The 13th Amendment: UPFA Government Is Heading For Its First Defeat In The Parlaiment
By Sumanasiri Liyanage –
Sumanasiri Liyanage
The virtual repeal of the 17th Amendment as a necessary corollary of the enactment of the 18th Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka, the chauvinist forces in the South began to raise the possibility of further amendment to the constitution by using the two-third majority that the United Peoples’ Freedom Alliance (UPFA) have in the Parliament. Their clear target has been the 13th Amendment that introduced in 1987 for the first time in independent Sri Lanka a devolved system of government to make the government structure more democratic and decentralized many flaws of the new system notwithstanding. With the decision of the Supreme Court on the Divineguma Bill and the new issue on if the decision of the Provincial Governor can be considered as the decision of the Provincial Council, we witness today a reemergence of the debate on the place and future of the 13th Amendment in the constitutional landscape in Sri Lanka. My personal opinion is that the decision of the Supreme Court on the Divineguma Bill was not accurate. However, it would be good and justifiable even in the event of the absence of a Supreme Court decision to place the bills of this nature before the Provincial Councils to obtain their views. It is interesting to see that the Divineguma Bill has been used as a scapegoat by the chauvinist forces to revive their long standing opposition to the system of devolution in general and to the 13th Amendment in particular. My argument in this article is based naturally on the conventional position I have been holding since the aggravation of the national question in the early 1980s. I stand for devolved system of governance. Further, I believe that the constitutional structure that defines the power map of the country should be changed in order to accommodate the demands of the numerically small nations living within the boundaries of the country. The failure and unwillingness of the ruling elites of this country in the last 65 years to make such changes is in my view one of the reasons for the aggravation of the national question in the early 1980s.
Minister Wimal Weerawansa has written to the President suggesting him to hold a referendum on 13th Amendment. Minister should be aware that the 13th Amendment cannot be repealed by holding a referendum. Prior to that, the Minister and his government should present a bill to the Parliament clearly notifying that the bill proposes to repeal the 13th Amendment. As the Island reported (October 22, 2012) a government bureaucrat, the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Mr Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, has advised that the Sri Lanka Freedom Party takes a bold decision to repeal the 13th Amendment in order to face the “post-war strategy of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA)’. A similar view was expressed by a number of spokespersons belonging to Jatika Hela Urumaya. It appears that there is a shift in the argument that they have put forward against the 13th Amendment. Using the Divineguma incident, they argue that the legislative power of the Parliament has been reduced as a result of the 13th Amendment and the presence of the Provincial Council system. This is not true. According to the Constitution of Sri Lanka, peoples’ sovereignty lies with the people and the people exercise this sovereignty through elected bodies, namely, (1) the Parliament and (2) the Provincial Councils and directly through (3) a referendum. A part of the legislative power previously exercised by the Parliament was devolved in 1987 to second-tier governments by creating Provincial Councils. This is an application of the subsidiary principle in taking decision-making. Hence it is not correct to argue that the creation of the provincial council system has reduced the legislative power of the Parliament. It seems that at least one section of the government has started its preparatory work for proposed Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC). I have been arguing that the TNA, SLMC and other opposition parties should not participate in the PSC exercise unless the government promises to clearly identify the point of departure of the PSC deliberation. In an previous article, I mentioned these conditionalities should include the followings: (1) the full implementation of the LLRC should not be a reduction of subjects devolved by the 13th Amendment. Since India appears to be pressing for the TNA to participate in PSC deliberation, India should also assure those three condionalities be fulfilled before the commencement of PSC deliberation.
Will the government seriously think to repeal the 13th Amendment by giving to the pressure exerted by some of the constituent parties of the government and some bureaucrats? It is not easy to offer a definite answer to this question. However, it seems to that the government intends to limit PSC deliberation by introducing a phony power-sharing system in place of the PC system. Of course, there is a general criticism against the PC system that it has become a kind of a white elephant. This is not an outcome of the weakness of the PC system, but a direct result of the continuous encroachment of the central government into the sphere of the PC. So, it is not surprising for common people to view the PCs as duplicating mechanism. If the government intends to repeal the 13th Amendment, it has to present a bill to the Parliament by clearly stating its intention. And the bill has to be passed by the Parliament by two-third majority. Since, it can be interpreted as a major change of the substance of the constitution, the bill after passing has to be place before the people in a referendum.
As the UPFA government today enjoys the two-third majority in the Parliament, Weerawansa, Ranawaka and Gotabhaya Rajapaksa may believe that the constitutional huddles on the path of repealing the 13th Amendment can be thus overcome. However, on the other hand, one may also project that such a bill would bring the UPFA government its first defeat in the Parliament. The SLMC would be forced to sever its relations with the government in such a situation. The five left party members in the UPFA government have to prove that at least the left parties have some courage left so that they can stand up to their principles. Some members of the SLFP that include Cabinet ministers may not support a bill of that nature. So let me make a prediction as concluding remark. Attempts to repeal the 13th Amendment will be the commencement of the downfall of the UPFA regime.
*The writer is a co-coordinator of the Marx School, Colombo, Negombo and Kandy. E-mail: sumane_l@yahoo.com
PresiDunce Bean / October 22, 2012
The downfall of the Rajapaksas’ and the UPFA regime will only happen through a revolution, and that will take many years.
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Senaka / October 23, 2012
Wimal weerawansa and Pathal Champika of JHU are Rajapakse puppets and do not represent anyone but themselves and the Rajapakse dictatroship so it is a mistake to say that they are coalition members of the Rajapakse Regime. They are rather puppets of the Rajapakse family dictatorship.
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James Bond / October 23, 2012
Gota the PARANOID white van goon is a psychopath – like Macbeth who sees the ghosts of the people he had killed stalking him.
Thus Gota fears power sharing with anyone. Gota’s and this puppets (Weerawansa and Pathala Champika of JHU) latest attack on the 13th Amendment is an indication that his condition is getting worse and he seriously needs psychiatric help.
Gota is militarization Lanka with Chinese help to turn it into a sanctuary for himself so that he can avoid a war crimes trial. This is the real reason for the huge military budget 2 years after the war, and not the LTTe which is dead in the water. Gota fears and wants to prevent regime change in Lanka to protect himself because he is afraid that he will be packed off to the Hague for a war crimes trial.
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Bruno Umbato / October 23, 2012
I happen to agree with Bean … But, it is not a secret … That is why all these old and new ‘revolutionaries’ like Bahu, Kumar David, Sumanasiri Liyanage, Sirithunga, monk Dambre Amila, Ranjith Devasiri are jumping up and down madly … They understand their responsibility to the proletariats in this historic time .. Moreover, they understand the importance of the ‘west’ to achieve this revolution …
Long live revolution …
Down imperialism …
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Jim softy / October 22, 2012
If liyanage pay taxes to main Provincial Councillors he would not support 13th amendment. Only when the citizens are burdened with various kinds of govt taxes they would think how stupid they were.
In here, democracy means different groups of people are trying to change the society as they want and that is not for the betterment of the society.
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Jim softy / October 22, 2012
Besides, once the northern provincial council is elected, Tamils will have a pact to share the northern seas with Tamilnadu. After that, kallathoni movement and smuggling will be “legal”.
Anyway, with the 13th amendment India will benefit and politicians will have benefited and voters will be at the same place. public lives won’t be better.
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Justice / October 23, 2012
If there is another conveniant ‘light failure’ like what happened when counting of ballots was on after the votes had been cast during the recent Eastern Provincial election,”tamils will NOT have a pact to share the nothern seas with Tamilnadu”.
Collection by force of Polling Cards by the Blue Brigade too happened,
apart from the 280 polls violations reported.
All this will have been considered,and new strategies will be enabled in the pending NP elections.
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Senguttuvan / October 22, 2012
A few years ago Dr Sumanasiri Liyanage showed much courage and foresight in writing an article that discussed Sri Lanka “after Eelam” – truly the free thoughts of an academic generally considered well above racial, religious and communal prejudice. VP/LTTE are no more, but in the absence of justice to the Tamils and in view of the Rajapakses showing little signs of possessing the necessary courage and statesmanship to break the impasse, the possibility of some Tamils seeking a solution outside an undivided Island is kept alive. The UN and the world in general have been compelled to allow South Sudan and BanderMoros their respective demands for Statehood in the absence of serious and timely action from their mainlands after many years of conflict and the loss of multiple thousands of civilian lives. The UN lays down limits both on civilian deaths and the length of the conflict before entertaining discussion if the country concerned is either unable or unwilling to provide justice to the parties concerned.
We are not far aware from this.
Today, a quarter century after 1987, both Tamils and Sinhalese are of the view the 13th Amendment needs to be reviewed. This is a perfectly
legitimate position and needs to be addressed. But the way to go about is not for political parties, infantile like, passing Resolutions and writing to each other for their repealing. Such a step can only come from the minds of those totally unfamiliar with governance. The fora to discuss this issue is Parliament – whereas we do not have a healthy or a working one. The other step is to offer India the courtesy of agreeing with our changed situation. There is no reason why India cannot be made to agree to be made to consider our request, if done duly and with due respect to India’s own sensitivities.
There is absolutely no chance of a regime change because of this issue in a Parliament where both sides are contaminated with mostly opportunistic businessmen functioning in the false impression Parliament and Govt are there mostly for them to make corrupt and filthy lucre. These are men and women who mindlessly voted for the repeal of the 17th amendment little knowing they were virtually stabbing themselves in the back. As to the comments on the SLMC here the less discussion on them on this or any other issue the better.
Senguttuvan
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Bedrock Barney / October 23, 2012
Western oil companies are paying lower oil royalties to the Christian south. Less than what they would have had to pay the Government in Khartoum. So unless they find oil in Vasavilan or Telipillai the UN isn’t going to give hoot in hell for the aspiration of an ethnic minority in the northern region of a small Indian Ocean Island. The UN will set down limits, for civilian deaths, based on the whims and fancies of the security council members.
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Bedrock Barney / October 22, 2012
Theoretically, a very correct position adopted by Mr Liyanage, as is his way. Except perhaps the last paragraph. Tissa, Vasu and DEW sold their souls along with the 18th amendment. Their principles are inversely proportional to the amount of Perks received from the government. The way Rauf Hakeem and the SLMC shafted the eastern Muslims after eastern PC elections shows that for the right amount of cabinet slots the SLMC will vote for anything. Also the Sajith faction of the UNP will support the abolition of the 13th amendment. So will the Two Saraths. So will the JVP. Only the TNA will oppose it, but then again they oppose everything. So GRoBR.
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Senguttuvan / October 22, 2012
UNP’s Lakshman Kiriella comes out with another theory. He is not wrong in claiming the Rajapakses are running out of options to explain to the country the real causes of a near collapse of the economy continuing to suffer from the unbearable weight of stagflation; the punishing and rising CoL; failure to keep up his promise for salary increases to the public and private sectors; 20% unemployment. So another bogey has to be invented to fool the yakkos. A trumped up drama – like what bankrupt and profligate Soekarno did in his time with the perfidious “Crush Malaysia” campaign – is being cooked to keep the imagination (confusion?) of the gullible South from the real issues and the failure of the Rajapakses to address them – even after an innings lasting 6 years so far without the ineffective Parliament coming in the way.
The still influential middle class and upper middle class are mortified their precious savings have lost nearly 20% in the past 20 months alone. How long can the sophistry of misfit robots like Weerawansa, Ranawake and “Dr” Mervin prop up the sinking ship?
Senguttuvan
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Watcher / October 23, 2012
These so called marxists are nothing but a disgrace since they cannot analyse even a simple issue..
13 is a mess and every one wants it abolish with proper governing laws and councils are nothing but morons paradise (may be marxists too ) so if UPFA decide to get rid of them it is a good thing for the country…
So why trying to mix political bias with sheer stupidity?
Sumanasiri I thing about time you go to evening classes to get some common sense.
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Silva / October 23, 2012
This 13A is the last line between SL being interpreted among barbaric and civilized. Before talking about repealing due consideration must be made as to why it came into being. Obviously it came into being due to the pressure and intervention of India on SL. Even a great statesman like JR could not devise something else Lanka-happy in its place which indicates the gravity and importance attached to 13A. In constitutional terms–when deliberating on the basic set of rules governing a country giving due consideration and priority to basic human rights that have been universally accepted, when entertaining the inalienable human rights with which one is born into this world irrespective of ones cast, creed, sex and nationality etc. and when considering one’s right to partake in the governance and being governed by the representatives of one’s choice and also considering the issue of language barrier—this piece of legislation 13A is not something to be jostled, tussled and rushed through the parliament using the deformed and perverted majority of parliament like the wretched piece of 18A. The racist and nationalistic Sinhala Only rag of SWRDB planted and spread the seeds of the crushed 30-year long war but the seeds of war are still intact even today! This repealing if went head under the present set of ruling mentally retards would definitely spawn another seed with far more devastating and consequences that that of SWRDB’s Sinhala Only legislation rag. Under the uneducated uncultured bastards surely this country is heading towards destruction, war, poverty and ultimately separation into two states under UN, India, US and international intervention! Once separated it will be swallowed by India and make it part of India whereafter Indians will be using Chinese built harbors and airports to provide services to fleets of ships passing SL maritime lines etc. The Rajapaksha morons may or may not witness this happen but they have definitely triggered and cartelized the process. Someone may say this is not possible but we say it is absolutely possible. How? Among many possibilities I will show one-Koodankulam nuclear reactor! You think for yourself what it can do to SL and how “a mistake and an accident” can happen there which India can survive and endure for about 15-20 years until radiation levels recede by which time the morons on this Wonder of Asia have wonderfully effaced from its surface contracting cancers!
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gamini / October 23, 2012
Silva thanks for your input. Although we try to put some sense in to, at least the readers here, it is viewed as anethema to some who castigate us as if we are looking for benifits, just because they do. It is said to destroy a Nation you need one donkey at the helm. Here we have more than one sadly.
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Leela / October 23, 2012
Ever since a man named Visvalingam mooted an Elom in 1920s (actually, I learned it from DBSJeyaraj columns first) to divide Lanka, hopes of the rise of a prince Diyasena in the south had been the expectation of our rural folks. They trust that Diyasena would save Lanka from invaders (now dividers) and bring prosperity to the entire country soon. But I must admit our greatest patriot, Anagarika Dharmapala had ridiculed the idea because Sinhalas had being apathetic in their await for a Diyasena.
So much so, in 1933, Anagarika wrote in his diary: “You (Sinhals) better keep in mind, some day the white man would leave this country. But they would leave, only after breeding some thirty to forty thousand whitened blacks that are much like their children. After that, those that rule our country would be these whitened blacks. They hate Sinhala language and customs ….” And that no doubt had been a truism until 2005.
MR was elected to power against all odds in 2005. Maha rajas, evangelists, NGOs, fallen Desha Bandu money sharks and all other known and unknown tricksters, cheaters and cons had spend millions to disseminate lies and untruth through their media organs 24 hours a day against MR and promoted fear psychosis on Sinhala folks. For some fortune of Sri Lankan and misfortune of Pirapakaran and co, MR won. And from then on ‘Whitened blacks’, their masters in the so-called IC and their Viswalingams buddies used all tricks in the book and more to dislodge MR government.
MR prevailed with his natural abilities, intelligence and political acumen to defeat all but last apologists of 13A, the act that old fox JRJ and Rajeev rammed on us immorally by force. No hypocrite could prevent MR achieve the impossible and unknowingly anointed himself to be the Prince Diyasena.
Now that MR has the brawn not just the brains; he must abolish 13A or render it useless without delay and seal his place in the annals of Sri Lanka history as a great hero.
Leela
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gamini / October 23, 2012
Leela, Leela, Leela. At last you have said a mouth full. To quote you, ‘Now that MR has the brawn not just the brains; he must abolish 13A or render it useless without delay and seal his place in the annals of Sri Lanka history as a great hero’. MR certainly has the Brawn but not the Brains, let us see how he will survive and go down in History as your HERO. By the way have you got your dual citizenship? I have mine and for the family. Good Luck!
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Native Vedda / October 23, 2012
gamini:
Leela says:
“he must abolish 13A or render it useless without delay”
When was 13A passed in the Parliament?
I think I have lot to catch up with Leela. Where was I when 13A became law?
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Bedrock Barney / October 23, 2012
Hey Vedda, FYI the exact date was 14 November 1987. “To make Tamil an official language and English a link Language, and for the establishment of Provincial Councils’ is the language used. I have no idea where you might have been.
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Leela / October 24, 2012
gamini,
You have your opinion I have mine. We shall see who is right soon.
I am not saying everything is hunky dory or Lanka is flowing with milk and honey right now. But, ordinary people know that they have peace after three decades of instability. They also know they can now afford things that they never could before. That’s the crux of the matter, gamini. I am sorry, that the peace I am talking may not be the peace that flows through your kind of minds. But for simple Saraths this is absolute peace.
Separatists and their backers hate me for I talk this truth. But I never ever have written filth for that wasn’t the way I was brought up. If boorish buggers like Silva thinks their throwing of dirt and muck at me and use of rude language and filth can overwhelm me and provoke me, they are sadly mistaken. I shall ignore the ill-mannered bastard.
Leela
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Senguttuvan / October 23, 2012
Jim Softy misinforms himself viz:- “once the northern provincial council is elected, Tamils will have a pact to share the northern seas with Tamilnadu” This canard is calculated for consumption by the simplistic Sinhala minds. Our ocean rights come within exclusive Central Govt powers – even in a future Federal setup. Therefore, to suggest the NP PC will enter into a Pact with Tamilnadu to share the seas is an abysmal mistake. The law is the same in India.
Senguttuvan
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Dr Dayan Jayatilleka / October 23, 2012
‘Future history’ may or may not prove the last sentence of Sumanasiri’s article to be correct, but that will be due to other factors, and certainly not because the govt will lose its parliamentary majority over this issue! Anyone who thinks so has serious problems either with arithmetic or political analysis….:)
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gamini / October 23, 2012
Hello Dayan De Silva, still singing for your supper as otherwise will be unemployed soon eh? Good, Good!
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Dr Dayan Jayatilleka / October 23, 2012
Dear Gamini, how can I be unemployed when I am on the permanent staff of the University of Colombo ? :))
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Bedrock Barney / October 24, 2012
Really, how come you didn’t weigh in on the whole 6 percent debate? Your take on things was missed. What’s your take on FUTA ?
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gamini / October 24, 2012
So is it any Wonder that we have been churning substandard Graduates all this while? Now all the Pomp and Pagentry will end very soon.
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Senguttuvan / October 23, 2012
Prof. C. Suntheralingam, one of the famous Lingam Brothers, toyed with the idea of Eelam from his Wanni farm. But if one knows the good Mathematician’s antics it becomes clear he is more air than substance in matters such as this. On the Temple Entry and other issues the Tamil people rejected him. Eelanadu, from ancient times, is the Tamil name for the Tamil majority areas of what is now the NEP.
I hope that poor Engineer and activist Dr. A. C. Viswalingam (CIMOG) is not marked for an involuntary White Van ride – or worse as a result of this confusion.
Senguttuvan
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Bedrock Barney / October 23, 2012
He might have been more air than substance but he was bold enough to break away from the mould of Tamil politician who idealized Sir Pon Ram. That’s why he remained independent. The fact that the Tamil political class could not produce a ‘Jinnah’ could be directly attributed to the politics of the bros Arunachalam and Ramanathan who lived in fools paradise believing that the majority community will hold hands with minority and sing Kumbaya. Forgetting that the history of the Island is rife with hostilities between the two major nations and this history is taught to all Buddhists at ‘Pirivena’ schools from a very tender age. C Suntheralingam saw, what good old Samuel James took 30 years to see.
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mahesh / October 23, 2012
From what appears here and elsewhere Sri Lanka is far away from peace with itself.
If 13 A is not a solution then put in place a better say 13 + before repealing it.
As an Indian I would say that India cannot sit by and idly watch its child the 13 A being repealed without doing anything about it.
In that case it will cause severe problems to the political parties here (Congress and any regional party allying with it).
The Sinhalese fears that the 13A and the PC will lead to its dismemberment is all but a fig of leaf.
I can only laugh at that.
During the cease fire talks it was India which stood by the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka stating that any solution should be within the United Sri Lanka.
Sinhalese are making themselves laughing stocks in this world.
Long live your foolishness and I may survive to see an Eelam if this mentality of the Sinhalas continues.
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Keerthi Wijebahu / October 23, 2012
Hello Mahesh, it looks as if you were hurt that your country’s creation (13A) forcefully thrust upon on a hapless neighbour, is in danger of being kicked out of the door by people who have spines. Why don’t you tell your leaders to create this bloody eelam in T’nadu where 75 million Tamils are living, so that TNA et al will not cry again. That will be a great service the big brother can do to his tiny neighbour, if he really wants to help. After all, this problem of Tamil Eelam does not belong to us. It is your bloody problem. You cannot face it bravely, so you arouse a few thousand Tamils sentiments by giving false promises that “You go and demand an Eelan from Rajapakse”. Isn’t this the plain truth. Shameless India!!!
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mahesh / October 23, 2012
I am not at all hurt. Why should I?
I am only laughing at you Sinhalese for your foolishness.
The way you are behaving makes me think that you will not rest until Eelam is achieved.
Long live your foolishness.
Bye.
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Native Vedda / October 23, 2012
Keerthi Wijebahu
“Why don’t you tell your leaders to create this bloody eelam in T’nadu where 75 million”
You stupid self destructive Sinhalese never learn just like your stupid Tamil brethren.
India is preparing to annex Sri Lanka as the Sinhala state of India. What are you doing about it? Remember they have Tamil state of India in Tamilnadu.
Go kill the innocent Tamils and Sinhalese.
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F.L. Waiting / October 24, 2012
Yada yada… sound too familiar during the Tamil terrorism era.
We have seen this Indian monkey moves before and taught enough lessons to it (poor Rajiv he he he)to stay away from Sri Lankan affairs. These threats are not new. They have been arriving on a daily basis for 30 years… from retired colonels to Sri Lanka experts in New Delhi to CM jokers in toiletnadu.
But this time around the tables have changed… We are no longer afraid of the big bad Indian wolf.
It is now India’s turn to play the right card. Bring it on. NO FEAR… We will take the highest risks, just like we took when the pressure was coming from all quarters to spare the Tamil terrorist leadership.
The only sensible way to defeat a bully a bully like is to face up to it and make it pay.
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mahesh / October 24, 2012
Dear friend,
They say vinacha kaale vipareetha budhi. Wait and see when you are repaid in your own coins.
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mahesh / October 25, 2012
Read the https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/midweek-politics-from-13-plus-to-13-minus/
for an incisive article about the 13a by the dharisha bastians.
Bye dear friend.
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Senguttuvan / October 23, 2012
Keerthi Wijebahu and fellow travellers foolishly think the history of this island began only after 1505 with the arrival of the Portugese.
They lack the brains or the gumption to admit there was a Tamil presence, with a Tamil King/s in that part of what is now the NEP for as long as settled agriculture began here. This obstinacy and delusion is what is going to characterise the future of this troubled island i.e. whether it will remain a multi-racial country as it was after the arrival of the British; a country of 2-Nations or a divided country of the main races – the Sinhalese and Tamils.
Senguttuvan
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Native Vedda / October 23, 2012
Senguttuvan:
“They lack the brains or the gumption to admit there was a Tamil presence, with a Tamil King/s in that part of what is now the NEP for as long as settled agriculture began here.”
I am still looking for evidence. Please help me to find them.
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Dr Romesh Senewiratne / October 23, 2012
Dear Senguttuvan,
When the British left in 1948, it was generally believed that the Sinhalese and Tamils were different “races”, with the Sinhalese being “Aryans” and the Tamils “Dravidian”. Modern genetic studies have shown this to be a fallacy. In fact, the Sinhalese and Tamils are closely related, genetically, especially the Sri Lankan Tamils (as opposed to the Tamils of more recent Indian ancestry).
Of course, the original people of Sri Lanka were neither Sinhalese nor Tamil. They were the ancestors of the Veddahs, who have, according to genetic studies, more justifiable claims to be a “different race”.
Also, it is common knowledge that the Sinhalese and Tamil languages and scripts are closely related (though the Sinhalese language has been more influenced by the pre-existing indigenous languages in the island). The Sinhala-Brahmi and Tamil-Brahmi script share a common origin, and while Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions have been found as far south as Tissamaharama, Sinhala-Brahmi script has also been found in parts of South India.
Also, there have been Tamil-Buddhist cultures in the North, as well as Tamil-Hindu culture.
As for Tamil Kings being in Sri Lanka since the first settled agriculture, there is evidence of indigenous people growing of oats and barley in Horton Plains from about 8,000 BC, long before there were “Sinhalese” or “Tamils” in Sri Lanka (or anywhere else). “Race” is a nebulous subject…modern genetics and linguistics are showing how closely related we all are. Maybe we should focus on learning each others’ languages rather than striving to divide countries on the basis of language or “race”.
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Native Vedda / October 23, 2012
Dr Romesh Senewiratne:
Good you are catching up with history. Keep it up.
Are you confident/courageous enough to state these facts to any Sinhalese or Tamil face to face?
I doubt it?
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Dr Romesh Senewiratne / October 24, 2012
Your doubt is misplaced, Native Vedda.
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Senguttuvan / October 23, 2012
With all respect, just because the history of the two major races in the millenia behind us saw wars, invasions and conflicts does not mean we cannot have peace now and in the future. Prof Suntha, at any rate, was a bundle of contradictions and of a truculent nature. Brilliant he was, I believe I am not far too wrong to say he did not have the mass Tamil following the Arunachalam Bros; GGP and SJV enjoyed.
Senguttuvan
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Silva / October 23, 2012
Leela,
Perhaps I may seem to lack decency when replying to you but I don’t care because pigs like you do not deserve any decent address like your paymaster Rajapaksha donkeys. We all used to see your filthy worthless comments solely aimed at propping up the Rajapaksha malady throughout these posts in the past and you pig had disappeared for some time due to the relentless attack directed at you by the readers. And here again you shit bundle appear again with your muck that you swallow from the gully of Rajapaksha maggots. Your moronic statements which are dribbling these days from ruling family donkeys and their dustbin-mouthed loiterers like the following have empirically been proved otherwise over and over again.
“..hopes of the rise of a prince Diyasena in the south had been the expectation of our rural folks. They trust that Diyasena would save Lanka from invaders (now dividers) and bring prosperity to the entire country soon..”
Diyasena!? Hah.. what a maggot fucker is this rogue! Do you think he is saving Lanka from invaders? India has grabbed acres from Colombo, China has grabbed acres from Colombo, almost all the small islands of Lanka have been sold to foreigners,the whole country and generations still to be born have been made indebted in WB and China, our oil reserves have been sold to India for a penny, while our technicians, skilled and unskilled labourers are perishing penniless and starving without any jobs and duties the Indians and Chinese are constructing railroads, roads, highways, airports, ports, powerhouses and whatnot. Is this the fucking prosperity that your uneducated uncultured bastards have brought to this land?
“..MR was elected to power against all odds in 2005. Maha rajas, evangelists, NGOs, fallen Desha Bandu money sharks and all other known and unknown tricksters, cheaters and cons had spend millions to disseminate lies and untruth through their media organs 24 hours a day against MR and promoted fear psychosis on Sinhala folks..”
Who disseminated lies to rob all the elections? Who gave billions of rupees as bribes to Prabakaran to rob the Presidential Election? Whose are the brats and bitches who are selling their assholes 24 hours a day through the rogue despotic regime’s media whore outlets disseminating utter lies to the stupid masses? Wasn’t it the despot’s deal with Prabakaran that enabled him to rob election in 2005? Not once in 2005 but in 2010 also hasn’t your Diyasena hero robbed the Presidential Election? Rightfully wasn’t it RW that had to be the President in 2005? You brain-fucked astray dog, why don’t you see a psychiatrist to get your maracow disease cured because you try to inject additional troubles to already sinking majority buffaloes?
“..MR prevailed with his natural abilities, intelligence and political acumen to defeat all but last apologists of 13A,..”
Natural abilities? Exactly! The tsunami aids plundering now revealed by the maggot judge himself who gave the judgment protecting your paymaster thief, the rigging of all the elections, the 6000 odd white vanned and otherwise disappearances and killings, the plundering of tax payers’ money though mega projects, the Hambanthota and Norochcholai failed money guzzling projects, the destruction caused to the labour force and school children by distributing narcotics using kudu duminda and meryiya, and the list can go and grow endlessly! Only a perverted moronic maggot like you that can praise a criminal like your paymaster!
“”.Now that MR has the brawn not just the brains; he must abolish 13A or render it useless without delay and seal his place in the annals of Sri Lanka history as a great hero…”
I challenge you[Edited out]and your proponents of this stupid proposal to abolish 13A if you can! When compared to JR you all are like Montessori kids! You bunch of robbers, what are the real legislations that you have created and passed? Nothing! Do you think retrogressive, repressive, anti-democratic rag pieces like Under-utilized Assets Bill, 18A etc. are constitutional reforms!? Your party, your political culture sow the seeds of 30 year long war through stupid SWRDB’s Sinhala Only Bill, standardization, deprival of constitutional rights of minorities. Those stupid measures advanced the Tamil’s struggle as far as on to UN’s agenda which has the legal and international mandate and power to carve out states! You maggot fuckers, try if you can! You Sinhala donkeys claim king Dutugamunu annihilated Tamils and solved the Tamil problem! Then how the hell did it reappear and fought a 30 year war? Now you claim your cardboard hero destroyed the Prabakaran bastard with his terrorist armies! Then why the fucking hell are you crying about a diaspora? Can you kill them as well in the same way? What do you think it is armament or disarmament of diaspora, India, Tamilnadu, UN, US and other international players to repeal 13A? How many years are you going to live? How many years do you think your paymaster or his regime will survive? If you are barren and could not beget a child you will just live and die, but after you die no one knows where you will be born again but I am pretty sure it is not going to be any better place! And after all the white van abductions and killings let this message be brought to your criminal regime that the laws of nature, of physics, of cause and effect, the desperate cries and curses of the bereaved, of wives, children, fathers, mothers are awaiting judgment! Your paymasters are ardent believers of the occult, the horoscopes, good and bad omens etc. I am pretty sure their in-house astrologer has never informed of these absolute inescapable laws of karma nor have the hundreds of public money guzzling Presidential Advisors seem to have given correct instructions and advices! By the way do you believe in hell? Do you have a religion at all? Your paymasters repeat the manthra “Sinhala Buddhist”. Do you think they really understood what Buddha said about karma?
You [Edited out], I know you would write some bullshit to counter what I have written. But the readers would judge the truth behind the facts because in the final analysis it is the truth that prevails. We saw this in the last Provincial Election and Divinaguma Bill fiasco! The Muslims casted their vote against the government but ultimately it is the government that they have voted for! The stupid fuckers in the Provincial Councils voted for the Divinaguma Bill but now they are threatened with repealing the very place from where they casted their vote! How long do you think you can fool these buffaloes? How long do you think you can survive edawela tours government poking at 13A?
How long do you think you can test the breaking and turning point of IC? You maggots of the regime have edawela plans about the country, but the wold and even the India have long term plans!
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Bedrock Barney / October 23, 2012
Wow Silva such vim and vigor, related to Mervin no doubt. Just out of curiosity, How does one fuck a maggot? Diyasena isn’t bad. He makes good mutton rolls at the bakery. You also got it wrong with the election. It was VP who gave MR the money, then MR shafted him and had VP and the family whacked in emphatic Tony Soprano like move. According Sarath Silva MR did not help himself, he only helped Hambantota! I take it that you are very fond of the 13A also the word paymaster. The divineguma bill is the most graft free piece of legislation in long while. The shrinking fortunes of the Rajapakse family, due to the constant campaigning for the public good, needs to be replenished. So as a therapeutic measure(for your anger management issues) a donation to re-election fund of MR will be appreciated as funds are hard to come by with oil being sold for a penny and gas for a nickle.
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Andre / October 24, 2012
Exactly, Bedrock – this is what I also felt reading such comments.
We many of us are against the megalomanic – MR and co.
But we must not be like – Mervin or MR himself. Then readers, people in general will not be able to see the difference :(
Leela is just confused only seeing that the 100 km highway and few building and road constructions – but being unable to realize the life of common man /average – I guess she needs sorta of a reintegration therapy to feel the least in home country after a long stay in Uk.
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Leela / October 24, 2012
Separatists and their backers hate me for I talk the truth. But I have never ever written filth to attack my foes for that wasn’t the way I was brought up.
If boorish buggers like Silva thinks their muck and dirt and use of rude language and filth can overwhelm me and provoke me, they are sadly mistaken. I shall ignore the ill-mannered bastard.
Leela
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Native Vedda / October 24, 2012
Leela:
“Separatists and their backers hate me for I talk the truth.”
I don’t hate you. On the contrary I pity you for your stupidity which is the envy of the world as you are stuck in a time warp. The exact year is 1976 and the planet is Vattukkottai.
What is the truth? If you are unable t define I can help you with quote from Buddha.
“But I have never ever written filth to attack my foes for that wasn’t the way I was brought up.”
I don’t think you have ever lied because your inability to see the wood for the trees.
You say:
“I shall ignore the ill-mannered bastard.”
You also say:
“But I have never ever written filth to attack my foes for that wasn’t the way I was brought up.”
Please make up your mind.
Which one is the truth?
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Leela / October 25, 2012
Vedda boy,
If you are referring to the word ‘bastard’; it may be offensive but it certainly is not a filthy word because it means ‘an unpleasant person’.
I think, you ought know the meaning of filthy as well. It means when containing sexually offensive words.
Now, jungle boy, don’t you again ask silly questions like that your question on ’13A’ where answer is obvious. Refer to a good dictionary first. I shall not waste my time to answer such questions gain. You should have known ’13A’ means 13th Amendment.
Leela
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Senguttuvan / October 23, 2012
Dear Dr Romesh Seneviratne:
Since our Motherland has been destroyed right in front of our years in the past few years, it is time men of real patriotism and good intent come forward and take part in the nationa discourse. Jayantha Dhanapala, Savitri Gunasekera, the Nesiah’s and others cannot do it all by themselves. As I write this I am told my old neighbourhood the Thurstan Road is closed due to a violent fight between students of Royal and Thurstan, with several senior students aod a PC badly injured/hospitalised. There is lawlessless, mayhem and breakdown of society all around us. Our earlier sublime values have been hijacked by a group of desperadoes who have taken over.
It takes moral courage and education to admit we are all of the same origin – in genes, racially, linguistically, culturally and so on.
Our political parties that should be doing the work are infiltrated by the dregs in society and we are virtually orphans.
I like to see the day soon if the Tamil areas of the Island – the NEP -is enabled the right to run its affairs under the undivided country condition. I am almost certain Tamils will build Jaffna into a dynamic and remarkable – with an efficient administration free of corruption, an educated and an economically sound society, a healthy multi-party system, FDIs and so on. Such an entity will wake the South to do equally well when I expect the people to realise they have been taken for a ride by venal politicians. What is interesting in the perception which I believe both of us share is that many Sinhalese are coming around to our line of thinking.
Senguttuvan
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Dr Romesh Senewiratne / October 24, 2012
Dear Senguttuvan,
I too will be delighted if Jaffna is prosperous, and achieves an administration free of corruption, nepotism and cronyism. I feel the same way about the major towns in the east, notably Trincomalee and Batticaloa. I am no less enthusiastic about such achievements in Colombo, Kandy, Galle…and Hambantota.
Devolution of power to regional towns, cities and rural regions is, in my opinion, a good thing. I do not, however, embrace the idea of a “Tamil North-East” versus a “Sinhala South”. I think that Tamil-speaking people have contributed enormously to the south, while Sinhala-speaking people have contributed to the north and east (not to mention the west).
One of the notable contributions of Sinhala-speaking people to the Tamil-speaking people in the north and east was the defeat of the LTTE. As you know, the LTTE was not a democratic organization (to say the least) and caused terrible suffering to people all over the island, including people in the areas they controlled.
I noted in one of your other comments that you are an irrigation engineer. When I was a child I visited and stayed at several of the ancient irrigation tanks in the north of the island with my grandfather, Winslow Alagaratnam, who had been involved in the renovation of these remarkable feats of irrigation during and after the time of British colonialism. These tanks were built and renovated by people of vision…both Sinhalese and Tamil (under the patronage of Sinhalese kings). And the beneficiaries were the people they served as leaders, regardless of race or religion.
Unfortunately, many politicians these days (and not just in Sri Lanka) seem to think the people they are employed and elected to serve are theirs to rule and exploit.
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Gabanaththo / October 25, 2012
This comment, I found great.
Currnet comment is an evidence that you have been in the process of understanding – what is really going oin under the current regime.
Good Good :)
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Sri Krishna / October 24, 2012
The government is not going to meekly repel of 13 A because the government will face problems-problems will be created by the provincial politicians, provincial bureaucrats, international community and the so called minority friendly Politians within the government parliamentary group.
The agenda of the government will be different-replace 13A with a senate
The government will sweeten the bitter pill with proposals for power sharing at the centre instead of power sharing at the periphery by proposing a senate that will solve the unemployment problems at the same time the unitary concept will be enhanced by satisfying the supremacist racists within the government, arising out of abolishing the 09 Provincial Councils.
or selective amendments like removal of Land powers police powers and 154G from the 13 A and the second chamber with more representation to minorities.
Politicians like Hakeem, Douglas, Karuna, DEW, Tissa, Vasu, Thondaman and other so called liberals will be more comfortable in supporting the abolition of 13A and it will be another crown in the head of our emperor like May 2009.
I am sure I will be proved prophetic
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Leela / October 24, 2012
Unlike the Bible prophesies, I sincerely hope your prophesy would come through for the good of the country.
Leela
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commando695 / October 24, 2012
No doubt the Dead Left…”will oppose the repeal the 13th Amendment in principle…but will support it in practice.”
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Senguttuvan / October 24, 2012
It is poaaiblw an escape route is planned along the lines of what reader Sri Krishna speculates. Rajapakse is caught lying in public offering India, the USA, BKM/UN and the Tamils erly solutions via the 13th,13th + and so forth now it is too late to withdraw completely – even for a family notorious for double-speak. The Senate is one
possibility – but the TNA has rejected it outright when the idea was floated.
How is the unemployment problem solved by sharing power at the periphery?
The raw truth is the time has come Tamils cannot be denied their PCs anymore. The Rajapakses fear the Sinhalese will turn against all Rajapakses now and hereafter if this is allowed. Hobson’s choice, do you say? To make mattersb worse UNHRC/Geneve cannot be postponed from November. Worse the final review comes in 2013.
Senguttuvan
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genga / October 24, 2012
THE DOWNFALL HAS ALREADY STARTED BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT THIS GOVT AT HIS PRESENT STAGE CAN NOT BE DEFEATED IN THE PARLIAMENT. THE SLMP I WILL ASSURE YOU WILL AND CAN BE BOUGHT BY THE GOVT AS THEY HAVE ALREADY BETRAYED THEIR VOTERS IN THE ESAT. MONEY AND POWER PLAYS A GOOD PART IN SL POLITICS AND WHO EVER WAS IN POWE DID THAT IN THE PAST AND THAT WILL CONTINUE. THIS GOVT IS SO STUPID THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT THEIR OWN PEOPLE WELFARE, DO NOT WORRY TOO MUCH ABOUT INTERNATIONAL OPINION AS THEY BELIEVE CHINA AND RUSSIA WILL BACK THEM. TELL ME IN ANY PART OF WORL THE GOVT KILLED THEIR OWN PEOPLE AND CELEBRATE THAT
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gamini / October 24, 2012
Sri Krishna and Senguttuvan, as you propose, the establishment of a Senate makes sense. It is sad we did away with the Senate we had by Kitchen Brains in the ’70s. The re-establishment of a Senate will strengthen the Judiciary as well. Hence the Executive will not try to violate the Laws of the land. I believe it is time that the entire Civil Society got involved in redeeming this country before it is too late. It is our responsibility and we should not only be passive observers. We owe it to the future of this country.
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Senguttuvan / October 24, 2012
The Senate or the 2nd Chamber will succeed only if the main legislature is composed of educated men/women – desirably, many from the legal fraternity. Hasty legislation can be checked by a 2nd chamber
made up of learned men/women who might subject sensitive legislation via forensic scrutiny. Our Parliament/Senate till about the late 1970s fell under this category. But with JathikaPola vegetable vendors ending as “Drs” and MPs; with established Lunatics being certified sane and as MPs; with nymphos more suited to sleazy bordellos voted to the House the standards will be different.
Senguttuvan
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gamini / October 24, 2012
Senguttuvan, at the rate the remaining Academics and Professionals are being exposed of their dubious characters, I believe we will have to import some of our best that have migrated to form the Senate.
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Silva / October 25, 2012
Whoever destroyed our senate back in time instead of refining, empowering and making it more country and people friendly and more democratic did great harm to the country. However genuine honest progressive and constructive the intentions of JR were and whatever breakthroughs he achieved by introducing the liberal economy using the power of the Executive Presidency, history has now presented us the results of the empirical truths and knowledge that JR’s vision has failed by his successors! Though JR is not directly responsible for it for it is an issue created by his successors, the judiciary, the legislature and the very people who have the sovereign power who have misplaced and mal-utilized same, had he opted for perpetuation of a Senate based governance the country may have been in a better shape by now because a strong Senate demands critical functions of a country like creating maintaining and improving a highly intelligent, broadminded, impartial and innovative human resource so that the Senate can recruit it members from a rich reservoir of such persons, the important decision making of the country does not rest solely on the whims and fancies of a particular individual or a group or a family but rather reflect a broader representation of views of the society etc. However a Senate is an evolutionary process of a country because its components have to be born and nurtured in the fertile ground of functioning democracy, respect for and adoption of law as the framework of social behavior and development and respect for human rights etc. This Rajapaksha regime can and will never create such an entity because it has annihilated all that was left from former democratic Sri Lanka. What it creates, if ever, would be another distortion and manifestation of the existing despotism! No qualms about it, rest assured!
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Sri Krishna / October 25, 2012
Dear Senguttuvan, Gamini, Leela and others.
The abolition of Provincial council and replacement with Senate is not a progressive step.
The abolition will lead to complete subordination of all minorities and result in supremacy of majoritarian racism under a unitary set up whereas power sharing at the periphery should be coupled with power sharing at the centre as a reasonable political solution within an undivided country.
This will enhance real democracy- participatory democracy-not a majoritarian democracy ie confined to periodic elections however unfair they may be.
Once the Provincial Councils are abolished the Governors and ministers of the Provincial Councils will be unemployed and the government will have to absorb them as members of the Senate and appoint them as ministers at the centre to pacify them -resolving any opposition that may arise with the resulting loss of office.
The senate will undoubtedly be filled with the rejected politicians and undesirable elements as is happening nowadays.
The government wants absolute power among a selected few. They do not want to share power even among their supporters.
It is improbable to expect them to share power even with the Judiciary or any independent institutions.
Absolute power corrupts absolutely and the downfall of the entire clan is inevitable.
Sri Krishna
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gamini / October 25, 2012
Sri Krishna, when I meant establishing a Senate what I refered was for the body to include non Political, Educated Individuals with good Track record from all Communities. A few who come to my mind are people like Elmore Perera, Nihal Sri Amarasekara, Visvalingam, Jayantha Dhanapala, Savitri Goonasekara, et al.
In hind sight I believe this current proposal to do away with the 13th Amendment would not have originated from Gota alone, but looks as if he has the blessings of America and India as well. All of you believe that India will not take kindly to it, but mark my words they will fall behind, contrary to what you and I think, as things happen in the Political Horizon here that are decided for the Rajapaksas by the outside Powers.
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Sri Krishna / October 25, 2012
Dear Gamini,
Unfortunately members to the Senate are not going to be nominated by me and you.It will be done by the polititians.
They will select members to pay back for favours or based on political expediancy.However even People like Elmore Perera, Nihal Sri Amarasekara, Visvalingam, Jayantha Dhanapalaor Savitri Goonasekara are not going to reflect the needs and aspirations of the entire population.
They have their own prejudices.
The governments by the professionals are not better than the criminals.
Power corrupts.
Power in the hands of even decent people will corrupt.
We must build up democratic institutions so that any X,Y or Z holding any post will not be able to adopt corrupat practices.
It is the institutions that must safeguard not any person .
We must be governed by rule of law,not by rule of men.
Sri Krishna
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Silva / October 26, 2012
Sri Krishna, If I may add my thoughts to your constructive ideas, democratic institutions and rule of law are extremely important but they alone cannot function property efficiently and effectively and X,Y or Z must comprise Elmore Perera, Nihal Sri Amarasekara, Visvalingam, Jayantha Dhanapalaor Savitri Goonasekara etc. but not those like MARA, GORA, NARA, CHRA, SIRA and Merviya etc. And as you say if they contravene the substance of their selection and function there must be a way to address that issue as well. True this is a difficult task but it is worthwhile putting together the valuable and capable talents of knowledgeable people in the country. By Senate I meant the post of the Executive Presidency and not the repeal of Provincial Councils. However as with any other government institution Provincial Councils too are very inefficient and ineffective bodies wasting public money and time. There must be progressive reforms from top to bottom. All these institutions must be subjected to an evolutional process under the careful review of knowledgeable luminaries, professionals, experts, educators etc. and more importantly the inputs of the general public as well.
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Senguttuvan / October 25, 2012
Dear Dr. Seneviratne:
I consider myself fortunate I have many Sinhala friends who think along your lines – sans communal prejudice. They love Sri Lanka and all its citizens beyond bigotry and will do their best to regain our unity. I am, by the way,not an Irrigation Engineer. I quoted what he (the IE)told me about attacks by alleged JVP men in the residential areas of Cbo during 7/83.
For years now the country has been emotionally divided into the Tamil parts and Sinhala South – thanks to whom Nalin de Silva and Gunadasa Amerasekera, in their own demented glee, refer to as the Children of 1956 (Panashaye Daruwo?)
I think the PC scheme for the South did us harm. I know most Sinhalese feel the same way. The original framers of the 13th A, some of whose thinking I knew, had the PC system in view only for the NEP but the Sinhala extremists in JRJ’s Cabinet insisted this be given to the South as well. See the enormous harm this terrible White Elephant did. If you recall, in the earlier years the difficult Kashmir issue was tackled with the State being given a special Status – and even a PM. Why not here (minus the PM part)I think it not a bad idea to allow the NEP to have a contiguous and merged Province with wider powers – to encourage them to be a part of undivided Sri Lanka. For this sufficient guarantees should be provided to old inhabitants in the areas from the Muslim and Sinhala communities. India can be made to underwrite guarantees the unit will not make an effort to align with Tamilnadu – a constant worry to the Sinhala pysche.
At any rate, I know Tamilnadu and actors there sufficiently well to assure they do not want to have another untested headache. They are already well developed and might as well concentrate on improving their drinking water and power suppply priorities. If the Tamil NEP develops, the physical harm to Tamils by the armed forces stop and if Lankan Tamils are allowed to enjoy their lives in their own homes/farms free of fear and attacks that is all what MK, JJ and just about every leader in TN wants – as I understand the issue.
Tku for your good wishes for Jaffna, Batti and Trinco. I am sure the people of these areas will deeply appreciate this. With gracious thoughts such as this, we certainly can regain our tranquility of years gone by.
Senguttuvan
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Senguttuvan / October 25, 2012
From that shallow Keheliya Rambukwella’s Press Conference yesterday, it looks like the Rajapakses are feeling the heat. This garrulous and brainless Minister now says the idea of repealing the 13th A is the mischievous work of enemies of the regime???? So, my friends, hold your fire for the moment. I hear the strains of Sunil of the Gypies “meka nang Comnedy ratak nedha?” in the background.
Senguttuvan
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gamini / October 26, 2012
Senguttuvan, this is not the first time MR had to roll his proposals. This is the real capability of the man. Do you still seriously believe he finished the LTTE? The LTTE was finished by the Americans and the Indians where they were put to a War sans their weapons, with the promise of a way out for VP honourably. Yes they honoured VP an exit of no return and the foolish believe it was due to the Brilliance of MR.
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Silva / October 26, 2012
Senguttuvan, that is why I challenged Leela in one of my earlier comments to go ahead with the repeal if they could! They can’t simply do it. They will venture it if India and the regime get involved, as Gamini suggests, in some illicit and underhand deal. But again that underhand deal is in total harm and long-term repercussions against SL. Such an attempt would be an obvious but covert measure to exploit subjugate and divide this country. The effects would be irredeemable! When considering all the things that are happening under the Rajapakahs regime we are day by day become more and more convinced of former Chandrika bitch’s statement that Rajapakshas are uneducated uncultured bastards! JR came to power and within months he wrote and implemented a constitution and whatever the pros and cons are it is still the law of the land whereas the Rajapakshas are groping in the dark not knowing what to do and in the meantime the country is going down the drain! Something that spills over to my previous comment as well is that JR established the democratic institutions and allowed law and order to function and gave intelligent and principled leadership to the function of democracy in the country whereas in today’s context it is the same constitution, same law but not the same kind and quality of leadership that is at the helm which is why we all, why the very democracy suffer! I would like to express to you that it is my fervent wish that the Tamils must be let and able to live in this country like the rest of the majority without bias prejudice restrains etc. and that under the leadership of RW such an opening and an opportunity would unfold!
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shankar / October 28, 2012
Wimal Weerawansa says a referendum should be held to decide on the fate of the 13th amendment.There is some merit in this proposal because we are supposed to be living in a democracy and what the people want is paramount to democratic values.Of course if we can give something better than what the people want,that is even better.For example Ford said that if he had asked the american people what they would like they would have said they wanted faster horses.So he did not ask them but gave them cars instead.
Let us assume that at the referendum the people of the north and the east affirm that they would like the provincial councils.The rest of the country says,no they don’t want it because they have too many politicians as it is and they hate the breed.
Then the government can take the proposal upto the indians and tell them “now see,the people have rejected the provincial council concept”.To this the Indians will reply”but the north and east has not”so why don’t you give the north and east seperate provincial councils and abolish them in the rest of the country”.
That seems to be a fair solution where the wishes of the people are respected and the Indo- Lanka accord is amended bilaterally by the two parties to the agreement,instead of unilaterally by one party resulting in relationships being brought to rock bottom with our closest neighbour in asia.
I of course prefer the Ford approach and would like to give the people something even better than what they want at the moment.My vision for Sri Lanka is that it should become a developed country like other small countries like Switzerland,Taiwan,Netherlands etc,which are even smaller than us,so size as an excuse cannot be entertained.I would like to see this vision with my own eyes,but time is running out as we all have to wither and die and so do I,and there is no guarantee that I would be born in Sri Lanka again.
So what is it that has stopped us in our tracks from following in the footsteps of the even smaller countries that I mentioned?possible reasons are
1. Lack of unity.Unity gives strength they say.Let alone strength,we have by our disunity practically bled ourselves to death.
2.Lop sided development.Though 70 per cent of people live in rural areas,urban areas are getting all the facilities at the expense of these rural folk,forcing them to migrate to towns and cities and become virtual slum dwellers.
3.Poor governance issues.
The first problem can be tackled through devolution of powers to the north and east enabling the people there to manage there own affairs.Also the language problems faced by the Tamils and Muslims should be sorted out by full and speedy implementation of the 16th amendment.
The second problem can be tackled by having 5 provincial councils for the country,namely Northern,Southern,western,eastern and central,each with one fifth of land area,and resources allocated to each on the basis of population as well as land area.For example let us assume that the government revenue for 2013 is 2 billion dollars.It should allocate 50 per cent of it(1 billion$) on the basis of area.So each provincial council is guaranteed 200 billion dollars irrespective of the number of people living in it.So this will facilitate less developed areas to become developed and migration of people to follow.The balance one billion of revenue can be allocated based on the population already living in the province.
The third problem of course has to be tackled on a continuous improvement process where all areas of weaknesses in governance should be identified and plugged up.Foremost among this is lack of transparency and accountability and lack of FDI as a result,and to plug this up we should start on putting a proper foundation by implementing the 17th amendment.Also we all know that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely,so abolishing the presidency created by the megalomaniac Junius Richard Ceaser Jayawardena is a must for all of us ordinary folk who have no power at all to fight back democratically against very powerful forces dispensing injustice.
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shankar / October 28, 2012
Sorry,me think I made a mistake.Each provincial council is guaranteed 200 million dollars instead of 200 billion as I have stated.My numeracy skills may be poor because of my public education in Sri Lanka where the teachers just kept scribbling something on the board that only they could understand while we students were having a nice chat.Of course when boredom sets in a paperball or two would be sent off,sometimes towards the bald head writing on the blackboard.Then all hell would break loose.Aaah,those were the days,we will never get back.
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