Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga dispelled rumours earlier today that she would be the common candidate fielded by the opposition alliance at an impending presidential election.
Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga
“Others are proposing that I contest but I have no such plans,” Kumaratunga told media personnel at the conclusion of a SAPRI event to unveil recommendations made by an interfaith dialogue forum on building harmony between religious communities earlier Tuesday (28).
Asked if she was likely to change her mind about this, the former President said according to the Buddhist philosophy nothing is permanent in life. “But this is not likely to change,” she said.
SAPRI the think tank chaired by the Former President is spearheading a campaign to promote peace between religious communities and alleviate tensions arising from recent acts of intolerance and violence against Muslims and Christians.
Speaking about why her organisation took the issue head on, President Kumaratunga said while only extremist discourse was reigning in the country, it was no longer possible to remain silent.
“The moderates were shocked about what was taking place, but they feared speaking out against it, because of the atmosphere of intimidation,`she explained to media personnel after the SAPRI event. “Someone said to me that as the only living ex-president and prime minister, I also had a responsibility to do something about this,`Kumaratunga added.
Thondamanaru / January 29, 2014
Want to buy the second mansion ???????????
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Paisa Must Appah / January 30, 2014
She needs at least three. Dont forget one for the daughter also.
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Jones / January 30, 2014
This woman’s close associates say that CBK has a potty mouth and one of the hard drinking laziest politicians in the country.
Anyway, what she wants now is to make her son the future EXECUTIVE president.
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shankar / January 30, 2014
If she does not want to contest that is Ok.She is the best candidate at the moment,but i think srilankans should try out someone who has never been president before.Recycling the same people over and over again is not good for our countries future unless they have been exceptional or something.The way forward is to find fresh talent after mahinda goes.
the biggest advantage of having her contest is that it will split the SLFP permanently.She will lose but would have done a great service to the country.As navin said in a comment she is not interested in doing that service to the country,only to herself and if she is not going to win she is not going to do a service for the country for nothing in return.
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D.Nimal / January 30, 2014
The people of Sri lanka decided to replace Mahinda Rajapakasa ruling party, that we don’t want go to another ten steps backward, on our national politics, economic, social & cultural system.
CBK has shown her inability take out old structure of our democracy, that after 1994 to 2004 in 11 years rule by your incompetence governance; while CBK has been encourage in top ECHELON IN POWER, THAT INSTITUTIONAL CORRUPTION grew DURING many times , 11 YERAS RULE of her mismanagement of state of affairs.
History her mismanagement has give lesson, that if in case change MR ruling , we need more advance party and leaders to REPLACY AN INTRODUCE POLICY-ORINTED CAN MAKE OUR PEOPLE,NATION AND COUNTRY E US BETTER LIFE OVER THE LONG RUN COME.
Ongoing democracy politics is arrangement that poorly equipped to manage the future in order to WIN ELECTION, it is said by political parties, routinely bribe the voters with short term change tax cuts, reduce the import tax and Govt. handouts ,ignore the long-term cost of this action and leave the thoughest policy problems for their SUCESSORS TO SLOVE. Last several years Sri Lankan WAR AGAINST TERRORIST IS COMPLCATED PROBLEMS TO LEAVE MR RULING PARTY BY CBK AND UNP REGIME 30 YERAS. That is why , we are in future policy and political party and its leaders elected political leaders look far beyond the NEXT ELECTION. Our point of view she-CBK has lost such vision
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Senaratne / January 30, 2014
CBK entry will depend on Harry J. commitment towards funding her campaign. Harry J commitment will depend on US Govt keenness to put her back on the seat.
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Javi / January 30, 2014
“CBK entry will depend on Harry J.”
___________
Yes, Harry does know when the Tea is Reserva, that’s a pedigree too.
Well well, the bitches Indian links are dying this May with the demise of
Jam Boys Opium Farsi Dynasty,
The Americans have no say as yet with NaMo- it’s a carrot and stick which does not even prick Namo economically or militarily with the new warmness of the Chinese who can forget the Indo-Chino Bhai Bye.
America needs Chinese or Indian cash to fight either of them.
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Javi / January 30, 2014
rather Harry back the chewing of the constitution then all’s well…present
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Patriat / January 30, 2014
CBK AND HER FAMILY WERE NOT CORRUPT
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shankar / January 30, 2014
Everyone has been corrupt.It is the degree of corruptness that differs.
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Jayan / January 30, 2014
Can any body tell us what did CBK did during her presidency of 11 years?
The answer is absolutely nothing, other than stealing public money. We still remember her boy friend Sanath Goonatilake did to journalist Rohana Kumara. What about Mangala’s antics when he was the media minister. Victor Ivan’s book “Chaura Ragina” gives a good testimony of CBK.
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srilal / January 31, 2014
as usual most of the commentors getting the wrong side of the stick , yes it is true that CBK was corrupt to the core and had miserably failed during her long 11 years of tenure ,the issue at hand is how to GET RID of Rajapakse junta regime democratically , in-order to achieve this gargantuan/impossible task , we need a person with matching credentials /qualities akin to MR , some of the most sought after qualities of the candidate are ,
1) being able to lie without batting an eye lid .
2) have no sense of shame at all.
3) corrupt to the core.
4) being able to portray as the savior of SL.
5) being able to split the SLFP vote base in to half.
6) being able to attract UNP,Gen SF ,JVP,TNA, Muslim parties and all other small parties
can any one name a better person than CBK to challenge mighty Rajapakse ? my preference is ven sobitha thero ,though ! but question remains , does Ven sobitha Thero have the above qualities ?
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shankar / February 1, 2014
yes,you are right srilal,she seems to be the best candidate as per the points you have given.When she say she is not going to contest she must be already fulfilling your points 1 and 4.
As for sobitha thero,has he got the mass support?Do the masses know him?I also got to know about him only recently.What attracts you to him?
I feel the next best choice after CBK is fonseka because he got 40% last time with all the computer jilmarts and election commissioner a prisoner.
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srilal / February 1, 2014
shankar ,
Ven sobitha Thero is the best among the worst , as for Gen SF, his civic rights have been curtailed by the patriotic MR & company , as we all know , MR will have to cling on to power for ever and that is the only way out for him and his cronies ,letting gen SF to contest again is suicidal mission for his dynasty.
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shankar / February 1, 2014
Srilal,SF’s wife anoma can contest on his behalf.She could tell the electorate clearly that he will be the defacto president and to vote for her as he has been unjustly stripped of his civic rights.
SF has to only say that when anoma becomes the president the presidency will be scrapped and we will revert to the prime minister system as in singapore and malaysia.Out people know those two countries very well and would be quite satisfied with their systems.When anoma becomes the president she can restore SF’s civic rights and strip mahinda’s.Then F can become the PM.
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srilal / February 3, 2014
Anoma F can/will not contest presidential election , she is a very decent lady and should not enter into the dirty game of politics, yes i know she is going to contest the western province election on behalf of Gen SF.
presidential election is a total different ball game ,shankar .
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shankar / February 4, 2014
Srilal,i spoke to some people about sobitha and they said he should not contest because he is a monk.However i do not agree with that,every person has a right to contest in a democracy unless due to legal requirements.They also told me that minorities won’t vote for a bhuddhist monk and most importantly that he will lose badly.
What do you think of these views/I’am not sure myself so i ask you.
pS.the news i got is sobitha’s selection is nearly finalised.Also ranjan ramanayaka is going to contest WPC chief minister.
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sirimal / February 7, 2014
but many would not respect her, Srilal.
I still have a greater respect on SF but I dont think his wife should contest as common candidate for PE.
At the time, Mrs B was elected as the world´s first female PM, people across the globe ridiculed at her calling “Kitchen PM”, but to that point of time, thre were almost no more females in active politics.
Today, see, Getha K and other uneducated actresses those who perhaps have not even olevels seem to cry becoming for UPFTA candidates. Some cheap young actresses turn politicians
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMT5IWB4mmw)
even cry on the cameras – as if hired women do so in today´s funeral ceremonies. They the maraduders of inborn nature use all tactics as no others did in the past to stay in power. This country has become a hell today. I pray all supernatural powers to work on any common candidates sending this man-MR home forever.
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george jilmart / February 7, 2014
Chandrika, your father screwed up this country and at least you have a moral obligation now to stand as the common presidential candidate to oust the thug and rectify the situation and bring back an element of decency to this country. Six months as president and then you can remove the presidential powers of the dictator and hand over to someone of your choice.
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