Asoka Abeygunawardana
The Presidential Elections held on 8th January 2015 was a key political crossroad in the recent history of Sri Lanka. With the ascent of Maithripala Sirisena to the Presidency, the country breathed a collective sigh of relief. Many members of the losing party could hardly believe their eyes at the result. Now, seven months after that even, the General Election is upon us.
If by some miracle before the election…
- Mahinda Rajapaksa publically states that he would act within the Maitripala Presidency in the same manner as he did during Chandrika’s reign, or, if he publically states that he would act the same way D.M. Jayaratne acted during his tenure as president, then it would be opportune for you to vote for the UPFA.
- If Ranil Wickremesinghe acknowledges the leadership of Maithripala Sirisena, steps down and hands over the leadership of the UNP to the president, then, it would be opportune for you to vote for the UNP.
- If the JVP publically states that it will not sit with the opposition and decide to join a national government, then, it would be opportune for you to vote for the JVP.
- If none of the above seem likely, then, preserve your valuable vote by not using it. Do not go to the polling booth. Or else, spoil go there and spoil it.
However, none of these have happened.
The first thing that should be clear is that the country’s need is not of Ranil Wickremesinghe’s “Aluth Ratak” nor Mahinda Rajapaksa’s “Anaagathayata Sahathikaya” nor Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s “Hardhasakshiye Sammuthiya” but rather, Maithripala Sirisena’s “A compassionate maithri governance – a stable country”.
One the one hand, Ranil Wickremesinghe made it eminently clear on the 7th of last month that he was not interested in building “A compassionate maithri governance – a stable country”. In short, he is not at all interested in making Maithripala Sirisena his leader. All that the UNP wants to do is to make use of him to further their own ends. Their primary goal is to sell Maithripala Siresena in order to win the elections. They wish to then completely ignore and marginalize him and work as they wish to. Therefore, one of the paramount desires of the undecided voter should be to prevent Ranil Wickremesinghe from becoming the prime minister.
On the other hand, who would have thought that the defeated ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa would be contesting the general elections so soon? That is not something that could have occurred in the normal course of events. However, it happened. So, can we hope that he will now deign to work in the shadow of Maithripala Sirisena as his chief disciple? That is farfetched to say the least.
Therefore, there is a justifiable fear in the minds of the undecided voter with respect to Mahinda Rajapaksa being elected prime minister as well.
Surveys have shown that as things stand no one will get the 113 votes for a simple majority but that the UPFA will come out ahead.
Then, what would happen is the establishment of a national government with the UPFA and the UNP. Its’ prime minister would be a senior of the UPFA other than Mahinda Rajapaksa. Whoever that individual is, he would be capable of being Maithripala’s right-hand-man over the next five years in the push for “A compassionate maithri governance – a stable country”. The next leader of the UNP would get a good start by acting as his left hand man.
Fortunately for us, Maithripala has shown us that he cannot be pushed around and has now single handedly taken on the task of governing the country. As part of his advocacy efforts with Mahinda Rajapaksa in the lead up to the elections, he sent a strong letter firmly stating that even if the UPFA obtains 113 seats he should not take the premiership.
Therefore, we should put our trust in Maithripala Sirisena and fearlessly vote for the Alliance.
If we are in some doubt about this, then we should assist Maithripala Sirisena by either refrain from voting or by spoiling our vote.
Yakadayaka / August 15, 2015
Eh, what? Vote for the UPFA and have more of MR’s sycophants in parliament?
I shall pass on that ridiculous proposition, thank you very much.
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NAK / August 16, 2015
The question is do we need a another five years of rule through ‘Aluthkade’?
If so we can do as Asoka says.
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rew / August 17, 2015
Stop Joking – these are serious times
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Sarath / August 15, 2015
Only a lunatic will write something like this. To throw away one’s franchise is an unpardonable thing. The choice is between Ranil and Mahinda, obviously. A vote for Mahinda is a vote for a despotic thug. Then, the choice is obvious.
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Uditha / August 15, 2015
This “lunatic” was behind the common candidate campaign from before 2014, while the likes of you were whining about the Rajapaksa regime.
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Cynic / August 15, 2015
Does that give him the right to tell us what to do? Hello, MaRa era is gone forever!
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rew / August 15, 2015
who is the lunatic?
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Jayasingha / August 15, 2015
Isn’t this man who is an advisor to the president of the country committing treason or breaking the law by publicly advising people to spoil or not to vote at the elections? Voting is a universal franchise. Mr: elections commissioner what have you to say regarding this?
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Daham / August 15, 2015
This man is a foolish advisor and a sucker of President Sirisena.
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Ahmed / August 15, 2015
Why are so many seemingly educated people suddenly asking that we disenfranchise our selves from our universal franchise and not vote? Seems like a bunch of MaRa stooges trying to get rational people to stay at home so the morons can vote MaRa back into power. Wake up!
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T.rusiripala / August 15, 2015
Dear Asoka
You r absolutely right.we got the opportunity of witnessing the true colors of those whom we believed as virtual saints.the unfolding events have provided us with conclusive evidence .
1.the provocative declaration of Ranil to go for elections alone at a time we were waiting to go for a swan symbolized election !
2.the bond scam of CBSL a well planned robbery which does not need further proof
3.the thwarted attempts of the minority govt to smuggle in clauses to the 19A beyond the expectations of the Peoles mandate to abolish presidential powers for the creation of a monstrous PM!
4.the justified challenges and accusations leveled against the minister of finance and minister John Amaratungs manifesting in the form of no confidence motions
5.the unprincipled award of the high way contracts in a mighty hurry
6.the obvious sabotaging of the passage of the 20A
7. The manner in which the political accusations were handled without any conclusive inferences to leave the public in conjectures
Enough
We saw
Better to have the known devil !
Rusiripala
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Kaanukataa / August 15, 2015
Mr. Abeygunawarana, whilst reading the lines in between, it is evident that you are exhibiting your hatred towards Mr. Ranil Wickremasinghe. The current UPFA/SLFP is filled with conspirators. Most of its leaders are cowards, playing double game, which compelled the President to sack two of them from both their responsible positions and the party. Then how could you propose for us to vote for those morons in the Alliance. Also, how dare you advocate the voters to refrain from voting or spoiling them? Do not try to undermine the mandate of people for your personal gains. We are not fools and we know from where you are coming.
As voters, we need both Ranil Wickremesinghe’s “Aluth Ratak” and Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s “Hardhasakshiye Sammuthiya” but not Mahinda Rajapaksa’s “Anaagathayata Sahathikaya”. When Mahinda & UPFA destroyed our ‘Atheethaya (past) and do not have a ‘Varthamanayak (present)’ how can they ensure an ‘Anaagathayak (future)’ for us? As voters, we want JVP to play the role of the ‘watch-dog’ in the next parliament whilst its leader playing the role of the opposition leader.
We voted for Mr. Maithripala Sirisena for a specific job which is to abolish the Presidency and establish good governance. We trust that he will complete the mission entrusted by us during his tenure. We wish to see him as a state-man and do not want to drag him into dirty politics.
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Uditha / August 15, 2015
Does one need to unconditionally support Ranil Wickremesinghe and Anura Kumara to support good governance. I am no Mahinda lover, but only a Cartesian-dvikoti logician would draw conclusions as yours!
This is a more expansive version of the article, in my view the most unbiased assessment of the imperatives of August 17 SO FAR: http://nation.lk/online/2015/08/15/what-should-we-do-at-the-general-election/
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Cynic / August 15, 2015
No thank you. If your article is anything like your comments so far, then it’s a complete waste of time reading it.
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Ram / August 15, 2015
” Most of its leaders are cowards, playing double game, “
Obviously they were following their revered leader, Sirisena.
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Jagath Fernando / August 15, 2015
Time to get your head examined.!!!
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Ranil Wijeyesekera / August 15, 2015
MR broke all laws and tender board procedures with immunity. Political supporters and stooges and relations were given protection. Citizens lost home and lives due to this. Judiciary at times was influenced. He and his relations gained from any illegal; transactions. It will be proved in time. Whatever the votes obtained they will end as convicts. He has files against people so they give some support. But this will be investigated by President. They will face trial. Vote for harmony. Vote for a stable government. Sanctions may be applied against Sri Lanka for crimes. Our economy will suffer if a stable government is not voted into power. I take all sides of view into account. I believe ranil must get a clear mandate. Abstain from voting or vote only for the Party if you must.
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Aan w / August 15, 2015
Does this bloody idiot actually think that should MRs UPFA get a slightest sniff at power he will let MS remain president? Within 30 days he will get rid of any PM appointee and crown himself. Within 45 days MS will be disposed of and he will take back the presidentcy. With the son as pm and the entire opposition behind bars.
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Cynic / August 15, 2015
Who the hell are you tell this to us? Go fly a kite. We will definitely vote for the UNP led coalition.
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Dias / August 15, 2015
What a circuitous campaign bid for Mihinda, and so very transparent.
1. UPFA will NOT come out ahead against the UNP this elections. Show me the independent surveys that have stated the contrary.
2. Mitiripala is in power because the UNP voter came out and voted for him…..he is there thanks to the UNP…..your SLFP lot contributed to the 5.8M given to Appachchi.
3. MS knows that the UNP holds no malice of mala fides towards him, while the SLFP lot is out for his blood for making the party look bad in January.
4. Even the village farmer will think you are a joker for spinning this web of logic.
Regardless, this is all intellectual masterbation, the UNP will come out ahead on the 17th……if they are short, 10 to 15 MS proxies will cross over to help form a government. The JVP will assist if needed.
What you don’t seem to get through your cranium is that none of us really like Ranil, not MS, not Chandrika, not Champika, not the SLMC not the JVP, not even hardened UNPers like me, he is aloof and impersonal and has held our party back…….but we so very much hate Mihinda, the very thought of Mr Idi Amin taking charge of this Country again is terrifying! As always with Ranil, he will win by default.
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lal / August 15, 2015
The UNP has more blood on their hands than Idi Amin. The UNP was solely responsible for the massacre of 800 Tamils in July 1983 and slaughter of 8000 or more Sinhala youth, most of them for being SLFP members and innocent civilians. RW was a cabinet minister in the then government. You had better get to like MR for he will calls the shots as of the 17th August.
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Native Vedda / August 15, 2015
lal loo
SLFP killed more than 18,000 in 1971.
SLFP killed more than 40,000 according to UN estimates.
UNP killed 130,000 according to one Human rights lawyer who kept death count.
Therefore it appears that SLFP has lost out to UNP.
“You had better get to like MR for he will calls the shots as of the 17th August”
Is he still in competition to surpass UNP’s record? MR should strive to get his name included in the Guinness book of records for more killing, there must be something to remember as his legacy.
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Ravinda / August 15, 2015
are you out of your mind ? we do not need your sort of people to tell us
how to vote.
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Native Vedda / August 15, 2015
Ravinda
“are you out of your mind ? we do not need your sort of people to tell us how to vote.”
Have you already decided to vote for the robber barons?
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ramona therese fernando / August 15, 2015
Very good set of options of what Sri Lankan government should be about. Sirisena is one hope that can moderate all the madness the country is facing. But is he up to it, to give a much need direction the country truly desires?
For all Rajapaksa’s follies, the man actually did some much needed developments for the war raved country with China’s help. Any more loans, however, would drive us into a hole greater than Greece.
Now it is time to consolidate the Rajapaksa developments without burdening ourselves with any more foreign loans. That’s where Sirisena should come in with LSSP/FSP/USP/JVP et al and put in the necessary mechanisms in place to work “in-country,” and collect necessary taxes from those minting money away from country-context and national-interests, so the livelihood of the masses will be uplifted.
Now Ranil on the other hand wants to build up a land bridge with the very country that was the cause of our long and deadly terrorism. On top of that, he wants to build a super megapolis in the Western province so we can trade with India so as to bolster up Western interests.
Certainly there is no need to stoke up resentment from rival powers with Chinese shipping routes and string-of-pearls. However, the Chinese interests is yet far better than a land bridge that will certainly compromise our sovereignty.. Also a port-city or super western-province megapolis will damage the heritage.
We wish Sirisena the best in this election, that he will hold absolute executive power, and do what is best for the Lankan masses of all races.
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nue / August 15, 2015
this shows the mind set of this guy. I know this guy from Uni Moratuwa and he doesn’t have balanced mind. always go after his personal agenda and those day behind JVP and against the democracy. Basically these guys thinks Russia , china has socialism their people are well looked after. But the truth is western countries look after people and give right to the people more than Russia and China. But these idiots gives wrong picture to Srilanka poor mass as they can benefit from these ideas. Modawansa, MARA does same thing and hope at least RW should be able to change this trend. That’s why these guys are scared to RW government. Wait and see
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Rex Silvester / August 15, 2015
A liveried footmen standing at the palace steps of Madamulana.
Sorry my dear fellow, try and get some money from him before he bolts.
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Lanka Citizens / August 16, 2015
Those who voted for ‘Good Governance’ never voted for Ranil. Ranil becoming prime minister never penetrated the public mind as something catastrophic. Furthermore there was no alternative but to give the prime minister post to UNP, since Maithripala’s campaign was entirely fueled by UNP. General public was used to seeing executive presidents running the show and prime minister being a more or less a figure head. Nobody thought RW would run the show and Maithripala would take a back seat. At least nobody thought Maithripala would take the farthest seat from driver to enjoy the scenic beauty and never worry where the vehicle was headed. To have complete faith on RW for a politician of Maithripala’s stature was just beyond reason for many Good Governance advocates. It just put the entire country in harm’s way.
In the case of UNP government Maithripala would be hugely sidelined, simply because no UNP minister would go beyond Ranil’s word. But if UPFA is in power, Maithripala could work with UPFA MP’s at a personal level. This is simply because he has been working with them for the past so many years. So UPFA winning means more purposeful involvement of Maithripala in the strategic decision making of the government. Associates of Mahinda Rajapakse could be moderated also by Maithripala. So setting aside the personal agitation President Maithripala has of Mahinda Rajapakse, UPFA coming to power in August17th general election and Mahinda Rajapakse becoming prime minister is a far better outcome than giving power to sinister Ranil and his gang of buddies, even from the point of view of president Maithripala.
In order to ensure the sovereignty of Sri Lanka, it is a must that Ranil is not made the prime minister. In order to ensure the average Sri Lankan lives are enriched it is a must that Ranil is not made the prime minister. In order to make sure that our younger generations are passed on a united, undivided Sri Lanka it is a must that Ranil is not made the prime minister. The only way to make sure of that is by voting for UPFA and making sure that August17 doesn’t become day of resentment for generations to come. We should be vigilant to the fact that politicians of minority parties are hell bent on diving this country with the help of foreign powers. Foreign powers are supporting these politicians so as to exert their influence on the South Asian region through Sri Lanka. Ranil will do as told by these external forces and be completely ignorant of the native Sri Lankan peoples demands. This moment is a critical juncture of our history, mess it up and we would be opening up the doors to hell. Make the correct decision and we can protect our country so that we can work on improving living standards of each and every Sri Lankan. That correct decision is voting for UPFA and ensuring Rani Wickramasinghe does not become the prime minister !!!!
[Edited out]
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Cynic / August 18, 2015
Today’s results have given Asoka the pseudo intellectual, self proclaimed startegist a thundering slap on his face.
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