8 October, 2024

Blog

Stop Intimidating The Judiciary, End Undermining Democracy, Hold Elections!

We note with dismay the attempts being made by the President and some Members of Parliament of the government to intimidate the judiciary on the false pretext that the Supreme Court has violated the privileges of the Members of Parliament. This allegation has been made after the Supreme Court granted leave to proceed with a fundamental rights application filed against the withholding of funds for the purpose of conducting local government elections. The Court has also made an interim order restraining several state functionaries from withholding any funds allocated by the Budget for the year 2023 for the purpose of conducting the local elections.

We vehemently condemn these fresh actions by the government to undermine the democratic process of our country. We also fully endorse the statement issued by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka on this matter. The BASL has warned that any attempt to interfere with the independence of the judiciary is a serious affront to the rule of law, the rights of the people of the country, and democracy.

We further note that these attempts by the ruling party Members of Parliament mark a joint effort by both the executive and sections of the ruling party in the legislature to further undermine the legally mandated local government elections from being held. It is reprehensible that the government, after the repeated failure of several attempts to force the election commission to abandon the plans to hold the election, has now chosen the judiciary as the target of its attacks.

This shows a dangerous pattern of government behaviour in which no independent institutional space – whether the independent commissions or the judiciary – is tolerated in its attempts to stay in power. It wants to prevent at any cost the people’s voice from being expressed through an election, which is the most effective and peaceful way available to the people in any democratic society to express their political preferences and choices.

What these new developments show is that Sri Lanka’s fragile democracy is under severe attack orchestrated by the President and the ruling party, using both executive and legislative powers they wield. Therefore, all Sri Lankan citizens, political parties and civil society and other mass organizations, as well as the international community, need to be alert to the urgent need to protect democratic space at every level. Sri Lanka has a history of ruling parties attacking the independence of the judiciary during the 1970s and 1980s and later as well, aimed at serving the individual and partisan ambitions of those in power. Those have only led to greater political instability, civil unrest and the deepening of the existing political crises.

Thus, defending the free space for independent judgement, action, and dissent, free from capricious interference and threats from those who hold political power, has once again become an urgent task in the agenda for protecting democracy in Sri Lanka.

We call upon the government and all those responsible for holding the elections to do so without delay or hindrance and thereby uphold and protect democratic governance and Government in Sri Lanka. We also urge the government to cease its attacks on the judiciary, an institution whose integrity and independence is pivotal to democracy in our country. We stress that the confrontational and arrogant approach currently adopted by this administration is wholly counter-productive. It even negates the interests of the people whose rights and well-being the government is duty-bound to serve with diligence and competence in an accountable manner.

Finally, we demand that the President and the government

  • Desist from interfering with the judiciary or the election commission curtailing their independence in a manner that impedes the people’s democratic liberties and rights.
  • End misusing political power to harm the country’s democratic institutions and processes for their partisan and personal political interests and ambitions.
  • Respect the interim order of the Supreme Court on the local elections.

Signatories:

  1. Ameer Faaiz
  2. Anberiya Hanifa
  3. Aneesa Firthous
  4. Anoma Rajakaruna
  5. Anushaya Collure
  6. Austin Fernando
  7. Bhavani Fonseka
  8. Binendri Perera
  9. Buhari Mohamed
  10. C. Chandrasekera
  11. C. Ranitha Gnanarajah, AAL
  12. Deekshya Illangasinghe
  13. Divya Mascranghe
  14. Dr. Chulani Kodikara
  15. Dr. Devanesan Nesaih
  16. Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne, President’s Counsel
  17. Dr. Joe William
  18. Dr. Kalana Senaratne, University of Peradeniya
  19. Dr. Lionel Bopage, Australian Advocacy for Good Governance in Sri Lanka
  20. Dr. Maduranga Kalugampitiya, University of Peradeniya
  21. Dr. Mario Gomez
  22. Dr. P. Saravanamuttu

23. Dr. Proomika Seelagama, University of Peradeniya

24. Dr. Rajni Gamage, National University of Singapore

25. Dr. Ramesh Ramasamy

26. Dr. Sakuntala Kadirgamar

27. Dr. Sudesh Manthilaeke, University of Peradeniya

28. Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne
29. Dr. Visakesa Chandrasekaram
30. Fr. Jeevantha Peiris
31. Gamini Viyangoda
32. Geoffrey Alagaratnam, President’s Counsel 33. Jagath Siriwardena
34. Jeane Samuel
35. Jehan Perera
36. Mahaluxumy Kurushanthan
37. Minoli de Soyza
38. Mirak Raheem

39. Neelika Subasinghe
40. Niluka Perera
41. P. Muthulingam
42. Pamoda Jayasundara, University of Peradeniya

43. Pasan Jayasinghe

44. Prabodha Rathnayaka

45. Prashandini Uthayakumar, AAL

46. Priyantha Fonseka, University of Peradeniya
47. Prof. A. M. Navarathna Bandara
48. Prof. Arjuna Parakrama, University of Peradeniya
49. Prof. Deepika Udagama, University of Peradeniya
50. Prof. Emeritus Jayadeva Uyangoda, University of Colombo

51. Prof. Emeritus Kapila Gunasekera, University of Peradeniya

52. Prof. Emeritus. Siri Hettige, University of Colombo
53. Prof. Emeritus. Vijaya Kumar, University of Peradeniya

54. Prof. Farzana Haniffa, University of Colombo
55. Prof. Gameela Samarasinghe, University of Colombo
56. Prof. Godwin Constantine, University of Colombo
57. Prof. Liyanage Amarakeerti, University of Peradeniya
58. Prof. Neil DeVotta
59. Prof. Nirmal Ranjith Devasiri, University of Colombo
60. Prof. Sasanka Perera, South Asian University, New Delhi
61. Prof. Saumya Liyanage, University of Visual and Performing Arts

62. Prof. Sivamohan Sumathy, University of Peradeniya
63. Prof. Tony Anghie, National University of Singapore
64. Prof. Vasuki Nesaih
65. Radhika Coomaraswamy
66. Rajan Hoole
67. Renuka Senanayake

68. Rohana Hettiarchchi

69. Rosanna Flamer- Caldera 70. Roshan De Silva
71. Sanjaya Karunasena

72. Sankhitha Gunaratne

73. Saroj Pathirana

74. Sathya Ramanayake

75. Sharmaine Gunaratne
76. Shreen Saroor
77. Shyamala Gomez
78. Stanislaus Celestine
79. Susantha Rajapaksa, University of Peradeniya

80. T. Jayasingam

81. T. Mathuri, AAL
82. Tissa Jayatilaka
83. V.S.S. Thananchayan 84. Vijula Arulanantham

Latest comments

  • 17
    10

    Would someone help me to understand the purpose – usefulness – of this message.
    These stalwarts of Democracy missed the bus a long time ago!

    • 10
      10

      Dear intelligent Nathan,
      .
      Although what you say is true, at least they have correctly identified the three issues that matter. Also, by putting their high-profile names on, they have done something to help our entire society.
      .
      I’m usually glad to see your comments because they are sincere, and honest. However, I don’t think this one particularly constructive. We have to keep protesting, or else accept our miserable destiny, with this evil man, Ranil, ruining all that is valuable because of his own frustrations.
      .
      As for me, I shall ensure that all that I tell is factually 100% correct, and identify myself so that all know what circumstances lead to my observations. I’d appreciate it if you drop all sarcasm.
      .
      Panini Edirisinhe of Bandarawela (NIC483111444V)

      • 4
        2

        Dear Sinhala_Man,
        Appreciate your kind words.
        It is not intelligence but the effort that matters.

      • 5
        2

        SM dear,
        “identify myself so that all know what circumstances lead to my observations. I’d appreciate it if you drop all sarcasm.
        .Panini Edirisinhe of Bandarawela (NIC483111444V)”
        If you don’t like Nathan’s writing, don’t read it.
        What gives you the right to prescribe other people’s writing styles? Do you want all others to give you the time they go to sleep, and adopt a dreary and self-important style?
        Old Codger of no fixed abode.

    • 2
      1

      Nathan

      Forget all those experts for a minute or two.
      Lets join the young people “Rhythms of Redemption – විමුක්තියේ රිද්ම – விடுதலை தாளங்கள்” – listen “මහපාරේ ගීතය – mahapare geethaya- Highway”
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqniuj5LejM

  • 15
    9

    “Stop Intimidating The Judiciary”

    Are you saying Lanka has double standards?

    If Ranjan spent years in jail for “insulting” the judiciary …….. how long should Ranil be jailed for intimidating the judiciary?

    Intimidating sounds a wee little bit serious than insulting.

    • 13
      4

      Nimal, Lankans have double standards. Nephew following his racist uncle’s footsteps JRJ 2.0 . Intimidating judiciary, undermining democrazy, hold elections???? JRJ, amended constitution to become executive President with all powers, take away the rights of SiriMao, re – elected without opponent, intimidated judiciary in writing his own constitution so to extend Parliament without elections.

      • 4
        4

        It does not seem that seeking greener pastures has cured habits like double standards!

    • 8
      1

      nimal fernando

      “If Ranjan spent years in jail for “insulting” the judiciary …….. how long should Ranil be jailed for intimidating the judiciary?”

      You must be joking.
      Ranjan was in the opposition Ranil is the executive president. How dare you question the president?
      Further he has already paid his all due respect to the Sanghas.

      • 7
        2

        “Ranil is the executive president.”

        When and how did that happen? …… Didn’t he lose his own damn seat? :))


        Can you understand Sinhala ….. or do you want Gunduvindu to explain what the IMF have in store for us? …….. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ad-ZvtgJIPM

        • 0
          0

          nimal, my YouTube comment is still there, seven hours later.
          .
          Ranil is not going to have everything his own way:
          .
          https://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=89327
          .
          And
          .
          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2kReEfNFq0&t=105s
          .
          Sad to say, Sinhala_Man decided on Wednesday, that “discretion is the better part of valour” and paid his Electricity Bill for which a “Red Notice” had been received. Just see this news:
          .
          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eG6nc8ePQQ
          .
          The bit about Saliya Peiris: I don’t understand, except that I’m fascinated at seeing a human being called “Harak Kata”.

        • 6
          0

          nimal fernando

          “…. Can you understand Sinhala ….. or do you want Gunduvindu to explain what the IMF”

          It is Gevindu Kumaratunga who is the grandson of Kumaratunga Munidasa the founder of Hela Havula Movement. Munidasa who tried his best to purify Sinhala Language. Now it appears his grandson Gevindu is attempting to purify Sri Lankan constitution. His grandfather failed so will Gevindu.
          Gevindu was relying on Gota. Gota too failed.

          People like Gevindu are more dangerous than IMF, World Bank, International Finance Corporation, Asian Development Bank, …… put together.

          If anything Manju Nishshanka should look at the root cause of failure of the state and those unelected

        • 3
          1

          nimal fernando

          “…. Can you understand Sinhala ….. or do you want Gunduvindu to explain what the IMF”

          It is Gevindu Kumaratunga who is the grandson of Kumaratunga Munidasa the founder of Hela Havula Movement. Munidasa who tried his best to purify Sinhala Language. Now it appears his grandson Gevindu is attempting to purify Sri Lankan constitution. His grandfather failed so will Gevindu.
          Gevindu was relying on Gota. Gota too failed.

          People like Gevindu are more dangerous than IMF, World Bank, International Finance Corporation, Asian Development Bank, …… put together.

          If anything Manju Nishshanka should look at the root cause of failure of the state and those un-elected centres of power. He could begin with all the four Sanghas ….. and how cronies are being rewarded.

    • 4
      3

      nimal fernando

      Please comment on this clip:
      Union leader/ Human rights lawyer explains truth behind IMF- Sri Lanka deal | Swasthika Arulingam
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFSuoC2lQeo

  • 24
    24

    Majority of the people don’t ask an election but convenient living conditions. That is what the present govt. is doing I think. These bunch of guys want to bring Anura Kumara into power and destroy the complete country. Eva Summa!!!

    • 13
      21

      How do you know what the majority of the people want?
      .
      I now know what you think, but who are you? Is yours a computer generated comment?
      .
      This comment has been typed out by Panini Edirisinhe of Bandarawela (NIC 3111444V)

    • 10
      9

      What the hec Sagala ……. can you elaborate on Ranil’s “economic credential?” :)) ……. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALxaLcseuBE

      Dunno who this “Prof” is but it looks like he has a point. ……… Looks like it’s Ranil’s loans that bankrupted the country!


      ” convenient living conditions.”

      When there were no restrictions before …….. getting 20 litres of gas 4 times the price before, cooking gas for 3 times the price before and electricity for 65% more ……. while taxed to the gills …….. to you seem like “convenient living conditions.”

      Pray, tell me is that you in this scene ……. asking for more ” convenient living conditions” from your beloved Ranil? …… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D54wsAR5CAI

    • 6
      10

      HEC:–The majority are suffering with the terrible meagre living standards; where do you get your information?

    • 1
      3

      h
      “That is what the present govt. is doing I think.”
      Try thinking harder.

  • 17
    2

    Those “THREE DEMANDS” are the CRY of the General Public today and it is the bounded DUTY and the RESPONSIBILITY of all the International Community, including those “Financial Donors” to force the present Government to adhere to them.

    In addition to the above violations of “Civic Responsibilities”, yesterday the Parliament passed another scathing attack on the expression of “Opinion and Free” speech by passing a Resolution against a media outlet stating that a particular “Opinion” published has VIOLATED the “ParliamentaryPrivileges” of the MPs. Now it has been referred to AG and TRC for necessary “Action”.

    We know that “6.9 million” MISSED the BUS. Isn’t it better and opportune for ALL of them to board the correct bus and correct the course? Why dwell in “History” and MISS THE BUS again?

    • 6
      2

      Simon

      Please tell us whether Ravana is the ancestor of Sinhala/Buddhists or Tamil/Saivaites?

      Remember Sri Lanka’s first satellite was named Ravana.

  • 11
    10

    Thanks, a welcome statement. What if these appeals fail, though?
    .
    We may have to go in for more vehement protests.

  • 17
    5

    When Maithri and Mahinda staged a coup in 2018 and sacked Ranil, he and his supporters sought justice from the Supreme Court. When it deemed the sacking was unconstitutional and reinstated him as the PM, he tweeted joyously: “We thank the citizens of the country who fought the illegal seizure of power and ensured that Democracy was restored.” Now what?
    It is he who has illegally seized power now, after being kicked out by the voters, by entering parliament through the backdoor, and by making deals with the Rajapaksa and Pohuttuwa criminals as they were about to be ousted from power and brought before the courts. He is trying to intimidate the same Supreme Court by claiming diabolically it is undermining the privileges of land grabbers, illegal sand miners, drug kingpins, ethanol smugglers, gambling den operators, human traffickers, brothel owners, bribe takers, rapists and murderers who have taken over the House.

    • 8
      1

      ASD
      “It is he who has illegally seized power”
      Nobody questioned the legality thus far in a court of law, as his election to the post was consistent with the constitution and the law of the land.
      We cannot confuse legality with ethics, morality etc.
      *
      Two people who had opportunity to block him missed the chance and are now busy complaining.

      • 4
        4

        SJ ,

        When Gota ran away or was chased away , along with him ran away
        or chased away was the President ! And Mahinda too ran away or
        was chased away , along with him ran away or was chased away was
        only the PM , not the MP ! How come ? Who chooses which one to go
        and which one to stay ? You are saying ‘ Two people ‘ had the
        opportunity ! No , this is not right , there are still two parties and only
        one individual was there from another wiped out party ! Ask Mahinda
        how come not Mahinda the PM but the MP !

        • 4
          1

          You turn down a job, and the guy whose guts you hate takes it.
          If you do not have enough foresight to figure out what it could lead to, you are not fit to be in the game.
          The game was not quite over for the family. The parliament remained intact as was the SLPP, at that time.
          If you cannot figure out what GR was up to I cannot explain any further than say that was where the SJB duo got their sums wrong.

        • 4
          4

          Exactly, dear whywhy.
          .
          With hindsight
          , to those who knew little at that time (but that can’t be applied to the sharp SJ) it may seem that there were possibilities.
          .
          AKD cannot be faulted now for what he then did, which was probably quite sensible.
          .
          Fortune then favoured Ranil in ways which none dreamed possible. We could generously congratulate him on his astuteness, but what good does his success do this country? It only satisfies the control freak’s seemingly insatiable thirst.

          • 3
            2

            Thank you SM , that’s kind of you . SJ does have his right to defer
            and for me that won’t change him being sharp . He is sharp but
            may be in wrong shoes !

        • 4
          4

          What few would have predicted, dear why why, were:
          .
          (a) That Ranil and the Rajapaksas would collaborate so closely, and without concern for the public.
          .
          (b) The West’s shameless betrayal of our Human Rights. It looks as though the ever helpful Kumar David is helping us to understand that in an article that I have yet to read:
          .
          https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/president-joe-bidens-headaches-economic-political-social/
          .
          How can anybody make all the connections necessary to understand?
          .
          It was difficult to hear this work when I was a kid:
          .
          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkXGtE8_cig
          .
          It is exactly 196 years since the deaf man who wrote that breathed his last. Had he not been so concerned about his good-for-nothing nephew he would have lived longer.
          .
          What we must do now is to put these guys in charge:
          .
          https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/jvps-popularity-ranils-imf-prop/
          .
          Amazingly, SJ, has got comments in to both places before I could move. SJ has, predictably, said that there would be problems. Most of the time he’s right, but, as he usually grants, the problems are often those that get surmounted.
          .
          Guys like me need sleep!
          .

          • 3
            0

            Dear SM ,

            Ranil had exhibited more than enough times , his true colour .
            That was about politics . As for his concern for the public ,
            I saw it in very close range , his utter negligence . Rajapaksas
            open double standard was there for everyone to see unless one
            is colour blind ! Ranil was plain enough for everyone to see ,
            his greed for power . He was even ready to work under a man
            like Sirisena who was not even a leader of another party !
            Even under Sarath Fonseka who knew nothing of politics at
            the time ! To wind up without much ado , look how he creeps
            into parliament and the following episodes !

      • 3
        2

        The decline and fall of a former Marxist revolutionary for social justice due to his obsessive-compulsive need to keep defending the authoritarian regime in China no matter what. Ironically the ultimate defence mechanism for Beijing and its lap dogs like SJ is bourgeois legality. Needless to say this makes his comments so mechanical and predictable. It is sad to see an intelligent person descend into nit-picking pedantic irrelevance.

        See – The Marxian Critique of Justice
        URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/2265053

        • 1
          3

          ASD
          Kumar’s answers fall short of a comprehensive answer. Rather than try to pooh pooh him, can you point to the major flaws.
          The fact is that China is delivering on the economy, while the West is in turmoil. (Look at the growing unrest.) Be fair. Can you blame Kumar for that?
          *
          Seriously, broader reading could help you to understand matters without resort to cliches to curse all and sundry without offering a single logical argument..

  • 5
    6

    HEC:–The majority are suffering with the terrible meagre living standards; where do you get your information?

    • 7
      2

      MSarrij,
      I am not responding on behalf of Hec or on his question. But I am not sure whether the people have changed completely to give up the existing system. For example , if someone from NPP say that he or she will bring a complete system and devolve the power with a federal system and contest for president along with Mahinda/Ranil, Sajith etc, with Buddhism as the state religion and th they will remove 13th amendment from the constitution, how the people vote in one year time?

  • 7
    5

    Nothing can be done…..key police and military have been paid off hugely!

    • 5
      7

      Yes, Ramona dear (I hope that oc and nimal don’t mind the familiarity that I display!),
      .
      However, it is wonderful to know that it will never be possible to buy you off.
      .
      And your comments are much more intelligent than many “cleverer” people allow. And it’s a great deal of commitment and consistency that you display. And genuine concern for the underprivileged. That gleams through even nimal’ sophisticted sarcasm.
      .
      So, many thinks.
      .
      Panini Edirisinhe (NIC 483111444V)

      • 7
        0

        “I hope that OC doesn’t mind the familiarity that I display!”

        Two’s company, three’s a crowd ………. butt out. :))

        • 4
          0

          Two’s a love-match, three’s a love-triangle ………. observe the distance Native Vedda is keeping! He is a thorough gentleman!!! :))

  • 6
    1

    Have the Speaker, Mahinda, PM Dinesh, and the Leader of the House, Chamal Rajapaksa thought about what would happen if the Judges do not come to the Parliament if they are summoned? That would be a slap on the face of the Parliament. That would also in some way prove that the Judiciary as it has the powers to interpret the Constitution voted and approved by the Parliament is a superior organization above the Parliament. There will be a constitutional crisis created.
    Imagine a situation, even if the Judges come to the Parliament and then based on the questions asked, the courts declare those questions were “Contempt of Court” and ask the MPs of the Committee to come to court, in case they do not, then the Court could order the Police to arrest the members of the Committee. This clearly shows what a “stupid bunch of SLPP MPs we have in the Parliament”.

  • 3
    2

    nimal fernando

    Please comment on this clip:
    Union leader/ Human rights lawyer explains truth behind IMF- Sri Lanka deal | Swasthika Arulingam
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFSuoC2lQeo

    • 5
      0

      Native,

      You know me! …….. I was ogling her ……. didn’t hear a word she was saying.

      Old Codger has listened and answered (even) in point form! …….. He is a better man than I !

      • 3
        0

        Nimal,
        I’ll bet you’re waiting for R…… of Pittsburgh to do a video…

    • 3
      3

      NV, nimal and oc,
      .
      Personifications of irresponsibility!
      .
      I, at least, made this comment there:
      .

      .
      Even remembered not to suggest the Nazi symbol in the spelling.

      • 5
        0

        SM,
        “Personifications of irresponsibility!”
        Maybe, but we’re you quite open about it. You can’t accuse us of watching dodgy Dutch ladies….🙂

      • 2
        2

        Even remembered not to suggest the Nazi symbol in the spelling. This is being superficial.
        Swastika has nothing to do with the Nazism in any Indian belief system.

      • 2
        0

        I’ve not put in things like this that I had put on my HDD:
        .
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFSuoC2lQeo
        .
        My comment there:
        .
        ‘”How grateful I am that there are kids like you around, Swasthika. I met you at the launch of “Democracy Stillborn”.’
        .
        nimal didn’t listened, only ogled.
        .
        At least I did both!

  • 16
    4

    Where were these signatories, some of whom I know personally who backed Gota and the Rajapaksas to the hilt, discarding and defaming Ranil Wickremasinghe in July ’22 when the masses invaded the President’s House and chased Gota away? Had not Ranil Wickremasinghe stepped in to restore Law and Order and the subsequent easing of shortages of Fuel, Gas and Food, when there was none to come forward, certainly none of the above Signatories when the crowds would have entered the Parliament that was prevented when the crowds assembled at the Parliament entrance by Ranil Wickremasinghe, the crowds would have after capturing the Parliament would have not spared the Judiciary. There would have been a State of Anarchy and none of the Bravados who have placed their signature above could have saved the day for this country and the majority people. Now after Normalcy has been restored, there are many Fathers of Success trying to determine how the Laws should be executed and intimating the Judiciary should be Honoured. The country would have seen the Decorum and Respect the Judiciary would have earned, had Ranil Wickremasinghe not saved the day for the Judiciary. This is certainly not the time for any Election. Let the country first recover fully and all Elections could be held by 2024 and not at the fancy of a few.

    • 4
      8

      gamini,
      .
      Why doesn’t the Tyrant prove the supposed truth of what you state:
      .
      ” Now after Normalcy has been restored. …..” – conduct free and fair elections.
      .
      No, it’s not even so difficult; “let the Local Government elections be held”. Why can’t they now be held?

      • 6
        0

        SM
        “prove the supposed truth of what you state:”
        I don’t know if things are different in Bandarawela, but in the rest of the country, there is plenty of (expensive) gas, food , fuel and electricity. Do you need elections to prove that?
        You have every right to be hysterical, but be truthful.

    • 4
      2

      Gamini,

      “Ranil Wickremasinghe, the crowds would have after capturing the Parliament would have not spared the Judiciary.”

      Your point/argument is …….. since Ranil (supposedly) saved the judiciary …… he has the right to intimidate the judiciary unless it is at his beck and call to do what he demands?

      How is it different from ……… that ……… Mahinda had the right to rob, pillage and do as he pleases to bankrupt the country because he (supposedly) saved the country from Prabakaran?


      And you haven’t explained why he had to appoint 37 + 2 ministers and Sagala as an advisor to “rescue” the country/Judiciary! :))

      The forum is just riveting ………. the best place for jokes/entertainment …….. keep it up, buddy.

  • 4
    1

    Native,
    I will comment on a few points:
    1 “Some people don’t use lighting any more”.
    Fact: Lighting with modern bulbs doesn’t use more than 3 units a month. That’s about Rs.450.
    2. “Ordinary people didn’t cause the crisis”
    Fact: 6.9 million voted for Gota.

    • 6
      2

      Native,
      The pretty lady is eloquent on the difficulties of ordinary people. But did you see any credible alternatives to the IMF that she put forward? There are alternatives, but they will be even more unpalatable. It is better to be able to buy even half the food you need than to have to scrounge in garbage cans while walking to work (if you do have a job).

      • 5
        0

        old codger

        Thanks
        My question is how did the country arrive at this critical critical…. state?
        Who created the situation that is so bad even Bangladesh helped these stupid islanders with a cash loan?
        I am surprised even Champika is welcoming the arrival of IMF with open arms.

        The Mahanayake of Asgiri is worried about the security of newly built Vihares (not the people) in the north than the financial situation of the country. He is opposed to reducing the number of troops in the North.

        By the way the even at this point in time Saffron Sanghas are opposed to implementing 13A while the country is begging for food, medicine, fuel, …. and more loans

        Muted Dinesh seems to be sitting on the fence like our nimal fernando.

        Further the stupid Tamil/Saivaites and their closely related stupid Sinhala/Buddhists brothers have not stopped building Hindu/Buddhists temples. There will come a time when we will not have enough land to farm or for habitat.

        In the mean time Paul Thinaharan (a born again wealthy preacher) from South India was planning to visit Northern parts of Sri Lanka on a mercy mission to feed the people who supposedly suffering from spiritual poverty. The visit was cancelled thanks to Tamil equivalent of BJP, VHS, RSS, ….

        Whats the matter with temple/vihare builders and itinerant preachers?

        • 5
          1

          Native,
          “Who created the situation that is so bad even Bangladesh helped these stupid islanders..”
          I put 90% of the blame on the islanders themselves, who even now cannot understand the meaning of bankruptcy.
          All those islanders who took undeserved Samurdhi money.
          All those islanders who used diesel/kerosene
          because it was cheap.
          All those islanders who took free fertilizer.
          All those islanders with useless degrees who took government jobs.
          All those 300,000 islanders in fancy uniforms .
          All those bald islanders who claim to know everything.
          All those islanders who wanted the country saved, but didn’t ask why.

          • 5
            1

            old codger

            I agree.
            However the problem is well rooted deep inside Sinhala/Buddhist mind.

            The reference point is the public racist Anakarica Homeless Dharmapala and his newly concocted and improved race, the Aryan Sinhala Buddhists and their religion Sinhala/Buddhism.

            Then the citizenship ACT 1948.
            The Sinhala Only Official Language ACT


            Nepotism, ….
            Racism,
            Kleptocracy

            ….
            ….
            Absence of rule of law
            Absence of meritocracy
            And all our past and present leaders.

            The only thing necessary for evil to triumph in the world is that good men do nothing – Edmund Burke
            I blame Nimal Fernando.

            • 4
              0

              Native,
              “However the problem is well rooted deep inside Sinhala/Buddhist mind.”
              Yes, from childhood, they are taught to be generous. Unlike the Tamils, who are perceived as tightwads. But they are generous to the wrong people, such as unemployables in temples and beggars in buses. The SB government too is generous with borrowed money.

        • 3
          1

          “My question is how did the country arrive at this critical critical…. state?”

          Native,

          That’s how a pickle is made. We are in a pickle.

          Don’t tell me ye are so upper-crust that ye have never tasted Annasi Accharu, Veralu Accharu, Divul kuddu!

          How do you un-pickle a pickle?



          I don’t want a pickle
          Just want to live
          And I don’t want a tickle
          ‘Cause I’d rather ride on my motorcycle (three-wheeler?)
          And I don’t want to die
          I just want to live ….. and at least eat one square meal a day ….. I wasn’t born to eat sand; I think …….. cogito, ergo sum


          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfdwzwgirDQ …….. “it’s amazing how a man can make living singing this dumb song for that long” …….. It’s amazing how long Ranil can make a living doing his “developing”/returning-to-normalcy (Gamini); looks like his entire life!

          Man, where can I find such a job!

          Gonna start an employment agency with Old Codger. Money for Nothing! …….. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tTmpzfyChw


          The lyrics —-> That little f***** got his own jet airplane ……. Ranil imported his own Merc ….. one for Sagala too! ……… That’s how it’s done: money for nothing. :))))

          • 2
            0

            Nimal,
            “Ranil imported his own Merc ….. one for Sagala too! ………”
            I hear Deepthi shouting that there is a bed in it….

  • 3
    0

    old codger

    Whats the matter with temple/vihare builders and itinerant preachers?
    Here is something very usful Improving the Solutions for Sri Lanka’s Debt Crisis;
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDxx7AOVjWg

    • 3
      0

      This last discussion between Native , OC , Nimal is worth an article. The real truth about this failed nation’s pathetic ending. A long standing problem which kept exacerbating because of our own voters, self serving politicians and racists monks. This
      deadly combination is still active and strong.

      • 1
        1

        Chiv
        Those who call for some magical system change always leave out the monks. It seems even they are brainwashed beyond redemption.

Leave A Comment

Comments should not exceed 200 words. Embedding external links and writing in capital letters are discouraged. Commenting is automatically disabled after 5 days and approval may take up to 24 hours. Please read our Comments Policy for further details. Your email address will not be published.