By Laksiri Fernando –
Dr. Laksiri Fernando
Mahinda Rajapaksa should withdraw, gracefully I must say, from the presidential race, not merely because he is losing, but because he has lost all credibility for contesting for a Third Term.
This election is an unwarranted one, an utter waste of money, energy and patience of the people. What was intended in the Constitution (1987) was for the incumbent to go for the full 6 years of the second-term, before he or she gracefully retires. But for some reason, Mahinda became so greedy and wanted a Third-Term and no term limit at all.
Who can say he is indispensable for the country?
Even the previous provisions in the Constitution were extravagant. Sri Lanka is the only country which has 6 years for one term. The norm is 4 years. In addition, JRJ opted to call for premature election after 4 years for the second term. He made provisions for it under the 3rd Amendment. MR already utilized that provision in 2005.
Then MR wanted a premature election for a Third Term as well. That is the whole debacle of this election. The abuse of power and the abuse of constitutional provisions. In effect, what he is asking is another marathon 8 years. If MS wins, his term is limited to 6 years. What a disparity or discrimination. MS has already said that the term of the Head of State should be 4 years.
MR is already 69 years of age. He has already completed 10 years. He is visibly work fatigue. If he goes for another term, that means 18 years. He could easily become a puppet of one of his brothers, most probably the military one. Anything can happen during that time. Sri Lankan voters should be fools to give a blank cheque to such a person under such circumstances.
We all know how he won the 2005 election with a slender margin. That was thanks to (Mr.) Prabhakaran’s boycott generosity. Not that MR was necessarily bad at that time. However, people probably wanted a change after experiencing a UPFA president since 1994. This was prevented by the Tamil voter boycott.
However, he did a good job in defeating terrorism and the LTTE. Also some development. People paid their gratitude by electing him by a big majority in 2010. Then he soon betrayed their trust. He said in his manifesto that he would be a Trustee. But he didn’t keep that trust of the trustee. He didn’t make any indication that he would go for another or a Third Term at that election. People assumed that it would be his last term.
But within six months he changed his mind. Brought the 18th Amendment stealthily.
I was one of the first to say “President Rajapaksa has no People’s Mandate or Moral Right to Contest Again” in April this year. That was the time rumors were abound about a snap election. That was also the time that the 18th Amendment became highly controversial. The CP, LSSP and the SLMC admitted that they had made a mistake.
The SLMC has now corrected the mistake by joining the opposition. But the LSSP and the CP are still sleeping with MR while many militants have broken away in disgust. Then the former Chief Justice, Sarath N. Silva, analyzed and showed that the 18th Amendment itself is flawed and under the provisions, the incumbent cannot contest for a Third Term. However, this was completely disregarded by the present de facto Chief Justice.
It is true. Strictly speaking, this election is illegal. However, the predominant question is moral, ethical and thus political.
Nearly 30 Members of Parliament who had ‘mistakenly’ voted for the 18th Amendment now have crossed over to the opposition. There is no 2/3 for the government in Parliament. The 18th Amendment in retrospect is not legitimate now. It is not a technical issue, but a moral one. Of course the crossover MPs were not babies then or even now. But they have now repented.
People do make mistakes but should be corrected without delay. The whole 18th Amendment was shrouded in mystery and other issues. It is possible that President Rajapaksa has himself made a mistake! PERHAPS. He should not have brought the amendment in the first place, dreaming to remain in power at least for another term.
He is out of touch and out of date. He even didn’t have any sense that his party secretary would be his main challenger, who ate Arppa (hoppers) the previous day with him.
The people in Sri Lanka are no fools. They are not going to elect the person who betrayed their trust by becoming greedy of power and position perhaps for his family’s sake or ill-gotten wealth. There are over 5 million families in the country to care for. Not one family.
Who is going to believe that Rajapaksas are the only ones who love the country? As the name says they may be loyal to the king or the ruler. Patriotism is not anyone’s monopoly. We all love our country wherever we live now.
The honorable thing for Mahinda Rajapaksa to do now is to withdraw from the presidential contest. If he does, he will go into history reasonably, or otherwise, to the dustbin of history.
dcn / January 4, 2015
The writer if this article’s point of view may be correct but unfortunately we are not living in a developed country with good democratic traditions and therefore it is impossible he may even accept defeat, forget about withdrawing his candidature. Today, it is not democracy but it is all about money and power. They all try to win by hook or crook but they describe how much they are nationalistic. They sing same old songs and bully the people. We await God’s Mercy to save our country.
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ikam / January 4, 2015
The WRITER OF THE ARTICLE IS A TOTAL LUNATIC.. WHo has lost all grasp pf Sri Lankan politics(cos he lives else where like all so called pundits,yet know next to nothing abut real issues)Let me point to just on section of this lunatics Bogus arguments.. ‘Nearly 30 Members of Parliament who had ‘mistakenly’ voted for the 18th Amendment now have crossed over to the opposition. There is no 2/3 for the government in Parliament. The 18th Amendment in retrospect is not legitimate now.’ well the members who voted in the 1972 constitution and the 1977 are all dead and gone Does this mean those Constitutions are now ‘VOID’???? enough of this lunatic. some fool has to explain the human condition of changeing ones mind to a law this has been wriiten for time which cannot be changed.. SIR PLESE GRACEFULLY STOP WRITING RUBBISH AND BOW OUT.. AS ALL UR ARTICLES SHOULD BE IN THE ELECTRONIC DUSTBIN FOR THE gon lunatics.
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Waran / January 4, 2015
You are no match to this author. First get your head checked, because you seem to be needing a psychiatrist as you are taking about lunacy. only a lunatic will know that the other person is a lunatic by measuring other with his own measure. Come back to your senses and say what exactly you want to convey to the author in a much more civilised way thank you.
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ikam / January 5, 2015
@waran..’only a lunatic will know that the other person is a lunatic’ AS YOU HAVE STATED.. YES I AM A LUNTIC AND I STATE ACCORDING TO YOU THAT THIS FOOL Laksiri Fernando IS A lunatic..AND SHOULD BE KEPT LOCKED IN THE AUSTRALIAN ASYLUM AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER….As the sane people like you will look at a his stupid arguments which bear nor FACT will hail its as Wonderful Democratic arguments.. Both of you should be locked up in the same Asylum,
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Pot Shot / January 5, 2015
Ikam,
I don’t think you are capable of assessing and understanding this article. So just check out! my friend.
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Amarasiri / January 4, 2015
Dr Luksiri Fernando
do you know any dictator or king who voluntarily stepped down?
Very rare. so Medamulana MaRa will not
They All need to be kicked out
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Gimantha / January 5, 2015
Totally agree, and want to add that “we do not live in a civilized country”. People can read and write but cannot process information, lack of critical thinking… even a kid can fool a majority!!
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Matilda Ellepola / January 4, 2015
a good piece Laksiri.
The key point is come on 8th Jan and how much the non-urban folks do know these acts of the Maharaja and the people are treated as 2nd class by this dictator.
It is hightime the Sri Lankan diaspora plan to organise protests and other acts to influence the respective govts and UN agencies etc to have a peacefull handover which may not come from Rajapaksa rogues.
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Clotilda Wallepol / January 4, 2015
“It is hightime the Sri Lankan diaspora plan to organise protests and other acts to influence the respective govts and UN agencies etc to have a peacefull handover which may not come from Rajapaksa rogues.”
Matilda, try if you want your walla crushed with a nut cracker!
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Matilda Ellepola / January 4, 2015
MR will see the peoples power for the first time as did with the Arab spring. This man is lucky not to die in a dirthole in Hambantota as MS will protect him.
MR deserve what happened to Kadaffi or Saddham another like minded dictators of our time.
Long live the Democracy is Sri Lanka, Jayawewa.
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Dom / January 4, 2015
Arab-spring will happen if only MR wins, Otherwise no. But I’m 100% confident that Maithripala will win in fair and free election, I seriously fear that we may not receive free and fair election as the armies in north they have threaten the people not to vote.
In this case how can we have free and fair election?
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sama / January 4, 2015
Dear Dr Fernando:
“The people in Sri Lanka are no fools. They are not going to elect the person who betrayed their trust by becoming greedy of power and position perhaps for his family’s sake or ill-gotten wealth. There are over 5 million families in the country to care for. Not one family”
All right respecting ones will agree with you no doubt about that.
But how many would feel against MR’s stage talks being carried out these days ?
I personally believe, majority of the people still have no idea how deep they have been brought by Rajapakshe family. People have no knowledge about facts and figures. COmmon man only praises Southern highway… this is what I feel. So, we can t rely on our RURAL PEOPLE. Latter is brutally focused by Rajapakshe abusive politics.
As Ms TG made it very clear in her latest article – how can a president deny making it publicly
” Now recently just because a stone fell on the stage (there was) a big fuss. (I) do not know what (they) will do to themselves in a few days. This is a presidential election. Don’t treat this as a joke. I am telling my former secretary”
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/the-known-devil/
Did you closely study the filthy langauge the president of srilanka has been using these days ?
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Dr Dayan Jayatilleka / January 4, 2015
I was just sent the latest (2015) CPA survey. If that is an authentic version and if it is accurate, Mahinda has no reason to “go home gracefully”, as the CPA survey puts him over the 50% mark, while Maithri is in the low 40% range.
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Andare / January 4, 2015
That is the reason why, Dayan, this joker is suggesting this.
He always thinks he is cleverer than he really is.
He says “Nearly 30 Members of Parliament who had ‘mistakenly’ voted for the 18th Amendment now have crossed over to the opposition. There is no 2/3 for the government in Parliament.”
Is that inlusive of mervyn Silva or not?
Reveal if you can, how much it cost?
Boo to you.
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dcn / January 4, 2015
Are you in a dreamworld? If Mahinda is in a such a lead why all these violence against opposing candidate, mud slinging, so much of tv/radio /telephone adverisements?
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Spring Koha / January 4, 2015
The violence that is being caused is especially by MR’s sycophants and thugs who want to make SURE that the King does NOT lose, because then they will lose most of their perks and income sources, their local power and prestige. Be sure that the daddi-biddi (and worse) will go on well past the 8th January. Gota may even have to declare Marshall Law.
As for Dr Fernando’s suggestion: MR should stay and take the message from his people. In life as in politics, all things are impermanent.
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Matilda Ellepola / January 4, 2015
That so called CPA reports was edited by the 9th grader Weerasangili Pannikiyage Wimalasena (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wimal_Weerawansa) and you dont have a shame on to quote something mentioned on by this 9th grader on his gutter website for the learned readers of CT.
MS will win with a margin of 56-60% easily.
Talk to Sajin Vaas to find any seats available for you to get into that Mihin Air plane to SeaShells, have fun and a good ride.
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Sensible Thinking / January 4, 2015
There is an internal clash within CPA which was reported by CT.
One group supports MR and the other does not. That survey was compiled by the former group.
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Aela / January 4, 2015
Dream on DJ with your CPA survey, you are worse than MR’s astrologer!.
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Samuel Jayaweera / January 4, 2015
Like or not, Dayan Should have to be ready to face it let alone today.
He will have to go pants down by 9th.
Good luck self proclaimed nation#s pundit -no need to waste my 2 ct worth but this man bacame a real joker -Even Kelaniya Mervin shut her mouth up at least for these days.
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Gamarala / January 4, 2015
The depths that Dayan Jayatilleke is willing to sink to, appear to be fathomless.
The CPA has categorically denied releasing any such survey on their facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/CPASL/posts/748971515158790
The one that has been doing the rounds is a fabrication. But then, Dayan Jayatilleke doesn’t really want to check his sources, does he?
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ramona therese fernando / January 5, 2015
Difficult to know, isn’t it. On one hand the people want the stability of MR for the immediacy. Parties like CP,LSSP, JVP,part JHU in coalition with MR will allay the fears that SB masses and Tamil masses will be sidelined. Low-caste Jaffna (90-99%) will see MR as a way to regain some dignity . There is a problem with global-politics and the US factor, but that could be a current impasse on the big-powers’ side, and therefore alliancing with China might not be so big of a deal……although the West would prefer to play it safe.
With MS on the other hand, UNP and coalition represents unsureness, and probable sidelining of SB and Tamil rural masses. Big brains and old-poshness from both sides will be much honored, and country will develop around those concepts in true cautious capitalistic fashion. Jaffna-Tamils know that with greater autonomy given by UNP, it will be in their interest to work with the South, as they feel the scorn of being 2nd class Tamils by the much bigoted TN’s, more than the scorn of the more comparatively uncomplicated SB’s (albeit….barbarous). There will also be a greater alliance with the West, till all is balanced out and everything will hopefully look .like non-alignment in the end. No problem from the West at all.
With MR :
1. Socialized capitalism, albeit feudalistic-style
2. Poor masses on both sides dignified
3. Cronyism, bandyism of country resources from one family under scrutiny of population, and therefore easier to spot, and possibly corrected……if not turned into dictatorship
4. Chance of tension with West
5. Unknown factors in long-term country sustenance
6. Chauvinism (BBS, some elements of JHU).
With MS :
1. Cautious capitalism, bordering oligarchic-form
2. “Trickling-down” of country resources to poor masses.
3. Yet to be developed adequate functionable structure of commercial enterprise, taxation and management of country resources, and therefore bandyism et al, will be more pervasive and difficult to control.
4. No tension from West
5. Chauvinism to a Zero.
6. Country to commence in more modern and neo-Lankan-format with more know factors via global-network for country-sustenance
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Wera / January 5, 2015
Just checked the 2015CPA survey. Not a chance for MR winning. Nowhere does it put Mahinda over 50%. ON the contrary 76% believe Maithree will win if the election was held tomorrow. Folks don’t be deceived by this charlatan. He needs a good kick up his backside for his deceitful articles and sham logic.
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Pot Shot / January 5, 2015
Dayan, for once I agree with you. The figures you quote are all possible if your President does the dirty on us again, like he did when he paid off the LTTE in 2005. Please remember He is not the legitimately elected president of this country. He never was. He is a bloody cheat and fraud and only people like you will lick his boots….and still get booted by him.
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Mithura / January 4, 2015
MR cannot do anything gracefully. Nepotism, corruption, and being complicit in violence against minorities are not “graceful” habits. Asking Rajapaksa to be graceful and withdraw, is like asking a pig not to mess up a pig sty.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / January 4, 2015
Dear Prof. Laksiri,
MR should not withdraw his candidature before the elections. He should be voted out of office. The people should be permitted their democratic right to express their feelings towards him, which are quite negative across the island. Bus loads of people transported across the island to attend UPFA ralleys, dressed in blue attire, do not portend support for MR. The propaganda effort has also been nauseating and the people are holding their nose.
Popular sentiment is not reflected in any public survey. Assumptions and projections based on the previous two presidential elections are also grievousy flawed, because the conditions and circumstances are quite different now, Most people have formed their opinions already and are yet not expressing it openly. Their holding their opinion quite close to their chest. Some are deliberately, giving misleading opinion. This is due to the political climate- violence and revenge- prevailing today. mr. MR’s style of mis-governance has created this climate. If voting is not rigged and results not tampered, the outcome will be a cold shower in reality for MR.
MR, the political animal, I am sure senses what is in store for him but is deploying his talents as a magician-illusion creator and actor to stop the impending Avalanche. ‘ mr’ Prabaharan was a small time illusionist/ magician and met his Waterloo and death at the hands of the Sri Lankan armed forces. He deluded himself with the illusions he created to mislead the people. His Excellency ( how come?) Mr. MR created bigger illusions and is drowning in his own delusions
of self grandeur. Let him experience this political drowning and the resulting asphyxiation for lack of the power that has been his oxygen, it will be very painful indeed. Let other politicians learn from what befell him- a lesson that should last a thousand years.
I use the abrreviation ‘mr’ in simple letter for both VP and MR, because both proved themselves to be small men, when given the opportunity and possibility to be great. It also means that they were gender-wise men. Nothing more, nothing less!
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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Ben Hurling / January 4, 2015
“I use the abbreviation ‘mr’ in simple letter for both VP and MR, because both proved themselves to be small men”.
Exactly. Excellent point. Well noted for future use.
However, one is inclined to go the extra mile and question above mentioned individuals’ publicly declared gender itself.
Cheers!
PS: Dr. Laksiri Fernando, “mr” does not process either grace or honor. In fact, nobody in his family does. Nor do his cronies or henchmen. Therefore the question of withdrawal does not arise. Let them drown in their own stinking garbage pit on 8th January.
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K.A Sumanasekera / January 4, 2015
There are 12 Million Sinhala Buddhist voters,, 90 % of them are poor rural inhabitants.
All Tamils , Muslims and UNP supporting Sinhala Buddhist bathgottas , vote in unison ( which I doubt) for this Coalition of failed leaders , un winnables, LTTE proxies ,SLMC separatists proven drunks, dodgy wheeler dealers and suckers of the West, no way it can become a majority.,
So pleading for a withdrawal is a good try…
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Pot Shot / January 6, 2015
Sumanasekera,
You are bankrupt as your government. I am surprised you have not added the 1 million votes MR will use to rig the polls and the US$2 million he will pay the LTTE Diaspora again. 12 million Sinhala Buddhist voters….my bloody foot!!!!
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lal / January 4, 2015
I don’t see how a learned professor can produce a document asserting an opposition victory without producing facts and more importantly figures. Could this man produce what percentages the president and the oppostion candidate will poll? Or, is this about hype?
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Ajith / January 4, 2015
Lal,
You don’t understand the meaning of education or what a learned prof do beacuse you only believe on Mahinda and Sinhala Buddhist rascism. As a learned person Laksiri understands the subject very well and his prediction is reasonably correct within the limits of confidence interval.
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Psycho / January 4, 2015
He can’t retire and go to a Naaki Madama because that fellow Khan and that chick can’t uplift his sagging morale.
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Paul / January 4, 2015
If Robbing Hood withdraws gracefully he may later claim that he wasn’t defeated and still has a right to rule. He must be defeated by the people and must be seen to be defeated by them.
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Saman / January 4, 2015
Dr. Laksiri Fernando,
Wonderful and excellent profound presentation.
You are completely correct.
Mahinda Rajapaksa will be crazy after 08th.
Good Luck for Maithreepala Sirisena
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Sylvia Haik / January 4, 2015
If MR has any regard for this beloved country, he will take Prof. Laksiri’s advise and withdraw gracefullly. What is looming in the background is the UN investigations of the war crimes, and the inevitable sanctions (unless the perpetrators surrender) under which the whole nation would suffer the consequences, while the main perpetrators, the Rajapakse siblings, maintaining their lavish lifestyles with the ill-gotten gains.
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Paul / January 4, 2015
‘If MR has any regard for this beloved country…..’
He has none. That’s the problem. Goldfinger…..he loves only Gold.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cr2_GNIF1WI
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Piranha / January 4, 2015
MR gracefully withdraw?
Professor Laksiri, the man has tasted absolute power for so long that he will not give it up without a fight. When I say fight it is likely to be violent because that is the only way he knows to fight to stay in power. If the violence unleashed on his opponents is anything to go by the fight is likely to result in many deaths and destruction. When you elect a thug to rule over you that’s what the people can expect when they want to remove the thug from power.
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Tissa / January 4, 2015
If Mahinda Rajapaksa wins this time then he will have a record of winning three times.If he doesn’t then I’m afraid he may not leave a legacy behind.It’s too late to withdraw now.
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bo / January 4, 2015
“Nearly 30 Members of Parliament who had ‘mistakenly’ voted for the 18th Amendment ….”
I certainly disagree with mistakenly bit. These people (rookada MPs) that voted, did it with their eyes and ears widely open, but their mouths even wider open and bellies full. They were the greedy ones bought over by MR, the jumping frogs, who deserted their lairs (or shall I say the muddy pools) to enjoy the luxuries in R’s saloon bar. It is because of such scum that we are in this despicable situation with a damned 18th Amendment and a dictator and his extended family abusing his legal powers and claiming the ownership of SLK to his family.
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Agnos / January 4, 2015
“Gracefully Withdraw” ?
The Sunday Times political column implies that MR called UNP’s Malik Samarawickrama in a threatening way, telling the latter to wait and see what he would do in the third term after winning. The Rajapaksas will use threats, thuggery, murder, abductions, bribery, and every other trick in the book to win.
Only an overwhelming voter turnout in support of the opposition can prevent their tricks from being effective. Prematurely celebrating opposition victory won’t help anyone.
A massive voter turnout should go hand-in-hand with a massive people’s movement to keep the new regime in check– even if the Rajapaksa tricks succeed in giving him a third term.
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sama / January 5, 2015
Only a gracefully withdraw could save his little credibility –
Relay race of the war eleminated within his first term but not only his mediation -JHU and other parties were instrumental to strenghthen hands of the leader to that time. Not forgetting the man – former Army commanders – nations war hero who sacrificed the life atleast 3 times – gave the lead on the battle field – latter is though robbed by Rajapakshe as if they wanted to eat the cake only by them -started to move the country to an estranged direction. The consequence has been today, the criminals and thugs have been fielded as notimes in the past. Even if President would deny on the stage, his entire underground networks are becoming clear to the general public today – by his former cabinet ministers now turned to suppport the opposition. This is the saddest reality of the current situation.
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