Return Of Rajapaksa And Post-Election Politics
By S. I. Keethaponcalan -January 14, 2015
Dr S.I. Keethaponcalan
Sri Lanka successfully concluded the much anticipated presidential election on January 8, 2015. The New Democratic Front (NDF), or the opposition alliance candidate Maithripala Sirisena, won the election. He polled 51.3 percent of the total votes cast and his rival, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, managed 47.6 percent of the votes. The successful conclusion of the election and the results were a victory for the people of the once vibrant democracy. The election was relatively free despite the abuse of resources and violence and the transition of power to the opposition coalition was smooth. Surprising many in Sri Lanka and abroad, President Rajapaksa left his official residence even before half of the results were formally announced.
Attempted Coup?-Return of Rajapaksa
Insiders, along with some leading members of the new government now claim that Rajapaksa, sensing the defeat, attempted to suspend the counting of votes with the assistance of the armed forces.
According to this theory, his brother who was the Defence Secretary, played a major role in this conspiracy or what some call the attempted coup. So far, military coups have not succeeded in Sri Lanka. This time also, insiders maintain that the commanders of the armed forces refused to collaborate. The military thus far has not refuted the claims that the president sought the assistance of the armed forces to suspend the election. If true, this is a serious issue, which needs to be investigated carefully. One could expect more details to emerge in the coming weeks.Read More
“Maithri” – We Do Want Justice
R.A.Ratwatte
The most hackneyed stanza of the Dhammapada…”nahi verena verani etc” is being bandied about once again with gay abandon. If you stop and check the number of times this verse (with so much meaning and relevance) has been used in speeches by people who have not the slightest intention of ever putting it into practice…the mind boggles.
The New President of the Country also used it and in this case we hope that proper interpretation of the verse will prevail. We the people don’t want revenge or anger but we do want JUSTICE !
If all the petty catchers’, drug smugglers, rapist and vermin who robbed our Country blind and drove self respecting honourable people who were trying to make an honest living, to despair are allowed walk away , If all those relatives of the Rajapaksas who held down highly paid state jobs and denied qualified people, If those who blatantly abused their positions are not named and shamed and punished, it will constitute blasphemy and a total misinterpretation of the doctrine that governs the life of the majority of this Country.Read More
