By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Presidential Stakes 2010 came to an official end when Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake announced the winner in Sri Lanka’s sixth Presidential election.
Incumbent Executive President Mahinda Rajapakse registered a stunning victory by polling 6,015,934 votes(57.88%).Former Army commander retired General Sarath Fonseka, his chief challenger got 4,173,185 or 40.15% of the votes.
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj
The electoral verdict, stunning and conclusive on the whole, has some cracks in parts. As the President of the whole country, Mahinda Rajapaksa must take the initiative and reach out to those sections of the people who have been alienated in terms of ethnicity, class, and the urban-rural divide.
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Hello Friends
The Presidential Elections held on January 26th 2010 has concluded. Though the results are not yet officially released at the time this is being written “unofficially” it does seem very clear who has won.
This crucial election at a historic juncture invoked and evoked a great deal of interest and controversy. A great many people were concerned observers of the political scene these past few months.
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
January 26th 2010 is upon us!
It’s the Day of decision for Sri Lanka as it faces yet another election to either re-elect or elect the most powerful person in the Country.
My thoughts and prayers with all Sri Lankans as they cast their votes in what is perhaps the most crucial, controversial and colourful presidential poll the Country has seen.
I took some time off from the hustle and bustle of daily life to ponder over this election.
We’ve had many flaws in conducting elections in the past. The present one has already demonstrated its deficiencies. The poll is certainly flawed.
in Upparu-Trincomalee district, Jan 4, 2010 pic by: drs. Sarajevo
Despite these flaws Sri Lanka can be proud of keeping the light of democracy alive.
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Last year when speculation was rife about former Army commander Sarath Fonseka announcing his candidacy for the Presidential elections this columnist was among those who warned of adverse consequences befalling the Country as a result of this unprecedented move.
Chief among these was the very strong possibility of an escalation in the continuous process of the military being politicised and society being militarised in the Country.
Posters for Sarath Fonseka in Jaffna-pic. indi.ca
I perceived the Fonseka phenomenon as the logical outcome this long process.
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Three days from today (23rd) the nation will be going to the polls to elect the most powerful person in the Country
Twenty-Three potential candidates handed in their nominations on December 17th 2009but with the Commissioner of Elections rejecting one there were only twenty-two in the fray.
Of these two dropped out from the race with one-a Buddhist priest-transferring his support to Mahinda Rajapakse and the other-a Muslim parliamentarian-extending his solidarity to Sarath Fonseka.
Of the twenty contestants for the Presidential stakes, Sixteen are contesting from big, huge, medium, small, tiny and miniscule parties. Four are Independents
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Veluppillai Prabhakaran’s father Thiruvengadam Veluppillai breathed his last on Wednesday January 6th night. The 86 year old retired government servant’s birthday was on January 10th.
Thiruvengadam Veluppillai Parvathiamma Veluppillai, Prabhakaran, Mathivathani and son Charles Anthony-Reuters pic
The octogenarian hailing from the northern coastal town of Valvettithurai (VVT)and his wife Parvathiamma were staying in a chalet within the precincts of the Army cantonment at Panagoda.
Remembering “Lassieboy” on the first anniversary of his death
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
It was on January 8th last year that Lasantha Wickrematunga the Editor of “The Sunday Leader” in Colombo was killed by “unknown” assassins. He was my colleague, editor, friend and above all a kindred soul.
Lasantha Wickrematunga
How I miss him.
There is big vacuum in the media scene after his departure
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Hello Friends
Today January 6th is the first anniversary of a “terror” attack on the MTV-MBC Radio/TV station in suburban Colombo. None of the culprits responsible for the attack have been apprehended let alone prosecuted despite a whole year passing by.
What I want to do here is to refresh memories of readers about this vicious attack on media freedom and the freedom of expression by reproducing excerpts from a few news stories I wrote last year about the incident for the Transcurrents website:
