By D.B.S.Jeyaraj
Hello Friends
The question of abolishing the Executive Presidential system has received fresh focus after the foray of Gen.Sarath Fonseka into politics.
Campaign hoarding in Colombo-pic by: indi.ca
The UNP along with the UNF led by it and the JVP are all part of an “unholy alliance” now in backing Fonseka’s candidacy.
The main reason trotted out by these strange bedfellows for supporting Sarath Fonseka is the Generals promise to abolish the Executive presidency.
Ranil, Mangala, Rauff and Mano along with the crimson comrades want us to believe that Sarath Fonseka will climb down from the executive presidency and bring about a new system under an Executive Prime minister in just six months after being elected president.
These politicians want us to believe that Sarath Fonseka after fighting a bitter campaign against tremendous odds will simply hand over the fruits of his victory to these politico’s in civvies.
In this instance it’s worth recalling the past where the abolition of executive presidency has been solemnly promised before elections and simply discarded afterwards.
The nation has not forgotten Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge’s pledge to abolish the executive presidency on or before July 15th 1995.
When the Executive presidential system’s “father” Junius Richard Jayewardena was asked by a journalist then about Kumaratunge’s grand pledge the man dubbed as 20th century fox , chuckled and responded that it was “here to stay”.
The reality has been that persons elected to that all-powerful office have been unwilling or unable to relinquish those powers.
After all, it has been described as having powers to do anything except change man into woman and vice cersa.
But JRJ when asked this by Law students replied tongue in cheek “what is there to prevent me passing a law calling man a woman and woman a man”?
In recent times there are many who perceive the executive presidency as a necessary evil on account of fragmented legislatures and minority governments.
The proportionate representation system has resulted in Parliamentary seats being divided among many political parties.
The inability of parties to gain an absolute majority has caused a sense of instability. Minority governments are the order of the day.
In this climate the executive presidency becomes essential for stable governance in a fragmented polity.
It is seen as an oasis of stability in a desert of instability.
It must be remembered that Jayewardena’s intention when introducing the system was to ensure a stable executive that could withstand the pressures of Parliament and govern.
Against that backdrop current promises about abolishing the executive presidency must be taken not with the proverbial “pinc” but fistsful of salt.
The “Rathu Sahodarayas” of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna in particular have a chequered past concerning this issue.
JVP flip-flops on abolishing the executive presidency illustrate vividly the hiatus between pledge and performance.
I received an e-mail today from writer, journalist and activist Kusal Perera in Colombo.
He had written crisply about this issue with particular emphasis on the JVP track record.
I found it interesting and informative.
So I am taking the liberty of posting Kusal’s viewpoint on my blog without getting his permission (I am sure he wont mind)
So here it is friends:
How Many Times Was This “abolition of exec presidency” promised?
By Kusal Perera
THIS IS NO BREAKING NEWS,
Yet, Abolition of the Executive Presidency is now the major promise of the UNF-JVP loose coalition backing General Fonseka.
This is no new promise, either. BUT,
How many times was this “Abolition of Exec Presidency” promised ?
1. In October 1994, the JVP got this promise from CBK on condition that she abolishes it before 15 June, 1995 and they withdraw their presidential candidate Galappathty. Both parties agreed to the conditions and the promise was put on paper, signed and delivered to the public.
2. For December 2001 parliamentary elections, the UNF led by Ranil W. promised a change in presidency, if voted to power and they were voted to power with a slender majority.
3. At the 2005 November presidential elections, Rajapaksa promised the abolition of Exec Presidency in his now infamous, “Mahinda Chintanaya” programme, the JVP claims is their agreement with President Rajapaksa that President Rajapaksa has to honour.
For 15 years now, still a promise and the People behind this promise were;
1. The JVP and its present leadership
2. Ranil W. who played to win those pro JVP type votes
3. Again the JVP and its present leadership
[On both occasions where the JVP was involved, so was Mangala S. from the SLFP]
IF these political leaders were HONEST, they could have done it many times before-
1. When CBK as president backtracked on the promise, there was no JVP to agitate and demand she honours the promise
2. When the JVP bargained for their “Probationary” government, AGAIN with CBK in 2001 September, their 05 main conditions did not include the abolition of the Exec Presidency.
3. When the JVP bargained for ministerial portfolios AGAIN in the CBK led government in 2004 April after elections, they had NOTHING to do with the “Abolition of the Exec Presidency”.
Then, why promise once again what was promised through 15 years and not done?
The JVP performance in the 08 Provincial Council elections including the Eastern Province, was more than dismal.
The JVP polled ONLY 234,442 votes from all 08 provinces. That is a paltry 2.9 per cent.
· Can they afford to field a presidential candidate with that vote ? At presidential elections, the possibility is to poll even less.
· Can they afford to boycott presidential elections alone ? That could turn out into a joke, they know.
· What else can they do?
They did, what they can best do. Conspire. Scheme. Manipulate. Poor General Fonseka was pushed into a point of “no return”.
So now they have a candidate, a loud slogan and a good vote, even if they lose, without an “Elephant” and a UNP for the first time in the 62 year electoral history of this country.
Let’s thank the people for their gratitude each time in forgetting the promise. Or else, how would they find another promise ?
Old JRJ was absolutely correct. Nobody’s gonna do away with exec prez system. Fonny is conning
The JVP is a fraud. Those rathu yakkos cant do a thing right. JVP is for centralised power. If Somwansa can be president JVP will never change system. They dont really want to change presidency.They only want to grab hold of it
Fonseka is taking JVP,UNP for a ride.if he wins he will replace executive presidency with a military dictatorship
DBSJ
I can’t understand what the fuss is all about Namal Rajapakshe alone in a special cubicle with the Law College Principal for the entrance exam.
My information was mum was indisposed due to some charity work. Who is going to change the diapers eh?
Distractions and Destructions are the home grown Srilankan model for social justice, human rights and political rights.
Welcome to Srilanka to watch another potentially a violent and melancholic play, but caution- be prepared to take cover.
Cunning JRJ deliberately brought this Executive presidency in order to suppress the Tamils but it is been used as suppress everyone in the country. It will be highly unlikely abolished by anyone even if the have the so called constitutional 2/3 majority.
I
Mr Perera’s description of Ranil,Mangala Mano and the Red Brothers as conspirators,schemers.and manipulators is right on the money.
Sarath Fonseka is consumed by anger and hatred towards Rajapaksa which has affected his clear thinking.He can’t be that ignorant not to realize what Mr Perera and Millions of others think of his entourage.and the hypocrazy of this exercise.
There is a slim possibility that Fonseka plans to out smart his backers and get the job and tell them to p… off. I doubt whether Fonseka is a match for Ranil when it comes to play politics.
Only God knows what is in Ranil’s mind. Even the senior members,with a lot of clout in the UNP have not been able to oust Ranil even though he has been serial a loser for over a decade
.No other political party in the world would tolerate a leader with that sort of performance.For the UNP to for go their treasured Elephant and the Green and back a novice for the presidency is mind boggling.May be Ranil has a plan B in case Fonseka gets run over ny the proverbial bus.
Hello!!! What has Namal Rajapaksa got to do with this aritcle?.You are devaluing this column.
DBSJ RESPONDS:
You are right. Thank you for pointing this out.
Two things are happening .
1.Some persons are posting comments totally unrelated to the article in question.
2.Some persons are responding here to the tweets I post on Twitter.
I have been releasing them so far because of two reasons.
One is that I dont want to discourage commentators by disallowing them
Two is because some of them are interesting,amusing and informative
But I agree with you that the comments under a particular post are gradually losing sense of direction.The comments are becoming irrelevant to the article and evolving into an Achchaaru.
I have been gently asking commentators to refrain from this practice
If this tendency persists then I will have to reluctantly release such posts as fully deleted with the reason why
- barack obama replaces hill billy redneck george bush
- sarath fonseka must replace hill billy redneck mahinda rajapaske
winds of change are here – embrace the cool breeze.
DBSJ
According to your tweet Fonseka has said he will abolish the presidency in 6 months. Then what is going to happen to him? Iam a bit confused. He has to clarify that too no?
DBSJ
I know in your article and Kusal’s you say this is just a ‘boru’ promise. But just because earlier people did it we can’t assume Fonseka will. Besides earlier guys were all traditional politicians, this man is not. He is a deep one. That is why i want to know from him what is he going to do after abolishing the presidency What is his next job going to be. Is it a Bainimarama?
DBS,
MR and the company will fight this election on two issues.
1. SF’s green card. Any connection of his to the West will be full exploited by MR.
2. SF’s unholy connection with Ranil.
RW is probably one of the most hated men in SL as far as Singhalese voters are concerned and the government will exploit this. There is a TV show called “Jabos Lane” that is popular in SL these days. It is political satire of the highest order. You can watch it on YouTube. Go watch one of the recent episodes and you will understand.
Shankar (#10 & 11) asked a very valid question. If the executive presidency is abolished within 6 months of a SF victory, what is he going to do afterwards?
The other question that I have is – can he do that as the sitting president? What does the constitution say about that? Can anyone answer that?
DBSJ RESPONDS:
I dont think SF will abolish executive presidency if he attains it. There is always the question of a two-thirds majority necessary for it. A hopelessly divided parliament wil have to reach a bi-partisan consensus. This will be elusive.
But that is only if SF tries to genuinely abolish it through Constitutional means
But as MR observed the executive presidency can be abolished through replacing it with a military dictatorship. That danger is very much there if Sarath ever becomes constitutionalle elected commander in chief of the armed forces
But then again will Sarath ever get elected? I think both Ranil and the JVP know he wont be elected but want to give Mahinda a good fight and rattle the Rajapaksas.
LankaeNews ,the most pro Fonseka media outlet has published excerpts of an interview given by Sarath Fonseka as the opposition nominee for the president.
He seems to admit candidly, that he has not much chop when it comes to the Constitution and the machinations of Parliament.I admire his honesty in that statement.. At least it gives swinging voters clues to his ability to run the Country.
It also displays the absolute bankruptcy of the oldest and the largest political party which represents the elite,the educated the well off and the business community in Srilanka. by backing a political dud as their representative.
If the potential President does not understand the political process.how can he give a guarantee that he will abolish the presidency unless he thinks that he can resign and hand it over to Rani after full filling his desire to get rid of Rajapaksa..
Another point he made was that he is willing to accept funds from the LTTE.I don’t think the LTTE is going to waste their money on a phony candidate.Besides making their sworn enemy the President will be the ultimate insult to the thousands of Tiger cadres and the leaders killed on Fonseka’s watch.But the LTTE remnants may be able to help if Ranil has other plans in mind.
Can we trust any of the leaders from the Green (UNP) or Blue (SLFP) parties to eliminate corruption, thuggary, and make sri lanka the prosporous and peaceful country where people live in harmony? No way! We have had these guys ruling the country for the last few decades. It’s just an opportunity for these folks to take a cut from whatever the borrowed wealth the country has. Folks, nothing has changed except people voting a group ofpeople or families getting rich.
JVP or other parties do not have the political capital nor the modern day pragmatism to do anything differently. A ministerial portfolio or two can easily buy these folks.
What I don’t understand is why so many people have either blue or green blood and castigate theother side. It is beacuse of these green, blue, and red blooded ignorant voters why the country is where it is today.
I don’t think the country is going to see a gentleman of the calibre of Kadiragamar for a long time. Even if we get one, he or she will be destroyed politically or otherwise.
Sarath Fonseka introduces a new dimension to the game. He seems to have a brain listning to some of his interviews last week and the press conference yesterday. He seems to be a WYSIWIG person (wht you see is what you get). Even then there are some questions raised about his “cleanliness”. I HOPE those are just rumours. And I HOPE he is not a racially biased and ignorant person as he came across with some of his contreversial statements on who the country belongs to. Assuming all is well with his credentials, then he is the least worse person we have got. We should give it a try. If he turns out to be a crook then I will keep waiting for the “Priince Diyasena” to come and fix it all!
In 1956 SWRD Bandaranaike was the long awaited “Diyasena”………………….DBSJ
2/3 majority exists today as opposition has agreed to abolish it. all that requires mahinda chintana to say yes..
Yes but why would Mahinda abolish it?It’s the guys who say they’ll abolish who need 2/3…………DBSJ
The main platform of SF is the abolition of the Executive Presidency and implementation of the 17th Amendment. On the other hand MR has consistently avoided implementing the 17th amendment which is already part of the Constitution.
Hence we have a choice between continuing our current journey with MR, Family & Co., or for a change with SF, UNF, JVP. Abolish the Executive Presidency, implement the 17th amendment and then let the voters decide at the General Elections on a New Parliment with democratic powers. The latter in my opinion is the way to go.
We need a good old fashioned Aacharu DBSJ, the problem with Sri Lanka is that it is like a bento box.
We need a good old fashioned Aacharu DBSJ, Tamils and Sinhalese should become an aacharu, because the problem with Sri Lanka is that it is like a bento box.
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Yes but why would Mahinda abolish it?
*/
if he honors his election promise he should. he obviously has a succession plan involving all the brothers. by the time its all finished we have a family mafia running everything for a number of decades. if the rajapske family is not sent home now, it will get harder as they establish themselves more. it will be like having another LTTE all over again.
SF is a novice true but just like a person entering politics in their 20′s want to make genuine change. politics of mahinda is stale. he will only want to enrich himself and the family in the second term. SF is a principled no nonsense man whereas mahinda laid back anything goes jokiya. that is why i firmly believe SF will abolish exec prez. he really cannot afford not to considering its his main election promise along with eradicating corruption and so forth.
I think SF&MR are two sides of the same coin.But MR is the known devil whereas SF…… is ?……….DBSJ
SF’s only qualification is that he was commanding Army when the LTTE was defeated. His driving force is the boiling anger and hatracy towards the Rajapakshas. And the motivation is the reluctance to loose the tyranical power he was enjoying as the commander. A megalomaniac like him does not want to just fade away as old soldiers used to do but hanging on to the power as long as possible. In SF’s case he likes to engage in a do or die mission rather than diminishing in to retirement as a good for nothing old fart.
RW knows that SF doesnot have a snow flakes chance in the hell to win. He is using SF to die for him sothat he can sevive for another day.
Still what if some big bang takes place where SF used to be near by close to Election day in which case RW can get him nominated as the substitute candidate. Who knows ….?
The Sri Lankan opposition party, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), has recently made the abolition of the country’s executive presidency the chief political plank of its various campaigns, including today’s election for the Southern Provincial Council. If one were to believe the demagogues of the JVP, the party has now become a champion of democratic rights in opposition to the autocratic methods of President Mahinda Rajapakse.
The executive presidency, established as part of constitutional changes in 1978 by the right-wing United National Party (UNP), gives enormous powers to the head of state and government. In the hands of Rajapakse, the post has become the centre of a politico-military cabal that treats the constitution, the legal system and parliament with contempt. Rajapakse is not only the president, but the defence minister and finance minister as well. The presidential secretariat, rather than the cabinet, has become the real centre of government decision making.
The JVP’s campaign, however, is a cynical ploy designed to bolster the party’s waning support among the rural masses and to cover up its own complicity in the crimes of the Rajapakse regime. Chief among these is its support for Rajapakse’s renewed communal war against the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), including the military’s indiscriminate bombardment of Tamil civilians and “disappearances” and killings by pro-government death squads. The JVP also supports the government’s internment of more than 250,000 Tamil civilians in huge detention camps following the LTTE’s defeat in May.
The JVP suddenly announced its push to abolish the executive presidency in August, as Rajapakse and government leaders indicated plans to hold the next presidential election early next year, prior to general parliamentary elections due in April. While the presidential poll is not due until 2011, Rajapakse clearly calculates his support will only continue to fall as the economic crisis in Sri Lanka and internationally worsens. His lies about military victory inaugurating a new period of “peace and prospective” are already wearing thin.
The presidential election poses a dilemma for the JVP. In 2005, it decided not to stand a candidate of its own. Having assumed ministerial posts for the first time the previous year, the JVP found its support rapidly falling, including among the rural Sinhalese masses that had looked to it to improve their lot. Fearing a poor showing, the JVP decided not to stand its own presidential candidate and instead signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rajapakse to support his campaign.
Four years later, the JVP’s difficulties have only multiplied. The party remained in opposition rather than joining the ruling coalition, largely because of the government’s rising unpopularity. At the same time, however, the JVP supported Rajapakse to the hilt as he plunged the country back to war in 2006. It voted for his military budgets that imposed new burdens on working people and for draconian emergency powers. As the party’s popularity continued to decline, a breakaway faction, headed the JVP’s parliamentary leader Wimal Weerawansa, defected to the government in April last year.
In the latest round of provincial council elections this year, the JVP’s vote collapsed. Its tally of council seats fell from 12 to zero in Central Province, 6 to 1 in the North Western Province and 23 to 3 in the Western Province. The outcome in today’s Southern Provincial Council election is likely to be similar.
If the JVP decides to stand its own presidential candidate next year, its lack of support will be all too evident. As a result, it is left with the unpalatable options of backing Rajapakse, as in 2005, or the right-wing UNP’s candidate. In this context, the JVP’s call to abolish the executive presidency has an element of political manoeuvre—a threat to campaign against Rajapakse, as well as a plea to postpone the presidential poll and a hint that their alliance might be renewed. It has nothing whatsoever to do with defending the democratic rights of working people.
The JVP launched its “campaign” with a letter to Rajapakse in August, which has since been distributed at public meetings and seminars. Written by JVP secretary Tilwin Silva, the letter laments the plan for an early election and Rajapakse’s failure to abolish the executive presidency as agreed with the JVP in 2005. “Casting aside the MoU signed with the JVP on behalf of the country and without any regard to the mandate you received, is an unethical act,” he declared, appealing to Rajapakse to “abandon the idea of holding another presidential election and take steps to abolish the executive presidency as promised.”
The JVP’s attempt to portray the MoU—an electoral arrangement—as a sacred pact with the nation is absurd. The JVP helped Rajapakse to achieve his narrow win by promoting his “Mahinda Vision” program as the means to solve poverty and unemployment, defend democratic rights and promote peace. As soon as he took office, Rajapakse jettisoned his promises and rapidly moved to restart the war with the LTTE, which had been the MoU’s central plank all along.
Now as it prepares for next year’s elections, the JVP has resurrected the demand to abolish the executive presidency to try to dupe voters once again. In the Southern Provincial Council election, its leaflets declared that the JVP was the alternative to “anti-democratic rule” and the means for “good governance”. However, as its record demonstrates, the JVP’s opposition is not based on principle, but on political expediency.
The JVP was formed in the 1960s as a guerrilla outfit based on Maoism, Castroism and Sinhala populism. Following the eruption of civil war with the LTTE in 1983, the JVP evolved rapidly to the right. It denounced the 1987 Indo-Lanka Accord, which attempted to end the conflict through the imposition of an Indian peace-keeping force, as a betrayal of the nation. In the late 1980s, its fascistic armed thugs murdered hundreds of workers, trade unionists and political opponents that refused to join its patriotic campaign.
The JVP’s main social base was always among impoverished Sinhalese rural youth, particularly in the south of the island. After joining the political mainstream in 1994, the party functioned as a useful safety valve as discontent grew with the two major bourgeois parties—the UNP and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). The JVP withdrew from the 1994 presidential race in favour of the SLFP’s candidate Chandrika Kumaratunga after she promised to abolish the executive presidency—a promise she quickly ditched. She made the same pledge to the JVP six years later in 2001 in a failed attempt to retain a parliamentary majority.
The UNP took control of parliament and signed a ceasefire with the LTTE in 2002, creating a standoff between the government and the presidency, still held by Kumaratunga. Far from calling for an end to the executive presidency, the JVP, which opposed the ceasefire, mounted a campaign to demand Kumaratunga use her anti-democratic powers to bring down the UNP government and hold fresh elections. The JVP cheered on Kumaratunga after she dismissed three key ministers in November 2003 then threw out the whole government in February 2004, claiming it was undermining national security.
At the time, JVP secretary Silva justified the ousting of an elected government by restating its opposition to any peace deal with the LTTE. “This is a crucial time for Sri Lanka,” he said. “It is not a time to consider religion, caste or creed but to assist the President to defeat separatism [the LTTE] and create a people-friendly political atmosphere for all communities. We must be prepared to defeat the anti-democratic forces in order to do so.”
Just prior to the government’s dismissal, the JVP signed an agreement with Kumaratunga paving the way for a joint campaign in the general elections in April 2004 and for a coalition government in which the JVP held the ministerial posts of agriculture, small industries and fisheries. Its period in office, which lasted only a year, proved to be a turning point. Fishermen, farmers and small businessmen that previously regarded it as an alternative to the two major parties were bitterly disappointed as JVP ministers implemented the government’s pro-market agenda and the rural economy continued to decline.
Support for the JVP has never recovered. Its call for the abolition of the executive presidency is a desperate attempt to divert attention from its support for Rajapakse and his war, its backing for state repression particularly of Tamils, and its lack of any policies to address the deepening social and economic crisis facing the majority of working people.
Principles in politics are like snow in hell. The JVP did their damnedest to prevent Mahinda Rajapaksa being appointed Prime Minister in 2004. The latter had gone all out to scuttle an alliance between the JVP and the SLFP the same year. But the following year, the JVP worked itself into the ground to ensure Rajapaksa`s election as President. Today, the JVP is threatening to campaign against President Rajapaksa at the next presidential election! From 2001 to 2004, the then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and President Chandrika Kumaratunga clashed so fiercely that the former`s UNF government got sacked. President Kumaratunga, it may be recalled, even accused Wickremesinghe of having blocked her son Vimukthi`s admission to Royal College, when he was the Minister of Education. But today Chandrika and Ranil are as thick as thieves. SLFP (M) leader Mangala Samaraweera publicly stated while the war was raging that the then Army Commander Gen. Sarath Fonseka was not fit to lead even the Salvation Army. Today, Mangala`s heart is melting for Gen. Fonseka, who, he says, steered the county to victory in war against terrorism and therefore deserves a better deal!
We also have UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake calling the executive presidency a curse! He wants it scrapped immediately. Now he is talking! But, why this indecent hurry? He had no problems with that institution while it was under UNP`s control, did he? None of the UNPers uttered a whimper of protest when JRJ created the executive presidency and reigned supreme followed by President Premadasa and President D. B. Wijetunga for 16 years.
In 2000, President Kumaratunga unveiled a draft Constitution aimed at restoring the supremacy of Parliament and devolving power at the regional level. The UNP shot it down in style! The UNPjoined forces with the JVP to torpedo her constitutional package claiming that she wanted to enjoy the powers of both the President and the Prime Minister during the transitional period.
Why didn`t Attanayake campaign against the executive presidency calling it a curse at that time?
What prompted President Kumaratunga to try to abolish the executive presidency was not any love for democracy. Her plan was to clear a constitutional barrier and continue to be the Head of State after completing her second term as President by returning to Parliament. It is also not out of any love for democracy that the UNP wants the executive presidency scrapped now. The SLFP acted in a similar manner and campaigned against that institution from 1978 to 1994 because it was not confident of winning a presidential election.
The executive presidency should be abolished, all right but it cannot be done the way one changes clothes. Constitution making is a complex process and unless it is handled properly we are bound to repeat the blunders that characterise the present Constitution.
A new Constitution will have to contain, inter alia, provision for devolution. Are we going to retain the 13th Amendment or introduce some other devolution model in its place? What does the UNP propose by way of devolution? Does it want the Provincial Council system to remain or does it propose any other form of devolution? What about the electoral system? Are we going to stick to the present PR system or revert to the first-past-the-post system or adopt the so-called German model which has the features of both systems?
These are only some of the fundamental questions that need to be answered before we embark on drafting a new Constitution, if we are to avoid a plethora of amendments as well as unfortunate situations which make governance impossible like the one we faced from 2001 to 2004, when the Executive President lost control over Parliament and the Prime Minister became the de facto Head of State.
The question that critics of the present Constitution should ask themselves is whether its repeal and the introduction of a new one should receive top national priority at this juncture when the country is struggling to manage a host of postwar problems such as resettlement, rebuilding and defending her hard-won victory over terrorism. First things first!
I personally believe that SF should be given the opportunity to deliver what he promises. MR was given the opportunity and has reneged on his word for 4 years. So why continue to back a horse that’s going to bite you after the race is won?
What if Sarath also reneges?…………DBSJ
Dear DBSJ,
The next election is not between MR and a some five star democrat and the same applies to SF.. Its an unfortunate reality that Sri Lanka’s next president will be either MR or SF.. in that reality we would have to consider the better of the two evils.. from your recent articles it is apparent you have chosen between the two for which you are entitled. You would be an utter hypocrite if you were to back SF whole heartedly after all what he has done to your fellow journalists and the minorities. Your condemnation of those actions is still remembered.
Yet if we are to consider the scenarios of the two individuals becoming President we may keep in mind that SF is just one man while MR is a regime who comes with a whole package of Mavin Silva’s, Sajin Vaas Gunawardene’s Kudu Lal’s etc. Also SF no longer has the military power behind him.. If there’s one attribute that defines the man it is his ego and simply on that line we wont be too optimistic to assume that once he had proclaimed something he wont go back on it simply because his ego is too big (on the Executive Presidency).You have said on many occasions RW is a shrewd Politian and that in fact he lost the presidency because he didn’t cut a deal with the LTTE which MR did. Why not consider your bet with that scenario rather than going with the known devil. Yes it is a massive risk, yes SF is a tyrant, and yes we may be clamouring for a change before too long but the simple question is will it be any better under a MR second term..
Please ponder on some of these thoughts. Your articles are well read and you are respected for your opinion. Even an unintentional insinuation that you would prefer to see MR continue rather than SF come in to power with most likely a UNP government may cause many to change their minds. If it is your intentional position no one can disregard your right to have that opinion.
DBSJ RESPONDS:
Thank you for this
I have not extended support to anyone.Its premature since nominations are not closed.Let’s wait and see.
I’ve only been pointing out the opposite when people speak glowingly of SF.Perhaps I’m too flippant but these are only responses ot tweets. Not an article. I am yet to decide about supporting anyone through my writing. Not that it will matter anyway but its certainly flattering to read your comment. Thanks anyway
As for Ranil it would have been better if the UNP backed him fully& he contested on a plaatform of national reconciliation, economic renaissance, eradication of corruption& nepotism etc. The moderate vote, Traditional UNP vote&minority vote may have helped him
Even if he had lost it would have been far more honourable to have tried and lost rather than abdicating to a man like SF.What a sad day when the Grand old party does not contest the executive presidency introduced by the UNP
But even if he had tried the disloyal bunch of UNP politicos would have sabotaged him
As for SF his real position on the media,minorities ,democracy etc is known despite whatever he says
But more candidates may plunge in. Siritunga, Bahu etc are there
Perhaps its better to vote for a loser on principle than vote for a potential winner against one’s principles
Once again its too early to decide
More importantly I am yet to make my mind up. Perhaps never will
All I want to see is kick the”king “AKa Asswipe Raja out !that way country will save some money…and jail the thief rajadrohi Basil.Even SF got 6 months he will rule like a king.
there is a saying ” better to live one day like a king than living the rest of your life like a dog” which is MR and company who steal from SL people and tell all the lies to stay in power.SF should Hang all rajadrohi UPFA Members! I think months is more than enough to do that. Just My 2cents!
On top of this tamil comunity is without any leadership to cordinate their vote. Appear to be another good mathana mutha ” மாதன முத்தா ” story is unveiling.
Please give the country back to British on 100 year lease. Which might help to create atleast an economy.
excecutive presicdency must be abolished not because because that JVP is leading the campaign of the abolishing of the Excecutive Precidency but it is the need of the hour in the country.But every president who came to power made a deal with JVP to abolish the excecutive president and they broke the promise.It is not JVP they are cheating but the people of Sri lanka(if they can not do it it why do they make fase promises).the leaders who come s tpo power is power -hungry.and are not doing thins in the interrest of the country any more .that is the secret behind all this.
I think RW knows very well that SF is going to loose this election so that at the end he can continue as the opposition leader. I am not a fan of MR clan either. But at this stage the known devil is better than the unknown.
During this bitter campaign both MR and SF will do their best to reveal each others faults (spitting into the sky)resulting in more international condemnation & isolation.
What do you think DBS?
It is quite interesting the proposition put forward by the so called opposition alliance that executive presidency will be abolished in 6 months and such powers are given to the executive prime minister (parliament).
Is this the today’s most burning problem of the general public? Do these guys really want to make SL a corruption free more democratic place or looking for a last resort or every avenues for hunting MR to get power.
It hasn’t stated so far (to my knowledge) what will happen to SF after 180 days when he abolises the presidential system neither the process how it is done. Given the existing PR system of election, anybody with a meager of brain would know that getting 2/3 is herculean task unless MPs of the other sides are bought with (int’l or black money). If the MPs are bought, is this a democracy? what about the intentions and hopes of the voters. The other possibility is changing the constitution by force, militarily which is not obviously not democratic and there will be a lot of blood bath every where if that happen. But if SF is selected as president, since it is not possible to get 2/3 majority in parliament, the way the opposition seems to be power hungry may not even hesitate to get it done by that way that through SF.
If SF not prepared to abide by the MoU and go ahead in indulging the powers of presidency, unlike any civil president, can any force (even if all the MPs got a single alliance) stop him using the three forces to keep his powers. Don’t think India will come and safeguard us as it is an internal problem (India didn’t interfere when Pakistan Govt was taken over by military).
It is also not clear (to me) why SF broke away from present govt. He was about to retire from office by the time MR became president and MR extended his service and used his capabilities to eradicate the terrorism. SF was promoted and suddenly resigned. It appears that SF wanted more powers and MR was not willing to give powers as he wanted since it may threaten MR’s powers. It is not healthier for any country to have high powers for the military whatever level of discipline they have mainly because they have free access to military hardware. If SF is broke away because of powers, he will not leave the powers of presidency to RW or anybody else and will indulge them himself.
At the same time RW would not like to let SF contest from UNP as SF will become the party leader in the event of SF being selected in which case RW will automatically be discarded. So there is no place for SF in the government/parliament and cannot expect SF will satisfied with some ministerial post. If that’s the case SF will automatically keep presidency for himself and it is another president
What about alleviating corruptions, murders, media freedom? Hope we heard all there only when MR and SLFP government came to power. UNP and JVP get frightened and shocked of hearing even these words. SF has never heard of such words (se Asian tribune)
At last, we would definitely get a military government if SF selected and nobody can stop that and politician will enjoy blood bath of innocent poor people. Therefore “Danna Yakka Hondai”
Dear DBSJ,
I share with you the outer frustration of our current predicament. I’m glad that you have not yet weighed in as to who the better deal (or the lesser of the bad deals) is for Sri Lanka.
Most moderates like you, I’m sure are torn between the ridiculous choices that we are confronted with. Yet it is still a choice. Bahu or Sampanthan or any one else is not going to be next President. Either not voting for SF or MR or boycotting the whole thing we may be able to sleep better at night but we would also be confronted with the knowledge that our actions ensured that one less intelligent voter decided on our country’s fate. Yet that is a choice everyone of us must make and we should respect each person’s reasons for that choice.
With regard to your comment on RW going at it alone..I believe that we are dealing with a constituency that no longer has the apatite for national reconciliation and tolerance. It is in a way the legacy of this administration which drummed up nationalism to a level of jingoism. That is why today the likes of Malinda Senivirathne are considered as mainstream writers and the JHU is an integral part of the government rather than a noise in the periphery which they should be. I also believe that some times change may happen in steps when quantum leaps are not possible. An SF Presidency with lesser morons in government maybe a step in the right direction even though we are miles away from where we want to be as a nation. .
Ranil and Mangala maybe many things but they are not racist. We do not need to continue to carry on with these morons when we can hope for a better day. It may not dawn with SF but we may see some light at the end of the tunnel. As I said in my previous comment SF is but one man and if he goes against his promises on the 17th amendment and the abolishing of the executive presidency then we are still not worse off than where we are today because that is the current position. If he backtracks on his word he will have to face the full might of all the political forces. By that time the SLFP and MR (if he’s around) will be begging to abolish the executive presidency, the UNP and the JVP are already roped in by their own actions..
Hope you do make your mind soon.. as I said many minds might be changed by that!!
I think that RW knows very well that SF is definitely going to loose this battle so that he (RW) can continue to hold his post as oppsition leader. I am not a fan of MR clan either. But at this stage the known devil is better than the unknown.
During this battle both MR and SF will do their best (by spitting into the sky) to make the country more internatiolly condemned and isolated.
What do you think DBS?
How could anyone in the right frame of mind assume that a former army commander would abolish executive presidency? If SF was elected as the president it will certainly be a case of “inguru dee miris gaththa wage” (getting chillies in lieu of ginger), a famous proverb used to describe the arrival of Dutch after Portuguese,
I have always thought Sarath Amunugama will be good President for Sri Lanka, only if the Rajapaksa allow him to be one
JVP has used “abolishan of Executive Presidency ” a a major election campain ( at grassroot level) to topple and possible UNP led goverments into power in Past .
SF is not a Politican but a Professional Army General who so far has kept to his word ( bring a aura of freshness to the stagnant SL politics) along with UNP (led Parties) now opposing Exec. Pres. This time around things will be different. JVP will carry the messege to Grassroots and UNP to more Urban and affluent community. Our prime goal now should be to get rid of the “Madamulana Dynastry” and Political Thuggery to bring about a just society who will have equal rights, we need a strict disiplinarian like SF to do this and not oppurtunistic politicans,,,
DBSJ response to #24
More importantly I am yet to make my mind up. Perhaps never will
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Please make up your mind DBSJ. Please support the person who will give more devolution.
That cant be the sole criterion Shankar but never mind about making up my mind what’s on your mind can you tell me if you dont mind………………………………….DBSJ
ex. p.is harmfull for s.l.,but probably the present p.political decisions( not to bend down to i.p and stop the war) should be given much credit.fonseka was only the general. unp ,,jvp and other p.parties would not abolish the e.p.if their leader becoms the p.fonseka ,if he wins(no chance at all),will never abolish the p.fonseka is a top sinhale nationalist,not suitable for democratic politics(good for maybe chauvenist sinhale politics).just like the national socialist party(jvp) fonseka is not for political power sharing(s.l. belongs to sinhalese).i do not have a vote,if i had i would vote for mahinda,because there is no alternative,and we can atleast have political power sharing and we can build on that.anyway shame on ranil. ranjit de mel berlin
“What if Sarath also reneges?…………DBSJ”
What if he dosn’t?
There is always a chance (Although slim)
Whareas with MR we already no that he will not abolish EP.
So theorically one should vote for SF!
(but I wont!)
DBSJ
I will support the person who will give more devolution than the other. Iam very firm about that. But i don;t know what Mahinda and Sarath’s stance on this and whether they will fulfill what say eventually. As we travel on the election road paved with grease, much oblighed if you could keep us enlightened. In a way when i think deeply, I feel Wick’s views are also having some merit. Maybe this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the tamils and they must play their cards well.
I agree with you that other factors are also important, but for me for rapid development of the country, a political solution is the main thing. It is the antidote for the snake bite. When a person is bitten, you won’t be worried about the aircondition, hot water, comfortable bed etc, etc will you.
Abolition of Executive Presidency is not going to be as easy as it sounds, despite opposition candidates campaign. I think the legal frame work has to be changed, if the idea is to go back to the old system of 1st past the post.
There is not much information for the voters in this front where voters can choose. Executive Prime Minister is a waste of time if so what is wrong with Presidency?
JVP is an unnecessary distraction on SL political landscape. Their tract record show no clear vision just disrupt any government to grab power. As a Marxist party their political philosophy is based on a failed theory where Karl Marx him self said it cannot be succeeded and none of European countries experimented it.
After 30 years of economic slump due to terrorism and corruption what people expect is a stable government and this is not the time to experiment another untried system with novices.
SL voters must ensure saving the democracy is paramount and MR is the safe bet in the given circumstances. All other negative campaigns against him must be ignored when you look at the alternative. It is not the time to rattle Rajapakses as the stakes are too high.
MR not only eradicated terrorism but regained SL’s glory by giving a strong leadership confronting all opposing forces during the operation.
SF lacks political judgement his last interview demonstrated it. He is not yet ‘demilitarised’ to get into politics. If he comes to power he has no political backing without which you can not run a country, then the danger lies when he gets advice from the military and appoint people accordingly.
As per General Kobbekaduwa’ the worst democracy is still better than a benevolent dictatorship’
RW’s short sited political actions disadvantaged SL economically which means average person’s economic upliftment was deprived when investors were scared away.
As he finished the UNP someone may have to write his political eulogy.
Permanent resident of the United States should not be appointed even as an Ambassador to represent Sri Lanka. If Americans invade Sri Lanka, who’s side is Sarath Fonseka going to take? Sarath Fonseka should first give up his PR of the United States before asking the people of Sri Lanka to make him the President of Sri Lanka.
My advice to Sarath Fonseka is to stay out of politics without getting mud all over him and let people remember him as a war hero, along with General Kobbakaduwa and other soldiers, who fought to save the country. Don’t be a puppet of scare crows of UNP and JVP.
Remember that JVP was as destructive as LTTE who put the country behind by many years, by destroying the public property such as power supply, CTB buses. Poor students who want to get a University Degree from Sri Lankan Universities are still lagging behind others who could go overseas to do higher studies. According to what I heard Ranil’s people tortured and killed JVP and non JVP kids, during the mad insurrection of JVP.
Who is the army general who could have won a war unless he has orders and full financial and moral support from the president, prime minister and the people of the country? If the General is the main hero, why couldn’t he do this during the regime of “mighty “ J R Jayawardane? Or even during the regime of Ranil who bowed to the pressure of foreign elements such as Norway and was chasing his tail around, while the LTTE was building up their war capabilities.
I think there is big conspiracy going on behind this SL PE. SF is only like surrogate mother. Whoever want to topple MR will going to hire SF’s womb. Some western powers will back SF ‘s pregnancy. Even they might insist Tamil parties to pray for safe delivery. Even I won’t surprised if LTTE’s so-called international HQ will release a statement asking Tamils to support SF. If SF become president west (RW & Co) will claim fatherhood as (sperm) donor. Those pray for safe delivery will be a “God Father”. But SF can’t be such a mad by giving up “Executive Presidential System” and go away without having full time access to the baby. We can expect some unbelievable funny thinks on this PE. But as we can see this will bring again political turmoil and instability Government. Do we need that? New president has lot of vital things to be concentrated. May be he needs that executive power to take some bold actions. Abolition of EP is not that important at present. As DBS said “ In this climate the executive presidency becomes essential for stable governance in a fragmented polity”. That is why I think we should let “known devil MR” to be a father again naturally and force him to complete his unfinished tasks. You decide.!
DBSJ
Speaking of devolution, there is an intersting excerpt from an article as follows
“Speaking of devolution, Fonseka said a solution migh have to go even beyond the 13th Amendment to the Constitution to suit the present situation. He asserted that the controversial Amendment, introduced over 20 years ago, would not be enough now. He said the issue was being discussed among the political parties in the newly-formed alliance”.
He’ll say this and much more but ……………………..JVP
Dear DBSJ
Very thought provoking blog
Am really enjoying from the sidelines
Great
Revi
Sri Lanka rotten society and rotten politicians… No hope.
Failed state, corruption in all levels, most of the politicians are rogues, criminals and liars. I don’t expect much from this election.
DBSJ- Response to comment 24
I share your view.
R Maran
MR has alraeady stolen 250,000 Tamil votes. Out of remaining Tamil voteer- about 100,000 share with these 2
So SF had to get atleast 60% of the Sinhala votes if he were to win the PE
Dear DBSJ,
Interesting to read the blog and the comments. Thank you for sharing this with us. As you say, if RW can get the full support of the UNP he should contest but unfortunately it is not the case. I still cant understand how RW could give into support SF. During the previous Presidential election MR approached RW with the Catholic Archbishop and got RW to promise that they will not drag the name of the first lady into the campaign (the fact that she is not a Buddhist) and RW agreed and strictly ordered the party not to do so. He has some principles and kept his word.
I strongly agree with JRJ that no one will abolish Executive Presidency.
I met SF in 2006 seemed like a nice guy, knowing that I am a Tamil he spoke in a friendly manner and I did not detect any ego problem then. My father met him a few times and he cautioned me and said he talks very well when you meet him but it does not go beyond that and he cannot be trusted. I tend to trust my fathers instinct here.
The problem is we do not have a gentleman politician in SL. Even if the election is held free and fair whom can the people choose to trust their future with, either way it is a gamble.
God save the people!
DBSJ,
I like to know what a well travelled, thinking person like you would like to see as maximum devolution package. As the demography is constantly changing,
I can see tremendous difficulties in marking out one territory as Tamil and the next as Muslim or Sinhalese without respecting traditional power blocks.
For example, Colombo is a very cosmopolitan city but I would shudder to think of its governavbility if it has its own Police chief answerable only to the Mayor but who has no authority outside its boundary, as controlling organised crime like drug running one needs close co-operation with the surrounds.
The facilities and infrastructure, organisational matters of each dept is still so geared today to serve the needs of the old empire that we cannot think outside the box.
Ports, airports, specialist items like eye hospital, cancer hospial are so away for most people and I yearn for the day when Trinco & H’tota become major ports with facilities to match.
Do you think North and East should merge, for the sake of workability of a North and East Uni without a referendum of Eastern province.
One can see Canada as a near perfect state with regard to sharing power I would like to know what it is like to be a Frenchman who cannot speak English in the parts ourside of Queback or other similar parts with majority French.
DBSJ RESPONDS:
Sorry but answering you would require a series of articles explaining how federalism/devoluton works in different places. I cant do that now.Sadly most people in Sri Lanka have no proper understanding of the federal idea and are heavily influenced against it by self -serving politicians.
People keep commenting that the opposition alliance promised to abolish executive presidency within 6-months. But if you listen carefully to the video of the press conference,what he said that they would “initiate” the process for abolishing executive presidency within 6-months. Even if they want to, the procedural timelines will not allow changing the constitution within 6-months.
The executive presidency wont be abolished.Only reform is possible……………DBSJ
Hey DBS,
How come you did not publish my comments in your free blog.
One day truth will prevail. If you are afraid of naked truth close this website and become a clown, atleast you can make people laugh.
What a pathetic state of journalism you are in.
DBSJ RESPONDS:
Because of the bovine excreta you flung against Kusal Perera. Free expression does not mean giving open license to apertures in posterior to write anything they want
By the way I am not afraid of naked truth but am certainly reluctant to see you nude, dude
I have no intention of closing this website as you want me to & become a clown to make people laugh as you say
But you are already a clown but sadly you make me cry
Look at what we do know beyond debate:
1. He is an important war hero whose war strategies on land may have been the deciding factor in gaining us our victory. We also know that he has served the military creditably his entire career.
But, we also know that he had only a land operations assignment; and cannot claim credit for naval and air force operations, the coordination of the overall war strategy, providing funds and material for the war effort, and handling the diplomatic and political issues. He played his part, as others did theirs. So, how can he claim excessive credit for being the SOLE WAR WINNER?
2. His letter of resignation was a disaster; he should have thanked the president and said he wishes to now enter politics. Period. Instead, he gave a laundry list of MINOR complaints .. to lay the basis for his political candidacy. But, that displays his political inexperience .. no one would vote for someone who writes a letter like that. Moreover, we know that letter was dictated by the people he was courting for political support .. does that sound like what a man of honor, a war hero would do? I thought he had lost his senses!
3. SF has allied himself with KNOWN desadrohis .. an eventuality I would not have dreamed possible from a war hero like SF. Allying himself with RW, Mano Ganeshan, the TNA etc etc! He threw his entire reputation away by doing this. Here he again displayed the weakness of his character: he let unbounded personal ambition overwhelm his patriotism. His patriotism was for sale if the price was high enough!
I largely dismiss all other false allegations being leveled against SF by people as election gundus, as I dismiss similar allegations against the MR-GOSL.
But, for me, points 1,2 and 3 are enough not to support SF’s candidacy. We disparately need 10 years of stable development economic growth; and a stable patritic government is the MOST IMPORTANT necessary prerequisite for that.
Points 1, 2, and 3 should also be ENOUGH for every other PATRIOTIC Sri Lankan who wants OUR Motherland to remain secure and prosper in the years ahead!
OUR people deserve this BREAK after a 30-year NIGHTMARE; let us make it possible by giving a 2/3 majority MR-GOSL government in the Presidential and General Elections!
I sincerely hope that MR, GR and SF will see the wisdom of being united once again keep on fighting the true enemy of Sri Lanka.”
this is the wish of all patriots.
GR is least at fault.
1. he keeps away from politics.
2. he did EVERYTHING he could to help SF.
3. he went out of his way in helping SF and the familiy with EXCEPTIONAL benefits like land, etc.
4. he gave his neck for SF. when SF was allegedly killing journalists, GR came forward and told journalists not to interfere. they were trying to provoke SF and get something out of his lose mouth. as a result GR got the bad name for nothing.
5. when SF (factually correct) called Tamil Nadu jokers ass clowns (well done but bad timing), GR apologised and made amends.
6. GR intevened and told MR to keep Sf until the war’s end extending the term by one year after another.
7. GR managed VERY VERY DIFFICULT NSC meetings where SF and WK and even RG were not behaving like team members. donald p kept away from it which was the wise thing to do.
SF is most at fault.
MR is at the middle.
STILL, the continuing fall of SF is unthinkable. on Sunday he said he will even get the help of VP’s parents to defeat MR. this is not something a former team mate would say in his right mind.
there would be a time, IF things continue at this rate, where SF would have spent all his good name earned over 40 years.
SL enemies are having fun. they are hyenas. they are now waiting for a meal. they will even eat lion droppings, so hungry they are!!!
In this presidential election Sri Lankan voters have a choise between MR the “Kehi-Geni” and SF the “Hotu-Geni”. There is no doubt that both of them have contributed to achive peace in the country and thank you very much. But how can a person vote when the man’s sibling collecting 10 % from every major tender and his henchmen: Mervin, Mahindananda, Pushpakumara. playing fool with the entire nation? The other choise is SF the “Hotu-Geni”. All senior officers in the Army know about him very well. If you think he will give up the presidency that easily, you got to be a maga-scale fool. The first thing he will do is punish the entire Rajapaksha clan, Mervin gang and of course the chaiman of SLBC, Right Honourable Hudson Samarasinghe. If SF wins we can have alot of fun for sure. But if MR wins the same old boring stuff, clossing of roads, paying non-stop taxes, white van activities etc.
DELETED
Dear Kumar
Sorry but I had to delete your post entirely
please do not post items from websites of this type on this blog.
Experience has shown that it would create unnecessary problems with those sites
I did not release a few posts from this site by you earlier but since you continue with the practice I had to do this
Sorry
DBS Jeyaraj
Before you guys jumped into various conclusions, be patient ,wait and see what is going happened.Dont under value architects likeMangala and Ranil! SF will be given important portfolio in the country with respect.
#8 Sheila
Hello!!! What has Namal Rajapaksa got to do with this aritcle?.You are devaluing this column.
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Hello Sheila, well for your information Namal Rajapakshe is the son of President Rajapakshe. So he is going to one day run for President promising to abolish the Presidency.
Have i got to spell out everything on this blog. i expect readers to display some lateral thinking.
In haste, Fonseka is entering politics through the wrong door. Fonseka is contesting the wrong election at the wrong time against the wrong man. No novice in politics contested Presidency and won without a party membership. Similarly, can a civilian overnight become the Army Commander by Gazette Notifications?
Sarath Fonseka is driven by mainly 3 things.
1. to become the president (which is a motivation in itself)
2. to satisfy his HUGE ego
3. to take revenge from Gothabaya
But MOST battle plans involving the TRI FORCES were NOT his. they were MOSTLY Gothabaya Rajapakse’s. Sarath used to agree to every plan of Gothabaya.
The Mavil Aru thing is deeper than that. SF was on medical leave from april-july 2006. during this time govt planned the eastern assault starting from newly built LTTE camps around Trinco.
Mavil Aru was a trap and LTTE fell into it like idiots. by late July State forces were 100% ready to smash the LTTE without even attempting to open the sluice gates!!!! LTTE then opened the suice gates and said, there is no need to fight now, we have done it. State forces were working to a BIGGER plan which LTTE didn’t understand. by the time they understood it, it was too late.
The same goes for the last 10 days of war as well. planning and execution (immediate planning was required because things were changing so rapidly) were done WITHOUT Sarath Fonseka.
Sarath Fonsek was out of the country(in China on trip with his wife, daughters and son in law)
Dear DBSJ
I read your article and the comments with interest. but the most surprising thing is that the people who should speak are silent!.
I refer to the civil society!.
Do we need an Einstein to tell us that If General Sarath Fonseka wins he will not abolish the Presidency?.
Our politics is the politics of revenge and jealously,
what we want is the man at the top to fall, nothing else!
No living creature is going to give up easily what it has won through hard work!
Even Queen Elisabeth is not prepared to abdicate her kingdom in favour of her own son –Prince Charles.
More than a year back thousands including Dayan Jayathilake believed that the election of Barrak Obama would change the world upside down.but once elected he could not change anything!
They were all now disappointed.
Even a second term for Obama is doubtful!
They never thought about the well established American establishment that maintains the status quo!.
Leaders have only minimal influences whereas only mass movements could spearhead revolutionary changes.
Unless rule of law, democracy and Good Governance are backed by mass movements led by selfless civic conscious leaders, we are doomed.
We the ordinary people should play the crucial role without expecting others todoit for us!
For any failure we can only put the blame only on the civil society. Civil society means you and me.
If and only if we are prepared to exercise our democratic right and jointly act there is no hope! Don’t blame Mahinda, Sarath or Ranil,We have only to blame ourselves for our plight!.
History will simply repeats!
Dear DBSJ
It would be interesting to know your thoughts on how the Tamil vote might influence the result. Will they actually bother to vote? if they don’t who would it affect (which candidate)? Will Sambanthan go it a lone or with a candidate? if he goes it alone who would it affect? Do the Tamils of SL origin have the numbers to be a deciding factor at a presidential election.. little bit of political maths etc.. looking forward to it if you have time.
Cheers
These are matters to be written about as articles when campaign gets underway…………..DBSJ
Following criteria to select a president of SL
Who is not racist
Will improve the economy
Provide Solution for Ethnic issue (politically )
Who don’t have blood on his hand?
……. mmmmm
i dont think we have any one at present
We have only Known evil and unknown evil
Pls don’t vote for any evil
Stupid UNP should be blamed
Gota is a much better decent, intelligent , refind, human being than sarath fonseka. Gota is real Presidental material, not Sarath Fonseka
If SF wins and the abolishes Executive Presedency, I will cut my ear….
hear,hear!2010 wont be the year of the ear…………….DBSJ
Dear DBSJ,
SF`s story also will come to an end with his sad demise. if you see all the comments released by ministers like dulles, mervin, etc, they are paving the way to this. JUST LIKE JANAKA`S case it will be on LTTE account. for a few days all sri lankans will talk about it. and will shed tears. and with a huge crowd they will do the funeral. there will be lot of speeches with condeming and pointing fingers. and time will go by.. and after two weeks all sri lankans will forget abt SF and his untimely death.SF`S family will only suffer with the loss for the rest of their lives,
after that all the underworld leaders and the politicians will live happlily ever after ..
P.S: Dear SF.you are a good man and a brave soldier and your presence only will make mother lanka proud.pls do not get in to politics. let the goons carry on with their game with the help of thugs hand in hand.this is why our good old DBSJ also living else where.
Pradeep,please dont compare my situation with SF. I didn’t get Keith tortured or Lasantha killed………DBSJ
#61-Jesudasan
I may be wrong but during the latter stages of the war, Gota is supposed to have said that soldiers should feast on tamil women, and swim in tamil mens blood, or something to that effect. So much for your refined guy.DBSJ, i stand to be corrected, because i hate to sling mud at a good man, but this just something i heard at that time. Was it only a rumour? I brought this up only because Jesudasan is painting his ass white and putting the angels halo on him.
crap……………DBSJ
Comment # 55 A sensational revelation !!! Ha Ha Ha ………..
Get a life mate.
Relieved to hear that DBSJ. Thanks for clearing that one up for me.I also found it difficult to to imagine that a well educated man like Gota can talk so crudely. It was mentioned during that time that a top government official was goin around talking like this and it must have been assumed it was Gota.
I also saw this on a guy called Mawatha Silva’s site stating famous quotes. The quotes he had mentioned of others seemed to be correct.
Ranil,s Victory.Fonseka’s Waterloo ,is a very interesting article,the contributors to this column should read. It was published in the Sunday issue of the Island and can access in today’s edition.
power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. this is facism. presidentcy is to stay for ever
don’t get me wrong with ABSOLUTE saba.
Is SF the Karuna for MR?
The second term steam-roller majority now seems doubtful.
Sarath Fonseka, I hate you. May the Thunderous Storm be fallen on you and your supporters for the damage done to the Sinhala Buddhist people by your political ambition
dear DBSJ,
SF is receiving $ 2.5 milion for his campaign from west to demolished MR gov. There is a secret agency planing to guide his campaign.I’ll let you know all later.It’s too early to comment .anyway,appreciate your time and efffort. Thanks
I have first hand experience of the JVP’s idea of democracy being in University when they were trying everything to gain power through unorthodox means. The president of the students unions were traditionally elected by the student body, however the JVP decreed that this was a practive that created disunity among the students. So the alternative was to apoint the president by nomination and secondment. Of course the JVP union had determined well in advance of the General meeting who was going to be nominated, who was going to niminate him and also who was going to second him. No alternatives could ever be proposed. No one who valued their lives would have dared to stand up against them. We were told that the government needed to be overthrown by force, that what we had in the country was capitalist democracy which should be replaced with a socialist democracy like what they have in North Korea.
Now they want us to believe that an all powerful President is inimical to democracy and that if they are returned to power that they will do away with all that power and settle for far less…!!
I just wonder what they take us for?
I have no doubt whatsoever that the presidency will be abolished if one of them was ever returned to power . It will be abosished in favour of a PRESIDENT FOR LIFE.
A lot of the commentators here are sinhalese – by the blog names under which the comments are written. It just shows the enthusiasm we have created in the tamil community on this presidential battle. So is this a ‘Singhalese Presidential race?” Is thia the way to unite a country torn by war for 30 yrs.? At least MR is speaking in tamil and I am sure doing some work in the north to woo votes. However what is more important is how well and safe the minorities feel under whoever rules next. I am for a person who will make the tamil community feel at home. I am a singhalese and I want this for my children. I dont care if MR and his family write the whole country in his name as long as there is peace and content amongst all communities.
This is your best writing yet!
http://www.butikonlinemurah.com/