Paving the way for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to fully enjoy executive powers, Parliamentarian Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe’s attempt to introduce amendments to the constitution allowing the President to hold defence and any other ministry has come under heavy criticism from all corners.
The former Justice Minister who presented the 19th amendment and ensured its passage through parliament back in 2015 is now strolling back on the same efforts to reintroduce executive powers through a private members bill.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe
During the debate stage of the 19th amendment back in 2015, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe is heard pleading with the opposition not to disagree with certain clauses saying that “there is no political agenda here this is introduced for the benefit of all.”
Senior Counsel Viran Corea who took to twitter on the said issue states that this bill seeks to “reduce judicial independence, reduce independence of key public officers, concentrate direct executive powers in the president, reduce the need for parliament’s involvement in exercise of executive power and discourage national government”.
The amendments propose that the President be able to hold any ministry including defence and appoint officials to key positions such as the Chief Justice, justices of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, Attorney General, IGP, Ombudsmen and the Secretary-General of Parliament.
The bill proposes to do away with the Constitutional Council and allow the President to make judicial appointments with the ‘views of the’ Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and the views of the Prime Minister in making other appointments of public officials including members to the Judicial Service Commission.
It further proposes to “remove excess provisions in Article 41(C)3, prohibiting inter alia removal of any holder of those key public officers except as provided for in the Constitution or in any other law.
Currently, Removal of officers (Proc) act no 4 of 2002 gives security of tenure to the IGP and the Attorney General which only allows the removal of the said officials through a procedure in parliament.
Legal experts stating their opinion on the matter told Colombo telegraph that this is a complete reversing of the system from a parliamentary centric to an executive presidency.
“In the event, this bill is to become the law in essence it will completely do away with the main safeguards introduced by the 19th amendment,” a legal commentator told the Colombo telegraph.
JVP Parliamentarian Bimal Rathnayake tweeted saying “21st Amendment! Back to JR!”. He went on to state that this bill will “completely destroy the relatively independent systems established by the will of the people.”
“This dictatorship mania should be defeated irrespective of party lines,” Rathnayake claimed.
Although these efforts are clearly to back President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s wishes it is unclear as to why it was introduced as a private members bill.
“Million-dollar question is why did Wijayadasa R MP brought this 22nd amendment as a private member bill? According to the Standing Orders of the Parliament Private members bill will at least, take more than 6 – 8 months to be included in the order paper. Why SLPP cabinet didn’t bring this bill?,” Bimal Rathnayake posed a question on the uncertainties that have surfaced pertaining to the matter.
While questions remain as to how successful this attempt is, it is clear that this is something the government is checking as a viable option.
Late November last year following the Presidential Election, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa speaking with monks criticised both the 19th Amendment and the Constitutional Council. He lamented that these two have made it difficult for the government to conduct its business without any hindrance.
“It is difficult to appoint anyone that we deem fit due to the constitutional Council,” President Rajapaksa said at the Sunethra Bellanvila Temple last November.
Also, the fact that there has only been appointed a non-cabinet minister of defence has made the clear indication that the position has been reserved.
The two bills that have been gazetted as the 21st and 22nd amendments to the constitution has been gazetted and is scheduled to be introduced in Parliament session that is to commence from today (03).
Desperate Sinhalaya / January 3, 2020
This man Wijedasa Rajapakshe should not be taken as serious academic
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He himself shared the press lately that it was he who prevented the AVANGARDE criminals from being arrested. There he should have supported GOTABAYA in that court case.
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The kind of illfated buggers destroyed the motives of GOOD GOVERANCNE govt. He and that SARATH N Silva have lot in common. Both have abused their powers and protected Rajapakshe rascals that were alleged to have committed high crimes during their previous tenure.
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Please all mighty god, please punish this bugger DEAL DASA – he played with srilankens voters.
Now sitting with them, how could he be able to see in eyes of the UNP colleagues ? From teh begining on this man has been abusing his power. He should not be a LAWYER. and he is just an another INSULT to LAWYER Profession.
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Field Marshal General Sarath Fonseka was very right, always warned that UNP MPs should be very careful with DEELDASA:
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They the RAJAPAKSHES shoould have much in common in their genetics to fall this much of abusive.
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May all gods be onthe side of taking these men away from HUMAN ASSOCIATION.
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Suranga Gunasekera / January 3, 2020
It’s better to give the country to US than giving the Rajapaksha clan the executive Presidency.
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We all know that Gota is a US citizen still. He has shown the document called “loss of nationality “. He must obtain the document called “renunciation of citizenship “.
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Transparency is very low in Sri Lanka even with a huge parliament. With executive Presidency this will become worse. And as per the constitution president has no accountability for his actions as a President.
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Bunjappu / January 3, 2020
Suranga@
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In europe it would not have been possible anyone with shaky identies to become a Pres nominee, but a hell where so called BUDDHIST monk mudalalies are kept above altar, abuse this nation.
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When would this find its end ?
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Either Buddhist leaders to react accordingly or by implementing proper law and order systems.
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Said is easier than done – how can people be fed with FACTs, if we all know that orifices such as DERANA TV, Hiru TV and SIRASA TV continuously abuse the telecasting times, and frequencies not adequately educating the vulnerable. They make blunders with their telecasts, but lack of RIGOUROUS laws in that island, things stay as it is on and on.
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On the 31st eve, 3 German ladies had litt – sky-lantern which were banned in Germany country wide and people down their in Krefeld believe those lanterns should have triggered the ZOO-BURNING down killing over 30 monkeys, inclu. Gorillas.
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Now the GERMAN authorities make every effort to punish the 3 women, even if they confirmed that they did NOT about the ban of such lanterns before they bought the lanters online. No excuses are accepted with German laws and these ladies will have to face EITHER Jail sessions or unbearable fines for their reckless decisions to light such lanterns that. See how those countries control human behaviours ?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rWBVlbzKPI
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Simon De Silva / January 3, 2020
This man Wijedasa is coming from a very poor background. That may be the reason him to be this much dishonest.
How could one as a senior lawyer be this much of back licking. He should have earned billions from Avangarde deals, by being part of those deceitful transactions. Actually these men should be rotten in jails for all the high crimes they have committed to lanken people.
How can any edcuated candidate be this much unethical ?
Now I have no hope anymore about lanken future.
Gota will never be able to do the expected to 6.9 voters. Wait and see, what has he been doing in the first 3 months.
In fact 100 day program of UNPrs, they did lot more to the country, though ABUSIVE media men did not give it a publicity.
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upali / January 3, 2020
Wijedasa’s attempt to amend the constitution riding on an American Limousine paid by someone else should seen through what he said some time back as Minister of Justice ” I will not allow
GR to be arrested as long as I am Minister of Justice”. That’s the calibre of the man.
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BayaGota / January 3, 2020
SL sadly misses the LTTE today. Only LTTE could have saved SL from this dictatorship.
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Adrian / January 3, 2020
BayaGota please don’t post nonsense. The LTTE established their own dictatorship.
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Maharage, / January 3, 2020
Baya Gota,…..
I totally agree with you. Only LTTE can save the country from this dictatorship…
Thanks for being audacious to say this …..
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Adrian / January 4, 2020
Maharage, Tamil with a Sinhalese name, you fool nobody.
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Mallaiyuran / January 3, 2020
While the 22nd A is reminding 1978 JR, the 21st A is reminding Don Stephen’s Indian Pakistani Citizenship Acts. That act was the first one in Ceylon intended to destroyed the minorities’ Franchise and make their representation meek and in vain in the parliament. There after so many electioneering techniques were devised to reduced minorities seats in Parliament. From colonization of Galoya and remarking the electorate beneficial for majority community is the most famous until JR introduces the representational system. This guarantees seat for Majority even in the minority sections. Muslims worked with Richard. P and had the percentage reduced to 5%. This benefited practically all others (Muslim Parties and Up Country Tamils) too, sans TNA, which’s electorate are very limited. 21St A is to take revenge on Muslim and Up Country Tamils supported UNP in the last election. TNA is not directly losing by this. But it is aware that this is one again an election law to work on minority representations.
Deal Dasa will be standing in Slap Party, after this. Then, after the election, he is getting back his Injustice Minister he lost partly for saving the King in Avant Garde
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Chitra / January 3, 2020
Here it comes, very slowly, surreptitiously, but clearly.
Soon, our country will be known as Rajapaksa Land. We will be seeing the eroding of democratic laws, and the path is open for a dictatorship. The naive who voted for 2 members of the same family to lead this country, will refuse to, or be unable to, acknowledge they have made the biggest mistake. More to come after the General Elections.
The world laughed at us when we had 2 Prime Ministers, and they will now laugh at
us because 2 brothers from the same family, are the leaders of this country, and they can do whatever the hell they want to it. On top of it all, we may have the first President who may be an American citizen.
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Leelagemalli / January 3, 2020
See Chitra, that 52 – FAKE govt made us laughter stocks to the world. Chilli throwers on to honourable Speaker and decent politicians sit today like Heroes.
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THOSE HOW DEMOLISEHD the parliament carpentry sit today like heroes while decent politicians sit in the OPPOSITION chamber. How come… are we standing on our heads ?
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Nevertheless people brought them back to power.
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Average mind set of this country/nation should be pathologically down.
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Meaning people are NOT into facts and decent politics. Rascals and thugs according to them could do lot more to this nation: I think the nation is marching backward.
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Raritythoughts / January 3, 2020
If we are honest, if our judges and courts are honest, would MR be able to stay further after that 52-day govt in which he left the SLFP for SLPP. Remember ?
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The legal issue was settled by SIRISENA by having issued a statement ´that MR mafia man and his thieves never left the party. That allowed them to stay further in the parliament. Else, anyone who left the party with which they got elected to parliament seats, loose automatically their parliamentarian seats.
That is effective any polite world, but not rascal and uncultured bastard politicians filled srilanka. Either they are penissless lebbes or powerless idiots or rascals that abuse their power.
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MR has no ethical or moral background to STAY in lanken politics going by his performances in that 52-day parliament.
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Mastermind of the crisis, uneducated bugger not worth even to be gramasewaka, should be dismembered raw in order to give some peace to LANKEN disgnified people.
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ROHAN JOHNPILLAI / January 3, 2020
This sad dithering always weaving in and a total disgrace to humanity is now attempting another on his cheap fantastical tricks.
RJ @ 1. Even though having been given a post in the cabinet all he could and did was to all 24 hours of the day sit on the side of the Jarapakse mongrel clan who like him are misfits in this world. All they are good at are stirring up many a hornet’s nests all 24 hours of the day and night.
RJ @ 2.When he will do a hop step and a jump. ? is the million-dollar question.
RJ @ 3. Mongrels like him have to be castrated
RJ @ 4. R. J. The one & only on this aboding on this wonderful planet of ours..
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Matilda Ellepola / January 3, 2020
Does anyone knows there is a plan to chase minority parties like JVP and smaller parties like Rishards, Wimals, Champikas, Gammanpilas etc., with the 5% cumulative votes increased to 12% or 1/8 of total voters per district ?
This will have a big impact and it seems no one is care about these matters anymore.
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We Are Sri Lanka / January 3, 2020
Absolute power corrupts
All Sri Lankans be aware of this.
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Nirutha / January 3, 2020
Oh.. Wijeyadasa.. another Sinhala Buddhist boot licker… trying to create a royal family rule. May be majority Sinhala fools prefer to worship a king … not smart enough to understand democracy.
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Leelagemalli / January 3, 2020
Fits better he is an asskisser.
He has no right to advise anyone going by the nature he had been upto with Good goverancne govt.
We should shoot this bugger at his head by legal means. There are lot more evidence against him.
The kind of men to let set free is a greater threat to lanken future.
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Simon De Silva / January 4, 2020
So long these buggers bear the sinhala genetics, nothing would work in the line of world norms. I wonder why people let them abused that way?
Rajapakshes just dont care about laws and orders.
Ironically these buggers are so called lawyers graduated from lanken universities. No wonder the lanken Uni s to be behind 2000th in the world.
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Amarasiri / January 3, 2020
Colombo Telegraph,
JVP introduced the 20th amendment to remove the executive presidency. UNP, SLFP etc. did not want to go along.
Now, Gotabaya wants the EP with all the powers JR had. What did JR achieve during his two terms in office as the executive president? A separatist war.
What will Gotabaya achieve ?
Now, the saffron clad monks did a coup after, the death of Buddha and the Bodhisattvas, by naming and nominating the monks as the 3 rd Gem of the Triple Gem. All the imbeciles have been fooled,
Buddhism should be reformed, Double Gem, Buddha and Dhamma only.
Discard Sangam Saranam Gachhami, seeking refuge in the monks.
The monks can hang on their own, like the laymen.
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Renu / January 3, 2020
Sanga should be discarded lot in the Buddhist Philosophy, as they are no use to anyone but to themselves
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Amarasiri / January 3, 2020
Renu,
There are no monks in Aristotelian philosophy. Yes monks and monk hegemony is not needed, in Buddhism, but the prostrating imbeciles still cant get it.
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Mali Wijebahu / January 3, 2020
Best idea since 2015.
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The current mess should not be allowed to continue. We need a strong president with the powers to enforce his vision.
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WR should be encouraged and supported by all MPs.
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K.A.Sumanasekera / January 3, 2020
Good on you Wijedasa.
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It will redeem some of your sins committed against the great Inhabitant population by backing Dr Rani and his UNP Cabinet.
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And it will certainly add to the merits you have accrued from saving Nandasena from Welikada , which Dr Rani ,and his mates Dr Rajitha and Field Marshalla Ponseka had prepared for Nandasena well before the Election.
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Native Vedda / January 4, 2020
KASmaalam K.A.Sumanasekera
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If Gota seeks your advice on appointing minister what ministry or ministries would you recommend for this man who has double doctorates (especially from homegrown university) and a follower, friend, and defender of the saffron clad thug Ampitiye Sumanarathana?
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K.A.Sumanasekera / January 4, 2020
Dear Native,
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I would advice Prez Nanadasena to consult your mate Dr Rajitha’s Son who runs that UNP Consultancy Service,,
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BTW Has your idol, Dr Rani drawn up his Shadow Cabinet and given it to Keselwatta Kid?.-
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Mangal Samare has already thrown in the towel.
Will Chatura Senaratna , Hirunicka Premachandra , the young UNP Turks whom Dr Rani hand picked be in the List?.
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Will Field Marshall Ponseka get the Shadow Defense Gig to keep his War Time subordinate General Goonaratna on his toes?.-
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Will Dr Ranl allow any input from the new Opposition Leader Keselwatta Kid in the selection process?.-
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What was your mate Sampathar doing there shaking Prez Nandasena’s Hand when the JHU Boss the great defender of Buddha Sasasana and Mahasanaga was showing his ass to Nnadesena?.
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BTW Are you planning to come over for the Thamil & Sinhala New Year to give the TNA a hand to win those 40 Seats in the South?.
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chiv / January 3, 2020
With or without this under the table WR tactics , it will still happen. Most of the bureaucratic, civil/civic services are now under military personal. All security, defence, “Loo and Odor”,judiciary, AG Dept and the rest will be brought under one individual/commander in chief, who is also the president. Rest will come under the family control. Bottom line our transformation from Democratic, Socialist, Republic blah, blah to Sorry Lankistan (next Pakistan),is to be completed soon. Job well done. A very Happy New Year for Lankans.
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S. C. Pasqual / January 3, 2020
What “attempt”…………
19th amendment WILL be reversed.
Constitution WILL be changed so that current president WILL get powers more than earlier ones………
Basically he WILL have free hand to run the country the way he choose.
THAT’S WHY WE ELECTED HIM………
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desperateasnother / January 3, 2020
Pascal,
deal would not do any good to srilanken future. By the way Rascals have abused you to the core, leaving you with all various kind of incontinence.
We are well aware how MR and GR did it until 2015.
Not now, or future, but to that time, if they had brains, with 2/3 mandate in Parliament could do lot more.
Unfortuatnely, power intoxications and facists nature being kept above, they ruined it to the core, and became slaves and made lankens eternal slaves to the Chinese.
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TODAY CURSE ON TO RAJAPAKSHE BROTHERS, SRILANKA IS KNOWN AS NUMBER ONE COUNTRY WHO GOT CHEATED BY SO CALLED CHINESE INVESTMENT.
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Angolians cant afford anything today with their Ghost cities built by the Chinese. So ist hte case with lanken so called GIGANTIC projects in Hambantota where rascals are born. That area is known to be a hub for idiots.
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D. P. / January 3, 2020
CT,
First, the question of why are there two bills when both could conjoined easily: May be to save the option of saving at least one.
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2. Why brought in as private bills? Possible opposition from small-party cabinet members.
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3. Possible motive: Moving towards 18 A by hoping to ride the wave of security fear among voters that propelled GoRa to power.
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4. Usefulness: I’m against 21 but will support 22. What is needed is to take powers away from the presidency as much as possible; not addition. 22 may provide a practical solution to the senselessly propping parties all over. I don’t believe that higher number of parties do represent active democracy. Of course, there can be many interest groups, including minority interests, in a country but that doesn’t mean they can’t be represented in a two or three party system. If a large & powerful country like America can do it, why not SL?
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About Marxist parties: If their interest lies in socialism (corruption, welfare of workers and inequal distribution of wealth alone), then they should be able to push such agendas through their major party; but, on the other hand, if their ultimate goal is a Marxist regime, then they should be considered more dangerous than proposed 21 A!
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JD / January 3, 2020
What the Title of this article and what we understand about the 19th amendment and executive presidency is that Ranil and his UNP lied big time to Sri Lanka. Maithripala Sirisena was not an English speaker. So Maithripala’s Office Secretaries and Ranil all ruined Sri Lanka by destroying the Executive presidency, instead Electoral district elected Prime minister and the National List MP, speaker decided it for Sri Lanka. Disgusting politics.
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gamini / January 3, 2020
Born to Servility. Progeny of the Vassals after emancipation, yet drifts to shit like the fly.
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jehan / January 3, 2020
Wijedasa rajapaksa the terrorist will destroy the country, this guy is a crook and a evil basterd to boot.He is a snake, even gota will get destroyed by following this guy.
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rew / January 3, 2020
Wijedasa like Sirisena has no problems doing a 180 degree switch on any matter.
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dayal / January 3, 2020
i am an old academic very much disappointed by WR. i attended one of his pocket meetings to find that he was mild, sober and shown himself as a pleasing personality. latter he became justice minister under RW. after some time he came with his true colours .i found that he was chauvinistic and anti minorities. i do not know how our fox ranil identified him as a companion. now he continues with his anti national activities by talking about despicable type of amendment. surprised to see how people like him can change all of a sudden. tragedy.
dayal
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Native Vedda / January 4, 2020
dayal
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“now he continues with his anti national activities by talking about despicable type of amendment.”
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He is a friend, follower and protector of saffron clad thug Ampitiye Sumanarathana. What could one do about it.
You got to remember this:
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“Show Me Your Friends and I’ll Show You Your Future – By Chaplain Ronnie Melancon.”
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Renu / January 3, 2020
This WR is a slimy fellow, As someone has mentioned it depends on the pedigree he comes from that matters . There were underhand deals SF brought he had with Senadhipathy. People will definitely discard him if he contest elections . No one should support the 21st & the 22nd Amendments in parliament
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Stanley / January 3, 2020
Education has not done any good to Wijedasa Rajapakshe. Like all those village morons he wants to protect, promote and strengthen the hand of a criminal who is not willing to face any inquiry in connection with a long list of serious charges against him.
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Buddhist / January 3, 2020
Wijedasa is a crook. He is the one who presented the 19th amendment and now calls it useless. He is a “hulang gana paththata hoiya” sort of guy. He has no strong character. He will sell even his soul, which he has done several times for his own personal benefit. He is like the one which jumps from branch to branch only difference is he has no tail.
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Sambo / January 3, 2020
This is an Oran Ut tan in the disguise of a human being. Just forget him and his stupid ideas. He is looking for a job.
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Adrian / January 3, 2020
This is a very bad sign of things to come. It looks like GR wants to have the power that JR had. If he succeeds you can be sure that he will use the other precedent set by the UNP. If he feels that he is losing popularity he will replace the General Election with a referendum and stay in power for even longer. (I dont mean the coming GE in Feb/March, but the one after).
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Native Vedda / January 4, 2020
Adrian
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“If he feels that he is losing popularity he will replace the General Election with a referendum and stay in power for even longer. “
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He believes he has the Sinhala/Buddhist vote bank on his side. He also believes he could rely on them as he often makes the right squeaky noises that they want to hear.
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With his inbuilt racism, bias against others, pending war crimes charges, partiality, …… he is incapable of seeing beyond his nose, hence he is already caught in the downwards spiral, his closed mind, lack of confidence, the usual fear psychosis (paranoia) is making matters worse than before. The problem is he does not want to deal with his own terrible past. Along the line he must have lost his b***s.
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He ought to know “Truth will set him free but first it will p**s him off” – Gloria Steinem.
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Lanka Nitizen / January 3, 2020
No , no
Who takes Wijadesa seriously .
Chicken does not become an egg , it becomes a good dish on the baquet table..
So with Ex-Presidendecy .
Next is a full baquet of Excutive powers , which will be nicely laid out on a royal style table by 7000,000 voters.
Hee, hee , who needs a sandwich at a banquet?
Who needs a Executive Presidency when they will.have the entire Parliment and Country?
Can anyone who is opposed even move a finger against 7000 0000 powerful. EXCLUISIVE Sinhala Bhuddhist and Chatholic VOTES ?
You must be joking.
Sri Lanka will never be the same.ever again gauranteed .
You will.need to be constantly conscious in every action , even how you sneeze to cough
Good no , excellent .
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kebab / January 3, 2020
Why are criticising this , presidential rule was what JR Jayawardena wanted , and what Ranil never wanted changed until he realised he could not be president ! ( Thank god for that ! President Ranil would have made Alloysious Governor of Central bank after Mahendran retired !, After all, he is an old royalist !)
What hypocrisy !
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Mani / January 3, 2020
I am no legal or constitutional expert but can anyone enlighten me on how such important constitutional amendments, dealing with presidential powers and eligibility of political parties to enter parliament, can be brought to parliament as a ‘private member’s bill’ – by no less of a corrupt jackass than Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe?
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Simon De Silva / January 3, 2020
Mani, #
these are just speculations. I dont think it woudl be easy as had been before. With the opposition that is in power today, they would not be able to get passed anything.
So, what I feel is, if the very same punnakku eaters dominated srilanka wouldbe misled to the very same degree as was the case in Presidential election, they would earn 2/3 or close to that. Then the ballige puthas could ruin the country for sure, as had been prior to 2015.
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