Mahinda Rajapaksa

Rajapaksa Accepts Defeat, Reports AFP

August 18, 2015

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa accepted defeat at the 2015 General Election, AFP reported a short while ago.

“We have won eight districts and the UNP (ruling United National Party) has 11 (out of a total of 22),” Rajapaksa told AFP. “This means we have lost. It was a difficult fight.”

He added that he will work as an opposition Member of Parliament.

According to results already released, the UNP has shown a marked increase in its vote share in a number of districts. Meanwhile the ITAK won all seats in Jaffna District.

However, UPFA managed to win all seats in Rajapaksa's home district of Hambantota, albeit with a reduced majority.

Rajapaksa Votes At Medamulana, Wickremesinghe, Anura Dissanayake In Colombo (PHOTOS)

August 17, 2015

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa casted his vote for the 2015 General Election at Medamulana D. A. Rajapaksa Vidyalaya today.

Meanwhile, UNP leader and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe casted his vote at the Colombo University. JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake casted his vote at Abeysingharamaya, Panchikawatte, Colombo.

Rajapaksa Plans Comeback As Sri Lanka Heads To Polls

August 16, 2015

Mahinda Rajapaksa is on the campaign trail. In the run-up to a crucial parliamentary election tomorrow, he is doing what he does best: making speeches, holding children, talking to the elderly and, inevitably these days, grinning for selfies.

In Kantale, a small town in the eastern Trincomalee district, about 6,000 people have turned out to see the veteran politician.

“He is the leader that brought dignity to this country ... we could hold our heads high because of him. He took on terrorism and was the first leader ever to defeat terrorism,” said Chandrasiri Gamalath, a 47-year-old paddy farmer who had traveled 40km to see Rajapaksa in action.

The stakes are high for Rajapaksa, who was ousted as president after calling a snap election in January with the aim of winning a third term. If he, and his numerous relatives, cannot gather genuine mass support in Monday’s poll, his comeback bid will have failed.

“There is unfinished business from January. Does the country want the Rajapaksas back in some shape or form?” asked Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, a well-known local analyst.

The most recent surveys indicate only moderate support for the 69-year-old candidate. “There doesn’t appear to be a big groundswell,” Savanaramuttu said.

However, allegations of corruption, violent intimidation of political opponents, attacks on journalists, growing resentment among Tamils and mounting sectarian violence led to concern at home and abroad. The benefits of economic growth did not reach many poorer, rural communities, a key support base. The appointment of three brothers, a nephew and a son to key posts prompted charges of nepotism. The constitutional changes led to accusations of authoritarianism.

Even so, few observers predicted victory for Maithripala Sirisena, who was minister of health, when he announced he would stand against the incumbent president. And few believed the Rajapaksa clan would go quietly if defeated. But Sirisena won by 6% and the transfer of power occurred without problems.

The current campaign takes place against a background of multiple divisions in the island nation of 22m. Not only is there a rift between the Sinhala majority and ethnic or religious minorities but there is personal animosity between president Sirisena and his predecessor – the split within the once dominant Sri Lanka Freedom party. There are broader regional issues too. Rajapaksa tilted towards China in his foreign policy, pleasing a section of the business community, but prompting deep concern among others.

The former president is banking on his nationalist credentials to propel him back into parliament at the head of a powerful bloc of loyalist MPs. A strong showing would allow him to claim the post of prime minister, held by long-term rival Ranil Wickremesinghe, leader of the United National party.

When Rajapaksa, wearing his trademark earth brown shawl and holding a gold cylindrical talisman in hand, met supporters at a temple in Kantale before addressing the rally in the town, some wept, telling Rajapaksa how they had lived in fear of their lives during the war. Several described nights spent in jungles, clutching children and hiding in trenches.

The former president, who has been accused by human rights activist of allowing the Sri Lankan army to commit war crimes during the final stages of the civil war, listened patiently and promised: “Don’t worry, we will look after you.”

In campaign speeches, Rajapaksa’s message has been simple: renewed civil conflict is inevitable if Wickremesinghe and his coalition partners keep power.

“You know what this country was when I took over in 2005, two-thirds of the coastline were not under the control of the government. I am happy that I was able to give back the chance to the people of the north and east [of Sri Lanka] to live without fear.

“When groups funded by dollars are trying to defeat us, I am humbled to see the working-class people pushing us to victory,” said Rajapaksa, who has frequently charged the US and other foreign powers with stirring up opposition to him.

A United Nations investigative report into the atrocities committed by both sides during the final army assault on the strongholds of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) will be published this year.

Yet, compared with the intensity of the battle for the presidency in January, this campaign is low key and insiders from the Rajapaksa camp admit that, despite the public bravado, the former president is not on his best form.

Some aides blame the effort he and his supporters made to overcome stiff resistance from President Sirisena just to get onto the ballot paper.

Sirisena finally gave way, but has said he would not chose Rajapaksa as prime minister whatever the result of the elections this month.

The split within the Sri Lankan Freedom party has also had a big effect.

One recent survey found Wickremesinghe heading the polls nationally by almost 10% with limited support for Rajapaksa among minorities.

“[Tamils] feel that they [Sirisena and Wickremesinghe] are more amenable to minority issues,” said Abraham Sumanthiran, a Tamil former parliamentarian.

Selliah Bavanandan, who once fought with the violent Tamil separatists against Sri Lankan forces, said Tamils could not trust Rajapaksa.

“The change in January was good for us,” said the 38-year-old from Mullaitivu district, which was devastated in the final days of the civil war. “We can now live without fear … After the war, the Rajapaksa government treated us like enemies, not like people of the same country.

(The Guardian)

Wickremasinghe Warns Of Constitutional Logjam If Rajapaksa Becomes PM

August 15, 2015

As the month-long campaign for the August 17 Sri Lankan parliamentary elections closed this weekend, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe warned of a constitutional logjam if Mahinda Rajapaksa becomes Prime Minister.

“No Prime Minister can take the country forward while being at loggerheads with the President,” Wickremesinghe said, alluding to the on-going public spat between his rival, former President Rajapaksa, and the incumbent President Maithripala Sirisena.

While Wickremesinghe has good relations with Sirisena, having fought the January 8 Presidential election as allies, Rajapaksa and Sirisena have been at daggers drawn since Sirisena quit his party to fight Rajapaksa as the Joint Opposition Candidate in the Presidential election.

They are fighting over the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the United Peoples’ Freedom Alliance (UPFA) and also the Premiership. While Rajapaksa is desperate to become PM, Sirisena has told him that he will not appoint him PM under any circumstance. To weaken Rajapaksa’s hold over UPFA and SLFP, Sirisena has sacked their General Secretaries.

Rebuts Rajapaksa

Rebutting Rajapaksa’s charge that he will yield to the demand of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) for a “federal constitution” and eventually “an independent Tamil Eelam”, Wickremesinghe has said that he is only for a “unitary” constitution.

On Rajapaksa’s charge that he has stopped all developmental work started in his time; stopped Chinese-funded projects; and had fallen prey to Western machinations, Wickremesinghe’s has said that all projects, except one, have been reassessed; renegotiated for favorable terms; and restarted. All new highway building contracts have been given to Chinese companies.

As if to rebut the charge that that he will favor India, Wickremesinghe has ordered an inquiry into the US$ 881 million Indian railway project in North Lanka.

On Rajapaksa’s scare that he will be sent to the electric chair abroad for alleged “war crimes”, Wickremesinghe assured that no Lankan will be handed over to foreigners and no international body will be allowed to inquire into war crimes charges.

(The New Indian Express)

UPFA Election Operations Room Removed From SLFP Headquarters

August 14, 2015

The election operation room of the UPFA was removed from the SLFP headquarters, hours after it was announced that President Maithripala Sirisena had sacked the General Secretary of the UPFA and the General Secretary of the SLFP.

The reason for the removal was unclear. It was reported that this was done under orders from 'a higher authority'.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa is the Chairman of the Elections Committee of the UPFA.

Colombo District Court today gave an injuction order against the Susil Premajayantha and Anura Priyadarshana Yapa acting in the capacities of General Secretaries of the UPFA and SLFP respectively.

Rajapaksa Defends His Foreign Policy

August 14, 2015

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa refuted the allegation that his foreign policy was a pro-China policy, arguing that he was able to get aid from even the United States.

Speaking at the ‘Rathu Ira’ political talk show telecasted last night on Swarnawahini, Rajapaksa said that he expanded the network of foreign missions of Sri Lanka in Africa and Latin America, expanding Sri Lanka’s foreign relations.

He added that the influence of the Tamil diaspora in certain countries had a negative impact on Sri Lanka’s relations with them. Furthermore, India had its own issues, he added. However, Rajapaksa insisted that he adopted a non-aligned foreign policy.

Six SLFP Seniors Write To President Requesting Rajapaksa To Be Named PM

August 14, 2015

Six Sri Lanka Freedom Party seniors who were named as prospective Prime Ministers by President Maithripala Sirisena have sent a letter to the President.

In this letter, Nimal Siripala de Silva, WDJ Seneviratne, Chamal Rajapaksa, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Susil Premajayantha and Athauda Seneviratne have said that in their opinion, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa is the rightful person to be appointed Prime Minister in the event of a UPFA election victory.

They point out that the UPFA campaign was led by Rajapaksa. If the UPFA is to win, Rajapaksa is the most important reasons for it, they said.

The six senior SLFP members also point out that the people have been given the message that Rajapaksa will be Prime Minister in the event of a UPFA victory.

Elections Commissioner Requests State Media To Stop Transmission Of Sirisena's Letter (SEE EC's LETTER)

August 14, 2015

Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya requested state electronic media to cease broadcasting and telecasting of President Maithripala Sirisena's letter to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The request was made after considering two complaints filed by United People's Freedom Lawyers' Association and United People's Freedom Alliance Lawyers' Association. The Elections Commissioner also said that the issue was brought to his attention by UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayantha over the phone.

Deshapriya said that the broadcasting of the letter will have a negative impact on the election campaign of the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

SLFP Seniors Reject Sirisena's Offer

August 14, 2015

Former Parliamentarian John Seneviratne declined President Maithripala Sirisena’s offer to become Prime Minister, on behalf of all seven SLFP seniors the President recommended in his letter to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Speaking at a press conference convened today, Seneviratne said that they support the name of Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister.

The seven seniors include Nimal Siripala de Silva, Susil Premajayantha, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, John Seneviratne, Athauda Seneviratne, AHM Fowzie and Chamal Rajapaksa.

Meanwhile, Chamal Rajapaksa said that he does not expect the people to support his name as Prime Minister. Chamal Rajapaksa is the elder brother of Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Mahinda Rajapaksa Responds To Maithripala Sirisena (FULL LETTER)

August 14, 2015

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa responded to President Maithripala Sirisena's lengthy letter with a short reply.

He acknowledges that he has received Sirisena's letter. Rajapaksa refuted all allegations leveled at him and said that he handed over the party to Sirisena days after the election defeat in January.

Rajapaksa also said that he believes Sirisena will accpet the people's mandate after the general election.