The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) extends its warmest congratulations to President-Elect Mr Maithripala Sirisena, says R. Sampanthan, the Leader, Tamil National Alliance.
Issuing a statement the TNA leader said; “The TNA extends to the people of Sri Lanka – in particular to the people of the North-East – its sincere thanks for extending their overwhelming support to President-Elect Mr Maithripala Sirisena in accordance with the advice of the TNA.
“The new President Mr Maithripala Sirisena has to address urgently many grave issues the country faces, including an honourable resolution of the national question so as to enable the Tamil speaking people of Sri Lanka to be true beneficiaries of democracy.”
Joe Ragu / January 9, 2015
Here we go, this terrorist supporter will start now. Don’t think all in the north and east support you and your TNA cause! There might be some as there is no proper government representation there!
But remember, you are talking of us minotiry – only 10% odd! This is not your call. Work for a common development structure within the current government without looking at ethnic cleansing as you all did before.
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burt / January 9, 2015
TNA managed to get over 80% at NPC and managed to deliver over 70% at presidential, so he has earned the right to speak and represent his people, on the other hand you 2,50 deshapremi just lost. It would be wise to shut-up.
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Lanka Watch / January 10, 2015
Burt – You very rightly said that Mr. Sampanthan of TNA has earned the right to speak for his people of N/E and even the hill country voters heeded to his request to vote for the opposition, ignoring their own leaders like Thondaman, resulting in H.E. Sirisena winning the Presidential elections & this is in black and white. Sampanthan was one of the first among party leaders to have congratulated the President elect and in his message he has politely asked him to take the burning question of the Tamils among the many other grave issues he has to handle in his first hundred days. It must be remembered that TNA and the Tamils have taken a grave risk in supporting the opposition,knowing very well that it would have been hell to pay if Mr Mahinda Rajapakse won.
All H.E Sirisena has to do initially is to confine the army to barracks in the N/E, and mobilised when required and allow free movement of the people in the N/E, appoint civilian Governors
to N/E, give back the lands owned by the refugees, allow the NPC to function normally like any other provinces and arrest armed militas ,including Devanada,Karuna and Pillian of N/E who
traumatised the people over a decade.These little gestures will satisfy the Tamils to some extent for the risks they have taken to elect the new president and have extensive talks on the national issue, once the Govt is formed after the next parliamentary election.
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Anpu / January 10, 2015
Lanka Watch,
I agree.
You missed one – KP.
NP should take over Chencholai Children Home
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Ranjan / January 9, 2015
Strange how the same “10%” have saved the nation and you cannot seperate the Tamils from TNA, may be I am wrong but please do explain how my3 alliance secured 70% of the vote from Tamils in which TNA happens to be a major part.
People filled with hate and ego like you obviously don’t know the value of that “10%” , hope my3 does.
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Native Vedda / January 9, 2015
Joe Ragu, Ranjan, burt
The majority Sinhala/Buddhists can’t live the minorities and they can’t live without them.
Its time Sinhala/Buddhists forgot the one nation formula, or one size fits all.
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Bringabahu / January 10, 2015
That is to say to fit into an extra absorbency XX-Large size protective lingerie. Hail Mother Lankot!!
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The Messenger / January 9, 2015
One of the most important task for the new Maithree Government is to change the present Anti-minority racist/communal culture in Sri Lanka and make it a true muti-cultural united secular Sri Lankan society where the minorities are treated as equal citizens of the country and not as aliens.
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Rajash / January 9, 2015
There no kore room for racist whether Tamil or Sinhala or Muslim . You racist has been kicked out.
This is the first election since independence that was fought without anti Tamil or anti minority slogan
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Mallaiyuran / January 9, 2015
Is that why Anglican Ranil stayed away and the Sinhala, Buddhist, war criminal against Tamils contested?
By how much more votes the Sinhala people have selected the new EP?
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Lanka Liar / January 9, 2015
the nation listened to a wise old man. Now it is My3’s turn to listen to him. The fools will always make silly comments. The wise should carry on governing the country for all respecting all. No need to fear any Urumaya or ant TTE or any WWW
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Rajan / January 9, 2015
Here we go Sinhala Chauvinism is back at play!
This is exactly what was said about the Federal Party (1956 to 1976);TULS (1977-1983) and the LTTE (1983 to 2009). The Tamils voted for MS because the TNA asked it to do so and get rid of the barbaric war criminal out! There are more chauvinists still around.
MS better deliver, he had proudly claimed to have been responsible for the final assault on Tamil civilians.
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Nallasamy - Kotte / January 9, 2015
TAMILS-MUSLIMS-CATHOLICS-UP COUNTRY TAMILS TURNED THE TIDE AGAINST MAHINDA. DICTATORS CANNOT RULE FOREVER.
MS SHOULD BRING ALL THE WAR CRIMMINALS TO TRIAL AND CO-OPERATE WITH THE UN RESOLUTION TO PUNISH THESE WAR CRIMMINALS AND THEIR PASSPORTS SHOULD BE CONFISICATED.
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Dan / January 10, 2015
Nallasamy are you living in Kotte or in Tamil Nadu?
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Dom / January 9, 2015
Favour for a favour. When TNA managed to unseat the incumbent President with massive 80% vote base which led to the defeat of the Rajapaksas. There is no way to refuse their request to negotiate the issues of their suffering and negative livelihood.
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dcn / January 9, 2015
Joe ragu
It is you who all disgracefully cough out racism and divide the country. TNA and its leadership had extended their support to MS to prepare for a decent democratic country.
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Ram / January 10, 2015
Already the TNA agenda is being exposed as ” Patience for Incremental Advance ” in another article.
In other words ‘a little now, more later’, Chelva’s theme song from days gone by. The TNA will NEVER work for the betterment of the whole, and will always be inward looking.
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Native Vedda / January 10, 2015
Ram
“The TNA will NEVER work for the betterment of the whole, and will always be inward looking.”
Once your Northern brethren have achieved parity with their Southern brethren TNA would work for the betterment of the whole, in fact it will save your war criminals from gallows, as Ponnapalam Ramanathan demonstrated in 1915.
Only couple of days ago North East voted overwhelmingly for Maithiri though he is a Sinhala/Buddhist hardliner and a war criminal.
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Pena Kiyanna / January 9, 2015
Yu wait for Godo, cunning old man.
We have Hela Urumaya in the mix to see that you will never achieve your aim.
So go to KKS and jump in the sea!
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Ranjan / January 9, 2015
TNA must start it by demanding a war crimes tribunal. Sinhalese should not hinder a tribunal if reconciliation and peace were to be achieved. We had plenty of opportunities since tsunami, this is the final one lets not waste it for a moment.
Let’s not forget, it is the vote from the war victims(Tamils and Muslims) that has saved the nation from a constitutional dictatorship.
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Taraki / January 9, 2015
‘TNA must start it by demanding a war crimes tribunal’
These buggers can demand what the hell they like but they will never get it.
‘Let’s not forget, it is the vote from the war victims(Tamils and Muslims) that has saved the nation from a constitutional dictatorship’
That vote alone would have been useless without the Sinhala vote. There are Sinhala war victims too. You racists have forgotten that. But don’t worry, Sirisena & Fonseka are nothing if not Sinhala Buddhists. When they start you will soon wish that the known devil, Mahinda was in power.
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Javi. / January 9, 2015
when they start??
yes what you plan to do JVP style attack.
Very good go for it and be shot like fascist flies; Sihalal Buddhist = Shit Buckets of colonial beginnings.
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Taraki / January 9, 2015
Very good Javi u brainless amoeba. Gonseka wants to be FM. Sattelite wants even more. Others haven’t even started! Watch the 100 days program fall apart like your hideous balls.
Javi scums = Shit Buckets of colonial heritage.
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Javi. / January 9, 2015
Taraki,
Two Legged Guinea Pig – undergoing experimental or extreme treatments.
If we were to believe that sihala buddhist(colonial shit buckets) who could never climb the hills at 4am could perform in 100 days then you better go mad or better still become a cannibal.
Enjoy your stay Thannibal.
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Taraki / January 9, 2015
Javi buth gotta enjoy your time at the trough. Sewer is too good taste for you. Rats jumping again. If you aim for heights Urumaya idiots will fall like you.
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Javi. / January 9, 2015
tweet tweet twit,◕‿◕
never seen you like this in your elements why so flustered like a baboons backside stuck by lightning??
“Truth that has lost its temper is exaggeration & that makes you a fool taraki tatte motte galticko.
Accomplished `Satayaka Hato` as from the 9th of January 2015 a priestly number 9 than a Chinese 8. The year of the green female sheep from February.
Atta pirkana – 8 free clothing to lift and show that you have no underwear as at Dambulla.
Sevura Hato!!
is the next step to a nation independent of ethnicity/religion/party voting.
and holding folk to ransom by gutter snakes of all sorts be they tamil muslim sihala.
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Ranjan / January 9, 2015
Taraki,
Gota having lost his impunity will be taken care by the judiciary in the US if he decides to return and not chicken out. It will be difficult to bring MaRa to face a court of law as he enjoys some sort of impunity. Difficult but certainly not impossible. If Foneska was to protect the war criminals then he will have to face the US courts as well.
Since a fellow racist of yours has faced a humiliating defeat, your frustration is understandable but your child like stubborn is of no use in a court of law.
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Taraki / January 9, 2015
Rnajan old pal, Maithree will not allow any war crimes investigations. He will not accept TNA demands for federalism or anything near it. This information is easily available on reputable sites like Tamil Guardian. You will have to live with it, Tough.
http://www.tamilguardian.com/article.asp?articleid=12929
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Javi. / January 9, 2015
and you blessed with castration by the very pigs you reared for your toilets down south. The Muslims will never forgive you nor would they be lead by Jaffna Tamils- its their experience and remember the infidel is their main supporter which the Jaffna Tamils can never have even in a generation because they can never get together- common jealousy by detachment.
Taraki Who is Hindian??
Who has Mughal DNA.
Why is Austria and Germany more concerned with who joins the EU even though they still adore Aryan blue eyed ginger head- the culture not the warring armies of NATO??
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Taraki / January 9, 2015
Still smoking them?
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Javi. / January 9, 2015
So the carnal relation Freedman/Fugitive Coca is with your buddhist sasana minister & PM you can powder puff with it and try your gigolo play.
nothing like a special hand made Havana with pride after supper.
then la vida is always puta madre negociante the industrial.
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Native Vedda / January 10, 2015
Taraki
“Rnajan old pal, Maithree will not allow any war crimes investigations.”
Remember you thought earlier MR could not be defeated.
Please wait, let Hindia and US decide as how best to deal with Maithiri.
You should change your script writer as sach, nuisance, wathie ….. and others have overused him/her/it.
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Native Vedda / January 10, 2015
Taraki
“That vote alone would have been useless without the Sinhala vote.”
Sinhala votes would have been useless without the minority votes. But then you are a born masochist hence pain is pleasure, and living under Gota’s wagging finger would have given you much pleasure than under a democracy.
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srinath.gunaratne / January 9, 2015
Here comes the share holder asking for dividends, Even before any profit is made!
Shall we wait and get some basic fundamental rights to all the people, before we carry out you racist agenda?
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sama / January 9, 2015
Hey why not you feel that we are all srilankens ? If ANTI Rajapakhse Sinhalse wait until reenforcement of law and order, why not TNA raises the promises made to them. It is afterall most alarming issue of the tamil folks. As one living in the britain should feel it more to the skin than sinahalse chaunists in the country. I am though a sinalese, I am do whatever I can contribute to feel us all srilankens – OUR justice is safeguarded. The defeat of Rajanos was exclusively connected with thuggery and over abusive tactcs regardless of the areas.
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srinath.gunaratne / January 9, 2015
Dear Sama,
That is what I feel, We all are Sri Lankans, We do not need any rights over another race, It should belong to each of us with equal rights? Not by nationality, race caste etc, Let us try to solve our problems like Sri Lankans, After all next time I might be born as a Tamil, In London it is mostly Tamils, even in my street, So my kids will even marry them.
We need to take religion also out of the government?
Enough of this communal based politcs? Devolution is great, it has to be non communal,
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sama / January 9, 2015
Religion should be there to some extetent but not ot the manner Rajapakshe abused it building up Balubalusena not realizing the impact of the hate being sowed by that babaric monk Ghanasara. Ghanasara to my is not a monk but an aggressive man need to be rehablitated and set free. The enormous angers he is going to spread have almost created new waves of problems also with muslim community. Just becase few of the muslims are violent, the folks to be considered as against to the majority was made by BBS. I have been waiting BBS to be banned naming it a terror and violent group of the society – this the new govt has to make it a proper manner not harming any other laymen blindly fall on BBS movement.
Me too, I am into POWER DEVELOUTION, but as you know many in srilanka are not aware of that – they mix it with partitioning the country. More awareness program will surely convinsing the nation.
If many other powerful states can live iwth that. why not srilanka live with power devolution ?
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manisekaran / January 9, 2015
Brillant Sama, very pleasing to know level-headed sinhalese like you! Please educate as many rural inocent sinhlese as possible power sharing through fedreal solution is not separation, what is worrying even learned man like DJ is so admant of devolution through federal structure. Imagine, if srilanka also had solved the problem through federal structure like how Nehru accepted people vision ,aspiration and dropped province based administration in 1956 , how much time energy, people lives from either side would have saved.
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srinath.gunaratne / January 9, 2015
Who said Federal? Sri Lanka is one country, Get used to it?
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Native Vedda / January 10, 2015
srinath.gunaratne
“Who said Federal? Sri Lanka is one country, Get used to it?”
Yes it is one country.
Does Federal mean several countries?
The country could consist several nations.
Just forget the idea that one size fits all.
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Subramaniam Thiagarajah / January 9, 2015
Sama: Thank you.Good one
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Subramaniam Thiagarajah / January 9, 2015
Thank you Sama
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kk / January 11, 2015
Sama remember still 5700000 live and support MR , we don’t
let Ranil or MY3 to divide this country
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Ranjan / January 9, 2015
To start with the fact that this victory is not possible without Tamils and Muslims. So as their representative he holds all the rights and priveliege to demand his share for the people. He is doing his duty nothing racist here. What is very obvious is that people like you cannot stomach the fact that Tamils have regained their bargaining power which I find highly racist.
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Subramaniam Thiagarajah / January 9, 2015
(NWS Rep. for Tamil-canada) ; We the Tamils voted for Maitri without asking anything in return.This goes close to Lord Krishna’s Bhagavad Gita.So we must have faith on the Lord and I am sure something good will happen to Tamils.I feel that we should not demand anything from them.
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Native Vedda / January 10, 2015
Subramaniam Thiagarajah
Lords and gods are hiding from us.
If you happen to meet them let them know they should not come out of their hiding for just now one got voted out of office and the other was killed in 2009.
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Thales / January 10, 2015
“Now you see… now you don’t”
Cliff Richard
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punchinilame / January 9, 2015
You appear to have lost sight of the original idea by Prof. David Kumar –
the Common Candidate. Thank you Mr. Kumar for saving our prosterity.
The timely telephone call from Mr. John Kerry has averted the base for a
3rd world war – a warning in the interest of world peace. The UN SGs
statements does not sink into the Regime skins. A Plan B+ hatched by Gota at great expense was only good for visit by him to Mulleriyawea.
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Anpu / January 9, 2015
First thing My3 should do is to get rid of G. A. Chandrasiri and appoint a civilian as the governor of NP with the consultation of TNA.
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Pacs / January 9, 2015
The comments we see here do not give any hope for agood Sri Lanka.
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Ranjan / January 9, 2015
The problem is Sinhalese are still denying justice to the families killed by MaRa’s administration. I don’t see why such a fuss to try him in a court of law, if he is innocent there is nothing to worry. Just trying him is such a leap towards reconciliation.
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srinath.gunaratne / January 9, 2015
Rajan
We are still waiting for justice for the 60,000 youth destroyed by UNP and JVP in 1990s, Where shall we start? When Chandrika came to power she said she is going to punish everyone, Remeber those posters? Dushanaya and Bheeshanaya?
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manisekaran / January 9, 2015
This you should have asked human rights champion Misstter Rajapaksha when he was in power for last 10 years, should n’t you?
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Ranjan / January 9, 2015
Difference is killings in JVP era has no connection or does not contribute to reconciliation in anyway as the killers are from the same community also the main culprits of the killing Premadasa, Gamini, Victor and Rohana are all dead.
But Mullivaikal incident is very much inter communal and was very bloody and violent so it matters and contributes to reconciliation like no other incident in the history of modern SL so given it’s importance in reconciliation, the killers need to face justice to make way for reconciliation.
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Taraki / January 9, 2015
So that makes it ok? Did you know that Maithri was acting Defence Minister during the last month of the war? Should he be arrested too?
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Ranjan / January 10, 2015
First let their be investigation. Your tone of reply indicates that war crimes were committed. Funny how your masters deny it though. Anyway, all the victims want is an international independent tribunal, let the court decide based in evidence.
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Taraki / January 10, 2015
There will never be any investigation. Maithri has said so. Tamil Guardian has a good summary about Maithri http://www.tamilguardian.com/article.asp?articleid=12929
Devolution of some kind is possible but war crimes investigation will never take place – for the Tamils or the Singalese.
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Javi. / January 10, 2015
as much as dr kerry did die on the day of iraq war the inquiry is being conducted for the sake of knowledge because if not no one would be in a position to discriminate between right and wrong in Sri Lanka.
The speedy election declared by passa brothers from India and first tweet to hindu reporter is proof the world is moving discerningly.
It is beyond the control of both parties to the conflict- both have much to lose in stolen wealth worldwide.
So many tears from either side never go unanswered.
Sivura Hato!
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j.thavarajah / January 9, 2015
How on earth does this statement of the TNA constitute a racist agenda? Tamils in the North-East have voted overwhelmingly to MS on the advice of the TNA.
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dingiri / January 9, 2015
Equality, control over their fiscal, education, law enforcement and local matters should be handed over to the TNA. Whatever territory these rights are given to should be proportionate to the Tamil population, and around their population centres. The business of the army should be just the defense of the national borders after returning over any land expropriated from Jafna residents. They will have nothing to complain about after that.
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Dr,Ranasingham Narendran / January 9, 2015
Yes, good governance and the rule if law should be enforced from day one of the new government. The cost of living must be brought at the earliest. These are national priorities. Good governance and rule of law for the Tamils also involve the following as immediate steps:
1. Restoration of their lands Valigamam North stolen by the last government in accordance with Supreme Court order.
2. The Northern PC being permitted to function as the other PCs in the country,
3. Removal of travel restrictions to North by foreign passport holders, if they have a valid visas.
4. Restoration of their right to sing the approved Tamil version of the national anthem,
5. Off loading the political quislings foisted on the Tamils in the North and East, by the previous government.
6. Prosecute immediately those incarcerated for terrorist offences in the courts.
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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Lanka Liar / January 9, 2015
Get back the billions of dollars hich belong to the people from these looters and use it for the people.
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Ajith / January 9, 2015
First I would like to congratulate Mr Srisena for winning this election.It was not an easy victory. I also conrgatuate all the people who wanted a change towards rule of law, justice to all, independent instituions,freedom of speech and accountability. There is a huge responsibility for Mr Srisena. There are still large number of people (almost half) still outside this perimeter for whatever reasons. I won’t say they are against to the good governance but not convinced yet and it is the responsibility to bring them back to good governance. If we look at the election results you will understand that Tamils and Muslims largely contributed towards good governance and their expectations are more because they are the people who suffered in terms of lawlessness, violence, discriminations, human rights,and freedom of speech, movement and many other things. I am not expecting you to do every aspects immediately. We know that ethic issue is very sensitive but there are things you can do in terms bringing good governance. For example, you should invite Northern Provincial Council chief minister and discuss the problems and what he can do to rectify those administrative problems such as a good governer who can work with him. There are number of honest and duty minded governers you can find instead of a former miliary governor. You don’t need to withdraw all of your military form North but you should ensure that military should not interfere in the public events and need not interfere with politics. Let remove the barriers for free movement. You can build up the confidence of the Tamils and encourage the Sinhalese to build good relationship by changing their attitude towards Tamils and Muslims.
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Maveeran / January 9, 2015
Mr Sampanthan, I like your style you are straight on point. Lets hope for a better future for the Tamils living in the North. Now we should get rid of those Army camps and those Sinhala goon Soldiers out of the Tamil areas. Let the Tamils walk and breathe the freedom. Sorry let the people of Ceylon enjoy the peace and freedom most of all.
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Mahesan Niranjan / January 9, 2015
The TNA behaved admirably, holding back as long as possible and coming out in support of MY3 with no conditions / secret pacts attached.
The Tamil voters did even better, turning up in large numbers to vote, with minimal encouragement, and despite suggestions from some idiotic quarters to boycott / vote at random / destroy ballot paper etc. Numbers show that they made the difference.
This was not just a revenge vote against MR. It was a clear exercise of their citizenship — something denied to them in 2005 by “Mister” YouNoHoo. The political class in the South should take note and address issues specific to them by treating them as equal citizens.
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Robert.R / January 9, 2015
You have dropped your designation and tittle, anyways. Will you now return and serve your country?
Or will personal profit/comfort take precedence once again?
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Javi. / January 9, 2015
that exactly why urban populations rule wisely not village jackals who just set foot in capitals and think they know the smell of methane in the city and drive partition preferences to survive in an open city thereby drawing nations and the world into war.
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Ajith / January 9, 2015
“Mister” Mahesan Niranjan,
I think you are going over the limits to critisize those who have different opinion or policies towards making decisions towards paricipating in this election or not. It is their democratic right to stay away from voting for not. It is too early to decide whether the change is in good faith or revenge taking or how it is going to challege the most important issue of devolution of power. The political class in the South remains the same and we have to wait to see the results. Tamils participated in all elections except in 2005. Mahinda was the choice of Sinhalese, not by Tamils. Mahinda was not as bad as Ranil in 2005. Chandrika is not good as Mahinda in 2005.
Mister Mahesan, Do you think every problem in this island started in 2005?
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Desmond de Mellow / January 9, 2015
First and foremost it was evident that the Tamil citizens are really yearning for peace, love, dignity and recognition, right to live and all rights of a human being, whats wrong in giving these human rights to the citizens of SL. Now that the Lord Jesus andf Buddha has bestowed his love and divine mercy in this land by blessing us all with a new sane, sober, honest people in this MY3 government, it is the bounden duty of all the new governors to make sure that equality, rule of law, right to live with dignity, employment, education, peace and justice to all Sri Lankans are provided by the new governors, and all citizens must welcome this new breeze,new change in the scary and bloody environment that we all went through hell with the bloody ruthless power hungry
goons that were in control of us with their blood thirsty rogues and vengence not eliminated for ever from the face of this earth. We are with the new Governors with all the peave love and Blessings of all GODS.
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Anpu / January 9, 2015
Five immediate tasks for Maithripala Sirisena:
1. Restore the rule of law
With power being concentrated in the Rajapaksa brothers for nine years, the hands of the police force in Sri Lanka were allegedly tied during the previous regime, especially when it came to acting against ruling party supporters and unruly groups that enjoyed state patronage then. The new President will have to infuse independence and autonomy in the functioning of the police and rein in anti-minority groups like the Bodu Bala Sena.
2. Restore the independence of the judiciary
A major factor that discredited the Rajapaksa regime was its brazen attack on the judiciary’s independence by the removal of Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake on flimsy grounds and without following due process. In fact, the Supreme Court had ruled the impeachment move illegal, but Parliament ignored it. Rajapaksa appointed his Attorney General Mohan Peiris as the Chief Justice. The new President may look at ways of reinstating Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, or at least take legislative measures against the abuse of the impeachment clause.
3. Strengthen institutions by according them functional independence
The Rajapaksa regime had amended the Constitution to vest in the President all powers of appointment of members of major institutions like the Elections Commission, the Public Services Commission and the Anti-Bribery Commission. Besides, he had also amended the Constitution to remove the two-term limit on the President. These measures have severely undermined the integrity and autonomy of democratic institutions. The 18th amendment may have to be scrapped.
4. Cooperate with the elected Northern Province government, give it freedom to govern devolved subjects
The elected government of the Northern Province has been nearly dysfunctional because of the squeeze on funding and powers. In deference to the mandate in the north that Sirisena has got, there is good ground for him to allow the Chief Minister to function without an unfriendly Governor bearing down on him. A civilian Governor and a Chief Secretary who works for the Provincial government rather than the Central government are needed.
5. Halt the pervasive militarisation of the northern province
Maithripala Sirisena has ruled out scaling down the military presence in the North, citing national security reasons and the need to prevent a resurgence of militancy. However, he can halt further expansion of the army and end perceptions of its interference in civilian life.
————
Five potential pitfalls for Maithripala Sirisena:
1. The promise to abolish the executive presidency
This is a promise that dates back to 1994 when Chandrika Kumaratunga was elected first. However, lack of political will has meant that the abolition never takes places. Incumbents also get a taste of the enormous power that the executive presidency confers on an individual and such powers are not easily shed. Sri Lanka will have to debate vigorously on whether it should return to a Westminster-style parliamentary government.
2. The demand for a UN probe into war crimes
With the Rajapaksa regime coming to an end, there may be renewed calls for an international probe into war crimes in the last phase of the war, but it may also mean that the new government will be under pressure to hold a rigorous domestic investigation. This is a challenge because Sinhala nationalist parties are also backing Sirisena and they may resist such attempts. Also, Sirisena himself carries the baggage of having acted as defence minister for the last two weeks of the war in Rajapaksa’s absence.
3. Reviving the parliamentary negotiation on devolution of power and giving effect to the 13th Amendment
Attempts to rewrite Sri Lanka’s unitary constitution into one that allows substantial devolution of power to the regions and minorities have always failed. At present, a parliamentary process to discuss devolution has been stalled. With the Tamil National Alliance having played a role in the election of Sirisena, there may be an opportunity for reviving the process with the participation of the Tamil leadership. However, a consensus across ethnic lines may not be easy to come by and Presidents in the past have taken the easy way out of not proceeding on committee reports and recommendations.
4. Balancing the pulls and pressures of a coalition that may include archrivals SLFP and UNP
With a support base drawn from both the main southern political parties, Sirisena may have to do some delicate balancing work to maintain cordial relations with the UNP led by Ranil Wickramasinghe and the SLFP faction that supports him and former president Chandrika Kumaratunga. A ‘cohabitation’ government in 2001, when Kumaratunga was president and Wickramasinghe was Prime Minister, came down mainly because of the unending squabbling between the two camps. Sirisena must try and avoid a repeat of the 2001-2003 experience.
5. Revive the economy that has been laden by debt
The Mahinda Rajapaksa regime had availed of development loans from China at high interest rates as part of its policy of getting close to China. However, in the long term, it is seen as landing the country in great debt. Resentment at the economic costs of his diplomatic cosiness with China was one of the factors behind Rajapaksa’s defeat. Cost of living is very high and the poor and middle classes are reeling under rising prices of fuel and food.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/south-asia/five-immediate-tasks-and-potential-pitfalls-before-maithripala-sirisena/article6771534.ece
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Saman / January 9, 2015
Now we all have to be grateful to our tamil and muslim fellow citizens for the support given to elect a new president.
We as sinhalese must not be racist.
We all must work together to build our nation which drastically eroded our values and qualities.
We have learnt many lessons from previous regime and assemble together to correct our errors.
Please do not label any individual even though they were born to different race.
We must cooperate and should be harmonious to guide our future generation.
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Mallaiyuran / January 9, 2015
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankan_presidential_election,_2015#mediaviewer/File:Sri_Lankan_Presidential_Election_2015.png
Look at the map.
More than 635 thousand surplus votes (above king ) from Tamils have seated MY3 to power.
That is 200 thousand more than MY3’s victory. In other words, Sinhala Intellectual has defeated MY3 by 200 thousand.
THIS IS MORE THAN THE KINGS VICTORY IN 2005. THE TRUTH IS MAHAVAMSA MODAYAS HAVE BEEN HARDENED MORE BY THE SINHALA INTELLECTUALS, THAN THEY WERE IN THE 2005 ELECTION. THERE IS NO WAR NOW; THERE IS NO LTTE. THERE HAVE BEEN DRAMAS SAID AND ACTED THAT THE SINHALA BUDDHISTS HAVE TIRED OF FAMILY RULE. BUT IN THIS ELECTION KING HAS DEFEATED MY3 BY 200,000 THAT IS MORE THAN HE DEFEATED RANIL IN THE 2005 ELECTION. THIS IS AN ACTION TNA TAMILS DID AGAINST THE WILL OF THE SINHALA MAJORITY. THEY DONE IT EVEN WITHOUT GG’S 50/50 (IC MUST NOTE THIS.)
TNA has worked hard to get the Tamils to install a new president who refuses to remove army, investigate war crime, resolve Tamils problem.
If Tamils are not there, once again, (this time too) there would not have been fire crackers and kiribath on the streets of Colombo.
But, now time for the Tamils to tighten their belt even more and count their family corpse, if their hand fingers are not enough, using the toes too. Because the most notorious war criminal Fonseka come as defense secretary. He was fired by brother prince because, immediately after war, he wanted to recruit another 200,000 additional soldier to deploy in the North. Brother prince disagreed and fire him.
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K.A Sumanasekera / January 9, 2015
TNA Tigers are back on the prowl,, SLMC Hyenas will follow soon.
JHU Champika, Sobitha & Rathne have their work cut sooner than they expected…
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Millory / January 9, 2015
Majority nation in first time in history hijacked by Tamils and Muslims by ballots of democracy.
That is tragedy of democracy of Sri lanka that terms and conditions dictated by Diaspora of Tamils and local Tamil Valla political class as well as Jihadist Muslim-extremist.
Extremists and anti-establishments of Tamils of TNA that undermine democratic sovereignty of Sri lanka.
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perrera / January 9, 2015
GIVE HIM TIME TO SETTLE IN YOU BIG FOOL.
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Native Vedda / January 9, 2015
perrera
“GIVE HIM TIME TO SETTLE IN YOU BIG FOOL.”
The chair is so cosy he might not want to get up and serve the people.
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Native Vedda / January 9, 2015
K.A Sumanasekera
I find it surprising that 6,217,162 Vellala, Catholic, … have voted for Mithiri and 5,768,090, the great majority Dalit inhabitants have voted for former president MR.
Am I missing something here?
Sampandan’s TNA is open for membership to everyone.
Christian Ranil can expedite you membership through his fellow Christian Abraham.
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lmfaoforelam / January 9, 2015
Tigers will start to roar again, the tamils who didnt have balls to stand up & who fled the country leaving fellow brothers sisters to suffer and enjoyed a good life in eu and the rest of world sending money talking beer and talk about the penalization of tamils, these ppl will find their mojos again and try to raise the hell up,
doesnot matter whom u support this time or who won,
all the patriotic singhalese people rise up, keep up your eyes open, we won this war with lot of sacrifces so do not let these moronic blood thirsty tamils in abroad and here to rise or raise their heads
let the elam will only be a shattered dream forever in twsted tamil heads
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Subramaniam Thiagarajah / January 9, 2015
(NWS Rep. for Tamil-canada): We the Tamils voted for Maitripala without thinking of any benefits in return.Lord Krishna’s Gita.So please have faith in the Lord,something good will happen.
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Laxman / January 10, 2015
You tamils voted the my3 to get rid of MR from whome you get nothing. If you had stated these benefits before the elections my3 would have lost!!
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Anpu / January 9, 2015
NV,
“I find it surprising that 6,217,162 Vellala, Catholic, … have voted for Mithiri and 5,768,090”
Picture proves it http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xZdCrfUmTFs/VK93me0ZrAI/AAAAAAAAAt8/2qxgcNndegk/s1600/result.png
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Native Vedda / January 10, 2015
Anpu
Thanks the Map look like Thamil Eelam map.
What do you read from this extraordinary design?
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Anpu / January 10, 2015
NV,
“Thanks the Map look like Thamil Eelam map.”
EXACTLY – That was my initial thought.
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K Ganeshananth / January 9, 2015
I know when majority of Sinhalese cast votes for MR and could not select him as president. It may hurt feelings the majority of southern people who cast their vote for MR. There are three option available avoid these hard feelings in the future.
1. Accept the minorities as Sri lankans whole heartedly, and presidential candidate and majority address the minorities issues- This is the most preferred and moderate way to become true democracy for all ethnics
2. Accept the plight for some power devolution ( such as police and land) on northern and eastern provincial areas and restrict them from voting the presidential election of Sri Lanka. (Tamil Tigers never wanted Tamils to participate in the presidential election of Sri Lanka, as they considered as different nation, even today majority of Tamils did not cast their vote whole heartedly but did it as call of duty. However minority person cannot become president of SL and they just want to rule themselves –( Actually they want to fight themselves, this is the easy way divide the tamil votes into two parties in long term ) – its not about the dividing the Mother Lanka. even if this option looks ridiculous after thirty years of bitter war, this solution makes extremists happy in the long run
3.Drive all the minorities of out of country or cancel the voting rights of minorities in the presidential elections- Not a feasible solution
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thrishu / January 10, 2015
I am sure MS is listening to you, but please do not play the role of Shylock and ask for the pound of flesh. What is reasonable and fair would be allowed, I guess, provided you have your allegiance to the country and not to Tamil Nadu
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Ruba Gnanaratnam / January 10, 2015
I am not sure what the confusion is about TNA’s request for the Tamils.It should have been understood when TNA called the Tamils to vote for M Sirisena that they simply wanted this regime OUT that failed them totally.
To establish the rule of law,lift descriminarion.
MR Samabanthan has put out in simple words that all minorities are beneficiaries of a good democracy.what is good for the south should be good for the North and East without any descrimination.
If not why was it necessary for the Tamils to vote for Maithree Sirisena.? The Tamils could have refrained from voting and let the South deal with the selection of their very own President.
USA
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Park / January 10, 2015
Maithree won the election, based on the results is only because of the MINORITY VOTES.
The first proclamation of the new President should be to allow National Anthem to be sung in all three languages, if not, at least in Sinhala and Tamil as per the wishes of the singers.
This would show a turning point in Sri Lankan mentality. What is the point in singing the National Anthem in a language one does not understand.
Let us all be SRI LANKANS from hereon, rather than Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, or Burghers.
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K.A Sumanasekera / January 10, 2015
Will Sambandan give up asking for a TNA Police and Titles to the Land?.
We know Rail the ” PM ” will give it..
But, can Sira allow Ranil the PM, to oblige Sambandan when Ranil can command only 50 seats max, in our Parliament ,
That is counting all the Vellala seats.
Can Sira shoehorn 160 SLFP MPs in to UNP?.
Will these SLFP MPs abandon their beloved party Even if that LKR 500 Mil incentive is resurrected, with the UK, US, Canada, and EU financiers and the Diaspora. contributions?..
Or, Will Sira dissolve. Parliament after the Holy Pope leaves Katunayaka?
And send the whole lot of current MPs home, asking them to come back with a new blessing from the inhabitants?.
I know Sira doesn’t have to ask the voters for anything now, and up to 2020.
Will Ranil campaign in the South, asking the inhabitants to elect the Members for him, to give Police Powers and Land Titles to Vellalas and Muslims in the East as well?.
I mean there can’t be any bullshit at the next Election,such as allegations of Rajapaksa corruption, Lamboghines, Pommy Ponies, 350 MT of Gold, and Chartered Indian Planes to hoodwink the poor rural masses.
I mean that is 48 % of the Voting inhabitant population who have elected the current 160 SLFP MPs..
The campaign this time has to be pretty much strait facts about having 9 Police for nine Provinces with each CM controlling all the public land..
Especially in light of the fact that Rajapaksa got done because , he didn’t agree to the Western demand for the Police and Land Bank for the Vellalas.
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a srilankan tamil / January 10, 2015
Dear brothers of my motherland,
forget the past .be open by words and mind . work to resolve those problems which destroyed us together diligently . not to spend time on finding faults in other.come to make a strong happy country
Dr.s.tharan
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TropicalStorm / January 10, 2015
It is amusing how the old Eelam rot has emerged from the wood work and started happily yapping away suddenly. MR did wrong and most Sinhalese voted him out, even those who did it with some regret. Sirisena was not elected on the backs of minorities, and he knows that very well, no matter what the TNA monkeys may claim.
The Eelam monkeys who think they’ve scored a victory, go ahead and enjoy the rush. Sri Lanka’s indivisible stance will not change any more just because MR is gone. For that to happen, the last Sinhalese will have to be dead.
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