By Jehan Perera –
Jehan Perera
The government’s inability to obtain the support of the ethnic and religious minorities was visible in the outcome of the presidential election. The popular vote in the districts in which the minority communities predominated went overwhelmingly to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s main challenger, Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa. At his swearing in ceremony, President Rajapaksa was straightforward enough to acknowledge this reality. He said he had been elected president on the votes of the ethnic majority. But in a statesmanlike manner he promised to govern as the president of all Sri Lankans. This is a pledge that the president has repeated on other important occasions, most recently on Independence Day.
In his Independence Day speech, the president said, “I have the vision that I must serve as the leader of the country looking after all citizens rather than serve as a political leader concerned only about a particular community. As the President today, I represent the entire Sri Lankan nation irrespective of ethnicity, religion, party affiliation or other differences.” These words of the president make him a leader in the mode of Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore, who was no-nonsense and firm when it came to dealing with political opponents, but scrupulously mindful in treating all communities in his country alike and ensuring that they mixed together in the areas in which they lived.
The statesmanlike words of President Rajapaksa, to be the president of all Sri Lankans and to treat all communities without discrimination needs to be respected. This will facilitate a Sri Lankan nationalism to germinate on the fertile soil of the motherland so as to yield a bountiful harvest as stated in the national anthem. Sri Lanka has so far been unfortunate not to have a national leader of the caliber of Abraham Lincoln, Nelson Mandela or Jawaharlal Nehru who is able to convince the entire nation, in its multi ethnic and multi religious diversity that they are all children of one mother as so meaningfully proclaimed in the anthem.
Falling Short
However, despite the president’s statesmanlike words, the government is continuing to fall short in its efforts to realize the president’s vision of being the president of all Sri Lankans. The failure of the government to have the national anthem sung at the Independence Day celebrations in both official languages of the country, in Sinhala and Tamil, was a setback to the dream of having a Sri Lankan leader with the depth and capacity to rise to the pantheon of great national unifiers. This failure came as a great disappointment to those who expected the government to be responsive to the sentiments of the ethnic and religious minorities to feel a sense of belonging to the country.
Today, President Rajapaksa has an unparalleled opportunity to become a truly national leader. The war is over more than ten years and there is no uncooperative entity such as the LTTE with the power to wreck a unifying initiative. During her period of office, President Chandrika Kumaratunga displayed both the intellectual qualities and the political willingness to reach out to the ethnic and religious minorities, but her aspirations were undermined by the actions of the LTTE over which she had no influence. This was also an opportunity that President Rajapaksa’s elder brother Mahinda had when he became president for a second term after having defeated the LTTE in battle, but failed to take.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s government was elected to power in 2010 with a large majority and high expectations. But the opportunity to include the ethnic and religious minorities was not taken as the government preferred to traverse the path of ethnic majoritarian dominance which effectively excluded the minorities. This alienated the minorities who felt that they had become the main victims of impunity by government and paramilitary actors. In addition, the international community began to put pressure on the government for its reluctance to put forward a viable roadmap to reconciliation. They began to put economic sanctions, including the withdrawal of the GSP Plus tax concession which undermined the prospects for rapid economic development with foreign participation.
Pragmatic Options
With the general elections going to be held in April this year, the government would need to pay attention to the possibility of a similar set of negative factors to converge on it at the present time. As in the period 2010—15 the government is moving in the direction of conflict with the international community led by the United States. The travel ban imposed on the Sri Lankan army commander and also his entire family has evoked widespread condemnation within the country especially for the inclusion of family members. This is a continuation of a regime of international sanctions against Sri Lanka on the grounds of its unwillingness to deal with unresolved issues of the last phase of the war, including those of missing persons and accountability for human rights violations.
Unfortunately, the government’s immediate response was to announce it would be pulling out of Sri Lanka’s co-sponsorship of UNHRC resolution 30/1. This resolution set up a roadmap to reconciliation that had the support of the international community. In terms of reaching to the ethnic and religious minorities, there is a need for the government to minimize their sense of being targeted for hostile action. The sudden revival of security checkpoints in the north and east would be affecting mostly ethnic and religious minority populations, as they are predominant in those areas. At the present time both those who travel in public buses and private vehicles are being compelled to get down at security barriers even in the middle of the night and personally carry their baggage to the checkpoints. Even very elderly people, in their eighties, have been subjected to this treatment.
If the government hopes to dispel the sense that it is opposed to ethnic and religious minorities and obtain their support at the forthcoming general election it will need to make positive gestures to them, such as finding ways to minimize the inconvenience to travelers. Another concern is the checking of meetings and discussions in the north and east especially but also elsewhere by state intelligence agencies. This is done politely for the most part without any element of direct threat. However, this is still worrying to people who have a memory of events not so long ago when they were similarly questioned though in different circumstances. Such questioning today sends a message to those being questioned that they are not trusted. Any leader who wishes to be a statesman would wish to build trust with the people as a first step, regardless of their ethnicity or religion, by making them feel safe.
Houdini / February 25, 2020
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will deliver. If he can’t then no one else can. He is no magician like Ranil Wickremasinghe who emptied the Central Bank without even going there.
If Sri lankans want magicians to solve their problems then they need to bring magicians to power.
There are many magicians in lankan politics waiting to come on stage and show their magical powers, give them a chance and they will remove ones underwear without even touching the person. Abracadabra !!!!!
/
Amarasiri / February 25, 2020
Jehan Petera,
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will deliver to the Rajapaksa Tribe, it’s members and cronies.
The tribe members who stole can keep the loot.
The imbeciles, mean IQ 79, will have to wait.
Do you remember, during the 1970 election, the late Dr. N M Perera, claimed that he will get every household a job and a house. A few years later they had to give up rice and manioc and go on intermittent fasting. Anyway, intermittent fasting us good for people who are not starving, not children and not pregnant and nursing mothers.
/
Dinuk / February 25, 2020
Jehan: India is burning as Trump Pivots to Asia and visits to sell 3 billion USD$ worth of arms to Moda Modi for weaponizing Hindu-Muslim differences.
The Indian intelligence establishment is in the grip of CIA and US military business industrial complex that sells weapons after targeting Muslims with the CIA owned ISIS narrative and CAA and Kashmir. We are familiar with how CIA-and Saudi wahabi Salafi project used Muslim boys for the Easter attacks in Sri Lanka to set up military bases using the IS story. US is doing same in India.
Divide and Rule to sell arms is the Trumpland project.
America’s Pivot to Asia policy to de-stabize it in 2020 is unfolding
1. Targetting Irans’ General Sulaimani and also using Corona virus against Iran
2. Biological warfare and economic war in the form of Corona against China
3. Weaponizing the Hindu-Muslim tensions in India after the CIA Pullwamar operation to bring back Moda Modi and sell arms to India.
/
Bunjappu / February 25, 2020
Bro Amarasir@
I am visiting my mother land these days and have the feeling Tuk tuk driver to any one coming from various walks of life has been disturbed by the blatant lies being spread by pro rajapakse media.
Nothing is achieved by current govt according to them
/
Amarasiri / February 26, 2020
Bunjappu ,
“Tuk tuk driver to any one coming from various walks of life has been disturbed by the blatant lies being spread by pro rajapakse media.
Nothing is achieved by current govt according to them.”
The election was about rescuing the Tribe, and their cronies. This was helped by the Rail/Sirisena duo, because of the many failures, even though they did make some progress.
Tuk tuk drivers, taxi drivers , vegetable and fish vendors, salesmen, housewives etc. are good barometers for measuring the pulse of the populace. Unfortunately, many are very gullible.
Do you remember, after the 1970 election, the late Dr. N M Perera, replaced the old notes with the new notes ( a good thing, because , it made a lot of people to open savings accounts) ,claimed that he will get every household a job and a house bur soon within a few years there were queues for everything, even food with rationing, and in the 1977 election UNP came to power with a landslide, the resulting executive presidency. We all know the rest of the story.
Will common sense descend on the common voter, mean IQ 79?
/
Laxmi / February 25, 2020
Not much to chose between US puppet Bondscam Ranil and US citizen Rajapaksa brothers?!
2. Dr. JP why do you never talk about POLITICAL CORRUPTION as the root cause of Lanka’s ethnic and religious conflict by politicians who play ethnic and religious differences to enlarge their wallets while promoting foreign agendas and fake development Aid projects that debt trap the country?!
3. Dr. JP, hope NPC will name and Shame the Saudi-US owned ISIL that used Zaharan’s boys to set up US bases in the Ester Coast and Mannar and the CIA role in the Easter Carnage last year on the first anniversary this Easter Sunday?!
3.DJ ave you understood the USAID Fake reconciliation project of “National Government” was a UNP-SLFP bi-partisan corruption racket which turned the Parliament into a Cesspit of Corruption, with all politicians, including JVP and minority politicians given duty free cars and perks in order to pass the MCC and SOFA project? DO you know that this has been revealed now.
/
harishchandra / February 25, 2020
Laxmi, For your knowledge I would like to inform you that not a single JVP MPp owns duty free cars or limousines, and that they use only vehicles belonging to and registered in the name of the party.
/
Burt / February 26, 2020
I too believe that the JVP are the best choice out of the crowd but unfortunately they can pull a good crowd for meetings but are unable to do the same with the ballot.
No one expected them to win the Presidential election but the number of votes they received was miserable.
/
JD / February 25, 2020
LAXMI: Every time explaining this same stuff with this boring to read article, what Jehan Perera JD explains is HYBRID WAR. In some places they won in some places they are losing. Read under HYBRID WAR in the web.
/
Lankan / February 25, 2020
Will he deliver justice and lock himself up?
Haha…you people are hilarious!
/
Leelagemalli / February 25, 2020
Srilanka Media is silent or made silent today for them to allow painting the picture in favour them. Looking back what they have performed during the last 100 days is not even 1% of the previous govt. Believe or not, like or not, the truths should be common to everyone. May be local media is now subjected to their codes of rules rather than, introducing proper rules and regulations to all as pledged in election campaigns.
:;
i dont know about anyothers, but I feel nothing is moving from the stop where GG govt got lagged. So what more talks we need when going to defeat the current men in upcoming elections.
BpS that got lagged with crime investigations make every efforts to get cancelled their allegations and charges levelled at them. This is common to Mahinda Rajakshe, Gotabataya, Yoshita, Namal and everyone in that lot not forgetting that jonsten, street boy Wimal Buruwanse, Udaya Gonthadipila and all.
:
I do believe, people are not that STUPID today, as I myself got to know from them while talking to them in Tuk Tuk, Taxi or any other places I met them during the on going visit being paid to my home country.
–
Many believe today, that NO leader can help the SITUATION even if they made false promises by misleading the masses for their come back. The wound had already been festated and beyond curable stage, at the time, BP Mahinda went for elections, two years earlier in 2015.
:
Today very same Ballige putha to go to India and kneel down before their leader in that country, b y betraying the image of lankens SHOWEd to the people world wide…. the very same manner who made the country and the nation, eternal debtors has no other choice than doing so.
/
Eagle Eye / February 25, 2020
Leelagemalli
“BpS that got lagged with crime investigations make every efforts to get cancelled their allegations and charges levelled at them.”
—
Did you hand over charge sheets to Mahinda Rajapakse and Gotabhaya Rajapakse for killing ‘Para’ Demala megalomaniac Piripakaran Bellige Putha?
/
Leelagemalli / February 26, 2020
mind your own business ULTRA racist – sinhala modaya Eagel BP.
.
I dont hate human beings but you the kind of BPs I hate forever.
:
We the sinhalayas would never forgive you for high harms your pen and orifices have made sofar.
:
Please EAGLE, contact your nearest PSYCHOLOGIST, that can help at least your family and the close circles.
–
Your reactions even more dangerous than Nagasaki bombs.
–
May your GEHIRN be bigger for the sake of the HUMANITY.
/
Leelagemalli / February 26, 2020
Why should I hand over CHARGE sheet knowing that BP Mahinda Rajakashe is even worst than all the high criminals together. You the kind of BPs woul dnever see it right. See, the crime investigations started with former govt should have been continued, but BPs came to power misleading the nation (Punnakku Eaters dominated srilanka), would never see it right.
:’
This is simply a curse to our nation. All we the kind of people are branded as ” Demalu”. … I think tamils are much better than all you the kind of racists.
/
JD / February 25, 2020
LeeLage malli. Yahapalana 40 days, they emptied all the banks and EPF funds via the central banks. This govt did not do anything like that. On the other hand, certain things are happening because it is the same 225. Think about chasing out them when the election comes. You Tamils, vote the same corrupt TNA and others who wants only to preserve their candidate list but nothing about people. TNA also got Bond scam profits. That is why parliament is against the forensic report. Even TNA car drivers got Bond scam profits,
/
Leelagemalli / February 26, 2020
JD,
please read or listen to Forensic Reports.
:
Neverthless you the kind of BORN bps further to stay licking the balls of Maharajas is beyond my understanding.
:
Their losses made under BP Mahinda is believed to be over 11000 millions while the losses reported under GG rule is not even 600 million or something…. but you guys dont care about the facts, as if that BP Prof. Pundith incumbent chief monks made public statements about that RELICS saga, you guys make every effort to believe in Rajaakshes not thinking about the people of this country.
–
Besides, if GG did not reveal the depths of the losses made in CB, you guys would no thave been aware of any high crimes deliberately made by Rajakshes.
:
And the fact is RW will become cleaner … day by day, from the allegations levelled at him, but BP Rajakshes are even more hateful by people today…. any tuk tuk driver or any other men coming from various walks of life told me… they would hate RAJAKSHES and the GE before us will never allow them to harvest 2/3 majority.
:
My wish is, NATURE to PUNISH Rajakshes for his misleading nature. They are masters to mislead VULNERABLE people in this country. They would eat cow dung three times a day if they would hav ebeen askied to do so. That ballige putha from DOWN under, by name Mahindapala would live on the excreta of Rajaakshes for his selfish gains.
:
I AM SURE even the worms that would decay the cadava of the dead would stand against EAGLE aka Mahindapala.
/
babalath appu / February 26, 2020
It is matter of interpretation thing. How dare you the kin d of learnt men too do so ?
:
When BPs of Rajakashe family as Tsunami embezzellers looted the CB going beyond all levels, you guys are made silent, but it being caught by GG govt, you make a big voice?
Where is the rationale ?
I think you guys are made to spread lies for the political surival of BP Rajakashes.
–
May sinhalaya be punished by lightening, if they would not see it right let alone today.
:
May BP Eagle be punished by the maximum, not allowing him a natural death, for all high crimes he supported from that day on.
/
Anonymous / February 25, 2020
Is it true that Gotabayas Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi had taken a picture with a random Chinese woman claiming she was the Coronavirus patent as a publicity stunt!!? Shame on this government! Is this why Rohitha Rajapaksa apologizes for his comments deflecting as it was another patent when questioned???
/
babalath appu / February 27, 2020
Pawithara the prostitute of Rajakahes clan would do any low work to be in good books of those rascals, even if she may have not the least knowledge to be the MINISTER of health. Bitch does not care about setting proper control machines in BIA yet today, we the ones keep coming from EUROPE are well aware of the facts the controls being set at the airport are not good enough. Just setting a Infra red machine to check the passsengers with some high temperatures would do nothing.
Ballige puthas with loot should come forward and do the best in protecting the nation at this critical jun cture of lanken health problems.
Pawithra Bitch would be good at some other things, no means to Health issues for this country. At least over 60 lacks of people in this country are not MODAYAS even if BP Mahinda would continue with his tactics trying to fool the nation further.
–
My wish is Rajakshe rascals be the first pateitnst to be dead by Corona virus could do lot more good to this nation.
/
Lalith / February 25, 2020
Houdini,
We know he is not a magician. Hope he is not an illusionist either. If not the state coffer will end up specially in MR family chest. Now MR family has expanded in three folds with very ambitious in laws, only God can bless us with public money. We see now little by little they are coming out of the woodwork after 5 years. GR should also remember one of the reasons people favoured his wife as the first lady, because she is a simple lady, not a pandall. People favoured his son because he is a meritocrat, not a backdoor man. Hope when GR governs he will not follow the famous “Blood is thicker than water” phrase.
/
Sita / February 26, 2020
With all the commissions the Rajapaksa’s received through lucrative contracts, you have to ask how they all became Houdinis and made it all vanish into off shore banks, and real estate abroad. They are magicians all right. They also made investigations against them, including murders, corruption, all vanish…poof!
/
Dilshan / February 25, 2020
Do you expect.war.criminal.to be a.statesman. what a dream.his rightful place is electric chair in Hague
/
Pon Kulendiren / February 25, 2020
Communal hatred is deeply rooted in the Singhal community. The main reason is frequent invasion by Tamil kings from Tamil Nadu. Elara Dutugemunu ( between a Tamil and Tamil war) war, is used as political propaganda to develop the hatred between Tamil and Singhalese. The President took oath in front of the Dutugemunu statue showing that he is an advocator of Sinhala Tamil hatred. This is cheap politics to win votes He being from Ruhuna is not aware of the roots of Dutugemunu ‘s. ancestor Devanampmiya teesan was Tamil king. When it comes to current politics heritage gets distorted There is no development unless there is communal unity. there is no communal unity so long as the Human rights of the minority are not respected. Much valuable time is wasted in planning strategy to suppress the minority
/
Eagle Eye / February 25, 2020
Pon Kulendiran,
“Communal hatred is deeply rooted in the Singhal community. The main reason is frequent invasion by Tamil kings from Tamil Nadu.”
—
Good that finally you realize why Native Sinhalayo hate ‘Para’ Demalu. ‘Para’ Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial parasites brought the arch enemy of Sinhalayo as slaves and dumped them in Sinhale. Thinking that at least this lot will behave like civilized people, Native Sinhalayo accommodated them and gave them citizenship in Sinhale when they were abandoned by colonial parasites. But these BPs were worse than their ancestors who invaded Sinhale before 1505. The hopes that Native Sinhalayo who were oppressed by colonial parasites, after gaining independence were completely shattered by these ‘Para’ BPs who started slaughtering Native Sinhalayo displaying their uncivilized and ungrateful nature.
/
Sach / February 25, 2020
The minorities always settle and live among Sinhalese . In areas where minorities are in control, sinhalese are chased away ……..and these racists talk about communal hatred in Sinhalese ……it is the communal hatred and history revisionism in you that has aggravated the matter
/
Native Vedda / February 26, 2020
Sachoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
–
“The minorities always settle and live among Sinhalese .”
–
And your mates Helass, somass, Thondamany, Taraki, wannihami, local Saffron clad thugs, ….. ministers, members of trade unions, members of political parties …..police, armed forces, …………… force minorities to periodically move away from where majority lived by force, violence, ……
–
Gota rounded up and expelled some 400 odd innocent Tamil Civilians from Colombo in June 2007.
/
Menik / February 25, 2020
You can judge how a candidate will act as President, by his actions, what he says, and what he intends to do. Keep in mind, a leopard never changes it’s spots, and those in the minority, who voted for him, imagined he was going to turn over a new leaf, and
foolishly hoped would look to the interests of the minority too, but so far, the signs are not good. This man NEVER emphasizes on unity, did not insist the National Anthem continue to be sung in a second language, and has yet to make the minority feel included in some way, all bad signs.
Next time his majority supporters get a yen to attack homes, businesses, and terrorize, the minority in the country, who has the confidence he will stop in and sternly stop the violence, and arrest the criminals? He did not do it as Defense Secretary, even supported the BBS, so who is foolish enough to think he will do so as president, after all he depends on those majority voters.
Until we have leadership that will unite this country, emphasize that all religions belong in this country, we will NEVER progress and be successful. We will remain a backward nation cursed with ethnic tensions and violence.
/
nalmen / February 25, 2020
dont waste your time
no one takes your advice
/
Lalin / February 25, 2020
How can he deliver when the bond and EPF Robbers are at large. Airline robbers are his relatives. Poor Gota.
/
Amila W / February 25, 2020
Who else noticed that Niqab issue surfaces as the Airbus & Udayanga cases are ongoing?
/
JD / February 25, 2020
Because of the Forensic report one new side of the parliament is affected. Now they say (AANDUWE HORANEWA, NBC), Forensic report is unconstitutional and AUDITOR General must be the one who should have assigned it and not the parliament. Can you believe, when Judiciary, Solicitor General, Police, Hanzard editor, Central bank and many more can not work as they wish and when the parliament and sometimes speaker say they are above the president. Not long ago Speaker summoned Solicitor General LIVERA to the speaker saying, he can not work the way he want. So, what do you conclude ?
CHANGE THE PARLIAMENT. DO NOT VOTE FOR PARTIES.
/
JD / February 25, 2020
DO NOT VOTE FOR PARTIES OR PERAMUNAS OF ANY KIND.
/
ROHAN JOHNPILLAI / February 25, 2020
the biggest mistake that the sitting on their brains Sinhala Buddhist and a few Christian blind loyal stooges of the catholic church are the cardinal who has forgotten his Christian teachings all got together and voted the war criminal into power.
=
even during the turbulent period of the mahindan rajapuka’s dictatorial regime most of the civilized democratic nations were against them.
UNHCR has drawn their daggers at this agreement breaking mongrels.
=
locally there were also many a calamity.?
the white vans, bribing of the MP’s to cross were among the paramount factors that led to mahindans downfall in 2015.
=
now with the 6.9 million votes, the kallathoni rode into the royal seat of power promising the earth the moon and the sky.
=
alas, not even 4 months have lapsed the whole never before had this type of victory has begun to fade and has fallen apart.?
=
as Mr. Jehan Perera has clearly illustrated in his fine masterpiece there’s no point in my repeating on the facts similar to a parrot.?
=
not been able to get into second gear this president, his uncanny cohorts have begun to fall apart at the seams
they are also drowning themselves hook line and they will be a sunk spent force soon.
=
the sooner the better is all I can wish for.?
=
cheers, R. J.
/
Don Stanley / February 25, 2020
Yes, Gota is more likely to deliver because he has the full measure of the US military business industrial intelligence entertainment and Fake News Complex and how it weaponizes religion by US owned IS attacks on “Cultural Sites” as at Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka last year. Trump threatened to attack Iran’s cultural sites after killing General Sulaimani – essentially a war crime that US has a long history of.
US has only 300 years of history and Culture and Asia – from Persia, to Lanka to China has 3,000, so Trump is envious and wants to bomb Asia’s cultural sites.
Also Dr, Jehan, he worst attacks against minorities – Tamils and Muslims happened on US puppet Bondscam Ranil and his Yankee dicky uncle’s regimes. 1982 and Easter Carnage and aftermath which was an attack on Islam by US owned and Saudi funded IS as most Muslims say.
The use of identity politics ethnic, religious, gender, LGBTQ to divide, distract and rule is part of how the US-EU works in order to loot Asia and Africa and the Global South with its favourite con men like butterfly Ranil or US citizen Gota. Also US, EU NATO promise fake development Aid to set up 800 US-NATO military bases in the world. MCC is part of this project.
/
JD / February 25, 2020
To add something for what DON STANLEY says, money those came from PL$*) like WHEAT flour projects. Now, it is another sinister source, should be drugs. so earned within sri lanka. I hear they had a win in Hybrid war in Lebanon, exactly the sri lankan system. they are planning to bring Latin american Drug money for Laundering.
Yahapalana govt legalized money laundering with their modified exchange control legislation.
/
Shamil / February 25, 2020
Jehan Perera, ethnic and religious minorities and particularly their corrupt and morally and intellectually bankrupt Political Leaders have been long used as the Cat’s Paw of US, Indian and now NATO intervention in strategically located Sri Lanka to control and access the Indian Ocean.
So too, religion and particularly Buddhism was Weapnonized by Asia Foundation and USAID to fight socialist and communist movements during the Cold War and also after the LTTE was eliminated in 2009, the BBS, Ravana Senai, and Ravana Balaya were set up with foreign funds.
This is the reality. Saudi funds to Zaharan and the Islamic University was a cover for the lily-pad military base in Sainthumarudu which was recently made a new municipality for MCC land grab and US SOF or Special Operations Forces which used Zaharan’s network to stage the Easter Carnage from Saindumarudu..
Open your eyes DJ!
/
chiv / February 25, 2020
He has delivered for Cardinal Ranjith. Cardinal he is very satisfied with current presidential commission report on Easter but not with previous PSC report. If anyone take a look , it is obvious there is no such difference in recommendations, and if at all some the culprits in the previous report are now sheltered in the new report. And still Cardinal Ranjith ( are you real?????) is very satisfied. Looks like with the elections in mind “the political blame game”as started, with the upcoming Geneva sessions. As I mentioned there is never a dull moment in Silly Lanka.All this at the expense of Stupid Lankans.
/
Burt / February 25, 2020
Talk is cheap. This guy is a racist Sinhala Buddhist. That’s all on that subject.
On what he will deliver. End of his term you might have clean and wide roads but the country will be drowned in debt.
/
Native Vedda / February 25, 2020
Burt
–
“This guy is a racist Sinhala Buddhist.”
–
More than that, he was an aspiring fascist, self proclaimed strongman, Aasgiriya blessed him being a Hitler, soma wants him to rollback multiethnic practices possibly sending all and sundry other than Sinhala/Buddhists back to their home lands……..
–
Now is his time to transform this pseudo liberal state into a fully fledged country of
“Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Führer – “One People, One Empire, One Leader”.
/
K.A. Sumanasekera / February 25, 2020
Bond Scam , Easter Suicide Bombs. Santhosams on even cancelling Aircraft Orders not buying, Ministers fixing Court Cases. Ministers producing bogus Drivers in Hit and Run accidents, Ministers talking Sex on Govt Issue Mobile phones, Jailing of innocent Buddhist monks, Jailing of Public Servants who helped poor Sinhala Buddhists ,USD 6 Billion extra Debt mainly to import Super Luxury Fedenders for UNP Ministers, extra LKR 100,000 each on top of that massive Wages plus Perks for Mps to have a nap in Kotte, during Rule making for our suckers.
And the list goes on and on…
–
Prez Nandasen now has to sort out these Yahapalana Achievements before he can get down to real business of lifting the living standards of the Dalits who are the great majority.
–
And then restore Law and Order where CID bosses do not have to wash Pots and Pans in UNP Ministers households.
–
Most of all Prez Nandasena has to restore National Security so People can kneel and tell their prayers to the Lord and Jesus from Nasareth on the coming Easter Sunday.
–
Shouldn’t Dr Jehan have some patience before trying to force Prez Nandasena to bend over to the UN and the US and sign off on the Resolution and the MCC Pact.?.
–
Can Dr Jeahn give us grace till 2025 when our Dalits will have at least half the per capita Income of the NGOs and the UNP Supporters.
–
By then our great inhabitant population wouldn’t mind even if Dr Jehan’;s mates have Federal States in the North and the the East to go along with the UN Resolutions and the MCC.
–
But I can guarantee that Prez Nandasena will never hand over our War Heroes to Ms Sooka and the Diaspora.
/
Lankan / February 25, 2020
Thank you for your worthless insights Sumanasekara!
/
Native Vedda / February 25, 2020
KASmaalam K.A. Sumanasekera
–
“But I can guarantee that Prez Nandasena will never hand over our War Heroes to Ms Sooka and the Diaspora.”
–
There is a price to pay for war crimes that had been committed in this land. You can run but you can’t hide.
–
Why haven’t you gone to New Delhi to protest against Donald for denying a Visa for Mrs Shavendra Silva to visit USA on a shopping trip? Why is she so desperate to visit neocolonialists in the usa
/
K.A. Sumanasekera / February 26, 2020
Dear Native,
–
Apparently Trump’s predecessor also slapped a ban on Field Marshall Ponseka and his family too..
–
But Ponseka is doing ok , Isn’t he Native?.
–
In fact FM Ponseka would have become the all Powerful Defence Minister, if KK scored in December.
–
And Shavendra Silva would have been in the slammer, with Gota and the Brothers hanging on Carlton House Windows in the Four Corners.
–
BTW, Did you hear Mr Bathdeen declaring that the UNP Opposition Leader is his new Leader.
And Bathudeen is going to contest under the UNP Keselwatta Kid Faction.Just like his compatriot Rauf Hakeem did under Dr Ranil Faction last time.
–
Guess what mate,
Akila Boy told the Media yesterday the UNP is going to form the next Govt with the 90 seats which the UNP is going to score.
–
With 40 seats which Abraham has already guaranteed , that is a whopping 130 seats.
–
Akila Boy has even invited the SLFP Patriots to join the UNP after winning their seats under Pohottuwa.
–
Bloody marvelous brains these UNP are . Aren’t they Native?.
–
Looks like Dr Jehans have nothing to worry.
–
With 130 Seats on their own plus the SLFP and Bathideen Party, even Prez Nandasena may end up with Ms Sooka and the Diaspora alongside Shavendra Silva..
/
Eagle Eye / February 25, 2020
“The war is over more than ten years and there is no uncooperative entity such as the LTTE with the power to wreck a unifying initiative.”
—-
LTTE may not be there but there is a set of people representing LTTE who are all out to wreck unifying initiatives if those initiatives do not fall in line with their political ambitions although those initiatives might be beneficial to a large number of people.
/
Sam Fernando / February 25, 2020
War over is more than 10 years, but BPs of Rajaakshes have still been trying to mislead the nation, by reciting the same SONG about the self glorifications of BP Rajakshes. May the masses be knowledgeble or impoved their knowledge about the future of this country , and let getting elected the best of the choice
/
Eagle Eye / February 25, 2020
“At the present time both those who travel in public buses and private vehicles are being compelled to get down at security barriers even in the middle of the night and personally carry their baggage to the checkpoints. Even very elderly people, in their eighties, have been subjected to this treatment.”
—
Who should be blamed for creating this situation? Not Native Sinhalayo. It is ‘Para’ Demala and ‘Para’ Muslim extremists. Curse those BPs.
/
rbh / February 25, 2020
Eagle Eye
Why are monks slapping/assauliting innocents who is starting socially unacceptable act
/
Lasantha Pethiyagoda / February 25, 2020
While acknowledging that language freedom has been glaringly missing in civic transactions in government offices (no person speaking only Tamil can get work done properly at a govt institution) the threat to diminishing safety and freedom is not limited to ethnic minorities. It appears that many govt agencies are now headed by ex-military personnel. While the stated rationale might include strict discipline, regimentalised processes and efficiency etc I feel there is a trend towards authoritarianism that should be disturbing to all citizens. In contrast to the highly inefficient previous regime that was nevertheless keen to establish a fairer and more accommodating and inclusive society despite tolerating rank corruption, fear and insecurity for the people will always feel worse than the alternative.
/
chiv / February 25, 2020
Lasantha its a way to keep an eye on each individual without them realizing. I f we have military personal sitting at the top in almost all government institutes, they will be of assistance in getting it done. For example the immigration guy will alert on people of interest coming or leaving , directly to GR, same with business/bank/financial transactions, media and other monitoring —-etc. We already have a military state. Next goal is the 2/3 majority which will help in amending the constitution as the family wish and that should clear any hurdles in governing for life. After all didn,t our stupid public vote for a “STRONG LEADER”. Their got their wishes come true.Did you notice Mahathir,s move . He made a pact with his opponent to send the corrupted govt home, But when the time came to handover power he just quit with few others (MS kind of move) so that govt will lose its majority. He must be hopping to come back to power at the age of 90 but does not realize this may actually bring back the corrupted leaders or worse give the power to the new Islamic Fundamental party. (who,s only goal is to see Malaysia, similar to Saudi like country. )
/
Henry Fernando / February 25, 2020
Whether one likes it not and irrespective of one’s religious belief , there is a spiritual dimension to politics which is unfortunately spelled out differently by power hungry political leaders and their goons. There can be no exception to the Universal Law, “Thou shall not kill”. Right to one’s life is never negotiable,even euthanasia is not accepted in the civilised world. In our country’s recent history we have witnessed extra judicial killings and disappearances of journalists and even prisoners held under the care of the Government. In this context one cannot expect any justice would be done to those seeking information and answers to those who were captured and surrendered, issuing death certificates or missing in action certificates would be only a face wash. Politicians in both sides of the divide are trying every trick in the book to circumvent the issues of responsibility.
These are not trivial matters a Govt. can dilly dally with. It is high time The Maha Sanga intervened to take meaningful and remedial action to prevent any escalation of may-hem and political unrest. People who voted in large numbers did not bargain for the present way of governance. They probably have gulped the hook line and sinker. The above observations are not really comments on Jehan Perera’s valuable write up, but a by-stander’s view on his observations.
/
ajith / February 25, 2020
Gota is no different to Mahinda. It is a family business. This family robbed this nation before 2015. You don’t need to prove it and You can’t prove it because over 75% of Sinhalese are lost their control over their conscience. They think there are better off financially, politically using their religion and democracy (75% votes ). The Geneva conference gave an opportunity for this government a two third majority in Parliament in which this family become life long rulers (you will not get the chance again to vote) and 100% of the population including Sinhalese have to become slaves of Mahinda family. You have to get a permission from Mahinda family even to breath after Sinhala Tamil New year.
/
Stan / February 25, 2020
If he is genuine about being the president of all communities he should release all the political prisoners who have been languishing in prison for more than ten years. They are not hearing these cases at all even after the passage of so many years.
But the case against PGR’s presidential candidacy was heard on a day-to-day basis!
Who are the donkeys who say the law is the same for everybody?
/
JD / February 26, 2020
STAN: The other side of that, they may be mostly mental patients because they involved in so many brutal killings and they were brain washed for suicide bombing. they also have the problem of integrating into the community. community is also hostile to them and they will not get employment. They also, I heard, they like the present arrangement as their are living under the supervision. These are killers and they may do it again if they are cornered. what they need ti psychiatirc treatment and leaving them as they are/
/
PARAGON / February 25, 2020
DEAR MR.JEHAN
REMEMBER that he has already delivered all the urgent demands of RAJAPAKSE FAMILY AND CLOSE ASSOCIATES.what more he has appointed all his war crime partners to all important CIVIL ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS including most important position in the customs department.ALMOST ALL CONVICTED CRIMINALS FROM ALL THREE FORCES HAVE BEEN RELEASED UNDER PARDON.FURTHER MORE HE IS TRYING TO UNDERMINE THE AUTHORITY OF COURTS one example is that his friend VASANTHA KARANAGODA IS avoiding to appear before courts neglecting the courts warrants. THERE ARE MORE DELIVERIES TAKING PLACE WHICH ARE NOT TO BE SEEN BY THE PRESS.WHAT MORE YOU WANT HIM TO DELIVER MR.JEHAN
/
soma / February 25, 2020
He has already delivered as far as I am concerned. Breaking the country into federal enclaves based on race and religion is out of the agenda.
–
Soma
/
Native Vedda / February 26, 2020
somass
–
“Breaking the country into federal enclaves based on race and religion is out of the agenda.”
–
Stop making these silly claims.
You know very well it was VP who not only prevented breaking the country but also protected the island’s sovereignty from invading IPKF while you and your cowardly armed forces were hiding behind women folks and VP’s fat bum. In the meantime your national hangman was hunting down innocent youth in the south. He didn’t even deliver the remains of the disappeared.
–
Cowards do not possess b***s.
/
Buddhist / February 25, 2020
I am not sure if the author is correct. The best thing that the earlier Rajapakse Govt or Yahapalana Govt or even the present Gota-Mahinda Military Govt should have done was to conduct an Independent Public Inquiry with UN Observers, similar to what South Africa under Nelson Mandela did. UN should only have observation status. This would have helped SL to get international acceptance. President of SL has powers to pardon anyone found guilty provided they have been open and honest during the inquiry. The inquiry should have got even the remnant LTTE members who are now reformed or have joined the Got-Mahinda Govt to the inquiry and accept what they have done. Karuna can come and tell how he killed the Policemen and the Buddhist Monks.This is the only way out for SL. If this is not done, this issue will continue and at the end it would end up that even the Rajapakse Family will be banned from travelling to USA and we will also lose GSP+ and other trade embargo can be placed on SL.
/
JD / February 25, 2020
The way things are happening in another bankrupt country which has no where to ask for is Greece. they are going to sell their Navy bases. Sri lanka also, if Ranil and Mangala were there would sell Trincomalee and colombo ports. Sri lankan Navy would be much loved. From army, only the selected groups would be petted. Eventually, Sri lanka would fight their war. Eventually Sri lanka becomes a Transnational state of which the Trade and military dominate. Sri lankan would have minimum wage jobs.
/
Lester / February 25, 2020
“The government’s inability to obtain the support of the ethnic and religious minorities was visible in the outcome of the presidential election.”
30 years was wasted putting down a rebellion by one of these minorities. 30 years of suicide terrorism, economic ruin, and brain drain. Now the country is left with $60 billion debt that future generations must somehow pay off. Given all of these, I ask the author, what does the country owe the minorities? Logically, it should be the other way. Let the minorities settle with the majority.
/
Douglas / February 25, 2020
Is there any one to remind the President that the International Community is watching what is going on with the Judiciary of the country.? I don’t think so. A case in point is that of Udayanga Weeratunga who was wanted on an “International Warrant”. This case when came up in courts, divulged the “Hidden Agenda” of the whole of “Rajapkse Clan”. The “Law Enforcement” agencies were “Revamped” by “Transfers” and “New Appointments” to accommodate the “Invisible” interference with the case to get this “Criminal”, who happens to be the “First Cousin” of all the “Rajapakse brothers” in politics. This case also involves the President too as an accused. The next case is that of the ex Navy Commender, “ABSCONDING” the Special Courts summons. He has been issued with summons for the “Fourth” time. The most “HILARIOUS” thing of this case is that the Law Enforcement stating in courts, that they cannot find this “Accused” to serve summons. Isn’t it very strange, that this man appeared a few days earlier to courts sitting at BMICH to give evidence in a Presidential Commission sittings. He is wanted in connection with the “Abduction” and “Disappearance” of the ” 11″ students, that is in the International arena. This situation is further magnify the “Interference” with the Judiciary, when he openly said in public ” The Judiciary must not interfere with my work”. The message is “CRYSTAL CLEAR” with this statement with the way these important cases are handled. Then comes the appointment of “EX Rtd. Armed Forces Personnels” to fill in positions that must be handled by the “Civilians”. The worst is that of the Commissioner General of the Customs. Why people don’t speak of this “DANGER”? Are “THEY” all “SILENCED” or MADE TO ACCEPT march towards a “Military Dictatorship”?
/
JD / February 25, 2020
This relates to the title of this article and not the boring stuff that Jehan JD talks. The new AVANT GUARD PROJECT is called avant guard samuha vyapara (business conglomerate). He says, the Navy is not as business minded as or not that profit oriented which means, they may grab ship – protection service from the Navy. Another thing is they have a security company all from retired Army fellows. The new project of rehabilitation of prisoners seems to be a very good project. IT is a business too as the former projects were. But the people signing into that seems to be top class crooks. Nimal Siripala De Silva had imported even during the Yahapalana govt some train engines that can not be used right away on the rail tracks. They need some modifications. Another joining is Wimal weerawansha. These people know where the preys are. Last time, as this was a business many politicians, mostly lawyers cum politicians shared humongous profits. I read in newspapers Raajitha was angry he did not get the same package some others got. The break point was that Ranil was supposed to get money. Because, he may use it for the election, Ranil was not given. So, Ranil was upset. so, he screwed up some not that important person to get the juice out of this incident. Another point it looks this time it may be connected with or may simulate Nil balakaaya. GOVT CAN PASS HUMONGOUS AMOUNTS MONEY OF SAYING SPENT FOR TRAINING AND REHABILITATING PRISONERS FOR NEW JOB PROSPECTS. EVENTUALLY IT MAY BECOME ANOTHER BOND SCAM, NEED TO KEEP AN EYE ON THAT. I THINK, ALL THE POLITICIANS JOINING ARE SHARE HOLDERS OF THE BUSINESS CONGLOMERATE. CT PUBLISH THIS AND DO NOT HIDE.
/
JD / February 25, 2020
The project seems to be a very good project. That Army Major seems to be a very capable, leader, look very loyal and honest man and a good businessman. The way project is planned, govt can empty the treasury via this project. As it is business, it is not bound to pay any share to the treasury back. One politician joining this project is said to own Rs 600 million (korti 600) bank deposit.
/
Over 75 years / February 25, 2020
One thing would be sure that in five year’s later, country would further indebted, bankrupt to pay back its mounting debts but, politicians would blame each other for all defaults and people would realize their mistakes.
/
JD / February 26, 2020
Some correction to what I said. Those most of the young politicians are very wealthy, some billionaires but not as rich as Rishad Bathiuddin, may be only one. Anyway, one that I mentioned is a SOCIALIST.
/
Buddhist / February 26, 2020
Gota- Mahinda and for that matter entire Rajapakse Family is filled with Racial Bias, they did not even allow the National Anthem to be sung in Tamil at the Independence celebrations. It appears independence is only to the Sinhalese. Did Gota- Mahinda team even consider a situation, like in US professional players not respecting US National Anthem and kneeling, if Tamils and Muslims did not get up for the Sinhala National Anthem? No one can do anything if this happens. I am sure soon its going to happen in SL.
/
Hamid / February 27, 2020
You sound obtuse to compare the two. The kneeling was about police brutality not about the anthem being sung in a particular language. Otherwise all non-Bengalis in India should have been on their knees. That’s called manufactured outrage as most countries sing their national anthem in one language, while remixes are considered unthinkable. Singing different versions would signal disunity. Then they all must be racists according to this logic? Remember that Gota and Mahinda are ethnic Malays by origin yet they don’t push a Malay version.
/
Nagalingam Ethirveerasingam / February 26, 2020
Jehan.
You have been at it since 1994. Great you are still soldiering on. You and other “Liberals” had a different strategies when LTTE was a factor against Chandrika and her uncle pseudo General Ratwatte, and later with Ranil and his entourage. With the demise of the LTTE, your and your colleagues modified your approach with the Rajapaksas calling the play. Then with Srisena – Ranil duo changed your approach again. With the Rajapaksas resumption you and the liberals are finally getting to understand the futility of the strategies on the assumption that the Sinhala political leaders have the desire to be just and pursue peace, accountability, justice and reconciliation with the other ethnic and religious communities.
The Senanayakes, Bandaranajakas, Jayawardenas, Wickremesinghes, Rajapaksas follow the dictates of the Mahanayakas because substantial majority of the Sinhala-Buddhists follow their dictates. Among the dictates are that the Island of Sri Lanka is a Buddhist-Sinhala country and the other ethnic and religious persons are the other who can continue to live in the Island but within the dictates of the Sinhala-Buddhist state until they are assimilated into the Buddhist-Sinhala community at which time they will become equal citizens of the Sinhala-Buddhist State.
The Tamils and the LTTE rebelled against such policies and wanted to establish a separate state of Tamil Eelam and let the Sinhala-Buddhist to have its own State. That armed approach lead both LTTE and the Sinhala State to commit Terrororist acts and War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity. Those of the LTTE responsible for such crimes committed suicide when they lost.
Jehan, You and the liberals need to advocate for a federal solution again. You and others who advocated for a Federal solution from 1994 to 2004 almost worked until Chandrika dissolved RW lead parliament when an interim solution was reaching its final stage. I hope Chandrika can reveal to the public her reasons and who advised her to dissolve the UNP parliament and who advised her to appoint MR as PM when she won the Parliament election. But don’t hold your breath until she does.
/