By Helasingha Bandara –
I was reluctant to put pen on paper until I was certain that Maithripala has dug his own grave. I hesitated to comment as the nomination saga kept confusing everyone. It may be more or less clear now that Sirisena has given in perhaps not knowing what is to come.
First, this is not simply a betrayal of millions who looked forward for a peaceful, lawful and resourceful Lanka when they ousted the dictator a few months ago, but a total annihilation of the wishes of the majority of people to have good governance that can stop mass scale stealing of public funds that can be re-channeled for the public good. Rampant corruption amongst the politicians and the state officials is the decisive factor that keeps Sri Lanka under-developed and its people struggling to make the ends meet. All sufferers wanted this to stop. Their wishful thoughts now have been shattered by a gutless leader that they chose.
Led by Mhinda Rajapaksa, all sorts of bad elements are coming into rule us again. The best example is Johnston Fernando. Those who opposed MR at the previous election in the Kurunegala district wanted Jonny to be erased from the political landscape. Sadly an uneducated, unethical and uncultured goon like Jonny is going to be nominated from a party that we all expected to be cleansed with the arrival of Sirisena.
It was reported that MS has agreed to give conditional nomination to MR. It now is clear that MR was the one who imposed conditions upon MS. He was about to pull out if Prasanna Ranathunga and some of his cronies were not given nominations. Dashing all our hopes little Sirisena has succumbed to MR conditions it seems.
Over six million people who voted MS in and thousands of people who worked hard to make that happen at the risk of everything including their lives can now be laughed at by people like Weerawansa consequential to Sirisena’s cowardice.
It is reported that MS will not accept MR as the Prime Ministerial candidate. Irrespective of what he does or does not, Mahinda will be the Prime Minister if the UPFA secures the majority in the parliament. MS has not realized that MR will be the Prime Minister and he will have a vociferous clique around him who would relegate MS into oblivion and then resign.
Should we be despondent by the cowardice of one man that we believed to have a spine? He has only one vote. We are millions. We can take our destiny into our own hands. So, look to vote for the progressive people as individuals on their merits because there are no signs of a united front of even relatively better people emerging.
I want to vote for a person who has had no hand in stealing public money, in taking bribes from the public, in drug trafficking, in human trafficking, in abusing position and power, in criminality. I want to vote for a person who is well educated, well principled, and gutsy and straight talking irrespective of the political consequences like
Mudiyanse Tennakoon, honest and dignified like U.B Wanninayaka. I see no one in the Kurunegala district fits that bill for me to vote. It is a shame that the Sath Korale that produced kings and commanders of the caliber of Tennakoon Rala of the Rajasingha era does produce only wimps, goons and worthless men. I will abstain from voting. I truly will.
Lankan / July 9, 2015
Hope the Sri Lankan public will send the bloody lot home.
Just getting rid of MR was never going to change the bigger picture.
Now is the chance. Hope there would be enough right thinking voters.
It’s the moment of reckoning.
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Native Vedda / July 9, 2015
Lankan
” Hope there would be enough right thinking voters.”
If the voters have been right thinking we would not be in this situation in the first place.
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Desparitygoverns / July 10, 2015
You are dead right… sir.
I ALWAYS RESPECT YOUR VIEWS.
This people will never see it right. Those who feel pro – demo should make up their minds now – I wish UNHR sessions should work in order MR to be charged soon. I pray fo rthat. I hate the bugger forever for all the sins carried out by his deliberative acts. we the like srilankens will never see it right the way the bugger reacted against humanity.
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Burt / July 10, 2015
Its wishful thinking. Although I don’t wish for its more than certain that we will have the same old crooks. Its sad but that the realty of SL politics.
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srilal / July 10, 2015
Dear Helasingha Bandara ,
It’s understandable your sense of disappointment , disbelief & betrayal , all the right thinking people are on the same page as you are in , however bad the situation may be , we simply can’t afford to give up on our very existence , this is our country too , in fact , a very strong and a clear message had been sent to the dictator and his clique by the 6.3 Million people , that was “enough is enough” , we will have to fight back and reclaim our independence , it’s not too late for us to spear head the campaign again , we can kick start our pre January nonviolent campaign again with much more vigor this time . just look at the bright side of the story , MR has no direct control of state machinery , media , white vans , funds , army or police , only Derana TV channel is backing the dictator this time ;hence , all the odds are against them , then think about what MR is going to lose as a consequence of being a mere MP , he will lose all his state provided security detail , in fact he will be entitled only one or two police constables , then what about the rest of the perks ? even though MR camp managed to dent the image of the current government , vast majority of the Government servants are being compensated with some sort of perks which they never had for last 10 years , then the general public , aren’t we better off in every aspect of our lives compare to pre January 9 ? people are no fools as they think , my reading is , MR and his camp will not be able to get more than 1/4 of the total seats , only way he could grab the premiership through the bribing , let’s hope this time round UNP MPs won’t sell their soul and country for mere few Million bucks.
It’s true , there are no more DB Dhanayakas, Darmarathna Bandas and UB Wanninayakas , but it does not mean we have to refrain from voting , if you promote this idea , Mahinda and his cronies’ victory is inevitable , please think wisely , don’t discourage others , instead extend your services than before , spread the message “ No More Rajapakses” on 17 Aug , go and vote for any body other than MR and any of his goons.
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nimal fernando / July 10, 2015
Very well put!
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sirimal / July 13, 2015
Bravo – thanks for the valuable input.
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srilal / July 13, 2015
Hi Sirimal ,
yes it’s time to save our country again, please help in any way you can , spread the message , even if one person convinces another person , that would be enough to reverse the trend.let’s do it together , kick these criminals out from SL politics.
take care
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Analyst / July 10, 2015
Disgraceful. No words to describe. Gutter politicians/ gutter PRESIDENT.
WORSE THAN ROBBING THE NATION.
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Leelawathie / July 10, 2015
How can we hope so while knowing that every second among the eligible are stupid ?
Now we are lost – this people having spoken to them y day, I thought MR has sowed all kind of stupid thoughts during the last 10 years in the hearts of those poor people. They are still in hallozinated mode .. as nothing can change them. These are the problem of lack of opposition powers during the last decade.
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Amarasiri / July 10, 2015
Helasingha Bandara
RE: Sirisena Has Dug His Own Grave
“I was reluctant to put pen on paper until I was certain that Maithripala has dug his own grave. I hesitated to comment as the nomination saga kept confusing everyone. It may be more or less clear now that Sirisena has given in perhaps not knowing what is to come.”
If Sirisena does not make a U Turn and dump Mahinda Rajapaksa and the gang of Liars, Crooks, Thieves and Criminals, Sirisena is better off being in the grave.
Does he have a cunning plan to fool and trick Mara, the second “Appa”, Hopper fest?
Is it MaRa MaRa Chatu MaRa Amana MaRa or
SiRa SiRa Chatu SiRa Amana SiRa???????
Who is fooling whom?
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Gehan / July 11, 2015
Sirisina dug his own grave when he slept with the ‘paraya’ party called UNP. Enough said. We want our real president back. Mahinda Rajapaska – Jayawewa.
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roger / July 9, 2015
Sirisena is an idiot. He has betrayed the whole nation. for what? He will learn his lesson from MR. If Sirisena does not realize the dangerous game he is into, even god cannot save him. He has given in at the wrong moment. If MR is elected sirisena will be cornered. Poor guy..
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Gonzo / July 10, 2015
roger: “If MR is elected sirisena will be cornered. Poor guy.. “
“Poor guy”?!! If he didn’t know the devil he was dealing with, in spite of the fact that he feared he would have been buried 6 feet under had he lost in January, then he ain’t no “poor guy” – just a stupid wimp who will get what he deserves, unless there is some other plot we are yet unaware of.
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EDWIN RODRIGO / July 10, 2015
The only way to remove MR is to follow up on the war criminals strategy. Anything is worth as long as we get rid of him.
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Patriot / July 10, 2015
It is not surprising to witness what is happening in Sri Lanka right now because the president of the country is not the real Mathripala Sirisena who was elected on the 8th of January. He was abducted and taken in a white van on the 9th of January and was replaced by the duplicate Sirisena who did contest as a supporter or a puppet of Rajapaksa. The wife of real Maithripala should come out and explain the situation to the confused public.
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Kumar R. / July 10, 2015
Not just that MS has dug his grave, he has also dug the country’s grave as well. And he certainly had quite generous help from Ranil in this.
It is the indecisiveness of MS combined with Ranil’s interference in prosecuting Gota and gang over an alleged promise to MR that has brought the whole caravan down. It is not over till the old lady sings – and yes CB has sung- recited the last rites and left town!
I am sure MR has given many promises and assurances that made MS change his mind in letting MR contest, over the objection of CB, Ranil and many others. MS is, however, in for an earth shattering shock when he learns how MR reciprocates MS’s decency in keeping up on promises!
Of course MS/Ranil’s hands are no doubt tied because MR has two massive, powerful, even if grossly unfair if not dastardly arsenals.
First, MR is fanatically revered by a substantial segment in the south, not unlike the unwavering worship of VP by a predominant segment in the North. Nothing will diminish that loyalty, even if that is misguided. Conversely, any local, international, Indian and Western efforts to throttle MR will only flame that fire, not douse it! MR is waiting to get that fire started, and so MS is holding back, to avoid that catastrophe.
Second, MR with instigation by the likes of DJ is waiting for an opportunity to invoke the “Banda” stroke – a communal division so as to harness a solid, Sinhala block vote, especially in view of the unmistakable loud and clear rejection by the Tamils in January. He knows he cannot even get fraction of Tamil votes, even if Douglas is resurrected to some official capacity. So, MR has nothing to lose by antagonizing Tamil. That again hand-cuffs MS/Ranil’s in any initiatives that will seek consensus with Wigneswaran, TNA or any other.
It seems the country is in its last lap on its natural course to self-destruction, which is not a surprising outcome given the undemocratic path it has pursued since Banada, getting worse at each regime change as the two major parties out-bided each other in their increasing marginalization of minorities for the block-Sinhala vote it ensured.
All this while, the lazy-intellectuals slumbered while pseudo-intellectuals worked for political bread-crumbs! The ideal of democracy cannot be mocked any worse!!
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NIRMALA N / July 12, 2015
Kumar R.
You are really shaping up – [EDited out] Just fine tune your thoughts to support Mahinda outright.
You know this rascal DJ is going to be Mahinda’s candidate. I must have a word with Mahinda to be careful with him. This guy is paying with his key board too much.
He cannot match the standard of my writing ability. He is a stay dog. I am disappointed that he is considered by Mahinda.
DJ is one of the cause of downfall of Mahinda.
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Don Quixote / July 10, 2015
Have you no faith in the people of Sri Lanka ? Nomination has allegedly been given to contest an election.
The person needs to be elected as a member of parliament only. If elected it will be decided what happens next.
Why all this howling ????
Just make sure he or his catchers are NEVER elected again.
Stop writing reams of rubbish to websites and get into those electorates and WORK…if you care so much.
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Dr.Rajasigham Narendran / July 10, 2015
WDr. Helasinghe Bandara,
I feel as you do. Millions, I am sure feel the same.
I will however vote for a party other than the UPFA and candidates who I presume are better than the others, Our vote is our only weapon now to teach a lesson to those are trying to subvert our hopes and fatten themselves at our expense.
Reform is a gradual process, not dramatic event. I was a mistake for many to have thought that 8th January was the culmination and not a beginning of a slow process full of pit falls. The scope of the 100 day program was a mistake, given the equation in parliament. The government has gagged as a result. Media freedom that came after Jan 8th has been misused to confuse, confound and create diversions. We also fail to take into account the ego, ambitions and the cunning of MR.
Please vote, as every single vote counts and encourage others to vote too.
Dr, Rajasingham Narendran
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Bruno Umbato / July 10, 2015
Why are you shivering DR. RN?… Your writing seems that You have already given the premiership to MR …
Now MR has no government to spend for elections, no busses to transport people to rallies, deliver goodies to the voters as you guys told in last elections … Why have you already given up? … Chauri might have gone to collect dollars [Edited out] … Still, you guys shivering when you hear the name, Mahinda …
He must be a true leader hearing mourns, cries of your guys …. Yes! Go to the voter and convince ….. But, the blunders these yahapalana guys did in 100 days unbelievable… They could not even wait 100 odd days …
Great robbery in bonds by Arjun Mahendran appointed by no other than the Mr.Clean Ranil, Distributing all goodies to separatists in London/Paris/Toronto and resurrecting the EEELLLam dream by Mangala, Karunka business deals by Ravi, Senasinghe going to ports for clearing goodies many times, giving millions to Waliamune for corruption reports, giving plum jobs to lawyer collectives – Upul Jayasuriya to chairmanship of BOI, only work seems to be carried out in SL for last six months is the hearing of court cases – giving hell of a lot of overtime to attorney general officials, putting FCID directly under Buttallanda mahaththaya, yahapalana chief Ranil …
This is just a drop in the pond, guys … Wait next few days and listen to the candidates of opposition …
If you are soft, just do not read papers or listen what is happening in SL until 17August, Dr Narrndran … People have already decided who are the crooks …
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Dr,Rajasingham Narendran / July 10, 2015
Bruno unbaptised,
Shivering! That is not something I have experienced yet, despite having been dangerously threatened on many occasions. Why should I now? MR has already dug half his grave. I have spoken to many ordinary people over the past few days. They fear for their future. This will turn into a anti-UPFA vote. MR may become an MP, but will cut a sad figure in parliament. Once the elections are over his grave will be fully dug. This is the price karma will make him pay for what he failed to do for the people and all the negatives he came to epitomise, given the opportunities he was given
Further, the full story of the Cental Bank bond issue is yet not known. It has been blown out of proportion to meet political needs. Arjuna Mahendran has been made the scape goat for a deep malaise that came into being in the MR days. The details I have read this far, do not convince me of his guilt, Will this scam story counteract all the facts relating to the corruption, crime and misuse of power the people are aware and have experienced? Have you not sensed the freedom the people have experienced since the change of government? Will they throw it away at the voting booth?
What is ahead of us is battle between absolute evil and a much lesser evil!
Dr.RN
Dr.RN
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Kumar R. / July 10, 2015
Rajasingham,
Your shivering, despite the denial, is unmistakable, and is obviously a result of your rapid-fire “burning of bridges” that you resorted to once you realized early last year that the MR-ship had begun sinking.
Remember how you hurriedly turned to castigate MR and his gang just last year, after having sung five years of hosannas to that one-time idol of yours. Remember assuring us with the following:
1. Mahinda is a very honest politician and deserves whole hearted support so that he could carry out his programs.
2. Mahinda has completed 75% of what he promised the Tamils – he needs the Diaspora to contribute generously so that he can complete his plans.
3. The ground reality that the Diaspora is unaware of is that all the Tamils in the North are going about their daily life with a smile on their faces as they now are sure of a prosperous future under Mahinda
4. Mahinda and Gota are unable to get the Tamil youth to participate in local development only because of the Diaspora is spoiling them with excessive funds paid directly to them. Diaspora should instead channel the money through the regime.
5. It is the refusal of Tamil youth to do the work that made Gota get Southern labour to work in the North.
6. The Diaspora should cease and desist from taking the Tamil grievances to the International forums, as that is misguided and will only further hurt the Tamils. Mahinda is honourable and has houourable intentions where Tamils are concerned
Just early this week you were on a rant about how grossly incapable, weak and undependable MS and Ranil are. Now, you suddenly wake up to the realism ““Reform is a gradual process” – only after you realized that criticizing MS/Ranil will only help bring back your former masters and the now-known devils who will be after your throat if they are to return! And, thus the unmistakable “shiver” that Bruno pointed out!!
You keep swinging from tree-to-tree, only because of your stupidity, naivety and greed that for several years helped cover up all the evils of the MR regime – in fact it is the support and cover-up, even in international circles, provided by the likes of you and DJ that helped consolidate and aggravate the ego, arrogance and the evil in the MR clan to make them the nation’s biggest swindlers and international mafia. Do you not realize that they could not have become such an “evil empire” without your wholehearted, yet naive and greed-based support!
Repent somehow!!
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / July 10, 2015
References and links overdue!
Dr.RN
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Kumar R. / July 10, 2015
Rajasingham,
Let me repeat — deny even one of these and I will send you reference pronto!
When someone recently suggested to you to “re-publish what you wrote and so redeem yourself”, did you not respond stating that “you can easily find what I wrote by Googling?” – So, why don’t you yourself google if you truly cannot remember and need reference.
In the meanwhile, I appreciate the time and space you give me to expose your pretense, deceit, dishonesty and hypocrisy – why would I not want to prolong that?
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NIRMALA N / July 12, 2015
Kumar R.
[Edited out]
I am worried whether you are going through transformative change and in that you are going through rapid emotional decline.
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CHANAKYAN / July 10, 2015
To the defeat of M R Tamils have made their contribution in January. They have no role to play in August.
Sinhalese have to bear the cross all alone and defeat M R.
Liquidation of the losers otherwise. The game is one of life or death.
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SL-walah / July 10, 2015
While Sira is mainly to be blamed (don’t care about Ranil as he will never be an elected PM) Sri Lankans have come to realise that Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera should be blamed for taking Sri Lanka’s situation abroad to the USA, UK, countries of the EU, India and even China and played a role as if he is the man who is at the helm of things where Sri Lanka is concerned. Sri Lankans have been watching every step of his way and the highhanded utterances he has been making where Tamil people are concerned and making all kinds of promises giving high hopes to Tamils in the Diasporas that Sri Lanka will make concessions to accommodate their will and power for self governance etc., etc., etc. Then this so called “whoever” seems to command more power than the president (with a simple ‘p”). There is nothing left to see of any democracy if MR comes to power is the generally what Sri Lankans dare.
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Sugath / July 10, 2015
Well said. This is the truth. Lost the chance to eradicate all thieves from SLFP/UPFA. UNP should have done something. In Sri Lanka will not happen most wonderful thing we expect …..
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Shrikharan / July 10, 2015
Let’s for a chance Sirisena have a another election for Presidency and also let Rajapakse contest and let’s see the results. The results will be stunning and I will be surprised if Sirisena would even poll 10% of the votes.
The fact of the matter is, even on the January 8th he never really won the election and it was Rajapakse who narrowly lost the elections. It was mainly because of the Tamil and Muslim votes that tilted the balance in favour of Maithri. MR’s votes were intact.
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Barus / July 10, 2015
May be this was a ploy enacted even before January 8!. You scratch my back and i scratch yours. Two buddies helping each other out.
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Funlover / July 10, 2015
I like to imagine that the crocodile from Hambantota wins the August election. [Edited out]
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Saman / July 10, 2015
No hope for the betterment of The country.
Every leader says we must change the political culture or environment but when they come to make a final decision they sing a same song and same verse.
Hope that brothers and sisters of Tamil and Muslim will teach a memorable lesson to Sinhala political leaders.
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Karadara Dias / July 10, 2015
Don’t worry yaaar. MR will not even get 35 seats. UNP and RW WILL WIN. they’ll get at least 115 seats. Hope the greedy drug smuggling minority cabinet ministers will not get unp nomination to continue their greedy racist politics either. MR will be hoisted by his own petard. People will quiet go to the polls and Sirisena will back the unp after nominations close on July 13.
This is a great plan to silence MR’s ego for good . I’ll not insult MS this way.
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Mervyn Silva / July 10, 2015
Ayyo Sirisena has now become “Gon Sira”
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Indra / July 10, 2015
Why do Mystinking3 January 8 voters sound so desperate?
Can’t they see the ELEPHANT in front of them?
Come August 17, Vote UNP.
Let Mara, the Thief/Murderer/Rapist, and the invertebrate Mystinking3 Sirisena both go home.
Isn’t that justice enough?
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Sriyani Mangalika / July 10, 2015
Here two veteran personalities give contrast ideas about a same major issue. information in media not always reliable and inadequate, People are reluctant to talk politics even in private,Therefore people have very less knowledge on facts. Attitudes and education are different. i do not know whther there is a selection criterion for nominations.Therefore passing the responsibility to people having nominated corrupted people is not justifiable.
But we average people who would suffer not the big people. Therefore people could make a voice when nominated wrongly.
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Sriyani Mangalika / July 10, 2015
MR waved files and said “Files are here” when MR was leaving. MS was in a very good stand until recently.He privately discussed with MR and totally changed. People do whatever MR say due to fear anything. After that action was taken by the second person and he is responsible. One could use such things as remote control.
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Sriyani Mangalika / July 10, 2015
If legal action was not taken or cannot be taken if one did wrong it is wrong. Only thing if it is not taken it is hidden.
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Raj / July 11, 2015
Mr Mr. MR can go on cuddle anybody who could resume corruption, nepotism and bribery but this time the days are numbered – what about the Sinhalese newspapers and the TV exposing what the UNP had been exposing in the media and Kurunagela nomination when the President laid conditions one of which is that nomination is granted only to contest Hambantota. Why is that the media, especially the Sinhalese TV and newspapers, not providing enough coverage exposing the “ATTEMPTS” to ignore the SLFP / UPFA leader, the President. The media keeps publishing the grin of the former President like a Cheshire Cat. Are they bribed ? Is the media short of memory re their freedom?
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gogomahinda / July 11, 2015
And the ever arrogant RW made MS deceision easy.
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Rabok / July 11, 2015
Egoistic Ranil is the leader of Colombo donkeys – Now the CT had become so noisy with Ranil and his noisy set of donkeys braying non stop – we have to wait till 17th August to see the voices of majority of the voters raising over the braying of Ranil’s set of Colombo donkeys – Ane Pau
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Bensen Berner / July 11, 2015
Please try not to abstain from voting. Vote for the better donkey in your reckoning. Bensen
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Sirisena yatawara / July 11, 2015
There was no dictators at all our system of democracy in Sri lanka.
MR was democratic elected President, who bent to majority decision of voters.
That is UNP democracy of few . Look at ‘UNP -Wickramasinghe democracy’ rule by minority. UNP denied rights to govern by majority decision. How that comes good governance of US UK and EU believed rule of minority turn into democracy? That what hipcoracy which rule of Law by US.
Make allegation against MR base of facts not that assume ?
We should bare in mind “take a step back there will be a bigger world ahead” contention of politics is important that without compromise there will be no fairness.
Which is needed time of crisis of politics of democracy rule by reactionary class few in power. State of enforcement authority by reactionary class-UNP is allied with US and India-RAW, its will lead to disappear values and norms democracy in Third world nation like
Sri lanka.
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Abhaya / July 13, 2015
Despite of all the clap trap published on CT I have never seen a dictator in Sri Lanka . I hope I never will . The closest we came to was when the JVP ran the south and the LTTE ran the north .
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srilal / July 13, 2015
P.hD Abhaya ,
sure you haven’t seen a dictator in SL , what would be the definition for a a dictator in your vocabulary ? a person who holds regular elections and allows to have an opposition , right ? Saddham Hussain also fulfilled that basic requirement , still there are millions of Iraqi nit wits worship him for being a brave leader , you belong to that particular sri Lankan dumb category Abhaya , even if Mafia king rape and murder your whole family , you will justify him , that’s how stupid and arrogant you are.
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Samuel Jayaweera / July 13, 2015
because you are blind as THOSE VILLAGE FOLKS have been since then.
Ask Amies to give you a life man.. .leave us here alone. We dont need to read any idiotic comments further.
I would not call him PhD Abaya, this guys has not the least idea of a PhD work. my foot.
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Native Vedda / July 13, 2015
bla, bla blAbhaya
“Despite of all the clap trap published on CT I have never seen a dictator in Sri Lanka .”
The supporters and b***ls carriers of Hitler, Saddam Hussein, Nicolae Ceausescu, Idi Amin, Muammar Gaddafi,……………. also never wanted see a despots in their country.
It is familiar to three wise monkeys who “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil”. However in your case you never want to see evil in despotic regime.
Sadists love inflicting pain on others, seeing other people hurt, …. and deriving sexual pleasure from other’s pain.
“I hope I never will”
You will never see a fully fledged dictatorship in this island for the simple reason not all people want to carry b***s, now and then they stop being stupid unlike you.
We cannot help you when you are emotionally attached to despot’s b***s.
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