An Eulogy for Sri Lankan Cricket

It’s that time where we say goodbye to our nation’s beloved sport, Cricket.

We’ve certainly seen a lot, which I do not want to mention in detail. The heights that we’ve reached as a Cricketing nation are, to say the least, extreme. From underdogs to world renown champs, we’ve seen ’em all.

There were a couple of instances where the World Cup itself was gifted to the neighbouring country, courtesy of H.E. Mahinda Rajapaksa, but then those times are also gone. Why you ask? Well, it was to make up for, writing off land to the Chinese, Harbouring Chinese War Wessels etc.We can’t piss off the Indian government, you see. Provides us with so much of naval protection and even voted against us at the UNHRC in 2014. Gotta love ’em!

Coming back to my eulogy, yesterday the 19th July of 2015 was a sad day, for Sri Lankan Cricket fans all around the world. We witnessed something so shameful, it made us wonder if we were watching India playing against some other country. Whatever happened, it shouldn’t have ended up that way, which puts the lives of Pakistani players at risk.

Pakistan as a nation, has put up with so much during the past. They’re being continuously accused for harbouring terrorists from Afghanistan, starting a war against India, getting the entire SL cricket team almost killed in 2009, the recent bombing outside the Gaddafi stadium when Zimbabwe was playing them, etc. Add to that the number of match fixers and bans on bowlers inside the team, and still they’ve managed to come out on the top. You just gotta give credit to the entire team for holding their heads cool and high.

In any case, the International cricketing world would see this stone pelting incident as a fan outrage, since Sri Lanka was on its path to a match losing situation.

However, in the light of recent events, there seems to be another sport Sri Lankans should definitely excel at; Marbles, or as you call it here, ජිල්!

PS: I was not surprised, when a bunch of MR supporters told me this morning, that this is to be expected since Muslims were given so much power by Ranil Wickremasinghe. For crying out loud, what happened was a clash between two local Muslims groups, who supported Pakistan and the other, Sri Lanka. Nothing to do with another civil war or a power surge, for that matter!

Maithripala Sirisena’s 100 Day Programme

Wish you all a new Maithri era first of all !! A time where corruption, family ruling and Ethanol is battled by good governance. A time for us to get together in good faith to make a better Sri Lanka. A stable government, and a peaceful country moving forward with a balanced economy and steady development.

Apologies for the delay in getting this post done sooner but we shall keep this updated as and when things happen.

2015 January

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10th Saturday
The new president Maithripala Sirisena takes oath.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe also took oaths

11th Sunday
The new cabinet ministers will be appointed along with the Prime Minister.
27 Cabinet ministers, 10 State ministers & 8 Deputy ministers were appointed

12th Monday
Appointment of a National Advisory Council which will include all political parties which represents the parliament and other Civil Organizations.
One day behind schedule!
It has been renamed to National Executive Council.
The council consists of President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, JHU leader Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, Democratic Party leader Sarath Fonseka, and leader of All Ceylon Muslim Congress Minister, Rishad Bathiudeen.

19th Monday
Gathering at the Parliament
A day behind schedule.
The posts of Speaker and deputy speaker remains unchanged
Tissa Attanayake refuses to sit in the opposition and leaves the parliament.

20th Tuesday
As per the proposal No.67/10, A supervisory committee would be appointed which doesn’t include members of the cabinet and chairmanship of this committee would represent all parties according to an agreement between the leaders of these parties. Standing Orders will also be amended.
This is also late.
However, all main party leaders have met to take a number of decisions.
JVP has been appointed to formulate a code of conduct for MPs.
New officers to be appointed to the Anti Bribery & Corruption Commission
Action to be taken on all political detainees in custody
Special investigations are to be held on the following.

• Lasantha Wickremetunge’s Assassination
• MP Joseph Pararajasingham’s Assassination
• MP Raviraj’s Assassination
• CID investigation against the conspiracy against the state
• Allegations made against the Economic Development Ministry and Basil Rajapakse
• Misuse of funds against Gotabaya Rajapakse
• Credit of funds (unconfirmed source) to Sajin Vaas Gunawardene’s accounts

21st Wednesday
Beginning the process of abolishing the Executive Presidency, and in its place establish an executive which comes via the cabinet and revoke the 18th amendment to the constitution and reinforce the Independent Judiciary Commission, Independent National Police Commission, Independent Public Services Commission, Independent Elections Commission, Independent Bribery Commission and an Independent Human Rights Commission through a 19th amendment to the constitution which is to be standardized as soon as possible.
Sarath Fonseka is cleared from all charges. His Generalship has been reinstated along with other benefits.
Fuel prices will be reduced from midnight. New price list is as follows.

• Kerosene Oil (1L) – Rs.65/- (reduced by Rs.16/-)
• Diesel (1L) – Rs.95/- (reduced by Rs.16/-)
• Super Diesel (1L) – Rs.110/- (reduced by Rs.23/-)
• Petrol Octane 92 (1L) – Rs.117/- (reduced by Rs.33/-)
• Petrol Octane 95 (1L) – Rs.128/- (reduced by Rs.30/-)

01 cabinet minister, 01 state minister and 04 deputy ministers have sworn in.

• A.H.M. Hazeem – Cabinet Minister of Muslim Religious Affairs
• Hassan Ali – State Minister of Health
• Ranjan Ramanayake – Deputy Minister of Social Welfare and Livestock Development
• Wasantha Aluvihara – Deputy Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment
• Ameer Ali – Deputy Minister of Housing and Samurdhi
• M. Thoufeek – Deputy Minister of Internal Transport

28th Wednesday
Appointing a new committee to bring up suggestions on revoking the preferential voting system and establish a new mixed system where every electorate is represented by a parliamentarian.
Said to be proposed in the new constitutional reforms.

29th Thursday
A new interim budget to be brought forward to the parliament where incentives will be provided to upgrade the life styles of the poor.
Done, and a good one!

30th Friday
Reducing direct/indirect taxes on necessities and increasing salaries.
Salaries to be increased by Rs.10,000/- for the gov’t sector starting from a Rs.5,000/- increment in February and the balance by June 2015.
A Rs.1,000/- increment for pensioners.
Tax of 25% on mobile reloads is no more.
A 15% tax reduction for vehicles which falls under 1000cc.

2015 February

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02nd Monday
Introducing a Code of Conduct to those who represent the people
Sadly, not done with this.

04th Wednesday
Independence day celebrations in a new Sri Lanka where good governance and sovereignty is valued
Celebrations were made at Parliament road.

05th Thursday
Implementing a special committee to investigate the frauds during the former regime
A committee headed by the PM, Ranil Wickremasinghe is in motion also known as the Committee Against Corruption (CAC)

06th Friday
Adoption of the National Medicinal Drugs Policy upon approval by the cabinet
Approved

18th Wednesday
Appointment of Independent commissions and its officers
Nope

19th Thursday
Presenting the National Audit Bill
Nope

20th Friday
Presenting a Right to Information Act
Nope

2015 March

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02nd March
Implementing new rules and regulations according to the suggestions that were made about the new mixed system, which is to be put in place of the preferential votes system
Nope

17th Tuesday
Tabling the suggestions made above to the parliament and passing ASAP
Nope

18th Wednesday
Passing the National Medicinal Drugs Policy at the parliament
Passed

19th Thursday
Passing the National Audit Bill
Nope

20th Friday
Passing the Right to Information Act
Nope

23rd Monday
Appointment of the Constitutional Commission in order to implement Independent Commissions

2015 April

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20th Monday
Starting the process of abolishing the Executive Presidency and implementing the new system in its place.

23rd Thursday
Dissolving the parliament after the 23rd and conducting a fair election under a caretaker government.
Presenting the Prime Minister position to the party with the highest number of seats.
A new cabinet which represents all political parties.
Under the new National Government, creating a new political culture to deal with the challenges that the country face.

First Family’s, First Class ආතල්

I hope first of all that everyone had the chance to cast their vote today.

Today is a very special day to all of us Sri Lankans. It is today that young Rocket Rohitha came to a polling booth to cast his very first vote. How cute. Here’s the Kodak moment of his arrival.

Mahinda මාමා was also there surrounded by the PSD and media. However today, he brought along a very special guest with him. Take a look.

Recognize the outfit? No, not Jawaharlal Nehru, not Narendra Modi and not even Maithripala Sirisena. This is one home bred dummy, like the one Prabhakaran used during his days. Can’t blame Mahinda මාමා for playing one last trick too. Paw noh for him and the family. Underestimating his rival has made him do things that true SLFP supporters would be ashamed of trying even.

Today, the 8th of January would go down as the day that people made a difference in our history. Except for the fact that the Presidential Election was held today, the 8th also goes down in the history books for another reason. Today’s the day that our beloved friend, Lasantha Wickrematunge was slained by a gang who barricaded his car and shot him to death. Where there was no justice, his pen did the talking. Unfortunately for us many, it also made him a victim of injustice. The whole cover up of an investigation is yet to produce a solid fact towards bringing the case to an end.

“When finally they kill me, it will be the government that kills me” is what he said in one of his editorials titled ‘Then they came for me‘ just before his death, and the government made sure that promise was kept. Shame on them!

What he has left with us is not just a blood rush to the head. A yearning which draws one towards condemning what is wrong from right. For giving many of us the courage, to showing the path towards righteousness, the will to keep going when many say not to, and for the sake of free journalism, I salute you brother, till we meet in another lifetime.