By Helasingha Bandara –
Election campaign strategy and tactics of the President seem a desperate attempt to keep the head above water. It is normal that people resort to ineffective tactics in desperate situations not knowing that they always backfire. Rajapaksa campaign shows signs of dying. Masses seem to have resolved to make a change. From the ordinary villager to the sophisticated urbanite, everyone seems to be coming together to restore, peace, democracy, law and order and fairness and justice. Rajapaksa rule has shown scant respect for any of those or for human dignity. This piece attempts to scrutinize some of the ineffective tactics that the current regime is employing to give Mahinda a third term.
We see Johnston, Yapa, Dullas, Wimal, Gnanasara and a few others in the same calibre as leaders of the battle plan.
People in the forefront
Mahinda Rajapaksa has sent the wrong soldiers to the battlefront. Although he claims that he defeated the LTTE singlehandedly, he does not seem to have any experience in the battle field tactics. We see Johnston, Yapa, Dullas, Wimal, Gnanasara and a few others in the same calibre as leaders of the battle plan. We certainly know that Wimal and Johnston do not have a good education or in-depth knowledge of politics, nor are they respectable humans with a sense of dignity. The only qualification for their rapid upward trajectory towards Mahinda’s election platform is their ability to give firework speeches (Mal Wedi Katha) that are full of lies, vulgar jokes, misinterpretations, twists and conspiracy theories. Sri Lanka society has moved forward from the 70s and 80s when people could be deceived with lies and fanciful conspiracy theories.
Dullas is there to deny all blames and put it back to the accuser. Gnanasara’s qualifications are his foul mouth, racial and religious hatred. People have learnt what Gnanasara’s real agenda is. They have also learnt that he is a layman in a yellow robe who is full of vices. It is apparent that with such learning people have abandoned him. MR’s strategy to send such low quality men to the forefront therefore would not bring the desired result for him.
Violence
Sri Lankans value fairness and justice (Yukthiya saha Sadharanathvaya) very much that the government’s violent campaign would only boomerang. People do not like the opponents being physically harmed or their campaign being disrupted by violence. It is pretty clear that MR regime openly uses a wrong method to discourage the opposition wave. Whilst the main anti government slogan is about the lack of law and order in the country, Mahinda keeps on playing to the opposition hands by encouraging violence against them. This is just plain stupidity. Already millions of Rupees worth properties of the opponents have been destroyed and some serious injuries have been inflicted on some of the opponents.
Bollywood
The introduction of Bollywood stars is child’s play. Sri Lankans are far more advanced than the uneducated Indian masses who indulge in film star worshiping. All Sri Lankans know the bollywood stars do not have any damn knowledge about Indian politics let alone Sri Lanka politics. What does Salman Khan know about Sri Lanka politics and what has he to do with Sri Lanka politics? He may be supporting Mahinda for allegedly being a friend of Namal or for a big pay packet. For what else does he want to meddle in Sri Lanka politics? People may gather to see Salman because sadly Bollywood is the celluloid heaven in a virtual outdoor toilet. It is very unlikely that Salman or the nudity of Jacqueline can turn voters for Rajapaksa with this kind of gimmick (boru show). This is only a ridiculous act of desperation that insults the intelligence of the relatively better educated Sri Lanka masses.
International Money
Johnston goes on accusing the opposition that they are spending billions of foreign money on the election campaign, insinuating that Tamil Diaspora and the Western countries are supporting the election campaign of Maithri. First of all, for the US, Sri Lanka is of no importance. One of my Sri Lankan colleagues who travelled to Florida recently told me that Florida alone has a far greater economy than Sri Lanka and the Americans do not give a toss about what happens in Sri Lanka. Besides if the opposition has received foreign money as alleged, it is still someone else’s money whereas the Rajapaksa campaign squanders millions belonging to the poor people of Sri Lanka. Which is worse? Rajapaksa treats the wealth of the country as his own believing that it is his birthright to spend as he wishes.
Sil Redi (religious attire)
It was rumoured that there was an attempt to distribute Sil Redi to thousands of people in Sri Lanka in a desperate attempt to buy their votes. If not for the desperation, even Rajapaksas would not go to that low level.
One month miracles
Since the proclamation of the presidential election, this government has approved a large number of policies and made numerous promises. Some examples are the reopening of dual citizenship process and labelling of the cigarette packets with heath warnings. If this regime had the same speed of approving people-friendly policies over the past 10 years, the country could really have become the Wonder of Asia by now. In this light Mahindapala’s scepticism that a country cannot be developed in five years would hold no water. The sudden approval of such policies, reduction of prices, the giving of freebies and promising heaven and earth including a fair and just society beg the question, what on earth was the regime doing for the past 10 years. The answer may be that the life span of those promises will only be until the election is over. The people know those are desperate measures of a desperate person who is concerned only about his survival.
The outcome
If Mahinda secures the reign for a third term, the fate of the opposing people can only be left in the hands of God. Budget promises and the price cuts will be reversed overnight. Instead, prices of all consumer goods will be raised to recover the losses incurred by the election activities. The concept of a fair and just society will fly out of the window. Rajapaksa will demand everyone to prostrate before him to receive an audience. The public will be made to be subservient to Rajapaksa rule for another eight years. He will change the constitution and reform it not to hold election ever again. Instead he would order the public to accept Namal as the next king in gratitude for the Rajapaksas who have done a yeoman’s service to this nation. Vote him in if you wish and face the consequences.
Mala / December 30, 2014
The title should be ‘The Whole Country is Desperate -Choking form MR’
The State institutions, Judiciary, Police, Parliament and democracy are getting choked to death by MR, family and circle of cronies….
/
jangi hora / December 30, 2014
The desperation going way back
[Edited out]
/
Samuel Jayaweera / December 30, 2014
Picture is worth thousand words.
Identify who are on the picture
a) Sports minister – who is proved to be corrupt by all means
b) Buruwansae – is mouthpeace of UPFA to spread conspiracy theory
c) Fernando – the person who spread that Ekanaligoda is living in Belgium in the same time, goes on with his alcohohl import.. but showing someting else to the nation
d)Namal baby- biological son, whose knoweldge is not even similar ot that of street monger of maradara area – he would do any silly thing abusing father s office – best example would be to invite indian star right these days.. that says everything
e) The man in dark red colour shirt – is sent ot talk shows to defend eroded upfa these days.. woudl do anything .. moreover tasting extrements of Rajapakshe..
/
Davidson Panabokke / December 30, 2014
”…. d)Namal baby- biological son, whose knoweldge is not even similar ot that of street monger of maradara area – he would do any silly thing abusing father s office – best example would be to invite indian star right these days.. that says everything ….”
Best example next to:
‘’Distributing school books in Mullativ and Killinochchi. I do this every year ….. Closer scrutiny of the picture reveals that every cover of the school books are emblazoned with pictures of MP Namal Rajapaksa in various outfits and poses. Some of the book covers feature pictures of President Rajapaksa at an event’’ – Namal Rajapaksa: Building A Cult Of Personality In The North, 23 Feb 2014, https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/namal-rajapaksa-building-a-cult-of-personality-in-the-north/
/
sumith / December 30, 2014
“The introduction of Bollywood stars is child’s play.”
Namal alone made about 1 million votes to switch to MY3 from MR.
/
Amarasiri / December 30, 2014
Helasingha Bandara –
RE: Regime Is Desperate
“Election campaign strategy and tactics of the President seem a desperate attempt to keep the head above water. It is normal that people resort to ineffective tactics in desperate situations not knowing that they always backfire. Rajapaksa campaign shows signs of dying. Masses seem to have resolved to make a change. From the ordinary villager to the sophisticated urbanite, everyone seems to be coming together to restore, peace, democracy, law and order and fairness and justice. Rajapaksa rule has shown scant respect for any of those or for human dignity. “
Well and succinctly stated. Thank you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vchlNLghD70
In order to get the message across to those people who have NOT the message of the Medamulana MaRa Family Dictatorship, the Common sense Phamplet Sri Lanka 2014 should be written and distributed, like what Thomas Paine did for the Americans in 1776.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Sense_%28pamphlet%29
/
L Perera / December 31, 2014
Those who think that this new alliance that includes some rogues of the past can solve their economic problems (like the high cost of living) , think again. The EU Is in rapid decline, Japan and Russia are tottering on at the edge of an economic abyss. Whilst Lankans try to compare their living standards with those of developed nations it must be remembered there are many in the supposedly affluent countries who compare themselves with their own better off neighbors. Where I live the average credit card debt of its citizens is around 20 to 25 thousand dollars.
/
Amarasiri / December 30, 2014
Mala
Swing towards Maithri is not only an urban phenomenon –
The Medamulana MaRas are exposed. They must go home to Medamulana.
http://www.dailymirror.lk/60005/swing-towards-maithri-is-not-only-an-urban-phenomenon
/
Jay / December 30, 2014
I just hope this gangsters get kicked out for the sake of our mother lanka, too much power to one is not a good thing, look at what power hungry JR. did , hope he’s rotting in hell that SOB , 35 years to date we are paying a price for that
All Sri Lankans for the sake of country let’s vote for change and at least hope for the best
Hope is better than despair
/
Amarasiri / December 30, 2014
Jay
“I just hope this gangsters get kicked out …”
We can hope, but we have to DO Something about it..
What Expose, Expose and Expose the MaRa in all channels… word of mouth, messages, phone calls, e-mails, Facebook, Twitter, U-tube, Forums, Poster and of using the
Common Sense (pamphlet) Sri Lanka 2014, if and when ready before Jan 8, 2015. Time is running short…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Sense_%28pamphlet%29
/
Gerry Jayasinghe / December 30, 2014
Remember, 1994, when Chandrika came in as the Presidential candidate on the PROMISE (specially given to the JVP in writing, on which they withdrew their Presidential candidate) to undo the Executive Presidency and “The Bahubootha Wiyawastawa” and to transfer the powers to Parliament, within six months of being elected into office of The Executive Presidency.
Now then, why are we blaming JR.
Did he not very rightly say, that who ever so would sit in this highly elevated office would never want to undo it even though they would be highly critical of it until they actually sat in it!
/
sk / December 30, 2014
Mr.Bandara
“This is only a ridiculous act of desperation that insults the intelligence of the relatively better educated Sri Lanka masses”.
Thanks for the above words.It was exactly what i was thinking when i read about Salman’s visit.
/
Shiro / December 30, 2014
Desperate people do desperate things. The Rajapaksa’s instead of running on their achievements, which apart from hardly used ports and airports, have nothing to show the common man. The cost of living is ridiculously high, and the poor villager does not care if Colombo is shiny, have waterways, and that old building are now shopping arcades. Lowering the prices of basic necessities, just before an election is an old trick, and the people are not fooled. Running on the past, including getting rid of the LTTE has past it’s expiration date. What have they now? Lies that the Sinhala people are in danger of the LTTE, Muslims taking over the country, the opposition supported by foreign nations (that still give us aid), insults, attacks on anyone campaigning for the opposition, rally stages being burned and attacked, campaign offices belonging to the opposition being damaged, and so much of negativity. One can only hope that the Sri Lankan people can see through the lies and vote for the correct candidate.
/
Email / December 30, 2014
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2/
/
Lion / December 30, 2014
The whole episode what Mara shows is the wailing of a despot who is sinking in a cess pit and never to be returned.
/
MirakRajBanda / December 30, 2014
It’s alleged Gnansara preparing another Aluthgama style mayhem during the closer date to the election with the support of MaRa/GoRa cronies to postpone the election indefinetely.
This time his movements are closely monitored and he’ll pay the price soon for his past sins!!!
/
ela kolla / December 30, 2014
[Edited out]
/
srilal / December 30, 2014
Dear CT Editors ,
Even though you thought the above comment is fit to publish in the public domain under the “freedom of speech ” tag , it shouldn’t have published , please think twice before allowing such comments , Thank you !
/
ela kolla / December 30, 2014
srilal idiot – [Edited out]
/
Sam Samarasinghe / December 30, 2014
This time, the coming colour will not good for Ghanasara the nation s wadakaya though in safron robes.
People of this country will not allow that kind of fake buddhist movements to stay their head creating new problems. As everyone is convinced that Ghanasara and the like are a threat to lanken peace and harmony.
My wish is to put the man in jail after derobing him .. even he deserves to be hung by his balls for all the mess his actions has created sofar. Rajapakshes are behind him and his momvent, so surely, those who are against, (larger masses) will not support UPFA if Ghanasara will go for any more attacks.
/
Samuel Jayaweera / December 30, 2014
Srilanken Zoo has enough place to keep GHANASARA AND THE LIKE gorillas – if not for their survivial for other animals survivial. This man the manner he is learnt to address on public stages are no longer acceptable. ANY other regime would have taken every action aginst any public hate mongers of that kind. The impact of Ghanasara s hate mongering are even more dagnerous than the viruses kind of IBOLA. But our people under the current LEADERHSIP are hallozinated neglecting all the danger.. all these will have dengerous consequences to be seen in the future. Even those who never had anti ideas against muslims have started talking about the dislike against them today. It is all because of Balu Balu Sena backed by Gotabaya for their political surivival.
/
Punchihamy / December 30, 2014
Can anybody please expose all whereabouts of FAKE MONK Ghanasara ?
I am afraid, I failed to hear the name of the bugger during the war was at its height ? What happened to his DESHAPREMITHWAYA during that time ? When did he lost control over his testesterone hormone mirror being fallen onto nation#s hinrichter(executionist)-Gotabaya ?
/
dcn / December 30, 2014
Desperation at the highest level sensing defeat. Distribution of give aways in a hurry, mudslinging, tiger stories, kissing babies, are all part of the acting in desperation when they see gains and inroads being made by Maithree camp. In actual fact, some of these acts are understood by even ordinary voters aselection gimmicks and they do not add upto votes. Even free transportation to election meetings with food, liquor plus some money which most of them take advantage but they are not increasing the votes. Visit of Salman Kahn and other hindi cinema personalities and their participation in theelection meetings woukd make it colourful but not adding votes.
Feel very sorry to see the state of affairs.
/
thondamannar / December 30, 2014
Its serious as Faleel Hadjiar & one Caffor have attacked CBK & Hirunika at Beruwala.
Hakeem & Rishath need to take serious not.
SIRA watchout who is around you.
/
Govinda / December 30, 2014
So the downward trend is in the offing, and in the next few days will fall below par. They will then go the extremes, and public has to take care not to loiter because of the expected bombs blaming the poor LTTE.
/
Gayan / December 30, 2014
Lets hope that MR chokes in his own greed, and that we can forget about him quickly.
I just can’t find the words to describe what an incredible pathetic bunch of baboons they are.
/
Rajash / December 30, 2014
The Sinhala vote is almost split 50:50 for MR and MY3. The Tamil and Muslim have to come to the rescue of the Sri Lankan democratic institutions yet again.
But I doubt that the Sinhala masses will be greatful for that and reward the Tamils and the Muslims.
/
Taraki / December 30, 2014
The Tamil and Muslim king-makers want to be rewarded. Same old same old.
/
Native Vedda / December 30, 2014
Taraki
“The Tamil and Muslim king-makers want to be rewarded. Same old same old.”
The only way you could stop them from casting their democratic voting right is to pronounce them being stateless. Or set up a stock exchange where individual votes can be bought and sold rather than the expensive MPs.
That will do the trick, and your state had had enough experience.
/
Rajash / December 30, 2014
Taraki;”The Tamil and Muslim king-makers want to be rewarded. Same old same old.”
you are absolutely spot on… , same old same old who ever comes to power.
/
Rajash / December 30, 2014
Taraki…May I also add that I just heard that TNA have pledged their support to MY3 and have appealed to the Tamils and Muslims to vote for MY3. MR is now certain to lose. The Tamils and Muslims have to prepare for another blood bath in the hands of the thugs of the current regime.
/
Taraki / December 30, 2014
The thing is that MR cannot afford to lose. One poster claims that he will fly to Singapore but there is always the danger of extradition. Will he unleash violence if he is cornered or will he just fizzle out?
/
RajasH / December 30, 2014
Taraki:”The Tamil and Muslim king-makers want to be rewarded. Same old same old. “
that is a good question. will he be a gentleman and accept the democratic verdict. In interviews with foreign media he and his family and his ministers etc were boasting that all the parliamentary members of the Rajapakse family were democratically elected members voted for by the people.
Will Mahinda be a true gentleman and accept the democratic verdict of the people if he is defeated in the presidential election…. or is he controlled by the family and the thugs in his family will ensure another genocide on the people of the country before they fizzle out?
/
rajash / December 30, 2014
my aboce post to Taraki’s comment “Will he unleash violence if he is cornered or will he just fizzle out? “
/
Mohamed / December 30, 2014
MARA and previous rulers have backed the wrong horse by pandering to the so called king makers. The real king makers are the voters who were abused and sidelined. The leaders have only followed voters, to save their political skin.
/
sumith / December 30, 2014
This time for MY3 the sinhala votes alone would have been enough to beat MR. Muslim and Tamil votes are icing on the cake.
It is going to be landslide win for MY3.
/
Mohamed / December 30, 2014
This is where MARA missed the Bus. All Sri Lankan’s have for once united against petty divisive racial politics for their benefit. Hope this will be a good beginning of a new era for a united Sri Lanka.
/
sam / December 30, 2014
Recent news coming from reliable sources that Mahinda and his family and his secretaries are planning to go Singapore on 8th evening to listen election results and if they win only Mahinda will come. Otherwise he will go to Australia. All the money and valuable items are already shifted. Mahinda lost his confidence of winning this election
/
Paul / December 30, 2014
Is this likely? Wouldn’t he be afraid that he would be extradited by the UK/US/UN?
/
Wera / December 31, 2014
I think the this could very well prove to be the case. The Abbot government loves monied millionaires and rolls out the red carpet to well come them unlike the poor boats who are chased away. Abbot also has a record of coddling the MR regime. So MR can expect a warm well come and protection from any attempt at extradition if he loses.
/
Jim softy / December 30, 2014
MAhinda Rajapakse’s contribution to Sri Lanka.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuquN6QMlco
/
Bensen Burner / December 30, 2014
Salman Khan is the ultimate insult on the political intelligence of the Sri Lankan voters and their capacity to take a decision as to whom they should vote for. The final nail in the coffin. Bensen
/
Marco Page / December 30, 2014
Salman Khan stated that he is visiting Sri Lanka on Charity work.
Did he then not violate the SL visa conditions in appearing on the Election platform and taking part in political activities?
/
Rationalist / December 30, 2014
“Salman Khan stated that he is visiting Sri Lanka on Charity work.”
Marco Page:-
Working for MR is now definitely a Charity project!
/
Backlash / January 1, 2015
In Sri Lanka elections are won taking the average Sinhala voter to be an idiot. Many respected Writers in the CT are not wrong in referring
to the Sinhala voter in the South as “ignorant”
As to Salman Khan. The Sinhalese have been on a regular diet of anti-Indianism on the basis everything from India, except the Buddha, is bad and that India and Indians are out to destroy Sinhala Sri Lanka. Then why this fetish for this Salman Khan – or whatever.
How many are aware it was this Salman Khan some scheming racketeers in India plotted to influence the President, through his son Namal, to get extensions for Krrish on that billion dollar building project at Fort (Opposite the Hilton) where this little-known Krrish promised to build 3 ultra-modern towers of about 50 stories each to be completed by 2015. They even mislead the unsuspecting Govt by beginning some basic piling work. Their plan was to use most of the require funds from Sri Lankan State banks using local highly-placed venal politicians. The other strategy was to pre-sell the units in the property to overseas investors, including those in the Tamil diaspora, and play about with the funds. Krrish has been given 5 extensions of time already – to bring in the promised funds, which they still have not. Salam Khan was flown in by a special flight to get the 2nd extention??? The usual allowance is 2 extensions provided a fair amount of the amount has come into Sri Lanka. We have to be grateful to some of our honourable Finance Ministry/Central Bank officials for standing firm against corrupt politicians in cohorts with Krrish. And, of course, to Mangala Samaraweera who exposed Krrish’s conspiracy. So that is Salman Khan, the do gooder whom the Rajapakses have taken into trust???
Backlash
/
Rajash / December 30, 2014
On his desk are three remote controllers
Standing in front of him are 5 human controllers to dance to his tune
/
Tsunami Hora / December 31, 2014
Just look at that picture. All rouges. They are plotting how to rob the next bank.
/
chimpa / December 31, 2014
It is shame that we are yet an undeveloped Country after over 65 yrs. of
Independence. Every Govt. which ruled this Country has had that oppertunity
to atleast take inetial steps towards it. All of us know the present
position. Think intelligently and casy your valuable vote.
/
kali / December 31, 2014
Mr.Helasingha Bandara:
I endorse your PROGNOSIS wholeheartedly but where I have some problem is with the TREATMENT available internally to cure the disease. I think you are being over optimistic about the treatment available in Sri Lanka which amounts to Primitive Ayurvedic treatment whereas what we need is Western treatment a combination of Surgery and Medication to ease the pain and risk of infection after drastic Surgery when the body is so weak.
The reason why MR is able to get away with much of what he has done ranging from Genocide , Corruption and Nepotism with callous disregard for civilised standards is because he has a receptive audience who are prepared to let him loot the Country and listen to his message and sadly they form the majority as they have done for the last 64 years.
The outcome
If Mahinda secures the reign for a third term, the fate of the opposing people can only be left in the hands of God. Budget promises and the price cuts will be reversed overnight. Instead, prices of all consumer goods will be raised to recover the losses incurred by the election activities. The concept of a fair and just society will fly out of the window. Rajapaksa will demand everyone to prostrate before him to receive an audience. The public will be made to be subservient to Rajapaksa rule for another eight years. He will change the constitution and reform it not to hold election ever again. Instead he would order the public to accept Namal as the next king in gratitude for the Rajapaksas who have done a yeoman’s service to this nation. Vote him in if you wish and face the consequences.
**** I disagree with the above and there are man made solutions. If MR wins there is a Tornado about to hit Sinhala Lanka in the form of sanctions but his subjects are oblivious to this impending disaster.
In that sense yes I agree with you God help Sinhlala Lanka.
/
sarcre blieu / December 31, 2014
If we get it wrong, it would be a farewell to democracy and the rule by armed thugs,in the name of law and order. Lock up your daughters, for they will let loose their dogs to vent their appetite.
/