With nominations closed and President Mahinda Rajapakse and former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka emerging as the two major candidates at the forthcoming Sri Lankan Presidential election, the international community is watching with great interest the outcome of the January poll.
India, in particular, is keenly interested in the results of the Sri Lankan presidential election, writes Theepori Website.
Theepori, the official website of the ENDLF writes, The recent visits to New Delhi by the Sri Lankan Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe and that of a three member official Sri Lankan delegation which included President Mahinda Rajapakse's two brothers and his Secretary Lalith Weeratunga had come in the backdrop of the island nation's election.
According to media reports, the Sri Lankan delegation had assured the Indian leaders that President Rajapakse would present a proposal for the devolution of powers to the Tamils after the election. Some reports suggested that the delegation had handed a draft proposal but that the Indian government would not divulge it now.
In the meantime According to Theepori, Ranil Wickremasinghe had obviously gone to New Delhi to canvass India's approval of General Fonseka. He met with the Indian Foreign Minister S.M.Krishna and National Security Advisor M.K.Narayanan to recommend General Fonseka.
It appears that the Indian leaders did not buy Ranil Wickremasinghe's arguments on behalf General Fonseka. For India, General Fonseka is an unknown quantity. He is a candidate without a political base or political experience. The thinking in New Delhi appears to be that a known devil is better than an unknown one. Thus, Ranil Wickremasinghe's mission to New Delhi was a total failure. From all indications, India would like to see President Mahinda Rajapakse's re-election as he could be relied upon to deliver on the promises he had already made to India.
During their discussions, Indian establishment had made known to the Rajapakse brothers that President Rajapakse should deliver on the promise he made to India before and after the defeat of the LTTE on the devolution of powers to the Tamils. Rajapakse brothers had been told that India is the 'guardian angel' of the Sri Lankan Tamils and that India would like to see Tamils treated with respect and dignity.
What is mostly regretted by the Indian officials is that the Sri Lankan Tamils and their leaders have not appreciated the role India is playing on their behalf.
In particular, the Eelam Tamil Diaspora which blindly supported LTTE continues to harp on the theme that India is an enemy of the Eelam Tamils. They continue to bankroll a virulent campaign by discredited Tamil Nadu politicians such as Vaiko, Nedumaran and Seeman vilifying Indian Congress Party and the Congress Party government in India for the present plight of the Eelam Tamils.
The Eelam Tamil Diaspora should realize that these bankrupt Tamil Nadu politicians would not in any way help the cause of the Eelam Tamils. In fact, they are a liability to the cause of the Eelam Tamils. Take away the Eelam Tamil issue, the likes of Vaiko, Nedumaran and Seeman will wither away. They have no program or policies to offer to the people of Tamil Nadu and have already been rejected by the people of Tamil Nadu.
In conclusion Theepori pointed out, It is high time that the Eelam Tamil Diaspora realizes the importance of India's role in winning back the lost rights of the Eelam Tamils and appreciates India's efforts in finding a political settlement of the Tami problem.
- Asian Tribune -
Comments
It appears that both
It appears that both President and SF are on the same side but we may realise this after rhe election.The oppotion parties too will realise this after general election. we the common people are not bias in making decisions.But those who have different hopes will misjudge what is happening right now.
Where is UNP manisfesto
It is a very dangerous president by the opposition. Rather than harping the so called wrong doings of the present government, they have no platform on their own. SF has failed to provide this yardstick to measure his future performance in the event he becomes the President. On the process RW is making these bizarre statements here and there. Yet UNP has not put forward any platform to measure their success at a future administration. They have hidden themselves under SF and make these statements disassociating from any real commitment for the future of the country. SF making 10,000 rupees salary increase to Armed Forces members are also considered as election baits which has no economic validity. What about the others? How are they going to survive? When similar situation arise when salary of then president was increased by 25,000 during JRJ years, he argued that this increase has no impact of the economy.
The UNP and the whole opposition who is harping on the huge cabinet knows that this the only way the government can form a majority parliament by offering portfolios for members who are crossing over to the government side. This is manifested by a Supreme Court decision during JRJ government that state business supersedes party business. Under the provisions of the constitution the members who cross over loose their seat, which will be determined by party secretary. JRJ had a huge cabinet of 76 even without this threat. Premadasa increased this to 94 during his tenure, and CBK to 97. Now I understand that it is about 110. However, when the MPs salaries are taken out which they are already entitled, the increase is offered to these Ministerial portfolios are marginal.
Arjuna Ranathunge`s support for SF is hilarious. Though he was a Cricket Captain for Sri Lanka he always has been a disappointing politician from the beginning. He does not have capacity to play a team effort. Though we were lucky to have won world cup, it was primarily because of Aravinda though Arujuna is trying to take the full credit for the win. This is like SF who is trying to grab all the credit for the terrorist elimination.
Then on top of this what is the stand of JVP who was vocal about that they will never allow a UNP government to be formed. What ever those threats, JVP will get dissolved by the next election due to lack of public support. If democracy were to prevail no one will want to vote for JVP. They were promoters of armed insurrection twice in this tiny land which has cost tremendously on economy.
We find no marked distinction
We find no marked distinction between Eelam Tamil Diaspora and Ranil Wickramasinghe. This means that the both are same