By Shyamon Jayasinghe –
Shyamon Jayasinghe
“The poorer our people are kept, the more opportunities for politicians while the more religious the poor people become in order to bear their growing deprivation”
Badulla
What happened on Wills Road in Badulla yesterday (12/8/19) was, if anything, plain attempted intimidation of the United National Party leadership by a prominent member of the party leadership itself-its Deputy Leader, Sajith Premadasa; its Minister Harin Fernando and some others of lesser consequence like Lakshman Seneviratne. The latter had been the famous ‘Seeni Amathi,’ or Minister in charge of sugar of the notorious Mahinda Rajapaksa government. Lakshman is a characteristic political adventurer who has been changing sides as we do change pillows while sleeping. Sugar or coffee or baby diapers-he doesn’t mind.
I am told that minister Eran Wickremaratne had been there. Eran had complained recently about the lack of democracy in the Grand Old Party. I hope he had read my presentation which argued that political parties cannot, by nature, have open democratic processes. If Eran had, in fact, been at Badulla, it maybe that he wanted to enjoy a breath of democracy!
What democracy was that? The idea that a presidential hopeful in a party must brow- beat his way to force the hand of the party caucus to nominate him? This, while the party leader has stated already that the nomination issue will be decided after broader consultation. Does Sajith not want the leader to do that without deliberation? Does he have a ‘divine right,’ to be nominated sans democratic processes?
Harin
One thing Harin Fernando can do is organise crowds for meetings. As minister he has been a failure. He has not been able to rescue our cricket reputation; he simply accepted the ‘comfies,’ handed over to him by the rich Cricket Board. He settled for perks and kept quiet. Our cricket has, thanks to Harin, sunk into depths it had never been before it acquired ICC status. Our boys were disqualified and had to pack up and return home. Harin also became a laughing stock during the Easter massacre of innocents when he said his Papa had warned him in advance that something nasty is going to happen on that day and advised not to attend church.It was on everybody’s lips as to why he did not convey that warning to the police and to his leader, the Prime Minister. Papa’s boy looked after himself and forgot his responsibilities to the community. Harin now appears as Sajith, the party messiah’s, key backer. Is a Prime Minster role on the way for him-given Premadasa reaching his ambition?
Sri Lankan politicians are getting funnier and funnier by the day and they collectively constitute a vast and tragic comedy, sucking the blood of poor people. The poorer our people are kept, the more opportunities for politicians, while the more religious the poor people become in order to bear their growing deprivation.
Economic Policy
This brings us to the point that our government’s top priority should be to eliminate poverty as our once lowly neighbours, Singapore and Malayasia, have done. In prosperous Western countries, which our politicians deride, it is not easy for politicians to deceive. The average voter here is self-confident and the education they have received make them prone to critical thinking. The very same is the difference between the media in the Western World and the media in poor lands like Sri Lanka. Our printed and and TV media are shit. Fortunately, the social media is growing and growing. With more iPads given to students free and more freely available Wifi, the situation is going to improve even better. On the other hand, we have President Sirisena who has banned Lanka E news.
Old -Style Politics
Our hopeful Sajith seems more concerned with old style give- aways like free rice and Samurdies. He is now planning to build 1135 chaityas and has told some gullible Sanga members that he cannot wait until these Chaityas are completed. With whose money? Not his. Not Harin’s. Not Lakshman’s. Not Eran’s. Not Kili Maharajahs.
Our Deputy Leader seems absolutely low in economics. The latter is reported to have taken shelter in the London School of Economics. Mind you, where Harold Laski reigned and our own Dr NM Perera got his double -doctor degrees. The Lanka E news joke is that our man only took shelter as during a temporary downpoor of rain (“Wessata goda una.”). If Sajith knew more economic policy he would not try to solve the housing problem via government grants. He will not make a dent on our housing problem this way.
At Badulla, Sajith said he would reduce taxes for the middle class. He doesn’t seem to realize that the resultant shortfall will have to be met somehow. We don’t get money from the skies. Do we? His promise to develop Small & Medium Enterprises (SME) lacks details. That has always been the professed goal of successive governments including the current one’s. Sajith should tell us more of his new found wisdom here. In fact, the Prime Minister’s imaginative “Private Enterprise Sri Lanka,” program is a bold attempt to help create SME’s
Sajith also resonates with the old and derelict socialist lefties when he suggests class war, referring as he does to “Mahamandire innawun” (those comfortably living in palatial buildings). That socialism is dead and its left-over espousers like DEW Gunasekera and Vasudeva are sipping the pleasures of the cocktail circuits of the beorgousie parties lie the UPFA-now converted to Pohottuwa. These gentlemen and their forbears misled whole generations with their class war. The JVP has taken that philosophy over to its shelter.
Conflict with UNP Economic Thinking
In line with the old-style socialism that Sajith espouses as remedies, he has openly asserted that he disagrees with the market economics of supply and demand and liberal economics. This is starnge for the 21st century. How could any economy run sans supply and demand?
The question I have is: will Sajith as new leader metamorphise the UNP into an SLFP-especially now that the latter is all but dying and surviving on chemotherapy.
This is a serious issue for the Grand Old party in its decision about nomination. The UNP must keep its core philosophy with it. We have observed how the revolution of economic liberalisation done under JR has boosted our economy.
Discipline
With regard to Badulla, however, I believe that the UNP has an immediate concern about party discipline in it hands. If events like Badulla are permitted or ignored that would be opening the door to a total dismemberment of that political party which has been the bulwark of Sri Lankan stability until now.
SB / August 13, 2019
How can the UNP metamorphise into an SLFP when there is no difference between them?
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Suriya / August 13, 2019
Sri Lanka belongs to its youth and its is time for Saith to lead and for this corrupt doddering generation of politicians to be banned contesting and sent to prison for looting the country
US puppet Bondscam Ranil and his partner Gota Jarpaass should be impeached for signing ACSA and enabling US Special Operations Forces (SOF) to stage the Easter Sunday carnage in Sri Lanka to push SOFA and MCC project to turn Lanka into a military base.\
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Shafeek / August 13, 2019
“Harin also became a laughing stock during the Easter massacre of innocents when he said his Papa had warned him”
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In deed, but that also showed us he was honest, inexperienced and not-so-cunning. Compare our cunning, expressionless PM, a perfect example for machiavellianism, who didn’t disclose that he wasn’t attending Security Council meetings for months until Easter Bombing investigations started.
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Old codger / August 13, 2019
“Our printed and and TV media are shit. Fortunately, the social media is growing and growing. “
The direction in which our social media is growing is dangerous. Do we want students to be exposed to exposed to racist conspiracy theories at the most impressionable age? Is there any guarantee that they will use the tabs to check up on nuclear physics and not the rants of Gandasara and his clones?
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James / August 13, 2019
Although Sri Lanka is known as an agricultural country with a fertile tropical land suitable for the cultivation of a variety of crops, very unfortunately the present UNP government, its ministers and MPs are clueless when it comes to agriculture and farming. In other words, unlike the previous Rajapakshe regime, the present regime is Not farmer friendly. The most affected group of people in Sri Lanka under the Yahapalana government are the farmers. There is no support from the government for farming, even if they do have some kind of programs they are not promoted or advertised. Even the basic fertilizer such as Urea is imported from outside and that also does not come on time, always in shortage. Most of the farmers have now become trishaw drivers and their lands are simply idling because farming is not viable anymore.
There is no proper price control for what the farmers produce, The wholesale market prices are not stable and due to the price fluctuation, the farmers are affected very badly. With very high labour charges, cost of fertilizer and many other factors like irrigation system, etc., finally the farmers are at a big loss when the prices go down. For example, if you take the coconut industry, there are times when the wholesale price of coconut had reached Rs.60 and other times it has come down to Rs.20. Why cannot the government have a price control, something like never exceed Rs40 and never go below Rs.30 (a controlled price fluctuation). This way, both the farmer and the consumer have some relief.
Sajith Premadasa is talking about building stupa and Dargaba instead of renovating and building Wewa (tanks & canals) which will produce food for the country and its people. Even Sajith does not seem to have any clue about agriculture and farming, he knows only to build houses. This is why the rural masses wants a Rajapakshe to be the next president.
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James / August 13, 2019
Sajith knows only building houses.
Under the Divineguma program, the previous Rajapakshe government was providing full support to the farmers to grow food. Fertilizers were given either free or at a subsided rate, compost bins were distributed free, plants and saplings were given free and everybody was encouraged to grow food. They even supported to improve the irrigation system. The present UNP government did nothing to the food producers (Farmers) in the country. What kind of program does Sajit Premadasa has to the Agriculture and farming community of Sri Lanka in case if he wants to become the next president?
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Fathima / August 14, 2019
James – “Sajith knows only building houses”, true, but take Mangala, for example who knows better than Sajith for sure on other aspects. What do the people of this country want? Number of voters wanting a leader for Buddhists is higher or the number, wanting a leader to develop the country is higher among the majority today? Who is more appealing to the majority in UNP?
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Our politics has always been true democracy (at least during elections), people get what they wanted so that political parties prioritize on them. Unfortunately people don’t ask something that will develop the country or their own lives, and put the blame on the politicians after the election is over.
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Rishard / August 13, 2019
“In other words, unlike the previous Rajapakshe regime, the present regime is Not farmer friendly” – Being farmer friendly means being unfriendly to us, the ordinary masses. Why imported potato & onion for example, are more than 100% cheaper than locally produced? Because farmers’ sons want to become software engineers, nothing wrong in it. So why not import potatoes and onions, and sell software to international markets? Instead of making few farmers happy, here we focus on developing country’s economy.
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In SL, price control is only giving chance to another sector to go on protest/strike so we suffer more.
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Amarasiri / August 14, 2019
Shaymon,
Interesting article, You did not mention that Ranil, Gota, Karu, etc. are old , old and may die on the job. At least Sajith is young, 53 years old, even though his knowledge about economics is short, despite the shelter taken from the rain at the London School of Economics.
Ranil as the presidential candidate had too much baggage, and the bond scam on him. With Easter carnage he is trying to protect himself and Sirisena, to avoid his wrath.
So who is left as the potential Presidential candidate against Gota ? Get the proven Gladiator and War hero- Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka.
You can see the Gota and Mahinda wetting their pants .
Will Ranil go along with it? May be if he can be the OM again.
With Sarath Fonseka, there will be a guy who can think straight and shoot, if needed .
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Fathima / August 14, 2019
Amarasiri
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“Gladiator and War hero- Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka” – No, not for president. Okay for Law & Order or Defense minister. Why people think it has to be a military man at the top to protect the country? Then an economist at the top to develop our economy? Come on, we can’t have 2 presidents, we only need the right leader who is honest & with a backbone. A right leader will take the best use of masters in the fields like SF for betterment of the country
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Amarasiri / August 14, 2019
Fatima,
General Eisenhower, became President Eisenhower.
General George Washington became, the First President.
General Alexander, became the Emperor., etc.
What they have is discipline. The politicians have no discipline.
See what Neville Chamberlin did in WW2.-Appeasement policy with Hitler. It took Winston Churchill, a former military man, to handle Hitler.
It took Sarath Fonseka to handle VP of LTTE.
What is needed is Sarath Fonseka now to disciplines the crooks and religion nuts, who mislead people getting to heaven, Nibbana and Nirvana.
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Fathima / August 15, 2019
Amarasiri – You’re comparing generals of WW who fought for the country with a civil war general who fought in the country against ethnically different citizens of the same country – So disliking SF starts here itself by a segment, unlike WW generals.
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SF is one of the best army commanders, no doubt. But remember, Sachin Tendulkar was a great, if not greatest batsman, and a failed captain.
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Uthungan / August 14, 2019
Amare
“With Sarath Fonseka,there will be a guy who can think and shoot if needed.”
But on what basis do you believe the straight thinking shooting man wouldn’t one day change his mind to switch sides and patch up with old military crony Gota Brothers Inc., especially as he would have been aware his leader had always been in tow with them from the day he became PM?
Consider the situation from Ahimsa’s angle.
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Amarasiri / August 14, 2019
Uthungan,
Yes. We know how Sirisena behaved. We know how Ranil behaved,
Will Sarath Fonseka, behave the same way, despite his military discipline?
After all they all are Para-Sinhala Para-“Buddhists” in the Land of Native Veddah Aethho.
Will Ahimsa get justice? Only if there is Law and Order, and Justice. It is still not there yert There are mothers looking for their 11 missing boys. Right now a Muslim Doctor at the Kturunegala Hospital is falsely charged by the Para-Sinhala Para-“Buddhists”, Law and Order, and Justice system.
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Eagle Eye / August 14, 2019
Amarasiri,
“After all they all are Para-Sinhala Para-“Buddhists” in the Land of Native Veddah Aethho.”
Blood thirsty ‘Para Demalu’ are the curse for the Land of Native Sinhalayo and Vedda Eththo. Starting from 3rd Century BC, ‘Para Demalu’ ruined this country developed by Native Sinhalayo. Sinhalayo and Vedda Eththo shed their blood to protect this country from ‘Para Demala’ barbarians because the owners of this country are Sinhalayo and Vedda Eththo.
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For your information. Ranaweera et. al. say:
“The haplotypes and analysis of molecular variance revealed that Vedda people’s mitochondrial sequences are more related to the Sinhalese than the Indian Tamils’ sequences.”
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Vedda Eththo and Sinhalayo are relatives. Sinhalayo have nothing in common with ‘Para Indian Tamils’.
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nalmen / August 13, 2019
why dont you read ct’s articles on ranils close connections with the rajapaksas not only with mahinda but with gota as well
how is it that none have been convicted after he spoke of their corruption during the elections
how many elections has he lost if he contests it will be another one
living in australia you dont know what the hell is happening here so stop writing
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Ashok / August 13, 2019
[edited out] UNP needs to change and it is going to be under SP. A new UNP which loves the mother country and not the international forces. You go do yourself!
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MrRetort / August 13, 2019
Ripe old age JR was able to cruise UNP to victory and it was a historic win for the party as well as for JR. I am sure Ranil would have thought his day would be soon come and anxiously waited for that. He has proved that his leadership lacks the charisma a mature leader has in him. He hasn’t got qualities that would keep him at the helm anymore. Ranil might think that his day is not far but with declining popularity as a leader and even with power he had, his deals with MR is now led to his dwindling popularity amongst the party members. It has come to a stage, if Sajith contest on his own 90 % of UNPers would back Sajith , while Ranil would with difficulty get about 10% party votes. I have feeling both of them contesting would give good chance for voters to back NAGA for Presidential race. Even now it’s too late for Ranil to gracefully retire.
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SB / August 13, 2019
MrRetort, ‘Ripe old age JR was able to cruise UNP to victory’ only because he had stripped Mrs B of her civic rights with illegal retroactive laws that he had devised. The criminality of our politicians goes back for decades.
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MrRetort / August 15, 2019
Yes but Ranil is doing opposite by providing protection to MR And gang and trying to get a return protection from MR To keep party with him.
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edwin rodrigo / August 13, 2019
I agree wit the author that one cannot have democracy in a political party. If that is allowed then there will be total chaos. Democracy is only for the voters – the adult citizens of the country.
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The citizens should under the laws of the country and there should be no exceptions.
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The same way all party members should cone under the accepted rules of the country.
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I was considering voting for Sajith. but now he is out. I am considering Gota instead. I am a Buddhist but I don’t think building Dagobas is a priority when there is so much poverty and wealth disparity in the country.
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Amarasiri / August 14, 2019
edwin rodrigo,
“I am a Buddhist but I don’t think building Dagobas is a priority when there is so much poverty and wealth disparity in the country.”
Desire is the reason for unhappiness. Dukata Karuna Than Hava!
The desire of Sajith, will lead to unhappiness of the people, because of economics.
Ask Sajith to build tanks, reservoirs to conserve water.
Well, you get to Nibbana or Nirvana after death in the next life , and that is what the monks promise.This gives employment for monks, so that they will not run around committing crimes, and abusing boys. Not good enough? After All the ancient Kings did that, building Dagabas, Churches Temples and Mosques.
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Citizen / August 14, 2019
I was considering voting for Sajith. but now he is out.
Instead of building Dagabas and chaithiyas, Sajith should be building Wewa, tanks, ponds, reservoirs and cannals to conserve water for irrigation. Agriculture and farming should be given the foremost place. If he cannot understand this basic need, how can he be suitable for a president?
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RF / August 14, 2019
It’s a very biased opinion convenient ly trying to ignore the true fact s from the reader. If someone in disguise of democracy tries to do other wise, then there is absolutely no problem of fighting it out even on the streets as far as majority’s aspirations are met.
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edwin rodrigo / August 13, 2019
Correction: The same way all party members should cone under the accepted rules and the manifesto of the party.
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Lawrence / August 13, 2019
Even the poor man’s savings are being taxed by this UNP government.
The 5 per cent tax cut on interest income of savings accounts in banks and other financial institutions as withholding tax was introduced by the present UNP government under 2017 budget with effect from 1st April 2018, another beating on poor man’s stomach.
For example, my father retired from private sector at the age of 56 in 2018. The end of service benefit (EPF, etc.) what he received from the company he worked, he invested in fixed deposit in a local bank. The poor income what he receives as monthly interest is taxed. There a thousand like my father, some of them are living only on this income. None of them (including my father) will vote for the UNP anymore. Does Sajith has any program to relieve such people from such taxes?
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Isharath / August 14, 2019
Lawrence,
“Even the poor man’s savings are being taxed by this UNP government.”
:
I understand your point. But imagine those who are poorer than your father without pensions, EPF such as tuk-tuk drivers, street hawkers, pavement vendors, self-employed carpenters & masons, fishermen, vegetable sellers etc. What will happen if they all think that no govt introduced a scheme for them in their retirement and say they will not vote for anyone?
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soma / August 14, 2019
Edvin
Member, official and leader selection process should be common to all parties as specified by electron law. Leader selection should be performed under the supervision of the Election Commissioner. What do you think?
Ethnicity and religion based names such as HELA Urumaya, TAMIL National Alliance and MUSLIM Congress should not be accepted for registration.
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Soma
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Muslim / August 13, 2019
Sajith is not presidential material , Karu , Mangala and Sarath Fonseka will make a superb team to rule the country.
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SB / August 13, 2019
Muslim, they will re-employ their old cronies, Royalists etc and it will be business as usual. Karu is 78 and should be preparing for the hereafter, not seeking power. All bloody idiots and criminals.
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Muslim / August 14, 2019
SB
This team will do a good job as they will not want to give up power after getting hold of it.
They will want to show the masses that they can do.
Mangala is a go getter.
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Amila W / August 13, 2019
Karu for President. Mangala for PM. SF for Law & Order cum Defense Minister. But Karu is too old, 78. Will Sajith be preparing himself to succeed? If Karu becomes President, will RW agree Mangala be PM? SF is fine there, but if RW is PM or still influential in the party, will he allow SF to do the right thing?
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Muslim / August 14, 2019
Amila W
The 3 must rule with a iron hand without interference from the old hands
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K.Anaga / August 13, 2019
I do not think that anybody has the capacity to become the President Of Srilanka as a whole. All the Sinhala presidents were and will be the President for the Sinhalese only. They do not consider Tamils as Srilankan. They are only useful to obtain votes to win the elections and thereafter used as doormats. From JR – Premadasa- Chandrika- Mahinda- Mathre, all are betrayers of Tamils to various degree. And in turn, the Tamils betray the Tamils to make them live in fool’s paradise.
The love Sinhala politicians have towards the Buddha statues and viharas are not extended to the Tamil humans. The votes cast by the Tamils are not meant to elect a president they like, but to prevent the election of a president they do not like. Lesser of the Two Evils?
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Eagle Eye / August 14, 2019
K.Anaga,
‘What is it that the Sinhalayo are enjoying that the other communities are not enjoying because they are not Sinhala?’
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Elite Wellala politicians are the main enemy of ordinary Demala people who belong to low castes. Wellala Demalu use Malabari customary law ‘Thesawalamei’ to prevent land passing to low caste Demala people. When low caste Demala people come to South, they can buy land because Sinhalayo do not discriminate.
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Raj-UK / August 13, 2019
Premadasa snr wasted public funds on useless ventures, his so-called vision was unsustainable & in the short term. In fact, a much hyped politician who contributed nothing. Looking back, there is nothing in my mind that Premadasa can take credit for but then, he was uneducated, only talented with a gutter mouth. So I expected more from Premadasa jnr, with his International education & LSE Degree but seems to me that he is very much a chip off the old block, more comfortable (like his old man) with building temples & handouts to the poor (sounding off on public meetings) rather than uplifting the lives of all Sri Lankans with a comprehensive sustainable economic policy, as expected of his superior education. Maybe he thinks that the spiritual guidance offered by increasing the number of Buddhist temples, the masses will, at least, find solace in their misery from the religion preached by, possibly, bigoted monks with very little knowledge of Buddhism (‘…while the more religious the poor people become in order to bear their growing deprivation” as quoted by Shyamon) So far, all I can be certain with Premadasa jnr as President, is a Buddha statue in every street corner & (unregulated) Buddhist temples mushrooming everywhere, which would more likely to degrade Buddhism than promoting the noble religion. His track record in politics so far, does not indicate anything else.
Whether Premadasa jnr is, arguably, an up & coming leader of the nation or not, even with all his foreign education, he seems to be unaware of basic protocol, that whilst in the party, he should not campaign without the blessings of the party hierarchy. Certainly, if he feels unjustified that the party leadership has overlooked him, he should take it up with party officials, which is an internal matter, & if he is not satisfied with the outcome, he should leave or fight for his right within the party but challenging for party leadership in a public display says a lot about his statesman qualities.
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Fathima / August 13, 2019
“he seems to be unaware of basic protocol, that whilst in the party, he should not campaign without the blessings of the party hierarchy” – Sajith’s message is clear, “See, I am an able man, RW doesn’t give me a chance”, and a stronger message to RW himself when it was likely to be Karu. What’s wrong in his message? A ripe fruit falls by itself
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Gonpalana / August 13, 2019
Ranil has no choice, he has to nominate Sajith as the presidential candidate. There is a huge support for Sajith within the UNP and among the masses. Only Sajith can beat Gota and nobody else. If Ranil choses someone else, there will be a revolution within the UNP and it may split.
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Raj-UK / August 14, 2019
Fathima
Premadasa jnr lived abroad for a while as a student & claims to have benefited from a better education but doesn’t seem to have understood how leaders behave in a democratic society (which would set him apart from the rest of the political yobs). Disillusioned party members either resign with dignity if in disagreement with the leadership, or, with a majority backing of party members, force the leader to step down, as happened to Margret Thatcher (perhaps the most powerful Tory leader in recent history) & more recently, Theresa May when she could not deliver as promised. The party members would then decide on a new leader, which was how the current Tory leader, Boris Johnson was elected to continue as PM, not the British public. He, & others came forward only after May announced her intended resignation, although have been subtly making known their ambitions in the meantime. Challenges to the leadership is within the party & not on public platforms. In SL, back stabbing (as Sirisena did to MR) is acceptable & loyalty is only long as it is beneficial (as seen by numerous crossovers of MPs all the time) but proves lack of integrity & honour of these politicians. Premadasa jnr has proved just that.
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D. P. / August 13, 2019
UK man,
I also listened to Sajith’s speech with care. To the ears of uninitiated like Shyamon (he is absolutely wrong to blame Harin for the miseries of cricket; it only expose how bias he is), it certainly did sound like same cheap old politics but with the strong backing of Harsha de Silva & Eran Wickramaratne, two of whom are the chief architect of economic policies of the UNP Gvt, it is hard to believe that Sajith’s message didn’t contain valid economics. Instead, I thought that he was talking about modern day micro-economics without referring to technical jargon. If there was anything wrong with the speech, it was not putting due blame on the previous Gvt for creating huge debt crisis that forced Ranil to put a tax burden on the poor & the middle class in order to pay down loan instalments due annually.
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Even though Sajityh is not my first choice, I don’t blame him for coming forward at this moment b’cos it is very clear that the elite group of UNP was conspiring on some other plan that had not much grass-root appeal. From my part, I’m not a card-carrying UNP er and I never was but considering the dangers of the prospect of GoRa like person who has a an obviously serious problem of anger management becoming the Executive president, I prefer Sajith b’cos I believe that the priority should be given to a winning candidate with hart for UNP.
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If I had some doubts that Sajith also might follow his father’s path of alienating most qualified young leaders like Gamini Dissanayake & Lilith Athulathmudali, they went away after seeing a team of very respectable & honest UNP stalwarts offering him their full backing. Sajith may not be as visionary as Ranil but he certainly wouldn’t be as stupid as MY 3 or as vicious as GoRa. I do like Ranil but I also know that he can’t win b’cos he missed his opportunity to amass his political capital while in power. That is the lesson he failed to learn from MaRa or even from MY 3.
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Eagle Eye / August 14, 2019
Raj-UK,
“So I expected more from Premadasa jnr, with his International education & LSE Degree”.
What LSE Degree?
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Craig / August 13, 2019
Shyamon, I would really like to read your response to Ahimsa’s letter to Ranil today. And your views on why he likes to get his butt kicked in by the Rajapakses over and over again. Is it an OCD? I am not a Sajith, Harin, Harsha, Eran, Sujeewa fan either. Their performance and rhetoric was lacklustre and their kadey yanawa stance for Sajith was pathetic to listen to. But all in all Sajith will draw more votes than Ranil and that says a lot too! Ranil is pig headed and needs to be kicked back into the sty. Sajith has a different agenda which is difficult to decipher right now.
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Perera / August 13, 2019
The tile does no good to the write up. What is the intimidation to be precise?
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Steve / August 13, 2019
Ranil’s use by date has long expired.
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JD / August 13, 2019
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JD / August 13, 2019
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
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Lankan / August 13, 2019
UNP has a good chance to win this election if only united ..
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whywhy / August 13, 2019
Shyamon Jayasinha ,
The circus in Badulla was a claptrap I suppose . Ranil was never ready
for the job . Karu is not strong enough in the prevailing conditions ,
although a better choice for the party ! Sajith has been a pain in the bum
for quite some time , registering for the “next” in line with no one else in
the vicinity to give him a dashing challenge ! Who is responsible for that
kind of a situation in the party ? In one word , “Ranil.” He is a total failure
both in twice skipping the contest from the party and with his second
time choice that was a nightmare in the history of of the paradise ! The
trick of the game as I understand it is , to exhibit to THE VERY
INTELLIGENT VOTER that Sajith has already WON A BIG BATTLE in
beating HIS PARTY RIVALS . Ranil’s circle will go with it at the end .
I must also say this about privileged foreign universities like Oxford
and Cambridge , there are native students who choose other universities
for a simple reason that they want to enjoy their learning and the study
environment ! As for Sajith’s L S E education and its application here in
the country (if he had completed it ) , I don’t think that’s the politics or
economics people are after . Srilankan general public knows nothing
about Brexit and still dreaming for a better life in the U K ! What do you
think such people expect ? Fasten your belts Shyamon , not only houses ,
they might even offer cars for Samurdhi holders ! Sajith might even go
one step further in the name of his father , ROOF OVER THE HEAD AND
FOUR WHEELS TO COLLECT SAMURDHI ! Shyamon you keep forgetting
this is MIRACLE OF ASIA .
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PARAGON / August 14, 2019
SAJITH THINGS TOO MUCH OF HIM SELF. MY3 IS AN EXAMPLE TO SEE AN UNSUITABLE PERSON BECOMING HEAD OF STATE.THERE ARE SO MANY YOUNG MPS LIKE HARIN FERNANDO ,SUJEEWA SENNASINGHE AND OTHERS LOOKING OUT FOR A SHORT CUT TO BECOME PRIME MINISTER BY JUMPING ON THE SHOULDERS OF SAJITH..PREMADASA.NAME OF PREMADASA IS ONLY NOT ENOUGH TO RULE THE COUNTRY.RANIL IS VERY UNPOPULAR.THE BEST COMMON CHOICE IS ONE AND ONLY KARU JAYASOORIYA.
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Ranjith / August 14, 2019
Hi friend Shyamon, don’t be silly, level up man. You are far away in Melbourne, the news you get are stale, from hearsay. We have true and real news with hard facts. The ground reality is things are not rosy and pretty bad for your friend and buddy Ranil. Even though the UNP top are with him but the people on the ground are with Sajith, the mighty Sajith wave is moving ferociously among the people at a terrific phase. Right now, among all the prospective candidates, he, Sajith has the biggest chance of winning – he is young and hugely appealing to the masses -irrespective of race, religion or language. Man, you are hitting hard at Harin but his untiring work in Uva provincial election turned the corner and the tide for the grand old party. Man, housing is a must for all human beings, and it’s makes huge contributions for the growth of the economy by way of employment and wealth creation. In Malaysia the government builds thousands of low cost houses for the poor and needy. They give them at 30 years loan, and monthly instalment of RM 150 to RM 250 which works out to less than to SLR 10000 per month. Ranil going with Gota is end of him, and the biggest mistake of his life. In that respect Sirisena was some what better but Rajapaksas would eat him alive, and no games with them, once they get to power. Only way for Ranil is to come to accommodation and understanding with Sajith after serious discussions, else none going to be winners, and all going to be pretty bad losers.
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Mallaiyuran / August 14, 2019
Shaymon Jayasinge has been writing in master English for long time, but still has not gained the wisdom even the small girl, Lasantha’s daughter has have. Probably, in the other world, he may learn who Ranil is, if Shaymon is honest in his opinion, here.
There isn’t lot for us to write here. Most are covered by other commentators. May be, after watching for days the progress of the new unity government Ranil convulsing to form, we can write anything. It appears Ranil is on his work in progress on another Coup Cum Unity Government with other patterns of the trio. He apparently doesn’t want Vaalaiththodam Jr mess it up. Last time, New King and Old King goofed it not managing the IC’s concern properly. This made Ranil to blast off in Oxford the Neo Colonial Masters- the whole West, instead of Britain, in his terminology. In that speech Ranil sounded like Cuba plus Soviet plus Chinese Communist.
Nevertheless, Vaalaiththodam Jr did sound like a communist in Badulla, with his partner Mangala. Trotskyist Communist Mangala, who free customs regulation to international criminals like Old Royals to money laundering while Vaalaiththodam Jr use leftover rowdies by Old Royals, in Down South, to implement his Stalinism.
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Hela / August 14, 2019
Can this gentleman first of all explain the type of democracy exist in the UNP? It will shed light onto why party members are forced to take these type of very important matters outside the party machinery and to the UNP mass base.
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Good Sense / August 14, 2019
What is clear in Shyamon’s mini dissertation is his opposition to side-line Ranil. The reality is because of the plums that carry with power, mainly the ability enjoy comfort and commissions, no politician wants to be in the opposition. Had Ranil a chance of winning the 2020 Presidential elections, would fellows like Harin and others virtually go against Ranil? A fellow who is an ardent UNPer told me that he would not vote for Ranil if he is fielded as the presidential candidate. According to the perception of many a UNPer (Shyamon is one of the exceptions) Sajith has a better popular attraction than Ranil. The problem with Sajith is that he would believe in “quick fixes”. “Get me 10,000 people on the stadium!”. That is the type of output the fellow expects and he would not even listen anything contrary to his “pet ideas”. If he is in power all the racketeers like “Killemall” would be behind him. The 2020 debacle for the UNP started with Ranil himself wishing to be cocooned by “Butterflies”. From 2015, had he played his cards sensibly he could have had a chance, firstly to be recognized by the rank and file of the UNP as a worthy candidate for the 2020 presidential elections and secondly with a very good chance to win the elections. He frittered away his opportunity and sadly he has to pay a price for that. I can only sympathize with the likes of Shyamon in their attempts to deify Ranil.
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james speethy / August 14, 2019
Sajith is a better choice than ranil as he can win election and doesn’t have bondscam baggage. astrologically rajitha seneratne or Sirisena (doubt they will choose him) are best for unp as they were born between 1950-52. however rantunga born in 63 also be competent though not this cycle maybe next election time. ( if Unp lose then they should let him run next time Provided there are still elections, Never know with gota) gota and ranil both have weak charts due to 49 birthdate but gota should be able to win easily if RW is Nominee. Sajtih will be tougher and close result though gota can still win but not guaranteed like ranil.
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Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka / August 14, 2019
THE ABC OF HOW TO PICK A CANDIDATE
I suppose there are four ways of determining a Presidential candidate in a democracy, three or which are established and the fourth which is simply logical: (1) primaries (2) a ballot of all elected representatives of the given party (3) an independent national public opinion poll, and (4) posing the simple question as to whether anyone apart from the obviously popular aspirant can even mobilize a campaign, starting with getting party activists to decorate a stage and go house-to-house, getting the party’s vote base to turn up at public rallies, and generating any kind of social enthusiasm whatsoever…WITHOUT A COLOSSAL, HUMILIATING FLOP.
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Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka / August 14, 2019
Those Old Guard Establishment ideologues who think that Sajith Premadasa is being pushy, do not know that his drawback may well turn out to be is that he is a model ‘school prefect’ in comparison to his rebellious, iconic father. DBS Jeyaraj tells the story of 1988, which is the very last time the UNP managed to elect a President:
“Premadasa realised the undercurrents of hostility and resentment towards him. He began suspecting that either JR may contest again or nominate Gamini Dissanayake as the presidential candidate. After all, Gamini had strongly supported JR in matters concerning India. So Premadasa began quietly preparing to breakaway from the UNP with his supporters and contest independently if he were denied nomination as candidate. He knew it would be a bold gamble and that the UNP’s fragmentation would divide votes and help SLFP candidate Sirimavo Bandaranaike. Still, it was a gamble, he was prepared to take as he felt he had no choice.”
“… But the important issue was to select a suitable presidential candidate. This was the time when the blunt, no–nonsense Ranjan Wijeratne was UNP Chairman. The former planter cum ex-army officer undertook an intensive survey of the political environment regarding prospects for the UNP at the presidential election. Ranjan Wijeratne realised that the UNP may have a slim chance of winning the poll only if Ranasinghe Premadasa were the presidential candidate. Any other candidate would certainly lose to the SLFP. Furthermore, if Premadasa split from the party and contested separately, the UNP was likely to finish a poor third. Hence, the best possible UNP candidate would be Ranasinghe Premadasa.”
http://www.dailymirror.lk/opinion/Will-Sajith-remain–or-split–from-UNP-/172-172283
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Dalit / August 14, 2019
Badulla is no different to Little India; Dandenong where the writer lives. The show in Badulla was like a set from Chennai in the days of MGR. Yellow Garlands.
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Jacana / August 14, 2019
The whole bloody lot are a bunch of effing wankers and the masses who brave the weather to hear these arse holes speak from their rear are another bunch of wankers who will always remain struggling to come out from their mud holes. Very soon the world will have no sympathy for sri lanka as a country.
Harin, Barin, Sajith , Pujith, Ranil, Gonil, Eran, Goran, Lakshman, Pukman, Sagala, Bogala, Malik, Ravi, and all the other wankers should be stripped naked , painted with their own shit, left to dry in the sun, and then hung from the nearest lamp posts with piano wire to die a slow and agonizing death in the same way they have allowed sri lanka to die a slow death.
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The Good Nitizen / August 14, 2019
He knows and knows he knows , He is wise.
Ranil is the cub of the old Fox JR who tried to block Sajith’s Father and Sajith undeestands the way forward.
President ,PM or Oppesition leader , he will sit as a leader either on the ruling seat or the oppesition seat,head or tales , he will represent and defend the people.
And protect the country.
People who sincerely love Sri Lanka want him to either lead or protect those who may be lead by the uncaring whoever it may..
Its time to find a place of retreat for Mr.Ranil.
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whywhy / August 14, 2019
J R J , R P , Gamini all three emerged to the leadership through internal
battle in the party but the emergence was through hard work and
experience . Karu is a very good choice except for the fact that he served
under Rajapakshas . Sarath Fonseka has gained experience in politics
but not enough to beat his previous losses . Ranil is a labelled loser even
to a Kindergarten kid ! No argument , Ranil is a good man but that is not
enough in a battle . His loss records and the Volkswagen factory will haunt
him out . Sajith is not the perfect choice for the country in my view but
for U N P , no other better choice in terms of popular expectation !
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Banda / August 14, 2019
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Thanga / August 14, 2019
The United National Party is neither United or National. It lost its National garb when the UNP staged a summersault and voted for the Sinhala Only Bill. Now the UNP is a divided party. A greedy Sajith Premadasa has unilaterally declared his intention to contest the presidential poll come sun or rain. As the Deputy Leader of the UNP, he has made redundant UNP’s Working Committee and the Parliamentary Group. Like Karu Jayasuriya, he should have declared that he is prepared to enter the contest if the party agrees. No such caveat on the Part of Sajith.
As far as Tamils are concerned he is an unknown devil. The known devil is Ranil. His promise to build 1000 viharas and Dargabas shows he is pandering to the Sinhala Only Buddhist Only supporters.
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Thangamma / August 15, 2019
Pretty pompous to think about Australian should comm about Sri Lanka and read your pontifications. The battle will be between a Govigama vs. A Dhoby caste member and Govigama R will lose.
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