The US embassy in Colombo has announced that the video clip on the internet claiming to be a US State Department spokesperson detailing US Citizenship is a fake video.
Media spokeswoman Nancy Van Vonhorn said that it can be verified as a fake video that has been dubbed which is not linked to her department.
A video is being circulated on the internet claiming to be a US State Department spokeswoman detailing on American citizenship.
The US embassy in Colombo today announced that the video is a fake video and it has been fabricated.
The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact is temporarily down but is not out. Despite this set-back, it is bound to resurface after the Presidential Election when it would be submitted to Parliament as required by the provisions of the Compact. However, a fact that needs to be acknowledged is that if not for the concerted public pressure that included Ven. Ududumbara Kashyapa Thera to launch a protest fast, the Compact would have been signed by now.
The issue is not whether the MCC Compact was beneficial to Sri Lanka as claimed by some or inimical to Sri Lanka’s national interest as claimed by others, it is the secrecy with which the Government set about handling issues relating to this Compact that caused the public to be wary of the true motives behind the smoke screen of addressing poverty with a grant of $480 million. These doubts had justification because until recently, there was a threat that the Cabinet was keen on signing the Compact without submitting it to Parliament, thus repeating the practice the Government adopted when they co-sponsored UNHRC Resolution 30/1.
Strange as it may seem, it has now come to light that the MCC Compact still requires it to be submitted to and enacted by Parliament for Entry into Force. Had this been known from the beginning, most of the concerns would have been assuaged, as it has been a lack of transparency by the Government throughout that has dented U.S.-Sri Lanka relations.
PROVISIONS in the MCC COMPACT
The need to have Parliamentary approval is not prompted by constitutional necessity or for reasons of good governance as some advocate, but instead by a requirement of the Compact itself as stated in Article 7 “ENTRY INTO FORCE”. Section 7.1 titled “Domestic Proceedings”. Section 7.1 which states:
“The Government shall proceed in a timely manner to complete all of the domestic requirements for this Compact and PIA to enter into force. The parties understand that, consistent with Sri Lankan Law, prior to the Government sending letters described in Section 7.3, this Compact is to be SUBMITTED TO AND ENACTED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF SRI LANKA”.
“Submitted to and Enacted by Parliament” means that the MCC Compact would (invariably) be debated in Parliament after which it (should) be transformed into a Legislative Statute before Entry into Force. It is during these debates that Parliament would have the opportunity to raise issues that are of a controversial nature such as the following:
Section 3.6 “Procurement and Grants. The Government shall ensure that the procurement of all goods, works and services by the government or Provider to implement the Program shall be in accordance with MCC’s Program Procurement Guidelines… Accordingly, neither the Government Procurement Guidelines (2006), nor any other laws or Regulations of Sri Lanka regarding procurement shall apply…”
Section 6.4 “Governing Law. This Compact is an international agreement shall be governed by international law”. Since Sri Lanka operates on a dualist legal system the only international laws that would be applicable to Sri Lanka would be those that have been incorporated into domestic law.
Section 6.8 “MCC Status. MCC is a United States government corporation acting on behalf of the United States Government in the due implementation of the Compact. MCC and the United States Government assume no liability for any claims or loss arising out of activities or omissions under this Compact…The Government agrees that MCC and the United States Government or any current or former officer or employee of the MCC or the United States government shall be immune from jurisdiction of all courts and tribunals of Sri Lanka for any claim or loss arising out of activities or omissions under the Compact”.
These and other contentious issues, the most significant being issues relating to the two main objectives of the Compact, namely, the Transport Project and the Land Project, are likely to be raised when the MCC Compact is submitted to Parliament. However, the Compact itself needs to be presented in a form that it would have the status of a Legislative Statute following which it needs to incorporate any amendments prior to approval by Parliament.
The all-important question that needs to be resolved is whether it would be approved by a simple majority, a two-third majority of Parliament or by a two-third majority of Parliament and a referendum.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The two Project Objectives are the TRANSPORT PROJECT and the LAND PROJECT. Of the two, it would be the Land Project that would determine which majority in Parliament would make the MCC Compact a Legislative Statute.
LAND PROJECT
(a) Summary of Project and Activities
“The Project Objective of the Land Project is to increase the availability of information on private land and under-utilized State Land in order to increase land market activity. The land Project would increase tenure security and tradability of land for smallholders, women and firms through policy and legal reforms….”.
(b) Parcel Fabric Map and State Land Inventory Activity
“The aim of the Parcel Fabric map and State Land Inventory Activity is the creation of a parcel fabric map that covers up to 28 percent of the land area of Sri Lanka, focused on seven districts…The parcel fabric map is intended to become the base map for the completion of an inventory of State lands in the same districts, which is intended to help the Government determine which state lands are underutilized and available for investment and which lands are in active use….”.
(c) Registration of Absolute Land Grants Sub-Activity
“MCC Funding shall support Government efforts to convert permits and grants in State Lands “absolute land grants” that are expected to be registered as freehold rights in land. The sub-activity would support conversion of State Land to the private domain creating a marketable and bankable title to this land holder…”
IMPACT of GRANTING ABSOLUTE TITLE
As admitted in the MCC Compact document the intention of the Land Project is to convert State Lands that are currently held by members of the public on the basis of permits and grants into Private land in order to make them marketable and bankable. Since ALL STATE LAND IS VESTED IN THE REPUBLIC it belongs to all the People of Sri Lanka. It therefore follows that any Legislation that enables permit and grant holders the right to absolute title amounts to a privilege that is denied to others. This violates the Fundamental Rights of those who do NOT hold permits and grants to State Land as provided in Article 12 (1) of the Constitution. Furthermore, since Fundamental Rights are part of the Sovereignty of the people as per Article 3 of the Constitution that state “Sovereignty includes the powers of government, fundamental rights and franchise”, any impact of Article 3 requires a 2/3 approval of Parliament and a referendum. Therefore, if the objectives relating to the Land Project in the MCC Compact are to be fulfilled, a special majority applicable to entrenched Articles is an absolute necessity. If such a majority is not possible, the Land Project component of the MCC Compact cannot be implemented.
The intention of the State Land (Special Provisions) Bill was to be an “AN ACT TO GRANT ABSOLUTE TITLE TO STATE LAND HELD BY CITIZENS WHO ARE HOLDERS OF GRANTS OR INSTRUMENTS OF DISPOSITION; AND TO PROVIDE FOR MATTERS CONNECTED THEREWITH OR INCIDENTAL THERETO”. Since this Bill was withdrawn no law currently exists to grant absolute title to State Land. Under these circumstances what is the future of the MCC Compact?
CONCLUSION
The MCC Compact has run into a storm of protests from the public. The main reason is speculation arising through the lack of frank information regarding the scope and nature of the project. The fact is that whatever information that was available was what the public could gather in dribs and drabs released by the Government and their spokespersons. For this the government has to take full responsibility.
For instance, these spokespersons keep insisting that there is no mention of a transport link connecting the Ports of Colombo and Trincomalee in the MCC Compact. This is correct. What they do not mention is that the seven targeted districts judiciously selected link the two Ports. Furthermore, growth in these seven districts is not possible without Transport Networks. It is through such networks that the transport link between the two Ports would be established. The credibility deficit in the minds of the public is natural in that if the stated goal of the MCC Compact is to address poverty, why were these particular districts selected considering that the majority are well above the national poverty index?
More importantly, it is the Land Project that is bound to encounter the most resistance. Historically, past attempts to make State Land available to the public have met with considerable resistance, primarily because State Land belongs to the Republic and consequently belongs to ALL the People as part of their sovereignty; a fact stated in Supreme Court judgments. Consequently, granting absolute title to current permit and grant holders would be discriminatory by the rest. Therefore, the only manner by which State Land could be made available with Absolute Title to the public is by securing a 2/3 approval of Parliament and approval by the People at a referendum. This is too high a mountain to climb.
Those associated with the development of the MCC Compact in Sri Lanka should have appraised the U.S. Authorities that the Constitutional impediments associated with the Land Project make it a near insurmountable undertaking. It is inevitable that the ensuing disappointment for this lapse could have an impact on U.S.-Sri Lanka relations.
By Dr. C. S. Weeraratna (csweera@sltnet.lk) Former Professor at Ruhuna and Rajarata universities Courtesy The Island
November 14, 2019, 6:35 pm
Agricultural sector is the cornerstone in the economic and social development of the country and hence, a number of presidential candidates in their manifestoes highlighted the need to improve this sector.. Around 1.6 million ha of the country is cultivated with annual and perennial crops and around 25 percent of Sri Lankans are employed in the agricultural sector.
Domestic Food Sector
Around 860,000 ha in Sri Lanka are under food crops such as cereals, legumes, oil crops, vegetables etc. The total production of most crops, except rice and maize, cultivated in Sri Lanka during the last decade does not show any upward trend. Due to shortage of food availability, a colossal sum of money is spent annually to import food as indicated in the table given below. . In 2018 around Rs 320 billion worth of food including milk food has been imported. Most of these can be locally produced. With about 2.5 million hectares of hitherto uncultivated/partly cultivated land, importing Rs. 320 billion worth of food annually is an anomalous situation.
See Table 1.
Table 1. Value of food imports (Rs. millions)
Numerous food production programmes such as “AMA’, ” Waga Sangramaya” and “Govi Sevana ” were implemented during the last decade but these have not made any significant impact on the agricultural sector of the country, indicated by increase expenditure on importing food. Those responsible need to look into the various issues that limit food production in the country and take appropriate action. It will contribute in a more meaningful way towards the socio-economic development of the country by increasing food security, reducing the annual trade deficit which stands at around US$ 10 billion and also increasing employment opportunities.
Many factors influence level of crop production and an important factor among these is water which tends to be a limiting factor. In spite of the country receiving around 100 billion cubic meters of water annually, inhabitants of many parts of the country do not get a regular supply of water for their farming and domestic activities. . It is estimated that around 60% out of the 100 billion cubic meters of rain water received annually escape to the sea.
An integrated plan needs to be implemented in collaboration with the relevant ministries to improve water supply. One of the main reasons for water shortage in many parts of the country is high surface run-off. Rainwater that falls on to the ground infiltrates and the balance runs-off. Most of the soils, especially those in the high rainfall areas are eroded and cannot retain much water thus favouring run-off. Silt and clay carried by run-off water get into tanks, reducing its capacity to hold water. It is because of this that most tanks spill after a few rains and dry up after a few weeks/months of dry weather. The amount of water available for irrigation, domestic use etc. can be increased considerably by implementing appropriate soil conservation measures which will reduce run-off and promote infiltration. Most farmers have to face droughts which seriously affect crop production although there are around 12,000 tanks in the dry zone which collect rainwater to be used for crop and animal production and various domestic activities. Water shortage which the farmers in the dry zone face can be partly attributed to the inability of the governments from 1977 to rehabilitate most of these tanks.
In addition to cultivating food crops a large number of crops which would yield to agro – industries can be cultivated in the hitherto uncultivated/partly cultivated lands, Among these are cassava, horticultural and floricultural crops, , cane, bamboo, sunflower, castor , ayurvedic herbs, etc. which have a considerable industrial potential. Development of industries based on these crops will also increase export income and will have a tremendous impact on the economy of the country and also provide employment opportunities among rural people. Private sector can be involved in such projects for which appropriate technical assistance need to be given by the relevant public organizations.
Plantation Sector
The plantation sector which includes tea, rubber, coconut, cashew, sugarcane and minor exports crops such as cinnamon, cardamom, cocoa ,plays a very important role in the economy of the country. Since the implementation of the Land Reform Law in 1972, the large estates of tea, rubber and coconut were nationalized and their management was given over to the State Plantations Corporation (SPC) and the Janatha Estates Development Board (JEDB). In the year 1992, a large number of these estates, nearly 300, were given on lease to Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs).
The extents under plantation crops is around 870 ,000 ha. Nearly 30% of the labour force is involved in this sector, which earns about 20% of export earnings. . According to Central Bank reports, as shown in Table 2 , the production of these crops does not show any significant increase during the present decade.
See Table 2.
A number of issues can be attributed to this unsatisfactory state in the plantation sector. Among these are (a) Increasing cost of production ( b) Old machinery (c) Land degradation (d) Old age of crops (e) Low value addition (f) Inadequate diversification and intercropping and (g) Insufficient marketing strategies
Land Degradation: One of the important contributory factors for the decline in the productivity of the plantation sector is Land Degradation. Soil erosion, soil compaction, and nutrition depletion, cause productivity of land to decline, making crop production less profitable. In view of the importance of land degradation, the Ministry of Environment, in 2005, established an expert committee on Land Degradation and mitigating the effects of drought in SL. This committee comprised a number of experts in the field of land management and the main role of the committee was to advice the Ministry of Environment, on issues related to controlling land degradation. This committee has not met since Feb. 2013.
At the first national symposium on Land Degradation held in 2010 , organized by the Ministry of Environment and the expert committee on Land Degradation, the participants, who were representing many land-related institutions in the country, revealed that a substantial amount of soil/ha/year is lost due to soil erosion. They were of the view that urgent action such as implementation of proper land use planning and the soil conservation and environment act etc. need to be taken by the relevant organizations to control land degradation.
There are many ministries, departments and other institutions which are expected to take appropriate control measures. During the last few decades a large number of seminars, workshop s have been held on this topic. In spite of all these, land degradation continues to take place evident by the common occurrence of landslides, depleted top soil, siltation of tanks and reservoirs, decline in crop yields, eutrophication etc. The Ministry of Environment (ME) needs to activate the already established Committee on Land Degradation which would make appropriate recommendations to reduce land degradation to be implemented by ME.
Diversification: Productivity of many estates under planation crops is at a low level. Diversification of such unproductive lands is essential . A survey need to be done to identify these unproductive lands which need to be diversified. Such lands may be put under pasture and have cattle which will reduce our expenditure on milk imports, it will also reduce degradation of the lands resulting in less silting of the reservoirs. There are many other crops such as spice crops, horticultural crops etc. which could be cultivated in the unproductive lands. These crops would give better returns to the cultivators. An in-depth study needs to be carried out as early as possible to determine appropriate land use in the unproductive holdings/estates giving due consideration to factors such as climate, topography, availability of labour etc. Those lands which are not going to be diversified need to be managed better. In this regard, infilling, cultivation of better clones and their effective management including better fertilizer and pest management practices, , increased rate of replanting, reducing soil degradation and conservation practices are essential.
Deterioration of the plantation sector will exacerbate the financial and social problems we are facing.. The annual trade deficit which stands at around Rs. 1800 billion and unemployment among the rural plantation community will get worse. In view of these critical issues faced by the Plantation Sector it is necessary that the relevant authorities develop an integrated plan to increase the productivity of the plantation sector.
Lack of an integrated plan is a factor responsible for the low productivity in the agricultural sector. For example a land use policy has been formulated but is not effectively implemented to reduce land degradation which has serious repercussions on the productivity. The Land use policy need to be implemented as an integrated programme in which many ministries have to be involved.
By Noor Nizam – Convener The Muslim Voice” – November 14th., 2019.
The present presidential elections should have the freethinking participation of all Sri Lankans, by the Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Burghers and others The Mahinda Rajapaksa, Gotabaya Rajapaksa (the SLPP Presidential candidate) and Basil Rajapaksa have stated that they want the minority votes added to the majority votes when winning this presidency.
Every community has its strengths and weakness. Every community has members who support the various political ideologies. They also support different political parties. For what do they do all these? To get the legitimate share of their RIGHTS and to contribute the best towards their motherland with civic contentiousness.
Sri Lanka is a Nation of mostly peasants, farmers, workers, teachers and small-time traders. Some communities, due to the British divide and rule, political governance and administration from 1812 to 1956, have benefited educationally and career-wise. Since 1956, the majority of Sinhalese have seen tremendous changes in their political and socio-economic development, with much progress in education and professionalism. They are 72% of the population, but penalized by the British and foreign colonization had led them to their plight. The Muslims who comprise 8% of the population have been a sidelined community in the political annals of Sri Lanka, until 1981 and then in 1986 when the SLMC entered the national political arena of Sri Lanka. Since 1946, the elite of the community benefited the best until a change happened in the early 1960 tees with the late Hon. Badiuddin Mahmud becoming the Minister of Education, under the late Hon. Sirimavo R.D.Bandaranaike as the PM.
History has been repeated since then, where the elite, especially those in Colombo, has benefited the best in all avenues of political influence and sharing the spoils of the elections. The worst affected being the Muslims, especially those of the North and Eastern provinces and the denial of the Muslim Factor.
In the political drama of the Presidential Elections of January 2019 which is happening, again it was the elite (both politically and financially) that have the lobbying power to have their shots. Those governing/controlling the minority parties have shown their colors either to HE. Mahinda Rajapaksa/Presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa (SLPP) or NDF candidate Sajith Premadasa, like the peacock” spreading the feathers to gain the benefits of mating. But it is the VOTES” of the members of the communities that they will be trading for future benefits for themselves. This is a special phenomenon in the Muslim Community in the political playing field of Sri Lanka and especially these days.
The Rajapaksa brothers should not be carried away by these sweet talk” of some of the Muslim leaders gathered around them at this hour. The Muslims really want to support HE. Mahinda Rajapaksa and VOTE for Gotabaya Rajapaksa, but the SLPP campaign team lead by Basil Rajapaksa has done a wonderful job to break the unseen fence around them in this campaign and reach out to the 300,000 Muslim voters in the North and East that could support them, directly. You have taken a firm stand on this. It is a few hours left now and you will see the benefits of it on the 17th.,/18th., of November 2019.
The ordinary Muslim voters, are waiting to assure you that they want to vote for you. According to an analysis The Muslim Voice” has done, evidence can be arrived at that at least 38% of the Muslim Vote bank, including the new vote additions in the Muslim community, who voted against Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2015 will vote Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the November 16th., 2019 Presidential Elections, Insha Allah. They will do this because – the Muslim Vote Bank has decided to act on their own and not be misled by “OPINION CREATORS”. They will vote Gotabaya/SLPP/Pottuwa as retaliation towards the Muslim politicians, Political Parties and civil society organizations who have hoodwinked the Muslim Vote Bank for their personal gains throughout and especially since January 8th., 2015. They also hope to vote by “NECESSITY” to please the majority community that they also are partners of the victory of the majority and the Maha Sanga or as an investment for their safety because of fear, and this is a REALITY” not a weakness, a move towards reconciliation.
Call out or reach out to
the Muslim VOTERS and talk to them directly Presidential candidate Gotabaya
Rajapaksa after your VICTORY” Insha Allah. They have built a new TRUST” in
you, Mahinda Rajapaksa and Basil Rajapaksa. They need assurances from you, not
through deceptive, hoodwinking opportunistic Muslim politicians, brokers or
agents on the resolution to the Muslim Factor, Land issues in the East,
Socio-Economic and Social development matters, Employment, Education, Religious
security, Madrasa education, MMDA and the general Security of the Nation as an
UNDIVIDED COUNTRY, our MAATHROBOOMIYA which we all Sri Lanka love and have a
duty to protect.
YOU HAVE A VERY GOOD AND DEDICATED TEAM COMPRISING UNDERSTANDING MUSLIM PERSONALITIES LIKE ATTORNEY-AT-LAW ALI SABY – PC WORKING WITH VIYATHMAGA AND ELIYA” ORGANIZATIONS WHO HAVE PROVEN THEIR DEBUT IN THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN. YOU ALSO HAVE A SET OF YOUNG MUSLIM LOCAL GOVERNMENT POLITICIANS IN BERUWELA, ALUTHGAMA AND KALUTARA WHO HAVE STOOD FIRM WITH THE SLPP. IT IS BETTER FOR YOU TO ENGAGE THEM IN YOUR REACH-OUT TO THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY IN THE NEXT CAMPAIGN FOR THE GENERAL ELECTIONS IN 2020. THE SUGGESTION OF SETTING-UP THE MUSLIM ADMINISTRATION COUNCIL” WIL BE A BIG RELIEF TO THE MUSLIMS IF YOU WILL REALLY SET IT UP. DO NOT TRUST THE DECEPTIVE AND HOODWINKING” ONE OR TWO MINISTERS AND GOVERNOR WHO HAVE JOINED YOU NOW FOR THEY WILL BE WITH YOU FOR THEIR POLITICAL SAFETY AND PERSONAL POLITICAL GAINS, NOT FOR THE INTEREST OF THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
If you do not do this, it may cost the SLPP or its alliance 300,000
to 350,000 Muslim votes, at the next general elections in 2020 and your Muslim
agents or brokers will not be the losers. It will be the Muslim Community at
large and you, as there are chances that the Muslim Vote Bank is drifting away
from the SLMC, ACMC, NATIONAL CONGRESS and the NATIONAL FRONT FOR GOOD
GOVERNANCE towards the JVP or newly formed Muslim Parties. You will have won
the Presidential election, but without the block vote of a major minority community
– the Muslim of Sri Lanka, you may lose forming a majority member government in
2020.
The Muslim Voice” has been at the forefront from around February 2015 lobbying for the Mahinda Rajapaksa, Mahinda Pela”, The Joint Opposition” and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna since its formation of the SLPP in November 2016 till to date. The focus was on the Tamil speaking Muslim Vote Bank. The mode of lobbying and campaigning was the use of the print, internet, and social media avenues. The Muslim Voice” has published nearly 1500 rebuttals” and comments” to support the SLPP and your presidential campaign. Though The Muslim Voice” was slammed by the anti-Mahinda”, anti-Mahinda pela”, the joint opposition”, anti-SLPP and the Gotabaya Rajapaksa presidential election campaign by the deceptive and hoodwinking Muslim leaders, even with threats of legal action, reporting to the law-enforcing authorities and intimidations, The Muslim Voice” which has a large following, did not deter in its sincere campaign to support the Mahinda/Basil and Gotabaya political camp.
IT IS WITH THIS LEGITIMATE RIGHT THAT THE MUSLIM VOICE” IS MAKING THIS KIND REQUEST TO YOU TO CALL OUT OR REACH OUT TO THE MUSLIMS VOTERS AND TALK TO THEM DIRECTLY PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE GOTABAYA RAJAPAKSA. AFTER YOU’RE VICTORY” on November 14th., 2019, Insha Allah.
About the
writer.
The writer is a longstanding political and Peace activist who has been a Senior Party supporter since 1969 and district Organizer of the SLFP, Trincomalee District for many years. He was a very close confidant of the late Hon. Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike and later HE. Mahinda Rajapaksa. In the 2010 Presidential election campaign, the writer co-headed the Muslim Propaganda Unit under Hon. Basil Rajapaksa at Temple Trees which campaigned to harness the Muslim votes. At that elections 20% of the Muslim Vote Bank voted Mahinda Rajapaksa, to become the President even when the SLMC and some Muslim groups worked for Sarath Fonseka. The agenda for Peace in Sri Lanka, the concerns of the Muslim Factor and defending the sovereignty and integrity of Sri Lanka against all anti-Sri Lanka fronts abroad have been his primary engagements. Being a Tamil speaking minority Muslim, he is also very much concerned about the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka. He vehemently supports the candidature of HE. Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the forthcoming presidential elections. Member, Viyathmaga, Peace and Political Activist, Political Communication Researcher, SLFP/SLPP Stalwart and former District Organizer, SLFP, Trincomalee District & Former Press and Media Officer to HE Mahinda Rajapaksa – Presidential Secretariat 2011 – 2015.
This is the season for lying. With a few days left for the Presidential election panic and distortion, lies and damned lies have overtaken supporters of one side as they fight tooth and nail to survive an impending change of leadership. One minister on TV (11 Nov 19) produces a snarky looking man with a palpably false beard who says he transported 7000 tons of gold after the war from Jaffna. He named the person who allegedly gave the order, a rival candidate.
Not to be out done another minister on the same day lamented that Army HQ was moved out of the location it had been for ‘150 years’. The 10 acres of land was sold for US $ 125m to Shangri-La Hotels, Hong Kong. This Minister accuses the same rival (named) of having got US $ 5 million (about 5%) for his labours.
It was Benjamin Disraeli who said ‘lies, damned lies and statistics’’. Liars can be of many types. The most common are pathological and compulsive liars. Pathological lairs have high levels of self assurance and are verbally dramatic. The compulsive liar can be habitual or narcissist. They are also called ‘pseudo logic fantastica’. They lie for self preservation or to practice deception.
Liars are wholly indifferent in the choice of truth and falsehood. Pathological liars are “aloof, self centered, with little concern for others. They have a chronic tendency to lie driven by an innate personality disorder. They are cold and calculating. They lie for self preservation having mastered the art of deception. They start with an element of the truth and end with lies. They avoid eye contact and fix their gaze on you. The Compulsive liar is one by habit. He breaks out in a sweat, also avoids eye contact and blinks while rambling and tripping over words. Readers can take their pick in identifying members of this obnoxious tribe.
The gold ‘robbery’ canard was immediately squashed by a veteran wrecker. Goebbels had been out done. The Reserve Bank of India has only 60 tonnes .The value of just 7000 tonnes of gold would be worth nearly $ 30,000 billion.
The minister who sorrowed over Army HQ selling its land needs to know that Army HQ was not situated there for ‘150’ years however suddenly he is attached to that memory. The Ceylon Defence Force was established in 1910. Presumably some type of a HQ even if it was not an Army HQ may have been built around that time- about 109 not ‘150’ years ago. Army HQ raised in 1949 moved to its last location about 30 years ago.
The new Defence HQ will certainly not be the colossal waste of money spent on Diyawanna which may have cost about 10 times its actual value according to the first Vice Chancellor of the Minister’s Katubedde University. He should also have known, though he failed to state it, that the Army land was sold for 3 times its market value according to former deputy Minister Yapa.
The land called Echelon Square where the WTC, Bank of Ceylon HQ and Kingsbury hotels are, also belonged to the Army from 1900 to the late 1970s. They were sold by the UNP. The Sinha Regiment finally and the SL Artillery before, were stationed there. The land on which Taj Samudra stands was similarly sold by the same government. It was also in Army hands until the late 1970s.
There were 2 suicide attacks on Army HQ during his time killing a total of over 25 people. Another attack killed the SL Navy Commander Admiral Clancy Fernando in front of the Taj Samudra hotel, 500 m west of AHQ. Moving Army, SL Navy and SL Air Force HQs and the Defence Ministry to Akurugoda is a well planned move for many reasons including security. Even SF would scarce forbear to cheer ante bellum. After all he wanted a 400,000 army after the war ended. Developing remorse 5 years later for 100 years of half Colonial history is not a convincing performance.
The Minister produced a pamphlet ‘Charge of the Lion Brigade’ immediately after the SL conflict that spanned nearly 30 years. It was not a very wise title to begin with even if the other side called themselves ‘Tigers’. It was actually a silly attempt to use the title of a heroic if not also shambolic ‘Charge’ of the Light Brigade that was over in 30 minutes in the Crimean war over 170 years ago. It was over in 30 minutes. Has it anything in common with SL Army’s victory or history?
The Minister with disdain for intellectual honesty states Prussian Major General Carl Philipp Gottlieb Von Clausewitz (1780- 1831) the author of the best known book on war Vom Kriege (On War) as a ‘military ‘philosopher. He quotes that “war is an extension (continuation) of politics”. This is an over simplified statement that has been misused often. Was it used to show how important politicians like him were in war?
Von Clausewitz fought as an officer in the Russian army at Jena (1806) and was at Waterloo on the staff of Marshal von Blucher. The Minister may have misinterpreted Clausewitz’s philosophy of war that still influences strategy, for this reason.
Some excerpts from the pamphlet make very revealing reading:
“I find it difficult to forgive both the JVP and Premadasa for what they did…”’My wrath towards Premadasa knew no bounds when he gave a new breath to the LTTE’ (page 12) “… we formed a citizen’s front to fight against Premadasa’s gross violations of human rights ….. I saw over 147 dead bodies in the Mahabodhi premises (1989) – (page 10). “…. although we knew that Chandrika Kumaratunga was an anti nationalist and staunch supporter of federalism”…(page 14) “Ranil Wickramasinghe showed his inherent hatred towards the Sinhalese and especially Sinhalese Buddhists”(page 16”).The JVP “committed the most traitorous act when it left .. and worked against Mahinda Rajapakse”. The SL Muslim Congress is the only fundamentalist Muslim party to be funded by Western Embassies. . (pg 77). “…. with Western backing, their stooge -the SLMC – crossed over to the Opposition” (pg 78).The LTTE was provided with … fighter aircraft…” (pg 72). He justifies the killing of VP’s family (page 68). He was then a Minister in MR‘s government. Will his next pamphlet be called ‘Elephant Walk’? Will he add ‘Easter Sunday carnage’?
More
than any other past Presidential Election the one that is to be held tomorrow
(November 16) poses the most difficult challenge to intelligent voters.
Considering over two decades of unwelcome experiences and a continuing corrupt
system will it be a Hobson’s choice for them?
Will
they have to vote for the best of the bad lot?
This
is also a presidential election no former president or prime minister is
contesting.
I
do not wish to blame all ordinary citizens (except dyed- in-the wool UNP
supporters) who voted for the so-called ‘yahapalanaya’ in 2015 because many of
them expected a genuine change since the Rajapaksa regime failed to meet
obligations expected of it after the war victory of 2009. Instead
they sat on their laurels. This undoubtedly led to much
disillusionment.
There’s
no point in trying to find silly excuses saying a Western-Indian conspiracy was
the sole cause of the previous government’s downfall. It is like
the simplistic argument of some communists that a CIA conspiracy was behind the
downfall of the Soviet Bloc. Foreign conspirators and their local agents no
doubt were involved in varying degrees but no external force can succeed unless
there are internal contradictions or internal crisis that can be exploited to
its advantage. This is what happened to both the Soviet and the
Rajapaksa governments. This is the hard fact we need to recognize.
It
is obvious that no other candidate but only Gotabhaya Rajapaksa or Sajith
Premadasa will win. They may not be bad as individuals but the real question is
about many of those around them. We find that in both camps the
old faces – the same dubious characters, who have faced all kinds of allegations
(which have never been probed and action taken) actively campaigning for the two
candidates.
The
crooks and thugs on both sides appear to think they will suffer little or no
punishment whoever wins. In addition we see on both sides
politicos who have jumped from party platform to another over the past two
decades. How much influence will they wield if either candidate
wins? Either way, we as ordinary citizens can expect no
fundamental change in this corrupt system no matter who wins. The
main reason is balanced and objective thinking is alien to the majority of our
voters irrespective of their political views. They can never
understand the complexities of a situation and suffer from selective amnesia.
They look at issues through tinted glasses, depending on their political
preferences. Many of them are blind loyalists of leaders and/or parties. They
cannot bear to see or hear any criticism of their idols. They are like the three
proverbial monkeys.
It
is the utter disillusionment with the past performance of the two main parties /
alliances that an unprecedented number of independent presidential candidates
are contesting this time. The blind worshipers of the three main
candidates however seem to think that all such candidates are trying to
undermine the support for this or that main candidate
What
should the intelligent voter do? Should his/her vote go for the
candidate in whom he/she has full confidence? Can anyone have such
faith in a candidate until we see his performance? Hence
regardless whom we elect we are compelled to take a risk.
We
must also make note that the 19th Amendment has limited presidential
powers.
Although
many of the independent candidates have excellent proposals unfortunately they
cannot draw the attention of the majority, the since the latter always go on the
beaten track. We cannot envisage a third group / alliance coming to power in Sri
Lanka unlike in Pakistan in the foreseeable future.
The
only option for most people then is to vote for person – out of the two main
candidates – whose campaign raised less doubts regardless of whether he gets the
first or second preference.
Voters
need answers at least to the following.
The
Podu Jana Peramuna and the JVP both appointed their candidates without much
delay whereas until the last minute the UNP-led New Democratic Front could not
decide on a candidate. Party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was dilly dallying.
Conflict of opinion within the party on who should become the candidate came out
into the open. Some seemed almost confident that Sajith would not be selected.
But since their hopes were dashed they are now compelled to back him. Will this
friction surface again? Will Ranil allow him to do as he wants?
Since
Sajith Premadasa is a Cabinet Minister of the present Government how many of the
promises he is now making has he been able to fulfill during the past four
years? If it is very little, why was it so? Was he obstructed at every turn?
Then
there’s the hullabaloo over Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s alleged U.S. citizenship.
Sajith supporters have already lost a court case on this issue.
The American Embassy in Colombo has stated that it will take several
months for the Federal Government to release the lists of all those who have
renounced U.S. citizenship. Therefore it would not be possible for
the embassy to provide answers right now to whether this or that individual is
no longer a U.S. citizen.
If
the New Democratic Front says it cannot accept lawyer Ali Sabry’s denial that
Gotabhaya is a U.S. citizen then the NDF should provide irrefutable proof in a
court of law that the documents Ali Sabry showed to the media are forgeries.
Merely speculating and raising suspicions are an exercise in futility since
these have no bearings on the Elections Commission.
If
the NDF is very sure that Gotabhaya is still a U.S. citizen they have time to
find proof even after the election. If such proof is found and
assuming that Gotabhaya has won his victory can still be declared null and
void. When Rajapaksa supporter Geetha Kumarasinghe announced that
she had renounced her Swiss citizenship no one questioned her claim.
Then
why was this hurry to prove that Gotabhaya is still a U.S. citizen and get him
out of the way?
These
are points to ponder.
Anyway,
whoever wins the election we need a strong independent (not guided by party
loyalties) opposition – watch dog to keep the government on its toes.
Royal Park murder convict Jude Shramantha Jayamaha has appealed for a second chance saying he never intended to harm anyone and that he was ashamed for what has happened. Jayamaha was serving life in prison over the 2005 murder of Swedish national Yvonne Johnson at the Royal Park condominium. President Maithripala Sirisena last week granted a Presidential pardon to the convict, a move which drew outrage among the public, some politicians and others. In an open letter issued today, 34-year-old Jude Shramantha Jayamaha said that nothing can replace Yvonne but he will keep on trying to make amends with her family. The full letter: An Open Letter to Sri Lanka from Jude Shramantha Jayamaha
I write this letter to every family and individual who is affected by the recent news of my release from prison and consider it unfair. This is my story. I am the product of a broken home as my parents are divorced. I grew up lonely, hurting, insecure and never understood what it’s like to belong to a close knit family. By the time I was 16, I had grown into a disgruntled youth with little control over how I behaved in society.
Today, I stand as a 34 yr old, who has spent the best years of my youth in prison, enclosed in a 6 x 8 ft room with access to only 30 mins of sunlight everyday.
It was the darkest period of my life, locked up for over 12 hours of each day, with a bucket as a latrine, which also served as my chair. I slept on the floor and the pillow I lay my head on was also my desk. If there was a hell on earth; I experienced it in the last 14+ years. I’m out now, but in a world that I hardly know or recognize. And all I see is your anger and hate directed at me – not that I don’t deserve it, but please understand that I am not the same 19 year old who was imprisoned
TO THE JOHNSON FAMILY : I don’t have adequate words to express my grief towards what has come upon the Johnson family. I want you to know that I never intended to harm anyone. I don’t have the words to take away the pain. This is what has played on my mind; every day for the last 14 years. Sadly, I know that nothing I can ever say or do; will make this go away and make things right for you, although I so wish I could. You knew me as a child, I have been in and out of your house and you have always been so gracious and kind to me. I’m so ashamed for what has happened. This has caused immeasurable pain to all of you and everyone in my family. There has only been sadness, loss and grief throughout this 15 years for everyone. I have tried many times to contact you and express my heart; but I was never successful. I can’t replace Yvonne, and even if you don’t believe me now, I will keep on trying to make amends.
TO SOCIETY : I understand the anger you feel. But please judge me for what I am today and what I am attempting to do with my life. I ask for your forgiveness, as I am a changed man – I have had days and years to do nothing but look at myself and think of everything I could have done different. I met Ven. RathanaThero for the first time, when I was at a particularly low point in my life – around 5 years ago. He was meeting prisoners to give us meditation advice, and in a very long time, someone looked at me with kindness. It was he who gave me the desire to believe in life again and even motivated me to pick up my studies again. I did a distance education BSC Economics degree from the University of London/London School of Economics against innumerable odds. Please understand I had no access to a computer, online research, desk, table, or even a chair or lighting. I sat on my toilet bucket and used my pillow as a desk. Every tutorial or assignment was hand written and posted – I did this to prove to myself and everyone else that I was a changed man. I kept at it and even went on to do a Masters of Business from the Open University; a first for any prisoner in Sri Lanka. I promise you that I did not receive special privileges while doing any of this. But doing it all despite the odds helped me and gave some direction to the mess I had made in my life. For me it was a turning point, and now plan to complete my Phd on Development Economics, so that one day, I can give back by working for the development of my country; that is if I am given the opportunity. As for my release from prison, I must place on record that it was not an arbitrary decision by the President as currently being portrayed. It was a process that began 3 years ago, with continual sequences of reviews and approvals.
Following is a brief outline of the process:
2005 – I entered prison
2013- The Prison Review board comprising of retired judges, police, prison commissioner, phycologist, criminologist, AGs dept and Justice ministry started reviewing all Prisoners on Death Row, myself included!
2016 – After detailed interviews; 250 Prisoners out of 600, were commuted to life imprisonment with reports specifying that we are fit to be reintroduced to society. 2016 onwards – A range of civil society members, Buddhist monks, other religious clergy and professionals started a movement to release young rehabilitated and educated prisoners.
2018 to 2019 – The judges report, Prisons Department report, Attorney General’s review report and Justice Ministry recommendation, amongst other documents, citing a fair release for me were reviewed by the Presidents legal review board.
2019 – Based on the recommendations above, constitutional procedures and the opinion of the Legal Review Board – my release was approved. In closing, I would like to say that despite all the procedure, my release on the 9th of November 2019, still came as a surprise to me as it would have been to you all. Yes, I was hopeful but as a prisoner for 14 plus years, I did not know what to expect or imagine what it would be like if the prison gate opened for me. There are some who still think I should be inside prison and I can’t change that. But if you don’t believe anything else, at least believe that the pardon that was given to me, was not a result of any coercion or influence, but purely through process and as I pointed out earlier. I am one of several hundreds of people who are fortunate enough to be afforded a second chance at life through the merit based pardoning system. I ask for your understanding, because that is the kind of country we live in – where there is hope for even the worst criminal and mercy and forgiveness is a way of life.
Rt. Hon. Maithripala Sirisena President of Sri Lanka President’s Secretariat Galle Face Colombo 1 Sri Lanka.
Mr.
President:
Re: Granting Presidential pardon to
34-year-old Shramantha Jude Anthony Jayamaha who was serving a life sentence
for murdering 19-year old Yvonne Johnsson at Rajagiriya’s Royal Park Towers.
My reaction
under my breath was, You silly fool, why the heck did you do that
for! Was it money, or was that you wanted to be elevated to the
status of a Tin-God before you left your Presidential Office!” My annoyance was visceral, and my eyes were red cartwheeling with anger
spitting dragon breath at you.
But I held
back writing to you spilling my bile, until I read the news item Galle
Bishop denies ever requesting President to pardon Jayamaha.”
Oops! President, what was that all about. Were you hiding behind the men of cloth, some saffron robed, and others in white, black and crimson robes with their white collars starched towards Heaven. An easy way out for a ‘loving’ father of a daughter who made an idiot of himself. Would you have let a young punk touch your daughter to hurt her. I don’t think so. Would I? No bloody way. Oh No, I won’t let him go!
The murder took place due to an argument over
a love affair between a youth and the young girl, seems to be the excuse given
to you by Ven Athraliye Rathana Thero as the reason for that brutal killing.
Damn it! What an excuse to take away a
young life.., Mr. President. this Punk
had no right to take young Yvonne’s
right-to-her life. It was not a simple
tiff like –
‘Arapung Lucia dhora,
Malu Kade Jora Mumma; Suruttu paththu karaganda matta, Lucia arpungko dhora.’
I don’t think Jora would have strangled Lucia to death and beat the shit
out of her to have her skull fractured into 64 pieces. That was brutal, that
was sick, that was demonic, and was no excuse to pardon such a killer, such a
brutal murderer. That is the bottom line, Mr. President.
You had very
little compassion for Yvonne’s Mum
Chamalika, Dad Roger and sister Carolyn, whose hearts have been bleeding ever
since that brutal death, grieving for their daughter, grieving for the sister.
You couldn’t have cared two Yahapalanayo-farts for that grieving family. Give me a break President Sirisena, give a break Rathana Thero. As a dad of a daughter and a brother of five sisters, my heart is bleeding for Mum and Dad Johnssons and sister Carolyn.
The reason
for my anger was simple. For the past
seven-years I have been wearing a
round lapel button on my winter
coat which says take action on violence
against women”. And for the past
11-years I, as the Coordinator of the Outreach Programs at the Theravadha Buddhist temple, Hilda
Jayewardenaramaya in Ottawa have collected warm clothes, mitts , scarves,
toques etc., displayed on the temple’s Buddhist Mitten Tree to be donated on
the Poya day each December to the Interval
House that looks after abused women and children. That is my Mission, that is our Mission. And that
is why I cannot condone your stupidity, Mr. President
You tell me
Mr. President, will your Minister of Tourism John Amaratunga go around the
world and tell the 19-year old women who would have loved to visit our
resplendent island, Sri Lanka, and now scared that they might return home in a
plywood box having been killed by a 19-year old Sinhalese punk. Is he going to assure them by saying:
We promise you that there won’t be 19-year old Sinhalese punks lurking behind walls, behind pillars, behind bushes, behind doors at night clubs, to get at you, to rape you and murder you We will assure you for your safety.’
Can Minister
Amaratunga assure them that he wouldn’t tolerate, a punk telling a buddy who would want to gang rape a pretty foreign 19-year old, saying: Don’t
worry Machan, my family is rich, they will get us off this soup. The top Yahapalanayo guys love the smell of
thousand rupee notes. Did you enjoy her, Was she good?” John Amaratunga has his job cut out to
convince the 19-year old foreign women, begging them to visit our
resplendent Sri Lanka.
So Mr. President, did you really wanted to be
elevated to the position of a Tin-God before you left your Presidential office,
and leave behind an indelible mark of
‘compassion’ by pardening Jude. Roger,
Chamalika and Carolyn really didn’t matter to you did they? Who are you now Mr.
President Maithripala Sirisena? Are you
now been christened as God My3 Sirisen by all those who
came to you, as mentioned in your Press Release, requesting you to pardon Jude,
the heinous killer of young Yvonne denying her, her right-to-her-life, the
worst human rights violation in humanity.
I am still
angry. My anger is visceral, and my eyes
are red cartwheeling spitting dragon breath at Tin-God My3 Sirisen.
Please take
good care of your daughter. Don’t let a
single punk harm her. Don’t you abdicate
that ultimate responsibility for your daughter, as her ‘loving’ Dad. You certainly did not show that you cared for
the pain of the Johnsson family. To hell with your
ego wanting to be the Tin- God My3 Sirisen, Who the hell
cares. Certainly not me.
And I say
POX to everyone who came to you to convince you to pardon Jude Jayamaha. And I
am angry.
President, permit me to take a small space in my letter to you to say a few words to the Johnsson’s to compensate for the lack of compassion you showed them in comparison to what you afforded Jude, who murdered their Yvonne. And that hurts. And you are damn well guilty of it in my eyes.
Roger, Chamalika and Carolyn,
believe me when I tell you that my heart has been bleeding for you. Permit me to join hands with you in prayer
for Yvonne’s soul.
And through this letter to President Sirisena, permit me to extend my condolence to you –
May stars carry your sadness away, May flowers fill your heart with beauty, May hope forever wipe away your tears, And above all, may silence make you strong.” and take good care of yourselves, all three of you. Shanthi…shanthi…shanthi!
The writer has reported from Sri Lanka as a foreign correspondent and is the author of After the Fall: Sri Lanka in Victory and War
A surfeit of candidates may be seen as an indication of greater public enthusiasm for participation in the democratic process.
Gotabhaya Rajapaksa
As Sri Lankans prepare to elect their next President on Saturday (November 16), they seem to be spoilt for choice. This time over, there are an unprecedented 35 candidates in the fray for the post of President. The highest number of candidates in a presidential election so far was in 2010, when 22 candidates had joined the race — which itself was a record at the time. This time, the number is up by more than half. A surfeit of candidates may be seen as an indication of greater public enthusiasm for participation in the democratic process. On the other hand, it may as well be reflective of an underlying cynicism. A vague feeling that the people are not getting the leadership choices they would perhaps prefer to have. In this situation, the latter seems to be the case.
Traditionally, elections in Sri Lanka have mainly been a two-horse race between the right-of-centre United National Party (UNP) and the left-of-centre Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), with a select few smaller parties — such as the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and the JVP — representing regional or sectional interests and occupying the margins. An odd Independent was often seen as an aberration, intended to make a point rather than to make an impact on the outcome. This time four Muslims, two Tamils and two Buddhist monks are among the several others who have jointed the race.
Most of the Independents may not make much difference to the final outcome, but groups representing the regional or sectional interests are bound to cut into the votes of the two main contenders — former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and sitting minister Sajith Premadasa.
Even as Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s presidential aspirations had been in public knowledge for some time, it was only in April this year that he was able to renounce his American citizenship to qualify for the contest. He had since entered the field as the candidate of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), a party earlier launched by his elder brother and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The ruling coalition led by President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe was taking even longer in naming their candidate. Their dilemmas were manifold.
For one, President Sirisena continued to weigh his options about setting himself up as a candidate. But once Gotabaya Rajapaksa announced his entry into the fray, President Sirisena ruled himself out of the race. As for Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe, he had been harbouring presidential ambitions for even longer. But in the current situation, he did not enjoy the party’s unanimous support. It took the party some time to persuade him to step aside in order to make way for a candidate who could command better support within the party than he could muster. It was thus that the ruling coalition was finally able to zero in on Sajith Premadasa, a sitting minister and the son of former President Ranasinghe Premadasa, as its choice.
Perhaps, aware of the fact that given his wartime record as defence secretary he may not be able to cut much ice with Tamil voters, Mr Rajapaksa has since been focusing on consolidating the Sinhalese votebank. Since last month, he has made several speeches indicating his future priorities as President. In one case, for example, he promised to release the soldiers who were in jail on charges of excesses committed against many innocent civilians (mostly Tamil) during the operations. That was supposed to help him consolidate his support base among the majority Sinhalese — many of whom see the war against the LTTE as a patriotic duty. And so, they believe any excesses committed during the operations deserved to be applauded rather than punished.
Many Muslim voters, who had backed the senior Rajapaksa earlier, have since moved away in view of the stringent Sinhala rhetoric of the present campaign. But the Rajapaksa camp is not worried. They are banking on the fact that any loss of minority votes would be more than made up by the majority Sinhalese.
Thus, on balance, Gotabaya Rajapaksa does seem to be enjoying some edge over his main rival. But even so, there still are a whole lot of allegations pertaining to the human rights record of the period when he was in office that remained to be dealt with. These include cases involving the murder of journalists and killing of unarmed Tamil civilians — including some in custody — pending against Mr Gotabaya in the courts in Sri Lanka and in the United States.
Apart from the high-profile case of the murder of Sunday Leader editor Lasanatha Wickeramatunga, which attracted international attention, there are others such as the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Ekanaligoda and attacks on journalists Upali Temnakoon and Keith Noyahr. These pertain to the period when defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa was acting as the principal hatchet man of the regime while President Mahinda Rajapaksa was waging an all-out war against the Tamil Tigers. It was no surprise, therefore, that a section of the Sri Lankan elite recently started the Stop Gota Movement” as a counter to the winning streak in the Rajapaksa camp. But movements such as these often make an intellectual point, but rarely make an impact on the wider constituency. More so in a society that has been no stranger to polarisation on ethnic lines.
In the event of Gotabaya Rajapaksa winning, he has given enough indications about who the new Prime Minister is going to be — none else but his senior sibling and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. It is going to be a strong government, as the former defence secretary has promised during the campaign. And as earlier, two other Rajapaksa siblings are due to play an important role in the government. As President, Mahinda Rajapaksa had earlier quite adeptly used the threat of a tilt” towards China to influence Indian positions. How that plays out in the future one can only wait and see!
(Bloomberg) — A family of strongmen are eyeing a return to power in Sri Lanka’s presidential election on Saturday, an outcome that could also shift the island nation back toward China.
The Rajapaksas, once a powerful force in the island nation’s politics who lost the presidency in 2015, are staging a comeback. This time Gotabaya Rajapaksa, 70, is running for the top job, backed by family members including his brother Mahinda, who enjoyed warm ties with Beijing during his 10-year rule.
His main opponent is Sajith Premadasa, 52, a member of the ruling alliance that took power four years ago vowing to push for greater democracy, more transparent finances and an independent foreign policy that improved ties with India and the U.S. He also hails from a prominent political dynasty: His father served as president for four years until he was killed by a suicide bomber in 1993.
While there are no reliable polls on who will come out on top, the two men represent a stark choice for voters. A Rajapaksa victory could mean a throwback to the old authoritarian ways where opposing the government could have dangerous consequences. Premadasa focuses on national reconciliation in a country still recovering from a prolonged civil war and also promises greater market-based economic reforms.
At stake is the stability of a nation that has increasing strategic importance due in part to its proximity to some of the world’s most important sea lines. The winner will inherit an economy where growth has slowed to a more than five-year low of 1.6% in the quarter ended June, a debt level hovering at 83% of gross domestic product and minority communities still reeling from the aftermath of deadly Easter bombings on churches and hotels.
There are fears that a Rajapaksa win will return Sri Lanka to an era of impunity for human rights abuses and corruption,” said Paul Staniland, assistant professor of political science at the University of Chicago who specializes in researching political violence and international security in South Asia. At a broad level, Sri Lanka would likely tilt back toward China,” he added, even though Rajapaksa hasn’t fully embraced Beijing on the campaign trail.
Family First
Two recent events are looming over the election. One is a constitutional crisis last year when the current president sought to install Mahinda Rajapaksa as prime minister instead of Ranil Wickremesinghe, a bid that ultimately failed when the Supreme Court shot it down. The other is the April bombings that killed some 250 people.
If the constitutional coup brought it right back to why we care about governance, the Easter attack brought it right back to why we care about security,” Nishan De Mel, the executive director of the Colombo-based risk analysis group Verite Research, said in an interview. The coup lost points for the Rajapaksas, he said: It reminded everybody why they voted them out.”
The campaign of Rajapaksa, fronting the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna — a Sinhalese-Buddhist nationalist party — may hinge on whether voters are ready to re-embrace the man who was defense secretary in 2009 when the military crushed a three-decade long Tamil insurgency. Gotabaya’s role during the end of the civil war drew allegations of widespread human rights abuses.
If Gotabaya wins, he’ll bring his family with him. Mahinda, who was briefly appointed prime minister last year during a constitutional crisis, is looking to get that job back. Another brother, Basil Rajapaksa, is serving as Gotabaya’s campaign manager. Mahinda’s son is also now a member of parliament.
During his decade in power, Mahinda borrowed heavily from Beijing to fund infrastructure projects after the war ended. One of them, a port in southern Hambantota, lost money and was eventually sold to a state-owned Chinese firm by the current government in a much-criticized debt-to-equity swap on a 99-year lease.
Gotabaya may withdraw from or renegotiate international commitments that don’t serve the country’s interests, including those with China, according to Nivard Cabraal, a former central bank governor who’s tipped to be finance minister under a Rajapaksa government.
We will renegotiate the Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement,” he said. We have to have a discussion and see if we can come up with something that is workable for both countries.”
Cabraal also flagged that a Rajapaksa government would renegotiate the terms of the country’s IMF program and the port deal with China. We don’t want to have ownership of our strategic assets being with any country, not China, not the U.S., not anyone.”
‘Good v Evil’
Premadasa’s team sees the election as a turning point for Sri Lanka’s future, although they have some work to do to convince the general public.
The fact that he’s the candidate, and not Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, shows just how little faith citizens have in the current administration. Whatever advances the government made on political reforms during their four-year rule have been overshadowed by their inability to tackle corruption and the significant security failures that led to the Easter bombings.
Whether we win or lose, this is about right versus wrong, about good versus evil,” said Harsha de Silva, Minister for Economic Reforms in the current government. This is about exclusion versus inclusion. It’s about whether this country will be sustained or not.”
De Silva acknowledged voters were angry with the government over corruption despite moves to make peace within communities fractured by war and ensuring land was returned to Tamil minorities. Premadasa plans to focus on reducing import duties, reforming taxes and state-owned enterprises, and opening up the economy for foreign investment.
We have to be like Singapore, we have to be like Dubai,” De Silva said in an interview in his office in Colombo.
Minority Vote
To win, Premadasa will need the support of the minority Tamil and Muslim populations that together form about 25% of the country’s population. For the country’s Tamil minority at least, a lot rides on Premadasa’s success.
Rajavarothiam Sampanthan, who leads the Tamil National Alliance, has been critical of the government, particularly the security failures around the Easter attacks. But it’s the return of a Rajapaksa-led administration that worries him most.
They have been dictatorial, they have not respected other government institutions like the legislature and the judiciary,” Sampanthan said from his modest bungalow in the north eastern town of Trincomalee. It is a one-man show, and a one-family show.”
The new government must work on a durable political solution to give Tamil people adequate powers in the areas they have historically lived, he said, adding: They need a sense of belonging to this country.”
And the 86-year-old doesn’t think that’s possible under a Rajapaksa government.
This country has no future unless this problem is resolved,” he said. Nobody will want to invest in this country. We are deep in debt with no way out — we need a new vision.”
–With assistance from Asantha Sirimanne.
To contact the reporters on this story: Ruth Pollard in Colombo at rpollard2@bloomberg.net;Anusha Ondaatjie in Colombo at anushao@bloomberg.net
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Daniel Ten Kate at dtenkate@bloomberg.net, Muneeza Naqvi
In an open letter, Shramantha Jude Jayamaha, who was convicted over the Royal Park murder and released on a presidential pardon recently, requested society to give him another chance.
I ask for your understanding, because that is the kind of country we live in – where there is hope for even the worst criminal and mercy and forgiveness is a way of life. Please give me another chance,” he said.
In a lengthy letter, Mr. Jayamaha elaborated on his story, his family background, the murder, conviction, prison life and the pardon.
He said he has no adequate words to express his grief towards what has come upon the Johnson family and said he was so ashamed for what has happened.
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday (13) said his vision is to give priority to national security.
“We had a good security plan. But, this Cabinet of Ministers didn’t bother about national security and made plans to send war heroes to international Courts.
He was speaking at the final SLPP public rally held in Homagama. Rajapaksa added, “Those who worked to eradicate drugs and the underworld were arrested. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) provided a great service. But this Government misused them for politics.
That is why the Government did not listen to them. We will ensure national security. I will ensure your and your children’s safety.”
“We faced a lot of troubles during the past four years. This government did everything possible to block my candidacy. The United National Party (UNP) will sling mud at me during the next two days, too. The UNP will try to deceive you. Don’t believe them. Our victory is definite. Don’t harm anyone.
I will establish a clean, good governance. We have a good vision to develop the economy. This Government did not develop any local industry. All these industries have collapsed. This Government started the re-export process, and that caused a huge damage. We should protect these industries. We got the best price for Ceylon tea. Now we don’t receive that income.
Local businessmen and industries have collapsed. We will protect them. The taxes are too much and the people can’t pay them. We will make a simple tax system. We will increase investments and develop the country. Tourism industry has also collapsed. As a Government, we should intervene and the facilities should be increased. Our aim is to attract seven million tourists and earn USD 10 billion; we will make it happen.”
The SLPP Presidential candidate further said that since Asian countries widely use technology, it is a good opportunity for Sri Lanka. “We will develop the IT industry, and train the youth and make job opportunities,” he added.
Rajapaksa went on to say, “An effective education system is necessary. Today’s education system is exam-centric. It should be student-centric. We will develop universities, and create new programmes. We should establish more technical colleges. All those who pass the Advanced Level exam will be able to enter a university. We need a workforce of 300,000.
We will do it. That’s what a government should do. All sectors will be developed under a clear programme. All those plans are practical. I promise to do everything mentioned in my manifesto during my term in office. I did everything as promised.”
“I ended the war. I developed Colombo and other cities. I will fulfil my responsibilities. Trust me; do your job, I will do mine,” he emphasised.
Sri Lanka Stock
Market reached rock bottom in this year on 6 May, recording an All Share Index
at 5198 with an unfavourable outlook. However, dismissing all forecasts, the
Index improved to 5995 on 11 July.
The luck was
short-lived. Since 30 July, it ran into downward territory reaching 5672 on 3
October. Then it rose to 6027 on 1 November.
Then again it
dropped to 5934 on 7 November. Now as of today 13 November, it rose to
5992.
The Easter
attack had a negative impact resulting these fluctuations. During this
short-lived recovery period, though there were trends of negative impacts, over
all, the market is showing a positive trend, except for minor fluctuations due
to time-adjustments and market corrections.
Sri Lanka
External Debt in 2015 stood around USD 47,000 million, which had now increased
to USD 55,000 million in July 2019. There were no new Mega Projects
undertaken during this period to enhance the internally generated funds to
provide employment, education, health and service the debt. It is questionable
as to what happened to the funds generated from the sale of Mattala Airport etc.
Sri Lanka has lost its major revenue project, but the funds generated had
possibly been directed for Consumption than Investment and repayment of
debt.
The signs of
improving trends in the local Share Index is a welcoming relief, if maintained
by increase utilisation of idle plant and machinery, human resources, which will
improve productivity and reduce unit costs.
Sri Lanka
need to look beyond the disgusting everyday non-existing Ethnic Issues.
Political stability was lacking in Sri Lanka since 2015. This is a great
opportunity to direct all resources to achieve economic and social
independence.
In the inevitable humiliating the mud-masters of the Sajith camp would definitely resort to any form of election rigging this time. The shameless American puppets Mangala, Rajitha et al are reported to have planned several misleading campaigns in the last two days and on the election deploying Nadesan’s MTV network which include NewsFirst, Sirasa and Shakthi TV channels and som other TV channels under heavy payment to telecast news flash called ‘breaking news’ , ‘just received news’ and ‘exclusive news’ etc in TB channels and their respective Radio broadcast even on the election day regardless of violating election laws.
An
attempt made by them to pay a huge amount to a popular astrologer and get a
prediction published by him predicting the victory of Sajith has backfired as
the particular astrologer has refused to oblige them saying that he cannot
barter his professional ethics for monetary inducements. As such there could be a prediction published
from an artificial astrologer.
People should be very cautious about fake news that would be published by the Websites, particularly by websites operating from overseas. The pro-UNP Lanka E Mews is such a nasty website that has proved that it produces fake news and distorts news which is unimaginable. Despite Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and his learned lawyers producing all relevant documents relating to his relinquishment of his U.S.citizenship and the Election Commission accepting the documents produced by them, this abhorrent website has posted a news item requesting the people not to waste their ballot by voting for Gotabhaya. Within the next two days and even on the election day extremely vicious fake news items can be posted by this site as it is not possible to take legal action against the. Similarly, some other websites sustained by the American puppet quisling Mangala Samaraweera would also follow suit. It is reported that a large team of technicians and media personnel, under the guidance of Mangala and some other UNP stalwarts, including document fake expert Tissa Attanayake are working round the clock in producing fake news and distorting news to be published within the next two days.
Despite all their vain efforts, the latest predictions indicate that Gota will get 7.4 million votes against Sajith Premadasa’s maximum votes of 4.8million. It will be a huge Tsunami in Sri Lanka’s election results. And the balance between the two will be 2,7 million votes. The political analysts who made this prediction after a thorough investigation on all aspects of the election state that there are 16 million registered voters in this election and there is the possibility of higher polling amounting to about 82 %. The analysts have given breakdowns region-wise, party-wise as well as the trend found in the 1.1 first time voters.
The
Intelligence Service units of the United States, Russia, China, and India have
concluded that the winner in the election will be Gotabhaya and Sajith
Premadasa cannot even obtain 40%.of the votes. The Colombo based
Ambassadors/High Commissioners of these countries have phoned Mr. Mahinda
Rajapaksa, the Leader of the SLPP, and
have congratulated him over this victory.
Meanwhile,
Foreign media reports state the following:
Times of India
Definitely Mr. Gotabhaya Rahapaksa will become Sri Lanka’s President. Sajith Premadasa is limping far behind.
The Times of India
report states that due to the slackness in the security situation Sri Lanka and
due to the April bomb blasts at several churches and luxury hotels Sri Lankans
have placed a very hope on Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. It says that his opponent
Sajith Premadasais trailing very far behind Mr. Gotabhaya.
The text of the Reuter report:
After hiatus, Rajapaksa brothers set to
dominate Sri Lanka again
COLOMBO (Reuters) – One brother is considered a shoo-in
for the job of Sri Lanka’s president in elections this weekend and another is
eyeing the prime minister’s post when that election becomes due early next
year.
Two other brothers are political strategists for their
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna party and one of them is considering a shot at
becoming the speaker in parliament. Three men of the family’s next generation
are also in politics.
The Rajapaksas, best known for the brutal defeat of
separatist Tamil rebels and then drawing Sri Lanka into China’s orbit when the
West and India shunned the Indian Ocean island, are back at the center of the
nation’s deeply divisive politics and it is stoking fear.
While there are no formal opinion polls, former defense
secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa is the hot favorite to win the presidential
election this Saturday. His chief opponent Sajith Premadasa, a government
minister, is seen to be trailing.
Gotabaya led the operations against the Tamil Tigers when his elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa was president. Gotabaya has faced lawsuits in Sri Lanka and in the United States over allegations of staged killings of Tamil separatists, critics, and journalists during the war.
Both brothers deny the allegations as part of a Western
conspiracy to interfere in the island nation of 22 million that sits astride
vital shipping lanes and has long been a tinder-box of tensions between the
dominant Sinhalese Buddhists and minority ethnic Tamils. In recent months,
Sinhalese hardliners have also targeted the tiny Muslim community.
Mahinda lost the 2015 presidential election to a
cabinet colleague who turned against him – Maithripala Sirisena. After his
ouster, the family’s fortunes fell into decline.
But Easter Sunday bombings on hotels and churches, in
which more than 250 people were killed, derailed Sirisena’s presidency, and he
has announced he will not contest this year. The attacks, claimed by Islamic
State, have rekindled support for the Rajapaksas and their brand of Sinhalese
nationalism.
Mahinda is barred from running for president again, and
is on the stump for Gotabaya, bringing an affable touch to the campaign against
the rather gruff manner of his brother, more known for his military machismo.
Another brother, Basil, handles the party finances and
striking deals with rival groups while a fourth brother and former speaker,
Chamal, campaigns in the family borough in the south of the island.
The Hindu Report
Sri Lanka elections: In the south, hopes on
Gotabaya run high
People here see in him a strong leader, who ended the war, built infrastructure.
I brought my child along just so he can see our leader, even if
from a distance,” said Sepalika Harshani, 29, carrying her toddler under an
umbrella.
She was among thousands who flocked to Wellawaya town in Sri Lanka’s southern Monaragala district on Saturday afternoon, braving the rain. They had come for the rally of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a candidate from their favorite political clan, in the final lap of the November 16 presidential poll campaign.
I would be very happy if someone like him becomes President of this country. He got us freedom,” Ms. Harshani said, referring to the war’s end in 2009 under the Rajapaksa administration. Mr. Gotabaya, brother of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was defense secretary, directing the military that defeated the rebel Tigers.
Nineteen-year-old A.P.D.
Seuvandi, too, was there to catch a glimpse of the leader she has decided to
vote for next weekend. They saved the country,” the first-time voter
said. She was barely nine when the war ended but has grown up listening to a
popular story of its end; one quite different from what Tamils of the north and
east would tell. He will make the country safe again, develop it and improve
education standards for us.” For many Sri Lankans, safety has become a major
concern after the Easter Sunday terror attacks in April.
In the island’s southern hinterland, almost every local, including those supporting Mr. Gotabaya’s main opponent Sajith Premadasa, asserts that a majority here will vote for Gotabaya”. Past election results are proof enough for that sentiment. Even in 2015, an election that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa lost, most of the southern districts gave him over 60% of the vote share. Historically a stronghold of Mahinda Rajapaksa’s former Sri Lanka Freedom Party, the southern belt seems to have readily embraced his newly-formed Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP or People’s Party).
Diverse reasons
The reasons pulling voters towards Mr. Gotabaya this time go beyond war victory”. Some of them are looking for a respite from the everyday economic strain they associate with the incumbent government or are utterly disenchanted with it, like daily-wage laborer D.M. Jayaratne. This government came to power saying they would catch corrupt thieves. Nothing happened in the last five years. Instead, they robbed the Central Bank,” he said, referring to the bond scam”, in which a former head of the apex bank was accused of manipulating bond auctions in 2015, causing a loss of millions. The scandal was a major blow to the government that rose to power months earlier, that too on the promise of good governance”.
Further, Mr. Jayaratne sees
Mr. Gotabaya as a strong leader who will not give into Tamil demands” for
war-time accountability and self-rule.
Election vs real issues
Many voters, across Monaragala [Uva Province] and the neighboring Hambantota [Southern Province] district, began their poll analysis with a reading of the two main candidates — and less often of the leftist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna’s contestant Anura Kumara Dissanayake. But invariably, they spoke about pressing local concerns.
They pointed to land hunger, in the wake of mega development projects in Hambantota – a Chinese-built port and an adjoining industrial zone proposed over 15,000 acres. They worried about the loss of livelihoods and falling incomes. There are no jobs here,” was a common refrain.
The irony was glaring. While billions of rupees have been channeled into the Rajapaksa-era development projects over the last decade, locals repeatedly speak of prevalent poverty. To the outside world, Hambantota is a high-profile emerging district, and a site of a regional geopolitical tussle: with a Chinese-built port and the loss-making Mattala airport nearby, that India is interested in developing. But to many who live there, the development projects are at best distant and at worst, a threat.
Sri Lankans employed in foreign countries continue to arrive expecting to vote for Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa in the election on Nonember16th. Several Buddhist monks to have arrived at this crowd. These Buddhist Monks held a media conference today with prominent local prelates and said that that this could be the last chance to save the country and they do not want to miss that chance and regret later.
In addition to this, given below are some sentiments expressed by Sri Lankans resident abroad about who should be made Sri Lanka’s next President:
Prof. Yasantha Karubnaratne (U.S.A)
A computer and information technology Engineer – He says the country nerfs a long term for developing the country. These plans could be implemented if corruption could be shunned by governments that existed in Sri Lanka did not have a vision. Therefore a President dedicated to a long term plan could save this country.
Dr. Sisira Vithanatchi – Germany.
He said that the next President of Sri Lanka should be a person who ensures democracy properly, who can work with all communities, all religions, who can ensure sustainable peace in the country, and an intelligent person with a proper understanding on environmental management.
Shanika Somathileke (New Zealand)
She says that the next President of Sri Lanka should be:
A truthful leader to his policy statement;
A person who listens to people’s opinion;
Who do not permit racial, religious, caste and sexual discriminations;
Should have good ethics and characteristics;
And should be able to provide instant and lasting solutions for the
problems facing the country
Sri Lanka’s executive presidency is the most lucrative in the constitutional context in the island nation simply because of its formulation, a fact that is widely attributed to its creator, the late JR Jayawardene.
The country so far has experienced the dynamics of six executive presidents and the seventh will emerge after the elections on November 16th this year.
The country is abuzz with election campaigning activities, and the potential candidates take up considerable airtime on the TV and radio bulletins. Despite the anticipation to witness the longest ballet paper, given the length of the list of candidates, a few are bound to stand ahead in the race and prominent among them according to media polls is Gotabhaya Rajapaksa
Leadership theories dictate that circumstances build leaders as opposed to individuals being born leaders. This befits Rajapaksa’s announcement of presidential candidacy and the prevalent circumstances of Sri Lanka be they economic, socio-political or even environmental. Sri Lankan citizens, predominantly the youth are cynical about leaving the mandate of rule in the hands of the current regime and demand change and have found a breath of fresh air in the announcement of Rajapaksa’s candidacy.
As opposed to typical election propaganda doled out by other candidates and parties, Rajapaksa does not feel the need to put his face on every billboard of a construction or renovation site. Nor does he have to boast of his achievements for the country.
From playing the most vital administrative role as Defence Secretary during the country’s most trying times which resulted in the end of three-decade-old war against terrorism to bringing in orderliness and discipline in the beautification of Colombo, his record speaks for itself.
Rajapaksa has proven beyond doubt that one does not need to be a parliamentarian or a minister to deliver results. By remaining in an administrative role, he continued to set an example that through a clear-cut vision and by utilizing the available resources, one could deliver results. This characteristic of his instilled in people a certain sense of confidence and reliance so much so that, even the followers of the political opponents of the Rajapaksas’ respected him despite their party ideologies.
The current situation in Sri Lanka is grave and has been further aggravated in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday tragedy. Bad enough the government did not have a spokesperson to appear in front of the public and assure people the safety of their lives; the deeper cracks that it left behind, instilled in people a plausible fear of the re-emergence of the separatist agendas.
The reason why it is not only the Sinhala majority, but also the minority communities rallying around Rajapaksa, is that he has proven himself enough to shed away separatist agendas and bring together all communities. A feat he first achieved in 2009.
Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s vision of holistic development does not boast impossibilities such as artificial intelligence. What he advocates is a multi-pillar mechanism for development on the base of strong, clear-cut achievable targets. This strategic approach only credits his leadership and lack of ambiguity and makes it more believable.
This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article.
While saying that SLPP presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa would win the election by a majority more than 10 per cent, SLPP National Organizer Basil Rajapaksa said the son of Ranasinghe Premadasa would garner the lowest percentage of votes obtained by any second candidate in the presidential election history.
Addressing a news briefing today, he said their vote base had been increased by two or three times than the presidential election in 2015.
We are very much confident that the next Poya Day would dawn under a government of Gotabaya Rajapaksa. We are also confident that our presidential candidate would deliver the best with his capacity to drive the county to the correct direction,”
We will win seven provinces out of nine and more than 120 electorates,” he added.
He said people were anticipating a change as they were fed up with the consecutive failures of the incumbent government.
We will make the change that people want,” he added.
Speaking of their election campaign, Mr Rajapaksa said they had conducted 37 national rallies and their presidential candidate had covered all the 160 electorates while 1710 of pocket meetings had also been conducted.
We have always maintained a peaceful atmosphere when our election rallies were carried out. We gave much prominence to utilizing paper, polythene as minimum as we could,” he added.
Meanwhile, he said it would be a better move if the Election Commission would make sure that reasonable cost is maintained by every media institution when the advertisements of presidential candidates are accepted to be published in their respective media platforms.
The Embassy of the United States in Colombo said an individual is no longer considered a citizen of the US once he receives the certificate affirming the renunciation the citizenship while adding the such individual’s name to the federal list is a separate process.
The media spokesperson of the US Embassy Nancy VanHorn stated this during an exclusive interview with Indeewari Amuwatte from Ada Derana.
When asked about the prevailing concerns as to why former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s name has not appeared on the federal list of the US citizens who have decided to renounce their citizenship, she said, under the US privacy laws, she is not allowed to comment on the cases pertaining to the cases pertaining to an individual’s citizenship or visa.
However, she stated that all the information about the specific steps taken to renounce one’s citizenship can be found at travel.state.gov.
Responding to Amuwatte’s question on the time period that is taken for an individual’s name to appear on the federal list once the citizenship is renounced, VanHorn said the renunciation process of one’s citizenship is handled by the Embassy of the US.
Including the name of such individual in the federal list is a separate process, she added.
The paperwork regarding renouncing the citizenship is prepared and submitted at the embassy and these documents are sent back to the US Department of State in Washington DC for final processing, she said. Subsequently, the relevant individual receives the renunciation certificate, VanHorn continued.
Once this paperwork on citizenship renunciation is finalized, the names of these individuals are sent to the US Internal Revenue Service, which is a tax agency that operates as an entirely separate bureaucracy, VanHorn said further.
Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa says the incumbent government failed to resolve its internal issues owing to the lack of understanding between President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The Opposition Leader had an audience with the members of the SLPP’s London branch at his official residence in the Wijerama Mawatha today.
Issuing a media release on the meeting, the former President said the future SLPP government will not suffer the ills of the current government due to the sibling bond shared with SLPP Presidential Candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
He further gave assurance that there will not be any issues between the Executive and the Legislature of the future government that they intend to establish under the presidency of Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga may be attempting to grant what Velupillai Prabhakaran asked for through Sajith Premadasa, according to Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The Leader of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) expressed these views addressing a public meeting held in Minuwangoda.
Rajapaksa said that a Tamil newspaper had reported that Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga had addressed the deceased LTTE Leader Velupillai Prabhakaran as ‘Prabhakaran sir’.
Stating that she used this form of addressing 3 times during her speech, Mahinda Rajapaksa said, Either Chandrika is crazy or we are crazy.”
He further said that they suspect that Kumaratunga may be attempting to give what Prabhakaran wanted through New Democratic Front (NDF) Presidential Candidate Sajith Premadasa.
Further speaking, Mahinda Rajapaksa said that he would provide free grants to the Colombo National Hospital for couples who cannot afford In vitro fertilization (IVF).
Presidential hopeful of SLPP Gotabaya Rajapaksa says, under his administration, only local products will be used for the construction activities of the State.
Even during the former administration under Mahinda Rajapaksa also made use of local bricks and tiles for the constructions carried out by the government, the former Defence Secretary said addressing a rally at Dankotuwa yesterday (12).
Gotabaya said his government will expand this system and take measures to supply clay, the major raw material used to produce bricks and tiles, for the manufacturers.
While addressing a rally held at Minuwangoda yesterday (12), the presidential hopeful stated that he would provide the opportunity for every student in this country to pursue university education in order to make Sri Lanka a centre of intelligence.
He further pointed out that Gampaha district must also be made a centre of intellectuals.
There are a very little number of students entering local universities and this situation is not good,” Gotabaya stressed.
Pledging changes to this situation, Gotabaya said he would make a huge investment for the education sector so that every student can gain access to university education.
There are problems we must overcome if we are to accelerate Sri
Lanka’s socioeconomic progress. As such, my well-intentioned
provocations in the media have been about fundamental issues, such as
intolerance, vengeance, and superstition.
But I feel
compelled to step out of this neutral frame of mind, to counter some of
the asinine thought processes surrounding Gota’s citizenship, in which
the underlying concern can be traced back to racist or sectarian
intuitions. I think a good many decent, ordinary folk whom I know and
love subscribe to this “worry” about Gota, simply because they haven’t
meditated on this matter deeply enough. Perhaps I might be able to open
their eyes to this brazen political red herring.
Gota is a
natural born citizen of Sri Lanka, deeply imbued with a Sri Lankan
outlook, more than many of us and certainly far more than someone like
myself. He is attuned to Sri Lanka’s culture, politics and development
needs. His love for Sri Lanka was amply demonstrated, not by his having
come back to help his brother after a stint in the USA, but by the
output of his efforts after he came back.
His fearless
strategic contribution to winning the war against terrorism, the
transformation of Colombo under his supervision into a garden city, the
innovative way in which he facilitated the reduction of Global Sea
Piracy, and his commitment to the eradication of organized crime are
some excellent reasons for believing in Gota’s sincerity of political
purpose. I don’t wish to discuss other candidates here, but I have to
say that I don’t see a “pro-Sri Lankan” track record of such magnitude
in any one of the other candidates vying for presidency.
I
say this while acknowledging that the present government and their
constituent members have indeed done useful things, contrary to popular
opinion, such as passing the Right to Information Act. But as a civil
servant, Gota’s record is truly exceptional for recent times.
Some
interested parties who didn’t like Gota’s candidature challenged the
validity of his Sri Lankan citizenship last month. The case was
dismissed by the Court of Appeal of Sri Lanka. The Elections Commission
of Sri Lanka endorsed his candidature shortly thereafter. So, as far as
the law of the land is concerned, Gota is entitled to contest for the
presidency, and take office if he wins. Period.
Perhaps out
of sheer desperation on seeing the tide move against them, we now have
an 11th hour attempt at discrediting Gota, by political forces on the
opposing side of the campaign. The gist of their argument is that “Gota
still retains US citizenship”. The “basis” for this latest
conflagration is that A) His name has not appeared on an annual
register of persons who relinquished their US citizenship, prepared by
the US Government, and B) The fact that his legal team and his nephew
shared a visual of his passport, stamped with the grammatically
incorrect pronouncement “Cancel” (instead of “Cancelled”).
There
could easily be an innocent explanation for both of the above
frivolous concerns. I’ll let Gota and his political opponents thrash
this point out, if they feel it’s worthwhile doing so. I don’t.
Why
are we worried at all about Gota’s passport? As I said before, he is a
native born Sri Lankan, who decided as an adult to live in the USA, in
all likelihood for sound personal reasons. He lived out his experiment
and returned to Lanka after some years, and performed exceptionally for
his country as a civil servant, and more recently as a political
leader. If there is some pending paperwork regarding relinquishing US
citizenship, which is taking time – and mind I don’t say so –, then by
all means let him sort it out quietly! He is a human being who merits
our patience, on account of the services he has rendered to our
country.
As far as any impropriety is concerned, the
impartial judgments of the Elections Commission and the Court of
Appeal, which concluded that he is a Sri Lankan and can contest for the
presidency, is good enough to bury this concern and move on. No one,
other than Gota himself, was hurt by this unsubstantiated bureaucratic
concern. This is not a White Van; and whilst White Vans too were
unsubstantiated concerns, at least they involved someone being hurt, in
principle. So this concern is a category error, in a scientific sense.
The
motivation underpinning this 11th hour “passport conspiracy” theory
runs deep. In a country with many burning issues, which possibly
requires a sturdy, proven candidate like Gota, we must ponder why some
of us eagerly latch on to such a bureaucratic technicality to try and
disable his political movement, instead of allowing a fair contest.
I
suspect that at least part of the reason for this rather
uncharacteristic love of bureaucratic details takes us on a journey away
from reason, and into the realm of our tribal past, to instincts
evolved on the African plains. “Gota might be one of them, not one of
us”, and worse, “HE’S LYING!” It is these two voices in our heads, and
the anachronistic instincts behind them, that also make us racists, and
propels us towards vindictiveness and punitive justice. It is these
instincts that stifle progress, through the shallow, inflexible social
posture that they help create.
As former US president Barack
Obama once said, “This idea of purity and [that] you’re never
compromised and you’re always politically ‘woke’ and all that stuff.
You should get over that quickly. The world is messy. There are
ambiguities. People who do really good stuff have flaws. People who you
are fighting may love their kids.”
What are we afraid of,
ultimately, if Gota is indeed half-American (which I think he isn’t)?
Are we afraid that Gota dreams of relaxing in the Rockies smoking
cigars and listening to hillbilly music? Is that what we fear?
Why,
ladies and gents, we had such a president before. Good old Mr. Yankee
Dickie, who loved Buffalo Bill and smoked Hawaiian Cigars.
Incidentally, unlike his able nephew, he was not such a bad performer,
he liberalized our economy, raised our GDP, and took us away from
abject poverty and Gantara Sarongs.
Sure, there was social
upheaval during his administration, which led to violence. Some of this
upheaval might have been influenced by poor decisions of his, like the
lapse of policing on 25th July 1983. That’s why we say that no one is
perfect, and certainly no politician is. Similar lapses occurred in
April this year, under his nephew. We should look upon politics and
politicians with a touch of pragmatism.
As a voter, I
personally will ignore both Gota’s passport and Sajith’s cement bags,
and not yield into my primitive, vindictive instincts. These types of
concerns get amplified unnecessarily because of the competitive nature
of the election process, and are difficult to judge at a distance. So
instead, I’m going take a good, hard look at each candidate’s intentions
and past contributions, and vote for the relatively better one.
Mohan K Tikku Courtesy The Asian Age