Comments on: What now about the Rajapaksa regime, after the South? http://groundviews.org/2009/10/11/what-now-about-the-rajapaksa-regime-after-the-south/ Groundviews is an award winning Sri Lankan citizen journalism initiative Sun, 12 Feb 2012 16:35:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Deshapremi http://groundviews.org/2009/10/11/what-now-about-the-rajapaksa-regime-after-the-south/#comment-10131 Deshapremi Fri, 23 Oct 2009 02:16:51 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=1767#comment-10131 Jerry Rawlings, the military man who cleansed Ghana Our ‘educated'minister described how Pakistan became unstable by military take over. This is an example how a highly corrupt and disorganized Ghana was put to right by a military man. This is an interesting and inspiring story for a highly politically corrupt country like ours. Kindly bring this to the notice of your readers in a suitable way. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Rawlings#Achievements_as_President On 4 June 1979 with the support of both the military and civilians, he led the uprising that ousted the Supreme Military Council from office and brought the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) to power. The AFRC, under the chairmanship of Rawlings, carried out a much wider "house-cleaning exercise" aimed at purging the armed forces and society at large of corruption. Military government organized free general elections. On 24 September 1979, the AFRC handed over power to a civilian government led by the People's National Party (PNP), under President Hilla Limann. Limann's administration was cut short on 31 December 1981, when Rawlings deposed him in another coup. A Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), composed of both civilian and military members, was established with Rawlings as Chairman. Rawlings retired from the Ghanaian Armed Forces on 14 September 1992. When presidential elections were held in 1992, Rawlings stood as the candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the successor party to the PNDC Rawlings demystified governance in Ghana, preaching to people that they have a right to demand accountability from their leaders who are there to serve the people. He achieved political and economic stability in a region rife with conflicts. Rawlings later played a key role as a check on the NPP government during his time as the then erstwhile president. He has given numerous lectures in universities around the world, including a recent lecture in Oxford University titled 'Security and Democracy in Africa.' Jerry Rawlings, the military man who cleansed Ghana
Our ‘educated’minister described how Pakistan became unstable by military take over.
This is an example how a highly corrupt and disorganized Ghana was put to right by a military man.
This is an interesting and inspiring story for a highly politically corrupt country like ours.
Kindly bring this to the notice of your readers in a suitable way.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Rawlings#Achievements_as_President
On 4 June 1979 with the support of both the military and civilians, he led the uprising that ousted the Supreme Military Council from office and brought the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) to power. The AFRC, under the chairmanship of Rawlings, carried out a much wider “house-cleaning exercise” aimed at purging the armed forces and society at large of corruption.
Military government organized free general elections. On 24 September 1979, the AFRC handed over power to a civilian government led by the People’s National Party (PNP), under President Hilla Limann.
Limann’s administration was cut short on 31 December 1981, when Rawlings deposed him in another coup. A Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), composed of both civilian and military members, was established with Rawlings as Chairman.
Rawlings retired from the Ghanaian Armed Forces on 14 September 1992.
When presidential elections were held in 1992, Rawlings stood as the candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the successor party to the PNDC
Rawlings demystified governance in Ghana, preaching to people that they have a right to demand accountability from their leaders who are there to serve the people.
He achieved political and economic stability in a region rife with conflicts.
Rawlings later played a key role as a check on the NPP government during his time as the then erstwhile president. He has given numerous lectures in universities around the world, including a recent lecture in Oxford University titled ‘Security and Democracy in Africa.’

]]> By: Heshan http://groundviews.org/2009/10/11/what-now-about-the-rajapaksa-regime-after-the-south/#comment-10061 Heshan Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:51:41 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=1767#comment-10061 "No matter what the accomplishments of an individual are, the only karma they deserve in the end is a brutal death, which is actually mellow relative to the destruction that they themselves brought upon tens of thousands of innocents." *Assuming that such an individual is responsible for the said destruction, of course. “No matter what the accomplishments of an individual are, the only karma they deserve in the end is a brutal death, which is actually mellow relative to the destruction that they themselves brought upon tens of thousands of innocents.”

*Assuming that such an individual is responsible for the said destruction, of course.

]]> By: Heshan http://groundviews.org/2009/10/11/what-now-about-the-rajapaksa-regime-after-the-south/#comment-10060 Heshan Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:50:18 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=1767#comment-10060 @MS: Fonseka is also a war criminal. Any investigation into abuses of HR violations by the SL military must necessarily include Fonseka as an accomplice. He did not institute proper mechanisms to prevent abuses from happening... furthermore, his opinions of journalists are well-known. Let us not forget his famous axiom of whom the island belongs to first and foremost. It is my personal wish that Fonseka ends up like Janaka Perera. No matter what the accomplishments of an individual are, the only karma they deserve in the end is a brutal death, which is actually mellow relative to the destruction that they themselves brought upon tens of thousands of innocents. Cheers. @MS:

Fonseka is also a war criminal. Any investigation into abuses of HR violations by the SL military must necessarily include Fonseka as an accomplice. He did not institute proper mechanisms to prevent abuses from happening… furthermore, his opinions of journalists are well-known. Let us not forget his famous axiom of whom the island belongs to first and foremost.

It is my personal wish that Fonseka ends up like Janaka Perera. No matter what the accomplishments of an individual are, the only karma they deserve in the end is a brutal death, which is actually mellow relative to the destruction that they themselves brought upon tens of thousands of innocents.

Cheers.

]]> By: ericsor http://groundviews.org/2009/10/11/what-now-about-the-rajapaksa-regime-after-the-south/#comment-9811 ericsor Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:46:38 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=1767#comment-9811 "This SL Patriot has been well rewarded for his estimable service to the King and Country. Perhaps somebody can explain to me how a man of his considerable military accomplishments can end up as a third tier bureaucrat in an all but meaningless ministry?" Bacause he is a fine touble shooter. BTW, Sport ministry is an essential and important ministry in any country. “This SL Patriot has been well rewarded for his estimable service to the King and Country. Perhaps somebody can explain to me how a man of his considerable military accomplishments can end up as a third tier bureaucrat in an all but meaningless ministry?”

Bacause he is a fine touble shooter.
BTW, Sport ministry is an essential and important ministry in any country.

]]> By: Mawatha Silva http://groundviews.org/2009/10/11/what-now-about-the-rajapaksa-regime-after-the-south/#comment-9805 Mawatha Silva Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:31:32 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=1767#comment-9805 jansee Thanks a lot for your kind reply. The Islets of Jaffna confinement is true. All my hopes were dashed long time ago. Look how the GoSL is treating General Fonseka … I fear for the future of ALL Tamils on Sri Lankan island !!! http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=79&artid=30421 Major General Sarath Fonseka is going into exile? Leaving Mother Lanka so soon ?? :) This SL Patriot has been well rewarded for his estimable service to the King and Country. Perhaps somebody can explain to me how a man of his considerable military accomplishments can end up as a third tier bureaucrat in an all but meaningless ministry? I am sure this has nothing to do with his discreet inquiries into the dealings of his former defense minister regarding military purchases and real-estate negotiations with the Chinese. None what so ever !!! Of course if that was the case no journalist in Sri Lanka would dare to investigate the story for fear of death. So much for freeing the country at the expense of thousands of soldiers and civilians. BTW As an US Green Card holder, he can seek safety with his children in the United States. Thousands upon thousands of innocent Tamil civilians did not have that chance. His pitiless and brutal army denied them that... Mawatha Silva jansee

Thanks a lot for your kind reply.

The Islets of Jaffna confinement is true.
All my hopes were dashed long time ago.
Look how the GoSL is treating General Fonseka …
I fear for the future of ALL Tamils on Sri Lankan island !!!

http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=79&artid=30421

Major General Sarath Fonseka is going into exile?

Leaving Mother Lanka so soon ?? :)

This SL Patriot has been well rewarded for his estimable service to the King and Country. Perhaps somebody can explain to me how a man of his considerable military accomplishments can end up as a third tier bureaucrat in an all but meaningless ministry?

I am sure this has nothing to do with his discreet inquiries into the dealings of his former defense minister regarding military purchases and real-estate negotiations with the Chinese.

None what so ever !!!

Of course if that was the case no journalist in Sri Lanka would dare to investigate the story for fear of death.

So much for freeing the country at the expense of thousands of soldiers and civilians.

BTW As an US Green Card holder, he can seek safety with his children in the United States.

Thousands upon thousands of innocent Tamil civilians did not have that chance. His pitiless and brutal army denied them that…

Mawatha Silva

]]> By: jansee http://groundviews.org/2009/10/11/what-now-about-the-rajapaksa-regime-after-the-south/#comment-9792 jansee Mon, 12 Oct 2009 05:59:07 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=1767#comment-9792 There was a time when Prabhakaran was riding high. He reigned supreme and everyone was rushing to please him. CBK gave him the opportunity to "rule" for ten years unimpeded. Ranil legitimised Prabhakaran's standing world-wide. As astute leader would have grabbed these opportunities and converted them into possibilities, both for the people and himself and I dare even say Eelam. He could not rise to the status of a statesman. Are the Rajapaksas any different? Why do think that they claim the war is still on? Imagine that there is already peace with the North having settled down, who will need the Rajapkasas anymore? Didn't Churchill learn the hard way? There was a time when Prabhakaran was riding high. He reigned supreme and everyone was rushing to please him. CBK gave him the opportunity to “rule” for ten years unimpeded. Ranil legitimised Prabhakaran’s standing world-wide. As astute leader would have grabbed these opportunities and converted them into possibilities, both for the people and himself and I dare even say Eelam. He could not rise to the status of a statesman. Are the Rajapaksas any different? Why do think that they claim the war is still on? Imagine that there is already peace with the North having settled down, who will need the Rajapkasas anymore? Didn’t Churchill learn the hard way?

]]> By: President Bean http://groundviews.org/2009/10/11/what-now-about-the-rajapaksa-regime-after-the-south/#comment-9789 President Bean Mon, 12 Oct 2009 05:36:40 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=1767#comment-9789 What now about the Rajapaksa regime, after the South ? Well this "DemoCrazy TheoCrazy WarCrazy ElectionCrazy Banana Republic" will meander along for another 61 years like the 'Sick Man of Asia.' What now about the Rajapaksa regime, after the South ?
Well this “DemoCrazy TheoCrazy WarCrazy ElectionCrazy Banana Republic” will meander along for another 61 years like the ‘Sick Man of Asia.’

]]> By: doomed to repeat it http://groundviews.org/2009/10/11/what-now-about-the-rajapaksa-regime-after-the-south/#comment-9773 doomed to repeat it Sun, 11 Oct 2009 16:46:02 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=1767#comment-9773 Interesting analysis but to paraphrase: "the prediction of the Rajapaksa regime's imminent demise is greatly exaggerated." Even at it's "worst" the UPFA still got 2/3 of the vote (Hambantota) and I believe to win an election, all you need is 50% plus 1. Therefore, even if in future elections the numbers still slip, chances are that the UPFA will achieve that 50%+1. Predictions of voting results are notoriously inaccurate around the world, and probably should be seen as parameters, rather than actual hard predictions. More often than not they are wishful thinking on the part of whichever side releases the figures. On the other hand, there IS the historical precedent of wartime politicians being voted out of office once the war is over. Churchill, of course, is the most famous example. However, this is all based on the assumption that those in power hold fair elections and accept the results. To do this you must have a deep respect for democratic tradition. And that's the rub, isn't it? As long as UPFA gets it's majority, even a slim one, it retains power. What will it do if/when the vote goes the other way, despite all the electioneering, the "development," the fear tactics? If the past is any guide, then we should look at the Municipal and Provincial elections last year in Eastern Province. The government and it's allies declared victory by a substantial margin. There are stories, never investigated, of ballot switching, particularly in Batticaloa. I was told by a Tamil friend in Batti that everyone she knew voted "anchor" and she didn't know a single person who voted "betel leaf." Additionally, a ballot counter later told her that he estimates that the actual vote in Batticaloa was the exact opposite, number-wise. Another claimed that ballots were switched by non-uniformed men with AK-47s at the actual counting tables. OK, so all this is anecdotal, and there is no proof whatsoever, but... The point is that if the Rajapaksa government feels threatened, there are ways to retain power. Every government in every country faces this at one point or another and has to make a choice, and it is a true test of quality to see if there is a graceful exit from the halls of power or not. So while the above analysis is very useful at understanding what the people think, what the people think has little relevance to what might actually happen. This is only my opinion and not meant as criticism of the author. Interesting analysis but to paraphrase: “the prediction of the Rajapaksa regime’s imminent demise is greatly exaggerated.”

Even at it’s “worst” the UPFA still got 2/3 of the vote (Hambantota) and I believe to win an election, all you need is 50% plus 1. Therefore, even if in future elections the numbers still slip, chances are that the UPFA will achieve that 50%+1.

Predictions of voting results are notoriously inaccurate around the world, and probably should be seen as parameters, rather than actual hard predictions. More often than not they are wishful thinking on the part of whichever side releases the figures.

On the other hand, there IS the historical precedent of wartime politicians being voted out of office once the war is over. Churchill, of course, is the most famous example. However, this is all based on the assumption that those in power hold fair elections and accept the results. To do this you must have a deep respect for democratic tradition.

And that’s the rub, isn’t it? As long as UPFA gets it’s majority, even a slim one, it retains power. What will it do if/when the vote goes the other way, despite all the electioneering, the “development,” the fear tactics?

If the past is any guide, then we should look at the Municipal and Provincial elections last year in Eastern Province. The government and it’s allies declared victory by a substantial margin. There are stories, never investigated, of ballot switching, particularly in Batticaloa. I was told by a Tamil friend in Batti that everyone she knew voted “anchor” and she didn’t know a single person who voted “betel leaf.” Additionally, a ballot counter later told her that he estimates that the actual vote in Batticaloa was the exact opposite, number-wise. Another claimed that ballots were switched by non-uniformed men with AK-47s at the actual counting tables. OK, so all this is anecdotal, and there is no proof whatsoever, but…

The point is that if the Rajapaksa government feels threatened, there are ways to retain power. Every government in every country faces this at one point or another and has to make a choice, and it is a true test of quality to see if there is a graceful exit from the halls of power or not.

So while the above analysis is very useful at understanding what the people think, what the people think has little relevance to what might actually happen.

This is only my opinion and not meant as criticism of the author.

]]> By: Susantha http://groundviews.org/2009/10/11/what-now-about-the-rajapaksa-regime-after-the-south/#comment-9772 Susantha Sun, 11 Oct 2009 15:42:48 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=1767#comment-9772 great the government must not become too powerful...then they will do as they like? Now they will have second thoughts on demoting General Fonseka...and if they ever think about fully implementing the 13 th ammendmant..they are bound to face defeat.... great the government must not become too powerful…then they will do as they like?

Now they will have second thoughts on demoting General Fonseka…and if they ever think about fully implementing the 13 th ammendmant..they are bound to face defeat….

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