afp,  Mon Jan  4 12:20:00 EST 2010

    COLOMBO (AFP) – Sri Lanka's main minority Tamil party on Monday backed the main opposition presidential candidate, Sarath Fonseka, who as army chief led the offensive that crushed Tamil rebels last year, officials said.
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- The Academic

Great. Everyone who did their utmost to sabotage the war effort is now in Fonseka campaign.... Ranil, Samaraweera, Kiriella, Somawansa, Hakeem, Mano Ganesan and now the latest entrant Samapanthan. However, heavy odds are against this clique. After all the Provincial Council Elections the govt was nearly 2 million votes ahead. The fact that the President is more popular than the govt is not going to make matters easier for Fonseka. His idiotic utterances and lavish promises to all and sundry (like 10000 Rupees pay hike to all public servants) takes him nowhere. Just like The Sunday Leader scandal, Fonseka's persistent manthra of corruption within Rajapakse family is now going to haunt him as Wimal Weerawansa is going to divulge of his shady military deals through his son- in-law based in the US. Fonseka campaign knows very well that their microscophic chance of winning is entirly dependent on minorities voting en masse for Fonseka but they are making a huge miscalculation. In the Up Country Thondaman is with the govt so at best those votes will be equally split. In the East all Muslim ministers are with govt except Hakeem so the Muslim votes will also split equally. As for Tamil votes of North and East, Devananda, TMVP, PLOTE and Karuna are all with the govt so even if TNA sides with Fonseka these votes will also equally split. Besides TNA is not putting a common front but divided into 4 sections. Fonseka by joining hands with most unpatriotic lot, like Hakeem, Mano Ganesan, Ranil, Mangala Samaraweera and Samapanthan will surely loose even those Sinhalese who otherwise might have voted for him. If Fonseka gets more than 40% I think he has done well and in all probability Mahinda will secure 51% from Sinhalese vote alone.

EASTERN PROVINCE
 
UNITED PEOPLE'S FREEDOM ALLIANCE 308,886 52.21%
UNITED NATIONAL PARTY 250,732 42.38%
PEOPLE'S LIBERATION FRONT  9,390 1.59%


NORTH CENTRAL PROVINCE
 
UNITED PEOPLE'S FREEDOM ALLIANCE 307,457 56.37%
UNITED NATIONAL PARTY 205,284 37.64%
PEOPLE'S LIBERATION FRONT 26,738 4.90%
 

SABARAGAMUWA PROVINCE
 
UNITED PEOPLE'S FREEDOM ALLIANCE 472,789 55.34%
UNITED NATIONAL PARTY 346,321 40.53%
PEOPLE'S LIBERATION FRONT  19,068 2.23%


CENTRAL PROVINCE
 
UNITED PEOPLE'S FREEDOM ALLIANCE 650,203 59.53%
UNITED NATIONAL PARTY 422,125 38.65%
PEOPLE'S LIBERATION FRONT  15,416 1.41%


NORTH WESTERN PROVINCE
 
UNITED PEOPLE'S FREEDOM ALLIANCE 668,743 69.43%
UNITED NATIONAL PARTY 270,347 28.07%
PEOPLE'S LIBERATION FRONT  20,428 2.12%


WESTERN PROVINCE
 
UNITED PEOPLE'S FREEDOM ALLIANCE 1,506,115 64.73%
UNITED NATIONAL PARTY 688,253 29.58%
PEOPLE'S LIBERATION FRONT  56,384 2.42%
SRI LANKA MUSLIM CONGRESS  49,388 2.12%


UVA PROVINCE
 
UNITED PEOPLE'S FREEDOM ALLIANCE 418,906 72.39%
UNITED NATIONAL PARTY 129,144 22.32%
PEOPLE'S LIBERATION FRONT  14,639 2.53%


SOUTHERN PROVINCE
 
United People's Freedom Alliance  804,071 67.88%
United National Party  297,180 25.09%
People's Liberation Front  72,379 6.11%
Sri Lanka Muslim Congress  6,553 0.55%



Total : Mahinda Camp                       : 5137170 votes
        (Ranil+Mano+Hakeem+Somawansa) Camp : 3149688 Votes

Majority: 1987482 votes

1. Restoration of Civil Administration and Normalcy

    1. Full restoration of all institutions of Civil Administration from the Office of Grama Sevaka upwards – Free from Military, Police and Political     interference.
    2. Committees for each District headed by the respective District Secretary (GA), and comprising,
        -Nomine of the President
        -Divisional Secretaries
        -Other Officials (Representatives of such Officials)
        -Members of Parliament / Their Representatives
        -Representatives of Local Authorities
        -Judicial Officer/s
        -Securities Forces /Commanders / Officers North / East
        -DIG – Police /Officers
        -Civil Society Representatives

    To prepare Plan Action for immediate implementation within one month.Monthly Reports on progress to be submitted to the President, Cabinet and     Parliament.
    A dedicated Secretariat to be established under the President to monitor progress and ensure implementation.

    3. The immediate measures stated herein to be implemented through Presidential Orders, including appointing Presidential task Forces therefor.

    4. Securities Forces to be stationed at strategic location only, taking into consideration national security. High Security Zones to be dismantled in     keeping with the re-location of the Security Forces.

    5. Free movement of all persons to be guaranteed without being impeded by Security and Police personnel.

    6. Polce to be manned, as far as practicable by Officers, who are conversant in Tamil.

2. Prohibition of ‘para-military cadres’ and armed groups (self styled ‘war loads’)
    1. All ‘para-military cadres’ and ‘armed groups’ to be disarmed forthwith.
    2. Areas of civilian activity to be free of weapons.
    3. Except the Security Forces and Police, only persons with permits under the Firearms Ordinance, would be entitled to possess firearms.

3. Re-settlement and rehabilitation of internally displaced persons.

    1. De-mining of areas to be speedily concluded, through De-mining Units.
    2. Displaced persons to be returned to their original homes, and where homes have been destroyed alternative accommodation to be provided, with     financial support to establish themselves and develop livelihoods.
    3. Social infrastructure requirements, such as provision of essential Foods, Medical Centers, Hospitals, Schools, Transport, etc., to be provided.

4. Land & Agriculture

    1. Restoration of possession of private land and buildings, now occupied by Security Forces / Police Government Agencies, to those lawfully entitled     to such land and buildings.
    2. Committees referred to in 1.2 above to arrange for such restoration.
    3. Committee to submit a Scheme to the Government for payment of compensation for damage caused to buildings.
    4. (a) Eviction of persons legitimately entitled to State Land from such Lands
           (b) Other instances of deprivation of legitimate title holders of State Lands, and
    (c) Unlawful occupation of State Lands To be reviewed and the position regularized on lawful and just basis.
    5. Indiscriminate alienations of State Lands to be terminated. Allocations thus far made to be reviewed and cancelled, where such allocation:
        -has not been transparent, or
        -lacked equal opportunity to all concerned, or
        -lacked proper consultation with the elected Representatives of the areas concerned, or
        -are unwarranted, or
        -has been on a corrupt basis
    6. Relief packages for full cultivation of lands
    7. A special law enacted to decide on disputes, as to ownership and succession of lands.

5. Fisheries

    1. Full restoration of fishing rights
    2. Joint Committees to be set-up of Representatives of those engaged in the fishing industry and the Navy to ensure security.

6. Trade and Commerce

    1. All barriers in respect to transport of passengers, goods, agricultural and fisheries produce to be eliminated forthwith.
    2. No payments (‘Kappang’) to be levied by anyone. Stringent action to be taken against those who do so.

7. Transport

    1. Trains service to be restored. without delay within the Jaffna Peninsula, i.e. Elephant Pass to Point Pedro.
    2. All implements for shipping and air transport to removed, with effective facilities which would ensure a reduction of costs of shipping and air     transport.
    3. Establishment of a new rail line, with private sector participation, from Point Pedro to Trincomalee.

8. Special Relief Packages

    1. For dependents of all persons, who have lost their lives during the war, including military and police personnel, and civilians.
    2. For persons disabled, as result of the war.

9. Persons in Detention

    1. Release of all persons in detention, within a period of one month against whom, there is no evidence, and on the basis that such detention would     not be a stigma or a set back for their future.
    2. Rehabilitation of those persons, who had been engaged in war activities, on the basis of a general amnesty.

10. An overall measure affecting all Sri Lankans:

The State of Emergency presently in force and the Regulation made there under to be terminated, since it affects the liberties and fundamental rights of all People, in accordance with my Pledges,

General Sarath Fonseka

http://beta.thehindu.com/news/international/article75898.ece


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VOTER COORAY
"A nation is a collective enterprise - outside of that it is a gambling hall for the opportunism and adventurism of power."-Wole Soyinka

TNA calls on Tamils to support Fonseka for Presidency

It is a positive sign by TNA getting their supporters to participate in the elections, more importantly requesting their supporters to back a main contender than going for a support your “race” basis. What is good here other than K. Sivajilingam who is contesting the Presidential as an independent candidate all other key players are engaged in the main national politics. This will give an open mind to all “Tamils” to think and vote. We will know the results by 27th morning.


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MAC1

MAC1
I think that historically, other than the upcountry Tamils who voted (generally) en-masse for the CWC, the others did not vote on a race-basis.

Proxy says:

Quote:

I think that historically, other than the upcountry Tamils who voted (generally) en-masse for the CWC, the others did not vote on a race-basis.

Historically the TULF (and the TC and FP before that) have been the 'Tamil' parties in SL. In pre-1977 elections, these two parties together have attracted a huge majority of the Tamil vote in the Eastern and Northern provinces. The UNP, by forwarding Tamil candidates like Devanayagam has been consistent in getting a sizable minority of the votes, and the SLFP too has attracted a small minority of votes.

At the 1977 election the TULF had a huge majority of Tamils voting for them.

Traditionally, the Muslim vote in the EP has been pro-UNP. This was obvious even in the last presidential election.

The scenario has completely changed now. How people (both Muslim and Tamils) vote in the EP and NP will be very interesting to see. The Karuna-Pilliyan factor will be significant, and so far, I haven't seen where Anandasangaree stands.


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

votercooray wrote:

1. Restoration of Civil Administration and Normalcy

    1. Full restoration of all institutions of Civil Administration from the Office of Grama Sevaka upwards – Free from Military, Police and Political     interference.
    2. Committees for each District headed by the respective District Secretary (GA), and comprising,
        -Nomine of the President
        -Divisional Secretaries
        -Other Officials (Representatives of such Officials)
        -Members of Parliament / Their Representatives
        -Representatives of Local Authorities
        -Judicial Officer/s
        -Securities Forces /Commanders / Officers North / East
        -DIG – Police /Officers
        -Civil Society Representatives

In this election, do you want a president who is treating his relatives or LTTE-Proxy TNA?

Ironic choice isn't it?


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"What is left when honor is lost?"

perl says:

Quote:

In this election, do you want a president who is treating his relatives or LTTE-Proxy TNA?

Where is the reference to LTTE-Proxy TNA in the paragraph you have quoted? Has SF said that he will be 'treating' TNA?

And, who is the relative that the President has been 'treating'? Any evidence?

No offence meant; just curious.


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

SF may get tamil votes from NE with TNA support.
MR will use this opportunity to use patriotic-traitor card to woo southern votes.

kkk123 wrote:

Historically the TULF (and the TC and FP before that) have been the 'Tamil' parties in SL. In pre-1977 elections, these two parties together have attracted a huge majority of the Tamil vote in the Eastern and Northern provinces. The UNP, by forwarding Tamil candidates like Devanayagam has been consistent in getting a sizable minority of the votes, and the SLFP too has attracted a small minority of votes.
At the 1977 election the TULF had a huge majority of Tamils voting for them.
Traditionally, the Muslim vote in the EP has been pro-UNP. This was obvious even in the last presidential election.
The scenario has completely changed now. How people (both Muslim and Tamils) vote in the EP and NP will be very interesting to see. The Karuna-Pilliyan factor will be significant, and so far, I haven't seen where Anandasangaree stands.

Thank you - a very good explanation

kkk123 wrote:

I haven't seen where Anandasangaree stands.

Anandasangaree has put forwarded some of his proposals for all candidates and will remain silent.  


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MAC1

There are all sorts of "Kade Yama" these days. The Sunday Times which always carry Opinion Surveys on Front Page whenever it senses a Govt change (like in 2001) is a silent spectator these days. It cannot publish false Opinion Surveys because then it will lose whatever reputation it has left. Having said that, "Kade Yama" for it's favourite candidate is perfectly allright. The article below is a perfect example of it's hidden agenda. According to this article Share indices have gone up sensing a victory for Fonseka. It even quotes an unnamed analyst. This is the sort of cheap propaganda this newspaper is using to hoodwink the public. It is a well known fact that the Colombo Stock Market is world's second best performing Stock Market this year (only Russian Stock Market is doing better). So I suggest The Sunday Times to find some other topic to mislead public.    

Please DO NOT cut and paste entire articles from external sites. Provide the link to the originals.

Quote:

kkk123 wrote:
Historically the TULF (and the TC and FP before that) have been the 'Tamil' parties in SL. In pre-1977 elections, these two parties together have attracted a huge majority of the Tamil vote in the Eastern and Northern provinces. The UNP, by forwarding Tamil candidates like Devanayagam has been consistent in getting a sizable minority of the votes, and the SLFP too has attracted a small minority of votes.
At the 1977 election the TULF had a huge majority of Tamils voting for them.
Traditionally, the Muslim vote in the EP has been pro-UNP. This was obvious even in the last presidential election.
The scenario has completely changed now. How people (both Muslim and Tamils) vote in the EP and NP will be very interesting to see. The Karuna-Pilliyan factor will be significant, and so far, I haven't seen where Anandasangaree stands.

how will Karuna-Pillaya factor play out this time ?
Aren't they almost powerless to wield any sort of influence ?


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*I am not the only one*

Liliput wrote:

There are all sorts of "Kade Yama" these days. The Sunday Times which always carry Opinion Surveys on Front Page whenever it senses a Govt change (like in 2001) is a silent spectator these days. It cannot publish false Opinion Surveys because then it will lose whatever reputation it has left. Having said that, "Kade Yama" for it's favourite candidate is perfectly allright. The article below is a perfect example of it's hidden agenda. According to this article Share indices have gone up sensing a victory for Fonseka. It even quotes an unnamed analyst. This is the sort of cheap propaganda this newspaper is using to hoodwink the public. It is a well known fact that the Colombo Stock Market is world's second best performing Stock Market this year (only Russian Stock Market is doing better). So I suggest The Sunday Times to find some other topic to mislead public.    

Please DO NOT cut and paste entire articles from external sites. Provide the link to the originals.

I did provide the link once before and you removed the link. This is why I cut and paste articles. Anyway here is my story with links.

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/financenews/articleXYZ100000010.php?id=57

Meanwhile available Opinion Surveys (not the ones that originate from Sirikotha or Lake House) points only in one direction. The following article is from today's The Nation newspaper.

http://www.nation.lk/2010/01/10/news5.htm

So the Stock Market continue the upward march. Next week The Sunday Times might claim again that this is due to people sensing a victory for Sarath Fonseka.

http://in.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idINSGE6070HO20100111


In 2006 when Stock Market started the slide downwards (due to Terrorsist attacks) the Opposition tried to make political capital out of this saying this was an indication of the plight of country's economy. When the war started in earnest it tried to make political capital out of high inflation (apart from all those stupid comments like, Alimankada Pamankada, any fool can fight a war, Thoppigala is a jungle etc). When the world economy suffered from worse recession ever it predicted complete collapse of Sri Lanka's economy. Now that the Stock Market is on high, the war has been won, the economy has not collapsed as predicted, inflation has been brought down to 4%, "Ellena wel nethi" opposition has started a Gobelian propaganda blitz. Rumor mongers are given Rs 2000 a day to talk gossip in public places how Rajapakses have amassed massive wealth throughout the country. Every new house being built is owned by Basil, all lands being purchased throughout the country is a Gotabaya's, Namal has bought Petrol stations in every nook and corner of the country etc..

http://www.newsweblk.com/menna%20badu.htm