Many Sri Lankans want a strongman leader, and that favors Gotabaya Rajapaksa
Sri Lankans, angered by the government’s inability to prevent the Easter Sunday terror attacks that killed more than 250 people, want a strongman back in power who can guarantee their safety and bring back economic growth.
Many are rooting for Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who despite fighting allegations of war crimes, is expected to be announced as the presidential candidate of the opposition nationalist Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party, as early as Sunday.
The Rajapaksa brothers, Gotabaya and Mahinda, were credited with bringing peace to Sri Lanka in 2009 by defeating the Tamil Tigers in a brutal end to the 26-year-long civil war between the Sinhalese Buddhist majority and minority Tamil groups. Gotabaya was the defense secretary at the time and Mahinda the nation’s president.
“The people have requested a leader who can ensure their security,” Basil Rajapaksa, founder of the SLPP and youngest brother of Gotabaya and Mahinda told reporters on Thursday.
Gotabaya is facing lawsuits in the United States for instigating and authorizing the extrajudicial killing of a journalist and of war crimes against the Tamils during his time as defense secretary.
He has denied the allegations and said the lawsuits, brought by torture survivors and the daughter of the slain journalist, were timed to thwart his possible presidential run. A final date for the presidential elections has not been decided but must be held before Dec 9.
(Reuters)
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Not for long, people.
There will be many rushing to Courts against this nomination on various grounds including the nominee being a citizen of a foreign state.
After this nomination, many will stop blogging in Onlanka.
We have enjoyed freedoms of a variety since 2015.
The White van will be back in place. The White vans will arrive in fleets if there is any criticism of the R Family.
We will assist Onlanka (which is a truely democratic liberal forum, thanks to the Editorial team) to survive but refrain from blogging following the nomination of the White Van Leader of Pohottu.
‘Rushing to Courts’ or toilets? Just a simple question people accuse Gota for ‘White van’ (i really do not know why this van has to be White? Why not in Rain-bow colours? Current governnment came to power promising everything under the sun & the moon. What we got ISIS type terror killing and hundreds of Garbage from the west (who teach us how to live, HR, etc). From January 2015 they have accused Gota (White vans, Avenguard, Killer sharks, Lamborghinis, golden horses, funds in Dubai banks’. Have thy brought Gota to courts and put them in prison. Now you talk about people running to courts. This make me laugh brother!
A man was bludgeoned to death in Slave Island by five youth 18-24 for defending his girlfriend from being harrasssed. This country has no discipline. Gota is needed to bring control and prosperity back to the country. Professional Planning, strategy and execution is required. The current government is only interested in taking bribes, robbing the central bank and lining their own pockets. In the past 5 years, there is nothing visible to show.