By Kumar David –
Prof. Kumar David
Ok it’s 1 January 2015 and the last week before the election. After so much water has flowed under the bridge – I have contributed much water in more ways than one – it is time to draw up our paper, and for better for worse, take a final position. Easiest is to share with interested readers an understanding that I reached with two large e-mail circulation groups. The two extracts reproduced here pretty much sum up what I believe is a realistic but principled compromise. I believe that this position is very close to some of the points that Anura Kumara and the JVP are making.
First correspondence
“IS COMRADE DAVID HAVING SECOND THOUGHTS?”
Reply:
“Better call it ‘adjusting the sights dynamically’ rather than “second thoughts”. Conditions change and we have to be strategically flexible. Would Napoleon have won so many wars if he did not move and swerve when battle conditions changed?
My modified bottom line now is:
- OK let’s support this MS bloke and ensure he wins because getting rid of the Pakses is Priority No. 2.
- But don’t lose sight of Priority No. 1 (abolish EP) which is what counts in the long run.
- And don’t trust the blighter; within two weeks he lied to us. So build a strong, independent, democratic people’s movement which will not stand for any s**t. In the long run it is the people, not rotten politicians who are the guardians of democracy.
- The two stage theory – do Priority No.2 now, and let us think about Priority No.1 later WILL NOT WORK if point 3 above is not consolidated. (Greedy politicians do not abdicate power voluntarily once they taste it; the people have to force it)”.
Second correspondence
“3. YOUR COLLEAGUES MAY BE CORRECT. KUMAR, “DON’T ROCK THE BOAT”. AS THEY SAY, “THROW THE BUMS OUT NOW”, TIME FOR A NEW SET OF BUMS. OR IS IT A CASE OF “THE KNOWN DEVIL IS BETTER THAN THE UNKNOWN”. THE MUGABE-SYNDROME WILL HAVE NO SOLUTION”.
Reply:
“OK, I have bowed to intense pressure. But the critical matter is not to foster illusions about any of these fellows even if we have no option but to vote for them. So I now say “Vote for the @#*$ (unprintable) but beware he has already lied to us and is a toy in the hands of the JHU”.
After the election, if the he wins, we will have our work cut out for us. Victory will not be the end but the beginning of another struggle against Mugabe Mark-2. So now my stand is “OK vote for him but build a strong, independent people’s movement which will not stand for any s**t”. This is more positively oriented (for Lanka) than the ‘Shhh-buggers’ who will have no credibility when things begin to go wrong within weeks”.
dcn / January 1, 2015
It looks Maithree will walk over a great victory on the 8th and of course the real struggle would be with the execution of the promised on envisaged time schedule. As we are experienced with most of our politicians who does not what they say OR say what they are going to do. These type of politicians would have to be watched. There are genuine, civic minded, decent politicians and they are only a minority. However, even with great difficulties and struggle the menace of corrupt politicians must be overcome to achieve the desired goals.
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Anpu / January 1, 2015
dcn,
“It looks Maithree will walk over a great victory on the 8th” _ I hope so.
Hope president My3 does a good job (not like the past PMs and presidents)- bring back Tamils from Indian camps, stop Sinhalese colonisation, stop militarisation, practice true Buddhism, Justice, Democracy, free media,…
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punchinilame / January 1, 2015
Don`t count the chickens now. KD has to answer a new twist that may take place before MS is sworn in – the dissolution of Parliament, with the swearing-in postponed by the CJ ! The 100
day Diary will be no more. Lots of surprises in store for 2015.
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Email / January 1, 2015
“I have contributed much “water” in more ways than one”.
You have used the wrong word Profess’i’r. What you have been pouring over CT is called [Edited out]
Hope there is a Tamil translation of Maithree Palanaya manifesto so that you can understand that abolishing EP is now history as far as he is concerned. Kaput, Summa, Nil hopes.
So who ever wins, you are once again in the loosers heap!
What did Marx say? History repeats itself – tragically and comically.
YOU are living proof comrade.
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Native Vedda / January 1, 2015
Email
“What did Marx say? History repeats itself – tragically and comically.”
Next time type the exact quote:
History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce.
Karl Marx
What else did Karl Marx say?
“So who ever wins, you are once again in the loosers heap!”
What is wrong with honorably losing a battle as long as he extracted promise to reduce EP’s absolute power? Rome wasn’t built in a day.
So what is your problem?
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AVB / January 1, 2015
Prof KD is correct and he is correct in the long run too. But the majority of Lankan tribal people are still tree worshipping people. How to lead them to a better tomorrow is tricky, but within hearts of the leaders core human values and basic rights should be crystal clear…
Best wishes of New Mythreeful year :-) Nobody knows what would become year 2016…
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Amarasiri / January 1, 2015
Prof. Kumar David
RE: New Year 2015: A Principled Pre-Election Compromise
Mootal Towers.
“The two extracts reproduced here pretty much sum up what I believe is a realistic but principled compromise. I believe that this position is very close to some of the points that Anura Kumara and the JVP are making.”
Good, Finally you have come down from the Tower of Mootals, Madus, Modayas and Fools, and descended to the ground to observe the reality.
So, you have now seen the Forest from the tress. Good.
Better late than never…
Some “Professors” have no bearing…they should be handed compassionate compasses and compassionate GPSes.
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Amarasiri / January 2, 2015
Kumar David –
can’t see the forest for the trees, yet? Getting Lost? Did JVP help you?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDgA70ZcCyA
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Amarasiri / January 2, 2015
Prof. Kumar David
To not see the forest for the trees, Prof? Did the teachers at JVP help you? If not. listen below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xl7hVdAdmrE
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j.thavarajah / January 1, 2015
Great. A step-down Transformer has been installed. After the election if the play gets out of hand then we have the option of installing a step-up Transformer.
Cheers
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Native Vedda / January 1, 2015
j.thavarajah
“New Year 2015: A Principled Pre-Election Compromise”
The title of this article explicitly accepts Gregorian calendar (Western or Christian) as our indigenous calendar. The journey and shift started with Pre Julian calendar to Julian and Gregorian through Arabic astronomy.
Do the pride people of this island accept International conspiracy to impose their own Christian (Western)Calendar on the thrice blessed land?
Don’t they have their own new years day falling in April every year. Even the idea of Tamil/Sinhala new year was borrowed from South India.
Could not the Tamils and Sinhalese find indigenous new year day (developed with southern consensus). After all the island’s culture has a rich 6000 years of history according to Champika (JHU) and his ancestors independently discovered zero well before Brahmagupta (in or around 7 AD).
I take exception to Kumar David ‘s title, identifying himself with the western idea of new year.
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Uthungan / January 1, 2015
Yes, the building up of a strong Independent People’s Movement should be prioritised
as an important task from this first day of 2015 .whether the CC wins or not.
That should be resolve of all those of us, who would wish this nation to stand tall among the comity of nations as one where the Rule of Law prevails and there is and Dignity for allit’s people irrespective of class,race or creed.
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Marwan / January 1, 2015
Now that the winds of change have been set in motion, lets set our sails to ride the adverse storms and bring our rudderless ship to its final port of call. The peoples verdict must whip up an astounding result, such that it leaves no doubt as to who is the real winner, who finally gets to take it all. The almighty Executive Prez must be considered a curse on this nation and should be shunned for good, saying enough is enough.
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Dom / January 1, 2015
Earlier weeks he has gone nuts about Maithripala, Now he has changed his mind to support Maithripala what a guy! Anyway pleased to welcome you to the new generation of Sri Lanka.
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Paul / January 1, 2015
My3 may win but My3pakse will rule.
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j.thavarajah / January 1, 2015
NATIVE.
We need to sort that out after Jan:08th2015[Western Calendar].The Sinhala-Tamil march towards that date has begun.In the meantime,seasons Greetings to you on the Western,Eastern or any other bloody calender.CHEERS.
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aratai / January 1, 2015
.
Who is going to be the defence secretary on Jan. 9th?
:-)
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Native Vedda / January 1, 2015
aratai
“Who is going to be the defence secretary on Jan. 9th?”
How about Mavai Senathirajah, Suresh Premachandran, Hakeem, ….. Father Emanuel?
Who else do you think going to run Ministry of Defense/ Its going to be either Gota or Fonseka. Have you notice that both are hard core Sinhala/Buddhists.
Do you prefer Kusal Perera to these two bigots/war criminals? No chance.
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aratai / January 1, 2015
.
Is it true that even if MaRa looses, he will continue as President till 2017?
:-)
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Peace / January 1, 2015
“After the election, if he wins, we will have our work cut out for us. Victory will not be the end but the beginning of another struggle against Mugabe Mark-2. So now my stand is “OK vote for him but build a strong, independent people’s movement which will not stand for any s**t”.”
Rising trend of religious extremism is a concern for all citizens.
The recent events are an eye opener.
Aluthgama/Beruwilla Incidents.
Monks fighting for electricity in Batticoloa,(you tube video).
Monks fighting among themselves during election canvasing on the streets of Poloanaruwa,(Hiru news video).
People with saffron Nandhi flag stopping a religious meeting in Pandatherupu Jaffna.(Uthayan lk news)
Hyper vigilance among all religious communities is a sure sign of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after 30 years of war.
Time to take stock, decouple Religion from State and Politics.
Create a secular constitution with laws against hate speeches and crimes.
The country needs a new social construct with reconciliation in mind.
secular ideologies, devolved powers to provinces with clear Separation of powers between Executive,Parliament and Judiciary is an Imperative.
To this extend an Independent peoples Movement is necessary after the elections are over,If all communities want to live with peace,dignity and honor.
Cann’t trust/Rely on Politicians to deliver reconciliation.
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Native Vedda / January 1, 2015
Peace
“Time to take stock, decouple Religion from State and Politics.”
First decouple religion from language, Sinhala from Buddhism and Buddha’s teaching from Sinhala/Buddhism.
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Marwan / January 1, 2015
Best of wishes to all of Sri Lanka on 17th Rabi-ul-Awwal, year 1436 Al Hijra. Our great nation has been battered enough, and we deserve a change. Change to a better, brighter and harmonious future. Most SL Muslims living all over the world requested to make a small sacrifice by fasting on that auspicious day. Marwan – Qatar
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j.thavarajah / January 1, 2015
NATIVE
The most fundamental decouple necessary is to decouple Dutugemunu from Elhara and Elhara from Dutugemunu.If this could be done every thing will be Hunky-Dory.It is the IF that is standing in the way.
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Native Vedda / January 2, 2015
j.thavarajah
“The most fundamental decouple necessary is to decouple Dutugemunu from Elhara and Elhara from Dutugemunu.”
You may have to go beyond Dutu/Elahara. The Aryan Sinhala/Buddhist origin myth, beauty should be liberated from the beast and beast should be put in zoo behind bars.
In the last 100 years or so Sinhala/Buddhists have been successfully/sadly indoctrinated to believe in Aryan/Lion myth pool. Whenever one questions the irrationality of this myth, they roar often lifting bottom hem of one side of sarama above their knee.
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Agnos / January 2, 2015
Dr. David,
Such a mass movement should first ensure that election is not subverted by the incumbent, that people are allowed to vote, that proper transportation is provided, that there is no intimidation of voters, especially minorities, and no vote rigging. The opposition and the public should take effective countermeasures to preserve their freedoms.
Once the election is over, people should begin the task of holding the feet of the new regime to the fire.
But this is Sri Lanka where such a people movement is hard to come by. I hear from people on the ground that if the election were held freely, an the minorities were allowed to vote fully, Sirisena would likely get 57% of the vote, If so, the mass movement should start right away, before the election.
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BBS Rep / January 2, 2015
The army now is bigger, better equipped, and more ruthless and is subservient to the Rajapaksas. Galvanising a mass movement is not easy and if they do arise will be put down with very little effort or mercy. JVP were put down twice and the LTTE went down ingloriously too.
The Rajapaksa’s cannot lose and will not lose.
Power is still concentrated in the Rajapaksa hands, the army and the police are all deferential and ready to do the murderous Gota’s bidding. BBS goons are also ready for action against minorities. The Rajapaksa’s got away with mass murder, execution of media personnel and thumbed their noses at International human rights bodies. The real fireworks will begin after January 8th. When the dust settles Mara and Gota will remain standing.
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Tony Francis / January 2, 2015
I would refer the author to a Leaders article titled “Last days of the Raj” in The Economist of Jan 3rd 2015; the last para of this article
vindicates TNA’s decision. ” … electing him instead of Rajapakse is a necessary first step towards curing some of the country’s
ethnic ills………electing Mr Sirisena may be the only way of saving Sri Lankans democracy…….” Of course abolishing of EP is a must & let us
hypothesize that it would happen & work towards it on all fours once the Pakses are grounded.
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Sengodan. M / January 2, 2015
The Big question is, even if Maithree wins on the 8th, will he be allowed to take over? If he is not allowed, what will the people do? Is there any preparation to face such a situation? As to whether Maithree will take steps to abolish EP wholesale or only partially is only a subsequent development to be watched!
Sengodan. M
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K.A Sumanasekera / January 2, 2015
Here is some good news for the new convert Dr Kumar and his Thamilian brethren who have already planning to putting Bubbly in the fridge. .
Ven Rathna is batting for the Vellala TNA.
Rathna said Rajapaksa is so mean. Didn’t want to build houses for ex captives. And asked the Indians to do it.
How cruel.
Rathane is going to Jaffna with the Vellalas to address the natives to promise them good governance without commissions.
Rathne promises to make the ex captives peaceful and prosperous citizens.
May be Ratnne wants the natives to be on good behaviour, when the Vellalas take total control of the Land mass, with the TNA Police to guard it.
Our Southern natives must be wondering whether JHU has joined the TNA ???…
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Spring Koha / January 2, 2015
The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again: but already it was impossible to say which was which. (George Orwell – Animal Farm)
MR and Maithree are indeed two sides of the same coin. Till a few weeks ago, both were hand-in-glove over the last five years screwing the people. Now, both are in a dogfight to keep Sinhala-Buddhist voters onside, especially the more rabid elements. After Maithree saw his opportunist chance, he is suddenly into revelations about MR and others. WE the people will select him only because there is an outside chance that he will do something different, and hopefully make our lot better. Much more uncertain is what the puppeteers behind him (CBK and RW) will do as events unfold. Notice how guarded they all have become on the specific commitments that we want to hear. Watch how they twist and turn.
Given the almost certain fracturing of the Sinhalese-Buddhist vote, the Minority voters – especially the Tamils and Muslims – will play a crucial part in the final count. In a ironic twist of fate, the minorities MUST come out and be counted. It may well be that this has been anticipated and unrest will be created, especially in the North and East, to deter voting.
Alas, Gota may well choose to rescue Sri Lanka from a ‘foreign conspiracy’, Deshapriya will postpone the elections, and MR may just live on to fight another day. You cannot make it up.
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Don Quixote / January 2, 2015
You have contribute or PASSED a lot of water ?!!!
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noelv / January 2, 2015
Would like to see Sarath Fonseka as the Defence Minister, just to see what he will do to the ” Most Powerful ” Secretery of Defence of the current regime.
I would suggest put him in prison and through the keys in the Beira Lake.
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K.A Sumanasekera / January 2, 2015
Is the JHU Boss Champiks Ranawaka following n ithe footsteps of Dr Kumar, for a Principled Pre Election Compromise now,?..
JHU Boss says he is willing to back Mahinda , even at this late stage, if Mahinda signs a pact with him to Reduce the Powers of the PCs…
Interesting isn’t it ?.
I didn’t make this up… It was in the front page of the Daily Mirror which is totally Elite and no adulteration with Sinhal Buddhist thoughts.
Has he seen the images of Lord Vishnu, thinking about the “pact” which UNP Ranil has signed with defector Sira, to give TNA the full 13 A plus, with Police and Land Titles?..
I mean, Lord Vishnu is in every temple acrosss the country, who has been assigned the specific task of protecting Srilanka, which has survived in one piece since Buddha set foot in Nagadeepa…
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kali / January 2, 2015
Prof:
New Year 2015: A Principled Pre-Election Compromise:
You have gone bonking mad
1)I have contributed much water in more ways than one – it is time to draw up our paper, and for better for worse, take a final position.
*** Are you saying that you have been pissing up to now and looking for a bit of Toilet paper to dry the tap.
2)The two extracts reproduced here pretty much sum up what I believe is a realistic but principled compromise:
*** What is this principled compromise? Are you echoing the same rhetoric from one writer who recently wrote that you can put up with some corruption ( little dose he know that it is a MEGA corruption by the Hambanthotta Thugs) for getting rid of Terrorism ( we call fight for freedom) and replace it with State terrorism.
3) So build a strong, independent, democratic people’s movement which will not stand for any s**t. In the long run it is the people not rotten politicians who are the guardians of democracy.
*** My friend which planet are you living on. What we have in Sinhala Lanka is the Planet of The APES. Where have you been for the last 64 years and the only Strong , independent ( Spontaneous) , UNDEMOCRATIC People”s Mass movement which has graced mother Lanka is the RACIST thugs who killed and continue to kill thousands of innocent Tamils during race riots.
Grow up my friend and next time before you publish your thesis let me have a look other wise yours will end in the waste bin like much of Dayan”s.
The order of Priority for me is as follows.
1) Accountability
2) Restoration of Tamil Rights
3) Reconciliation which is Genuine and Lasting which can only be achieved when we have reached Parity.
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Punitham / January 2, 2015
Kumar
Thanks.
Most logical argument.
CT articles should be available in Tamil and Sinhala too to reach the majority of the voters.
Otherwise ……….
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Punitham / January 2, 2015
A,This is hard but must be done:
3.And don’t trust the blighter; within two weeks he lied to us. So build a strong, independent, democratic people’s movement which will not stand for any s**t. In the long run it is the people, not rotten politicians who are the guardians of democracy.
B.JHU, pl keep up your EVOLUTION(so far you have taken the first step to leave the authoritarian regime to salvage democracy) and read and digest:
Does the North of Sri Lanka need a ‘Movement Joint’? Prof Priyan Dias, 24.12.2014, Groundviews.
C. In fact all ethnic minorities and Sinhalese must know that Tamil parliamentarians were beaten up for proposing ‘Movement Joint’ and in the absence of understanding among the Sinhalese they have gone round all wild places and come back to it again. Will all the Sinhalese let their thinking evolve to respect the UN Charter their successive governments have been endorsing for their survival outside the country and ignoring for their survival inside the country?
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Goodness Gracious / January 2, 2015
First and foremost, Wish you prof. and other readers of CT and writers a very happy new year.
In most Constitutions, the Head of the Executive is the President. However, constitutionally he is made a puppet of the Prime Minister through the following mechanisms namely:
(1) Requiring the President to follow the advice of the Premier compulsorily or with the exception of a very few matters.
(2) Election / Appointment of a person not belonging to a political party etc.
In Sri Lanka we had a President from 1972 – 1978 where he was bound to follow every advice of the PM with the exception of the appointment of the PM. Result: PM became the dictator if the country. Senior appointees were under the merciful spell of the PM.
So the reforms of the tricky dick was the creation of the so called executive Prime Minister who could do anything wants and the system was to change this to an Executive Presidency. Why is that all powerful?
1) Not bound to accept Prime Minister’s advice.
2) If the President and PM were of the same party. Prime Minister becomes the peon of the President.
3) He is the chairman of the Cabinet.
4) A President can belong to a Political Party.
5) Can be a Cabinet Minister himself.
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