New Constitution shouldn’t undermine war victory: Gota

7 September 2017 10:00 pm - 22 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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A new Constitution or Parliament shouldn’t be allowed to reverse the victories which were accomplished by uniting the country after defeating terrorism, former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said.

Speaking at the launch of ‘Eliya’ (light) Forum in Colombo on Wednesday, Mr. Rajapaksa said people fear that the accomplished victories would be scraped by bringing in a new Constitution.

“This is why experts coming from different fields decided to create the ‘Eliya’ to enlighten the public about the new Constitution. We want to inform the people that the new Constitution should not be brought in,” he said.

He admitted that there were shortcomings of the current Constitution but said the motives behind the introduction of a new Constitution were dreadful.

“The same group which collected funds for the LTTE and supplied weapons to them, are today attempting to achieve what they couldn’t accomplish from terrorism. The new Constitution is a necessity of separatist Tamil politicians and international organisations which attempted to hinder the war against the LTTE,” he said.

He said they have no faith in the government which is attempting to introduce the new Constitution.

“We saw how the government assured army leaders that the Office of Missing Persons (OMP) would not be set up. However, it was established later on. The government always said it would protect war heroes but today a large number of soldiers had been imprisoned,” Mr. Rajapaksa charged.

Ven. (Prof.) Medagoda Abhayatissa Thera, Rev. Fr. Wimal Thirimanna, Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka, Sarath Weerasekara, Thamara Kunanayagam, Manohara de Silva PC, Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Rushdi Habeeb and Dr. Seetha Arambepola also addressed the forum.

Members of clergy, a number of politicians, including former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, artistes, academics and professionals attended the event. (Lahiru Pothmulla)

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Comments - 22

raj Friday, 08 September 2017 03:59 AM

is he afraid of war crimes? He doesn't have to worry about it because the president will protect all war criminals as he mentioned in the recent meeting. Mr.Sampanthan and Mr.Sumanthiran would certain help to protect war criminals as well.

Perumal Friday, 08 September 2017 08:42 AM

The opposite of what Gota says is more correct. The war victory should not undermine a new constitution uniting all communities.

Hari M Friday, 08 September 2017 04:25 AM

Time to push these racially motivated politics played by Mr, Gota and their gang while stealing the wealth and selling the country to the foreigners. All Srilankans should unite to build the country than follow this bankrupt politicians...

Park Friday, 08 September 2017 05:39 AM

Gotabaya is trying to save his neck from the legal actions against him. If he thinks the proposed constitution is bad for SL, then he should have the guts to point out which clauses are bad. He cannot find any so he makes blanket statements. Do we need budding politicians like him?

Gamini Silva Friday, 08 September 2017 05:55 AM

Voters will need to approve the new constitution in a referendum in addition to having a 2/3 majority approval in Parliament (unlike how the 18th amendment was passed!). So ultimately the voters will have their say. We do not want Gota, the murderer, preaching to us. Your days are gone never to be given power again due to the atrocities / corruption during your glory days. You should be behind bars.

lion Friday, 08 September 2017 06:20 AM

These people assume that this country belonged to them after wining the war. They own the war wanted people not to question what ever they do. That was the thinking of this family. They have no way to capture power again unless they instigate the dead LTTE and the religious and communal feeling of the people of this country specially the majority Sinhalese Buddhist. But they should reliase that era is over. People know what their aim and the stratagey. What feeling this man has for this country a man who send an air craft to swissterland bring a pet to his wife. Swindle billions when buying fighter jets. Having huge tanks to put live sharks in his house. Who built tombs in the memory of his parents. These all shows what feeling you and your family has for the poor man of this country, WE know who you are we are counting the days to see that you are roped in together with a your brothers face justice and also you all should be tried for crime against humanity.

Snowy Friday, 08 September 2017 06:33 AM

Sorry Mr. Gota, the war song is now not on the charts. Now we want is live as one in peace. Please do back to the supper market you worked and help fill the shelves.

Dr. A.C.B. Jayaweera Friday, 08 September 2017 08:57 AM

Best advice to Gotta is to go back and work as a Sores Helper in the Super Market in USA, that was his job earlier.

Dr. M. Edward Perera Germany Friday, 08 September 2017 06:45 AM

The light is vital to life. Without light no life on earth. Idea is yet inaugural and preliminary. Through past experience, I would say that many started with light but ended up with darkness due to the act of deviation from the inceptive motif. I have no intention to discourage Gota, who is known to me personally for several decades. The major obstruction to the aim could be the people whom he associates but I am sure he has the energy to accomplish his duty. I personally do not agree with the 20th Amendment of the constitution as it could bring adverse effects to the country.

Premalal Friday, 08 September 2017 06:57 AM

How long do we gloat over a war victory over our own countrymen?

cheers Friday, 08 September 2017 09:06 AM

We had the war for 30 years you or your father would have not suffered but the entire country suffered and lots of lives lost were you in SL or else where

Premalal Friday, 08 September 2017 12:17 PM

We had a brutal war, because the majority community periodically brutalised the minority and the minority decided to fight back. May be your father and grandfather were involved in brutalising the minority.

janaka Friday, 08 September 2017 07:38 AM

Let us get Welikada and MIG fraud case over then try politics?

Dee Friday, 08 September 2017 08:43 AM

Best remain at a supermarket in LA or behind bars in SL. Waiting for that day to raise the lion flag.

surasena Friday, 08 September 2017 08:47 AM

Someone may remind him that war is over and what we need to do is make necessary adjustments preventing any future wars. If they want to live in the history, that is there problem.

ceylon Friday, 08 September 2017 08:47 AM

when this mans robery casess and murder casess come for trrial .he is preparing for next election while puppet sirisena do nothing. via DM Android App

sunil Friday, 08 September 2017 08:49 AM

can anyone see any unity that the end of the war brought to this country

wicks Friday, 08 September 2017 09:11 AM

What will have to see the end result of the proposed constitution.powerful provincial council with weak central controlling. End result is administration will goes to powerful communities in regions. That will happens for north to south and west to east.End result is suppress of weak communities some times based on cast!

siva Friday, 08 September 2017 11:33 AM

What cast? . I thought that we were an educated lot who can conduct ourselves not like our adjoining country

ceylon Friday, 08 September 2017 12:05 PM

victory is only for rajapaksa family theives.they used war to become trillionaires. via DM Android App

stardust Friday, 08 September 2017 12:50 PM

Supermarket I always thought he worked at a petrolshed.... via DM Android App

roshan Friday, 08 September 2017 07:14 PM

as per the proposed new constitution dual citizenship citizens cannot contest and thats why he is making all these covered stories to deshapremi stories, white van author

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New Constitution shouldn’t undermine war victory: Gota

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