Chief of Defence Staff Sarath Fonsenka, who as Army chief led the 2006-09 Eelam War IV, has announced that he has “finished his obligations” towards the military.
In his address at the 60th Army anniversary parade here on Tuesday, General Fonseka said: “This may be the last occasion I make an address of this nature to officers and men of the Sri Lanka Army. Although I am still serving in the Army I have finished my obligations dedicated to the Army as I have reached different heights at this time.”
General Fonsenka’s statement created ripples in political circles here. There have been speculative reports in the local media to the effect that General Fonsenka nursed political ambitions.
General Fonseka, who led the 2006-09 Eelam War IV, was relieved of his job as Army Chief and designated as Chief of Defence Staff under a new Parliamentary Act which came into effect on July 15.
His latest statement has attracted attention as a there is the possibility of a general election preceded by a presidential poll in the next few months.
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa described the outcome of the Southern Provincial Council election as an “overwhelming mandate” for the ruling alliance.
In his statement on the victory of the ruling alliance, Mr. Rajapaksa said the mandate had encouraged his government to go ahead with its plan to reawaken the nation with renewed strength.
“The clear and overwhelming mandate given by the Southern people at this election is a decisive and strong message to those groups trying to create misconceptions about the government and also to the international community,” said Mr. Rajapaksa.
The election outcome triggered varied reactions among a section of the political parties and the media. The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), which polled almost 11 per cent of votes cast in the home district of the President, said it was a turning point in the political scenario.
JVP general secretary Tilvin Silva told reporters that the ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) recorded an overall decrease of 25,491 votes when compared with the 2005 presidential election.
Numerically, the Southern Provincial Council election result was not a victory for the UNP. We should have done better. However, it clearly marks a ‘New Beginning’ where the trend has now been reversed. Starting from the Eastern Province in May 2008, UPFA gradually increased its share from 52% in Eastern to 72% in Uva. Meanwhile UNP’s percentage fell from 42% to 22% till August 2009.
In Southern Provincial Council elections despite the high expectations of the Rajapakse regime to achieve more than 80-90%, it could score only 68%.
The results clearly show a reversal of the trend. In spite of the colossal amount of public money spent in campaigning and grand ‘Fried Rice Dansel’ at Medamulana, it is crystal clear UPFA is losing ground. The 72% share they showed in Uva has dropped to 68% in South – the most prominent UPFA stronghold. Meanwhile UNP has gained the 4% UPFA lost.
General Secretary Tissa Attanayake and the UNP MPs on the way to the ‘Palace’ at Beverly estate were brutally attacked by People’s Alliance henchmen. This construction has come under heavy criticism from the opposition as Maha Neguma funds are being misused. It was said to be owned by President Mahinda Rajapaksha’s brother-in-law.
Ravi Karunanayake MP received head injuries while 20 vehicles were damaged. More than 80 vehicles were en route with Matara District UNP candidates and thousands of supporters.
The PA supporters had come prepared for the attack. The Police had to use tear gas to stop them.
Tissa Attanayake said Minister Dilan Perera with Thusitha Ranawaka, the ‘Beverly Palace’ owner were behind the attack.
A girl who was among the group of students admitted to the Matara hospital following vaccination against Rubella died this morning. Another 26 schoolgirls still remain in hospital.
Peshala Hansala (12) who was in Grade eight of Matara St.Thomas Girls School, met with her tragic death in the early hours this morning, hospital sources confirmed.
Arrangements were made yesterday to immunise about 300 schoolgirls and several of them had taken ill after the vaccination.
During the last few months, serious concerns were raised about the non availability and the use of expired medicine at state hospitals. Minister of Health Nimal Siripala De Silva has failed to take any action. Now one girl dead and 26 others hospitalised after vaccinated against Rubella. Is this the kind of heath service Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva provides for the people of this country?
Will the minister admit the personal responsibility for this sad and unnecessary death, for not having taken any action even after the serious concerns were raised by doctors and media?
UNP National Organizer S.B. Dissanayake dropped a political bombshell yesterday charging that there was an internal conspiracy in his party to politically assassinate him and assistant leader Rukman Senanayake with the backing of some sections of the ruling UPFA.
Addressing the media at his Colombo residence, Mr. Dissanayake said they had been slandered in the media by these party elements on baseless allegations.
“These persons who are close to the party leadership have accused me and Mr. Senanayake of holding secret negotiations with President Mahinda Rajapaksa and conspiring against the party. There is no truth in any of these allegations. During the past two or three months, I have never telephoned the President. I am challenging anyone to prove me wrong if possible in this regard. I am ready to show my phone bills as well,” he said.
Mr. Dissanayake said he had become extremely popular among the ordinary UNPers and the minority communities as well, as proven through the results of the election to the Central Provincial Council.
S.B. Dissanayake at Bandaragama
“At the previous election, the party’s vote bank had dwindled to 27 – 28 percent. However, I was able to maintain it at 39 percent in the Kandy district and at 45 percent in the Nuwara-Eliya district. I got a record high number of preferential votes in Kandy. I have got the highest number of preferences in all 13 electorates of Kandy. It is also a record,” he said.
He said he had to put his entire weight to secure these votes in the two districts when the party’s vote bank was eroding drastically in the other districts.
“I don’t want to reveal to the media the discrimination I had to suffer in the run up to the election. This time, even some strong UNP supporters voted for the government. When we visited the electorates, we realized that our people had certain charges against the party. They are disappointed with it now. So, they have the tendency to vote for the government party at this stage. These elements that attack a popular figure like me is leading the party down the path of further disaster,” he said.
Mr. Dissanayake charged these internal forces had links with the government, and their sole ambition was to ensure an easy victory for the President’s second term, by discrediting popular party figures like him.
“These persons have misled the party leadership. They pretend to be so close to the leader and hold certain top positions as well. There are some rogues who made money fraudulently during the previous UNP regime by obtaining quotas for apparels,” he said.
“I will never leave the UNP. My ambition is to defeat the Rajapaksa government, and bring the UNP to power. It is the only party that can bring this country out of poverty,” he insisted. Mr. Dissanayake also said he would not come to Parliament at this hour on the National List despite certain remarks made by some MPs.
“I have a respectable position in the Provincial Council. Even the government members respect me. In fact, I can even topple the council by winning over eight councillors from the other side. However, I will not rush into such action,” he said in a lighter vein.
He reiterated his ultimate wish was to become the President of this country by being the party leader first.
Entry of unwanted elements to their file and rank, especially to contest an election is a quandary typically faced by both major political parties. These are often nothing but thugs, usually being escorted with similar armed thugs, and having enough black money to throw. They are big shots in the power game, so even the political parties find difficult to sideline such notorious characters.
Fortunately this time Kurakkan uncle has saved UNP from that trouble. Such a big magnet he was for dirt, that UNP is now spotlessly clean. It was a clean sweep. All murderers, child rapists, those who breached immigration laws and ‘turf accountants’ (better known as bukiyaas) are now in the other side of the fence in UPFA. The UNP lists for all three districts consist nothing but professionals and gentlemen. I am sure UNP lovers specifically and the public generally are delighted.
We wonder why Mervin Silva’s close accomplice ‘Kudu Lal’ was not given the UPFA ticket. He was not too different from the other ‘gentlemen’ in the UPFA list. He was also one of the candidates who spent most lavishly in propaganda work.
The other is ubiquitous Duminda Silva, who has overtaken the entire city with his posters without leaving any room for other UPFA candidates, who might be bluer with jealousy now.
Why we see this poster everywhere? Is this Kurakkan uncle’s way of saying he is so proud to be a friend of Duminda Silva the great? Or he is ready to embrace any son of a …er, revolver as long as the latter has enough black money to hijack an election?
Here, no waste is allowed; except of course the UPFA candidate’s.
And finally, the ultimate insult to security forces. Duminda Silva is taking the guard of honour. For what? We hope that has nothing to do with an incident that involves an underage girl.
For those who still do not know who this fine gentleman is, here is an introduction from his former girl friend Anarkalee Aaraksha.
