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NPP Dilemma: Rhetoric vs. Reality, Present Ideology vs.Past Ideology
Colombo, Jan. 22 (Daily Mirror)- With vital elections looming on the horizon , rhetorical remarks from across the political divide have become the norm for each passing day.
It is common for political leaders of all hues to fine-tune their speeches with rhetorical language as a vote catching ,crowd pulling exercise. In the process, what is done is ostensible concealment of truth from the general public in the couch of rhetorical language . Voters who get carried away by political rhetoric are at the receiving end finally.
In recent times , the National People’s Power , the political amalgamation led by the Marxist party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) , has launched into swift action ahead of the presidential election to be announced likely in September, this year .
Its leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake regularly hits the headlines because of catchy remarks made in addressing public meetings. In one instance , he spoke about imprisonment of those accused of corruption and frauds. He spoke in definite terms in this regard. Rooting out corruption is the dire need of the hour . Nobody can be opposed to any measure being initiated to address the issue in whatsoever manner . However, imprisonment of anyone over corruption and fraud is only the result of a judicial process after investigation . One wonders how Mr. Dissanayake, along with his NPP colleagues, speaks with precision about imprisonment even before any judicial process commences. After judicial process , it can even be a different form of punishment other than a jail term . As such , Mr. Dissanayake’s remarks amount to mere rhetoric aimed at mesmerizing prospective voters who yearn for an era sans corruption .
In another instance , he is reported to have said that he will dissolve the security details assigned to him if he is elected to the top office at the elections. Normally , the security assigned to the Head of State depends on threat assessment by the security authorities at the time concerned . One wonders again how such pronouncements are made in advance even before the presidential election is conducted .
The NPP was in the centre of controversy in recent times over remarks by one of its female leaders Samanmali Gunasinghe who stressed the need for legal protection of sex workers under a government led by her party. In an interview with online media , she said the number of women resorting to sex trade is on the rise under the current economic circumstances. Therefore, she emphasized the need to legalize it for better protection of women who indulge in sex trade. Once the news story appeared , all hell broke loose because legalization of prostitution is something against the social,cultural ethos of the country.
Another female leader from the N.P.P Dr. Harini Amarasuriya was at pain to contain the damage saying that prostitution would not be legalized , but the current laws related to sex trade would be amended only to give legal protection to women involved . It is just playing a game of words to cover up possible electoral damage arising from Ms. Gunasinghe’s remarks .
The JVP- led NPP is now confronted with ideological contrasts among its own ranks .Previously,the party remained a cohesive force with a clearly defined lines on its policy approaches . All its members used to stick to one line in making public utterances.In the expansion of the party for the formation of NPP accommodating outsiders , the JVP appeared to have lost its cohesiveness as its members utter contrasting viewpoints.People are at a loss to find what its actual position is .
Its politburo member K. D. Lalkantha freely draws examples from its 1988/1989 violent period . Once his remarks triggered public concerns whether the party would resort to violent tactics to capture power . After that , the party asked its members not make any remark that leaves scope for different interpretations .
The party is also in a struggle to reconcile its past and present ideologies . No doubt it has transformed a lot . The party which was critical of any deal with the International Monetary Fund ( IMF) now seeks engagement with it . The party which was opposed to private universities tooth and nail now accepts the importance of it. The JVP once shredded the 13th Amendment to the Constitution . It has a different approach to it now , though . Some of its members find it difficult to detach from from the traditional leftist thinking whereas others clamor for neoliberal approaches .
All in all , it is in a political dilemma trying to garb its present ideology with the sheen of the former one .
Comments - 78
Comments - NPP Dilemma: Rhetoric vs. Reality, Present Ideology vs.Past Ideology
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Dee Monday, 22 January 2024 11:45 AM
This JVP if even by chance selected to govern this country, will run it down to the lowest level it will ever go! Wish we don’t live to see it.
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Messy Road Ahead Monday, 22 January 2024 03:52 PM
Looks like the choices presented are limited. All parties having issues with corruption, ignoring murder cases, not having proper qualified candidates, no road plan for development etc. Seems whoever is elected, current sentiments on the ground will continue as the division of voters, inflation due to worldwide factors
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sarrozy Monday, 22 January 2024 04:12 PM
Where are you living? Can you not see the people of the country suffering already with your preferred government? or you want more of the same with your friends? You might be happier with NPP than your current friends in power
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SUKUMAR Monday, 22 January 2024 04:33 PM
So, which party do you think will be better than the NPP?
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johan Monday, 22 January 2024 06:59 PM
That means do you want the robbers and lords to rule the country again.
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Deepthi Monday, 22 January 2024 07:48 PM
Aren’t we currently living in the lowest level?
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Dee Monday, 22 January 2024 09:56 PM
All you people messed up the country by voting in numbers in November 2019. Do it again and Finnish it off!
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Gon namba Tuesday, 23 January 2024 04:11 AM
And how do you rate your masters the Ranil rajapaksa performance? Give them another term and we all will begging in the streets and citizens will stop having children.
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Ashad Dole Tuesday, 23 January 2024 05:55 AM
A Leopard will NEVER change it's spots. Our gullible voters MUST never forget the 1971 and 1988/89 eras. If AKD becomes the President of our country by some unfortunate twist of fate, Sri Lanka will fall from the frying Pan into the fire. AKD is silent about the re-introduction of the English system into our social and economic fabric which is keeping our less fortunate to go to the Middle East to be slaves and our young from the private sector when it comes to job opportunities. But ! Correct me if I am wrong - his children are studying in foreign universities and acquiring an English education (surely they are NOT studying in the Sinhala language) and the clock goes back to the SWRD and Bandaranaike eras which brought this devastation to our less fortunate compatriots. ONLY GOD CAN HELP our blessed nation from such a calamity which if it happens will take our blessed country deeper into the abyss, NEVER TO CRAWL BACK AGAIN.
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Lanka Monday, 22 January 2024 11:49 AM
Divide and rule policy is promoted now to defeat them. 75 years rhetoric is enough.. For the last five years people suffered a lot was it because of NPP or JVP . Not at all. People know who did all damage to this country
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sarrozy Monday, 22 January 2024 04:18 PM
Agree!!! enough is enough, 75 years is enough, give NPP a go, get rid of the corrupted politicians recover out stolen money!
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Tom Monday, 22 January 2024 05:01 PM
75 Years rhetoric is part bullshit. During that period we had 30 years of civil war. Two uprisings where JVP saints burnt govt property, looted
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SenPera Monday, 22 January 2024 08:23 PM
Socialism destroyed the country under Sirimavo, JVP including Anura were part of CBKs government, Gota destroyed the country with leftist policies. Electing AKD and NPP in 2024 will be the final death knell for our recovering economy.
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Raj Gonsalkorale Monday, 22 January 2024 11:59 AM
Hopefully the public vote will be based on substance and solutions for the long term and not rhetoric and teledrama acting! A victory by default will be a frying pan to the fire result.
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N.M. Perera Monday, 22 January 2024 12:06 PM
The Country is doomed with NPP. Stick with SJB....which may be the known Devil !!
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sarrozy Monday, 22 January 2024 04:16 PM
What has your known devil ever done for you? did they fight against corruption and deliver to your expectations or hide? Vote NPP if you want a future for our country and our kids!
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Subash Buddhika Monday, 22 January 2024 07:47 PM
Country's economy demolished by parties who govern the country last few decades, now people believe only the solution they have is NPP, if they loose never ever recovered the country. NPP never ever govern this country before therefore people must give chance to them to govern this country, we have tested so many politicos before they are failed and corrupted, time has come to ranil, sajith, rajapaksha to take rest in home or jail,
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Wera Monday, 22 January 2024 12:08 PM
The true colors of the JVP occasionally slip out. No matter how pragmatic its leader tries to be its rank and file members are true Marxists. They will not hesitate to use violence and thuggery against the those better off. It is time people particularly in the middle class who have been flirting with this outfit come to their senses for their own good.
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Somi Mama Monday, 22 January 2024 12:10 PM
How do you legalize something that is already legal. Prostitution is not illegal in Sri Lanka. But, related activities such as soliciting, procuring, and brothels are outlawed. If you’re ignorant, don’t make public statements
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Robin Banks Monday, 22 January 2024 12:15 PM
People just need a change from selfserving corrupt politicians we have experienced in the past and present.The ideology among most citizens are simply things cannot get any worse so might as well give JVP a chance.
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Trot an Horse Monday, 22 January 2024 05:18 PM
From the frying pan to the fire.
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Lion Monday, 22 January 2024 12:16 PM
We have tested two parties in governance for 75 years ( UNP same guys in SJB, SLFP and Pohottuwa) So now we are on the ground having fallen from the bed , so there is no place to fall any more since we already on the ground. So now we want to give a chance to NPP to govern the country.
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Sage Monday, 22 January 2024 12:22 PM
What choice do the desperate citizens have? UNP is out of the question it is the same as voting for the wreckers of the country the Rajapaksas. Can't vote for SJB because any sign of trouble and Sajith will jump into bed with the Ranil Rajapaksa.
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sarrozy Monday, 22 January 2024 04:28 PM
Honest comment, this is how the whole country feels except for the corrupt politicians.... Vote with your heart for a better future for our country, give us a fresh start without corruption....
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Natalie Nanayaka Monday, 22 January 2024 12:25 PM
JVP is the only viable option if we think about the welfare of our children. The other political parties our only concerned about their own children.
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Dee Monday, 22 January 2024 12:35 PM
NPP fans won’t be able to understand this article! They will think that it is about them winning in the present although they destroyed the country in the past .
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sarrozy Monday, 22 January 2024 03:55 PM
Don't you bet on that!
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johan Monday, 22 January 2024 07:02 PM
That means do you want the robbers and lords to rule the country again.
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Wiseman Monday, 22 January 2024 07:59 PM
Dee, could you please explain what the UNP did to force JVP to resort to violence back in 80's? And many the elders I know says, there was many Non-JVP people pretending to be JVP and committed atrocities too, is that true?
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Get real Tuesday, 23 January 2024 04:08 AM
UNP thugs committed most of the atrocities and blamed it on JVP. Most of the cases of threats to the army personnel were from the government thugs. We were left up the garden path then and some of us are still stuck up the garden path.
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Dakshina Dissanayake Monday, 22 January 2024 12:46 PM
Absolutely correct , No coordination just blabbering to increase voter base .
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sarrozy Monday, 22 January 2024 04:07 PM
Maybe blabbering just like you with no voice of your own supporting others views. Are you one of the 6.9 million who voted the last president in to power before Ranil W Rajapakse and regretting it?
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Ahamed Markar Monday, 22 January 2024 12:49 PM
What they meant by being against corruption is that they will make sure that wrong doers are brought before the justice system through depoliticized investigations and prosecutions
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warren Monday, 22 January 2024 12:55 PM
@ Nishantha Ranawaka - this article clearly articulates the hypocrisy of the JVP-led NPP. You don't either understand what is being candidly said or are a parochial supporter of the NPP. If this article berated the UNP or the SJB, then you would have applauded it and said "well-witten". Truth hurts!
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Raj Monday, 22 January 2024 01:02 PM
Congratulations Daily Mirror, Finally you were able to find few ‘serious issues’ NPP which are minuscule compared to what UNP, SJB, SLFP and SLPP have done since independence. Very pathetic journalism if you don’t do a similar exercise comparing NPP to others
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Jamal Kudu Monday, 22 January 2024 01:23 PM
NPP is useless, they are good for talking
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sarrozy Monday, 22 January 2024 03:59 PM
What have the major parties done for you and the country in the last 75 years? Give NPP a go, let them take the corrupt politicians to task. unless you are one of them going by your comment....
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Fred Monday, 22 January 2024 01:24 PM
Regardless of ideology I think the majority will vote for whoever they think can bring down the soaring cost of living for them. It could also be a negative vote meaning they want a change What do you think?
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johan Monday, 22 January 2024 01:25 PM
When almost all the countries have progressed to 21st century, our ruling parties have taken our country back to 1948 due to financial mismanagement and inefficient administration. One cannot guess the attractive speeches made by NPP on their stages how they will implement what they preach but our ruling parties have no ideas even to preach and also implement anything with their petty minded politics behind to keep power with them always for their generation.Now NPP has become the poor man's party and well organized to install a government of their own.The utterence made by NPP individuals are not their Politburo decision which they will rectify once their Govt.is formed.
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Ranil Monday, 22 January 2024 01:28 PM
Please stop writing such slanderous articles. We do not want to hear of past ideologies. Definitely things have changed for all parties except the ruling parties which is comprised of crooks who have stolen the wealth of the country.
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Dickson Athugala Monday, 22 January 2024 01:47 PM
There is no dilemma with NPP. It's with all politicos who ran the country for 75 yrs. Looks like the Wijewardenes has started the campaign to protect their old class. How pathetic.
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Ranjan Monday, 22 January 2024 01:49 PM
A very comprehensive and well made article about absurdity and ridiculousness of NPP as a whole... We can see clearly that they only target in getting votes rather than having a genuine intention of doing something worthwhile if they get elected. We still haven't seen any proper policies or programme to bring country forward rather than branding all the opponents as "horu"
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Ram Monday, 22 January 2024 02:13 PM
So far No statement from NPP about the abolition of Executive Presidency though they have been clamouring for it in the past
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C Fernando Monday, 22 January 2024 11:12 PM
If AKD becomes President there's no way he's going to abolish, or even curb the powers of the Presidency, just like all the others before him. People seem to think that just because we give them a chance, the NPP are going to be less corrupt than the others, not to mention their pathetic belief that they will wave a magic wand and create a paradise. Now let's wait for a comment from their rabid supporter who goes by the name of sarrozy. Ha, ha!
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Saman Monday, 22 January 2024 02:28 PM
Considering the shear absurdity of what they say, I'm quite surprised few people are still following them.
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Tom Monday, 22 January 2024 06:37 PM
Our people will never learn. They are always are suckers for rhetorics than going for the past records in handling the economy. Correct the economy first.Then the other things will fall into line.
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Terrence K Monday, 22 January 2024 02:28 PM
People who are "birds of the same feather" pretend not to know what the contents of this article and keep blaming the Editor to be more responsible in publishing this kind of news item as they feel it has already dented the NPP base if there was any at all as the utterances of these novices needs a lot of brushing up as their rhetoric utterances are full of ambiguities contrasting reality. Whilst some of these NPP stalwarts are in a dream world of having made inroads into the "Floating Vote" and it should be borne in mind not to "hatch the eggs before they are laid" but to tread cautiously as there are many pot holes due to some of the bad incidents of the past which could derail and take away the feeling of resting on their laurels!!!!!!!!
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Rohana Jinadasa Monday, 22 January 2024 02:37 PM
The need of the hour is not to argue about ideology, past or present.Our country need a new set of rulers who are NOT corrupt ,with no history of violence in the past(watch Karige channel to learn about past UNPers and violence including 83 riots)
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Tom Monday, 22 January 2024 05:29 PM
There is not a single party in this country that fits your description. Also, ideology is a must when you are voting. Ex. There is not a single country in the world that has developed using maxist ideology.
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Zak Monday, 22 January 2024 05:45 PM
Karige channel is a Rajapakse bias channel which tries to show the previous leader are all corrupt to the point to get to believe Rajapakse is better considering the previous leader.. read between the lines before believing everything my friend
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An observer Monday, 22 January 2024 02:40 PM
JVP is the no. 1 double acting political party in the Sri Lankan political landscape. Good that DM has question them. Cheers to the writer.
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Chux Monday, 22 January 2024 02:54 PM
JVP still do not know where they stand with their future policies that itself shows they are so incompetent to govern a country
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johan Monday, 22 January 2024 06:57 PM
That means do you want the robbers and lords to rule the country
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C Fernando Monday, 22 January 2024 11:17 PM
What makes you think they won't Rob? They just haven't had the chance. Go ahead, elect them, give them the honeymoon period of maybe one year, and then watch. And when the people open their eyes and try to vote them out at an election, they will use force to stay in power
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007 Monday, 22 January 2024 03:20 PM
The JVP is riding high and may sweep the polls at any election that will be held. The UNP mad fellow made a statement on TV that only the JVP are in the opposition. He was trying to rope in the low IQ linesman to the UNP.
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Green Horn Monday, 22 January 2024 06:30 PM
The people who will vote for JVP will realize that their level of IQ is no better than the people who voted for Gota.
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NV Jen Monday, 22 January 2024 03:48 PM
Trusting NPP because of their rhetoric's alone will be another disastrous experiment similar that of Gota. In my opinion SJB is the better choice, with a good and trustworthy team that has experience in governance also. Let NPP prove as a responsible opposition first. Perhaps 2029 may be their year if SJB also fails.
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sarrozy Monday, 22 January 2024 04:35 PM
Give NPP a fair go. We have tried and tested all the major parties, where did it leave us after 75 years? people who want more of the same corrupted governments like we have had recently better you decide not to vote. Let the people who care about out country and future for our kids vote NPP so you can also benefit from it.
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Buddhist Monday, 22 January 2024 04:52 PM
NPP should join SJB and form a coalition to hold the position of Prime Minister and Minister of Law and Order.
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Yohan Wickramasinghe Monday, 22 January 2024 05:29 PM
NPP is the only available viable option we have now, dumb critiques like these will only pave the way to the crooks who kept destroying our lives all this time to get to power, I guess that's the intention. People - we are not dumb now to not see it through. SJB, UNP, PA, SLFP are basically all the same, pointless even comparing between them, but I wish they all form a common alliance, so we could dump them into the trash can together at last. Known devils are no longer needed, they are all trash. NPP is the true selection of the people for the people. It's our last chance to bring into power a people's government than supporting the kurundiwatta Colombo 07 crooks (I too represent this partially sadly) from looting our tax money again for generations to come. Good luck NPP
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sss Monday, 22 January 2024 05:47 PM
There is no dilemma. Stopping and and prosecuting the run away corruption is the one and only issue. Without stopping this lawlessness in every corner of governing Sri Lanka will not survive in its present form
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Ruwan Monday, 22 January 2024 06:29 PM
I don't know who the writer of this article is. But it's an excellent piece. Very fair comment. I totally agree with it.
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Tissa Fernando Monday, 22 January 2024 06:55 PM
The JVP leader is playing music to the angry public who think that the country is bankrupt because some specific politicians robbed billions. But the corruption is grass rooted and production is at the lowest level. Even the security guard at public hospitals are corrupt. How can he definitely imprison millions of corrupt people. He just wants the power to unleash foreign agendas.
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Gunadasa Monday, 22 January 2024 06:56 PM
NPP should now explain how they find money to implement their plans such as increase salaries, decrease income tax and VAT, decrease fuel and electricity prices, start local industries, start new medical faculties etc. Some NPP supporters foolishly believe NPP could bring stolen money back to the country within a few days after NPP coming to power and spend that money for all the government requirements
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johan Monday, 22 January 2024 06:59 PM
That means do you want the robbers and lords to rule the country again.
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Deepthi Monday, 22 January 2024 08:05 PM
We all have some concerns about NPP. But we have much more serious issues with parties and associated politicians who ruled this country for 75 years. During that time these parties racially divided the country, curbed economic prosperity of the people, and robbed the country in the daylight. So it’s hilarious when the writers raise concerns about NPP’s fitness while keeping the blind eye to the culprits who destroyed the country.
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Miasi Monday, 22 January 2024 08:47 PM
I really do not understand how do some absurd people lets give jvp a chance since they have not ruled us! Are we to forget they were behind that every govt was in power since jvp' inception? They blocked the 70-77 govt as early as 71 and pave the way for JR to come and destroy the country. Then they opted bloody violence and turned the country into a blood bath. They were then behind to bring chandrika, mahinda and siriaena. Even ranil by went against GR. So it is clear that JVP has been part of governing SL even though they pretend as saints.
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maha Monday, 22 January 2024 08:55 PM
Public Fund Robbers are early panic, fear they would behind bars..
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Reza Monday, 22 January 2024 10:12 PM
NPP should rule now. The others tried and ruined for last 75 years. Cannot get any worse. NPP will win very very big. The poor and middle class vote And the entire Muslim vote is with them.
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sss Monday, 22 January 2024 11:25 PM
What a joke. This hit piece trying to convince the readers that SL law enforcement machinery and judiciary system is honest and functioning to the letter. If not the most corrupt it is one of the most corrupt system in the world
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dont blame one side Monday, 22 January 2024 11:44 PM
why your afraid about NPP ?y they cant do as the said do you think during MR regime all revenge has been done through judiciary procedure ? NPP can make new law as to punish the corrupted politician as they said .....so y you think that that is a rhetoric language? i think now all realized that NPP is in the position to occupy the presidency chair......
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Deepthi Tuesday, 23 January 2024 02:11 AM
They are no saints by any means. There are no saints in politics and saints are not suitable for politics. To me, they are the best option we have for now? Any other suggestions?
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Wilson J Tuesday, 23 January 2024 02:19 AM
The rise of the JVP is connected to the fall of Rajapaksas. Like a see-saw. SJB will never punish Rajapaksas or recover losses from them as their leaders are family friends.
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Dee Tuesday, 23 January 2024 05:19 AM
This ‘Sarrozy’ seems to be one of those digital contributors from overseas! It is such people who acted similarly in November 2019 and ruined the country. Our people believe any story of told nicely! The levels of comprehension is pretty low. When they realize their mistake, they act as they they are not responsible and get on the streets- that was the Aragaley!
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Thimal Samarajeewa Tuesday, 23 January 2024 12:54 PM
It is like Charles Dwain's theory of evaluation where every living being change when the time goes on. It is common to JVP too. NPP is analogues to vyath maga and real driving force is JVP. My only hope is JVP will not abundant the NPP like GR did with Vyath Maga as VM drop outs claim now.
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Percy Tuesday, 23 January 2024 12:35 PM
Eradicate corruption, then you are the man, good luck. Also, the unemployed are making money in thousands, doing cash in hand, casual jobs, and evading tax, rope them in.
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