By Sharmini Serasinghe –
Sharmini Serasinghe
Sri Lanka is politically bankrupt!
The two main players in Sri Lanka’s political arena – the UNP and the SLFP – have outlived their lifespan. Further, each time they form new coalitions and their identities and symbols are changed more frequently than their underwear, the average voter is left so utterly confused, they don’t know who the hell they are voting for anymore, because the UNP and the SLFP have vanished into oblivion. In fact, I had to do a Google search to locate the original SLFP symbol.
The JVP is still gasping for breath trying to recover from its notorious bloodthirsty reputation earned in the late 80s for which their egos to date, have prevented them from apologising to the Sinhalese they threatened, targeted and massacred. The TNA has no chance in hell of ever forming a government. Hence like a game of chess and it’s your turn to move, whichever way you look the alternatives are sorry losers. At every single election the voter is faced with a Hobson’s choice. The youth – the future of Sri Lanka – are so fed up they don’t bother to vote at any election anymore.
Eran Wickramaratne, Mangala Samaraweera, Harsha de Silva, and M. A. Sumanthiran, you gentlemen are our ONLY saviours. The time has come for you to break away from the politically bankrupt parties you belong to, and become NOT the 3rd force but the first and MAIN political force in Sri Lanka. If you do, you can be assured that the crème de la crème of patriotic professionals with integrity who have so far refrained from entering the currently vile political arena will not hesitate to join you. We the patriots of Sri Lanka will back you to the hilt. That, we assure you!
You gentlemen politicians are our ONLY hope to take our country out of this dark abyss we are spiraling into and take it forward towards a better future. You owe it to us and the future generations of Sri Lanka. You gentlemen are currently in your 50s and early 60s, hence you have to do it NOW before it’s too late because if you don’t, no one else can or will.
The future of our country is entirely in your hands!
As long as you continue to hang on to the respective parties you belong to at present, the so called ‘seniors’ will never give you your due place. The party leadership will continue to favour their favorites until they drop dead of old age. By which time, you too will be old men.
The time is now, for you to move out of the ‘family owned business’ of political parties we have been plagued by for so long. Never forget, they will always give priority to their descendants, relatives and lackeys. We need to get out of that vicious cycle. We desperately need an alternate choice at the ballot which includes the best of the very best professionals with integrity who will put our country first, like you Eran and Harsha did by sacrificing your lucrative careers for the sake of our country. You gentlemen are true patriots. However none of those capable young people with great potential will ever think of joining forces with you, as long as you are stuck in the now extremely unpopular UNP with its pig-headed leadership.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, to say you are a loser is an understatement. Many of us fought like hell to give you the second chance you got, but you don’t seem to have learnt your lesson, have you? You may be a gentleman but you have proved to be an utter disaster as a leader over and over again. Please remain in the UNP and take it down with you along with your ‘friends’, lackeys and crooks because you have singlehandedly destroyed the UNP with your – stubborn as a mule – attitude and there is nothing left of it. You cannot afford to point fingers at others when you yourself are harbouring, pampering and favouring blatant crooks who are ONLY interested in filling their pockets and to hell with the country. And what’s more, you are damn well aware of it. That makes you an accomplice to blatant robbery of our country, Mr. Prime Minister.
I including many others who were once diehard supporters of the UNP are fed to the back of our teeth with your political leadership. Come the next election, I rather spoil my vote than vote for you. NEVER again!
This damn nonsense has to end and it has to end NOW before you old fogies clinging on to power like it is your birthright drag our country down to the bottom of the pit. We Sri Lankans who voted for you will NOT take this lying down ANYMORE!
Nelum / December 20, 2018
Disgusting choices for the new cabinet. No future for Sri Lanka. RW must have so many skeletons in the closet to be so spineless.
/
Nimal Fernando / December 20, 2018
By appointing Ravi K back, this is the beginning of the END for Ranil and the UNP. How the hell did the President allow this crook Ravi K back?
I am a 58 years old retired employee. There are tens of thousands of retired people in Sri Lanka like me whose one and only income to buy our daily bread is the interest they receive from the bank for investing our hard earned EPF/ETF. This crook Ravi K imposed a 5% Tax on our poor income and he is being cursed by almost all the retired people. Why did Ranil give Enterprise Development and Power and Energy to this crook? How did the president allow this? This crook will again suck all our poor peoples money by increasing taxes and unit rates.
Please remove these important positions from this crook and give him something like developing the jungles and ponds, otherwise he will definitely make sure that the UNP will lose very badly at the next election.
/
nimal fernando / December 20, 2018
This is the other nimal fernando (no capital letters) with the borrowed name. :))
–
–
The Lankan political set-up (electoral system) is such it produces weak governments (even Mahinda’s government was very weak from 2005 to 2010 with JVP having most of the MPs.)
–
Add to that the inherent weakness in Ranil’s character as a leader …….. he in mightily compromised and beholden to all these crooks. If he wants to have any sort of power/position he has to give all these devils their due.
–
It’s either that or Sirisena/Mahinda will have their 113.
–
It’s a balancing act on a tightrope.
–
As a natural Machiavellian schemer ……… Ranil is quite adept at it.
–
It’s not an ideal situation ………. but that’s the unfortunate reality.
/
Sinhala_Man / December 20, 2018
No problem, nimal!
.
There was no danger of confusion in your case.
.
Sometimes there is an attempt to deliberately confuse. The one that became the most hilarious was this, involving me in a big way:
.
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/bbc-bars-azzam-ameen-from-media-conferences-and-political-interviews/
.
It elicited responses of this sort:
.
Manel Fonseka / August 25, 2018
.
“I am shocked by you, Sinhala man.”
.
That “SinhalaMan” may actually have been authentic, but very different from me in outlook. He made just one appearance after that; must have assumed a different pseudonym.
.
She had posted it immediately she saw it, but it fell to the bottom of a huge pile of comments. The said Manel I know to be a delightful old lady whom I have never had the pleasure of meeting.
.
In this case, there can be no doubt that the other Nimal is a genuine man; so are you, but I can’t imagine you being humble government pensioners like Nimal and you.
.
You are too independent and cosmopolitan, but a capital guy, whom I greatly admire!
/
nimal fernando / December 20, 2018
SM,
–
Nimal Fernando is a long term commentator in the forum. He has been in the forum much longer than me (nimal fernando.)
–
In fairness to him I just made the distinction. Neither one of have tried to impersonate the other.
/
Sinhala_Man / December 21, 2018
Thanks, nimal fernando.
.
But of course, you are the guy who makes more comments.
.
By the way, that typo of mine is obvious, isn’t it? It’s Nimal and me who are pensioners. Important correction: I get a monthly pension. Nimal has invested EPF/ETF monies in FDs or Shares. Banks now pay 15% on the first 1.5 million in FDs, but with the rupee steadily depreciating that means little. Yahapalanaya made a huge mistake increasing all State salaries by 10K in January 2015. I don’t really resent that our pensions went up by only 1K. Inevitable that with an aging population senior citizens cannot really be supported “in style”.
.
We’re still much better off than the “ignorant poor” – the sort who desperately buy lottery tickets, and believe that private insurance firms are involved in “humanitarian operations”.
.
And below that are the people caught up in the debt trap. A guy like Harin Fernando’s father would be charging about 30% per month; a dozen times what a Bank would.
.
With the rupee falling the way it is, inflation is going to be the major concern. Not now; when the elections have come and gone.
.
I’m not really curious to know what your background is. Your comments make sense. I give so much of my background partly because my situation is so odd.
.
For some time I’ve been annoyed by a guy who calls himself Kumar R. That’s when I try to talk about what’s happening in Jaffna – a place I know little of, so I shouldn’t mind his resentment I guess.
/
nimal fernando / December 21, 2018
SM,
–
“With the rupee falling the way it is, inflation is going to be the major concern.”
–
In SL it’s going to get worse for sure. Unfortunately not many “emerging” countries are immune. That’s where the economic cycle is now ……. after years of low interest-rates …….in some countries – Japan, Switzerland, ….. – the interest-rates went negative. They took money off you to keep your money in the bank!
–
Count yourself lucky to get 15% in SL!! :)) ……… thank your lucky stars that you have financial wiz-kids like Mahinda (who can bring down the dollar with his shawls and painted-up sorcery) Ranil, Ravi, Mangala, Bundula, ……… We are truly blessed! Pity the other countries!
–
For a layman there is an easily accessible info about inflation/Gold/Money in chapter 14 of “Stocks for the Long Run” — Jeremy J. Siegel. You should be able to borrow it from a local library or download it as a .pdf file from the web.
–
At the moment I’m researching some books for my kids to learn this stuff without wasting a lot of time. …….. just professional qualifications can take kids only so far ….. these days
/
old codger / December 21, 2018
Nimal F,
“At the moment I’m researching some books for my kids to learn this stuff without wasting a lot of time.”
Each generation carries on as merrily as its predecessors. If we all lived 200 year, we might learn a little!
You don’t seem to realize that the Dollar itself has fallen against itself. Gold used to be $35 an ounce, and a new car $750.
“in some countries – Japan, Switzerland, ….. – the interest-rates went negative.” Our Paradise is catching up fast. Did you know that Banks here charge Rs. 200 a MONTH if your current a/c falls below 15,000?
/
nimal fernando / December 22, 2018
OC,
–
“You don’t seem to realize that the Dollar itself has fallen against itself. Gold used to be $35 an ounce, and a new car $750.”
–
True. From the day currencies were taken off the “gold standard” almost all currencies have depreciated over the years.
–
But the recent depreciation of currencies of “emerging” countries is different; these currencies are depreciating against the US$. The US is coming off quantitative-easing and tightening the supply of “easy money” to ward off the threat of inflation to their economy. They are doing it in 2 ways ……. increasing the interest rate ……… and reducing the assets in their books to the tune of 50 billion a month. Upshot of all that is the demand for the US$ goes up ……. the price of anything in demand goes up.
–
For “emerging” countries the danger is …….. not only they have to pay a higher interest rate for their US$-denominated borrowings ………. but have to convert their diminished/diminishing currencies to pay it.
–
For example, if SL borrowed US$1000 in 2014 at US$1 = SLR130 and got SLR 130,000 ……… to pay back that loan of $US1000 today in 2018 ( US$1 = SLR 180 ) SL have to collect SLR180,000 in whatever form. Roughly 40% more, in just 4 years.
–
/
Sinhala_Man / December 21, 2018
nimal,
That 15% for 1.5 million: only for senior citizens. Banks are re-reimbursed by the State.
.
Thanks for the tip.
.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stocks_for_the_Long_Run
.
I appreciate your sincerity. I’m unlikely to dabble in stocks – no money for that, but you’ve been kind to share what you know.
.
We need to use libraries more than now seems to be the case. Let me hope that others will also begin to realise that we have to take more responsibility for our lives.
/
nimal fernando / December 22, 2018
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
/
nimal fernando / December 23, 2018
SM,
–
I tried to give you a link to a piece written by Warren Buffett. I recon it’s against the forum policy to give links.
–
Just google for “The Superinvestors of Graham-and-Doddsville” its published by Columbia Bussiness School.
/
Nimal Fernando / December 21, 2018
Sinhala_Man
I retired from service at the age of 56. Now I am 58, the bank does not consider me as a senior citizen. Only those who are above 60 is considered as senior citizen. Out of the 11% interest I receive on monthly basis (our only income) from the EPF/ETF monies that I have invested in Fixed Deposit, the Ranil/Ravi/Mangala government takes 5% back as tax from April this year. Until the last election, I voted for UNP, NOT ANYMORE, NEVER AGAIN.
/
Sinhala_Man / December 22, 2018
Dear Nimal,
.
I’m all sympathy -and much older! However, let’s be realistic. We humans, on the whole, live much longer, and we have an aging population being supported by a working population. Right now fewer children have to be supported; but what that means is that thirty years from now (when statisticians will tell you that you are likely to be still around), the situation would have aggravated further.
.
This is true world wide; getting even more starkly apparent in developed societies. “Retireees” are in somewhat better health than corresponding people were fifty years back, and are being forced to work. This is what happens when we interfere with “Nature”; no, not owing to birth control, but owing to prolonging life, which, by itself we would normally see as good. That is theoretical!
.
However, here, what I understand is, the government has done recently is to “borrow” from the EPF, and invest dangerously. Some of these things are not really clear to me.
.
However, about the tax that you pay: that doesn’t bring 11% down to 6%, does it? On each 1K invested you would get Rs 110/=, correct? You would then be taxed 5% of the Interest; that is Rs 5.50, isn’t it?
.
It’s not that I don’t sympathise; it’s just that we’ve got to know what we are protesting about.
.
My view is that the “really bad days” have yet to come. The whole of 2019 will be an election year when we are made to feel comfortable. The really bad times will be upon us by about 2021 – with no prospect of improvement.
.
We could START reducing spending on armed forces: those cuts usually have to spread over a number of years.
.
I’m sorry that I am THAT pessimistic.
/
Sinhala_Man / December 23, 2018
Dear Nimal,
.
Chandra Jayaratne is a man who has impressed me immensely – going entirely on what I read. This may not be directly related to the problem you are facing, but there are people like this who are concerned, and understand the issues better than me:
.
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/chandra-calls-on-labour-minister-to-inquire-into-effectiveness-of-epf-bond-investments/
.
These past few days, I’ve been wanting to comment on a recent article by him:
.
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/if-the-new-regime-fails-in-upholding-democratic-good-governance-society-will-bark-loud-bite/
.
This is the sort of man who will be invaluable if our dream of a fairer tomorrow becomes a reality.
/
Manel Fonseka / December 20, 2018
Sinhala Man — I know I’m old but this is the first time I have been called an “old lady”!
That REALLY puts the tin lid on it!
I don’t suppose you’re an “old man” by any chance?
/
Sinhala_Man / December 21, 2018
Yes, Manel. I think of myself as old.
.
I think that Ranil ought to retire. I’m actually a bit older. A month older than Rajan Hoole, too.
.
I’m sorry if you resented that reference! The more important adjective is “delightful”.
/
Nimal Fernando / December 21, 2018
Thanks nimal!
/
desperate Sinhalaya / December 22, 2018
But the Problem Nimal, those potential candidates you aforementioned above have no voter base as RK has got. That is what matters to them. Why cant you get it ?
But I dont think YAKA THAT MUCH DARKER as is painted by Rajapakshe proxy propaganda in my home country.
I believe at least every second in that party of the world ( I live in EUorpe), is now well awaere of the facts in current day srilanka. Black media coverages were resposible for all teh mess created in the country since 26th Oct.
Just imagine, while president himself, has been endorsing that most known BANK bond scam should have started from 2008. And its losses are to be over 1000 billions or more.
And as reported by them, if info are right – just 10 billions were lost during the MS-RW good governance govt. And also this sum was frozen by CB as CURRENT CBG reiterated.
Then the question arises the huge sum 990 billlions, that should have gone lost since 2008 upto 2015 ( under the most abusive rule of Mahinda Rajakashe) is not even being caught by LOCAL media whenver they continue to attack Ranil Wickramasinghe.
Here as I roughy calculated, what is repeated by BLACK media within the country on a sum which is 1% out of all the losses while 99% of the losses are DELIBERATELY buried under the carpert or – nothing is being read in lanken PRINTED AND Visual media::
Is this at all fair ?
All these are calculated plans to TARNISH the image of UNP. I think THE ARCHITECT is none other than SIRISENA.
Very same man from the day one on has been DISHONEST. I know some attacks should be on RW but he is no THE DEVIL in this entire mess-up.
Please you guys study it … not being biased to anyone.
Thanks and happy holidays to you all !
/
Don Stanley / December 20, 2018
Oh please Sharmini, didn’t you know this would a happen?!
Bondscam Ranil and his robber barons are back to loot the long suffering people of Lanka.
The Elephant in the Room is not Beijing but Washington DC and Trumpland whose Economic Hit men provide policy “advice” to their puppet, RW and his gang of thieves.
Bondscam Ranil, who protected Mahinda Jarapassa for past 3 years, must be impeached for Financial Crimes against people of Lanka and for destroying the most important financial institution – the Central Bank of Sri Lanka- which is the reason for the Debt trap, lack of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and crashing Lankan rupee. Why has the IMF embargoed the PCOI Report for 30 years?!
Civil society must fight on – Time for general elections – Sira is less dangerous than Ranil
/
Native Vedda / December 20, 2018
Sharmini Serasinghe
–
“Eran Wickramaratne, Mangala Samaraweera, Harsha de Silva, and M. A. Sumanthiran, you gentlemen are our ONLY saviours.”
–
This is what Harsha said just before the 2015 election
“I am a proud Southerner and a Sinhala Buddhist. I have no desire whatsoever to align with the Tigers and betray my country,”.
–
Does being a Southern Sinhala/Buddhist alone make him an intellectual, a successful politician, …………… give him the right to rule the rest of the people?
–
Forget morality, humanity and intellectualism (or preferably anti-intellectualism) what makes him a successful politician is his political identity as being a Southern Sinhala/Buddhist.
–
It is a tried and failed identity.
He ought to apologise for being insensitive to “others”.
In order to progress rapidly you need sophisticated leaders not only with sophisticated ideas but also sophisticated approach and outlook. It’s time politicians shed their parochial fascistic identities and deal with real issues and real people. Great potentials to be unleashed.
–
He also need experts who are not only knowledgeable in their fields but also be able to forsee the rapid changes in trade, manufacturing, communication, …… and keep up with world trends and beyond.
–
My Elders who are familiar with his presentations which were made to foreigners think most are childish. He needs good speech writers as well.
/
MNIN Perera (OTC) / December 20, 2018
Hind site is not a replacement for foresight.
–
Post SC ruling, any govt with a majority can do any wrong with impunity because they are secure for 54 months. Neither the Judiciary, nor the Executive nor the Sovereign People can do anything short of mutiny to stop them.
–
The Pied Piper UNP leadership, played the “Safeguard Democracy” Tune.
The Gullible followers failed to recognize the sugar coated poison within.
–
We did not win democracy but surrendered it unconditionally for 54 months, to a set of crooks who plundered our Central Bank! It was plain naivete to believe Ranil who gave personal guarantees and sham investigations to protect these crooks
–
According to the Constitution, power resides with the people. But the trash the people rejects are brought back in the National List with scant disregard to the peoples wishes. Perhaps post 19A SC ruling, this can be challenged as a violation of the people’s fundamental rights.
/
MNIN Perera (OTC) / December 21, 2018
Hind site is not a replacement for foresight!!!
–
Post SC ruling, any govt with a majority can do any wrong with impunity because they are secure for 54 months. Neither the Judiciary, nor the Executive nor the Sovereign People can do anything short of mutiny to stop them.
–
The Pied Piper UNP leadership, played the “Safeguard Democracy” Tune.
The Gullible followers failed to recognize the sugar coated poison within.
–
We did not win democracy but surrendered it unconditionally for 54 months, to a set of crooks who plundered our Central Bank! It was plain naivete to believe Ranil who gave personal guarantees and sham investigations to protect these crooks
–
The Constitution states that the people are Sovereign. But the trash the people rejects are brought back in the National List OVER RULING the sovereign. How this escapes the attention of the learned legal fraternity and the intelligentsia is inexplicable.
Perhaps post the latest 19A SC ruling, the SC will hold it as an infringement of our Sovereign rights, by a Parliament that is subordinate to the Sovereign people but thinks and acts otherwise.
–
The same would apply to any MP that would prostitute the Sovereign peoples mandate that they don’t own to sell but is held in trust.
–
/
Bunjappu / December 21, 2018
Dear Ms Serasinghe,
I am a diehard fighter for democracy but living out of the country for the last few decades. And I am not a political party sympathizer but would stand behind democracy and human rights. This has been my nature during the last two decades. Be them relevant to lanken tamils, muslims or sinahalese, I have contributed myself protecting our rights. We are born Buddhists, I now cant see, that lankens in general would respect real buddhist teachings based on non-violence. Not even 10% among so called BUDDHAGAMA promoters would respect LB’s non-violence practices. Those who are the KING criminals are the ones we are compelled to see as frequent worshipers to the temples (e.g every other day, Rajapakashe rascals are seen either in Buddhist temples or local courts).
Honestly saying, my respect to you Ms Serasinghe, became thousand times more after I happened to watch a Video in which I found your articulation was above anyone else’s. Your fearless statements made by you on a public rally held against 52-day Rajapakshe-Sirisena constitutional conspiracy went viral across the country and globe. I was there so proud of you. You represented our own opinion. That then opened the eyes of those passive srilankens that just behave indifferent regardless of any grave thing the nation would face. It is one of the key characteristics of our multi-cultural nation. Until they themselves would become part of the ones being gunned down, the masses would not even take them serious. I think that has lot to do with the lanken culture. Also we became evident that the conflict in lanken society is between two main groups; the civilized against the uncivilized. Latter is clear to anyone if you would please closely study the comments being added by sinahla commenters to YOU TUBE info video. They don’t care about the contents about the message, their filthy language being abused by those commenters (over 90%)
/
Bunjappu / December 21, 2018
Please accept my heart-felt gratitude to your brave performance during Yukthiya rally– I have never seen the kind of brave act by anyone so far.
Now turning to your current article:
I don’t think it is fair you or anyone else just being based EXCLUSIVELY on local news items to point the finger at PM specially not studying current situation profoundly. The conspiracy made by MS-MR is believed to be a result of a long plan SET by them for such a long time.
I now have no doubt, RW was a victim in that MS-RW good governance govt. Now we have sufficient proof materials. With the GOOG governance govt came into being, they curtailed allocations permitted to propaganda. This was a good step but that unfortunately, hugely affected on the govt, since much of good work achieved by that govt did not outreach masses, specially living in rural corners of the country.
Alone the Bank Bond Scam was repeated by SIRASA from dawn to dusk going by their political Agenda which was mainly focused on the tarnish the image of Ranil W. Now if anyone would study the whole BOND scam issue, will become clear that the loss made by 3.5 year govt was just 1% of all the losses. President himself endorsed that BOND scam has been continuing from 2007 and 2008. And according to president the losses should have been over 1000 billions (meaning over 990 billions should have been occurred during 2008- 2015). That means over 99% of losses are being INTENTIONALLY buried by MAIN stream media while 1 % is focused to fulfill the image polishing campaign of SIRISENA-Rajakahse without any shame.
I have thousands of questions as to why Lanken media all along misled people this way :
This is the story behind the recent MS-MR constitutional/govt coup- the background was created by private TV news channel -SIRASA nobody else
/
Its time to change / December 20, 2018
time to turn heads towards Rohan Pallewatta. Do your research and lets make a change for once in our lives
/
Sinhala_Man / December 20, 2018
Who is Rohan Pallewatte?
.
PART ONE
.
There is this retired Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, Dr W.A. Wijewardena, who keeps writing disciplined and carefully researched articles about the Economy. He also seems to spend a good deal of time searching for the people who could make a seminal contribution to our society. He had written this:
.
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/rohan-pallewatta-man-who-has-proved-that-sri-lanka-can-also-do/
.
I have not met Pallewatte or Nagananda Kodituwakku. Both Ben Hurling and I have called upon those two to join forces in our comments there. The four names mentioned by Ms Serasinghe are also those of persons who have a reputation for honesty, and are known to the public. Add Imtiaz Bakeer Markar t that list. That’s important. I keep telling “Men in the Street” about Nagananda; unheard of by them. Sobhitha Thero was there the last time.
.
As for Dr Wijewardena, he’s often heard on panel discussions on T.V. in two languages. No political ambitions, but having noticed me making “neutral” comments he sought me out; yes, visited me at home, gave me some of his books that included English novels. We found that we were the same age. He had sat Syllabus B English at O. Levels, and failed. I had sat Syllabus A, and duly got my Credit. Younger people may not know what all this means. But see where hard work got Dr Wijewardena.
/
Sinhala_Man / December 20, 2018
PART TWO
.
Sharmini, I don’t agree with you about spoiling your vote. You can always find honest “no-hopers” to vote for. If I mention Vickremabahu (fine man), it’ll evoke too many irrelevant passions. Why not Wije Dias? Actually, he’s even less inclined to compromise, but he’s steered clear of trying to dialogue with the LTTE. I find that too many have heard of the more famous Bahu, and without one iota of reason, imagine him dangerous.
.
Never spoil a vote! Both Bahu and Wije Dias contested the Presidential Elections in 2010. How many know that you can vote for two such persons, and then, cast a vote for the less hateful “major candidate”? Try to get that message across. Of course, my vote mad no difference whatever to the final result. But the idea would have been cast the third vote for General Fonseka. I didn’t actually, thinking that a military man could hardly run a country. So, I “third-voted” for a guy named Suraweera, who died three months later – as predicted by him during his campaign.
.
http://www.lankaelection.com/presidential_election/2010/
.
Incidentally, I’ve heard that the JVP is getting overtaken by the Frontline Socialist Party.
.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frontline_Socialist_Party
.
“Peratugami” in Sinhalese. We’ve heard the name Kumar Guneratnam. Such racists we are here! He’s essentially Sinhalese speaking; his mother’s first language.
.
Yes, we have to do a lot of re-thinking. I hope that Nagananda sees this; he’s the guy who’s stuck his neck out of those who are not really Marxist Revolutionaries. I’m sure that many of us have nothing against them, but it requires a life-time of study!
/
Noel Berman / December 20, 2018
Couldn’t agree more with Sharmini. Men and women of integrity and ability want nothing to do with these parties. We desperately need a clean break from the past because reform is no longer possible. Who will come forward?
/
rbh / December 20, 2018
The future of our country is entirely in your hands///
The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership. Innovation drives economic growth. To keep on exploring. Bangladesh the country has diversified away from an agrarian to a more manufacturing-based economy with rapid growth in the ready-made garment industry. Still we are confuse in constructing constitutional directives.
/
Daham / December 20, 2018
Ranil’s newly appointed cabinet shows his mentality. So many oldies have been given another chance. Most of these oldies including John Amarathunga will need performance enhancers to perform well in what ever they do as “Cabinet Ministers”. Out of the three UNPers you have identified as savious , Eran Wickramaratne, Mangala Samaraweera, and Harsha de Silva , only Mangala has been appointed as a cabinet minister. Old Ranil is scared of appointing efficient intelligent educated younger people, a chracteristic of an inefficient leader.
/
glenniefernando / December 20, 2018
Drive the nail aright, boys.
Hit it on the head.
Shamini has done it with devastating force and captivating grace.
Bravo!
/
Thiru / December 20, 2018
I can understand Sharmini’s frustration with the 3rd grade politics in Sri Lanka today.
But let’s examine how we reached this pathetic state:
From independence the political leaders leading Sri Lanka went on the undemocratic path dividing the Sinhalese and the Tamils first. These facts remain vivid in the collective memory of Tamils, but Sinhalese, even the so-called enlightened Sinhalese writers like Sharmini might not acknowledge it.
There were massive violations of the human rights of Tamils in 1956, 1958, 1977, and the mother of all pogroms against Tamils in 1983. In all these ant-Tamil violations rule of law and justice did not exist for Tamils.
Muslims had their share of mass violations by the Sinhalese mobs instigated by the Mara forces.
The two JVP uprisings by affected Sinhalese youth to seek justice from the ruling Sinhalese elite were dealt with huge violations against Sinhalese youth. The massacres of Sinhalese youth were aided and abetted by external forces, in the name of democracy. The Sinhalese rulers didn’t bother to get to the bottom of the youth upheaval, reform the state and provide proper leadership for youth to look forward to prosperity.
Even today politicians of all colors are dealing with a law-breaking president and setting a new normal.
A few well-meaning ladies and gentlemen cannot set the society right. The society itself is corrupt at several levels. Furthermore, the society is easily roused in its emotions.
If some prominent demagogues today start an anti-Tamil slogan with false news and rumors, Sinhalese mobs will do the rest like they have been doing in the past seventy years.
To any settlement between the Sinhalese and Tamil communities the arch-racists marauding as Buddhist hierarchy will cry foul and destroy such moves.
/
MNIN Perera (OTC) / December 21, 2018
Thiru,
It all starts with inequitable demands.
–
All of us irrespective of race, colour or Religion have an equitable right for the resources of this country.
–
All of us should be able to freely live work and practice our religions wherever we live in Lanka.
_
Violate these and we have disharmony.
–
Now ask your conscience whether the demands made were Equitable, Just or Fair without resorting to the knee jerk reaction of blaming thy neighbor
/
vas / December 20, 2018
RW is a man that has sold his soul to the west like his uncle JRJ. He has nothing to offer the country except slavery.
/
Native Vedda / December 20, 2018
vas
–
“RW is a man that has sold his soul to the west like his uncle JRJ.”
–
Please give clarify with examples.
–
“He has nothing to offer the country except slavery.”
–
What is the alternative?
What does the alternative offer the country?
The country was in persistent slavery, only thing that happened is the Slave masters have changed in 1948 from White skinned to darker skinned.
/
Steve / December 20, 2018
Well said Sharmini, need not go far, look at the new cabinet.
/
Sandra Aponso / December 20, 2018
Well said agreed!
He will never learn.
Again Sagala, Malik, Marapana, Ameratunga given portfolios instead Range Bandara , Ajith perera
Sujeewa, Eran should have been given cabinet portfolios.
Harsha stop white washing Killi Maharaja the despicable Media Channel in Srilanka.
/
Tony Rodrigo / December 20, 2018
Hmm Sandra Spot On.
Destroy the cheap Media Coolies at Sirasa shakthi, Derana and Hiru these ass….es should be taught a devastating lesson.
/
Sinhala_Man / December 21, 2018
How to teach commercially funded media a lesson? Very few people read thoughtfully. It’ll get worse.
.
We will have basic literacy for all – just enough for the slave-majority to do a job. Just as slaves of old were given subsistence diet.
.
Real education only for about 1% of the people. The harder the less discerning try to creep in to the 1% of the controllers, the more surely will they become rats in the race. Technology per se is neither good nor bad; but it is inevitable that most will be led by their noses, but will not realise it.
.
I agree that in the “developed countries” a larger percentage have awareness. I feel that there is a connection there with much lower population growth, or actual decline.
.
We’re heading for a world in which the elite will smugly justify their exploitation of the Yahoos whom Gulliver encountered in his Fourth Voyage.
.
Tony, all I ever did was teach English – mostly in villages. Please don’t resent my comment that it is most unlikely that you read more than the first two voyages of Swift’s novel. To Lilliput and to Brobdingnag. There are other ways of getting wise, no doubt, than going to Laputa and Houyhnhnm-land. Also, we are so obsessed with European Literature; we know little of Chinese literature.
.
But I hope you get what I mean; and don’t imagine that all my life I’ve had a stream of students who came for “Literature” of “Wisdom”. Increasingly, these will become “minority-luxuries”, but necessary for the rulers.
.
The future need not necessarily resemble the past.
/
John / December 20, 2018
Sharmini,
You learnt it now ? After supporting Ranil & co during last 02 months ?
I too supported UNF + Sirisena to the hell-bent in 2015 until they won presidency, because of unprecedented corruption , misrule by MR & gang. However, I lost faith in Ranil 02 months later when I leant about Bondscam. Thereafter totally against UNF as they never lived up to expectations. No effort to punish MR govt corruption, joined hands with cronies of former govt & given protfolios. Bondscam ran multiple times over MR corruption & , RW was to hide them all. Added to that widespread corruption by almost all UNF ministers/ lead by likes of Malik, Sujeewa, Kiriella ( Knuckles mountain land scam) & more & more. They fogot why they were elected. Their corrupt deals surpassed those of Mr & gang.
I could not believe ahy these CT & bloggers worship UNP & try to save them when they were in trouble after Sirisena’s 26 oct action.
One thing is crystal clear all thee guys come to power to make money only, so why do we take any sides
/
K. C. John / December 20, 2018
Sharmini,
Your sentiments are shared by many, and that’s an understatement!
Please do add to your campaign that the terminology should also change. The word “Power” has to go. Otherwise, these idiot politicians think they are “coming into power”. The word “Power” makes them forget that they are voted in by the people, in order to serve the people.
Please also campaign for the terminology to be changed to: “Coming into office”.
That might deflate the egos sufficiently for many of the rogues to leave the fray and for true patriots (not the Rajapakse masquerader types) to join up to serve the country and her citizens.
/
S Samarajiwa / December 20, 2018
I agree with you on all counts. Parliamentatians should have a retiring age. They should NOT be elected for more than 2 terms. NO pension. Declare their assests when elected, and declare them when they retire after two terms. OR give a retiring age limit.
By the way don’t they body check these goons when they walk in to the holy of holies?
/
Sinhala_Man / December 21, 2018
Dear S. Samarajiwa,
.
You’re being too rigid. Study what Chandra Jayaratne says:
.
“At least 75% of them must be below 65 years of age and capable of assuring a line of succession in to the future.” I’ve promised to make a comment there – must do it.
.
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/if-the-new-regime-fails-in-upholding-democratic-good-governance-society-will-bark-loud-bite/
.
There will always be somebody objecting even to that; and not because of details like will they have to be below 65 at the beginning of the period. Fixed term elections are desirable for long term planning. No dissolution before five years, but here we have to keep astrologers happy, so 54 months. Women to constitute at least 25% is a step in the right direction. But how difficult to get these measures to stick. See the objections to limiting Executive Presidents to two terms. This is common sense, to limit. From 1789 to 1940 no American thought of running for more than two four year terms. Eight years is not much but that limit was observed. Surprised at what I’m saying? The two term legislation came only after F.D. Roosevelt exceeded the convention.
.
We can’t even impose a lower age limit for marriage to prevent the exploitation of women. No age limit whatever! I refer, of course to those infants born (as citizens of Sri Lanka) in to some Muslim households.
/
Zain / December 20, 2018
My entire family, near and extended, for generations from the time of DS are hardened UNPers, they are such UNPers, if one cut their hands, they would say the colour of the blood that oozing out is green but not red. Lately, after Ranil, all of them are thoroughly deillusioned, in great pain and agony, contemplating what happened to and going to happen to their beloved and grand old party which brought independence to the country, and produced some of the finest leaders who did so much and sacrificed so much for the country. They all say that the leadership of the UNP in the hands of Ranil is like the garland in the hands of monkey, and he is the only person who is single handed responsible for the present plight of the party, and the country. Look at the way he has done the new cabinet, functions are allocated in piece meal manner which hinders the ministers and officials under them to work effectively and efficiently. Also lot of good, hard working and young talent who could do a lot for the country and party too are side lined. He is messing up everything for he expects more loyality than good performance. Unless Ranil and the party thread a new path where dynamic hands who are able and capable of good results, very soon, the party and country could be doom for good.
/
Ahfzll / December 20, 2018
Hark ! We hear them bark, nay growl, at the passenger(s) of our time(s).
The culture of Politics is Business and Business in today’s context is politically, soiled.
The Law of the Jungle prevails!
The culture of Nationalism in Sri Lanka is not guided by the Patriotism but by Sinha le.
The culture of Democracy is subject to caste and creed, ethnicity, Money and Power.
People can wax very eloquently on what it takes to put things right, without having the slightest as to what it takes, to do so.
What it takes is to understand the correct definitions to Justice, Democracy and Nationalism and a change-in-attitude by the people to respect the Rule-of-Law.
Who, in the current Political scenario – is without Sin?
/
Colombo Man / December 20, 2018
The Editors eager to promote a good governance will not materialise nor prosper this country as long as the word “COMMUNAL” statements are not stopped reading in the “ELECTRONIC MEDIA” first.
Before you start to promote good governance, the first thing our country needs is “FREE ELECTRONIC MEDIA” as long as the “ELECTRONIC MEDIA” is coloured with GREEN, RED, BLUE, PURPLE and YELLOW. This country cannot prosper nor developed. For every thing just blaming our politicians are useless.
The Main real culprit who ruined and ruining our country is the “ELECTRONIC MEDIA” who makes the colour “BLACK” White and the colour WHITE made “BLACK” for mere positions and favours from the disgruntle politicians.
Colombo Man
/
Chantal Cooke / December 20, 2018
Well said Sharmini ????you have said it for us all. Exactly true. But I dont agree with destroying our votes, that’s not going to achieve anything. I sincerely hope we have some decent people stepping in with these few to oust the rest!!!
/
Sinhala_Man / December 21, 2018
Thanks, Chantal Cooke.
.
I agree. Always cast your vote as intelligently as is possible for you. Scroll up. I don’t know which of us said that first – nor does it matter.
.
We should be discussing here, not competing for brownie points.
/
bandula / December 20, 2018
Did this lady visit Sirisena at the Prez house? I remember she said so while agitating on the NGO platform. Am I correct?
/
Native Vedda / December 20, 2018
bandula
–
“Did this lady visit Sirisena at the Prez house?”
–
Please find out from Bandula Jayasekera or KASmaalam K A Sumanasekera.
/
rajash / December 20, 2018
TNA did not prop up Ranil this time against the fake PM.They fought to safeguard democracy.
/
Jude Dias / December 20, 2018
Exactly.The people did not fight for Ranil.They fought for democracy.
/
Native Vedda / December 20, 2018
Jude Dias
–
“Exactly.The people did not fight for Ranil.They fought for democracy.”
–
There were people who were against Ranil. Does it mean the people who supported Rajapaksas were against Democracy?
It is too early to draw conclusion.
/
rajash / December 20, 2018
Sharmini – not a single Muslim politician in your list of “gentlemen” and you even fail to mention the two Muslim Parties.
The Muslim Parties always sit on the fence and it’s a bit harsh to completely
/
rbh / December 20, 2018
rajash
What the Two Tamil Minister when ranil was saked they went to Rajapasha
and after 3 days they are with Rainl,
/
rajash / December 20, 2018
jokers!
/
Sinhala_Man / December 21, 2018
Suresh Vadivel of Passara can say that he has to look after his poor line-room dwellers.
.
What excuse have you got for Vasantha Senanayake. I know that he spoke of the requirements of his Polonnaruwa voters. Can we buy that.
.
This man is a disgrace. He’s a grandson of D.S. Senanayake. He was educated at S. Thomas’, Mt Lavinia. I wouldn’t expect him to have many links with Polonnaruwa. He doesn’t need position or money. Why this jumping from Party to Party? He can use English well; will he explain to us.
/
Ladies' Friend / December 20, 2018
What MS Serasinghe is saying is absolutely true.
–
However, there are no women among ‘gang of four’ she has chosen. They are all men representing insignificant minority groups in this country, and will not have the backing of the majority.
–
Eran Wickramaratna represents the evangelical Christians, though growing in number, still a minority group, Mangala as we all know represents the LGBTIX group, Sumanthiran Tamil Methodists. Harsha repesents the IQ challenged among the politicians.
–
So what we need is another ‘poththa rathu’ woman to represent village women of Sri Lanka, supporting Rosie’s great work on behalf of them.
–
We have such a woman in Sharmini Serasinghe. Come on now, Sharmini, plea……..se lead us.
We beg you.
/
Sinhala_Man / December 20, 2018
Dear Ladies’ Friend,
.
What about the Muslims?
.
Do you realise that there is a UNP stalwart who was in Parliament but doesn’t want to contest any more, because of Ranil. His father was the Speaker.
.
Imthiaz Bakeer Markar actually had his education at Ananda College, knows Buddhism, is a fine debater in all three languages, and yet (!) is a Muslim. He commands many votes in the Beruwela area – from all communities. He’d make a good President, age 65.
.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imthiaz_Bakeer_Markar
.
But don’t kid yourself; not for at least another twenty years (optimistic!) will this country vote in a man whose name is anything other than Sinhalese. And his primary religion will have to be Buddhism. Can somebody tell me why a person cannot cleave to two or more religions?
.
Another name that I’ve noticed: Chandra Jayaratne.
.
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/if-the-new-regime-fails-in-upholding-democratic-good-governance-society-will-bark-loud-bite/
.
I’m an old man, who knows some English. There are three problems with the names that I have mentioned. Fluent speakers of English are hated – for wielding the “kaduwa” – that may be partly our fault. Many whom I have mentioned are aging. Old people must know when to retire. Most are male. So, let’s find out who Grusha Andrews is!
.
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/grusha-andrews-19-december-2018/
.
Trilingualism would be ideal, but this is a woman who can at least use two languages well.
/
Ladies Friend / December 20, 2018
Sinhala Man,
–
I take your weird argument, though it is as clear as mud.
–
What do you want,? a Muslim, a trilinguist or a good English speaker? It is not clear. You don’t seem to like women.
–
More than anything else, Sharmini has the advantage of being ‘poththa rathu’ as I have already mentioned. Our women still look up to that as Rosie has found out. What else does she have to represent Sri Lankan women, other than the obvious I mean. Sharmini falls in to the same category. So back her.
/
Sinhala_Man / December 20, 2018
Dear Ladies’ Friend,
.
Oh no. I have nothing against women. Lovely creatures!
.
I’ve made more comments. I’m all for Grusha; I’ve just said something about Sharmini which hasn’t yet appeared. You may not like it, but I really have nothing against her!
.
Bakeer Markar: many strengths. “Good English Speaker”, I’d put last. This is a man with serious concerns, and much to say on Youtube. In 2015, My3 was a good candidate because he’s wonderful to listen to in Sinhalese.
.
By the way, what do you make of Ranil, as a speaker in any language? Not great in my book, although I remember being impressed when he chatted about his childhood in defending that soprano whose rendition of “Danno Budun ge” so shocked many Sinhalese listeners. Nothing wrong with the singer, wrong time, wrong place.
.
Why not a bit of levity?
.
Grusha burst on us with this article:
.
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/the-bra-the-bar-the-brigadier/
.
Hmmmm! Strange! Very few comments. Four by me! I also find that I had actually given this link:
.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiri_Te_Kanawa
.
Interesting life, hers. But she too objected the way My3 did; it’s there in Wikipedia.
/
Dual Citizen / December 20, 2018
We as citizens must opt between the two devils: These rogues as Ministers with MR as PM or with RW as PM.
What Options do RW really has?
Either include these rogues in his cabinet or else they will go to MR and he will happily accommodate them together with the SLFP rouges. Of course with My3’s blessings.
We must therefore live with the devil with the lesser EVIL until the next election. Isn’t it Ranil?
People get the Government they deserve!
/
fake siva shankar sharma / December 20, 2018
Angry woman has rememerged.
/
Luke Visidagama / December 20, 2018
She (Sharmini) blames Ranil but does not give a reason. What has he done for you to annoyed so much. You expected Chairman Rupavahini post?
/
MNIN Perera (OTC) / December 21, 2018
Hi Luke,
–
Perhaps you have Dementia to ask Sharmini such an idiotic question.
–
RW personally guaranteed the Integrity and Honesty of his Singaporean bond scam pal
–
Appointing a Sham committee of inquiry of UNP stooges to protect his pal
–
Not volunteering to be cross examined at the Bond Scam inquiry
–
Appointing thieves like Ravi K whose amnesia in court is on public record, to his New Cabinet
–
Giving Ravi K a very powerful and immensely lucrative ministry in the New Cabinet to pilfer yet more public wealth and stash it overseas.
–
What more do you want?
–
That Sharmini is not after self-aggrandisement is as plain as day, except for a Moron. She has the grace to admit her errors of judgement even if its in hindsight.
/
Kamalini Mohotti / December 20, 2018
Eran Wickramaratne, Mangala Samaraweera, Harsha de Silva, and M. A. Sumanthiran
My god, my god, my god. What a combination.
/
Rozayro / December 20, 2018
So Sharmini wants Eran Wickramaratne, Mangala Samaraweera, Harsha de Silva, and M. A. Sumanthiran, to form a separate party. Is this is the solution?
The foursome are not even strong buddies and they will not spent a cent unless Sharmini comes up with the money.
/
Sinhala_Man / December 20, 2018
Dear Rozayro,
.
You say that the four guys mentioned by Sharmini are not buddies. That may actually be a good thing. In out working lives, we learnt to have “professional relationships”. That’s how it should be. My3 is essentially a good man, but not being able to be detached is one of his faults. The other was betraying us, his voters!
.
You say: ” they will not spent a cent”. Never mind. Their being almost household names is a huge plus. Grusha Andrews famously rejected Sangakkarara, despite his fame:
.
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/carcinogenic-kumar-thanks-but-no-thanks/
.
Remember that of the persons whom I have mentioned in my comments, above, Nagananda has mounted quite a campaign, although it doesn’t appear to be an expensive one. Bakeer Markar is well known – the first big spending is just to get known.
.
Just imagine a guy like me wanting to campaign! I’d get about ten votes from CT readers, may be.
.
Sharmini’s is a practical proposition. She used to read the English news, of course. So, we “know” her; not the youngest kids, may be. But all sorts of irrelevancies creep in. She should not use so much make-up; but that is her business.
.
A quite different person (I’m sure), fighting for a cause:
.
I support her (biologically his?) cause in the abstract; but the cause would be better served if its eloquent advocate dressed more conservatively in public.
.
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/the-sirisena-saga-on-yahapalana-misogyny/
.
/
Sinhala_Man / December 21, 2018
Sorry, I meant to mention Dr. Chamindra Weerawardhana by name. The link has got in.
.
Chamindra writes very well on Human Rights and Ethnic issues. In those articles it would help if he/she didn’t display photographs of herself that distract from the message.
.
Others are very good at distorting. I’ve referred above to the need for amendment of MMDA. Mention it, and there’s talk of LGBTQ, prostitution, etc from Muslim men. We’ve got to prioritise these issues, and even the most ardent LGBTQ advocate must recognise that the plight of some Muslim girls is much more horrific.
.
There are no systematic raids (or even occasional raids) on houses to see who is sleeping with whom – or how they sleep, or how they do “it”! If there were reports of such, then there is urgent need for action.
.
Let Chamindra say what she wants to, and let My3 get it off his chest about “butterflies”.
/
Sinhala_Man / December 21, 2018
Sharmini,
.
Looked at what I had written. Aplolgies for making remarks that are too personal. You’ve taken a commendable line. I hope this move that you’ve mooted leads to something.
.
I’ve spoken to a guy who has immense respect for you.
.
Best wishes.
/
rbh / December 20, 2018
rajash
What the Two Tamil Minister when ranil was saked they went to Rajapasha
and after 3 days they are with Rainl,
/
Bindumathi / December 20, 2018
Sharmini seems getting angry for things for nothing.
/
Usha Sriskandarajah / December 20, 2018
Sharmini they only got sworn in today, why find wrong so fast?
/
MNIN Perera (OTC) / December 21, 2018
Hi Senator (hic) Usha,
–
Not yesterday madam but over three years ago.
Dementia is a progressive disease.
–
Why do you jump to their defense so quickly?
Have they made any promises to the madam Senator and her sham govt in exile?
–
Perhaps you had a hand in convincing the TNA to prop up the Central Bank robbers!
/
Deshini Abeyewardena / December 20, 2018
Agree with you wholeheartedly Shamini. It is absolutely disheartening that Sri Lanka is not capable of getting together 30 decent capable people with no complexes, axes to grind or vested interest to run our tiny country.
/
Sinhala_Man / December 21, 2018
Aye, Deshini,
.
The faster our protests start the better.
.
After all, we’ve known Ranil as a Minister since about 1979 – about 40 years, that is.
.
Usha Sriskandarajah, why the fake name? It’s not ethical.
.
You are a Sinhalese. Usha S Sri-Skanda-Rajah is a Tamil who writes articles like this one:
.
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/sri-lanka-tamil-rights-are-human-rights/
.
I don’t read them. You read one, you’ve read them all. She is a strong “Tiger-sympathiser”. I don’t care what the law says. So long as she doesn’t get violent, I’ll affirm her right to express herself.
.
In the same vein, I’ve been embarrassed many times by having to listen to Sinhalese complaining that Vijayakala Maheswaran has been let off more lightly than Gnanasara, who is in prison. One doesn’t want to impolitely disagree druing a friendly conversation, but I don’t dodge it. I tell them that I think that Vijayakala did nothing wrong. Gnansara is a thug guilt of all acts of violence, only stopping short of murder.
.
It’ll be interesting to see if Sirisena shows some backbone in this matter.
.
/