Indian opinion poll predicts Sri Lanka President an easy win

Jan 15, Colombo: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa is predicted to score an easy win at the upcoming presidential election on January 26th over his main contender common opposition candidate general Sarath Fonseka, Indo Asian News Service (IANS) said.

According to the poll the incumbent President is enjoying a 12 percent lead over Fonseka all over the island except in the Tamil-dominated North and the multi-racial East.

The opinion poll, conducted by India's Viplav Communications Pvt. Ltd., a pioneer in the voter relationships management which has provided its services to Indian political parties, has shown that the President is holding a dominant lead among the majority Sinhalese and a narrow lead among the Muslim voters.

The President also enjoys the majority support among the Tamils of Indian origin living in the tea plantation areas, the poll results have shown. However, the President closely follows the opposition candidate among the Tamil population, the IANS reported.

The Jan 6-13 survey with 10,225 participants has graded the President very high on the skills and experience needed to run the next government. The poll report said the opposition candidate's inexperience as a political administrator combined with the President's popularity is the main factor.

According to the poll results the President is expected to do very well North Central, Southern and Sabargamuwa provinces while Fonseka has a good support base from the Tamils in Eastern and Northern Provinces and also from the Tamils in Colombo.

Rajapaksa has a slight edge over Fonseka among Muslim voters, the IANS reported. The survey also concluded that the President has the support of the Sinhalese Christians while Tamil Christians favor Fonseka.

The survey also found that a majority of respondents fear that the Tamil ethnic problem had not been solved fully. The credit for winning the war against the LTTE is largely credited to the President, the survey reported.

According to the survey findings, although the people appreciated the General's contribution the credit was given to the President due to his leadership qualities during the war.

Most people see the president as a strong leader who did not bow to international pressure to stop the punishing military campaign against the LTTE, the report said.

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Sampanthan signed two secret agreements with Fonseka, UNP

Lakshmi DE SILVA

Tamil National Alliance leader R.Sampanthan had signed two secret agreements with NDF Presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. But the JVP, the second largest political party in the Fonseka camp were not aware of it, TNA Member of Parliament M.K.Sivajilingam who is also a candidate contesting the Presidential poll told the Daily News yesterday.

The brokers between Fonseka and Sampanthan were WPF Parliamentarian Mano Ganeshan and SLMC leader Rauf Hakim.

As members of the TNA we could not accept any agreement made with the Fonseka camp that was not accepted by the JVP the second largest party backing his candidature nor were we told what the agreements they had reached with Sampanthan. Only photo copies of some document was shown to the TNA members and Sampanthan is keeping the originals. We are not mad to accept as authentic the copies that were shown.

He said he was not aware whether Fonseka would break up the north and east into two or three.

We could have reached a settlement the problem as far back as 1987 but we had not done it. The promise of abolishing the executive presidency by Sarath Fonseka is also not a realistic one.

Therefore I am contesting the presidential poll and I will obtain a large number of votes from the north and east and will be placed third.

Some TNA Parliamentarians asked whether there was a written agreement between Samapanthan and Fonseka refused to comment. When asked whether the TNA was split into two or more factions they said these Parliamentarians were not aware.

TNA leader Sampanthan with some other TNA Parliamentarians is currently on a visit to India.

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Dr. Swamy slams TNA, wants Tamils to support Mahinda

President of the Janata Party Dr. Subramanian Swamy has urged Sri Lankan Tamils to vote for President Mahinda Rajapaksa though the LTTE proxy the Tamil National Alliance was campaigning for Opposition presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka.

The following is the full text of a statement issued by the Janata Party: It is surprising that some representatives of the defunct LTTE terrorist floated Tamil National Alliance (TNA) are in India canvassing support of Tamils of India for Opposition candidate General Fonseka in the Presidential elections in Sri Lanka. Polling date is January 26th.

No Indian concerned for the welfare of Tamils of Sri Lanka and their future can support any candidate who has on, his side the LTTE stooge outfit the TNA which seeks a separate Eelam.

Moreover, Gen Fonseka is also at the same time supported by the hardliner anti-Tamil party, the JVP, which wants no concessions given for the Tamils.

Hence, as President if elected, General Fonseka will be in constant dilemma on what to do. He will also have to legitimize the rump LTTE that is hiding a billion dollars of ill-gotten money for a come back. Tamils of Sri Lanka today need humane stability in governance after years of killing and dictatorship of the LTTE.

Hence, I urge all Tamils of Sri Lanka that if they want Indian opinion on their side in the future, they must vote for the Tamil speaking Sinhala leader, Mahinda Rajapaksa, for President of Sri Lanka.


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I was given Rs. 30 million to crossover - Muzzamil

JNP MP M. Muzzamil addressing a press conference a short while ago claimed that he was given Rs. 30 million by Myown Mustafa to crossover from the government and support Rtd. Gen. Sarath Fonseka. However Muzzamil said that he could not be bought over and that he will not crossover.

According to Muzzamil this was a “mission” launched by the JNP to expose the money handed out by the Fonseka camp to get MPs to crossover.

At the press conference Muzzamil showed a large amount of money that alleged was the advance offered by Mustafa. Earlier Muzzamil was seen storming out of the Sarath Fonseka’s office claiming that he will expose a conspiracy.

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I will not crossover, will support President – Umma

Speaking on rumours of a cross over MP Anjan Umma said that it was completely false and that she will never leave the Government. She also added that she could speak for her colleague M. Muzzamil and say that both of them will continue to support the President. Speculation was rife in media circles that both Anjan Umma and A. J. M. Muzammil will crossover today.

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Fonseka Promised Self-governing Powers -TNA

Two parliamentarians of LTTE proxy Tamil National Alliance (TNA) today (Jan 14) confirmed that joint UNF-JVP candidate Sarath Fonseka has agreed to provide a separate self governing unit for their party. Speaking to the government owned Independent Television Network (ITN); the two parliamentarians also stated that Sarath Fonseka as well as Ranil Wickramasinghe has accepted all conditions proposed by the TNA including their demand to remerge the North and East Provinces .

According to Thangeshwari Kadiraman MP, Sarath Fonseka has even accepted TNA's political ideology based on tribalism.

"We need self governing powers to Tamil nation. It is the most important demand of ours that we put forward to Sarath Fonseka" she said.

Speaking further she said that remerge of the North and East provinces is the second most important demand of their party that Sarath Fonseka promised to deliver .

"We must be given all powers under our regime. We make these demands because we are a separate nation. One country, one nation, one flag is not an acceptable theory for us, we need a separate system with powers", she added.

Finally, she revealed that both Sarath Fonseka and Ranil Wickramasinghe have agreed to the list of conditions including the above, forwarded by their party.

"Our party leader, R. Sambanthan submitted our demands to Sarath Fonseka and Ranil Wickramasinghe. They agreed to all of our demands without questioning. That is why we decided to support Fonseka in this election ", she said .

Shivashakthi Anandan MP speaking to ITN also confirmed of having a pact between Sarath Fonseka and TNA.

"We submitted our demands to the government and Sarath Fonseka. The government rejected giving in to any of our demands. Yet, Sarath Fonseka , Ranil Wickramasinghe and the UNP accepted all of them . Once Fonskea becomes the president, he promised to deliver all our demands", he said.

During an earlier interview with the same TV channel, TNA parliamentarian S. Thurairajasingham said that Sarath Fonseka had actually signed a written agreement with TNA on the above mentioned demands.

The issue about a pact between Sarath Fonseka and TNA first surfaced as TNA leader, R. Sambanthan exposed the fact at a newspaper interview with Sinhalese newspaper, the Lakbima recently.

However, Sarath Fonseka denied of having any pact between him and TNA for the election. He behaved in the same fashion when weekend newspaper quoted him accusing Defence Secretary and General Shvendra Silva for committing war crimes. Like in this case, the newspaper editor stood by his story.

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LTTE elements behind TNA's decision to support General Fonseka

While most of the Sri Lankan Tamil media have, for some unknown reason, failed to report the Presidential election rally held by the Tamil National Alliance in Vavuniya on Tuesday to canvass support for former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka, BBC Tamil Service carried excerpts of speeches made by Messrs Sambanthan, Mavai Senathirajah and Suresh Premachandran asking the Tamil voters to defeat Mahinda Rajapakse.

This is the first time that a main Sri Lankan Tamil political party has on its own volition conducted an election rally in support of a Sinhala Sri Lankan Presidential candidate. TNA, as well its predecessor TULF, always kept away from the Sri Lankan Presidential Election from the time it was introduced saying it is "Sinhala politics" and that the Eelam Tamils have nothing to do with it.

Tamil National Alliance Parliamentarians are, no doubt, LTTE agents. TNA was the creation of the Tamil Tigers and until Prabaharan's Waterloo, people like Sampanthan always ran to Kilinochchi to get instructions from their Tiger masters.

Are Sampanthan and his TNA Parliamentary colleagues now really free to act on their own volition?

The answer is a big 'NO'. The very fact that they are now openly campaigning for Sarath Fonseka, who incidentally was criticized by Sampanthan in the Sri Lankan Parliament for his still un-retracted statement about minorities, is proof that LTTE elements are still controlling these self-seeking Tamil Parliamentarians. It is a well known fact that the Indian establishment still treats TNA MPs as LTTE agents and look down upon them.

Why did Sampanthan and co decided to support Sarath Fonseka and on whose instructions?

Only a couple of days before the TNA's final decision, Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam announced at his party meeting held in Jaffna that his party would boycott the Presidential election and would not support any of the candidates. Then, he made an about turn and went along with Sambanthan, Mavai Senathirajah and Suresh Premachandran's move to support Sarath Fonseka. Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam is very close to overseas LTTE networks. His wife is very close to Tigers and is among the so-called young Tamil intellectuals among the Tamil Diaspora groomed by the LTTE.

It appears that Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam had been ordered to reverse his earlier decision and to throw his weight with the Sambanthan group.

Tamil Diaspora sources say that Sampanthan as well his Parliamentary colleagues were ordered to support Sarath Fonseka unconditionally because the LTTE elements wanted to take revenge on Mahinda Rajapakse for prosecuting the war against LTTE and for eliminating their top leaders.

They also see an opportunity to resurrect LTTE in Sri Lanka if Sarath Fonseka is elected to power. Their calculation is that Sarath Fonseka is a man without a political base and dependent on UNP, JVP, SLMC and Mangala Samaraweera. If Sarath wins they expect chaos in Sri Lanka with the newly elected President unable to control the Parliament. Being a military man who is known for his independence and taste for power, Sarath Fonseka would not tolerate a chaotic Parliament and would instead abolish Parliament, Judiciary and take over full dictatorial powers like General Musaraff.

In this eventuality, he would have to withdraw the Army from the North East and deploy the troops in the South to prevent unrest.

In LTTE's calculations, that would be an opportune time to resurrect its fighting force and set up camps in North East to wage another round of terrorist war.

The invisible LTTE leadership hiding abroad is only bidding for time.

Though LTTE is down, they are not completely out. They have the resources and they are slowly gathering the manpower from among the fanatic Tamilians in Southern India. They have teamed up with the Moaist rebels in India and intelligence reports say that they have already set up training camps in the South Indian and North Indian jungles. A large number of LTTE cadres trained in handling explosives and heavy weapons have reportedly been spirited into India to train the new recruits.

General Sarath Fonseka is therefore a god sent opportunity to the LTTE. Sampanthan and company are being goaded by the LTTE to go full steam against Mahinda Rajapakse and to gather all the available Tamil votes in North East for Fonseka.

The Sinhalese who are now reportedly evenly divided between Mahinda and Sarath do not realize the fatal error they are going to make by voting for Sarath. Sinhalese people fail to understand the simple logic that without an executive decision to prosecute the war against the Tigers, Army Commander Sarath would not have carried on with the war. Was it a victory of the Army alone? Without the Sri Lankan Air Force and Sri Lankan Navy, the Army would not have defeated the Tigers. The Navy interdicted all the LTTE arms supplies which was the main cause of their defeat. And LTTE had no answer to the airpower of the Sri Lankan Air Force.

If the Sinhalese are evenly divided, Sarath Fonseka will carry the day with the support of the North East Tamils and the Muslims. That will be a sure recipe for chaos and the resulting destabilisation would be the ideal climate for the LTTE to raise its head again. Sri Lanka will then be the next Pakistan. God forbid!

Courtesy: Theepori


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'Mahinda Rajapaksa won Congress' victory'

President Mahinda Rajapaksa helped the Congress party to win in Tamil Nadu during the 2009 general elections, a top Presidential aide said on Thursday.

Secretary to Rajapaksa, Lalith Weeratunge said that Rajapaksa reached an agreement with India to stop using heavy weapons during the last stage of the war in May. That agreement, according to him, ensured victory for Congress.

Elections in Tamil Nadu took place in May, in the last phase of the general elections. At that time, there was an increasing demand for India to intervene in the war between the government troops and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cornered in a sliver of land in north-eastern Sri Lanka.

India had put pressure on Rajapaksa to ensure the safety of Tamil civilians trapped between the advancing army and retreating LTTE.

"Elections were being held in India so if the government of India did not do something to stop what the rest of the world thought the massacre of Tamils (as it was wrongly termed) the Tamils would not vote for the Congress,’’ Weeratunge told Daily Mirror online in an interview.

Weeratunga said earlier Rajapaksa had earlier turned down a request from India to stop military operations "but later reached an agreement to stop using heavy weapons in order to help the Congress win the polls," the website quoted him as saying.

Weeratunge said: "they (India) said 'please stop this. But the President said “sorry I cannot do that”. But he added “ok, what do you want me to do to ensure victory of the Congress Party”? They requested that the use of heavy weaponry be stopped. This is what brought India and Sri Lanka closer.’’

The decision by Rajapaksa to stop using heavy weapon led the Congress to victory, the bureaucrat said. ``With the halt in use of heavy weaponry…the Congress gained strength and the victory in Tamil Nadu can be attributed to this decision by the Government of Sri Lanka,’’ Weeratunge said.

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National question: Solution during second term - President

by Wijitha NAKKAWITA

*Could not agree to TNA demands
*Talk of abolishing Presidency political gimmick
*Rajapaksas maligned by Opposition

President Mahinda Rajapaksa said he will present his own solution to the problem of the people of the North and East during his second term. He said they have seen a number of All Party Committees appointed to find a solution with no agreement reached on a solution. “ Therefore, I would present my own solution so that all parties and groups could discuss it and arrive at a solution accepted to all groups in the country,” the President said.

Addressing the print media at Temple Trees on Wednesday, President Rajapaksa said no one should play politics with the problems of the people and he was determined to ensure that the people, mostly the younger generation could live in a country without division and conflict. “We have to ensure that all ethnic or religious groups enjoy equal rights in an undivided country”.

The President said the Opposition political campaign was not based on a political philosophy but on a vilification. The allegations made by the Opposition were fabricated.

The Rajapaksas were being maligned but they had been elected by the people for the past seven decades. During the past 40 years he was with the people who elected him but he was never ambitious. It was the people who supported him and they were aware of the policies he had implemented.

The Mahinda Chintana Idiri Dekma policy program that he presented aims at rapid economic development of the country with plans for all sectors. The first Mahinda Chintana policy program had been implemented with mega infrastructure development schemes like five ports, a new international airport, a number of power plants, health and education development programs.

Most pledges made during the 2005 Presidential election had been implemented and the pledges made for the next six years in the second manifesto will also be implemented, the President noted. “My opponents say they would abolish Executive Presidency if they are elected to power but no Executive President can abolish it. Under the provisions of the 1978 Constitution it could be abolished by a two thirds majority in Parliament followed by a referendum.

Therefore, the promise of abolishing the Executive Presidency was only a political gimmick put forward to deceive the people the President added.

”We have been able to pursue a sound foreign policy during the past four years based on the principle of non-alignment enunciated by the founder leader of the SLFP, my party, followed by Premier Sirimavo Bandaranaike. Due to the pragmatic foreign policy we followed several countries helped us without strings attached. For instance when the world oil crisis was looming Iran helped us by giving us oil for six months on an interest free credit agreement. Other countries including our neighbours India, China and Japan had also helped in several areas”.

Asked about the stance of taken by the TNA to support the Opposition, the President said the TNA met him and made certain demands like merging the de-merged Northern and Eastern Province.

”I could not agree. My policy is the unitary status of the country.”

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On same platform but both Saraths airing opposite views, says PM

Opposition candidate Sarath Fonseka says that he will abolish the constitution created by J.R. Jayewardene once he is elected. But former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva says that Fonseka cannot change the constitution the way he wants to, said Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake today.

The strangest fact is that Sarath Nanda Silva is on the same platform as the retired General and they were putting forward opposing views while on the same side, added Premier Wickremanayake.

Joining the Premier in a meeting organized by the Sangha Sammelanaya at the ‘Sadaham Sevana’ in Rajagiriya, Parliamentarian and Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa said that when President Mahinda Rajapaksa assumed the office of Presidency one third of the land area of the country was under the control of terrorists. Likewise one third of the sea belonging to Sri Lanka too was under the control of terrorists. The masses should not forget the situation then and the existing situation, Mr. Rajapaksa said.
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Fonseka’s son-in-law, with no fixed job, buys $4500 hand bags for his wife – Capt. Upul Illangamge

by H. L. D. Mahindapala

The JVP-UNP campaign to project their Common Candidate, Sarath Fonseka, as “Mr. Clean” was torn apart by Capt. Upul Illangamge, a close family friend of the Gen. Fonseka for 35 years, who unmasked the hidden face of Fonseka, at a press conference held in Colombo yesterday. The overall picture he presented to the media made Fonseka look like a crude, cruel, vindictive, foul-mouthed and corrupt crook.

With documentary evidence from the state of Oklahama where Fonseka’s son-in-law, Danun Tillekeratne, had registered his arms dealing Hicorp Inc., along with its subsidiary British Borneo Corporation, Capt. Illangamge exposed intimate details of Fonseka’s character and crooked deals.

Holding up pictures of the Fonseka family with him in Oaklahama, the US haven of the Fonsekas, Capt. Illangamge confirmed that he was there when Fonseka’s son-in-law, Danun, walked in and not only got details of forthcoming contracts for military hardware but also got the direct help of his father-in-law to put arms deals through the Minster of Defence (MoD). He added that both Fonseka and his wife Anoma twisted the arms of Army officers to push the deals to boost the profits of Hicorp Inc.

Capt. Illangamage challenged “Sarath Aiya” and “Anoma Akka” to prove him wrong adding that he was prepared to meet them anywhere anytime with evidence to back up his statements. To establish his close relations with the Fonsekas he said that he used to ride on the shoulders of “Sarath Aiya” when he was a kid in Amparai. He also said that when Fonseka’s daughter fell out with a relative with whom she was living in Washington he made all arrangements for the daughter and the entire family, including Anoma, to relocate in Oklahoma . When they came to Oklahoma the Fonseka family had nothing to worry. Everything was provided by him – beds, pillows, sheets, TVs etc – and they had only to lie down and sleep. He also mentioned that he gave financial assistance to the Fonseka family when they were in Oklahoma .

Dealing with Fonseka’s character he told the media that he has many faces and the face he shows on the stage is far different from the real man faced by his subordinates and even the family. Itemising some of his hidden characteristics and crooked deals Capt Illangamage said that Fonseka had,

known every detail of the arms-dealing operations of his son-in-law
in his presence had picked up the phone and threatened Brigadier Meedin to look sharp if he put contracts through anyone else other than his son-in-law’s company.
got his wife, Anoma, to introduce his son-in-law to Maj-General Thoradeniya, to impress that his hands were clean though the clear intention was to influence decisions that would favour his son-in-law. Anoma, after introducing had told Thoradeniya: “Aney, a-ya-gay wada tikak thiyenawa. A-yata udawkaranna.” (Aney, he has some little business. Please help.)
no car to pick him up from the airport when he first came to Oklahoma and he would pick him and his family and take them shopping, banking, dining in Edmonton town where they were staying. But later his son-in-law, who had no job and who lived in Manning Flats, would pick his father-in-law, first in BMW, second time in a Humber and third time in a Range Rover. Danun also gifted his wife with hand bags $4,500.
forced the waiter to eat the roti served at his table because it was misshapen;
hit and humiliated soldiers brought as cooks and waiters to his house for the slightest lapse and some soldiers assigned to him preferred to run away from the Army rather than serve him purely to avoid his cruelty and beastly treatment. These stories were related to Capt. Illangamage by Rohan Wijesundera a relative of Fonseka.
sent the Maj-Gen. Santha Kottegoda, home on his last day of service in a Toyota Ace Van after stripping all his security because he never forgave his former friend for getting the job of the Army Commander before him. Fonseka even withdrew the cook assigned to Kottegoda and he told Capt. Illangamage: “Mama, oota kanda dunney kaden genapu kama ” (I made him eat the food from the shop.);
stopped Admiral Karannagoda, the Navy Commander against whom he developed an “amazing hatred” purely because he was senior to him, from passing through the Army compound – the only open route to MoD – and not allowed his escorts to follow him.
pulled out the security provided to Chandrika Bandaranaike and refused to take her phone calls. Chandrika had to go through Secretary Defence to get her security restored.
frequently addressed even high ranking generals in the most abusive terms borrowed from the sathtu waththa and, last but not the least,
abused his wife and children in the same beastly manner;
Capt. Illangamge said that he was told by Fonseka of the things he had done to the media but he would not state them at the press conference. However, he said he would given the details to Rajitha Senaratne before he heads back to his home in Oklahoma .

Capt. Illangamage’s performance at the press conference aired by Adaderana was animated and convincing. Political circles are convinced that Fonseka’s credibility has been damaged irreparably. Capt. Illangamage told the media that he would release more information later, if needed. In the meantime, he said he had handed over the documents to the relevant authorities.


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Nation's Stability again in Peril!

Sri Lanka has spent almost 30 out of 60 years of her independence in a turmoil that brought horrendous sufferings to her people. The country has failed to achieve the development that has been achieved by some of her fellow nations in the region. Interestingly, Sri Lanka never had dictators, communist regimes, or rulers belonging to religious or racial extremist groups in her history. Yet, we have failed to achieve stability to bolster sustainable development. The reasons for our inability to do so, if looked at closely were partly internal and partly external.

Our political leaders and of course the people who elected them had made serious mistakes that were ultimately detrimental to the country. Also, there is ample evidence how external interlopers have capitalized on our mistakes to keep us under their jackboots. The recently ended terrorist war is the best example.

The focus of this article is not to dig the past and conduct a post-mortem. It is to understand what is happening around us now, comparing to what had happened in the past. Now, the war has been won against terrorism, and we are located in a region where the economy is rapidly growing. The opportunity is certainly there for us to achieve prosperity in the near future. What can deny us of that achievement is the instability of our nation.


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'Mahinda takes lead in postal votes' says independent observers

According to independently verifiable sources, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has taken lead securing over 65% of postal votes casted Tuesday (12th Jan), in the first day of postal voting.

The voter turnout yesterday was around 65% of the total 401,118 qualified postal votes, PAFFERAL sources reported..

Meanwhile, sheer desperation is learnt to have creeped into the opposition UNF camp as independent election analysis reports indicated a poor 29% of votes for Fonseka. Shattered with hopes of any revival Fonseka in frustration is confirmed ordered his death squads to unleash a spree of violence triggering calamity.

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UPFA campaign office attacked

Armed Opposition gangs on rampage in Polonnaruwa:
Narrow escape for Minister Sirisena:

A group of about a thousand UNP and JVP supporters armed with clubs, iron rods and swords came in procession and attacked the Polonnaruwa election campaign office of the UPFA causing severe damage to it.

They also made efforts to attack SLFP General Secretary and Agriculture and Mahaweli Development Minister Maithripala Sirisena but Police and members of the Ministerial Security Division brought the group under control.

However, some of the Minister’s security personnel and the Polonnaruwa District Party Organizer Ranasinghe were slightly injured in the attack. They caused severe damage to the campaign office, Police said.

Police and the Minister’s security personnel had to make a great effort to prevent the attack on the Minister.

The election campaign office was completely damaged by the attack.

The Minister was attending a meeting of the SLFP Women’s Committee at the Pulathisipura auditorium and had arrived at the campaign office on hearing of the arrival of a group that came there in procession. The UNP and JVP thugs attempted to attack the Minister. Police and his bodyguard prevented the attack with difficulty. If the Minister was not taken away by the Police and not for his security he would have been severely injured, Police said.

Residents of the area said they had earlier informed the Police that a group of JVP and UNP supporters were collecting arms but apparently the Police had not checked the information and taken action against those who had collected arms.

Minister Maithripala Sirisena making a statement to the media after the incident said though NDF Presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka was pledging to usher in peace, law and order his supporters were sent on missions of violence. Polonnaruwa Police are investigating.


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Government condemns shooting incident at Tangalle

The government yesterday (Jan 12) strongly condemning the shooting incident at Tangalle stated that it will not tolerate any such acts of violence, and all steps are being taken to bring those responsible to justice.

"Instructions have been given to the authorities to bolster security at political events up to and on polling day to ensure that all Sri Lankans can participate safely in the electoral process", a government statement said.

Full text of the statement :

The Government of Sri Lanka is appalled at this tragedy, vehemently condemns it, and will not tolerate any such acts of violence, in the midst of this democratic electoral process.

All steps are being taken to bring those responsible to justice.

Instructions have been given to the authorities to bolster security at political events up to and on polling day to ensure that all Sri Lankans can participate safely in the electoral process.


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Rajapaksa says govt. considering bicameral legislature

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has offered to create a second chamber in the parliament as part of moves to give greater representation to provinces, especially the Tamil-dominated North and East.

Stepping up his bid to woo the minority Tamils, Rajapaksa said his government is considering bringing a constitutional amendment to create a bicameral legislature that will allow greater say to the provinces in the parliament.

Rajapaksa, who is seeking re-election in the January 26 polls, also gave an assurance that provincial election for the Northern province, the once LTTE stronghold, would be held soon after the parliamentary polls this year.

Rajapaksa and his main contender, former top General Sarath Fonseka, both Sinhalese, have launched strong bids to woo Tamil voters, whose support can turn out to be decisive.

The Parliament of Sri Lanka is a unicameral 225-member legislature elected by universal suffrage and proportional representation, elections for which are due in April.

Interacting with the foreign media yesterday, Rajapaksa said all political parties were not satisfied with proposals of the All Party Representative Committee on devolution of power for Tamils, and if re-elected he would infuse inputs at a personal level to make the proposals widely acceptable.

He also indicated that he was not in favour of large devolution of police powers, as suggested by the committee, to provinces due to security aspects.

The All Party Representative Committee (APRC), set up in 2006, is currently working to finalise its report recommending a power devolution formula. The interim report of the committee was submitted to Rajapaksa on January 23, 2008.

Among other things, it suggested recruitment of Tamil speaking police personnel, procurement of equipment to transact business in Tamil language and induction of interpreters in the North.

The recommendations stated that special arrangements are necessary to permit maximum devolution of powers to the Northern and Eastern provinces under the 13th amendment that calls for setting up of autonomous provincial councils. The Eastern Provincial elections were held in May, 2008.

The President said the creation of a second chamber in Parliament would necessitate an amendment to the constitution and that would also hinge on the new Parliament arithmetic after the elections in April.

Rajapaksa told reporters that he would hold discussions with various Tamil groups for conducting the Northern Provincial election. Tamils constitute over 12.5 per cent of the 20 million population.

He would also consult all parties for arriving at a consensus on a political solution to the ethnic conflict that is acceptable to all stakeholders.

Rajapaksa also defended the continuance of the army camps in North and East and said “military camps will have to be there as it is necessary”. He said the protracted war with LTTE might have ended but there were remnant groups trying to operate from abroad. – (The Indian Express)

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Leading his team

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Sarath Silva in the hot seat

C. Wijeyawickrema, LL.B, Ph.D.

The Daily Mirror interview of Sarath Silva by Diane de Silva reveals the extent to which a former Chief Justice can go in playing the game of distorting and twisting facts because of his personal anger against a village man who became a successful president. He hoped Mahinda Rajapaksa (MR) would be a Sakra Deyyyo! Whatever has happened to Sarath Silva’s legal training based on logic and reason? The unreasonable excuses that he gave to justify his decision to work against MR makes one wonder if he has also become a victim of an IC plan to try to make a regime change in Sri Lanka with the aim of destabilizing the country and to punish MR for the “return-humiliation” given to the former white colonial masters who continued humiliation (Asians are barbarians and God wanted the white man to civilize these lazy people) as a strategy to exploit former colonies. Then as well as now, white agents have implemented this strategy using local black-white agents as cat’s paw. Sarath is a known black white who thought that law must be taught in English at the Law College.
When you read the following itemized list you cannot think he made genuine mistakes, not knowing the facts.

1. He says what made him decide that MR should be removed was the government ignoring his decision to reduce petrol price by 40 rupees. Instead, it was reduced only by 2 rupees. He says it was not only a violation of the Court’s decision but was an insult to the Court. He says the price was now reduced by 15 rupees which means that it could have been done then as he ordered. The order was made to help the poor people, he says. But Sarath was silent about the price of fertilizer sold to famers, and SC was not supposed to get into price control business.
I would not approve bringing PB Jayasundara back to government service, but it was possible because the court did the donkey’s job without asking the dog to do the job. The court should have referred PBJ’s crimes to his employer instead of stepping into employer’s shoes. It was this technical mistake that allowed a loop hole to PBJ’s return.
Sarath Silva did not realize that his job is to interpret the law and not to implement the law. After making this mistake of getting into politics Sarath had to face a humiliating political rebuff. For this he should not feel insulted as it was due to his own unnecessary involvement in other people’s affairs. Deciding oil price was not a job for the SC.

2. A funny thing that I noticed at his interview was his use of I did this and I did that mode as if he was the SC. It is like the other Sarath saying I won the war, I killed Prbakaran with weapons imported by Chandrika. Yes, he was its CJ but he cannot say he did or judge x, y or z did it. It was collective use of judicial power of the state or the people. In the case of USA, time periods of its Supreme Court are expressed as Burger Court, Warren Court etc. using the name of the respective CJ. But that did not mean that a particular CJ personally gave the decisions or claim ownership of running the battalion.

3. Sarath says that MR opposed the demerger of NP and EP and he was the one who did it. Again, it was as if he had countervailing facts to dismiss the logical arguments made by the petitioners’ lawyers, H.L.de Silva, S.L. Gunasekera and Gomin Dayasiri. Again, as if he was the owner of the SC to say that he demerged N and E. If he on his own activated the inherent powers of the SC to render this decision, only then he can claim that he did it.
He says MR opposed the demerger because the Attorney General wanted to dismiss the petition. The petitioners’ complained against the GOSL. Whatever was his personal position at that time, MR cannot tell the AG to not defend the government. Legal systems do not function that way. So Sarath is using this situation to now say that he wanted the demerger but MR wanted the merger. Was that a reason for Sarath to now support or open up the topic with TNA separatists on whether the re-merger should be judicially examined?

4. Sarath is for the restoration of democracy and parliamentary supremacy. But he knows very well that whatever little value representative democracy had in Ceylon/Sri Lanka was taken away by JRJ-RPremadasa twins with a new system of elections. Any tinkering of the JRJ’s bahubootha thing will not restore anything but further increase chaos and destabilize the country, justifying a military junta.

Who select the members of the CC under 17-A? It will be the jokers who became MPs from the party bosses list prepared in Colombo offices. The CC will be a political agency sabotaging president’s plans of action. We saw how Jayadeva Uyangoda became the saint needed for a saintly CC. The solution is therefore, not 17-A, but junk the JRJ thing and prepare a new constitution similar to the 1947 Constitution.

5. Sarath now says the Executive presidency will not be abolished. Instead its powers will be reduced until such time a new constitution is approved. For example, he says that the president will not be allowed to take ministries under him. But Sarath F says he is going to keep at least five key ministries with him such as education, finance and security. So what will happen? Who is right? Sarath S or Sarath F? What will happen in between until the new constitution is ready?
After watching Sarath in hot seat I am fully convinced that this Sarath-Sarath-RanilW-JVP project is nothing but an international colonial plot against the 2500-year old heritage of Sri Lanka which MR saved from destruction, against all odds, on May 18, 2009. The western plot to project Sarath F as the proverbial Prince Diyasena, who came to politics to save the island from the Rajapaksa family has already failed because of badmouthing by the principal actor and some TNA separatists. It can be called the second Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in Sri Lanka. Sarath Silva in his Daily Mirror interview revealed that he cannot even be a shadow (cardboard) Diyasena kumaraya helper!
I say MR is a gem in the mud because I do not support him blindly. I support MR because as in 2005, Sri Lanka can be saved only by MR in 2010. Yes, he made lot of civilian political mistakes. But he had to operate in a prison created by Prabakaran and the previous PMs and Presidents. Tamil terrorists have infiltrated even the President’s office and residence, and it was in such dire conditions that he saved the country. Saraths can go to Jaffna exposing their belly buttons and surgical wounds because of the political leadership given by MR.
Basil Rajapaksa handled the East and North reconstruction the way General Marshall handled post-Hitler Europe. But the Basil model was not suitable for the south. He cannot be the person with thousand eyes and hands. The delegation of powers and utilization of honest and non-political public servants were neglected by Basil. The corruption trio—politician, public servant, NGO—capitalized on this and made lot of money, and now Basil is blamed for all that. But, that is no reason to not give a chance to MR again as he has the potential to begin a second war against corruption. Most importantly, the two virgins (Sarath and Sarath) are not virgins, and are agents of white colonialism.

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Jeyaraj’s elephantine fabrications reveal a plot-Dr Nalin De Silva

Dr Nalin de Silva’s questions to DBSJ

In keeping with the well known Sinhala adage “the more interesting dances will come on stage towards the wee hours” D.B. S.J ( David Buell Sabapathy ) Jeyaraj, a Tamil racist journalist has written what can be called a preliminary report about the ‘white flag incident in his website. This report is now on the email circuit too. Based on this report, one can expect DBSJ to come out with more ‘details’ in the coming days. Before, we analyse his report, it is necessary to have an introduction to this journalist. He is a Tamil Christian and he used to write to the Island sometime ago. It is not a secret that he was a supporter of the LTTE. Subsequently, he went to Canada. It was said that he was preparing for his post-graduate studies. We also heard that DBSJ had been threatened by the Tamil Tigers. The cause of the conflict between DBSJ and the Tamil Tigers is not clear but, DBSJ represents Tamil racism.

He is one of the leaders of the English speaking Tamil racists who are spread over many Western countries. We have analysed and discussed on many occasions how Tamil racism was bred by the Dutch and the English. They used English speaking Tamils against the ‘Sinhalatava’, the Sinhala identity. After the death of Prabahkaran The Western Nations interested in Sri Lankan issue were left only with the English Speaking Tamils for their agenda for Lanka. The consistent, yet, futile attempts by the Western nations to direct war crimes charges to Sri Lanka government are to create instability in Sri Lanka and help the dispersed Tamil racists (so called diaspora) to form a Eelam away from the shores of Sri Lanka. These Westerners will use Presidential elections for this purpose through the JVP and Sarath Fonseka.

According to DBSJ, Nadesan and Pullidevan had discussions with the high officials in the Government and infamous Nambiyyar to surrender to the defence forces. According to him Ok was received to surrender and the terrorists have selected to go to the 58th Brigade for this purpose. On 18th May, Nadesan, his wife ( Even though she was born to Sinhalese parents as per her choice she was of Tamil culture) Pulidevan and 15 others forming a team and another team with Ramesh have arrived to surrender. According to DBSJ, the Defence Secretary had advised the Army Commander to be ready to receive them at 3.30 am.


According to DBSJ on 18th morning Nadesan and Pullidevan had come with the white flags. But, the party had not gone towards the 58th brigade but, to the Special Forces. When the Tamil Tiger party had said that they have come to surrender the Special Forces members have asked them to kneel down and have started to question Nadesan and Pullidevan separately. When Nadesan‘s wife saw that the uneasy and excited forces were going to gun them down, she started to cry loudly. Then, the soldiers have blackguarded them in filth and simultaneously Nadesan, Pulidevan and others were fired at. The officers had intervened and stopped the gunfire and taken a few into the custody. According to DBSJ, Ramesh and others have run towards the LTTE sector. Ramesh and Elango had given leadership to the others and
died a heroes’ death while fighting, according to DBSJ.

DBSJ’s elephantine fabrications will be acceptable to the slavish counterfeit Sinhala intelligentsia For them DBSJ is an unbiased journalist and his report is truthful. But, for us there are many contradictions in his report. Before we proceed to pinpoint the inaccuracies in DBSJ report let us focus on the statement that Ramesh and Elango died a heroes’ death. DBSJ’s words prove that he is still a Tamil racist. and still venerates Tamil Tigers. He is resolved to some way
or other, someday to take officers of the Sri Lanka army to the international war crimes courts. What is more dangerous is that this type of fabricators (classical fibs) have a chance of getting places in the President’s government after he will be relected.

First, it is not clear at all why Nadesan and Pulidevan failed to make use of similar opportunities given to Daya Master and Prabahkaran’s parents to surrender by the President. According to DBSJ the government was ready to accept the surrenderees , but not the SF. Did Nadesan and others came on 18th with white flags to surrender? Were the white flags visible in the early morning? DBSJ accepts that around 18th the LTTE cadres have come under the guise of civilians and fought with Army. This party, according to DBSJ was given the approval to surrender to 58th Brigade but why did they go to SF? Were SF advised by the authorities to accept the surrender? How did DBSJ know that Nadesan’s wife had been blackguarded by the forces in filth? The people who were in the part are either dead or in the custody of the Army. Ramesh and his people could not have heard this. It is only DBSJ who is uttering filth and no one else. The most important thing is to ascertain how Ramesh, Elango who are said to have come without arms managed to run back and fight with the army. Was the army unable to gun down Ramesh and his people before they went towards the LTTE sector? Even according to DBSJ’s elephantine fabrications can one surmise that what happened was completely different?

Nadesan and Pulidevan were not members of the LTTE armed wing. Pulidevan was so called peace boss and Nadesan was calling himself the Police boss. Even though DBSJ says that Nadesan’s wife went as a translator there were officers in the army who knew Tamil and also there had been no need of the assistance of a terrorist for this purpose by the Army.

Ramesh was the leader of the LTTE’s Eastern armed wing. DBSJ cannot hide the fact that Ramesh came armed to the site. DBSJ‘s fibs reveal clearly that his plot misfired and he had to fight at the site and die. Ramesh ,Elnago and a team of about 50 had gone with Nadesan and Pulidevan for some other purpose. LTTE have acted many ways to take the whole world for a ride with the help of Westerners.
Was this another act manipulated with the West’s advise which misfired? Going on DBSJ’s fibs we can also come to the conclusion that this was an enactment to frame war crimes against Sri Lanka.

Did Ramesh and his team come to fight the army? Their mission may be to frame charges against Sri Lanla and not to engage in a fight and win. Did these armed cadres who followed Nadesan and Pullideven go towards the SF - not the 58 Brigade -to fight or surrender? Did Ramesh volunteer to die in this process by taking part in the dramatic episode written and managed by the West? Did Pulidevan
and Nadesan know about this ? May be Nadesan and Pulidevan were not armed but, we cannot be definite about it. DBSJ report is clear that Ramesh and his group was armed. Was the SF able to gauge the situation and avert possible damage to themselves? Or, did Ramesh and the group fire at the SF from a distance? But, everything had been planned if the party could not surrender to confirm to the world that the army had fired at a party coming to surrender with white flags. Did the Westerners plan this surrender if it was successful to make use of Nadesan and Pulidevan to save Prabhakaran so that they could help to announce the formation of the Eelam overseas? If the surrender was unsuccessful, was the plan envisaged Ramesh to fire at the surrenderees and level crimes charges at SL Government? More details will be exposed in time to come. DBSJ‘s future writing in this book of elephantine fabrications will be very useful to us.

(translated by Ranjith Soysa)


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Gen. Sarath Fonseka's Weapon Secret Revealed

Upul Ilangamge who claimed to be a close friend of Presidential Candidate Rtd. Gen. Sarath Fonseka who resided in the US, today came out with a strong statement saying that he will expose all the alleged arms deals that were made by the retired General through his son-in-law and Hicorp International.

Upul Ilangamge today speaking at a press conference said that he had been a close friend of Fonseka and he was the one who helped Fonseka to get his Green card.

He added that his signature had been forged to sign Hicorp documents and he had filed a law suit against it in the US. Ilangamge added that those behind the Hicorp had taken action to postpone the case by 20 days avoiding the negative effect it will have on the General’s Presidential bid.

Now that he has made this statement Ilangamge claims that his life will be under threat and if something happens to him the blame should fall on General Fonseka. He added that he is willing to debate these charges with the General anywhere.

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Fonseka has accepted ‘Tamil Homeland’ - Wickramabahu

Sarath Fonseka has accepted that the North and the East is the homeland of Tamils by the agreement he signed with the TNA now, Left Front Presidential candidate Wickramabahu Karunaratne said.

He asked those who called him a Tiger when he expressed the same view in 1974 what would they call Sarath Fonseka now.

He made this observations at a media briefing held at his residence in Kiribathkumbura on Saturday.

He observed that Fonseka had already given a bag of promises to the TNA. Also to enlist their support he had entered into certain agreements. “Now JVP’s Anura Kumara Dissanayake has suddenly gone silent after this.”

He said Fonseka has promised to release terrorist suspects, to resettle the displaced, to grant self rule and provide jobs etc.

What is not in the agreement is only the promise to return to life the people he killed when he was a military officer. Although the USA and the major European countries tried to strengthen the hold of multi-national companies through Mahinda Rajapaksa they failed in their bid.

“Now that they have lost hope in Mahinda Rajapaksa they have put forward Sarath Fonseka as a candidate to do their bidding.”

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War cost country Rs 23 trillion- Siyambalapitiya

Deputy Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said that the Government had spent a total of Rs 23 trillion on the three-decade war.

This works out to Rs. 920 billion per year in the 25 years of war, which is now a saving for the government in addition to the targeted revenue budget per year.

The 2009 targeted revenue was Rs. 855 billion, and the government spends only around Rs. 2 billion on ministers, and Rs 278 billion on development.

According to the previous situation, compared to the current, the tax and price situations have not changed but have increased.

The expenditure towards war can be used for the benefit of the citizens by reducing taxation and prices of daily needs as the expenditure towards war is a balance after the liberation.

He also told the media on Sunday that the policy statement of Gen (Rtd) Sarath Fonseka is an impossible statement to be implemented in the current situation. To provide some of it, an additional funding of Rs. 350 billion will be required apart from the yearly targeted budget.

These statements’ implications definitely will lead to a high amount of currency circulation within the country which will increase the inflation rates of the country leading to a catastrophe of the livelihood, he pointed out.

He also said this is possible with the high tax amounts charged from the public. An amount of Rs. 1,500 will have to be additionally charged from individuals of the country.


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Hambantota Harbour a maritime hub - Minister Rajapaksa

The first phase of the Hambantota Harbour will be completed by November this year.

After the completion of the first stage it will provide various services to ships, Minister of Ports and Aviation Chamal Rajapaksa said at a press conference held at Ambalantota yesterday.

The Minister pointed out that the discussions in this regard with world’s renowned shipping corporations were now being held. Five large scale industries will be established within the premises of the harbour.

The Government of China will provide necessary funds in this regard. Furthermore construction work of five new ports is also now underway. A land of 400 acres near the Galle Face will be developed for the activities of the Colombo South Harbour. The Galle Harbour will be developed as a tourist port. The construction activities of the Oluvil Port will be completed by next year. The Navy is supervising the construction activities of the Kankasanthurai Harbour.

Minister Chamal Rajapaksa noted with the construction of these harbours Sri Lanka will become a maritime hub in the region.

He also observes that all these development projects will create many job opportunities for the youth of the country.

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Canadian backers of Tigers may get longer penalties

U.S. prosecutors are seeking tougher sentences for three Tamil-Canadians who were caught by the FBI trying to buy anti-aircraft missiles and other weapons for the Tamil Tigers three years ago.

Toronto residents Suhil Sabaratnam and Thiruthanikan (Thani) Thanigasalam were due in court for a sentencing hearing in New York on Monday. Both have pleaded guilty to conspiracy and material support for terrorism and were facing possible sentences of 25 years to life. Two others — Nadarasa Yogarasa, also a Canadian resident, and Sathajhan Sarachandran — have pleaded guilty in connection with the undercover FBI sting operation.

The proceedings were postponed until Jan. 22. because the prosecutors want heavier sentences. They're arguing that in addition to the current charges, the men's plan to buy the weapons constituted an act of domestic terrorism.

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Mahinda promises "A brighter future" for all

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday unveiled a 14-point programme titled, ‘A brighter future’ with a promise to bring Sri Lanka to a prominent position in Asia and the world and work towards a political solution to the ethnic problem.

The manifesto is aimed at enhancing the stature of the country with focus on new areas of development and the opportunities for investment and economic progress. The 2010 election manifesto of President Rajapaksa is an expanded vision of ‘Mahinda Chinthana’.

At yesterday’s launch at the BMICH, the President said that because of having to spend most of the four years of his first term fighting LTTE terrorism in the face of pressure from a section of the international community bent of saving the terrorists, he had barely six months left to concentrate fully on other issues.

"We are now ready to lead our children and our nation to a brighter future as stakeholders of a truly free motherland," President says in his policy statement.

The President promises to establish the Northern Provincial Council under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. He also reveals a plan for far reaching changes to the Provincial Council and Local Government systems.

The President proposes to set up a Senate comprising professionals and the clergy to pave way for their participation in the affairs of the State. He proposes to change the existing PR system and to introduce a new electoral system. To ensure minority representation in Parliament, members would be also elected on the basis of District cum National percentages, the

President says. While proposing to remove the President’s executive power to dissolve Parliament after one year from last date of elections, the President assures he would curtail presidential powers.

He assures that his next term would be wholly devoted to addressing these issues that would take the country to development and progress, giving priority to the battle against corruption with the same determination with which he fought the underworld and terrorism.

He vows to fight corruption, develop the country and build a strong and healthy society. Stating that Sri Lanka was now a nation of one people, the President says he will soon hold the provincial election in the North to hand over power to the people there.

"I was in Jaffna, Vavuniya and the East during the weekend and people there were all smiles," the President said adding that he felt they yearned for development.

President Rajapaksa, speaking in Tamil, said that he had destroyed terrorism and restored peace in the country and people were now free to live in any part of the country. He also gave an assurance that the Northern Region, too, would be developed in the due course like the other parts of the country.

He said five ports were coming up round the country. "We have started gigantic development projects in this country already and the people could reap benefits," he said.

The President said it was time to continue development work that had commence four years back and the next decade would be aptly named the ‘Development Decade’ of Sri Lanka.

He said the youth in the country had valiantly fought for victory and he was confident that they would be partners in the development drive of the nation.

The President said he had stood against tremendous international pressure to protect the nation and warned that there were some elements trying to revive terrorism and urged the people to exercise caution. He accused his opponents of trying to make way for another Eelam struggle in this country.

He said, "Today there is a new map for Sri Lanka; today, there are no so-called border villages; it is one Sri Lanka, an undivided country where all communities can live in harmony."

The people were now free, the President said. "But, way back in 2005 November when I took over the reins of government, the country was in utter chaos due to a Ceasefire Agreement. On one side was a Parliament where a Speaker could not be appointed and on the other was a weak Army which was incapable of fighting a war. The farmers were committing suicide unable to sell their produce and the psyche of the whole country was in a defeatist state."

He said that the biggest asset he possessed was the confidence of people, which he said he had enjoyed for over four decades in politics.

"Today I have overcome all obstacles and brought an honourable peace to the motherland. Today people not only enjoy peace but live with honour and dignity. Farmers receive fertiliser at very low rates but sell their produce for a very good price. One out of every twenty people is a government servant" he said.

The UPFA government had not allowed a drop of water to flow into the sea before full use has been made of it collected in places like the Moragahakanda, Yan Oya, Kumbukkan Oya, Deduru Oya reservoirs,’ he said.

"We launched mammoth development projects and brought radical changes to develop the economy. For another century the country will not need another airport, a seaport, Expressways etc as so many development projects have been implemented, he said.

The government had made a credible change and now the only thing left to do was not to betray the country, the President said.

"When the LTTE was a formidable terrorist organisation worldwide, I didn’t agree to the conditions laid down by the terrorists or the international community. Now the Tigers are no more," said the President.

"But certain elements are trying to reopen old wounds. They are trying to pave the way for Eelam in this country by signing agreements with LTTE proxies", the President said.

"Those who helped the Tigers while we were fighting the war, Tiger supporters here as well as the LTTE leaders living among the Tamil Diaspora, have joined with these elements to realise their dream of Tamil Eelam. However, I am prepared to fight them once again and defeat them. Hence, every vote for the betel leaf is a vote for defending the freedom of the country", Rajapaksa said.

"What we need is a country where all communities could live in peace and harmony. This country belongs to all Sri Lankans and they cannot think of another country as their motherland" he said.

"The masses living in both the North and the East accept our economic policies as much as they do in the South of this country. Our economic policy is to build the nation economically and not to help foreign entrepreneurs and racketeers line their pockets", Rajapaksa said.

"The masses should remember that it was the village lads who fought and defeated the most ruthless terrorist group in the world and it is the youth from the villages who will launch the economic revolution in this country and make Sri Lanka a top economy in Asia", he said.

"I spent the major part of the past four years ruling this country fighting terrorism and I defeated terrorism and united the country. Now my ambition is to create a Sri Lanka sans corruption and violence," the President concluded.


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I will make this country among the best - President

President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Saturday said the Government is dedicated to place the country among the most developed countries in the world in the ensuing years under his leadership.

The President was speaking at an election rally at the Vavuniya Urban Council grounds on Saturday. The people are facing the first Presidential election after the country was totally freed from the scourge of terrorism, he said. He added that all parts of the country were brought under a development drive while massive funds were allocated to eradicate terrorism.

He said the Government kept its promise by bringing all communities in the country under one flag. Meanwhile, addressing parents of the newly released LTTE cadres who left rehabilitation centres in Zone II of Manik Farm in Vavuniya on Friday President Rajapaksa said while children in the South used to carry school bags on their shoulders, their counterparts in the North carried T56 weapons.

However, no children in any part of the country in the future will be allowed to carry any other thing in their shoulders other than school bags.

President Rajapaksa said that he was highly pleased to see the reunion of these misguided former LTTE members with their parents.

We must love our liberated Motherland which underwent a turbulent period for 30 years. Children born during this period only heard the sounds of guns. They saw only a gun culture. I do not want to emphasise the need to live under one banner in the country. We don’t want to see a gun culture nor wounded people in the country. It is our responsibility to give a good education and a job to our children and thus make them useful and law-abiding citizens in the country.

It is also an objective to create a younger generation which respects the country. Its culture, parents and religious leaders. Towards this end, I will not allow these children to carry any other thing on their shoulders than school bags, President Rajapaksa said amidst applause.

“Doctors, engineers and scholars should be produced from these areas.

“We also want to see sportsmen and sportswomen emerging from this area and creating world records. Therefore, it is high time that we all are united as one nation and as Sri Lankans. “There are 70 million Tamil speaking people in India. But the Sri Lankan leader was the only person who spoke in Tamil at the UN session. It was Mahinda Rajapaksa.”

President Rajapaksa handed back 15 rehabilitated children to their parents on this occasion amidst tears of joy from the parents.

President Rajapaksa on arrival at the Manik Farm was received and garlanded by the children at the relief centre. Rehabilitated youth Chandralingam Mohan Raja made the welcome speech. Commissioner General of Rehabilitation Major General Daya Ratnayake said steps would be taken to provide these rehabilitated youth with a good education, vocational training and employment opportunities and expressed his appreciation of the role played by the Government and the UN.

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The TNA’s decision:Revenge politics or ‘Second Operation’ for separatist politics?

Tamil National Alliance (TNA) couple of days ago decided to back Sarath Fonseka at the forthcoming presidential election. Although it was said that the decision was unanimous it seems that the three-way split of the TNA remains unrepaired. All Ceylon Tamil Congress wing of the TNA headed by Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam has asked Tamil voters to boycott the election on the basis that the Tamils have nothing do with the election of Sinhala leaders. So the usual politics of abstinence has been upheld. In a way, the ACTC decision appears to be much closer to the old position of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). On the other hand, Sivajilingam and his colleagues have accepted the first part of the ACTC position, but emphasised the importance of reentering independent democratic politics. In this sense, his candidacy signifies a qualitative shift in Tamil politics. Anyone who has been following Tamil politics vis-à-vis elections in the last 25 years can easily grasp the logic of these two positions. Sambandan wing of the TNA has refused to accept either of these positions and finally decided to support Sarath Fonseka and his candidacy at the forthcoming presidential election. It is interesting to note that Sambanthan has declared that the support of his wing of the TNA is unconditional and that General (Rtd) Fonseka has not promised anything substantial in relation to Tamil national question. If it is so, how do we explain this position? What led Sambanthan’s wing of the TNA to take a decision to support General (Rtd) Sarath Fonseka? How could this riddle be resolved?

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Public employees get 2,500-rupee pay hike

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has ordered that the monthly salaries of all public servants including the security force members be increased by Rs. 2,500, President’s Media Unit announced yesterday.

This increment would come into effect with the next budget and necessary action was being taken in this regard, a media communiqué said.


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Lasantha Murder: Mangala Accused Sarath F.

Nexus Research predicts win for President

Nexus Research Group http://www.nexusresearch.lk/indexn.php, an organisation involved in carrying out opinion polls has predicted victory for President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the upcoming Presidential elections.

According to their observations, the President should be the clear winner polling 61.18% of the votes while the opposition candidate General Sarath Fonseka will get 33.40% of votes to be cast.

According to investigations carried out by Nexus Group 5.42% of the voters are yet undecided in their choice of candidate.

This research has been made involving 4,910 persons.

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Sri Lanka opposition candidate insists on his plan to keep executive presidency with five key ministries

Jan10, Colombo: In a dramatic change of his policies opposition presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka says he will keep the executive Presidency to do the maximum service to the public.

In a television interview telecast by Independent Television Network last night retired General said he is seeking a mandate from people to rebuild the country and therefore he too need some powers to uphold that task in the next six years.

"I am not in a position to abolish the executive presidency if I am elected. If people giving me the mandate it does not mean that I have to abolish the post and go home. I have to stay in the president post with powers," he said.

Earlier Opposition candidate has pledged to abolish the executive presidency and agreed to vest its powers to Prime Minister and Parliament.

Main opposition UNP and Marxist JVP agreed to back Sarath Fonseka at the forthcoming election on the key condition of abolishing executive Presidency with immediate effect if he is elected.

However, the opposition candidate has contradicted that pledge in the last night TV interview and said he would keep five ministries under him if he is elected to the post.

"Defense, Finance, Education, Health, and Employment ministries will be directly handled by me in my government," he added.

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