala Votes ( Bhuddishts, Catholics and others)
      we are going to have 90% sinhala and few loyal tamil only goverenment same like India.
      Also Mr.Gotabaya has been promised by a very powerful intelligence that they will investigate the funding of certain religous commumities businesses and NGOs.
      They believe same as what was done to the previous terrorist funding network which were operating under fake business fronts must be done to wipe out ISIS sucessfully ( May be not White Vans this time , but some thing more sophidticated ,So far the masive islandwide economic blockade is still holding very strong).

    • 2
      1

      Dear Silva,
      .
      There are now 35 confirmed candidates, not 41, but nevertheless a huge number.
      .
      At this moment, the one person posing a challenge to Gotabaya and Sajith would seem to be Anura Kumar Dissanayake.
      .
      I’d better not say too much since I’m getting edited out. Let me try to be strictly relevant.
      .
      There is a group of “Alternatives” who seem to be saying the same sort of thing. That is General Mahesh Senanayake, Rohan Pallewatte, and Nagananda Kodituwakku. I hope that the moderators will allow this report about what happened to Nagananda Kodituwakku to speak for itself.
      .
      With so much slander of the poor man, it is important that we know that Nagananda actually was present in Rajagiriya on Monday morning.
      .
      https://www.newsfirst.lk/2019/10/07/naganada-fails-to-submit-nomination-after-collecting-campaign-funds/
      .
      These alternatives could conceivably become selfless and start asking that one of them be focussed on. As for the minorities, could you please tell me HOW they can influence the final result. Obviously, they should have a say, but the danger is that very few of them will cast Preferential votes. We have time, of course, but we’ve got to make a start by DISCUSSING issues.
      .
      Otherwise, that terrible-sounding Vasudeva Nanayakkkara claim (when read in its entirety it wasn’t so bad) will become true. Only a Sinhala-Buddhist can win – others will not be able to influence at all, unless fora such as this educate voters on how to vote strategically. Vasu brought caste also into the debate; I hope that mention of the dirty word by me will not bring censorship!

  • 12
    3

    When coming out from court on Saturday, Ali Sabry told reporters”Why should he (GR) forge documents, when his brother is president”. That says a lot.

  • 10
    5

    Can we please put this citizenship charade to rest once and for all as the Court of Appeal order is very clear.

    If Gota has to be defeated, the UNP and or all other forces who pledge democracy will be at risk if Gota is elected should opt the democratic route of defeating him at the polls without looking at back door options. In the event Gota gets elected as President, as true followers of democracy accept the decision of the majority and wait for their turn to convince the electorate the next time around.

    Preaching democracy is not sufficient, democracy is best when it is practiced in spirit, and the preachers walk the talk!

    • 2
      1

      Dear NonResident,
      .
      Please be more specific. Do you advocate the marking of Preferences?
      .
      If yes, how should they be arranged? We can come to names and personalities later.
      .
      How do you advocate getting the message across to – THINK?
      .
      Actually, if even the candidate whom we hate the most gets elected, if the guy knows that it was his good traits that got him elected (while significant votes for decent and upright candidates indicate other criteria for some voters), he would be a better President than if he felt that it was his use of thugs won him the election.
      .
      It is sometimes better not to name the guys you think are good. He may even decide not to vote for them precisely because you (whom he secretly hates) have recommended it.
      .
      On the other hand, you will never be the loser if you succeed in making him think.

      • 0
        1

        Sinhala Man.
        will you migrate when The Royals of Pakshes arrive with pomp & pagent ????

        • 0
          0

          Dear Ex-Gosl,
          .
          It may be that I will have to migrate to my final resting place, six feet underground.
          .
          That migration is one that we must all undertake after we have been warmed by the kind old sun for a period that doesn’t usually exceed a century. So, why be timorous in the face of tyranny?
          .
          As for the pomp and pageantry of the Rajapaksas:
          .
          “The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power,
          And all that beauty, all that wealth e’er gave,
          Awaits alike the inevitable hour.
          The paths of glory lead but to the grave.”
          .
          Some may say that some metaphysical power will set the score right. I have no such faith.

      • 2
        0

        Dear Sinhala man,

        Marking of preferences is an option available to voters, todate we have had no chance to assess if people really mark preferences as all previous elections have been decided in the first count. Based hearsay, it is evident people never select preferences and it is very likely at this election too majority of people will opt to not select preferences. If the 2019 poll is to decided by a second count my personal view is that it will not materially change the result of the first count as the number of persons who opt to mark preferences will not be sufficient to make a marked difference.

        My personal unbiased view, even though I am not a Gota fan, is that there will not be a second count as Gota will sail through on the first count, thanks to RW’s pathetic tenure as PM. During the last 4.5 years we had plenty of fantastic economic and governance theory being preached on paper and through voice cuts, but on the implementation and execution front the result was a sad and disappointing “ZERO”. Everything has a price and plenty more years in the opposition is the price UNP will have to pay for “Economic Maestro and Wizz Kid” RW’s actions! Personally a teenager with common sense would have done a better job!

        • 0
          0

          Dear NonResident,
          .
          Your gloomy prognostication could well prove to be well-founded.

          .
          In Sri Lanka, we have no precedent to guide us. However, the Mayor of London has been selected five times in the 21st Century by a similar system. The winner has never had 50% on the first count; five times they have counted Preferences – 2nd Preference only since they don’t have a Third:
          .
          https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_mayoral_elections
          .
          The first-round leader has on all those occasions been confirmed as the winner of the poll. Furthermore, I don’t think that any of the five victors (actually only three individuals have been involved – with Livingston winning twice, and Boris “the terrible” also twice) ever got 50% of the total valid votes. Could you please take a look and see if the third individual is a Sinhala-Buddhist?-
          .

          May I set you the tedious task of working out what percentage of valid votes the winner obtained? I found that in the year 2,000, Livingston got around 45%. Please give us the exact figures to the nearest second decimal place.
          .
          One guy (Sinhala_Man) needn’t do all the homework, need he?

          .

  • 16
    3

    Wow…….all the hyenas have gathered around for the feast ahead. UNP/ SLFP coalition under Ranil and Sirisena were given the best opportunity by the people of this country to rid corruption, crime and these rogues. They not only failed to do this but encouraged more corruption, starting with the Central Bank Bond scam and then moving on to selling the ‘Duty Free Vehicle Permits’, issued at the expense of the tax paying public, and crediting their bank accounts with the proceeds. It is estimated each of these permits were worth Rs50.0 million. Whilst, no relief has been given to the people or the businesses of this country, the government saw it fit to ingratiate themselves, as soon as they came into power. Thereafter, we see an unending stream of corruption taking place in every department, Ministry, Municipal and VC, Authority, etc.
    The people do not trust the UNP, SLFP or the SLPP, the latter being also tainted with blood of the innocent. The alleged perpetrators of crime under the previous regime, however have received protection and national accolades from President Sirisena, like in the case of Karanagoda and bully boy and jail bird Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne who are both under investigation for the abduction and killing of 11 youth.
    The government has also failed in its duty to ensure justice by enforcing the law to everyone; flouting the law when necessary to protect the criminals within the military and armed forces and marauding fascist monks. Mithri Ranil duo has not shown any commitment to investigate, expose and punish those involved in the financial crimes, murders of the Rajapakse regime .
    My personal opinion of Gota, is that he is the most vindictive and dangerous of the Rajapakses. He should never be the president of SL, if you value your freedom.

  • 13
    5

    My Personal choice is Anura Kumara Dissanayake. He has walked the talk, being in coalition with two governments haven’t heard of any crime attached to him. I do hope, people will vote for an outsider yet a straight talker like A K Dissanayake.

    • 1
      1

      I agree, AKD is the best choice! Even if he does not win, a sizable chunk for him will send a damn good message to the rest!

  • 3
    1

    It is too late for any thing now. Let the people decide the president. More you try to someone more stronger he gets.

  • 6
    2

    Will Gota need to go to Singapore for Medical Treatment, now that he has Handed in His Nomination Papers?
    Do we need a President who needs Medical Treatment Abroad?

  • 5
    1

    If we are to believe this forum, Gota will loose this election hands down. So I am still confused as to why they are so shit scared to face him at the election and devote so much space here to sling mud and innuendo. Am I missing something?

    • 3
      3

      Helass

      “Am I missing something?”

      Yes you are missing your brain, heart, soul, humanity, sense, affection for fellow human being, ……………………………………………………………. .

      • 2
        0

        @ Native Vedda, if all of us park emotions (brain, heart, humanity, sense and affection) for a while, we will be able accept reality and admit the prophets of governance and democracy failed us miserably and deserve to be sent home!

  • 6
    0

    It is sickening to the core that Sri Lankans are living in denial, the politics, religion and the culture. There is something fundamentally wrong because the way of life of “True” Buddhism is not followed. Outdated political leaders, racism and killers are revered. It is really a “Pariah” state with lack of vision. God has forsaken Sri Lankan.

  • 1
    1

    Even though will is not fan of majority of minority voters, he still will some votes from muslim and tamil voters. But the big majority of Sinhala votes will go to him. As long as Sajith is surround by Ranil, Managala,TNA, CMC then Sinhalese will not give a chance to him.

  • 3
    0

    Pavolvian dogs dont stop salivating at the sound of the bell (even if there is no meat/substance). Lanka has been the Largest experimental theater in conditioning and reinforcement. Jeyawewa.

    • 1
      0

      @ Chiv Like Pavolvian dogs the majority salivated for 4.5 years! The Pavolvian dogs will now need a rest!

      • 1
        1

        NonResident

        Under Pavlov’s conditioning dogs salivated in the hope of being fed on the other hand under Gota’s conditioning very often fascist supporters with the symptoms of erectile dysfunction get hard on without the o****m.

  • 5
    1

    Is UNP shooting themselves in the foot?

    5000 Samurdhi jobs
    Mano G’s teaching appointments to unqualified teachers
    RW’s “international airports”
    Sajith’s statements about residences, bullet-proof cars from his supiri mukaya

    Both sides are taking the masses for a ride???

    • 3
      0

      Yes, people are fed up with such promises especially after Sirisena’s promises to govern from Polonnaruwa.

  • 1
    1

    Is Gota’s nomination rejected by EC?

  • 0
    1

    when the verdict in Gotha; the case was given on friday valid reasons for the verdict should be given The judges should say as to why the documents related to dual citizenship were missing Was it planed affair by Mahinda Rajapakse. Should we have a corrupt? If they appeal aginst the verdict can EC reject the application for Pressiency by Gotha In any court of law realted documents with signature are more important in making decisions? Why was it overlooked > Any valid reason given for missing documents

    • 1
      0

      The Citizenship Act is very clear and unambiguous, all what is required to be recognized as a citizen is a declaration by the Minister based on an application by an applicant, and the act does not specify the form of application and no specified form of application is mentioned in the act! which means even a verbal application to the Minister is sufficient!

  • 1
    1

    If GR becomes the president the first thing he would do is to get rid of all fraud cases framed against the Rajapakses and seek out all those against him.

    If SP becomes the President he would soon after protect RW from the CB bond scam and immediately proceed to build the 100 chaityas promised to the Buddhist clergy
    and who needs these chaitys when the poor and needy are looking for a roof above their heads.

    Be it UNP, SLPP or AKD of JVP and the other contestants are new names to the top position and it would be a sort of trial and error basis before they can get down to business.

    UNP and SLPP are backed by experienced, seasoned and crafty politicians who can guide a newcomer to power politics.

    Either way the Government service, the majority of them being Sinhalese are all racially motivated and corrupted. Government departments, police and armed forces wear blinkers when performing their duties to the public at large. Tamils followed by the Muslims are treated as third class citizens though they continue to make valuable contributions to the nation and the government coffers, needless to mention that salaries paid to these public servants does not come from the Buddhist temples.

    To be the president it is necessary to be a Sinhala Buddhist and as caste matters it has to be Govi or upper caste which is contrary to the constituton. Therefore
    the chances for a non Sinhala Buddhist to head the nation is nil.

  • 1
    1

    Once a defence secretary and now presidency nominee tells lies and fraud, how could he administer the land if he becomes president. Its is a shame for the country if it has any. Everything in shambles in Sri lanka. Fraud , thuggery, bribery, corruption, intimidation, murder., robbery , wickedness every evil thing prevails in Sri Lanka. What a shame.

    • 1
      1

      Sellam, all that is now happening in Sri Lanka is contradictory to the true philosophy of Buddhism. Thugs in saffron robes are terrorizing the nation in general and the minorities in particular with the total backing of the racist police and the government, the government has lost control of these unruly monks who are followed by an unruly mob. No nation can attain peace or progress which will eventually turn out this beautiful country to mob rule with a paper government.

      It is true of what you say that the country has become the cradle for everything that is evil and we have lost human values and yet it is called a Buddhist country. What a disgrace to this great philosophy.

  • 1
    0

    Whatever is one’s wishful thinking, not a single objection was raised against GR candidature at the point of accepting the nomination papers. I too perceive that the guy probably has some dark clouds. The acid test of a military man is what exactly did he do during the 1988 to 1990 JVP uprising. There was some skeletal remains in Matale, the place GR was during the period concerned but Carbon dating gives a time period much earlier. So the case was closed. For some reason or the other all the political parties do not want to talk of extrajudicial killings that took place during that time. I am made aware of an incident where a clerical officer in the Immigration Department is alleged to have taken a bribe. He was taken to a toilet and his faced was placed on the toilet bowl and was administered the sentence “Jarawa kewane! Jarawa Kapang!”. Those were the practical remedies that GR is supposed to have instituted during his tenure as Defence Secretary. One can say much better than a white van and taking away one’s life. Nevertheless this is why the election of an ex-military man is not desirable. However one must face the reality in assessing things with respect to the expected voicing of objections at the point of accepting the nomination papers.

  • 1
    2

    According to a news item these are Gotha’s Resume.

    1. Starting the white van abduction culture and kidnapping, abducting and enforce disappearing journalists, reporters and political dissidents
    2. Sending a SL airline to Switzerland to bring a puppy dog to his wife

    3. Killing the two chopper pilots who brought the gold captured by Sarath Fonseka of LTTE through a helicopter crash

    4. Killing of parliament MP Sripathi Suryarachchi through a fatal accident who proved with evidence that Rajapaksa gave extortion to LTTE

    5. Raising sharks at home and feeding them with white van victims who are abducted

    6. Killing the mother elephant and illegally possessing the two baby elephants.

    7. Killing the beggars by hitting their heads with stones and decorating the towns.

    8. Forcibly dumping the Colombo garbage to Meethotamulla area which destructed many lives and properties.

    9. Forcibly removing poor households from Colombo by deploying the army. Kidnapping the people through white van who are protesting.

    10. Bombing Sirasa, Siyatha and Udayan media institutions.

    11. Setting fire to Lanka e News office and its library

    12. Setting fire to Colombo Kachcheri to destroy documents belong to people have valuable properties in Colombo who has gone overseas.

    13. Spending 90miliion public money to renovate his parent’s grave. Following a court verdict a part payment was made leaving the arrears
    unpaid.

    14. Selling the army headquarters land located at Galle face for hotel Shangrila and taking a 40 million commission through the deal

    15. Taking Rs. 550 million bribe from Tata company of India

    16. Misusing the “Api wenuwen api” war heroes fund

    17. Leaving to US during the intense war with LTTE claiming false psychiatric disorder

    18. Taking the American citizenship claiming as a Sri Lankan patriotic

    19. Making arbitrary agreement with the US government without informing the SL parliament

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