WHY MAHINDA RAJAPAKSA IS NOT A DICTATOR
Posted on November 30th, 2014
Harvey Perera
In my view Mahinda Rajapaksa (MR) is not a dictator. Nor is he a killer” as the UNHRC and as some in the West try to make out. Here are facts from the recent history to refresh Sri Lankan minds since the Joint Opposition seems to have developed selective amnesia.
- When the LTTE were defeated in 2009, he showed great mercy to the LTTE who had devastated the country for 30 years. All the LTTE personnel who were captured were fed, clothed and treated with kindness. They were rehabilitated, given vocational training and then released back in to society. Only some hard core LTTE remain in prison.
- The Sri Lanka forces along with MR saved 300,000 Tamil civilians who were captives of Prabahakaran. They fled to the army side as soon as they were given a chance. In the process Sri Lanka forces lost nearly 6000 personnel. If MR was a killer he could have ignored the civilians and fired upon the LTTE who were hiding among them finishing the war much sooner.
- None of the accusations against MR regarding war crimes have been proven. There have been allegations fueled mainly by the LTTE rump in the West. The outrageous numbers given by the UNHRC for people who have disappears have kept changing. No one has come up with a list of name of the so called disappeared people. One of the Tamils they made a big fuss about turned out to be living in Canada. I wonder how many such others are there all over the world.
- When the UNP led by Premadasa with Ranil W. as Minister for Youth affairs was faced with the task of handling the JVP rebellion it was handled very differently. The JVP members were killed outright with no mercy. There were no discussions with them and no mercy shown. Even innocent village youth were rounded up and made to dig graves and then shot with no inquiry or any compassion for their parents or the youth. The whole brutal episode was covered up. There were no UNHRC no Amnesty International no UN inquiries. Yet today the JVP wish to join forces with Ranil W which is most peculiar. There is a lot written about Ranil W in the Lanka Web. Here is one sample. (See http://www.lankaweb.com/news/items/2011/12/17/ranil-admitted-inability-to-lead-the-unp/)
- Even Prabahakaran’s right hand man KP, who was captured by our able defense group in Singapore, was rehabilitated and now lives in peace in Sri Lanka looking after a children’s home.
- When the former Army Commander was injured by a LTTE bomber and received critical injuries, MR and Gota ensured no expense was spared to save his life. Gota arranged for him to be airlifted to Singapore where he was treated and then returned to Sri Lanka to contest Presidential elections against MR. In gratitude for saving his life the former Army Commander got up on platforms and condemned the armed forces, Gota and MR as war criminals and stated that if he is elected he will hang the entire Rajapakse family at the Bogambara grounds in a public execution ! In spite of that MR never took any revenge on the former Army Commander when MR was swept in to power. To see the history of the former Army Commander see attached. (See http://www.lankaweb.com/news/items/2009/12/27/guttila-musila-re-enactment/) and (See http://www.lankaweb.com/news/items/2010/01/20/consortium-of-patriotic-organisations/)
- In my opinion it was Ranil W who was a dictator though he was only the Prime Minister. He limited the Sri Lanka troops to the barracks, cut off funding for the maintenance of their vehicles, and demoralized the troops totally. He gave long range communication equipment to the LTTE, and allowed the leakage of the names of the army long range intelligence group who were all killed by LTTE operatives. He signed an MOU with the LTTE without even discussing it in Parliament. I believe CBK did suggest giving the LTTE a virtual separate state for 10 years. Was he and she both insane or did they hate the Sinhalese so much in their hearts. MR even let Ranil W travel freely and speak freely against him in Sri Lanka and even when Ranil W went round the world condemning Sri Lanka and MR, he did nothing to stop him. Ranil W was, I believe, responsible for the removing of the GSP for garments from Europe. (See http://www.lankaweb.com/news/items/2013/04/08/agreements-that-betrayed-sri-lankapost-tsunami-operational-management-structure-p-toms/ ) and (http://www.lankaweb.com/news/items/2014/11/23/a-critical-analysis-of-the-2015-sri-lanka-presidential-election/comment-page-2/).
- All the actions taken by MR have been to build up the country which had been neglected for 30 years by the UNP and accelerate the growth of infrastructure and communications to increase development. If he did not have the Presidential Powers he could not have defeated the LTTE and he could not have developed the country so fast. Now that the country is doing well everyone is licking their chops to get a piece of the action. As I have shown above MR has shown by his action he is kind and compassionate even to his enemies. Such a man is not a Dictator.
- Furthermore MR is a leader with a vision for the country. Anyone can aspire to leadership, however unless he has a vision for the country such people are useless and even dangerous for the country. Ranil W. nor Maithripala Sirisena have any vision for the country. Furthermore a leader has to win the respect of other world leaders and MR has done just that. Even the Western leaders grudgingly respect him. MR has stature on the World platform and is someone we in Sri Lanka can be proud of and call our President.
- For those who have forgotten what the country went through please check out the attached web site from Lanka web. (See www.terrorinlanka.com)
- Some outside powers prefer to see Sri Lanka poor and divided as it is easy to rule the divided” from outside. They are now trying to use ex politicos such as Ranil W who are weak and have no love of the country to destroy MR. Ranil W in turn puts weak puppets in front and hides behind them since he knows the people will never elect him. In the previous election he put forward the former Army Commander, now it is Maithripala Sirisena. If our people are gullible enough, then they will deserve the sad fate that awaits them. All the gains made by MR will be lost and the country will sink into chaos. The LTTE rump are waiting in the wings like hyenas to see what they can get out of the battle among the Sinhalese. (See http://www.lankaweb.com/news/items/2011/05/22/dayasiri-jayasekara-unp-mp-from-kurunegala-a-rising-star-in-unp-is-a-potential-leader/ ).
- I feel MR is viewed by the Joint Opposition the way Julius Caesar was viewed by the Roman Senate, as a dictator. Even though Julius Caesar loved Rome, did all he could for Rome and even wrote his Will leaving all his wealth to Rome, in the end he was destroyed by the envy of the other Senators who felt he was a dictator. So they plotted and killed him on the Ides of March plunging Rome into chaos. These are lessons we can learn from history.
- People everywhere want Peace and Prosperity. Julius Caesar’s mistake was unending wars with Rome’s neighboring countries, and there was no Peace. Only prosperity by conquest and slavery. Dividends achieved by MR are Peace with no further wars. Dictator is defined in the dictionary as an absolute ruler. You can see from above that MR is not an absolute ruler. No one is enslaved in Sri Lanka. Let us hope sanity prevails and the people elect MR once more.
November 29th, 2014 at 5:27 pm
Good if he STOPS bashing the opposition. Then MORE people would believe that.
So far there has been 4 shootings at opposition persons. This is a very bad sign of what will come.
As long as people like DAYAN J are with MR, he is in trouble with the electorate.
November 29th, 2014 at 5:31 pm
“A lorry transporting rice from Polonnaruwa and owned by Maithripala Sirisena’s brother, Dudley Sirisena came under attack near the Maradagahmulla area.
Police Media Spokesperson SSP Ajith Rohana said that the attack was launched at dawn on Saturday.
The driver sustained injuries in the attack.”
-newsfirst
This is not good. Violence should not be used in elections. This came just after MS’s daughter said MS is afraid of even a small explosion! SOMEONE is trying to terrorize him into submission.
November 29th, 2014 at 6:11 pm
Why did Mahinda Rajapakse ask “where did I use my executive powers against the country ?”
If you solve that puzzle you find the answer to “was Mahinda Rajapakse a dictator ?”
Oh, Remember the 18th amendment, why Executive president needs that ?
November 29th, 2014 at 7:48 pm
Well Said … Harvey Perera!
The JAUNDICED critics of the President are wearing BLINDERS, seeing NOTHING GOOD that he has done.
As they say, THERE ARE NONE SO BLIND as THOSE WHO REFUSE TO SEE!
They try to blow up INSIGNIFICANT Molehills into Massive Mountains as if ALL THE ILLS of human societies in general, and Sri Lankan society in particular, were INVENTED by this President, and minimize all his SIGNIFICANT Mountainous achievements into to Miniscule Molehills.
This LACK OF BALANCE and WISE JUDGMENT of these jaundiced critics plying their Anti-National Agendas drives them to complain about a LITANY of INSIGNIFICANT issues, without DIFFERENTIATING the SIGNIFICANT issues from the INSIGNIFICANT issues, and FAILING to give MUCH GREATER WEIGHT to the President’s SIGNIFICANT accomplishments.
It is not without cause that H.L.D. Mahindapala, a keen observer of Sri Lankan politics, recently crowned President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the “GREATEST OVERACHIEVER OF OUR TIME”! I could not agree more!
And so, UNBOUNDED JEALOUSY of President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s by his political peers, competing without success to match his performance, and failing to unseat him by false allegations and manufactured propaganda, drives them to extreme measures in their frenzy to discredit the President. The saying that ‘those whom God wishes to DESTROY, he first drives MAD” CLEARLY applies here.
Nevertheless, while MINORITY in the Highly Educated and Wealthy Elite remains FOREVER UNGRATEFUL and attempts to UNDERMINE the President without regard to the safety and progress of their Nation, the VAST MAJORITY of ordinary citizen voters are ETERNALLY GRATEFUL to the patriotic leader who rescued them from the grip of terror, and is leading the rapid transformation of their Motherland into the New Wonder of Asia, whose bounty they and theirs will enjoy for generations to come.
Come January 8, 2015, the Ordinary Patritic Voters of SRi Lanka will RE-ELECT President Mahinda Rajapaksa to another 6-year term as Sri Lanka’s Greatest President since Independence by a LANDSLIDE Victory that will condemn his opponents, all small jealous incompetent men, to the dustbin of Sri Lanka’s history.
November 30th, 2014 at 12:51 am
Thalaivar’s 60th birthday celebrated in many countries including SL!
Toiletnet has photos.
This time security forces were LAX may be in view of the election.
November 30th, 2014 at 12:53 am
Harvey you have wrote something that our stupid Sinhalese have forgotten so soon.Good you remind everyone by writing facts to wake them up. Lorenzo being in USA what do you know about actual facts about Sri Lanka although it is your home country? Come and visit and see how beautiful and peaceful Sri Lanka is today. All over the world when election time you will find all sorts of violence among different parties it is not new only to Sri Lanka. How many getting killed in USA daily? How many innocent people were killed by USA daily in all over the world. White people always tried to show that they are the Masters.They are not Masters for us anymore. They are bunch of shitters.
S.L.F.P. times they never killed anyone and now also same. Sometimes we get angry with MR and the Govt for not doing enough to get rid of the enemies of the land like TNA and some Opposition traitors for openly talking for separation and other ungrateful demands. How man youngsters were killed during the JVP insurrection? How many were sacked during the July strike? How many innocents were killed during their time with LTTE murderers? Why these stupid guys cannot remember.Why all talk about MR and his family? Rajapaksa’s are the best, popular,hard working politicians you will find in today’s politics. They were elected by the people not appointed like Dayan the traitor.
Why Maitri Pambaya is afraid? He has 12 brothers they can protect him because they got rich while he was a Minister.No need crocodile tears now.People won’t buy that. He and Chandrika can live in England with the help of Tamil Diaspora when he gets knocked out by our great leader MR on 8 January. Only 39 days for the 30th knockout of the Opposition. Sorry dears.
November 30th, 2014 at 3:16 am
A complicated lengthy explanation to such a simple question.
How can he be a dictator when he holds elections every year ? This is the problem in our country. These writers must understand not to defend but to ridicule such foolish questions. This type of writings with wrong headings reflect bad on our country.
In the same way, LLRC a stupid bungle. A proper internal investigation with judges only could have been good enough.
Now they are pushing to implementation of there LLRC recommendations which is almost a Federal solution to a non-existing problem.
November 30th, 2014 at 4:13 am
Ranjith,
I have relatives in SL and guess what I will be going to SL SOON for a VERY BUSY work schedule!!
NO Christmas or new year celebrations this year. Only Thaipongal. Reading news, sometimes I may not return!
However, Maithripala Sirisangabo may not approve most of my strategies.
I would NOT call either MS or MR a “pambaya”.
November 30th, 2014 at 4:32 am
Lorenzo,
Please take a bus ride from Colombo to Homagama in a private bus and let me know how long it takes. In 1975 it took 50-60 minutes. Now the road is good with Nugegoda flyover let us see how long it takes. Let me know how comfortable it was. In 1975 it was not too bad in Ashok Leyland.
The modern Sirisangabo may not donate his powers.
What do you mean very busy work schedule, not coming back ? You mean under My3 government will you be the (appointed MP) Minister of Muslim Affairs ?
November 30th, 2014 at 8:24 am
INDEPENDENT !! LORENZO IS A GOOOOOD TAMIL.
November 30th, 2014 at 12:47 pm
Susantha,
Are their two types Good Tamils and Bad Tamils ? ( I recall Hillary Clinton)
Lorenzo is a Sinhalese-Tamil ?
November 30th, 2014 at 12:58 pm
Independent,
But that is not much. ALL countries developed.
Look at other countries. In 1975 China ranked behind SL in GDP per capita. Today?
In 1975 South Korea was not that far from SL in some indices. Today?
In 1975 SL didn’t have so many brothels, Russian, etc. sex workers, casinos, drugs. Today?
In 1975 the world listened to SL and CROWN SL as the NAM HEAD. Today? (Only that useless commonwealth and we get bashed at the UNHRC).
Remember Ananda asking your real name? So lets not discuss our personal details.
No. I will not be a minister. At most a ministry secretary. Defence would be nice. :))
But no. I don’t think SL should continue with this trend of foreign PR holders becoming DS.
November 30th, 2014 at 1:19 pm
Lorenzo,
I did not ask your or anyone else’s personal details. ???hsh
In 1975 that bus ride took 50 minutes. Now it takes 75 minutes ( if you are lucky and driver in a murderous mood) to 100 minutes. Not only that, at the end of the journey unless you have taken Ganja or you are a fully enlightened being you get very angry.
I just want to reconfirm this. You can ask one of your friends or general public to gather this info.
November 30th, 2014 at 2:10 pm
Now we have the EVIDENCE that Maithripala will retain and “build on” the 13th amendment to devolve power to the North and East.
In a New Town Hall meeting with doctors over the weekend, Maithripala says if elected he intends to implement ALL of the recommendations of the LLRC, including this recommendation:
“- A good-faith effort should be taken to develop a consensus on power devolution, building on what exists [13th Amendment] – both, for maximum possible devolution to the periphery, as well as power sharing at the centre.”
So Lorenzo’s speculation that Maithrapala will abolish the 13th Amendment and is not interested in dividing Sri Lanka into small parts as desired by the Tamil separatist crowd is plainly false.
I already knew this was the case based on the actors who are sponsoring the Maithripala candidacy, but now we have it straight out of Maithripala’s mouth.
November 30th, 2014 at 4:47 pm
INDEPENDENT !! I AGREE WITH YOU THAT HE IS A SINHALESE – TAMIL. That is why he says LOGU AAMU.
November 30th, 2014 at 6:15 pm
Lorenzo,
You said “Remember Ananda asking your real name? So lets not discuss our personal details.”
I NEVER ASKED ANYONE at LankaWeb for his REAL NAME, and I never will.
You are mistaken Lorenzo, and I would like you to RETRACT this FALSE ALLEGATION! Show me where I have done that!
In fact, I remember scolding Nanda for invasion of privacy when HE ASKED ME whether I was a Sri Lanka citizen. I could have very easily answered him, but IT WAS NONE OF HIS BUSINESS!
People can volunteer such information if they foolish/secure enough to do so, but it is None of Anybody Else’s Business to pry into such things!
November 30th, 2014 at 6:18 pm
Vimutti,
Which camp is worse for 13 amendment?
MS camp has the STRONGEST ANTI-13 crowd – JHU.
MR camp has the STRONGEST PRO-13 crowd – Dayan J, DBSJ, GLP, KP, the LLRC team, etc.
November 30th, 2014 at 6:20 pm
A brilliant reminder to all voters, and therefore must be published in appropriate media in all three languages for everyone to see.
Whilst the article effectively tackles the allegation of dictatorship, it would also be important to adequately answer the other two allegations as well, namely, corruption and nepotism. I personally believe the president can boldly face these challenges and provide acceptable answers and explanations. This must be done soon. Such explanations will no doubt help supporters of the president, including the UPFA politicians, whenever they are confronted by Colombians and those supporting the ungrateful common candidate.
December 1st, 2014 at 11:36 am
Of course Mahindra Rajapakse is NOT a dictator. he was ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE OVER AND OVER AGAIN. President Rajapakse faces a healthy opposition who are free to contest him in the media and on the streets without threat to them.
If the world want to relable President Rajapakse as a dictator even with the fact he is an elected official with a health opposition, then shouldn’t the same apply to President Obama who even now has openly stated he would use his “executive powers” if the Congress stands in his way.
December 1st, 2014 at 12:23 pm
Excellent article and discussion.
It is too easy to find fault with a ruling party, every time a drought or storm hits the country.
Good luck of Mahinda and that of Sri Lanka is that he was born in the right province, and in the company of siblings each true to the tasks they faced as Sri Lanka’s ‘mass’ used by Colombo politicians time and time again. From early on he was ready to take on the struggle for human rights, to oppose mass scale privatisations and in power as President to take on the worst forms of terrorism world had seen with all the powers at the command of the state well supported by Armed forces, with Gota in firm control.
As the writer reminds us, in victory he achieved honourable peace setting up the elections and the infrastructure in the new region, forgiving even the arms procurers of the former times.
Although talk about corruption of some of the appointees like the husband of the former CJ rise of some petty incompetent individuals are matters he will no doubt obviously regret, the massive positives, the electorate will easily see and no doubt forget.
December 1st, 2014 at 1:38 pm
Birds of a Feather Flocking Together?
JHU sharing the same Platform as the TNA!
Ship-Jumping Patriots and Avowed Separatist Traitors fighting in Common Cause!
SHAME!!!
Let this be PUBLICIZED … This will SINK the “Common Candidate” …. Mark my Words!
.
…………
Sri Lanka Tamil party to participate in common opposition rally
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Dec 01, Colombo: Sri Lanka’s major Tamil party, Tamil national Alliance will take part in a public rally organized by the Purawesi Balaya (Citizen’s Power) organization in support of the common opposition presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena.
It has been reported that TNA parliamentarian MA Sumanthiran will address the public at the rally to be held tomorrow (December 02) at the Hyde Park Grounds.
Ven. Maduluwawe Sobhitha Thera, United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, common candidate Maithripala Sirisena, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaranatunga, Marxist party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, former minister Rajitha Senaratne, leader of the Democratic Party Sarath Fonseka are scheduled to address the public at the meeting. Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) MP Ven. Aturaliye Rathana Thera will also attend the rally.
Meanwhile, the major Muslim party, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) will hold a crucial meeting on Wednesday (December 03) to decide whether to support the incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the presidential elections on January 08.
SLMC leader Minister Rauff Hakeem and several members of the party met President Rajapaksa yesterday and have given the Rajapaksa a week to address the issues faced by the Muslims.
Rumors are swirling that the other Muslim party All Ceylon Muslim Congress led by Minister Rishad Bathiudeen will leave the government in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the extremist Buddhist organizations Bodu Bala Sena and Ravana Balaya have pledged their support to the President.
December 1st, 2014 at 3:34 pm
Ananda,
“Sri Lanka Tamil party to participate in common opposition rally”
Which is worse? TNA or KP+KA+EK?
TNA = peaceful + Tamil racism
KP+KA+EK = terrorists + Tamil racism
People KNOW these things. With KP in the MR camp, it has NO moral right to blame TNA. Get rid of KP and then talk.
December 1st, 2014 at 4:04 pm
“SLMC leader Minister Rauff Hakeem and several members of the party met President Rajapaksa yesterday and have given Rajapaksa a week to address the issues faced by the Muslims.”
Who is the real executive president! Given a week!
Lets see how and what he agrees to. People should know. KALMUNAI DISTRICT is one such demand. Lets see if the 26th district and 23rd election district is created to appease the Jarhead camp.
I’m amazed how BBS and RB joined MR WITHOUT ANY conditions!. Isn’t that strange. At least can’t they demand a STOP to pope’s visit?
December 1st, 2014 at 5:16 pm
Lorenzo,
You said
“I’m amazed how BBS and RB joined MR WITHOUT ANY conditions!. Isn’t that strange. At least can’t they demand a STOP to pope’s visit?”
Me too! What happened to Wimalawanse’s Norway NGO cry ? Remember he was very angry at so called BBS+Norway conspiracy.
You also said, “Lets see how and what he agrees to. People should know. ”
President will never disclose. If he never discloses to his cabinet you think he will disclose to public ? This is why one reason some call him “dictator”. But he was angry with Hakhim during Aluthgama incident. Let us see.
December 1st, 2014 at 5:20 pm
Patriot do not jump ships. They watch the ships.
Patriots are not parrots.
December 1st, 2014 at 5:38 pm
Hack-him will disclose. He has to. Otherwise Muslims will dump the SLMC!
BTW any news on LOKU ATHULA (got it right)? He died of a heart attack when meeting the president and other leaders at temple trees.
December 1st, 2014 at 6:36 pm
Lorenzo,
Is it the TNA or KP+KA+EK that is now demanding an Eeelam based on the Vadukoddai Resolution as their Party Platform?
Is it the TNA or KP+KA+EK that is conspiring with the Western Powers, the Eelamist Diaspora, the UNOHR and the Racist Demagogues of Tamil Nadu to create an Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka, and drag our War-Heroes before the ICC?
Again you DEMONSTRATE your INABILITY (or is it UNWILLINGNESS?) to DIFFERENTIATE between SIGNIFICANT and INSIGNIFICANT things.
I am beginning to WONDER why that is!!
December 1st, 2014 at 8:35 pm
BOTH.
They work in two different ways for the same end. One chases the fish while the other catches.
Using your words, UNREPENTANT is the word for KP, KA, Dayan J, etc. TNA can be handled. They have a demarcation, a separate party and there is a law that bans their acts although MR is too scared to implement it against them. But who can handle KP! He is a VVIP and above the law. What is the evidence he has given up LTTE, TE, his criminal activities? Absolutely nothing! He is the SAME OLD KP.
The only difference between TNA and KP+KA is the former has no terrorism work experience while the later has.
Just think if Himler, Geobbels, etc. living with Eisenhower and even support his election campaign?
Unthinkable isn’t it.
Welcome to SL where the hunter and the hunted COEXIST! (The hunter can’t be bothered going around hunting his food. It is at his feet.)
Remember Premadasa had BABU with him? KP BABU is no different.
December 1st, 2014 at 8:43 pm
As I sad umpteen times, KP (an interpol wanted terrorist) is a very very serious matter. Harboring such a war criminal is also a crime. I don’t know why SL is NEEDLESSLY dragged into this due to personal friendships.
And guess who planned and executed the bombing of the SRI DALADA MALIGAWA?
And guess who planned and executed the Aranthalawa massacre?
And guess who planned and executed the 800 policemen in the east?
Guess who purchased those bombs and guns from NK and shipped to SL using his ships?
Are they INSIGNIFICANT? Well, not for me and my country. When I think of #2, I want to …………..
December 1st, 2014 at 9:18 pm
Oh ! is it this monster who planned killing my friend’s husband ? It was mainly the effort of Malaysian police that caught KP. What a betrayal of those who helped us !
Everything the President touches is insignificant.
Everything My3 touches is significant.