By S. I. Keethaponcalan –
Dr. S. I. Keethaponcalan
Many people in Sri Lanka thought that President Sirisena would leave office in January 2020. The conventional wisdom was that Sirisena’s “term issue” was resolved when the Supreme Court (SC) ruled that he was entitled to a five-year term; not six years. This ruling was delivered in January 2018 in response to a quarry from the president.
Last week, Dayasiri Jayasekara, General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), announced that the president might seek the opinion of the SC on the expiry date of his term. The president’s team seems to believe that his term ends in May 2020, not January.
19th Amendment
The crux of the matter lies in the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. President Sirisena was elected in January 2015 for a term of “six years.” The 19th Amendment reduced the time from six years to five years. The SC relied on this change for its decision in January 2018. Now, if the president goes back to the SC with the new question, he will rely on the fact that the 19th Amendment was certified on May 15, 2015.
According to newspaper reports on this issue, opinions differ on the last date of President Sirisena’s term in office. Some believe that it ends on January 8, 2020, and others seem to think that he can continue until May.
Jayasekara’s announcement forced me to go back and recheck the 19th Amendment. I got the feeling that President Sirisena has a case here. First, Section 1 (2) of the Amendment states that “the provisions of this Act other than the provisions of section 9 … and the provisions of section 15 shall come into force on the date on which this Act comes into operation.” Section 9 deals with the Prime Minister and the Cabinet of Ministers. Section 15 is about the term of Parliament. The point is that everything else in the Amendment came into force when the Amendment became operational.
The presidential term related arrangements are in section 4 and section 49 of the 19th Amendment. Dealing with the presidential term, Section 4 (2) (b) substituted the words “for a term of six years” with the words “for a term of five years.” Section 49 is called “transitional provisions.” Section 49 (1) (b), part of the transitional provisions states, “the persons holding office respectively, as the President and Prime Minister on the day preceding April 22, 2015 shall continue to hold such office after such date, subject to the provisions of the Constitution as amended by this Act.”
In other words, the president was allowed to continue, albeit with a reduced term in office, by the 19th Amendment. The Amendment came into force on May 15, 2015. In my view, therefore, the president’s five-year term commenced on May 15, 2015. His term should end on May 14, 2020.
Ask the Court
Jayampathi Wickeremaratne, one of the architects of the 19th Amendment has already stated that the president’s term ends in January 2020. Hence, it is clear that this subject is controversial and has the potential to ignite intense public debate if the president finally goes to the Court with the question.
What is imperative to note is that provisions related to this question are, at least, vague. When the president illegally dissolved the Parliament last year, he did not have the Constitution on his side. The 19th Amendment plainly stated that the president “shall not” dissolve Parliament until the expiration of four and a half years from its first meeting. In this issue, it is not the case. The provisions are not explicit. Hence, they could be subject to interpretation. This is good news for the president. The Court might give the benefit of the doubt to the president. This is precisely why I think the president will eventually seek the opinion of the SC.
He has the constitutional authority to approach the SC and will not lose anything by asking the SC to rule on this. Moreover, he has everything to gain from a favorable ruling. First, an additional four month in the office could be immensely valuable when the president does not have a viable path to the presidency for the second time. Second, the ability to dissolve parliament as soon as the four and a half years of mandatory period expired could open up new possibilities in terms of strategizing his future. Right now, his options are minimal. He can contest the presidential election and lose or concede it to the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) candidate.
UNP’s Predicament
The possibility that President Sirisena’s time in office could be extended by four months could be bad news for the United National Party (UNP). Currently, the party could ignore the president while extending basic formal courtesies because the president cannot dissolve the Parliament and need to face the voters first. If allowed to stay in office until May, the president could dissolve the Parliament in February and force a general election on the UNP.
Facing the general election first will not be in the best interest of the UNP. The party has a better chance in a presidential election. Hence, it might prefer the presidential election first followed by the general election. The party probably want to win the presidential election and then go for the general election as soon as possible. This preferred option of the UNP could be disturbed by Dayasiri Jayasekara’s announcement.
Amarasiri / April 20, 2019
Dr. S. I. Keethaponcalan,
RE: When Does The President’s Term End?
“Last week, Dayasiri Jayasekara, General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), announced that the president might seek the opinion of the SC on the expiry date of his term. The president’s team seems to believe that his term ends in May 2020, not January. “
Sirisena, will wait until the last allowed day per the Constitution. He is a Sevalaya and Mala-Perethaya.
Then, he may not leave. He will have to be dragged out, or need the Supreme Court make the determination.
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Buramphisincho / April 20, 2019
SOONER IS BETTER WE CAN NOT SEE THIS GUY FURTHER IN HIS SEAT: I WOULD RATHER REPLACE HIM WITH MY PET DOG:
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MY WISH IS ALL DIVINE FORCES BE CONVERED TO GET RID OF THIS PAIN.
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ENOUGH IS ENOUGH !
Cheers !
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Bubbuladewi / April 20, 2019
Rajapakshes will never allow this bugger be reelected regardless of Gotler’s hindrance to candidacy.
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That they have in their blood, the defeated came into being, in 2015, is not yet digestable to MEGALOMANIAC Mahinda Rajapakshe.
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If on going investigations woudl corner MR and his goons, things would palpably change for better of this country. They each of them in that vicious outfit deserves long term jail sessions.
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SURANBATTA / April 20, 2019
Hey guys, what woudl you do if you keep suffering from a severe headache ?
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To anyone with some sanity – the answer would be do anything to be free from the headache. RIGHT ?.
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Likewise, this man SIRISENA, as one who betrayed entire 6.2 mio for his extension should first be the one to be beheaded if gallow would be brought back.
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That ceremony should be LOUDER than any like minded ceremonies ever organised in this country sofar.
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THIS MAN SIRISENA is BECOMING a greater pain to this nation whose majority are unfortunately caught by BLATANT LIES. Average mindset is targeted by SIRISENA and Rajapakshe for their come back. That should be PUNISHED with the highest punishments be given to any high criminals.
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May GOD BE BLESSED my country !
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JD / April 20, 2019
How about Presidential election and the Elections for electoral districts conducted on the same day and during the first week of the January 2020.
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JD / April 20, 2019
Maithripala Sirisena was very naive when he agreed to cut down 6 yrs to 5 yrs. Because, many countries prefer longer terms instead of wasting money. After all these drama, attendence to the Polls are about 65% or less. In Srilanka, it is even less. What we needed was checks and balances to keep guard on the president. President Rajapakse did not know how to handle it. Everybody once, they getelelcted they go their own way. system is structured the fradulent way to cheat voters.
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LEELAGEMALLI / April 20, 2019
Not naive, but not overlooked to be very unedcuated among all leaders ever got elected by people’s vote.
He boasted about not having held any leaderships before being elected to be the president, …. but because of very same reason, we the people suffer a lot today.
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The very same would have been case, if Sajith Premadasa would have been elected by the people. Sajith Premadasa is good at holding moving speeches, but he has no whatsoever knowledge based on cruicial issues regarding the country. That is why he should have learnt it being somewhat PATIENT.
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Now the question arises about Mr Nagananda Kodithuwakku AND his political exp.
I have no doubt in my mind, if got elected, NK would not do everything not to place the law and order above anything else in lanken society. Every leader sofar promised but none of them did the job regarding law and order. For some reasons all of them become malleble not having done the due. If NK would do it, I have no doubt, as if a drop of water falling on to a lotus surface, almost everything in this country will become well organised. Law and order issue is to be solved once NK is elected.
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Socrates / April 20, 2019
Why is a non-Sri Lankan worried or concerned about Sri Lanka? Since shifting to the US, why bother about that third world nation?
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Goviya / April 20, 2019
His blood is Sri Lankan no? About 25% of the articles in CT are written by writers who live in other countries. They may or may not have Lankan citizenship.
By the way, why don’t you pose this question to Gota?
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V Ambalavanar / April 20, 2019
HE the President used his authority and appointed a Prime Minister on 09.01.2015. Thus the term of his office commenced on that date. The five year period from the date ends on 09.01.2020. Others may come up with suggestions. I doubt whether HE will risk asking for clarifications based on advice like what was done in 2018 October 26.
Visu
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V Ambalavanar (Visu) / April 20, 2019
HE the President used his authority and appointed a Prime Minister on 09.01.2015. Thus the term of his office commenced on that date. The five year period from the date ends on 09.01.2020. Others may come up with suggestions. I doubt whether HE will risk asking for clarifications based on advice like what was done in 2018 October 26.
Visu
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K A Sumanasekera / April 20, 2019
Although they are a friendly mob, looks like they are in a fix on this.
The writer is so cool about the fine print of Dr Ranil’s 19 A , which got him out of enforced Retirement thanks to the HC Bench last time..
But Keethaponkalaan’s reasons for the HC not to please Dr Ranil this time are really really Logical and convincing. –
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Rubbing their hands hoping to Roll Aappa Sira before the 5th Anniversary , Dr Ranil and his Minders were earnestly getting ready to put out Dr Ranil as the UNP President. before the general Election.
And even sent Dr Ranil and the Missus to Tirupathy to get the Blessings from the Poosaris to beat Aappa Sira.
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This obviously caused consternation in the UNP Sinhala Buddhist Camp who depend mainly on the Dalit Vote, except a few who are of high breeding and a lot of Dosh and live in Colombo and a few other cities.
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The one who got really ruffled is the anointed candidate , the Kid from Keselwatta who is the Deputy Leader of the UNP as well as Leader of the Sinhala Buddhist UNP Faction..
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No wonder the Kid came firing on all cylinders, accusing the main Organizer of the UNP elite as well as UNP dalits in Colombo in low lying areas.
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The Accustions of Corruption, Collecting Bribes through Wives, and wrecking the Economy which the UNP Deputy made are not only serious but would have got the immediate sack in Countries which Dr Ranil always use as his Role Models.
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This Yayampathi Wichrematunga must be a really smart Lawyer to pre judge the High Court’ Judges Rulings ,
When the Judges haven’t got got a chance even to look at the case let alone make a Ruling…
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Danny Ibrahim / April 20, 2019
This article is absolutely outdated. Many events have overtaken Dayasiri Jayasekera’s unguarded, controversy seeking comments on this matter.
The very proponents of this matter have now have second thoughts.
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Summa / April 20, 2019
What “intense public debate”? The PUBLIC is not at all interested in MS. And then, if this was signed in May ’18, will his term expire in’ 23? These are just unnecessary ‘topics’ to keep the public away from the actual burning issues and some so called ‘writers’ to show their (un)educational levels.
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Craig / April 20, 2019
The President’s term ended on 13th Dec 2018 -the day the Supreme Court gave their decision that the gazette issued by the President dissolving Parliament be quashed.
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K.Anaga / April 23, 2019
Craig!
I too feel you are right. The president has violated the constitution. In other words ‘Veliye Pairai Menthullathu’ (a Tamil saying) meaning that the protective fence have eaten/damaged the plants. IE, the president who is supposed to safeguard the constitution has violated it. If another government employee had violated the constitution, he would have been punished.
In fact the President should have resigned immediately after the verdict. on his own. Bu in Srilanka these things don’t happen.
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EW Golding / April 20, 2019
I don’t know how the Supreme Court will rule, but be that as it may I would like to see Aappaya impeached even. now. But that’s unlikely, so in the worst case, if the SC kicks him out only in May, presidential elections will have to be held in April and nominations called in March. Hence the presidential election is still likely to just precede parliamentary elections. (Is this dating correct if one assumes that the SC accepts his argument? Some legal chap please clarify)
The real beneficiary of a potential delay may be Gota as it gives him more time to sort out his US court cases and renounce US citizenship – if it is a problem at all.
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Ad / April 20, 2019
If you ask people, his term ended long ago when he went against his promises. He should have long gone.
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Kugan / April 20, 2019
Former Ethiopian prez being charged for bribe of 800 000 us dollars and money laundering (peanut for our land) for 3 yrs in prison,now he is in hospital in Haiti judge gave verdict he can get treatment in prison hospital back home.
How that country being changed gave confidence to foreign investors.
Here we have being hijacked by Buddhism and saving the 2500 yr history.
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Amarasiri / April 20, 2019
Kugan,
Ethiopia is a ‘developed ‘ country, whereas the Land of Native Veddah Aethho, illegally occupied by the Paras, following a corrupted version of Buddhism called Para-Sinhala Para-‘Buddhism’, is undeveloped and corrupted by their 2,500 year-Old Para ‘civilization’, that had killed many of its kings, and even one king was killed by his own son.
The current president Sirisena, is a Traitor, in the tradition of the 2,500 year-Old Para-‘civilization’
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Sapumal / April 20, 2019
What ever constitution provisions are valid only to a legitimate president.Maithripala Sirisena has violated the constitution many times and he has no right to take the shelter under present constitution. If so it is better to impeach him without delay. SC has already given its verdict.
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Sinhala_Man / April 20, 2019
Thanks, Dr. S. I. Keethaponcalan,
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I have come to respect your views; you are a fine scholar, and you are a decent man. I have noted that your considered view is that Sirisena can go on until May 2020?
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But should he? Definitely not. I am a member of the public, and I voted for him in January 2015. He gave us a clear undertaking in January 2015 that he would not contest the Presidency again, and I expect him to stick to his word. He boasted so much that he was the only President who reduced the powers of the Presidency.
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Now when he talks of staying on for just another five months, he will go down in History as a villain. We see also Ranil Wickremasinghe not being able to accept the fact that he is not wanted. That is not true of the Rajapaksas. They are popular, but they are the last people that guys like me would like to see elected. After Gotabaya, Namal will be of age to contest. What a horrible prospect for us!
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Could you please take a look at the questions posed me in a two-part comment here about our system for selecting presidents? I’m afraid that I have made many other snide comments as well!
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/next-presidential-elections-are-the-media-doing-justice-by-the-nation/
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I have asked Prof. Jeevan Hoole also to comment; after all, he’s one of the guys who have to get that election conducted.
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tbc – much later.
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Rarityminds / April 20, 2019
Mr Sinhala Man,
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if people had the chance to elect you OR any average senior retired professional then. things could surely work for better of the nation. Any average person with a healthy conscience could do lot more work with a mandate of 6.2 mio. Now I feel, even if a COCONUT HUSK (පොල් ලෙල්ලක්) could replace him since people were so fed up of Rajapakshe regime by end of 2014.
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I am so fed up of seeing political stagnation but not much any kind of development of the country being made, with time being passed from month by month… alone the stupid SIRISENA to leave for THIRUPATHI for SEEKING BLESSING affected me as allergen.
Whole lot of people have to sacrifice for the huge loans taken by previous leader. For some reasons, UNPrs seem not telling it repeatedly. Entire world criticise CHINESE investments in SRILANKA. Ours is taken as the best example of CHINESE debt traps. Irony is local media covers this yet today.
Over 5000 millions of dollars should have to be paid off during this year alone. 70% of these loan payments were taken from Rajapakshe administraion. But instead of saving every cent, but country ‘s president to just leave for his foreign trips is beyond my bearing. Why on earth people stay mum as if they tolerate any abusive actions of SIRISENA, not reacting to the kind of private trips being made but by abusing state funds ? I actually thought the miserable man would focus on unnecessary wastages. PM instead did it. I am not a fan of RW, but he has not travelled abraod abusing funds unnecessarily.
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nimal fernando / April 20, 2019
“When Does The President’s Term End?”
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Well, sooner the better! Don’t you think?
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Lon Helichcha / April 20, 2019
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2
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Rarityminds / April 20, 2019
Nimal,
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Even a පොල් ලෙල්ලක්, coconut husk could be used to get rid of MR by 2015.
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It was no good to select GAMARALA to do the job. We should all have been blind and deaf. SIRISENA was not overlooked to be one very close to MR-abusive politics. To that time, even if SIRISENA was made to be the only man to be the common candidate, in retrospect we feel, we could better go for a person with a good profile. Sirisena betrayed us 6.2 mio as no other leader ever woudl have done. And yet today, not seem to be awaere of any of his election pledges. That should be connected with his upbringing. HOw can a man of that nature ever continue be the leader ?
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Sinhala_Man / April 20, 2019
Dear Rarityminds,
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No, a “පොල් ලෙල්ලක්” couldn’t have got elected. We only just managed to edge Mahinda Rajapaksa out. I know that your earlier comment addressed to me was not an attempt to flatter me; it was you saying that even an unpretentious guy like me could have done a better job once elected.
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The point is that us fellows would never have been elected. Disgusted as I am with Sirisena’s current performance, we have to grant that we needed somebody who would garner a sizeable number of rural Sinhala votes.
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Please look at this article:
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/next-presidential-elections-are-the-media-doing-justice-by-the-nation/
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It is by a man (a distinguished surgeon, apparently) whom I had never heard of. The article has not fared well, because, in my opinion, he has been unfairly harassed by others. There I have, in two longish comments, set forth a strategy for the “real common man” to regain a voice in affairs of state at least by 2025.
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Sinhala_Man / April 20, 2019
PART TWO
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Please ignore other comments there by me.
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It is only a politician who can get elected President. These guys are professionals at “getting elected”. In comparison, we are “common”. I know that I have an uncommon command of English – it just doesn’t count. “nimal fernando” is even better, and has very quick wits – but he lives abroad. Apart from that, he too has achieved “commonness” (meant to be a compliment).
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That article I have referred to ends with a comment by Prof. Jeevan Hoole. He finishes with, “On the matter of presidential elections, it is a complicated process as [Sinhala_Man] says and can be used to make the next elections more meaningful. I urge greater study and more voter education.”
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How do I educate? It can only be by somebody like you, Rarityminds, also joining in. I’m exhausted.
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Rarityminds / April 21, 2019
Sinhala Man,
Thank you Mr. I think you enjoy a lot by adding your comments to almost every article being posted on CT. I dont come to even read most of the articles due to lack of time reasons.
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So do you think Mr Nagananda K will have no chace to get elected ? He is only a senior lawyer ? ???. I dont think he has any kind experience in lanken politics.
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My previous comment was not based on your command of English Mr Sinhala Man. What I meant is any senior citizen with some good knowledge on lanken issues ( people’s real problems, I mean over 30% of lankens are believed to under poverty line yet today in SL; to our surprise, the first citizen of this country, the incumbent presz abuses state funds for his foreign trips) could do lot more for the nation, if got elected. Sirisena has done nothing, even if 6.2 mio of voters gave him the mandate to the right thing. Nor does Sirisena let PM to do his job.
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In France, the unexpected got elected to be the president. But the french and their political literacy rates are much higher than that of of lankens. You are right saying that we need a candidate that can win the votes of the rural folks ( 70% of lankens live in rural areas).
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Greetings to you from Amsterdam, The Netherlands (for this day)
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Sinhala_Man / April 21, 2019
Many thanks, Rarityminds.
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We’re never sure why we do certain things. In my conscious mind, I groan every time I feel it necessary to comment.
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About “command of English” – that holds great potential for misunderstanding. It is wrongly held to be a status symbol, and my status in Bandarawela is very low. That is deliberately kept so. I don’t think it feasible to make you fully understand it.
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I am regarded as a very average English teacher, and I had never been given the challenging work that I should have been. When recruited, it was on O.Level results to qualify me for study leave at the Training College at Maharagama. Thereafter, I was indeed an average teacher. However, the result of huge efforts (travelling in CTB buses 250 miles each week-end for about three years) got me through the first University exam with exceptional results. I was thereafter an Internal student at Peradeniya. It is more difficult to study as one gets older, but I topped the English Special batch. Some were amazed, but not the University Teachers – or myself. I was made a temporary Lecturer, but then the contradictions began to tell, and the efforts came to keep me down.
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You surely grew up in Sri Lanka, so you know the realities here. You will not suddenly have a villager shooting to the top in English. My background was S. Thomas’. It’s complicated. I may write about my unusual experiences one of these days. You know my name, don’t you? Will give it again, if necessary. putting it everywhere could also become a joke. I could have used it from the beginning, of course.
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I sense that you trust me. That would do.
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K.Pillai / April 20, 2019
If it is true that MS has doubts as to when his tenure ends, he has every right to clear doubts, if any.
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Plato. / April 20, 2019
When does the Presidents term end?
The sooner the better but he should be Impeached before that!
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SJ / April 20, 2019
I think that the fire that engulfed the Cathedral of Notre Dame missed its target by thousands of miles.
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The man should have gone the very year that he was elected. He soon followed up his impressive acceptance speech with what was typical of the corrupt law makers.
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Desperate Sinhalaya / April 20, 2019
Dear SJ;
I dont want lanken old building to face the same fate. But we dont have any other choice at this very critical juncture of lannken politics, If any divine forces would work on Sirisena, that would be the quickest us to get rid of him.
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A man whose behaviour has now turned out to be irritating factor to most that voted for him in 2015. –
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My 10 year old grandson asked me why we the srilankens are fear of introducing new reforms in order to go for sustaintable solution of the peace process. If not now when he kept me asking. He does not want sinhalayas to discriminate any minority fellas in this country.
May the message of my grand son be the common thoughts of the masses in this country. That is my wish…. WE ARE ALL SRILANKENS.
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SJ / April 21, 2019
DS
The good thing about us is that we are Sri Lankans, but the bad thing is that we are ruled by the worst of Sri Lankans.
I have a soft corner in my heart for a person called Guy Fawkes.
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Real Revolutionist / April 20, 2019
People are eager to see both the president’s & parliament’s term end prematurely; not later than now, as aspects of deception involved in both cases.
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Burt / April 20, 2019
Lanka the politically stupid.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fQ87uu4q9A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLIZ-ig-14A
Ha ha ha
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Suren / April 20, 2019
Oh shit, and real buckets of shits man. We have a shit head as President and he surrounds himself with some of the worst shit heads as advisors. Man, let it be change of law or not, it should be from the date first elected unless and until it’s specified in the law. Why all of them bring themselves to such low level to prolong their stay in power. Really people are disgusted of them, whether they go out on time or late but the people would see it that they would be out for good. All of them, Sirisena, Ranil and MR only care for power but least bother about the people or the country. It’s time to chase out these shit lots.
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chiv / April 20, 2019
The write up and following comments, attitude of criminal politicians and retarded public indicates our constitution (for some it is constipation) is only good to” pack bath parcels”. After all the same MS had raped the constitution last year. Did he go to SC for advise then ?????? A shit hole country made up of retards.
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rbh / April 20, 2019
When Does The President’s Term End.
Election Day is choose a president then after winning he has power he had the design constitutional authority agreement which completed the architects on May. The period from January to May 2015 was executive or negotiate period find a make decision for constitution’s basic structure or framework, which are immutable. There in the next election likely fall on May 2020. it is like
The surgery starts not on the admision day but when the date operation is done. Reading in the medical report.
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clean slate / April 20, 2019
One time US president Harry Truman said “This job takes up the entire day, and runs well into the night, but between you and me and the gatepost, I like it”. Truman might as well have been a president of Sri Lanka.
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Ajith / April 20, 2019
When does the President’s term End?
His term as a President should have ended already. When he lost the Local government elections in 2017, he should have step down from the chair. But he didn’t do. When he involved in a public political coup against the Countries constitution both President Sirisena and former 50 days PM Mahinda should have brought under justice for the illegal, unconstitutional political coup. Both should have been charged and punished for their crimes. Unfortunately, Buddhist Fundamentalism never allows to judiciary to act on crimes committed by Buddhist Fundamentalist leaders. So it is not a question of legal but a question of the decision of Buddhist Sinhala Fundamentalism.
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Nosey Parker / April 20, 2019
Ajith
You should be happy man . Your fundamentalists are doing very well aren’t they – raping forests , big consignments of you know what etc ?
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Saman / April 20, 2019
What the ridiculous fact they always argue in domain of so called media now.
First and foremost Sirisena stated that he never seek any term of office again after taking oath in front of Sri Pavan on 09th of January in 2015.
Everyone know now Sirisena is also the same like his predecessors.
Power hungry people quickly forget what they promised and what they say.
Sri Lankan so called politicians are the most corrupted lairs.
Sirisena is the top of them.
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Simon De Silva / April 20, 2019
Saman,
Sirisena is even far worst than his predessors.
Focusing on what he happened to do on the 26 Oct 2018, entire world became clearer, SIRISENA would not give a damn about his election pledges. Not a single word comes from his mouth can be credible today. All is manipulated for his political survival. Those stolen frequencies by SIRASA, they keep almsot everything in favour of him. People are kept in dark. I think, if any leader in EU proved to be unconsitutional would have no chance to continue, but our leader does. So long people stay fools, the kind of leaders could stay in power. That is it. Over 90% of our people are after ASTROLOGY and various kind of YANTHRA mantra.
If they would have been asked to CHANGE their food to COW DUNG for good, they would do without thinking twice. That nature is inherited by them from one generation to other. If buddhist monks would utter blatant lies, they could easily mislead the nation. People’s conditioned mind set would take years to change even if facts would have been before their eyes. Those who dream of a better future, can wait long,… so long people would not tend to change their nature by an inch to progress.
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Renu / April 20, 2019
The most disgusting Head of state we have had nobody will want him again, He should go to the Paddy fields in Pollonaruwa
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Renu / April 20, 2019
We need to get rid of this shi—t as soon as possible
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Babalathappu / April 20, 2019
Renu,
let s prey together all invisible, divine forces to work on him and take him away sooner than later.
We are compelled to read about his son s wedding instead of bringing new constitution seeking future development of this god punished nation. Mandate was given to him to go for it, whoever whatever being said and done today. He should respect the mandate of the voters (6.2 mio) than seeking his extension. Party, or his greediness to stay in power is secondary to the people that elected him in 2015. Buddhist clergy if work with sanity should do their part awakening the rural mindset for good and future of this country. Just doing servile work by BUDDHIST clergy, being second to former President, cant us bring us an inch forward. Their power intoxication should be healed through psycho therapies, but they have no right to mislead this nation on and on. Basta.
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clean slate / April 20, 2019
Dr. Guy de Fontgallen has not realized that with the amendment of a provision of the constitution relating to a tenure of office, only an ending date can change because that is prospective. On the contrary, a commencing date cannot be made to change except by specific and unambiguous provision because it has already taken place. There cannot be two commencements without two oath-takings. The law easily distinguishes between those who abide by the law, those who violate the law, and those who try to tiptoe between the lines of the law.
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