Polls Chief says Fonseka eligible

26 January 2010 10:40 am - 156 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Elections Commissioner Dayananada Dissanayaka released a statement a short while ago stating that a candidate need not be a registered voter nor cast his vote in order to be eligible to run for office and thereby Sarath Fonseka is eligible to run for the post.

State media had earlier reported that Fonseka was not eligible to vote as he was a US citizen and was also not qualified to run for Presidency. General Fonseka however said the claims were baseless.

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Comments - 156

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 10:44 AM

there u r,

people prepare 4 change,
HE
IS
COMING

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 10:46 AM

MR once again you FAIL. time to say goodbyeeee.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 10:46 AM

Well, Well Well I hope and pray that when I wake up tomorrow morning SF is our next president.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 10:46 AM

thats gooooood.......

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 10:47 AM

Great.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 10:47 AM

This was known earlier. MR is having Jitters. India will give protection to him, Don't worry Gen.will give you and the family protection

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 10:47 AM

There you are. The last 24 hours of lies, cheating, state media abuse, shameful mudslinging and single family rule. Good bye king and corruption. Welcome the CHANGE we all waited for.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 10:47 AM

Thank You sir for clearing up things...........
Gosh ................ITN and Rupavahinie are going to town with this story..............

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 10:47 AM

'' Thereby opposition candidate Gen. Sarath Fonseka is eligible to run for the post of the 6th executive President of Sri Lanka.'' AND HE WILL BE THE 6th ....

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 10:48 AM

American citizen is going to be our president !
Jayawewa Sri Lanka
shyam

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 10:48 AM

this was a very low attempt by the government to take away voters from SF. i just switched Rupavahini on for a few mins and was utterly disgusted by Kohonoge's remarks. I don't know how he became a Pc if he doesn't even know how to interpret the constitution-it's 1st year law coll stuff!

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 10:49 AM

To run the 6th executive President of Sri Lanka, he should win first. I don't think he can win the election.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 10:49 AM

Excellent and well done sir,
we all respect and salute you

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 10:49 AM

Thank you!
State media on the other hand is stooping down to unimaginable lows... It's so shameful!

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 10:50 AM

Clerification is too late because the state media, which has done enough damage. Wish good luck for SF

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 10:50 AM

This shows that this officer was never interested in politics. His intentions are clean and very clear. Now more than ever

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 10:51 AM

the point is he lied to the fools who voted for him...and are their any more skeltons in his cupbord?

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 10:51 AM

Well said, Commissioner. The government seems to be hanging on to a flimsy straw as a last resort. We all know how a considerable number of genuine Sri Lankan citizens who have lived all their lives in Sri Lanka were denied their vote at the last presidential elections just because their names were not in the electoral list due to fraudulent activities of the grama sevakas.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 10:52 AM

SEE NOW....This regime and all their supporters are really A bunch of STUPID people, wasting all our time

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 10:52 AM

It may not be a matter of law, but a matter of carelessness by a presidential candidate. Who is more foolish than a man who forgets the most importanmt part of an election, a vote, more the all, his own vote...SF what more will you forget to do...Is forgetting mother Sri Lanka your next step??? what can we expect froma person like you....

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 10:52 AM

Great news. This should clarify the issue once and for all. and discourage the government from resorting to any unlawful measures. We believe in SF's "matter of fact" clarifications especially when faced with debacles of this sort, much more than in the hollow rhetoric of MR.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 10:53 AM

Thanks for god. Now you have to save this cuntry form looting Mahinda and hig thugs and restore law and order and good governance.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 10:53 AM

Do not worry my friends SF will still WIN

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 10:53 AM

Jaya wewa!!

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 10:54 AM

Now that the Election commissioner has dispelled any doubts on the eligibiiity of SF for presidency bi partisian comments that are being made should not matter at all.What matters now afterall is th peoples verdict

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 10:54 AM

Thanks to early voters ...! No significant damaged to SF votes in the evening...
Burana eun anee paw...

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 10:55 AM

Hope this will put and end to this madness.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 10:55 AM

jayaweva SF, your our president.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 10:56 AM

Yes... The Election Commissioner should be awarded a Unique Gold Medal, for his brave and prompt action. We are very proud of you, Sir.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 10:57 AM

It should be a law that a candidate at any level (PC, GE, or Presidential) must be a registered voter and eligible to vote.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 10:59 AM

Tuth will win. Well done SF

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 10:59 AM

OK. This statement ends the drama. What is clear is to what level our politicians go to hang on to power.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:00 AM

Why is this candidate being put pressure by some people. The more pressure is applied the more he will win.
" Every action has an equal reaction"

Appreciating the courage and determination of the Elections Commissioner to conduct a free and fair election in the first decade of the 21st century.

Awaiting for your official announcement of the results.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:00 AM

Excellent news!

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:00 AM

maybe not required to vote, but probably the only guy who contested without voting!

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:01 AM

no one can stop you becoming the president of the country.All the wishes are with you Genaral. Make the country and the attitudes of narrow minded people. whole country is wishing you. Give us a good country.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:02 AM

Mr. WW, so what's your new story? don't say the elections commissioner is nuts or the SL constitution is wrong. State media? how much of airtime you wasted on this matter? should verify facts before becoming a 'national joke'

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:05 AM

Shame on MR campaigners. Thouands of govt workers worked for MR and a massive amount of govt resources were spent.
But no one was able to find this problem of SF until the last half hour.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:05 AM

""Not Registered to vote but eligible to run the presidency"" Funiest law of the country.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:06 AM

It is either the EC or SF who should take the complete blame for SF not getting the opportunity to vote. SF is partly to blame since he didn't bother to check why he hadn't recieved his poling card. Is he so careless? The EC who boasts that all's in order should take the complete responsibility for disenfranchising so many voters through the negligence of officials concerned above whom he has complete authority.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:08 AM

Shame on state media, engaged in ugly propaganda. It is not seem as bright future of our country

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:08 AM

Was there a question about it ?

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:08 AM

When someone watches Rupavahini and listen to the people likes of Weerawansa, Kongahage, "a media person" Hemantha Silva and the word twisting done by the female news presenter (I am positive that she must be wishing a "Suba Anagathayak" for herself at Rupavahini), It clearly shows what a dirty level this country has fallen to. Rupavahini has become a field where the government saws the seeds of hatred politics.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:14 AM

havent you been to school brother? soical study is week ,get a class soon.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:14 AM

Well done the Election commissioner, hope you will declare By Tomorrow His Excellency General Sarath Fonseka as Our New president

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:15 AM

Needless to say, this election will go down in history as one of the most tightly contested elections and one which had a surprising and shocking twist to it with just over an hour before the polls closed for voting. Its also appalling to see how the state media conducted themselves before and during the election to bring disgrace and discredit to the main opposing candidate. While hoping fervently that all this will end peacefully and in a fair manner, I sincerely hope that Gen. Sarath Fonseka did not lose a considerable amount of the peoples vote and trust due to the controversy which arose.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:15 AM

Question is why didn't he tell this before. EC cannot define law. It has to come trough courts.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:15 AM

not registered to vote because the officials who have to enter the name in the list haven't doné their job bit eligible to run because SF has sri lankan blood running in him. RAW SRI LANKAN LION'S BLOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:17 AM

Over and over again we find cheap politicians with cheap little tricks. If they make it so difficult for our next president to vote imagine the common man's plight!! God shall bless you and we shall be blessed by your great victory!

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:19 AM

Thanks Mr Dissanayake,
You enlightened us on the doubt.You are the authority entrusted for such matters.
I was listening to Wimal Weeravanse interpreting the law few minutes ago on Rupawahini taking the law on to his hand. What a shame that State TV allowed such an uneducated politicians to speak on a sensitive topic like this

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:20 AM

This is a common sence
"IF YOU ARE NOT REGISTERED TO VOTE , HOW THE HELL THAT PERSON CAN CONTEST "
funny , funny , funny

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:21 AM

Surprised that the E.C. has just released a statement. Sorry, but was he otherwise busy. All of us were waiting for confirmation. Please, release statements early.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:21 AM

The Elections Dept has not registered so many hundreds of thousands of voters.Is SF to be dis qualified for an administrative arrror ?

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:22 AM

R M P,Does it matter when he was fitting with LTTE and sacrificing his life?

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:23 AM

Election Commissioner, You are Great! Greater!! Greatest!!!

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:24 AM

Another attempt to win the election. No one competent to qualify for election hereafter, except one family!!!!!

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:25 AM

Whether he si eligable or not He is winnin\g

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:26 AM

R M P - machan enough with the baila....he was the commander of the army for godsake....you dont need to be registered as a voter to be able to run any govt institution or be president for that matter.... all you need is to be a citizen of this country and have the right to vote...
just because he wasn't registered does not mean he doesn't have the right to vote

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:27 AM

end of MR regime.At last. Poor efforts by govt.media.
the real Gobels tactics.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:28 AM

Boruvahini told SF is not eligible to vote.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:32 AM

Dear SF
Your first duty ,as president is to punish lawfully the culprits who tried to mislead the public on aboe matter .Also kindly make some arrangements so as not to happen this type ugly things in the future specially using govt properties.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:32 AM

So whoever voted for SF voted for an American?! LOL!! And anybody anywhere in the world can come and run for presidency in SL?

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:34 AM

wé need good governance in place to protect our mother lanka from political disaster. Wé need professionnel in proper place to manage thé economy .sri lankan custom official has to be monitored by outside authority to protect thé bribery transaction and undeclared illegal income .

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:35 AM

come on.. general.no worries.we know that ur not scared for any one.take ur battle only until tomorrow.you will reach success

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:36 AM

Sri Lanka allows dual Citizenship. Fonseka is not a born American he is a born Sri Lankan and has American green card too. So he can cast his vote and .....

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:36 AM

in this country anything possible, somethings impossible!!!!!

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:36 AM

my god......any other surprises???

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:36 AM

It is a shame on SF, if he has not secure his fundamental right to vote.. how can he ensure that 20 million peoples rights are secured...!

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:37 AM

SF could not vote as his name was not registered. so whats the big deal that he did not vote, He is still a citizen of this country and can run for the presidency. State media hogs if Sf is a citizen of the US, then howcome Basil and Gota casted their vote

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:37 AM

He was not there in the country during the time of registration.
He was in US to renew his Green Card, which he thought more important to him.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:38 AM

wHAT HAS THE STATE MEDIA GOT TO DO WHEN THE MAN HAS FAILED WITH HIS HOUSEHOLD DUTIES.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:38 AM

Well said Sir , we are really proud of you Mr.Dissanayake . You have showed the world that you are a person with a spine. Don't be suprised if these same idiots will say that you were not eligible to conduct the elections by tomorrow morning . They know that they have been truely defeated by educated voters of our country . Once again a big thank you from all citizens of our country to Mr.Dissanayake!

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:38 AM

is there any positive report about the opposition candidate SF
in their state media's history.dont know when they will change their attitude.....probabely tommorrow or never

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:39 AM

state media and government should first know the election laws of the country before jumping the gun.

What's is the point talking about 40 years expeirance in politics.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:41 AM

that maybe coz he must have changed his residential premises or some related reason. pity you (RMP) are ignorant about practical problems that could prevail

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:44 AM

Well . if the leader does not vote , the most important democratic right of all, how can we expect the same leader to protect democratic rights of the people.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:45 AM

Hope Elections Commissioner did his home work before he made the statement.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:45 AM

DEAR RMP, THESE ARE TWO SEPARATE ISSUES. REGISTERING TO VOTE MAY BE DENIED BY SEVERAL REASONS. THESE PROBLEMS CAN BE CREATED BY YOUR OPPONENT ALSO

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:47 AM

this is turning out to be a real drama.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:48 AM

May be SFs voting card was mysteriously made to got lost by those in power. Who knows?

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:48 AM

Obviously he was not interested in democratic norms.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:49 AM

It is very strange that while the EC requires every voter to be registered in the Electoral Register, he does not think it necessary that people who run for office should be responsible enough to see that they have their own voter rights? This shows a conflicting argument. A pertinent question might then be: Is the EC doing a CYA???
Even if on a technicality of law the EC may be correct, it shows that Gen. Fonseka has shown that this nation CANNOT be entrusted to him when he has not seen to it that his own franchise is ensured. This is sloppiness to say the least!
At the end of the day, if Gen. Fonseka wins the election, this might end up in the Supreme Court. As citizens we can only hope that we will not have more subterfuge from that august body as they did with the 13th Amendment!!

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:49 AM

Anyway this law looks funny...

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:49 AM

When this episode was on I tuned in to Rupavahini (or ITN) - which channels I normally avoid. One should see the joy, and happiness, and relief as expressed (vocally & from the facial expressions) amongst the three announcers . Infact the English announcer takes the cake !
It is really a crying shame for this type of behaviour from a channel belonging to Sri Lankans.
"Concerned Citizen "

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:50 AM

I agree with you. Hasim.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:50 AM

At last justice prevails in this country. Over a technical point, if the wishes of the people of this country, is subject to suppression, where is so called DEMO CRAZY?

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:55 AM

MahesL - please take your head out where u have buried it and realise that while you were registering yourself in the 2008 voting register, this man was busy trying to win a bloody war. How easily you forget that the govt for some mysterious reason decided against using the 2009 list, where SF was registered. your narrowmindedness baffles me

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:57 AM

The question is is he eligible to vote? The elections commissioner has not answered that question. Perhaps ex CJ can tell us something. He was good in making laws to fit the situations.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:59 AM

Taken the masses for a ride before he becomes the President !

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 11:59 AM

he is a sri lanka citizen and is eligible to vote... the problem here is his registration in the 2008 voter list that was used for the 2010 elections....thats all.... hes candidacy is perfectly legal

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:00 PM

If the name is not in the list, he's not eligible to vote. Still he can contest.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:00 PM

Desperate People do desperate and say desperate stories. Drowing men grabing at straws...

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:01 PM

Voting is not part of "protecting" the rights. But part of "exercising" the right. Voting or not voting is a right and not only voting.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:02 PM

Harry, he does not need the voting card to cast his vote.
Problem is he's not listed. Secondly he did not reveal it until the last moment.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:04 PM

for every bodies information His Excellency to be SF was fighting the war, while all of us were registering for eligibility to vote, if he was not doing that you guy would have been not having this election

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:04 PM

Once a person becomes a permanent citizen of another country there is no moral ground to vote in the former country unless he is dual citizen. True he is not a citizen in USA yet but his intentions are to become one.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:06 PM

Let the state media bark whatever they want until 5am tomorrow but we can confirm, the same media will tell the truth after 6am tomorrow.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:06 PM

The last trump of mud-slinging of MRvahini too back-fired as usual. Why didn't they challenge SF's candidacy on this point immediately after the nominations? They knew the true position and that the case would be thrown out. They used the last hour of the poll hopimg to do some damage as the counter-measure would take time.
This is good material for SF to file an election petition in case he loses. I don't think this will be necessary. They say Kongahage is a lawyer? If so this this malicious lie is enough to disqualify him too!

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:11 PM

Don't worry SF, you will become the next president in SL anyway...

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:11 PM

All you need is be a citizen of SL and be over 30 years and not have had a criminal record. SF is only having residency in US but is a SL citizen as he has not renounced it. He is qualified for Presidency.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:15 PM

Don't worry SF. Although you couldn't vote millions of people have already voted to make you the president tomorrow. Bye bye MR, time to pack.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:16 PM

what's the fuss.he is asking the mandate from the Sri Lankan citizens, not from himself.
Even if he got the chance to vote, he would have voted for himmself. We have enough of this type of narcissistic crap.
better start in a new perspective that got rid of promoting himself from the first step of the road to the presidency.We can say without a doubt he is our man and he is not for himself.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:16 PM

The elections commissioner cannot give a verdict on this issue as it is a violation of the Constituition.If SF wins the Court will have to decide because the candidate has to be an elector registered in the electoral list

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:18 PM

What a funny law... hehe...

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:21 PM

I am sure there is some mischief involved in SF's vote fiasco.Few months ago GN (Grama Niladari) visited my residence to distribute my voter registration form,when he came to collect the completed forms, there was no one at home.Later on I visited him several times to hand over the document,but could not meet him,he has gone on official duty (?) i was told ; the documents are still with me!.Last time I got registered as a voter was year 2007,but still I received my polling cards for this election.If I could not register as a voter,how come I got the chance vote this time?EC it is up to you to probe this :-D; I am ready to testify.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:23 PM

He should never have been eligible in the first place. It is a sad day for our country when a glorified security guard is talked of as the next President.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:23 PM

why??? SF will hav a good presidency

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:24 PM

Dimuthu and Navin:
I understand that he did not vote in the 2005 election either...probably does not believe in Democracy to begin with!

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:30 PM

No to wonder, Donkey's don't have votes in Sri Lanka.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:33 PM

Kalawedda's do not have voting power in SL

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:36 PM

No SF can, he is a clean man. He was the person who gave leadership to win the war, not MR!

He has 40 years experience in military service. There are many leaders in the world who had come from military service.

Straightforward people do not rob innocent people's money. These people are robbing people's money. We must stop that.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:36 PM

This is real joke ' what MR government did at the end of the election . they tried to to destroy voters' mind . People know well who is wrong and who is correct. If SF is not a citizen how he became a government office and why EC accept is nomination. other thing is any body can have duel citizens.

Finlay , action has to be taken by the relent authority against this offense.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:40 PM

The very reason this constitution needs replacement. Although put in place with good intentions in wrong hands its worst than a multi barrel gun. More favourable for wrong doings. The constitution's ARTICLE 31 clears any misconceptions. Whether right or wrong we have to abide by that. Going to SC the Judges will have to interpret the article and it is clear and simple. These will need to be corrected in the future.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:42 PM

imagine Executive President has no voting power in Sri Lanka... this is very funny.. JVP leaders wat is ur answer now... ??

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:47 PM

We made World's First Woman Prime Minister with out contesting 1960 July Elections.

IF so, why not First non political president after 50 years!

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:47 PM

Navin

absolutely you are correct. people must be aware real situation.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:50 PM

SF will be the president from tomorrow

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:54 PM

SF has not even bothered to register to vote in Sri Lanka. Imagine a man like this is going to rule the country.
JVP and UNP had not other alternative and they fielded this joker.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:55 PM

Well said.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:55 PM

Guys,
I think the main point is, he is eligible contest, however he knew this before hand that he do not have a polling card, and he can’t vote and not registered, Fact of the matter is SF did not come clean with it, he hided this fact till the voting day so that he can cheat on voters perspective of the same matter. Shame on SF for hiding a matter for his advantage, but this is the 100% pure president & honest and clean candidate Remember ppl…

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:56 PM

NEXT SRI LANKAN PRESIDENT: SARATH FONSEKA

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:57 PM

First Job of next Parliament.

Please made laws to make compulsory every Sri Lankan to have NIC, register as voter and vote at any election.

Please do not allow any dual citizend to get in to Govt. service. Since we have re sold the citizenship with a sign document from the President of the country) to the people who gave up the original sri lankan birth right we may not cancell the Dual citizen ship now like its prevail in India , Singapore etc.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:57 PM

What if SF loses by just 1 vote??? Hehehehe! :)))

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:58 PM

i had to honestly burst out laughing at this.... you are right!

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 12:59 PM

ur very right PC

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 01:09 PM

This is all MR & Co gundu... Gen.SF is our PRESIDENT....!!!

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 01:10 PM

you should not forget, when we were filling our election forms, whatever you call it, he was busy fighting the LTTE while our 'patriotic' leaders were trying to get political advantage of it by conducting provincial council election.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 01:10 PM

Says Who?? constitution does not say that

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 01:11 PM

This happens to almost every military person especially (Volunteers and recently retired) unless his family put down his name in the list.We have to review our Postal voting system to military and Police personnel.This is a very good indicator how as Sri Lankans boasting of military victory neglected our own military.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 01:15 PM

Your Glorified Security Guard fought the war for you,then you believed him.Insults donot take us any where.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 01:20 PM

By looking at some coments here, I wonder even animals can write English. These people must be from antother planet to insult gentleman lik Fonseka but country is ruled by animals and you can not expect respect from them

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 01:26 PM

An interesting anecdote - In a previous election (quite some time ago) a very civic minded citizen, helped the candidate by going tothe polling station (earlier) at cast the candidates vote ! If I remember right, the candidate was Hector Kobbeckaduva. To recaste a quotation, I should say "such is this state of Denmark". . Oops I nearly said Norway !

"voter"
(

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 01:27 PM

Strange that there is no outrage from all these SF supporters who spent hours working on his campaign and persuading voters to vote for him, that he did not take the trouble to ensure that a fundamental aspect of democracy...his voting rights... were ensured.
How can he be expected to ensure that the voting rights of the people,.that democracy and sovereignty of the nation, are secure?

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 01:28 PM

@ Rafiq - that "glorified security guard" was once called The World's Greatest Army Commander, by the President's brother no less.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 01:30 PM

It is as per the constitution, therefore nobody can just change it just to take political advantage. So PLEASE relax for the next 24hrs till the final results are announced. SF ge Jaya Niyathai!

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 01:30 PM

Not to worry, nobody, now a days, takes gov. media serious.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 01:40 PM

don't just comment without knowing the facts...MR and his gang do enough of it without you needing to join in!

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 01:42 PM

he has applied, but they have not registered him. just like many of us who were not put on the list. another govt ploy to be sure!
and anyway, the constitution says president needs to be an elgible to vote, but not that he must be registered in the current register.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 01:46 PM

Harshana, now I know why you don't have a vote.
Rafiq - is it because of this glorified guard that you are alive today?

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 01:50 PM

WELL ALL people blaming about state media... Just imagine if this thing has done by MR ..... if then so called SIRASA & others main story for next 6 months will be it. Commented people doesn't have real heart or mind......

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 01:51 PM

IS barak obama originally from USA? IS Sonia Gandi orginally from India? If they have GRANTED permission to vote in other country AND to be a president or prime minister? So Why Sarath Fonseka cannot vote who is purely born and bred in this mother land? MR and his subordinates are so smart in doing things at the last movement? They want to telecast this news only after vote ballots are taken to counting centers. IF THIS NEWS WAS TELECASED IN THE MORNING IN RUPAWAHINI AND ITN, MR AND HIS 42 ADVICERS MIGHT HAVE THOUGHT THAT MR WILL LOOSE SOME MORE VOTES. BECAUSE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY MAY THINK THAT ITS AN UNREASONABLE & CONSPIRE OF THE RUELING PARTY.............WHAT A ROYAL KING....SHA....KEEP IT UP CHEERS........ BUT ELECTION COMMISSIONER TOOK RIGHT DECISION. THANKS COMMISIONER...TRUTH ALWAYS SHOULD WIN...CORRUPTION SHOULD DESTORY IN THIS COUNTRY totally....

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 01:55 PM

Why MR and his subordinates so smart in doing things like this to person who born and bred this motherland? The answer is fear for SF's victory........

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 02:02 PM

this certainly has turned out to be the most anticipated elections in the history of Sri Lanka and i cant wait for change to happen

The thing is i didn't get to vote due to my name not being on the election list, all this is low handed gimmicks for which i hope the ruling party will pay for...

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 02:02 PM

Shyam u hv accepted him as da srilankan next president
cheers

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 02:09 PM

I am not regsitered as a voter because i shifted residence and havent registered under the new residence. Do I lose all my rights as a citizen of this country??

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 02:30 PM

rupavahini & Itn have descended to even lower levels than ever could be imagined. Even at the final hour they were trying to take votes away from SF/ unfortunetaly they have aleady flung so much mud at him that his fans dont beleive a word dished out by these 2 channels.so all this drama was ineffective.
also for those of u who dare to criticize this hero who has done yeoman service to his mother land . for not being eligible to vote u dont seem to know the law of the land. so pls get it inot yr collective heads that many ppl are ineligible due to beaurocratic bungling. if he was nto registered in 2008 it is impossible to correct it now.
he is only able to see to it wen the registers are updated this year.

so the fact that ehs not registered to vote has nothig to do with being a citizen of this country.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 02:37 PM

NEW SRI LANKA NEW PRESIDENT

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 02:53 PM

It should be asked from the responsible authorities who has not registered him in the list even though he applied for the registration. This is the inefficiency of government not the fault of SF. SF would protect everyone's democratic rights in the country as he has to face this situation. MR supporters are making these kind of captious arguments because MR is losing his presidency.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 02:56 PM

For god sake plz wake up
He has not forgotten!!!!!!!!!!!!!! he has been fighting da war @ dat time
Thats how he saved da nation 4 u & me
This iz also a mud slinging @ da last moment, which failed

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 02:56 PM

This shows your disinterest in politics while in the army. We raise your hats to you sir. We need a-politic soldiers to uphold standards and prestige of the armed forces, Gen.Denis Perera was an excellent example. Todate he is respected by every soldier and you too will be respected.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 03:01 PM

Where? In America?

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 03:03 PM

Fully agree with your comments. At last he has become bold and upholds his role.

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 03:04 PM

RUZAICK ABDEEN,

NEW LANKA = CORRUPTED PRESIDENCY...

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 04:25 PM

SF is a green card holder & not a citizen. However our defense secretary is a citizen. As a US citizen he has sworn to protect US interests. Then how can he have any authority over our armed forces?

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 05:51 PM

SF was fighting a bloody war, until May 2009, and the last thing on his mind would have been to contact a Grama Niladhari and go through the formalities. The government is aware that he is eligible, but is trying to confuse people and hang-on to the last straw!

Tuesday, 26 January 2010 10:26 PM

He is NOT running for Presidency in SL!

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