16 February, 2025

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Political Tsunami Of UNP, SLFP, SJB & SLPP & Their Destiny With General Election

By Asoka S. Seneviratne –

Prof. Asoka.S. Seneviratne

that these dead shall not have died in vain– that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth” ~ (U.S. President Abraham Lincoln)

When Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) won the presidency with 42 percent of the votes, all opposition parties undermined it by stating that 58 percent of voters were against him, so it was not a win as the majority were against him. At the same time, hardly anyone in opposition wanted to appreciate and value 42 percent based on the 3 percent of the votes that the AKD obtained in 2019, an unprecedented jump. I understand the above is not a relevant assessment at all. The victory marked a turning point in political history since 1948 that will never go along the path of green or blue or “class” and ”Wallawwa politics”, is the matter. The NPP politics of the people or the people’s victory cannot be taken back at any cost so that it will reach the desired destination that the public and the country expect, “A Thriving Nation, A Beautiful life”.  The purpose of those articles is to present the above convincingly and acceptably because of the claim that 58 percent of voters were against AKD, while only 42 percent supported AKD. The above will go to the general election on 14 November 2024, determining the destiny of UNP, SLFP, SJB, and SLPP.

The reality of the jump from 3% to 42 % of NPP

The above-mentioned “Class” and “Wallawa” politics are related to four political parties, UNP, SLFP, SJB and SLPP that have dominated the people and the country since 1948. When they were in power hand in hand, they gave top priority to looking after their interest by accumulating assets and safeguarding only a few associated with them. Based on the above, it was the mounting corruption, fraud, nepotism, mismanagement,  mounting economic pressures of the people, widespread disillusion, and in short, all opposing forces that retarded systematic economic growth and development that disappointed and frustrated the public to support AKD.

In short, the corrupt political system of the four political parties and their politicians forced the people to choose an AKD-led NPP or a new political culture, irrespective of the political ideology of the NPP/JVP, the ground reality. The public expressed their utter disappointment, frustration, or position by stating that “we do not want 225; they all must go home,” which had been there since 2019. As I can remember, the 225 Must Go Home slogan was started at the time of the Gotabaya government, and it was intense with the ex-president RW-led government. Many may think the above slogan has little substance, but the ground reality is different.

It is not intended to go back to the Gotabaya regime and economic hardships faced by the public, the absence of good governance alone, it is true and correct that the ex-president RW-led government did not care for the constitution and judiciary either; the ex-president admitted publicly that he was a cunning politician. Before the presidential election, ex-President RW and his government did their utmost to postpone the presidential election from 2 years to 5 years and then to 10 years with the support of his blind close associates, corrupt or undemocratic. Basil and SLPP interfered with different tactics and preferred that the parliamentary election be held first, again a political corruption. SLFP did not have any direction; it only had divisions and calamities. RW cunningly worked to have the support of SLPP and SLFP but utterly failed. Then he turned to SJB, and that, too, failed. Given the above background, political alliances were mushrooming. RW appeared as an independent presidential candidate and went with the Gas Cylinder. Basil was fed up, and Normal was confused, blaming RW for having a habit of breaking parties. Yes, it is true, as he broke SLFP, SLPP and UNP, too. Along with the above, all opposition parties were convinced that the NPP was the common enemy, so winning the presidential election was in balance for them. But the NPP determined to win.

Indeed, the opposition parties’ corrupt political culture or system made the NPP the common enemy—a point they did not realize by them. Along with the sources and causes of ARAGALAYA, the four parties mentioned above understood well that their fortunes were ending, as people were rallying behind the NPP—the background or the naked truth of the jump of NPP from 3 percent to 42 percent. However, 58%  is a political Tsunami that needs to be understood differently.

58% is a Political Tsunami of UNP, SLFP, SJB  and SLPP

As I explained above, the opposition parties ignored AKD’s win by stating that 58% of voters were against AKD. In short, 58% was a bitter pill for them to swallow because the ground reality is that it is a political Tsunami for the four parties mentioned above for the following reasons. No single political party is standing alone, like the NPP (NPP was a coalition in 2019) for the general election.  There are alliances and re-alliances, and they continue to form partnerships because they do not have excellent or realistic plans or teams to develop the country; benefitting the people, instead, as usual, self-interests were of utmost and top priority, grabbing power and staying in control. RW cannot hold power and control anymore, so he has only the leadership position of UNP.  Some UNP stalwarts are no longer with RW, and Wajira Abeywarddna, who ensured ten million votes for RW, is not even on the national list. Some UNP members want to contest, along with Gas Cylinder, and others want to use the Elephant symbol; there is a disintegration, losing direction, or trying to find the North and South. Generally, there are many divisions and calamities within all opposition parties, while some party members openly blamed and accused party leaders, so leadership has become very cheap. Basil escaped, and Narmal found refuge with the national list; Hambantota retired after 80 years, even though MR claims it is temporary, which may be similar to Keheliya’s, as explained below. Utterly confused and disappointed SLPP Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam wants to support NPP, which is a good gesture as nothing is left for him. More than 80 MPs, the majority of who were with RW, have been  “highly disappointed,” “highly fed up,” and “frustrated” left politics forever while Keheliya, like individuals, wants to be away from politics for sometimes, literally may mean taking rest until going to live in a completely different territory in the future. The best way not to face the public is to find refuge on the national list, while one who is 83 wants to work for the country sitting in a wheelchair as he still loves the people and the country. As President AKD vividly stated, “NPP government appears to have introduced “retirement” to Sri Lankan politics, where none of the politicians had retired in the past, other than those who had lost in an election or had died.” The public can now enjoy how politicians sing and try to relax on top of their committed heap of sins. Some politicians with Gas Cylinder state they want to make a strong opposition, which is highly appreciated and valued in the parliamentary democracy but is highly doubtful or unrealistic because they will not even be back in parliament, so the strong opposition will be in vain.  Some politicians state their names on the ballot paper but request the public not to cast votes for them, while those who failed to be on the ballot paper are crying all the way. People must appreciate their love and commitment to developing the country. None wants the premiership as it is so expensive. Another significant factor is that UNP, SLFP, SJB, and SLPP now openly state that they do not wish to have corrupt people as members of parliament. Hence, their parties are free of corrupt people or politicians. This is indeed an excellent recent development of political culture, along with NPP. It is highly appreciated and valued if the above is true and correct, even after 76 years of political history in the country. Given the above, I indicated just the tip of 58% of the political Tsunami of UNP, SLFP, SJB and SLPP. However, I will elaborate on this later.

Dream of SJB about 90 and about 104 for NPP

In a recent meeting, the Secretary of SJB stated that NPP would win about 104 parliamentary seats while SBJ would win about 90 seats. He is the only one who is so optimistic, and as a result, his party will be happy. I am not going to argue with the above figures. However, based on the political Tsunami explained above, even winning one-third of 90 seems to be a formidable task for the following reasons. SJB received 1. 2 million fewer votes in 2024 than in the 2019 presidential election. Given the cheap leadership together, some stalwarts’ trust and faith in the SJB leader are declining.  SJB is a highly disintegrated political party, so it will never return to where it was before the presidential election. It has nothing to sell to buy voters as the support to hold grade 5 scholarship failed, excerpt criticizing NPP and President AKD cheaply. Undoubtedly, for the general election on 14th November 2024, the North, East, and Upcountry voters/parliamentarians will support President AKD’s government because it will benefit them in many ways. The president is entirely and genuinely committed to working with the three areas mentioned above, similar to the rest of the county, having good knowledge and understanding of the problems and issues confined to the three regions in the country. Given all the above, the leader of SJB may regret that his name was not on the national list.

If UNP wins even a single seat during the general election, it will be a stunning victory for them for many reasons. If SLFP wins even a single seat, it will be a miracle. Regarding SLPP, winning a single seat is less than zero possibility. Given the 58% analysis in general and the above in particular, UNP, SLFP and SLPP possible winning of parliamentary seats as such that, the public will  observe the last rites of UNP, SLFP, and SLPP after 14 November 2024. It is the power of democracy, too late, that the above-mentioned political party leaders and politicians must have understood, not at all, the assets, power, and positions they accumulated, as their names will not be written in the country’s political history.

Quantity and Quality of the NPP/AKD-led parliament

Based on the slogan “We do not want 255; they all must go home,” the general election on 14 November 2024 must select the opposite of the 225 what the public and the country want. Based on my previous article in the Colombo Telegraph (CT), “AKD/NPP. Winning 113  seats is simple, but winning 150 and close to 200 is drastic and deliberate”, there is no doubt that NPP must fill the parliament with at least 113 MPs. However, after publishing the articles mentioned above, the political landscape has changed substantially in favor of NPP, so 150 will be an easy target for a strong parliament of NPP, as it is essential to fulfill the expectations of the public and the country.    

The point is that quantity alone is insufficient, and the quality of the parliamentarians, similar to that of President AKD, is mostly welcome and essential, as the public perception of the parliament is at a low ebb. The public remembers MPs acting like Mr. Bean, the verbal brawl of “Kauda Hora” and one Chili Powder carrier parliamentarian tarnished the August House’s good image. On some occasions, schoolchildren who were in the parliamentary gallery experienced the most unexpected. Also, it is relevant to write that 7 MPs were suspended in 2023 alone due to misconduct, an utter shame. It is hoped that the public will never hear any brawling in the parliament building of State Minister Diana Gamage, SJB MPs Rohana Bandara, and Sugith Sanjaya Pereira, who were suspended for one month. Also, one gold smuggler parliamentarian paid a Rs. 7 million fine and sat in the parliament the following day, amazed all.

In short, discipline has no substitutes, and it is a must behind the white clothes and European suits of parliamentarians. On the other hand, quality is not decided by education qualification alone; good communication skills, strategic thinking and decision-making, relationship building, creditability, accountability, transparency, utmost commitment, and use of technology are among the many required qualities, while capability and capacity to understand the needs of the public and living and moving with them will be excellent quality to indicate that parliamentarians should not have privileges and rights that public does not have.

Given all the above, there is no doubt that the NPP government led by President AKD will walk the talk, restoring the image of the parliament while ensuring it is money-worthy or productive for each rupee of the public funds spent on the parliament. In short, for a quality parliament, the NPP government led by President AKD will play the role expected by the public. In contrast, the quality opposition must be part and parcel of the endeavor mentioned above. Given the above, NPP will be able to govern the country towards “A Thriving Nation, A Beautiful life”.

Conclusion

All opposition parties ignored AKD’s victory, stating that 58% were against him. However, an in-depth analysis indicated that 58% is a political Tsunami for UNP, SLFP, SJB, and SLPP. None is interested in having a premiership, and as someone claimed, strong opposition is essential but it may be in vain. Given the above and among many, the public will observe the last rites for UNP, SLFP, and SLPP after the general election on 14th November 2024,  the power of democracy that political parties and leaders should understand even after 76 years. President AKD/NPP led strong, and quality parliament will ensure the public expectation for “A Thriving Nation, A Beautiful life.”

*The writer, among many, worked as the Special Advisor to the Office of the President of Namibia and was a Senior Consultant with UNDP for 16 years. He worked as a Senior Economist with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (1972-1993) before he migrated to New Zealand. The author can be contacted at asoka.seneviratne@gmail.com

Latest comments

  • 10
    6

    The ideal scenario would be for the NPP to win about 130 -140 seats at the upcoming parliamentary elections. They could get support from politicians of integrity like MA Sumanthiram , who would be well suited to be the Minister of Justice in my opinion.

    • 9
      9

      Pundit,
      “They could get support from politicians of integrity like MA Sumanthiram , who would be well suited to be the Minister of Justice in my opinion.”
      The Parliament elections are different from Presidential elections. In this presidential elections until 2020 Sinhalese people voted for the same old corrupted regimes who are against Tamils. Tamils voted for those who appeared to soft with Tamils with some positive promises. Muslims supported who promises ministerial posts. Up country Tamils also did the same. In 2024, Sinhalese people voted for Anura of NPP because they have to face hardships and it affected their livelihood. But that does not mean that they have given up racism and Buddhists given up Buddhist Fundamentalism. The economic crisis of this island is huge and it is not easy to come over with that crisis. In the democratic world you cannot predict what will happen to the attitude of Sinhalese once they get better off than now.
      It is funny you described MA Sumanthiran as politician of integrity. His honesty proved by Federal Party is now in courts when the Federal Party did not elect him as the leader of the party. Do you want NPP government to be in courts for rest of the five years? Even SJB lost its votes from Sinhalese in the Presidential election because of him. He is nothing different to Ranil or Rajapaksa.

      • 6
        14

        One Sinhala classmate at Royal, wrote in our forum that Sumanthiran is behaving in a condescending manner because he has no pedigree. Absolutely spot on. How can you say about integrity when he came into last parliament in a crooked manner helped by Ranil and Gota. He could not accept defeat when Federal party members found him not suitable for the post of president. Problem is with Sritharan who was elected president as he has no leadership qualities and no spine to stand up against Sumanthiran. If I was elected president, by now Sumanthiran would have been in the dust bin. Sumanthiran knows that he cannot swindle votes this time and has manipulated the list of contestants, selecting only his catchers who cannot overtake him in preferential order.

        • 17
          2

          Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam

          “How can you say about integrity when he came into last parliament in a crooked manner helped by Ranil and Gota.”

          How was crooked manner possible when Sumanthiran was not in good terms with Ranil? Please explain the crook manner so that I could apply the same method next time and help elect Weerawansa, Mahinda, Gota, …..

          So Sumanthiran must be so clever he managed to throw sand in election monitor’s eyes.
          Well I could see the failed and desperate intellectuals who could only play the man and not the ball.

          “If I was elected president, by now Sumanthiran would have been in the dust bin. “

          Well being a formidable opponent of Sumanthiran it is not too late to challenge him even at this latter stage.

          • 4
            0

            Native, truth is that Sam is the LAST leader who could hold the party together. MS is the only Tamil leader widely respected by all communities, parties, politicians and international bodies. If in doubt refer to Royal College Alumni to which I belong, where members from all communities have some thing positive to say. The election story told by disgruntled are similar to Trump’s ” stolen election”. People have the right to seek the help of judiciary, when stereotypes try appointing their own at the direction of financing Diaspora, as if it’s their family business. MS is the only politician who has already announced his retirement in advance. Haven’t we he heard and
            seen enough of this
            Thesiyam , saving the symbol, common candidate blah….blah… during this elections. It’s time, to stop this BS and get on with” walking the big talk”. The voters are not to be fooled anymore with such rubbish. Instead of if’s and’s but’s, why not wait for next round of people’s verdict.

        • 16
          0

          Geeeze Man! …… Thought your enemy were the Sinhalese!!



          What has happened? ……. Now you see everyone as an enemy?

          A target pinned on the back ……. to take a shot at?


          No wonder Prabakaran first had to unite the Tamils ……. at the end of a barrel of a gun!

          It’s just not with weapons …… Tamils are good at ……. fighting with!

          • 0
            0

            nimal fernando

            “No wonder Prabakaran first had to unite the Tamils ……. at the end of a barrel of a gun!”

            Did he? He didn’t unite Tamils instead he eliminated his friends and foes.
            Perhaps he must have learned from SJ, “Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun”.

            Where can I collect all the election manifestos, run into thousands.

      • 10
        0

        AKD is the second coming of Buddha.

        2500 years after the first coming …… Buddha’s work is still not done. …… “Buddhists” are still not Buddhists.

        How long do you think it’ll take AKD to complete the work?

        Ranil’s insidious reactionary agents are already attacking him left right and centre. Just watch them go! :)))

        Any man who even talks about change ……. usually ends up in a painful end …..

        Although now “worshipped” by billions ……. the carpenter’s son from Nazareth …… was once nailed to a cross!

        Can you beat that!!


        It’s not easy to free lifelong prisoners ….. people have got so used to their prisons, chains, bondage ……. they have found great comfort in it.

        For them freedom is a whole new strange concept ……. they are terrified of.

        This has happened even with some of the greatest thinkers in history …… they say Kant freed his fellow thinkers by systematically proving there is no absolute truth ….. but except for Nietzsche, all other great thinkers went back and created new prisons for themselves …… only ol’ Federico was smart enough to realize it …… and ran through the forest shouting “I’m free” “I’m free” …..

        Is Native running through the forest …… or building a new prison?

        • 0
          13

          nimal fernando, having attained nirvana, is it the same Buddha-Siddhartha Gautama, who is coming back after 2500 years or is it another person altogether. Jesus from Nazareth who was nailed to the cross is the same person who is coming back to Jerusalem to rule and reign from the kingdom of God as originally planned by the creator God of the universe, Jehovah who is both our loving father, our friend the intercessor and finally at the end of days, he becomes our judge to cast out the unbelieving nations and people away from himself. Jesus had no sin and could not die except when our sins were laid on him and we were forgiven instead. All what happened is very meaningful in God’s plan for his family.

    • 3
      0

      Meanwhile, in Cuba , the price of petrol has been raised by a factor of five.
      https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-67922246
      I doubt AKD will do this here.
      But AKD has appointed another Ernst &Young auditor as BOI Chairman.
      https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/Arjuna-Herath-appointed-BOI-chairman/108-294078
      Do I hear wailing and gnashing of teeth from one Amrit Muttukumaru?

  • 13
    1

    Percentages are hardly scientific when the dynamics of a set of data are so volatile that no prediction can easily estimate outcomes. So, percentages in election outcome prediction are not reliable. The people were quite literally pushed to the wall and were utterly fed up by the crooked, corrupt and duplicitous lot that had the same ideological base but contested under different symbols, colours and slogans for far too long, each taking turns sharing their loot every few years. To them, politics was a business venture, with investment and returns. Not so, the NPP. They had just one objective, a noble one, that placed the nation above all else, and selfish interests were almost never entertained. That is the good fortune of future generations that will inherit in a prosperous, respected and just nation in which they could live with dignity.

    • 4
      6

      He has quoted Abraham Lincoln that those dead should not have died in vain. This applies to Tamil youths who laid down their lives for the betterment of future Tamils to live with dignity and safety. NPP has clearly condemned the aim of these brave Tamil youths, making their self sacrifice to go in vain. What a hypocrite.

  • 5
    2

    Prof Asoka Seneviratne, you ask a relevant question that needs to be answered. “that Parliamentarians should not have privileges and rights that public does not have” It is suggested quite rightly that the opposition must be part and parcel of the endeavor mentioned. MPs are part of the public service which gets a pension after a lifetime of unbroken service and not because they sit in parliament. No reason why should they and all their family members get free palatial houses to live in for the rest of their lives, having rented their own houses too. In addition there is money robbed from the state which belongs to all citizens, but stacked or banked overseas by 225 robbers when President wants a lesser number of MPs from about 800 applicants. “A Thriving Nation, A Beautiful Life” is expected.

  • 10
    1

    “………. the public will observe the last rites of UNP, SLFP, and SLPP after 14 November 2024.”
    You forgot to include the SJB.
    Anyway, as a dutiful citizen, I will on the 15th of November send a wreath to the headquarters of each of these political parties.

  • 5
    12

    The author beginning his article by quoting words from Abe Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address is both disturbing and incredibly stupid.

    Disturbing because it reveals that the writer is a supporter of the two violent insurrections waged by the JVP, something that most people in this country, including the preponderant majority of those who voted for them recently, reject and condemn.

    Stupid because of this. The Gettysburg Address was delivered by Abe near the end of the American Civil War to commemorate the sacrifice of those fought on the side of the Union against the forces of Confederates with victory within sight. The JVP was defeated and crushed in both insurrections and the victory they won recently was achieved through the ballet, not bullet. If any thing, what kept most people from voting for them in the past was the JVP’s violent past.

    How stupid and ignorant can you be?

    • 0
      0

      Ballot, not ballet.

  • 7
    1

    Last rites were performed for the UNP in 1956, 1960 July and 1970 and for the SLFP in 1977.
    The JVP too was thought dead and cremated in 1990.
    They survived, and will survive in other forms as long as the interests that they have served remain.

  • 6
    1

    “President AKD/NPP led strong, and quality parliament will ensure the public expectation for “A Thriving Nation, A Beautiful life.”
    This is what public expecting from Anura/NPP. If that happens it is great but we have to remember this is a democratic way, not the way of JVP thought in the past which is similar to Russia or China. Sri Lanka is not a powerful nation like China or Russia. Sinhalese people are not used to hardship like Tamils. Their majority and Buddhist superiority and anti Indian anti- Tamil attitude will not go easily and we cannot guarantee that it will not come again. All depends on how Anura/NPP fulfils at least much of the expectations of all communities of this island.

  • 3
    4

    Pundit
    .
    “The ideal scenario would be for the NPP to win about 130 -140 seats at the upcoming parliamentary elections.”.
    .
    Then it ll definitely pave the way to the start of ” ARAGALAYA II” aka DRIVING AWAY AKD to the manner ARAGALITES did it with GOTA by July 2022.

  • 9
    0

    “Last rites were performed for the UNP in 1956, 1960 July and 1970 and for the SLFP in 1977.”

    Does it matter whether UNP, SLFP, SLPP, … or XYZ is reborn, reincarnated, repackaged, reappeared, ….. as long as those who manage the factions, parties, … remain drunk on competitive racism, greedy, unwise, unempathetic, sadistic, .. nothing is going to change.

    Have JVP/NPP made up their mind regarding what form of state the both want Sri Lanka to transform to, Tilvin believes Tamils do not want more powers through devolution while Bimal says there was no reason for Tilvin to say that.

  • 7
    1

    “ the corrupt political system of the four political parties and their politicians”
    Since independence all Governments of SL were preoccupied with dismantling the economic status of the Tamil Speaking Citizens (TSC).
    This plus the corrupt political system led to the bankrupt country.
    I am pinning my hopes on AKD and his NPP to bring about the system change

    • 0
      10

      Naman, I too pin my hopes on AKD and his NPP to bring about the system change. But I have a small issue which may be very large in that AKD rushed to the Palestinian embassy here to vow allegiance. It has now been confirmed that finally the Hamas terrorist Yahya Sinwar too is dead. God will never allow a two state solution for Jerusalem as it is his city for Jesus to come back to as Messiah and hence Jews of Israel will never be driven out when they accept him. Israel is the name God gave to Jacob, grandson of Abraham, through whom there is an eternal covenant with God. Palestine has no defined borders in UN and good for AKD not to reject God’s Israel.

      • 9
        0

        DTG,
        Yahya Shinwar is dead. Netanyahu is alive. But Netanyahu, not Shinwar, is the guy who supports gay marriage and drug use in Israel. Is that also God’s plan?
        https://apnews.com/article/israel-discrimination-benjamin-netanyahu-lgbtq-people-78bcd332053aa26c3c9949eac2264d1c

        • 0
          11

          old codger, LGBTQ are misguided people, not to be condemned but helped to come into genuine truth so they can have normal marriages. This is possible as I know several churches who have helped and succeeded.

          • 3
            1

            Marriage is a man-made institution. It is not natural and that is why people divorce and have extramarital affairs.
            Often we confuse some ideal with normal. (What fraction of the population has ‘normal’ eye sight?)
            Nature allows deviations from the normal.
            Much of the LBGTQ is part of nature but not ‘normal’. Many are naturally gay or lesbian. It takes time for some of them to realize their true sexuality.
            Some of the greatest minds and contributors to the elevation of humanity (including da Vinci) are gay/lesbian.
            https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_gay,_lesbian_or_bisexual_people
            Eunuchs were once much in demand in Asian society.
            Don’t be a prig.

            • 4
              1

              SJ,
              At least DTG doesn’t claim now that I am lying about God’s country.

          • 4
            0

            Hello DTG,
            You missed a few of the “misguided people’ in your comment. Atheists, Agnostics, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Zoroastrians, Mormons, Protestants, non-Religious, any other non-Christians or Christians that don’t take Communion. It doesn’t leave a lot.
            Best regards

          • 1
            0

            “old codger, LGBTQ are misguided people, not to be condemned but helped to come into genuine truth so they can have normal marriages”.
            .
            What about the monkeys, dogs and penguin 🐧 s that are proved to be LGBTQ as of today?.
            .
            What if u had a transgender child in ur family? Would u accept him or her or not? .
            .
            I respect all forms of gender orientation s so longvthey don’t disturb me. 😴 I have colleagues [post docs] that are married gay couples. They are real good people with high virtues. I respect them and they respect 🙏 me.

          • 4
            1

            DTG,
            But God’s method, according to the Bible, is to destroy entire cities with fire and brimstone. Your churches are defying the Word of God.

            • 1
              1

              Hello OC,
              Haven’t you heard the most recent Christian explanation of why God doesn’t intervene directly nowadays. It is because the Old Testament is out of date – same God different Rules. Because Jesus died on the Cross taking all of mankind’s sins on himself “He gave Himself for our sins; He paid the penalty and provided atonement” Galatians 1:4
              When God was going to kill all the firstborn, he gave people a get-out. Sacrifice a Lamb and put the blood on the “doorposts and on the lintel of the house”, then you will be passed over. Hence Christ is the Passover Lamb.
              But, and there is a big but, he will be back and he will save the Righteous waiting for him. The rest of you are F****d, sorry doomed.
              Best regards

              • 2
                0

                LS,
                Many “Christians” don’t have logic as a strong point. It’s so easy to get them tied up in knots

      • 7
        0

        dtg

        “Palestine has no defined borders in UN……..”

        Should Palestine or any other country which was in existence LONG Before the UN came into existence, have “defined borders” by the UN?

        If there is any country in the world which was in existence much Before the UN came into being, which has “borders defined’ by the UN, please name them.

        As far as I am aware, the ONLY country which has “borders defined” by the UN is Israel which was created by the UN in 1947. But, Israel is OCCUPYING Vast Tracts of land BEYOND its Borders as defined by the UN in 1947 and seems Still bent on Occupying MORE lands in its neighbourhood which belong to other countries.

        Didn’t Hon. Shirley Amerasinghe, our Permanent Representative to the UN from the late 1960s to the late 1970s. describe Israel in one of his speeches at the UN as “the Most Undutiful child” of the UN”? How right was he. Wonder how he will describe Israel now, if he was alive.

  • 2
    0

    Political Tsunami Of UNP, SLFP, SJB & SLPP & Their Destiny With General Election

    The political landscape of Sri Lanka, dominated by UNP, SLFP, SJB, and SLPP, faces a critical juncture with the upcoming general election. Historical scandals such as the bond scam and tsunami scam have marred these parties, whose leadership often revolves around family politics, making accountability elusive. The Aragalaya movement emerged as a response to this history of mismanagement, symbolizing the people’s demand for change. While the NPP presents itself as a party of the people, Ranil Wickremesinghe is seen as disconnected from this sentiment. Ultimately, the people will decide the fate of these parties based on their historical track records.

  • 3
    0

    In an earlier comment, on Dr. Ameer Ali’s article on 13-10-24, I gave my opinion on why the NPP Government must be given a “2/3rd” majority in Parliament.

    The NPP manifesto outlines many important promises to be implemented. Most such programs need amendments, repeals, and new legislation to be passed by Parliament. One of the most needy is the New Constitution. All these require a “2/3rd” majority in the House.

    Some advocate that a simple majority is enough because the opposition’s support can be availed of. We know what happened when the Opposition votes were required. Those “Votes” became “Commodities” available for “sale.” I don’t think the NPP will “Bid” for such votes.

    The Political Culture under the NPP Government can be trusted and safely be given the required “2/3rd” majority to effect the change.

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