5 December, 2023

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Resisting Elections Will Worsen Dissent 

By Jehan Perera

Jehan Perera

Government supporters appear to be satisfied at the masterful manner by which they believe they have had the local government elections postponed. They deny there was to be an election to be postponed at all. They find fault with the Election Commission for not having minutes of the meeting they had to decide on the date, and for not having a quorum among their five members for that meeting—although all five signed a letter declaring March 9 to be the date of the election. There is also the second argument that the country has no money to set aside for elections. The government has set aside other areas as essential services for which scarce government money is available but holding the local government elections is not one of those. The government has been arguing that the country simply cannot afford an election at this time as it is bankrupt.

The government may be hopeful that both of these arguments will convince the majority of people that the elections ought to be postponed. If the local government elections were held on schedule on March 9 there is no doubt whatsoever that the government parties would be routed. After the economic collapse that the country underwent last year, and the unequal allocation of the costs which adversely affects the majority of the people, the government’s popularity has consistently plunged. According to a recent public opinion survey it is no more than 10 percent. It is likely that the government leaders are aware that their popularity is at a low ebb. Apart from the results of the public opinion they would be receiving briefings from the intelligence services. The more the government’s popularity wanes, the more it will rely on the security forces, both its brains and its brawn.

As a result, the government’s victory in getting the elections postponed may well be a pyrrhic one, a victory that comes at a great cost, perhaps making the political costs to its credibility to win not worth it. The political protests by the opposition parties against the government for its failure to hold the elections are likely to grow. The reactions to the protests by the police are growing harsher by the day. The international media coverage of the government’s crackdown and refusal to hold the elections has not been favourable. Many of the international media reports were headlined that “Bankrupt Sri Lanka postpones elections.” The country is still waiting for the IMF to give its loan which is constantly getting set back. This will not generate the confidence in the international community in general or international investors in particular in the stability of the country. 

NPP Rise

With the escalation of repression, it is the more radical and activist parties that are likely to get the support of people. The NPP, the party most likely to perform well at the now postponed local government elections, are out on the streets. Their protests are being blocked, and violently broken up, by police attacks on them. The distressing scenes are coming in on television, on the internet and onto the personal mobile phones of a vast number of people. First there is the phalanx of police that stands in their path on the public roads they choose to march on, then there is the water cannon followed by tear gas. Finally, there is the baton charge and the arrest of those unfortunate enough to be grabbed by the police and bundled into police vehicles.

There continues to be considerable prejudice against the NPP, which is the avatar of the JVP which twice confronted the state with a mixture of mass insurgency and terrorism. Tens of thousands died in those two periods, government property was burnt and there was a reign of terror that emanated from both sides of the divide, government and rebel. Those who oppose the NPP, both from the government and opposition, do their utmost to revive those memories of the past. But the sight of attacks on peaceful demonstrators that has been going on for the past several months is causing indignation in the rest of the population. If Mahatma Gandhi had been there he would be among the first to be arrested. He would have done so to evoke the indignation of the masses of people who are bystanders. He would also hope to awaken the conscience of the oppressor. This is the role that the NPP Is playing now. It is important that the struggle for democracy remains non-violent.

An erosion of confidence in the government by the people and the international community will not serve either Sri Lanka’s democracy or its economy well. I recall the anguish of the three-wheel taxi driver who told me how he used to buy each of his three little children a pack of Marie biscuits and a packet of milk each morning on their way to school. But now the price of these items has tripled while his income has remained constant. So he cannot give them each a packet. The big child can understand what the problem is, but the little two cannot, and so he said he cursed the government leaders. It was six months ago that he told me this story. If I met him now he would be cursing them even more as the price of electricity has more than tripled for the poorest while the cost of electricity for the richest has gone up only by around 50 percent.

Review Postponement 

If people like that three-wheel taxi driver get the chance to vote, there is no question at all for whom they will not vote. This weekend I was in Ratnapura. The community leaders I met with said that people were looking forward to the election to vote those local politicians they know to be corrupt out of office. I heard the same from an academic in the north who does community level research. He said that people were looking forward to the election to vote out the old and bring in the new. I saw in this the confluence between the expectations and hopes of the electorates in the north and south at the local level which will be frustrated by the postponement of the local government elections scheduled for March 9. The people, north and south, each want system change at their own level to begin with.

There is also a difference this time between the JVP uprisings of the past and the NPP protests of the present. The mostly young people who come with the NPP for its protests have no direct connection with the past. They are protesting for system change—essentially an end to the corruption and impunity that has characterized governance over the past four decades, sometimes better and sometimes worse, but right now the worst of all. They see the postponed local government elections as part of the process of reform. System change can be at many levels and the political parties are getting united in opposition to those who do not want it. Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa who has been under attack by the NPP has issued a statement condemning the recent police attacks on them which have restricted their freedom of political expression.

In these circumstances, the government needs to review its decision with regard to the postponement of the local government elections. President Ranil Wickremesinghe needs to show the statesmanlike behavior he is capable of by assuring the people that the government will indeed find the money to hold the local government elections. The government needs to actively support the Election Commission to conduct free and fair elections that will restore the trust between the people and the government. The Election Commission has said it will give a new date on March 3. It will be in the national interest that this date should be one on which the election actually takes place. The restoring of the government’s democratic credentials by upholding the very basis of democracy, which is free and fair elections, will also serve to boost the confidence of the international community to invest its solidarity and money in Sri Lanka.

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Latest comments

  • 27
    4

    ranil should be chased out like gota if he blocks elections and makes sri lanka a autocracy.

    • 16
      4

      People should bury him in a garbage dump, that is what he deserves

      • 13
        0

        TTT: Why bury “Him” only? I presume you refer to Ranil W.

        Don’t you agree that the entire “Rajapakse & Co.” must not be “Buried” but made to suffer in jail and perished to be seen and heard by the PEOPLE? They have plundered this country’s wealth and made the people suffer immensely. Enough is Enough.

        • 7
          2

          Rajapakse & Co were duly elected overwhelmingly by the straw eating masses whereas Ranil is a gate crasher to protect the looters.

          • 5
            0

            hanchopancha: Ranil is not a “gate crasher”. Ranil is a “PROXY” appointed by “Rajapakse & Co.” voted by “134” to be the “CEO” and “Managing Director”.

          • 7
            1

            Wasn’t Ranil the driving force behind to establish Independent Commissions: including the Election Commission?

            Now he is backstabbing/screwing his own “Independent Commissions!”

            As crazy as it may sound ……. like Native, now, I’m starting to blame Mao, Sirimao, Dharampala, VP, Gunavindu or whatever the crap his name is ….. gotta find a few more other bogeymen …… try to stop my shrink getting richer; me getting poorer

        • 7
          0

          “If Mahatma Gandhi had been there he would be among the first to be arrested.”
          Is that Dr. Jehan’s way of telling us that AKD is no Gandhi?

          • 3
            3

            AKD was marching in front, together with Vijitha Herath, Harini Amarasuriya, Tilvin Silva, etc. I saw a video, with AKD in clothes that were soaked from the water cannon.
            .
            You’re not sympathetic (although often fair) so you shouldn’t be making comments such as this.
            .
            I don’t want to see AKD (or any other innocent for that matter) languishing in a jail. In his case, he should make sure that he doesn’t get trapped like that. His sharp mind analyses most situations fast, and then he speaks out, displaying amazing memory and eloquence.
            .
            Let’s not get started on Gandhi..

            • 4
              2

              Many experts warn it ll then be GOTABAYA II..
              .
              Gotabaya was good at practising ” post turtle theory” . That revealed to the world on the 9th July 2022.
              .
              AKD has not the least knowledge to rule a nation, he is though good at public speeches.
              .
              Prof GLP was a good scholar but in politics he is stupdier than appeared to be .
              .
              Good luck my motherland 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

              • 2
                1

                Those who dont know ” post turtle” – please watch the video by clicking the below link.
                .
                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-Xd4y2puWU

            • 1
              0

              SM,
              Perhaps you haven’t heard that Shantha Jayaratna, a member of the NPP Economic committee, who claimed to be a “senior lecturer ” at Reading University, UK, has been exposed as no such thing.
              https://twitter.com/roelraymond/status/1621394866063429632?s=20
              No party is composed entirely of angels.

          • 4
            1

            Fact is Gandhi never promoted killing tactics.
            :
            But JANATHA VIOLENT PARTY (JVP) did.

            Listen to that ” Bayya Nalin Hewage” how he provokes in his public speeches today. The very like men killed my mates then.
            :
            They killed my SANDKASTEN buddies. Victimized parents are yet today in tormenting modes. Even after 3 decades or more.
            .

        • 8
          4

          Dear Simon, Yes I was referring to RW. People should bury him alive in the garbage. Prison is too luxurious for the political elites as the entire government system is corrupt. Getting back all the loot from Rajapakse & Co would be similar to Ferdinand Marcos case of the Philippines which took years to recover. I doubt whoever that comes to power would do it in near future.

      • 9
        3

        There seems to be some significant news here:
        .
        https://www.dailymirror.lk/top_story/US-Senate-Committee-urges-SL-Govt-to-hold-elections-without-further-delay/155-255060
        .
        I don’t know how the various branches of the US Government relate to each other. It looks as though old codger’s sweetheart, Ramona, does.
        .
        What Ranil deserves is so dreadful that we’d better not have any part in meting out punishment to him. Let events take their course without our adding to what he will be made to suffer. Let our focus be on rebuilding the lives of the people of this country.
        .
        Let’s get these LG elections held; let us accept the other developments that will, without doubt, follow take place.
        .
        Panini Edirisinhe (NIC 483111444V)

        • 9
          4

          There are people who threaten all sorts of things, but finally do nothing.
          .
          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKr6OEMXXog
          .
          What can you learn from those 10 minutes of AKD that I have discovered just now, in the afternoon: 13.30 hours?
          .
          Don’t generalise, and don’t unnecessarily insult sections of our people. It’s very popular now to revile every Buddhist monk. Many of them are good and decent guys. I’m not ruling out the possibility of a Gnansara clone being in the audience, but don’t revile all indiscriminately.
          .
          I don’t know much about Gauthama’s teaching. I feel that it mainly helps to calm the mind down. I don’t know about re-incarnation (of what?) and eternal lives for our “souls”, whatever they may be. AKD states clearly that almost none of us will live beyond age 85. “Almost” – some may be fated to survive “sans everything” for 125 years. That doesn’t disprove the basic truth that is told us here.

          • 4
            0

            2015
            Sirisena saranag Gacchami
            2019
            Gotabaya saranang Gachchami
            2024
            AKD saranang Gachchami??????
            .
            🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

        • 1
          0

          The only way is for NPP to join hands with other parties.

          Politics can not be played if leaders show uncompromising nature. Unfortunately, that is the reality with AKD. And politics is a team work. The Rajapaksas misled the stupid nation and placed them above the law thanks to the so-called war victory.

          However, the truth is that the collectivity eleminated the terror.

          Similarly, NPP can succeed if they join hands with other good people. And foolishly, it would be wrong to blame all 225. And branding all 75 years as equally wrong is a false perception.

          I still beleive NPP will be able to convince JVPrs to be SOMEWHAT human and realistic because i dont think once a criminal would stay like a criminal forever.
          :
          Besides, It is wrong to isolate other parties.

          People and parties are innterwined.

          At least a small portion of any party can be considered as corruption-free competent people who can act in the public interest.

          • 3
            0

            Ordinary JVP members were never bad guys, although I was never “of” them. I got on quite well with them, but they tended to be from the same swabasha background as “leelagemalli”. I respect swabasha culture, but my literacy is mainly in English.
            .
            The irony is that although “leelagemalli” is able to use English of a sort, he cannot desist from using all sorts of low class Sinhala words. Probably he has good taste in oriental music, as he says he does. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Look at my comments on them. But isn’t it strange that LM who struts around boasting to rub shoulders with white Europeans, knows nothing of their great music. His neighbours must be tolerating the guy because he’s ever so “umble:, when he’s with them. A Uriah Heep of sorts.
            .
            Please note that he rarely substantiates what he says.
            .
            the NPP must not join hands with anyone at this stage. AKD has clearly stated that what happens after the results are known, the Party, not he, will decide on strategy. He knows that they are unlikely to achieve an over-all majority. I have already linked you with speeches in which these plans are spelt out,

  • 14
    1

    if ranil can’t findthe money for elections reduce the cabinet by half.people need the election more that a huge amount of cabinet ministers and deputy ministers.Half will do.Give the half more portfolios.

    • 19
      2

      shankar

      “if ranil can’t findthe money for elections reduce the cabinet by half.”

      Why doesn’t the state reduce the number of armed forces by 90% and sent 90% of Saffronistas as security details to ministers and politicians?

      • 7
        0

        Native,
        “if ranil can’t findthe money for elections reduce the cabinet by half.”
        Assuming each minister costs a million, that’s only 15 million. The deficit is 9. 9 BILLION.
        That’s why we are bankrupt today. Many many Sri Lankans can’t count…..

        • 1
          0

          old codger

          you did not get the point.You and i can never know the exact amounts because we are not working in the treasury.I am not a bean counter like you but a directional movement strategist.From morning to evenng that is what i do.See whether oil,gas,gold ,copper.dowjones index,ftse index,dax etc will move up or down.Only 2 directions to predict accurately to be succssful.Same way i am telling ranil to find the money fr the elections by cutting wasteful expenditure.It is the direction i want him to go instead of saying that there is no money.After cutting the cabinet ministers if still it is not enough go in the same direction and cut some more wastefull expenditure.We always do a cost benefit analysis and zero base budgets.

          • 0
            0

            Shankar,
            I am told I have many talents, but bean counting is not one of them Thank you anyway. 😂😂

        • 1
          0

          OC
          Arithmetic apart, is cash flow the real issue for delaying LG elections?
          But even without that excuse, elections had been postponed before. How many of our vociferous democrats protested then?
          Protests if any were based on whether one’s party would gain politically by the exercise.

          • 0
            0

            SJ,
            Of course money isn’t really the problem. But I don’t think electing another bunch of layabouts will solve anything.
            But, even theoretically, why don’t the doctors whose hearts bleed for the patients deprived of free drugs demand that the polls money should be spent on medicines?

    • 6
      2

      Shankar.
      .
      So long very same people would nt change their mind easily in this country., nothing much will change as we expect them to be..
      Politicians are the representatives of the very people. Knowing the criminal nature of them the Rajapaksa, who elected them back to parliament? Divine forces? The very the same stupid masses that dont care about the outcome..
      .
      Why did nt they instead elect 89- murderers aka AKD lead candidates? Why are people scared of JVPrs even today? .
      .
      What have JVPrs done strategically change invorder to clear very shocking mind set of the voters against them? .
      .
      Have they changed their aggressive hateful public speeches? No.
      .
      their allegations at others are good but that alone would nt bring them an inch forward. They should work with people than being against them.if they think they cant unite with other political parties to some extent for the benefit of the masses, how can we keep hope on them? People at large are equally corrupt minded regardless of their educational levels. Look at GLP,Bandara, Vithana, Jayasumana, DJ , and the like men. They are naked but face the very same nation
      .
      I dont know about others I see the light at the end of the tunnel of another 89-92 brutal unrest period. .

      • 3
        2

        “leelagemalli”,
        .
        [Edited out]
        You have said somewhere (within the last two days) that you have some respect for AKD, and then you come out with unverifiable (more sophisticated is “unfalsifiable”) statements.
        .
        [edited out]

        • 3
          1

          Dear Readers and SM,
          I may have said that AKD (just a BSc -Physics graduate) is good as a politician.

          Senior lawyer Mr. Nagananda Kodi also appears to me to be a good politician.


          However, I am not like you, a person that would naively agree with any person be able to rule a nation. Most of our people thought apolitical Gota would be the right person… but ended up in all vain. Poor Gota is now a psycho patient, not being able to see in eyes of the very people.
          .
          However, my question is whether AKD can lead the nation of Sri Lanka (not an european country where the average are rational thinkers). And you know he cant compromise with anyone.
          He is against everyone in any other parties.. We perfectly know not only politicians, people are highly corrupted in our motherland. Most of them are pro-violent even if some are used to say ” our people at large are buddhimath- intelligent”:
          .
          Besides, these are two different things SM. Can you agree to make your junior teacher be head of your school ? You have become loyal to them today as no others – .I could agree with you if you had been a teenager. But you are not.

          • 3
            1

            CONT.

            If you could, you would no doubt kill me or AKD opponent on the spot. JVP killed thousands of youths in 89 to please their own thirsty. If not agreed, the next step was to kill by force – that was unfortunately their motto of the Violent Party then.
            :
            But why don’t you (SINHALA_MAN) try to be rational atleast today? I may be mistaken, I thought you might have more brains as a senior well-read citizen.

            As mentioned several times, back and forth, I prefer Dr. HA or Dr. Harsha de Silva for the post. Harsha did well in implementing the emergency ambulance service amid massive opposition from the former joint opposition. He was also proactive by getting GSP plus to the nation.
            Ambulance service of Harsha became the lifeline of people during the covid crisis and even today.
            :
            We are worried that AKD’s lack of experience in politics will turn the country into a GOTABAYA ERA II

            • 1
              1

              It is in the best interest of the the country, as how it turned out to be in Nicaragua with Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega, be warned of the catastrophe which could very well be a ticking time bomb, with AKD, Dr. HA and the ilk especially when fiercely propelled by dogmatic, fanatical, one track minded Sinhala_Man who knows no Sinhala and abhorrent to ideas which are not his alone. Mr. Mahinda Rajapakshe championed the cause of the poor man until he got elected President. After he got there, flushed the masses down the toilet bowl; starving and dying without food and medicine.

              • 1
                1

                A dictator was overthrown in Nicaragua.
                The Sandinista was punished by the US through a well funded and heavily armed force, the Contras waging a prolonged civil war.
                The US has tried everything it could to defeat the Sandinista, and failed.
                More recently a US-backed coup was defeated in Nicaragua by mass mobilization. The conspirators were put behind bars.
                Where is is the analogy with the JVP?
                *
                Mr. Mahinda Rajapakshe championed the cause of the poor man until he got elected President.
                That is why he stole the Tsunami relief fund I suppose.

          • 3
            1

            Ranil is supported by Choka Malli, and leelagemalli.

      • 2
        0

        This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy. The key to maintaining the website as an inviting space is to focus on intelligent discussion of topics.

        For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2

        • 3
          4

          Dear CT,
          .
          I don’t know what there was in my comment that you have censored. Nor do I wish to waste you time.
          .
          However, Is should like to draw your attention to this statement of the “anonymous to readers leelagemalli” that If you could, you would no doubt kill me or AKD opponent on the spot.
          .
          There is much other slander that LM is allowed to get away with.
          .
          Please publish this protest, but don’t “punish” the coward who wants to say such things whilst being anonymous.
          .
          Panini Edirisinhe of Bandarawela (NIC 483111444V)

          • 2
            0

            1/’
            Dear CT and sensitive readers,
            I will abide by the CT guidelines, but please do not allow any kind of spying by any radical group. They killed thousands of our youth in 89-92 making their loved ones eternal victims. Some parents are forever traumatized. No one can bring their sons back to them. I still keep in touch with them today. Every year it melts my heart to see them and hear what they have to say about their own sons.
            I’m not against JVP today, but I really don’t think they are better today. My related opinion is that they have studied their profile well. I am always against any kind of violence. I am not a Buddhist, but a true Buddhist who follows the “Dharma”.
            I am still saddened by their 89 atrocities. I have lost not only one person but dozens of people close to me in that rebellion. At that time, SM was out of the country (Oman or Maldives). Even today, their hate speech in public is increasing. I am afraid to see our young people taking their lives again. People like Nalin Hevy and Lalkantha are very aggressive on the stage today. Their vulgar oral culture must be subject to certain ethics. Hate cannot move us forward. They must eventually be able to compromise with fellow citizens despite their opposition. This country was never under a dictatorship. As a result, different groups have their own thoughts. They do not meet the majority of JVP voters in this country. It’s just a miracle.

            TBC

            • 2
              0

              cont.
              .

              2/
              He didn’t understand what we were going through as undergraduates back then. He is a pseudo sensitive (as I read him today) citizen who obviously has no respect for basic human rights.

              That is probably why he is fully involved in the promotion of JVP in this valuable forum. I’m not against him doing that, however, he should respect “us” moderates. Besides,, he’s not a teenager to behave ridiculously over and over again.

              Apart from that, it seems that SM has no feeling for the families of the dead during 89-92. Such “neo-colonialists” can only hurt our feelings. I have been living in western countries for decades, nevertheless I am not changed my boundness to our fellow people. No woudl I ever forgive JVPrs the way they took the life of our own comarades then. This means not that I dont like NPP. I would support NPP, if thier dominance would not be by JVPrs.
              For some reason, SM’s responses (being t brainwashed by JVPrs) are similar to those of religious fraternity dupes today. He was more of a kind person 5 years ago. However, bad company may have affected his upbeat response today.
              .

          • 2
            0

            I will come back here tomorrow.
            .
            Panini

            • 1
              0

              “I will come back here tomorrow.”
              No hurry, dear SM, take your time. Have a good sleep, and don’t wake up until it’s 6.23 a.m in Bandarawela.
              .

              • 0
                0

                OC,
                .
                Recently, Manel questioned why we should be aware of his bedtimes, nap times, little boy room times etc. Like no one else, he is used to sharing the world when he does what? why is that ? What a news ? To me, this is similar to low level “breaking news” of srilanken TV channels… is not that so ?

                We comment ours amidst untold difficulties (being caught by winter temperatures)while returning home or heading to hotels. For the last 15 years, I have been doing regardless of where i am. That is how we go through this life.

    • 2
      0

      shankar: Not reduce the cabinet, but VOLUNTARILY give back to the Treasury all MPs’ salaries and other allowances for two months and limit the Parliament sessions to ONE day a month. This cutback must include all the funds that go to maintain the “Ex-Presidents” and “Spouses “. That SAVING will finance even a Parliamentary Election.

  • 15
    1

    Why did resisting PC elections made no impact as warned here?
    Perhaps the government got courage from that and other earlier experience.

    • 6
      1

      SJ: The Government got “Dutch Courage” after the visit of the CIA Deputy for the South East Asia Region and the “20” other “un-named entourage” in two military aircraft that landed at Bandaranayake International Airport with “Short Notice”.

      • 6
        1

        Simon
        It need not be Dutch courage.
        I see it as a calculated risk taken, knowing well that democratic and human rights are issues only when certain categories of people are in power and not otherwise.
        I doubt if the visitors even mentioned local elections during their stay.

  • 10
    3

    There were money for needless Independence Day celebration or rather commiseration and Janadipathi Perahera. Rumors are ripe govt. are going to approve import of cars to MPs when low income citizens are struggling to feed their kids and hospital have run out of medicine including chemotherapy for cancers.

  • 12
    3

    The day Rajapakshas WITHDREW rom their hot seats was the day COUNT
    DOWN started to rule us by Hook or Crook ! All along , my view has been
    that Ranil was brought in to TELL us and not to HEAR us telling him ! We
    all agree that we have a corrupt ruling class . And the voters had been
    enjoying free ride on the backs of these individuals up to this point of time .
    In real terms , it is now pay back time for JOY RIDERS ! So , in the place of
    Shavendra , Ranil started acting . NPP or SJB or both have to now prove
    that the metaphor ” Beggars can’t be choosers” is wrong !

    • 12
      2

      ww
      RW was not brought in according to some plan.
      He is there and does what he is good at to serve his masters.
      But the two who could have blocked him failed in turn to act when they had a chance.
      For all their criticism of RW, have the key critics put forward a democratic proposal or a feasible economic alternative.
      Let some one declare that “I will reject and reverse every step taken to please the IMF” and accompany with a credible outline proposal, then we have someone worth listening to.
      Also note that RW is not denounced by his international team of supporters or the IMF for his actions..

      • 16
        5

        China’s Man Aging Man in Sri Lanka

        Our enemies are not from outside the island in case if you failed to grasp a simple obvious truth.
        It is the stupid voters, the leaders of all political parties, the undemocratic state, the entire functionaries, Saffronistas, police, armed forces, the academia, ……. and the politically motivated b***s carriers.

        • 3
          7

          How are you this morning?
          Sound a bit more confounded than usual.
          Drink a lot of water in the morning, but avoid excess of liquid in the evening as it could cause too many night visits to the little room and thus disturb sleep.
          Take good care of yourself and you should remember why I say this.

        • 5
          2

          Native, with your permission I will like to add so called educated who are enablers, deniers, conspiracy theorist, people who divert / deflect by addressing problems elsewhere, normalize what is not, find others at fault for our own . . . . . . . enemy is within and not from outside.

          • 0
            3

            Does a ball carrier need the permission of the one with the ball to do what comes naturally?

        • 6
          0

          You saved my time and energy Native . Thank you .

          • 1
            0

            WW,
            .
            Some say even if you fall at night, you fall in the same pit during the day. This is valid to Sri Lankans from each other irrespective of their race, religion or other parameters.
            Whole lot of people are like grass eaters, no matter what education levels they obtained.

            People’s knolwedge can only improve if they are fed with facts and figures for so long. Unfortunately, srilanka is caught by media mafia severely.
            Otherwise, there is no purpose in holding elections at these alarming levels in the state of Sri Lanka.

  • 9
    8

    All these people who made comments everyday must look answers for the following:
    1. This election is to accommodate local reps to the councils and at this moment does anyone knows the cost to operate 8200 reps?
    2. It is inevitable that the majority of seats will be won by SJB & JVP. After the elections they will try to topple the Govt.and the problems normal people have today will be ten fold.
    3. Can the SJB or JVP solve the problems people are facing today, within a short period of time?
    4. Will they continue talking to the IMF?
    5. Can they promise people give us the power and we will reduce taxes, prices etc. overnight.
    6. If SJB or JVP failed to solve problems within a given period of time what will they do to combat the uprising of the mass?

    • 10
      5

      hec’

      1. “does anyone knows the cost to operate 8200 reps?” ……… Do you know the cost “to operating” 37 + 2 ministers? And the cost “to operating” Sagala and the rest of Ranil’s ladyboys? Are you one? :))

      2. “and the problems normal people have today will be tenfold.” ……. How do you know? …….. Facts, please: not conjecture. …….. How can it get worse for children who can’t have a single meal a day?

      3. “Can the SJB or JVP solve the problems people are facing today, within a short period of time?” ……. Can Ranil? …… Do you consider 2048 a short period of time? How is Ranil going to work from beyond the grave?

      4. “Will they continue talking to the IMF?” …….. Anyone can talk with the IMF ……. but where is the money/rescue?

      5. “Can they promise people give us the power and we will reduce taxes, prices etc. overnight.” ……. Ranil, sure cant! So, why not try an alternative? ……. The mere promise might be a relief for the starving!

      6. “If SJB or JVP failed to solve problems within a given period of time what will they do to combat the uprising of the mass?” …….. By then they would’ve learned valuable lessons from Ranil ……. how to combat the uprising of the masses! :)))

      Buddy, you sound stupid in an intelligent way ……… anyway, keep up the entertainment. ……. It’s a poor substitute to relive hunger …….. but still something.

      • 1
        1

        Hec,

        Your heck is the assumptions you made. First, in politics, learn, wrongly hoping to catch sharks, not to throw fish for stray dogs, which wander for debauchery, prostitution, entertainment and necrophilism on the pathless, delusional masses. You invited first and, if they stick to you, you have no way to brush them off. They start to bark with the line” did you take your medicine?” then end with “I care for you.” This rotten mechanical politics is taught at Karl Marx’s university in the UK. The method to deal with them, “use the calf to milk the mother”. Use these calves to convey messages to their masters. If done properly, the smelly back showing & constantly farting master pigs will cover their assess and run, so the barking piglet will follow them. It was a good & successful lesson that the protestors taught to the mama pigs. Practically they are cleaned. That is why the piglets bellow without seeing their mothers’ Mundhanai, to hide in. This behavior is not funny or comic, not even mental retardation, but it is finely trained by the world’s nastiest political team of Siri Ma O – Bathiudeen gang!

      • 1
        0

        You created your own ring without an opponent, or an umpire with your own game rules and you are wrestling within it,, Your questions are coming from your assumption, which are learned from daytime TV shows, like “catwalks and dog breeding without ticks”, and Local Media’s bedtime storytelling, that the “LG election and IMF loan are the only solution for a 75 years of corrupted culture. Britain contributed heavily to that by its blind Universal Franchise in untimely1931, but now no point in sitting and crying next to your dead camel, leaving you alone in the middle of the desert; because it can’t carry you anymore. Give up this madness, get up and start to walk home.

        Can you come out of your cocoon, so we can talk about politics?

        Then if you come out of your ring, you will see the LC election and IMF were to be solutions for the 75-year corruption that was fertilized by China Hune and watered from Don Stephen Senanayake racist reservoir Samudram (Abbreviation = SJP & UNP). Looking forward then you will see that there is ahead of you a younger generation, who have started to think differently and believe these two are not the solutions, but constipation medicine for diarrhea patients. MORE CORRUPTION, MORE BANKRUPTCY! So, you follow them to your resurrection and have yourself redeemed.

      • 4
        0

        Dear nimal fernando,
        .
        I’m thrilled to read these current comments by you. Welcome to the side of those opposing the terrorism unleashed by Ranil.
        .
        You’re probably not as enthusiastic a supporter of AKD as I am beginning to be, but that’s quite all right.
        .
        I can’t, at this moment, hunt for all the other praiseworthy comments that you have made.
        .
        Best wishes,
        .
        Panini Edirisinhe (NIC 483111444V)

      • 2
        0

        nimal fernando

        “Anyone can talk with the IMF ……. but where is the money/rescue?”

        IMF is awaiting for SJ’s approval.

        “So, why not try an alternative?”

        What is the alternative?

        “how to combat the uprising of the masses! “

        Let Hindians to annex this island like they did in Sikkim,…. or Chinese did in Tibet, ….

        Mass including the intellectuals still believe the Sangha will rescue, protect, defend, … them if everything failed. Or don’t you think Namal is capable of saving the masses like his father and uncle?

        Keep hope alive. Namal, Sangha, Kamal Gunaratne, Wimal, Shenali and her racist collaborators perhaps the Pancha Maha Balavegaya

    • 9
      4

      Hec, like him or not RW is all that stands between democracy of a sort and absolute anarchy.

      • 2
        0

        S
        If it is democracy of a sort that we have, I will risk absolute anarchy.

    • 15
      3

      h
      Some answers:
      1. Perhaps yes.
      2 What is the question?
      3. No
      4.Yes if the IMF will care to talk to them.
      5. Yes. (The question is only about promising I guess.)
      6. The same as anybody else in power.
      Any more little doubts?

    • 8
      1

      As per my observations, JVP ideology is now diluted as they have formed a team as NPP which is mostly independent professionals and the most educated lot in politics currently.
      For sure they will have to go to IMF to solve the short term issues, however as per their recent speeches, their ultimate goal is to overhaul the constitution, and implement strict rules in the governing bodies to strictly control expenditure of tax payers money, recover stolen assets, removing benefits of the free loaders, create a export market by investing in key local industries, replace politically appointed individuals with qualified professionals and create a corruption free environment to attract investors etc. Pretty much complete system change from how the government operates now.
      SJB in the other hand is mostly business elites, serving mostly personal agendas with UNP roots and includes frogs who had jumped off from losing parties. Obviously, it would be same the same way Yahapalana government worked, nothing new.
      Many see AKD as a Statesman, and Sajith only as a Politician.

      Statesman = Person who is only concerned about the next generation and improvement of livelihood.

      Politician = Person who is only concerned next election and staying in power.

  • 14
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    Ranil is no Einstein ……. any shameless person would do what he is doing.

    JR was the same ……. JR had no shame.

    Gota was a monumental idiot ……… but had some shame. So he didn’t do what Ranil is doing.

    It a great Lankan comedy! ……… Tragicomedy, Native?

    • 3
      0

      nimal fernando

      “Ranil is no Einstein ……. any shameless person would do what he is doing.
      JR was the same ……. JR had no shame.”

      Are we missing something here?
      Have you forgotten to mention SJ’s old flame SiriMao, her hubby SJ’s rival, Anagarika, Gunadasa Amarasekera, Ratwatte and his sons, Dutta Gamani, his mate Cyril, ….. its a never ending list.

  • 4
    0

    Resisting Elections Will Worsen Dissent

    Making bad to worse to himself

    Restriction generates disorder you want what you cannot have, RW Resisting he is not democratic president he himself says that I took the power to rescuing the country despite his unpopularity via public Creating bitterness by forcing people causes violence and calls for violence we will always have violence. Defended toleration

  • 1
    2

    My understanding is that there is no legal provision allowing the elections to be cancelled in Langkang. An election can be delayed under a few emergency circumstances. That looks fine and it should be like that I believe. If the time is due for an election and if the election has been declared properly, it must go forward but never should be backed up. So, the provision allows only to adjust the date. But sadly, even that is ambiguous. So, my understanding again, is this can be used to drag the election on forever even if they have come out with the money, because the delay caused by the so-called EP Finance Minister has passed the time limit within which the EC could force the election to go forward. Technically the Finance manager never needs to say that there is enough money for an election. Even if the election process is gazetted as essential service and if there is no money, then there is no money! This is why we have been saying the only cure for this type of Executive administration is Protestors winning their war. There is Rs10 billion allowed for the election in the budget. That means that expenses have been matched with the revenue. Now the finance minister, after having the budget approved in parliament, is saying he has no money.

  • 1
    2

    I want to see how this budget worksheet was created. Did the EC prepare their budget in a prescribed form, or did they just pass a love note to the finance minister, “Election coming darling, we need 10M to take care of this party. It is about 16M modayas coming to participate in the party and wish us”. How did it happen that those who consolidated the main budget overlooked the fact the election final date is March 19, 2023, and they failed to allocate funds for that in February or March? Now the Lawyer Finance Minister is now saying “darling they are not giving my last year bonus pay until December, so I do not have any money for our anniversary party until December.” So, it looks like the only remedy for this is the EP Finance Minister Lawyer’s faulty budget work is he must call back the budget, schedule the election in March, and reallocate the funds accordingly. You know, then you can earmark 10B for the elections and if that revenue is not coming from the treasury, then one way to cancel the election is, the EP Finance Minister declaring that the election expenses were not approved by the parliament because the EC is only a caretaker.

  • 1
    2

    Look here, this president who did not want any presidents to hold any minister positions (in the 19a) now holding the finance ministry and showing his Olympic authority as president in the Finance minister position and suppressing the EC. Because he is the president, he is behaving over and above all laws, all institutions, all officials, people sovereignty and everything but not as a responsible Finance Minister. How can a finance minister attempt to show shoe presidential authority in the Finance Ministry, which is not vested to a finance minister? He is simply thinking that the parliament has no legitimate authority to do anything while a Hitler Emperor is in his seat. Watch how this creative Hitler Finance Minister invented authorities for him. First, He said the EC is only a caretaker commission so it should have asked the parliament to conduct the election. I do not know if that is really said in the constitution or he is creating that too, but whose fault is it if an election commission remained without authority to call an election? Why didn’t the parliament and president fix that problem in a timely manner? How many other commission statuses are in limbo like EC?

  • 1
    2

    When is a debate about that going to take place in parliament and have all those loopholes going to be fixed, so the EP’s inventive authority and bullying & blackmailing officials on their democratic works? Anyway, if the EC took a misstep, who is supposed to ask that EC about that? Is that the Finance minister’s job? What is the parliament doing on that? Where did the AG department go to point out the mistake to the EC. Why did the finance minister dip his bushy tail into everybody else’s soups and spoil it all?

    This finance minister has no MP position. He wants to control the EC’s independent authority. His house is only the cabinet. But he trickly changed his personality as EP, walking into the parliament, there using his EP authority to suppress the EC’s independent function. AG must explain to this private man that all the foul games he plays as finance minister will be punishable at court of law, because these are not any actions the EP did during his normal discharge of his duties, which only have immunity under Junious Richard’s constitution.

  • 1
    3

    This Hitler Emperor is an extremely dangerous president. This has been repeatedly brought up by many authors in many media. Yesterday BASL had warned not to disgrace it, its officials, and its individual members because they have a profoundly serious duty to do it. They need to keep their respect to make a penny for their families. BASL had explained a lot of matters in their statements. I am not bringing them here because it was only lawyers’ matters and parroting them back here will do no good. But I doubt the Evil Emperor, who is in full dope of his new fancy authorities, would understand even a sentence out of there. Something needs to be done right away that this type of short cut technique used to cancel the election must be stopped. The election law that is supporting that once declared election, that cannot be pulled back, should be reinforced to make EC to reissue the date as soon as possible, with all effort. So, if the parliament is not able to exert its authority but is blackmailed by EP on dismissing the parliament, then the entire country should unite and bring down this Finance Minister president.

  • 4
    4

    The NPP Martyr is laid to rest
    .
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aUlM6kK9As – 14 minutes. Not seen by me yet.

    .

    Nimal Amarasiri: it could have been any of us.
    .
    Rest in Peace!
    .
    Earlier I had listened to most of this from Matale, where the crowd was told, by Lal Kantha, that AKD would probably be missing that meeting, owing to the funeral. Truth, unverified by me when posting.
    .
    We must all do our best; nothing more is possible.
    .
    Panini Edirisinhe

  • 0
    0

    Has RW announced cancellation of the elections?
    That may be what he intends, but he has yet to do it.
    He is playing games that many of us dislike, but charges should be factual.

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