Prof. S. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole
To: The Election Commission.
From: S.R.H. Hoole
Member, Election Commission
Date: 16 April, 2020
Subject: Gazetting a Date for Polls
Two days ago, the Chairman telephoned me to confirm my attendance at the Commission meeting on 20.04.2020, and proposed that we gazette polls for 28.05.2020, suggesting that if the COVID Pandemic is not over we could postpone again. I disagreed. I am writing this note to the Commission to argue that we must not set a date until we are sure that we will not be jeopardizing the population’s health by doing so. Here are my seven reasons:
1. Credibility and Infeasibility:
Setting a new date would make us worse off than now. Once candidates commence campaigning in earnest, we would lose all credibility if we changed dates again. Close to 28.05.2020, we would have no feasible time to avert a constitutional crisis as the 02.06.2020 deadline for the new parliament to convene nears.
We must note that Dr. P.B. Jayasundara has already written in his letter to us, dated 06.04.2020, that after we announced the poll date, several independent candidates and several recognized Political Parties have accepted and acted in accordance with that announcement.
If we publish 28.05.2020 or thereabouts as the new date of election, Dr. Jayasundara will make the same argument that “several independent candidates and several recognized Political Parties have accepted and acted in accordance with” the new date. That is a strong reason why we must not get into the same predicament again. The first thing is to have a clear idea on where we stand.
Moreover, in these cash-short times, the new argument will be made that after the government spends the billions of rupees by the new date of the election, the country would not be able to afford to spend it again after postponing once again. The candidates too will make the argument that they have already spent any war-chest they had.
Once we announce a new date without being sure we can carry it through, it will be too late to go back. Dr. PB Jayasundara has argued that we must set a new date. But section 23(3) does not set a deadline nor does it disallow the required announcements in stages. It also uses the word may, giving us some flexibility. (Note: The PM has made the same argument without addressing what I wrote a week ago in Colombo Telegraph).
Senior Indian journalist P.K. Balachandran wrote on 13.04.2020 with the long headline
“President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is Reportedly Keen to Hold Parliamentary Elections on May 28; Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya Expected to Make Important Announcement on April 20: Curfews Likely to be Lifted Completely by April 30 to Enable Election Campaigning.”
I learn from news media, rather than from the Commission.
3. Public Health:
At this point, there are serious questions as to the public’s exposure to the virus if polls are conducted. Jaffna Teaching Hospital Director Dr. T. Sathiyamoorthy is emphatic in his public statement (16.04.2020) that in today’s situation, no one can forecast when things will improve or worsen.
Others say they were unable to get true experts into the President’s Taskforce on COVID. Many express disappointment with the politicization of the epidemic but are fearful of being quoted. It is a new phenomenon. A positive feature is the Alliance of Independent Professionals (AIP), an organization that the Chairman’s brother Sunanda Deshapriya is a leader of. It says many professionals in charge of fighting the pandemic are political stooges. I recognize many of questionable reputation on the COVID National Action Committee, including one involved in spinning fake news and others who faced criminal charges. AIP has detailed in its report of 13.04.2020 the alarming deficiencies and untruths in the government’s narrative “to obfuscate the spread of COVID-19“ (through limiting testing and rushed cremations without post-mortems) and to tarnish the reputation of Muslims.
4. Human Rights Violation:
The franchise to vote is a fundamental right. It will be violated if we hold elections when it exposes voters to life-threatening risk making many abstain. Importantly, the right to life is also a fundamental right.
The Commission forcing our poll-workers and voters to risk their lives is a violation of their right to life, voters’ right to franchise, and the dissenting EC Members’ right to conscience in forcing the public to risk health. Surely this is not something we want.
5. South Korea
When The Island (15.04.2020), “asked whether the SLPP was trying to justify parliamentary elections amidst crisis caused by the highly contagious virus, Prof. G.L. Peiris said that he merely pointed out that a nationwide poll was conducted in a country.” He, it seems obvious to many, is arguing for elections like in South Korea, despite the pandemic. Be that s it may, can we, a much poorer country, emulate South Korea in this? No!
According to Foreign Policy, over a quarter of eligible voters – 26.7 percent – used early voting there. This significantly reduced queues. But we cannot do this. The law requires postal ballot applications to be made from the seventh to fourteenth day from the proclamation of elections which was on 2.3.2020. It is too late now.
Moreover, when the Commission asked government for doctors to be given the postal ballot because hospitals had no doctors when they went to vote, we were ignored. Do we have South Koreans’ will and public mindedness to do what they did? Here is what happened there:
“In order to cast their ballots, voters had to clean their hands with sanitiser, wear face masks and plastic gloves, stand at least one metre apart, and have their temperatures taken. Those with a temperature above 37.5 oC had to cast their vote in separate booths that were then disinfected after each use. People who had tested positive for coronavirus were under strict instructions to only vote around 6 pm as polls closed and at specially designated polling stations. They were also forbidden from using public transport and were only allowed to walk or take their own car”.
Culture also is relevant in applying their methods here. In the US, Youngmi Kim of Edinburgh University says, voters will not wear masks. Will our voters, who stood crushing each other at supermarkets when they opened for the first time after curfew, maintain the 1m distancing? Will they spend on hand-sanitizers and masks? Will poll-workers come to work? Will our government spend so much? Does it even have the money?
6. Wisconsin
Prof. Peiris also quotes Wisconsin courts forcing the election on 7.4.2020 without postponement. In that instance, President Trump’s Republican Party had moved courts to prevent delaying polling to a safer date.
What Prof. Peiris failed to say is that, as reported in Time, many polling stations closed anyway after poll-workers dropped out citing health fears. Just five of 180 polling stations opened in Milwaukee – Wisconsin’s largest city.. Will our poll-workers have better attendance?
7. Respect for Commission
When the South Korean Election Commission asked the public to participate in elections during the pandemic, the public responded with an increased turn out than before. They trusted their Commission. South Korea’s NEC is constitutionally equal in status with their National Assembly, their executive branch, their Supreme Court, and their Constitutional Court.
However, will our EC command the respect for people to follow our leadership? We cannot even reject the explicitly prohibited nomination papers of an unqualified candidates like at Maharagama’s Local Government Elections and must await court action by a spirited citizen. It took two years to throw out dual citizen Geetha Kumarasinghe from parliament. We are unable to remove a mistakenly elected councillor at Wennappuwa. A local government dual citizen case to which we all know the answer is still going on as the judges ponder the obvious.
There is little respect for the Commission. Parliament has ignored many of our urgent revisions like revising the impracticable quorum for commission meetings. Many accuse us of bias with a view to our reappointment in November. A video from “President’s Counsel” Ali Sabry threatening Muslims who did not vote for his boss passed by the Commission with impunity. Our senior staff are unhappy.
Unlawful backdated political appointments are being made in this election-period but the Commission is unable to act. Today 16.4.2020 according to news reports I judge reliable, lorry-loads of goods for the needy from private donors came to the Jaffna Kachcheri and were parcelled and taken on the GA’s instructions by the Disaster Management head (going alone without Kachcheri workers) to MP Angajan Ramanathan, while Ramanthan made a speech on his Facebook listing previous government distributions as if by him. Now we know why all Northern GAs were transferred ahead of the elections.
Who will take our exhortations seriously? I fear none.
Conclusion
G.L. Peiris (The Island, 2.3.2020) has spoken of a Saboteur at the Election Commission. He expressed
“serious concern over the likelihood of the electoral process being sabotaged by a member of the Election Commission (EC). […] He warned of a deliberate attempt to cripple the electoral process. […] The SLPP Chairman pointed out that in terms of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, the EC couldn’t meet without the presence of all three members. He said that nowhere in the world were all members of a particular body required to be present for a meeting to be quorate.”
Rather strange that his own party voted for the nineteenth amendment and that I was ignored when I, for the past 4 years, have been asking for the quorum to be made 2. The Commission also formally asked for an amendment that no right-thinking parliamentarian would vote against. But our MP’s and cabinet were too lazy to bother.
It is perhaps because of this ruling party concern that towards the end of my term that I have been given a Coordinator with a car in Jaffna, – for if I do not attend the meeting on 20 May, there can be no quorum to set the election date.
Indeed, now to leave Jaffna with a curfew-pass, a doctor is required to certify that I have no symptoms of COVID-19. My position is that I will not go about my election duties without a doctor examining me and certifying that I have no COVID-19 symptoms. I am worried about going to the hospital to stand in line for a medical certificate to attend the Commission meeting. What then is the position of the wider public of voters? Surely, this needs time and a proper assessment by persons whose competence and commitment to the public cannot be questioned.
Exit Strategy
We must choose simple solutions eschewing complex ones involving public health risk. The easiest way out has two steps. First, the President cancels the Gazette of 02.03.2020 and buys time at least till 02.09.2020 with parliament there to sort out the legal problems that arise including government funding.
And second go by the advice of the College of Community Physicians issued yesterday: Exit strategy of COVID-19 epidemic in Sri Lanka.
The report needs full reading but the experts emphasize
1. Decisions on the lockdown need a multidisciplinary expert panel from across the nation without strict time-lines and through frequent revisions.
2. Decision-making must include accurate predictions of behaviours, and health system capacity for testing, treating, enforcement of restrictions, human behaviour, dynamics of economies, socio-economic consequences, etc
3. Economic resumption in Western Province (WP). No election will be possible until there is adequate return of normality in the Western Province. o election will be possible until there is adequate return of normality in the Western Province.
Taking the foregoing into account, it is important that Epidemiologists, public health experts and virologists/microbiologists and experts from other areas (economics, transport sector, finance etc.) be included in the decision making process so as to balance the need for restarting following lockdown and in order to balance the needs.
The EC cannot play at being all these experts at once.
Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka / April 20, 2020
I have always had very considerable respect for Prof Ratnajeevan Hoole, who is a man of unquestioned integrity, but I believe, is also the holder of the highest academic credentials among all our citizens resident in Sri Lanka.
HOWEVER, he misses the wood for the trees, and in this case, this myopia is exceedingly dangerous.
The choice is not between a dangerously ill-timed and seriously flawed election, and a proper, responsibly timed one.
It is between any election and no election at any time.
If the decision slips out of the grasp of the EC, who will secure an election at any time…and how?
Prof Hoole is doubtless unaware of the buildup, doubtless manipulated but yet powerful, of the Far Right current in Sinhala society, that there should be no election at all and that the country is far better ruled by the President and the military.
Have no illusions: this is a reality that can readily come about and in a sense is already partway underway on the ground.
Prof Hoole and the EC should not play into the hands of those whose actual project this is.
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Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka / April 20, 2020
Sorry, my post should have read “is not only a man of unquestioned integrity but, I believe, is also the holder of the highest academic qualifications…”
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Max / April 20, 2020
Dr. Jayatilleka,
With respect, how could having a seriously flawed election next month be a remedy to the manipulations you are alluding to?
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Burt / April 20, 2020
I got tears of joy seeing selfless Sri Lankan politicians falling over each other to represent the people.
LOL
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S. C. Pasqual / April 20, 2020
Mr. Max.
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In basic terms ( you guys seemed to have a poor scenes of understanding ) EC and GofSL have to find a way of conducting a election on new norms.
Said “manipulations” is the way of life since you guys climbed down from trees.
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Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka / April 20, 2020
There’d be an Opposition in Parliament, and debates…instead of the sounds of silence.
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Sugandh Thomas / April 20, 2020
Appreciated your POV Dr. Jayatilleka.
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While the current covid-19 situation is not conducive to having a fair and free election, are you suggesting any election now is better than postponement of election based on the likelihood of the risk you have cited?
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My worry is that such an election can be non representative of electorate should certain segment of voters have defeatist sentiments and stay away from voting. The danger of that could be a 2/3rds majority for the devil.
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What’s your take on how international pressure can weigh on this government to conduct the election at a reasonable time in the future and not do away with democracy in this country?
—
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Justin Case / April 20, 2020
“There’d be an Opposition in Parliament, and debates…instead of the sounds of silence.”
Sure. To achieve this, get His highest excellency Dr Gobbayagulla to retract the gazette and reconvene parliament.
Elementary, Dayan?
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Lapatiya / April 21, 2020
Yes Dr. Jayatilaka not only debates in parliament, lot of other things also can be expected such as microphone breakers, chilly powder attackers, chair breakers, lot of speakers as same crooks are asking the power again.
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Leelagemalli / April 21, 2020
Lapatiyo, after long time thought :)
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Chilly throwers have become condom supporters to BP Godfather.
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Chair breakers have become the sodomites to Mafia Bosses sons
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All in all, there should NOT be an election – because we know who would be reelected … and trying to vandalize from where they stopped.
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Reggie Silva / April 20, 2020
Max a flawed election is better than no election. It shows that elections are vital for the nation’s political health. It shows that they must take place regularly and are not an alternative to military rule. If there is no election the demands of the extreme right will be seen as a good solution to all problems. Besides, when has one of our elections not been flawed?
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Lanka / April 21, 2020
Max, how can you imply that this will a flawed election – 20 June – 2 months from now! Just like Hoole, you should keep your opinion to yourself. Elections will be held on June 20 or after according to the opinion and recommendations of people dealing with the virus.
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kali / April 22, 2020
Lanka
Who are these experts dealing with the Virus. Gotha, Gotha, Gotha , Gotha and more and more Gothas and his Panankoddais . You know what you find inside Panankoddai dont you. Just KOODAI. Some big and some small
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Simon De Silva / April 20, 2020
Dear DJ,
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We would not expect from you anything different to u are used to produce ?
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As any academic would see it, you do think that going to hold election is no means possible in a critical moment as this… right ? Else we need to question your sanity again…
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Are you really the SON of that Late Mervin Silva.. I DOUBT, what about the other commenters ?
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Growing curiosity to speed up with the DNA test about your nature – than COVID 19 tests ? –
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Stupid man, dont attack the educated, YOU ONCE did it being close to that CONDOM supporter STEET man Wimal W, now what you have been doing is even worst… dont let idiots to RUIN this country once again.
You have some collected experience thanks to country’s external affairs,.. you can better use it for the benefit of the next group of diplomats by training them properly…. please be away from BP Rajpakshes rascals.
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Why not you guys come from your Experience in RUSSIA – while they have been masters to perform COVID tests next to Germany ?
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Come with VALUABLE posts rather than goingn to lick the balls of BPs that make every effort to fish in muddy waters.
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Analyst / April 20, 2020
Ha Ha Condom cleaner more like it this DJ Silva / Jayatilleke or more appropriate Disc Jokey joker.
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Sam Fernando / April 20, 2020
Analyst,
.
DJ would never see it, so as that ULTRA racist from Down under- by name Mahindapala (EagleEye).
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These men are mental sick from the begining on: They cant see it beyond since their eyes are impaired by their ego. What kind of ego… perhaps, not knowing who they really are. This says it alla bout srilankenness.
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Instead of doing his best, to join hand with WIMALAWATHI.. the viagra tester is not what I ever thought when reading about DAYANA Jayathilaka. May be he is so fed up being cornered in RUSSIA today, searching for an another destination to move soon.
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hatharabirikatharina / April 20, 2020
Analyst,
.
as we know DJ’s POV is as abusive as that of Wimal Weerwanse.WW is considered as one of the most abusive man in Rajapakshe outfit. He has no such maxistic idea though his political birth was in JVP. These men are just idiots. But how can a man with a doctorate to allow go on the same path as WW does….. the world should be upside down right ?
It is worth dying being infected by COVID 19, than get asosicated with the kind of social scum. WW is not even a man with completed school certificate. Those days, while we were doing our alevels, what we were forced to listen was the JVP slogans led by WW or the like men of JVP.
:
So nobody would respect DJ in the days to come, if he as an early sexagenarian would stll stay supporting the rascals. My grief is, these men could do really a lot to the country.Unfortunatley, buggers donot seem to see it right let alone today. He is an another cut his neck by his own. We really don tkno why he is fallen to that deep.
No way come back from the pit he is fallen in. Covid 19 would have been much more weaker.
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kali / April 20, 2020
Dayan
You are missing and distorting the point. You are the holder of the 2nd Higest Academic Credentials. That said let me find flaws in your argument
1) Prof Hoole is doubtless unaware of the buildup, doubtless manipulated but yet powerful, of the Far Right current in Sinhala society, that there should be no election at all and that the country is far better ruled by the President and the military.
*** You are dead right MR was appointed by the King exercising powers vested in him and there is no need for an election as MR can carry on as long as he wants .
2) Have no illusions: this is a reality that can readily come about and in a sense is already partway underway on the ground.
*** We already have a Military Dictatorship and Sinkala Lanka was the only Country in the World to impose Curfew to hide the truth which elevated her to 9th and rising daily thanks to CT.
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Reggie Silva / April 20, 2020
Kali, the Tamils already had their far right military dictatorship in Sri Lanka, surely you wouldn’t deny the Sinhalese the same? Perhaps it will end in the same way.
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kali / April 21, 2020
Reggae Silva
Tamils already had their far right military dictatorship in Sri Lanka, surely you wouldn’t deny the Sinhalese the same? Perhaps it will end in the same way.
*** It looks like you are starting to Crawl.
A dictatorship is an authoritarian form of government, characterized by a single leader or group of leaders and little or no toleration for political pluralism.
For your informmation we were Feedom Fighters and had no Government.
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Native Vedda / April 21, 2020
Reggie Silva
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“Kali, the Tamils already had their far right military dictatorship in Sri Lanka, surely you wouldn’t deny the Sinhalese the same?”
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There have been quasi military dictatorships or police states fronted by civilian governments since 1970s except between two periods from November 1994 to November 2005 and between 2015 and 2019.
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In between there were two failed attempts to establish Sinhala/Buddhist fascist uprising, thanks to Hindians. The Tamil fascism could not last more than a few years, thanks to VP and Hindia.
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In fact it is JVP’s turn to attempt one more time.
Please don’t deny them the next chance.
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Or perhaps it could be saffron brigade’s turn, lead by Gnanasara.
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Ajay / April 20, 2020
Dayan:
Thanks for the much needed comic relief during this dismal time. Your attempt to disguise yourself as a champion of democracy concerned about the rise of the Sinhala far right brings to my mind Captain Blackadder making a crack about Bob Parkhurst’s similar behaviour in the 1989 British sitcom Blackadder Goes Forth:
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“Your disguise is as convincing as a giraffe wearing dark sunglasses trying to get into a polar bears only golf club.”
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Spring Koha / April 20, 2020
Dr DJ
Thank you for your warning of the consequence of No election.
However, the argument boils down to one question: Will a ‘bad’ election turn out to worse than No election?
In these unique and extreme times, the efforts of our President and other politicians should be focused on getting us through these challenging times. NOT indulging in political exercises including elections.
The President will run the show, and with his military – with our without elections. If the ‘Sinhala Extreme Right’ play their hand, it will be a test for the President to put them in their place. We will find out then.
Now more than ever, the President needs to de-politicise his advisers, and recruit the best and smartest with no political bias to assist him in in this fight against an invisible and deadly enemy.
PS: Prof G L Peiris has a reputation of being a HMV – His Masters Voice – his speciality is to take his Masters opinion and give it legitimacy. His advise should at all times be treated with caution.
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Native Vedda / April 21, 2020
Spring Koha
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Do you think the warmonger is gainfully employed at present?
He is trying to convey to the clan, he is free and available.
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He types:
“It is between any election and no election at any time.”
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This is the man who in 2013 advised Mahinda to appoint an interim Northern Provincial Council, to be run by a bunch of nobody and postpone the first ever council election indefinitely. He did not consider the mood of the people, they were just Tamils, a defeated people.
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What an absent minded a******e this man is (beg your pardon for my language).
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Do you remember him defending democracy anytime between 1980 and now?
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Buddhist / April 21, 2020
Gota illegally operating a curfew as per Sumanthiran. Due to curfew Courts are closed and not functioning. Parliament is dissolved. Two out of three power bases closed. Under a lame excuse AG’s office closed. Combination of all these has provided the Rajapakse dictators plus the bought EC Chairman have ensured no one can file any case against the declaration of the election date. Since election is after June 2nd we now have a constitutional crisis. Leader of the opposition and the Speaker should file a case at the Chief Justice’s home.
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Sinhala_Man / April 21, 2020
Yes, Spring Koha,
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The result of a flawed election sprung on people obsessed with much more basic immediate needs will have terrible effects in the long term.
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I have only one forlorn hope: that the current rulers will have troubled consciences and realise that although they can manipulate successfully in the long term, the day will come when the consequences have to be faced. I don’t want the consequences.
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I don’t pray to some unfathomable deity. I live in the hope that this present bunch of criminals will understand that it is in the long term interest of humans to act with enlightened self-interest.
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This Coronovirus fellow who is our enemy cannot think, but may be able to mutate – and will finally win the day if we continue as we are.
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I know that this is a poor comment because I can suggest no remedy.
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Sensitive SLANKEN / April 21, 2020
Dear Spri,
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President’s speech last night was very clear that he would not respect reconvene of parliament even if no other options seem tobe the case.
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That means he has proved, once again, he is a more a dictator than a democrat.
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And most hurting issue was, THAT MAN WHO robbed the state through SILREDI distribution was held as the moderator to that event… can anybody tolerate an alleged criminal questions an alleged high criminal ?
.
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Kumara / April 20, 2020
Dr Dayan,
Don’t try to bring a non-existing boogeyman and play the race card. Sinhala, Muslim and Tamil people are all in the same boat. They are suffering from hunger, disease, corruption, manipulation and election fever. They want none of this. Let them rebuild their lives first. No election until people have rebuilt their lives.
Dr Hoole is standing up for humanity here. Don’t disrupt him. Support him. All moderates are behind him regardless of ethnicity.
Sri Lanka can never have a military rule because the nation depends on the West for its exports and India for protection. Only an unwise person would think the world would stay idle while Sri Lanka veers into military rule. Even the man on the street has better wisdom and reading of how the world works than you.
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Sam Fernando / April 20, 2020
I have always thought that YOU DJ would sense it, but even today, not done it at least to an inch – is not a good news to us.
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How can a PhDer in political science behave very same like our WACHALA KATA of the nation does ? Wimal Weerawanse is a street kid, but you were brought up to a good family as my recherche revealed.
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However, your tail waging nature towards RAJAPAKSHE rascals seem to have not stopped yet. … that is very sad…
not to us, to your family and your circles.
I know some circles known to you in COlombo – most of them have lost the respect towards you since you got on to the state of former JOINT opposition… few years ago.
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If one would go to bed with DOGs, no need to lament on ticksproblems.
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Mallaiyuran / April 20, 2020
Thero’s question makes sense and well understood already by many liberal democratic fronts, but his implied answer is the one doesn’t make sense. There is nothing Ratnajeevan can do to avert a looming military rule, either way, with or without election. Horse has escaped by May 2009, even before 18A in 2011. No reversal now.
While I write this, I am not sure what EC has decided to do. Ratnajeevan’s main concern appears to be is termites are eating the EC’s authority. He cannot ensure his personal protection by continuously advocating his opinion, especially after election or if the election is postponed for another date (not May 28). So he would like the election commission to take a decision with two votes; he needs not to go to Colombo with unwanted fears.
Let see what possibilities are out there. If election takes place now, 2/3 expected to Slap Party. That is practically a rule with president only, but with international approval for people’s government. If Ratnajeevan safely handover the hold to a third one and allow election to take place or he willingly agrees to election, that is the end. If King runs the government without parliament or breaks the constitution to exclude Ratnajeevan or hurts him and shuts his mouth, IC is watching that. The coup in October 2018 was reversed by IC. So, for the government, at this time, going against Ratnajeevan’s independent opinion is not an alternative to win with 2/3 and implement military government.
This problem is not comparable to October 2018; then there was no curfew and people gathered to oppose the coup. Ratnajeevan cannot master a massive opposition unless Ranil, Anura, Sampanthar, Hakeem, countryers… all come forward to back him. If that is right, Ratnajeevan at this time can only endanger his personal safety but may not shift the election to good time. So, from here what Ratnajeevan can do is what the Nariya oppositions prepared to support; there is not much ground for his Right-wrong, Smart- stupid.
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kali / April 20, 2020
Dayan
You are a man of many visions and many talents and I hope amongst them back stabbing which was obvious from your Article about Sri Lankas last chance before Sambanthan drops his head. I know you have a hotline to Gotha & MR and can yu please pass on the following message if they both have the best interest of Sri Lanka at heart.
1) Gotha has neither the Moral nor Legal right to be President.
2) He lied his way to the Presidency.
3) He was barred from standing for the Prsidency under the Constitution as an American Citizen which he still is
4) He will be tried for Murder of Lasantha and thousands of others when he leaves office and the Californian Judge made it quite clear.
5) He cannot fool the World and must come to his senses that as long as he is Pesident no Country will come to the rescue of Sri Lanka.
6) No World Leader has engaged with him except a supposed praise by WHO a body which has no standing in the World ubder tge Current situation.
7) He has no respect for RULE OF LAW whic was evident when ke made a mockery of the Suprememe. Court.
Heis on DEATH ROW and a Lame Duck President and ad a Liabilty and time to GO.
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Immediacy19 / April 20, 2020
Dr. Dayan,
DJ. and Imm. 19 need no longer be suave. “partway underway on the ground” he has blurted out very correctly. To be FULLWAY, it takes but a few more weeks. Sri Lankan democracy, brittle since April 1971, will take only some more time to complete the process before April 2021 and to celebrate the 50th anniversary.
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Amarasiri / April 20, 2020
Prof S R Hoole,
There is a statement by the election commission that the elections will be held on June 20th. I’s it true!
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If so , couple of months may not be sufficient for the imbeciles, mean measured IQ 79, to get some common sense.
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Is that what the Govt is counting on?
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / April 21, 2020
Yes that is true, but with a provision that it will be reviewed later for progress of control of the epidemic. It will be put off further if the situation is not under control. Since the election is to be held on 20th June, the present caretaker government cannot carry on after 2nd of June and if they do it is illegal. In the same manner President cannot take any important decision after 2nd of June as there is no parliament.
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Amarasiri / April 21, 2020
Dr. Gnana Sankaralimgam,
“Since the election is to be held on 20th June, the present caretaker government cannot carry on after 2nd of June and if they do it is illegal”
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So, at least the egalitarian Wuhan China-19 virus, renamed COVID-19 virus, further renamed by the Para-Sinhala Para-“Buddhist” Racists, as the Muslim virus, will decide. Why didn’t the Pirith water chanted by the saffron clad monks, and dispersed in the land using a western-invented helicopter not work?
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Did you say illegal ? For the racists, illegal activities are the standard operating practice for their self-interest. Does it matter that is constitutionally Illegal?Ask Sirisena. He knows as to what he did on October 26, 2018.
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By the way, what is Ranil W. , the leach does these days? Isn’t he challenging the illegality? The last I heard was that he was appealing to Trump, to restore the funds to the China-centric WHO, because of the request made by the Chinese to President Gotabaya, who made the request to Ranil W., the leach. The leach should have asked the Chinese to pay for it, who introduced the China virus to Sri Lanka.
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Leelawathie Jayasinghe / April 21, 2020
I think there are whole lot of rubbish in the air regarding this. But it is no need to ask Prof. HOOLE becauase he must not leak the COMMISSION intelligence to us.: Then, he will also bee held as TALKATIVE Maco.
Maco and Pawithra both own PANITTU style mouth pieces being given by god. That is so hurtful… but what to do.
/
Gamunu / April 22, 2020
Oi! Amarasisri(aka the biggest idiot),
What is your IQ? let us know that to determine if you are capable to label others. Never seen a prick like you any where in this world. Remember when you point a finger at some one three are pointed at you. it is the same old rhetoric with your postings and nothing excited except your ability to to become the champion of CT followers. Go and get a check up to see what you mental age is and then calculate it using your chronological age. That is the way to measure ones IQ. Only an idiot like you can make slanderous postings against Sinhalese. By the way why do you use a sinhala name if you are so uppaty with your IQ. I am not sure if you could spell the word Quotient that you freely use. Response expected from a first rate BOORUWA. Good luck.
/
Sensitive SLANKEN / April 21, 2020
Mr Self Proclaimed /know-all of the nation@
–
Just tell us, do you find WANATHAMULA garbage moutains as a smelly area or not ? For me Madamulana is even more stinky than any other placesin Srilanka… u know why right ?
–
in a country anyone stands against Rajapakhe rascals/high criminals are identified as ” LTTErs or NGO crows”, what cant go wrong ?
–
If you sat in the same seat of Dr Hoole, how you would have been doing is CLEAR to us, but a neutral person of my nature, if I sat there, I would whistleblow it the way Prof does it.
:
There I dont think it is right to see, he is tamil and that is why he does so… I am sinhalaya, but living on the west, if I would do so, I will definitely be branded as West-asskissers.
Why to shoot the messenger if we are knowledgeable citizens ?
–
Yesterday I heard SOME MINISTERs in CURRENT abusive GOVT, insisting that Hoole would not be neutral and he is an agent of WESTERN countries. I live not far away from Geneva, and if Rajapakshes would spread lies to the same frequency they did sofar, we will rise up.. against Rajapakshe rascals. THere I dont care where I am going to sit – mostly, on the FAIR side as srilankens.
–
Specially you still being a diplomat – enjoying and experiencing EXTERNAL carrier – to behave this way is BEYOND bearing. How would you guys ever teach your juniors to be different ?
.
Is that some to have missed your father ? Or Father is good enough only to boast your profile ?
/
JD / April 20, 2020
Until a new anti-CoVid-19 vaccine is introduced, until every one in Sri Lanka is vaccinated, Covid won’t stop. But, for any reason, if the election was not held Saboteurs will make a mess and prepare the conditions for foreign and UN involvement. As the article says, there will be an election by MAY 28, govt has to follow the strict conditions to contain COVID-19. People who are co-operating must be arrested and FINED INSTEAD OF PROSECUTION. in courts.
/
Simon De Silva / April 20, 2020
JD,
.
even if you back lickers and orifice cleaners of Rajapakshes are compelled to think so.
.
Anyone witha bird brain would agree with Prof. Hoole or anyone that would come with such reasons.
–
But i would put it as such.. we will go for election in JULY or so… once the situation will turn out to be no danger to the voters. That is more human… and Prof. WILL agree with that for sure.
:
I think now or later, BP Rjaakshes will have to tail waging.. to those asked him to reconvnee the parliament. That they did also in that FAKE state that lived only 52 days. Remember ?
/
Max / April 20, 2020
A hypothetical question – If a person is planning an expensive wedding function for their son/daughter, would they announce today, that it will be held on 28 May 2020, but maybe postponed if Covid 19 is not over?
I doubt any sensible person will go for this option and start printing invitations and distributing them to invitees, making hotel bookings etc.
I am surprised that someone of EC Chairman’s intelligence would make such a bizarre suggestion to risk the health of election staff, candidates & voters as well as colossal expenditure of public money on what could be a non event or a poll where many may not be in a position to freely exercise their voting rights.
/
Sensitive SLANKEN / April 20, 2020
Welcome Max, –
finally you got it ?
Bravo. Reason may be the new pill you are swallowing these days ?
How come you are also so good at sensing it.
But your brother DJ is far from it yet today.
The reasoning behind that is you live in SL and DJ lives in RUSSIA dreaming of a next post. Is not that so ?
/
Native Vedda / April 20, 2020
Sensitive SLANKEN
–
Please note after careful consideration of recent comments I can conclude this is not our good old Mad Max.
/
Sensitive SLANKEN / April 20, 2020
NATIVE,
.
thank you very much ! please stay healthy. WUNESCHE Dir alles gute !
/
Native Vedda / April 20, 2020
Sensitive SLANKEN
–
Vielen Dank
/
Leelagemalli / April 20, 2020
Dear Max,
This is clear to everyone with a bird brain, but power intoxicated men would not see it as such.
–
No objections the any period being named it to be held in July/August or so, but to make fix date would be very unethical.
:
Besides, SRILANKA is thousand times poorer than South Korea.
:
South koreans are the champions to have performed CORONA tests and their recovering rate is only second to that of Germans
.
Now it is 80% and 61% for Skorea and Germany respectively.
–
They both do lot more tests going by the INSTRUCTIONS being given by WHO.
–
Max, if you listend to EC chairman, several times, you would be aware, what a man he is.. he does not take his position serious but coming to ROUNDABOUT back and forth.. I dont think he is doing his in compliance with the EC guidelines.
–
But in a country, MEDIA would not report abou tthat – so how people be aware of the danger ?
/
punchinilame / April 20, 2020
L-Malli …Your 80% & 61% reminds me to quote:
https://youtu.be/WGbYHJcMbz8 Exposing fake pandemic Numbers.
/
Leelagemalli / April 20, 2020
No PNil,
.
You please check on https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/
–
That i think is most reliable to every hour. ..
Please stay alert.. all the best.
/
Mallaiyuran / April 20, 2020
Max, it is not EC Chair’s decision. May 28 is what P.K. Balachandran advertised in India. Mahinda Deshapriya is like a willing coolie like GLP. By old age, Biriyani, his backbone is replaced with cartilage.
/
JD / April 20, 2020
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/
Asela Vithanage / April 20, 2020
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JD / April 20, 2020
What I heard, UNP is coming in two pieces, TNA has come in three pieces. Yahapalanaya is losers. Why should we ask for that. You can have the election before May 31st. You can have it before august. Still the same. Because, COVID-19 won’t be finished. Better to have it before June and manage the economy. I think the best month is MAY.
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anticorruptedforever / April 20, 2020
You guys are misinformed; misled.
.#
Now more of those 7 mio voters are back to UNP +JVP+TNA+MUSLIM congress and any anti -Rajakashe forces.
-#
They are all today so fed up of FAMILY feudistic handlings
‘#
Only some slaves would nevertheless go after them, But Rajakashes are unethical and criminals.
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kebab / April 20, 2020
This Hoole guy is at war with Sri Lanka and at every opportunity tries to undermine the country. He is a beneficiary of free education and has done all his studies( plus building up a lucrative career) by using connections to government departments and universities. From his one sided arguments we can assume he is not a good academic and is very strident and self opinionated. Only an absurd government like Ranil led 2015-19 government would have appointed him to a place like the election commission which needs independent ( not always anti-Sri Lanka) fair mined and balanced people.
However, on the issue of the pending elections Hoole could be right. We are not in a position to have a free election when people are under curfew and fearful of their lives. I hope by their greed for absolute power the Rajapakase’s don’t make an unfit man a hero.
Winning an election in this situation will make that victory meaningless and give more ammunition to enemies of Sri Lanka. I hope the ruling family will see this in that light.
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Ramany K / April 20, 2020
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/
EmAG / April 20, 2020
kebab (and others who criticize Prof.Hoole),
Please realize Prof. Hoole was the blue eyed boy of Sinhala governments before 2009 when he critiqued the LTTE right, left and centre – along with two other of his colleagues – in their many Reports of University Teachers for Human Rights (Jaffna) Sri Lanka; and these reports were presented by them to the UN and Western Nations to discredit the LTTE. Now the blue eyed boy has become the bad boy!
EmAG
/
Manel Fonseka / April 21, 2020
EmAG
Please note that it was Rajan Hoole, not Prof Ratnajeevan Hoole, that was one of the people responsible for the reports of the UTHR (J).
/
EmAG / April 21, 2020
Manel Fonseka,
Thank you for the correction. As Prof. Ratnajeevan H and Dr. Rajan H are brothers I got mixed up.
EmAG
/
rbh / April 20, 2020
Once announcing a new date without being sure we can carry it through, The health authorities will release such information to the media via state, if the fixed date for the election is appropiate for the election date, Gathering can spread breath conjusted a second catagory virus can active the airbone as belived it is spread via dead bodies
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Naman / April 20, 2020
Reconvene the parliament and cancel the nominations to parliamentary elections of march 2020. Have a certain minimum qualifications to contest the new election once the CORVID 19 scare has been eliminated. Those with pending criminal cases should be excluded from contesting. This should apply to all the clergies/monks. Let us have civilised members of our society in the Parliament. Nominated candidates should be highly educated people.
/
Sam Panditha / April 20, 2020
On what basis the EC (Deshapriya) decided to call a meeting on 20th April morning with the presence of Army Commander, IGP and Health Commissioner (Dr Jasinghe) to decide on the Election date. Can Deshapriya answer the following to us:
1 Who decided on these 3 individuals?
2 Why these three and expected contribution to the Election date decision from each?
3 Was this important decision arrived with the consultation of other TWO EC Members?
It is clear that DESHAPRIYA is playing games and following MR/GOTA dictates.
I am sure after Prof Hoole article today and the public views, DESHAPRIYA decided he cannot announce the Election date.
IMMEDIATELY after – the relaxed curfew is now re-imposed on the entire country. MR/GOTA game plan to relax curfew yesterday to get the EC decision is now clear
/
Naren Fernando / April 20, 2020
The apparent indiscipline at the Election Commission is more dangerous than the coronavirus pandemic (that seems to be over) or the date of an election, .
=
A situation where a member of the EC writing to the media following telephone conversations with the Commissioner (his superior) is, public order of the ‘Banana Republic’ style, that is unprecedented in our country, and is unacceptable.
=
Dr (or Professor) Hoole should be ashamed of his behaviour under the circumstances. At least he should have the decency to resign if he is unable to follow the course with conscience.
=
The matter should be resolving at the time of writing), and the people expect either an election date, or Dr Hoole’s resignation from the EC rather than his commentary on the media.
=
Thank you.
/
Ms Maralathoni / April 20, 2020
NAren;
:
Why should he be ashamed ?
–
He has been doing what you and I would have to do, if we also sat in that commission.
–
Few days ago, EC chairman was reported to have exchanged it through FB. He has no right to exchange the kind of official stuff through Face book.Who do you think he is ?
He is not a person to rely on – alone the manner he came up with an explanation that it was not EC right to check if GOTABAYA was an american citizen or not – revealed his STUPIDITY and biasedness.
That was few months ago.
These goons born to our mother lanka, behaved like IDIOTs, abusing this nation. We are not fools that WOULD not recognize them as is the case with Rajapakashe slave.
:
I think all the reasons given above by Prof. Hoole is in agreement with anyone with sanity. Right at the moment what we can to is to make hopes the situation turning out to be favourable for the people safe and security.
Lifes are made in danger, not having done the PROPER testing even if the capacity is believed to own 1200 tests/day – .. all these are due to lack of proper leadership.
I have no doubt with a good team of EXPERTs they could do lots of tests and give people a hope about the life. Instead BPs to save those funds for their OWN projects – is beyond all ethics and morals.
:
Besides, Rajaapksehs are rascals and criminals – we dont need to TOUCH THE bag once was opened to the world. We know what and how they are upto. These ballige puthas should be GONE out of our sights sooner or later could give this nation a breath.
/
anticorruptedforever / April 20, 2020
QUOTE
The apparent indiscipline at the Election Commission is more dangerous than the coronavirus pandemic (that seems to be over) or the date of an election, .
UNQUOTE
what kind of indispline are you talking about – if the leaders in power seem to have nothing like that so why you guys talking about a disipline here ? And I see disipline in Prof. Hoole but not in EC Chairpaerson and the PREMIER of the country.
——-
QUOTE
A situation where a member of the EC writing to the media following telephone conversations with the Commissioner (his superior) is, public order of the ‘Banana Republic’ style, that is unprecedented in our country, and is unacceptable.
UNQUOTe
The EC chairperson is reported to be in secretive talking holdings behind the back of the two other memebers… with whom is also reported it was with CONTROVERSAL murderous Rajapakshes. this is not unpresidented in SRILANKA until prior to Last november. Now everything is almost like falling to fire from the frying pan.
What is unacceptable to me and masses is trying to fish on muddy waters – by PRIMIER and his goons .. people are without their basic needs. not few thousand but millions of people… they dont utter a single word on it.
QUOTE
Dr (or Professor) Hoole should be ashamed of his behaviour under the circumstances. At least he should have the decency to resign if he is unable to follow the course with conscience.
UNQUOTE
/
Ramany K / April 20, 2020
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/
kali / April 20, 2020
No To New Gazette: Letter To The Election Commission:
Ratnajeevan
*** Why are you objecting as what you think is not going make any difference or sway any minds in the heiarchy as it will be decided by Gotha and rubber stamped by EC. GOSL has no friends in the World except one master. It must be evident to any one as the only Country to which Gotha and MR have travelled to was Delihi. Gotha is a Persona Non Grata alongside Shavendra and he is a Lame Duck President.
Just put your hand up and say let us have it and if people die ( thy are already dying but hiden under Curfew ) what are you worried about. Tamils have no part as it is a vote for a Sinkala PM.
So Kali says let us Have it and start making the Laddu. 6.6 million if possible. Every ones a winner babe
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ajith / April 20, 2020
Finally, Election Commissioner has surrendered or bribed by Mahinda Family. The question is this Is thiselection for Mahinda Family or the people of Srilanka? Even after Mahinda threatened Election commissioner, the Cornna infections gone up exponentionally from 244 to 295 within a day. It is a military government headed by Gotabaya is now ruling the country. Majority of Sinhala wants that military government should run this country forever to oppress Tamils, Muslims and Christians. UNP and JVP are keeping silence, So, I beg Prof. Hoole it is better you resign the post immediately and let the Sinhalese to decide whatever they want, because there is more chance of elimination of Tamils, Muslims and Christians by Buddhist Sinhala Fundamentalists. I also beg Tamil and Muslim politicians and people not to take part in this election. Mahinda family is much dangerous than Corona.
/
Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka / April 20, 2020
“Instead of holding elections…if a Security Council headed by President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa can rule the country for a few years, the country can be revived…”
— Ven. Bengamuwe Dhammadinna, Chancellor of the Uva-Wellassa University, Chief Custodian of Sripada & Chief Prelate of the Sabaragamuwa Province (Lankacnews.com)
“The President should appoint a Committee and run the country for six months…”
– Ven. Athureliya Rathana thero (Lankacnews.com)
I have no doubt that the scenario above is the last thing Prof Hoole wants, but an election piloted through by the EC even in these dreadful conditions is the only way to stave it off. Not holding elections would play into the hands of those who would shift to this on the pretext that it is a default option– though it is really their Plan A.
/
Sensitive SLANKEN / April 20, 2020
Dear DJ,
Please become a laughing stock to the academic community – by spreading what lankacnews.com (channel of WACHALA KATA – BP Wimal buruwanse) has added as usual. Wimal weerawanse is not even good to clean a colombo road, but Rajapakshes placed him in order to mislead the nation
.
If this is what the majority of the srilankens would expect
–
why to hold elections wasting millions of poor tax payers funds ?
.
And my question arises as to why should SIVURU WEARING SKIN HEADS be the ones to decide it while there are political analysists, social analysts and the like experts are in srilanken political entities ?
–
Sivuru wearing pinguthatharayas should NOT follow ATHANA METHANA NATANA RATHANA who has ruined MP position offered to him and earned all the disrepect for the MONK hood in this country.
They should instead be the real good gurus such as Samantha Badda.. who has already made a revolution in SRILANKEN monk community.
–
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYd6qTDa2PU
/
Kabaragoya / April 20, 2020
Plan A is not an option. They have no money to run the country. No foreign country or institution will give them loans unless there is a properly constituted government. That is why a Parliament is necessary. It is a branch of government. Without it controlling finances, including loans received, the state cannot run. Hence, the need to hold elections. Gota has an urgency. He cannot take the view of the bald heads and get loans from abroad. Even China will not help out. That is his predicament. He needs a Parliament of his own goons badly.
/
Mallaiyuran / April 20, 2020
Old Royals couldn’t take forward the coup 2018. Anything they want is not possible in the modern democratic world, though you saved Old King with the help of Sonia in May 2009 at Geneva.
/
Rahula / April 20, 2020
DJ
very much doubt on your credentials in Democracy. Shame on you! you become a cooly of corrupts. God bless Ceylon.
/
Simon De Silva / April 20, 2020
Rahula,
.
who could think that DJ or the kind of men with much higher diplomatic experiences to support the views coming from lankacnews.com.
.
Who is the owner of the channel – most abusive mouth holder WIMAL WEERAWANSE…. if DJ too supports the bitch s sons of WW nature it is not worth wasting a minute on this topic.
–
I have no doubt, DJ has not balanced memory. May well be he has been trying to get posted to any other destination next. But as a srilanken he should finally see the size of the damage his pen or mouth piece make.
/
kali / April 20, 2020
Ratnajeevan
Your wish has been answered by the Allmighty whoever that is and whichever enthnic group he belongs .But Kali Matha has answered your prayers. Shanvendra the CRIMINAL has just announced due to the new and suden surge in new COVID 19 cases ( nearly 100 today) Schools and Universities may not open as planned on the 11th and 4th May and how can you have elections. Starvation on the Horizon.
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Kabaragoya / April 20, 2020
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/
Plato. / April 20, 2020
Unassailable,cogent arguments of Prof: Hoole. A clear mountain stream.
But I admit Dr. Dayan.J. has raised another dimension which we need to think over
Do we have an Election now or no Election in the foreseeable future is the essence of his argument.
But,let’s be realistic in the current scenario.
The issue that is uppermost in the country is whether a proper election could be held side by side with a deadly Covid-19?
/
kali / April 20, 2020
It Looks like Gotha is desperate for money.
He has gone from isolation to open doors
Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson Kimarli Fernando
Cabinet approves critical 5-year global promotion initiative
Terms of Reference being finalised
Working with UNDP for three-stage strategy of situation assessment, impact assessment and road mapping, for tourism revival
SL Tourism finalises short-term focus to step up safety and health of future tourists
Detailed guidelines shortly for incoming tourists, their transportation and accommodation
12,329 tourists still in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka tourism is readying for an early revival post COVID-19, as the country starts opening up gradually from today.
A major step was the Cabinet last week approving the critical five-year global promotion initiative.
“We are now finalising the Terms of Reference and appointment of the Procurement, Project and Technical Evaluation Committees; and will start the process, to be in readiness when the time is right,” Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson Kimarli Fernando told the Daily FT.
She said a traveller-focused, evidence-based promotion strategy will be developed. “The approach focuses on consumer types and will allow for a research supported global promotional campaign for Sri Lanka,” she added
/
Sampath / April 21, 2020
It seems DJ is the paid culprit to follow RH and mock his opinion in favor of national interest.
DJ intimidates RH and other citizens, stating that extreme monks don’t like the constitution unless their master gota able to move parliament election contrary to the public interest (and thereby against the constitution) before the impact of coronavirus exposed a lot to the public which will make it impossible to win in an election afterward.
People like DJ, GL and spinless selfish characters who lost self-respect and dignity and hungry to positions who ruined the rule of law and freedom.
People like DJ legacy will decay soon after his or her opportunistic career ends and much before the physical end.
Someone who is eating his own flesh is the most dirt among the world creations.
/
Rajash / April 21, 2020
unfortunately Prof Hoole is a Tamil ..even his colleagues in EC are biased against him…
The Sinhala modayas prefer the country to go to hell than take an advise of a Tamil who wants to put country first…
that is the curse of this Sinhala Buddhist Sri Lanka for the last 70 odd years
/
Hela / April 21, 2020
JVP terrorism would have succeeded if 1989 elections were not held along similar lines of argument.
Moving further on above it is very interesting Hoole placing more reliance on Sunanda Deshapriya, a former JVP terrorist leader now sanitized by INGOs.
S Korea held elections amidst a larger devastation in terms of human life than Sri Lanka. USA the current epicentre of the pandemic continuing with it’s electoral cycle to the Senate and governorships.
This kind of epidemics eradicated totally. It could become seasonal similar to other flu infections. More people die in Sri Lanka due to flu epidemics every year though we don’t stop functioning of society forever. Flu season each year claims thousands of lives in the Western hemisphere that doesn’t stop those societies from functioning either. In fact many of those countries including the US are actively considering actions to re-open their economies amid continuing infections and deaths. Their main focus is whether the curve has sufficiently flattened. Hoole and his ilk like Sunandas should not be allowed to take a bogus moral high ground to hide their true political agendas.
/
kali / April 21, 2020
Hela Man
Election or no election there is nothing to Govern. The Country isin tatters under Gotha. If the IMF doesnt give you $1.5 Billion ( which wont even last a month) all you have is Gothas” Panakoddai” to chew.
/
Dave Labrooy / April 21, 2020
Please listen to Dr Dayan.J his opinion is very correct The far right wish to have a Military Regime
/
Sunil Abeyratne / April 21, 2020
I understand that 20th of June will be the date (yet to be gazetted) for the Election 2020.
If COVID-19 does NOT allow elections to be held on that date, then the EC should be free to gazette another date.
I do not know if the Constitution provides for such changes to the election date, although such changes are entirely sensible. Legal arguments may prevail in the end, perhaps at the expense of a large number of deaths.
The last thing the country wants is the return of the old parliamentarians – continuing with the status quo is a far better option.
/
Vishvara / April 21, 2020
Hoole’s motive behind his newly found love for Sri Lanka is questionable. His academic credentials is highly irrelevant to the subject matter in discussion. His actions , affiliations and beliefs tells a better story than the acquired knowledge. It is not about “to hold election or not to hold” them at this juncture. Hoole will oppose holding the general election which is not favorable for his beliefs; his motives runs deeper into the premise of division of country based on ethnicity. When the opposition is in disarray, he knows very well that his cohorts (Ranil, Sajith, Mangala and the gang) will never come to power in the foreseeable future.
Hoole has never been a fan of our unitary state. Are we going to give prominence to this sort of anti-Sri Lankan devious individuals driven by hate and racist agenda.
This man never spoke a word when his friend Ranil did not hold local , provincial elections for many years. Not a single word, He did not express his opinion and became the darling of democracy in Sri Lanka when his gang raped democracy in Sri Lanka with the blessings of so called “diaspora”
/
Sam Panditha / April 21, 2020
The GOTABAISATION of EC Deshapriya is now complete. He appeared on the private Channel HIRU SALAKUNA on 20 Apr 2020 at 22.00 to announce the new election date. A completely fixed program by HIRU. This was his only appearance. Why not Rupahavini or Sirasa?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI4UH_jc1a0
In the HIRU programm, EC stated he did not see Prof Hoole letter. The one sided program rediculed Prof Hoole. A clip was shown a SLPP Politician attacking Prof Hoole as a foreign agent.
It was a complete set up.
Also the new election date announcement was nicely manouvered. On all Channels President and Lalith Weeratunga undertaking 1 hr Political discussion. Half way through we get the breaking news of new election date. If the new date was announced before 20.30; President speech could not have been allowed.
Nicey timed release of the new date.
EC should immediately stop Basil from running the COVID assistance Govt program as he is the Political leader of SLPP. EC should also stop CWE using pohottuwa as a trade mark
So we see DESHAPRIYA has been bought. May be an ambassador post after retirement
/
Vichara Bandara / April 21, 2020
Prof Hoole states
“The Commission forcing our poll-workers and voters to risk their lives is a violation of their right to life, voters’ right to franchise, and the dissenting EC Members’ right to conscience in forcing the public to risk health. Surely this is not something we want. “
People are already risking their lives to buy a tot from liquor shops in the country. Their risking life in casting their votes in an election on June 20 is much less and will be readily taken by most of them.
Professor as a good professional must now resign.
/
sach / April 21, 2020
This election should have been conducted in 2018, soon after the yahapalana joke was defeated in the 2018, Feb PS elections. The yahapalana joke was losing support among the ppl at a fast rate and hence the embarrassing defeat of the ruling party. But Ranil, the most anti-democratic politician in SL together with his ambassador friends and TNA prevented an election. If they did not, we would have selected a government in 2018. This resulted in 2018, what you ppl call, constitutional coup and SLG lost the chance to prevent easter sunday attacks. At the end of 2019, the frustrations built up within the Sinhala ppl made sure Gotabaya winning the presidency by a huge margin! In South, it was a disaster for Sajith…and Sumanthiran, a chief component of yahapalana is still trying to avoid elections!
/
Laksiri / April 21, 2020
This man is not suitable to seat election commission because he has his own plan to destroyed entire contrary and discredit to current government every possible Way .even after last election he issued a statement to bbc news total incorrect .he want to wait until such time create political crisis to make president in difficult situation to rule the country .
/
Lanka / April 21, 2020
Kali Tamils like you were not freedom fighters but cyanide necklaced suicide bombing terrorist dogs led by murderous scoundrel. The Sinhala people voted in President GR to make sure that terror dogs like you never crawl on our soil. What pluralism did your elected MPs do during 20/30 years of terrorism. Kneel and wash the back side of a murderer who you called a leader!
/
kali / April 21, 2020
Lanka
*** You stupid racist the World has Crowned you as War Criminals. Gotha, MR, Shavendra and all of you are totally ISOLATED. We had to give our lives including Child Soldiers to free ourselves from your Tyranny. Now where that has got you ” NO Friends in the World. Gotha a bloody President( CRIMINAL) has not been spoken to or invited by any World Leader except Modi who summoned him and gave him a Pulichal Laddu. He planned trip to Cheenavedi was cncelled by Modi
If you want to hear more come back to me. I will with your cooment shortly.
/
kali / April 21, 2020
Lanka Racist Scum Bag
Let me deal with your garbage
1) Kali Tamils like you were not freedom fighters but cyanide necklaced suicide bombing terrorist dogs led by murderous scoundrel.
*** Lanka you Idiot what we did was not as bad as what you did. You hold the World record for the number of RACE Riots starting from 1958. What we did was fight back for survival which you call Terrorism which was a reaction to STATE Terrorism by you animals . The Killer instinct is in your blood because you are half human ( debatable ) and half Lion. What a terrible sexual encounter and ordeal for your mums.
2) The Sinhala people voted in President GR to make sure that terror dogs like you never crawl on our soil.
*** Dont use the word Sinhala pepole which should be rephrased to Sinkala Animals and dare I say those who voted for the CRIMINAL Gotha
3) What pluralism did your elected MPs do during 20/30 years of terrorism. Kneel and wash the back side of a murderer who you called a leader!
It looks like you dont understand the meaning of “Pluralsim” a condition or system in which two or more states, groups, principles, sources of authority, etc., coexist.
For your thick head Coexist means ” Showing Respect for each other and by Consensus meaning Mutual Agreement.
Sadly Animals like you dont understand the meaning of Coexistence because animalslike you even fight and kill for Sex just like what Roshitha did for Thajudin. Killed him and now he is paralysed and cant play rugby.
Look forward to hearing from you
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kali / April 21, 2020
Lanka IDIOT
Sinkala People votec for a CRIMINAL. See where you are
Death knell sounded for local apparel industry
Apparel workers in Sri Lanka
The US $ 5 billion and 1 million employee – strong Sri Lanka Apparel Industry was facing death in the light of the vast cancellations of orders that the industry was facing from American and European markets in the light of Covid 19.
Gods punishment
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