By Sarath de Alwis –
Sarath De Alwis
Should Ranil Stay Or Go? Fable Of The Fox & Hedgehog
Should Ranil stay and face the motion of no confidence or avoid confrontation and go before it is taken up. The question was never an issue. It is a media manufactured, media packaged, and a media distributed yarn – an irrelevant essential.
Ranil should stay and face the floor test. That is what democracy is all about. Democracy is not about a megalomaniac media magnate philandering unearned and undeserving monopoly access to airwaves, spewing venom on a politician that he has taken a dislike to.
On April 14th, 2017 – that is a year ago, I wrote an essay – Ranil – the man and his era. Some recap seems relevant.
‘Ranil’s political narrative begins in 1977 with his election to Parliament at age 28. His political path runs parallel to Sri Lanka’s triple lane highway to the Executive Presidency that is Market Liberalization, proportional representation and ethnoreligious identity politics.
A study of his political profile is a discovery of the compelling complexities of our era. It is a vicarious witnessing of our descent in to a cruel ethnic inferno, suppression of a Sothern insurrection with a state brutality that has few parallels in human history, a firsthand experience of political obscenity with the ‘Lampu Kalagedi ‘referendum, the near total collapse of the rule of law and lastly our discovery and realization for a return to political civility and good governance.’
Ranil has been the target of some ferocious pillorying by some electronic media outfits.
Despite his many failings, there are plenty, the manipulated witch hunt must be deplored.
A near monopoly of television broadcasting is not a free press. That it remains free from government censorship is not a free license to telecast brazen bias.
Democracy or its defense is not the exclusive preserve of self-declared media crusaders with double barrel monikers rhyming with ‘Barnabas’ sporting Larry King type ‘clip on suspenders’.
So, Ranil should stay and face the floor test. If it is a power struggle, the vote in parliament will bring some solidity to the current form of liquid politics.
Democracy is not about coming to parliament through the national list after being soundly and solidly beaten at the general election. Democracy is not about subverting popular will expressed at free and fair elections by reappointing political rejects purely to retrieve nonexistent credentials of an accidental upstart.
Democracy is not about media Moghuls leveraging their monopolies to manufacture and distribute packaged ‘public opinion’ .
The shadow boxing, we have witnessed between some SLFP minsters and the UNP high-ups is pure and classic political chicanery.
This writer is no supporter, follower, disciple or acolyte of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. This writer does not believe that Ranil Wickremesinghe is the kind of leader we need in these critical times.
That said, those of us, committed to the goals of the movement for a just society that brought about the triumph of 8th January 2015 should unhesitatingly prevent agenda driven media Moghuls from subverting the constitutional and democratic process. Removing an inconvenient hurdle to their business plans is not the right direction for this befuddled nation.
If defending the unsmiling, unresponsive, self-obsessed Ranil is the price we have to pay, we must not dilly dally or waver. We must pay the price.
The gains made in the last three years in the form of access to information, rights of the individual and the restoration of at least the semblances of institutions insulated from partisan politics should be preserved.
Those gains are far too important to be allowed to be hijacked by plastics potentates now in the television business, harboring delusions of their power in the secure comfort of hired hands feeding their oversized egos.
We are told that the present crisis, if that is what it should be described as, is a power struggle. That is a mistaken diagnosis by those too involved in the dispute to claim comprehension of a problem that they do not yet understand.
The President was voted in to office by a rainbow coalition on a platform of reforms that produced an electoral activism of exceptional outreach.
The power he obtained was of such force and sanctity, that it allowed him to make Ranil Wickremesinghe Prime minister and spare him the pain of seeking a vote of confidence in a parliament where Ranil commanded some forty seats. The gains we now talk about are the gains made in the first hundred days.
What is unfolding today is not a struggle for power but a dichotomous search to locate where power resides. A good part of that power now resides with Mahinda Rajapakse!
Our principal institution of democratic governance – the parliament is pitilessly, massively dysfunctional. There is the official opposition of the Tamil National Alliance demanding minority empowerment and constitutional reforms. There is the JVP insisting that they are neither for Tweedledum nor Tweedle-dee but are for a type of Tweedled Dum Dees of their own. Then there are the no holds barred but some holds less barred opposition that calls itself the Joint opposition. They want Mahinda Rajapakse back in power.
The government calls itself a national alliance of the two mainstream political parties the UNP and the SLFP. Its ostensible purpose being pursuit of good governance, adherence to democratic ideals and ensuring economic progress.
The crisis precipitated by the motion of no confidence against the prime minister is an un mistakable sign that the present structure can no longer hold.
The explosion specially in electronic media, promoting not productive debate but destructive diversions is lamentable. Its purpose is to disengage us from reality.
We created an atmosphere of free debate, accommodating a diversity of views. We have achieved something that we never planned for. We have opened the public space with no clear framework defining its public purpose.
Each of us wallow in the unaffordable luxury of self-confirmation at the expense of collective purpose and endeavor.
Time has arrived for us to stop and take stock of the gains and losses of the past three years. We have been duped and manipulated for more than a decade before we embarked on the good governance experiment on 8th January 2015. It is now more important than ever to know what we are doing to ourselves. Are we being duped some more?
We are in an endless spiral, in a vicious vortex asphyxiating with scripts and counter scripts of learned legalese before the judiciary, inane profundities from the executive and a limitless supply of senseless, pointless rhetoric from the legislature.
The story of the fox and the hedgehog has an explanation.
A fox swimming across a rapid river was carried by the force of the current into a very deep ravine. It remained exhausted and in terrible pain for a long time. It was very much bruised, sick, and paralyzed. It was unable to move. Swarms of hungry blood-sucking flies settled upon its tired body. A Hedgehog, passing by, saw its anguish and inquired if it should drive away the flies that were tormenting the fox. “By no means,” replied the Fox; “pray do not molest them.” “Why or why asked the bewildered Hedgehog; “do you not want to be rid of them?’ “No,” replied the Fox, “for these flies which you see are full of blood, and sting me but little, and if you rid me of these which are already satiated, others hungrier will come in their place, and will drink up all the blood I have left.”
Rajash / April 1, 2018
How did the Rajapakse clan turned the table around?
The entire Rajapakse clan should be banned from politics and put behind bars.
Ranil lacks the guts to take on the Rajapakse clan head on
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nimal fernando / April 1, 2018
“The gains made in the last three years in the form of access to information, rights of the individual and the restoration of at least the semblances of institutions insulated from partisan politics should be preserved.”
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Sarath,
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You are just talking to the wind …………. no one hears you …………
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The people will vote for the inevitable ………… and as customary in 10 years time will ask why the country is in a mess! ………..So, what else is new in our national/social character?
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oldcodger / April 1, 2018
Mr. Alwis,
“That said, those of us, committed to the goals of the movement for a just society that brought about the triumph of 8th January 2015 should unhesitatingly prevent agenda driven media Moghuls from subverting the constitutional and democratic process”
It is very sad that most people are too dumb to see this “trial by media” . Any 3-wheeler driver or shopkeeper will tell you about this “bond scam” coutesy of Sirasa, but have never heard of the Spectrum Scam.
I see a commonality between Ranil and Gota (of allpeople) in that neither dyes his hair . What you see is what you get. Ranil does not pretend to be a Sinhala Buddhist strongman, and Gota doesn’t pretend to be the defender of minorities.
I personally don’t trust people who dye their hair.
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Native Vedda / April 1, 2018
nimal fernando
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Forget Ranil, forget ………………… for a second.
The Sri Lanka Sunday times reported the government is planning to place orders for Russian made:
Surface-to-air missiles SAM, Radar Controlled Missile System for the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), S 300 and Buk 27 missiles, thought to provide some cruise and ballistic missile defence capability.
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My serious question to you:
Is Sri Lanka going to fight a good war against
India
USA
Europe
Arabs
….
…..
Perhaps a good war against itself?
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Is that why Namal baby was sent to Moscow to negotiate the deal under the pretext of election monitoring in Russia?
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Has his visit to Moscow got to do with the Sri Lankan security establishment grooming the right kind of politician to deal with Army’s “future needs” hoping Dr Gota might be crowned the future king, might consider spoils of defense procurement?
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By the way US refused permission for Namal Baby to board a flight to Houston-from Moscow though the baby had a VALID US visa. Is it because his child minder GL was not seen accompanying him?
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“The people will vote for the inevitable ………… and as customary in 10 years time will ask why the country is in a mess! …”
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I have asked the same question for donkey’s years, even our regulars like Ben Hurling and others do find it difficult to answer, or begin to answer. The question is about themselves, whether they believe in nationalism, smart ass patriotism, majoritarianism, ……………….. majoritarian tyranny, nationalism as substitute for quasi religion, a new religion or a cult – Sinhala/Buddhism, newly invented identity Sinhala/Buddhists, ………. a feeling of satisfaction as long as the quasi religion has a place in the constitution everything is going to be fine, …………..
continued
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nimal fernando / April 2, 2018
Native,
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You ask difficult questions! :))
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“Perhaps a good war against itself?”
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It’s most likely this ……….if you consider a war against itself ……….. is a very slick war by the rulers against the “subjects” ……….. where the “subjects” fall at the rulers’ feet and thank them for it and gladly pay any cost; monetary or otherwise ………. Well, can’t complain, these games are as old as human-history
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Wars are very profitable …….. the number one economy in the world ………. the biggest exports are arms ………… the sellers make their money and the buyers in the name of the “subjects,” make their money …….. the Evangelicals keep the hymn about ethics ship-shape for the sellers ……… the Islamists, Buddhists, Hindus, what-have-you ………….. keep the ethics ship-shape for the buyers ……..
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“Namal baby was sent to Moscow”
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Most of the richest billionaires in the Forbes Richest 100 in the world ……… are not people who have produced anything but political-insiders, who have just stolen their loot ………… the richest man in SL, Dhammika Perera took few decades to get there …….. the Rajapakses leapfrogged him by a factor of many ……. in less than 10 years …….. we have to give credit to the Rajapakses ……. that they had the talent to do it ……… none of their country-bumpkin disciples wouldn’t have had the nous ……….
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If I were in the Rajapkses’ position, I would have done the same; only better. ………. got the suckers to name the country after me ……….. not some cockamamie harbour or airport …………
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Rule No. 1 in life ………. Gotta drain the suckers dry.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gfg4yv7fnww
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oldcodger / April 2, 2018
N.V,
“orders for Russian made:
Surface-to-air missiles SAM, Radar Controlled Missile System for the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), S 300 and Buk 27 missiles, “
Do you think this will work in this country?
If Norochcholai is any guide to our technical abilities, the missiles won’t work due to missing parts /rust/ sleeping operators just when they are needed.
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Native Vedda / April 2, 2018
oldcodger
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“If Norochcholai is any guide to our technical abilities, the missiles won’t work due to missing parts /rust/ sleeping operators just when they are needed.”
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If that is the case, were the Czechoslovakians handling RM 70 multi barrel artillery in 2000 and Pakistanis firing theirs after 2005 in the last leg of war?
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Do you know who maintained and flew C-130H, FT-7, F-7BS, F-7G, Kfir TC.2s, Kfir C.7s, Kfir C.2s, MiG-27s and MiG-23UB, Russians, Israelis, Chinese, …………………….?
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Native Vedda / April 1, 2018
continued
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Other masochists feel the need to have a fascist form of governance hoping Dr Gota will make the trains run on time. There are amble evidences that show Mussolini didn’t make the train run on time.
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Amarasiri / April 1, 2018
Sarath De Alwis,
Ranil should stay and fight back until his last breadth the Crooks, Traitors, Servalayas and Perethayas..
It is Sirisena, who should be the target of a no confidence motion and and impeachment process. Are there enough votes in the parliament for that? Most of the 6.2 million who voted for Sirisena would now agree on that,
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Above the Rest / April 1, 2018
Ranil must fight the no-confidence motion. If good sense prevails, he will win. If he is defeated, that will be a black mark on the President, and the black mark as an ungrateful politician will remain with the President for the rest of his political life which will end at the next presidential election.
However, it is time for Ranil to prepare his retirement plan. He must unite the party under a leader acceptable to the entire membership, and retire at the next election. He will go down in history as a great leader.
In my opinion Ranil will be remembered as an honest leader in a country where that commodity is in short supply.
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Analyst / April 1, 2018
The ones who are hell bent in sending RW back home are the traitors who wants to hide behind Jarapassa Crooks/ Clans Skirts / Shawls.
Get a life jokers!! Why do you want to destroy our nation by fooling around with thugs and thieves?
I’m not in favour of RW holding on to his Amude and singing Namo,Namo maths as PM!! Certainly not that I want him for ever. He too has a hand in saving the crooks of high order ,including the Jarapassa clan &Co.
The ” Coup ” on the night of Jan 8th2015 was conveniently swept under the carpet by the No1 and No 2 Cheaters of present government.
The day dawned with lies and more lies , endless parading crooks and thieves to the FCID, CID, MORE dramas . Nothing had been solved except wasted the state funds.
Then the importation of tax free luxury vehicles for Tom Dick and Harry.
Nothing spent on the poor.
Yes RW too a waste of space but should not give in to state thieves and cheaters just because they’re desperate to hide their loots and money laundering.
Every other country even in the third world country looters are put to jail.
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Real Revolutionist / April 1, 2018
Rajas
The only thing that can be done for Rajapakse clan is prosecuting them.
Nobody can be banned from politics in a democracy & uttering about banning anybody from politics is anti-social, so Rajash try your best not to be an anti-social element.
It’s not Ranil’s sole responsibility of prosecuting Rajapakses; anybody with facts, including you can come forward to do that.
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Anonymous / April 1, 2018
Ranil has to and will stay…
UNP is playing the Rajapaksas pretending there are cracks in the party that the Rajapaksas can exploit wile in reality they stand together wile playing along with the Rajapaksas.
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Shenal / April 1, 2018
Rajash,
Would you think it will stop the rest of patriots? Do you think that Sinhalese people will succumb to the Tamil demands just because Rajapaksha clan is imprisoned? You are very well mistaken.
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Rajash / April 1, 2018
Shenal:
please read my comments before responding to it. Have I said anything about Tamil demands in my comment?
You seems to be suffering from paranoia
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Burt / April 1, 2018
Rajapakse clan did not turn the tables around on their own. This back door move was initiated by no one other than My3 in order to hold unto power. He knows he is incompetent and cannot run the govt as an executive president. He sabotaged the Yahapalana govt from day one, hook or by crook took over the SLFP and drilled it to the ground.
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“Basil Rajapaksa, brother of the ex-president and widely recognized as the key strategist in the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), is reported to have refused to answer calls from President Sirisena or his representatives who have tried to forge an alliance between the SLPP and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party.
Basil
The Sunday Times reported that calls from the President as well as Basil’s brother Dudley who was trying get through on behalf of Sirisena had gone unanswered. Basil, according to the Sunday Times, had told a leading Buddhist prelate that he did not mean any discourtesy but that the formation of a Government as envisaged by the President would require him to speak with the Joint Opposition since the SLPP is technically not represented in Parliament.”
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Charles Ratnayaka / April 1, 2018
Ranil should stay put and fight to the last man.
Maithri Gunaratna was caught by Kadugannawa police having two firearms and about 200 2×2 wooden poles. He was released within a matter of minutes from a higher up who wanted him released without any charges
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Percy / April 1, 2018
Charles
Last man ?? There won’t be any one else to support him. Dishonesty never pays. He is a proclaimed rogue elephant. Should be shot at sight. Sirisena can have the tusks. There is another noted UNP woman called the Maligawa Tusker . When she speaks people around have to wear raincoats to protect themselves from the flying saliva.
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Kamalawathie Sameer / April 1, 2018
Percy – “Sirisena can have the tusks” and Rajan Wahab/ Hora Police can have the dung!
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Real Revolutionist / April 1, 2018
Charles Ratnayake
It’s been revealed that they’re licensed firearms.
There’s no legal barrier to transport wooden poles.
Do you mean to say that he had had them to use in an attack, good guesswork.
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Champa / April 1, 2018
“Those who have either “King” or “Queen” in their hands should be careful and choose wisely when playing their cards. If not, they might just end up with a “Joker.” (author unknown)
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Champa / April 1, 2018
I urge all politicians in the Parliament. Respect democracy and the rights of citizens.
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Whether we voted or not or liked it or not, Maithree/Ranil came into power through democratically held elections. There were some dishonourable tactics of the manner in which they came into power such as “Hopper Game” and the “Blackout Game” but overall, elections were peaceful and we accepted those who were elected to the top posts. Sometimes, we felt like having the “headless duo” for supper but we respect the fact that they have a right to complete their 5-year term.
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I’m not bothered about other Ministers who are popularly known as “Pin Haamines” but the Head of State and the Prime Minister should NOT be a “Pin Haamy.” They should always be someone who is elected by people, not someone who is elevated to the top post through dirty tricks.
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We elected Parliamentarians to protect our democratic rights, not to dilute them. We have a right to choose our leaders through democratically held elections so that we could exercise our right to hold them accountable to their policies, question their conduct and demand explanation for any decisions detrimental to the country. If there is a power transition through the NCM without the consent of citizens of this country, it is a violation of our democratic and political rights. People have not given consent to any power transition in the Parliament according to whims and fancies of Maithree, Mahinda, Wimal, Dinesh, Udaya, Bandula,Thilanga, Range or Anura.
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There is no question, Ranil/Maithree should go home. If they want to come back or if there are other Presidential hopefuls, they should contest at the Presidential Election. The next President and the Prime Minister should be people’s choice, not Maithree’s, JOkers or Dy.Speaker’s choice.
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oldcodger / April 1, 2018
Champa,
What has bitten you these days?? Why have you started talking like us? We need somebody to argue with. Please go back to your usual ways. Promote Wimal/ organic agriculture/ Maha Sangha, etc. Please?
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Champa / April 1, 2018
oldcodger
Oh, I am all that. Have no mistake about it. I will never become one of you.
I don’t like Parliament jokes. Hence, my comments against JOkers’ NCM.
Country lost the confidence in Ranil three years ago. JO has lost confidence in him only now. That is again on the bygone Bond scam.
When Ranil brought Geneva Report, JO had lot of confidence in him.
When Ranil sold Magampura Port, JO had lot of confidence in him.
When Ranil passed the OMP Bill, JO had lot of confidence in him.
When Ranil pass the New Land Act, they had lot of confidence in him.
When Ranil brought the new Tax Laws, JO had lot of confidence in him.
When Ranil brought Seed Act (don’t remember the exact name), JO had lot of confidence in him.
When Ranil brought Interim Comm. Reports on Federal Constitution, JO had lot of confidence in him.
When Ranil brought the ICPPED Bill, JO had lot of confidence in him.
When Ranil brought Judicature Act, JO had lot of confidence in him.
When Ranil brought Active Liability Mgmnt Bill, JO had lot of confidence in him.
I can list about 20 instances where country lost the confidence in Ranil.
Why Bond scam and why now? Bond Commission has already published their report without faulting Ranil. What is the point of bringing an NCM for something he is not found guilty? He had orchestrated the Bond scam. He is the master-mind. They should have brought this 2 years ago or if not while the Commission has sittings. All this time they maintain their deal with him.
There are thousand other reasons to bring a NCM which is workable.
This NCM is not what it is for. There is a hidden game.
This Parliament is a memorable joke.
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shankar / April 2, 2018
champa
if you are so democracy conscious why don’t you ask for a immediate general election like mahinda does.If people want a change of the present government then according to democratic principles don’t you think we have to listen to them?
This government has been there for three years .What has it delivered to the people.White van has stopped and people are less fearful.Free media now.What else?People always compare with rajapakshe era and decided at the LG elections.
We have slipped from 72 in competitiveness rankings to 85 .People are feeling that pinch though they don’t know anything about competitiveness and its importance.
Don’t you think either james ranil bond or miloman aka asbestosis should go?or both?order of preference in immaterial.Bird in hand is worth two in the bush.
Gogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogo
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Siyarata / April 1, 2018
RW ! Please Goooooo , Retire , Get out …… You have lost your aura ! You have lost your marbles . Go …. So ! Dont be a despicable politician resign before the NCM .
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Burt / April 1, 2018
Ranil should stand his ground and beat this NCM and then take it to Sirisena as he is behind all this and the incompetency of the government. He is trying to bury all the cold blooded murder and fraud of the last govt in order he gets to stay in power and compete again for Presidency without a challenge from the Rajapaksa’s.
“Basil Rajapaksa, brother of the ex-president and widely recognized as the key strategist in the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), is reported to have refused to answer calls from President Sirisena or his representatives who have tried to forge an alliance between the SLPP and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party.
Basil
The Sunday Times reported that calls from the President as well as Basil’s brother Dudley who was trying get through on behalf of Sirisena had gone unanswered. Basil, according to the Sunday Times, had told a leading Buddhist prelate that he did not mean any discourtesy but that the formation of a Government as envisaged by the President would require him to speak with the Joint Opposition since the SLPP is technically not represented in Parliament.”
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Janaka from Matara / April 1, 2018
Ranil is a politician who overvalues his own political worth by a country mile.
He is an old royalist who thinks that by studying at his alma mater, any idiot would acquire Midas touch and an Einsteinian brain.
He is an arrogant prick.
He is almost dillusional in his take on the way rural masses feel.
But…..he is a true Sri Lankan patriot, he is nobody’s fool, he is not a crook, he is not a murderer and he says what he thinks.
By God i want him to stay little longer and make the unp leadership transition happen with control , foresightedness and without much delay.
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Chris P. Bacon / April 1, 2018
It is today more a question beyond an individual. The future of the country is at stake. Waiting in the wings are a family of jackals and
despicable scoundrels – whose venal record is there for all to see.
Within a short time they virtually emptied the treasury and made an entire country virtual paupers. The average Sinhala rural voter, unfortunately, might as well be on a regular diet of punnakku. Ranil may be weak, wimpish and afraid to strike back. But he is no rogue.
He comes from good stock – from the Manor, if you will. He is the only one among our top poltikkas the donor community has some
respect for. He is withdrawn, uppish, arrogant, moves only among a chosen few from the upper-class but he will not sell the country as the Rajapakses have done (to the Chinese)
If Ranil is ousted the country will go the way Mugabe’s Zimbabwe did.
There will surely be food riots and mass social unrest. Even if he wins in the NCM he will not be able to reunite the UNP or rein in the
crooks in Parliament – from both sides to run the country in some order. To use Singlish “coming colours are no good” As someone wrote Don’t Cry for me – Mother Lanka.
Chris P. Bacon
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PARAGON / April 1, 2018
[edited out] Please avoid typing all capitalized comments – CT
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Nimal / April 1, 2018
Let’s leave Ranil.
The truth is “Democracy is not about a megalomaniac media magnate philandering unearned and undeserving monopoly access to airwaves, spewing venom on a politician that he has taken a dislike to. “
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Ravin Daniel / April 1, 2018
Ranil has to stay.This NCM was “created” by the Sirasa and and the JO.Supported by the SLFP Mahinda coolies and encouraged by a frustated Sirisena after getting badly defeated by the recent polls.Sirisena wanted to sacrifice Ranil for his own bloody failure.Now if /when Ranil defetes the NCM the SLFP COOLIES WHO VOTES in fovour of the NCM has to leave the coalition.There should be no discussions about that.There must/should be concequences.Sirisena must be isolated and pay the price for playing dirty politics and doublecrossing people.Having said that Ranil should reform the party ASAP and gradually hand it over to a new leader.
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thrishu / April 1, 2018
Go! Please retire to New York, where you are happiest!
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Real Revolutionist / April 1, 2018
thrishu
Nowhere will he be welcomed due to CB scam story,
The thing a buddy called Arjun Mahendren did to him.
What a pity.
Good lesson for kids; get rid of bad friends.
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Native Vedda / April 1, 2018
thrishu
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“Go! Please retire to New York, where you are happiest!”
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Thanks, very good advice to Dr Gota, his brother Basil, and the lonely Field Marshall Fonseka. They do not need to apply and go through the Visa process.
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MR TRUE LIYANAGE / April 1, 2018
Ranil should remain as a leader of the UNP till we find a EDUCATED, knowledgeable & patient person as a leader of the united national Party. There are 4 persons with different leadership qualities. SO PEOPLE SHOULD WAIT AND SEE. THE BEST PERSON WILL COME FORWARD AT THE RIGHT TIME.
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Mahesh / April 1, 2018
Then we have to wait forever.
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Burt / April 2, 2018
Mr. TL
Place an order with a Chinese factory based on history I don’t think Sri Lanka is capable of producing one.
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Lankan / April 1, 2018
One thing is for sure ..
Ranil will escape the punishment from MR and co ..
But M3; FS and some others will pay the price if this government collapses.
It’s in the interest of M&s and Ranil to keep up the power .
M3 should know how did he escape on the eve of his election from the grip of MR ..
He has not forgotten it .
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Park / April 1, 2018
When a Belgian Prince’s salary can be reduced by the Belgian Parliament for visiting the Chinese Embassy, what should be done to those SLFP (Maithree Group) when Ranil wins the NCM? Kick them in the butt out if the Parliament.
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ramona therese fernando / April 1, 2018
The Zeitgeist movement & Year Million themes, coupled with Evangelism and/or Hindu caste dimensionalities will give rise to money creation from thin air to satisfy the UNP compulsions. Only for Sri Lanka, the air will not be so thin, but involve the demise of our forests, agricultural heritage, and fisheries, and their associated traditional livelihoods to satisfy e.g. Singaporean futuristics essential for Singaporean survival (pegged equally on Chinese Yuan and US dollar).
*
Our ancient heritage lands will be converted to oil palm estates; our ancient fishing villages to concrete industrial port-cities. Our ancient waterways will be dried up to satisfy cocoa-cola manufacture. And the over 20,000,000US$ that comes from all of these this will be used to build the skyscrapers to house more futuristics of Evangelical proportions for the Elite. That and the land-bridge to India, with the underground bullet train for the high-castes, with an overland rail on top of the land-bridge for the low-caste movement into Sri Lanka.
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And to fulfill the expanded monetary gap between Elite and masses, they make it sound that jobs will be created in-country, so one will have to go the Middle East again. Think again! The Middle Eastern jobs will be a joy (and pay more) compared to working at repetitive mundane jobs at the mercy of Lankan Elite Task-masters living the vacation dream that was once the joy of the Masses who tilled their fields and fished their fish in clean open Lankan air.
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If only Ranil can only assure the populace that his programs are going to benefit the Masses so their Lankan Heritage and Traditional Environment won’t disappear. But once ideologies are fixated (from youth), there probably is a point of no return.
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Good Sense / April 1, 2018
The caption of the article “should Ranil stay or go” is difficult question under current circumstances. RW, the cool cat, may have his way with respect to the NCM (No Confidence Motion). But if it were a 5 star democracy, he would have gone long ago, for his involvement in the very act of appointment of Arjuna Mahendran (AM) who is at the center of the Bond Scam. In my opinion, he should had the guts to apologize to the nation for the blunder in favoring AM for the appointment and thereafter got his supporters to pass a vote of confidence for him to stay. That would have been much cleaner, open and his continued stay would not have risen to this level of controversy. Incidentally we can see that Dr. Coomaraswamy is performing very well and the approach being professional in the eyes of the public. That is the kind of appointments the Government of Good Governance should have made. It is clear that RW, from the point of a reputation he enjoyed earlier as Mr. Clean, had never fallen so low. MY3 may think that getting rid of RW and thereby throwing him to the political oblivion may serve his political interests. Those who read the political future tell me that even if a change is made, it will not repair the damage it has done to the UNP and thereby the UNP plus MY3 side of SLFP. If this Government was tardy for three long years then it cannot expect to rev-up and regain the momentum in a time of about two years with a change in the PM. If that were the case, then keep RW to the end.
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Fathima / April 1, 2018
The decisive vote is in the hands of Muslim MPs. SLMC and ACMC membership will decide if Ranil stays or goes.
Use the power wisely Muslims. You are the kingmakers. Get maximum benefits for discriminated and neglected Muslims. It’s now or never.
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Real Revolutionist / April 1, 2018
Fathima
Sooo opportunity minded?
Yes, we know Muslims are like that.
However you are right to some extent as not Muslims but Fathimas are discriminated & neglected but they don’t feel it in their fools paradise.
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Burt / April 2, 2018
SLMC with 7 seats means nothing. This vote is going to be won or lost by a bigger margin.
All depends whether SLFP in Yahapalana will buy into My3 back door support of the Rajapaksa’s.
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Douglas / April 1, 2018
NCM will definitely fail; but does it give any “credentials” for Ranil to stay and “Lead” as the PM. Definitely NOT. He can “Head” the UNP; but definitely not the Government. It is for MY3 to find an alternative ; but will he be capable of that too. NO. He is now caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. The “Vultures” are waiting to grab power. This is the critical situation the country is placed at present. I wish good judgement to prevail and bring about a solution.
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nalmen / April 1, 2018
ranil should face the no confidence motion and if he wins hand over the leadership to someone else with the restructure
to some extent he has brought it on himself by protecting crooks and the rajapaksa clan for 3 years
he is no longer an asset to the unp
he should go but not just now
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Harishchandra / April 1, 2018
Ranil go by all means, but wait a minute, I like to know who the alternative is going to be?
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Kamalawathie Sameer / April 2, 2018
Harishchandra – “Ranil go by all means, but wait a minute I like to know who the alternative is going to be?” The likely candidate would be a one-time “librarian” (helper) who still has a penchant for murder, rape, robbery etc. He also eliminated the guy who impersonated him in his so-called Law College examination. The list goes on and on..
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Harishchandra / April 2, 2018
No way that we want even someone connected in the slightest manner to those highway robbers who actually brought this country to it’s present state. No point at all in ridding one to get someone worse, and this guy knows how to divide and rule which even his supporters fail to see.
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shankar / April 1, 2018
gogogogogogogogoogogoogogoogogoogogogogogogogogogoogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogogo
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shankar / April 1, 2018
“On April 14th, 2017 – that is a year ago, I wrote an essay – Ranil – the man and his era.”
Did you write about batalanda ranil and gonawila sunil,ranil’s bodyguard who raped doctor paul’s 14 year old daughter and was pardoned by JRJ and became a JP.The biggest culprit was JRJ.
However ranil must be held responsible for only his actions,not his uncle’s.
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Hela / April 1, 2018
Sarath still clinging onto a failed plot. I wonder what Sarath and their ilk and RAW have in common in saving Ranil.
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Startegist / April 1, 2018
Bond scam alone was enough for him to step down. He is a power hungry traitor. Period.
Unfortunately he too is ethically and morally bankrupt….
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Hela / April 1, 2018
The myths, lies and half truths perpetuated by these humbugs are endless………For them subverting democracy by appointing someone with forty odd members to be PM where the sitting PM has not even resigned is perfectly in line with their higher ideals. Where sacking chief justice through a chit issued by president is also in line with some sacred ideals. Where subverting the vote obtained by the opposition by grabbing it through appointment of defeated candidates to the legislature and tying it to the governing majority still in line with sacred ideals. These were the starting salvos of a wonderful yahapalanaya that Sarath De Alwises still parade in front of us as progress. Then of course there were those trivial matters of robbing the country’s central bank etc under the patronage of the PM…………….Still these humbugs want us to save the PM and govt. For what?
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Thanos / April 1, 2018
If it is NOT a secret ballot RW will win easily. JVP will abstain, TNA will support RW. SLFP and SLPP will oppose RW but that is not enough. They won’t even get 100 votes. But, If it a IS a secret ballot the odds will be even out. At least 20 UNPers will vote gainst RW. That will neutralize the TNA votes and thing will be touch and go. Regardless of how the No Confidence Motion goes , RW must without any delay relinquish the UNP leadership.
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Muhandiram / April 1, 2018
I am NO Admirer of Ranil. But should he resign only because of a NCM has been moved against him by the JO which has just about 50 signatories as against over 80 UNPers who have signed a letter supporting him? Should he resign, wouldn’t it amount to an admission by him that he is a Gutless Coward who runs away without a fight, more so when there is little chance of the NCM being passed?
Whatever else RW may be, I am sure he is NOT a Coward and that he will stay and fight.
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Real Revolutionist / April 1, 2018
MPs will decide it on 4th, be patient.
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NonResident / April 1, 2018
Sri Lanka is a classic example of a State venturing down the road to a Banana Republic! We have a President who is unable to interpret plain language (be it English or Sinhala) in the Constitution and wants the Supreme Court’s opinion! What is even worst is we have Presidential Advisors including some legal luminaries who don’t mind dressing up the President to put him up on a pedestal to strip him and publicly expose him! All of this is topped up by a President who is enjoying his rides to the pedestal to expose his nudity! We are once again awaiting another presidential ride to the pedestal and we the public are waiting once again to have a glimpse of the nudity expecting to see whatever more he has to expose!……cont….
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NonResident / April 1, 2018
Awaiting another ride in a couple of days! Here too understanding of plain language has once again been noticed as a short coming. On th NCM on PM the Constitution does not refer anywhere to a NCM on a PM to remove him. What the Constitution refers to is a NCM on the government and if a NCM on the government is successful the President can dissolve the cabinet and appoint a new Cabinet headed by a new PM. The current NCM is on the PM and is not on the Government! Even if the current NCM is perceived to be on the Government it then includes the President and all SLFP Ministers who are members of the cabinet. If the current NCM is successful we will have a President who has head of the cabinet has been voted out attempting appoint another cabinet which he will once again head! Mr. Musthapha should leave his political brain at home and replace it with his legal brain or even consult his constitutional expert father!
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K A Sumanasekera / April 1, 2018
Please let him stay to f***k up even what ever little left there.
So the great majority inhabitant population who are the Sinhala people can rebuild again from scratch.
Just like the way they did from 2006 and got rid of the biggest evil of the Nation and Vellala Party Hero Mr Pirahaparan.
And rescue it again from Dr Ranil’s crooked Royal mates, NGOs , Finanacial Pirhanas, Underworld and the LTTE supporters, the Diaspora.
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thilan / April 1, 2018
Ranil is a very innocent man. For an example if ranil lost in no confidence motion if some one from unp like karu or sajith or any one taking his possition what they can do. Is the business comnunity die heart support of modern slfp will take care them they will make joke out of those innocent unpers. Can unp the people like jr or premadsa can do a high level neo liberal super capitalisum which was architected by modern slfp. The government machanisum which always highly support for modern slfp will stop making joke on unp. Finaly with their 23% vote base can they compete with modern slfp who has 47% vote base as a single party. What karu or sajith can do. They can not do any thing even ranil did. There are some innocent unp people writing comments and articles for their own satisfaction recently one i red one writer has written the there is 13% of unp boycoters in the srilanka who supporting unp he is saying when the voters turn over was closer to 81% in srilanka. The great joke recently i red. Do not make unp people fool. Removing ranil is not a solution for this karu or sajith be worse than this. Now the innocent party like unp can no exist with out removing with their janasaviya mixed economic system. They have to super capitalisum economic policy from modern slfp the master managers and the architects of that economic system.
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