Similarly, JR Jayawardena who was around until 1996 would have run for the 1988 Presidential Election and won. He had a unique way of winning elections using all available resources. That would have prolonged the IPKF and JVP problems. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

What will it do to the violent election campaigns and elections? It will increase the level of violence as much more will be at stake with three terms. Incumbents and challengers will go the extra mile in violence to push their way into power. Their supporters will do anything imaginable to get their ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”bossƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ elected. It can be expected that election violence will go up rapidly following the 18^th Amendment and the gap between winners and losers will expand. Is this what we need?

Nationalists found it very difficult to win presidential elections in Sri Lanka. Out of six (6) presidential elections, nationalist candidates managed to win just two (2). Out of that, the nationalist candidate won the 2005 election with a razor thin margin. Had the LTTE antics not interfered with the election, the outcome would have been different. The 2010 election, which is the other exception, happened because of 2005. No win in 2005 would mean no win in 2010 for Rajapakse.

In 1982 the more nationalist candidate ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” Kobbekaduwa lost badly. Sirima ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” the more nationalist of the three lost in 1988. Gamini who was a clear nationalist against Chandrika who had absolutely no national concerns, not only lost but was killed in 1994 in the lead up to the election! The 1999 election therefore was a contest between two anti-national elements.

It was indeed a small opening for Sri Lanka in 2005 that saved the country. The 18^th Amendment will close that too.

Fourth reason is the secrecy associated with the whole 18^th Amendment. Why should it have to be like the 13^th Amendment? Why werenƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t the people consulted? Why canƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t the government wait till there is wide ranging societal consensus for it? Surely it is not something people would approve. Otherwise, there is absolutely no need for this cloak-and-dagger approach.

Fifth reason is the associations the president hastily made intending the 18^th Amendment. These associations include persons like Prabha Ganesan ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” the brother of Mano Ganesan who is a well known anti-Sri Lankan element. Rauf Hakeem and his friends who toiled for the LTTE in 2002 are also in his new circle of supporters. Will they ever support anything good for the country? How about the opportunists who are now gathering around this alliance? ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

Those who support the 18^th Amendment should consider these facts before going with the herd. It is not about Mahinda Rajapakse; his policies or his tendencies. It is about the stupidity of the 18^th Amendment. Rajapakse will be gone in another few decades at most but people have to continue with this absurd piece of law.

If this is the regard President Rajapakse has for the people and their concerns, would he not disregard their interests during the second and third legs of the constitution amendments? According to the little information made available, the first stage of constitution amendments is the one taking place on September 8^th and two more stages are due. What if those amendments are about 13 Plus which has lingered around like a bad smell right throughout his presidency? The 18^th Amendment favours the greediest president, not the best. This enormous power in the hands of another Jayawardena, Premadasa, Kumaratunga, Fonseka, Wickramasinghe or most other politicians would be disastrous.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚