There is absolutely no foreign conspiracy behind my coming forward to contest at the upcoming Presidential polls as the common candidate, SLFP stalwart Maithripala Sirisena said today during a TV program, as he refuted the allegations leveled against him by government ministers this evening.
Sirisena who was the general secretary of the SLFP responding to the allegations leveled against him by his peers in the party said, “If I am a result of a conspiracy, is everyone else who is associated with the common opposition including Rathana thera and the JHU part of this foreign conspiracy as well? These are nothing but blatant lies that are being spewed by the government to suppress the people’s will.” He made these remarks during the Satana program aired on Sirasa TV a short while ago, which was blocked from being telecasted on Dialog and PEO TV until the program concluded.
Sirisena however said that it should be always remembered that the people’s power trumps state power and that attempts to suppress the people’s will has and will never succeed.
He also added that it is ironic that his political comrades including ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, Susil Premajayantha and Dullas Alahapperuma should criticize his courage to walk out of the government, when they themselves have approached him on countless occasions to share their woes of being sidelined by the President and of the unnecessary interventions into their ministries.
During the discussion, Sirisena also spoke about the manner in which President Rajapaksa sought to oust the Bandaranaike name from the SLFP as well as the principles envisioned by the Bandaranaikes. “As soon as he was elected as President, he instructed me to refrain from mentioning the names of SWRD Bandaranaike or Mrs. Bandaranaike during party events. That was the starting point of the erosion of the SLFP,” he said.
Speaking further he said that he has put not just his life but also the lives of his family on the line in order to ensure the people’s will is upheld and that democracy and good governance is reinstated in the country. He also pledged to establish complete media freedom, religious reconciliation and introduce the national government concept into the governance system of the country.
“I will bring the vision of SWRD Bandaranaike back to life on January 8, 2015,” he added.
Meanwhile, former Fisheries Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne who also participated in the discussion today said that it is the interventions that are being made by the relatives and family members of President Rajapaksa that has led to the present plight and is systematically resulting in his downfall.
He said that various unnecessary interventions are being made by the President and his family members into the Ministries that presently, the board of Ministers exist solely to listen and follow their orders.
JHU front-liner venerable Athuraliye Rathana thera and JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake were also present at the discussion during which Dissanayake stated, “If the people fail to defeat the insane dictatorship of Mahinda Rajapaksa at this point, there will be no turning back for Sri Lanka.”
Real Peace / November 22, 2014
CT: Undoubtedly, Sinhala is one of the beautiful languages, but please give English translation of this programme.
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Amarasiri / November 23, 2014
Sri Lankan Writers,
The Politicians are doing their part as the Common Sense Candidate.
“JHU front-liner venerable Athuraliye Rathana thera and JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake were also present at the discussion during which Dissanayake stated, “If the people fail to defeat the insane dictatorship of Mahinda Rajapaksa at this point, there will be no turning back for Sri Lanka.”
Writers, can you PLEASE do your part in writing,the Common Sense Pamphlet for Sri Lanka 2014, like what Thomas Paine did in 1776.
Common Sense (pamphlet)
Common Sense[1] is a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1775–76 that inspired people in the Thirteen Colonies to declare and fight for independence from Great Britain in the summer of 1776. In clear, simple language it explained the advantages of and the need for immediate independence. It was published anonymously on January 10, 1776, at the beginning of the American Revolution and became an immediate sensation. It was sold and distributed widely and read aloud at taverns and meeting places. Washington had it read to all his troops, which at the time had surrounded the British army in Boston. In proportion to the population of the colonies at that time (2.5 million), it had the largest sale and circulation of any book published in American history.[2]
Common Sense presented the American colonists with an argument for freedom from British rule at a time when the question of whether or not to seek independence was the central issue of the day. Paine wrote and reasoned in a style that common people understood. Forgoing the philosophical and Latin references used by Enlightenment era writers, he structured Common Sense as if it were a sermon, and relied on Biblical references to make his case to the people.[3] He connected independence with common dissenting Protestant beliefs as a means to present a distinctly American political identity.[4] Historian Gordon S. Wood described Common Sense as “the most incendiary and popular pamphlet of the entire revolutionary era”.[5]
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Pusswedilla / November 23, 2014
Mahinda Rajapaksa has been named Ebola Jarapassa. He and his cursed family are a VIRUS that is CORRUPTING and destroying all institutions and suppressing the media and democracy in Lanka.
The Ebola Jarapassa family, also known as Gadhaffis of South Asia are now in PANIC MODE. The dictatorship of Ebola Jarapassa is jamming the news channels on TV and radio to keep the Sinhlala Modayas in the dark!
But the Miracle of Modayas are seeing the true colors of the family dictatorship.
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Amarasiri / November 23, 2014
Sri Lankan Writers.
“JVP A K Dissanayake stated, “If the people fail to defeat the insane dictatorship of Mahinda Rajapaksa at this point, there will be no turning back for Sri Lanka.”
Sri Lankan Writers. Please write the Sri Lankan Version of the Common sense Phamplet, like what Thomas Paine did for America in 1776.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Sense_%28pamphlet%29
Common Sense (pamphlet)
Common Sense[1] is a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1775–76 that inspired people in the Thirteen Colonies to declare and fight for independence from Great Britain in the summer of 1776. In clear, simple language it explained the advantages of and the need for immediate independence. It was published anonymously on January 10, 1776, at the beginning of the American Revolution and became an immediate sensation. It was sold and distributed widely and read aloud at taverns and meeting places. Washington had it read to all his troops, which at the time had surrounded the British army in Boston. In proportion to the population of the colonies at that time (2.5 million), it had the largest sale and circulation of any book published in American history.[2]
Common Sense presented the American colonists with an argument for freedom from British rule at a time when the question of whether or not to seek independence was the central issue of the day. Paine wrote and reasoned in a style that common people understood. Forgoing the philosophical and Latin references used by Enlightenment era writers, he structured Common Sense as if it were a sermon, and relied on Biblical references to make his case to the people.[3] He connected independence with common dissenting Protestant beliefs as a means to present a distinctly American political identity.[4] Historian Gordon S. Wood described Common Sense as “the most incendiary and popular pamphlet of the entire revolutionary era”.[5]
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AVB / November 23, 2014
See how people bring MS into the TV studio. S-Sinhalese Buddhists have already started to make the new man Ekadipathi, supreme leader like MR… Keeping MR might be better than forming another new man like him.. Sinhalese Buddhists will pave the way to create new “Sirisena” dynasty as well.. Does MS has strong ethical and moral values to resist what these Sinhalese Buddhist already started to push him to be…….. Later, all SL corrupted businessmen and political leaders would surround MS and cheer him up… Could MS resist them? When you see these videos, isn’t it obvious that the problem in SL is not MR or future MS, it is the people, it is the culture ..
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Silva / November 23, 2014
This program was blocked on TV by this government but did our President Mahinda Succeed? He has become a plug puller…Shame on him. Trying to do `thuttu dekay weda` like this only shows how bankrupt he is.
Two questions demand answers. Why this sudden Panicky-ness? And who`s next? After all this preparations for the Presidential Election, will Mahinda pull the plug?
If his internal polls show that he won`t be successful he will definitely pull the plug. Expect the dirtiest and most violent election, the Presidential Election 2015. Last time he used all kinds of jilmart and robbed Sarath Fonsekas votes but this time it is going to be even worse.
This time, just bashing and insulting Ranil, Sarath Fonseka, & Chandrika won’t get votes. All these banner and cut outs are just the waste of money, only good for cut out makers.
Thanks to Gota’s BBS, Mahinda is not getting minority votes for sure. The Muslim votes, the TNA Jaffna votes, Upcountry Tamil votes, DP votes, JVP votes, JHU votes, the disgruntle SLFP votes and wholesale UNP votes will definitely make him a big time loser. He started pulling the plug right from the first day, what is going to happen in the next few days will be very ugly.
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Paul / November 23, 2014
“I will bring the vision of SWRD Bandaranaike back to life on January 8, 2015,” he added.
Oh dear! Don’t panic Thiru…
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justice / November 23, 2014
Maithripala Sirisena should publicly declare his assets.
This will instill more confidence in him, in the minds of the electorate, than anything else.
Mahinda Rajapakse will be compelled to do likewise.
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Peace Lover / November 23, 2014
and in the meantime K A Sumanasekera gets ready for his next posting hence let me help him,buddy use key words like such as Vellala CM,Diasporians,TNA proxies,Ranil,a dollar a day,Dalits,erection,happy ending,dosh,posh,Vellalas,our way of life,TGTE,sira,how cool is that! gosh…..i have helped K A Sumanasekera to write his next piece ;-)
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Double standards / November 23, 2014
MS sounded typical cunning politician and he kept mentioning Bandaranaike – but all rest of the panel was brilliant – AKD – brilliant, ratana thero sounded very sincere and Rajitha S was convincing. well overall I guess MS is the better choice out of no choice. still don’t understand why Ranil/ karu isn’t the presidential candidate. is it that Ranil is so cunning he wants power (premiership) without working for it ? It is obvious CBK is planning a comeback – groan
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Nathan / November 23, 2014
Here is a portion of what I said on July 29, 2014 at 5:29 am, on CT.
There are just two major political parties of standing, SLFP and UNP.
The chances of RW becoming President in this climate is slim to nil.
It would require some sort of evidence from some corner indicating that MR could be defeated for a joint CBK/RW ticket to win.
Yes, MR could be defeated. This can be achieved not by uniting UNP, but by splitting UPFA.
The hairline – invisible – cracks are already there. One requires a concerted effort to make it widen. This could be done, but not by a single candidate but by a SLFP/UNP ticket.
If the country could be made to believe that MR is certain to be ousted, UPFA will fall like a pack of cards. Hordes of SLFP politicians in UPFA still clinging on to MR despite the insult and injury meted out to them by Rajapakse brothers will not hesitate to jump ship, if CBK/RW boat has the wind on its sails.
RW should agree to support CBK for President, on the assurance that he would be made the Prime Minister and SF is guaranteed of the the post of Defence Secretary.
Will SF agree? He has to. He has some unfinished business with MR/GR. This will also guarantee a divided military loyalty to UPFA, read MR/GR.
What do we do with Revd. Maduluwawe Sobitha? What do we do with SB? Trust me. They are not that greedy. They will back CBK/RW ticket.
Now, I add my comment for today:
CBK has bye-passed her ‘legal impediment’ to contest for President for a third term by planting Maithripala Sirisena; He is in fact standing for CBK.
CBK is a much much better deal for Sri Lanka than MR any day.
Sorry. Politics is a dirty game; You don’t win it playing clean.
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shankar / November 23, 2014
Nathan
“CBK has bye-passed her ‘legal impediment’ to contest for President for a third term by planting Maithripala Sirisena; He is in fact standing for CBK.”
Brilliant,to predict this nearly 4 months ago.We need commentators like you more often on this blog.Your comments are very rare.
Hope that you keep us informed as we go along finishing 2014 and then embark on a very crucial period for the country in Jan to Dec 2015.I think 2015 will be the tipping point where we can end up one day a vassal state of china like north korea,or a booming economy but a vassal state of US like south korea or taiwan.Because of our size and strategic location unfortunately we can’t escape being a vassal state of somebody or other for our protection,but i certainly prefer to be a south not north korea.
nathan,i was also thinking the arch mahinda is not going to have a losing election.So if he feels the race could be too tight and risky he might unleash sufficient violence to justify postponing the elections indefinitely.That is a big advantage he has,because he is not compelled to have another election until 2 more years.
I was wondering why should he have a losing early election.The early election could have been called by him to test the waters because he feels traitors are their in his camp.After getting rid of them he has sufficient time to reorganize,make many changes,whittle down the presidency and reconcile with JHU etc.
So i think the election could be postponed.What do you think?
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Nathan / November 23, 2014
shankar,
Your fears are all true and valid. Your views are no less credible than mine.
What might happen is not easy to predict when the ‘mighty’ is involved.
There were signala – hints – coming from different corners that helped me to formulate my earlier ‘prediction’. I am not a seer.
There are no signals yet from MR; just a slight hint from GR. The hint has to coagulate before a prediction can be made. In the mean time, you are looking in the right direction, I must say.
Now you see why I don’t comment often.
Thank you for your kind words. I am afraid that I might run the risk of losing you, if I rush to foretell.
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Matilda Ellepola / November 23, 2014
good start folks..
just curious the Maharaja owned Sirasa was anti Common Candidate so far and only promoting Sajja baby and how come it all changed this way…
The supporters chanting slogans and those garlands in the face of the cameras is very cheap publicity. They need to move from MaRa or Premadasa mentality and show MS as a man of common sense and simple with a someone can do a big change.
MS should not talk much about the Banada days though it may get more SLFP voters from MaRa, what we need now is a different economy to move along with the global knowledge based economy and not the pancha-maha-balawegaya of yesteryear.
In todays pancha-maha-balawegaya should have Fathima working on a Saudi household 20 hours as a housemaid and Siva in a South Korean factory as a non-skilled worker doing a job that non of the locals will do as well as a Chandani who work in a FTZ as a Juki Machine operator.
It seems obvious that MaRa is a prisoner controlled by his mentally retarded younger bro GoRa and he seems to have some sympathy among his cabinet though the family takes all the decisions like a kitchen cabinet.
In this case it will be interesting what GoRa who will be heading to Hague for ICC hearing will do a bull in a china shop and order to take the democratically elected govt with bullets and a military involvement.
What options are there for G0Ra ? he may definitely cannot go back and work as a gas station attendant though he have earned for 7 generations and wherever he hides USA will take this man who have taken the oath as a US citizen.
Only slight chance Go-Ra had was some kind of diplomatic immunity in a future Rajapaksa regime and its disappeared into the thin air.
Rajapaksa presidency is not a joke.. its not only a job for an individual, a family ‘forest’ is dependent and living in a super luxury and absolute power will have withdrawal symptoms and that will be a curse for country.
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aratai / November 23, 2014
.
So what’s his position on 101st day?
:-)
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Matilda Ellepola / November 23, 2014
looks like GoRa will not let him live that long…. remember Sripathi/Lasantha et al…
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Hooter / November 23, 2014
Joke of the day was when Dialog TV customer service said it was a systems upgrade. They gave other childish answers. But a technical officer privately admitted the channels were blocked. This is President’s Rajapakse’s democracy. Bloody joke. Time to throw him out.
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don / November 23, 2014
this website blocked.. f..king government
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kali / November 23, 2014
I have a message for Mr.Sirisena:
I agree that there is no foreign conspiracy now but there are warning signals to the Majority that if they dont put their house in order and return to civilised standars they will pay a heavy price.
If they return MR with a clear majority they will send an uncompromising message to the World that it is business as usual and Sri Lanka is a RACIST country and it makes the job for the international community much easier.
Even Mr.Modi is taking a step by step approach as he doesnt want to give MR the opportunity to play a foreign conspiracy theory. There is no strategic interest for the Western Countries to send their intelligent agents to work for a regime change. They can do it with their Tomahawks ( I mean sanctions ) and it will only hurt Sinhala Lank.
My appeal to all the opposition politicians is this.
Warn the electorate at every meeting of the impending disaster with the impostion of Sanctions. When that happens Factories will close and the Nation will grind to a halt.
Even Milosevic was handed on a plate by his Generals to the Hague because of Economic considerations. Russia is banckrupt and US and EU put a condition that unless Milosevic was sent to the Hague the country will be starved of investments and I remember the night when Milosevic boarded the plane never to be seen again.
MR will meet the same fate and I am 150% certain.
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Dr M.L.Najimudeen / November 23, 2014
War winning Mahinda Rajapakshe could have been the president for many decades if not for bribery, corruption, family rule, interference in judiciary and harassing the minorities. The economy was ruined by Hambatota airport, harbour and jumbo cabinet. The sins will never go unpunished.
The victory of MS is imminent and inevitable
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Harry Hatton / November 23, 2014
Why did this man called Dr. Hans wijesuriya of Dialog take orders from Mahinda Rajapakse and deny millions of sri lankans their democratic right to participate in democratic discussions ? Of if Wijesuriya says that he was ordered to do this please show us a written order from MR or any other authority. If he did not get such written authority what power has Dr Hans wijesuriya working for Malaysian owned Dialog to interfere in democratic activity in sri Lanka ? If he received written instructions, on what basis were these instructions give? I place this case before the peoples forum.
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sulaiman / November 23, 2014
Having jumbo cabinet allowed all ministers for bribe and corruption We citizen were suffering .Misdeeds could not be controlled. There were ministers for SUGAR
COCONUT and PARK Heavy losses at Petroleum Electricity and CTB and much more
We know Public Accounts Committee of parliament only submitted reports Accountability of public funds not properly administered AS Maithripala Sirisena
pointed at SATANA program me all ministries looked after by secretaries
We agree Dr M L Najimudeenns comment
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Carlton / November 23, 2014
All Sri Lankans,
Do we all love our country? If the answer is YES,this will be the only opportunity in our history to save our motherland from this most corrupted regime. When he sorted out the terrorism we all loved him and adored him. But look at the country today, the law is diminishing,Drug lords are making billions,Corrupt politicians milking the country and fattening their bank accounts,people are disappearing,Journalists are disappearing,whoever who go against this corrupt brothers go missing… where are we heading to..what is the future remains for our children. Why we allow one family and their henchmen to destroy our beloved country. This is our country,our future.This can not be ruled by thugs who don’t respect humanlife and values. Lets forget about all the political differences we have, my request from all Sri Lankans to get to gether and lead this change on 8Th January 2015 for a new Sri Lanka where we all can live peacefully and harmony as law abiding Citizens.This can be only done by voting against these corrupt regime. We have the biggest responsibility in our hands for our future generation. Lets educate each and every citizen of this country before 8Th Jan 2015 and defeat this corrupt politicians by a historic win. Our future is in our own hands.
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Henry Merrill Fernando / November 23, 2014
Carlton well said and I do admire your comments, but do you think that
our Sri Lankans are so patriotic and will join to clean out the cancer
that has been spreading with rotten politicians who are robbing the country including MR and his family regime. Loss of the democratic rights,
freedom of free speech in the last decades after the SWRD Bandaranaike who brought about the changes in our culture and religions. Division of
other ethnic minority in Sri Lanka which driven the country to a civil war a massive loss to the economy and our Sinhala Modayas cannot see what is going on and will go on supporting these rogues. People have to open their eyes and its time to clean out and drive the corrupt politicians from government. The country need young honest men well educated for our future generation to govern the nation. I pray this will come about.
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Sadith / November 23, 2014
M.S said he will bring the vision of the SWRD back to life.
Also he said he will abolish the executive presidency within 100 days
Now, when you connect these two statements together what M.S saying is that, he will bring the vision of SWRD for 100 days and then Ranil will take over with his own vision, that is being a traitor and a spineless pimp who will become the puppet of the West.
Why anybody vote for a person who is going to be in power for just for 100 days !!!
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Carlion / November 23, 2014
If MS is an honest man who suffered under the yoke of MR for such a long time as he says, how and why did he not resign from his ministerial post at that time, but do so only when he was chosen as the candidate to contest MR. So too with people like Rajitha and others. Enjoyed all the perks and positions and now complain. Such are our politicians of all hues today. Sad!
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idiocus / November 23, 2014
this man MS is also another outright crook.. wasn’t he the chap involved in releasing the drug laden ship that was caught by customs..
He is in another . corrupt and egocentric politician in the same mood..as the incumbents..
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Ponkoh Sivakumaran / November 24, 2014
For the Tamils, since MS wants to revive the Bandaranaike legacy, the question is whether it is moving from one family of killers (the Rajapakses) to another family of killers (the Bandaranaikes, who started it all).
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Abdul Jaleel / November 24, 2014
“to another family of killers (the Bandaranaikes who started it all)” Ponkoh Sivakumaran. SWRD was not the starter of the killings. Thi is my humble observation as person who lived in that era. For him ‘Sinhala only’ slogan helped to win the election.He lost his life just because he made concession to the Tamils.Also to my knowledge, Srimavo or Chandrika did not promote any violence. They say 83′ violence was the result of JR’s TV talk.
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R. Varathan / November 25, 2014
“He (SWRD) lost his life just because he made concession to the Tamils” says reader Abdul Jaleel who says he was “a person who lived in that era” This is sheer nonsense. He was killed by men (and a woman) who were trying to get a lucrative shipping deal. If Jaleel reads the proceedings of the Case it will help him to learn the history of the times. Jaleel’s mischief is the now usual story of Muslims blaming Tamils for most of the country’s ills – purely to get to the good side of the Sinhalese. But even that trick hasn’t worked too well, did it?
R. Varathan
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