By Helasingha Bandara –
Is the President in a dilemma?
Recent media reports hinted that President Maithripala Sirisena is in a dilemma regarding the forthcoming parliamentary elections. Is he? A very brief reply to that question is an emphatic “no he isn’t”. His position as the President of Sri Lanka is secured for the next four and a half years. If he does not concentrate in contesting a second term, he has no obvious political calamity in sight. To change the deep-rooted, abhorrent political culture of Sri Lanka he may need the help of like-minded people. Nevertheless, he can do it on his own if he intends to do it. If the king practises Dasa Raja Dharma, others would invariably follow, they have no choice! Only if the king urinates standing, the followers do it running.
Is the UNP in a dilemma?
Yes it is. Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s premature Presidential election tactic backfired. Opportunism is not a virtue! Some elements of the UNP claim that 80% of the votes cast in favour of Maithri at the recent Presidential election were the UNP votes. This is misleading. A combination of many factors contributed to the victory of MS. The combination was the UNP, all minority parties, a section of the SLFP, the people who were fed up with the corrupt governance who sought a change etc. The false belief emanated from the results of the Presidential election has led the UNP to be convinced that it can win on its own. This has created a dilemma within the party whether to go alone or to contest as a united front. If the party decides to be opportunistic it can backfire the same way it backfired on MR. The country needs a good bunch of people to rule it irrespective of which party they belong to. The UNP has to be mindful of that.
Is the SLFP in a dilemma?
Yes it is. The defeat of MR has not taught a lesson to the majority of the SLFP MPs. They have chosen to ignore the fact that MR was defeated for the reasons that his persona was corrupt, nepotistic, cunning and egocentric, his governance was inefficient and ineffective and his politics were destructive and divisive. They have not realized that parliamentary elections are different from the Presidential election that the voting pattern can be influenced by very many external factors. The insistence on bringing back Mahinda is understood by right minded people as a means to avoid indictments and to retain corrupt practices because MR allowed all that to happen during his reign. The dilemma of the party is whether it is wise to remove all those who are clamouring for the return of MR and go along with a new breed.
Winning
President Maithripala Sirisena has the greatest opportunity to change the destructive, stale and undesired political culture of Sri Lanka. Being the head of the SLFP he has the authority to make changes within the party. Making drastic changes to an existing entity on his own is a frightening prospect. In this case he has the backing of the former President Chandrika Bandaranaike who is the daughter of two former prime Ministers. Her father was the founder of the SLFP. It is foolish to write off the support for the Bandaranaike name within Sri Lanka at any given time. In addition he has the support of some brave politicians who rocked the MR boat at the previous election.
Failing to contest the parliamentary elections as a united front of the people who fought MR at the election, MS should make his own list for the SLFP candidates. That list should exclude Mahinda Rajapaksa, Basil Rajapaksa, Chamal Rajapaksa, Namal Rajapaksa, Mervin Silva, Duminda Silva, Johnston Fernando, Sajin Vass, SB Dissanayake, Muthuhettigama, and all others who are known to be criminals. Also exclude everyone who actively participated in the campaign to bring Mahinda back.
When a drastic change is made, it would wake the people up, provoke their thoughts and ignite their rational faculties. People have shown that they can distinguish between good and evil and they will no doubt recognize that the change has been made for the better. Fortune favours the brave. President, you should not be another Ambanwela Rala who let Rajasingha II, the killer king, go unscathed when he overran Rajasingha’s palace in Kandy and finally paid with his life for the folly. Therefore, go for the kill!
Amarasiri / July 1, 2015
Helasingha Bandara –
RE: Who Is In A Dilemma?
Clearly it is Mahinda Rajapaksa and his Cronies wo are Crooks, Robbers and Criminals.
MaRa MaRa Chatu MaRa amana Mara
Now that the Mahinda Rajapaksa has been sidelined, and if he wants he can still contest on the Medamulana-Crooks, Robbers and Party, M-CRAP, The President Mr. Maitipala Sirisena should consolidate is Salesmanship, and take decisive action.
Law and Order and good Governance should prevail. The President is not in a dilemma anymore.
He should not dilly dally and allow the disruptive Mahinda Rajapaksa and his Crooks, Robbers and Criminals to prevail.
It is time to shoot, if need to shoot.
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Dinuk / July 1, 2015
Excellent article Hela Bandara!
Only Civil society with the President Sirisena can save Lanka from her corrupt, uneducated and criminal POLITICIANS and rescue the country from the BARBARIC POLITICIANS in the parliament and particularly the SLFP and UNP.
Civil society needs to pressure both the SLFP and UNP and all political parties to give nominations to
1. Non corrupt individuals, women and YOUNGER GENERATION and clean non-corrupt invividuals
2. Carry out voter education campaign to tell voters to vote for women, young non corrupt representatives and clean out the filth old lot that now runs the Diyawenna Parliament of corrupt and uneducated criminals, morons, and clowns..
Unfortunately, the defeat of MR has not taught a lesson to the majority of the SLFP MPs. They have chosen to ignore the fact that MR was defeated because he was corrupt, nepotistic, cunning and egocentric, his governance was inefficient and ineffective and his politics were destructive and divisive. The insistence on bringing back Mahinda is a means to avoid indictments and to retain corrupt practices because MR allowed all those corrupt SLFP politicians flourish.
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Dude / July 2, 2015
Dead on Dinuk and Hela!
The present GENERATION OF POLITICIANS should be flushed down the toilet and including MR and RW who have TOGETHER led the ROT and destruction of political and national CULTURE in Sri Lanka these past 30 years.
Sri Lanka’s present generation of senior politicians are the scum of the earth – thugs, looters, criminals uneducated morons.. Mahinda Jarapassa is surrounded by these political scum who want to win the next election loot us innocent citizens again..
Lets get rid of them – start the campaign now. More youth and women, but not the sons and wives of DIRTY POLITICIANS!
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Don Stanley / July 2, 2015
The SLFP will be purged off all its most vile, corrupt, uneducated politicians when MR goes it alone contests the elections on his own..
This will be the best thing to happen to the SLFP which MR had filled with thugs and criminals! The SLFP has become a party of criminal clowns and uneducated morons today.
Maithripala Sirisena’s SLFP or the post Mahinda Jarapassa SLFP will need to be cleaned out resurrected to be able to form a winning coalition with UNP and minority parties. Sri Lanka will then have a de facto national govt. and pass the 20th amendment and clean up political culture and democracy in Lanka!
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Uthungan / July 2, 2015
Amarasiri
I think My3 is in a dilemma just as you are.
You say the President is ‘not in a dilemma’ in one para and in the very next say ‘he should not dilly dally.
What does that mean?
It is clear he is in a dilemma.If it was not, he would not have decided to meet up with MR all over again.He is unsure of himself and or does not know how to effectively counter the activities indulged in by the part of the SLFP that is trumping up in favor of the defeated MR.
My3 has only blanks in his gun and his aim on shooting the disruptive supporters of MR and his Crooks,Robbers, and Criminals got cockeyed the moment he dilly dallied beyond the 100 days he set, and backed out on his promise to dissolve Parliament and to hold elections.
That reluctance signaled the pro MR sections in the SLFP who had made hay while the Medamulana sun shone, to resort to antics like sleeping in Parliament etc., and crossing over to MR’s side even after accepting ministerial posts.
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Amarasiri / July 2, 2015
Uthungan
“You say the President is ‘not in a dilemma’ in one para and in the very next say ‘he should not dilly dally. What does that mean?”
“My3 has only blanks in his gun and his aim on shooting the disruptive supporters of MR and his Crooks,Robbers, and Criminals got cockeyed the moment he dilly dallied beyond the 100 days he set, and backed out on his promise to dissolve Parliament and to hold elections.”
These were my thoughts.
There is no reason for him to be in a dilemma, because he has 4 1/2 more years to go. So, his position is safe. Does not matter who becomes Prime, Minister, he will still be President.
‘he should not dilly dally. What does that mean?”
However, with MaRa and his cronies playing their games AND Maitripala Sirisena interfering in the arrests of their Crooks, Robbers and criminals, according JVP Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, he is dilly dallying.
Because he is dilly dallying, MaRa and their cronies see an opening, and making their moves. Is it a strategy to save SLFP and prevent a UNP dominated Govt? Sirisena says he loves SLFP. They all understand it was MaRa who ruined it.
Sirisena decisively announcing no nominations for Crooks, Robbers and criminals, AND let the police do their duty Apply the Law to arrest and jail the Crooks, Robbers and Criminals, will allow the Dilly Dallying phrase be removed from Mr. Maithripala Sirisena. Hopefully, with time, he will mature and become a very good statesman, Sri Lanka needs at this hour.
Anura Disanayaka speaks at Malabe rally
https://youtu.be/Op_j-VHKDyo
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Jagath Fernando / July 1, 2015
MS is in a dilemma with MARA coming from UPFA.
RW is up the gum tree and none of them will get a clear majority in parliament.
Hope parties like JVP get about 5 seats to keep these guys in check.
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Amarasiri / July 1, 2015
Jagath Fernando
“Hope parties like JVP get about 5 seats to keep these guys in check”
Hope parties like JVP get about 15 or 20 seats to keep these guys in check.
MaRa MaRa Chsatu MaRa Amana MaRa…
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xlntgson / July 1, 2015
‘UNP can form a govt. with TNA but UPFA can’t’ – that’s why My3 is confident, MR if given nomination, will never form a govt. Chandrika will fight it out for Gampaha, her family bastion, natural!
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Sinhala_Man / July 1, 2015
Dear Helasingha,
That was a refreshing read; too many commentators imagine that it is profound to see complications in everything. Yes, I think that Maithri is in a very strong position – and that is because he has no obsession with proving that he’s the greatest, or the longest serving, or anything like that.
He looks like being the individual who who will bring discipline back to all spheres of life, presiding perhaps over a government that is representative of the heterogeneity of the country. The influence of his five year leadership is likely to be the creation of a population that has a sound and healthy attitude to life. He looks like transforming the country in this way, and I wish somebody like you would suggest a number of young candidates (females included) whom he could nominate this month as his candidates. If he prepares for succession, it may be possible for him to sit back for a long time after 2020, and take pride in the fruit that is borne owing to his decency and selflessness.
Yes, yours has been the most realistic assessment that I have seen this week.
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Amarasiri / July 1, 2015
Sinhala_Man
“Yes, I think that Maithri is in a very strong position – and that is because he has no obsession with proving that he’s the greatest, or the longest serving, or anything like that.”
The President Maithripala Sirisena has a great opportunity to be greatest leeder and statesmen since Independence, bringing the county together and usher in prosperity for all its citizens.
Can he be Sri Lanka’s Abraham Lincoln?Mahinda Sirisena neeDs to give his “Gettysburg Address”.
Gettysburg Address
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gettysburg_Address
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.
It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
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Emil van der Poorten / July 1, 2015
“….That list should exclude Mahinda Rajapaksa, Basil Rajapaksa, Chamal Rajapaksa, Namal Rajapaksa, Mervin Silva, Duminda Silva, Johnston Fernando, Sajin Vass, SB Dissanayake, Muthuhettigama, and all others who are known to be criminals. Also exclude everyone who actively participated in the campaign to bring Mahinda back.”
With respect to the above suggestion, the die is already cast. A prime example is that of S. B. Dissanayake being made the General Secretary of the SLFP!
The people of Sri Lanka really have little in the way of choice given the conduct of both sides in the forthcoming contest.
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Abhaya / July 2, 2015
Pooty [Edited out]
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dcn / July 1, 2015
MS should act very bravely and decisively and throw out all refracts, rogues, criminals and not give nomination to them. He will be remebered in the history as a great fearless leader who stood by his convictions.
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Amarasiri / July 2, 2015
dcn
“MS should act very bravely and decisively and throw out all refracts, rogues, criminals and not give nomination to them. He will be remembered in the history as a great fearless leader who stood by his convictions. “
Yes, but will he?
He can’t be too timid, needs to be decisive, draw the line, and throw out all those Crooks, Robbers and Criminals. He needs to have a spine and cannot be a wimp. Must be a leader and statesman.
Otherwise, he will be perceived as one of them.
Have an Orphanage in the Siberian Gulag, to accommodate them.
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Peace Lover / July 1, 2015
Cometh the hour cometh the man and hope His excellency the president MY3 stands firm and etches his name in the history of this proud land as the man who changed a corrupt and vile system to something decent ;-)
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Christopher Peiris / July 1, 2015
Mr Bandara
Your logic is skewed. Why on earth
did Maithripala Sirisena meet
Mahinda Rajapaksa twice, not just
once.
Is it out of his democratic disposition
or out of fear or pressure?
Therein lay his dilemma. Why did he not
tell his trusted people about the dissolution?
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Jayasingh / July 1, 2015
The dilemma is can SLFP/UPFA win if it is divided?
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paul / July 1, 2015
UNP has 40 MPs out of 225 in parliament. Without minor party and minority support they will lose. Will this be enough and what will it cost them?
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Jango / July 1, 2015
Excellent analysis. Wishful thinking apart, let’s hope Maithri feels the same way!
But, as Emil states, SBDissanayake should be thrown out too.
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InconvenientTruth / July 2, 2015
Look at who is sticking with MS: Rajitha, SB, Mangala…when MS has to scrape the bottom of the moral barrel to find support, it should not be a dilemma unless there is much more that you the public unaware of!
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Jango / July 2, 2015
Inconvenient – And look who’s sticking with MR – all the losers like Wimala, Vasi, Gomanpillai and YOU. Need one say more about the “bottom of the barrel” ???
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Rohan Polwatte / July 1, 2015
Who is in DILEMMA? Mahinda RAJAPUSSA is in dilemma. He wants his behind kick until it bleeds. HA!HA!HA!
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Betrayed by MAITREE / July 1, 2015
Freedom and peace short lived ,it seems Sri Lanka’s curs will never end . to much blood on Sri Lankan soil
==========================================================—————————
‘I will contest General Election’ – Mahinda Rajapaksa
nation.lk – The Nation Newspaper – 5 hours ago
Ending days of speculation, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa today formally announced
…
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Lanka Watch / July 1, 2015
The people in general want good governance after horrid experience they had during the last decade and naturally they would like to go with MS but many big wigs of SLFP/UPFA want the old regime to return
in order to hide their past and avoid corruption cases in courts. MS has not much of known candidates to present them to the people under SLFP and have to go for new faces who lacks intimidating power, and cunningness to bluff the people with false promises,also unfortunately for them, MS will not allow them to play the communal card, where as the opposition will play it loudly and naturally the gullible people will get swayed towards people who cry wolf! wolf!.
At least 60% of the people who can read and write and reason out are with MS but he lacks candidates who could spread his message to the people around the country.
This is the dilemma MS is faced with and hope people understand his
position and vote for him, sensibly. We could have a new govt. with
disgruntled people, once again and if that happens, people will
blame MS for not calling the election early and he should ensure he
holds, Finance, Defence/Police and minority affairs ministries under him and defence/Police in particular and FCID should be legalised.
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Rohan Polwatte / July 2, 2015
He wants True Patriots to join him? BS. All thugs rapists, thieves, racists, drug dealers, ethanol importers will join this idiot!
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kali / July 2, 2015
By Helasingha Bandara
Who Is In A Dilemma.
There is Mahintha the THUG and his Crooks are in a Dilema.
Then the Nation is in a Dilema.
1) Mahintha the THUG and his Crooks.
*** They are in a Dilema for two reasons.
a) Mahintha is desperate to get back to power because he is addicted to Power. He is in a detox clinic.
b) Mahnitha needs to get back to power to thwart any attempt to put him in Jail. But he doesnt realize that it is the ICC which will put him in Jail not MS or RW. He should remember what happened to Milosevic and the Sudanese President.
2) The Nation is in a Dilema:
If Manhintha gets anywhere near calling the Shots in Sinhala Lanka then the Country will be looking into the Barrel of a Gun.
Sri Lanka will become a Pariah State and will be punished. Can the Nation afford it. A big NO. But when you are driven by Hatred of Tamils what do the majority of the Majority Care.
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Rajash / July 2, 2015
It’s the voters who are in a dilemma
Back door PM Ranil or cunning Mahinda trying to be PM
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Ajith / July 2, 2015
Srisena understands very well about Mahinda. He knows very weel that Mahinda is capable of taking revenge in any form (including murder) even if his wife disagree with him. He is such a cruel. you should deal with him tactically. At this stage Mahinda’s effort is to destroy the SLFP which was started by SWRD. Now Maithree offered him to contest under SLFP means he has no option other than contesting in another unknown party headed by some one else. He may have to contest under the leadership of Weerawanse. But for other SLFP’s it is a delimma whether to loose everying joining Mahinda or work together with Maithiree.
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Billa / July 2, 2015
The situation is very fluid and unpredictable. Anything can happen and that’s not going to solve impending problems.
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Lanka watch / July 2, 2015
Is MS excused himself from world leaders and postponed the official
visits for another period after he won the presidential election and spent that time in bringing the laws 19A,20A and electoral reforms, and other people friendly legislations, which were of utmost importance
to the people and made them into laws and had the election in March
/April, MR would not have been in the scene nor the SLFP big wigs would not have changed their stance. MS would have been in a position of strength,and not in the present situation, where his own position is at stake. People were building castles in the air that peace and stability will prevail in the country after the election, with a stable national govt.in power but just the opposite things are bound to happen due to his delaying the election and SL will become a battle field from now onto the election day and there after due to three party contest.
It is not too late if an electoral pact or a MOU is signed between SLFP(S) & UNP so that a third party does not creep in as winners in the places where there are tight contests. One has to give into the other
for the coalition partner to win the seat. The total blame goes to the
troika who did not do their home work properly when they planned the regime change with no plan B in the event of changes, such as the current situation..
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Dr.Goebells / July 2, 2015
To decide whether he is in a dilemma or not , all you need to do is to look at
the people who surround him in the photograph at the top of this page .
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MirakRajBanda / July 2, 2015
But voters are not in dilemma who to vote….
This time Voters unanimously hit the final nail on Mahina Rajapakse’s coffin (with the exception of few racist elements)and imprison him eternally in deep down south.
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Barus / July 2, 2015
POLITICAL PICKLE. The voters are in a dilemma. MR trying to crawl back in to the Parliament like a Vermin with a coterie of criminals.
MS trying to show his loyalists he is upholding and uniting his party. Sir, now you are SINGLE term president as you promised on the day you decided to occupy that high seat. Hence, kindly stay away from party politics and behave like a mature statesman.
RW finally got lucky to warm the PM seat. You need to be aware that you got this seat out of the mercy and commitment of all the voters of MS, ONLY because they hated the MR corruption rule and not because of any Love and Affection towards you or your party. So please be responsible. The FCID is now a toothless tiger. All the rogues are roaming the streets of Colombo. You are indeed a real FOX.
Now, what choice do the voters have? Not much isn’t it? So people will obviously choose the lesser of all evils.
Finally, MS and RW get together and form an alliance and push MR and his cronies to the ditch forever. You are perceived as a lesser evil than MR.
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bala / July 2, 2015
Your Excellency President Mithripala Sirisena
The time has come to exhibit the real courage that you possess once again and to use the power that the people entrusted you with with great expectations.
Do not hesitate to sweep all the rotters off the SLFP slate be they those who held the highest office, seniors or juniors, loyalists or “jumpers”. Be courageous and do not give nominations to any of the the criminals, swindlers,murderers, rapists, members of the drug or ethanol mafia from the SLFP or the UPFA.
The people will stand behind you and give a sweeping victory to the SLFP or even the UPFA with new honest loyal faces! Do not fear, all other Parties will be swept away.You will create history once again and be another Mandela!!
Good Luck Sir !
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hamid / July 2, 2015
unp party should nominate sajith premadasa as the prime ministerial candidate,lots of votes will be lost for a gay person as a unp candidate.
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Raj / July 4, 2015
Sajith P is inexperienced & not that well educated either, as claimed. Together with his mother pulling the strings from behind, will take corruption to the next level from the Rajapakses.
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MirakRajBanda / July 2, 2015
Dr. Goebells all what see there are NO thugs, crooks, murderers, rapist, abductors, killers, extortionists surrounded by a clown (called RAJAPAKSE) in the middle. Do you see anything else?????
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Ranjith Gunawaradana / July 4, 2015
Mathriipala Sirsena is by product of UNP-Wickramasingh and CBK -SLFP politics of Neo-liberalism back by policies which assist by US & India foreign power hegemonic to occupy Island Sri lanka.
Indeed there is no dilemma on role of politics play by MS since 2015 January since 9th. MS puppet regime and his junta that its surrendered of nation Sovereignty policies are very clear to the Right thinking Politics élites in our soil.
Time to time media and state power headed by MS, UNP-Ranil.W.. and CBK that attempted to misled public to win coming Parliamentary election.
Their targets is to be defeated MR led people to be misinformed and misled by different from of politics of prevailing democracy. This sinister scheme is originated by UNP Ranil and CBK that collaboration with Indian and US vested interest of Indian ocean.
MS is currently playing to another political drama as that is different manner that in past Presidential election; to remain power by MS is his priority and save as the the vested interest of US & Indian control state in the Island.
MS has done his job which that surrender sovereignty and democratic of our country according to foreign vested interest. He want to be continuation similar policies of another term in Parliament in future.
That is reason that his role, why he want confused SLFP and United Front Party politics as the Chairman on so-called United Front.
MR led National forces should NOT trap into, which MS led manipulated of mode of operandi of fake ‘democracy’ that tactics of cunning politics.
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MOHAMED MARZOOK / July 5, 2015
According to latest reports Maithri is yet to confirm whether he has agreed to give nomination to Mahinda. If he does confirm, that would mean that Maithri too comes from the old bunch of unprincipled politicians who had messed-up matters in the country. Considering this situation and other unhealthy developments since 8th January it has to be concluded that a Govt. either a Govt. of the UNP, or a UNP-led coalition, or a different mix of the old politicians or parties cannot provide the country with the Good Governance that the people expected to bring in after 8th January. The people will have to think of ‘a drastic change’, in short place their trust in the JVP and other new leftists for a better future.
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