The Colombo Telegraph today learns that the meeting sought by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa with President Maithripala Sirisena is to inform Sirisena that he would not contest the upcoming parliamentary elections.
The reason for the decision is the losing of priviledges that a former President enjoys, informed sources said.
The coalition of parties which have repeatedly called for the nomination of Rajapaksa as the Prime Ministerial candidate, are set to field Gotabaya Rajapaksa the former Defence Secretary as its main candidate.
The meeting which was first scheduled to be held in the first week of March was postponed due to non availability of Sirisena owing to foriegn engagements.
The brokers of the meeting, which include Kumara Welgama and Reginold Cooray earlier said the meeting was postponed due to official engagements of Sirisena.
Cooray however, last week said that dates have been provided and the meeting between the two would be facilitated forthwith.
If Rajapaksa were to contest the upcoming general election, he would lose all privileges accorded to a former President.
The recent passage of the 19th amendment and the shift in political popularity also may have cause the former President to concede contesting the general elections, sources said.
CountryFirst / May 3, 2015
Lanka Watch –
At least we have achieved a civilized level in this conversation.
You appear to know exactly what the conversation between MR and MS would be about, so I presume that you are close to one or the other of the parties involved. Let us see whether any consensus is possible between these 2 leading members of the same party each of whom has a large support base.
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Park / May 4, 2015
President Maithripala Sirisena please do not meet this guy who humiliated you and refused to meet with you. He is just a civilian today and you are the President we all elected. So why should you bow down to this stooge?
We want our President whom we voted and appointed to stand tall, not to bow down to traitors.
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AMAL / May 4, 2015
Winning a brutal and savage War is that you say tritor
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Lanka Watch / May 4, 2015
Country first – Lets hope so, as people cannot be at each others throat
all the time. Dialogue is best way to solve problems.
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K. C. John / May 4, 2015
Not with those who raped and pillaged the country, though.
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Mallaiyuran / May 4, 2015
Meeting is about nothing but passing Sec. Kerry’s messages. Sec. Kerry said America doesn’t interfere in to the Lankave’s politics. But, when old was leaving the Temple Tree, he said he did not attempt any coup, he left the Temple Tree just because he had given that promise to Sec. Kerry. The fact is it was a green van coup took at the Temple Tree house. It was not the white van coup. Further, the story that Sec. Kerry threatened with sending American troop to Lankave was died even with any contest was it was created with sophistication or sentiment element attached to it. The coup story also lacked both, but it made to feel some Sinhala Modayas. for that coup, Old King may go to Lankave’ s electric chair. Accepting the America would send the troop is an insult to the Dutu Gamunu pride. But to believe that the rebellious Dutu Gamunu did another coup against his father and brother is so sweet to believe.
The message will from New King to Old King is “the river is hot, so do not try to cross it.” That means Sec. Kerry is having the ball of prosecuting the Old King, still in his hand. Kerry said “everywhere there is human rights violation, including in America”. The correct interpretation is not that “The old King can come out and compete in the coming election”. Of cause, that sentence, Sec. Kerry meant is only for Tamils. But the message going through New King is Secretary is still will re-launch the arm of prosecuting the Old King. If that is right, then again there will an uncertainty going to build up in the same way, just before the EP election.
Before the election there were two questions. Will ever Old King lose? What will happen if the Old King loses? Nobody predicted anything with any certainty, to these questions, before the election. (The Jan 8th, Morning Coup story is also the result of this uncertainty). The new two uncertainties are when will be the election? Whether it is going to be before or after September? The second one is whether old King will compete in that.
The new King is not certain about he is holding the power forever. Mathulave Sobitha Thero had declared that the EP post will be held only for few months, if not weeks. If the New King loses, the old King will gain again. To protect him from this tragedy ever to happen, the New King had only one way that is reducing the EP’s power. But he knows holding something against the old King forever is too dangerous. So he needs to talk to the Old King and make a settlement. But the talk was postponed until the Sec. Kerry arrives and re-mooted again.
Further the complexity and confusion of the questions and the uncertainty starts to glow tremedously when Sec. Kerry says about the “Summer Election”. This “Summer Election” is an American made. Jaffna has 8 months summer and 2 months rainy season. Colombo has all 12 months rainy season. They don’t have any difference to the summer. It is the American congress that takes the summer vacation. This may means, just like us, American are not sure when will be the election conducted, Is it before September, so the electric Chair threat on Old King needs not be re-mooted if the election misses the September. (If that is correct then there is a suspicion is going on the Mind of Sec. Kerry about the Old King, even beyond the guarantees offered by the counter part-ner Mangala) Otherwise America has to go back to UNHRC to hold the Old King from competing in the coming election, if one of that will take place before two years.
If one happens, the election may turn out to be disastrous to TNA. It may split before election. Whether it takes place or not, the west’s friends, Sumanthiran and Sampanthar may not come back. Sumanthiran’ s case is really a precarious situation. Further, Sumanthiran never had the grip and the respect Sampanthar has on the party. His self-propelled dominant role and the disasters being created will really have to see the Tamils Table in the election. But TNA is not America’s concern. Unlike PM Cameron and PM Modi, Sec. Kerry completely ignored any Tamil palaces, none – upcountry, Batticola or Jaffna. It is a real change because at least up country or Colombo Tamils and Muslims had recognition form Ambassador Blake. Sec. Kerry did not mind about any one of them. But the current American interest is on Ruling Three Prongs that is the SLFP New King, UNP Royal Ranil and the Runaway Mangala. He just doesn’t want to figure out, after election, whether Ranil’s UNP will be ruling or New King’s SLFP will be ruling. Old King’s faction is not here. He wants to see the Old King not coming so much, for that he would be ready to allow either new King or Royal Ranil become even as much as the old King.
Sec. Kerry lost his presidency because he opposed the war America was fighting in the Middle East. But he is one declared in Lankave that he has nothing to do with Old King (that is, he doesn’t not like the old King) But he welcome the Genocide war the old King fought. That is a strange logic. But the only one who can figure out the logic in that is Old King. That is America gave him arms, only to fight with the Tamil Rebels, not to build port for China’s Atomic Submarines.
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gigurawa / May 4, 2015
ou Colombo telegraph. When are you going to stop this campaign of deceitful propaganda on behalf of your ring leader the CIA. MR meeting the trator of the nation Mithreepala to tell the latter that he is throwing down the gauntlet? Your blatant lies sicken us.
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MsMaralathoni / May 5, 2015
Who are this “US” ? Those volks that have long been hallozinated by Rajapakshe media units. You as a srilanken, should better learn to see it right let alone today ? Why 62 lacks of people opposed MR and his thuggish administration was easy to understand: except MR thugs and henchmen all others were made silent in and out of Parliament, while you the like Unahapuluwas are being set for their web propaganda. Now the time has come to make larger majorities very clear about the blant lies that Rajapakshe sowed only for their political propaganda – final goal was to stay in power forever. This is akin to what you will see in Mugabes life.. Mobaraks life… Suharatho s life. All I wish is all gods to work on lanken stupid folks that you represent to grasp it finally – the danger that Rajapakshes have made to this nation. Today, Dr. Dayasiri of CMBO makes it very clear that former Whitvann activities are still underway – since Jarapakshe went on blind while intentionally leaving own nation in ignorant mode when it goes about human rights and high values of the own people. Be them tamils, muslims or sinhalese, they did not care it closely… except his term eleminated the terror within country- was also not because their magical powers but because all the collective forces worked on that. People have to finally realize, .. had late great son of the country – Kadirgamar failed to get the LTTE banned on rich soils of the globe, nothing would have worked on the direction of elemination of the terror. Inpost war sessions, they just went on eating Kiribath abusing poor mans funds. You shameful guys to continue support the bugger co. is a greater mistake of all times. I wish Rajapakshes would have been brought before the courts regardless of their former status. They deserves to be punished going through the same procedure as Welesuda goes through today.
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chandana fernando / May 4, 2015
I was made to understand that Gotabaya Rajapakse CANNOT contest Parliamentary Elections in SL as he posseses DUAL CITIZENSHIP ( with USA)
— a better bet would be Basil Rajapakse — but , he too maybe having US citizenship — How about Wimal Weerawansa ? He is most suitably qualified to contest for Premieship !
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Senthil / May 4, 2015
So, Sinhala half lion half human Modias killed 1.5 million Tamils who are their own citizens to satisfy US and India. Nothing else to talk about this modern time modias my lord. Now Tamils have to live with this modias under one country – very good. Some Tamil “kaakai vanniyans” who are very capable to dig shit heap to grab a pound coin at the bottom are supporting this idea and helped them to abuse their own brother and sister – well done mama. That is why one prophet told long time ago and died in frustration that Tamils and their language will slowly die. The most guilty people in the world for Mullivaaikal are the south Indian Tamils.
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Thumpane Gamaya / May 4, 2015
I hope MR will address the President properly. Lately, I noticed MR never calls Mr Maithreepala as President instead calling him Leadership of SLFP at his bodhi pooja meetings. Wonder whether he is day dreaming thinking he is the president still.
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Snowden Edward Asange / May 5, 2015
YES !! I noticed that too. MR used the word “Palakaya” instead of addressing MS as President.. This megalomaniac still thinks he is in power..
MS should understand that HE IS THE PRESIDENT and should stand his ground. These losers, Kumar Welgama, Reginauld Cooray and others are using ” Kindness for weakness”..and interesting that these idiots said that MR should be INVITED…for a meeting…LMAO..
I as a voter who voted for MS would like to see him cancel even at the 11th hour…MS should be put in place.. he is trying to get more attention than he needs… going to temples where he has “paid crowd and Journo’s” readily available for his 2 cents..
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Non PhD / May 4, 2015
Based on the latest news , MS – MR meeting is going to be held on 6th May this Wednesday.
Will any of MR’s security personnel or some of the MR loyalists be going with MR ?
If so, Are any of them allowed to carry water bottle hidden at waist level on their back ?
Will there be any strong glass wall ( transparent wall not sound proof between the 2 meeting parties in the speakers office ?
Any person who is concerned about the futre of Sri Lanka would say President’s Safety first and is of paramount importance.
If anyone needs further enlightenment on this matter please ask smart patriots like Namal or DJ they would say carrying water bottle is perfectly alright.
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bala / May 4, 2015
Gota can never contest as:
He will be soon indicted for crimes committed.
He is a dual citizen and will be charged soon in the US too.
Nobody wants racists.
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sanchay / May 4, 2015
Mr. Ex-President, please have the generosity to call Dr. Dayan Jeyatilleka and let him know, that you are giving up and have no hopes in getting any substantial political powers. May be it would save him from commiting political suizide. At least you can save a single life in your life time, however I should concede you unfortunately cannot save his soul, because it is such contaminated and cursed that there semm to be no remeady. Thank you in advance.
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Native Vedda / May 5, 2015
sanchay
Dayan has another alternative, the racist Sajith, an advocate of Bhumiputra system of governance.
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Ansar / May 4, 2015
MARA is meeting MS just to save his skin and that of his family’s, there is nothing about the 5.8 Million mutts who voted for this monster.
It is best that MS keeps his distance with MARA and does not concede to any of his criminal requests to halt investigation on MARA family and crooks. That is the single most purpose for his meeting with MS.
If MS concedes to this Monster’s request he too will lose the confidence and faith of the majority of the people who voted for him to rid our country from these murderous crook who started off with TSUNAMI FUNDS AND ENDED WITH PLUNDERING FROM THE STATE COFFERS.
SLFP, as a party will also suffer if his requests are accommodated. It is only the crooks and criminals who want MARA to take centre stage, just to protect their ill gotten wealth, plundered from the poor masses.
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Renu / May 4, 2015
Better not you will be wiped out this time for all the robbing done by you and the family
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Dailymirror / May 4, 2015
Mahinda is a used condom; Do we guys use a used condom anymore? LoL. Just leave the thug with his racist fools. Media and current gov. should not give much attention to a murderer like Mahinda.
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Mevan / May 4, 2015
I thought the privileges were for Presidents who retire (honourably), not for those who contest and lose (dishonourably).
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Dilan / May 4, 2015
FEAR MONGERING TO FORTUNE TELLING. Congrads CT. Suitable transformation with regime change.
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Plato. / May 4, 2015
Ansar.
Spot on!
It is best that MS keeps his distance with MaRa…..
There is a different dimension to this.Security for MS NEEDS TOP PRIORITY.
MaRa is desperate. Its now or never……[Elvis or Tom Jones?]
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Lanka Watch / May 5, 2015
Speaker’s house is not neutral grounds for MS to have one on one with MR as this is MR’s own brother’s house,though its an official residence
and the speaker is an honourable man. There is a saying that blood is thicker than water, and how can the President come out with what he wants to say in the presence of family members of MR.
Mahanayake Thera’s house would have been an ideal place for such a meeting as both are Buddhists and leaders of the country. Many people feel that the President is digging his own grave by inviting unneces
-sary troubles,as this meeting is uncalled for as there cannot be any compromise as both do not see eye to eye on good governance. Why was the agenda of the meeting not made public so that the people will know the reason for the meeting ,as he promised transparency in all his official dealings and instead they are kept on pins,specially the minorities, as, unless he is prepared for a compromise by dropping some of his policies promised to the people to accommodate some of the rebels in the party.
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ranjith T / May 5, 2015
Dear Mr. President,
I have read many articles in media regarding you and former president’s meeting. My opinion (as well as our friends)about your meeting with former president is not necessary.This movement, you have to look after 6.2 million and 5.8 million people. Not one person who did lot of damages to the society. (Only good thing he did, allowed three forces to end the war)
Now he is mentally ill and he is not fit for any responsibility. Thats why he is trying to mislead the present government. He is thinking he is the only person can lead the country. I have seen some media report and video how he is talking to the public. He should know about our Sri Lanka n society.
Please continuing with the important assignment rather than wasting your time for useless person.Please give him ‘Mettha’ as we learnt to treat foolish person. That’s enough.
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Mervyn Silva / May 5, 2015
MS should not meet that murderous MR at any cost.
Such meeting will not add any value to MS action plan for the country and its people. It will only damage reputation of MS.
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Ric / May 5, 2015
It seems to me rather strange that MS wants to meet MR who now is just an ordinary citizen, how can he be of any help to MS??? I wouldn’t trust this guy he hasn’t got a good record, his intention is to be the prime minister so he can govern till he hands over the reigns to his son which be a tragedy for our country.
Beware,Beware my fellow Sri Lankans…..
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sarojini / May 5, 2015
Dear Ric.
MS being a shrewd politician, knows full well that UPFA has no chance without MR ‘ssupport. MS Along with CBK damaged the UPFA Irrevocably. . MS is now trying his best to make amends.
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mus / May 5, 2015
It is absolutely correct as one reader wrote that Maitripala the President is digging his own grave ,by having a talk with the Mahinda Rajapaksa the lost and rejected president.The majority do not want him ,then why try to bring him back?
Those who want him back are are those who are suffering with a burning back,frightened and paranoid of the investigations that are going on.
MR President save yourself from your PARTY MEN,they are leading you to your DOOM.
The PEOPLE SAVED YOU from going 6 ft under,by electing you ,so take the PEOPLE into your confidence ,and say NO to the bring back Mahinda campaign.
The 6.2 million people do not want The Rajapaksas and his henchaiyas,that is why they chased him lock stock and barrel
Though CBK was not upto standard ,she ,is now a better person than the Rajapaksas,at least she is working behind the scenes,and trying her best to bring all into one community,for peace and harmony in Srilanka.
Mr President save yourself from your party men they will stab you on your back.
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nabitha / May 6, 2015
After this meeting if our President agree to put one of MRs family members to contest the elections it can be a worse thing that this precedent is going to do to this country.Tho we think MR had developed his country it is wrong to say. Because think the umaha oya project, than gall harbor,port city project ect.. These things were not done with out consulting from to proper ways. We have to face the effect of these things much latter.See the revenge what he had taken. examples General fonsaka, former CJ,kotalawala ect.. See after the commissions came hole RP family was in it. But these things will not come to earth due to political reasons.MR as a president or before that he didn’t do his work. Do you think in this meeting it will be the positive emerge we can see.If MR asked gota to come from SLFP it might be the disaster for the country.What I think man cannot go to USA because he might get caught to human wright problems.
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Shehan / May 6, 2015
People voted for you for your vision, not for the person who steal countries money, countries lands, taxed for essential foods, brought criminals to parliament, & letting them steal money & life of civilians, created family rual, having kids has no values of other parents President Sirisena.
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