The End of Family Rule in Sri Lanka

Sirisena’s letter – a red light for Rajapaksas


It is reported that the Secretary General of the SLFP Minister Maithripala Sirisena has, in writing, asked the President why preparations are being made to hold a sudden presidential election when his term ends in two more years.

The internal conflicts in the government have developed rapidly after the Uva PC election and many seniors in the SLFP have expressed opposition to holding a presidential election before President’s 6 year term ends. The written query by the Secretary General of the SLFP would have been influenced by the forces opposing Rajapaksas point out political analysts adding that Minister Sirisena would not resort to such an action on his own.

In his letter Minister Sirisena asks why a presidential election is held when promises made at the previous presidential election had not been fulfilled and suggests it would be better if the election is held after fulfilling the promises.

Minister Sirisena too is a senior in the SLFP who has been harassed by Rajapaksa family regime. Political analysts say a large number in the government are preparing to publicly act against Rajapaksa family rule in the near future. They say the letter from Minister Sirisena is a signal for what is in store for the regime. 
__________________________________________________

Sri Lanka election: Health chief to challenge Rajapaksa


The move by Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena is a major political setback for the president ahead of the January vote.

Mr Sirisena was one of the most powerful men in the ruling party.

Five other government MPs have also announced their defections. Rajitha Senaratne, Duminda Dissanayake, Rajiva Wijeysinghe, MKDS Gunawardena and Vasantha Senanayaka have all decided to back Mr Sirisena in the 8 January election.

He also has the backing of the main opposition UNP in the poll as well as the support of former President Chandrika Kumaratunga. Correspondents say that Friday's dramatic developments are likely to split President Rajapaksa's Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

In a news conference, Mr Sirisena said that Sri Lanka was heading towards a dictatorship and was blighted by rampant corruption, nepotism and the breakdown of the rule of law.


He said that the president's executive powers, the deteriorating law and order situation and Sri Lanka's weakening democratic structures were all reasons that compelled him to accept the common candidate nomination.

"The entire economy and every aspect of society is controlled by one family," he said.

Parliamentary Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and the powerful Defence Secretary, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, are all brothers of the president.His eldest son, Namal, is a lawmaker and head of the youth wing of the president's Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

_______________________________________________________

Winston Churchill 1945 election is the best example for all politicians around the world. You could face the challenge from outside; but you fail when the challenge is from within.

Winston Churchill effectively faced the challenge from Hitler; but miserably failed to face the challenge from his own colleague, the Deputy Prime Minister Clement Attlee.

In 1945, Winston Churchill lost the election. It was a landslide victory for Clement Attlee. The Prime Minister Clement Attlee gave freedom to India, Ceylon, Pakistan and brought down the entire British empire. Clement Attlee brought the Great Britain down to Ordinary Britain. Clement Attlee is the main reason for the chaos in most part of the world like, India, Ceylon, Pakistan and Burma.

Now coming to Sri Lanka... The President Mahinda Rajapaksa failed to realize the challenge from his own colleagues. The emerging star of Sri Lanka, Srisena warned the President against having election now.

It's still not too late. The President could cancel the election and continue for the next two years. Mahinda could have someone file a PIL in the Supreme Court to challenge the decision of having frequent election with the taxpayer's money. In that way, the president could get over with the current crisis.

In India, it is Shiv Sena; in Ceylon, it is Srisena challenging the ruling party. When the entire opposition of Sri Lanka had gone weak and ineffective, the challenge comes from within. Don't assume that there would be no challenge. Challenge is always there.

Sarath Fonseka is not an effective politician. This Srisena, the very first move is very effective. Srisena offer the Prime Minister post to Ranil. That is the best move. If Rajapaksa could break that deal, it would go advantage to Rajapaksa; otherwise, Rajapaksa couldn't stop the momentum.

India influence all the neighbors; The people of India voted against family rule; that action would influence Sri Lanka.

The world would have ignored the election in Sri Lanka had there been no surprise. But now, the world is watching closely the developments in Sri Lanka.

Mahinda Rajapaksa could declare himself as a King and could continue with the family rule. But in the name of democracy, Mahinda Rajapaksa could not continue with his usual style.

Looking at the challenge of Imran Khan in Pakistan, Mahinda Rajapaksa had decided to go for an early election. That action, that is born out of fear; that action itself is bringing Mahinda Rajapaksa down.