By R. Sampanthan –
R. Sampanthan
I seek your leave to raise the following question relating to a matter of public importance “The Position of the Leader of the Opposition in the Sri Lankan Parliament”
You made a statement in Parliament on 18th December 2018, pertaining to the position of Leader of the Opposition. In the course of the said statement you mentioned that you had received a letter from the Secretary of United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) which claimed to have the second largest number of members of Parliament and requesting that Hon Mr Mahinda Rajapaksa be appointed as Leader of the Opposition. You also stated that you were acceding to the request as the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) had the second largest number of members of Parliament.
Some Hon Members of Parliament raised questions in regard to this matter on the said date and stated Firstly, that though the UPFA indisputably had the second largest number of Members of Parliament they could not hold the post of the Leader of the Opposition as they were a part of the Government. Secondly, that Hon Mahinda Rajapaksa the appointee to the post of Leader of the Opposition, under Article 99 sub section 13A of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialistic Republic of Sri Lanka. subsequent to he having become a member of the Podu Jana Peramuna a political party distinct and different from the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) on whose nomination paper Hon Mahinda Rajapaksa’s name appeared at the time of the election and 30 days having lapsed from the date on which he ceased to be a member of the UPFA had ceased to be a Member of Parliament and could not therefore be the Leader of the Opposition. You stated that you would respond to these questions on a later date.
I made a Statement in Parliament on 19th December 2018, in the course of which I myself referred to the aforesaid two matters mentioned in para 2 above. In the course of the said statement I stated that in September 2015 as the Leader of the Illankai Thamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) the second largest party in opposition in the Sri Lankan Parliament you recognized me as the Leader of the Opposition. Further, in August 2018 as the Leader of the Illankai Thamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) the second largest party in Parliament you once again recognized me as the Leader of the Opposition. On both these occasions you recognized the Leader of the second largest party in Parliament as the leader of the Opposition for the reason that the largest party in opposition in Parliament the UPFA was also represented in Government.
The Hon Deputy Speaker on your behalf made a statement in Parliament on 8th of January 2019, where he stated your position in regard to the aforesaid matters. In the course of the said statement there is no reference whatsoever to the UPFA also being represented in Government and therefore not being entitled to serve as the official opposition. You have thereby failed to refer to the crucial reason stated by you when recognizing me the Leader of the second largest party in opposition as the Leader of the Opposition twice: first in September 2015 secondly in August 2018.
In regard to the aforesaid two matters I consider it my duty to place on record the following matters for your information and necessary appropriate action.
Under Article 30 of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialistic Republic Sri Lanka the President of the Republic of Sri Lanka is the Head of State, the Head of the Executive and of the Government.
Under Article 42 Sub sections 1,2 and 3 of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialistic Republic Sri Lanka
There shall be a Cabinet of Ministers charged with the direction and control of the Government of the Republic
The Cabinet of Ministers shall be collectively responsible and answerable to Parliament
The President shall be a member of the Cabinet of Ministers and shall be the Head of the Cabinet of Ministers
You will observe from the provisions of the sections set out in para 5 above that the President of the Republic is the Head of the Executive and of the government the President is a member of the Cabinet of Ministers and the President is also the Head of the Cabinet of Ministers. The Cabinet of Ministers of which the President is a member and the Head shall be collectively responsible and answerable to Parliament. Further, under Article 51 of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, the current President as long as he holds the Office of President may assign to himself the subjects and functions of Defence, Mahaweli Development and Environment, and determine the Ministries to be in his charge for that purpose, and the President on his own volition has assigned to himself the subjects and functions of Defence, Mahaweli Development and Environment. The President has also assigned to himself other subjects and functions.
The President is also Head of the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) a constituent party of the UPFA.
You will thus observe that the current President of the Democratic Socialistic Republic Sri Lanka while being a member of the Cabinet of Ministers holding several portfolios and the Head of the Cabinet of Ministers the Head of the Executive and of the Government and while being collectively responsible and answerable to Parliament as a member of the Cabinet of Ministers is also the Head of the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) a constituent party of the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA).
Hon Mr Mahinda Rajapaksa, sought to be appointed as the Leader of the Opposition is a leading member of the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), a constituent member of the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA). In fact his name has been proposed to the position of Leader of the Opposition by the Secretary of the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA).
You will thus observe that the President who is the Head of the Executive and Government member of the Cabinet of Ministers holding several portfolios and Head of the Cabinet of Ministers and the purported appointee to the position of the Leader of the Opposition Hon Mahinda Rajapaksa are both from the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), a constituent party of the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA).
You will thus observe that there is clear and definite conflict of interest between the duties and functions performed by the President in the capacities referred to above and the duties and functions of Hon Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as Leader of the opposition. They both belong to the UPFA and its constituent party SLFP. In this context may I refer to an article written by Dr. Nihal Jayawickrema, a leading legal luminary in the Sunday Island January 6th 2019, wherein he states the following: I quote “Under the Constitution the President is the Head of the Government. Of his own choice Maithiripala Sirisena is also the President of SLFP and the UPFA which is a coalition of likeminded political parties that includes the SLFP. Mahinda Rajapaksa who claims to be member of the SLFP /UPFA is reportedly now the Leader of the opposition. Therefore, Parliament is entitled to ask the President to explain how he can concurrently serve as Head of the Government and as Head of the Opposition and whether he does not understand that functioning simultaneously in both capacities is a gross violation of the fundamental democratic basis of the Constitution”. This statement of Dr Nihal Jayawickrema is clearly indicative of the extent of the conflict of interest. This position would not arise if Hon Mahinda Rajapaksa was not Leader of the Opposition, which is a recognition accorded to him by you.
An effort is being made to make out that similar situations had arisen during the terms of previous Presidents. It needs to be pointed out that this question has never been raised before, and no ruling has been given by any Hon Speaker on this question. Now that the question has been raised the matter needs to be addressed on the basis of the relevant Constitutional provisions, Parliamentary practices and conventions and the relevant facts relating to the conflict of interest between the Offices of the Head of the government and the Head of the opposition.
May I also in this context refer to “Parliamentary Practice” by Erskine May 24th edition, pages 334 and 335. This deals with the question of Opposition’s time and who determines such Opposition time in the House of Commons. I quote from Erskine May: “ Standing Order number 14 provides that on 20 days in each session, proceedings on business chosen by the opposition parties shall have precedence over Government business” it further states “ 17 of the days so allocated are at the disposal of the Leader of the Opposition and 3 at the disposal of the Leader of the second largest opposition party” this is defined in the standing order as the party of those members not represented in the government which has the second largest members elected to the House as members of that party. It is abundantly clear from the above that any political party to be recognized as the official opposition must not be represented in the government. It’s also abundantly clear from what I have stated earlier. that the UPFA is in fact represented in Government. It also emphasizes the importance given to the second largest party in the opposition, the Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchi – the Tamil National Alliance is in that position in our Parliament. In this context may I also refer to sec 8 of our Parliament (Powers and Privileges Act) which states as follows, I quote “Journals of the Commons House of the Parliament of the United Kingdom or of the proceedings of the said House or of a report of any Committee of the said House shall be received as prima facie evidence. The practices prevalent in the House of Commons are thus of relevance to us.
It also cannot be disputed that several members of the UPFA and the SLFP a constituent party of the UPFA elected to Parliament on the nomination paper of the UPFA have crossed over to government sit on the government benches and now represent the government in Parliament. This circumstance further strengthens the position that the UPFA is represented in Government and in the circumstances Hon Mahinda Rajapaksa who is also a member of the UPFA and SLFP a constituent party of the UPFA and proposed by the Secretary of the UPFA to the post of Leader of the Opposition is not entitled to hold the post of the Leader of the Opposition.
In regard to the second issue pertaining to Article 99 sub section 13A of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialistic Republic of Sri Lanka and the impact of the said provisions consequent to Hon Mahinda Rajapaksa ceasing to be a member of the party on whose nomination paper he was elected, in deference to your view that you have already ruled on this matter I will not raise that issue in the course of this statement.
I do however, wish to state that this issue remains an open question and that a determination on this issue needs to be arrived at in the appropriate forum.
It is fundamental that the Truth be ascertained in regard to this matter The Constitution the Supreme Law of the Country and the facts related to the implementation of provisions contained in the Constitution cannot be manipulated or subverted to suit the needs of individuals. To be a party to such act would be to deny the sanctity of the Constitution. I consider it my duty to place on record these facts to ensure that the Constitution and the Constitutional practices and conventions that I have referred are followed.
I wish to make it perfectly clear that I do so not because I or the Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchi the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) are hankering after office. We have never sought office. In 1983 16 Tamil Members of Parliament of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) on principle refused to take an oath and consequently sacrificed their seats in Parliament when we had six years more to serve as members of Parliament. I was the first of the 16 members of Parliament to vacate my seat. We have declined office on other occasions which is a matter of public knowledge. But we do think that the rights of the minority political parties and minority peoples should not be jeopardized by manipulating or subverting either the Constitution or accepted constitutional practices and conventions so as to serve the interests of individuals catering to majoritarianism. I do further think that rights which Constitutionally accrue to minority parties and minority peoples should be protected and preserved. That’s why Mr Speaker I consider it imperative that I make this statement in Parliament.
Thank you
The transcript of the full speech made by R Sampanthan in Parliament today (25.01.2019)
Naman / January 25, 2019
R Sambanthan, what have you achieved so far by being LoO. Has the Country especially Tamils gained anything?
Why don’t you do get the NGOs to help NPC and Eastern Provinces?
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K.Anaga / January 25, 2019
Sambantha!
‘Tamil members of the parliament of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF ) on principal refused to take an oath…………….’
Yes. you were then a principled party unlike now. You have now become a spent force by your own actions. The term you use to refer to other Tamil parties as ‘THROKI” now suits you well.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / January 25, 2019
Sambanthan should understand that Sinhala racists do not want a Tamil to be the opposition leader. This happened to late Amirthalingam when after six years in office as the leader of the party in opposition with most members, he was removed and Anura B appointed with the votes of SLFP and government members. It is not surprising that Karu J a Sinhala racist appointed Mahinda as leader of opposition when the current occupant neither resigned his position nor removed by voting in parliament. Why is this sudden necessity to change the person when there was no such need for the last four years. Tamil as opposition leader has not achieved for Tamils anything then and now, and it is a useless post, rather than allowing Sri Lanka government to carry out propaganda that Tamils are being appointed to high positions. There is no point complaining in parliament as speaker is not going to reverse his decision made on racist grounds. If Sambandan wants the position he should take the matter to courts as there is a blatant violation of parliamentary procedure. This will be a test case about fairness of judiciary when there is a conflict between a Tamil and a Sinhalese.
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SJ / January 25, 2019
GS
Do not over simplify.
The TULF willingly forfeited their seats because of 6A.
Had the TULF yielded and stayed on, AA would have continued as LoO.
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Mallaiyuran / January 26, 2019
” The TULF willingly forfeited their seats because of 6A. “
Did TULF asked for6A too, willingly?
Where is that kind of logic is coming when TULF was forced to resign by enating 6A. Do you under stand what is effect of 6A and why it was placed there? If so, can you start to explain it?
So, did all the Tamils employees resign their jobs willingly when the Sinhala Only came in?
Is that your logic Kodeeswaran willingly went up to Privy Council?
So then Lankwe SJ willingly stayed away from reviewing Kodeeswaran case even though Privy Council ordered to so?
You, SJ, lead in using the words not knowing the meaning of them ( if not purposefully concocting and convoluting them)
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / January 26, 2019
TULF did not willingly forfeit their seats. They were forced to take oaths again as allegiance to 6A which they quite rightly refused. They took oaths as MPs in 1982 after the referendum to extend life of parliament for another six years, which is valid till the end of their term. So why should they be asked to take oaths again. For your information all public servants were asked to take oaths under 6A but I refused stating that I had taken oaths when I joined public service several years back which is valid till I retire or resign or dismissed, and no action was taken by the government against me till I left the country on my own in 1990.
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SJ / January 26, 2019
Their refusal to take oaths under 6A was an act of will, and they took that decision knowing the consequences.
6A was not designed to deprive AA’s position as LoO, but to subdue the TULF. The TULF could have compromised, as they did later but, admirably, they did not.
*
The move by the Speaker is something else.
It would have been decent of him to have talked to Sampanthan before announcing his decision. After all Sampanthan stood by him during the crisis.
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Mallaiyuran / January 26, 2019
” 6A was not designed to deprive AA’s position as LoO, but to subdue the TULF. The TULF could have compromised, as they did later but, admirably, they did not.”
Come on! Stop these imbecile talks. Do you know even under what circumstances 6A was brought in?
“The TULF willingly forfeited their seats because of 6A They never resigned or forfeited their seats. That is an apparent misrepresentation of what happened. 6A was explicitly removed the Tamil opposition party from Parliament by passing 6A. Passing a law to remove a race’s MP positions is not subduing a party. It was done with genocide intention. Black July 1983 was the preparatory act for that. 6A violated the opposition party’s 1978 election victory. No law should be predated in that way.
Because of 1983 Amirthalingam met Mrs. Gandhi. He was a direct target of JR.
6A was designed not just to impeach Amirthalingam, but to go much beyond that and impeach the entire TULF, by attacking its stand on Vaddukoddai convention. “Vaddukoddai convention is TULF and TULF is Vaddukoddai convention” don’t wedge a split in that! It was intended to remove TULF from parliament and send Amirthalingam home.
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Mallaiyuran / January 26, 2019
6A is only a build on 1948 Citizenship act and 1978 proportional representation government. You constantly are trying to convolute the facts. 1948 Citizenship was only to reduce the Tamils representation in the parliament. So they cannot become rulers or opposition. Proportional system was brought in to make sure none of the major two political parties would fall below TULF and lose opposition party leadership. That was a direct attach on the Tamil opposition party leader. Then don’t explain us that JR wanted to keep Amirthalingam, but not the TULF, but Amirthalingam voluntarily resigned the opposition party leadership. As I said in contrary to your stand of TULF forfeited their MP positions, They never resigned.
It is only a bluff master’s logic to argue that TULF and Amirthalingam are two and unrelated. Don’t argue that JR was doing everything to remove TULF from the parliament, the same way Don Stephen did in 1948, but JR was still trying to keep Amirthalingam as opposition party leader. The purpose of the 6A was to isolate the Tamils and remove their parliamentary positions. Are you denying the background work of his impeachment? Could you bring here anything JR opposing the impeachment? Then what makes to try to establish that 6A wanted to leave not harmed Amirthalingam’s OPL position? These actions are being very cunning designed by Sirimavo, Don Stephen, Solomon West, Junius, Old King… …..but used people like you convolute the people’s opinions with distractive logics.
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Thiagarajah Venugopal / January 26, 2019
Dear GS
-1977 was never a mandate in the first place for those who did not win ‘free and fair elections’…..recall the TULF River of Blood victory speech in Colombo………now we Tamils and Sinhalese lost all we had including all our blood ever since not enough??………..Opposition leadership is a requirement for this capability?? need a separate province required for this too?????wicked.
– After this the traumatised constituents were asked to vote for the TNA again??……talk about conditioning the minds (pre 1977 was a physical killing of the opponents up North) then TNA survived or rather allowed to be around/protection provided by the GOSL and the Armed forces for ‘whatever reasons’ and now they are back to play us all including the saviors……….need the opposition post too?? Betrayal by GOSL feel bad????…….I see signs of Traitors/Turncoats/Killers in the composition party need to be cleansed of so many murders post LTTE dominance up North???
We have no one left to dye any more Bro……….when are we all going home together for the next phase of whatever?? you and me will show the way…..still waiting………….so we will get to learn the ground reality of who is facilitating the cleansing of us the Tamils out of Sri Lanka for good……???
FP/TULF/TNA has nothing to do with Tamil people of Sri Lanka.
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Thiagarajah Venugopal / January 26, 2019
‘1977 was never a mandate in the first place for those who did not win ‘free and fair elections’…..recall the TULF River of Blood victory speech in Colombo’………………this was before the 1977 riots……..just incase the Separate state undemocratic mandate was not adequate to get the cause going was answered by the thugs from down south on the innocent Tamil citizens of SL?????
Missed opportunity for the Nation was the 1981 Development Council elections the best ever intelligent think UNP ever did in our Country because of the late Hon Premadasa.
the same in 1983 to with the killing of the armed forces?????? the riots ensued……….having lived through the misery since 1970……..now I question all the story line of the 1956/1958……same provocations resulted in the innocent Tamils being affected????
A very well orchestrated Tamil liberation at the expense of the Tamil lives???? this is a solution oriented politics????????we allow this to continue??????????
Now we say the current PC is not enough?? now we say LLRC investigation and proposed implementaions is not enough?????? this is until the last Tamil man stand and more innocent Sri Lankan to die?? this is politics??????????? very sick.
For 5 years NPC deliverd nothing to people of Jaffna nor to the Nation??? We are still talking Tamil Sinhala utter rubbish is the way to pay tribute to all those fellow being died in our Nation? some people still do not know why we were given the opposition roll play in the first place??…….is called Peace and Reconciliation.
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Native Vedda / January 26, 2019
Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam
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Did parliament elect Ranil when he was first appointed to the post of Prime Minister? The parliament did have confidence in him as majority MPs did not protest against his appointment.
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The leader of the party which has next largest number of MPs automatically becomes opposition leader unless of course the majority MPs vote him/her down.
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Thiagarajah Venugopal / January 26, 2019
Dear GS
‘Why is this sudden necessity to change the person when there was no such need for the last four years’
You still have not worked this out???? This was the GOSL way of asking for TNA to become part of the mainstream politics of the island shedding all the identity politics?? caused us all the bloodshed.
Any outside observers will say the Tamil parties responsible for the biggest historical blunder of misleading the children of SL to death were treated with the same justice as JVP are now treated. This is called fairness and equality even after so many GOSL soldiers perished equally…….and their families lost their children too. One for all and all for one.
Year before the final phase of the war Hon MR did invite LTTE to come to the table too?????
Why do not you bark at all the Nations facilitated the final phase of the war as suppose to the GOSL/SL Armed forces…….you may find some answers to your bitter minds????????
Grow unto be mindful Mr GS as I have now tolerated a lot of foul mouthing from you about my Father uninvited??????????? given you a mindful way out for us to go and deliver justice to our people together????? I am still waiting.
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Venus / January 26, 2019
Just a short note about what happened to your leader, Amirthalingam at the parliament in the south and in the so called Eelam state in your dreams. He had equal opportunity to live among other people in the south peacefully having all the luxuries that parliament offers to its members on the account of the poor, honest tax payers of the country – big businessmen and politicians are not tax payers unfortunately, but utter rogues/criminals. In the
Eelam State Amirthalingam was shot dead by his mercenary army LTTE which was trained to create a separate state for the opportunist Vellala leaders. Just think, can the people of this tiny country afford to maintain that many politicians around 10,000 currently. Don’t you think that it’s high time to close down the trouble making white elephant (parliament) and send all politicians home to look after their families. with that savings, the country can buy more milking cows and whatever people need the most.
Good luck!!!
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Kumarathasan Rasingam / January 25, 2019
Sampanthan never acted as a Leader of the Opposition: He and his party always protect Ranil and UNP no confidence motion, budget, and during the political turmoil recently. He is good for nothing leader not good for the Tamils, Sinhalse or to the country.
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Mallaiyuran / January 26, 2019
There is something right and wrong here. TNA agreed with Ranil and New King for Secret Solution. This was requested by West from Sampanthar or at least blessed by them, in exchange for Secret Solution. Secret Solution is a deal by that neither Ranil nor New King will tell anything in South about the constitutional initiations parliament to take to solve Tamils’ problem. But when the parliament approved constitution goes to referendum, the voting machines will tick on yes, automatically, even though if the Sinhala Buddhists wanted to reject to. If your mind accepts up to that, then Sampanthar was bound to save Ranil and New King on the perceived (or proposed) elections. So didn’t oppose Ranil. Every vote he deny to Ranil is vote to Old King’s joint Comedy Club, in those circumstances. So the question TNA has been analyzing for the last three-four years was whether to support Ranil or let it go it as a support to Old King.
So the problem is on the Secret Solution deal, but not on supporting Old King, or being neutral by supporting both or abstaining and rejecting both, or Supporting Ranil.
If you look the actions took place, for Ex. TNA rejected the PTA draft, supporting Joint Comedy Club and TNA rejected the NCM, supporting Ranil. Old Royals opposed PTA, supporting TNA but brought in NCM going against TNA. Joint Comedy club was part of the National unity government, until Oct 26, and then SLFP officially withdraw from it. Remember, Old Royals did not make speech on NCM and did not vote on that either. You should make your self clear that NCM was brought against the government by the ruling party (SLFP) and Opposition Party, TNA rejected it.
Remember TNA negotiated with Slap Party to support them, during the Coup? If you look in that deeply, TNA voted based on Secret Solution; not on Ruling party!
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Thiagarajah Venugopal / January 26, 2019
Dear All
I give you the terror I grew up under ever since my FATHER won the 1970 election defeating Mr Amir the Tamil leader.
Refused to shake hands with my Father after the victory (Dr GS this was before my father joined the government), charge my Father crime and filed cases to say he won by buying alcohol to the voters then he lost the case then he charge my Father with non procerdral retirement from my Karainagar Hindu College Principle position and he lost this case too.
All these were before my Father joined the SLFP government leaving the Tamil Congress and not the FP.
TC policies were different to FP policies. Only later GG Ponnampalam (ex government minister too)/TC joined the TULF after loosing the elections in 1970 elections.
My father and our Family went through verbal abuse by thugs, fence burning around the house, several attempted murres, life threatening letters, stone throwing, more fatal stone throwing attempt into the car too……stages after FP political meetings full of hate speeches.
When the Tamil MP’s joined the government (9++) stage speeches were made by Kavinger Anathan to the youth that all this traitors should never die naturally while the Leaders were present on the stage and later the entire content published in the Suthentherian news paper. This was followed by the failed shooting of my Father in his Colombo room…………no one was punished for all this hideous crimes………….after SJV passed away the new ledeship built statues for the younsters (I feel sorry for these young men)????
No one from the FP/TULF condoned these acts……nor did they come to my Fathers funeral after the assassination in 1981 development council elections…………for what are the chances for the average Tamil man to think for himself today??????
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SJ / January 26, 2019
TV
Thanks for the opportunity for me to express my deep sorrow about what happened to Mr Thiagarajah.
Sadly, he was not the only one to suffer.
*
The view that traitors should not have a natural death was endorsed by AA, and sadly he too was treated ‘the way traitors deserved to be’ by those who he encouraged.
*
The assassination of Duraiappa exposed the true nature of the FP leader SJV’s non-violence.
He failed to denounce it while AA was, reportedly, pleased.
Misguided youth had since gone on the rampage unchecked by the FP/TULF.
*
Had not Mr Thiagarajah defeated AA in 1970, AA may not have adopted the secessionist line that he did out of political desperation.
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Thiagarajah Venugopal / January 29, 2019
Dear SJ
Thank you for the kindest words to a fellow SL man who lost his world when his Father was killed. The same misguided children were hanging around the Jaffna hospital to kill my Father again if he Survived first shooting???? The hospital did not even release my father to be treated in Colombo as per the GOSL request either…………he died muttering my name…… Kanna…….Kanna….Kanna…….a name he has given me so lovingly……so I know the pain for all our Mother Lankan Families when their Children who perished too…..JVP….Tamil groups……Citizens…..Armed forces…..
I shared all these about my Father not looking for justice for him but to share with the world what was done in the name of Tamil by this Mafia/Treason/Treachery outfit who cared little for my generation/nation………..it was my generation miserably abused/misused by the same monsters open doors to foreign governments lay hands on them including their minds….continue to the white sale of the entire Indian Ocean for misery to come?? Now they find fault in Hon MR?????
My Father was grunted death but could not help his timely intervention because he loved his children of mother Lanka so much…….just as you have correctly stated so many honourable people scummed to the same misery trying to the most decent thing that is to put your neck out to save a Nation.
My efforts are about knowledge sharing to the ‘new generations’ such they know the inceptions……..so not get lost in the world of misinformation……lot more to offer too.
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Native Vedda / January 26, 2019
Kumarathasan Rasingam
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“He is good for nothing leader not good for the Tamils, Sinhalse or to the country.”
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Very well, why don’t you ask the Tamils to elect Mavai Senathirajah as the leader of FP, TNA, Opposition Leader, ……………….. or maybe Sivajilingam, ….. Sritharan, …….. ?
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Rajash / January 26, 2019
Naman -” R Sambanthan, what have you achieved so far by being LoO. Has the Country especially Tamils gained anything?”
Naman why dont you do some soul searching.
For the last 70 years since independence what has the Sinhalese leaders achieved for the country? the country is going to dogs. soon it will be worse than Zimbabwe.
The people of Sri Lanka are punched drunk on port city and luxury hotels , (that they cant afford) and failed mega projects that is sinking the country and need reclamation
…and you ask “R Sambanthan, what have you achieved so far by being LoO. Has the Country especially Tamils gained anything?”
LoO kicked out the fake PM!
and that is what LoO achieved for the country …and saved the country from being becoming a dictatorship….
but not for long …the country is heading that way
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SJ / January 25, 2019
What would those who celebrated Sampanthan’s stand based on constitutional principles objecting to the appointment of MR as Prime Minister have to say on this stand based on similar principles?
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Mallaiyuran / January 25, 2019
“What would those who celebrated Sampanthan’s stand based on constitutional principles objecting to the appointment of MR as Prime Minister have to say on this stand based on similar principles? “
“Celebrated” a stand? Come on man! Don’t be nasty like that!
“Appointment”? How much you know on the difference between the two English words Coup and Appointment? Confused again and no dictionary handy? Please know something: “Appointment” is used in situations where a person is given a position, following established procedure. Coup is a darkroom procedure to illegally trap a person and steal his/her legal & political authority.
Are you pretending like that you have understood Sampanthar’s legal position on his stand on illegally taking away his OPL? Is that why, while you never have took a sincere stand on anything, you question the people, who took a stand on the coup and supported him on his effort to restore the democracy from coup? Can you understand it, if they explain it to you? We understand your double talk that coup shouldn’t have been reversed because it was done by your Idol, the Old King. But should anyone have to mind about your position on that? When did you, last time, write full paragraph explaining your stand on any issues other than your farcical double tongued quips?
They say “Arrakkur Muzhu Moddai” but you always try to prove that you are too sharp! Is that to establish the inverse of it? It is hard with your level of intelligence to understand that your Idol Old King carried out a donkey trading to justify a coup to grab the PM. He illegally got into SLFP to graph Opposition party leadership. Both actions are the two sides of the same coin “The Coup to save family members from pending criminal Cases”. That, of cause, Sampanthar cannot tell in Parliament to go in Hansard, but media reported and people supported Sampanthar are well aware of what is going on.
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SJ / January 25, 2019
Mallung
The one who staged the coup appointed MR.
He did not “coup” MR.
Are you a postmodernist with an L-board to make a malluma of a simple statement?
If not, you should complain to the English teacher who last taught you the language.
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Mallaiyuran / January 26, 2019
” The one who staged the coup appointed MR “
You never learned while teaching and those tried to learn from you too! It may not be your fault.
Anyway did you read my comment?
“Appointing” is a legally valid operation within one’s authority. If it is ultra-vires operation there is no appointment taking place. So a person can be appointing or involved in coup.
Are putting here any definition, anyway, that only one person has to be always in a coup? Well, Old King wanted the protection for his family. So you defined it as “New King only coup”? What is your usual verdict? Hitman or the hirer takes the responsibility?
I guess your English teacher could not get anything better than you.
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Namo Mariani / January 25, 2019
TNA wants all Buddha statutes in north gone but kovils can be built in south?
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SJ / January 25, 2019
NM
You should know that Sinhala Buddhists cannot do without kovils.
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Mallaiyuran / January 25, 2019
SJ
You mean Sinhala Buddhists are building HINDU temple complexes in South but building only stand alone Buddha statues in North?
Please… what is your point?
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SJ / January 25, 2019
Mallung
It is getting serious.
Please see the last part of my response to your earlier BS.
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Mallaiyuran / January 26, 2019
” Please see the last part of my response to your earlier BS ”
Is that a confession of that you cannot get out of your imbecile quips and answer to at least one question properly?
I may be giving out BS, but as I am a vegetarian, it’s holy stuff still for you as you are a Hindu.
But your own S you are giving out here is so nasty and rotten.
I wonder how the UoJ would smell when you walk around there.
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SJ / January 26, 2019
Mallung
It is getting very serious.
You need to see a specialist.
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Mallaiyuran / January 26, 2019
” It is getting very serious.
You need to see a specialist. ”
Don’t be such an imbecile,who lacks logic in talks but only write foolish bluffs like that.
You simply cannot talk a subject, but you are great only in one thing that is recommending doctors to others?
Please know something that what is end of you kind of talks. After the 52 days, the new words from Devanda is “Honey I am going back again… Sorry dear” .
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SJ / January 26, 2019
Mallung
It is truly worrying, but sorry that I cannot help you.
See someone soon.
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Mallaiyuran / January 27, 2019
“ It is truly worrying, but sorry that I cannot help “
Karaiyirulai Neekka Karuthathulakil Niraiyirulai Neekkume Ninru.
You need a honest piece of advice SJ. Let me help you on that.
True worries are called GAD. If you honestly worrying, but not in your usual hypocrisy drama of pretending worrying for Tamils or Diaspora people, Valium (Diazepam Tablets) can help you.
“ You need to see a specialist. to get that prescribed.
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SJ / January 27, 2019
Mallung
So you seem familiar with some of the medication.
BTW, did you see a competent person before you started on it.
There are quacks that prescribe such medication on hearsay.
Access someone through proper channels.
AND do not prescribe what you consume to others. It is not as simple as recommending koththaMALLI or sukkuth thanni.
*
Take care.
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Mallaiyuran / January 27, 2019
SJ,
” you seem familiar with some of the medication. “
Sad fact is you cannot read English so, keep writing without reading. From the very beginning when you wrote your name as Savasegaram in CT but was dying hard to find fault on others’ writing, I asked a question if you have learned anything from your teaching.
Is that your point you started this talk because you have had frequently consulted the specialists?
Now, you to show that you are too smart, so you are trying to prove that scientist and doctors are the one have diseases. Is that your point judge is the thief because he had find out who stole? I know, and you don’t have to explain but I always suspected that all the bad thing you point your fingers might have been your past history.
If you have nothing intelligent to say, why are so sheepishly somersaulting? You don’t have to read mine, but at least read what the S you are excreting here.
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SJ / January 27, 2019
Mallung
So you take tablets. Be careful, or perhaps it is too late to warn.
Excitability and confusion are two side effects of overdose.
*
Does your quack know that Benzodiazepine abuse and misuse should be guarded against when prescribed to those with alcohol or drug dependencies or who have psychiatric disorders?
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SJ / January 26, 2019
NE
Sampanthan has made his point.
What matters is to place it on parliamentary record.
Taking it to the Supreme Court will create the impression that S is craving after the post.
*
The Speaker should have had the decency to inform Sampanthan of his intentions. He did not.
When Sampanthan raised a constitutional point, the Speaker could have at least for form’s sake referred it to the AG. He did not.
When matters heated up he could have invited Sampanthan to clarify matters. He did not.
*
I too initially felt that going to the SC was worth the effort. But the political fallout will be negative either way.
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Venus / January 26, 2019
Don’t you understand that the majority of tamils live ipeaceful in the south away from your thugs in the Eelam state? so the cavils are for those tamil people in the south, you dumn idiot
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / January 26, 2019
Tamils are not against religious Buddhism but only oppose political Buddhism. There is no doubt that Buddhism is a noble philosophy, but unfortunately in Sri Lanka, the name of Buddhism is being tarnished by Sinhala racism. Can you point out a single Hindu temple in the south built on encroached state lands or on lands belonging to Sinhalese. This is why there is accusation comes against building of Buddha statues in Tamil areas where there is hardly any Buddhists. Did you hear about what Muslims did in Anuradhapura by climbing on to a stupa, taking pictures and posting it on the web. Recently they damaged two Buddha statues in Mawanella. Did any Tamil do those in the past.
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K.Anaga / January 25, 2019
Lord Buddha is installed with a political motive in places where there are no Buddhist. In some cases they encroach into the Hindu Kovils and install Lord Buddha’s statue. May be that he was a Hindu.A lot of Buddhists visit the Hindu Temples like Manica Pillaiyar at Wellawatte , and Mayura Temple at Havelock Town. Not only they visit, but give enough ‘bribes’ to the priest to mention their names first and inform the gods that they are there under the guise of ARCHANAI. Quite number of Hindus visit St. Anthony’s Church at Kochikade, asking for favours. It appears the Hindus have passed a No Confidence Motion on their Gods?
What happened to Kathirkamam. it was originally lord Muruga’s (Skanthas) now it is a predominantly Buddhist temple and Poor Muruga doesn’t understand the language. Perhaps that is why our country is in trouble.
After having said this, I wish to say that Religion is the cause of innumerable problems. Without religion Man can exist but religion cannot exist without man, because man is the creator of religions.
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Tamil from the north / January 25, 2019
Namo Mariani, remember the statues and temples were built by the Government in the North mainly to cater to the armed forces and police personnel. The kovils in the south were built by worshipers…………..not the government. There is a clear distinction between things being built by the government and the people. I hope you get the underlying message in my response.
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JD / January 25, 2019
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2
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thamizh / January 26, 2019
if a buddha statue is being built in the north, it usually means state sponsored sinhala settlements will follow through. the tamils are turned to a minority in the east. in the same way now they are settling sinhalese in the ethnically cleansed lands of the tamils in the north under various schemes such as the mahaveli scheme. their only aim is to erase the tamil history of the north and east and write sinhala buddhist history all over it. sinhala buddhists will give the israelis a run when it comes to ehtnic cleansing and colonization.
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Rajash / January 26, 2019
Namo Mariani- “TNA wants all Buddha statutes in north gone but kovils can be built in south?”
Namo Namo Mariani Api sreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Mariani
Namo Namo Namo Mariani
do you know that as part of the beautification of Colombo Gota destroyed 1000s of Buddha statutes in Colombo..on which crows were shitting? and no one was bothered to clean it up except for perhaps poya days…
.why ?
as you said its a” statue” …nothing more
that is the problem …there are Buddha “statues” all over Sri Lanka..
where is Buddha?
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Siva Sankaran Sharma / January 26, 2019
Kovils down south are built on legally purchased lands and also with the blessing of the local Sinhalese population . Also remember there are many prehistoric ancient Saivite kovils down south , like Kathirkammam that predate Buddhism. proving prior to the arrival of Buddhism , the entire island had a Dravidian Tamil Saivite culture. The indigenous dialect of the island Elu, is a simple semi Tamil Dravidian language. Buddhist statues and viharas in the north and in the east just like the Sinhalese settlers are being erected or settled on illegally on forcibly occupied Tamil lands , or on the premises of Hindu temples , based on fake concocted stories by the anti Tamil so called archeological department , mad extremist Buddhist monks and Sinhalese Buddhist Fascists . They are built using all the resources of the state , that should be spent on rehabilitating the local Tamil population instead of erecting Budda statues and Viharas in areas where no Buddhists live, unless this is a prelude to settle Sinhalese in these areas in the near future. The occupying racist Sinhalese Buddhist army and police openly support and protect these activities . Without their support these sort of activities will not be happening . They are very brazen about these activities , as they are fully aware that the racist Sri Lankan state , establishment and armed forces fully support them. Why are you using the name of Virgin Mary in vain to spread your hate messages?
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Gratiaen Hewa / January 25, 2019
A precarious situation!
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K.Pillai / January 25, 2019
What prompted the former Leader of Opposition (LoO) Sampanthan’s statement in Parliament?
Following the 08 January 2015 Presidential election, LoO went to Sampanthan. The defeated MR waited for SLFP to be handed over to him in a platter but this did not happen. To MR the LoO was infra-dig. At the Local Government elections, SLPP did well. Much to the chagrin of the founders of SLPP, MR claimed ownership. The 26 October ‘happening’ was clumsy.
MR has climbed down his tower and accepted the LoO.
What next? Watch this space.
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Plato. / January 25, 2019
Yet another principled stand of R.Sampanthan; Not so much as he wants to continue as LoO but to point out that the ruling of the Speaker is not based on accepted norms. Erskine May has been quoted. How many MPP in the present Parliament would have ever heard let alone have read EM.? Wimal Weerawansa MAY tie up Theresa MAY to EM!
We have another double-headed snake like situation in the country. Premier RW and President Sirisena are travelling in different directions at the same time.Since OCT:26th there is chaos, even though Sirisena and his present bed-fellow [Strange Bed-fellows though!] MaRa have been asked to go and fly a kite by the Supreme Court!
I am unable to understand the role of the Speaker on this issue.It is well within his Jurisdiction to name the correct LoO, based on what has been clearly enunciated by R.Sampanthan..
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JD / January 25, 2019
It is the same Corrupt Sambanthan of the TNA tjhat gave approval for the NCM by making noise. TNA is corrupt and unemployed Foreign citizen Tamils are serving poor Tamils with the govt salaries. Sambanthan is talking about about ethics, standards and values. ANOTHER LIAR. Who wanted this article be wrtten. IS it UNP or NGOs.
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Rajash / January 26, 2019
its that same racist JD……..who farts here
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JD / January 25, 2019
SAMPANTHAN you are disgusting politician when you pass information to foreign Ambassadors.
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Ajith / January 25, 2019
JD,
What about MAHINDA RAJAPAKSE who passed information to foegin ambassadors and UN against Srilankan Forces and Srilanka in 1989?
Who is corrupt? Mahinda Rajapakse paid Rs. 500 million to buy a MP from TNA or Sampanthan who has no history of bribe or corruption?
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Tamil from the north / January 26, 2019
@JD bugger, then stop begging for foreign aid.
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thamizh / January 26, 2019
where are the democracy warriors now? won’t sumathiran go to court to fight for this, at least to prove institutional racism just the way he helped to white wash the sl judiciary? these lot have compromised a lot just to save RW gov’t.
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kali / January 26, 2019
Dear Mr.Sambanthan,
With all due respect you are barking up the wrong tree. We are not born to play any role i in Sinhala Lanka which is exclusively reserved for the Sinkalms. You were lucky to be an Opposition Leader which was to fool the World and MS and RW succeedeed in that f for a while so be grateful.
I belive you are a lawyer and I am sure you have studied Land Law. If you havent heard let me teach you. There are two tenures or interests in Land Law.
1) FREEHOLD
2) LEASEHOLD
Sri Lankas destiny was decided when Sri Lanka was created when Indian subcontinent crsahed into Asia Proper creating Himalays during the thrust leaving Madagaskar behind but Sri Lanka was left lying close to India. By her proximity and Security needs India owns the FREEHOLD and SRI LANKA owns only the LEAEHOLD. There are things called Covenants.
Mahintha the Unqualified STUPID recently talked about you and RW destrying Sri Lankas sovereignty. He is frankly talking rubbish. It was Mahintha who destroyed Sri Lankas SOVEREIGNTY by leasing half of Sri Lanka to CHINA posing a security threat to INDIA. By being only a Leasehold Owner he should have sought permission from the Superior Landlord to calve out a lease. For breach of covenants the Superior Lnd Lord can force an rntry and thet is what INDIA is doing. There is no force in the world that can stop it
Just like Maldives the next election is going to be fought by Pro Indian Parites ( UNP , TNA and I dont know about Hat Flippers) and Pro Chinese parties MR, MS WIMAL THE WANSA and the cohorts like Pankawalas Dyan , Laksri.
Speak to Mahintha and tell him these are Kalis words which is DIVINE.
Please work with Wiggy he is good for Tamils .
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nagalingam ethirveerasingam / January 26, 2019
Should Sambanthan and ITAK take the case to the SC as there is a violation of the constitution.? If the Speaker has violated the constitution SC should be asked to rule on it.
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SJ / January 27, 2019
NE
Sampanthan has made his point.
What matters is to place it on parliamentary record.
Taking it to the Supreme Court will create the impression that S is craving after the post.
*
The Speaker should have had the decency to inform Sampanthan of his intentions. He did not.
When Sampanthan raised a constitutional point, the Speaker could have at least for form’s sake referred it to the AG. He did not.
When matters heated up he could have invited Sampanthan to clarify matters. He did not.
*
I too initially felt that going to the SC was worth the effort. But the political fallout will be negative either way.
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Plato. / January 27, 2019
The B-C Pact, The Dudley-Chelva Pact were not honoured by both SWRD and Dudley due to Sinhala hardline opposition in the country then. The hardline mindset is valid to this day. It is this mindset that has prompted the Speaker to appoint MaRa and sideline R.Sampanthan not withstanding the latters contribution in the constitutional crisis. R.Sampanthan could go to the SC, but that may be counterproductive for several reasons.
For a man like R.Sampanthan who has two slices of Toast with a bulls-eye [ egg ] for Breakfast and uses only one vehicle to move about,though provided with a fleet, EVEN WHEN HE WAS LoO the trimmings and trappings of the post would not have any bearing on him.
MaRa and his gang would have gone to Town, if they were not entertained by the Speaker.Same old story as the Pacts mentioned above!
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Sinhala_Man / January 27, 2019
Dear Mr Sampanthan,
.
It was not an easy job that you had to do, but you have acquitted yourself of it pretty well. You are one of the few politicians for whom one can have some respect.
.
I personally don’t want Mahinda Rajapaksa to have any future role in the affairs of our country. In politics, it is considered fair to use legalities and precedents in matters of procedure to outwit the other side. It is Rajapaksa who is getting back his dues for being unprincipled.
.
Thinking back to the role that you have played, there is one thing that I wish had been different. The essentially UNP government that we’ve had for four years have played fast and loose with certain matters like the Bond Scam. I feel that you ought to have played the role of an opposition in these affairs and highlighted the wrongs done by them.
.
Going beyond that, I think that we must all understand that there are many unthinking “Sinhalese Nationalists”. I don’t agree with them. However, there is a certain disparity between the number of Sri Lankan citizens whom you represent and the numbers represented by the crooked SLPP-SLFP grouping. It’s good that they’ve been outwitted in certain matters, but it would not be healthy to allow them to feel that such outmanoeuvring is a permanent feature of our civic life.
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Thiagarajah Venugopal / January 29, 2019
Dear SM
That is why all need to shed identity politics and have National policies such you can attract the reasonable is it not from all the segments of the population?????
I think JVP have done that adaptation reasonably well to have National policies where they can field candidates throughout the land and they can even publish party political news in both the language??????
The FP/TULF/TNA has done is the opposite then and now……spew venom and used all the opportunities granted by the ‘incapable’ in the governence to project their agenda/manifesto/capitalise……is to collect the hate………….so the collective use of the word Sinhala Buddist for all that is wrong with the country to drive whatever their hallucinated desires/solutions……..in the process created a problem the normal people trying to decipher after all that blood letting that took place in our land while the same lot seems to be in the driving seat doing the same using the dead….accumulating the dead for their blunders to smoke screen the world……..any country who trained our children need to be taken to Hague is the fact along with this lot and the race riot thugs who killed the innocent too??????? As a punishment they should be asked to go and visit all the soldiers family and compensate too as well as the Tamils who lost all we ever had?????
I am not sure about your grouping who contributed to the failed state scenario that always leaves the TNA & JVP out of the equation?????why?why?why?
Is this means TNA and JVP were the making of GOSL policy??? Cause and Effect applies here to us all as we have all collectively failed could be the most compromised statement for a better future if we ever have one????? without finger pointing????/peace and reconciliation and conflict resolution requires all to take responsibility?????
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