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!
harishchandra / December 21, 2018
Rather than waiting for the bus which will never come for a long time more, I will settle for the only feasible option available for me to get moving on. No country can ever develop with a set of crooks at the helm, so we had better be satisfied with the only honest party available at present.
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Jay / December 21, 2018
Agree with the sentiment raised in the article. But, one need to ask the question who elect the corrupt people into power. It is the good people of Sri Lanka. Therefore, the mindset of the people MUST change to become patriotic irrespective of race, religion and what ever. If Sri Lanka need to progress and be in the pool of ” Developing Nations”, elect a visionary young leader to take the country out of the current doldrums. With 92% literacy rate, there should be no problem if people start using their intellectual capacity supported by their intelligence. Some times it is very frustrating to watch the happenings in Sri Lanka due to lack of firm & passionary leadership.
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Hora Kota / December 21, 2018
But we need people who can ensure free use of glyphosate in our society, agriculture and non-agriculture areas. It needs to be promoted that glyphosate is not poison, but elixir of life. Only then will we be able to develop, under the thumb of Trans National Corporations.
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Anyone who push this line gets my glyphosate-fuelled support.
Viva, global chemical industry.
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Sharmini Serasinghe / December 23, 2018
Jay,
I totally agree with you. The 92% literacy rate is based on the abilty to read and write. It does not include the ability to think for one’s self and act according to their conscience. Hence the ability for political crooks to brainwash them.
Having said that, I firmly believe that we the voting masses wield the power and NOT the Politicians who have so far believed and behaved like our Lords and Masters. That mindset HAS to CHANGE top down. And that is, my SOLE mission as per my conscience!
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Sinhala_Man / December 24, 2018
Correct, Sharmini.
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Too many glibly talk of literacy rate, not realising how inadequate it is. I’m a teacher; my grandchildren start schooling next month, having returned to Sri Lanka on the 22nd – two days ago. Technology numbs the learner. My daughter was an HSBC Branch Manager. She gave that up when the first baby arrived five years ago. Her husband and she forego all commercial T.V. – and even radio.
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Changing the mindset you describe is a near impossible task; but we have to try since without that change we are doomed.
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The message has to be got to people who will not read what is available; who will not listen although they hear. And it has to be done in three languages.
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This is where I agree with you, and had a few reservations about what Grusha said about a person like Nagananda. The problems are there. I will illustrate with a second comment. However, Grusha should not make negative comments about Nagananda.
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Grusha has a crucial role to play in the massive task ahead. On April 23, 2018, I’ve commented on the need for Sinhalese, and Uthungan has talked about the task of getting through in Tamil.
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/a-woman-lawyer-exposes-some-disgusting-abuses-of-sri-lankan-justice-system/comment-page-4/#comments
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Sinhala_Man / December 24, 2018
THE ANTIDOTES
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We have to assist people like Nagananda to conduct their campaigns more professionally. This is what I said in April, seven months ago:
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“Sugandhika Fernando speaks too fast in both languages; her English is NOT broken, it is typically Sri Lankan – especially the intonation and stress patterns. So yes, it is difficult to get all the details. Her English is actually fluent; vocabulary quite sufficient, grammar is O.K. That is her!”
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This is where you will find it:
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/a-woman-lawyer-exposes-some-disgusting-abuses-of-sri-lankan-justice-system/comment-page-4/#comments
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I was responding to a racist named Jerome Schokman, who was writing from Australia. Yes, let us remember that we tolerated such “whites” in out land for centuries; Banda’s 1956 became necessary owing to such people who can’t stop insulting us even when they have found their haven in a land “cleansed” of Aborigines.
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Later, on the same page, we had “Edwin Rodrigo”:
“From the way her mouth moves, its shape and gestures I could place her in the Southern Coastal around Balapitiya, which, just as a matter of interest, is famous for Salagama (Hali) caste people, who have are genetically prone to be extremely talkative.
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Sponge Bob / December 21, 2018
It seems Sandy is getting mad and Goofy goober’s goofy days are slowly coming to an end!
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Prematunge / December 21, 2018
Sharmini is superficial and her understanding of politics has to improve
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ConcernedCitizen / December 21, 2018
@Prematunge … I second her thoughts. In summary, What he has said is correct. Even though he is a gentlemen, he is not a leader.
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Amal / December 22, 2018
Can you please explain you understanding of politics? If most of them approve or don’t care about corruptions, our development or our future generations, others should also follow them??? Don’t forget our responsibility towards our future generations of Sri Lanka.
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Sharmini Serasinghe / December 22, 2018
My understanding of politics is that it has been corrupt to the core, since we gained independence. Time has come for the long awaited change!
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karu / December 21, 2018
Most of people ,like the writer, disgrace or condemn RW. However I see the following positive points in his life as a leader.
1. He doesn’t do body make ups like other former leaders and lives in natural appearance. He is a
natural man.
2.He. doesn’t not wear full white national suits like S W R D, R Premadasa, JR, MR. and Maithreepala
Sirisena to cheat general public. His white color is in mind and heart.
3. He has no revenge and has the hugest level of patient/tolerance forever in every events and
occasion which no any leader in Sri lanka inherits.
4 He has the highest level of regard for Buddhism and other races but never underestimates other
religions or races.
5. He has highest level of acceptance in international level which no any other leader has .
6. He has highest of education not like any other current or past politicians. He has passed out from
University of Colombo ,law faculty. A locally educated gentleman.
7. He has highest level of English education which none of other current leaders has.
8. He is not corrupt. some people talk about bond scam. but none of the investigations have
revealed that RW has received any cents from the B/scam.
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Kumaran / December 21, 2018
Karu, NONE of the excellent points you mention means a thing when it comes to positive, incorruptible governance. !!
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Shan / December 21, 2018
Good proposition but will it work or supposing it would, will the result be as you envisage? A big question. Can we vouch for?
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Sharmini Serasinghe / December 22, 2018
Wait and see.
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Winter Kakka / December 21, 2018
gopinath,
You are on a useless mission. Don’t you know Sinhala_Man and Manel Fonseka are the same? The former uses the latter to attack you. Keep away from Sinhala_Man as I have done.
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Whatmore / December 21, 2018
gopinath as a Tamil has sensed ‘Tamilness’ in Sinhala-Man.
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patriot / December 21, 2018
Sharmini Serasinghe
Do you want Kuliyapityia VOLKSWAGEN fame Harsha to lead the country. He is also partly responsible for the perils Ranil has faced with today.
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Native Vedda / December 22, 2018
patriot
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Harsha is a unrepentant proud southerner and a Sinhala/Buddhist who won’t betray the war criminals.
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Bob Woolmer / December 21, 2018
To change Sharmini’s rhetoric – Litro Gas should start sending her a monthly cheque of Rs 95000
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kokila / December 21, 2018
Why the hell was Inoka Sathyangani appointed as Rupavahini chairman, when Sharmini is there who is the best suited for that job,
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Nilanthi Akka / December 21, 2018
Per Lanka News Web
“Thilan is a close friend of Shamini Serasinghe who has been happily attacking Ravi.”
This is Thilan Wijesinghe the big time crook.
So the cat’s out of the bag Sharmini
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Sharmini Serasinghe / December 23, 2018
Nilanthi Akka,
Have you heard of the saying that it’s better to keep one’s mouth shut and be thought a fool than open it and remove all doubt?
Get your facts right before you make a fool of yourself on a public platform,.
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Thiagarajah Venugopal / December 21, 2018
Hello Sharmini Thank you. In addition I make the following observation
(1) The TNA is still gasping for breath trying to recover from its notorious bloodthirsty reputation earned from the 70s onwards, for which their egos to date, have prevented them from apologising to the Tamils & the Sinhalese they threatened, targeted and massacred. The TNA feel they can continue to make a living out our misery hence the current state of affairs in SL equally compounded by their irrational solutions to Tamil problems in the first place.
(2) Muslim Parties should loose identity.
(3) The Upcountry Tamil parties should loose identity
Unless the progressive nature of our people/lessons learned is collectivelly COMPLEMENTED by these ghetto groupings we will never have a dawn/permanent solution for next generations to lead a peaceful life.
We have been 360 circle back to the same point and lost a lot of Mother Lankan Children life in the process. Now want to go around agin with the same attitude/approach/proven incorrect solutions once more we will not have a Nation left.
We are so blinded that even a very simple solution that exist infront of us to ‘unit’ itself /public being prevented to seek the truth tells you why we are stuck. It may have been one sided 70 years ago then when GOSL made incorrect decisions but then all got in the same act and said we can do better…….’we will take this Country out of existence’….blind leading the blind scenario then and now the pot calling the kettle black scenario is the difference. All is done in the name of Democracy too.
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Sinhala_Man / December 21, 2018
Friday afternoon thoughts
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Yes, country mired because Ranil & MaRa will ensure each group’s serious misdeeds will not be investigated by the other.
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Sirisena did one dishonest thing; appointing MaRa Prime Minister in October 2018. Many venial tactical mistakes before that, but basically an honest man out of his depth.
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It looks as though we’re going to be stuck with crooks who will wield political power over us, until bloody revolution comes.
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edwin rodrigo / December 21, 2018
Sharmimi, your statement that “Further, each time they form new coalitions and their identities and symbols are changed more frequently than their underwear.” raises an interesting question. How do you know how frequently Ranil is changing his underwear?
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Moreover, how frequently would you expect the symbols to be changed by your standards? Give us a rough maximum and a minimum.
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I have been seeing the same photo of you from the time I started reading CT. There is no doubt that it is a nice photo.. But I am sure it is outdated by at least 10 years. Thus unless it is similar to Oscar Wilde’s Picture of Dorian Gray, it does not represent the current situation.
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Before, you question statistics of Ranil’s underwear, please change your photo, so that you may gain some credibility.
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kali / December 21, 2018
Sharmini;
The choic is between a Devil and Deep Blue Sea.. But dont despair
because
The two main players in Sri Lanka’s political arena – the UNP and the SLFP have now been replacec by SLPP headed by Basil the THIEF. and SLPP will sweep the board.
But the following is the cleverest piece of observation that I have ever come accross but with one correction
THE TNA HAS NO CHANCE IN HELL OF EVER FORMING A GOVERNMENT.
Even a baby in a Womb knows that . No you are wrong the TNA will have a realistic chance in HELL of forming a Government but not in Sinhala Lanka. .
Look at the evidence.
In Sinhala Lanka we cant even be a head of the Armed forces , head of a corporation, any public organisation. let alone rule the Country. Look at America ” Obama ” a black man , Look at India a Muslim can be head of armed forces , President because India is a secular sociciety. Sadly Sri Lanka is a Racist Society.
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..
*** You are living in a dream World. Mangala will be pushed to the ground by SLPP thugs and with his body weight he wont be able to get up. Sumanthiran can only address the crowds in his Homeland otherwise he will be stoned.
SWEET DREAMS.
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.
*** With all due respect we the Tamils made it possible .
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citizen Perera / December 21, 2018
Sharmini, You have written an excellent piece. Ranil will go down history as the man who destroyed UNP. Biggest traitor to this country was his uncle who cared only for the success of UNP by introducing this stupid system of President and the preference voting system. Ranil however not to be outdone has created this big bond scam mess and he believes only royalists are suitable to make policies of Sri Lanka. He is far distant with no concern for the poor man on the streets. He is arrogant and unfriendly even to his fellow MPs. He is now hell bent in forming a so called national Government so that he can appoint another batch of rogue thieves as ministers. In his list which he sent to the President even the pole vaulter Vasantha Senanayake’s name is there. They want to increase the number of money gobbling ministers without any consideration to the dire economic situation of the country.
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Ajith / December 21, 2018
citizen Perera,
It is true that UNP should reorganize themselves and make drastic changes to become a people oriented political organization. However, Mahinda & Co are still the main threat to this nation’s democracy, peace, freedom and welfare. The country was saved two consequtive political illegal, undemocratic coups within the past 3 and a half years. It is the challenge the whole nation should get together to defeat and destroy that evils.
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kali / December 21, 2018
Without wishing to offend anyone I should ha said that Sumanthiran will be a PIG in the middle
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Fathima / December 21, 2018
“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”
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Sure they will become a rival to JVP only, not more. If we could perform a mass brain-transplant to Sri Lankans, it might be possible.
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People vote for colors, just colors
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Then we have people who vote just because their family by generation castes their vote to a party.
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Some vote just because politician originates from same native village
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Some for religion
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Then the rest gullible lot are bribed at the last minute of elections. Petty bribes like “bath parcel “, arrack bottles, school text books for kids, jobs, dresses, sewing machines, eye-glasses, etc..etc.
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Some select certain politician get out of any criminal cases too.
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People need to change first, then politicians will change or get lost.
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B. Fernando / December 21, 2018
The solution would be a collective body of citizens with legal advice challenge the appointment of crooks whose cases are pending & get an restraing order. must chk the constitutionality of the appointments!!We can’t allow the PM to appoint thieves at his whims & fancies! This is our country! Not his personal property! we hv appointed them with our votes to run the country competently, but he has failed miserably! !!
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Prem Vaidyaratne / December 21, 2018
No analysis here done by Sharmini at all. Only an amateur tirade against Ranil et al. Typical ignorant and naive housewife’s response to what is happening. I can mutilate almost every statement made by her. I will not waste my time. For example, to say, as THANGA rightly observes above in a comment, that a third force can be organized by Harsha, Eran and the other is ridiculous. Anybody who understands the political process will never come to such a conclusion. We must be grateful to Ranil Wickremasinghe for giving strategic leadership to the “yukthiye Jayagrahanaya,” or the triumph of democracy defeating the Sirisena-Mara junta forces of evil. But Sharmini sees nothing of this. Ranil faces a difficult political situation where his freedom to act is restricted by realities. He will handle this new situation well. Let him do that.
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Hard Truth / December 21, 2018
You are absolutely right. This is not a column or write-up, just the shouting of a fishwife in a fish market. RW may or may not have done the wrong thing but Sharmini fails to clearly articulate anything he has done wrongly, either recently or in the years past. She randomly picks four people, and the chances of these people making an alliance and becoming the main party are as bright as the chances of a snowball in hell. A very ameteur… piece? no. Write-up? no. Opinion? no. I do not know what to call the garbage she has thrown up. Compared to her, Dayan J is a professional political analyst. God, I cant believe the day has come when I am comparing Dayan J favourably with anyone.
And I don’t understand why she thinks it soooo important that people should find her pretty, so that she chooses to use a photo which is taken twenty years prior with a truckload of make-up. There she trumps the Hon. Opposition Leader in fake appearances. If Sharmini looks like that in real life then I am typing this from my mommy’s tummy. Some people will say it is her affair which photo she chooses to use. I disagree. To me, a person so fake is not to be trusted or taken seriously.
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MNIN Perera (OTC) / December 22, 2018
Hi Prem,
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Six executive Presidents ruled this country. JRJ, DBW, Premadasa, Chandrika, Mahinda and now Sirisena. When elected ALL of them enjoyed the same power that JRJ had. JRJ described his power thus. “I can do anything short of making a Man a Woman and a Woman a Man”.
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I believe you, like most, have surrendered their ability to THINK and is mesmerised by the Pied Piper RW’s tune.
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If Sirisena had not kept his word like those who preceded him did, who will be governing the country today?
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Have we really WON democracy or surrendered it unconditionally for 4.5 years?
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What recourse do we have of ousting a corrupt govt (of any colour) within that 4.5 years?
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Can we invoke the Supreme Court or appeal to the Executive President for help?
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There is absolutely no Constitutional Remedy available after the SC judgement on 19A. But the fundamental premise of the Constitution recognizes the Sovereignty of the people.
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What if a Parliament with a 2/3 majority gets intoxicated with power, starts robbing with impunity, makes new undemocratic laws and turn into a Parliamentary Dictatorship?
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Don’t delude yourself, we have not won democracy but have created a Monster that will bite us in the future.
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Ranil sugar coated a venomous pill and the Gullible swallowed it with glee.
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mahamudliyar / December 21, 2018
Sharmini mentioning men’s underwear is quite inappropriate, uncivilized, indecent and vulgar. What if a man referred to women’s underwear he will be taken to the court.
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Thamodaran Thampo / December 21, 2018
Sharhmini is Thilanga Wijesinghe friend whose best friend is Mano Thittawela. We know all.
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Sharmini Serasinghe / December 23, 2018
Thamodaran Thampo,
Sharhmini may be a friend of Thilanga Wijesinghe.
But, Sharmini Serasinghe is not. For the record, Sharmini Serasinghe has never even met the man.
Please get your facts correct before you decide to waste space on this comment thread.
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Gamarala / December 21, 2018
Sharmini is incredibly beautiful. I think Edwin Rodrigo is jelous.
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Not Fooled / December 21, 2018
Beauty is in the eye of the eye of the beholder. You need to get your eyes examined Gamarala!
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Native Vedda / December 22, 2018
Gamarala
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“I think Edwin Rodrigo is jelous.”
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Being a practising Necrophilia edwin rodrigo has pathological fascination of cadaver, carcass, corpse, …………
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edwin rodrigo / 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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Native Vedda / December 22, 2018
edwin rodrigo
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Thank you for both of your typing above.
Keep up your good work.
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edwin rodrigo / 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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Ranjini Lamahewa / December 21, 2018
Through her marriage Sharmini is connected to late Winston Serasinghe whose wife was Iranganie, whose cousin in Ranil. So Sharmini is indeed related to Ranil thus claim lineage to Wijewardanes/Jayawaradanes/Senanayakes/Bandranaikes. Indeed Sharmini is from a good stock. Someone said she is the most beautiful in Sri Lanka today after Rosy Senanayake. No Sharmini should not change the photo, it is the Sharmini we know of. If Sharmini runs for election from UNP or JVP we will vote for her.
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edwin rodrigo / 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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Warsha Andrahennadi / December 21, 2018
I see the debate whether who is more beautiful – Sharmini or Rosy. I say neither. Cumaraswamy girl (yes Radhika) is my first choice followed by Geetha, Pabha, (A)pavithra, Thalatha, Chandrani and Hirunika girl.Rosy is last and Sharmini is one before the last.
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Iromi / December 21, 2018
Ms. Sera Singh’s,
To quote from your article. “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! “
Are you serious? That sent shivers down my spine!! Who pray is this crème de la crème? Who are these patriots? Haven’t the so called crème de la crème , blind bigoted patriotism done enough damage to our nation? Please remove your pink tinted glasses, then step out of “ planet Colombo “ and take walk around rural Sri Lanka. All we want is a honest man or woman, one with ethics and morals one who can look me in the face and say “I am clean” and I would be able to believe it.
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Mallaiyuran / December 21, 2018
Sharmini Serasinghe wanted to show her tiredness in Lankawe politics. She wanted list her favorite politicians. She is talking about and alternative. That is all fine with us. That is her freedom of expression.
She is not talking about policies. It is ok to her formulate policy after a party formed. The reason is she couldn’t imagine of her being where, while UNP is in West and SLFP is in left. The essay was to show the feeling, but it was not planned to achieve anything.
Her basic position is, if a Tamil talks about Tamils’ right then he/she is Northern a “Rajapaksa”. Her nasty twist is labelling all Tamil politicians as “Racists” and adding them to list of “Old King Class”. She is able to pick only Sumanthiran out of them as the most honest politician. It is not her inferior knowledge in Tamil politicians. This is only about her theory of how Tamil politicians should serve the idea of the Sinhala Buddhist Smart Patriotic Nationalism. Interestingly Sumanthiran didn’t appear as worth politician for Sharmini until he saved her UNP out of the quagmire Ranil created by his impunity to Old Royals. She sees Harsha, Mangala and Eran as worthy politicians. But none of them will save Sumanthiran if Sumanthiran face a same situation, what UNP faced, in North from his enemies.
Further problem with Sharmini is her two weeks memory, she just can’t remember it was UNP’s First leader Don Stephen named the Sumanthiran’s political party as “Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi” by disenfranchising the Tamils out of Lankawe.
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Sinhala_Man / December 21, 2018
Dear Ranjini Lamahewa,
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Thanks for what I’m sure is well-intentioned information. I must confess that even I have posted some irrelevancies, for which I have apologised elsewhere to Ms Sharmini Serasinghe. Fortunately, CT had excised some inaccuracies that I had put on.
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However, that supposed relationship to Ranil is pretty round about. At that rate everybody will be related to everybody else!
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Sharmini’s husband is one of the three sons of Winston and Iranganie Serasinghe. Winston was active in English Drama: I’ve seen him in some roles – let me not give you details that may prove inaccurate. Irangani’s (nee Meedeniya) is probably one of the most recognised Sri Lankan faces.
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Sharmini Dias was from some place near Wanduramba (off Galle). Can we now please focus on the issues, and not on irrelevancies?
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Now could we please focus on the issues here? The future for Sri Lanka looks pretty grim with Ranil seeming to get away with manipulating things the way he wants. He may even want to run for President, banking on the support he will probably get from minorities. In effect, he is blackmailing the minorities who won’t want the Rajapaksas.
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Is there any enthusiasm for Ranil? None. He will get a lot of Colombo votes from people who have no idea what the alternatives are. If he wins, it’ll be more of the same.
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If he loses, heaven help us in countering the Rajapaksa candidate. None of us, citizens, really gets any say.
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My3 is no devil, but he blundered. The Courts gave the right judgement. We’ve just got to get rid of this curse that is upon this land.
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MNIN Perera (OTC) / December 22, 2018
Dear Sinhala_Man,
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I enjoy your well written posts but I believe you have erred by saying that the court decision was right.
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The previous Court decision stated that a President’s powers cannot be changed (add or subtract) without a referendum. If that is true, Sirisena too, continued to enjoy JRJ’s powers post 19A.
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The Constitution is built on the premise that the People are Supreme. If that is so there should be a mechanism available to the Sovereign to take Parliament to task, whenever it oversteps the power conferred by the Sovereign. There is no such provision for 4.5 years after the recent SC judgement.
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The new Judgement makes it Constitutionally impossible for the Sovereign People, to hold Parliament responsible for anything they do, within that 4.5 years, even if the govt has only a simple majority. The damage is enormous if the govt commands a 2/3 majority.
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We did not win Democracy but have surrendered it for 4.5 years and may be for eternity if the rulers command a 2/3 majority in Parliament.
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Read my comment on this page, at this link and post your observations.
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/pig-headed-ranil-wickremesinghes-downfall/?replytocom=2238093#respond
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Sinhala_Man / December 22, 2018
Thanks, MNIM,
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Iclicked on that link, but it didn’t get me to your other comment. Will try again.
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I think that I understand what you mean in terms of what is now unfolding.
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However, that in itself is oxymoronic. A constitution’s soundness shouldn’t depend on unfolding events. It should be an all weather document.
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I don’t know much about legalities. I merely thought it dangerous that one side could spring an election on unsuspecting opponents. But now the possibility that Ranil and the Rajapaksas may have agreed not to seriously investigate the corruption and crimes of the other lot when in office, becomes a serious possibility. Sirisena, by comparison, was an innocent until he decided that he would install Rajapaksa as PM. Or have I got your meaning wrong?
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With proportional representation it is unlikely that if either majority community party would be compelled to go for an election by the other group mustering two-thirds. They would not be moveable until their term is over.
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I’m tired. This may not be well-written! Sometimes I send from a phone, then it is a mess.
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Thanks again.
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MNIN Perera (OTC) / December 23, 2018
Dear Sinhala_Man,
Apparently the links don’t work as they used to (It is generated by right clicking the reply button and using copy link). It was addressed to Prem on December 22, 2018. Since its on this same page you can also find it by using “Ctrl F” and entering OTC in the search field.
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Pre 19A this was the position.
Powers JRJ conferred on the Presidency and enhanced by Mahinda remained unchanged.
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Therefore springing an election, as Chandrika did, was within the powers Sirisena inherited. If he was not a man of his word he could have easily reneged, like his predecessors did, once ensconced in power. Parliament and the Judiciary would have been helpless onlookers.
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As you can see without Sirisena the 19A would not have seen the light of day.
Unfortunately Sirisena and his advisors failed to recognise the negative impact of 19A.
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Let’s examine the original 19A. What was it like?
It had RTI and the CC (the sugar coat)
It also had in clause 26 paragraph 104B(5)(c) a “Democratic” attempt to GAG both the State and Private Media. In Clause 11, the PM (RW) made a surreptitious attempt to usurp the powers of the President for himself (the poison).
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Luckily for Lanka the SC struck these down by stating it required approval by the people at a referendum. But the Question is, why would a Democratic govt even contemplate such draconian undemocratic laws? This is the time Ranil’s slip started showing but it went unnoticed by the protector’s of Democracy.
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The first SC ruling is available here
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/SC-SD-4-to-19-of-2015.pdf
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Sinhala_Man / December 24, 2018
Yes, MNIN Perera,
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Thanks for the patience of the tutorial – all on this page!
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Yes, found all that you referred to, and read April 2015 ruling of Sripavan and two others.
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It is correct to say that we’re in a soup. I thought it would require more study, but it doesn’t.
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Dr Dolittle / December 24, 2018
OTC/Perera,
“This is the time Ranil’s slip started showing but it went unnoticed by the protector’s of Democracy.”
Too difficult to understand?
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MNIN Perera (OTC) / December 24, 2018
Ranil attempted to use 19A to Gag Private and State Media Institutions. This is one of the most undemocratic acts that anyone in authority can do.
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No leader who stands for Democracy will ever contemplate such an act but Ranil did and tried to include it into our basic law, the Constitution.
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Thus Ranil is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
His followers unfortunately did not recognize the wolf.
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Ranil is not interested in Democracy. His interest is in acquiring the power that the President wields and his sly attempts at using the 19A to do so was also shot down by CJ Sripavan, SC judge Ekanayake and SC judge Priyasath Dep
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Sirisena was a fool to trust the Wolf of Batalanda fame.
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Manel Fonseka / December 22, 2018
Sinhala Man
I expect you are right. I was under the impression that SS was/is married to a son of Brigadier Dr Clifford Serasinghe (Harin?).
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Sinhala_Man / December 24, 2018
Dear Manel,
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I was wrong; you’ve been so right that you got very close to even Sharmini’s husband’s name: Hiran.
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A salutary lesson for me.
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Hard Truth / December 21, 2018
Hahahaha nice one Sharmini.
Even just criticism is wrong when it is meted out with ulterior motives. I am no politician, and in no way involved with politics, but I can see one thing clearly. YOU ARE MAD WITH RW BECAUSE HE DID NOT GIVE YOU SOME FAVOUR YOU WERE EXPECTING FROM HIM. This is the long and the short of it, and do not presume the readers are stupid enough not to understand it.
Your criticism of RW lacks any substance. Whether I agree with it or not is another matter, but you have to clearly present your case. What is it that he has done that is pig headed? What lesson has he not learnt? There are no answers in your verbal diarrhea. All we can gather is that you are ANGRY with him. For reasons that you are too shy to mention openly, presumably because they are closely connected to your self interest.
It is so funny that you have randomly handpicked four people as our saviours without giving any reason whatsoever why you picked them. What sort of criteria have you used, and why did it not dawn on you that you have to mention your criteria, at least vaguely and qualitatively?
I am no fan of RW, but he must have done something right if people like you are oh so angry with him. He is right not to give you whatever it is that you expected from him.
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