By Rasika Jayakody –
Rasika Jayakody
Sri Lanka’s proud history of Parliamentary democracy is now at peril with President Maithripala Sirisena grossly violating the constitution by appointing a Prime Minister who has failed to demonstrate a Parliamentary majority. He has exacerbated the subsequent political crisis by proroguing Parliament without any consultation with the Speaker, once again in contravention of the constitution.
As a result, the country, which has a history of long and unbroken constitutional democracy, is now on the verge of an unprecedented public unrest. The ousted Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, has defied the President’s order and continues to occupy the official residence of the Prime Minister at Temple Trees, with throngs of party supporters protecting him day in and day out. Persistent calls by the international community, civil organisations and political parties to convene Parliament immediately to discuss the crisis has fallen on deaf ears as the President adamantly continues his course of action.
On Friday, 118 MPs gathered in a committee room of the Parliament to pass a resolution against former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s appointment as the Prime Minister and the continued prorogation of Parliament. The United National Party (UNP), the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC), the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) unanimously supported the resolution urging Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to act on it immediately. In response, the Speaker told the parliamentarians that the President assured him he would reconvene Parliament on November 07, and promised to issue a gazette notification pertaining to the convention of the House, before the weekend.
There have been shocking revelations of attempts to bribe parliamentarians into switching allegiance since the day of the prorogation. UNP Parliamentarian Palitha Range Bandara informed the Speaker that he was offered USD 2.8 million to support former President Rajapaksa and has now released recordings of the attempted deal into the public domain.It is crystal clear that the enormous trust the public has placed in their lawmakers is being brazenly and unapologetically traded, a mockery of the concept of parliamentary democracy.
As of Saturday night, there was no sign of the gazette and the UNP MPs have already threatened to force open the doors of the legislature on November 07 and conduct Parliament themselves should the President fail to convene Parliament without delay. This is a serious threat and does not augur well for rule of law, peace and stability.
One man who holds the key to lead the country out of the current political and constitutional deadlock is Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, a senior and level-headed politician who is respected on both sides of the aisle.
As Speaker, Jayasuriya is empowered to convene Parliament. Former Speaker Joseph Michael Perera has already set precedence in this regard, by ruling on November 19, 2003, that “the exercise of the power to summon, prorogue and dissolve Parliament must always be exercised in consultation with Parliament and this function must be accepted at all times as being subordinate to the legislative power of the people conferred on Parliament by article 4 (a).”
Allowing the legislature to perform its legitimate functions is the only way to break the protracted political deadlock and it is Speaker Jayasuriya who must step up and the lead the country out of the current morass.
It is his time to decide on if he wants to be recorded in the annals of history as the man who stood for the democratic rights of the people and protected the supremacy of Parliament by upholding its right to convene at a crucial moment, or as the man who allowed strong adversarial forces to overpower him when the nation needed him the most.
By sidestepping the issue at this critical juncture, Jayasuriya will only contribute to the constitutional coup, engineered by President Sirisena and his political party, and legitimise an “illegal government” sans a Parliamentary majority.
This is arguably the most decisive moment in Sri Lanka’s post-independent history, as the country’s constitution and the democratic traditions are on the verge of being compromised in the name of power politics. All eyes are now on Jayasuriya to see if he will navigate the troubled waters and uphold the rights of all citizens, without succumbing to pressure, intimidation and manipulation.
Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / November 4, 2018
When analysing he behaviour of Karu Jayasuriya, I feel that he is playing a double game. He wants to show to the world and fair minded Sri Lankans that he will uphold democracy, but he is deliberately dilly dallying. If a cinema hall ticket seller like Joseph Michael Perera can take brave decision, I do not know why this Ananda educated mercantile sector leader cannot. I will not be surprised if a vote is taken in parliament and ends in a tie between RW and MR, he will put his casting vote for MR.
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Champa / November 4, 2018
Yes. Sri Lanka’s democracy is in peril!
I decided NOT to support ANY politician!
I couldn’t read news for 2-3 days. Then the first news I saw was my turning point.
According to Namal Rajapaksa, as quoted by NDTV, his father has been plotting for 4-5 months to unseat the PM (unconstitutionally) and make him appointed as the PM, which is unacceptable by a national leader whom the country held in high esteem and regarded as an inspiration to the nation!!!
In other words, this is not a decision by the President for reasons he so ‘passionately’ mentioned in his speech, but an outcome of Rajapaksas’ high handedness, manipulation, and above all, their callous disregard for democracy to serve their vested interests.
Ranil has received people’s wrath for years. But, people were patiently awaiting to defeat him through DEMOCRATIC MEANS at the next available opportunity.
Change of governments or rulers should be decided by people through elections, not through coup d’états based on personal wishes of politicians.
There is no way I support political conspiracies OF ANY FORM.
This is not a question about Ranil or the slave government.
This is a question about people’s mandate, their right to vote and above all their right to choose governments through free and fair elections.
If conspirators can change governments, what is the use of having elections???? This is a complete debasement of voting rights through which people’s mandate, which is supreme, is demonstrated.
If we endorse Mahinda’s political coup today, tomorrow Gotabhaya will carry out a military coup!
Therefore, I call upon all citizens, irrespective of party, colour, ethnicity, religion, caste or creed, to raise their voices in unison to protect democratic values and civil and political rights of citizenry,
Also, I strongly recommend Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa to resign with dignity!
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cholan / November 4, 2018
@ London Coolie Champa
Leave Tamils OK ?
Tamil love to see Modayas eating each other
Soon blood bath will be there everywhere in this so called Buddhist country (?????)
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Dinuk / November 4, 2018
Sri Lanka is a FAKE DEMOCRACY without economic sovereignty as the crashing rupee, debt trap and sale of strategic assets by Ranil’s economic hit men shows
Fact is the majority of people, Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim do NOT want Bondscam Ranil OR Mahinda Jarapassa. Both are corrupt and worst Tamil and Muslim riots happened during UNP govt. Also, Under Bondscam Ranil, Sri Lanka was a Fake Democracy with Fake reconciliation. Bond Ranil who protected Mahinda Jarapassa had turned the Parliament into a “Cesspit of bi-partisan UNP_SLFP corruption. MPs were bought with Duty Free SUVs to turn a blind eye to Bondscam Ranil’s destruction of institutions like the Central Bank and decimation of the economy of Lanka with outdated IMF-WB neoliberal reforms to benefit the global 1 percent and America first.
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Champa / November 4, 2018
Though I was elated when Mahinda was appointed as the PM by the President at his will, (I understand that’s not true anymore) the complete reversal of Mahinda&JO in the aftermath of former’s appointment has given me enough reasons, which are appended below, to not to support them anymore.
1) President’s arbitrary and dictatorial decision to prorogue the Parliament soon after Mahinda’s appointment – I regard this as a deliberate attempt to avert the most crucial factor stipulated in the Constitution in appointing a PM, i.e. the majority in the Parliament. On the other hand, the prorogation of the Parliament upon creating an unprecedented political turmoil shows their blatant disregard for Parliamentary democracy and the Parliament itself, which is the highest Representative Body which stands for democratic legitimacy of any country.
2) President’s+JO’s arrogance in forming a “new” government+a “new” Cabinet when the Parliament stands prorogued – As a result, now there is an “overlapping” Government+an “overlapping” Cabinet. Moreover, appointing Dinesh as the Leader of the House outside the Parliament is illegal.
3) Seeking TNA’s support to form a government – This is a downright betrayal to Sinhalese and a complete U turn of what they preached for 4 years against TNA and its proposal about a Federal Constitution. I now understand that there is a move to release hardcore terrorists from prison too. I believe JO’s decision to not to vote in full strength against the Compensation to Terrorists Bill (don’t remember its formal name – only 43 were present out of 70, making sure the number to be less than government MPs which was 59) is also a deliberate attempt to appease TNA. This is disgusting. I strongly suggest Sinhalese politicians to refrain from such practices contradicting their previous stances, leaving supporters flabbergasted.
Contd…1/2
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old codger / November 5, 2018
Champa,
Good. But will you say the same thing tomorrow? I doubt it, sorry.
“I strongly suggest Sinhalese politicians to refrain from such practices contradicting their previous stances,”
This might apply to you as well.
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Champa / November 5, 2018
old codger
I stand by my principles and take my own decision to defect when others in the same group I am in, act contrary to my principles.
It is your problem if you can’t understand simple logic.
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Champa / November 5, 2018
old codger
The part applies to Sinhalese politicians does’t apply to me at all as I am not a politician and I would never justify their change of stance and seeking TNA’s support to form a government.
I support anybody as long as they act in par with MY PRINCIPLES. It is never the other way.
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Champa / November 4, 2018
Contd…..2/2
4) Horse trading – I felt extremely surprised by this. Mahinda and JO (through Basil) is following the same path which they themselves condemned a few months ago accusing Ranil for same. As revealed and seen, the defectors are rewarded in the form of either splendid monetary gains or Ministerial posts or both. This is a classic example of a charismatic leader becoming a retail leader. Horse trading in the aftermath of Mahinda’s appointment is an open move to manipulate the majority in the Parliament which is undemocratic, unethical and ugly.
5) GL’s/JO’s misinterpretations of the Constitution and double-standards.
6) JO’s open threats to opponents for political witch-hunt at media briefings – Those who condemned political witch-hunt now vowing to practice the same is shameful.
7) Forcible taken over by Rupavahini/Lake House led by certain JO MPs and SLPP Unions soon after Mahinda’s appointment -plus- JO’s arrogant attitude towards journalists/reporters at media briefings – This is a typical example of forgetting common decency after gaining power.
8) Then the latest, Namal’s revelation (+NDTV’s subsequent twitter message) that his father has been in secret discussions with the President for 4-5 months to remove the PM (unconstitutionally) and appoint himself as the PM – As lawyers, both should know that coup d’états are unlawful. This move is unbecoming of a national leader which questions his ethics, morality and integrity.
9) Finally, I have no intention to destroy Mahinda or JO. But I will never change my principles to justify the manner in which they secured the whip hand. This is constructive criticism in good faith to make them correct.
10) I repeat my suggestion. Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa should resign with dignity and get back to “legitimate politics” along with JO. One day he will thank me for my suggestion!
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cholan / November 4, 2018
@ London Coolie Champa
Leave Tamils OK ?
Tamil like to see Modayas eat each other soon.
There will be a blood bath in this cursed Buddhist land (??????)
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Uthungan / November 4, 2018
Cholan
Shame on you.
Who are you to speak on behalf of the Tamils of SL,
when you have shown yourself as a crude uncivilised person with no exposure to experinces like peace, anything sublime or compassion.
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Ajith / November 4, 2018
Champa,
Is it you?
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mike / November 4, 2018
Ajith – “Champa, is it you.” – Chimpa was just released from the institution after full recovery!
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Bingo / November 4, 2018
Champa, my goodness! Is it really you? The diehard mahinda supporter? What made you change buddy?
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Steve / November 4, 2018
Champa oh Champa !!
So finally you agree it was a political coup by your king. As I have mentioned many times before the king should gracefully retire. However, the hunger for power and money overrides everything else.
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ramona therese fernando / November 4, 2018
Oh, come off your high horse Champa. The national democracy quotient of Ranil’s parliament was ZERO! The proportionate votes per electorate + the preferential votes + the back door of the national list + the IMF bribes to buy them over = ZERO for democratic rights of the people. Let them first determine that, when they convene parliament! Obvious isn’t it, Karu Jayasuria’s hesitancy to take the part of the flawed parliament over the democratic rights of the people.
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bert / November 5, 2018
Thanks so much for your article.You comment will absorb only by Patriots not by murderers, drug dealers and rapists. Its so sad you find very few decent people in SriLanka. I was preparing to resettle back in SriLanka .Now I changed my mind and decided to spend the rest of my life here.
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SJ / November 4, 2018
Dr GS
My chief consolation is that your understanding of issues is generally shallow and often wrong.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / November 4, 2018
SJ, wait and see before castigating others. You have no courage to write in your name though it is well known who you are, because it is your understanding that is shallow and you will be called a fool..
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SJ / November 4, 2018
Dr GS
Whether I write in my name or not is the issue. This is a place for views, and I stop at that.
Sadly, and at times gladly, what appears in your name often goes over the top and misses out on reality.
I admire your courage though to say such things.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / November 4, 2018
I have always called a spade a spade and have no hidden agendas. Diplomacy of not speaking out the truth is only cheating oneself and does not go a long way.
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SJ / November 5, 2018
Do not flatter yourself.
Calling a spade a spade does not mean that what is said is true.
Besides, there are imagined spades and deliberately ignored spades.
People obsessed with any form of narrow identity cannot see reality. It is a kind of emotional condition.
Being a medic, you may understand what I mean
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edwin rodrigo / November 4, 2018
Dosthara Gnana, I agree with you. Karu seems to want to have the cake and eat it too.
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We blamed Vijayakala for voicing her concerns about the integrity of the Sinhala Politicians and wishing that Tigers were in charge. I did not like her at that time for saying so. But I have changed my mind. Now I see her as a Joan of Arc.
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The Sinhala politicians including Ranil are a good for nothing lot. I place 50% of the blame for the present situation on Ranil. If he wants to be a saint that is up to him. But he must remember that a politician cannot be a saint at the same time. He has to choose between the two. By not doing that, he has brought us all in to this situation, where the stability of the country is severely affected and we are standing at the door of chaos and anarchy.
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On the other hand, what are the great revolutionists JVP doing? Instead of taking a strong position either way, they want to sit on the fence, lecturing us.
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So do you blame me when I say that I miss Prabha, very much?
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shankar / November 4, 2018
jayasuriya has said that the president told him he can convene the parliament on the 7th.That is good enough for him and he can go ahead and do it.No need for gazettes and all the jargon.
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Ajith / November 4, 2018
Shankar,
President told the nation publicly why he came of out Mahinda in 2015. He repeatedly told people he will only serve one term. He is worse than Mahinda now in dictatorship, misuse of power and corruption. They are now in the process of bribing and billions are exhange already and trillians to follow within this week. There may be assasinations and murders could be possibily until to get that number. Once they are confident of numbers then they will call the parliament and they will prove that is democracy and arrest all Tamil MPs who did not support Mahinda. Then there democracy, their rule of law, their justice will follow as it before. Then there will be celebrations with Kiribath and Mahinda become King of Buddha.
Unless there is a people rebellion, you cannot stop Buddhist Fundamentalism destroying this land.
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K A Sumanasekera / November 4, 2018
Oh Boy,,,,,This is getting serious.
Dr Ranil calls the AFP from TT ,and warns that A Blood Bath is imminent if he is holed up any longer.
This is serious.
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Tens of thousands of UNP Supporters are surrounding the TT in rotating shifts, according the Economynext.
Dr Ranil warns the international Community that the Blood Bath will be inflicted by the Desperate People..
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Now who are these desperate people…
Pohottuwa is not desperate anymore,, Are they?
SLFP Sira Party is neither.
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That leaves the UNP. JVP, TNA NGOS, FF , Damila Amila, Ponseka, Hirunika and Kudu Mervin in that order…
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Now my question is whether the UNP as a “Whole Fruit” ( Gediya piting) desperate” ?
Is the UNP Sinhala Buddhist Faction which was lead by the current Speaker and his Apprentice from Keselwatta desperate?.
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I know Uncle Karu the speaker, has been turning every stone to protect Dr Ranil and hoist him on to the PM seat.
But I haven’t seen or heard from Keselwatta Kid .
Is he coming or has he come.. is the big question.
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vini / November 4, 2018
Sumanasekera:
Leaving aside the blood-bath problem for a moment, are these UNP supporters at TT have enough toilet facilities?
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JD / November 4, 2018
This is all over reactions. What Ranil, while inside the Temple Trees, always say, DRAG me out of the temple tgrees by feet or let me bethe PArty leader even i the next govt. ITis all the Tele-Evangelists, civil Society aka Open society, INGOs are mourning and Groaning. Even the Ambassadors from G7 + Allied countries say we just inquired the Speaker whether everything is OK with them and we did not discuss anything about sending peace keeping forces.
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Sharmini Serasinghe / November 4, 2018
Well done, Rasika Jayakody!
You have rightfully put Speaker Karu Jayasuriya on the spot.
It is now up to him and him alone to uphold the democratic rights of the people and protect the supremacy of Parliament.
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Thappu / November 4, 2018
Rasika Jayakody , I recall reading your articles with enthusiasm. I cannot say the same of this one.
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The start itself is a blatant untruth. We have had democracy, no doubt. Who in his sane mind would call it ‘Sri Lanka’s proud history of Parliamentary democracy’? When did we do anything proud in the House?
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And you continue, unabated. ‘The ousted Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, has defied the President’s order and continues to occupy the official residence of the Prime Minister’. Why do you call RW the ousted? Can a President oust a PM? Doesn’t he owe the House its decorum? As a PM, wouldn’t you have defied it?
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Continuing further you say, ‘There have been shocking revelations of attempts to bribe parliamentarians into switching allegiance’. What was shocking about that? Wasn’t the prorogation to facilitate exactly that? Isn’t Sri Lanka a paradise for parliamentarians switching allegiance?
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Subsequently, you have brought about sanity to your piece.
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Amarasiri / November 4, 2018
Rasika Jayakody
RE; Parliamentary Democracy At Peril: Karu Left With Two Options
“Sri Lanka’s proud history of Parliamentary democracy is now at peril with President Maithripala Sirisena grossly violating the constitution by appointing a Prime Minister who has failed to demonstrate a Parliamentary majority”
The real problem is Sirisena bypassing the Parliament, that is elected by the people, that is supreme is a Republic So, the speaker has two options.
1 Give a deadline to the President, to issue a notification that the Parliament will convene well before the 16th of November, arbitrarily, unilaterally and unconstitutionally decided by Sirisena, or
2. Ignore, Sirisena, and convene well before the 16th of November and say that the the Constitution gives the speaker gives these powers under special circumstances
So, the speaker needs to shoot, yes shoot.
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Goowimele / November 4, 2018
Wrong! We are not all party supporters. We are there to safeguard democracy. From Sirisena , a defeated twice despot and the likes of SB dishonest to the core and rejected by the people.
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Amarasiri / November 4, 2018
Goowimele,
The issue is not Ranil or Sirisena.. The issue is the Constitution and the separation of powers of the President and the Parliament. Ranil and Sirisena are just actors, in the current Constitution Drama. Both are after their self-interest, but on this one, Ranil , the speaker and the Parliament are on the correct side, as the Parliament is supreme in a Republic.
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clean slate / November 4, 2018
What are the TWO alternatives?
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Manel / November 4, 2018
It is a shame the parliament will be packed with those who have sold their souls to the Devil. It does not bode well for Sri Lanka to have leaders who have been “bought”.
Have they no dignity or self respect? Shouldn’t they follow the constitution, and do what is right for the country, and not what is right for their deep pockets.
Shameless lot.
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chiv / November 4, 2018
If Lankans , and current parliament do the right thing then it may turn out to be the real revolution .but history says other wise .
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Steve / November 4, 2018
“All eyes are now on Jayasuriya to see if he will navigate the troubled waters and uphold the rights of all citizens, without succumbing to pressure, intimidation and manipulation”.
Hope and pray the Speaker succeeds and will have a special place not only in the history of Sri Lanka but in the hearts of all peace loving people. What the country needs at the moment is “people power” to topple an illegitimate government.
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Tiffany / November 4, 2018
Solution to crisis: President has said if Ranil wins majority in parliament, he will quit. Let Ranil get the majority and become PM once again. If Maithripala quits, by majority Ranil becomes the President. Prime Minister post falls vacant. All MPP get together and appoint Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse as Prime Minister. Both UNP and SLPP get together and form a government. Majority Buddhist some tamils and Muslims also support President Rajapakse. Mahinda Rajapakse can address nation and say that Tamil problem has to be solved. The Sinhala majority has trust in Mahinda Rajapakse and the will listen to him. We cannot allow the country to suffer. All communities must get together. Come to an understanding and hold provincial council elections. Ranil must step down. He has lost the trust of all UNP supporters. If Ranil steps down appoint Karu or Sajith as president for time being till next Presidential elections. Sajith can lead UNP at nest General elections.Sack all all Ministers and MPp who crossed over for financial gains and ministerial posts from future political activity. GOD SAVE SRI LANKA. ALLah save Lanka.
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shankar / November 4, 2018
tiffany
brilliant,but one hitch.Have you seen mahinda’s bum.Huge and voluptuous.Can ranil resist is as the president for one and half years?Will mahinda tolerate it for one and half years? Hmmmmm. anything is possible in sri lankan politics.mahinda might grin and bear it till the presidential election in 2020 for the sake of his siblings and kids.
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Native Vedda / November 4, 2018
Tiffany
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“Tamil problem has to be solved”
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By the way when did it become a Tamil problem?
It has been and still is a Sinhala/Buddhist problem, imposed on rest of the people, including, Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Christians, …………………..
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“The Sinhala majority has trust in Mahinda Rajapakse and the will listen to him. “
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Are you saying Sinhala Majority has no morals, gullible, …. stupid supporting a habitual human rights violator, a crook, a looter, a war criminal, enjoyed impunity, ……………… money launderer, bribing to rig elections and parliament, …………
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You should start thinking before you start typing.
Are you in a hurry to award him another doctorate?
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Asoka / November 4, 2018
OK RANIL WILL SHOW THE MAJORITY OF THE PARLIAMENT THEN HE WILL BECOME AGAIN PM, CAN HE WORK WITH PRESIDENT SIRISENA?
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Adham / November 4, 2018
With regard to Asoka statements, working together by the duo MS & RW will give a try. Nothing is lost, they can remarry without conditions.
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Colombege / November 4, 2018
Is the Audio inviting A UNP member that is circulated authentic ?
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LANKA Nitizen / November 4, 2018
Who cares what politicians and their proxies plot and play .
What matters is to see if there is really any group out there willing to sincerely offer humanitarian services unconditionally ,that is without one having to give up what they believe in ..
Yes there is one such organization, they have always been there,
Its The Salvation Army , from providing shelter to the destitute,home for elders ,safe heaven for the abused and life in threat ,orphans, affordable hostels for young women and the mature Hope at The Hope house for the physically disabled and ,much more .
And now to safe water needed desperately, as I know this is the one and only Religious organization that reaches out to all people without asking them to compromise their beliefs .
God bless all of you at the Salvation Army .
You have once again served God by serving man.
Heart to God and hand to man.
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|Sampath / November 4, 2018
Karu Jayasooriya the speaker of parliament of Sri Lanka is playing cheap politics in favor of MS and MR is visible here.
The delay in announcing the date of convening the parliament even after shown 119 members demand and referring it is the president to convene is itself indicates that karu is behind whom.
Shame of Karu the speaker of the parliament of Sri Lanka
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justice / November 4, 2018
Karu Jayasuriya was a commissioned officer in the army.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karu_Jayasuriya
Is he being pressured by the armed forces who were pampered and glorified by Mahinda Rajapakse.
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Colombege / November 4, 2018
All Ranil needs to do if ye has any wisdom left in him is simple.
All he has to do is handover the UNP leadership to someone , like Karu ,Sajith or Navin Dissanayake , in no time even the Slfp MPs will leave their minister posts and cross over but Ranil will never ,the older some of our Politicians become more greedier for power they become ,it’s not about Replacing Ranil from Premiership, The politicians want to see a new leadership in the UNP .
If he does not,you can be sure he will loose both positions ,PM as well as UNP leadership.
His last hope .
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Real Revolutionist / November 4, 2018
1. How can a president consult a speaker who has been displaying partiality towards the ruling party since the very beginning?
It’s a known fact that when opposition member raised a question, the 1st thing this speaker would do was looking @ PM’s face.
2. Correctly or incorrectly the constitutionality of sacking the PM is interpreted but is it ethical to let one who’s strongly believed to be involved in bond scam after gaining the so called mandate; in power?
3. What’s the validity of respecting that mandate?
4. GG govt. was formed to go together; the president & the PM but when credibility lost uncharismatic PM attempt to overshadow the president, what’s left for the president other than sacking him?
5. Is it the 1st time the house was prorogued by a president? President Premadasa prorogued the house for 3 months after the impeachment was accepted by the then speaker.
Presently it just for 21 days.
6. What’s the best option to respect democracy @ this juncture of the country other than going for fresh mandate?
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hancho pancha / November 4, 2018
MS has put the Self before the State. The Disaster that is waiting to happen is much greater than that caused by the Tsunami of 2002. The destruction that has already taken place under MR by his Band of thieves, murderers, rapists, swindlers, kidnappers etc., etc., makes the Bond Scam minuscule or almost to disappear. This is an immoral and a selfish act by MS solely to protect his own Plate putting the entire country in great jeopardy.
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Taraki / November 4, 2018
‘There have been shocking revelations of attempts to bribe parliamentarians into switching allegiance
Is the writer really shocked? This has been going on for decades. In a real democracy most of our politicians would be serving long prison sentences.
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Ananada / November 4, 2018
Sad to note that the President and Mahinda do not have the backbone to prove that Mahinda has majority. In any country when there is a dispute as to who has the majority a vote in the Parliament is held. Why not in Sri Lanka? Why are Mahinda and the President so scared to call the Parliament for the 7th? Budget can be delivered only by a legitimate government, to prove it a vote proving the majority should be held. This alone proves that Mahinda has no majority and to that extent he is an ILLEGAL PRIME MINISTER. Next step is for Ranil to impeach the President. Mahinda is so desperate to save himself, his wife, his children, his brother, his brother in law and Daisy Aunty from the grip of the arms of the law he swallowed the pill given by Maithree.
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Lanki / November 4, 2018
Has anyone clearly evaluated the loss Sri Lankans would face in case Mahinda is confirmed by Parliament as the Prime Minister? Lets see what would happen. US, EU, Canada, and few countries including some middle eastern countries would impose Trade Embargo on SL. They will also impose travel ban against the President. PM, and Ministers. USA has informed Gota and Basil that they will be taken to task as no US Citizen can be involved in a coup in a foreign country. USA has stopped the grant they offered for transport development. IMF has stopped the agreed loan. Iran oil embargo will be strictly imposed by USA so that SL cannot get oil from Iran. The result of all these would be felt by the average Sri Lankans.
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Levi / November 4, 2018
Asoka
Don’t Worry MS has promised to resign if RW is made the Prime Minister. I am sure That The “Gentleman will Stick to his Word
Levi
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Ravi / November 4, 2018
I cannot believe Rajapaksas who are respected is playing this game with nations betrayer Sirisena
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sellam / November 4, 2018
The politics and the politicians is Sri Lanka are smelling foul . If a person who contests either for a parliamentary seat or a local council seat and the people reject them, the government in power nominates them to the parliamentary seat or local seat. This is Sri Lankan Politics. Bribery is open to buy and sell politicians. Is it democracy?
President Sirisena says that he acted according to the constitution is sacking Ranil Wickremasinghe from the premiership and many support him whereas Ranil Wickremasinghe says that the President Sirisena has violated the constitution and many support him as well.
Sri Lanka is stinking in all communities.
Who is correct? No one knows.. It is clear the politicians in Sri Lanka do no know how to draft a constitution for the country.
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parakum / November 5, 2018
This is what happen when a Gate Keeper becomes the RULER.
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Sanjeewa / November 5, 2018
Just can’t stop laughing by reading this ‘ the country is now on the verge of an unprecedented public unrest’ perhaps the writer is so clueless about RW’s popularity or he may be living outside SL who doesn’t seem to understand how the average Sri Lankan behaves when it comes to RW. Whether ousting of RW was constitutional or not is a different matter. There was absolute need to get rid of him even before this thing happened. There would not be a country to live in if he continued as the PM for another year or so. With his rainbow gang, he slowly yet surely was ensuring the country was going into deep crisis & darkness without any hope. And RW was so democratic that he did not even bother to hold provincial council elections for years. And he happily allowed his best friend to rob the CB in a day light robbery. It is astonishing to see how the constitution made by JR & then UNP in 1978 now works as a boomerang having an unbelievable impact on the same party. Karu J is not worried about democracy but his son in law. He knows if RW is defeated, Sajith will no doubt take over the helm of the party & Navin has next to nothing chance of becoming the leader. That is what motivates him right now nothing else. whatever his situation, he can’t overrule the executive president under any circumstances. That is how it is enacted.
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kali / November 5, 2018
Parliamentary DEmocracy at Peril.
As a Tamil it is of no interest to us as how it affects the majority. But the way it has an impact on Tamils is of enormous interest and a concern to us with serious consequences. But MS”s action in depsoing RW and installing MR is highly beneficial to us. Both MS & RW were playing games to fool the International Cmmunity by playing LIP service and now that has backfired terribly. In my view what the TNA should do is abstain from being the King Maker and let the Sinkalams fight it out. . We have done that once and we have been betrayed. Sinkalams are using Tamils to advance their course. It was obvious from what Namal recently uttered when he said all the Tamil prisoners will be released to get the Tamil vote to regain power. So it is obvious that after so many years of incarceration there is light at the end of the tunnel because Mahintha the THUG wants to regain power . What an insult.
For me putting MR back in power will bring Indian encirclement of Sinhala Lanka that much more intense . It is already happening but it will be expedited with MR at the helm as Indian can at will limit Sinhala Lankas Sovereignty when her Security is threatened.
NANTHIKADAL has turned into HAMBANTHOTTAKADAL. What a turn up.
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Champa / November 5, 2018
To Rasika Jayakody.
Congratulations, to you!
Your article was very effective.
Look at Karu. Finally, he took “a decision” without being on the fence.
And it allowed me also to voice my opinion on the concerns raised by you..
Thank you!
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