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• 1. R.Liyanage  |  December 1st, 2009 at 6:52 am

  Kusal Perera is like the little boy who said the Emperor has no clothes. He has exposed the naked hypocrisy of our politicians. Will the powers that be cover their nudity in shame?

• 2. T.Holdenbottle  |  December 1st, 2009 at 7:16 am

  It’s an elaborate hoax.

  These politicians and the soldier -politico are all engaged in a duplicitous game

  As Mr.Kusal Perera says it’s a merry go round . Nothing will really change

  After going round and round the mulberry bush we’ll all be where we started under an all-powerful executive president

• 3. Ganeshalingam  |  December 1st, 2009 at 7:48 am

  As JR said the executive presidency is here to stay. I find nothing wrong with the idea. If more checks and balances are introduced the system can be made to work. The minorities are better off under that system

  Meanwhile let’s all enjoy the grand charade that’s going on in the name of abolishing the executive presidency

• 4. dyno  |  December 1st, 2009 at 8:27 am

  They have already suggested but MR doesn’t like that. That.s why they want to defeat MR.

• 5. Ravi C Sam  |  December 1st, 2009 at 8:37 am

  Well why are some paraniod about the presidential system of this country. Only an amendment is required to make on the immunity.

• 6. Ranjan from Toronto  |  December 1st, 2009 at 8:41 am

  DBSJ,
  Abolition of the executive presidency is a song that a bunch of lost politicians that has nothing else to say is singing. Does the common man care if it is an executive president or an executive prime minister that runs the country? I think not. The people want a good government that will bring a permanent peace to the country by finding a just political solution, people want good government that will develop the country and deliver jobs.

  Unfortunately that is not what the election is about. This is turning out to be a battle of egos. a battle between a corrupt family trying to consolidate power and a egocentric former solder being manipulated and led by a bunch of equally corrupt serial losers who could never dream of reaching power on their own strengths.

  The general talks about wiping out corruption. How is he going to do that when the bunch that he is being supported by is as corrupt as the bunch that he is trying to get rid of? Abolishing executive presidency is going to solve all the problems in the country? Corruption can be got rid of only when the people rise up and say enough is enough, we will not stand for this and we will not pay! Are they ready for that no.

• 7. mkdk  |  December 1st, 2009 at 10:27 am

  Dear Mr K P
  am I to understand that you think it is best to bet on the “known devil”? com’on do you honestly think anyone can trust MR?can you give one good reason for that? you sound anti-JVP, fine, but so far they haven’t cheated lied or stole anything from the people. please do correct me if I am wrong.

• 8. Safa  |  December 1st, 2009 at 11:02 am

  MR already made this promise in the Chintana, but instead he misused executive powers by undermining Parliment and the Judiciary. By appointing himself as the Minister of Finance he has established a stranglehold on the economy of the country which he exploits to the benefit of his family and personal interests. He has a mandate to continue for two more years but instead he chooses to spend Rs 1.5 Bn of taxpayers money to hold a Presideential Election for the sole objective of securing another 6 years rule as he has no confidence in winning an election after another 2 years.

  So can he be trusted to prune his Presidential Powers over the next 60 days? I think not. If he was sincere in his intentions he should have declared this soon after the defeat of the LTTE and made it a turning point for the destiny of the Nation. At present he has only to declare as such as he has the required votes in Parliment. There is no need for the UNF or JVP to go befor him on bended knees.

• 9. S.L.A. Nonis  |  December 1st, 2009 at 11:08 am

  Analysis given above is very clear. But the fact remains that no one is genuine particularly the ruling party wants to safeguard the executive presidentcy.
  If the opposition comes to power they too will continue the executive presidentcy
  Situation in SL is pathetic
  SLAN

• 10. Sinha Weera  |  December 1st, 2009 at 11:24 am

  @mkdk I don’t think Kusal is saying you should bet on a “known devil”l. All Kusal has done is point out simple logical facts that are undeniable. He has pointed out that with a common candidate we will be back to square one! For that you can’t accuse him of supporting one side. In fact Kusal has in his brief write up has summed up perfectly what many of us who are frustrated by what’s going on. It may not effect me directly, as I reside outside of SL, but I hope all Sri Lankans (sinhala, Tamil, More etc.) would take into consideration these “real facts” people like Kusal has pointed out. All we can do is sit and watch how a General is going to perform a “sinhabahu” to save the country!

• 11. Laki  |  December 1st, 2009 at 11:34 am

  If MR feels that he might loose the race for the executive presidency he has two choices.
  1. Dissolve the parliment and call for a parliment election on or before Jan 26.
  2. Abolish the executive presidency with the help of UNF and JVP before the president election (Jan 26).

• 12. bob  |  December 1st, 2009 at 11:48 am

  My Humble Opinion is, since both have “Blood ” in their hands – during how the war was conducted, whoever wins will not abolish Exec Presidency. for Diplomatic Immunity Purpose . However West wants the SF

• 13. Carlo Dissanayake  |  December 1st, 2009 at 12:03 pm

  My! My! mkdk
  ‘The JVP may not have cheated, lied or stolen anything from the people’ ? Did they not kill thousands of innocents?Were they not responsible for the closing of schools thus hindering the progress of school children? How quickly you forget!

• 14. George Gunasekera  |  December 1st, 2009 at 12:21 pm

  Do Citizens of Sri Lanka still want corruption to continue. MR’s son Nmal had been allowed to sit for the Law College exam in a separate room and answer the papers assisted by the Principal of the Law College. Sponsorship money by John Keells for the football team has been deposited in the personal account of Namal Rajapakse instead of the ‘Tharunayata Hetak’ Account. This is no second to the ‘Helping Hambantota’ affair. General Sarath Fonseka has at least promised to activate the Commissions under the 17th Amendment immediately he assumes power. This is a positive step to eradicate corruption. If people of Sri Lanka wants a corrupt free Sri Lankla they have to get rid of this rogue Mahinda Rajapakse.

• 15. Ravi  |  December 1st, 2009 at 12:22 pm

  Democracy is based on capitalism.
  Capitalism is based on greed. (Capitalistic economists argue greed is good. Greed stimulates economic activities).
  So folks, how can you expect a leader of a capitalistic system to be not greedy? He has to lead by example.
  Who is going to abolish executive presidency. Will Ranil abolish? It is a great joke, if an educated person believes in that. Ranil needs money to resurrect his party, and he knows he himself wouldn’t be elected for his perceived weakness. Only one way to come to power is removing SLFP from supreme power, presidency.
  Will SF abolish Exec Presidency?
  SF does not have a political party. When he looses his power to parliament, he will become dirt, nobody and a haunted human right violator. Why should SF abolish Executive Presidency?
  Use your brain folks. At this situation everybody who seeks presidency directly or indirectly needs power to sustain themselves. Nobody will abolish EP.

• 16. mavady  |  December 1st, 2009 at 1:08 pm

  I don’t understand why abolishing the executive presidency will be the central theme of the current presidential election. We should choose the right leader who can listen and lead the country. In the past there are many occasions they fail to fulfill their promises. This time we should put the pre-conditions on them. We should decide what sort of government we want. We should create the manifesto for them. We should take active role in the civil society. We can’t simply let them ruin our country.We are expecting much from the politicians. They are after all sort of business man(s). In order to gain or stay in the power they can even betray our country. Since independent we lost many things un-necessary because of our ignorance. We can’t simply blame leaders and politicians. This is our fault and failure to identify their cunning politics. Now we are clever enough to learn from the past and decide our destiny. Because of the ethnic conflicts we both side suffered a lot. Both side lost too much. Sadly that conflicts still exists. That is not over yet. Winning the war or destroying LTTE is not the end . In reality, Tamil’s national problem come into the very power full dimension than ever. That has to be tackle and addressed wisely. No leaders can do that with- out public support. That’s what happened in the past. As majority, Sinhala people have to take proactive approach and put pressures on Presidential candidates to give priority to this issue. Don’t wait for their manifesto. You put the proposals front of them. Showing your olive branch to Tamil society. At the moment there is hatters and lack of trust on each other sides. This has to be reconcile first. This is your duty to prove to Tamil society that we can live together peace fully under united SL. Your reluctance may attract foreign influence over SL. That may bring negative effect. Last time you vote for MR to win the war. This time you should vote for him to win the hearts & minds of Tamil speaking people. Personally I believe that he has the personality to do that job. That is very important for whole nation. Sorry but, SF seems to me laughing stock and his recent statements cast upon his credibility. He said drugs smuggling Yankees behind the MR government. Also he said he has no involvement with underground mafia. If that is case why did he stick with MR’s army and salute for him. He should have resign the post and reveal the truth to the public before – hand. He said he is ready to give Tamils more than 13th Amendment plus. BC he knows that people around him never let him to give even piece of cake to Tamils. Then he will turn around and say what can I do. When he was in top rank Government post he gave an interview to “Nation” with very racist comments. As far as I know he never apologise for that comment in publically and that gain very bad publicity as “Racist Army Commander” in the whole world. Also needless to say everybody know his Pease Keeping command role in Haiti that brought very bad image to SL. Also how could we believe him that he simply fled USA with- out facing inquiry or interview? There must be something missing? Isn’t?. I hope he made some secrete deal with them. I heard that TNA Sampathan also going to contest in PE . Ok, what he can achieve by doing this rather than wasting some valuable votes. When LTTE holding innocent Tamils as human shield at Mullivaikal Sampathan and Co kept quite with blind eye. They never ask LTTE to release them. MR gave 48 Hrs ceasefire twice and ask the peoples to go to IDP.LTTE did not let them to go. Now everybody including myself blame MR for the killings of those in the last battle. BC as a head of the state he failed to protect his own citizen. In reality LTTE put them on danger and was dreaming for foreign favour if those got killed. Tamil people should understand clearly that LTTE made MR as a war criminal. Now dummy ghost LTTE in overseas trying to bring MR to the war tribunal. LTTE was trying to get advantage on its own peoples death. Some section of Diaspora was throwing a life line to LTTE by putting their own peoples in danger. Nobody(Tamil) including TNA-Sampathan never appeal to LTTE for safety of innocent peoples.. May be this not relevant to talk about now. Whatever he (MR) did in the past we need him back to the Power. As victor of the war he has moral and historical duty to resolve the long lasting problem and bring the peace and prosperity to SL. There is a common feeling among Tamils that we can’t get anything reasonably from the Sinhalese in amicable way. So this is duty to the every Sinhalese to prove this is wrong. That is why I think Sinhalese and Tamils should put their proposals and support MR. If he fails, If you fail, If we fail…………….I can’t even imagine that.

• 17. Bomman.K  |  December 1st, 2009 at 2:27 pm

  I do agree with Kusal Perera. At the same time DBS’s comments are also thought provoking. But I believe allowing all powerful executive presidency is more lethal. Can you remember what happened when Madam Chandrika was the President. She was able to halt any agreement between UNP and Tigers. Let us not consider whether any agreement for the continuation of ceasefire is good or bad is a different matter. But the fact is that as a single person she was able to control a democratically elected Government. That means one person can decide the fate of entire Sri Lanka.

• 18. Kumara  |  December 1st, 2009 at 3:00 pm

  JVPL- murderers, not lied and stolen? tell this to babies! We know what havoc they created and how many lives were taken in the name of revolution- 70’s and 90’s. Remember JVP leadership paid the price for that.

• 19. R.S.Ganeshan  |  December 1st, 2009 at 3:02 pm

  What Kusal says is entirely correct.

  In fact in 2000 when Chandrika B tried to resolve the problem by bringing in proposals tochange the constitution and give regional autonomy to the provinces and attempted to implement the 13th Amendment it was RW and the UNP with the help of the JVP and other extremists that sabotaged the attempt by setting fire to the proposals in parliament. Everybody saw it on TV. At that time MR was supportive of the proposals.
  If abolishing the executive Presidency is the main issue now for both the government and the opposition then it can be done now as Kusal contends,why spend money and effort and waste time with Presidential elections.This election is simply an effort to prolong the agony of the people and survive in power while the situation gets worse on a daily basis for the country to suffer ever rising costs,poor living standards,the effects burgeoning corruption while those holding the reins of power inflict more misery with laws like the PTA to take action against dissidents and to prolong media censorship for justifying and to cover malpractices,waste,delay and inertia in governance.

• 20. Kamal Munasinghe  |  December 1st, 2009 at 6:21 pm

  JR once said that people elected a school girl as their president meaning one cannot expect wisdom and maturity from such person. Chandrika on the other hand said that JR created a bahubootha constitution meaning whatever she wanted to mean by it. JR was preaching for this kind of presidency for decades and only Mahinda was able to do what JR perhaps wanted to do. Mahinda used the bahobootha system to bring UNP to death by elections! In the democratic world the craving is for any election of any kind, in Sri Lanka the opposition hates elections!
  Those who study political developments in Sri Lanka since the 1930s saw a group of Colombo families destroying the country with the help of an elite civil service crowd paying lip service to democracy, village development etc. Since the 1960s these families of the UNP and SLFP (with the support of English-speaking Colombo Marxists) removed one by one democracy given in the 1947 Constitution. Both the Donoughmore and Soulbury Commissions warned these Colombo families about the dangers of Tamil separatism and the need to develop the remote areas where the poor Tamils, Muslims and the Sinhalese were living. By 1948 there were two Ceylons:
  (1) English-speaking, west-worshiping Colombo-centered Ceylon and
  (2) Sinhala and Tamil-speaking village Ceylon.
  Even after the 1971 youth rebellion these ruling families did not learn a lesson. Instead they politicalized everything and destroyed the structural democracy in Ceylon. For example, after packing party henchmen to the Senate, they later abolished it as useless! The 1947 Constitution which was based on the 1944 Ministers’ Draft had everything the country needed to become a prosperous country. A policy of “discrimination with reason” could have nullified the restrictions placed on the parliament by the Section 29(2). This was what India did covering 50% of its people known as scheduled tribes and castes and later backward classes. Malaysia did it in vigorously since 1971.
  The 1972 Constitution was a bad document in representative democracy and the 1978 one was a death-trap when considered along with the ugly amendments and the changes to the election laws. In addition to the death of structural democracy (rule of law, independent public service and the judiciary etc.) that took place prior to 1978, JR documents killed the territorial democracy in Sri Lanka.
  The destruction of electorate and ward-level selection of representatives was an unpardonable crime. Then came the India-imposed Provincial Council white elephant (13-A). This tiny island does not need and cannot afford this colossal wastage of money which has become Montessori schools for local politicians’ kith and kin.
  One aspect clear in Sri Lanka politics is that selfish party politicians in power abuse and create systems for their benefit not realizing that the opponents would use the same system to abuse power when they get their chance! This was what had happened with JR. He never thought that tables will turn within 10 years making him a prisoner to his own set up. All those Colombo educated crowd (JR, Laltih Athulathmudali, Gamini Dissanayake, Chandrika, Anura and even Premadasa who had a Colombo life) never knew the ability of the first village man who became the president of Sri Lanka in November 2005. He turned the bahubootha death-trap system of JR and Company. into an Aladdin’s lamp and used it so effectively to save the country from a 30-year old beggar’s wound. He could do this because of what JR created. To a great extent he could even overcome the electoral system designed by purpose of by accident to make the Sinhala majority a weak majority government, a demand made first the mid-1920s.
  Yes, there are so many defects in the Mahinda’s administration. We all expect that he will, after the next election start a war against corruption, nepotism and criminalization of the country etc. But for UNP to ask the abolition of Presidency is silly because the entire bahubootha system with 13-A must be thrown out and a new constitution must be developed with people participation. UNP and JVP must realize that people in Sri Lanka are not going to buy their sour grape stories and their new-born interest in preserving democracy. Where were they when JR, Premadasa and Chandrika played havoc?
  A simple answer by Mahinda
  (1) that he used the powers of the presidency to end the war and
  (2) that he expects a mandate from people to develop an entirely new constitution with ward and electorate-base local and parliamentary elections and
  (3) an empowerment of people at the village council level is the devolution of power envisaged will be the end of this new political strategy of UNP.
  The plague in Sri Lanka is the dirty politics of self-survival with kith and kin behind. People know that it is now time to throw out the bath water with the baby!

• 21. Kamal Munasinghe  |  December 1st, 2009 at 6:34 pm

  Politicians should not be involved in Constitution making……Independent Jurists with Senior Retired Judges of the Supreme Court, selected Members of the Inner and Outer Bar, Social Activists,Journalists………selected and presented to a Constitutional Assembly passed with 2/3rd majority and then submitted to the Parliament for final ratification again to be passed by 2/3rd Majority..

• 22. Kamal Munasinghe  |  December 1st, 2009 at 6:53 pm

  Sri Lanka’s disdainful Charlatan politician JR who grabbed power in 1977 by deceiving the electorate with fabulous promises (8 kgs of cereal per week, elimination of unemployment, eradication of poverty, establishment of just society) committed the worst crimes against the society and the nation. Paying lip service to democracy he took every step to drive the nation into the doom of anarchy, insecurity and instability, with the help of his absurd constitution, aptly termed by the President as the “bahubootha vyawasthawa”.

  The controversial 1978 Constitution was imposed unilaterally without any consultation with the people. JR boasted that this Constitution disallows him only to change a man to woman and vice-versa. This absurd Constitution helped him to enforce the following major incongruous, repressive and reactionary measures among other draconian laws. People were denied the right to elect their rightful representatives in 1982 and through a fraudulent immensely rigged referendum the term of the Parliament was extended for another term.

  The nation was capitulated to Indian dictates and regulations were introduced to validate the provincial council system. Neither the public nor even the Prime Minister or the National Security Minister was consulted. Public discontent was arrogantly ignored with repression and assaults. North and East were merged at the instigation of the Indians and the terrorists, totally disregarding the subjugation and unjust that caused to the Sinhala and Muslim population, who overnight became an inconsequential minority.

  Ministers and MPs were made mere robots by compelling them to tender undated resignation letters so that he could with the powers of the absurd constitution dismiss them without any notice. The horrendous proportional representation system was introduced so that this country could never have a stable government and the major parties will always be bound to the whims and fancies of the insignificant political groups or gangs.

  All peace loving, patriotic and sagacious people should join hands to free this nation from political ransom, improper and unjust electoral representation, and pave the way for enactment of laws for stable and good governance. Our firm determined and united action in this direction will only usher in a society in which future generations could live in peace and harmony and once again this country could be transformed to its pristine purity.

• 23. Ilaya Seran Senguttuvan  |  December 1st, 2009 at 7:11 pm

  A senior and respected Minister I knew felt the EP has useful features for a society like we are – torn between two sides and various extreme forces around. He said the holder of the EP has leverage to help the minorities which is otherwise impossible through the
  Parliamentary process. But he said that this is like a motor car – if used well and carefully it serves a good purpose. Wrongly used, it can be very destructive both to the driver and pedestrians. That is why probably the social minded CBK kept it – knowing fully well she will incur the wrath of the JVP and widely criticized in the country. So did our friend MR. I think now that Gen. SF/UNF is commited to do away with it (provided they win) the best would be to amend the EP powers and use it bringing in a structure of eminent senior professionals acceptable to the vast majority of Parliament to help the President in its use. The possibility of this being used arbitrarily must be curtailed. Its too tempting an instrument, as the wily JRJ commented, anyone would like to easily do away with.

  ISS

• 24. S. Charles  |  December 1st, 2009 at 7:52 pm

  Abolishing the Executive President Post and replacing it with an Executive Prime Minister Post will require a 2/3 majority and a referendum. Since so many have gone to polls with abolishion in their manifesto and won, they can have a constitution assembly as mandated by the people and do it. that is, if they want to.

• 25. Prakrama Kuruppu  |  December 1st, 2009 at 8:03 pm

  US presidents with a military past.

  William McKinley – Brevet Major
  Benjamin Harrison – Brigadier General
  Chester A. Arthur – Brigadier General
  Andrew Johnson – Brigadier General
  Franklin Pierce – Brigadier General
  Ronald Reagan – Captain
  Abraham Lincoln – Captain
  John Tyler – Captain
  Harry S. Truman – Colonel
  Theodore Roosevelt – Colonel
  James K. Polk – Colonel
  James Madison – Colonel
  Thomas Jefferson – Colonel
  Richard Nixon – Commander
  Lyndon B. Johnson – Commander
  George W. Bush – First Lieutenant
  Andrew Jackson – General
  George Washington – General of the Armies
  Dwight D. Eisenhower – General of the Army
  Ulysses S. Grant – General of the Army
  George H.W. Bush – Lieutenant
  Jimmy Carter – Lieutenant
  John F. Kennedy – Lieutenant
  Gerald Ford – Lieutenant Commander
  Millard Fillmore – Major
  James Monroe – Major
  James Garfield – Major General
  Rutherford B. Hayes – Major General
  Zachary Taylor – Major General
  William Henry Harrison – Major General
  James Buchanan – Private

  31 of them.

  but NONE of them joined the opposing camp or those who rediculed their war!!

  a political strategy for the MR camp would be to field a retired disabled soldier to support MR as an independant candidate. preferably he should have dead brothers in the army as well. preferably with the common name sarath.

  he can make comparisons.

  1. ULTIMATE sacrifices made by his family
  2. PERMANANT sacrifices made by him
  3. his children studying at kalegama maha vidyalam
  4. he is living in a small plot of land in kalegama
  5. he is provided with NO security
  6. he too likes to live in the USA but he prefers SL
  7. how he fought BRAVELY
  8. bring fotos of his family and show to the audience

  this time i think the impartiality thing will be enforced harder by the election commissioner. so it makes to get MAXIMUM air time and representations at polling booths by fielding as many candidates as possible.

  SF can do same. but the CONTRASTING differences will be too clear to voters then.
  There were OTHER FAMILIES that led Sri Lanka in the past: The Senanayake’s, the Bandaranaike’s, and the Premadasa’s, for example.

  Each of these distinguished families did much good, some bad, and failed in some ways.

  But, most of them failed to confront and reunify the country, and lay the foundation for growing the economy rapidly, as the MR-GOSL has.

  Let us not be JEALOUS of the Rajapaksa Family, but be GLAD that they were there to take up the fallen Lion Flag and raise it high above our collective heads when we needed such leaders. Family leadership is a historical tradition in our country; so why bemoan it .. especially when they are ABLE? Would you have said the same thing about Kavan Tissa’s two sons DutuGamunu and SaddhaTissa, also?

  In times of great uncertainty, distrust and internal and external threats, is it not natural to rely on one’s own SIBLINGS as the pillars of your own survival, and of your country? Do we not KNOW that the MR-GR-BR brothers worked SEAMLESSLY and EFFECTIVELY to defend and protect the Motherland in the past few years? Why, oh why, do we try to tear them down for the sake of a fleeting political expediency?

  Let us not give any credence to the INCURABLY JEALOUS new-politician SF who is on a personal and political vendetta against the Rajapaksa clan.

  MR had a very small majority in parliament, to fight and win a war with. He kept that majority together with a variety of strategies, including giving a Ministerships to everyone who wanted one. If he had the 2/3 majority, THAT HE IS NOW ASKING THE PEOPLE TO GIVE HIM, he would not have had to do that. Yet, astonishingly, he kept the government whole, confronted internal and external enemies and won the war. Give him that 2/3 majority, and he will dismantle ALL OF THESE STRATEGIES he adopted to maintain a STABLE GOVERNMENT in the throes of a war of national survival.

  Given our history of how the SEPARATISTS and ANTI-SL FORCES always used the tactic of SPLITTING THE SINHALA VOTE down the middle to prevent a military victory, and frustrate the economic resurgence of Sri Lanka, is it not quite ASTONISHING what the MR-GOSL achieved?

  Now, unfortunately, Sarath Fonseka is LEADING THE CHARGE of the Anti-SL forces to again SPLIT THE SINHALA VOTE DOWN THE MIDDLE, and bring back the bad old days of governmental instability and impotence. They are using EVERY FALSEHOOD and DEVIOUS TACTIC to do that, as we see here at the DW blog.

  BLINDED by jealousy, and personal ambition, Sarath Fonseka has fallen into the trap laid for him by these separatists and anti SriLanka forces.

  Let us, NOT FALL INTO THAT SAME YAWNING TRAP!

  Let us keep the WELFARE of OUR beloved Motherland foremost in OUR thoughts, and NOTHING ELSE!

• 26. Feizal  |  December 1st, 2009 at 9:03 pm

  Since the President too wishes to abolish the
  executive Presidency why doesn’t the combined opposition move a motion in the present parliament and before the date of the Presidential and force the incumbent president for its passage.Lot of uncertainty and money can be saved.

• 27. mmkdskkdk  |  December 2nd, 2009 at 12:22 am

  Singha weera, yes we can do almost nothing, so will wait and see the perfomance of SF, as we have alraedy withnessed MR.
  Carlo D, no sir I do have a good memory, read my comment again , I didnt write anything about killing, because in sri lanka can you name one Political party whose hands arent bloodied.
  Kumara, pls forgive me, if I am wrong, I get the feeling after reading your comment, that you are h

• 28. Mkdk  |  December 2nd, 2009 at 12:34 am

  kumara,sorry, my com gave way!
  Kumara, pls forgive me, if I am wrong, I get the feeling after reading your comment, that you are happy for what happened to the JVP ers in the late 80s,well I don’t feel like that, also even when Prabakaran was killed , I promise you I didn’t cook “kiribath” nor can i understand the mentality of the people who did.
  i thank all for their comments, and will challenge again, can you tell one singel person(incident) who is in the JVP today of stealing from the people?

• 29. Haris  |  December 2nd, 2009 at 12:38 am

  May be I have missed something here. Does anybody know of a prime minister or a president od SriLanka, except Dudley Senanayake, who has not given special privelages to his friends or his clan? All who are crying fould are people who do not have a family member or a friend in the ‘government’!

  MR does for his clan, so what? The four brothers did get the job done! So caugh-up collect Rs100 per head to give them as ’santhsam’ as we do not have to worry about suicide bombers anymore. Stay out of the path of Mervyn though!

  They steal because they do not have money. Make a contribution. They are worth it! How soon we forget!

• 30. Nimal Ratnayake  |  December 2nd, 2009 at 3:15 am

  These talks about abolishing the executive Presidency is just a joke. All the politician in Sri Lanka (ruling and the opposition) have never being honest. They always give false hopes for the voters to get into power. Not only the executive presidency we must also get rid of all these old generation politicians.

• 31. Asanka Perera  |  December 2nd, 2009 at 7:10 am

  post -1

  Mavil-Aru conflict 2006 was the beginning of the war with LTTE and at that time General Fonseka was in the hospital after the suicide attack.

  Mavil Aru was a bloody confrontation. LTTE closed the sluice gates of the Mavil Aru to block the supply of water to about 30,000 acres of ripe paddy affecting about 60,000 farmers. Started as a humanitarian operation, the Govt needed to restore the water supply from Mavil Aru to the innocent farmers.

  On August 8, 2006 when the LTTE announced it was restoring the water supply, everyone expected the SL govt to call off the operation and come to a settlement. If it was Ranil or Chandrika at the helm, it would have been the end of the story. Even the LTTE expected the same from Mahinda, but the Govt went ahead with the operation “Watershed” until it gained the full control of the sluice gates controlling the water flow.

  During the operation “Watershed” and immediately after, there was pressure from the International agencies and diplomatic missions to stop the operation and come to a ceasefire. Even the ex US president Bill Clinton intervened at one stage. In this instance President and the Govt selected the Military approach over the political solution to resolve the issue and which was never expected by the LTTE. The most important aspect of this operation was to re-establish the credibility of the security forces and totally sideline the SLMM (Monitoring mission).

  If the operation had failed – what would have been the outcome? LTTE would have taken the total control of the whole eastern province including Trincomalee. – Mahinda’s head would have been on the chopping block.

• 32. Asanka Perera  |  December 2nd, 2009 at 7:19 am

  post – 2

  You may remember the tense situation that prevailed just before the voting for the SL Budget 2007. Mangala Samaraweera expected several MP’s to cross over from the Government side to the opposition; even the JVP expected the same. Wimal Weerawansa and his supporters saved the government on that occasion. When the defectors knew that Govt will not lose, their whole operation was deflated. Even the current JVP did not vote against the govt and abstained from the vote. Poor Anura Bandarnayake did not have a clue of the situation and got seated with the opposition.
  If the Govt lost the budget on that day, would you like to imagine the situation of the country now? Most probably Prabhakaran & LTTE would have captured part of the country by now.

  In 2007, SL Navy destroyed the several large LTTE ships which were carrying arms and ammunition, in the high seas. It dealt a severe blow to the LTTE’s international arms shipment network and drastically reduced its fire power. This was a major turning point of the war. This was the first time our small Navy went out of our water and completed a major operation successfully.

  What would have happened if that operation failed? Who would get the blame? .Of course President, Defense Secretary and Navy Commander would be the prime targets for the blame & ridicule. The opposition along with LTTE would have started a campaign and toppled the Government. Most probably, Prabhakaran would be running his Eelam by now. General Fonseka was not in the scene at the all.
  Even though the physical war was going on within SL, there was another battle that continued on outside SL. Most of the Western nations (US, UK, France, Norway, Sweden, etc) were using all their diplomatic fronts to stop the war and come to a political settlement. Several times LTTE Diaspora with the help of the West tried to include SL conflict into the Security Council agenda, but failed because of China, Russia & Vietnam. Here again credit lies with the Rajapaksa regime for backing the correct horse. Right from the beginning, Mahinda and the Govt had a very good relationship with China, Russia & India and that paved the way for their support.

  If the LTTE Diaspora & West won at the UN Security Council, most probably UN would have sent a Peace Keeping Force and that would have been the birth of Eelam.

• 33. Asanka Perera  |  December 2nd, 2009 at 7:20 am

  post – 3
  By 2007, SL Security Forces have taken the total control of the Eastern province and started to dismantle LTTE from the north. According to the media reports, General Fonseka was in total control of this operation and he appointed commanders like Major General Jagath Dias and Brigadier Shavendra Silva, etc to lead the army from several fronts.

  As we all know, they succeeded in their operations in spite of the stiff resistance from LTTE. Even though LTTE was weak at this time because of lack of supplies, credit should go to General Fonseka for appointing the right people at the right time and for the operational tactics. But recent report says that General was not in the country when the war was won. Most probably he was not needed during that phase of the war. Our Security forces without the General, Diplomats, Administrators and Politicians completed the job in style with the public support.

  During this phase LTTE had the indirect support of the NGO & INGO as well as the SL opposition (UNP, Mangala Samaraweera, Mano Ganeshan, etc). Finally SLSF won the war.

  What if – the SLSF forces lost this war, what would be the situation now? Whose head would go to the chopping block first? Of course, as Commander and Chief, Mahinda’s head would go first followed by Gotabhaya, General Fonseka, etc and not the other way around. This is where the “Responsibility & Accountability comes into the picture”.
  As far as I am concerned, this is the most satisfying victory of the whole war. During the near end of the war, the West and LTTE Diaspora tried their last trump card by sending British Foreign Minister and French Foreign Minister to SL, to give a life line to the LTTE and to rescue Prabakaran and LTTE leaders. Swedish Foreign Minister was not given the visa to join British and French. It was a very tensed situation.

  This was the first time in history (after Keppetipola ) that a SL politician stood up to our previous colonial masters and asked them “Please do not interfere with our internal affairs”. It was the first time foreign ministers of two powerful countries came together to Sri Lanka and left empty handed.

  What if – SL govt gave in at that moment? Prabhakaran and the LTTE would have survived and the fight would have continued for few more generations. Ranil, Mangala & Chandrika would have taken the upper hand in local politics and SL would go back to colonial days. Mahinda and the current govt would have lost the power.

• 34. Asanka Perera  |  December 2nd, 2009 at 7:25 am

  post – 4

  Due to the recent political upheaval in the land of Sri Lanka (SL), several people have come out and claimed the victory of the war. So we frequently hear/read the statements like “I am responsible for the victory over the LTTE”.
  If one thinks that the war with LTTE is over, they are sadly mistaken. LTTE Diaspora with plenty of money and resources will keep on obstructing/harassing Sri Lanka in every possible sphere. Fortunately we have capable people like Defense Secretary Gotabhaya who understood what was happening outside the Sri Lankan borders, initiated and coordinated the action to arrest the current leader of LTTE KP and brought him to SL which took everybody by surprise. From the LTTE war perspective, this is a remarkable achievement. Only the Israelis used this type of operation before. Please note that SL does not have resources like Israel.

  The West and LTTE Diaspora know the abilities of our defense establishment and that is why they are all out to stop this type of operations and try to accuse Defense Secretary and the other commanders (except the General who was in China during the final phase of the war) on war crimes.

  I have a feeling that if General wins the election with the help of West, Ranil, Chandrika, etc, he will have to obey his masters and he might handover our key defense personnel to trial at the International Court of Justice on “war crimes”. You may also remember what happened to the personnel who used to work for the Millennium City project.

  If that happens, it will be a very very sad day for Sri Lanka, we may not only lose whatever we have gained during the last four years, but also SL will go back at least 60 years – back to Colonial era.

  From the above, one could easily see who was taking the biggest risk in conducting the above war and due credit should go to the correct deserving persons and not to anyone who is just claiming it.

  Recently, I read another report saying that President and Defense Secretary prevented General Fonseka in speaking to the press. No wonder anyone allowing General to speak with the following experiences.

  At the height of the war, when the Govt and expatriates were trying their best to gather support from everyone, the Army Commander makes utterances such as “Sri Lanka belongs to Sinhalese”. This statement alone gave a lot of ammunition to the LTTE and to its Diaspora. The expatriates who loved the country had a very difficult time in encountering the above statement and defending the General. I am sure it must have been the same for the SL government.

  Dear General – a politically correct statement is “Sri Lanka belongs to Sri Lankans (Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslims, etc)” and not the other way.

  When we needed the support of India, the General makes another blunder by uttering “Tamil Nadu politicians are jokers”. These are politically incorrect statements. I am sure some one in the government would have apologized to India with regards to the above statement.

  What if – Major General Jagath Dias (57 Division) and Brigadier Shavendra Silva (58 Division) – the most competent commanders of the army, claim that they are responsible for the victory of the war because they went to the battle front and took the risks more than anyone else?

  Then the General Fonseka will say – No, I gave the opportunity and command to the commanders and therefore I am totally responsible for the victory.

  Then Gotabhaya might say – No, I took the risk and appointed the General as the Army Commander and therefore he too should get the credit of the victory.

  Then President Mahinda might say – No, I appointed Gotabhaya as the Defense Secretary and therefore I should get the credit of the victory.

  Then the people in SL (SLFP, JVP, JHU, etc) will say we appointed Mahinda as the President and the credit and the victory should come to us.

  Finally credit of the victory belongs to all Sri Lankans except the ones like Ranil, Mangala, Chandrika and their supporters who tried to betray the country at each and every opportunity.

• 35. kaluyaka  |  December 2nd, 2009 at 7:25 am

  Kusal everyone is carrying on with all sorts of promises until they get the power and once they are there they conveniently forget the promises and deliberately distract
  the public.

  One thing for sure MR kept his promise. He said that he will get rid of terrorism, and he just did that.

  Re. abolishing the execute presidency, who want to do that when people come to you crawling and worshiping.
  Over the past few years in SL we have gone mad with worshiping. When we were small we used to worhip
  our parents and the clergy and that was all.. Now every Dick Tom and Harry is getting worshipped. What is wrong with our Sri Lankans.?. Haven’t we got any self respect to go around and worhip corrupt politicians ?.
  Whenever there is a prize giving at a school, a politician comes to give away the prizes, all the kids have go down on their knees and worship these idiots.
  I do not mind if it is a little bow and keeping the hands
  together and a bit of acknowledgement, but not going down on one’s knees and worshiping. After all these
  politicians are bloody corrupt idiots. Besides, in this day and age one human should not worship another human..

  Sorry DBSJ I know I have side tracked a little bit, but I always wanted to raise this question. I feel very bad when
  someone worship me, and I have asked my younger
  nephews and neices not to worship me, but to give me a hug.

  I raised this point to highlight why anyone does not want to change the executive presidency. Power is a like a drug and as the song says ‘ everybody want to rule the world’.

• 36. Candy Perera  |  December 2nd, 2009 at 12:59 pm

  MR has to go !

• 37. Candy Perera  |  December 2nd, 2009 at 1:01 pm

  This administration consists of all fart and NO SHIT

• 38. Candy Perera  |  December 2nd, 2009 at 1:04 pm

  It is better for MR to step down honourably and give way to the General to prove himself. The current regime has become a family affair which is not professional. Mother Lanka needs a military administration and not Civil. So uncle MR should say good bye.

• 39. Ilaya Seran Senguttuvan  |  December 2nd, 2009 at 1:50 pm

  Haris (29) // Dudley belonged to a different era when rules, ARs and\, FRs were almost sacrosanct. Where Ministers automatically generated respect. He was a gentleman of whom all of us can be proud of. It is said he got his premature heart-attack seeing a man taking something to eat out of a garbage bin (1972/73) at the turn of Kannatta Road in Borella where he lived at “Woodlands” Since we are all trying to learn from past mistakes and move towards good governance – I am afraid Dudley too was not entirely free of blame. There was talk of a little bending here and there in favour of kith-kin and friends – but this was the rare exception than the present day rule. These would have been pin-pricks compared to the personally engineered robbing going on now. His brother Robert, Pin Fernando and United Tractors – then Agents for Caterpillar and other earth-moving equipment – as well as Freudenberg’s – of which Robert was head came under the cloud occasionally. These figured in Parliamentary discussions in the early 60s when NM, Colvin, Lesli, Anil, the Gunawardena Bros, Pieter had much to say here. SWRD, W. Dahanayake and Mrs B stand generally free of this scourge in our post-1948 history. Our friend Bradman is the best repository of all these – although, the gentleman he has always been, he will smile this away – as they say in the US – “its just one of those things”

  ISS

• 40. Navin  |  December 2nd, 2009 at 6:20 pm

  34. Asanka Perera:

  Very well said.

  Its really unfortunate that SF turned into a loose cannon at the very end.

• 41. Navin  |  December 2nd, 2009 at 6:37 pm

  38. Candy Perera:

  Do you think people really care about the administration been a family affair? Honestly, I’m glad that MR got GR runs the defense establishment and Basil to run the development work and foreign affairs than some incompetent joker in the government.

  Issues like nepotism, executive presidency, dictatorship do not matter at all to ordinary people. Things that are more important to people are peace and security, development, jobs, tolerable level of cost of living.

  Its hard to find people who are both effective at task assigned to them and also not corrupt. Its better to give a task to a man who is corrupt but effective than to a person who is neither corrupt nor effective. Hence even if Basil were to siphon 15% of whatever cash that he handles, if the guy gets the job done at the end of the day, I honestly don’t care.

• 42. shankar  |  December 2nd, 2009 at 7:28 pm

  #6 Ranjan

  Abolition of the executive presidency is a song that a bunch of lost politicians that has nothing else to say is singing. Does the common man care if it is an executive president or an executive prime minister that runs the country? I think not
  —————————————————————————-I agree with you. They were worried about the LTTE and economy. Now it is only the economy. It is the JVP that makes a big racket about this always. I wonder why?

  #14-George Gunasekera

  MR’s son Nmal had been allowed to sit for the Law College exam in a separate room and answer the papers assisted by the Principal of the Law College.
  —————————————————————————

  Commenting about Namal can be hazardous. Believe me, I know it from experience. His internet girlfriend Sheila will be comin after you.

• 43. shankar  |  December 2nd, 2009 at 9:24 pm

  #31-34-Asanka Perera

  Well worth a read. You are spot on most of the time and analysed the events well. I especially liked the way you came across in you arguments in #34 last 6 para’s.

  You say the general was not there at the end game. I think he was in China. Now that is a bit fishy for me. Why conduct the war so many years and in the last part go away. We always get a thrill no when we say checkmate.

  Was it because he knew it was going to be messy and wanted to show he was not there when it all happenned.

• 44. Navin  |  December 2nd, 2009 at 10:03 pm

  43. shankar:

  You are quite correct. I don’t think there is any room to blame SF as far as his conduct of war is concerned– whether at the beginning, in the middle or at the end. Regardless of whether he was in Sri Lanka or elsewhere, I’m sure he took the necessary steps. I heard SF reply to this allegation in an interview where he said he was in touch with the troops though he was not in the country. He also made a counter allegation to GR saying that in his absence GR had sent in a battalion to the front lines which SF had kept in reserve resulting in unnecessary causalities.

  What I cannot understand is why all these people the reds, the blues, the greens and now SF, cannot give credit to others where it is due. They would rather come up with some lame reason to discredit the other party than praise them for the obvious.

• 45. Kamal Munasinghe  |  December 2nd, 2009 at 11:13 pm

  Mahinda may be blasting Gothabaya now for Sarath claiming 100% of the victory.

  Being an experienced politician, Mahinda wanted to retire Sarath in 2007 December and 2008 December.

  Sarath Fonseka RARELY visited the battle front. Jaffna is not a battlefront. only Kilali, Muhamalai, Nagarkovil (KMN)are battlefronts in Jaffna. that too time to time.

  Gothabaya intervened and asked for extentions.

  We could have won the war with or without Sarath at the top in 2008 or 2009. by that time the war was progressing well (except for Kilali Muhamalai Nagarkovil debacles). Sarath’s inputs were very little although Shavendra Silva was humble enough to acknowledge it!!

  Mahinda’s predecessors didn’t do this

  JR sent his nephew Weeratunga to Jaffna to “finish” the “rebels”. JR was more concerned about getting CREDIT than winning the war. obviously he failed miserably.

  2. then JR appointed a die hard JR fan, Lalith as the deputy defence and national security minister. Lalith was the Architect of the 1978 constitution and the open economic policies that were not popular as JR expected them to be, by then. by getting Lalith to do, it JR thought he can show that ALL THE WORK OF Lalith is par excellence. he did a reasonably good job. Lalith was DIRECTLY involved in running the war.

  His blunders in purchasing navy ships has been highlighted by a patriotic navy officer who was kicked out by Lalith and then by Ranil’s boyfriend Gonawala Sunil.

  But ANY credit that will come ANY DAY, so though JR, MUST accrue to him and his man.

  Other top UNPers didn’t give up. Gamini, Premadasa, etc. had their FAVOURITE military men. A dog fight to get credit when SL win the war, started.

  Premadasa made Ranjan Wijeratna GENERAL!!!! it was a joke. but by doing so he ensured the credit for 1989 JVP defeat stays in POLITICS, close to him. Ranil was in politics HEAVILY by that time.

  MYSTERIOUSLY pro-SLFP Denzil died after the world hailed him as the BEST EVER THIRD WORLD GENERAL. they meant no offence.

  Although no credit, Premadasa feared someday any credit would go to Denzil.

  Chandrika made Anuruddha RatWatte GENERAL after he won Jaffna. Anuruddha RatWatte was into politics heavily by then.

  Instead of appointing Janaka Perera who was known to the a UNPer, Chandrila appointed an idiot as the army commander. she too considered GRABBING ANY CREDIT for winning the war to herself more important than winning itself!!!!

  Gothabaya although was MUCH MUCH better than ALL of them, was NEVER interested in becoming a CIVILIAN GENERAL.

  Gothabaya’s HONEST begging on behalf of Sarath was returned by Sarath in the most nasty fashion.

  Going forward, chances are Mahinda will less consider Gothabaya’s recommendations on defence matters with political implications.

  He can afford to do so since the war has ended.

  Mahinda put WAR before CREDIT. it is rather OK to fight for credit after winning the war. all other IDIOTS were fighting for possible credit light years BEFORE winning!!!!! and now even bigger idiots are fighting for credit they don’t deserve!!!

• 46. Jayan  |  December 2nd, 2009 at 11:29 pm

  The only way that one could willingly abolish the executive presidency is at the end of the incumbent president’s second term in office. That is to come to power as primeminister. If SF gets elected, he will certainly will not abolish it. MR might abolish it at the end of his 2nd term in office, thats to stay in power as pm. Chandrika tried to do this but she was forced out by MR. The most we can get is the 17th amendment. So why wait till the election? We should force MR to implement this right now.

• 47. san  |  December 3rd, 2009 at 5:44 am

  dear Candy Perera

  Please be very careful of what you wish for. I am totally against one family running the country, in the most corrupt manner possible.

  But believe me as a person who spent a lot of time in Pakistan and in Burma, you dont have a clue about what a military government is….

  SF is an absolutely great leader….in a military set up…I dont think with power on his side, he will be able to take up crticism.

  Sri Lankans are a passive lot, if a military government comes it will take decades to get out of it….

  So “be careful of what you wish for…cos it might come true…and your wish will be nightmare….

• 48. Lakshman  |  December 3rd, 2009 at 8:13 am

  This is the last thing any political leader should do at this juncture i.e. abolition of EP system. It raises the question whether the electorate is ready for it? If you abolish what is it replaced with? MR didn’t ask for it, but put upon MR by a bunch of ego centric novices who have the country’s interest last.

  DBS you stated in some other posting about pre 1978 system and career politicians which is relevant to this topic. Do you think the correction to be made at 1978 point? with a consensus as the whole of SL is in a position to vote on a major issue like this. Democracies always must hold elections to resolve issues, need not be held in set time frames can be held early and public opinions change therefore leaders have a better idea before implementing something new. Definitely puppet list of MPs going to the parliament has to be changed.

  If your web reached grass root level then you may have some feedback that you can share with us i.e. responses other than in English.

  If SF comes and makes radical changes, it will be like Chernobyl disaster. Where some officers after having few rounds of Vodka argued the safety procedures of the nuclear reactors is unnecessary. Then one said lets test and see, then they shut down the cooling system of one to see what happens, luckily they press the button on the smallest reactor out of four. The rest is history that area can not be used for another 2000 years.

  There are systems of governments, even they are not perfect democratic system with power given to people is the best for continuous progress. Accusations of corruption is a distraction and can be corrected by proper administration and early intervention. On this backdrop country falling into wrong hands should be avoided at all costs. Freedom is priceless.

• 49. eesan  |  December 4th, 2009 at 8:54 pm

  Kusal is right, we don’t need to elect a president to abolish the executive presidency. I doubt that the elected president would be in a hurry to abolish something he fought so hard to attain. In fact, if my memory serves me right, the current incumbant AND the previous electee promised to do just that before being elected. We would be gambling if we were to elect SF. It is MR who would be more inclined to abolish the executive presidency since it would be his 2nd and last term…just my simpleminded logic,

• 50. James Thenuwera  |  December 5th, 2009 at 4:37 am

  A strong Buddhist (a Dharmapala Buddhist) will not be a superficial Buddhist. He will observer pancil everyday, and if possible observe ata sil on Poya Day. He will not do them merely to show off. That is the type of Leader we need in Sri Lanka. Olcott Buddhists are not Buddhists at heart. My problem is that MR, Champika et al are Olcott Buddhists, not Dharmapala Buddhists

• 51. ranjit  |  December 18th, 2009 at 2:59 am

  Kusal Perera suggests a dialogue with the UNF + JVP . What about the other parties represented in the new Parliament. MR will try to show that he is a great Democrat and say that all must be allowed to express their views etc., and have the dialogue continued till the end of his term. You cannot get a person who has tasted the EX-Pres powers, to abolish it. Specially MR when observing the way he has handled it.
  IT IS NOW OR NEVER.

• 52. dyno  |  January 3rd, 2010 at 5:32 am

  JVP suggested this move. But MR and the UPFA didn’t give there support. Why Kusal can’t understand this simple thing?

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