War everywhere leaves deep wounds and bitter memories. The Lankan Tamil people must reach for the extended hand of friendship. The past is long gone and we owe a peaceful and prosperous future to the present anbd future generations.

As Napolean Bonaparte said "If you open the wounds of the past you lose the present and the future" Tamils have been cheated over and over again. The Tamil peaceful resistance from 1956-1980s was totally ignored.

The Sinhala obstinacy gave birth to the LTTE and they wasted no time in ejecting the liberal Tamil search for peace through the Parliamentary path. The militants found favour with more Tamils because the State was reacting with brute force harming Tamil lives, property and interests - disregarding all legal and constitutional guarantees. The rest is history that needs no repitition.

The choice for us is whether we continue to resist and risk the future of the present and generations to come or do we join those who are likely to bring change and save the country. The assure justice to us in a totally altered political landscape.

Let us remember Churchill and Roosevelt chose the path of pragmatism and took the incredible steo of joining forces with their arch enemny Stalin. This historic move saved the world from a disturbed maniac in WW2 and an equally brutal Japanese army in Asia. The JVP who stood as obstacle to all previous moves by the South to respond to Tamil grievances now have turned course.

General Sarath Fonseka cannot allow the continuation of broken pacts or ignore the Tamils simply because they are small in number - the mistaka all previous Sinhala governments made. Tamils must exercise their customary wisdom and venture this one last chance of trusting the Sinhala side.

ISS

Poor Poor TAMIL TERRORISTS... they are stuck swallowing the BITTER PILL of having to decide between the SINHALA POLITICAL LEADER who DESTROYED their FREEDOM FIGHTERS the LTTE. ... or the SINHALA GENERAL LEADER who ..... DESTROYED their FREEDOM FIGHTERS,...the LTTE.

What ever said and done Sri Lanka will never change. Come Election time promises are made to all communities and forgotten after being elected to office. this is the sad story of Sri Lanka which is not going to change in the near future.
The Tamil politicians are to blame for the state of the Tamil community in Sri lanka as they are more interested in their own well-being rather than the well being of their community.

What Sri lanka needs is a leader who cares for the country, which is not present in the current candidates. So for all those who are about to vote good luck, who ever is elected will not be making any changes to improve our country Sri Lanka. As for me I will not be voting as I do not see a candidate who is worthy of my vote.

Hope God has a better plan for Sri lanka than our Politicians. God Bless you all and Hoping for a better year in Sri lanka.

Pragmatism and reconciliation are needs of the hour.Hope this will prevail on both sides.One can only hope that history doesn't repeat itself.

Devinda Fernando, only thing is you didn't expect to see these two as the leading two contenders for the Presidency.

This is the caliber of people who are Sri Lankan leaders today, in your own words. Just switch SF, to MR. They are both the same.

One wants to establish a family dynasty in the name of supremacy, and the other having had the taste of 75% of power during the war he wants more.

You think this is the best bet, a peaceful postwar scenario you envisioned..

Here is your take on Sarath in the recent past:

http://transcurrents.com/tc/2009/11/a_heros_resignation_triumph_tr.html

1) Fonseka is not a Statesman, he would not know how to run the country. And he's being used as a UNP pawn... What a pity, after his great Achievements in Vanquishing TAMIL TERRORISM in our country he has to end on such a poor note.

http://transcurrents.com/tc/2009/10/pitfalls_and_perils_of_sarath.html

2) As much as I admire General Fonseka for what he has done for Sri Lanka, it is a bad move for him to go into Politics at this juncture. While he has every right as a Private Citizen, and he has indeed a case to run for the Presidency,...I just don't think he would be right for the country. The type of person he is was perfect to conduct a war. Unwavering, Unapologetic and possessing a pair of Brass Balls. However those traits are good for the battlefield and not the Diplomatic field. With the need to further cement ties with or Asian Allies and neighbors, while we sever those of the West, Fonseka's brand of diplomacy is not what is going to help us in this regard. IF politics is what he plans to do then he should wait another 5 or 6 years, now is not the time,.

JVP Comminists do not believe in God. Do how come Somaratne is there?

Why did Ranil opt out of this picture? Was he there at all? Or he did not want to be seen topless?

SF has a surgery cut mark from belly button all the way down. A sign of the medical efforts taken to save him, thanks to MR's insistence that he should be saved at any cost.

Politgicians, including SF will promise and AND do anything to draw votes!

THE TAMILS SHOULD GIVE A CHANCE TO SARATH FONSEKA. 4 YEARS OF RAJAPAKSE FAMILY ATROCITIES SHOULD END BY MIDNIGHT OF 26TH JANUARY 2010.

SARATH WILL BRING HOPE FOR THE MINORITIES TO LIVE IN PEACE WITHOUT ANY FEAR OF ARBITRARY ARRESTS AND DETENTION BY GOTHABAYA AND HIS GOONS.

Corrupt politics, dsregard to democractic principles and good governance, and other negative features prevailing over the last sixty years are the causes of all the problems in the country. The MR Govt under cloud of fighting the LTTE resorts to all the abuses in a worst form never seen before. Any opportunity for this Govt. to continue will be a total diaster. Sarath Fonseka is clear in his words saying he will bring those abuses to an end. He could be trusted and supported to be elected.

Devinda's remarks here and elsewhere can be described best in Sinhla only
"Mekana-nang puduma ledak" The nearest analogy in English will be "Pal,
in your own interest and that of general society, please return to the asylum"

ISS

When ,I see the guys in the picture with the General.I laughed to death.Then, I woke up to realize it's another political show up.UNP,JVP and other currupted loosers using this great guy to come to power.They are all loosers.

Poor Tamil people heard these promises through out their lives.NO one is doing anything good for them.They are like third class citizens in Sri Lanka.Remember TULF was once the oposition

The only guy they had faith on terrorist leader Praba was killed by this man itself and justifying killing Sinhalese during the insurgency in 1971 and there after.GUESS WHO IS TALKING ??? Our next President to be.

WHAT DO YOU THINK AN ARMY MAN WOULD DO TO OUR COUNTRY..????? Think about it.Pakistan,Iraq,Cuba,and plenty more.
The whole power of the forces.He will kill even me for writing this.

Known devil is better than the unknown ......vote for our great leader who saved our motherland,.NOT RANIL..the great selfish traitor.

Senan,

Wonder if you see any evidence of "Tamil Customary Wisdom" . Dayan Jayatillke has successfully argued the lack of it. If he is right, it would be best for the Tamils in general to vote in contradiction to those who have been holding the Tamil Customary Wisdom - to avoid bring the customary disater to themselves and the larger community.

Sivam

LTTE committed political suicide after the CFA that lead to the demise of LTTE militarily. This is the truth that all the Tamils and the Sri Lankan should understand.
Its time for Sri Lankans to make an intelligent decision to live without killing each other but, to live with dignity and equal rights.
Equal rights and dignity won't come with out Law and order and without disarming the paramilitary - political groups in the North and East.
Military is better than paramilitary- This is the belief most of the Tamils have in the East.People in the east want to see an end to this armed culture.
So People prefer SF
Please read my article- LTTE committed suicide which will be published soon.

Mano's comment " he is not anticipating for the situation to be better immediately under Sarath Fonseka but pointed out electing him as the "only way of ousting the incumbent."

At least Ganeshan is honest. The whole purpose of this exercise is for Ranil to sneak in as the Prime Minister.and form a UNP,SLMC and TNA governnment with out the JVP.

It will be interesting to see how the JVP wil fit into the above coalition in power. Is Somawansa ,who was lucky to escape the bullet from Premadasa Ranil regime going to be part of the coalition in government?

JVP did not support Rajapaksa' for petty political reasons. Rajapaksa is the only politician who fought hard for their members when Preamadasa Ranil team was massacring them whole sale.

How can they now sit with their not only the arch enemies ,but people who have diametrically opposite views about economic management and development of the country.

What is the role Fonseka is going to play in this unholy alliance. If one is to believe Ranil, Fonseka will hand over the executive powers to him and retire to a ceremonial Presidential post.

When Ranil agreed to give total control of the North and the East to Prabakaran by implementing the CFA. Fonseka was the brave commander who refused to obey the orders to evacuate the Military zones.I do not think any body in their right mind will think that same Fonseka will listen to Ranil if or when he becomes the President unless Fonseka this time has gone" insane.

It is no brainer to see, these three major players, namely Ranil, Somawansa and Fonseka have their own hidden agendas. I am sure none of these agendas have anything to do with moving the country forward to achieve prosperity,peace and harhrmony.

These agendas are only their individual ambitions to get into power and consolidate their own positions.

I think it will be the mother of all disasasters that have befallen our motherland if these people hood wink the poor Srilankans and get into power.

Sri Lanka needs a strong leader accepted by both communities. All this political skullduggery, armed groups, covert actions must end. General SF will be able to do this when elected.

Probably, Davinda Fernando thought he would hurt a lot of Tamil peopleby that comment. But, the Tamil people are just sad about their predicament - lack of rights and previleges and the atrocities by their own government, dealths of few 10s of thousands of innocent men, women, and children. After claiming only 1000 LTTE members left, government killed well over 500 LTTE leaders and members. But, over 15,000 young men and women are kept in isolation.

The sad situation Danid Fernandos of this world fail to realise is that the people of the Island of Sri Lanka have a very limited option as they are going to choose between two of the POTENTIAL war criminals.

Re.Sivam's comments. Tku. Customary Tamil wisdom was acknowledged by the British then and other communities here without let. Dayan G tried to prove the lack of it but certainly failed. If you know the context - he has a role to play and, by jove, that is not to enthrone the General - of whom he sang praisesonly 2 months ago. When you saw JVPs Amarasinghe, the General and other Sinhala political leaders in the temple, please note that was not just a photographic event. To me, it is a political statement loudly proclaiming those Sinhala leaders are ready to make amends. If you are a Tamil, which I think you are, you have all the right to accept the outstretched hand signalling your readiness to forget the past of bitterness and go forward to a united future or
refuse because you have been cheated oh! for so long. It is upto you. The gun and the fascists are no longer around to force you and let's be thankful for that.
ISS

Tamils in North and East in Sri Lanka underwent serious and intolerable hardships due to the 30 years war.Now there are severe wounds in the hearts of the Tamils. It is fair to say the govts after 1948 are responsible for the war. However the behavior of Tamil parties and LTTE , too were supportive for the situations to considerable extends. So majority Sinhalese and Tamils,both are responsible for the happenings.Accordingly ,if we continue with the ha tress we will never be able to come to a peacefully situation in the country. Even the future generation of Tamils and other races in Sri Lanka will have to suffer for ever.Even after millions of people died in Germany and Japan after the 11 world war, they forgot the pathetic past and rebuit their countries to the top level in the world. The politicians in Sri Lanka after 1948 did not show any fairness or trustworthiness in the History. So Sarath Fonseka is not a original politician and he has no any party to protect.Also ,there should be turning point in Sri Lanka, for the country to proceed for prosperity. In this situation, the impartial people in Sri Lanka may trust to certain extend that Sarath Fonseka may initiate some whole in the system for all Sri Lanakan to procced toward peaceful and prosperous future. So it is my view that disregarding all differences everyone should support Sarath Fonseka.

Valuable voter's

Think positively to vote for SF. Dont look his as "Army General". When he was at army he carried out his duties only that.

See the MR how he is running the country. he selected very worst people from each and every distric and given powers to them. This people misusing the power and tax money paid by the public. few of them, Wimal weerawansa (selfish - who is greedy in party leadership, Karuna - the way he left his own party TMVP and illegally having arms, pillayan - illegally having arms, ada ullah - he doesnot demand anything for his community, but he always support MR as want to be leader to muslim community, SB - unfortunate SLFP get back him and this is fortunate to UNP ... he needs to become prime minister, Dr??? Mervin Silva - Whole world knows about his performance which is backed by MR, Douglas - anohter paramilitary person, and so on. In this situation, if MR came again as a president, he definitely extend the parilement without going for General election to keep all this worst people in the parliment.

Now most of the Sri Lankan are expecting that the incumbent president Mahinda's government urgently and necessarily needs to be changed. His only strength to search mandate is war victory. So other than SF, there is no one to give balanced competion in election. So this is a good opportunity for the people whoever need democracy and freedom to remove MR. Once we removed the MR, we hope there will be solution within the united sri lanka where all community can live together.

Once miss this last opportunity, you will have to wait another 8yeasrs to get rid of this worst goverment. So wisely think about that.

I expect that the opposition should include the Sarath N Silva to a high position.

Its nice to see people saving what I write here for future reference...

Let me address my Fans one at a time.

*** Devinda's remarks here and elsewhere can be described best in Sinhla only
"Mekana-nang puduma ledak" ***

Well then Senguttavan, why do you hang on my every word? You and your TERRORIST ILK seem to have a real unhealthy obsession with what I write.

*** Probably, Davinda Fernando thought he would hurt a lot of Tamil peopleby that comment. ***

The TRUTH often hurts Rohan.

*** Devinda Fernando, only thing is you didn't expect to see these two as the leading two contenders for the Presidency.***

On the contrary... without Sarath Fonseka, the UNP's SPINELESS JELLYFISH leadership would have had to hand over the election to the PA... but at least here there is a Chance.

and the true IRONY as Mano Ganesan alludes to grudgingly is that these BITTER TAMIL TERRORIST SUPPORTERS are backing anyone as long as they are against Mahinda. That is how truly BITTER and BLINDLY VENGEFUL Tamils have become. They suffer selective Amnesia when it comes to Fonseka and his comments which were far more Politically Alienating towards Tamils than Manhinda. Their HATRED for Mahinda runs so deep that they would willingly vote for the man who unrelentingly ordered the armed forces into their "Traditional Homelands". This is the man whom Mahinda turned to and said Get Rid of the LTTE and clear the North and East of all these TERRORIST VERMIN... and this man devised the Details...

LOL! Do you people seriously think you are sticking it to the Sinhalese by voting for FONSEKA? Do you IDIOTS think you are getting your revenge on Mahinda who ANNIHILATED your so-called FREEDOM FIGHTER HEROS by voting for the Man that he OUTSOURCED the Task to???

LOL!

Devinda
Years to come, you will find the bitter pill in your pocket, seeing the Tamil political/economic power. Average sinhalese will be thankful but you and the likes will have to return to the asylum.

This picture of Political "Goons" half naked makes me Laugh....He...He... is this for real?

Kalu Albert's comments is the only sensible comment. Everybody else is talking rubbish, may be for their own personal benefit or agenda.
It is unimaginable by any angle how the unholy troika (SF, Ranil & JVP) going to govern if they win. God bless SL!!!!!

I think rajapaksa will be able to use KP to accuse that
VP and family was murdered by SF ? or something along that line to turn off Tamil voters.

But Tamils should think in terms of getting rid of the maximum number enemy at this election if they vote in SF. The karuna's and Doglusas as well become useless.

The whole rajpaksa family will be out of power . While SF is in power, he has to become pawn of the UNP or who ever win the election. Or got to become a military dictator.

Who ever win's have to answer the tamil question. otherwise no peace. That's 100% guaranteed.

Seran,

The Brits did not acknowledge the "Tamil Wisdom". They just benefited from Tamil servitude - which was much more forth coming than from other communities of Ceylon. Filling up large amount of clerical posts - was mis-understood to be a sign of wisdom. Dayan very clearly argues the list of missed opportunities - which we have lived through. The Tamils especially the expats continued to dream of filling up all the non-existent lowly paid clerical Jobs for too long, Letting the "boys" do the dirty job, including the dying part. They should take responsibility for the destruction of the idealistic young boys who perished in the thousands, led by someone favored by the expat clerk aspirants. The biggest favor they can do to the Tamil community is to hand over its fate to the Sinhalese leadership - which is most likely to be less morose than our own.

We are sick
pls leave us Citizens out of this equation
Who ever who comes to power will fill their pockets to the full rest assured.......

SF and MR do enjoy!!!!! A wish from a Sick Citizen of SL

ISS's - Illayaseran..., first comment is meaningful. However, we (particularly the Tamils) are fully aware of election promises. What happens after elections - is a well known story of the past.

Does anyone accept these pre-election promises?

Has any one promised to erase CORRUPTION and racial politics, and manage the country in a meaningful way??? This should probably the most important requirement of an election promise and ensure subsequent conformance.

The Tamils should vote en-block to the LSSP candidate - Bahu!!!

ISS,SIVAM

The one and important lesson Tamils have to learned was Sinhala parties have made suppression of Tamil rights as a tool to become to power.

Tamil wisdom should be to make both candidates to promise to take Tamil problem out of party politics.

Why do you think the British conservative politician's mission failed to make this between CBK and Ranil?

Devinda Fernando,

Thank you for your racist comments it gives us an aim to keep our forcus.

Devinda:

In your state of mental confusion you mistake sympathisers to your fans. Sorry, dear chap, you are beyond therapy. No choice but see you rave and rant - which are the usual symptoms in your case. I think we must have your variety also in these discussions so one can distinguish between the good, the bad and the pathetically hopeless. Keep p..s..ng at night looking at the moon. This will at least keep your mind at some temporary ease. Only don't forget, it is you who is stalking me. Cherry-bye.

ISS

This photo of Fonseka and Somawansa will be ideal for the billboards in the South in the coming weeks.

Ranil again displays his cunningness.He is well on his way for the nomination in 2017.

Sarath Fonseka wins = End of Mahinda Rajapakse & co and their many ways

Mahinda Rajapakse wins = End Sarath Fonseka and endless public humiliation

Can either afford to lose?? How can either guarantee a win??

Also which outside power is backing whom - and will their rivalries be enacted (again) in Lanka?

(And will the likes of Devinda Fernando also revel in the forthcoming Sinhala bloodbath?)

This is the 27th Morning..!!! SUBHA ANAGATHAYAK!