
By Laksiri Fernando –
Dear Dr. Rajapakshe,
During your early political career, I considered you to be one who could contribute to the country constructively within a good team of likeminded politicians. When I wrote that the ‘Young and the bright should lead Sri Lanka’ in September 2012, after calling for a ‘Peaceful Regime Change,’ you were in my mind with some others.
I recollect your visit to my office as the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) of the University of Colombo in late 2004, to register for your PhD and our conversations on many matters both academic and political. I also recollect thereafter your visit to present copies of your published books, admirably of a handful, to the faculty and to me personally. I was cautiously impressed by you.
Salakuna Interview
However, when I happened to watch your interview with Hiru TV Salakuna programme (26 June) on YouTube, on the topic of Reconciliation, I was completely disappointed and ashamed. However faulty your views were on reconciliation and its root causes, you maintained some decorum during the first 30 minutes of the interview. Then you lost your cool and started attacking the signatories as ‘mad men’ to a statement published against the rising communalism and religious extremism, when questions were asked about that matter.
I was one of the signatories to that statement. As you openly admitted, you had not seen the statement by then! But continued to attack the signatories and the two organisations that sponsored the statement. Is that how you interpret and execute ‘justice’ in your Ministry of Justice? Or is it ‘Summary Justice’ you and your ministry believe in?
The two organizations that sponsored the statement were (1) the National Movement for Just Society (NMJS), initiated by the late Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero and (2) Purawesi Balaya (Citizen’s Power). Both were key civil society organizations that brought a democratic change in this country in January 2015 and paved the way for the present government in which you are a key minister. Among the signatories also was Dr Jayampathy Wickramaratne who is also a key member of the present government.
Perhaps you were cornered by the TV hosts who questioned about your inaction as the Minister of Buddha Sasana in protecting the ancient Buddhist sacred sites identified by the Buddhist Commission Report of 2002 which are in peril or danger. That is however not a reason to attack others and vilify people and organizations. I am completely of the opinion that if there is any danger for these sites, those must be preserved and protected. If there is any vandalism, the perpetrators should be punished.
However, none of the above would refute the need to be alarmed by the rising incidents against the minority religious groups and business organizations, particularly of Muslims and Evangelical Christians. That is the message of the statement requesting the government and the relevant authorities to bring the suspected perpetrators before the law and punish them if they are guilty. There is a clear dragging of feet and hesitation to take measures to implement law and order on these matters. There is no indication in the statement, whatsoever, of ‘summary justice’ as you advocate for the messengers who alarm the country of visible violations. The statement also places these matters within the context of primary need for ethnic and religious reconciliation in the country which you express your cynicism about.
Your Claims
When the statement was brought to your notice, quoting only five sentences and mentioning the names of the two organizations, and the first signatory as Ven. Dambara Amila Thero and Professor R. S. Perimbanayagam as the last in the list, of among 173 signatories, the following was what you said.
“There is a need to examine the brains of those who have signed the statement… This is an example for the fact that all those who should be in the Angoda mental hospital are not in there.”
This type of a vilified dismissal of a public statement, primarily without reading it, is shameful of a minister who has pledged for good governance, democracy and freedom of expression. Your objection thereafter was for the number which was mentioned (as more than hundred) in the statement as attacks on ‘Christian prayer centres.’ The statement very clearly mentions the period as from January 2015. I have myself seen the Incident Reports compiled by the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL) and the number mentioned in the statement is in fact an understatement.
These are matters that Ministers like you, particularly as the Minister of Justice, should impartially consider and inquire and not condemned or vilify off hand, including those who bring these matters to the public attention. Your behaviour shows the nature of the political culture that prevails among the ministers and politicians, whoever they are from the government or the opposition.
You dismissed the statement as ‘false propaganda’ (boru prachara) and said these should not be allowed in the country. When a TV host asked the question ‘Aren’t these the ideologies (mathavada) that inflames the country,’ you readily agreed. When the key TV host raised the issue of the civil society statement in the first place, his argument was that ‘while the government is taking action against some Buddhist monks, no action is taken for these kinds of statements.’
As far as I know, no one is taken into custody or taken action against, for issuing a public statement like what I have signed. Issuing a statement and incitement to violence or insult to courts are two different things, even a person like Dr Dayan Jayatilleka would agree. The first is part of freedom of expression and the second is part of a possible criminal act. But you didn’t have courage or sincerity to explain the difference although you are a President Counsellor. Or you may be of the same opinion. Even before raising the issue of the statement, you opted to criticise the NGOs, left and right. I couldn’t understand the context. I have not affiliated with any NGO in Sri Lanka. Although I am not affiliated, I consider both the NMJS and Pruavesi Balaya as legitimate civil society organizations.
Your accusation against NGOs was about taking dollars from foreign sources. They may be. But I believe that they have to account for those monies. But many of our politicians thrive on and sometimes hoodwink our people’s money. Is this correct or not?
Your Responsibilities
Let me ask you another question. During the interview, you revealed that you are still a practicing lawyer. You said that even ‘today’ you filed a case! Am I correct? Did I hear you wrong? You have two important ministries under your charge. How come that you perform your duties properly as a Minister, if you are still a practicing lawyer? Therefore, to me, there is no wonder why the recommendations of the Buddha Sasana Presidential Commission Report is not implemented.
So, if there is any displeasure or unrest among the Buddhist monks or prelates on the related issues, then you could be primarily responsible for that at present. It is hardly possible that other religions or at least their dignitaries are responsible for that. There can be misunderstandings or even disputes. As I have suggested previously, there should be interreligious dialogues to resolve them. That is what I am suggesting even now.
I also understand that there have been insults levelled against Buddhism and the monks in general in the social media. At my age, I hardly check the social media and therefore I have not seen them. The culprits should be apprehended in the case of insults. The mere criticism or denouncement is not enough. But that should be differentiated from democratic criticism that anyone could express against anyone, including the monks or any other religious dignitary. The proviso is that they should not be insulted. Even in writing signed articles in electronic journals/newspapers, I maintain that we all must be careful.
In your interview, you have given different figures of course to what was mentioned in the statement. According to your submissions, all incidents related to communal/religious nature during the last two years have been only 29. They are: 9 against Sinhalese/Buddhists; 15 against Muslims; 4 against Christians and 1 against Hindus. Therefore, in your opinion, everything is hunky-dory except misinformation from some ‘lunatics.’ These lunatics included one Buddhist Monk at the top of the list and then a Christian Bishop.
Verify the Facts
During your submissions, it was my observation that you tried your best to down play the ‘incidents’ against the Muslims and the Christians. At one point, you clearly said that ‘one incident against the Muslims was just a stone throwing.’ To substantiate your argument, you quoted a Catholic Cardinal, Rev. Malcolm Ranjith. It may be true that there can be some confusion about the exact figures and the civil society statement has given only an approximate indication. It does not say churches in the traditional sense, but ‘Christian prayer centres.’ However, the NCEASL reports give 223 incidents since January 2015 and reference numbers are given for 29 attacks/incidents. This is far beyond what you have quoted.
The best policy for the government might be to consult the NCEASL, which I believe legally established since 1952. I also wonder what the Minister for Christian Affairs is doing under these allegations! There can be allegations that he is looking after only the Catholics. This is also a predicament of having different Ministers for different religions. By doing so, the impression is given that the task of each Minister is to safeguard his/her own religion or denomination. As I have mentioned previously, in Indonesia there is only one Ministry, with Directorates for different religions, including for Buddhism. When you have such an arrangement, the Minister is compelled to keep a balance. This is more favourable for interreligious amity than having different Ministers. There are around 25 countries having Ministries for Religious Affairs, but Sri Lanka is the only country that have different Ministries for different religions yet unsatisfactorily.
As the President has told the Inter Religious Council on the 31st of May, ‘all religious leaders should come to a single stage to solve religious conflicts.’ I believe this is correct. Implementing of such an ‘Interreligious Dialogue’ should be your responsibility with the other Ministers, without vituperatively attacking the civil society organizations or those who have come forward to point out some of the extremist campaigns and attacks going around in the country.
My Last Point
Let me raise a last point. In your submissions at the beginning of the Salakuna interview you claimed that ‘it was Professor A. J. Wilson who drafted the 1978 Constitution.’ This is completely wrong. I was also surprised why did you make such a claim and then quoted his book ‘The Gaullist System in Asia: The Constitution of Sri Lanka (1978)’ to say that this constitution would end up in anarchy? Perhaps your ignorance.
Your quotation is correct, but your claim about his authorship of the constitution is wrong. If you again go through his Acknowledgements, you might be able to dispel your misunderstanding. In July 1978, he was asked to comment on the Draft Constitution. I was very close to him at that time. He was extremely polite, but his advice was not taken into proper consideration in finalizing the constitution. The constitution was promulgated in September 1978. Please don’t blame him directly or indirectly for this obnoxious constitution.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Laksiri Fernando
(Former Senior Professor in Political Science and Public Policy, University of Colombo)
Had Enough / July 3, 2017
Dr Laksiri Fernando, Will you please identify your own religious affiliations and whose view point you represent. You refer to the National Movement for Just Society (NMJS), and Purawesi Balaya (Citizen’s Power)a s key civil society organizations. Are they NGOs? Why not use more accepted language without hiding behind American labels? Why are you not prepared to give the same rights and recognition to Bodu Bala Sena and Sinha LE? (Just for argument’s sake to show your hypocrisy in double standards). Are you aware of the real membership of NMJS. It does not have a list of members! So you are using a non-organisations behind your attacks on defenders of Buddhism.
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Sam Fernando / July 3, 2017
What has this to do with writer’s relgion ?
He had been a senior political scientist before leaving the country to AUS. Who else should have possessed more knoweldge about lanken developments from that day on.
If you for example screen the archives of Dr DJ who proudly says him to be the best political analyst, there you would not overlook those articles brought by him are inconsistent.
Today, not being able him to get positioned by the current duo, he has been like a blade to current leaders while continue his support being married to Wimal Weerawanse.
Wimal weerawanse is a rascal politicians whose education is no good as to an OLEVEL sitting students. But him to be the right hand of former leader has been the trick for DJ to abuse him. Wimal WEERAWANSE is a rebel and a rabble rouser of lanken kind. He can move lanken grass eaters and easy targets also in Western province easily. That is how he abuse the franchise of the masses making iup 300 000 in last election.
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Had Enough / July 4, 2017
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mike / July 5, 2017
Thanks CT, “Had Enough” has had enough.
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Silva / July 3, 2017
The FCID should investigate Wijedasa Rajapaksa for protecting Mahinda Rajapaksas illegal money used for development projects around the country. There is on in Kollupitiya next to Carnival Ice Cream connected to Thirukumar Nadesan who is known to manage the Rajapaksas money…
#FCID, #INTERPOL please investigate these projects and the shell companies that are funding them.
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nimal fernando / July 4, 2017
What we need is a Sinhalese LTTE to eradicate all the failed Sinhala leaders; hang them on lampposts – in “successful” democracies there is a high turnover of leaders. In SL, the leaders who failed us from the day of independence, are there still failing us today. If not, their offspring are lining up to fail us. ………………… What sort of governance would that bring? I don’t know. ……….. But it’s a start. ………….. Like one of the leaders of the student revolts against de Gaulle said, “all what we are doing is pulling-out the weeds in the garden, eventually something we like will sprout.” – Dany le Rouge
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take_that / July 4, 2017
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take_that / July 4, 2017
“”What we need is a Sinhalese LTTE to eradicate all the failed Sinhala leaders; hang them on lampposts – in “successful” democracies there is a high turnover of leaders. “”
All you need is to waterboard the goo blog master uganda and all the naxalites involved in bribery – sinhala demala markele at london to colombo will come out- Gotabaya needs to head the police state for it- Now!
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Anonymous / July 4, 2017
Nimal Fernando, is this because of this governments failure to take any action against the Rajapaksas criminals that you say there is a need for a Sinhala LTTE!!?
Sinhala LTTE will be as bad as any LTTE a fascist dictator is what you will end up with. Who will murder you after he is done with all these leader you hope he will eradicate!!
While these rotten leaders are a problem, if you give the nation to another dictator sure he might eradicate a bunch of these rotten leaders before becoming an even bigger rotten leader himself.
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Punchinilame / July 4, 2017
Also trace the Tax file MR is waving at
Wijeayadasa for a
very long time – it
invokes millions.
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siripala / July 4, 2017
Had Enough, the man responsible for lifting the roof on behalf of muslims against Venerable Gnanasara was Athul Keshap (a corner shop desai appointee because of her inferiority complex) The man behind Cavity Check of Indian embassy official was U.S. New York Attorney Preet Bharara. (a appointee of obama) he was promptly removed by The Donald when he thought he had more brain. The donald has not filled over 300 post because they are not essential and the caravan moves on.
You should hold a protest outside the embassy condemning his partial action against the sri lankan people (not bbs only) without state department approval then half the battle is won and eu diplomatic protesters would run for cover- then you find yourself in equal playing field. as it is the sinhala media needs waterboarding if you ask me because they are in bed with naxalites and jihadis for a cheap song.
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PayyagalaSiddilebee / July 4, 2017
Were you part of CAVITY CHECK to go on talking abou tthat here ?
How do you know all these so precisely ? Were you the one to torch while doing so ?
For us, anyone who got and get on with NOT venerable, but VENERAL Ghanasara are high criminals. That you should be better be ware.
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siripala / July 4, 2017
“”Were you part of CAVITY CHECK to go on talking abou tthat here ?””
PayyagalaSiddilebee, are part of the tip cut Obama who ordered the check stop doing your big business on the rock and wash your ears first when discussing international affairs.
“”For us, anyone who got and get on with NOT venerable, but VENERAL Ghanasara are high criminals.””
you sound like skunk in a spin dryer not knowing the meaning of salutation Harems are synonymous with the muslim world like Looting too is
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Bunjappu / July 4, 2017
Caravan moves on:
Man nothing seems to be working since CLOWN Trump took over. Transatlantic has been jeopardised as no times in the past.
Not a single leader from EU would agree with the CLOWN.
NATO issue is not means easy to any country in EUROPE.
You are just bubbling pleasing your BARBARIC MONK et al.
We the buddhists, should not let BARBARIC eunachs but disguise in Safran robes to represent us.
Maha nayakas should see it right today, if at all they feel have to PROTECT the nation as one nation.
Rajaakshes are making every effort to grab power.
SAITM is being abused as their tool, in the same time, people of this country are being put to deep in a critical moment such as DENGUE is at its rise as no times in the past.
Garbage issue and the UMA OYA are both mal-handled projects started by Rajaakshes.
Today, all these have become mountaneous, so it is going tobe NO easy at all.
I hope people see it right.
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siripala / July 4, 2017
Make America Great Again is The Donald all other beggars including the women’s league of EU please suck up to Putin.
Can do without beggars and chameleons knocking on the door.
You never read the the philosophers of the American Dream Country and you never will. The virtue of selfishness is the motto.
Panpan kolo in the well and don’t come out.
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Emil van der Poorten / July 4, 2017
Had enough:
Another effort to pretend to intelligence and objectivity while hiding behind a pseudonym.
Your drivel might be in better-than-average language but it does NOT conceal the central racist content. Do you, by any chance, have a statue of one of the icons of fascism in your front yard ( with a pseudonym on the plaque identifying it)?
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Ralli Ameen / July 4, 2017
Had enough, actually you did not have enough I mean having wise brain. NMHS and Citizen’s power are for peoples rights irrespective of their religion or race. They will fight for the citizens if an injustice done to them. Did the Muslims, Tamils or people of any other ethnicity go around the country scolding Lord Buddha in filth, attacked their temples, villages and business places? If such things happened these organizations will be in the forefront to point their fingers against such wrongdoers. It is the Bodu Bala Sena (right words should be Bodu Balu Sena) who is engaged in terrorist and racist works, so what right they can give to these racist? You know the facts that is why you are writing, “Just for argument’s sake”.
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Amarasiri / July 4, 2017
Dr. Laksiri Fernando, ——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Wijedasa Rajapaksa is a Shill of Mahinda Rajapaksa and cronies, who was part of many corruptions, lies and aiding and abetting terrorists. He is not for justice, and he follows Mara-ism, that has become akin to Sinhala “Buddhism”. He is a Para from India, as shown by the DNA, like the other Paras, in the Land of Native Veddah Aethho.———————– Wijedasa Rajapaksa, Deal Dasa, spews lies, more lies and damn lies, and the Para-Sinhala “Buddhists” all believe the lies, because their average IQ is 79. Fortunately, there are many with IQ’s much greater than 79, that try to balance these damn Mara lies.——
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Anonymous / July 4, 2017
These Bodu Bala Sena and Sinha LE were created for a few rotten politicians to exploit the masses by creating nonexistent conflict so that they can hid their criminal activities.
While you a busy being taken for a ride by these manufactured conflicts they are exploiting you even more.
Just stop supporting these divisive forces and see how the rats manufacturing them get exposed for all to see.
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Punchiburampi / July 3, 2017
Great Article Prof: Fernando:) We are very proud of you.
This particular Rajapakshes ‘s actions prove that his is not far from the highly abusive Rajapakshe belong to Medamulan Kingdom.
All in all, as a minister of Buddhist Affairs and Justice, WR should be able to have done lot more work by date. But what he seems to have achieved sofar is limited to few why ?
We sometimes question, if at all we have a minister of Justice today ?
This was raised by during the terms of MR too. WR’s Predecessor behaved like a paralized dog at the time, ALuthgama or other attacks were at its heights. Nor have anyone taken up them yet.
Now with 2.5 years gone since the new rulers took the office, what is the single court issue they have mastered to win the hearts and minds of the people ? Not a single one. Hirunika ‘s father Murder issue was done- but that was almost finalzed previous years too.
SAITM issue should long have been addressed by them – but ball passing and just enjoying the day has been what they the authorities in Ministery of Justice have been doing by date.
I THINK WE NEED TO CALL PUBLIC FORUMS TO CHECK IT OUT HOW PEOPLE HAVE BEEN PRAISED OR FED UP OF THE SITUATION. RTI PACT CAN OPEN THE DISCUSSION ROUNDS:
THEN PEOPLE CAN SEE THE BALANCE SOFAR:
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Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka / July 3, 2017
Well, “even a person like Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka” thinks that Wijedasa Rajapakshe is positioning himself smartly , to be the next leader and candidate of the UNP, when the backlash hits and it is looking for a lifebelt, rather like the UNP did in 1988 and turned to the patriotic -populist Premadasa. Premadasa was of course far more pluralist than Wijedasa is today, but when you think of Premadasa not as Presidential candidate/President but at a much earlier stage, as Junior Minister, Minister and PM, there are similarities with Wijedasa today. And even as President, Premadasa detested certain NGOs , which is why he appointed the NGO Commission.
I should know.
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Simon De Silva / July 3, 2017
Even a person like Dr Dayan Jayathialaka –
Means litterarly – not any good educated ones, but even a person with a self-proclaimed profile would know …. etc..
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Silva / July 3, 2017
Looks like DJ just wants to use WR to create problems for Ranil!!
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K.Pillai / July 3, 2017
“…………….when you think of Premadasa…………., as Junior Minister, Minister and PM, there are similarities with Wijedasa today……….”
Surely are you suggesting that Wijedasa is Premadasa-material?
You have maintained that GR is the one and only saviour….?
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Dim ✌Sum / July 4, 2017
and Premadasa got his hidden commissions (the satan’s apple) from Mohideen and the % from dodwana lingam. Or else how could a string hopper vendors son amass that amount of wealth. even the cotta Road Great wall of NM.
Okkama horu and Hora ge Horu DJ is looking for a crack in the egg.
Try taking another ride on a wolf tonight after a shot of arrack.
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Emil van der Poorten / July 4, 2017
Dr. D.J.
The oracle hath spake!
Don’t you ever tire of the pompous rubbish you spout while looking for the next set of boots to lick in the interests of self-advancement?
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Simon De Silva / July 4, 2017
Mr Emil Van der Poorten,
You question about that, but he UNFORTUNATELY does not seem to know what he has been uttering all along. I wonder how COLOMBO university staff got on with this unique so called, political analyst.
Not a single word drop from his cesspit in terms of the huge harms being made by former tyrannial leader. Why ? Just because then he would loose the chance to get close to them in next turn.
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K A Sumanasekera / July 4, 2017
Looks like Emil Aiiya is firing on all cylinders , after the Pace Maker kicked in………Good on you mate………You also should Join Dr Ranil’s Podu Bala Sena with Uyangoda and Laksiri……..May be you can even get the Battery replacement at Navaloka, with the full Dose of Morphine…….,,,,
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stop20 / July 4, 2017
K A Sumanasekera,
Glen’s has taken effect on you and you are going over the top with the living.
that is not a nice comment to make. you don’t hit when a man has fallen or is sick.
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Ad / July 3, 2017
Good writing Prof.LF. How much of it will get digested by WR the confused? PC is like pappadam children of no values. WE dont see gentlemen politics anymore. The politicians talk, decide, behave like thugs, rogues and low class citizens. Hell bent on grabbing to the maximum and go to their grave empty handed.
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Ansar / July 3, 2017
The whole Yahapalanaya stinks. As one of the voters who braved for the change, now live in utter disgust of what is going on around us.
This fellow is only an additional insult to the Yahapalanaya team headed by MY3/Ranil. These two leaders on whom we placed our trust to turn things around have themselves turned us around in a spin of whirlwind.
The solemn pledge of bringing the murderers and state plunderers to books have become a mirage and the same murderers and plunderers are still at large and what more, clamouring to come to power once gain. What a shame to our country, that a golden opportunity is squandered once again for party politics. Will not our politicians ever put country first ahead of party and personal interests.
Our beautiful country is doomed to fail once gain owing to dirty politicians and this scum bug is only a tip of the ice berg.
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Dr. A.M.Jazeel / July 3, 2017
I have gone through your article. It was well presented and exposed minister Wijedasa Rajapaksa. I had a good reputation about this man, but I feel I am ashamed. Now only I understand why our corrupted Mahida team chased him away from his party.
When I read your article, I feel there are still people in Sri Lanka who think positively and objectively. I like you Mr. Laksiri Fernando
Dr. A.M.Jazeel PhD (Education)
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Samuel Jayaweera / July 3, 2017
This man WR is the main cause UNP to get blamed right at the moment. He has been the man to do the job between Rajaakshes and current govt.
So long this bugger is positioned there, nothing would have worked towards to get former Rajaakshes caught for all the high crimes deliberately perpetrated by them during the second half their terms.
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Mallaiyuran / July 4, 2017
What can I say?
Deal Dasa started as good good and ending as bad. If you average out or dive by 2, you find him as an average man. Could that be true with Hakeem too? Does Hakeem remember a clean day in his life?
Deal dasa refused to resign when Tilak resigned. But he stayed with Shiranee Bandaranayake, while Justice Minister Hakeem stayed with Old King. His honesty is, he did not wait for the ship to sink like Hakeem to switch boats. Deal Dasa left SLFP on his own, join UNP on his free will. He is not a barbie doll to be bought and sold at toy shop, like Hakeem class, doll toys. He left Old King in time. Whether he is good man or bad man, one of the few to bravely abandon Old King while in their hay day. Only another one I know is Mangala. Hakeem and Rishard making prayer five times a day and ever waiting the Yahapalanaya ship to sink so they can open new deals with Old Royals. Wijayadasa may not be good; but still a man! Can you tell me if Hakeem or Rishard also so?
I like you Mr. Laksiri Fernando Dr. A.M.Jazeel PhD (Education)
Is that Laksiri Fernando conferred your PhD and Badiudeen’s PhD too?
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siripala / July 4, 2017
Block vote squad low standard of education was Bad U Din invention!
the man you praise is a bendy bus we all know living the down under pension where JVP roam.
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sarath de alwis / July 3, 2017
Premadasa appointed the NGO commission to harass and hound Dr.A T Ariyaratne and Sarvodaya.
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Jim Softy / July 3, 2017
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Sausiripala / July 3, 2017
Everywhere on this forum, i see, hardline muslims, LTTE sympathizers, evangelist, green bloods and Marxist join in an orgy to sideline, criticize and disrepute the majority Buddhists and all those who speak about their rights. Speak about racism, this is racism in its greatest form. Funded and ideologically supported by powerful , rich western Christian countries, prosperous tamil diaspora and wealthy Muslim Arabian nations, understand that you guys are an immense majority cornering a tiny population of just 13 mil Sinhala Buddhists.
Speak about fairness and justice, also speak about the ethical aspects of evangelist converting poor tamils and buddhists by bribing them with monetary gains. speak about the racist stance of Muslim politicians and the damages done to ancient buddhist sites of eastern province. under such fair approach you can also criticize the sinhalese for their racist acts and unfairness in treating other races.
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sathsidu ganasara / July 3, 2017
It is high time we bring in legislation to sentence “Buddhist Priests” who violate the Vinaya Pitaka, rabble rousers, racialist wit death. I will be happy to hang both Wijedasa as well as Genansare
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chinchinatu / July 4, 2017
Islamist your little well is not the world.
The international diadem will sever your head .
the 12 state of the art American drones gifted to Modi has deterred the chinese nuclear submarines from entering the Indian ocean undetected.
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K.Pillai / July 3, 2017
Thank you Laksiri for the article.
Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe clearly has a soft corner for summary-justice. His thinking is close to GR. GR dispensed summary justice to the Matale skeletal remains and to a twelve yea old capture AFTER the civil war ended.
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Tsylana / July 4, 2017
Ignoble man law is for you and justice is beyond your comprehension.
Lord Blair apologised for the war in Iraq and he travels the world with 6 of the very best SAS.
Did you think 1+1 is just 2- then you are porriki pilla like your south africa name sake pillai who could never accomplish anything but fade away into Zuma land.
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Douglas / July 4, 2017
Are these “Civil Society” organizations (1) Of the People (2) For the People (3) By the People?. Dr.Laksiri, you being one of the signatories to that paper advertisement, could let me know the answer to the above question. I am not defending this Minister; but did you hear him challenging these “Civil Societies” to win at least a seat in a Provincial Council. Isn’t it better if you (Civil Society) get established to take over power of Administering Government Affairs through a political process, rather than “hooking” up with these time tested and failed politicians and their parties? That way you can avoid this naming of “NGO NADE”, “DOLLAR KAAKA” etc.
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Sangadasa / July 4, 2017
Shame on you Wijedasa. Acts and pronouncements like this will not make you the President of the Sri Lanka, which you are aspiring too. I thought you were a leader not a POLITICIAN like the ilk of others including your name sake. Alas, I was wrong.
Professor Fernando. Wonderful reminder to us all that there are right-minded persons and considerations.
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justice / July 4, 2017
Wijedasa Rajapakse has NOT YET ordered the attorney general to prosecute the five policemen who shot dead two undergraduates riding a motorcycle.
He visited Sumanaratne Thero after the latter abused a grama niladhari in rank filth
in the presence of police officers, one of them a female, and did not order prosecution of the Thero.
Thus his behaviour is not what is required/expected of a Minister of Justice, and worse, of Buddha Sasana.
It is too much to expect him to behave according to the teachings of Lord Buddha.
In any other parliamentary democracy, he would have been relieved of his portfolio.
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dinesh patel / July 4, 2017
justice,
the wise won’t be busy and the too busy can’t be wise.
During the removal of woman CJ crisis uvinda blog master and 99.99% of the post was in favour of the new president of bar because he showed a degree of arrogance and also sobita got the unstinted support. now you folk are behaving like dhobi class
So please go to the law.
Make No Distinctions!
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Gos / July 4, 2017
Political Scientist and a PhD ? God-awful writing ! An A/L student would have done a better job !!!
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sama / July 4, 2017
Please come with constructive arugments to prove you are right ?
Else, you belong to the category of Wimal Ponnaya Buruwanse.
Who has not even completed his schooling but grab 300 000 votes not any other rural places but in the province capital of the country belong. It is believed urban people are more informative.. but these facts prove other way around.
Gos, you please continue licking the balls of JO – and other all abusive politicians in the country.
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Lanki / July 4, 2017
Wijedasa is a spy of Mahinda Rajapakse in the Yahapalana Govt. What has he done as the Minister of Justice, not a single bribery or corruption case of the “mega deals” has been concluded. Further he had the audacity to make a statement in the Parliament that he will never allow Gotabaya to be arrested. If the Minister of Justice himself want to protect another person who has acted illegally what other proof do we require to judge the state of our Justice system in Sri Lanka. Based on this alone UN can make a case for the requirements of foreign judges in inquiries.
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Don Sri lankan / July 4, 2017
The minister Wijedada Rajapakse is an IDIOT with a hidden agenda. Not suitable to be a public figure.
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K A Sumanasekera / July 4, 2017
This Professor is , and has been anti Buddhist and anti Sinhala for a long time…..With a name like Fernando I can understand that…… UNP Leader Dr Ranil is surrounded by these crusaders , trying their hardest to destroy the Sinhala Buddhist influence in Government , Politics, Education , and Armed Forces ……Only one person in the UNP has realized it……. And all the crusaders are gathered now to finish him off first…….
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stop20 / July 4, 2017
He has already won his battle because Dharma rules Asia not the English law turned to Lankan Law.
everything punters/posters say against him will go against them . Like the praising of Austin when he presented from the blues a sorry story about administration to Ct sometime ago.
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Mama Sinhalam / July 4, 2017
The question in the title is easily answered. He is for summary injustice. Dias was condemned without an opportunity to prove what he was saying simply because it was convenient for this arrogant man, who obviously thinks that he is super-clever. He is seen now by the public to be a great idiot.
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MirakRajBanda / July 4, 2017
Well said Prof. Fernando.
I strongly believe Mr. Rajapakse himself needs to be admitted the mental asylum and unfortunately it appears that he is a practicing lawyer and a government minister without adequate subject knowledge.
I think ‘Avan Garde’ and Gota given him the taste of corruption and I too met him several times and never suspected him being a silhouette of Champika the ruthless racist!!!!!!!!!!!
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Billa / July 5, 2017
Mr.Wijedasa Rajapakshe is the most suitable minister of Justice for this ‘Yahapalanaya’ government !
Look at at all the other Ministers, govt. servant appointees, the so called others leading the institutions..are all act above the law, make illegal money, get all the perks they can lay hands on, and majority of them are corrupt to the core. So are the leading heads of Government who has no sense of governing or even common sense. This bunch of jokers are making another MR -GR comeback a piece of cake, so to speak.
MR had a very large public attendance in Batticaloa the other day, and what’s next ? That dreadful combo can be expected anytime, sooner or later, taking over the rule by hook or crook. It won’t be a surprise ! They will come back to power and ‘finish’ the rest of the country ! So, let’s be happy. This yahapalanaya bunch of idiots can go fly a kite !!
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