Oh Mahinda Mama. Why you play me like that. I just got done thanking you for stepping down gracefully when I started hearing rumors. Now it’s out in the media (BBC), that you tried (and failed) to stage a coup. Why you gotta be like that? You could have retired with the respect of the country. Instead it looks like you tried to flip the whole table over.
Here’s the stories I’ve heard. At this point it all stories because the military and AG’s office aren’t talking.
From The UNP
From the UNP/Maithri side I’ve been hearing that:
- You called in the military heads
- You called in the Attorney General
- You asked them to stage a coup, to stop the results and occupy TV stations, government buildings, etc.
- You said you wanted to serve another two years
- They said no
- Nimal Siripala De Silva also said no
So those are the rumors I hear from there. I like these guys but the UNP obviously has an interest in making you look bad, so maybe it’s that.
From A Journo
Now this is from a journalist I know who says he had a source in the room. Who and how I don’t know, so still quite in rumor territory. He said:
- You called in the military heads and the IGP
- You called in the AG
- You asked them to stage a coup, to take over the Airport, TV stations, radio, telcos, etc.
- You said that you wanted to serve two more years.
- The Army Commander was down but the IGP talked him out of it
So
Hearing a rumor from two people doesn’t make it true, but I’ve actually heard it from three or four now. And Rajitha Seneratne said it at a press conference, with the military right next to him. That still doesn’t make it true but then again, it doesn’t seem implausible. But why would you do that? At 2 AM on election night, you suddenly want to call a do-over?
If it is true, though, this is pretty bad. It would have been an untenable mess and it would have amounted to treason against Sri Lanka and the will of its people. It was also impossible in Sri Lanka – we’re actually not an isolated country and you could barely keep your Parliament in line nevermind the entire population. Given the postal votes, at least 40% of the government and military voted against you.
If this is true Mahinda Mama, it’s an ugly and shameful way to go out. You had the respect, at least, of most of the Sri Lankan people, if not their votes. You lost the election, but now it seems like you’re losing the peoples respect as well. You’re losing mine.
He is not promoting racism back in Hambantota. Stirring up ethnic issues and claiming that he lost due to Eelam votes. What a cheap fellow.. Lost all my respects. :S
I meant to say “He is now promoting racism”. Sorry for typo.
Indi, you have linked an older post for “thanking Mahinda’ not the one that you wrote about him stepping down.
Why the word ‘rumour’ is not the same as ‘fact’ Indi – thank goodness!
Take the win, celebrate move fwd!
Why don’t you put your energies to enforcing this? http://100days.lk/
Sundaytimes and other major news sites already reported this. If Mahinda choose to stay there would have been blood. I for one would never have accepted the presidency. Now kick out the other imposter the CJ.
Hi Indi,
First of all, please excuse me for not showing my real name. I think I am still within the outer boundaries of danger zone.
I too thought the same way. But now, I saw a video where he says he lost because of Eelam votes. Looks like he is now appointed to be the Eelam propaganda secretary.
Indi,
You were too generous/optimistic/naive when you thanked him for stepping down gracefully. Why thank him for doing what he should do by ordinary standards of decency? He may have ended the war but he took enough from the country and its people to reward himself for the deed a hundred times over. I refuse to say thanks. Instead I say good riddance and here’s to a better tomorrow.
Mahinda and Co still tries to maintain an unstable government in the Island. After all, the Common Opposition does not have a majority in the parliament. They cannot form a government / cabinet without a significant support from the ‘ruling party members’.
We as Citizens of Sri Lanka elects the President for the whole Conutry expecting that he will rule the hole Country in the same manner without promoting / supporting the majority only. I sincerely hope one day Sri Lanka also will have President from the minority people like India / Singapore.
Rumors! Let’s not give base our judgements on something as fickle as rumors.
Btw there is talk that MR will return in the coming round since he walked out with a fair majority in hand…what say you for that rumour?
That would be one hell of a strong opposition and this time he wont have any excess baggage!
Though Rajitha said that, the Army spokesman Brig Wanigasuriya denied any knowledge of such orders from MR. Also, why has there been no comment on this from the Army commander and the IGP? Hasn’t anyone in the media got their phone numbers? I also think it very unlikely that Gen Daya Ratmayake would’ve been up for this, and if he was that he’d have been talked out of it by the IGP. Doesn’t seem the type.
I think the likely scenario is that MR & Co would’ve been considering their options as the cards began to fall and would’ve sent out feelers to gauge what the mood in the Army and police was. Aides would’ve made some calls and got a negative answer. I just can’t see MR calling in the Army commander and the IGP and giving th direct orders like that unless he already knew they’d obey.
Best to always let the dust settle before accolades and fanfare ;)
I can confirm the coup as true as the UK High commissioner rents my Aunt’s property in Colombo 7. My Aunt was fully aware of the situation right through the early house of the 9th. The UK & US High commissioners did have a word to MR.
Like most stories I guess the truth is in between. David Blacker’s comments is the most likely scenario. From what he did in the last few months and from the speeches he gave from his house you can hardly say he wouldn’t do something like that.
An attempt at a military coup on the night of an election is treason and one of the most serious crimes one can commit against one’s nation and it’s people. Such an attempt is spitting in the face of democracy and democracy should always be allowed to prevail in a free and fair society.
That being said, in a democracy one is also presumed innocent until proven guilty. In a democracy rumours and sources ‘present in the room’ should not be allowed to be reason enough to label/ convict anyone as guilty.
We saw the rumour mill working at its best as Gotabaya apparently fled via airforce transport to the Maldives. Later on it was exposed to be false. People who commented on those published news articles already convicted him as a guilty, scared coward fleeing as his brother was losing the election, for sure the actions of a GUILTY man.
First sign of a true democracy is to wait and let the due process take its course. Until there are charges filed, evidence presented and a guilty (fair and impartial) verdict rendered, no one can be said to be guilty in a FAIR & DEMOCRATIC nation. Everyone who voted for Maithree in search of democracy should understand what it really means first.