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Sri Lanka president-elect drops running mate from prime minister job
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hellogoodbye
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 19 Nov 2005 03:46:45 GMT Report for Abuse
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John54:
I guess you are an incurable optimist and I laud you for that. Why would a group of people that resorted to every third-rate trick in the book to win an election suddenly turn into statesmen? I am more of a realist and past history is my guide which hasn't still let me down. The smartest thing I ever did as a Sri Lankan was leave it! But I love the country, the place, more than the people. I don't wish any harm to befall on any man, woman cat, dog, rat - and all things I have left out - that inhabit the beautiful place. I will be the happiest guy on earth, if I am proven wrong but my gut-instincts tell me otherwise. I wish I had your optimism!
Edited By - hellogoodbye - 19 Nov 2005 03:50:56 G |
hellogoodbye
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19 Nov 2005 04:28:48 GMT Report for Abuse
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Fairplay:
I disagree (in a polite way!) with some of the points that you have mentioned. And this is the eternal pessimist and cynic (as far as SL is concerned) in me speaking here.
(As for professionals, I wish to mention that he already gave life to a trend that he is bound to adopt by recruiting his own brother Lt.Col. Gothabaya. For a US lifestyled man the money he offered was meagre.)
I see this more as nepotism than good policy (like CBK making Anura the FM). There are vastly different life-styles in the USA; a life-style of a rich man is very different from a poor man. I know some Sri Lankans who had very good life-styles in SL now living in crummy apartments; as usual before going there they imagined the streets are paved with gold - a rude shock I guess. I don't know what a retired SL army officer could do there to afford a rich US life-style.
(Many professionals who are living abroad will be coerced by him with appropriate remuneration to serve in senior administrative positions.)
I know many capable professionals who wouldn't touch this with a barge-pole! Of course there are some useless 'professionals' who can?t find jobs in the 'west' who will jump at it.
(Mahinda will go the extra mile to introduce and reinforce his relationship with Prabhakaran. Mahinda's survival skills from political and non political arena is to be displayed from now on.)
Prabakaren wants one thing and one thing only, a separate state; all his moves are to achieve that objective. The master of fate of SL - as far as economy, peace and even politics (as the boycott showed) - is not Mahinda, Ranil or anyone else it's Prabakaran. Sooner people realize this the better. There is no other option but to defeat him militarily. Then will the Sinhalese be willing for a just solution for the Tamil problem? Things will go back to the pre-LTTE days.
Sorry to play the devils advocate.
Edited By - hellogoodbye - 19 Nov 2005 04:32:12 G |
john54
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 19 Nov 2005 04:29:27 GMT Report for Abuse
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| Hellogoodbye : I don't think that expecting politicians to face up to economic realities is necessarily optimism, although I don't know, maybe here it's simple foolhardiness. In any event, the feeling projected by the private media is that the election was between the JVP commies represented by the President, and the 'Ranil's reasonable right wing'. The truth of course, as we all know, is very different. The election was under the old UPFA name (but in reality the SLFP) and the UNP. The public perception of the JVP participation as being major, is because they are a very vocal minority....very vocal but fortunately also very minor. The majority of the two major parties are still basically centrist. The JVP tried to railroad Chandrika, caved in and appeared political inept. (Now there's a big surprise!) I think if Mahinda is politically adept, he will get rid of the parasitic minnows who have attached themselves to him and get back to traditional Sri Lankan politics. If he doesn't, well that's no big deal. The way things go over here, they'll probably argue themselves into oblivion in the same way as they have done during the present government. |
hellogoodbye
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19 Nov 2005 04:43:52 GMT Report for Abuse
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(In any event, the feeling projected by the private media is that the election was between the JVP commies represented by the President, and the 'Ranil's reasonable right wing'. The truth of course, as we all know, is very different. The election was under the old UPFA name (but in reality the SLFP) and the UNP. The public perception of the JVP participation as being major, is because they are a very vocal minority....very vocal but fortunately also very minor.)
John54;
A very astute observation, which I had overlooked or was not noticeable from here.
In Mahinda they had the right candidate with the right 'common man' SLFP credentials. If it was another candidate JVP wouldn't have made a tuppence of a difference. But now of course the JVP will try to milk it for all it's worth.
Edited By - hellogoodbye - 19 Nov 2005 04:45:31 G |
Fairplay
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 19 Nov 2005 04:44:50 GMT Report for Abuse
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Hellogoodbye,
I am established in Canada for more than 15 years and am able to understand what you say with an unbiased mind.
I think i should pose this question to you in fairness to professionals of SL origin living abroad.
How would you rate Mr.Paskaralingam. He was hired by Ranil 3 years ago with millions of rupees paid. What makes you think that there aren't other well qualified SL professional from abroad who will not be willing to serve their country.
I know some SL professionals leading a good standard of living here in Canada willing to serve in SL for a minimum of CDN $ 4-5K = SL Rs. 300-400K/month. This shouldn't be a problem for our GOSL.
I am aware of situations with the GOSL in getting these kind of remuneration approved.
Fairplay
Edited By - Fairplay - 19 Nov 2005 05:14:53 GMT |
nada
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19 Nov 2005 05:15:18 GMT Report for Abuse
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Celebration are is still on. Let us enjoy after all, why not? Now that there is a new president and especially where one breed of politics, that is Banda Politics, has come to an end, it is a time to rejoice.
One need not worry about tomorrow right now. This election or political game in SL is to play and replay their positions and how a group of people protect their positions and enjoy life. There is another larger group that go on dreaming until the next election comes. But fundamentally the country goes on reverse gear without any signs of progress.
The opportunists are already relieved of tension and thanking their stars that their food and lodging are safe.
Traitors too have to survive because they have taken a big gamble. They too claim that they are fighting for their people. Asia tribune already active, Karuna's ghost is giving interviews as to how to solve the Tamil problem. He is planning to end the Tamils than the problem. After all your survival is more important than others survival.
Others think that there is a greater need for traitors right now to undermine the Tamil struggle. They still do not know what is going on in Mahinda's mind? Election speeches have to be taken with a pinch of salt. So give him a little time and do not jump the gun.
Opportunists and traitors will prefer turmoil because it is their bread and butter. I could sense the Akkaraipattu mosque incident is one such initiative. I hope that Mahinda will use all his resources under his command to thoroughly investigate this incident before deciding whether he should feed those traitors at tax payers expenses.
Nada |
john54
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19 Nov 2005 06:06:00 GMT Report for Abuse
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Nada
I think if this is to be a President worthy of the title, the first thing that should be investigated is the Hambantota incident. If he is as blameless as he implies, he should appoint a neutral public inquiry, chaired by a person who's reputation is beyond question. (Dissanayake springs to mind.....the elections official, not the one in prison!) In retrospect it was probably quite reasonable not to want an election marred by sideline issues. (although Mangala didn't quite see it that way!)As the election is over, it is reasonable to expect transparency in the matter, otherwise he may find his term at the helm is overshadowed by the spectre of 'Hambantotagate'. I think for the future of the international respect of Sri Lanakan politicians that it is better to get it out of the way at the start. |
Christy
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 19 Nov 2005 06:10:58 GMT Report for Abuse
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Dear Ooopse,
Please for a moment do not think that I am trying not to accpet the defeat of the UNP. Let me quote some of my posting to you:
QTE
I personally supported Ranil and UNP, but majority of the majority community of Sri Lanka has beleived what Mahinda and his campaign said and voted him as the President. Thats what matters now;
Congratualtions and hope that you will deliver what you promised.
UNQTE
QTE
Whoever bring peace to this country, I will salute them and would support them with all my heart.
UNQTE
I have said that only time will tell who is right. What we are looking forward to is a pecaeful & prosperous country. Whether I like it or not Mahinda is our new President and we will be bejind him. Whether UNP's policy is that or not I will.
I only expressed my reservations about the outcome not because of Mahinda but because of what I call a 'trap' in to which Mahinda is in, due to his alliance of convenience. I also feel that very little is going to chnage from what its today. You do not need to agree with me. Just remember that its a possibility.
We do not need to agree with each other. We only have to apprecate that there are other perspectives. Thats what I do from your opinion.
If what you say happens, we all will be happy. As I said before, we both want our country to be an undivided beautuful island everyone can live peacefully.
The difference is how we think it has to be achieved and who is capable of leading us to that position.
If Mahinda is the one, I assure you my vote is for him when he contest next time.
Edited By - Christy - 19 Nov 2005 06:29:42 GMT |
magha
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 19 Nov 2005 06:16:28 GMT Report for Abuse
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Nada and John54
You guys forgot that democracy and transparency is bottom in the list when it comes politics in Sri Lanka,as 'Galsnost' and 'Peristroika' similar to Russia.
Edited By - magha - 19 Nov 2005 16:04:31 GMT |
hellogoodbye
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19 Nov 2005 06:16:56 GMT Report for Abuse
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Fairplay:
My views expressed are not in anyway to denigrate anyone - I am not in that business- but to show my deep cynicism of SL politics.
I don't know much about Mr.Paskaralingam issue to comment on, but I would say that if Ranil hired some one it would not have been nepotism. Why do I say that? It's the general feeling I have of the guy.
(What makes you think that there aren't other well qualified SL professional from abroad who will not be willing to serve their country.)
This is not to be partial to any person, but I know some who would go if the invitation is from Ranil and not Mahinda, because with Ranil you know what you are getting into. Mahinda has already broken his promises, like PM for Anura etc (not that I disagree with that) and made some promises that he knows he cant keep. No good professional will willingly step onto quicksand.
In my limited experience people who have gone are who were not doing well here anyway, or others like WB or IMF people who have gone on sabbatical (with one foot firmly on the outside) to have a nice family holiday at the states' expense.
Again, sorry to be so cynical.
Edited By - hellogoodbye - 19 Nov 2005 06:20:44 G |
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