By Rajeewa Jayaweera –
Rajeewa Jayaweera
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, addressing a gathering in Kegalle on August 19 to distribute Title Deeds to 1,364 persons on the completion of three years of “Good Governance” by the Yahapalana government held sway of the abundance of democracy in the country.
Wickramesinghe complained that although the government has created a climate of democracy in the country, there are those who abuse it.
The Prime Minister stated, “We live in a democratic society. There are those who make use of this freedom while there are those who misuse it”. Referring to striking doctors (over SSLFTA) and Students (resulting in the closure of universities), he quoted Abraham Lincoln stating, “Those who deny people their freedom do not deserve freedom themselves.” He further elaborated, “We live in a democratic society. People of this country now have the freedom to elect who they wish and to protect their fundamental rights. We have never hindered this process by kidnapping people in white vans or committing murders. We will be holding Provincial Councils elections very soon. It is not us who is holding this up but the Elections Commissioner. Party leaders have been notified.”
Democracy in the country which was restored by the people on January 08, 2015 was lost once again at the Independence Memorial Hall by sunset on January 09, 2015 immediately after the swearing-in of Maithripala Sirisena as President when the sitting Prime Minister DM Jayaratne was vaporized, and Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as Prime Minister. The appointment was never ratified with a vote of confidence, the first order of business in any democracy after a new government takes office, until after parliamentary elections in August 2015.
A few days later, the Chief Justice (CJ) too was vaporized by sending a mere letter of removal after declaring his appointment as void at inception as his predecessor’s impeachment was deemed unlawful. Decisions made, and Judgements passed by this CJ during his two-year tenure in office remains unaddressed to date. Even the draconian Rajapaksa administration went through the motions of an 11-member parliamentary committee which investigated and found her guilty of professional misconduct on 14 trumped-up charges of financial and official misconduct followed by a motion in Parliament which was carried 155 for and 49 against.
In any democracy, all types of elections are held on its due date. What kind of democracy is the Prime Minister talking of which he claims was restored by the “Good Governance” government? Local Government elections which should have been held in 2015 were eventually held in February 2018. Three Provincial Councils are currently being administered by its Governors due to lack of elections. The terms of office of another three Provincial Councils are due to expire in October with no dates set for elections.
Wickramasinghe blames the delay in holding elections on the Elections Commissioner who incidentally has been made irrelevant by the Chairman of the Elections Commission who in turn keeps saying he is awaiting Parliamentary approval of the Delimitation Report.
Fairy tales such as ‘living in a democratic society’ and ‘holding Provincial Council elections very soon’ may have gone down with those poor souls in Kegalle genuflecting in a most self-abasing manner before the Prime Minister after receiving their documents.
But others know better or as it is said in Sinhala, ‘Danno danithi.’
Lankan / August 22, 2018
Any way ..
Since 1948 ; the Sri Lankan notion of democracy has been a unique one..
It has been a mixture of dictatorship; nepotism and and little bit of freedom .
At least we had some freedom in the three decades of independence..
But now it is in its worse position and situation.
Sorry to say The family rules of MR made this like this .
Nothing wrong with MR .
But his family spoiled him and with it dream of democracy went in Sri Lanka .
So: beautiful nations ..
People do not know how to run it
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Native Vedda / August 24, 2018
Rajeewa Jayaweera types:
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“when the sitting Prime Minister DM Jayaratne was vaporized, and Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as Prime Minister. “
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If the parliament considered the way in which DM Jayaratne was vaporized and Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as Prime Minister was undemocratic, all what the descending voices in the parliament could have or should have passed a “vote of no confidence” against Ranil and vaporized him and materialised DM Jayaratne.
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A simple democratic exercise.
Even it is not too late now. You should advise the JO initiate no confidence motion against Ranil so that he could be vaporized.
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JD / August 22, 2018
Rajeewa: what you hve written; many articles of this type appears in CT, IS A saying leda malath bada sudda wiaya ythu maya.. who are these politicians who fight for this crappy democracy and what does that crappy democracy brings to people, just the same ols mayhem. Journalists who become well read specialists or experts just for one day present that crappy drmocracy which never worked for the voter or the country.
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JD / August 22, 2018
The major and only objectuve of elections, politicians are all for making the country better for people. HAs that happened for the last 70 years. So, what is the point of talking about elelctions and democracy.
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JD / August 22, 2018
IT doe snot matter what the exeepctations, visions and out come of their work or progams are. We know it for 70 years. the number youth died from Sinhala, tweice, and Tamils are evidence. We know how many thousand women are working for how many years in the middle east at the expense of their families and lives. We know how many youths are working in Korea and otjher countries at the expense of their lives and semd money to their parents. We know how many institutions are desteoyed. We need timely elelctions and democracy at three different levels. How is the Colombo Mayoralty office working ? Humongous contribution by by the PEN which is mightier than the sword.
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Douglas / August 22, 2018
Mr. Jayaweera: Why you did not even care to mention the “World’s First Central Bank Robbery” masterminded by the Minster “In Charge” i.e this PM Ranil W. Can you show me anywhere in the annals of Judiciary process, or in a “Democratic” set up where a Minister In Charge is liable to be questioned being “Presented” with the set of “Questions” to be asked and “Answers” are provided in “Affidavit” form; but never subjected to “Questionings” by a Prosecution or a team assisting a Commission to clear matters? That is the TYPE of “DEMOCRACY” this man Ranil W speaks and propagates. Still, on this subject of “Bond Scam” this PM owes an EXPLANATION to the country as to “WHY” he dislodged the Central Bank from the Ministry of Finance and “BROUGHT” it under his “Control”. Also, WHY he “IMPORTED” a Foreign National to be its Governor, IGNORING the objections from his own colleagues in the Cabinet, INCLUDING the President. Do anyone think that he was UNAWARE of the gravity of that “Foreign National” being made the Governor of the SLCB and the problems that a country would face in the event of “Responsibility” and “Accountability” issues. Of course, if PEOPLE accept that as “DEMOCRACY” nothing could be done about it. Perhaps, this PM knows very well the “SLAVE MENTALITY” of the UNP support base of around 35% and he lives UNCONCERNED. That his ASSESSMENT of “Democracy” in this country.
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Sarrij / August 27, 2018
D..
S L is a BSing democracy.
The PM is the biggest BSer.; managed to dupe the people and rob the Central Bank.
The country is broke; but the government paints a glowing picture of progress. The sad part is the thinking that the people might still swallow this lie; nothing new; after all this is “paradise.”
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Ajay / August 22, 2018
I’d take vaporization over Lasantha/Thajudeen style killing any day.
.
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Real Revolutionist / August 22, 2018
The reality is that as far as democracy is concerned people don’t feel any difference between post 15 & pre 15 eras.
There might be concocted stories of handful of individuals to utter in favor of GG or previous regime.
Make a survey to find out how many citizens had been kidnapped using white vans or any other form with political intention during recent history (1980 to 2015).
Distributing crown property among individuals is very common occurrence in our country & as a matter of fact it’s one of the major reasons to reduce forest cover.
Do politicians think that they can distribute crown property in their whim & fancy with the intention of gaining political support?
Attempts must be made to re-acquire all the property distributed thus & increase forest cover; except of those who faced natural disasters.
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K.Pillai / August 22, 2018
Real Revolutionist ~ “The reality is that as far as democracy is concerned people don’t feel any difference between post 15 & pre 15 eras”.
That is vertical thinking. Half the population may agree with you!
Did you ask anyone in N&E? They are also ‘people’ albeit ‘second class’.
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Real Revolutionist / August 22, 2018
K.Ppillai
“They’re also ‘people’ albeit ‘second class'”
Self imposed situation
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Eagle Eye / August 22, 2018
PM said in one meeting that he spent three years repairing the car he got from Rajapakse and now ready to go in full speed. In my view PM is driving the car in a winding road without headlights!
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Real Revolutionist / August 22, 2018
No no the car is ok & the road too is ok but driving in haze caused by scam/AM factor
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Rajiv Tennekoon / August 22, 2018
RW also claimed that over 400,000 jobs were created and another 300,000 started self employment due to Government action. Not sure how he came up with the number but he promised 1 million jobs and this Government has been in place for 3 and 1/2 years. So, if you do the numbers, his claims indicate he is on target but we the people know its a complete farce. In fact, more people have lost their businesses due to the policies and taxes of this Government.
Ranil is in a land of utopia. He is 12 years past his expiration. Unfortunately, the preferential voting system will keep him in Parliament as long as he desires. God help Sri Lanka.
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Bodin / August 23, 2018
These jobs were created for the Volkswagon factory.
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Annesley Dias / August 22, 2018
Another anti ranil essay by RJ.
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Rajeewa Jayaweera / August 22, 2018
Annesley Dias
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You are missing the ‘wood for the trees’.
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Can you dispute the three instances referred to in the essay?
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This is not about being anti or pro-Ranil but simply highlighting Ranil’s absurd and meaningless public assertions.
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Annesley Dias / August 22, 2018
No point replying to Killi Maharajas
Henchaiyas.
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Tyronne Petersz / August 22, 2018
True AD Sirasa is paying off handsomely anyone critizing Ranil.
Rajeewa is mentally disturbed he was not selected for a yahapalanaya Job.
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Upali / August 22, 2018
How can we discuss democracy justice and fair play in a country where one CJ apologized for giving a wrong judgement and another promised give judgement s the way required. Mind you this is happening at the highest level of govt..Ignoring all this we are trying to discipline rioting women prisoners. Recently the police proved that we are not equal before the law when they visited MR’s house to get a statement. Will the police in future visit us in to record statements when required.?
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justice / August 22, 2018
So far, no cases under the CIABOC have not been commenced/ are ongoing/concluded. Maybe, none will commence, ever.
Why has Mahendran not yet been apprehended.
Garbage from Singapore is to be imported under an Agreement !
The “Good Governance” includes an undeclared Military Regime in the northeast, where evicted citizens live in jungles under trees, military run businesses deny employment to citizens, southern fishermen are forcibly displacing northern fishers, students/citizens are shot dead, Buddhist clergy establish statues/temples on lands ‘identified’ as former ‘Buddhist settlements’, while Ranil visits Hindu temples in India for ‘blessings’!
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Champa / August 22, 2018
Rajeewa – This is a good article which speaks of the discovery of a pirate government and its existence.
Yeah, we all thought pirates exist only in fairy tales. Look at this two-head pirate government. After robbing the country for themselves, now they allow foreign pirates to rob our resources, our industries and our lands.
How could a destabilized country attract investors? The only way is to sell off our assets and sign FTAs that have no sunset clauses (copied from Donald Trump) giving upper hand to foreign countries.
Anyways, contrary to fake assurances given by the pirate government to foreign countries, a future government can retract all these FTAs as they violate our Constitution. There are “ways” to reverse even the sale agreements of our assets by the foreign country itself, which I have no intention to mention here.
After being in deep slumber for 3 1/2 years without having any regard whether people live or die, especially the people concentrated in villages who lost their livelihood in big time, now the slave government pretend that they are hyper-active with “Gam Peraliya” and “Wew Peraliya.”. Why? A major election is looming.
As mentioned correctly in the article, nobody pay attention to Ranil’s “yo ho ho” anymore.. His supporters are done with him and the UNP.
Ranil and Maithree’s only mantra is “democracy.” They think that it is a miracle that would develop the country, bring employment, shelter and food to people. The country has become progressively worse.
Now people are enough of the “fake democracy.” That is why they use obscenity every time they talk about Ranil and Maithree. Anybody can read people by the words they speak.
People are eagerly awaiting to scuttle the Yahapalanaya pirate ship and throw its crew to feed the fish.
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K.Pillai / August 22, 2018
Rajeewa Jayaweera
We agree that RW is telling us ‘Fairy Tales’. They are clumsy!
Which category do we place the ‘Mahawamsa’?
The ‘Mahinda-Chinthanaya’?
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The revelations at the CoI into SriLankan Airlines are true Fairy tales.
These are tip of the iceberg. Care to explore the iceberg Rajeewa.
By the way is ‘true Fairy tales’ an oxymoron? Hmm …..Hmm……. “Cannot Remember”.
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LalJ / August 22, 2018
Prime minister is a even todate a S”HAMESLESS LIAR. Just read the titirles of articles published based on his speeches. Even at the age of 69 years, he is lieing to the perople in ordeer to live a flamboyant and corrupt life. They are all Mafioso.
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Rohan Gunaratne / August 22, 2018
It will be good if Mr. Rajeewa writes something big about the medamulana frauds which runs into trillions. Rusiripala , Rajeewa keerthi tenbekoon have all been bought over
MTV/MBC networks owned by Tiger tycoon killi mahendran
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Thangamma / August 23, 2018
You hate RW.
Everyone now has a Gold Chain and women also have Gold bangles in every little village.
There is free Wi-Fi everywhere in Sri Lanka now.
Bread is so cheap that cake goes to waste.
Middle class is twice as well off as under MR
There is no corruption at all.
No kickbacks.
Bond Scandal is the only blemish; otherwise, everyone from Kariella to Baithudeen to Akiller to Sagalak are honest.
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