Bloomberg,  Mon Jan 18 20:31:41 EST 2010

    Jan. 19 (Bloomberg) -- Sarath Fonseka, the general who led the army to victory over separatist rebels ending a 26-year civil war is promoting reconciliation with minority Tamils as he tries to win this month’s presidential election.

Full Story


_________________
- The Academic

Tamils are of the view that the ret commander
Sarath fonseka has to
ride the "Reconciliationhorse' and not the TAMILS.


_________________
Every man has a train of thought on which he rides. His happiness depends on the direction in which that train is going,the baggage it carries,and the scenery through which it travels.

R.Gnanaratnam wrote:

Tamils are of the view that the ret commander
Sarath fonseka has to
ride the "Reconciliationhorse' and not the TAMILS.

So who died and when were you appointed to speak for all Tamils Mr.Gnanaratnam?

Or is this the same "sole representative" crap we used to hear until last May?


_________________
There are no minorities in Sri Lanka. --- Dr.Percy Mahinda Rajapakse Ph.D

R.Gnanaratnam wrote:

Tamils are of the view that the ret commander
Sarath fonseka has to ride the "Reconciliationhorse' and not the TAMILS.

Mr. Gnanatatnam, in this case, it is difficult to separate Reconciliation and Tamils.  Tell me reconciliation for whom?

Cut the crap Namdev.

You will continue to hear it,views from Tamils whether from me or any other Tamil.
I can see that you are one of those who was happy muzzling the free media so you can ride the
'tyrannyhorse'.
Not anymore.

Don't try it on LA.


_________________
Every man has a train of thought on which he rides. His happiness depends on the direction in which that train is going,the baggage it carries,and the scenery through which it travels.

Mahinda Rajapaske tried to brush a huge pile of dirt under carpet and move along as if everything hunky dory now that LTTE is gone. No carpet can hide this amount of dirt.

There has to be some sort of closure for past 3 decades of bloodshed. Only a fool will not realise biggest contributing factor for the failure was bad governance.  However he fails to do anything purely for selfish reasons.  Specifically, there are 2 reasons. Political reform inevitably curtail his powers. Any kind of good governance also means less chances of making money.

Some ask the question will the opposition any better?  No one will know until we try.  There is absolutely nothing to lose by sending Mahinda home. He needs to be sent home before he ruin his own reputation any further.  Sending him home is for his own and nation's best interest.


_________________
Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth. - Albert Einstein

.. The SF march continues.. Just a week to go ?
When will we know the result ?


_________________
*I am not the only one*

rm7000 wrote:

.. The SF march continues.. Just a week to go ?
When will we know the result ?

26th night vote counting begins. we still use paper and need to be manually counted.
After midnight (SL time) the electorate level results will be available.
By 27th morning we would know who is the winner by looking at the trend.

Negombo wrote:

rm7000 wrote:

.. The SF march continues.. Just a week to go ?
When will we know the result ?

26th night vote counting begins. we still use paper and need to be manually counted.
After midnight (SL time) the electorate level results will be available.
By 27th morning we would know who is the winner by looking at the trend.

Just to add to what Negambo said, those who keep a close tab on the cumulative figures on district level on an excel sheet will be able to make a close prediction in the early hours. 2005 election was close but by 7.00 am we knew MR will win.


_________________
MAC1

Ranil promises tough anti-graft laws by February
By Suresh Perera

http://www.island.lk/2010/01/24/features10.html


_________________
Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth. - Albert Einstein

Athos wrote:

Ranil promises tough anti-graft laws by February

Didn't Ranil also promise peace?


_________________
If the only tool you have is a hammer, you will see every problem as a nail.- Abraham Maslow

Athos wrote:

Ranil promises tough anti-graft laws by February
By Suresh Perera

http://www.island.lk/2010/01/24/features10.html

Provided SF wins, Ranil knows it.  


_________________
MAC1

From THE CONSTITUTION OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA:

Chapter VII, Article 31 Section 3(d):

The person declared elected as President at an election held under this paragraph shall, if such person –

(i)         is the President in office, hold office for a term of six years commencing on such date in the year in which that election is held (being a date after such election) or in the succeeding year, as corresponds to the date on which his first term of office commenced, whichever date is earlier ; or

(ii)        is not the President in office, hold office for a term of six years commencing on the date on which the result of such election is declared.[/i]

My interpretation:

(i) If MR wins, he will start his second term of six years on 26th Jan 2010; and,

(ii) If SF wins, his term willcommenceon 26th Jan 2010.

Any other interpretations???


_________________
"I do not suffer from Autism, but I do suffer from the way you treat me." -Tyler Durdin

Taraki wrote:

Athos wrote:

Ranil promises tough anti-graft laws by February

Didn't Ranil also promise peace?

I guess he had some faith in LTTE leadership. That mistake was electorally very costly to him. The CFA was a huge gamble he personally took on.  People forget military was in disarray thanks to SLFP mismanagement of the forces.  LTTE then failed him forcing him to look like a fool in front the Sinhala masses. People forget he had to deal with Chandrika nincompoop-ing from the top as well.  Its a mistake to keep punishing him for the CFA when it was the only logical option available at the time anyway.

Given the kind of political landscape he is one of most the decent politicians. His word carry at least 10 times more weight as that of Mahinda Rajapakse. If there is ever a time his services are needed its now.  He is suitable given he is better at making higher level changes.


_________________
Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth. - Albert Einstein

kkk123 wrote:

(i)         is the President in office, hold office for a term of six years commencing on such date in the year in which that election is held (being a date after such election) or in the succeeding year, as corresponds to the date on which his first term of office commenced, whichever date is earlier ; or

(ii)        is not the President in office, hold office for a term of six years commencing on the date on which the result of such election is declared.

A six year term is stipulated but does not mention when the election should be held. Technically the President can hold a second referendum a week after the first and serve 12 year term. However, he/she must wait to take the oath until the end of first 6 years even though the mandate was received only a week after.

If the constitution was followed in the spirit it was written, Mahinda Rajapaske should step down if he loses. However, if he followed the constitution in the spirit it was written, he would have held the election towards the end of his term anyway. He will most likely serve the left over 2 years regardless he wins or loses.  This will lead to a constitutional crisis unless he is forced to step down.


_________________
Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth. - Albert Einstein