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!
Kalu Nangi / December 20, 2018
Sharmini,
You seem to think that RW hasn’t done a single thing that is good for the country during these past three years. I disagree. He fails miserably in not being able to carry the masses with him, energizing them with rhetoric. He is not a good orator. The downside in the RW leadership is the failure to get the message across to the masses. People do not know and never get to know the good done by him as a leader. Only the negative side is highlighted by the private media and they are good at tearing him to shreds! Yes, I agree with you that we should give the next line in the UNP party an opportunity, especially Eran Wickramaratne and Gayan Karunathilake. These two are ‘Premier’ material and one day will turn around the country, if that is in their destiny and ours.
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Sinhala_Man / December 20, 2018
Dear Kalu Nangi,
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(Who I once found had partly schooled where I did!)
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It’s interesting that you, too, have been impressed with Gayantha Karunathilake:
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gayantha_Karunathilaka
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I’ve not edited what I had already written! He’s schooled in a very different place. Ranil’s School, actually, of which so many people seem to make so much.
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Although I made that opening parenthetical statement, I feel that all this talk about alma maters is not a very good thing. That, the English kaduwa, and the “Old School Tie” are responsible for many of the tensions in our society. I’ve been guilty myself, above, but really, talk about schools should never be when discussing other subjects on a forum.
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It’s pretty bad in Sri Lanka; and then we’re surprised that we cannot persuade kids to go to the nearest (village) school, which in many respects would be healthiest. If you want more, then spend on it! Royal College is a state school on which far too much of spending is lavished.
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But back to Gayantha Karunatilleka; he has no huge qualifications, but he’s decent and cultured. Yes, he’d make a good leader.
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Bunjappu / December 20, 2018
You dont need to have higher qualifications to be a good political leader ?
Look at Mrs B, she is being regarded as one of the powerful femaile figures in the world even if she moved to the position from kitchen.
I think it would have been much nice at least they each should come with a basic degree level, but that would not necessarily be essential, if candidats bring with exp.
But Experience should NO means similar to what GAMARALA has collected over his 51 years of local politics.
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Sinhala_Man / December 20, 2018
Dear Bunjappu,
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I agree. Some of our most successful leaders were the least educated.
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Some of the best educated weren’t great successes. I’m not speaking here of those who succeeded in leaving behind an impact. S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike was a total failure as a politician, although erudite and an intellectual. I won’t try to evaluate his “achievements”. Some of the social changes he brought about were necessary.
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So successes: D.S. Senanayake (I’d trace the ethnic conflict more to him than to Banda!), Sirima Bandaranaike, R. Premadasa, Mahendra Percy Rajapaksa
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Failures: Dudley Senanayake (a really good man). J.R. Jayawardena (because he lived long enough to see the mess he made). Maithripala Sirisena (well read in Sinhala, I’d say). I suppose he was never “a man about town”.
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No, even that listing seems unsatisfactory. Where does one put Sir John? Chandrika B.K.?
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Sinhala_Man / December 21, 2018
Thanks, , Manel Fonseka.
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S Siva / December 21, 2018
Sri Lanka never had a successful leader but they may be successful in committing state oppression and war rimes against Tamils.
The country has gone to dogs and bleeding during the same time Singapore transformed from a fishing village to Global financial powerhouse.
Meaning of success may differ from person to person and Sri Lanka has earned a notorious reputation for committing crimes against humanity, Buddhist hate crimes and abuses. Those who fled Sri Lanka atrocities are prospering well and enjoying human rights in many nations that they could not enjoy in their own homeland!
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Gamarala / December 21, 2018
Sir John : Jester
Chandrika : Witch
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Gamarala / December 21, 2018
You know what J.R. Jayawardena’s initials actually stand for?
J: July; R: Riots
JR is synonymous with Black July ’83!
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Bunjappu / December 21, 2018
Dear Sinhala Man,
thanks for your response. I always respect yours and a handful of others on this platform. However, i would prefer to read shortened comments than lenghthy ones being based on my time while travelling across Europe. Perhaps I have let you guys know earlier times too.
Now coming back to lanken mess in the society/parliament today- to my own analysis, it has been a permament dispute between two social groups in current day srilanka. This is between civilized and the uncvilized. So, what reflect in then parliament is nothing else, the real mirror image of the society. යක්කුන්ගෙ හැටිය විමානය ගොඩ නැගෙන්නෙ. The palace is being built going with the devils -almost all is destructerd by today. To me as one who lived out of the country for decades, each time I read comment given underneath of each video coming from Srilanka, contain highly abusive sihala filthy langauge starting උම්බේ අම්මටකියල පටන් ගන්නෙ.. ඒ වුනාට එවුන් කියන සින්හල බෞදයො කියල… අවුර්දු 2500 ක ඉතිහාසයක් උරුමලු. අරව මේ වා නැති බොරු ඔක්කොම මොකොක්ද එවුන් අමුතු මාන්සික්යත්වයකින් පෙලෙන පාදඩ ජන කොටස් නිසා (very often starting attacking own mother in sinhala filthy langauge, also not forgetting to boast of our 2500 history, all these are based on lack of proper bring up).
. And the larger portion of the blame should be taken by HIGHLY ABUSIVE MEDIA IN THE COUNTRY. They just spread even blantant lies being based on mere hearsays as HEADLINES capturing new items (මුද්රිත මාධ්ය වල පොල්ගෙඩි අකුරින් යන්නෙ එවුන්ට මුදල් එකතු කරගන්න දේවල් මිසක් සත්ය තොරතුරු නොවන් බව මට 100000000000000% කියන්න පුලුවන්- one of the those items in bigger font size in printed meda are not real good news but to mislead the nation) And as you may be well aware of the facts about lanken average – they would not think twice, but get caught easily by any news being added lanken air
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rajash / December 22, 2018
Sinhala_Man – Notice that you have conveniently left out Tamil politicians, in both the list.
May be you were focusing only on Sinhala politicians
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Sinhala_Man / December 22, 2018
Yes, I’m finding it a bit difficult. I think that you should try adding them; you know them better.
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I think that Sampanthan has been quite good, but he’s now pretty old, isn’t he? Even now, I think that he has accepted that Mahinda Rajapaksa is the realistic opposition leader, although MaRa has created problems for himself.
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Sharmini has identified Sumanthiram. Northerners may find him to be too Colombo centred. And he had some Jaffna College problems – you know with the guys who fund from Boston, USA.
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Mano Ganeshan?
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I try my best, but many things are beyond my understanding. By the way, I mentioned the Muslim, Bakeer Markar. I think that the UNP has another good guy, acceptable to Ranil: Kabir Hashim.
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rajash / December 22, 2018
Sinhala_Man
yes the names you have mentioned are current crop.
I am sure you know the history of Ceylon that morphed in to ugly Sri Lanka.
From Sir Ponnambalam Ramanaathan of Ceylon days to current Sumanthiran ….there are illustrious list of Tamil Politicians….they all fought for Ceylon then and to safeguard democracy in the ugly Sri Lanka now.
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Sharmini Serasinghe / December 21, 2018
Integrity and an honest patriotic vision for the country are far more important than any academic qualification.
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gopinath / December 20, 2018
Dear Sinhala_Man.
Realistically you are a Tamil_Man; aren’t you?
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Manel Fonseka / December 20, 2018
Gopinath – He actually IS a Sinhala man
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VIS8 / 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
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rajash / December 22, 2018
what does it matter if he is a Sinhala Man or a Tamil Man or a Muslim Man?
judge the Man!
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Sinhala_Man / December 20, 2018
Now what does that question mean, really? To be honest, my English, although not perfect, is my best language. My spoken Sinhalese is good; can read pretty well, writing is poor.
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Me a Tamil_Man? Total vocabulary may be twenty words. I can’t recognise a single Tamil letter. I don’t understand the import of the word “realistically” in this context.
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Genes? That is something that no Sri Lankan can be sure about, except that appearance-wise chances are that we are Dravidian. I had eight grand-grand-parents. All identified as Sinhalese from the Galle District – a bit inland. By now, I’ve learnt something about caste. Recent Tamils are those who settled close to the coast. So, we’ll have to really stretch the meaning of “realistic” for me to claim to be a Tamil.
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Oh, and in some senses I guess I’ve been fortunate, but I’ve never been out of Asia. I’m not very good at languages. Been in the Maldives; Divehi is very close to Sinhalese. My father’s pupil, Prof. Vinnie Vitharna (two PhDs – I have none!), wrote this book, Sri Lankan-Maldivian Cultural Affinities. Just now I put my mouse on it. I can’t really do justice to it, since one needs English, Sinhalese and Divehi. I know the society there pretty well, although I had stayed put in Sri Lanka for 24 years after returning from Male.
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/fake-foreign-minister-amunugamas-daughters-desperate-damage-control-attempt-further-exposes-diplomatic-snub-in-maldives/
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Look at the article that preceded this by three days. And this:
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/nasheed-requests-sri-lankan-government-to-engage-robustly-in-transition-of-power/
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Sinhala_Man / December 20, 2018
PART TWO
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I didn’t really need to use Divehi in Male, where I was teaching English Literature to the best students in the country. On the other hand, all of us Sri Lankans were chucked in to the mountain villages of Oman to teach basic English. There was a greater need to learn Arabic, but I was singularly unsuccessful. However, I may know more Arabic words than Tamil. Professionally, I’ve under-achieved.
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Gopinath, you’ve given yourself a Tamil-sounding name, but you are really a Sinhalese aren’t you? I state the truth as I see it. However, I’m no Brian Seneviratne. Nevertheless, some hate me for facing up to the fact that the only visible difference between Sinhalese and Tamils is language. I’ve been around for a long time; so people know me pretty well. Please examine the three articles, going back from here, in which lots of people say nasty things about me. Please find (a) one place where I’ve been labelled a Tamil (b) one place where I’ve been called a rogue or a liar.
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/the-thomian-pharisees-are-unrepentant-why-this-matters-to-all-sri-lankans/
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Is it that our country is just the wrong size. There is corruption even where you would least expect it.
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gopinath / December 21, 2018
Sinhala_Man,
Sorry. But,. people have written you were born in a Bandarawela line room. Therre has been lots of talk that you are Tamil.
I sense some truth in this as I gather you have studied and worked in Bandarawela. If you are real Sinhala then I despise you; if you are Tamil using a Sinhala name to deceive the bastards, I embrace you brother.
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Sinhala_Man / December 21, 2018
Dear gopinath,
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It’s O.K. I forgive you for having to despise me for ever and ever. Do you really hate all Sinhalese-speaking guys so much? Silly isn’t it? Nevertheless, you are forgiven in advance!!
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I guess making personal remarks is always fraught with dangers. I think that some of the comments I made on Sharmini S. were also in bad taste. I’ve found out more about her. Her maiden name had been Dias – from the area that my ancestors came from – Baddegama, Wanduramba, Lelwela, Urala. But I was born in Bandarawela.
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Gopinath, let’s not be fake anything. As I’ve already told you, I’m sure that I have some Vedda genes, but mostly Dravidians. But no Tamil speaking ancestors that I know of. So, you are my “brother”.
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I’ve visited line rooms in the Hill Country. Conditions are still bad, but there has been some slight improvement during my life-time.
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Manel Anoda / December 21, 2018
Yes then why you write so much hating Sinhalese?
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Sinhala_Man / December 22, 2018
Agnos,
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See, there’s Manel Anoda as well!
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I think that some Tamils may recount such horrendous experiences that they become like Gopinath.
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And Manel Anoda – what to do? we Sinhalese do all feel a bit insecure since Tamil Nadu has a huge Tamil population etc. It may be you had a genuinely brave soldier relative who perished in the war, and you can’t come to terms with it. Also . . . , also . . . -we can go on and on, can’t we?
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The main thing I try to do is to say the same for all to see – hoping that a solution will emerge.
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Thanks, Agnos; that possibility had not struck me.
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Agnos / December 22, 2018
Sinhala_Man,
This Gopinath guy seems to me a fly-by-night Sinhalese guy with a Tamil handle who attacks you for taking some positions that he deems anti-Sinhala and pro-Tamil. So he comes up with innuendos against you.
It is better to dismiss these characters.
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Buramphisincho / December 21, 2018
Get your facts right. he has exposed him as a SINHALAYA not once several dozens of time.
We though use USER NAMEs to protect us from RAJAKSAHE murders and other various culprits as well, please dont think that we consider whether you are tamil, sinhala, burgher or any other race, so long you guys behave in compliance with laws.
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Ratnam Nadarajah / December 21, 2018
Dear Gopinath
As far as I know he ( Sinhala_man) is not what you have labelled him to be”a Tamil”. Even if it were so whats the issue?.. He is a decent human being, who respects every community.
I always respected his comments on many subjects. There are only a very few handful of people who could meet the requirements of a “Officer and a Gentleman” class. I believe Sinhala_ Man in my book is one of them.
Dear Sinhala _Man
I read your comments on the composition of the clowns in the cabinet with trepidation. The nation has gone to the dogs , no doubt about it. EACH and every politician is there for making a quick buck by what ever means. It stinks and are rotten to the core. In my book, cabinet of even 30 is far too much for the size of SL.The absolute maximum number should be 15 with only one vehicle per minister. Take it or leave it
I know its a tall order. Hard times needs hard decisions. The question is any one capable of making such a decision? The answer is NO.
I bet by next week the cabinet would be 35 plus
PS.
God forbid ; if any of the rouges are given any portfolio
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Sinhala_Man / December 22, 2018
Thanks, Ratnam Nadarajah.
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And I, too, appreciate your efforts to reconcile our two groups.
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Yes, our efforts should be directed primarily at stamping out corruption. Necessarily that must involve investigation, removal of crooks, recovery of loot, and even punishment.
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Why even? These things get so complicated!
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Trepidation – as you admit. We don’t aspire to be heroes.
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Raj / December 20, 2018
What happened to your ‘Dipuuti’ Sajith Premdas? Will he too go down to hell with Ranil because of his infamous discriminatory utterances like “tallies are security guards and shorties are laborers”. (Treasure hunter stories known to many people, will also be added as Kamma Vipaka’ when he faces the judgement day!).
Or what will happen to the other ‘Dipuuti’ RaviK who emptied Mr. Athulathmudali’s estate coffers and then emptied the Central Bank with the help of Mahendran and RW? Will he too be in hell by that time?
As an ex- UNPer like Sharmini, I would suggest Eran or De Silva for the UNP’s leadership. Even if one of them fails to rectify the harm done to the UNP by current leadership and his Royal circle, he may at least be a good Opposition leader.
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Native Vedda / December 20, 2018
Sinhala_Man
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Do you have a list of future leadership material in any of the party or outside the parties?
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Sinhala_Man / December 21, 2018
Only in my head, I’ve got some names stored!
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But, yes, NV; I think that we ought to identify the honest and able guys in all parties, including the Tamil and Muslim parties. Those parties some conveniently refer to as “communal parties”. Debatable. You see, both the UNP and the SLFP would, by some minority people be described as essentially “Sinhalese parties” who will welcome the votes of others.
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I vote in the Badulla District. Leadership material there is Harin Fernando. He won’t get the huge majorities that he got some years ago. Not bad as politicians go. The Moneragala district is also Uva: Ranjith Maddumabandara is a guy who stood up to Ranil at some times.
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I agreed to Sumanthiran being leadership material, but he’s compromised himself regarding Jaffna College; and didn’t somebody say he made a case for MPs to get even more cars. Sampanthan has been a good leader.
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Up-country Tamils; don’t really know. Suresh Vadivel is well spoken of. If he says that he’s got to look after “his peoplebetter tha ple”, I’d accept that. Mano Ganeshan, also looks good to me, as a .
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You know these things much better than I.
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old codger / December 20, 2018
Sharmini,
“Eran Wickramaratne, Mangala Samaraweera, Harsha de Silva, and M. A. Sumanthiran……………..are our saviours”
Yes, you have set out a list of the most capable politicians in the country. BUT, will the masses , led by their noses for many years by yellow-robed racists, VOTE for them instead of the Weerawansas and Gommanpilas?
1. Eran is a Christian and not ashamed of it.
2.Ditto for Sumanthiran, and a dreaded Tamil to boot.
3. Mangala is openly gay and anti-clerical.
4. Harsha, like Mangala, wears a tie, which is a red rag to madu-walige wielding Gamaralas.
I fear the baiyyas will be besotted again by moustachioed saviours with dyed hair. No matter how much you rail against Ranil, Sharmini, he is better than any bogus Dutugemunu.
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RuwanL / December 21, 2018
Ranil should have resigned with the Bond scam as he took the Central bank under his purview and appointed Arjuna Mahendran as the Governor. He also changed the procedure that was followed in the allocation of T Bills. He took responsibility of the appointment of the Governor when there were protest from many! He is also responsible for giving all the perks that are not necessary for politicians
As for Eran and Sumanthiran they are pretty good but Mangal is not suitable as the Finance Minister! He does not seem to understand that fuel Formula will not work in Sri Lanka as the public transport sector is totally dependent on fuel prices! He is too arrogant and does not admit that it was a mistake! As for Harsha though he is honest he is not truthful.
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Sharmini Serasinghe / December 21, 2018
What you have mentioned are irrelevant for the bigger picture and greater good of our country.
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NAK / December 21, 2018
What good can Sumanthiran (aka )Abraham can bring to this country other than break it in to nine pieces?and others willing accomplices?
So speak for you self and you can have them all for yourself. But there is no chance in hell they get guardinship of this country.
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old codger / December 21, 2018
S.M,
“Royal College is a state school on which far too much of spending is lavished.”
Not really. It is not the state that spends our taxes on Royal College. It is the parents and old boys , (who are much wealthier than the ones in Polonnaruwa) that fund all those activities that make Royalists stand out. And then the next generation pays for their children. It’s a self-perpetuating process.
It is the same story with private schools, but not the International ones, which are purely business enterprises.
The government must get up the courage to charge a nominal amount for good education. Ranil the neo-liberal will do it if given a free hand, but there are populist wet-blankets like MS and MR to pull him down.
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MNIN Perera (OTC) / December 21, 2018
Old Codger,
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Basic education should remain free and compulsory.
This will ensure a literate society.
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Should Higher Education be free?
I believe it should not be so for all.
Full scholarships for the deserving and delayed payment for the rest (as in the UK where repayment starts when a job is secured and the income exceeds a defined level).
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Thiagarajah Venugopal / December 22, 2018
Dear SM
Etonians rivilary created the Brexit ……David Cameron and Boris Johnson.
Did SJV and SWRD have any school tie history????
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Dinuk / December 20, 2018
The thieves are back and Trumpland is the Elephant in the room.
RW must be impeached for the Bondscam at Central bank of Sri lanka, based on the PCOI Report and investigations. This is the only hope and solution or Lanka will be mortgaged to IMF and neocon Millennium Challenge Corp. that writes Bondscam Ranil’s economic policy to benefit America First and the Global 1 percent.
Sri lanka needs a general election in 3 months, after passing a law that no one over 65 years of can contest and banning politicians crossing the house for the highest bidder.
The JVP has completely lost the plot and AKD seems to have been bought by external parties; trying to abolish the Executive Prez. which is the only “check and balance” against Bondscam Ranil and his corrupt Royal college cabaal who works for Trumpland.
Civil society organizations must move the courts to impeach Ranil and his economic hit men who looted the Central bank of Sri Lanka and put the country into a debt trap to sovereign bond traders who crashed the rupee. This will happen again as Fake news and economic data is being prepared by Bondscam Ranil’s US handlers to crash the Lankan rupee and asset strip the country
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Shiranee Ranasinghe / December 20, 2018
I cannot see a vibrant future for our country with the current team batting. Not enough talent – let alone honest integrity.
A clean sweep is the call of the hour. I have already ear marked my brand new candidate. He will be the next call on the chess board. We cannot cling to old bankrupt dynasties to take the country forward. A general election is vital to spring clean politics.
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Damian / December 21, 2018
I thing for sure he too like the others are harboring thief’s who are robbing the people
Ravi K is a good example
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gamini / December 21, 2018
Sharmini you have to understand that ours is not a mature electorate and we do not have Member Representatives who are honest Gentlemen. Sowhat you want Ranil to do is just tat to cleanse the UNP with a magic wand? You seem to be huffed like others who are blaming Ranil for giving a Ministry post to Ravi K. As implied by some Ravi K has not robbed from the public purse. He has received payment from Perpetual treasuries and not money from the CB. If this money paid to Ravi K not being accepted by Ravi K. that money would not have come back to the CB. It would have swelled the profits of Perpetual Treasuries. So get your facts right. Ravi K has tirelessly worked for the UNP for quite a while that has been the envy of all those who attack the UNP now. Imagine had Ravi K crossed over with some members of the UNP to give the required majority to MR to remain as the PM, what would have happened today? Even those MR acolytes who are gunning for Ravi K today will be of high praise for him then. The UNPers to spite their face should not cut their nose.
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Amarasiri / December 21, 2018
Sharmini Serasingh,
RE: Pig-Headed Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Downfall!
Thanks for the write-up.
Ranil Wickremesinghe has rotten balls. Sirisena’s balls all dissolved when he illegally and unconstitutionally dissolved the parliament.
Sri Lankan’s certainly do not deserve two guys, one with dissolved balls, and the other with rotten balls
“Eran Wickramaratne, Mangala Samaraweera, Harsha de Silva, and M. A. Sumanthiran, you gentlemen are our ONLY saviours.”
Yes, they need to break away, and join forces with others, form a critical mass, with a message, even with JVP.
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Bastian Gajaweera / December 21, 2018
Kalu Nangi! I endorse your views. Your disagreement with Sharmini is reasonable. RW has
behaved a Royalist from the elite class not been able to address the rural masses thus compared with MR . Althrough RW is an effective leader, he is not suitable to the majority
rural community in Sri Lanka.
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Sinhala_Man / December 21, 2018
<Friday afternoon. Sorry for yesterday's digressions.
.
We’ve all been had. UNP & SLFP will try to alternate in office without seriously investigating each other’s misdeeds.
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Sirisena: a wellintentioned man who ruined himself by appointing Rakapaksa Prime Minister two months ago. I take it extra hard because my vote for Sirisena in January 2015 was also against the Rakapaksas.
.
Ranil will NOT change his waýs. Corruption will flourish. I hope that Sirisena will be forgiven by History. A decent but naive man out of his depth.
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The country will pay a heavy price for foolishness. Instead of fighting corruption, racism will flourish.
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Shevan / December 20, 2018
Well.these sentiments are equally shared by many.RW is a dud coin and if UNP is still looking up for him to lead the party they can very well say goodbye to being in power.With him they would hardly survive the next 6 months
MR does not have to act stupid once again to grab power for RW will gift it soon
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Gerard / December 20, 2018
Sharmini….is spot on…this Bugger RW will never learn..he thinks he knows it all and is the smartest idiot on this planet…..its time to bring him down or otherwise the country will be a failed state as he has no knowledge of what the people want…its only what he and his rougue cronies want…..the whole country knows of his crooked ways….so its a matter of time until the UNP falls….rise up..Sajith..Eran Harsha..Harin….and the others to rid the party of the old hags and cooks
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MERVYN / December 20, 2018
STARK TRUTH………..
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Dhammika Atapattu / December 20, 2018
Mangala Samaraweera, Harsha de Silva, and M. A. Sumanthiran saviours? may be in your wildest dreams
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ramona therese fernando / December 20, 2018
Sharmini,
_
Why are you complaining about Ranil? Ranil is the poster boy for your UNP party. In fact he is fulfilling his uncle Junius’s grand vision for capitalism over the struggling masses of Sri Lanka. Unfortunately, in this decade and forever, it can only come with the India Merge (land bridge included)…..also with division of the Motherland into many ethnic parts. The result: Bollywood capitalism. There is no other way for UNP capitalism in Sri Lanka. Another set of UNP idiots takes over, and they will be in death’s dark vale in trying to figure UNP capitalism out. Only, this time, they will be trying to figure out, how to work it for the struggling masses, without sending them as menial workers to the Middle East.
–
OK…..UNP can go with the Chinese for capitalism. But that is the Rajapaksa way. And UNP generally LOVEs the West. West is UNP’s signature piece- its corner stone without which they will surely come tumbling down.
–
So let’s face it: Best way possible for Sri Lanka without provoking the West : Remove UNP and all UNP prone persons. UPFA and coalition are the new next best guys on the block. UPFA has to remain with the China alliance (maybe a little bit more), and with a return to social values proscribed by the Buddha as in days of yore, so the country can be reworked on from scratch.
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ramona therese fernando / December 20, 2018
prescribed* (…spelled it wrong, and Word automatically changed it)
/
ramona therese fernando / December 20, 2018
Forgot to paste this part:
_
This would mean, a removal of the Port City (as it is provoking the USA- we can’t really tell them to go to hell, can we). USA, in utter relief, will surely grant us funds for balance of payments to China, to India, to the whole of Europe, and to themselves. After that, we can become a socialist country like in Sirimavo’s time (with certainly far more capital than the last time, with all the menial Middle Eastern workers that have been bringing in US$4- billion a year for the past 40 years). Time for Sirisena to implement the “Saving Grace of Sri Lanka” Plan.
–
p.s. I understand that you don’t like Buddhist priests. I agree- they are the modern ones; we have to go back to the ancient ones (ok, some were bad like the present ones, but the majority were good then).
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old codger / December 20, 2018
Grandma Therese,
“and with a return to social values proscribed by the Buddha as in days of yore, so the country can be reworked on from scratch.”
So, what values were proscribed by the Buddha?
You seem to be advocating murder/ robbery/ rape/ etc. Well , that is what your God Mahinda wants too.
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Shawn / December 20, 2018
Sharmi, you are right with the new idea of coming together of all the Supper Stars from various parties to form a new movement. The old guards never leave until they die; that is bad for the country.
In the information age with the social media like facebook and google, you don’t actually need to remain in the grand old parties in order to win any elections. People are looking for new ideas with talented leaders who have integrity. If you want to single out one hero from all the politicians out of this recent political coup, M. A. Sumanthiran would be the one who fought for the Constitution, rule of law and democracy in the Supreme Court as well as in the Parliament. He is a true hero and save the country from becoming a Banana Republic. All, Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim should thank him. He is the new Sir. Pon Ramanathan who saved Sinhalese in the 1915 riots case.
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Mrs Mahathanthila / December 20, 2018
Sharmini
Too early criticise Ranil. Give the buggar a chance
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Gamarala / December 21, 2018
You mean rthe second chance to loot? Maybe the National Savings Bank this time?
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Babi Aachchi / December 20, 2018
I am mostly in agreement with the writer. What we need, however, is a brand new political formation with the likes of Nagananda Kodituwakku, without ANY involvement of any current politicians.
Let us not forget:
Mangala Samaraweera – Rose to the defence of SB Dissanayake using the most vile, sexist and vituperative language by derisively calling Susanthika Jayasinghe `Black African’.
Eran Wickremenayake – Loudly defended MP’s selling of their car permits.
Harsha de Silva – Usually tows the party line. Whenever he critiques government policy he pretends he is not a part of it. How pathetic.
M.A Sumanthiran – I have great respect for this man. He has a pivotal role to play in shaping the progress of t his nation that is best done as part of the TNA.
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Sinhala_Man / December 21, 2018
Dear Babi Aachchi,
.
Some of these things I didn’t know, or had forgotten.
.
Mangala: Yes, I have some vague memories. He was wrong to call Susanthika all those things. However, I think him an honest man. He now certainly is saying the right things, even if unpopular. I think the price reduction of petrol is foolish. Whose move was it? We will have to pay through our noses later – after the election year is over.
Eran: (he’s Wickremaratne, not Wikremanayake): Was he that bad on car permits?
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Harsha: You’ve been vague about him. You’ve not convinced me.
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Sumanthiran; it’s good to have trilingual guys. There’s a big problem at Jaffna College. Is he involved only as a lawyer, or is he on the Board of Management?
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Babi Aachchi / December 21, 2018
Sinhala Man,
I expressed a preference for a new political formation devoid of members of the existing political firmament. In doing so I realize we do not have the luxury of dealing with absolutes – as in locating unblemished politicians for whom we could vote. In that sense Magala, Eran and Harsha are `relatively’ better than the rest. But it is always useful to have some sense of their personal political histories when making voting choices. If a new political formation does arise with the likes of Nagananda as part of it, then my preference is for it NOT to include any existing politicians however `relatively good’ they may seem. As for the specifics about the politicians previously mentioned:
Mangala – Honest? Perhaps in the sense that I do not see him dipping his fingers into the state’s coffers. He was also `honest’ in calling for the Sinhala Commission report to be relegated to the `dustbin of history’ at a time when CBK and GL were serious about devolution of power through constitutional reform, thus running against the grain of the Sinhala Buddhist nationalist sentiment of the time. The Sudu Nelum movement, of course, was an utter flop and became a political tool of the PA under his watch rather than a genuine movement for peace. His defence of SB by maligning Susanthika (with whose political positions I strongly disagree) in the way he did is unforgivable. He also promised to expose how MR bribed the LTTE. Not a hum to date.
Eran Wickremaratne (Sorry, I go my `Wickrema’s mixed up) – See this article, and the accompanying video, posted by Nagananda:
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/state-minister-eran-wickramaratne-defends-right-to-steal-public-funds/
Harsha – An honest man in the sense that I do not see him stealing from the public. If you follow him on Facebook you will see, reading between the lines, a person who perceives himself to be `outside’ the government while still being a part of it. I do not care for the `better than thou’ approach he takes. There was a video of him berating a security guard at Independence Square for not allowing couples to hold hands (or something like that) in the area. That is Harsha in his element, reaching for the low hanging fruit rather than critiquing the policy makers in his own government who were responsible for that idiotic decision.
Mr. Sumanthiran – I do not know much about his association with Jaffna College etc. but I see him as a thorough gentleman from the few political writings of his that I have read. I would not hesitate to vote for him if an opportunity to do so presents itself.
/
Somapala de Silva / December 20, 2018
When the farmers asked for subsidised Fertilizer, Ranil promised them free WiFi. Ravi K imposed a tax on the bank interest that the poor retired workers live on. Our family voted for UNP in the last election but not anymore. Ranil W and Ravi K will go down in history as the worst politicians ever, those who ruined the UNP.
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RP / December 21, 2018
Didn’t Mahinda cancel this infamous bank interest imposed by Mangala’s UNP on the poor? I believe he did. During his 50 days as interim PM he did a lot of good things for the poor. I will keep it in my mind when I decide who should get my vote at the next election.
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Sri-Krish / December 20, 2018
Sharmini serasinghe,
I agree with you that UNP and SLFP had failed and whatever happens in the next few years whether the country is governed by UNP or by SLFP or by a coalition with one of these parties as the main Partner, they will fail again and again.
It is self evident.
What I disagree with your article and many of the comments is your search for a hero or heroes to redeem our country. It is as if we have not learned our lessons from our bitter experience during 2014-2018.
If we failed to learn our lessons we will find history repeats itself first as farce then as a tragedy-Karl Marx.
What is the alternative?
Let us have faith in our people, our own ordinary people with all strengths and weaknesses, let them be mobilized and let a set of leaders emerge and take the country forward.
There is no short cut
.
Let us not search for a messiah, but have faith in the people!
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Uthungan / December 21, 2018
“Let us not search for a messiah,but have faith in the people”.
For the likes of the Sumanthirans to play a pivotal role, an institution like an independent judiciary as a last resort must first exist for the people to exercise their faith.That can only be ensured only if a safety provision is entrenched constitution.
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K.Pillai / December 20, 2018
Sharmini Serasinghe seems to think that the 26 October ‘constitutional crisis’ is over. Is it?
Is RW the only pig-head?
.
What made all our leaders into pig heads? Some into bigoted pig-heads?
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jslal / December 20, 2018
Ravi Karunanayagam was also appointed as a minister! So your threatening tweets to the PM did not work, eh? [Edited out]
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Yakadaya / December 20, 2018
Well said Sharmini Serasingha.But i alredy said it 3 years ago.Within a few months time Sira is going to chase him again.
He still doesnt know hoe killed Thajudeen.
He still doesnt know hoe killed P.Ekneligoda.
He still doesnt know hoe killed L.Wikramatunga.
He still doesnt know hoe’s account is V 2222222.
This bugger is useless.Sira knows he is the weakest link.
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rajash / December 20, 2018
Sharmini “The TNA has no chance in hell of ever FORMING a government.” (my capitals)
This is wrong statement. The TNA (read Tamils) have in the past helped SLFP and UNP in forming the Govt when either of the part lacked overall majority.
I understand Ranil, when he was reappointed as PM( due to some legal brains within TNA and steadfast democratic act of TNA) invited TNA to join the Govt. TNA refused.
TNA is not after 5 ministerial cars and 7 secretaries and fat salary cheque.
TNA wants to safeguard democracy, minority rights and accountability for war crimes.
From reading comments here in CT and other social media, I noticed that even hard racist Sinhala people have mellowed down.
The Sinhala people of this country should understand that the only way this country can progress is for people of all races and religion and language and gender (including butterflies) to unite and drive out the corrupt politicians who thrive on race mongering.
LTTE was on e of the most admired liberation movement of the world.The only liberation movement in the world to develop land, sea and air defense capability.
Sharmini – give Tamils one parliamentary term to Govern this country they will turn this country in to a Singapore.
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Uthungan / December 21, 2018
Rajash
“LTTE was one of the most admired liberation moments of the world to develop land sea and air defense capability.”
Why you have sullied the thrust of your commendable comment by including the above.
Would you justify and convince us what benefits the Tamils or any others in SL attained by the said LTTE capability other than collateral damage to life limb and property caused to all at large?
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rajash / December 21, 2018
Uthungan – Please read in to my comments. I have not endorsed the strategy/tactics of LTTE…and you have not challenged my statement about LTT’s ingenuity.Your issue is that it does not warrant inclusion here?
The point is that if we (all Sri Lankan’s) provide the right atmosphere to channel this energy Sri Lanka would be in a much better place.
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Uthungan / December 22, 2018
rajash
Please don’t quibble.
When you say “LTTE was one of the most admired liberation movement of the world” what ingenuity of it were you on about, other than the perverse self defeating strategies it adopted that brought disaster and humiliation to the Tamils at large in SL?
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rajash / December 22, 2018
Uthungan – I am not quibbling.
you are the one who is nit pickin !muttaiyil mayir peddungarathu”
so look at the wider message .
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Uthungan / December 22, 2018
rajash
Not me you are nit picking and time wasting.
When your ‘LTTE muttai’ had been smitten you are the one who finds ‘myir’(hair) in it.
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rajash / December 22, 2018
Uthungan – .even the Sri Lankan army marvel at the ingenuity of LTTE and in fact they opened a museum….and later shut it down as it was giving too much positive propaganda to the LTTE among the Sinhala South
I am not justifying or condoning the violent act of LTTE but one must give due credit to our Tamil boys .
I agree that its all wasted…and that is my point …about channeling the talents and exploiting it for the economic good of all
I am not going to waste any more of my time with your single minded and blind bias against the LTTE
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Uthungan / December 23, 2018
rajash
As you are not convinced the SL army set up a museum containing LTTE weapons for it’s own propaganda purposes to boast about their mythical valour to the gullible Sinhalese people and think it was to admire LTTE’s ingenuity and also at the same time admit not condoning it’s violent acts I realise that you are undergoing a severe mental stress.
So I give up.
Sorry for the effort in trying to convince you otherwise.
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rajash / December 23, 2018
anyhow you still refuse to accept that given the opportunity and the correct channels these Tamil kids can deploy the the ingenuity that they have and demonstrated positively to build Singapore in the NE yet alone Sri Lanka.
I don’t need to be convinced that ….
” I realise that you are undergoing a severe mental stress.>>”
not at all mate ….Christmas spirits…….and same to you …bye for now
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Thiagarajah Venugopal / December 22, 2018
Dear Rajash
That is the kind of positive stand we need from all our people. Look upto each other and be there for each other will see us through all the pitfalls for ever. Nation building is a ‘Glass Half Full’ scenario not half empty. Tis is the reality for any progressive society.
I say bring all the school representaion from around the country to Gale face Green and get the elected take a oath on their ‘job scope’ in their presence and is the elected who should sing the National Anthem (we should have a mixed version in Tamil and Sinhala as they will never be interchangeble) to our children and the Armed forces.
This should be done on our next Independence Day. All other celebration of Independence are a waste of tax payers money and fake. Make this a Green Day politics and we should remember all our Mother Lankan Children died since independence in a common memorial. This should be an annual event forever……..make compulsory military service for all and start ‘Green Sri Lanka’ a registered organisation for all our green future discussions/this could be part of the Environmental Ministry too but public/private ownership required for responsibility.
My Fathers school in Karainagar says ‘you be honest yourself’ is been there since 1940’s.
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Agnos / December 20, 2018
Ms. Serasinghe,
The people you mention are mostly center to center-right in their ideology. But given the urban-rural divide, and the large % of struggling masses, for any party to win nationwide polls, it will have to include center-left people who can appeal to the rural masses, while weaning them away from old forms of racial and religious hatreds. Can the Colombo-centered politicians on your list ( Yes, I know Mangala has a deep South constituency and Sumanthiran was elected from the North, but still they probably spend more of their time in Colombo and may not be able connect to the rural masses on a national stage.)
The way ahead for the country is for the current UNP to form alliances with JVP and others for the specific purpose of getting rid of the executive presidency and coming up with a working solution to the problems of the Tamil people; and then a new coalition can field left-leaning members in constituencies where that is needed, and have a centrist Prime Minister from a list like you have now.
Completely leaving the current parties and forming a new party is not a winning strategy, though it may sound good and clean to many.
Whatever the negatives of RW and those close to him, after the last 3.5 years of the new regime, you can’t deny that we now have a better judiciary and a parliament that is doing slightly better than before. Law enforcement and prosecution need to improve a lot, but still not as bad as it was during the Rajapaksa regime. The country has to build on those positives rather than aiming for untested ‘radical’ solutions that may fail and result in a worse state than now.
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Ayathuray Rajasingam / December 20, 2018
Sharmini Serasinghe, well written. However, this is a complicated political situation. This is the very reason I was maintaining for a National Government accommodating Sampanthan and Sumathiran along with Malik Samarawickrema, Tilak Marapana and D.M.Swaminathan within a small Cabinet consisting of 15 to 18 Ministers. Had these people been in the Cabinet, there would be unity and the country would speedily march towards prosperity of the country, while exposing the true colours of Maithiripala, Mahinda, Wimal Weerawansa, and some Tamil and Muslim Parliamentarians. Ranil should realize that people are watching the developments. Corruptions should not be allowed any room to creep through undesirable Ministers.
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Good Advice / December 20, 2018
Sharmini, Ranil must pick from his team and people loyal to him. He has to stick to the magic 30. Then the cabinet must be finalised prior to Appa Sira’s foreign trip tomorrow, Friday. All UNF leaders demand minister posts, so are the UNP old guard. It is a difficult juggling job as everyone must be pleased.
We are still short of about 6 MPs to form the majority in the government. They (SLFP) won’t join unless ministerships are offered. Then, again Appa Sira’s obstacles. MR with Appa Siira blessings is waiting to defeat a money bill and become PM again.
Appa Sira undercuts the government at every given turn; Ranil succeeded with this much with difficulty. Even capable Fonseka is out thanks to Appa Sira obstacles. Ranil did well with women giving 2 posts.
Very much agreed; some very capable persons have missed out, let’s hope they will at least get good junior posts.
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Chauvinist / December 20, 2018
Without TNA’s support RW hardly had a majority and Mr Sampanthan was gracious in relinquishing the position of Opposition Leader. It is an understatement that people are disappointed that no TNA member in the cabinet, to say the least. Mr Sumanthiran has demonstrated by his eloquent performance in the Supreme Court, he is eminantly suitable for a cabinat position.
Paramount among the duties of the new government is to bring perpeterators of crimes to books.
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Sandy / December 21, 2018
I have no trust in any of these UNPers They all are respinsible for bring our country down, socially, economically and morally. From the bond scam to betraying the country at Geneva, selling the state assets to signing the most controvercial singapore agreement, as a patriotic citizen, I am thoroughly disagree n angry at. Harsha, Mangala, Eran n all these buggers were there when all these took place. So I have a very BIG NO to UNP!
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NAK / December 21, 2018
This is the truth that these UNP idiots either fail or refuse to accept.
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Native Vedda / December 22, 2018
NAKia
–
Has Dr Mahinda apologised to the people for his stupid and most irresponsible thoughts, words and actions in the past 50 days?
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You could and should blame the minorities for the Pandemonium in the parliament.
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Thanga / December 21, 2018
This subject has been overblown by RW’s political adversaries. Those who are beating their chests over this loss should explain why they are not blaming Rajapaksa s who played ducks and drakes with government funds?
What about the huge losses incurred by the Mihin Airways run by his brother-in-law? What about all the white elephants like Hambantota Harbour, Mattala international airport, international stadium, Rajapaksa Foundation at state expenses costing Rs.90 million etc etc.?
According to the Media Ministry sources payments to the following, state-owned media by Mahinda Rajapaksa have defaulted:-
Rupavahini Corporation – Rs. 206.1 million
Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation – Rs. 51.7 million
Associated Newspapers Ceylon Limited – Rs. 124.9 million
ITN – Rs. 89.2 million
Wasantham TV – Rs. 4 million
Wasantham Radio – Rs. 11 million
Lakhanda radio – Rs. 6 million
State Printing Corporation – Rs. 592.6 million. Total – 1088.5 million. (https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/state-institutions-to-pay-over-a-billion-for-rajapaksa-led-advertising-on-state-media/)
More than bond scam, I will blame RW for issuing import licences to 225 MPs and 45 Provincial Ministers. That was a big drain on the Treasury when the economy was ailing.
For the next 20 months, RW has to work with a revengeful and ignorant MS who continues to place roadblocks on his path. 2/2
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Raj / December 21, 2018
Thanga,
You people have been complaining about Mahinda’s so called illegal expenses. Stop the bloody complaints at least now since you had over three years to bring the culprits to books. Did it happen? NO. Then what should we do? Pray to the Almighty God.
please keep quiet and let the people decide.
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Gamarala / December 21, 2018
Reason: No evidence; no illegal expenses; No robberies;
The person who was shouting at the top of his voice “hora hora” in parliament conducted the biggest “horakama” in the history of the country by looting the Central Bank with the help of his buddy who is a citizen of another country with which Sri Lanka has no extradition treaty!
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Native Vedda / December 21, 2018
Raju
–
“Then what should we do? Pray to the Almighty God.”
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Please ask JVP or LTTE residuals if they could overthrow the state by any means necessary and restructure the state into a dictatorship of the proletarian.
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Sarath Fonseka would love the idea.
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Gamarala / December 21, 2018
Why the hell did’nt the UNP-Yahapalanaya government which vowed to bring the “horas” to courts, didn’t do it for over three and a half years? Because there is no evidence and there was robberies!
Hopefully the COPE report regarding the investigation of the Central Bank Robbery will be published soon so that the “Mastermind” of this robbery will be revealed and all those who were involved will be brought to justice!
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Thanga / December 21, 2018
Sharimini’s write up is mostly empty rhetoric. Forming a political party is not that easy. You must have resources both human and financial. The politicians she mentioned have no stomach for the hurly-burly of politics. This is true of Sumanthiran who wants to quit politics if the constitutional process reaches a dead end.
What can be done is to educate the masses to pay attention to the economy first and last. If we can develop the country and create jobs and place at least one square meal a day on everyone’s plate that will eliminate the squabbling over religion, race and language. The Sinhalese people, by and large, are preoccupied with religion. Religion should be kept separate from the state. Leave the spiritual enlightenment of the people to the monks and priests. We see Buddhist priests fighting like underworld gangs in the streets.
Today, people take to politics to make money and hold power. Every MP on both sides of the divide wants to become a Minister! That is why we have jumbo cabinets since 1956.
I don’t buy the virulent criticism of Prime Minister Wickremesinghe. He is the best out of the bad lot. He is less communal compared to Sirisena and Rajapaksa. As for the Bond scam, the Presidential Commission appointed to investigate the sale of bonds had exonerated him of any wrongdoing, Critics say the government incurred Rs.11 billion ($65 million) on the bond issue. This is the price difference between what Perpetual Industries bought the bonds and sold same in the secondary market. The government has blocked Rs.11 billion from bank A/c of Perpetual Industries. So eventually there will be no loss to the government.
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Bastian Gajaweera / December 21, 2018
I fully agree with the comments made by Thanga.
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Ko Ko Me Podi Putha / December 21, 2018
Sharmini you are suggesting to give us 2 minute noodles which will not fix our hunger
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Mallaiyuran / December 21, 2018
Sharmini Serasinghe may represent few anti-SWRD bases, but no community of real democratic conscience. Neither is she representing Sinhala Buddhist or Sinhala Intellectuals, the strange species. As a matter of fact it was the first UNP PM, Don Stephen, destroyed the Estate Industry to destroy Tamils. He brought Galoya Project to colonize Tamils’ lands. He brought MMDA to split Tamils and Muslims by religion and rule. His politics starts up with managing the Muslims –Sinhala riots of 1915, for Sinhala side. After 70 years, Sharmini Serasinghe has felt only the effect of Don Stephen’s course, not yet have understood the cause.
Sharmini, very narrow mindedly, is calling Sumanthiran to enter Sinhala politics, instead of reminding him of Kathirgamar, who worked dedicatedly for Sinhala Imperialism and unfaithfully destroyed by them too. She is in a way comparing Sothern dynastical politics with Sampanthar being the son of Ex. Eastern MP, Rajavarodyam. She is failing to understand how the Sinhala Dynastical political leaders are brought up with power, family and brute in the South. Sampanthar, a onetime target of LTTE, was recruited by LTTE to lead TNA over Kumar Ponnampalam- a dynastical politician or Anandasangaree that time leader of TULF. When LTTE was selecting him, there nothing of Rajavarodyam was left for him to count on. His selection by LTTE was only by merit. He selected Sumanthiran.
Sharmini, very narrow mindedly, is calling others to reject Ranil’s cabinet selection. The cabinet selection is the reason she is feeling frustrated with Ranil. (We have no personal Interest in the Lankawe cabinet selection). In that issue Ranil is only a prisoner of the circumstances. But some of them (the situation) Ranil created. He set fire to CBK’s constitution. He went to New York to Save Old King from UNSG’s expert Panel’s report. He blocked CBK signing ICC. He went to Temple Tree House and promised to save Old King after Old King’s election loss.
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Mallaiyuran / December 21, 2018
Yahapalanaya’s election promise was “No Leader, No Commander, No Soldier will be prosecuted”. Sinhalese voted for that promise. Ranil and New King are bound by that promise to Sinhala Mahajan. This is how Old King’s Machoism was protected and pampered by UNPyers. Ranil didn’t object his dismissal and in fact he had offered to New King to establish the majority and take it over from him. If they had established majority with proper offers of donkey trading, Ranil would have left the TTH. He knows his age; he knows his ability; he is willing to retire. But, if I were him, I too would not have resigned my position when the opponents citing a false murder charge as reason. Ranil cannot resign now. Other UNPyers don’t want him to resign now. If he is not guilty of CB looting, then Ravi’s case also not proven. I don’t want to get into detail of each and every minister’s case. But Ranil is not accepting any fault accused on him or on his previous cabinet. That is the logic he used to come back to government. That is why he is trying to restore the same cabinet.
New King is the head of the cabinet. New King and Old King will not be prosecuted for any of their crimes. Ranil and Ravi too want to enjoy benefit. Denying that for his ministers and splitting his earlier cabinet will make him lose his majority. If that is what everybody wanted, all should have stopped as soon as the court cases were won; should not have forced Ranil to take up PM position.
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Mallaiyuran / December 21, 2018
But having said all that Sharmini is not ready think who Ranil is/was. She is not rejecting him for who he is/ but for whom he appointed. So Yahapalanaya continues the impunity, Yahapalanaya continued Chinazation, Yahapalanaya continued dodging international arbitration. But, for the Sinhalese, it stopped the white vans, Tamils is fear of armed forces still remains. That cannot be policy difference between Yahapalanaya and Chitanta governments. This is how the Sinhala Intellectuals guiding the Sinhala mass. They recommended a war criminal as EP and got stuck with him now. Are they now telling, in Jan 2015, that they thought he would eat Old King’s Appa and cheat Old King, but would not do that to him? In Jan, 2015 their advice to mass was to “Jump to fire from pan”.
Did anyone of them recommended Sumanthiran for EP, in 2015? Tamils know the difference between Sumanthiran and CV. As a reliable person, CV is many times more favored by Tamils. We recommended CV for EP, in CT. Can one single person show their supporting comments for our recommendations in CT? These Sinhala Intellectuals wanted the Yahapalanaya government be formed not making any changes from Chitanta Government. That time they just wanted Old King replaced by New King, DMJ replaced by Ranil. No policy changes. Now they are somersaulting, chest beating and whining.
Sharmini Serasinghe and only few others so far have started to think that the way Buddhism practiced in Lankawe is a cause to the problems the country is facing. But it is only ABC of the problem.
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Mallaiyuran / December 21, 2018
The three modern aspects adversely debilitating the Sinhala Society are:
1). Buddhism – A philosophical way, considered as a religion too, of living. Like in all schools of thoughts, Buddhism, by its nature of individuals developing their own philosophy, it is prone to go easily corrupted. Kandy Ayatollahs (the Mahanayakes) who instead of propagating Buddha’s austere life have gained political and economic wealth by interpreting the philosophy in their way. With these powers in their minds, they are misdirecting the country to conformations in internally and externally, rather than to competitive democracy.
2). Market economy – Market economy is highly dependent on Press, Law and Order and Democracy to function in any meaningful way. If its suitable environment is not present, then market economy is only bullies’ world; more than a feudal system.
3). Universal Franchise – The democratic governments based on Universal Franchising is very complex and utterly fragile. They need sophisticated handling; sincere attribution; organized protection from anarchist and oligarchist. They cannot survive in an environment with heavy baggage like Sinhala Buddhist Smart Patriotic Nationalism. Majoritarianism is a form fascist, imperialism enforced with vote.
The wealthiest and most educated North East community, in 1950s, is the poorest provinces and least educated in the country, now. They are the most unemployed. Their tiny land is occupied by 150,000 heavy armed, occupying army. If Sumanthiran wants to join Sinhala Politics, It is fine. He can stand in any Sinhala electorate to get an MP position in the coming election. But Sumanthiran had promised in the North that if had not brought the Secret Solution soon, he would resign from politics. After coup, he expressed his opinion in North by one way communication that now there is no possibility of Secret Solution coming. Unfortunately, when he goes back to election this time, he will be haring the music from the North East Tamils.
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shankar / December 21, 2018
sharmini,please don’t mention pig as a anatomy of ranil.You may chase away hakeem and rishard badiudin from the UNF.You should be mindful of your language due to our muslim brethren.
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Iromi Goonasekera Poloni / December 21, 2018
Ma. Samarasinghe, “crème de la crème of patriotic professionals “ . That sent shivers down my spine! Have you not realized that the crème de la crème and patriotism has ruined this country? Haven’t we had enough of the crème and the bigoted patriots? Goodness, what you suggest is that we go back to square one! All we need is one good human, who is well educated and has good ethics. Planet Colombo is not Sri Lanka. Royal Collage, STC and the international schools are not Sri Lanka. Until people like you remove your rose tinted glasses and look at our land as a whole ( not just elitist Colombo) we will never get out of this vicious cycle.
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kolla / December 21, 2018
What fine arguments— RW has done some good, talk of old school should be subtle, RK has not robbed from the government only from perpetual, RW has to go slow given political realities- reminds me of crippled men talk of the reasons why they cannot climb a mountain.
As I see we will always find reasons, but will never climb the mountain.The DNA is corrupt and damaged
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Sinhala_Man / December 22, 2018
I agree, kolla that “old school” talk has to be different.
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“Subtle”? That suggests that we continue to undermine merit, but do it so it is not noticed.
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No. I had children, now grandchildren. Want the best for them, but not by unfair means. No, they are not going “in to the closest village school”, but they will go to good though small schools.
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We must keep schools small; maintain standards all round; co-operation, not competition to be emphasised.
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My experience as a teacher has been pretty varied.
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Having written that, I’m wondering if I have understood you correctly!
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