GO FOR A REFERENDUM WITHOUT WASTING TIME
Posted on May 29th, 2013
ByƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Gomin Dayasri
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Parliamentary Select Committee only can change the ConstitutionƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ Minister Anura Yapa quotes the President.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Parliament Select Committee on Constitution Reform is a perennial non-starter in a blufferƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s paradise – a procrastinatorƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s dreamboat. A condemned vehicle incapable of hopping on to it for the needed passengers or if shoved in, on persuasion or twisted arm [by India or USA]- will jump off it taking the exit route or sabotage from within.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ TNA and UNP – the wistful fellow travellers who will not undertake an arduous and hazardous trip to help the Government- when they are accomplished stone throwers from outside. If similarly positioned would SLFP or UPFA buy a one -way ticket to oblivion? There are no takers on both sides of the divide who think of doing the best for the sake of the country.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ A Parliamentary Select Committee [PSC] can do much if the intentions of its members are honest and sincere as when the Parliament converted itself to a Constituent Assembly to usher the first Republican Constitution of 1972. That was in a different realm of politics with a different breed of politicians. – 40 years is a long time with a generation gone! After ending of the war ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…”three years ago- people gave a near 2/3 majority to enable the Constitution to be revised- it was not to extend the term of the President or arrogate more power with the 18th Amendment. People voted in gratitude for winning the war and to ensure the country remains undivided after the blood and sweat. Feeling remains the same but conviction has gone away.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Next round of elections could hear again the belated cry of seeking the PeoplesƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ support to obtain a 2/3 majority to change the constitution. A shriek heard before to which the people responded favorably but are unlikely to repeat because the trust and confidence once reposed in the government cannot be rekindled without any genuine ignition towards a constitutional change.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ItƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s a rallying cry that can still restore the government to power but not with the desired majority-back to main square but with many minuses:ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ not one step forward but rather two or more steps backward. It would have been a flight of steps down a spiral if there were a meaningful opposition to cash in on the situation.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ In a waiting game is Mahinda Rajapakse gambling with a timer in hand to release the germ as an election gambit? Or is there sheer laziness to be positive or incapacity to strategize or not having a capable helmsman to deliver a draft? Otherwise, if the intentions were serious, the road show and the road map could have been unfurled and a distance traversed instead of being anchored at base camp in favorable weather.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Mahinda Rajapakse is capable of master plans in his head that can succeed or flop but his antecedents show success is achieved more often as the conductor in his own one-man band. A helping hand from the UNP or TNA will never be forthcoming. Possibly he is craftily trying to fix the UNP and TNA in the same carriage and place the dual compartment on the parliamentary parade ground as the bogey cart. UNP and TNA, in no love match, will try to delay and defer constitutional changes till the term draws to an end to show the President has let down his faithful flock and to make them lose faith in him in pleading for another term to reach the magic number; which sure will elude him in the present circumstances.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Are all the prime political parties trying to travel on a PSC multi visa?ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ In the premise of the PSC, it is easy to delay than achieve, with slick coordination between the UNP, TNA, Muslim Congress and the ancient Left trying to take Mahinda Rajapakse on a right royal ride? Time is running out for the President! Or will the President if constructive proposals are not forthcoming on a given time frame, place his own formula Bill before the PSC and have it sanctioned by the friendly parties in parliament in his fold? Then take the Bill before the People at a referendum on a question framed asking for a response on an ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-in or outƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ basis on the 13thAmendment. It is to be a PSC with an in-built purpose? That may be the catch that cannot be matched.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Supreme Court cannot deem a 2/3 majority is required where the people have already sanctioned the Bill at a referendum for it becomes the law. If the referendum is free and fair no force on earth can wait without giving effect to the Peoples desire. Cabinet of Ministers can refer such a Bill to a referendum.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ In our Constitution, it is no legal fiction that supreme power is vested with people which makes the Supreme Court in name only supreme, compared to sovereignty that is vested in the People and which cannot be alienated: makes it on interpretation, more supreme. So says the Constitution in black and white.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sovereign People in exercising their cherished franchise-there is no better route to determine the will of the people- do so by a majority vote. A majority vote is a vote won by more than one vote.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ItƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s a case of amending the constitution by going to the People for a Decision. J.R.Jayewardane once called for a referendum to disenfranchise the people by denying them their right to exercise their franchise at a general election. What did the Supreme Court do when democracy was in such peril? They said ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢we agreeƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ to such a Referendum by a narrow vote. Such is the Supreme Court.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Instead, this time, make it totally hygienic and anti-septic to keep to the last letter of democracy- to avoid any comeback! JRJƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s referendum was not free and fair because the contortionist feared the Peoples Verdict. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ On the 13th Amendment seek an open verdict. Go first to the People and seek their Opinion. People are best judges on the 13th amendment. Daily MirrorƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s opinion poll provided a genuine straw poll in a hostile environ. If so, the ultimate result is foreknown.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Lets play a game named Democracy according to the rules extolled by those who preach and complain we foul it; boldly access the People. Lets exploit it at the point we are strongest by reaching for the People in the name of democracy. Ask the People a straight question and act according to the PeopleƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s direction. No man- white or brown – can bark bow-wow to that result. Of course, there will be a few like Jayalalitha and local NGO boys and girls (worthless names) that make a fast buck and will make a greedy noise for the buck. Who cares? Let the dogs bark, the caravans will move on.
May 29th, 2013 at 1:38 pm
yes a referendum is the only solution that is the best . tamils can ask what ever they want we should not try to satisfy tamils ignoring the majority like the L.L.R.C DID.
ONE L.L.RC. MEMBER HAS SAID THAT EVEN THOUGH WHAT NALIN DE SILVA SAYS IS TRUE THEY WERE THERE TO GIVE”””””””” SOMTHING”””” FOR TAMILS.
MAJORITY SHOULD DECIDE
May 29th, 2013 at 1:51 pm
Yes, Gomin Dayasri’s suggestion is the MOST SUITABLE ACTION AT THIS MOMENT AS,many Tamils are living with a swallen headed mind as thier origin is INDIA,A BIG NATION not realising and understanding that thougfh small in size,Sri Lanka and Sri Lankans are much better learned than the ILLETERASTE TAMILS WHO ASK FOR THE EXACT POUND OF FLESH !!!
Then the MAJORITY CAN & WILL DECIDE THE MOST SUITABLE REMEDY!!!
May 29th, 2013 at 3:15 pm
Didn’t I say so. Even the JHU move has NOT happened yet. Supposed to have happened on May 28!!!
They give false hopes to people to FOOL them.
The president ALONE can do it. Why is he not doing it?
May 29th, 2013 at 10:42 pm
LTTE Jayalath Jayawardana has died.
May 30th, 2013 at 2:54 am
Since the 13A is initially a UNP/JRJ creation with ” under the table moves and no parliamentary mandate” the present UNP should be ‘publicly shamed and made to support / vote for ditching the 13A’- Generally, the Sinhlayas have to take the blame for delaying this action for far too long. Hope MR will ensure that the ditching of 13A happens even at this eleventh hour and save the future of the Sinhala Nation. it is utterly time for Sri Lanka to officially tell India at an opportune moment that if the Tamils in Sri Lanka wish to have a separate state because of their Tamilness, that place is in Tamil Nadu the place of origin of the Dravidian race and nowhere else on this Earth! I am hoping that GOSL will very soon utter these words and bury this claim by Tamils – S de Silva – London
May 30th, 2013 at 3:55 am
Some light humor from Tamilnet.
“[TamilNet, Thursday, 30 May 2013, 10:08 GMT]
China signed an agreement with genocidal Sri Lanka on Tuesday, offering 2200 million dollars in loans for infrastructure projects. China and Sri Lanka have also agreed on cooperation related to defence, defence-related training, logistics and maritime security, and have agreed in principle to establish a free trade agreement, Reuters reported, citing Colombo’s Foreign Minister G.L. Peiris, who was part of the Rajapaksa delegation to China. There were speculations that the agreements could cause unease in India, but Tamils need not show any sympathy or understanding to New Delhi in tolerating its competitive partnership with Colombo any further. The game would continue forever and the paranoid Sinhala State with insatiable crave for the genocide of Tamils is not going to stop with the island, said Tamil political observers in the island.”
As if Tamils sympathy matters to Endia!!! :))
“Sinhala State with insatiable crave for the genocide of Tamils”
I wish it were true. Please g~d be it true!!
May 30th, 2013 at 6:49 am
Constitutional Amendments plus a Referendum to consolidate matters, a must.
This IMPORTANT bit of news has been down played by Sri Lanka news media.
Here it is :
* Jettison 13th Amendement: Rajapaksa ally
Thu, May 30, 2013, 11:27 am SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
May 30 (NIE) Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), a Sinhalese-Buddhist party, which is part of the Mahinda Rajapaksa government, on Wednesday submitted a bill to jettison the 13th Amendment of the Sri Lankan Constitution and nullify the devolution of power to the country’s provinces.
Ven Athuraliye Rathana Thero, a Buddhist monk and a prominent JHU MP, handed over the draft bill, entitled ’19th Constitutional Amendment Bill’, to the Secretary of Parliament.
JHU’s legal advisor and Agriculture Minister in the Western Province, Udaya Gammanpilla, told Express that the 19th Amendment bill had to be introduced as the 13th Amendment had become a threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka, especially in the context of the possibility that the pro-LTTE Tamil National Alliance (TNA) might come to power in the Tamil-dominated Northern Province, following elections to the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) scheduled to be held in September this year.
“The NPC under the TNA might seek powers over land and police as per the 13th Amendment – powers which other provinces have never sought, keeping in view the national interest. If the TNA claims these powers, as it is expected to, the country’s unity and sovereignty will be in jeopardy,” Gammanpilla said.
The JHU leader however added that his party was ready for some amendments, if the general opinion in parliament was that the 13th Amendment should not be thrown out lock, stock and barrel.
Some parties and MPs do believe in devolution, while others are anxious not to annoy India, which had brought about the 13th Amendment through the Indo-Lanka Accord of July 1987.
“Our basic demands are as follows: deletion of power over land and police from the list of provincial subjects; abrogation of the provision for the amalgamation of two or more provinces; and removal of the condition that every Provincial Council must agree, if the national parliament wants to legislate on a subject in the Provincial List. The assent of 50 percent of the Provincial Councils should do,” Gammanpilla said”.
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May 30th, 2013 at 6:56 am
mahinda might spend all this chinese money to develope north and 75% sinhalese will have to pay it back.
he thinks like premadasa that he can win tamils . After sirimavo”S time tamil leaders brain washed the new generation and they will not vote for non tamils
ARUN AND KARUNA SHOULD GET TOGETHER AND DO MORE WORK TO CONVINCE TAMILS THAT PROVICIAL COUNCILS ARE ONLY FOR POWER HUNGRY LEADERS AND NOT FOR THE ORDINARY VOTERS
LORENZO I ENJOY YOUR COMMENTS
May 30th, 2013 at 7:52 am
You are right Senevirath. MR has not learnt the lesson.
There are enough good roads to the north. We DON’T NEED any more.
But I think there is a defence aspect of it. Imagine Endia’s anger to know Chinese contractors are building roads in the north!!!
It also include Colombo port development. In other words, the two MOST important (as now) ports have a large Chinese interest. Next should be Trinco.
We had “orange cultivation experts from Israel” in the 1980s. Oranges were their least concern!! :))
Something tells me Endia will invade us anytime now. At least they will drop weapons to Tamils in the north. We should be prepared.
May 30th, 2013 at 9:54 am
what has happen to ven.. MADULUWAVE SOBHITHA Now he. should join with other patriots without trying to be a joker.
is he trying to justify Thambiah who wrote ” the book ‘Buddhism betrayed”’ with the monk”S picture
May 30th, 2013 at 11:25 am
I wonder why the proposed bill to the 13th Amendment has been down played by the local media.
May 30th, 2013 at 8:20 pm
Yes, Indeed … Let the 13th Amendment be VOTED UP or DOWN in a NATIONWIDE REFERENDUM by ALL of THE CITIZENS of Sri Lanka.
NO other options should be offered in the NATIONWIDE REFERENDUM, except the following:
Q. Whereas the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, and the division of the governance of Sri Lanka into Provincial Councils, are a threat to the continued survival of an undivided unitary sovereign Sri Lankan nation, should the 13th Amendment be REPEALED and the Provincial Council System be DISSOLVED?
VOTE: Yes OR No.
The REFERENDUM should be carried out NATIONWIDE, without enumeration of the vote by electoral divisions or provinces. This is a NATIONAL QUESTION to be decided by the entire population of the country, not a question to be decided on any other SUB-NATIONAL regional level.
If the LEADERS of the UPFA Government are AFRAID of foreign repercussions upon themselves personally of REPEALING the 13th Amendment, and CANNOT EFFECTIVELY ARTICULATE THE LEGALLY VALID REASONS we have CLEARLY and OFTEN identified here at LankaWEb.com, then let the People of Sri Lanka DECIDE THE MATTER and give these Craven Politicians a FIG-LEAF to hide behind!
Even as we speak, the Politicians of Sri Lanka are dividing into two camps: PATRIOTS and TRAITORS.
A few days ago, the LSSP (Lanka Sama Samaja Party) and the CP (Communist Party) came out against REPEALING the 13th Amendment.
Today, the SLMC (Sri Lanka Muslim Congress), hoping to carve out a Muslim Eelam of their own in the future, proclaimed its opposition to ABOLISHING the 13th Amendment. Finally, Rauf Hakeem’s separatist cat is out of the UPFA bag, and is shivering naked for all to see his hidden agenda.
The bulk of the UNP, under the Arch-TRAITOR Ranil Wickramasinghe, is of course FIRMLY AGAINST REPEALING the 13th Amendment, although a substantial number of UNP stalwarts, such as Rohan Senanayake, CLEARLY will not join Ranil in this Anti-National decision. To control such rebels, and future crossovers from the UNP to the UPFA in parliament, the UNP recently issued their own proposal for a NEW CONSTITUTION which mandates the EXPULSION from Parliament of any MP who defects from the party with which he was affliiated with at the time of the MP’s election to Parliament.
Now we see most of the TRAITORS who are aligned with the TNA in the Eelam Project.
Our MEMORIES of TREACHERY NEVER FADE; we will NEVER FORGET who joined the TRAITORS CAMP! NEVER!
Sri Lanka Muslim Congress not to support abolition of 13th Amendment to the Constitution
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
May 30, Colombo: Ally of Sri Lanka’s governing party, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) says the party would not support the abolition of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.
SLMC Leader and Justice Minister Rauf Hakeem has said that the SLMC would not take any action to support the abolition of the 13th Amendment.
He said the party’s stance was that the 13th Amendment should not be revised in any way and there should not be any change in the land and police powers vested with the provinces under the 13th Amendment.
According to Hakeem, the SLMC would only support any change to the 13th Amendment if the change mooted would bring about a reinforcement of the conditions put forth by the Amendment.
May 30th, 2013 at 8:28 pm
And the TNA TRAITORS howl for INDIA to INTERVENE in Sri Lanka’s affairs AGAIN!
ONE more TREASONOUS Act by the TNA …. inviting foreign powers to intervene against the will of the People of Sri Lanka … for which they MUST be ARRESTED, PROSECUTED, CONVICTED and severely PUNISHED!
ONE more item for the EVIDENCE LIST!
……………………
Sri Lanka Tamil party accuses government of backing the move to abolish 13th Amendment to Constitution
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
May 30, Colombo: Sri Lanka’s major Tamil party, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) says that the government was covertly backing the move to abolish the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.
TNA parliamentarian, Attorney at Law, M. A. Sumanthiran said the move by the nationalist party Jathika Hela Urumaya to propose the abolition of the provincial council system under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution is backed by the government since the JHU is a constituent member of the governing party with a member in the Cabinet.
Explaining that the JHU is a constituent party in the government with a member in the cabinet and therefore is bound by collective responsibility, Sumanthiran said the government is “obviously behind this move, but does not have the courage to do it directly.”
He noted that the JHU has participated in the provincial council system and have a minister too in the Western Provincial Council while the JVP too has participated in this system when Minister Wimal Weerawansa was a member of the JVP.
“It is therefore hypocritical for both to now object to the provincial council system only to deny the Tamil People of the North the opportunity to participate in it,” he pointed out.
“There must be a power-sharing arrangement agreed upon that enables the Tamil People of this country to live as equal citizens with dignity and self-respect, handling their own affairs in their own areas,” the Tamil legislator said.
However, Sumanthiran noted that this government’s track record on finding a lasting solution to the ethnic issue will not infuse any degree of confidence.
He added that India has a moral responsibility to ensure that the 13th Amendment is fully implemented and also to ensure that Sri Lanka goes beyond that.
May 30th, 2013 at 8:31 pm
There you GO! ARREST, PROSECUTE, CONVICT and PUNISH ALL of these MURDERERS!
………………………
Two ex-Tamil Tiger cadres indicted in Sri Lanka for shooting down a military plane
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
May 30, Colombo: Two former cadres of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in sri Lanka were indicted today before the Anuradhapura Provincial High Court over charges of shooting down a military aircraft.
The two Tiger cadres are accused of shooting down an Antanov-32 plane firing missiles from Wilpattu Wildlife Park killing 32 military personnel on or around March 30, 2000.
Sri Lanka Air Force at the time submitted a report that the plane crash was due to a technical issue.
However, police Terrorist Investigation Department (TID) arrested two ethnic Tamils few years back under suspicion of shooting down the aircraft using missiles.
The suspects have been in detention for more than four years.
May 30th, 2013 at 10:35 pm
Ananda,
Are you serious?
That is the WRONG way to handle them.
The RIGHT way is elimination without any of that.
May 31st, 2013 at 12:12 am
Even if the referendum is held in Tamil Nadu repealing of 13a will be sucessfull. Only the Northern Province of Sri lanka will say no.
We need urgen brain washing of Lanka Tamils.
May 31st, 2013 at 1:25 am
Lorenzo,
“Something tells me Endia will invade us anytime now. At least they will drop weapons to Tamils in the north. We should be prepared.”
I, too, think so. They may try to solve problems in their back yard at our expense and use it as a rallying cry. I think our people lost valuable time since 2009. There is a need to train at least 2million people and be ready for such an eventuality. No need of anymore high rise buildings, very expensive expressways or duty free cars to ex politicos. Use all that for defence. No one will come to our help when we have a serious problem, unless we agree 100% to their terms.
May 31st, 2013 at 2:11 am
Lorenzo thinks that India will invade Sri Lanka ‘anytime’ , and his friend aloy agrees !!!!!!!!!! What a bunch of jovial characters we have here . These guys still have the ‘imaginary’ tiger in their minds and want to spread this canard ! Most of the mature followers of Lankaweb will definitely have a hearty laugh at this idiotic nonsense , I am sure.
In todays modern world, NO country can invade another small country just like that ! The repercussions will be terrible . And India is NOT ruled by lunatics to even remotely think of such an eventuality. Come on guys – let us be serious here !
Anyway, I should compliment Lorenzo for his talent in regularly regaling us with interesting imaginations and fairy tales to keep up our good spirits ! Continue with your good work Lorenzo dear !!!!!
May 31st, 2013 at 6:29 am
Please take a look at Mr Senathiraja’s statement (TNA) given below. Isn’t such a statement unlawful and against the Constitution of Sri Lanka ?
Don’t the MPs of the Lanka Parliament take an Oath to abide by the Constitution of Sri Lanka ? Perhaps it is time for every Tamil MP to add to their Oath that “Tamil Eelam is in Tamil Nadu”.
Dear Mr Senathiraja, we are all intent only on ‘wiping out SEPARATIST tendencies’, nothing else.
———-
No solution under a unitary state: TNA
FRIDAY, 31 MAY 2013 07:20, DAILY MIRROR
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) does not believe in a power sharing arrangement under a unitary state, TNA MP Mavai Senathirajah said yesterday.
“Under a unitary rule, it is not possible to find solutions to the national question,” he told a news conference held at the Jaffna Press Institute. “Power sharing under a unitary system is questionable in today’s context of domination by Buddhist extremists.”
Mr. Senathirajah said the United National Party (UNP) had released a copy of a draft constitution for a unitary system of governance. He said Mr. Sumanthiran was reported to have accepted it but that was his own personal view.
“The TNA will meet shortly and announce its official stance with regard to the UNP-proposed draft constitution,” Mr. Senathirajah said. “We submitted a proposal regarding a power sharing arrangement about a year ago but up to now we have had no response from the Government.”
He said if war displaced people were to be resettled it was imperative for the Army to vacate the lands belonging to the Tamils.
“Government is telling the international community that the war displaced people have been fully resettled. I reject this statement. More than 100,000 people are living with relatives, friends or in welfare camps and are still to be resettled,” Mr. Senathirajah said. “More than 80,000 refugees are living in India. We are requesting the Indian government to guarantee their resettlement in their own lands.”
Mr. Senathirajah said the Tamils were badly affected by the long drawn war and now we have to struggle against the government, which is intent on wiping out the Tamils. (S. K. Prasath and Sumithy Thanagarasa)”.
May 31st, 2013 at 1:22 pm
Sridharan,
Lorenzo uses the word “anytime” figuratively … we all understand that.
I agree with Lorenzo; India … cheered on and given cover by jaundiced Western countries to act against Sri Lanka …. India will have little fear of invading Sri Lanka at any time of its choosing, especially since Indian leaders living in a big-power Valhalla of their own, have a tendency to be serial bunglers. Getting in is EASY; getting out much more DIFFICULT.
Only TWO things restrains India:
First, the CERTAINTY that India will embroil itself in an asymmetric war in Sri Lanka it can easily get into but cannot get out of without great difficulty, and at great cost in lives and treasure.
This is especially true now, given that Sri Lanka now has a phalanx of Patriots skilled in the arts of war. The Sri Lanka Defense Forces are quite capable of bloodying the nose of mighty India initially, and then carrying out a long asymmetric war that will prove to be unbearably costly for India, with the support of the majority community of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s allies, such as China and Pakistan, will be only too happy to make that war as expensive and as long (although at great cost to Sri Lanka also) as they can. They may even make difficulties for India along their own borders. Who knows, Sri Lanka may have, or may enter into, a defence treaty with these allies that will require their military intervention within Sri Lanka itself to assist Sri Lanka!
All of this could come to pass, because Indian leaders have their heads so full of big-power hubris that they no respect for their neighbors. The MORE they INTERFERE in neighboring countries, the MORE PROBLEMS they create for India. Instead of eliminating the social ills and uplifting their poverty stricken people, they engage in distracting the people’s attention by making war on neighbors, to the cheers of Westerners who want to use India as their pawn and want to keep it weak and embroiled in perpetual war.
India exploited the West/East Pakistan conflict to invade and separate Bangladesh from Pakistan and became so encouraged with their “success” that they deployed the same strategy against Sri Lanka. However, the long-term consequences of their partitioning of Pakistan is only now coming home to roost: now they have interminable border squabbles with Bangladesh, host 20 million illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, and have created insoluble ethnic warfare in the Indian states bordering Bangladesh.
India tried to partition Sri Lanka as they did Pakistan by engineering an internal Tamil rebellion as a pretext to invade at a time when Sri Lanka had only a largely ceremonial army and few powerful foreign allies. Nevertheless, India got a bloody nose trying to control little Sri Lanka, and “advanced” back to India declaring a mighty victory! Ask the Jawans about the price they paid for that “victorious” bungle of Indian statecraft. If India were to invade Sri Lanka again, the cost to India will be much greater than what they paid the last time; much much much greater.
Unfortunately, Sri Lanka will also pay a heavy price, but freedom cannot be preserved at no cost. It never was, and never will be. Sri Lanka’s history glitters with the struggles of our ancestors to protect and defend our Resplendent Island against all comers. Every generation, it seems, will have to pay that price anew; so we shall. To our foreign enemies we say: Invade Sri Lanka if you dare, but write your will and say a final goodbye to your loved ones first.
May 31st, 2013 at 1:26 pm
Sridharan,
Lorenzo uses the word “anytime” figuratively … we all understand that.
I agree with Lorenzo; India … cheered on and given cover by jaundiced Western countries to act against Sri Lanka …. will have little fear of invading Sri Lanka at any time of its choosing, especially since Indian leaders living in a big-power Valhalla of their own, have a tendency to be serial bunglers. Getting in is EASY; getting out much more DIFFICULT.
Only TWO things restrains India:
First, the CERTAINTY that India will embroil itself in an asymmetric war in Sri Lanka it can easily get into but cannot get out of without great difficulty, and at great cost in lives and treasure.
This is especially true now, given that Sri Lanka now has a phalanx of Patriots skilled in the arts of war. The Sri Lanka Defense Forces are quite capable of bloodying the nose of mighty India initially, and then carrying out a long asymmetric war that will prove to be unbearably costly for India, with the support of the majority community of Sri Lanka.
Second, the fear that Sri Lanka’s allies, such as China and Pakistan, will be only too happy to make that war as expensive and as long (although at great cost to Sri Lanka also) as they can. They may even make difficulties for India along their own borders. Who knows, Sri Lanka may have, or may enter into, a defence treaty with these allies that will require their military intervention within Sri Lanka itself to assist Sri Lanka!
All of this could come to pass, because Indian leaders have their heads so full of big-power hubris that they no respect for their neighbors. The MORE they INTERFERE in neighboring countries, the MORE PROBLEMS they create for India. Instead of eliminating the social ills and uplifting their poverty stricken people, they engage in distracting the people’s attention by making war on neighbors, to the cheers of Westerners who want to use India as their pawn and want to keep it weak and embroiled in perpetual war.
India exploited the West/East Pakistan conflict to invade and separate Bangladesh from Pakistan and became so encouraged with their “success” that they deployed the same strategy against Sri Lanka. However, the long-term consequences of their partitioning of Pakistan is only now coming home to roost: now they have interminable border squabbles with Bangladesh, host 20 million illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, and have created insoluble ethnic warfare in the Indian states bordering Bangladesh.
India tried to partition Sri Lanka as they did Pakistan by engineering an internal Tamil rebellion as a pretext to invade at a time when Sri Lanka had only a largely ceremonial army and few powerful foreign allies. Nevertheless, India got a bloody nose trying to control little Sri Lanka, and “advanced” back to India declaring a mighty victory! Ask the Jawans about the price they paid for that “victorious” bungle of Indian statecraft. If India were to invade Sri Lanka again, the cost to India will be much greater than what they paid the last time; much much much greater.
Unfortunately, Sri Lanka will also pay a heavy price, but freedom cannot be preserved at no cost. It never was, and never will be. Sri Lanka’s history glitters with the struggles of our ancestors to protect and defend our Resplendent Island against all comers. Every generation, it seems, will have to pay that price anew; so we shall. To our foreign enemies we say: Invade Sri Lanka if you dare, but write your will and say a final goodbye to your loved ones first.
May 31st, 2013 at 1:33 pm
Lorenso said “Ananda, Are you serious?”
Yes, I am.
IN WAR TIME, combatants bearing arms, can be killed without further ado. The war has now ENDED.
In PEACE TIME, the Rule of Law, applied with UTMOST RIGOR and FIRMNESS, must prevail.
Even those who committed crimes during WAR TIME must be now be ARRESTED, PROSSECUTED, CONVICTED and PUNISHED under the Military or Civilian Laws of the Land.
May 31st, 2013 at 1:43 pm
“No solution under a unitary state: TNA”
The TNA has now clearly enunciated its goal: destruction of the UNITARY state of SRi Lanka.
What more needs to be said before the GOSL REPEALS the 13th Amendment and DISSOLVES the Provincial Council System? What?
Are we going to accept TREASONOUS TNA leaders as Members of Parliament?
ARREST, PROSECUTE, CONVICT and PUNISH these TRAITORS!
May 31st, 2013 at 3:21 pm
Ananda,
“In PEACE TIME, the Rule of Law, applied with UTMOST RIGOR and FIRMNESS, must prevail.”
Lets agree to disagree.
The longer we keep them ALIVE the more troubles they create. The more expensive too.
May 31st, 2013 at 3:25 pm
STATELESS Sridharan as usual talking BS. This is what happens when you turn BS into ash and put on your forehead.
An Endian invasion is imminent. 2 days ago Endian spy chief was in SL. Were he and his team on a FACT FINDING mission?
Details of the “defence” agreement with China have not been released. Endians must be worried. If hey are not, even better!! We can undermine the fools.
May 31st, 2013 at 3:31 pm
Ananda,
“No solution under a unitary state: TNA”
“ARREST, PROSECUTE, CONVICT and PUNISH these TRAITORS!”
But it is NOT happening! ONLY the govt. can do it and they are NOT doing it.
Is national security the business of the govt. ONLY? I don’t think so. People should also have a “say” and a DO in it!!!
People don’t control the police (arrest), courts (prosecute, convict and punish), etc. That leaves only ONE option for the people.
It is better to light a gun than blame this darkness (inaction).
May 31st, 2013 at 4:45 pm
Sidharan,
Do not keep your heart filled with hatred, as that will not take you anywhere. People may have done wrong to you. Keep that aside and move forward with sense of purpose and you will succeed. This was the advice given by a tamil preacher the other day in SL in very good sinhala. Why not our Tamil brothers and sisters do the same.
June 4th, 2013 at 11:44 am
Is this EMERGENCY BILL, intended to give the ETHNICALLY CLEANSED Sinhala & Muslims citizens the right to VOTE in the NORTH & EAST?
Nevertheless, this does not solve the problem of EELAMIST DOMINATED Provincial Councils emerging in the North & East.
Rise Up! …..O Patriotic Sons & Daughters of Sri Lanka …. REPEAL the 13th Amendment and DISSOLVE the Provincial Council System NOW!
Don’t let the PC Elections to be held in September, 2013 to EMBED an India IMPOSED Foreigner’s Law designed to DIVIDE Sri Lanka into a Patchwork Quilt of Separatist Apartheid Bantustans!
………………..
Urgent bill in Sri Lanka parliament tomorrow on Northern Provincial Council election
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Jun 04, Colombo: Chief Government Whip of Sri Lanka Dinesh Gunawardena announced today that an urgent bill will be tabled in parliament for approval tomorrow regarding the the Northern Provincial Council election.
He said the opposition has also been made aware of the bill and the time is allocated for the bill.
The Minister said the bill is related to the registration of voters and the time will be allocated for the debate.
The bill is to amend the election law to allow displaced people from the Northern Province now temporarily residing in other parts of Sri Lanka to register as voters on submission of satisfactory proof.
The Press Council (Amendment) Act is also to be debated in the parliament tomorrow. The registration fees of the newspapers are to be increased under this act.