The Correct Legal Position on Presidential Terms: The Incumbent Eligible to be Elected Again
Posted on November 9th, 2014
Dilrook Kannangara
Given the critical importance of the Office of the President, presidential elections in Sri Lanka rarely go without legal battles. The legendary legal battle for the 1988 election went to history books as one of the largest in the world in terms of witnesses summoned. After a legal battle, the Supreme Court decided to have a presidential election in 2005 contrary to the wishes of the incumbent president. A similar legal battle is in progress leading up to the 2015 presidential election. To pre-empt a legal challenge after the election, the incumbent president has referred the question of his eligibility to the Supreme Court. Various interpretations have been given of the legal situation. However, most of these are driven by personal and political vendettas. Amidst this clutter, the real legal position remains buried.
Personal preferences and morality have no place in judicial interpretation. The judiciary must follow the letter of the law and the intention of the legislatures no matter how wrong the outcome is from a moral perspective.
The Context: Mahinda Cannot be Defeated in an Election?
The Opposition knows well it cannot dislodge the incumbent president via the ballot. Having won the ‘unwinnable’ war and assisted by a populist budget leading to the election, the incumbent is very popular. No leader has emerged from the Opposition camp which is a collection of election waste in a country where politicians, public officials and cricketers don’t leave their jobs even long after their use-by-date. The Opposition decided to take on the president via a future legal challenge after he is elected for a third term. If his election for the third term is declared illegal after his election, that would not only call for fresh elections but also help the Opposition ride on a popular wave to win it. To pre-empt this legal challenge after the election, the incumbent president has referred the question of his eligibility to the Supreme Court. Am I eligible?
The Legal Position
The 18A removed the two term limit of presidents. Previously article 31(2) placed a limit of two elections to office for a president. In September 2010 the 18A was passed which removed this subsection and hence the restriction. Mahinda had been elected to office for a second term on January 27th 2010. On this day, he lost his eligibility to be elected to the office of the president again. 18A was passed in September 2010, seven moths later. So goes the argument.
However, as per Article 75 of the Constitution, the parliament can make laws with retrospective effect. There is no requirement for such laws to state they have retrospective effect. Therefore, the incumbent is not barred from contesting again and again for the office of the president.
Reading the Constitution as it stands today, there is absolutely no ineligibility on the incumbent to contest another presidential election. The Constitution is a lively document and its current version holds true. Pervious versions of the Constitution cannot be relied upon to make decisions.
Another legal approach to interpreting statutes is to check the intention of the parliament when 18A was passed. Did the parliament intend Mahinda to contest again in a presidential election? The answer is obvious. The very reason for the passage of 18A was for the incumbent to contest as many presidential elections as he pleased and to enhance his powers in relation to the Constitutional Council and Provincial Councils.
This is a textbook case for the Supreme Court to resolve. The Constitution as it applies today places no restriction on the incumbent president to contest another presidential election.
Inconsistency of Sarath Silva’s Advice
Sarath Silva has no legal ground or cause of action to challenge the incumbent president in his right to contest for a fresh term. However, he gets an audience only because he is a former Chief Justice. His advice to Chandrika Kumaratunga contradicts his legal opinion on the matter. How can she have a third term in office and not Mahinda? It was his advice to the former president that brought her back to Sri Lanka and politics. She should have second thoughts trusting him, again.
This is not the first time Sarath Silva displayed inconsistency in his judgement. Upon the election to office for a second term in 1999, President Chandrika was advised to swear in twice; immediately after the declaration as the winner of the election (sworn in on 22 December 1999 which was telecast via television) and at the expiration of the first term on 11 November 2000 at a private function only attended by the then Foreign Minister, according to her. On both occasions Sarath Silva swore her. It was done to extend her term to 2006 November. However, upon the application to the Supreme Court in 2005 to determine the expiry of the presidential term, the Court headed by Sarath Silva determined the term of the president expires in 2005; one year earlier than what he previously advised Chandrika. In swearing in the president twice for the same term, he has become a party to deliberate manipulation of the very Constitution he is supposed to uphold.
In another instance he recently admitted his wrong judgement in 2005 on a matter relating to the embezzlement of tsunami funds allegedly by Mahinda Rajapaksa. He lamented that had he ensured Mahinda’s guilt using his position of Chief Justice, he should not have become president. He admitted it was a wrong decision he made.
Therefore those who trust Silva’s claims must ready themselves for a rough and saddening encounter with reality. What the Supreme Court has today is a clear textbook case. The Constitution spells it out clearly. Mahinda is eligible to contest for another term in office.
If elected to a third term in office, President Rajapaksa must task the parliament to draft and pass a new Constitution. Present Constitution drafted with personal ambitions in mind and amended 18 times as per whims and fancies of politicians must be replaced. A simpler Constitution with a lean governance structure is the best. Ambiguities in official language, presidential powers and the election system should be fixed.
November 8th, 2014 at 7:10 am
For politicians, as they are the executives, they can say, it is my car, my petrol, my every thing and I drive it the way I want.
Their car is country for others.
Journalists can provide lip service or propaganda. That is their bread and butter or rice and pol-sambol.
November 8th, 2014 at 7:11 am
“However, as per Article 75 of the Constitution, the parliament can make laws with retrospective effect”
If the above is true parliament can make laws with retrospective effect. With 18A have they done so?. Is it explicitly stated?.
Dilrooks last para is unimaginably stupid. The first thing this president did was to make way for his third term in a haste. Can any sane person believe he will do all these if elected. He came to power in 2005 with the promise of changing the Bahubootha constitution. In 2010 people gave him power (without 2/3) as a mark of gratitude. Instead of correcting the constitution he made himself the king by keeping all the powers to himself. This is a clear violation of human rights of all the citizens.
To my mind this probably is the last chance the true owners of Sinhale will have to regain their country. Inch by inch it is being given to the minorities to gain their votes.
November 8th, 2014 at 7:38 am
The best thing to do is to go for a referendum. Ask each citizen whether he/she likes to have 18A in its revised form. If not ours may be the next Syria. Already JVP is threatening and I hope it will not happen.
November 8th, 2014 at 8:52 am
The Opposition knows well it cannot dislodge the incumbent president via the ballot. Having won the ‘unwinnable’ war and assisted by a populist budget leading to the election, the incumbent is very popular. No leader has emerged from the Opposition camp…. Dilrook
1. “The Opposition knows well it cannot dislodge the incumbent president via the ballot.”
I personally believe this is true
2. Having won the ‘unwinnable’ war and assisted by a populist budget leading to the election…. .
He did win the ‘unwinnable’ war. I remember that I took on Dilrook on this issue so many years ago, and I humbly admit that I lost,
As regards the populist budget, it is true that the vast majority of our people do not see ‘beyond their noses’. No one knows this better than MR, the experienced politician that he is. On this issue too I believe that Dilrook is right, that the budget will assist the cause of MR.
3. the incumbent is very popular (considering the previously mentioned matters)
Here I beg to disagree with Dilrook. According to my evaluation of the ground realities, MR is not ‘very popular’. In fact he is hardly popular now. His popularity has eroded to a tremendous degree. I do not think one needs political binoculars to see and know that this is probably the MOST CORRUPT and LAWLESS regime since independence. This corruption and lawlessness has massively infiltrated into the executive, the legislature and the judiciary and massively encroached every aspect of civic life. The nation as a whole is impregnated with this stench and transformed into a living quagmire.
4. No leader has emerged from the Opposition camp
This is the absolute truth
In my opinion and as I have mentioned earlier, MR has nevertheless all the chances of winning for the following reasons:
1. He permanently sticks his ‘third finger’ up the noses of the white slave drivers, the Indians, and the TNA-Diaspora rump. This gives the people the sense that the country is ‘sovereign’ and ‘independent’ and brooks no meddling. This kindles pride in the veins of the nation. As W.S.Senior once wrote: the pride of the past is pulsive hot in her people’s veins.
2. He keeps India and Tamil aspirations at bay by the massive use of the China trump card.
3. He has woven for himself a network of support from Asian (especially South East Asian) nations and of others in Africa and Latin America which imparts to him a seeming legitimacy of his foreign policies.
All in all and in spite of the ever deepening and stifling CANCER of corruption and lawlessness people feel proud that MR is holding back the massive forces aligned against the nation. And this no party of the opposition can by any stretch of imagination be expected to do.
Mario Perera
Kadawata
November 8th, 2014 at 9:17 am
What does Article 75 of the Constitution say: “Parliament shall have power to make laws including having retrospective effect and repealing or amending any provision of the Constitution or adding any provision to the Constitution”.
In terms o this provision Amendment 18 was brought in and was included in the Constitution. What did it do:
Article 31 was amended to achieve the object of removing the disqualification of twice elected president from seeking election to further term of office as President.
So now the question is : Is the present incumbent, who was elected for a second term of four years,as per the then provisions of the Constitution is entitled to rely on this amendment and contest again and again? The strongest argument against his relying on the 18 the Amendment is: The Present incumbent has been elected under the then provisions of the Constitution and he cannot make ue of the Amendment No 18, that did not make any provisions to make effective with “retrospective effect”. This argument looks plausible, in that, if the “OBJECTIVE” in bringing this amendment was to make any incumbent “eligible” to contest without being disqualified under the then provision of the Constitution of 1978, that Amendment should have been worded in such a way to give “retrospective repeal” of the provisions under which the present incumbent was elected. This aspect of the 18th Amendment brought in with an “OBJECTIVE” has definitely overlooked to achieve that objectivity.
Even though the Article 75 provides provision to “Amend” the Constitution, that Amendment must expressly state the “Objective” without any ambiguity. That has to be done in this instant, because, the Amendment is to repeal specific provision of the incumbent being debarred from contesting for more that two times. Those who drafted and those argued it has failed or committed an omission. At this time it is important to remember the then AG Mr. Mohan Peiris was the person who argued this amendment in SC before the ex CJ Shiriani Bandaranayake. Today he is SITTING and PRESIDING in JUDGEMENT of the very Amendment he argued for. Is that CORRECT? and DOES THAT PROVE THE “INDEPENDENCE” of the Judiciary?.
Again in the absence of express “retrospective effective” terms of the 18 Amendment, the Legal Experts argue that the amendment must be subjected to the “Interpretation Ordinance” that is still in effect in terms of section 168 of the Constitution. If that is acceptable, then this Amendment 18 lacks “retrospective effect” to repeal the Article 31(2) of the present Constitution. Let us see the outcome expected on the 10th November, 2014.
I am in TOTAL AGREEMENT with what Dilrook has stated in last paragraph of his article. Specially the words: “The present Constitution drafted with personal ambitions in mind……” and I hope that includes these “Amendments up to and including 18”
November 8th, 2014 at 10:31 am
As far as I understand, incumbent president was careful to not let any one else to grow up in way to challenge him and the opposition gave his way because, they themselves, each, are waiting to get their opportunity and they don’t want to spoil it.
November 8th, 2014 at 1:45 pm
CJ is a friend of MR so no need for analysis to decide what the outcome is going to be.
If HORU JAYA contests, then MR wins hands down. He was SACKED by the UNP already and Sajith came to his post. Hope UNP will not make a BAD situation WORSE by reversing its decisions every few months. Last time when he was sacked he joined MR’s govt.!! SL NEVER had an OPPORTUNISTIC party jumper elected president. Never should be.
November 8th, 2014 at 1:45 pm
ONE GROUP of un-patriotic MICE have laboured mightily and brought forth a “common canidate” to bell the Rajapaksa cat!
Although Ranil Wickremasinghe has apparently agreed to nominate Karu Jayasuriya, I’ll believe it when he actually runs. Ranil is not going to give “his goal” that easily! Karu Jayasuriya should not count his chickens just yet!
…………………………
Karu Jayasuriya nominated as common candidate for Sri Lanka presidential election – report
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Nov 08, Colombo: Sri Lanka’s main opposition United National Party (UNP) along with several minor political parties have agreed to field party leader Karu Jayasuriya, as the common candidate to contest against incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the anticipated presidential elections.
At a meeting of several political parties and individuals held Friday, it has been decided that the Gampaha district parliamentarian and the Chairman of the UNP Leadership Council is the best common opposition candidate for presidency.
Several political leaders including former President Chandrika Kumaratunga, JHU MP Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera and National Unity Alliance leader Azath Sally attended the meeting organized by Ven. Maduluwave Sobhitha Thera, the convener of the National Movement for Social Justice.
The UNP and main opposition leader Ranil Wickremasinghe has also agreed to support Jayasuriya as the common candidate.
Following media reports that Jayasuriya had been nominated as the common presidential candidate President Mahinda Rajapaksa has congratulated the UNP leader on his nomination, Daily Mirror reported.
However Mr. Jayasuriya had replied to the President saying that it was not finalized yet and many procedures had to be followed.
November 8th, 2014 at 1:52 pm
The 18th Amendment is NOT the problem, the 13th Amendment IS the problem.
REPEAL the 13th Amendment and defuse the threat of separatism, and MR may AMEND the 18th Amendment on his own.
18th Amendment should REMAIN AS IT IS until the nation is out of the woods … after a decade of RAPID GROWTH and CONSOLIDATION of the benefits of the Victory achieved on May 19, 2009!
November 8th, 2014 at 4:16 pm
If HORU JAYA contests, then MR wins hands down. He was SACKED by the UNP already and Sajith came to his post- Lorenzo.
I have never heard that Karu J is a Hora. It appears Lorenzo has a Karu phobia. Perhaps he was a LTTEer when Karu joined the government with 18 others to save it when RUNNIL wouldn’t do it. I consider it a patriotic act. But no sane person can remain in the government unless for personal gain.
I believe it is Karu J who can give a fight to MR withe help of JHU and JVP.
November 8th, 2014 at 10:14 pm
Douglas:
If we are to buy that argument it creates a ridiculous situation. If Chandrika can have a third term, why not Rajapaksa? Rajapaksa cannot be denied another term just because he is the incumbent. If for some reason the Supreme Court denies him another term, he has all the right to petition the same court for his fundamental rights violation. Again it is a textbook case. If he is denied another term, his fundamental rights are clearly violated.
For the information of all, please follow the link to the relevant section of the Constitution as it stands now. Go to Article 31.
“http://www.parliament.lk/files/pdf/constitution.pdf”
It has no term limitation whatsoever. You cannot apply the pre-2010 Constitution to the incumbent just because he was elected before it. In that case the 3A would not be valid either which enhanced presidential powers. Part of the confusion comes from other sources of the Constitution that have not yet been updated for the repeal of 31(2).
However, as I stated before, none of this justifies the immoral desire to enhance presidential powers via the 18A.
November 8th, 2014 at 10:18 pm
Ananda-USA:
18A has its merits. The President was careful to assume the powers to handle destructive conduct of provincial councils before the eastern and northern provincial councils were empowered. A very wise decision.
But overall it was not a well thought after amendment. Needless to say it is still better than 13A which was not desired by any Sri Lankan.
November 9th, 2014 at 2:17 am
Aloy,
You HATE MR and GR for saving SL from LTTE. And your love for LTTE (UNP) is now clear. I am ashamed to have criticized GR along with you. FYI, GR is the best ever leader SL has produced. If you can’t accept that, you are no patriot.
IF I’m LTTE, I would LOVE KJ as you do. Here’s why. Please check these FACTS yourself. Don’t believe me. Do your own research.
1. KJ was part of the LTTE CFA in 2002. He was a DEPUTY LEADER of UNP that signed the CFA.
2. KJ along with the UNP cabinet APPROVED the CFA!! The BIGGEST act of treason EVER.
3. This is STRAIGHT from the LTTE mouth. NO denying.
“UNF’s local polls victory endorses cease-fire agreement
[TamilNet, Thursday, 21 March 2002, 13:22 GMT]
The UNF Deputy Leader and Minister Mr.Karu Jayasuriya hailed the victory of his party as “an endorsement of the peace efforts and the cease-fire agreement signed by the Prime Minister and the LTTE leader last month.”
Doesn’t this seal the fate of this?
4. And your memory is FAILING. Typical!
Kotijay LEFT the govt. on 9 December 2008 and rejoined the UNP at a time when the WAR was AT A PEAK and ALL patriots (sorry, only patriots) joined the govt.!!
These are all FACTS LTTE losers don’t wish to hear.
And you say he is NOT corrupt. Are you out of your mind?
1. There is something call the PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON CORRUPTION (COPE). (Not in Tamil Elam but in a country called Sri Lanka.) In 2007 COPE found out the biggest crooks in the country. This is from the COPE report.
“According to the COPE report, there has been corruption and waste in excess of Rs. 125 billion at a few Government institutions. These events have occurred primarily at Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation, Lanka Marine Services and in the transfer of 100 petrol stations. Two politicians accused of large scale corruption and waste are Karu Jayasuriya and Milinda Moragoda.”
– nation.lk-2007-03-04
2. This is from the PRESIDENT of COPE Wijedasa Rajapaksa (NO relative of MR).
“COPE report
Wijayadasa Rajapaksa demanded investigations against those named in the COPE report including senior ministers Karu Jayasuriya and Milinda Moragoda.”
– BBC-2007-11
3. Look at this!
“Sometime back Opposition MP Wijedasa Rajapaksa headed the COPE. Rajapaksa’s COPE report cited corruption which had occurred in the Power and Energy Ministry when Karu Jayasuriya was the Minister in charge, though now he is back in the UNP. Today apparently he has forgotten the contents of that report though he is currently a subcommittee chairman of the present COPE. This is a mockery to say the least. The COPE was formed in 1979 to ensure the compliance of financial discipline in Public Corporations and other Semi-Governmental bodies.”
– dailynews.lk
I wish someone gets these and write an enlightening article. VOTERS must know. NONE of these are my creations. These are all quoted from CREDIBLE sources. Lets not be fooled.
November 9th, 2014 at 2:23 am
I invite ALL to read the 2007 COPE report. And reproduce it in every newspaper leading up to the next election. SL should NOT fall from the frying pan to the FIRE.
I commend the BOLD COPE report in 2007. Later even that was hijacked by the corrupt!
Good governance promised by the MOST corrupt (as per 2007 COPE report)? LOL!
“korage ammagen bana ahanawaa”.
VP was wrong. People have LONGER memories than 2 weeks. I do.
November 9th, 2014 at 2:45 am
Lorenzo,
Tell me who is suitable in the current parliament to run for the presidency taking their past actions into account. According to head of JVP even CJ has an unfinished issue. I have personal experience in MODUD. I therefore cannot say GR is the best person. Besides Rathupaswela people were shot and killed by the army under his care. Immediately BBS exonerated him saying that they gave instructions to shoot and that officer in-charge has been rewarded by giving a place in foreign service (in Turkey?). It did not happen by accident. I am afraid, these will be common occurrences if these people are empowered again.
It is the future of the nation of Sinhale at stake.
November 9th, 2014 at 4:23 am
I am sure most of us who contribute and comment could think beyond what people say and do. It is India who is hell bent on getting MR out, the reason is a regime change to send Rajapakses to the ICJ. They have failed all attempts so far at the UN and its sub agencies. A regime change does not necessarily mean that India can achieve its objectives internationally but India can do it locally as they did with other Sinhala leaders. Take Sobitha a man in robes but his funds came from Main Street and Pettach merchants a while ago. I am sure it is still the case. Since the arrival of Rajapakses the Indian economic influence, hence their political influence is receding. There are more and more Sinhala and Muslim businesses are progressing and India wants the tables turned. Bandaranayakes are the best example of the island politicians who were and are dependent on Indian merchants and India. It took more than 25 years for Lee Kwan Yu to reduce the political and economic power of Indians in Singapore. The same goes with Dr Mahathiar in Malaysia and in Fiji. I am sure majority in the island nation do not want a Mauritius.
November 9th, 2014 at 4:33 am
Aloy,
Go tell that nonsense to your Thalaivar.
When I tell you FACTS you start pussyfooting. Loser.
November 9th, 2014 at 4:35 am
Christie,
You are right. Endian parasites come in many shades. You are SPOT ON on that one. It took me sometime to get around but now I know.
November 9th, 2014 at 4:52 am
I predicted this LONG AGO! Govt. didn’t listen. Now MR stands to LOSE ALL the electorates along the northern railway line. VERY CRUCIAL electorates which he WON in 2005 and 2010.
We DON’T HATE MR for this. We hate this RACISM.
“No room for passengers in Anuradhapura to come to Colombo in Jaffna trains
November 9, 2014 at 5:16 am | lanka C news
It is reported that passengers who want to travel to Colombo from Anuradhapura in all the trains that come from North are packed to capacity and need to keep standing all the way through to Colombo.The two trains,Yaldevi which reaches Anuradhapura at 11.30 am and the night mail train that arrives at 11.20 pm,the deyata kirula intercity train which arrives at 2.00 pm and the intercity luxury train at 4.30 pm are all filled to capacity. As a result the passengers are terribly inconvenienced.”
November 9th, 2014 at 4:58 am
“Ranil hunting for a ‘Bili Boy’ to sacrifice at election – President”
-adaderana.lk
I know the ‘Bili Boy’. Hardly a boy. He is VERY OLD. 75 years. He will kick the bucket before the election. Amen.
November 9th, 2014 at 5:06 am
Please forgive me editor for writing too many comments too soon.
But this is far too important to miss. BREAKING NEWS.
“Presidential Hopeful Karu Jayasuriya Must Disclose Relationship With News Websites
November 9, 2014 | Filed under: Colombo Telegraph, News, STORIES | Posted by: COLOMBO_TELEGRAPH
On October 23rd, Karu Jayasuriya telephoned the Colombo Telegraph editor and offered him a monthly payment of Rs 50,000/- ‘in appreciation of the work that Colombo Telegraph does’. Jayasuriya did not state for how long this payment was to be made. The issue did not arise because the editor politely declined the offer. The editor, furthermore, reminded Jayasuriya that it was he who interviewed him when he first came in to politics in 1995. At that time Jayasuriya had told the journalist that he hoped he would continue work towards the independence of the media. The Colombo Telegraph editor pointed out to Jayasuriya that he functions today as an independent media entity and said he did not need any money.”
AHA! Trying to buy media for money. This doesn’t surprise me at all. COPE report of 2007 detailed the character certificate of this politician very well. Thank you COPE.
November 9th, 2014 at 8:04 am
Lorenzo has started quoting Colombo Telegraph as gospel truth. Joker
November 9th, 2014 at 9:42 am
Interestingly there is a comment by Fathima Fukshima on the article at Colombo Telegraph.
“Unafraid and unbowed! Well done Colombo Telegraph. Proud of you.”
Some of the more well informed readers at Lankaweb will know who is Fathima Fukshima.
(Identified by IP address.)
Not sure what the agenda is but I for one have no wish to provide any credence by responding to stupid comments.
Readers have the intelligence to separate the wheat from the chaff and have the prerogative if they so wish to respond.
I have never done so and I have no wish to start either.
November 9th, 2014 at 11:11 am
Christie,
“I am sure most of us who contribute and comment could think beyond what people say and do. It is India who is hell bent on getting MR out, the reason is a regime change to send Rajapakses to the ICJ”
What proof you have to say the above. There was no other regime that has danced to the Indian tune than this one. When our Bikkus were being bashed in Chennai, they awarded contract to Chennai businessmen. I myself saw the man with a pottu on his head. They still dance to the tune of NPC, for fear of India.And only recently they bought large stock of military hadware. We really do not know what is going on. Only thing we do not want to be a colony of India or China. If these people continue we will very soon go under one of them.
I do not know much about Karu J though he live less than 100m from my house. But I know he is a capable person as he has done lot of improvement in the area. If he too is corrupt let them find some other contender. Perhaps Patali or Anura D will be suitable as far as I know. What we need is a safe pair of hands to change the constitution to make it workable like the unwritten constitution of UK.
What ever happens Sri Lankans will never allow MR to be taken to ICJ. Nor will they allow UNHCR to come to SL for their farcical investigations.
November 9th, 2014 at 12:05 pm
What has happened out side in order to send Rajapakses to ICJ. That is all BS to scare people. Do you think that crappy report or the this crap investigations cn do that ? On the other hand, people need to understand, IF US wants, they are the only country which does that, they can land a helicopter and pull out him. India wants it or west want it is all BS.
Rajapakse govt has proved enough it well never do it what the country want or the way people want it. Only good thing he did was he stood straight until the war finishes, probably that is because of he trusted his brother. He has shown enough with what he has done upto now. See the result of upcoming pope’s visit in few years. Only good thing is Catholic church is extremely corrupt and it can be criticized from every side.
The best option is ask Mr to step down and send his sibiling. Both MR and BR should not be there.
November 9th, 2014 at 12:47 pm
Aloy,
When I PROVED to you your beloved loser is “the MOST CORRUPT” (quoted from parliamentary COPE report 2007) you have NO answer! Typical loser mentality. No wonder your beloved UrieNePee LOSERS lose this time as well. Happy losing.
Whoever says the TRUTH is OK. IF CT article is WRONG, KJ should sue them. Shouldn’t he?
November 9th, 2014 at 1:09 pm
“The best option is ask Mr to step down and send his sibiling. Both MR and BR should not be there.”
AGREE.
Then MR can avoid the stigma of this 18 amendment too. Just bring on GR – the BEST SL has to offer.
November 9th, 2014 at 2:06 pm
“The best option is ask Mr to step down and send his sibiling. Both MR and BR should not be there.”
I TOO AGREE. I believe GR is the man.
Aloy misunderstood him.
Aloy and Lorenzo – sad to see these personal between you rather than challenge the points raised. I know both of you are not LTTIErs or UNPIErs , so why fight ?
It is shocking the ONE STUPID MAN’S SUPPER STUPID GRREDY ACTION can create havoc among good people too.
He had ALL THE OOPORTUNITIES. He went in the worn direction. He was initially driven by JVP+JHU patriots in the correct direction.
Now the bull has become the master and cart is going no where.
November 9th, 2014 at 10:33 pm
Nanda,
We don’t HATE MR. We only hate the stupid things he does. But some are not like us. They HATE MR and GR out of jealousy to PROMOTE corrupt LTTE CFA COPE terrorists.
We are fighting against corruption. He is bringing the MOST CORRUPT (COPE report 2007).
We are fighting against LTTE. He is bringing Tamilnet, LTTE endorsed CFA terrorists.
We are fighting against TREASON. He is bringing CFA traitors.
Please don’t misuse the word patriot for such people.
e.g. When you were small your mother probably told you, “Nanda putho, unless you fishing your cereal I’m going to give you to the “NARIYA”.” But if the cunning NARIYA actually comes to get you, she would NEVER give you away. She is only trying to FORCE you to do the RIGHT thing out of concern, NOT hate.
We LOVE GR, somewhat still respect MR. But we will NEVER allow the MOST CORRUPT CFA traitors take over the country from MR.
When we do a CHANGE, it must for the better NOT for the WORSE.
November 10th, 2014 at 3:05 am
Lorenzo/Aloy,
KJ was in the same boat with Ruin-ill + His excellency Pee-Rise. That is the best disqualification to discard him , leave aside the corruption argument. We have accepted bigger Horu for a reason. But we cannot accept both Pee-rise and KJ.
In UNPee I don’t see ANY.
I know Aloy is considering KJ thinking him as an honest man (ONLY). Even thant may be in question but CFA ?( no excuse).
But Lorenzo should not fight with Aloy for that. If that is the case who is partying with MR now ? Pee- rise .
I respect GR(& Family) for his simplicity, honest speech, treatment of war heroes etc. He is a true Buddhist. MR pretends to be. He will honour the honest, he will keep his word.
November 10th, 2014 at 3:29 am
Lorenzo,
I have ZERO respect for MR. HE the first to go to UN to complain on Sri Lankan matters before your were born. Do you know about this ? Despite this people accepted him because he was there to protect Sinhalese in the south. HE is no Dutugemunu. He is a Kavantissa. Real DUTUGEMUNU is GR.
Be happy with your newly found friends.
I cant waste more time one these trivial things, it is not good for my Buddhist practice. so, will be leaving soon. That will make the moderators job easier as well.
November 10th, 2014 at 4:29 am
JR once said that people elected a school girl as their president meaning one cannot expect wisdom and maturity from such person. Chandrika on the other hand said that JR created a bahubootha constitution meaning whatever she wanted to mean by it. JR was preaching for this kind of presidency for decades and only Mahinda was able to do what JR perhaps wanted to do. Mahinda used the bahobootha system to bring UNP to death by elections! In the democratic world the craving is for any election of any kind, in Sri Lanka the opposition hates elections!
Those who study political developments in Sri Lanka since the 1930s saw a group of Colombo families destroying the country with the help of an elite civil service crowd paying lip service to democracy, village development etc. Since the 1960s these families of the UNP and SLFP (with the support of English-speaking Colombo Marxists) removed one by one democracy given in the 1947 Constitution. Both the Donoughmore and Soulbury Commissions warned these Colombo families about the dangers of Tamil separatism and the need to develop the remote areas where the poor Tamils, Muslims and the Sinhalese were living. By 1948 there were two Ceylons:
(1) English-speaking, west-worshiping Colombo-centered Ceylon and
(2) Sinhala and Tamil-speaking village Ceylon.
Even after the 1971 youth rebellion these ruling families did not learn a lesson. Instead they politicalized everything and destroyed the structural democracy in Ceylon. For example, after packing party henchmen to the Senate, they later abolished it as useless! The 1947 Constitution which was based on the 1944 Ministers’ Draft had everything the country needed to become a prosperous country. A policy of “discrimination with reason” could have nullified the restrictions placed on the parliament by the Section 29(2). This was what India did covering 50% of its people known as scheduled tribes and castes and later backward classes. Malaysia did it in vigorously since 1971.
The 1972 Constitution was a bad document in representative democracy and the 1978 one was a death-trap when considered along with the ugly amendments and the changes to the election laws. In addition to the death of structural democracy (rule of law, independent public service and the judiciary etc.) that took place prior to 1978, JR documents killed the territorial democracy in Sri Lanka.
The destruction of electorate and ward-level selection of representatives was an unpardonable crime. Then came the India-imposed Provincial Council white elephant (13-A). This tiny island does not need and cannot afford this colossal wastage of money which has become Montessori schools for local politicians’ kith and kin.
One aspect clear in Sri Lanka politics is that selfish party politicians in power abuse and create systems for their benefit not realizing that the opponents would use the same system to abuse power when they get their chance! This was what had happened with JR. He never thought that tables will turn within 10 years making him a prisoner to his own set up. All those Colombo educated crowd (JR, Laltih Athulathmudali, Gamini Dissanayake, Chandrika, Anura and even Premadasa who had a Colombo life) never knew the ability of the first village man who became the president of Sri Lanka in November 2005. He turned the bahubootha death-trap system of JR and Company. into an Aladdin’s lamp and used it so effectively to save the country from a 30-year old beggar’s wound. He could do this because of what JR created. To a great extent he could even overcome the electoral system designed by purpose of by accident to make the Sinhala majority a weak majority government, a demand made first the mid-1920s.
UNP and JVP must realize that people in Sri Lanka are not going to buy their sour grape stories and their new-born interest in preserving democracy. Where were they when JR, Premadasa and Chandrika played havoc?
November 10th, 2014 at 4:33 am
Lieutenant Colonel Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa is a simple very humble person and a true vegetarian.
Only correct decision Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga made during her tenure was to make Lakshman Kadirgamar the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka.
Mahinda Rajapaksa made such a decision with the appointment of Lieutenant Colonel Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the Secretary Defence. But, unlike the voluntary 2nd Lt Anuruddha Ratwatte, who accepted a Generalship and wore all kinds of uniforms and ridiculed the three forces, Lieutenant Colonel Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa a battle hardened soldier decided to be a civilian Defence Secretary.
It was a time the Sri Lankan forces had lost heavily men, equipment, morale and the propaganda war to the LTTE. The army could not even recruit adequate soldiers. Using his skills, Lieutenant Colonel Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa started the Defence website which became an instant hit. With the Api Wenuwen Api campaign Lieutenant Colonel Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa boosted the morale of the forces and the masses and people started to rejoin the army in large numbers.
There was a time when the Army failed to attract even 2,000 to join the army. But, it was Lieutenant Colonel Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa morale booster where he created welfare funds, housing projects for the forces, schools for their kids, proper place in the society which saw large numbers joining three forces and the police.
Many military officers and soldiers who joined hands to defeat the LTTE paid tribute to the Defence Secretary for his vision which saved many lives. The Defence Secretary took care of the forces like a father would do.
People like Anuruddha Ratwatte, Chandrananda de Silva and Austin Fernando could not tell the difference between a real gun and a toy gun, they could not care for the rank and file. But, Sri Lankan Forces had a man who really knew it, who was there in the heart of the battle field and cared for them.
Lieutenant Colonel Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa joined the three forces and the Police together at checkpoints and other areas when dealings with civilians. He improved the intelligence service tremendously which was considered very weak at the time.
Let us not forget that he had a very tough task after Ranil Wickermasinghe and John Amaratunge’s foolish actions with the Millennium City debacle killed over 60 Intelligence officers of the Sri Lanka Army.
Unlike the previous Defence Secretaries he reached out to the masses. Lieutenant Colonel Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa always speak from his heart. Lieutenant Colonel Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s talks are always very refreshing because he is sincere, frank and honest.
It was no easy task for him to keep together Sarath Fonseka his Army Commander who refused to speak with his old classmate Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda. But, Lieutenant Colonel Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa kept them together He deserves a gold medal for it. He had to do the balancing act because he was well focused to end terrorism from the island nation.
Lieutenant Colonel Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa got nothing to hide. He does not wear a mask. The man who loves Sri Lanka more than he cares for himself. People who criticize him today should know that they have failed to do a millimeter of what Lieutenant Colonel Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa has done for Sri Lanka. He is a simple but a true hero.
His wife Ayoma is also a very simple lady, who stood by him then and now, with all her simplicity. They continue to live that simple life
November 10th, 2014 at 4:38 am
Ranil Shriyan Wickremesinghe has time and again proved that he is mere character without any leadership qualities. Ranil Shriyan Wickremesinghe just happened to enter politics because he attended Royal College and also happened to be the nephew of Junius Richerd Jayawardana. Ranil Shriyan Wickremesinghe did his best to grab the presidency by the help of his media ancestral heritage, comprodor business community and Western masters. All his attempts were miserably failed.
LTTE successfully prune down the leaders of UNP. The LTTE killer list span from Ranasinghe Premadasa, Lalith Atulatmudali, Gamini Dissanayaka, Ranjan Wijayaratna and many more. This effectively created infertile secondary level leadership in the UNP. There was not any UNP leader in the party in recent past who even dared to call LTTE by the word ‘TERRORISTS’. Ranil Shriyan Wickremesinghe, Mangala Pinsiri Samaraweera and their coterie not only did not dare to fight against separation of our country, but also spoke out against those who were truly committed to the fight against the separation of our country.
We must not forget how Ranil Shriyan Wickremesinghe destroyed Major General Janaka Perera and Major General Lucky Algama, who swallowed Ranil Shriyan Wickremesinghe’s bait and entered into politics. Ranil Shriyan Wickremesinghe did not even bother to accuse their killers, the LTTE.
Following are some excerpts from the infertile secondary level leadership in the UNP:
“Thoppigala is just a rock,, the military map is in English and it is named as Baran’s Hat… I wonder these people have read the military map” – Ranil Shriyan Wickremesinghe
“Our commander of army is not even suited for salvation army” – Mangala Pinsiri Samaraweera
“Any bull can wage war” – Lakshman Bandara Kiriella
“Once these people go Pamankada saying Alimankada,,, Other time the go Madawachchiya saying Kilinochchiya” – Ravindra Sandresh Karunanayagam (known as Ravi Karunanayake)
Ranil Shriyan Wickremesinghe, Mangala Pinsiri Samaraweera and their coterie have no love for anyone, but for themselves. These are very dangerous people, the will do anything to gain power.
Mahinda Rajapaksa is a true born patriotic leader tempered through the current political system. Unlike some others who are made out of the foreign Anglican mold, Mahinda Rajapaksa has deep rooted social and cultural values of our mother Lanka. He provided strong patriotic political leadership in the fight against separation of our country. Any unbiased person will agree that there was hardly any political mistake in that endeavour.
In the last 40 years no other country where terrorism exists have they been able to eradicate terrorism. The most memorable historical factor was winning the war against terrorism. The joint effort of the Armed Forces under the able directives of the Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa was able to rescue mother Lanka from the evils of Terrorism.
Thousands of former citizens of Sri Lanka are visiting Sri Lanka after several decades owing to the peaceful situation created by Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and President Mahinda Rajapaksa. All Sri Lankans must remember that if not for Gotabaya Rajapaksa our country will be in disaster.
November 10th, 2014 at 12:57 pm
Nanda,
Please keep commenting. NO ONE blocked you.
I too want to REPLACE MR but NOT with the MOST corrupt politician ever!
Even Run-nil is LESS corrupt that the 2007 COPE REPORT most corrupt ever. When it comes to LTTE-CFA, KJ is no less criminal than Run-nil. The UNP Cabinet headed by him APPROVED the CFA!!
Lets NOT lose our heads in politics.
MR has many problems but replacing MR with the MOST CORRUPT and CFA-LTTE approver, is INSANE. It is worse than replacing MR with Gonzeka.
November 10th, 2014 at 1:00 pm
“All Sri Lankans must remember that if not for Gotabaya Rajapaksa our country will be in disaster.”
Thank you NT.
Some UNFORTUNATE UNGRATEFUL people have forgotten this FACT.
GR saved SL not just once but 5 times.
1. Vadamarachchi
2. Somawathi attack
3. 1972 to 1991 military service (apart from the above)
4. 2005-2009 SUCCESSFUL WAR VICTORY
5. POST-2009 LTTE threats (most important)
November 10th, 2014 at 1:20 pm
Nalliah Thayabharan said,
“Only correct decision Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga made during her tenure was to make Lakshman Kadirgamar the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka.”
NOT QUITE the ONLY correct decision; she dismissed Ranil’s UNP government and IMPOSED Presidential Rule when Ranil and the UNP was getting ready to CRAVENLY gift the North of the nation to the Eelamists. That would have been a MONUMENTAL IRRECOVERABLE DISASTER for Sri Lanka.
I am NO FAN of CBK, but FACTS are FACTS, and she SAVED Sri Lanka with that CORRECT decision!
November 10th, 2014 at 1:22 pm
The process of groping for a “Common Candidate” by the “opposition” is now descending to deep and dark depths, as CBK who hurried to Sri Lanka to vie for that signal honor, has now become a serious contender!
However, I caution the opposition gropers against groping below the waist line now that CBK is also in the ring, because this is no longer a gentlemen’s party game only, and very strange things may pop up from down there!
…………………………………..
CBK eclipses Karu; Quest for common candidate
by Shamindra Ferdinando
November 9, 2014
Former UNP Deputy Leader and MP Karu Jayasuriya has received the backing of many political parties and groups looking for a common candidate at the forthcoming presidential election, but some influential players are of the view that twice-president Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga will be a better candidate.
….More
…………………………
Opposition groping in the dark for a candidate – President
Nov 10 (DN) While the government having won 28 elections in a row is set to win its 29th, the Opposition is yet searching for a candidate, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.
…More
November 10th, 2014 at 1:28 pm
Golden Words …. Nalliah Thayabharan …. Very Well Said!
“Mahinda Rajapaksa is a true born patriotic leader tempered through the current political system. Unlike some others who are made out of the foreign Anglican mold, Mahinda Rajapaksa has deep rooted social and cultural values of our mother Lanka. He provided strong patriotic political leadership in the fight against separation of our country. Any unbiased person will agree that there was hardly any political mistake in that endeavour.”
November 10th, 2014 at 2:00 pm
Mara is now controlling the country.
Mara will control the country under both MR, Ruin-Nill, Koru, Pee-rise, Rajitha, Sajith, Avamangala, No-Mal, Basil .. list goes on.
With GR we have a chance, even if Ruin-ill wins. He may come to rescue immediately.
November 10th, 2014 at 2:17 pm
Choose a leader
1. Who has no inferiority complex and saliva dropping greed to remove 13 plus (it is already + for north and – for south now – no bneed to wait for ruin-ill).
2. Who make Buddhism State religion without FEAR of Saudi.
3. Who will keep 5 precepts in public and well as private and lead by example.
4. Who will not hesitate to punish even the own sun for wrong doings.
5. Who is able to will protect country above self without FEAR and striving with diligence.
Even non-Buddhists will not fear such a leader.
November 10th, 2014 at 10:38 pm
NT,
Do not forget that these people fought a drug war in Kolonnanwa and one injured person (monitoring MP of MOD) was flown to Singapore for treatment. Subsequently there was drug galore and people started importing the stuff in containers loads. These things wont happen if Gota was doing his job correctly.
The riddle of the twins comes to mind. If someone whose motive is not clear, it is better to avoid the path being shown.
Some people may be commenting frequently and keep this site going. However I feel they should respect difference of opinion as Lankaweb does not belong to any particular person. And also I believe we should attack the argument and not the person who put forward it. If not this site also will be like ColomboTelegraph where indecent characters comment quite often.
November 11th, 2014 at 1:40 am
ONLY LTTE and ISIS terrorists hate GR.
MOD, UDA or GR is NOT responsible for the PERSONAL conduct of Dumbinda Silva. He came from the UNP. When Horu Jay was the deputy party leader, he committed sexual offences against Tamil girls in Borella and guess what NO disciplinary or legal action was taken.
November 11th, 2014 at 2:53 am
Just imagine a rapist is the monitoring MP of MOD many comments including Lorenzo’s are supporting MR,GR and BR. How can SL be a country with right minded people. We have read a lot about another monitoring MP bashing and breaking teeth of the best high commissioner we had. To my mind there is no way MR can be corrected (or rehabilitated)
I myself have no particular love for KJ. I do not hate GR either; he seems to have done lot of work for Colombo with borrowed money from World Bank. I have a feeling that even garbage collection and street cleaning is also being done with this money. Actually 75% of that money is for a flood prevention scheme which has not yet got off the ground. We can see the workers wearing uniforms cleaning streets energetically even at 8 pm as if there is a big bonus on their way. Perhaps the repayment of beautification of Colombo is by the future generation.
What we need is a safe pair of hands to deliver a new constitution or change the current one in a way that will not make some one a king of Sri Lanka again.
November 11th, 2014 at 4:16 am
Dumbinda Silva did his sexual crimes in 2002 UNDER the deputy leadership of KJ!
This is in addition to CFA CRIMES and COPE CRIMES. After the GREAT expose by COPE (later by CT), the ambitious politico has changed his mind. GOOD RIDDANCE.
Corruption Watchdog COPE should be further empowered to prosecute IDENTIFIED corrupt persons. LTTE-ISIS agents who are trying to assassinate the selfless defence secretary should be handled the most effective way. They have received TGTE Diaspora money to DISCREDIT the war winning defence secretary because they couldn’t kill him in 2006.
November 11th, 2014 at 10:12 am
No impediment for Sri Lanka President running for a third time, Supreme Court decides
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Nov 11, Colombo: Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court has unanimously determined that incumbent president can run for a third term and therefore Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has no legal impediment to contest for the upcoming presidential election, Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva stated in the parliament today (11).
A full bench of Supreme Court has made a unanimous decision and their was delivered to the President Monday night at the Temple Trees.
President Rajapaksa consulted the Supreme Court on his eligibility to run for the top post for a third term as per the article 129 (1) of the Constitution. He requested the apex court to opinionate on whether a presidential election could be held before 4 years of his term has completed and whether the incumbent president could come forward for a third term if such an election is held.
The Supreme Court Bench comprised Chief Justice Mohan Peiris, Justice K. Sripavan, Justice Chandra Ekanayake, Justice Priyasath Dep, Justice Eva Wanasundera, Justice Rohini Marasinghe, Justice B.P. Aluvihara, Justice Sisira de Abrew, Justice Sarath de Abrew and Justice Priyantha Jayawardena.
Earlier, the President submitted a series of questions to the Supreme Court for its consideration asking the apex court to submit its opinion on to him before November 10.
President Rajapaksa, who was elected in January 2010 for a second term in office, asked the Supreme Court whether the Constitution, as amended by the 18th Amendment, will allow him to declare his intention to contest for presidency after the expiration of four years from the date of commencement of his second term of office as President on 19th November 2010.
The President made the request in terms of provision 129 (I) of the Constitution.
The Apex Court informed the Bar Association of Sri Lanka of the President’s request and asked them to submit any points they have in writing to the Registry of the Supreme Court by Friday, November 7.
Interested parties submitted 38 petitions to the court both in favor and against the President’s inquiry. The Bar weighed in on behalf of the President and the majority of submissions were in his favor.
The matter was taken up for consideration on Wednesday by a full bench of judges presided over by Chief Justice Mohan Peiris PC.
The two questions President referred to the Supreme Court were as follows:
“(a). Whether in terms of Article 31 (3A)(a)(i) of the Constitution, as amended by tne-18th Amendment, I, as the incumbent President, serving my second term of office as President, have any impediment, after the expiration of four years from the date of commencement of my second term of office as President on 19th November 2010, to declare by Proclamation my intention of appealing to the People for a mandate to hold office as President by election, for a further term; and
(b). Whether in terms of the provisions of the Constitution, as amended by the 18th Amendment, I, as the incumbent President, serving my second term of office as President, and was functioning as such on the date the 18th Amendment was enacted, have any impediment to be elected for a further term of office.”
November 11th, 2014 at 10:14 am
CBK elects not to be groped in the search for a “Common Candidate”! Thank God for small mercies!
……………………
Former Sri Lankan President rules out contesting for presidency again
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Nov 11, Colombo: Sri Lanka’s former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has ruled out a return to contest for the presidency at an election expected to be held in January.
The former President has reportedly rejected an invitation from several main opposition United National Party (UNP) parliamentarians to be the common opposition candidate to contest at the presidential election.
Several UNP MPs, including Chairman Kabir Hashim and media head Mangala Samaraweera have met Kumaratunga last week and requested her to contest as the common opposition candidate, local media reported.
Ms. Kumaratunga has declined the invitation, party sources said. However, she has assured that she will support the common opposition candidate and will work towards getting the support of some members of the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) that her father founded.
November 11th, 2014 at 1:04 pm
Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court has unanimously determined that incumbent president can run for a third term and therefore Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has no legal impediment to contest for the upcoming presidential election, Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva stated in the parliament today (11).
UNANIMOUSLY!
So all the legal eagles are WRONG! COMPLETELY WRONG!
If it was a split decision then I can understand there is SOME case for them. But unanimous! What a great DEFEAT for RW, KJ, CBK, SOB-ITHA, etc.
Will the REAL common candidate please stand up. So many of them. Too common. Kalla Jaya has been sacked from the deputy leader post and the leadership council too. Now he may crossover to UPFA, his last political move.
November 11th, 2014 at 4:18 pm
Yes ! Ananda – You are correct
After the 6th round of peace talks in early 2003 Tigers abruptly withdrew from the peace talks. However in Oct 2003 Tigers again showed some intentions of entering into the peace process, calling for an Interim Self Governing Authority (ISGA). The proposal was handed over through Norwegian Ambassador Hans Brattskar.
The opposition and the nationalistic movements strongly opposed CFA and the overall peace process of Ranil Wickremesinghe’s regime. They continuously criticized and protested against CFA claiming it as a threat to the sovereignty which ultimately leads the way to a separate state for Tigers, so called Eelam. It was later claimed by Karuna Amman who defected from Tigers during Ranil Wickremesinghe’s regime that the Tigers dragged the peace talks to smuggle weapons and ammunition including aircraft.
Tigers continuously violated CFA in great many occasions. Several Sri Lankan Army intelligence operatives were killed by Tigers during this period.
Nationalistic movements of the country also widely criticized the proposal for an Interim Self Governing Authority by Tigers arguing that would divide the country. They claimed it had all the pre-requirements for a separate state for Tigers. Ultimately CFA and its consequences became the main topic of debate during Presidential Election. It was evident from the results of the election that the Sinhalese majority of the country disapproved of CFA.
Few days after Tigers proposed of the Interim Self Governing Authority (ISGA), CBKsacked three ministers of the cabinet and took over the ministries using her constitutional powers ending the uneasy coalition between her and the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe while he was out of the country. Addressing the nation she claimed that this decision was taken in the interest of national security. JJVP also decided to ally with PA to defeat the Ranil Wickremesinghe’s UNP government which they claimed as a threat to the sovereignty of the country. Consequently CBK dissolved the parliament on February 07, 2004 which effectively ended Ranil Wickremesinghe’s regime.
November 11th, 2014 at 7:05 pm
As expected, it was a clear cut case. It is only politically motivated persons and Sarath Silva (whose legal advice in the past framed CBK in 2005) who argued otherwise. Now their credibility is in serious doubt. Interestingly 32 out of 34 submissions to the Supreme Court by highly experienced lawyers argued for a yes outcome. The only two NGO dons who argued otherwise in their submissions have no legal skills. Those who failed to make submissions obviously had nothing useful to say.
However, this is no endorsement of Mahinda’s suitability to become the next president. That should be decided by the voters.
November 11th, 2014 at 7:20 pm
Many Blind Men are FEVERISHLY GROPING for THE Common Candidate.
Touching a little bit here, pulling a little bit there, but being Blind, not everywhere required to get the full picture.
They are trying to figure out who the Common Candidate is by EXTRAPOLATING their PARTIAL groping data, but not one of them REALLY knows what the Common Candidate looks like in his/her ENTIRETY, and not even what the Common Candidate SHOULD look like!
But, the REAL Common Candidate is really SITTING in the MIDDLE of the room, high upon a PEDESTAL to avoid being GROPED by these filthy Blind Men with dirty hands, and is enjoying their antics immensely!
You see, HE KNOWS who the Common Candidate is; he is. He is the sitting President Mahinda Rajapaksa.