The Rajapaksa regime has undergone a severe setback politically and is currently in crisis mode following the events that transpired within the past 48 hours, common candidate at the upcoming Presidential elections Maithripala Sirisena said today.
Sirisena who met venerable Maduluwawe Sobhitha thera this afternoon at Kotte Nagavihara made these remarks as he addressed the media briefly after performing religious rites.
“A great transformation has taken place within the political sphere and among the people in Sri Lanka during the past 48 hours after my candidacy was announced. This situation has resulted in a grave crisis within the Rajapaksa government,” Sirisena said.
He went on to state that it is no coincidence that the Presidential polls happened to be scheduled on January 8 – on the birthday of SLFP founder SWRD Bandaranaike. “I am a longstanding member of the SLFP and will continue to be so. Upon my re-election I hope to bring the Bandaranaike policies envisioned in the SLFP back to life. But today I stand before the people as a candidate without any affiliations to a single political party, religion or community. I am everybody’s candidate,” Sirisena said adding that it is time to steer the country towards a transformational era.
Former fisheries minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne and UNP front-liners Karu Jayasuriya and Ravi Karunanayake accompanied Sirisena this afternoon where they engaged in a discussion with Maduluwawe Sobhitha thera after addressing the media.
Sirisena also told media that he will be kick starting election campaigning activities with effect from Tuesday.
Paul / November 23, 2014
‘I hope to bring the Bandaranaike policies envisioned in the SLFP back to life’
Something for minority voters to be pleased about!
:)
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Thiru / November 23, 2014
Sinhala only in 24 hours – comes to my mind. Wasn’t it SWRD’s slogan that lead to his victory?
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Dinuk / November 23, 2014
Today the corrupt and criminal Jarapassa regime is isolated and exposed and the SLFP has melted away and left them exposed.
All the decent MPs from the SLFP will cross over to the opposition which is today a NATIONAL OPPOSITION against the corrupt and criminal Rajapaksa brothers.
Only the most corrupt of the corrupt stopges like Nimal Siripala, Aluthgamage, Bandualla and S.B the uneducated clowns and Susul Premajayantha the swindler and petrol hora. and the vile mouth Rambukwella, will remain with the Jarapassa brothers.
The SLFP has moved to the opposition. The Sinhala modayas are waking up!
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Ravana / November 24, 2014
Dinuk, all your poisonous bile will not have any effect on the government or MR personally.
the people of this country have chosen MR to save it from foreign conspiracies – to dvide the country in return for Tamil favours during colonialism. Chandrika is part of the the old colonial back licker family system of Sri Lanka that is dying out.
Maithripala says ““A great transformation has taken place within the political sphere and among the people in Sri Lanka during the past 48 hours after my candidacy was announced. This situation has resulted in a grave crisis within the Rajapaksa government.”
The fool is grossly overestimating his own importance as a back bone less stooge of Chandrika and the British ambassador Rankin.
To hell with him.
[Edited out]
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Rabok / November 24, 2014
One more addition to your comment ~~~ A man who is trying be a leader should have leadership qualities ~~ does this man have any leadership quality ~~ when he answer a question he starts with his harangue on SWRD history and go round and round praising Sirimavo and his daughter as if he is a history teacher and do not provide a clear answer in few words ~further i heard him praising Ranil as a wonderful politician and wants to SIR him in the future ~ bloody hell who is this back boneless ~ Id…~ He would be better shave his head and go to a Temple and practice Dharmaya ~~ I hope Sri Lankans will understand this puppet is certainly not a man who will do what he is promising he will do because Ranil and the gang will screw him nicely if he at all manage to win ~~ which I think is most unlikely ~ I have one more question AS Diaspora Surendran announce that they are going to take MR and GR to international court after they are defeated ~ what is the reaction of MS ~ if a situation like that occurs ~ do this guy think they can have future in this country after that ~
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Humbug / November 23, 2014
Sinhala only slogan will damage the entire campaign. Cater to all the communities not only to one community. This could be dangerous.
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Thiru / November 23, 2014
Sinhala only in 24 hours – comes to my mind. Wasn’t it SWRD’s slogan that lead to his victory?
Living sage of Asia – Lee Kuan Yew – after talking with SWRD said that he was a Sinhala chauvinist!
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Humbug / November 23, 2014
All Bandaranaike policies did not go down well with the minorities. Please do not isolate the minorities at this juncture. You need the support of all to defeat the incumbent regime. Take care in not treading hurting the minorities.
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Amarasiri / November 23, 2014
Dear Common People’s Candidate Maithripala Sirisena,
Thank you for stepping up to rescue the country from the MaRa, MaRa regime that was taking the country to the Dictatorial Apaya. It is general relief, but the job is not done yet.
This contest is Between Good and Evil, Mara.
The Enlightened Buddhas had this Conflict with Mara and WON.
You can too Sir, just let the word get around quickly to every Sri Lankan. They will choose wisely.
PS. Sri Lankan writers, where is the Common sense pamphlet? Ready?Common People’s Candidate Maithripala Sirisena and the people are waiting.
Common Sense (pamphlet)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Sense_%28pamphlet%29
Common Sense[1] is a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1775–76 that inspired people in the Thirteen Colonies to declare and fight for independence from Great Britain in the summer of 1776. In clear, simple language it explained the advantages of and the need for immediate independence. It was published anonymously on January 10, 1776, at the beginning of the American Revolution and became an immediate sensation. It was sold and distributed widely and read aloud at taverns and meeting places. Washington had it read to all his troops, which at the time had surrounded the British army in Boston. In proportion to the population of the colonies at that time (2.5 million), it had the largest sale and circulation of any book published in American history.[2]
Common Sense presented the American colonists with an argument for freedom from British rule at a time when the question of whether or not to seek independence was the central issue of the day. Paine wrote and reasoned in a style that common people understood. Forgoing the philosophical and Latin references used by Enlightenment era writers, he structured Common Sense as if it were a sermon, and relied on Biblical references to make his case to the people.[3] He connected independence with common dissenting Protestant beliefs as a means to present a distinctly American political identity.[4] Historian Gordon S. Wood described Common Sense as “the most incendiary and popular pamphlet of the entire revolutionary era”.[5]
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Sama / November 23, 2014
Who thought that MS would ever leave the coalition, but that happened. Now the many are fed up of Rajapakshes see the light at the end of the tunnel.
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Leelawathie / November 23, 2014
MR (meeharaka Rajapakshe) has threated that he has files of those left the UPFA.
This is as a gesture of relaliation – typical to Rajapakse who is yet to show his real face to the nation. This man as I believed from the day one is the most hypocrite – he has performed sofar even better than the best bollywood actor.
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Cerberus / November 24, 2014
MR has said he will not use ‘the files’ as he is a ‘man of his word’. One must remember his promises! In 2005 he promised to abolish the Executive Presidency, but he accuses CBK of breaking her promise to do so! He promised Ban Ki Moon that he would implement the LLRC Report! He promised the Indians re 13 Plus! He promised to investigate the deaths of the 17 Aid Workers and the 5 students in Trincomalee. He promised to investigate the Anti Muslim riots at Alutgama. So mush for a ‘man of his word’. Can he be trusted any further?
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Priya / November 23, 2014
Please do not dwell too much on Banda who was no Gandhi to us.Remember you are representing a common opposition and not one of SLFP .Not many know Banda and not many do care about him.His vision suited for for fifties and sixties may not valid now. You are a principle politician so far and build up your own imag along those lines representing masses .If so,People will support you to bring the necessary reforms valid for modern era and don’t have any doubt about that.
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Real Peace / November 23, 2014
I certainly agree with Priya.
We should grow up and define our destiny, there is no need to dwell on dynasties in the past such as ….Banadaranake, MaRa (!!!)…et al.
What modern Lanka deserves is good democratic governance, rule of law and equality for every citizen. If these three objectives are obeyed no force in the world can stop Lanka – this nation is destined to become a paradise yet again!!
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bo / November 23, 2014
Also pleeeeeze make sure that you are also well protected. We do not want a similar event to what Marcos did to Acquino, the popular candidate that stood against him.
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Lapatiya / November 23, 2014
These people are very ungrateful. Actually our President, until 8th Jan. 2015, Hon. Percy Mahendra Ebola Rajapaksha has done lot of good things to this country.
Sri Lanka has become a first country to have the highest no of International Conspiracies under Percy Mahendra Ebola Rajapaksha’s governance. Actually credit should go to Dallas Daham Alahapperuma and Comrade Wimal Weerawansa.
Sri Lankka is the first country to have non functional International Airport and Port under the able Percy Mahendra Ebola Rajapaksha. Entire Credit belongs to Hon. Percy Mahendra Ebola Rajapaksha.
Sri Lanka is the first country to defeat Terrorism without a Army Commander. Entire Credit should go to Hon. Percy Mahendra Ebola Rajapaksha and Nandasena Gotaba Ebola Rajapaksha.
Sri Lanka is the first country to introduce a new method to identify patriots and non patriots.
Every Citizen in this country got China Credit cards worth more than 400,000 worth under Hon. Percy Mahendra Ebola Rajapaksha’s Leadership.
Sri Lanka is the first Country to take all important decisions by Astrologers. Even the Election Commissioner should take advice from Royal Astrologer as to when he should conduct the election.
Sri Lanka is the First country to deliver Judgments/Opinions by Supreme Court Judges written in President’s Kitchen.
Ebola is deadly decease, Am I correct.
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Kalu Nangi / November 23, 2014
You are absolutely right, Lapatiyo! Ebola has a high mortality rate and contaminates all who come near an infected person. Same as what’s happening in Sri Lanka when Ebola Maharaja and family comes in contact with Government institutions, Judiciary and the Security Forces. They get contaminated and die a slow death, gasping out democratic values, leaving only the stench of corruption.
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Samitha / November 23, 2014
Nobody wants another bandaranayake…do not dwell in the past Mr.Maithree..do not talk as if things were better during his era..this is 2014…not 1956
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Dom / November 26, 2014
There is nothing to do with the Bandaranaike’s policy by going back to 1956, Because the economy has been worsen since the MR’s family took over the economy.
However Maithripala said that he would only restore the party policies that were made by Bandaranaike so this policy will not be applied to the economy unless he appoints the Prime Minister and abolishes the Executive Presidency. Therefore after the selected Prime Minister, The Prime Minister will have full power to led the country in clean and legitimate way. There is nothing to be panic.
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BBS Rep / November 24, 2014
Maithripala Sirisena’s first media declaration is irksome and hypocritical. He cannot stand today and declare that he is a candidate before the people without any affiliations to a single political party, religion or community and at the same time promise to bring back SWRD policies. It is SWRD’s irresponsible partisan policies that led to the horrors of the past 50 years. Either Sirisena is a hypocrite, has a partial memory or a plain liar.
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kris / November 24, 2014
Maitri is fighting for 100 days president ?
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Sincho / November 25, 2014
Hey, as one who did not know any way out, I respected the decision made by MS – there i will not attack him. He is a solid kind of a politician in that bunch. He is matured than the bugger in power who would bribe anyone to be belonged to them.
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Indran S. / November 24, 2014
Maithripala Sirisena has made many statements, which show that he is a Sinhala supremacist. Furthermore, he reveres the blatantly racist Sinhala Only act of 1956, and its architect, Mr.S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike.
Thus, for the Tamils in the island of Sri Lanka, Maithripala Sirisena is the preferred presidential winner, only because he is less of a Sinhala supremacist, compared to the terribly racist Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The present political entity, Sri Lanka, is a Sinhala Buddhist state. The newly appointed presidential candidate, Maithripala Sirisena paying homage to Maduluwawe Sobhitha highlights this. Why else should only clergy from the Sinhala Buddhist religion play hugely important political roles? Somarama Thero and Buddharakkitha Thero who committed the first terrorist act in post 1948 and post British Ceylon are also good examples.
Many Tamils were, and are not LTTE supporters. Thus the Tamil community cannot be blamed for the human rights violations and terrorist acts committed by the LTTE. Those who are responsible for such violations and acts, are various LTTE organizations, leaders and activists such as Viswanathan Rudrakumaran, Colonel Karuna, Pillaiyan, KP, Adele Balasingham, Nediyavan, Tamilnet editor Jeya. (Extensive lists of names are being created by many orgs).
Nearly all Sinhala racists are fully aware that the Sinhala military committed more war crimes than the LTTE. This is why they oppose any independent international investigations into ***both*** the Sinhala military and the LTTE. Their feeble excuse that Sri Lanka’s sovereignty will be infringed by the investigation, is not valid under international law. Furthermore, Sri Lanka has anyway handed over much of its sovereignty to China!
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http://dailynews.lk/?q=local/sl-will-reject-any-probe-report-maithripala
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
SL will reject any probe report – Maithripala
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http://dailynews.lk/?q=political/unhrc-probe-totally-unacceptable-undermines-lanka-s-dignity
On June 19, 2014:
Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena: This is an important motion. We should study the socio-economic and political factors behind the move to send an international inquiry team to our country.
The UNP did not support the efforts of the government to win the war.
It acted with jealousy and hypocrisy over the war victory.
We respect the UN and its policies. However, we are not ready to allow it to exceed its mandate and infringe on our internal problems. We will solve our own problems. The international inquiry is based on a highly misleading report compiled by a biased committee. Who painted a wrong image of Sri Lanka in the international community?
Who provided wrong information about Sri Lanka to the international community? Ask these questions from your self-conscience.
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Anpu / November 24, 2014
Who is Maithripala Sirisena?
Last week the former secretary general of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and minister of health, Maithripala Sirisena, was announced as the common opposition candidate for the upcoming presidential elections.
The politician has been one of the more vocal SLFP politicians over the past few years.
Endorsement of action against pro-opposition SLFP politicians
Sirisena, in 2007, endorsed the sacking of government ministers in the SLFP who were seemingly supportive of the opposition United National Party (UNP) in Sri Lanka.
Support for ending 6 year ceasefire with LTTE
In 2008, the minister, rejected calls to uphold a ceasefire with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) that had been in place for 6 years.
“The government will not go for a ceasefire with the LTTE. We will not have any form of discussion with the LTTE,” said Sirisena, after the 6 year ceasefire was broken in 2008.
Alleges that TNA and opposition candidate working for ‘terrorist’ demands
In 2010, Sirisena alleged that the Tamil National Alliance and the, then opposition candidate, General Fonseka, had betrayed Sri Lanka to ‘terrorist’ demands by pledging to withdraw armed forces from the North, dismantle the High Security Zone, re-merge the North East, release LTTE suspects and give autonomy to the province.
Commends India’s protection of Sri Lankan sovereignty at UNHRC
Commenting on the 2012 United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution, Sirisena commended India for making amendments to the resolution that safeguarded Sri Lanka from “the interferences of UN bodies,” adding that no intrusions should be imposed without consent of the Sri Lankan government.
Accuses NGOs of working against Sri Lanka at UNHRC
Sirisena went on to allege that a Catholic NGO, Caritas SEDEC, was instigating protests and working against Sir Lanka at the UNHRC.
Accuses TNA and UNP of working to re-establish LTTE
Later that year, the SLFP general secretary went on to accuse the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the opposition UNP of assisting “LTTE activists” to help re-establish the LTTE.
Repeatedly rejects UNHRC resolution for investigation into Sri Lankan crimes
In 2014, Sirisena repeatedly rejected the UNHRC resolution mandating an international investigation into Sri Lankan war crimes and crimes against humanity, stating that the SLFP “rejects the resolution against Sri Lanka moved at the UN Human Rights council.”
“The SLFP said that these invasive forces who ruled Sri Lanka from 1505 to 1948 are conspiring against the country based on the misleading information provided by the LTTE rump overseas, when Sri Lanka is in the process of rebuilding the country through national reconciliation process with the end of terrorism,” he added in March 2014.
Rejection of any UN-led investigation into mass atrocities
Reaffirming this rejection, Sirisena said in July 2014,
“The ghosts of the LTTE are behind all these ‘strategies’ implemented against Sri Lanka. We have already agreed to the conventions of the UN. Therefore, no matter who visits this country or who probes us, they should remember that Sri Lanka is a member of the UN. We have no faith in this team, or that panel, we have no faith in those who give evidence.”
“They say they will never reveal the names of the persons who give evidence for another 20 years. They say they will seek evidence from countries such as Canada, Netherlands, Norway etc. This shows how biased the probe is. We do not have faith in this one sided biased probe”.
“Their objective is very clear. They have a totally different agenda. Their real but hidden agenda is changing the democratically elected government and the leadership of Sri Lanka.”
Condemns NPC calls on Sri Lanka to allow UN officials to North-East
Sirisena, also expressed concern over a Northern Provincial Council resolution that called for Sri Lanka to allow access to UN investigators.
“All provincial councils including the Northern Provincial Council have pledged to act within the constitution of Sri Lanka. They cannot violate it,” warned Sirisena in Sepetember 2014.
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Know All / November 25, 2014
Amidst all the excitement following the announcement that Maithripla Sirisena is to challenge President Rajapakse at the forthcoming elections, let us not forget the voters, that neglected species which again gets some recognition and is re-animated, albeit, for a brief while. Based on what the detractors have to say of MR and of MS, it seems the poor SL voters are being asked to make a choice between two men who are both clearly unworthy of the public trust. So, what are the voters to do? Decide on the result of a toss of a coin or what the astrologers say? Or are they to decide on the basis of a more pragmatic basis?
I remember the late Tarzie Vittachi recalling in his book ‘Emergency 58’ the practical approach reflected in an election poster during a contest for the Baddegama seat, somewhere in the 50s. He said that the slogan on the poster ran something like this (I am stating this from memory and my recollection may be flawed) ‘OOTH KUPADIYA, MOOTH KUPADIYA, GAMEY KUPADIYATA CHANDE DEMU’. Roughly translated, the slogan read ‘That fellow is also a cad, this fellow (referring to the candidate from the home village) is also a cad. Let’s vote for our village cad’. How pragmatic, how loyal to your own kind? Faced with the unenviable task of having to choose between two equally lousy candidates, opting to vote for ‘our man’makes as much sense as voting for the other fellow.
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