28 March, 2024

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Popularity Is Not A Sufficient Condition For Reform 

By Jehan Perera

Jehan Perera

Sri Lanka has a new government that has come to power with heightened popular expectation of reform that would take it in the direction of rapid development and a modern state. This is a throwback to the expectations that accompanied the election of the previous government in 2015. At the base of popular expectations was that the new government would root out corruption that they had come to believe had grown to horrendous proportions. There is a similar expectation on this occasion too, which has grown with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s declaration in both the Sinhala and English languages, when he took his oaths that he will not permit corruption which has become the bane of politics and the economy, sucking the wealth out of the people. Whether or not people voted for him, they all anticipate change that is positive.

The sight of old faces among the 15 ministers appointed, several of them with tarnished reputations may be charitably seen as a necessary price to be paid in the run up to general elections at which their campaigning skills and other resources will be necessary. Despite this disappointment the president has won public commendation for the many positive actions he has been taking to streamline governance which are a break from the past. The most significant reform is to restrict the size of the cabinet to fifteen ministries which would have been a difficult task in a polity where the expectation is a minimum of thirty to forty cabinet ministers. Other reforms include reducing the staff assigned to his office and continuing to live in his home and not in the presidential residence. These can be seen as steps to take governance away from feudal trappings and as part of the movement intended to give Sri Lanka an efficient and cost effective modern state.

The president’s latest directive that the chairpersons and board members of state corporations should be chosen on the basis of their qualifications is another positive indication of the movement towards a meritocracy which is an indicator of a modern state. The president’s directive that his portrait should not be on government buildings like his predecessors have done, and only the state symbol should be placed there, is another indication of a desire to take the country in the direction of a modern state. In drawing this distinction between the state and the government, President Rajapaksa is following the spirit of the advice given by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission appointed by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2011, which addressed the issues of the three decade long civil war, and stated that the rule of law ought to prevail over the rule of men.

Popular Reforms 

The reforms that President Rajapaksa is currently putting in place and noted above are popular ones that are also good for the country. On the other hand, there could also be other reforms that are popular, and have the support of the majority of people, but which may be more problematic. There will need to be caution in moving forward on them. The support of the majority of people may be a necessary condition for successful reform but it is not a sufficient reason. One such reform being proposed is to abolish the provincial council system in which the central feature is the devolution of power to enable power sharing by the ethnic minority communities who are the majority in two of the country’s nine provinces.

The provincial council system came into being in November 1987 as a result of the 13th Amendment to the constitution which was itself an outcome of the Indo Lanka Peace Accord of July 1987. The signing of the Peace Accord was accompanied by the entry into Sri Lanka of the Indian army, known as the Indian Peacekeeping Force. This was one part of the agreement by which India pledged to disarm the LTTE while Sri Lanka pledged to provide a limited amount of democratic self-rule to the Tamil majority provinces of the North and East. The unfolding of events was tragic and unexpected, in that neither did the Indian army succeed in disarming the LTTE nor did the Sri Lankan government properly devolve the promised powers.

Today, more than three decades after their establishment, the provincial councils are criticized by most of the Sri Lankan people as being white elephants, wasteful of financial resources and inefficient. There is dissatisfaction within the Tamil polity that they are not given the full powers envisaged in the 13th Amendment. They are seen by the Sinhalese majority as being a potential line of division of the country into two or more separate states and therefore as a potential security threat. However, over the years there have been many proposals, including by the newly appointed cabinet minister Douglas Devananda from the North, as to how their workings can be improved to make them an asset rather than a burden to the country.

Provincial Councils

There is much that is deficient in the workings of the provincial councils. Even politicians who contested provincial council elections and had become chief ministers of provinces have complained about the shortcomings in its implementation. Despite these deficiencies, it is important to keep in mind that the provincial council system is an outcome of an agreement with India. It is also a concession to the longstanding demand of the Tamil people of the North and East for some extent of self-rule. Therefore, it is best that any reform or abolition of the provincial councils should be done in consultation with India and with the political parties that represent the Tamil and Muslim people of the North and East.

President Rajapaksa’s visit later this week to India where he will be meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi could set the stage for such a change. It is important that the Tamil polity too should downscale its expectation from the maximalist demands it placed before the presidential candidates as a condition for their support. The 13 point demand added to the immediacy of the Sinhalese nationalist response that gave President Rajapaksa his victory. These demands included evolving a political solution through a federal arrangement, with a recognition of a right to self-determination and conducting an international probe into war crimes.

One of the stark features of the recently concluded presidential election was the polarization in votes between the North and East of Sri Lanka, in which the ethnic and religious minorities predominate, and the rest of the country. This is a line of division that needs to be healed early, so that Sri Lanka can take the leap to the next level of development as a polity that is united in heart and mind. At the present time, Sri Lanka’s economic growth is at the bottom of South Asia, only above war-torn Afghanistan. If Sri Lanka is to benefit maximally from the modernizing vision of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa it needs to be united internally and it also needs the internationally supportive environment that India can help to provide.

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Latest comments

  • 17
    11

    Don’t you feel that there is an uneasy feeling that Gota is not fitting the high post? He is still an alien whether acceptable or not. Sajith may have to be appointed to correct the mistake done by the justice system.

    • 7
      3

      We everyone feel like that. The bugger, though now elected President, never agree with any open discourses, even if repeated times made efforts to get his word. Meaning. he would not tolerate any kind of discourses but do what he think is right.
      But the problem is if people would tolerate what he thinks is right ?
      .
      In a country, HAKKGEDIYA or KELANIYA relics issue could lead making the people utter fools,
      if they would have been said, that Gota will bring luck, would just be welcome by the folks.
      North koreans are made eternal blind not providing them with any facts and figures of world politics, make it easy for the rulers in that country to rule further.
      :
      Likewise, our THIRISANNU, … would further support, any rascals and high criminals to do anything.
      :
      Wait and see, how would they get forward. I have no doubt, nothing will work for the success of them…
      :
      Now even SOCIAL media behaves as if they are monitored. Self set censordness is set on them. Why ?

      • 8
        4

        Modi will reform Gota beginning 29th. Riot act will be read to him, where he has to comply. Gota knows that Modi is not like Congress party, and means business. Do you know in what language Modi sent the congratulatory message to Gota. It is not in Hindi, neither in English nor in Sinhala, but in Tamil. The message delivered to Gota with the invitation to visit India was “Meet the aspirations of Tamils to ensure that they have equality, justice, peace and dignity”. He has got cold feet and is talking of renegotiating the lease agreement of Hambantota port with China to hoodwink Modi. He is taking some Tamil lackeys with him to tell lies about what is happening to Tamils. BJP is not like Congress when JR bribed Romesh Dandari with diamond necklace to act against Tamils. Gota who is behaving like a lion will turn to a mouse.

        • 0
          0

          Any mother f****** nation attempt rob land in Sri lanka will follow destruction. First, Tamil tigers will bring the war into in Europe and that will follow nuclear war

        • 1
          0

          Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam,
          Sinhalese want right wing hard men ruling the island. But they are going to see what the right wing hard men ruling India and the USA (Modi and Trump) will do to Sri lanka in the coming days if they dont dance to their tune.
          The reality is that Sri Lanka is a weak puny little island which the Chinese have been allowed to setup base in. The island is in a very strategic location in the Indian ocean and has a serious effect on Indian national security and also the US military base in Diego Garcia.
          This was allowed to happen when India and the USA were ruled by weak liberal governments. Times have changed. And i see the USA and India making real moves to kick the chinese out of Sri Lanka.
          The chinese were close ‘allies’ of libya but fled when the USA led the invasion to remove gaddaffi. They will more than likely run away again in Sri Lanka. The Chinese are terrified of the USA.

    • 2
      0

      I guess you mean, dear Ad that these Election Commission fellows allowed Gota to contest, although there were multiple queries about his citizenship.
      .
      http://www.sundaytimes.lk/191124/news/ever-smiling-the-man-in-the-eye-of-polling-storms-lays-out-his-plans-379377.html
      .
      You see how smug and self-satisfied the MaCo is. But wait, there are two other fellows. Why can’t they tell us what they feel? We have heard not one word from Nalin Abeysekera. He is said to be a decent guy. I have never met him, although my father is supposed to have taught him.
      .
      The Jaffna man Hoole has certainly been making a good deal of noise – but to what effect?

  • 6
    19

    “One such reform being proposed is to abolish the provincial council system in which the central feature is the devolution of power to enable power sharing by the ethnic minority communities who are the majority in two of the country’s nine provinces.”

    Provincial Council system was imposed on this country by Indians not because they love Demalu but to prevent the creation of Eelam which was seen as a threat to India.

    In this country Demalu live in five pockets. Yapanaya, Tirikunamale, Madakalapuwa, Kanda Udarata and Western Province. Now more than 50% of Demalu from North and East live in Sinhala areas. Can Jehan Perera tell us how to devolve power in such a situation?

    Devolution of power is the priority of Malabar Wellala elite politicians. Low caste Demala people told the Constitution Drafting Committee that they do not want Land and Police powers given to NPC. Do you know that NPC returned money to the Treasury without using that money for the benefit of people in the North? So why the hell you are talking about PCs and devolution of power? We can guess the reason but would like to hear what you have to say.

    • 7
      1

      Firstly, it is the inalienable right of a people to govern themselves be it Sinhalese or Tamils. However, the denial of this legitimate right by the use of force is not democratic, just as demanding of such right by the use of force. This is the fundamental principle of sovereignty of modern nation states founded on the concept of equality amongst people viz Sinhalese and Tamils, 13th amendment though not perfect achieves this to some extent.

    • 8
      4

      The road map for future Sri Lanka has been drawn by BJP. It is similar to Kashmir which they implemented despite opposition from various quarters. In the plan of BJP, it says Sri Lanka was a Hindu country where most have been converted to Buddhism. Therefore they will create a Hindu Majority state and a Buddhist majority state side by side as union territories. This will put an end to provincial council system with two states enjoying the same rights and privileges of an Indian state. By the way did you hear that Boughanville have voted for independence from Papua New Guinea.

      • 5
        2

        I alway found it funny how the Sri Lankan tourism board would support the Indian claims about Sri Lanka being the land of Ravana. There are several places in Sri Lanka named after the ramayana story. And they even opened a zip line recently and called it ravana.
        They are basically admitting that hinduism existed in sri lanka before buddhism indirectly.

  • 18
    2

    Gotabaya Rajapaksha may be very enthusiastic and keen to implement and execute what he promised to public during his campaign.
    Unfortunately 15 cabinet ministers who recently were sworn in are not only old faces but also well corrupted.
    Another crucial fact is that more than 700 offers who have discharged their duties in CID have been banned to leave the country……..WHY????

    Law of Human Nature will reveal the true nature of human being………..?????????

  • 20
    4

    “You can’t develop a country if you are too democratic.” – Bellanwila Dammarathana
    I do not quite get it, why these religious leaders in Sri Lanka are so against democracy. They always tend to favor someone more authoritarian & repressive.

    • 10
      2

      Bulipaala,

      Is he a true disciple of the Buddha???
      I never respect and accept that yellow robe man as a disciple of the Buddha.
      They are well off Business men….
      We respect people who do not violate five precepts but these crooks are immoral.

    • 10
      2

      Isn’t it an irony that lord Buddha’s teachings are all about freeing the inner spirit of its bondage and here we have monks who do not want freedom of thought and expression. How does one reconcile such a dichotomy!

    • 4
      1

      BukiPaala, I don’t know if ALL religious leaders think this way but you’ll be surprised at how many people from all walks of life who think this way. I have been amazed with the number of people who are ostensibly well educated and intelligent who have told me what the country needs is a strong leader.

      • 2
        0

        No need to be surprised Fred. Singapore is the much vaunted example of what our country should be, but Lee Kuan Yew imprisoned the Opposition and muzzled the Press to achieve his goals.

    • 0
      1

      BukiPaala,
      ….that is b’cos, within democracy, their behavior is also under scrutiny. They are used to act like kings but, under democracy, they have lost their power. I strongly believe that public must do more to force them to restrict them to their duty of practicing religion; not party politics and/or racism. Buddhist monks, in particular, have become real threat to the peace in this country. I’m atheist now but my family background is also Buddhist.

  • 4
    4

    provincial councils are an abomination a bloody white elephant that no one wants
    as milinda m has said more powers can be given to pradeshiya sabhas in the north and east
    as they are closer to the people as a solution
    there is no need of a senate as this will cost as much to the taxpayers as the pc,s

  • 15
    4

    Based on the political history of Srilanka (since 1956) and if we are serious about resolving the ethnic conflict with the support of the majority community, a study on Federalism and Devolution should be introduced in all schools. It might take a decade or more, but it will be shorter than the four dacades, we have been scaremongering with the words “Federalism” & “Devolution”. We would like to be an educated nation, but when we come to these two words, a majority of us opportunistic.

    • 3
      7

      DR Raj Rajendran,
      Why the hell Native Sinhala students waste their valuable time to study ‘Federalism’ and ‘Devolution’ to give power to descendants of Malabar slaves to control part of the country that they occupied illegally thanks to ‘Para’ Portuguese and ‘Para’ Dutch colonial parasites.
      Instead of asking Sinhala students to learn ‘Federalism’ and ‘Devolution, these ‘Para’ people should learn to live with Native Sinhalayo in a Unitary State. If they do not want to do that best thing is to get lost to from where their ancestors came.

      The conflict between Native Sinhalayo and Malabar Demalu is a result of confrontational behavior of Wellala Demalu. There is no conflict between Native Sinhalayo and Dalit Demala people.

      • 8
        3

        Eagle Eye (Mahindapala),
        You are sitting there in Australia and promoting racist dictatorship in Sri Lanka. You are the definition of a hypocrite.
        If you want to bring caste into this. I can just as easily say that racism from sinhalese is mainly being promoted from the govigama caste sinhalese. While it is true that some higher caste jaffna tamils are racist and arrogant. For a long time now, they are not having any power to oppress people in Sri Lanka. For over 70 years the sh-t show has been run by the govigama sinhalese. So most of this mess falls on their shoulders.

        • 0
          0

          John,
          Sinhalayo do not have a caste system like in Hinduism based on from which part of the body people come. Sinhalayo have a Guild System based on profession. Govigama were farmers who produced food for the nation. Hence they had a higher status in the society.

      • 0
        0

        It appears that you believe an understanding of Federalism and Devolution by the majority community will lead to the minority community controlling part of the island. If the understanding of the majority community will lead to that, you should respect their decision towards a Federal State of Srilanka. I have strong doubts whether respected historians (from Sinhala or Tamil Communities) will accept your interpretation of Srilankan history.

      • 0
        0

        “Malabar Demalu”

        Birds Brain Eagle Eye,

        When Telugu Nayakar SWRD wants Federalism to keep out the Lankawe Sinhala Karava and Cross bread Malays, why the Malabaris should not ask for it, just to take care of their life? Because, Telugu Nayakars are high Caste Radala community, the Malay Moda thinks Even Mahanama was a Telugu Pundit, didn’t have fluency in Sinhala, which was only spoken language that time.

    • 2
      1

      DR Raj Rajendran,
      /
      yes. of course……….. if possible.
      \
      And
      It won’t work without teaching the correct history of the country.
      What we teach now gives the impression that only Sinhalese lived here for eternity.
      We have to tel our children why Aryan settlers went southward from first settlement of Anuradhapura.

      • 0
        0

        “We have to tell our children why Aryan settlers went southward from the first settlement in Anuradhapura”. This is itself a distortion of history, when during recent genetic studies, none of the Sinhalese showed typical Aryan genes. The correct history is that more than 10,000 years ago Sri Lanka was part of a land mass, which according to Tamil folklore was Kumarikandam, which got separated by sea upheaval. When it was connected by land people from Africa walked into the land more than 100,000 years ago and settled in eastern, east-central and south-eastern parts of the land. Iron and stone tools found which were similar to those found in Africa proves this. Present day veddhas are their descendants who are considered the natives. Next set of migrants were Dravidians about 20,000 years ago who moved southward from Indus valley. They settled in north-eastern, northern, north-western and western parts of the land. Several urn burial sites found in Sri Lanka denote that they were Dravidians and many potsherds found in those areas similar to those found in Tamil Nadu shows that they were one and the same people who occupied both sides of the divide. First languages spoken in Sri Lanka were Elu (proto-Tamil) and Tamil itself. Originally people were either natural worshipers or Saivites. Fact that Veddhas worshiped Murugan who is worshiped only by Tamils in the world shows that Veddhas came under the influence of Tamils. (CONTD)

        • 0
          0

          (CONTD) There was a glorious civilization that was in place of more than 10,000 years age in and around the ancient port city of Mathotam, which was destroyed by invaders from North India which is lying buried. Recent discoveries of two sites in Mannar proves this. There were tribes of Dravidians with their chieftains in Trincomalee, Vanni, Poonagari, Mannar and Puttalam. The north Indian invaders subdued these chieftains and set up their Kingdom in Anuradhapura. They did not speak Sinhala, but they understood the language of the people as well as the Pandyan brides whom they married. This shows that all of them spoke either Tamil or some form of Tamil. Incidentally, Bengalis are descendants of Banga tribe who were Dravidians who mixed with Tibeto-Burmans and Magahdis and formed the present day Bangali ethnic group. These Invaders were Hindus which is proved by the first King to be converted to Buddhism and his father and grand father all had Hindu names. Thus there is no doubt that Saivaism was in vogue in Sri Lanka before the advent of Buddhism. With introduction of Sanskrit and Pali, a new language started evolving from the original languages of Elu and Tamil called Sinhala 2000 years ago. At the beginning it had no script and had to borrow the script from Malayalam 1500 years ago. Subsequently there were immigrants from India mainly from the south as labourers, traders and fighters who got assimilated mainly into the Sinhala race and few into Tamil.

      • 1
        0

        S. C. Pasqual

        “It won’t work without teaching the correct history of the country.”

        What sort of history?

        “We have to tel our children why Aryan settlers went southward from first settlement of Anuradhapura.”

        Please tell us about your Aryan Invasion Theory.
        Before you tell the children you should understand about the Aryans. What is your source book? Aryans started arriving only after Anagarika Dharmapala who wrote in 1902 about the glorious inheritance of Aryan ancestors. What happened to them?

        “We have to tel our children why Aryan settlers went southward from first settlement of Anuradhapura.”

        Probably looking for Tamils, Muslims, Jews, Christians, ……………………

    • 4
      1

      DR Raj Rajendran,
      The scaremongering is a technique used by opportunistic Sinhala politicians and war mongering Buddhist Monks. Almost all the heads of governments in Srilanka accepted devolution as a means to resolve the issues of this nation. SWRD B – Chelva pact, Dudley – Chelva pact, Thimbu talks, Chandrika proposals, Rajapakse proposals, Oslo accord all came with the same federal solution. Unfortunately these political and religious opportunists were successful in scaremongering the people. Most of the opportunistic are well educated. For example, Prof.GL Peries who is the one lead the Oslo accord, Prof. Vitharane is the all party chairman who produced Mahinda proposals. They are the now scaremongering the ordinary people.

  • 7
    2

    I have been saying this, ad nauseam: The people are sick of all politicians. They streamed in to the polling stations, their minds made up, and joined the queue for voting.
    .
    Obviously, I saw only what happened in one polling station, where I voted. However, I’m pretty sure that this is representative of what happened in all places where votes were cast. In each of those places, there were a number of large notices; I studied closely only one of them: the facsimile, about 5 feet tall by 2 feet wide, of the ballot sheet, which we were all going to mark once admitted to the area in which the vote had to be cast. I studied it in 5 minutes. I spent a further 10 minutes beckoning to others to take a look. About twenty ignored me, and headed for the queue, their single-minded desire being to cast a vote for a person already decided upon – many not by themselves, but by their extended families. Time spent on thinking? Almost zero.
    .
    Five voters
    (strangers to me) plus one young Policewoman (they came from other areas, didn’t they?), did come. I urged them to study the ballot paper quietly before joining the queue, and identify the possible three persons whom they could vote for. Three honest people, I stressed, but was careful not to mention whom I was going to vote for.
    .
    The policewoman, on her own, stated that this was the sensible thing for anybody to do because all those votes that we were casting were so important in determining what was going to happen in our country for a long time, not just for five years. Generations yet unborn would be affected by it.
    .

    • 7
      2

      Sinhala_Man
      The latest news is, Sajith taking his voters for a ride.
      It is not I who say this. It is UNPers who say it.
      In 2016 itself I said there is a deal between Maithri-Sajith, Sajith-Gotabhaya, Maithri-Basil and Basil-Ranil.
      However at this election, I didn’t highlight it as our sole aim was to defeat Yahapalanaya.
      The reason for Wiimal not receiving Housing portfolio as expected, may be the Sjith-Gotabhaya deal.
      My sources in the UNP say, Gotabhaya and Basil may be behind the newest attempt of some UNPers to appoint Sajith as the Party Leader and Opposition Leader. For me, it may be more or less an attempt to dissolve Parliament with 2/3 majority with the help of Sajith as UNP/Opposition Leader, which is ok with me.
      Gotabhaya’s thugs have attacked some famous astrologers who predicted Sajith;s win. My comment to “ADA” Sinhala Daily is now in the second page. Residences of famous Astrologers Sujith Nishantha and Ruskshan Jayasekara have been attacked by Gotabhaya’s civilian thugs. And other Astrologers like Saratchandra and few others fear they will also be attacked.
      Gotabhaya, who was being elected by Sinhalese Buddhists, now attacking our fellow Sinhalese Buddhists should be condemned by all Sinhalese as supporting any candidate is every citizen’s democratic right. Sajith hasn’t uttered a single word against these attacks so far. So UNPers think Sajith has taken them for a ride in this election.

      • 6
        2

        Champawathiyo…
        we perfectly know that Ballige putha Wimal WEERAWANSA looted it to the core. Why should he be given housing ministry again? Just tell us as to why you the like would never seem to be changing your nature ? Are u sexually servile to him ?:
        To me, the kind of men should be beheaded to have misled this nation. Poor folks that are the majority but just because some of them coul denjoy a smart phone, their fate was betrayed. Now there will be no chance, OUR place would turn out to be IRAK, LYBIA or the like states.
        Already now there are ghosts of fear mongers are roaming in the city. Even so called SIVURU WEARING mudalalis too became somewhat silent, similar to the blue flies being found on cadava, got fainted for some reasons.
        To me, what happened to lanka by electing high criminals and their men is an irrepairable mistake.
        Not sure, Gotler would ever stand against Mahinda next days, not being able to face it though promised. I wish all the disasters be fallen on Gotler and teach the very same stupid folks, that made a real big mistake not thinking twice.

        • 1
          4

          Sacredmind
          I have told many times the people like you to prove your allegations.
          First do that and then talk.

      • 3
        3

        Even you Champa, is appeared tohave changed your mode today why ?.
        :
        Your beloved customers are back to power. You women that would widen your legs for any cheap adavantages is no longer uncommon in SL today either.

        So called sinhala buddhist cultre is twisted upside down by Rajaakshe family for their political survival. This is just seen to the so called sinhala buddhists as the belovedness of the Rajanos.
        :
        Just bet you, if you would interview 100 people that would work as diehard voters for Rajakashes… if they have some sort of knoweldge…. about the ground realities of the country.

        • 3
          1

          There is no change.
          I said this before and after the election.
          Gotabhaya was not people’s choice for Presidency. He was the alternative to Yahapalanaya.
          And I still say Gotabhaya is an American citizen. He never promised not to sign MCC, SOFA or ETCA.
          He says leasing Magampura Port to China is wrong but leasing a Terminal of a port is ok (obviously he was referring to the lease of Eastern Terminal of the Colombo Port to India).
          How could that be? Even leasing Eastern Terminal is also wrong at a time Colombo Port was making high profits.

      • 3
        0

        Champa,
        You are absolutely wrong! Sajith is not taking voters for a ride; he is only listening to voters concerns. I’m not a member of UNP but after voting for MaRa in 2010, I voted for UNP. The immediate reason for change was the way MaRa/GoRa harassed Gen SF just b’cos he contested elections against them.

        Anyway, two days after the election, I sent an e mail to Sajith asking him meet with his supporters and consider about about taking over the UNP leadership or to form a new party. A UNP activist later told me that such a decision has already been taken. If not Sajith, someone else must take this step b’cos UNP or the country has no future any longer under Ranil’s leadership. Ranil is an intelligent man but he lacks charisma necessary to attract average voters. I’m glad that Ranil finally surrendered to pressure from the majority of party loyalists.

      • 3
        0

        Thanks, Champa.
        .
        I find it a bit difficult to work out all the implications of what you’re saying, but it is reassuring that honest people like you are around.
        .
        We just don’t want deals done behind our backs. More than all else we want peace.

    • 2
      8

      Mr. Mrs. Sinhala man,
      /
      You can wake-up now, Election finished.
      \
      We have elected our president now. If you have not noticed “””With a overwhelming majority votes”””

      • 2
        0

        Idiot Pasqual,
        .
        I don’t need you telling me that. I know it.
        .
        I don’t like it, so I have to lump it.

  • 4
    1

    PART TWO
    .
    Now, what would have happened, had so many who voted “Pohottuwa”
    while reciting the “manthram” that all politicians are crooks, marked one and two for other candidates, and three for Gotabaya, avoiding Sajith, obviously? No candidate would have got 50%. They would have counted the Preferences, and Gota would still have got 54%.
    .
    After the first inconclusive results had been released, there would have been a pause of many hours, with all citizens sitting in front of T.V.s. Each voter would have started, for the first time, to think about the use of Preferences. The luxury of voting for one candidate, and then transferring the vote to another quite different Party, is not available in any other election. At all other elections, voters have to first decide on the group they are voting for, and then, cast Preferences for those whom they consider honest (or have been promised personal favours by).
    .
    Explaining all this, is not to campaign against Gotabaya: it amounts to educating the electorate about the system of voting.
    .
    The problem seems to be that what is desired is uneducated acquiescence to “community wishes” and not thinking out by individuals. At the General Elections only the UNP and the SLFP/SLPP will get Sinhalese votes. The JVP, wiped out, may get one National List M.P.

    • 0
      4

      Sinhala_Man,
      I apologize for breaking my promise of not responding to your comments any longer but couldn’t resist after reading the above. I have only one simple question: After voting and seeing how public vote in elections for all these years, are you still trying to figure out how the SL voters behave?

      The icing of the cake of voters decision was the Easter Bombing which brought national security to the forefront. In such a case, do you think people would vote for JVP, the ex terrorist? Had not for bombing, GoRa would have lost but the JVP would have fared little better b’cos the top three concerns in voters mind were corruption, economy and GoRa’s criminal record. Still, I’m certain that a vast majority would not follow the preferential system. That is b’cos majority of SL public still not advance enough to go beyond the instinctive dichotomous thinking (this or that). They are getting better but there is still a long way to go.

      • 0
        0

        Dear D. P.,
        .
        I want to be kind to you,
        but how to be so?
        .
        You’re talking again about the JVP. How irrelevant. I have not even mentioned them, have I?
        .
        Have you looked under your bed for Communists? Senator Joseph McCarthy used to do so in the early 1950s. You could read this:
        .
        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_McCarthy
        .
        Lots more about him, but I don’t recommend it. You should have been living at the same time as your grandfather, man!

        .
        .
        Wait, wait. I see that I have dismissed them: “wiped out” I said.
        .
        Get this straight, please D. P.
        .
        Panini Edirisinhe is no Communist, has never studied Marxism. However, I do recognise the honest commitment of some of them. I think that AKD was the most attractive Presidential Candidate this month. I gave him my number ONE. His tally was very disappointing. I have analysed it elsewhere.

        I asked you to read about three good politicians who drew their inspiration from Marxism. They were good and noble human beings – not like Stalin. You haven’t read, obviously. You’re not educable.
        .
        I’m sorry to have said that. I’m sure that you’re quite a nice guy, but with hide-bound prejudices. The capitalist often is selfishly concerned with his own prosperity. One can think of Marxism as Christianity without God.
        .
        There was that other place (the current Hoole article) where some mischief-maker had called himself Panini and spouted racist drivel. You thought it was me.
        .
        Serious lack of intelligence when put under pressure. Sorry.

  • 12
    3

    Where military guys took it, ended up in all miseries.
    – Gadafi, Irak Somalia, Sudan, Pakistan etc
    .
    People should have been wiser at their last election. Now we would never be able to get rid of the bunch of high crimnals.
    :
    Failure is made by not anyone else, but JVP, Wikalpaya and several other men, stoody today without even being able to save their deposit (33 ca ndidates thought only their rise not about the nation and country).

    • 2
      5

      Mr. Desperate Sinhalaya,
      /
      29 out of 45 US presidents are from military…………..

      • 1
        0

        Not the last few.
        .
        Actually I challenge that statement. Military service of a year or two is compulsory in the U.S. So, it may be that 29 had served briefly in the Forces, but they rose to prominence in other vocations.
        .
        Let’s have your list.
        .
        Guys like you deal in half-truths.
        .
        If you say that Eisenhover was a military man, sure I’d accept that.
        .
        Your list, please.

        • 0
          2

          JFK world war II PT BOAT CAPTAIN
          JIMMY CARTER : US NAVY SUBMARINE lt.
          GEORGE HW BUSH WORLD WAR II FIGHTER PILOT WAR HERO
          HIS SON AIR NATIONAL GUARD.
          JOHN KERRY LOST TO BUSH WAS VIETNAM WAR HERO WITH 3 PURPLE HEARTS.
          EISENHOWER
          ALL THE WAY FROM GEORGE WASHINGTON who was commander of continental army and led troops into war

          Ulysses Grant
          Theodore Roosevelt

          Sinhala man, need I go on?

          • 0
            0

            Yes, Salagama American, you need to go on:
            .
            Listen to John Kerry (he contested the Presidency; was Secretary of State later, not President) :
            .
            https://www.hhscougars.org/apps/video/watch.jsp?v=55330
            .
            Forty minutes which will keep any intelligent person rivetted. This speech, more than anything else, is what I had in mind when I challenged you. He rose to prominence on it as an anti-War hero, protesting against a War that all Sri Lankan Buddhists were against.
            .
            This is another presentation, having only a 20 minute a shorter video section, which may be more economical to listen to (I’m thinking of video data, we’re poor people!).
            .
            https://www.mprnews.org/story/2017/09/26/history-john-kerry-speaks-against-vietnam-war
            .
            Jimmy Carter was another prime example for me of a non-Military guy.
            .
            https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Carter
            .
            Before answering you, I looked at that and was surprised that he had spent nine years “with the Navy”, but he was out by age 29 (he’s still living at 95), and very much of a Peace-nick. When he was elected he was thought of as a “Pea-nut Farmer” who had made millions.
            .
            I have looked at all that is said in the long Wikipedia article, as well as navigating to that for his father. He’s even now an ardent Methodist lay-preacher, and Sunday-school teacher.
            .
            He was an abject failure as President because he was too scrupulous, but his reputation has grown since leaving office because of his sincerity and his commitment to peace.
            .
            Eisenhower (I’ve corrected my spelling), I had already granted. As I would Ulysses Grant, and Teddy Roosevelt. But where are your 29? Any honest reader would accept that you have lost on Kerry (never President, but deserved to be), and Carter.
            .
            You made the claim, now prove it. I’m an Uva villager who’s never been outside Asia.

            • 0
              0

              Panini,
              US constitution makes it mandatory for all able men between the age of 18 and 25 to be drafted in forces provided no physical handicap or family obligations. Bill Clinton didn’t join using family excuse but the real reason was his objection to Vietnam War. Mohamed Ali refused to serve in protest for the same war and was punished with jail time.

              • 0
                0

                Thanks, D. P.,
                .
                So you are confirming that I was right, and Salagama American was talking rot.
                .
                My own philosophy is pacifist. It’s not always easy to maintain the high standards set by, for instance, the Quakers. I’ve been to many Quaker meetings. They just don’t care how many Quakers there are in the world. Genuine people.
                .
                I was born into the Anglican Church. As an Established Church they need numbers. They haven’t got them in Sri Lanka. Only 24,000. I think you know that I’m nearly always accurate. They have lots of real estate in Sri Lanka, because the British were our last Colonial Masters. And they have the schools.
                .
                When I give you the details about the corruption relating to S. Thomas’, you’ll be shocked. Here’s a big surprise for you: I was very seriously pursued by them to head STC, Mt Lavinia – supposedly the Eton of Sri lanka, in 1990.
                .
                This followed as a direct result of my rejection:
                .
                https://www.lawnet.gov.lk/2000/12/31/eksith-fernando-v-manawadu-and-others-st-thomas-college-cases/
                .
                That’s a very readable document by the way!
                .
                Sad. I haven’t met Eksith. A good man they say. A few years later, they got much more qualified people than me. Rev. Marc Billimoria is doing a good enough job at Mt Lavinia. It’s the Branch Schools that are the problem. And Bishop Canagasabey. It’s all just horrible.
                .
                That was true; my “gambada ingreesi guruwaraya” persona is also genuine!

  • 7
    0

    I happened to watch that weekly programme ” face the nation” telecasted by SIRASA who has been an another abusive media since GG rule.

    What became clear was, for some reasons, SOCIAL media and other media channels behave today (since a week ago) as if some pressure being exercised on them. But in public no such pressure is being announced.
    However, as if the kids are said, ” devil is coming, go inside” like…. people s suppress show by their reactions. Those big mouths that worked diehard to bring the criminals… or the like are out of function in SM today ?
    Either all was mastered by the bunch of thugs, or people show their “stand still behaviour -නිශ්චල හැසිරීම” as had been the case prior to 2015 remember ? they are no longer bringing any arbitory coverages today ?
    Psycosis will return even before next election. UNP and JVP and non party entities should bring coverages about the ground situation.
    We should not attack Mr RW for all the mess, but SIRISENA should be made accountable for all the mess I would say. Even today, one time president and then oppo leader stay today as if an Ambalangoda rukada caricatured by Gotler.: He should have long been castrated or has been suffering from a severe health hazards.

  • 8
    1

    Even though I am a now expatriate UNP loyalist till death do me a part, I salute the present democratically elected president for the steps he’s proposing to take to give this much-beluged nation a new lease of life.

    i am and have been a prolific critic of him, his family and his party.

    My only gripe with him at this time is in his present appointment of choice of ministers for the first cabinet of his.

    As he is having a mind of his own he should refrain from appointing any of his kith and kin to any positions in his miniature cabinet of ministers to make this nation a better place to abode in.

    Most of them come with the are painted and tainted with many an act of corruption.

    I admit that it will be a difficult task of implementing my last 2 paragraphs but being an ex-army officer, he should and has to have the balls to prevent the rotters from tarnishing his effort to make this isle a paradise.

    In a finale, he has to take the 2 steps to

    There are tons of serious allegations against him, which like an artful dodger he is and conveniently due to his present status quo he can go on living with.
    He has to show proof that he is no longer an American citizen.
    If he adheres to my requisites, I will raise my hat to him.
    Cheers, R. J.

    • 1
      0

      Dear rohan, Keep growing. You’ll be fine, some day!

  • 7
    1

    This is a Honey Moon Period who ever comes its all sweet how My3 gave promisses he had100 days Program,
    Simirlarly interim govnt with puppet as Opposition leader,what show Same old faces with different charactor
    Treat eveyone equal your execelency how happy to live in US your son and wife why the law equality the poor village women have to Go to arab and serve buddhism never die or you all are not serviours
    Make this Country good for everyone
    Also rid of the 225of them you along with15 take the Country forward

  • 5
    1

    The new chief of a president, i have noted has followed some of the statements made by Mr. Sajith Premadasa the vanquished candidate at the recently held presidential poll held less than two weeks ago.

    They were –
    That he will not live in the official residence that any president is entitled to.
    The second being that he will only use the minimum of security not like what the others had done so
    Hopefully, most of the other pledges will be adopted by this president who at this moment is doing a superb job with his announcements and doings.
    Cheers, R. J.

  • 4
    7

    Dear Jehan,
    Youa are becoming a bit of a bore; a broken record that cannot be discarded.
    Jehan, Retirement might be an option to you,
    Please consider.

  • 13
    2

    Sinhala Buddhist trump card used as a political weapon could spell disaster for the country in the long run the way Bandaranayka Sinhala only policy divided the country and paved the way to the civil war. Trotskyte Colvin R De Silva foresaw it when he said ”one language two countries two languages one country”.It took thirty years to prove Colvin’s prediction. The same is relevant now.

    • 5
      5

      Upali,
      Dr. Colvin R de Silava made this statement in order to please the large number of Demala people in Trade Unions. At a later stage, he changed his stance on this issue.

      During British rule, Demalu had no problem in accepting English as the official language and Union Jack as the national flag. How many Demalu knew English?

      • 2
        2

        Eagle Eye, we can see you are a sick person, you ought to consult a doctor and take medication for depression urgently, as you are not fit to talk in this civilized society.

  • 1
    5

    71 years of democracy and what have we gained? Nothing. All browny points to please the West while our people suffer from regime to regime. I think democracy only works with White folk. We need someone with a horsewhip. That’s how the Kings in this country ruled Sri Lanka. No NGOs or human rights BS. Either you have democracy or 3rd-World status. Can’t have both mate!

    • 3
      1

      If you want to be an ass to be whipped that is your choice, but those with brains and intelligence would always prefer freedom of choice and governance by consent above all else! Democracy and development are not mutually exclusive and western democracies are proof of it, if needed.

  • 4
    2

    “Popularity Is Not A Sufficient Condition For Reform”.
    /
    Suppose it can only come from unelected NGOs funded lavishly by foreign governments?

  • 0
    0

    Popularity Is Not A Sufficient Condition For Reform

    The past president knowing the inside story ( Condition ) as the world witness set to transfer Prime minister to the opposite party knowing the condition of then situation, so how long will it take to unwind that condition to bring progress to sri lanka. May be 2 years or 3 years by that time so many will not live, In that case Only people can build a better world for people, for quick progress.

  • 1
    1

    Got freed from one. Investigators transferred. First things first. Country can wait.

  • 6
    2

    President Gotabaya still wants those racist politicians and officers in his Cabinet and group of delegates. Will he get rid of people like Wimal Weerawansa, Ravinath Ariyasinghe, etc who will eventually be instrumental for his downfall and ruining of Sri Lanka. Even Ranil was associating with undesirous people like Vijayakala, Rishard Badurdeen, etc which eventually led to his downfall. It is time that he should demonstrate himself as a follower of Emperor Asoka. Didn’t Emperor Asoka followed Buddhism and refrained from violence and stuck to love, compassion and kind after the Kalinga war. But here is a case even the CID officers are fleeing the country. When Gota can get all his fraud and corrupt cases dropped, why can’t he do the same to others. First, let Gota abide by the provisions of the Constitution. Atleast Gota should demonstrate as a benevolent dictator like Peter the Great. Appointments for top posts should be on merits which will create a path for reforms.

    • 1
      1

      I have told him to be a Dharma Asoka. King Asoka a war monger needed a monk to give him a sermon to convert him to an apostle of peace. Similarly Modi will read the riot act to blood thirsty Gota to change him to deliver equality, justice and dignity to Tamils.

  • 3
    3

    There are corrupt misters such as Wimal Weerwansa in the cabinet Just because he supported Gotabaya does not mean he can be appointed as minister. There are cases pending against him

  • 5
    3

    Popularity! What popularity. Gota got 53% votes and those who opposed him got 47% of the votes. This is almost 50-50 taking into consideration of some election violations. How can any one call this a popular vote?

  • 2
    1

    Is ‘unpopularity’ a better ground for reform ? !!

    This is writing for mere boredom.

  • 4
    3

    Mr G will get the job done.
    This is the time to be united and work for a better future.

    Think of what we could do for the country rather than what the country could do for us.

  • 5
    2

    For a perfect solution to the prevailing issues,

    The past should be forgotten.

    Forget ghost images of LTTE & other military groups.

    Forget India.

    Forget Norwa

    Forget International community.

    Forget IPKF.

    Forget that flotilla that was forced to go back.

    Forget Mysoor dhal bombing on Jaffna.

    Forget Rajiv Gandhi assassination.

    Forget the UN & HR bodies.

    Forget PCs (& dismantle them)

    Forget racially & religiously identifying people.

    Offer the concept of 1 country 1 law.

    Request or force inter-racial & inter-religious co-existence & marriage.

    Forget religions

    Banish those who resist.

  • 4
    0

    My comment is about the photo. The bearded, white clad forces officer needs the gym. Shame on us to have such ugly figures as heads of our forces.
    Nilame

  • 5
    1

    Gota can only appoint his ministers from the scoundrels available as there is nobody else. At least he has restricted the cabinet to 15, possibly a record. This is a temporary arrangement we will have to wait to see the cabinet size after the next General Election. Today he has ordered the Police and Environment people to clean the beach between Wellawatte and Kollupitiya. About 400 idle bastards are hard at work for the first time in their lives. A very good sign. I hope this continues. He has been President for less than a week. Give the man a chance.

  • 4
    3

    govt can rearrangement the 13th amendment if Tamil politicians do not like it.Arrange just three provinces as Ruhunu, Pihiti and Maya and reduce the political bureaucracy,. Provincial councils are the Political solution for National question which makes Tamil politicians happy. Tamil civilian does not need LLRC or anthing. Just like in vishvamdu, they need a life.

    • 2
      0

      JD you stupid .Do you know India wants the Trinco Harbour for her ships and the National GRID so that she can turn off the lights anytime she wants plunging you lot into darkness. Gotha wil give these away on the 29th for a few rotten 5 year old ” Laddu” . Heis an Angry and Hungry man.

  • 0
    0

    Seriously Jehan with a JD not a PhD. There you go again. Every winner gets a honeymoon period. Let them be man. You never got anything right just like Kumar Davidan appuhamy. Your sponsors in the US embassy will tell you there’s a global phenomena right now: it’s towards NATIONALISM and autocracy. Look at your little Jewish American princess’s Commander in chief Trump. How the pluck did he win and will win again? Bolsanaro, Britain, Hungary, Poland, AND INDIA. Same trend. Get over your self righteous finger wagging. You were eagerly awaiting and hoping minorities will be the puppet master for the Marionette named SP. Egg on your face. US will cut deals with Gota soon and stop writing you cheques.

  • 0
    1

    Well said. US in case of NPC. Never predicted correctly ngo. Jegana loves negativism. Gota had no choice, but to pick MR’s serfs from the lot he had. You never said anything about the plucking Crooks RW appointed. Why now? Did you run out of cash provided by the US embassy? Wish you would STFU for 6 months. Try running for a predominantly catholic seat from the UNP. Neither you nor Dayan will get even a 1,000 votes. STFU

    Give this guy a chance. If their party wins the general election, and he appoints Sakkiliyas you can shout. He had to appoint ministers from MR’s MR’s bootlicker servants this time

    Wonder where Mervyn Dutugemunu Silva, his psycho pervert Son and Sajin the Salagama Vaas who was doing the dirty work for MR hiding now? JAIC Hilton? Or inside an Embassy or High Commission?

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