19 March, 2024

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Ranil Wins The Day, JO Consolidates, Maithri Slips Even Further, Govt Loses 2/3rds Majority

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe comfortably survived the vote of no-confidence brought against him by the Joint Opposition (JO) a short while ago. A total of 78 MPs supported the motion while 122 voted against it. Twenty six MPs were not present at the time the vote was taken.

Although both the JO and the UNP had claimed that victory was assured for the respective positions they took, uncertainty prevailed throughout the day after the debate on the motion commenced at 10 this morning.

Senior SLFPer and State Minister A.H.M. Fowzie dropped a bombshell claiming that the party had decided to vote against the motion. However, State Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena refuted Fowzie, insisting that the party had decided to support the motion consequent to a meeting held at the residence of Minister Mahinda Amaraweera.

The Tamil National Alliance, whose position was unclear since it was reported that the constituent parties would decide separately how to vote, finally opted to vote against the motion.

At various points during the afternoon, SLFP MPs who were not with the Joint Opposition pledged to vote for the motion, notably S.B. Dissanayake, Dayasiri Jayasekera and Susantha Punchinilame. Meanwhile one of the first to moot a no confidence motion against Wickremesinghe, Palitha Range Bandara of the UNP, declared that he would vote against it. Wijedasa Rajapaksha (another UNPer who has made negative comments on the party leadership) voted against the motion while UNP National List MP Rev Athureliye Rathana Thero absented himself at the time the vote was taken. The JVP, one of the most vocal supporters of the Yahapalana project, finally broke ranks by voting with the JO.

The result considerably enhances the parliamentary strength of the Joint Opposition while weakening further President Sirisena’s hold on the SLFP.

The overall implications of the result on the political arrangement in the country is yet unclear. However, Rajitha Senaratne who has backed Wickremesinghe has stated that the UNP will form a ‘a new unity government on Monday with support from the SLFP and other parties’.

Whether the SLFP will back a UNP-led Government is unclear at the moment. The TNA, which has 16 MPs has not indicated that it would be part of such a government. As such it is likely that Wickremesinghe would have to form a minority government whose stability will depend on the TNA continuing to use parliamentary numbers to protect the UNP from moves such as this no confidence motion.

In any event, the government has lost the two-thirds majority it enjoyed when the SLFP and UNP came together to form the first ‘unity government’ in the country’s history.

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Latest comments

  • 21
    12

    Rupturing the 2/3 majority is an important outcome. Ranil might yet again consolidate his hold on UNP and may purge the dissidents rather than embarking on the promised party reforms………ensuring continued Royalist hegemony. An interesting space to watch. A minority government relying minority support to survive has major risks which rest of the political formations need to be conscious of and be ready to face. The regional and Western hegemons may be elated for the time being.

    • 8
      4

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbeMYdhLBng

      Ajith perera articulates as no other.

      SB or the like would never be geuniine.

      This is very right… lanken voters mentality is for pitty gains. If they would have been given a rise packet or a cigarette, they turn their mind and work against.

    • 1
      0

      Who the real opposition in parliament was clearly demonstrated yet again………

  • 23
    19

    “Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe comfortably survived the vote of no-confidence brought against him by the Joint Opposition (JO) a short while ago.”

    Good to know that Intelligent Politicians are still in the Majority!

    • 16
      4

      Intelligent politicians OR politicians who love the peacock Brand paper bundles?

  • 2
    0

    The loss to the country in so many ways owing to this NCM has been immense. Productivity has hit a new low and everything was at a standstill. My observations are as below..

    1. The result throws mud in the faces of all of the Electronic Media, who covertly or openly lobbied for Ranil’s removal.
    2. It particularly rubs the nose in the dirt of a self proclaimed high flyer TV station which made anti- Ranil propaganda, a part of their NEWS using a motley collection of callow youth ill-led by a fat man with a god-forsaken accent and a disgustingly pompous -I know it all – attitude..
    3. The result leaves the newspapers which covertly lobbied against Ranil with pie on their collective faces. Shame on them.
    4. This result hits Dayan Jayatilleka’s forensic political prediction skills for six. It is he who should give up political analyzing if he had any shame still left in him.
    5. The biggest loser of all has been Sirisena, who, with his two-timing ways and his clear racial and religious prejudices is unfit to lead this country into the future. The country will do well to rid him of his responsibilities; sooner the better.

    That said, Ranil has some work to do as well, on an extremely urgent basis..

    1. Succession planning within the UNP. – A crying need.
    2. Induction of capable youth to manage the affairs of the UNP. Let us not forget Obama was President of the USA when he was only 44.
    3. Replace derelicts from the front row of parliament on the government side and bring in vibrant youth who could hold their own in debate and repartee..
    4. PRACTICE FOR ALL TO SEE a policy of zero tolerance towards corruption – starting with the previous regime.
    5. BRING ALL MURDERERS TO BOOK.
    Stop any interference in the Police and the Judiciary.
    6. Work towards earning respectability to our tattered international image once again. Harder to do than to say, I must admit. .

  • 22
    0

    Most of the valuable time in Sri Lanka is being wasted by media giving prominence to politicians and their tell tales. Apparently they contribute minimum to the progress and make a mountain of it. Why cannot media pay attention to imminent environmental threats, educating the public to follow good practices, improve social values than wasting time highlighting politicians?

    • 11
      1

      Your comment is very true.
      Even Sirasa which boasts that its peoples channel,wasted their time talking only about NCM.
      Atleast now the media can be objective and constructive irrespective of any politics.Devote more time on Gammadda project and get the area politicians involved.

      • 11
        1

        “Devote more time on Gammadda project and get the area politicians involved.”
        What is that “gammadda ” bull crap ? in order to regain their lost popularity , They just engage in eye catching phrases among rural communities . Sirasa should n’t be allowed to govern the country or brain wash the gullible masses. Their licence must be revoked.

        • 5
          1

          Brother Srilal-

          you are spot on .. brother as always you have been.

          Most among in the country are ones eating thanakol for all 3 meals.

          Just for a rice packet or an arak, they would agree with you with any vicious agendas.
          That is common to our race. I have had contacts with many nationaltiies, but ours have been very special. They laugh at everyone, but not knowing what they have been doing.
          JVPrs have changed in them a lot, and did a great service in getting the robbers caught… but not many of them have been givne a mandate by the very same folks, that would even eat the extrements of Rajapakshes on one go.

          They the gulliable nail biting masses are the ones tha tgo after ASTROLOGY, bali thowil and others thinking a better future.
          Even those smartphone holders are no better, if one would agree to go after Hakkgediya promoter, the other just follows him.
          We need a tsunami style -programs to make these stupid folks aware … they should be filled with facts and figures.
          They should be trained to think broader…
          They should be advised to act properly.

          Lately, brother, I happened to visit the country – there as i never thought, many talked good about Mahinda Jara Pkashe.
          But in the same time, they also talked about Jaliya, Udayanga who have grabed billions from former Govt…
          so these people have no proper knowledge to differentiate good from the bad.

          • 6
            1

            Have you forgotten JVPers destroyed the sinhalese youths. They are scumbags.

            • 4
              0

              bert:
              JVP is just a nuisance that refuses to go away. Its over forty years since 1971 and they have done nothing. They have been unable to build the party as a major contender, attract credible candidates or spell out a vision for the country.

          • 1
            0

            Dear Samson Gunawardhana,

            What can we do about our idiotic populace ? May be we could educate them . we as a nation been divided in to many groups , some of them would even sacrifice their own lives for their particular party , what a slave mentality ?
            All the media ethics are being systematically violated by the third rated Sirasa and Derana on daily basis ;moreover, they will just jump up and down even if PM or a minister utter something negative on them . These third rated so called main stream media hiding behind the “Media freedom ” and engaged in selling their souls for their own selfish agendas.

          • 0
            0

            Price: Everyone has his price. According to Samson, the price of our voters is a pkt of cigarettes. Your Merkel happens to be more respectable because her price is Euro 1000. How much is yours Samson?

        • 1
          0

          Government must initiate legal action against Media culprits who tried to change the mind set of the public with their partition behaviour.

      • 0
        0

        it is time to change the Name of Sirasa TV. The name should be HitmenTV. Sirasa is a TV with a political vision to politically murder politicians for exchange of political concessions or on exchange of Billions.

  • 10
    3

    This NCM is a test case and an opportunity for the people to identify and gauge the integrity, honesty and calibre of those whom we called Hon. MPP. In my opinion and understanding the majority of members from both sides of the divide are humbugs and opportunists who will betray their souls even for a pot of porridge. The actual reason behind this NCM is not to bring those accused of CB irregularities before the Law but to topple the UNP and make way for a Govt. of former regime thereby permanently ensuring their heinous crimes are buried in the forgotten limbo. God’s Justice will prevail ,sooner or later the guilty will pay the penalty. This is an eye opener for the President and PM. and both of them have been given a another opportunity and they should not dilly dally with their mandate but perform their duties in their respective positions without fear or favour. Those who abstained from voting ought to engage in a soul searching exercise about their suitability to serve the country and the people.

    • 2
      0

      Thanks for your comment. Its time for the govt to fulfil theirs promises.

  • 5
    1

    The 78. The 0.00039% untaxed billionaire oligarchy. Oligarchy where country money concentrated on top will be used in post-modernistic futuristics. And the taxation of the Masses, for garbage collection.
    *
    But are we America that needs the oligarchy to secure the global dollar? Indeed no! Yet we will follow American system, but for the Lankan Elite to boost up their ego. And to fill in the huge monetary gap between the Elite and the Masses, our traditional heritage will have to go. The Oligarchy will vacation in the fresh-air which was once for the farmer and the fisherman.

  • 21
    6

    This is what You called RETRIBUTION. If the 4% president doesn’t toe the UNP line; next will be the Impeachment.
    Damn good lesson for SAK Kili Maharaja, Gota,Viagra Vimal 100Gommanpila, Shiral l, Maithree G.

    • 14
      15

      Desmond Fernando,

      Poor fellow. This is just a mere victory of a single battle. The war hasn’t been done yet. Greatest battles are yet to come.

      • 7
        5

        “Greatest battles are yet to come.

        Dear, to whom do you write that dupe? Don’t pump up yourself too mush.

        Do you know from where and when is it coming?

        Is that a reading of Sumanadasa Abeygunawardena or Sabarimala Malayalees’ reading?

        Is that you mean the Lankaweb will be doing what Kili missed?

        The Avant Garde lawyer criminal could not present in UNHRC. Because he did underwood the UNHRC is not a Sinhala Jury only Court. He could not bluff this time unlike Thero did in 2009. The result is for the first time , from December 1955, Lankawe is thinking not just from UNHRC, but even quit from UN. If that happen even if a pirate ship attacked Lankawe, there won’t be any recourse.

        Is that from where the great war is coming.

        (Remember: The warrier Dutugemunu is a Pachchai Thamilan. No Sinhala, nor even Cinnamon Peelers existed that time)

        • 5
          8

          Mallaiyuran,

          If Dutu gamunu was a Tamilian there won’t be any issue for Tamils to reconcile with Sinhalese. Why do you want to be different?

          • 2
            1

            It is not me and Tamils are differing with Dutu Gemunu, It is you and your discarded Guru Mahanama are diffreing with Dutu Gemunu. (Please read my comment before reply next time-Thanks)

            • 0
              1

              Mallaiyuran,

              If Mahanama thero was wrong, then Sinhalese can’t come from India right?

              • 2
                1

                I fear that we are getting tied up in knots! Let us please not provoke one another.
                .
                I’m coming to realise that The Tamils and the Sinhalese were one people 2,000 years ago. Our DNAs are as near identical as can be. We would then have been speaking a language that none of us today would understand. Best devise another name for it!
                .
                Evidence that I have recently gathered from the Internet seems to indicate that Tamil is the older language – in senses that only Professors of Linguistics would understand.
                .
                Meanwhile, the fact is that Sinhalese is the dominant language of this country; it certainly helps that most “Tamils” and “Muslims” end up learning some Sinhalese just to survive. Let us not make it obligatory. I don’t know any Tamil; there’s not much use laboriously learning it, and I just didn’t pick it up as a child – although I heard it being used around me.
                .
                Speaking of Dutugemunu inevitably makes us think of Elara. Let us stop calling the latter “an invader” (what about Vijaya, then?). THINK: the FACTS indicate that Ellala was the nobler man. Old, possibly Buddhist man, who preferred to get killed by a youngster, rather than have thousands of soldiers bleed.

                • 1
                  0

                  The Truth: Malleurine stated only half the truth. Dutugemunu was a Tamil guy and Elara a Sinhala guy. That is what my research shows.

                  Here is the evidence. Dutugemunu was ably assisted by his 10 giant warriors (Dasa Maha Yodas) right through the great war. The Dutugemunu army marched from Magampura in the south to Anuradhapura in the NCP. That is out and out Sinhala territory.

                  If you think the Sinhalese would allow one of their own to go through like that, then you have got another think coming. The Sinhala Army led by the Tamil Elara was welcomed, safely escorted and even strengthened by the Sinhalese – who would even now impede another Sinhala from overtaking them- NCM style.

                  The Dasa Maha Yodas were of course Sinhalese but led by a Tamil. If they were led by a Sinhala he would have been killed first and then the yodayas would have killed each other by the time they reached Vijithapura. Quick End of War even before it began .

                  • 0
                    0

                    Hey Front Admirable Edwin,

                    Is that all your hyper text from your research? It doesn’t sound like yours but it all reads like Buddha’s baffling-s in his wild dream after smoking the adulterated Keara Kanja sold in Bahrain. What to do, Saudi Bin Salman would not allow Kerala Jihadism to pour in, but Bahrain allowing you all to show that in their land. It is the Vijaya’s culture, wherever you go by boat, you show it to the natives of that land; isn’t it? Unlike with king Dutugemunu, Mahanama couldn’t go wrong in your case, man! Please, keep it up to say the proud name of your great, great ….. grandfather.

                    • 0
                      0

                      OK Malleurine, no need to bend your head for me as if you are in front of your Monkey God Riding the Donkey.

                      Raise your head and stand straight like a ‘non-italic’ man. And I advise you not to try hypertext without fully understanding how to use it. If you want a lesson you tell me. No charges.

                    • 0
                      0

                      Okay Malleurine, I corrected the bolding. How about correcting the Italics? That is the shit you made. Now you and correct it before I do something to you.

                  • 0
                    0

                    Hopefully, this will work and disable the italics.

                • 0
                  0

                  Sinhala man
                  I am in full accord with the contents of the 2nd para of your comment, and the rest of what all you have said too.

                • 0
                  0

                  Sinhala man,

                  Most of your assumption seems to be provable. Hopefully not before too long, archaeologist and linguist professor will work on it. Al what is needed is to find one or two artifacts from Ellala time. The story Mahanama composed is from legends. Legends died once his powerful chronicle came into existence. So the truth is now lost. In Mahanama time, there was destructive religious fight going in TN among Hindus, Jains and Buddhist. All three burned all others libraries. Sampanthar was burned alive in his wedding shed for leading the Hindu side, with his groom and hosts. But at the end Hindus won and Jains and Buddhist left TN. Jains moved north and some Buddhist moved to Ceylon too. Those who moved to Ceylon brought here the left over hates from the war. The Manimekala story, written about 500 years before Mahanama, is not giving of any clues of Buddhist-Hindu fights present in Ceylon, but telling she was flying to Ceylon to preach and help the poor. The interesting part in that story is religious harmony and cultural harmony of that time. Madhavi’s mother is Hindu Parathai + prostitute. Madhavi, coping Buddhist folks, attempted to live with only Kovalan. She had friendships with Buddhist nuns. She made her daughter Manimekhala to become a Buddhist nun. Please note Mehala is Pali name, not Tamil name. Later, TN situation evolved from that to Sampanthar’s murder status. Ceylon was cool all these time. But the Monks sought refuge spread it in Ceylon too.
                  The unique prove for Ellarla’s religion is his Intelligence Bell in front of his palace. It is not thought to be Hindu symbol of that time. Gemunu, a Hindu King, prays Kathirgama Kanthan did not fight with Ellarala because he was a Buddhist, but fighting with neighboring Kings was very common within all Chera-Chola-Pandya Tamil-Hindu kings. The Dipavamsa, & Mahavamsa composers, TN educated or TN refugee monks, infused 5th,6th century religious sentiments to a war that took place almost a 800 years ago.

              • 0
                0

                Shenal, for the last time, Can you read my comment please.
                If Mahanama thero was wrong, then Sinhalese can’t come from India right?
                Where did I say Mahanama was wrong? Even if I had done so without my conciseness, how could it get interpreted that as I insist, because of Mahanama was wrong, any sentences constructed in Pali language also must go wrong? After all, where is my talk is blocking space to develop an argument even the Veda would have come from India, where that all is the full possibility. You know, neither Veddas nor Balangoda inhabitants borrowed Vijaya’ boats 30,000 years ago to come from Africa. Every damn moving and not moving life form in Ceylon certainly has its origin in India. 1987 is not the last time Indian governments and Kings invaded Ceylon. It is not even another 5 years going to take they show up at Ceylon’s gateway again. Did you read how Mr. Modi replied to the New King, last time? Why do you think he talked like that to a neighboring country leader? That is a language even Trump and Kim Jong- Un are not using in their exchanges. Wait and see; I give the time after next election and Ranil’s defat in that is going to be the next invitation for Mr. Modi to walk in with his gun. Be ready for it, or commit suicide; no one will help like leader Piraba did last time.

                P..S.. Vedas are assumed to be the first modern human race in Lankawe. The Vedda word in Tamil and is the only word used by Europeans, Arabians, Sinhalese and Tamils using to denote that race. Veddas, a hunting race, were not habitants of North, where that lifestyle is not sustainable. So they lived in the South and the Tamils followed them, next, named them as Veddas. The South Indian, Kurinchi Vedda God Katharagama Kanthan’s abode in South is telling lot more of where Vedda too come from.

                • 0
                  0

                  Mallaiyuran,

                  All right. Let’s clear up some arguments here.

                  Do you believe that Mahanama thero written false information in Mahawansa? Or do you not?

                  What sentences constructed in Pali language are you referring to? Do you discard the entire Mahavamsa or part of it for your own convenience?

                  Why is Veddha life is not sustainable in North?

                  The most important point. Why didn’t Tamils follow Veddha into the South where it is much more suitable to live? Why did Tamils chose to live in North and East areas?

                  How come Sinhalese who came later as you say were able to get a hold of the Southern areas while Tamils couldn’t do it?

        • 1
          0

          Malleurine see what you are doing? You know no history but you go on to analyze the ancestry of our Kings. You know nothing about Hypertext but you use it and mess up others comments too.

          Look man (or woman), such things are like a knife in the hands of a monkey.

          Do us a favor, Correct your hypertext mistake. Do us a bigger favor, stay away from Sri Lankan history.

          • 0
            1

            This mathugama ballige putha is upto create a mess here.
            He says he is the man to know everything but cant de-bold if he started wanting to look his comments bold. Mathugama balligeputha have lost by today, even if he would voluntarily lick the balls of Rajathuma even if the bugger et al would not agree.
            The kind of people are the majority in our place. Most of them would eat thanakola than rice in the days come for sure.

            • 1
              0

              Rilavigemalli, Calm down man. (sorry monkey!). You may blow a fuse. Or even worse, you may have a heart attack and drop dead. We don’t want to have a Nazi monkey who is an expert at toilet cleaning suddenly dropping dead, do we? It could have international ramifications. I have never heard of a monkey having a heart attack. But there is always a first time for everything.
              Do you know that Malleurine worships 330 million Gods including a monkey who is riding a donkey? I don’t know who the donkey is, but I know who the monkey is and the sister too.
              I think you and Malleurine would make a nice pair. Malleurine with his bag of ‘u no what’ and you with your basket of other ‘u no what’ on your head – Muniyandi style.

          • 0
            0

            ” stay away from Sri Lankan history.” Well, at my 6th grade, to start History for first time, after a mocking laugh for a minute, my teacher told that he could not talk about that shame- so I stayed away from reading bestalities until I was confident that I was grown up to do that. Front admirable, do you think that beastality filth is not suitable even for adults?

            Front Admirable, Bend anyway but do not bend over backward hoping to match CT commentators; put your tongue on anything and lick whatever you like, but not your wounds- a shame on you.

            A man has a capacity learn things at some point. A man learned things reach an status at some point. A man of status become a teacher at some point. You never had a capacity learn anything, even after CT tried to teach many times.

            • 0
              0

              Malleurine. In our bag we Sinhalese have the world’s oldest written record of history. We have our own script, language, culture and art to mention only a few.

              You Malle_urine, what do you have in your bag (Malle)? A load of urine only. No wonder you guys are jealous..

              • 0
                0

                In our bag we Sinhalese have the world’s oldest written record of history.

                Yes it is your bag, but it is we, who carry it on our back. Your oldest history of the world is written only on the name of Jaffna- the jaffnahistory.com. The brain malfunctioning bald heads, who writes that kind of stuff, is available only under the name of our history. If your Ayatollahs brain is wired properly wouldn’t they have opened a sinhalabuddhist com and would written their Kerala Ganja Hallucinations there? Yes it is your bag, but we carry, so we have the right to open it up and see what is in that before we cross The Front Admirable Rapist Army Checkpoint.

                Front Admirable, it is your stock, but we who (Jaffna Aaava) transport you the Kerala Ganja and export to Bahrain. If we don’t transport that you won’t have your hallucination and won’t be able to compose a sentence in CT. Show faith Front Admirable. If you want to be a Rapist Army Front Admirable, then don’t put another mask and try to show the Sinhala Intellectual Syndrome too!

                • 0
                  0

                  Malle_Urine, If Sri Lanka is so bad and the Sinhala people are so brutal, why did your ancestors take the risk of swimming over in your dhoties? So many Kallathonis have perished crossing the Palk Strait and don’t tell that the Sinhalese drowned them.

                  How many will swim back over to TN given the choice? You are welcome over in Sri Lanka but try to behave decently without biting the friendly hands offered to you.

                  Look MU, the truth is that TN is hell compared to the heaven that is SL. So, try to be a good guest. OK?

      • 0
        0

        Shenal:
        No the battle was the LG elections: this was the beginning of the war to topple the govt. At least for now it looks as if the war ended without Ranil suffering any casualties.

        • 0
          2

          Burt,

          LG elections, the NCM these all are battles of a bigger war for the mastery of this island. Ranil has won the NCM battle for now. He will eventually fail in the general elections and lose the war.

  • 23
    5

    Unfortunately Maithreepala is the man who completely forgot the way how he became the president of the country.
    UNP has perfectly given the mandate to Maithreepala along with other minor parties such as Muslim Congress and TNA but this ungrateful man has forgotten it.
    Fortunately Prime Minister defeated the No – Confidence motion with the help of Muslim Congress and TNA.
    We must thank for some absentees of SLFP

  • 19
    2

    As your headline suggests the real loser of the NCM is Sirisena. If Sirisena knows best for himself he will chose his side wisely. Staying with the UNP is his best option and he cant forget that he is in poswer today becuase of the UNP vote and the backing he got from all UNPers. If Gota and MR had half a cahnce they would have killed his entire family. Aligning himself with Gota is another trap waiting for him,

  • 5
    3

    Saner counsel has prevailed. We don’t need pundits to tell us 106 is bigger than 96.

  • 1
    1

    Ranil do you think you have the Iron in you ,what LKY was referring to ? And the gutts to do what Leon Monk said to those who betrayed you & the government ?

    If you don’t, then please step down now while you still can with dignity.

    Other wise prove to the people without this. Coming week ,put put a new constitution giving people true powers. If you can not pass it in Parliament ,call for a Island wide referendum to vote for it ,every cent spent us worth it ,and call for the abolishing of the ex-President , and a must is a Swiss canton federalising.

    Never mind if you ate accused by political vengeance that you are trying to devide the country , you have to do what is right ,not politically right

    Sri Lanka needs to be nannied a bit until it is mature enough

    Let’s see ,Ranil people are watching you

  • 5
    3

    It is the right time for Ranil to change party leadership while he concentrates fully on the Economy as the PM

  • 13
    2

    That’s that.

    If a serving PM could be put under the knife, why not do the same for all those rogues who are destabilising our great nation?

    RW has been given a second chance here. He has to take decisive action against all those elements who are known criminals.

    They are responsible for a lot of the chaos being spread around. They are the biggest stumbling block hindering unity, hindering progress…

    Deal with Media houses that are into propaganda. Yes media freedom is necessary, but.
    It is the responsibility of the media to report news without bias.
    If that is not done, then the government has every right to call them to order or even prosecute them.
    Media are playing a very dirty role of twisting everything and misleading the people through highly planned and cleverly executed propaganda spreading.

    Some TV channels are practically brainwashing the masses, much like the time of Hitler. Something has to be done. It has to be done now.

    RW please stand up. Stand for a better Sri Lanka.

    Bring the president to order.
    The first citizen cannot be allowed to play games and make underhand deals and forsake the future of our great nation for his private benefit.
    It amounts to treason, corruption of the worst order. Reign him in.

    Let’s start building a proper nation with a solid foundation without dirty rotten scoundrels having any say.

    Long live Sri Lanka. Prosper in peace, justice, unity and fairplay.

    Lasith

    • 2
      7

      Lasith,

      How can one police the media? How do we draw boundaries between right and wrong? Is there at least unbiased people? How do we expect a media organization to run unbiased then? Isn’t it just better that you do not watch the media outlet you despise?

      If the mainstream is misleading the public, the public will find some other method to get to know the truth. This happened during the time of Premadasa too through the tabloid papers. I don’t think therefore it is necessary to police the media. It just defeats the purpose of media freedom.

      • 4
        0

        I am not asking that the media houses be policed like in a dictatorial regime.
        That is far from what I mean.

        Don’t media people have a code of conduct? Should there not be a agency that looks into the validity of what media publish?

        For instance do you know that during the violence in Kandy in the recent past, a Buddhist monk shielded a group of Muslims from a large organised mob. Did you see any pictures or any publicity for that heroic act. Again in Balagolla a Buddhist priest and his followers insured the safety of Muslims performing Friday prayers in a Mosque. Did anyone see a single picture or report of this?
        To my understanding media are playing a very dirty game.

        Another example: there is an add that says that Etisalat is Sri Lankas fastest network! In reality it is not by a long shot, like this there are so many ads on our TV channels daily propagating absolute rubbish.

        In developed country, consumers affairs will shut such nonsensical ads.

        Now look what happened to Cambridge Analytica, the minute governments got wind of their gimmicks it was shutdown. One could have said afterall it is social media so it’s a choice and ignored it, but instead they are taking decisive action and even Zuckerberg is in a lot of trouble.

        There is an obligation for citizens to demand for the truth and the truth only. If there are parties playing with the truth and using the media as advertising platforms for political reasons then something has to be done.

        LANKAENEWS was blocked, even just being a website, it was blocked.
        Why block one website?

        If your argument is to hold then all media sources should be allowed to operate without restrictions.

        I don’t know the solution but I know that there is a massive media campaign to brainwash innocent sinhalese people and I don’t like it.

        Lasith

        • 1
          4

          Lasith,
          The code of conduct in Media is just a guideline not a rule. Besides, it is a business just like anything else. Businessmen do what it is necessary to earn more money. Code of conducts go out of the window as soon as the media moguls comes into the picture. It is how things operate in the world. We should not take any offense to that.
          The very idea of inserting a authoritarian agency to guide the media is in fact a method of policing the free press. The freedom to express one self regardless of consequences is a corner stone of a function democracy and a healthy society. It should be protected at any cost. People should be capable of not to get offended by opposing ideas to ones own.
          //For instance do you know that during the violence in Kandy in the recent past, a Buddhist monk shielded a group of Muslims from a large organised mob. Did you see any pictures or any publicity for that heroic act.//
          Yes I did. It was published in the leading Sinhalese newspaper of these days. I guess the same report was published in it’s English paper as well. What more publicity do you expect to get?
          //To my understanding media are playing a very dirty game.//
          Media is not playing any dirty games according to my belief as modern mainstream media outlets are concerned about it’s market value. They are tend to be more political correct not to offend any one. That is why most of the time the reality of many news stories are lost to the general public. Also, this is the primary reason for the increasing popularity of the internet gossip sites.

          • 0
            0

            Dear Shenal
            It seems to me that you are looking at everything from a typically Sri Lankan point of view, where an average Sri lankan would think, if it is possible to do something without getting caught then you can do it anyway. As you conveniently assume that there are no morals in News reporting, its just a means to an end.
            Using your logic one could say that if a professional makes a mistake in his job, then he is free from blame as everyone can make that mistake. And by your assumption anybody is free to do anything at anytime regardless of it being right or wrong.
            It doesn’t work like that, every profession has ethics you have to follow. Without Ethics you are not professional. Outside Sri Lanka if news is wrongly reported and people get to find out, they news agency would be boycotted.
            But here it is very difficult for people to understand the reality as people are very emotional in their outlook (less rational). That is exactly what the Media people capitalize on. You tell them what they want to hear and they are in bliss. Moreover most people have a language barrier that hinders them from getting news from third party impartial sources.
            As you know, due to the attitude of the people, most times people have to be guided into doing the right thing. For instance, we are forced not to deface currency notes, but in other countries people don’t deface money not because they are forced to follow it, they don’t do it because it is wrong.

            • 0
              0

              Lasith,

              Is there any kind of ethic with the Sri Lankan professionals? We see doctors amputating wrong parts of patience’s body, we see judges raping defendants’ wives, we see academics taking sexual bribes etc., but no one is blaming anybody. Therefore why should media persons getting a blame for making errors? As for your information, there are no professionals in Sri Lanka for any kind of profession.

              Why can’t you boycott any media outlet which report wrong news? People have been doing it for decades in Sri Lanka. No one is watching propaganda news of the Rupavahini or ITN. They have switched to more rational Derana or Hiru. People ones regarded Sirasa to be unbiased. But now they have realized that even Sirasa has hidden agendas. This is true for the international media outlets as well. Do you know how many times do BBC, CNN or Al Jazeera broadcast lies regarding Sri Lanka? Regarding the Islamic expansion in Europe? Do you even know that no international media outlet is reporting about gruesome crimes committed in Sweden?

              I do not think that people only wants to listen to what makes them happy. People want to hear the truth. That is why they have exceedingly turning to wards online gossip networks. They don’t trust the mainstream media houses anymore. Furthermore, what are the third party impartial sources you referring to? I don’t know there are any impartial media outlets in the world.

      • 1
        0

        Shenal,

        Please understand the real things; do not develop convoluted arguments. You are flourishing in Lanakwe but Colombo Telegraph editor has to run out of the country. to avoid dance and dine with Lasantha, Ekneligoda, and other, about 45 Tamil , Muslim, Sinhala, Burgar journalists. This is not Media Policing or Media freedom. This media polishing or Journalists weeding for dictators’ needs. The Journalists remaining in Colombo is not even good enough for a farmer to pair with a water buffalos and use in ploughing a field. The Lankawe Rapist Army and Police has policed the Media industry until it has become 174th country out of 179 in the media safety.

        Why do you just bluff on everything without connection or context. Please fix that annoying defect. Thanks in advance

    • 6
      0

      Throughout it all, Ranil said nothing. That in itself says a lot about the man. Supremely confident, utterly composed, and in full control of himself and his emotions.

      Sirisena in the meanwhile did everything to earn the many nick-names he has been so far called by; none of them being complementary.

      One was clearly Presidential; the other was palpably not.

      In the wake of it all, one particular TV Station bit the dust. Weeks and weeks of political propaganda – through their News Broadcasts and their one sided talk shows – all came to naught.

      Hopefully lessons have been learnt. Let the truth prevail.

  • 3
    5

    D day in parliament ??? DJ the moron, keep dreaming you retard. Never learn and never stop making a fool out of your self.I really will like to see your credentials verified. Are you a honorary doc or truly earned one. The ministers who voted for and now refusing to resign???? should be chased out of the parliament by the public. Clearly shows these scoundrels are there to exploit and loot the country at the expense of the stupid public, who of course will keep voting for them for a bottle of arrack and rice parcel. Way to go Lankawe, there is no end to this comedy. The Tamasha continues as long the public demand last. Of course there is enough story lines to keep it afresh.

  • 5
    5

    Ranil W as President no way!!! MS cannot be impeached he stays and MR or GR takes over the reins…

    • 4
      0

      Balderdash

    • 4
      1

      Listen to SF speech during the NCM. Do you really want these thieves?

    • 0
      0

      Rather, I think that Sarath Fonseka could be the next President.
      .
      Let him first be tried out as Minister of Law and Order.
      .
      Up to now, I have never voted for him; and I don’t think that the SF of 2010 could have been our saviour.
      .
      But now he has suffered on behalf of us all. He’s been changed, changed utterly, as W.B. Yeats said in Easter 1916, of people whom he had till then under-estimated. Let the parallels stop there!
      .
      I’ve been studying the man from the material available to us. Why not start with this?
      .
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarath_Fonseka
      .
      It is more comprehensive and balanced than most Wikipedia articles. This is the least we should be doing for our grand-children. We’ve got to leave them a better country than this.

      • 0
        0

        Sinhala_Man,

        On what basis do you think that SF has changed from his former self?

        • 0
          0

          Shenal:
          For starters he has stopped looking at issues through a racial lens. He has moved from retribution for personal harm to justice for all. He has moved from a militaristic view to a national view.

          Isn’t this enough for starters?

  • 4
    1

    Support for the NCM is not even an indication of RW’s future potential. It has weakened the SLFP and strengthened JO. Unless RW does something extraordinary within the next 18/24 months he will be in trouble.

  • 6
    1

    Lets all be united and get together and Ban Sira Mtv Channel and urge PM to at least go after the criminal MR NETWORK.

  • 4
    2

    dr dayan who was suffering from verbal diarrhea has got the real thing after hearing the results
    hope he gets well soon
    of all the unp speakers harin fernando was outstanding
    he will be a worthy successor to senile ranil

  • 4
    0

    Sirasa attack was a pre planned incident by MTV staff.
    Please sign on line petition to ban Sirasa network.
    Sirasa Depanama Station was set on fire to claim Insurance.

    • 0
      0

      Mudson Amerasinghe,

      Many blamed Mahinda for that?

  • 2
    1

    Now DJ will have to eat loads of kakka left by Medamulana people.

  • 2
    1

    Not the result that I wished to hear about. Nevertheless, I must congratulate the Nine-Lives Ranil for his survival. It seems that some of the Bond Scam mega millions have been spread around to hook small and big fish in the muddied waters. SLFP & UFPA big talkers against corruption, as well as Ranga Bandara ilk of the UNP, have been bought out by big money and their own wish to keep their status symbol jobs in the present government; so deserters from NCM and absentees have been made more prominent by their traits. Ranil’s presence as PM is a great boon and joy to MR and Rajapaksha clan as they are now very safe from prosecution and I am sure the pres is happy too, as he too has bought in a few years of survival. The drama is only beginning to get unfolded, and we will wait impatiently until the curtain opens to see how the Sri Lankan Hamlet will be enacted.

    • 0
      0

      thrishu

      How did the bond scam happen? Please tell us as to how many mega millions did the crook make from the mega million bond scam? Is that easy to make such a colossal amount you like us to believe?

      Please go away investigate and explain how the scam was hatched, executed and benefited from by new crooks?

      I believe the central bank is free for all, void of any system in place to regulate bond issue and other transactions. If scams are easy to execute why didn’t you place yourself in the Central Bank where your life would have become easy and comfortable?

  • 2
    1

    After 25 losses, Ranil is still victorious in Old Royals and New King’s faithless, traitorous betrayal. But it is only Ranil is saving these who are explicitly named in the withdrawn report of OISL as War Criminals. Old King marginally won 2005 election, with in Sinhala Buddhist Modayas. Then, killed 150,000 Tamil in five months and achieved a celebrity status in a country which is proposing to pull out of UNHRC. But, he still lost the election for his close confederate in 2015. UNP brought to power the New King. Now the Old Fraud is a stateless, chasing only mirage. With his unplanned 18A, Old King one time thought he had become the permanent emperor of Lankawe. But with his 19A Ranil threw him into permanent retirement. A man is permanently de-seated with only one loss. Another man is still accomplishing victories of confidence after 25 losses. Is that a repetition of the story of Solomon the wise and strategic King?

    • 0
      0

      Number Games: Oh really Malleurine? 25? That way your God Pirapaharan is much more superior. He lost only one, and that too in such tragic style, and he left us forever, never to come back.

      Let that be lesson to the like of you, Malleurine and your GTF pals. Rebellion against a legitimate government (even a Sinhalese one) is not a party game. It is a matter of life and death. Life for us and death for the rebels, even the Gods like yours.

  • 0
    0

    The Psychology – LG put MARA in command and Equally publicized NCM puts
    UNP in command . Sira found his place .

  • 5
    0

    Lets see if the President got the message. As per the earlier request of the PM, the President now has to appoint Sarath Fonseka as the Minister of Law and Order. If the President does not appoint him then we all know who is protecting Gota and Rajapakse family!

  • 3
    0

    It was a welcome victory for the government as well as for the Prime minister. The NCM brought against the PM was a ploy to bring down the government to make way for the old regime to come back to power. The plot was openly supported by a section of the media, especially Sirasa which continues to devotes most of the prime time news to attack the PM.

    The government should not be complacent about the victory. It should initiate an accelerated programme/ action plan to (a) prosecute crooks irrespective of political affiliations (b) address the issues of Samurdi recipients and farmers, (c) lower the spiraling cost of living (d) launch an aggressive publicity campaign to educate the public of the development projects government has undertaken, etc.
    It is imperative that the PM continues to harness the SLFP members of the parliament who would genuinely support the government. The ministers who voted in favour of the NCM should not be accommodated in the government.

  • 1
    0

    Money talks, BS walks. Give me 50 Mill and a S class AMG or a M class BMW and Ill vote for Pablo Escobar or even the Great Train Robber.

  • 0
    0

    The genuine, sincere and law abiding citizens in our country put you both in power not for you to protect the perpetrators who have caused monumental loss and damage to the country or curry favour with them but with a definite mandate. Instead what have you done . President was hell bent on carrying out his pseudo ‘ Ranaviru’ slogan which included all crooks in the parliament and public sector. PM too followed suit and so to say compensated all MPP with a Rs. 100.000 increase in their monthly pay and additional Rs. 25.000 for attendance at parliament sessions. We as UNPers are greatly relieved that at least one UNP MP has refused such payment and in the same vein we are surprised to hear even a Helicopter owner MP has appropriated this give away bonus. In the most recent address of the PM after he won the NCM he still promises to help the MPP. and encourage them to work better in the future , all the reason even for the crooks to be
    happy though they have lost the NCM. AT least at this late stage we urge the two
    leaders to cause immediate action to bring all criminals to book so that all people can live with their heads up. At least now do you realise the damage you politicians have caused to our country. Men become wiser they say, but have you?

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