By Rosslyn Hyams –
The International Commission of Jurists and a group of senior judges and legal officials from Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America have called on Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse, to reinstate the country’s Chief Justice, Shirani Bandaranayake, sacked and replaced Bandaranayake after the parliament impeached her. Dayan Jayatilleka, a Sri Lankan political scientist and former diplomat, talks about the stand-off between the executive and the judiciary.
Listen Dayan’s interview on the impeachment and the centralisation of power here
Piranha / January 28, 2013
Dayan is still trying to protect his master Rajapaksa from criticism for the impeachment of the CJ. Dayan can’t be a fool not to have recognised the past actions of Mahinda Rajapaksa, especially the 18th amendment that was brought in with unholy haste and approved by the previous CJ, were clear clues as to what his intentions were in getting rid of an obstructive CJ and replacing her with a pliant and servile Mohan Pieris.
Dayan should know that whatever actions his government members take the buck stops with the leader, Mahinda Rajapaksa. He can’t escape from this responsibility. The excuse that Mahinda Rajapaksa has been misled is getting a bit stale. In that case he has been misled many times but the mistakes are not being reversed by Rajapaksa. The plain truth is that Rajapaksa is creating a despotic family rule in Sri Lanka and it has reached a stage that no one can do anything to stop him. With his misrule the country is sliding down an abyss fast, and anticipating widespread public unrest, Rajapaksa is rapidly amassing all powers to suppress them.
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Bedrock Barney / January 28, 2013
I don’t think Dayan is trying to protect anyone in this instance especially. Assuming that Piranha has listened to the whole interview it is hard to see how he(Dayan) was being defensive. In fact this is easily his most damning attack on regime. Likening the GOSL to a ‘runaway train with no brakes’ is as about as close you can get to name calling in the academic community. One has to bear in mind that he has to live in Colombo. Emphasis on ‘live’.
In the Past Dr J has had a love-in with this government. Looks like this relationship is headed for break up far worse than his breakup with the JVP.
The question is where do people who have had enough the UPFA go? Surely the UNP is no alternative. TNA and SLMC are in it for themselves. Bahu can be quite mad at times and the old left is dead and assumed the form of a doormat, where UPFA politicians regularly wipe their feet.
The need of the hour is a political formation which will accommodate those who have had enough of the SLFP and UNP. Perhaps the old Brohiers’ Home for aged will accommodate. If not it will be a bitter retirement.
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Ben Hurling / January 29, 2013
“Miracle of Asia” does not need the executive, legislative and Judicial branches of government.
We already have MR, BR and GR. That will do.
Take it easy people and very good luck to Sri Lanka.
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Ben Hurling / January 29, 2013
To ensure further Checks and Balances we have CR, NR and SR (Sashindra). So, Sri Lankans have nothing to worry about. Everything good.
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Mahela / January 30, 2013
Yes after the celebrations of CJ impeachment win by eating endless Kiribath, Helapa, aggala etc…..Rajapakse family will like some American Made Apple Pie, Lasagna, KFC and grilled stake and cheese from a drone or a B2 air drop direct into their Bedroom while having candle light romantic ecstasy…….or while repeating sa…du…ssssaaaadddduuu…….sssssssaaaaaadddddduuuuuuuuu
Could have a multiple org,,….asm celebrations.
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Samson / January 28, 2013
The question how many more months he will be able to cover up the abusive Ruler^s fraudulent, rythless and anti-democractic cases.
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Safa / January 29, 2013
Dr Dayan is referring to the influence of BR and GR on the president to reign in the judiciary, which is correct in a sense. However it does not detract from the overall responsibility of the president for this entire fiasco.
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Don Quixote / January 29, 2013
Just the sound of a man who likes to hear his own voice. High flown English and an ego that needs to be massaged on a regular basis.
Stick to lecturing in universities, if you can round up enough students after your first two lectures !
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Watcher / January 29, 2013
It is amazing that people here forget what happen in the past starting with JR hijacking the SL constitution.. Since then we have executive running illegal actions that affect the countries well being.
Stopped being stooges to the foreigners and some churches and NGO’s. Try to get country towards independent judiciary and police force and rest will fall in to the place.
Quite pathetic that some lawyers here crying foul even though they are part of the problem. These are the parasites that deserve punishment.
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Dilan / January 29, 2013
Dayan, why you are covering-up the President in this interview?
Are you waiting for another appointment as an Ambassador to Russia, Cuba or Venusula?
I thought you are the right person to say things truthfully but you were covering-up the President in the scenario.
It is well known that your President took personal interest to take revange on Shirani.
Can you explain us about the President involvement in Shirani’s affair.
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Jayantha / January 31, 2013
This is nothing to do with Dayan looking for a Diplomatic posts, but an uneducated, uncultured and an uncivilised Villege thug President Mahinda Rajapakse swolen with false pride ruining everything whatever left in Sri Lanka.This Moron does not listen to anybody and in the following Derana interview ex.CJ Sarath N. Silva tells about MR’s character.
http://www.derana.lk/index.php?route=programs/programs/programdetails&pid=85&vid=5582&page=4
When you see the video interview Sarath Silva says that MARA not only does not listen to anybody’s advise…but only trying to show his false wisdom to others by implementing projects that nobody approves and as a result wasting Billions of Dollers. The CB hedging deal is one of them.
How MARA appointed fake cabinet ministers yesterday costing additional 400 million rupees a month is another MARA showing his dictator rule to the country.
Also MARA suddenly increased export tax on each kilo of tea which was increased six months ago, and without even the knowledge of Plantation Minister and the tea exporters association. The containers were already in the port for export and the exporters are finding difficult to meet this extra cost. Remember how MARA increased import tax on cars by one million rupees each when they were already in the Harbour and others have already opened their LC’s.
MARA syatematically destroying private enterpreneurs in Sri Lanka while burdening the whole economy. While all the Corporations under Govt. ministers loosing Billions of rupees every month, MR is bankruptcing the little left over private sector businesses to acquire them under MARA dictator control, while everybody looking helpless and trying to survive.
While MARA son Gon hara…ka Namal got the highest marks ever of Sri Lanka history of 98 marks at the Law exam……today two students from Rajapakse Central College in Presidents home town of Weereketiya topped GCE AL Both Math and Biology in whole of Sri Lanka.This is another mystrey in Sri lanka’s history.
Please read the following news web.
http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/25391-al-resultsstudents-from-rajapaksa-college-topped.html
These are the biggest mysteries happening in the Rajapakse Lunatic Government to employ his villege goons to top Govt. positions.
I WILL TAKE A CHALLENGE WITH ANYBODY FOR ONE MILLION RUPEES ….THAT THESE TWO RESULTS ARE FAKE AND DOCTORED BY MARA GOONS, IF THEY COULD MAKE THESE TEST PAPERS FOR PUBLIC SCRUTINY.
After installing over six hundred family goons to top Govt. positions, now MARA plans to destroy the rest of the future generations by appointing his Weeraketiya villege goons by doctoring their results and by recruiting them for future Govt. jobs and positions while destroying private sector companies and enterprises to acquire them under his regime.
This is MARA dictator plan to take the whole country under his control.
Therefore all country loving patriots, opposition parties, trade unions, professional bodies and the clergy should help USA to bring a change to our country by toppling MARA Dictator…..and I hope ever invalid UNP opposition leader Ranil will help in this struggle.
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Sameera / February 2, 2013
Everything was excellent until this point reached and his whole efforts went in tatters:
“…..and I hope ever invalid UNP opposition leader Ranil will help in this struggle..”
With this type of freedom fighters I doubt even US would be able to help this country in a meaningful way!
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fred / January 29, 2013
I don’t think DJ was trying to cover up for MR but was being somewhat kind and trying to shift the blame somewhat from him and to un-named others, presumably the brothers. But the point about a leader is that a leader has to take RESPONSIBILITY. He cannot seek to find exscuses -and try to suggest he was compelled against his good judgement to do things he would not have done on his own. This is rubbish. He is the Executive President. As President Truman observed famously, ‘The buck stops here’. The buck stops with MR.
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Samson / January 29, 2013
DJ is an experienced political analyst. Why is that then he sounds to be not focusing on the worries of IC and srilankens that are in the opinion the process against CJ lately was totally a blunder ?
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Ramani Nanayakkara / January 29, 2013
Dayan must be relieved to be able to speak again now that he is no longer in the Government’s pay. Everytime he loses a job he turns democrat and liberal. Suddenly he can only see the bad things of this regime. At least some of our eyes stay open all the time not only when the government is not paying our bills.
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Wuliangguobinjiu / January 29, 2013
Sri Lanka the uncivilised land.
A politician is one who speaks the truth and sandwiches them with lies.
An educated politician is never to be trusted they are parasites who take power either by the gun or hoodwinking the public.
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Bedrock Barney / January 29, 2013
I am happy you have discovered what a politician is. Your leaning curve is looking steep, presently that is.
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Radish.S / January 29, 2013
The all powerful executive President (1978 Constitution + 18A)is ultimately responsible for everything. Dayan calls himself a political scientist again and again but he has proved himself to be a mercenary both in Geneva and in Colombo many times than a scientist.
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Jayantha / January 30, 2013
All we want to know is who is the Master Manipulater crook…….Is it the Legislature or the Executive……or Both.
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Rufus Michael / January 30, 2013
Don’t forget. Dayan was a member of the Eastern Provincial Council under the leadership of a now defunct Tamil political party which stood for separation. He was nobody until he used newspapers (particularly the Daily News)to promote MR and propel himself to the diplomatic service. Then His Excellency was an untouchable. Career diplomats despised him for he paid no regard to them. He did not even attend the heads of missions conference on the chilly hills of Diyatalawa. Now that his two terms are over, Dayan has to sing louder for his supper. What a long road, from advocating separation to promoting MR and his virtues. All in Dayan’s interest.Dayan loves only himself.
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Mahela / February 1, 2013
This is the way MARA used the best Educated and Intellectuals to enhance his image both among local and International community.
Prof.GLP,Prof.Carlo Fonseka,Prof.Rajiva Wijesinha and other UN reps. were used to advertise and enhance Rajapakse image.
At the point those intellectuals did not wish to proceed further, or after using to accomplish his goal, they were kicked out from their positions.
The latest I herd was Rajapakse regime is planning to hire a complete FOREIGN advocacy, Media, Law and lobbying firms spending millions of foreign currency to counter upcoming March UN human rights alligations against Sri Lanka.
After fraudulently killing 40,000 innocent tamil people by armed forces during 2009 so called humaniterian operation,impressioned Gen.Fonseka after contesting Presidential election and Impeaching CJ Shirani Bandaranayake on fraudulent charges now Rajapakse Govt. plan to hire top Foreign Law, advocasy and Lobbying firms spending millions of forreign currency to cover up it’s human right violations.
Time has come for all country loving patriots, political parties, religious groups, trade unions, NGO’s and INGO’s, human right and free media groups to come forward and tell the truth to the world community how Rajapakse regime wasting and distroying country’s Politics, economy , image and resources and to bring justice to helpless communities.
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