19 March, 2024

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Military Option; Emotional Or Rational?

By Mass L. Usuf –

Mass Usuf

In political science, wrote BBC’s David Molloy, populism is the idea that society is separated into two groups at odds with one another – “the pure people” and “the corrupt elite”, according to Cas Mudde, author of Populism: A Very Short Introduction. In Sri Lanka this definition may have to be revisited.

Guileless it may seem, political populism manifests itself glaringly in the propaganda posters of Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the Presidential candidate of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna. The ubiquitous presence of Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa’s picture cannot miss our sight. Researches have shown that populism rides on the back of a mixture of sentiments some of which are fear, disappointment, national security, resentment towards racial and religious minorities. These are calculatedly driven into the minds of the people. Robert E. Litan, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution notes, “Populists thrive in such environments, finding receptive audiences for easy targets to blame and simple solutions, and for divisive appeals that prompt angry rather than thoughtful responses by voters.”

Miserable Performance

Rightly so. Since the running government was voted into power it has failed to deliver on its solemn promises. Especially, in bringing to justice the corrupt bureaucrats, corrupt politicians and those accused of murders, killings, drug related offences, organised crimes etc. Not to act in these instances means to maintain the status quo and permit the proliferation of crimes and criminal activities besides encouraging nepotism and corruption.

What about accountability for the enforced disappearances? The ghosts (if any) of the likes of Prageeth Ekneligoda and the large number of people especially, from the North-East will continue to haunt civic consciousness. This is not about party politics but plain and simple human rights. By the way, an enforced disappearance occurs when a person is secretly abducted or imprisoned by a state or political organization, or by a third party with the authorization, support, or acquiescence of a state or political organization, followed by a refusal to acknowledge the person’s fate and whereabouts, with the intent of placing the victim outside the protection of the law. (Wikipedia).

Myopic and irrational

A coterie of monks in the hierarchical priesthood are seemingly in favour of a near totalitarian system. Clearly victims of blind populism in contrast to informed thought. These myopic and emotionally driven irrational views of the monks are detrimental to this country. Moreover, it proves how oblivious some of these monks are of the complexities of democracy and democratic form of government. The monks from their comfort zones should refrain from making irresponsible statements favouring their preferred individual or personality. The primary concern of the people is about what is democratically good for the nation. People do not want to turn this island into a North Korea.  North Korea is officially called the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea but, it is governed by an absolute dictatorship and there is no democracy. Can we allow the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka also to be like North Korea? 

In an article titled, “The dangerous rise of populism: global attacks on human rights values” by Kenneth Roth, Director of Human Rights Watch, he has warned of a ‘new generation of authoritarian populists’. (New York: Human Rights Watch, 2017). They are democratically elected but transform into authoritarians and/or il-liberaltarians. He has named democratically elected leaders such as Filipino President Duterte, Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán and Indian Prime Minister Modi in the same breath as autocrats such as China’s Xi Jinping, Russia’s Putin and Syria’s Assad.

Military Coup

Venerable Wenduruwe Upali Thera, Anunayaka of the Asgiriya Chapter in June 2018 reportedly raised eyebrows with his sermon at a birthday celebration of Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Wednesday encouraging him to be like a Hitler who slaughtered six million Jews in the Holocaust and take power as the next President of Sri Lanka. “Some people describe you as a Hitler,” the monk told Gotabaya Rajapaksa. “Be a Hitler! Go with the military. Take the leadership of the country.” (Daily News, 22.06.2018)

These words encourage to seize power from a democratically elected government, with the force of the military. The public was befuddled if this was a call for violence coming out of the mouth of a preacher of non-violence. Party politics and personality cults aside, the question that begs an intelligent and wise answer is whether the idea of a military type regime is good or bad. The country has experienced authoritarianism at a lower level during the previous government. Undoubtedly, all are in agreement that such a set up may not respect human rights, freedom of expression, the rule of law, media freedom, democratic opposition and so forth. 

An Authoritarian Saviour

The weakness of one is the strength of the other. In this polarity, the weakness of democracy reflects the strength of the strongman. The inability of democratic values to sustain itself diminishes the conviction and confidence the public has on these institutions. These are moments of uncertainty and anxiety for the people as their political representation do not inspire them or deliver positive results. The strongman capitalises on these opportunities and pose himself as the saviour of the nation. The strongman will use whatever that appeals to the masses – nationalism, religion, ethnicity, race and everything else – other than human rights, rule of law, collective governance and liberal democratic values.  Remember Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa in the wake of 21/4 making a statement that he will contest for the Presidency. Incident focused statements create a new awareness, here the public will be driven to thinking that if he was in power, such an attack would not have occurred.

Even Benito Mussolini, the Italian fascist dictator in order to garner popular support to himself once wrote the famous article titled, “Is the White Race Dying?” (Published in Il Popolo d’Italia, September 4, 1934). These are methods of igniting the sensitivities of the ordinary people. Unfortunately, the people do fall victim to the mind manipulation of politicians whoever it may be.

Donald Trump and Gotabaya

Are these two personalities to a certain extent same? Trump is dubbed as an ‘eccentric dictator’, ‘democratic dictator’ etc. Is there truly some form of dictatorship in the land of the free? The host of CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360°” noted how Trump cozied up to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (whom the CIA believes authorized the murder and dismemberment of journalist Jamal Khashoggi)”at last week’s G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan, before stepping into North Korea to meet its dictator Kim Jong Un. (HuffPost, 07/02/2019).

“Put simply, the leader of the world’s most powerful nation is behaving like an authoritarian dictator, one who threatens democracy in his own country and far beyond.” (The Guardian, 05.07.2019). Will then a person like Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa who according to the Anunayake Thera people describe him as ‘Hitler’ be an inseparable and extremely comfortable bedfellow with Donald Trump? To hell with freedom, liberty and equality. Going by what the Anunayake had said, is Sri Lanka going to fall into the trap of that global populist right wing trend of arbitrary, capricious, and inhumane rule?

One of the approaches of the Populists include conspiracy theories. Creating a sense of say danger among the electors and an exaggerated sense of urgency to address such issues. For example, that the security of the country is at stake and the complacency or inability of the government to take swift and effective measures will be disastrous. Incidents like 21/4 adds credence to this populist hypothesis. After forming this and other perceptions in the minds of the people, they promote the idea of the need for a strong and visionary leader. They centre their sales pitch around the failure of the current government to find solutions to what they term as burning problems that threaten the country. 

Race Supremacists

Remember the rhetoric of Donald Trump during his election campaign in 2016. Deliberately touching on the most sensitive topic in the American mind ‘terrorism’ Trump said, “I alone can fix it. I am going to keep radical Islamic terrorists the hell out of our country.” The irony is that though he promised to deal with the ‘Islamic terrorism‘ he miserably failed to control his own home-grown right-wing white supremacist terror. They, in fact, had killed more people during his rule than the so called ‘Islamic terrorists’. White supremacists perpetrated a series of bloody attacks on synagogues, black churches, and mosques.

An increasing number of arrests related to domestic terrorism is being fuelled in part by white supremacy, FBI director Christopher Wray said during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. His agency has already made nearly 100 domestic terrorism-related arrests this year, a figure already higher than that of the entirety of 2018. He added: “We also found ideologically motivated murders by white supremacists increased in 2018 to 17, from 13 in 2017, while violent Salafist Jihadist killings dropped to only one.”  (Independent, 23 July 2019).

Similarities

Statistics on White Supremacist terrorist attacks against religious targets in the United States are disturbing. Brian Levin, Director of the Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism at California State University, states “By the end of year 2018, our research found hate crime in 30 large American cities hit a decade high of over 2,000.” (21.03.2019).

Direct similarities may be drawn in the Sri Lankan context. So those who claim to fix the ISIS problem in Sri Lanka are never focused on the home-grown extremists. Solutions for the attacks, hate crimes, arson, killings and wanton destruction of properties of the religious and ethnic minorities are not on the drawing board of the runners in the Presidential race.  

Unfortunately, these very same people along with their minions are using this racio-religious divide to come to power. What a tumultuous and tragic period this little island is going through?

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Latest comments

  • 9
    3

    The army has been used to intimidate and suppress the civic rights of Tamils of the northeast ever since the war was over in 2009.
    This is happening right now in the north with regard to the cremation of a monk.
    Maybe the ISIS entered Kattankudy because of this, & attacks on Muslims elsewhere.
    With a man like Gotabaya as president anything is possible, even a totally militarised administration of state machinery – banks, departments etc.
    ‘Gotler’ will run the country like Nazis ran the Third Reich.

    • 7
      2

      In the history of post independent Sri Lanka …….. there was unprecedented corruption and murder under the governance of the Rajapakses.

      For some people to believe now, that the Rajapakses are going to clean the system when they come back to power ……… people have to be brain-dead or have to be Lankan …….. there’s hardly a difference between the two …… take ye pick.

      It’s just fascinating to read the comment and observe ……. how Lankan adult minds work.

      Serendipity!

      • 1
        0

        Amarasiry,
        “Serendipity” is the governing principle of not just Lankan’s behavior; it governs the behavior of all thinking organisms. Therefore, “rationality” becomes a function of goal of the action. May be almost all behaviors lie somewhere between two extreme of pure rationality & totally emotional.

        Buddha came to the conclusion that the “serendipity” of secular life can be defined by the “greed” for wealth, power, sex, etc,. He proposed a different kind of serendipity by removing greed and replacing it with Nibbana. Since we mortals are far far away from attaining Nibbana, voting in elections is still governed by many kinds “greed” varying from petty & personal (get a job or to destroy an enemy) to lofty & social (eliminate corruption and/or preserve democracy).

        However, isn’t funny that we keep hearing the same at every new election -good vs bad? Still, both sides get votes! And yet, all the participants in elections -candidates & voters alike – sincerely & firmly believe that their decision are rational!

  • 7
    1

    It’s the height of irony that the “Janathawa” angry with the government for not punishing the law-breakers and fraudsters of the previous regime, want to hand over power to the biggest murderer and court-dodger of them all to discipline the country and maintain law and order. WOW. You have to be out of your mind. Discipline yourself first if you want to be a good disciplinarian. Desperate people do desperate things and go down the Pallang.

  • 17
    5

    It is not that some people need totalitarian or military rule what they want is a Rajapkse whatever his rule would be. That is because they are under “Rajapakse Washiya”.

    • 7
      3

      All this Rajapaksa hype is concocted by the family and its network. The people who come for rallies go for the free food and booze.

      Come elections US citizen Gota Jarapassa will loose like a dog!
      People are smarter than politicians and the Rajapaksa family think.

      The Jarapassa family is out of touch with reality. Sri Lankans do not want and will not elect a political party controlled by a single, duel citizenship carrying American family, especially when it was the US and Saudi that masterminded the Easter tragedy to set up military bases in northeast Sri Lanka, while using Tamils and Muslims as cats paw in their Human Rights and minority rights Spin act!

    • 7
      0

      SKM,
      In SL politics, the name Ra..kse has become synonymous with autocracy that implies several meanings: Racism & freedom for loyalists to do as they please are the two major ones. The first is only myth born out of misguided political campaign since 2009 hoping to capitalize on having the fortune of ending the civil war. They are now stuck with it – reluctantly perhaps – b’cos the faked racist campaign has push them towards some hardcore racial extremists (monks included) who believe in them as saviors. But, there are many examples in both private & political life of them to show that racial politics only a deception to win rural S/B votes (the secret pact with Muslim congress to win East PC last time is the best political example).

      However, I strongly believe that their real political strength lies the general belief among loyalists MaRa/GoRa regime would be a freedom for make money via corruption. This is what provides the bond from PS level (Local level construction), trade unions, PC members, MP s all the way to the Ra..kse family itself.

      Therefore, it is not surprising to view GoRa’s candidacy synonymous with a dictatorship. GoRa’s military background along with with his known ruthless behavior re-enforces such perception nearly automatically. The “supply” may be not as real as it pretends or may be even a fake but the “demand” is real! This demand is what matters during an election.

  • 7
    6

    To make this simple to all minds, Sri lanka as a country and state will never prosper or progress under any form of democracy. It has been proved , seen, experienced, from 1948 on wards to present.
    Every leader, every government has failed to deliver in every sense of the word.
    We have been governed by Morons, Fools, Idiots, Buffoons, Conmen, Snake oil charmers, Poofters, Wankers, and you name it. What have we got in return !!!!!! Corruption, Lethargy, Laziness, Cheaters in all forms and sizes, Rogues, Drug dealers, Anyone and Everyone out to make a quick buck at the expense of any those who are weak, honest, truthful, and afraid to stand up for their rights.
    There is only one solution to all that ills Sri lanka and that medicine is for a man with a military background to come into power and rule over all the hard way. That person is none other than
    Mr. (Lt Col Retd) Gotabaya Rajapksa who did what the other arseholes could not do with regard to the separatists war. He fought back the hard way to give all a sense of peace and security.
    To make this short if Mr G Rajapksa fails to come in then Sri lanka and Sri lankans will experience more corruption, strikes, religious disharmony, drug addiction, and you name it , for that will be the end of a beautiful land.
    For the law abiding there is no fear, for the law breakers there is fear.

    • 2
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      Ben, we’ve tried the rest, now try the best.

    • 3
      1

      Ben,
      Why do we need a retired corporal who once ran away from the service for fear of LITTE bomb threats to lead the country when we have the general (Gen SF) who won the war on the battle field?

    • 1
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      Ben I agree with you to some extent. Many Sri Lankans are under the illusion that someday democracy will deliver the goods. Considering that democracy has failed us for 71 years its unlikely to deliver anything in the near future. Unfortunately, GR too belongs to a very corrupt family. It will be impossible for him to do his work with his brothers and nephews waiting to loot the country all over again. But judging by the way how GR executed the war and later managed Colombo’s development many feel that GR at least has good management skills and the ability to get things done. Some say that we need a democratically elected autocrat like Lee Kuan Yew who was a brilliant economic strategist and a visionary. Do we have any Sri Lankans of his calibre? I’m afraid not.

  • 1
    8

    What a b.s. this guy Mass Usuf writes quoting FBI director Christopher Wray ,
    “”… His agency has already made nearly 100 domestic terrorism-related arrests this year, a figure already higher than that of the entirety of 2018. He added: “We also found ideologically motivated murders by white supremacists increased in 2018 to 17, from 13 in 2017, while violent Salafist Jihadist killings dropped to only one.” (Independent, 23 July 2019)…””
    Where were u when close to 300 innocent Christians were murdered mercilessly on Christmas day in SL when they in worship? What have they done to kill like that, Usuf?
    Then, you go and find lame reasons for these terrorists behavior to justify…
    What a mind!
    Then u say “…Incidents like 21/4 adds credence to this populist hypothesis. After forming this and other perceptions in the minds of the people, they promote the idea of the need for a strong and visionary leader….”
    Of course srilankans should find a extremely strong and visionary leader so that not to be getting killed by terrorists who go now after soft countries like SL rather than facing Trump like strong leaders. Jihad terrorism reduced in those countries not because any thing but due to toughness… Don’t portray these reduced killing by jihadists in US due to their new found virtues … Only strong proven leaders like Trump, Gota could stop terrorism …

  • 9
    0

    These both individuals are same.
    Very vicious and wicked.
    Those who are wise may be able to fathom about them
    They are BLOOD SUCKERS and Murderers

  • 6
    2

    Don’t blame the Rajapaksa’s or the people who vote for them or the military.
    Blame the incompetance of – Ranil – Sirisena and the useless lot.

  • 2
    0

    Usuf, what if so called military person is more of a politician and less of a serviceman (only by title) . John Mc Cain was a military person, spend his prime as POW for years,upon his return transformed into a politician and served his country.SF is a military person now testing the waters of politics. A person who left country and returned at his convenience, is a politician or a military person ???? Lanka is all about Pseudo patriotism, Pseudo Nationalism and this is one more in the list. I still remember when Kerry challenged Bush, jr . the politicians went on a spin in presenting Bush , who never served in active duty as a “war hero”, and Kerry who actually served in war, and received the highest award “purple heart” ,as fake. Bush went on to become two time President. After years public is now told this fake campaign was managed by political media/support groups, which were actually financed by corrupt businessman.

  • 6
    1

    Out off all the current serving leaders of the Asian countries, Imran Khan ( Pakistan ), Narendra Modi ( India ),
    Sheikh Hazena Wazed ( Bangladesh), KP Sharma Oli ( Nepal ), King Jigme Wanchuk ( Nepal),
    and Sirisena & Ranil Wickremasinghe ( Sri Lanka ), the last two are a set of lafai sipai buggers who are a total disgrace to all of Sri Lanka accept the corrupt society.
    2500 years of culture my arse !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • 2
    5

    The “”Hitler”” B Day Tribute was a typical loose talk by a member of the maha sanga.
    We cannot take it as the stance of the Buddhists in Sri Lanka represented by the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress.

    This is nothing but an attempt by the enemies of the nation who prefer to have a weak government so that they could carry out their nefarious activities.

    Such as Killing 300+ innocent people on a single day.
    encroaching in protected wildlife sanctuaries .
    Tax evasion
    bribery
    murder
    illegal trade
    People Smuggling to Australia
    custom fraud

  • 4
    4

    UNP is using this racio-religious divide to come to power.

    Soma

  • 2
    6

    People who believe that apostates must be killed are preaching human rights to us.

    Soma

    • 1
      0

      soman

      “UNP is using this racio-religious divide to come to power.”

      Well you forgot early to late 1950s.
      What did the Buddhist Committee of Inquiry (1956) found out and the rest of following from that and the 1970 republican constitution, followed by the killing of 11 people in Jaffna in 1974?

      “People who believe that apostates must be killed are preaching human rights to us.”

      Is that why Lasantha and many others were killed by the goons of the state?
      By the way Mahinda was a human rights activist once, went all the way to Geneva to protect terrorists.

  • 2
    0

    It is only, repeat Only the miserable performance and absolute mis- Governance Of the present Regime combined with their lack of knowledge, skill and ability, that the voter will out vote them and thereby fall into the cold, rigid arms of the fascist Rajapaksa, Pretender to the Presidency.
    A reenactment Of 2014 Election. 4 1/2 years later, we suffer extreme memory loss.
    Let’s not completely blame the Uninformed, Racially, Religiously biased Pirivena graduates. The people hold the Ballot in their hand and need to exercise their right to choose. Populism is a derogatory word in the 21st Century. Social, Electronic and Print Media are the influencers.
    Example would be Viyathmaga ‘gathering’ at Shangri-La few weeks ago. Does anybody concede that the Captains Of Industry who listened intently albeit blankly to the monologues, were impressed. No, they have more sense and intellect. They were their to mark their attendance.Rightly so. Political, Social expediency.
    Grow up Citizen Lanka! Let’s make the the change.

  • 1
    0

    Guys, election circus has begun in Lanka. A cremation issue has now been converted to political/election issue, by religious bigots. RW says he is ashamed of Theras/SB breaking the court order. Gotha says courts are provoking the Theras/SB . Game on. The team was lead by none other than “Ape Man” Ganasara. (he has got his payment for the contract). Other than race and religion there is nothing to fight in Lanakan elections. The politicians, religious bigots, fanatic SB public will see to that “the tradition/rituals”, since our independence (who said we got one ,we may be independent from British not from our shit heads) shall continue. Why do we need these in depth analysis, political pundits, heated debates and mind boggling discussions on unemployment, environment, budget deficits Blah, Blah, Blah.

  • 8
    0

    Dear Mass Usuf,
.
I’m not at all keen on having a military butcher as President.
    .
    On the other hand, it is possible that the flagbearer of the National People’s Movement may not be the well-known lawyer, Nagananda Kodituwakku. He seemed to be the front runner, and I actually visited his office two weeks ago, and even met the great man for about three minutes. He is in excellent health for all of his 65 years, and his handshake was as firm as Donald Trump is supposed to have found Macron’s to be. Some may say that he lacks charisma, but I certainly found him a simple and likable character. Very earnest about changing the constitution.
    .
    I hung around the office for quite some time, actually, having found that one of his key administrative volunteers is a retired civil engineer who had been a classmate of mine for two years. My newly re-discovered friend, Sunil, confessed to me that he is a second cousin of Gotler. However, there’s nothing even remotely military about anyone in the Nagananda set up. In fact, Sunil told me something that doesn’t get publicised: Nagananda is a vegan, and has this obsession for ensuring that everything that is said must be absolutely true. There’s no point he said proclaiming that last fact, since every liar swears he tells the truth. The dietery eccentricity is a wholly private matter, I was told. Addicted he is, to one thing: ginger-nut biscuits. The brand I won’t reveal since CT is getting ever more sensitive about commercial advertising.
    .
    Nagananda has been at this Constitution-making business for so long that he has a fanatical following among many young people, as you will see from comments on his many Youtube programmes.

  • 7
    0

    PART TWO
    They will not hear of anybody else as candidate, and he too has belief in himself as a man of destiny, but I can’t help feeling that although known to at least half the country, he will finally have to accept that his appeal is limited. I’d love to see him as Justice Minister, though.
    The Sinhalese are so obsessed at the moment with Security Affairs, that it may be that Dr Ajith Colonne who was Deputy Director of the Directorate of Internal Intelligence may be seen as more of a War expert than Gotler. That actually reduces somewhat his appeal to peaceniks like me, yet that may be a good move to counter the feelings of insecurity that we Sinhalese always seem, strangely, to suffer from. He really is an intellectual, and speaks quietly and beautifully in both Sinhalese and English. Google for plenty on him. I find CT now being rather strict in censoring propaganda so I will not provide any links here. Although Dr Colonne must be well-known to all his many pupils who seem to include not only military officers, but also little kids, and to many in the upper echelons of the business world (he had worked a dozen years for IBM – and had had a year’s schooling in Colorado on an AFS scholarship), he ‘s never been in the limelight as far as average citizens like me are concerned.
    .
    The leading political commentators also have not been taking this NPM seriously. Nagananda has always been saying, “wait for nomination day”. Actually, we may not have to wait all that long. They’ve said that they will have this meeting at the Sugathdasa Stadium on Sunday the 29th to democratically elect “their” candidate.

  • 11
    3

    Here in Sri Lanka, barely half of the Singhalese willing to be second class citizens, wagging tail to the Rajapakse family, as long as they are given a promise to make Tamils and Muslims third class citizens.

    • 2
      5

      MirakRajBanda
      We are happy to be treatedlike 2 nd class citizens
      as long as we are not killed like ANIMALs by the Muslims and Tamils

      • 7
        0

        Come, come, Citizen Silva,
        .
        Let’s elect leaders who will allow all Sri Lankans to live together as 1st Class Citizens. You sound a bit like Eeyore – in the Winnie the Pooh Books!
        .
        Do I sound ratheer naive? I realise that we live in an over-populated WORLD, and that all communities everywhere must recognise the need to be unselfish and hereafter voluntarily limit population to replacement levels.
        .
        I don’t want to run foul of the moderators by giving you any more links to Youtubes by Dr Colonne, Nagananda, Gamini Wijesinghe, Dr Ranil Senananyake, Ariyaseela Wikramanayake, Rohan Pallewatte, Dr Gomes (currently in South Africa) etc. The only one of them whom I have actually met is Nagananda. I won’t be surprised if one or two of the 24 “Special People” whom Nagananda has been talking about disappoint us, but it is a fantastic array of persons who are backing this group.
        .
        I’m glad to see a young woman from some sort of “Green Party” running. I almost said “in the fray” – let us reserve such vocabulary for the two nasty old racist Parties!
        .
        Let’s be optimistic about the future, but please, do use all THREE of your Preferences. I won’t try to tell you whom to place FIRST – but if I say that with me it’s going to be the Naganada Group – well never mind the ramifications of that!

  • 5
    0

    PART THREE
    I’m sure that it must be an inner circle who have been working long and hard who will decide, but I almost feel that I may have sufficient credence to be admitted into the decision-making process.
    .
    I feel that even more than cash what these people need are volunteers, especially Tamil speakers – if of various religious persuasions and outlooks, all the better I guess.

    .
    These NPM people will have to be adopted by some registered political party, but they are adamant that they will not pay the Rs 10 million that is said to be the going price for “borrowing” a Party from the corrupt owners. These guys will be secular and non-communal, whoever their candidate, and seem determined to disallow membership to any guy with a “political past”. Dr Colonne is so little known as of now that I hope the moderators will allow this one link to him talking about himself in English:
    .
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUispKXC3_s
    .
    Most of their stuff is in Sinhalese, and I’ve been listening for hours on end. My prediction is that Colonne may even win the Presidency. Village school-master I may be, but I’m beginning to fancy my skills after this experience:
    .
    https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/the-maldivian-parliamentary-elections-2019-where-a-happy-result-can-be-predicted/
    .
    I’ve predicted the outcome of those parliamentary elections pretty accurately, but if you read carefully and follow the links you will realise just how despairing Anni was about the outcome of the Presidential Election exactly a year ago. If you click on the first of the “here” links you will also see how courageous our own election monitors, Rasika Peiris and Hoole, have been.
    .
    I hope I can wish you happy browsing!

    • 3
      0

      Reading all the comments I’m optimistic that a decent and honorable candidate may come forward. I have been following the NPM on YouTube and fervently hoping that come nomination day the future will be bright. Lots of young people are followers of NPM which is great. The future belongs to them. Young people need to make the change. Let us hope for a honorable political future.

  • 1
    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

  • 2
    4

    Sri Lanka is a reasonably tolaren country.
    Any minorities who are not happy could migrate
    to any country that welcomes them.

    by following the proper proceedure.

    • 4
      0

      Why should the minorities leave. You kallathonis should jump into the sea

  • 3
    0

    I have no objection to Naga

    Appreciate his effort

    • 3
      0

      Thanks, Citizen Silva.
      .
      However, the news that I have had today is not very encouraging: The candidate is to be General Mahesh Senanayake is what I’ve been told.
      .
      I know little of General Senanayake, and in that sense, I have nothing against him, personally.
      .
      However, my idea of a President who can bring about reconcilliation is certainly NOT a military man. Dr Colonne would have been ideal, given also the concerns throughout the country about security issues.
      .
      Citizen Silva, as for Naga, the position appears to be that he has not yet been able to revoke his British Citizenship. Yes, his efforts have been tremendous.
      .
      At this stage, I don’t want to be “difficult”; I will vote for this group, and to show solidarity with the vision of Nagananda and to swell his numbers, I will vote Number One for him. Unless it looks as though Anura Kumara Dissanayake seems to be doing so well that we could get him into SECOND Place on the FIRST count.
      .
      I really appreciate your sincerity and honesty, Citizen Silva. The bottom line must be:
      .
      Preferences!

  • 3
    0

    L. Usuf –

    Military Option; Emotional Or Rational

    *** Military Option is neither of the above . It is damn right arrogance and Racism. Who brought the country to this mess. It is the ruling class which unleashed State Terrorism for 71 years. unabated.
    Political populism manifests itself glaringly in the propaganda posters of Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the Presidential candidate of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna.

    *** Thatbis because Gotha knows how to draw suppot from the racis majority and he knows how to play the race card.

    The ubiquitous presence of Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa’s picture cannot miss our sight. Researches have shown that populism rides on the back of a mixture of sentiments some of which are fear, disappointment, national security, resentment towards racial and religious minorities. These are calculatedly driven into the minds of the people.

    *** You have added a lethal cocktail and it doesnt blend my friend. Just to have a party you have simpley added whatever you could think of without relevance.

    “Populists thrive in such environments, finding receptive audiences for easy targets to blame and simple solutions, and for divisive appeals that prompt angry rather than thoughtful responses.

    *** The fertile ground has been there for thousands of yrars and is genetic.

    Rightly so. Since the running government was voted into power it has failed to deliver on its solemn promises. Especially, in bringing to justice the corrupt bureaucrats, corrupt politicians and those accused of murders, killings, drug related offences, organised crimes etc. Not to act in these instances means to maintain the status quo and permit the proliferation of crimes and criminal activities besides encouraging nepotism and corruption.

    *** They are all in it together, Yu cant trust anyone. They are still dealing with the killers of Thajudin , Lasantha. We know who the killers are but they are above the Law in Sinhala Lanka

    What about accountability for the enforced disappearances.

    *** Accountabilty is a foul word which cant be spoken in public.

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