Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Support grows for War

A new research shows that the support from Southern masses for the government's military initiatives against the LTTE is continues to grow despite slow progress in the battle fields.
Sinhala support for the government's military campaign continues to be strong whilst their support for peace talks drops to 16.6%, according to the results of the March 2008 Peace Confidence Index survey,done by the Social Indicator of the Centre for Policy alternatives. The research was conduct well before the recent military setback in the northern front and the army's biggest victory in the Wanni,capturing Madu church area,the holy shrine of Catholics for centuries.
A majority of the Sinhala community (62.9%) feel that the security situation in the country has improved. Respondents from the other three communities disagree, with fair majorities stating that the situation has either worsened or that they do not know or are not sure.
The majority of the Sinhala community (61.3%) show a willingness to bear the economic burden for the sake of the government's military campaign. However, overwhelming majorities in the other three communities are not willing to bear the cost of living for this reason.

The reaserch also shows the President Rajapakse's strong popularity amongst the Sinhalese also remains unchanged, with high levels of approval for his handling of the war. His approval ratings are however affected by dissatisfaction expressed by all ethnic groups with regards to his management of the economy (Sinhala- 63.6%, Tamil- 88.7%, UCT - 72%, Muslim- 78.3%).
While majorities in the Sinhala and Muslim communities characterise the conflict as a war against terrorism, the Up Country Tamil community describes it as an "ethnic conflict". Sinhala opinion on this has risen by nine percentage points. The Tamil community also describes the conflict as an 'ethnic conflict'.

Results are available for immediate download from http://www.cpalanka.org/research_papers/PCI_March_2008.pdf


37 comments:

Unknown said...

well i'm thoroughly disgusted at the way he covers up for his thug stooges like dr mervyn and the clan and his wide spread corruption and lack of action to deal with either...

He created Mihin Lanka as a ego booster and to give false hope to people and now it's failing big time with millions of ruppee losses..all adding on to the burden on the people...
a man with true vision woldn't have made such blunders on cheap political and personal reasons...
If not for what troops are achieving in the frontlines...he's got nothing...

Gringo said...

Ranil:

[well i'm thoroughly disgusted at the way he covers up for his thug stooges like dr mervyn and the clan and his wide spread corruption and lack of action to deal with either...
]

It's easy to criticize than to accept changes. It's easy to scream about 'rights' than reminding ourselves our 'responsblities.'
It's easy to lash out than giving out a thoughtful, fitting response.

What I witness is despite some hiccups, Mahinda is our country's only hope. He has idenfied terrorists as terrorists and has embarked in eliminating them. And he has shown us excellent results, so far in that department.

If all of us support him in unison during his tenor, LTTE terrorists would vanish virtually overnight.

Sorry... a price must be paid for past blunders... it's mandatory.

Warning: Divisive thoughts and actions could hinder Sri Lankans' progress.

C. Coin said...

Defencewire,
sorry this is out of the topic but on http://www.lankadeepa.lk/ top left hand corner, there is a news about a missile attack killing 6 top tigers. do you have any info on this ? it sounds like a surface to surface missile.

Unknown said...

"It's easy to criticize than to accept changes. It's easy to scream about 'rights' than reminding ourselves our 'responsblities.'
It's easy to lash out than giving out a thoughtful, fitting response."

well when you see wrong you should criticize just as you would appreciate when good is done.
It's fact that MR supports goons like Mervyn and it's also a fact that he made a huge blunder with mihin air...
Just because he's doing good in the war front doesn't make the other 'wrongs" right...
you can live up on your personal dream supporting whatever MR does just because the previous moronic leaders also did the same... what's wrong is wrong and should be criticised...simple as that...
don't try to preach your rubbish into others cos just because you in your opinion thinks it's ok to take whatever MR is doing doesn't make it right

LKDOOD said...

Sri Lankan Navy destroys LTTE ship

LINK

Moshe Dyan said...

I have strong dislike for CPA work including these crappy surveys.

people like p. saravanamuttu and rohan edirisinghe who are behind the CPA are pro-LTTE.

may be the same results will be used to show distinct "tamil aspirations" and the disagreement of the sinhalese with those aspirations.

anyway rajapakse MUST take control of the economy. he cannot further destroy the economy. there was a time when lalith athulathmudali was fighting the war, economic hardships were NEVER excused by citing the war. both the economy and the war did well. MR should also follow that.

Chaminda said...

THE MOST SERIOUS mistake we can make as a democracy is to stop our vigilance. As the famous saying goes: THE PRICE OF FREEDOM IS ETERNAL VIGILANCE! Yes we might agree with the current Government’s military campaign but we still HAVE to question its each and every action as citizens of a democracy. THERE IS NO ROOM FOR BLIND FAITH IN ANY GOVERNMENT OR PARTY. It is NOT patriotic to turn a blind eye. Our patriotism requires us to question our leaders. We cannot let the government shrug its obligations to us under the guise of the war and patriotism. If this happens we will tread the dangerous path laid by Hitler and Bush!

Jambudipa said...

Heylo Gringo,

Even Mugabe, Prabararan and Suharto et al were all fine and popular among people at the beginning. They did an enormous amount of development towards their people. As time went on though, they felt people owe them to keep them in power. They then started thinking about their own wealth. Once they started amassing wealth, they wanted more. They only way they could do that is by not giving up power.

Similarly, Rajapaske is good. But we must remind ourselves the country is above anyone person. We need to keep the rulers in check even if they are currently doing a good job. There must a strong opposition and the judiciary, law-and-order and the civil service must be strongly independent institutions that look after the relavent interests without being prejudical to the current party in power. Above all, the press, media and public must always evaluate and be critical when it needs critisim.

Absolute power can corrupt anyone. It would be a mistake if we allow Mr. Rajapakse to think he can do whatever he likes and there will not be and repercussions.

Unknown said...

panhinda
well said sir!
if only we had lots more people like you this corrupt political system will not have any place to hide

mottapala said...

panhinda said,

[There must a strong opposition and the judiciary, law-and-order and the civil service must be strongly independent institutions that look after the relavent interests without being prejudical to the current party in power]

Was the status quo created by MR. No. It was in place when he came to power. Also he cannot be blamed for not having a storng opposition. The gradual deterioration of all these institutions were there for a long time. He is shouldering a big task, that is to defeat terrorism and he is doing a good job at that.He is doing it in the midst of neck slicing sri lankan politcs.

Are Bush or Brown doing a good job at economy. Not at all. MR has many weaknesses. But unfortunately he is the best we got at the moment.

He will end his term in few years and it is up to the people to decide. Compaering him to Mugabe is unfair. We still have a vibrant democracy in SL.

Puran Appu said...

Got to agree, Rajapakse is a fairly lackluster President. Only smart thing he has done is to support the forces to fight the terrorists on our terms...

Unknown said...

"Only smart thing he has done is to support the forces to fight the terrorists on our terms..."

that's all he has done.

and at the same time he's made sure his entire family is care for generations with public funds... his name forever engraved in a failing budget airlines etc etc etc...

i give the man credit for tackling ltte... hats off to that...
But almost everything else...he has screwed up big time...
look at the prices of essentials... do you people even know how the poor in sri lanka survives...
most of the poor can't afford 3 meals a day... probably even one meal comes quite tough...
it's really lame to say that he's the best that happened to this country because you guys are successful folks... majority of this country isn't...

Gringo said...

[Similarly, Rajapaske is good. But we must remind ourselves the country is above anyone person. We need to keep the rulers in check even if they are currently doing a good job. There must a strong opposition and the judiciary, law-and-order and the civil service must be strongly independent institutions that look after the relavent interests without being prejudical to the current party in power.]

Rajapakse is in power for a specific terms. We can vote him out if we don't get the results.

Over-indulging in criticism is a useless exercise. What we must do is to work 'with' the leader... (he's asking to do so) and get what we want and win.

It's totally stupid to train hard, get an opportunity to play as a team member, and start battering the team captain while expecting to win the series!

But yes... you have all the right to be weird... It's reserved in our constitution!

But where are your responsibilities written?

Raptor said...

To start off with, MR was only voted in because of an underhand deal with the LTTE.

And now he claims he is against them and going to prosecute the war against them, this is after literally sleeping with the enemy.

People will do anything for power and money. He is ruining the country slowly but surely.

Look at Mihin Lanka, used the money from government employees pension fund to set it up, it has run into billions of losses in addition to the money spent to set it up, and it is headed by Sajin de Vaas, a wharf clerk from the Middle East. Tell me please gringo, what does a wharf clerk know about running an airline?

There are many other examples of excess and waste of public money, the ordinary sri lanka is struggling to make ends meet and wondering where there next meal is coming from.

All the while our beloved MR is indulging in more and more. His stupid cronies like Mervyn Silva etc are terrorising the general population, while his brother ran around abducting tamil and muslim businessmen for ransom.

The economy is in tatters, he has appointed an absolute idiot as the governor of the central bank, his qualifications? accountant at Hotel Renuka and running a pyramid scam that cost poor sri lankans their life savings. Watching Cabraal on Hardtalk was funny, I am an economist and work in the UK financial services sector, that fool does not know anything about running an economy let alone a company.

So gringo, you are the kind of person who blindly believes that MR is doing good, when all he is doing is sending is further back in time.

Pundeyeelam said...

DW
Any news about the Missile Incident?

Sam Perera said...

lkhood,

Now you have started recycling news from 2007. Are you trying to get your Google ranks up by repeating others old news.

Unknown said...

"LKDOOD said...
Sri Lankan Navy destroys LTTE ship"

Hey bro,
While appreciating your attempt to present news to the bloggers, i want to ask you whats the idea behind putting an old news item here ??

Unknown said...

Raptor
well said mate. sadly some folks like gringo thinks it's our "responsability" to accept whatever the so called "leaders" do as long as they tell you that their whacking the ltte...
whacking ltte is good...getting rid of them completely...very good. getting rid of the problem...great.
But just because you do that doesn't give you immunity to run riot with public funds and protect and nourish thugs

san said...

srilankan army used newly acqiured weapon in mannar front WOW!!! Ltte caders running

Defencewire said...

C.coin,

This was an MBRL fire.

Jambudipa said...

Heylo Gringo,

/*
Over-indulging in criticism is a useless exercise.
*/

Prime Minister Tony Blair + John Howard lasted for many years. They left their respective countries developed in many spheres and with very strong economies. Yet, each day in the Parliment, during the day with people, in the evening on news and current affairs programs their policies were scrutinized, analyzed and critizised when it did not stand up to the high standards people expect. It was a constant battle, yet they knew if they did something unacceptable, they will be humiliated, shouted at and even voted out because the parliament and the people held them accountable. In the end, people won and these leaders left a legacy to be proud of for generations.

Contrast this with Sri Lanka. The leader does not even have to be in the Parliment. He is running the entire show, but no one has access to him to answer the serious questions. People instead of being frank and confronting the leader with serious issues, would bend over almost worship leaders in blind faith. They accept silently the utter lies they say at election rallies but goes home and then complain. What has the legacies, CBK or Premadasa has left to be proud of?

We always get poor results because our expections were mediocre. People in developed countries always expect the highest of standards and they almost always get best results.

/*
What we must do is to work 'with' the leader... (he's asking to do so) and get what we want and win.
*/

You know 'Kudu Lal' that runs behind Dr. Mervin De Silva also thinks just like this.

/*
But yes... you have all the right to be weird... It's reserved in our constitution!
*/

You see me differently because your values are different. The people you associate also think just like you. People that hang around me don't think I am 'weird' at all.

/*
But where are your responsibilities written?
*/

In the constitution where it says, thou shall work for the betterment of your society.

Gringo said...

raptor / ranil...

Don't forget that critics to critisize the GOSL are not immune for criticism either.

So live with it... and accept my criticism too.

If not for the president brilliant move to throw out the CFA... our ministers would be 'forced to' shake the hands of LTTE killers in Geneva.

The president cannot please every Tom, Ranil, Eric... and BULL!

Jambudipa said...

Dear Ranil, thank you I appreciate that.

perein said...

DW-

Do you have any details about below.

"Sri Lanka: military says it has entered a key rebel base

Sri Lanka's military says fierce clashes have erupted after its soldiers entered a key Tamil Tiger rebel base in the island's embattled north.

A military statement says at least 40 insurgents have so far been killed in the fight for the control of "18 Base," in northern Mannar district.

Rebel spokesman Rasiah Ilanthirayan is not immediately available for comment"

chamal said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
perein said...

Chamal-

"Rasiah Ilanthirayan" - ekkata bada yannwa atthi :)

Wonder how some one can track his satellite phone and give a parcel via Air.

chamal said...

Although army.lk headline says this 1-8 base has fallen, in the article it says they are still fighting for it. Defencewire, any details on what is going on?

chamal said...

yeah....sorry about that earlier comment (i deleted it) I thought the article perein had quoted was from army.lk....

perein said...

Chamal-
As you may have found out it's not from army.lk. Have included the link as well as the text.

chamal said...

sorry perein, no offense to you. I thought they had called him up and asked about how his boys were doing....

perein said...

Chamal-
Now now now.. you are forgetting his girls :)

chamal said...

....and his children (This I shouldn't forget, because the majority is children)

Raptor said...

"If not for the president brilliant move to throw out the CFA... our ministers would be 'forced to' shake the hands of LTTE killers in Geneva."

No need to go Geneva, MR already shook prabha's hand during the presidential elections.

Its sad to see someone who seems to be educated actually actively supporting the destruction of his own country. I guess we owe it to people like you that our country as slowly but surely reversing all the progress its made up until the early 90's

Gringo said...

[No need to go Geneva, MR already shook prabha's hand during the presidential elections.
]

Kapirinna? Which version?

Peter said...

"A majority of the Sinhala community (62.9%) feel that the security situation in the country has improved."

& we have EU etc complaining about bus-bombs. For once they should listen to the Sinhala community and stop whingeing about "minor incidents" on buses.

MathaMathica said...

There is something called psychological war: you infiltrate these organisations that do the media polls and you doctor the results. If the minorities are told that 70% of them support war against terror according to poll results, it will become unnatural for any Tamil to not to support the war.

It seems LTTE is one step ahead of the GOSL in infiltrating these sensitive polling organisations and are modifying the results to undermine SL and the Army.

Gringo said...

MathaMathica

[ If the minorities are told that 70% of them support war against terror according to poll results, it will become unnatural for any Tamil to not to support the war.
]

Well observed.

As you can see... it took 30 years for our leaders to identify the 'root cause'... and then decided to fight the LTTE head on.

30 looooooooooooong years. I wonder why?

Similarly... are our intelligence, diplomatic and propaganda folks going to wait another 30 years to match or exceed LTTE's standards?

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