By Mangala Samaraweera –
Mangala Samaraweera, Minister of Finance and Media
On the 8th of January 2015, fifty one percent of Sri Lankans voted for the vision put forth to them by our unity candidate Maithripala Sirisena: that the time for dictatorship in our country was over, and that those committed to re-establishing democracy in Sri Lanka must unite to ensure that government serves all of the people, and not a single family and their loyal disciples.
On that day, the United National Party, several stalwarts of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, the People’s Liberation Front, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, the Tamil National Alliance, the Democratic People’s Front, and all together over 30 political and civic bodies came together to prove that Sri Lankans shared their vision of a Sri Lanka that was ruled by law and not through fear.
We promised to amend the constitution to restore independence to the public service, abolish the executive presidency, and enshrine the rights of all Sri Lankans into the legal bedrock of our legal system. We promised to bring those who robbed the coffers of the treasury to justice. We promised to hold accountable those who quenched their thirst for power with the blood of brave journalists and peaceful protestors. Most of all, we promised you a government that would be free of the rampant corruption that defined the decade that came before us.
Today, the people told us that we have not done enough. Despite the sincerest of efforts to inject haste and independence into a dilapidated justice system over the last three years and empower the police with the tools they need to successfully investigate complex crimes, murderers and fraudsters remain at large. Despite our government being the first in the nation’s history to insist that ministers must resign from the cabinet at the first sign of wrongdoing, and indeed the first to investigate allegations of corruption within its ranks with such vigour, justice is yet to be served.
This message from the people has sunk deep into the UNP, and we are committed to taking drastic measures to fulfil the promises we made three years ago and maintain the public trust. As we embark on this chapter in the story of our democracy, Sri Lanka can be proud of two remarkable things we saw last Saturday.
The first is the conduct of an election under the auspices of an independent elections commission and police service. Never before has a government shied from manipulating public personnel, funds, resources and state media into an organ of their political ends. We hope that under these independent bodies, Sri Lanka has seen the last of corruption, intimidation and violence marring our elections.
Finally, it is evident that the same Mahinda Rajapaksa who in January 2015 commanded 5.77 million votes (47.6%) as his presidency waned, last week was not even able to muster 4.95 million votes or even 44.7% of voters. The UNP has a solemn duty not just to the 46% of the electorate who voted for us and President Sirisena’s SLFP last Saturday, but to the entire resounding majority of our citizens, all 6.1 million of them (55.3%) who marched to the polls last Saturday and voted against a return to Rajapaksa rule. Our duty is to broaden our own voter base by delivering results, while joining hands with all honest and democratic political forces to uplift our motherland and ensure that Sri Lanka never again returns to rule by the sword. That is our calling and we must not fail. Our democracy, our republic, depends on it.
Ansar / February 12, 2018
You id..ts, let all the crooks and murderers off the hook and coming to justify your inaction.
At least now act or depart or we shall send you guys home lock, stock and barrel just like we sent MARA home.
Finally, we did not rely on you to send the most brutal regime home in 2015, in the same vein we will prevail over you and the brute forces just like we did in 2015. We have faith in the people’s force.
Do or depart and this is our final call to you, Ranil and UNP, as a whole and do not blame MY3 for your bloody follies.
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An Observer / February 12, 2018
Unless RW makes some changes to his “inner circle” there is no hope for UNP to win the 2020 general election.
He ought to realise that he has made a “Right ‘Royal’ Mess” in some govt. institutions by appointing incapable old school friends to run these govt. institutions. There are plenty of very capable MPs and administrators from the same school as well as from other schools but they have been ignored by RW for unknown reason.
Mr. Wickramasinghe MUST take immediate action to correct his errors of judgements to get rid of the fraudsters, pretenders, and ineffective leaders in govt. institutions asap.
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thrishu / February 12, 2018
Himself too, get rid of himself, the master conman! RW!
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Amarasiri / February 12, 2018
Mangala Samaraweera,
RE: What went Wrong?
You did not deliver, what you promised.
In addition, you added more crooks to the former crooks.The former crooks and the current crooks are still at large.
What went wrong? It was the low average Para- IQ of 79.
Do you want to submit the governance to the Para-British, with an average IQ of 100?
National IQ Scores – Country Rankings
https://photius.com/rankings/national_iq_scores_country_ranks.html
The intelligence scores came from work carried out earlier this decade by Richard Lynn, a British psychologist, and Tatu Vanhanen, a Finnish political scientist, who analysed IQ studies from 113 countries, and from subsequent work by Jelte Wicherts, a Dutch psychologist.
Countries are ranked highest to lowest national IQ score.
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Ben Hurling / February 12, 2018
Dear Mangi,
The UNP is inherently corrupt. Inside out corrupt. ROTTEN! You are being way too optimistic.
Cannot be cleaned up, unless with a miraculous hand. Even if RW resigns, who will be the next? That clown Sajith R from Mariakade? More of the same corrupt lot. Mariakade Sajith P thinks SL is his personal inheritance.
Cheers!
PS: Either yourself Mangala S or even FM Sarath F. would be a far better choice. Not that those appointments will be without any problems. But, what do we have here to choose from? Both SLFP & UNP are not exactly known for recruiting and nurturing promising new talent. Most are in those two parties because their Dads were there before them stealing from the public coffers. It is a family income they try to secure at times with their lives.
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sach / February 12, 2018
Anyone who suggests either Mangala or SF should get their head checked
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anonymous / February 12, 2018
“Anyone who suggests either Mangala or SF should get their head checked”
For what?. Rescuing the country from a bunch of thieves , murderers and fraudsters?. Get a life you idiot. No wander Sri Lanka was to become a ‘Failed State’ before 2015. Why do you think the ‘Jarapassas gave it up two years early?. The country had no money left and no one wanted to lend either. Get life man.
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Kamalawathie Sameer / February 13, 2018
sachooooooo – Get yours checked !
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Concerned citizen / February 12, 2018
We wish we have more capable and decent honest politicians like you in the government and not stupid day light crooks like Ravi and co. Who ruin themselves and the party
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Roger / February 12, 2018
Thank you Hon Mangala Samaraweera for giving us a bit of hope that the current position of the UNP and the promise to rectify and be productive in getting the legal system at a fast pace.
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Jim softy / February 12, 2018
Mr. Mangala Samaraweera: FYI, Roger is the Tamilnet Editor. what does he say and why ?
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Rishard / February 12, 2018
Sir:
5.77 million MINUS 4.95 million = 0.82 Million. For 3 long years Yahapalanaya could only decrease MR’s popularity by mere 0.82 leaves lots of questions. Probably people expected more “remarkable things” from Yahapalanaya than what you described there.
Thank you
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Maharage, Nimal / February 12, 2018
Mr. Samaraweera,
What went wrong? It is the failure of your Yahapalanaya govt. to take action against corruption under your own government and MaRa’s dictatorial regime.
There is a mountain of evidence against corruption under MaRa, but your govt failed to take tangible action to put him behind bars. Now this Hanbantota beast is raising ugly head again. If you don’t know here is a list some crimes committed by MaRa
1. Stealing $800 million of Tsunami funds through fake NGO called Helping Hambantota set up with assistance from Willie Gamage and depriving poor families of their right to rebuild their lives devastated by Tsunami
2. Taking 19 billion US dollars as commissions from Chinese government corporations through white elephant useless development projects such as Hambantota Harbour, Airport, and southern expressway
3. Putting Sri Lanka economy into an endless misery by taking high interest loans from China and pocketing in 40% of that money
4. Nurturing an unprecedented culture of corruption and political victimization with immunity
5. Killing and attacking journalists, judges, innocent civilians for 10 years
6. Appointing an uneducated GoTa as defence head and stealing the credit of ending the 30 year war from SF, the true hero who led the final war against LTTE
7. Making a synthetic lawyer of an idiotic son who couldn’t even pass his GCE (OL)
8. Killing the most famous rugby player on behalf of another moron son
9. Soliciting sex from girls of the families that lost their loved ones due to Premadasa Terror campaign in exchange of your service as a human rights lawyer in 1980s
10. Raping girls in villages from down south on the promise of jobs
If Yahapalanaya leaders are worried about their political future, it is not too late to arrest MaRa as well as culprits of Bond Scam who are bosom friends of Mr. Clean
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Words / February 12, 2018
You write such fanciful fairy tales? Don’t you???
What are you smoking these days?? I bet the same stuff that makes Mangi look stoned 24/7!!!
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Muslim / February 12, 2018
Please enough of the NATO policy . This regime is not fulfilling the people’s aspiration. It may be too late before the billa comes ..
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Words / February 12, 2018
Mangala.. Mangala.. Mangala…you lost your own territory.. we heard they stoned your vehicle too.
You are such a pathetic person .. zombied out most of the time on heaven knows what!! And trying to portray a picture of efficiency. We all know better.
The lies you spun to propel yahapalanaya into power are slowly unravelling.
Remember a few weeks ago when your PM shouted ” hora hora.. kowda hora.. ” in the Parliament.?? Well two days ago our nation gave you the answer.. ” Ranil Hora!”
Call on a general election.. we will show you how loved Mahinda is..! Go on. We challenge you to do it!
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Paul / February 12, 2018
I hope none of the readers believe him, he is a Sri Lankan politician after all. How many more times are people going to fall for false promises?
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Fathima / February 12, 2018
“How many more times.?” – Sorry, this question is irrelevant to Ranil.
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nalmen / February 12, 2018
if you did what you promised this would not have happened
what the hell were you doing the last 3 years – only the flyover.
all your leader did was talk, safe guarding crooks because they were donors to party funds
or other crooks who looked after him when he was in the opposition
did it take 3 years to set up special courts to try them
come on mangy you cant con the public anymore
ravi and ranil ruined the grand old party and 2020 dream is over
if you want to turn over a new leaf get rid of both of them as they are dead ducks
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srinath.gunaratne / February 12, 2018
What went wrong?
4 billion accusation without iota of proof,
Unwanted constitution
lying
protecting thieves
fraud
pigheadedness
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Words / February 12, 2018
You write such fanciful fairy tales? Don’t you???
What are you smoking these days?? I bet the same stuff that makes Mangi look stoned 24/7!!!
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Chandra / February 12, 2018
It was timely for them that the President removed this man from the Foreign Ministry. Otherwise their plight would have been worse. In his ownn stupidity he must be glad creating a historical world record by co-sponsering a UN resolution against his own Country.
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thondamannay / February 12, 2018
People’s frustration !!!!!!!!!!! deceit and lies……….. For letting down the gays with your inaction and
co sponsoring the Geneva resolutions brought against Sri Lanka…………………
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Douglas / February 12, 2018
Mr. Minister Mangala: Good that you know what went wrong; but you will never be able to take corrective steps to meet the aspirations of the people as long as your own leadership of RW and his close “inner” circle comprised of Malik, Kabir, Ratwatte, Paskaralingam, Mahendran from Singapore , Marapana, Sagala, Akila, are in control of the Governmental affairs. You also speak of the “Social” groups who were instrumental in bringing that change on Jan; 8, 2015. This election result is a clear message of NO CONFIDENCE given to those “Civil Society Groups” that they are NO MORE to advocate any “CHANGE” and advise, lead the voters. No one talks about that “Dark Side” of this big picture. Mr. Minster, both your Leaders, MY3 and RW have very badly let those groups (Civil Society, Professionals, Intellectuals etc.) down and I don’t think there will be any more opportunities for them to shape the opinions of the people of this country. Please remember that is the biggest SOCIAL DAMAGE your leaders and the Government did to this country. You will never be pardoned for that crime.
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Karadara-Dias / February 12, 2018
You lost Matara no?
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citzen perera / February 12, 2018
Mangala has given a vague account of what went wrong. Major problem is The PM has appointed his cronies like Arjun Mahendra, ,Ajith Dias and Suren ratwatte who squander millions of taxpayers money. RW tried to cover up the whole affair by appointing his own committee of UNP lawyers and even said in parliament said that Arjun Mahendarn is innocent. All these cover-ups alienated a lot of UNPers like me from ever voting for the UNP. Also, the UNP policy of selling national assets such as the Mineral sands corporation thanks to RW’s financial advisers such as Paskaralingam and Charitha Ratwatte are totally unacceptable. Selling family jewellry is a poor way to mange the economy. Where is the hype about Volkswagen factory, 10 million jobs etc. RW’s ministers save for people like you are hell bent on earning money to fatten their pockets. Highway contracts are also given for commissions. Such a corrupt set of ministers playing out money for which our leaders like RW paying a blind eye are responsible for the election disaster. UNP has no chance to win a presidential election for at least 50 years.
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K.Pillai / February 12, 2018
It took an LG election for Mangala S to learn that Lankans were disappointed that corruption& nepotism only thrived. UNFGG could not defeat them and so joined them.
Another reason was SLPP sold the staple that the infamous Lankan problem minorities MUST NOT be solved politically. UNP young Turks like Navin Dissanayake wants to join them.
Should you continue to pamper the Lankan Armed Services for their loyalty? One crude gesticulation by an Armed Services Diplomat will take us to the cleaners.
We need a fundamental change in our mindset.
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Thanos / February 12, 2018
What the heck?! UNP morons really have lost it. You can spin statistics anyway you want. For example, you say on January 2015 MR got almost 5.8 million votes and that has dropped to little less that 5.0 million? OK, then, my turn to spin things. In August 2015 the UNP won nearly 5.1 million votes but in 2018 UNP dropped to a miserable 3.6 million votes. In-fact the SLPP got more votes than the UPFA did in august 2015 (4.95 vs 4.73). No matter how you spin it, you lost nearly 1.5 million votes since August 2015 while MR actually gained over 200,000 votes. You lost big time. Start taking corrective action, starting by reforming the party or get ready to lose even more.
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Jim softy / February 12, 2018
I heard Minister Mangala Samraweera Asked the president for appointing you as the PM . PResident has said, that is correct and I am thiking about it. Yahapananaya proves how the Lichchavi Malla Type of kingdom is by robbing the bansk just within the first 40 days. that was not even the people elcted govt It is just President appointed govt. YOu also protect msajority cultur by givng political significance to LGBT. I know just like in the west, now sri lankan also haresss them and consider as thrash that should be discarded As per CIA instructions, you tried to Hambanthota to China and proved what a good busnessmenyou are. Anyway, voters are not dumb. that is why a major political party in governence became second. Mahinda Rajapakse who becme Fox came the first. People know voters do not have choice so they support chainging chairs between thieves and crooks. voters vote van become dogs. those who get voted become hounrable crooks, and thieves. I heard both the president and Ranil keep money bags underneath the beds as those are not safe any where else. So, there won’tbe any more action for another year or so.
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Jim softy / February 12, 2018
first as a Senior politician who roamed all oveer the world, why don’t you tell us why PArty politics are important at the village or local level ecept for politicians who wants to use politics to plunder the country. I heard you have a house even in Batticaloa. You should know the real story.
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Jim softy / February 12, 2018
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Jim softy / February 12, 2018
Azath Sally had operated a Battery manufacturing plant near Purahala for two days just in front the election. I think he wanted to expand it eveninside the town hall. anyway, Even police could not remove it because cash for that came MCC and not Ranil’s bond scam money. Looks honey moon is over. Wives will be unhappy. there is a long list of those locations.
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Edwin Rodrgo / February 12, 2018
The results: Everyone seems to assign disproportionate importance to the results. In my opinion, this is like winning (or losing, depending on whom you are supporting) a 20/20 and then saying we have won the test series. It can happen. But it is as likely as the blind turtle seeing the full moon through the eye of a needle. But then, in this ungovernable land any can happen.
Let MR go on having the delusion that he is going to be the President again – someday. Better for him, better for us and better for MR>
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Ajith / February 12, 2018
You are right. Everyone try to give disproportionate importance to this results. In fact, there is no change in the overall results between 2015 and now. We all know very well Mahinda & Co (Dayan etal) play usual game to trick the people. Despite the weaknesses and inefficiencies of the current govt, people did not move. It is time to move forward on the matters that you promised to the people in 2015.
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thrishu / February 12, 2018
nah, nah, nah, nah Mr Samaraweera you are doing fake accounting in the closing paragraph. This was a local election and not a presidential election, where in the latter personalities counted. People on this occasion was voting against your governments policies and abyssmal performance, pinnacled by a mega scale national bank robbery. You cannot compare apples and pears, you must have learnt that in the primary school (or have you ever been to a school, I wonder). As the finance minister you should be good in accurate and honest accounting, not like the fella that you replaced who had the memory of a dementia sufferer. But if you continue to cook up the numbers as you are doing above, we will not trust you at all. You will become just another conman. 10/10 trying do damage limitation, but please do your work without cooking up numbers. If you failed to look at the map, kindly note that SLPP now control 71% of the local government bodies in the country and your party, just 14% on scattered encalves where tamils, muslims and few christians outnumber sinhala people. Weerawansa was right, a repeat of the lesson in 56, when UNP was decimated by the people. I was around then, and vividly recall the fireworks.
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Shalini Perera / February 12, 2018
Nice to see our politicians being wise enough to get the people’s message and humble enough to say they will change. If u are serious about this claim start off by reducing the cabinet. Too many cooks spoil the soup. Get the most deserving only into the cabinet irrespective of it being their first elective to parliament. Shuffling heads between Kiriella, John A, Malik and alikes will not earn the trust back. Their era is over and extending it will only kill the party. RW maybe a good man but he sure doesn’t understand the Srilankan political culture. What he needs to realize is for his policies and vision to come to life he first needs to retain power. And he cannot unless he’s willing to change and embrace it. Keeping our fingers crossed for justice to happen instead of episodes of drama from prison to hospital to back home!
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whywhy / February 12, 2018
Lasantha Wickramatunga – Have you finished digging ?
Thajudeen – When is next digging ?
Ekneligoda – Found him ?
White van – Tracked them ?
Billions overseas accounts – Hunt still on ? How long ?
Fraud and Corruption – Digging deep ?
Independent coms – Happy end ?
Carrot n Stick – GOT THE RESULTS ?
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Mallaiyuran / February 12, 2018
This was an election supposed to be only between SLFP and UNP. The match was not effective between UNP and SLFP, because neither Ranil, nor New King campaigned against each other properly. In the meantime a headless chicken, Slap party, got into the middle and have stolen the show. So at the end , it is JVP who lost the election. It look like how Ranil cannot win an election, the same way JVP also cannot win any election.
On the side with all the massive jobs offering and other perk deliveries, or by colonizing its core electorates,or by killing and displacing its voters, or by printing a second Uthayan, defeating TNA in North East seems to be not possible from 1949. The Old Guy is clinching tightly and no one is able to dislodge it from him. This time it is watered out a lot, but still they are there. It is an unparalleled record holding and worth to apply for Guinness Record Book entry.
A Tamil website wrote TNA is the opposition even for the Old King’s government because it, at the last minute emerged out as 2nd largest party on getting the councils. So, TNA is Opposition for Ranil in the central government and TNA is the Opposition for Old King in the Local government too.
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Kalu Albert / February 12, 2018
What went wrong?..We are looking at one of them.
Mangi’s Stats are interesting.
All UNP got was 35%,
Deduct One Million Tamils and One million muslims, the Sinhala Vote will be 15 % Max.
Which is only a bit better than the JVP which polled 7%.
This is a clear message to Mangi and his crooked Lot.
Don’t divide the Country into Ethnic Enclaves,
Don’t sell the National assets to your mates,
Don’t privatize the Free education which gave the poor Sinhala people a level playing field.
Don’t insult the war Heroes,
And Don’t bring your LTTE mates and and their UNP Agents in colombo to rob the public purse.
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Hasitha / February 13, 2018
Mangala , you were instrumental in bringing the monster Mahinda to power. Now what are you saying? You have not commented about the bond scam. Why is that?
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Go pro / February 13, 2018
So another yarn was spun by you.
Mangala, didn’t u loose yr seat? So why this article?
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