Prof. Liyanage Amarakeerthi
I know quite well that Americans do not like too much formality, and let me address you by your first name, Julie.
So, dear Julie,
Let me introduce myself first. I am a Fulbright Scholar(1998-2000), and I am extremely proud that I am one. After my Fulbright period I was awarded a series of other fellowships by the University of Wisconsin to finish my PhD. Before joining the University of Peradeniya, I taught for four years at Cornell University. All those ten years in the US and the education I had there enriched my vision of life and the world. After my education in the US, I was able to develop as a relatively influential public intellectual and a literary writer. While always appreciated the opportunities given to me by the US, I have always opposed imperialisms of all kinds.
As a scholar in Comparative Literature, I have been a cosmopolitan person all through my adult life, teaching literary works from nearly all the countries of Europe, the US, Russia, Japan, India and so on. In that sense, I am familiar with some of the ‘best thoughts’ happened in those countries, and I have worked hard to familiarize my students with those thoughts. I believe that no single culture can provide everything needed for human flourishing within that culture.
Having established the fact that I am not a parochial nationalist with a heart full of xenophobia, I must tell you this: I am quite active in the on-going protests against our ruling family. With thousands of other Sri Lankans, I too believe that the entire Rajapaksa family and its close relatives have to vacate their posts in the country’s power structure. You know that more than seventy five percent (75%) of the country budget is controlled by them. The ministerial portfolios they hold are the most powerful ones. That is what they are right now. ( Or course, a slight change has happened as of today.
You must have seen that there is increasing pressure from people to the ruling family and its cronies to step down. They have no legitimate reasons to hold on to power. People from all walks of life, women, children, even infants have taken to streets to send a message to a single greedy family. And some of the key members of that family are US citizens. I do not want to claim that they are your puppets political or otherwise. Real US citizens resist being the puppets of the government; and it is in both democratic and republican tradition. But here in our country, there are growing concerns that the US and other powerful countries will eventually ensure that Rajapaksas get safe havens, and their loot will also be safe. Speaking of the loot, it is already in such countries in the form of money and property. Given the strength of your intelligence services, you must already know where the Rajapaksa assets are. Some WikiLeaks communiques revealed that the US mission in Colombo always knew that Rajapakasas were disgustingly corrupt. You must have inherited that knowledge of your predecessors.
I am writing you to request that you must not, by any means, help this family to escape with their stolen money because that money belongs to the people of Sri Lanka. Perhaps, you can begin right now the process of freezing their accounts in your countries.
What you are witnessing is something historic. Please do not interpret these as a ‘communist riots’ or something. It has been one of your old cold-war mistakes to see ‘communism’ in all our protests. You, Julie in particular, must give up the perennial habit of hating even a mild form of ‘socialist economic policies.’ With or without that phrase, what we are trying to create is an economic system whose achievements are shared by everyone with relative equality and a sense of justice. Neoliberal economic program carried out with your blessing for many decades in Sri Lanka has created a huge gap between the haves and have nots. The majority of the population has not access to quality education and health care. On top of that failure in the neoliberal ideology, corrupt political families such as the Rajapakas have robbed the country so bad that we can no longer tolerate this crime. As of today, many people do not have access to the basic needs of everyday life. If neoliberalism was so good, how come it collapsed here within a few difficult months?
When people demand social justice, economic democracy, free education, and free health care, and the like, you tend be alarmed. Here, I am speaking especially to you, Julie. Please stop interpreting those as communist demands; you have all those ideas of justice and democracy built into the US public life and public virtue. Yes. You do not have free health care in the US; but you cannot be proud of that fact. There is significant demand for such things in the US, too. And you have a host of programs for giving an initial support to underprivileged people to take a shot at a decent life.
Please allow us begin working towards establishing a new form of government built on the principles of economic justice and democracy. If you cannot help us do that, because of your ideological commitment in the global scene, please do not at least disrupt our efforts.
Julie, your country has an inglorious history of supporting corrupt politicians such as Pinochet, Marcos and so on, as long as they stood with you in the theater of the cold war. Many such enemies of the people ended up living peacefully in the US. In our case, today you are especially obligated to be responsible and considerate because some members of our ruling family are American citizens. You must be considerate of our people, not with a family that happened to have blue passports.
What prompted for me to write this urgently is a slogan in the ongoing mass struggle: “Gota go home!” The ‘home’ in this case is the US. The family might have already communicated you that some ‘extremist communists’ are threatening them to step down. They know that a term like ‘communist’ can open up the diplomatic hearts of the West. I am sure you know enough of the corruption of the family. If you want to see social justice, lasting peace, and true democracy in the country, let us see what people can come up with through these struggles. I hope you, Julie, and others in powerful diplomatic circles, will not intervene to save a family of crooks and the failed economic program they oversee.
Once this is over, and, hopefully, a new structure for the Sri Lankan state is created, you all can help us reimagining Sri Lanka. As an activist related to the National People’s Power (NPP), I like to see significant structural change in our economic system and the state. But by writing this letter, I am not representing the the NPP, and let’s see what will really emerge at the end. We do all we can to assure that people will not turn violent no matter how much they are provoked.
If you are interested in justice and democracy in the country, please let the ruling clan know that they must not use violence to stay in power. I hope you do not want to see military rulers in South Asia. We certainly do not want dictators here.
Thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely yours
Liyanage Amarakeerthi
Professor
University of Peradeniya
chiv / April 6, 2022
Prof. LA I totally agree with your plea and request. Upto now every statement made by US is supportive of people’s resistance and telling Lankan government not to suppress y any means. For that matter China which laid the debt trap, Russia, communist or socialist haven’t uttered a single word. Most probably if there is a hearing tomorrow they may vote supporting the Mafia family stating it,s an internal matter because they too have such corrupted in powe among them
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / April 6, 2022
Dear Professor, can you please write an open letter to the powerful countries in the world through the US Ambassador to Srilanka, to get Srilankan troops to get out of Tamil homeland. There is widespread protests by Tamils against genocide, ethnic cleansing and appropriation of their lands, who want to establish a society where they can live with dignity and safety. Please stop interpreting their struggle to regain their lost sovereignty as Separatism, and their resistance to protect their people against murderous, racists Srilankan forces as terrorism. Please do not allow Srilanka government to give safe haven to war criminals, who have killed our people in cold blood and buried them in mass grave. Please do this ASAP, for us not label you as parochial nationalist.
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Sinhala_Man / April 7, 2022
Gnana,
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There were excellent English teachers at Royal College in your time: EFC Pereira, John de Saram, Viji Weerasingham, and that guy with what I considered, at the time, a terrible accent; Shanmugan, was he? He, too was good.
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And there was the guy who was known as “Kandos”. I’m talking about the year 1970, when I had to do my “practice teaching” at Royal College. Shortly after you left is what I have calculated.
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Kandos was a graduate. I had to observe “more experienced teachers”. Observing Kandos handling the episode from Pride and Prejudice (in a McMillan simplified version that was being taught to Grade 8 students) where Mr Collins proposes to Elizabeth, was just hilarious. Mr Collins lists his reasons for wanting to marry, and then says something about “the violence of his affections” for Elizabeth. Well, Kandos asked the class, “Was Mr Collins in love?” and insisted on getting the answer, “Yes”. In other words, Kandos couldn’t identify the most obvious caricaturing by Jane Austen.
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Now, were you taught not by EFCP, but by Kandos?
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On the surface, competent English, but a total failure in the uses of language.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / April 7, 2022
Panini, My posting is a sarcastic reply to the author who had been all these days blind, deaf. dumb and numb to the sufferings and protests of Tamils, but jumping in quick time to justify actions of Sinhalese. I left school in 1965 to join Medical school, and therefore do not know what happened after that. I was taught English at Royal by Ralph Alles (later principal of DS Senanayaka), Viji Weerasinghe (Also Latin), EFC Pereira (Also Greek) and Vernon Ratnayake. My use of Language cannot be that bad, after obtaining Distinction in English at O’level and band 9 at Cambridge English test. Tamils of northern province were subjected to economic embargo for 20 years, but suffered in silence. There was no electricity, and even batteries were banned on the pretext of them being used for land mines. People used lamps with coconut oil. There was shortage of petrol. People cycled for work and school. There was shortage of gas. People cooked with firewood. There was shortage of food. People ate whatever available like Bananas and Manioc. Tamils learnt to adapt them selves and survived the situation. Problem is that Sinhalese are pampered lot and want everything on the platter without shedding sweat.
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Jit / April 8, 2022
Gnana, I see where you coming from and I agree, sadly! I can see the agitation level when our own people were denied power or diesel for few weeks…. while the Tamil population in the North and East didn’t see any electricity for 30 years or….whatever years???!!! Did we, Sinhalese ever think how they lived their daily life….???? :(
I personally know it was a terrible situation there…trust me, I feel it! There haven’t been much change either! There are heaps of things to be done to heal this situation but we as the main ethnic group is not ready to do it yet, pathetically!! ….this bloody 1500 years of historical stories are doing the ruins still…….
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Sinhala_Man / April 9, 2022
A few comments on what you have said, Gnana:
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I don’t know how I happen to have typed a Tamil version of Viji’s name in; Weerasinghe he was. Owned a six-cylinder Ford Zephyr which didn’t seem new in 1970, so he may have had it even when you were in school. New cars were difficult to come by at that time; they flooded in after JR’s 19177 victory. Viji was a man with supreme confidence in himself; used to speak out loud and clear. The mistake must have been a typo: AI could hardly have the same obsession with race as Lankans had even then.
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Racism of the sort that prevails was created by Cyril Mathew, to which JR used to turn a “Nelsonian Eye” as a guy who later taught at Bandarawela Central used to say. He thought it showed more “class” to say it like that than say “blind”; what would he have called EE now, “Nelsonian Eye”?
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Mahila, it may have been been Shanmugaratnam; I kept company with him more than with the others – called him “Shan”. This “practice” was three weeks in the first term, and three weeks in the second term. Viji was too much of a “high flyer” for the likes of a stripling like me at that stage of my life.
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Sinhala_Man / April 9, 2022
Gnana, I’ll get back to you with comments on the others, after I return from Badulla. Your English is good; it’s just the substance. You have a particularly unfortunate “hobby horse” – vituperation of almost all Sinhalese. With first language teaching, you get marked for quality of thinking; it’s taken for granted that all know English.
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I find it difficult to fault any Tamil for hobby horses. Tamils have suffered so much in this “blessed isle” of ours that your prejudice is understandable. Please accept my apologies on behalf of all fellow Sinhalese.
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Your “A” for O. Level English must have been for Syllabus A. I had only a credit in 1964. There were two reasons – my spelling was atrocious; it began to improve the moment I became a teacher. I couldn’t allow my blackboard to remain unerased at the end of the lesson. Also, I had the habit of placing my clauses all wrong.
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Mahila seems to have enjoyed this; I could provide reams more of this; problem: you won’t be able to stop me.
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Sinhala_Man / April 8, 2022
Dear Prof. Liyanage Amarakeerthi,
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I have now read your article. Time 8.54 am. Before that I had looked at all 35 comment, I think. I’m alone in my house in Bandarawela. That is to say, I had spent more than an hour writing an e-mail to Prof. Kumar David.
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There may be seeming contradictions in what you have written, and in what I now write. Intelligent people may figure out the contradictions. There’s little purpose in bothering with those who cannot, or will not, think.
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The power may fail at any moment now. If that happens, my UPS may hold out long enough for me to send this off.
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I won the Leigh Smith Prize for English at Peradeniya in 1985, at the age of 37. The academic year ended in December, I think, for us. The next year, I was a Temporary Assistant Lecturer.
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What happened after that? If you really want to know, see what I’ve been saying for the past eight days here:
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/chelvanayakams-124th-birthday-the-need-to-honour-him-with-transparent-cms-administration/
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I think that there are some 16 comments by me there!
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Getting close to 200 words?
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Panini Edirisinhe of Bandarawela. NIC 48 3111 444V
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Sinhala_Man / April 8, 2022
Dear “un-met Professor Amarakeerthi”
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Now, I see this:
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/an-open-transparent-church-bishops-please-not-the-crooked-ways-of-the-sinhalese-state/
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I read it many hours ago, about 4.00 pm yesterday, Lankan Time, on my smart phone. Before that, I had alerted both Bishops. Spoke to Kurunegala, sent an sms to Colombo. Then E-mailed both at 4.59 am. Got to say all that because too many of those who are going to read this live “abroad”. No. I’m hoping that that is not true, and that many more in Lanka quietly read all of this, although the comments mostly come from those who are abroad. How can they know the uncertainties that I experience?
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I notice that I’m mentioned there as a guy who can proof-read the “Anglican Liturgy”. Yes, willing to, without thinking primarily of money. Checked my Bank Account last night. No pension in yesterday. Today is Friday. If it hasn’t come in, how do I live? Even with the Rajapaksas thrown in jail, there may be no money for pensions to be paid.
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Why am I alone in this house, in an area that is still paradisaical? The answers to that, too, will be in comments on the Chelvanayakam article.
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You’re probably in the inner circle of the NPP. I’m a guy who supports you, and voted for you in 2019 and 2020. I intend lending you steady support, if I survive, at subsequent elections. I don’t know all the details of the struggle that we face; I’m only a supporter, not a leader.
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Sinhala_Man / April 8, 2022
THIRD PART
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That second part for today looked a bit long. Copied and saved on to an .odt document. 251 words. That’s right, not a .docx file. Having MS Office would cost me more than 15K devalued rupees. LibreOffice is free and excellent. But Bill&Melinda Gates need money, don’t they?
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So, you were at Cornell, were you? I’ve heard of it; a Quaker University. This is the problem for me. The Quakers are the only Christian group I was comfortable with during the past fifty years. None in Lanka, and I’ve never been to any of these “First World Countries”. How come Kenya is the country with the most Quakers in the world?
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quakers
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Will these Anglicans ever learn how to be honest and liberal the way that Quakers are. I have participated in more than 50 Quaker meetings? How come? Never mind. If anybody asks, I’ll answer.
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Mahila / April 9, 2022
Hi Panini,
Interesting happenings
https://youtu.be/KcEEw838EZ8
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Mahila / April 8, 2022
Panini,
That’s some insight.
You may be referring to Viji Weerasnghe as Viji Weerasingham, that usually happens.
Cannot recollect a Shanmugam.
May be Shanmugaratnam and Antonian.
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Pandi Kutti / April 7, 2022
Most of them still have a racist mindset, irrespective of class, wealth, or education level. Still have not learned their lesson, even after 70 years of racist mismanagement by their politicians, and the reason, why the island’s Thamizh want their ancient independent nation, that the British destroyed by merging it with the Chingkalla nations down south in 1830( the Portuguese and the Dutch ruled the Thamizh parts as a separate colony from the Chingkalla areas under their control) due to state-sponsored racism, marginalization and structural genocide of the island’s Thamizh. You wait and see just like before independence, they will want the Thamizh people’s support to topple this government and punish these Rajapakses and their relatives and cronies, who ironically were their ” Golden war Heros. However, once this is achieved, just like after independence, they will start their persecution and marginalization of the Thamizh and the same cycle will begin. This so-called educated Fullbright scholar professor’s letter proves this.
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Eagle Eye / April 7, 2022
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.
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Eagle Eye / April 7, 2022
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.
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ShanR / April 7, 2022
Dear Professor.
Your concern for social justice is laudable.
Is it only for the people ruling ethnic group or for all citizens of Sri Lanka?
One Tamil intellectual once said the system of government in Sri Lanka is ‘Tyranny of the majority”. Will you be willng to accept a system where all the people of Sri Lanka have equal rights and freedom not in empty words but in actual practice?
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Rohan25 / April 7, 2022
No, they will not, they want their so-called racist messiah and saviour out now as he could not deliver paradise to them, on the back of marginalized Tamils and now the Tamil Muslims, who ironically were their former allies, when large scale atrocities were committed on the island’s Tamils and even after that. Not only should he go but he, his brother, and many members of his cabinet and armed forces, current and former, should be tried for war crimes and genocide against the Tamils. This ethnocratic state also must go with the Rajapakses and no prominent place is given to any ethnicity or religion. All people and religions are equal.
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Rohan25 / April 7, 2022
The west cannot cry and howl about Ukraine and the war crimes committed there and want to try Russia/Putin, just because they are white European, and Ukraine is their ally but keeps quiet about the horrific war crimes that were committed on the innocent Tamil civilian population by the Sri Lankan state and armed forces and still the structural genocide, illegal land grabbing, large scale settlement of Sinhalese on stolen Tamil lands and the destruction of forcible conversion of ancient Hindu temples to Buddhist by the Sri Lankan state and armed forces, using concocted history and spurious claims, that cannot be substantiated by independent sources. It is not only in Sri Lakan but the same in other parts of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, human rights abuses and war crimes are brushed aside, just because they are not somewhere in Europe or another predominantly white European settled nation, or the abuse was committed by despots, who are allies of the west but the UN and the west jumping up and down when it comes to allied nations or white Europeans. This means our lives are not important only the lives of certain races and people are important.
https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2022/4/5/sri-lanka-gota-needs-to-go-but-so-does-the-ethnocratic-state
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Rohan25 / April 7, 2022
Please read this good article from AL Jazeera, very insightful, about what is happening and the typical Sinhalese mindset. If the USA, west, Britain, and India does not heed to it and the wishes of the island’s Tamils, then they are hypocrites playing lip service but pandering to Sinhalese racism, that caused all this. Do not want to give anything to the Tamils, who have the same right to the island and their homeland as the Sinhalese but unfairly use their majority to deny this and sell the island and its recourses to everyone, including the resources of the Tamils,
https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2022/4/5/sri-lanka-gota-needs-to-go-but-so-does-the-ethnocratic-state
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Svenson / April 7, 2022
It’s written by a Tamil. Did you expect it to be unbiased? Not everyone is as upright and principled as Prof Sivasegaram.
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Eagle Eye / April 7, 2022
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.
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leelagemalli / April 7, 2022
Dear Prof. A,
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Thanks very much. You have articulated it as no others.
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Enough is enough. Rajaakshes should go out of active potlics in the country. Meaning not that they should go home or leave to US, but to the jails where each of them is well deserved.
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They got their court cases filed against them exonerated lately. One behind other was freed. However, no priority was given to resolve in thrivial sort of issues that keep the masses in danger. Look at that ” domestic gas cylinder” was treated with blind eye from teh begining on. So was it with ” burial rights of the muslim srilankens” until premier Imran Khan himself invovled in the resolving the sensitive issue.
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Today, they dont care at all about km long ques of the people – that are forced to go through. NOt a single word is being passed by any of the Rajapkshes though they became the ministers to control over 70% of portfolios of the govt.
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If things would move forward …. with the same indifference and total ignorance, no doubt, our eyes wont believe but to see the scenes similar to that of Tripoli- in the last days of Gadafi families.
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Let s hope that things would not extend to the violent levels.
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God bless SRILANKA !
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chiv / April 6, 2022
Professor LM it appears we both benefited immensely by living in the U.S same period of time . You ought to know they have come a long way with such matters. That may be the reason you are even able to make such request which you may not consider doing with China , Russia, India or many around the world That I consider as a mark of credibility. I am sure you would have heard about MR’ s relative Jaliya.W sentencing which is unheard of happening anywhere except for may be few European countries.
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Sinhala_Man / April 7, 2022
Dear chiv,
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I’m sorry to say that I have come here after having FOUR angry WhatsApp shouting sessions with the idiot, Human Touch.
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However, see what I achieved here:
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/chelvanayakams-124th-birthday-the-need-to-honour-him-with-transparent-cms-administration/
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Unfortunately, I don’t have your contact details. Typing is difficult, talking is much easier. Well, you’ll know that, being a medical man. You may actually be able to relate it to evolution, anthropology, etc. I’ve not read the main article, yet. I will. Scrolling down, I noticed that he seems to be almost a leader of the NPP, the group that I vote for. I’m only a humble supporter, not a pundit trying to say clever things. I’m sure that the author not only knows more than you do about politics, but also lives here.
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You ought to remember what happened when the surgeon (who had written excellent COVID articles) ventured in to writing about politics.
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I’m now an angry English teacher. Please find this out: the difference between “few” and “a few”.
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https://grammar.collinsdictionary.com/english-usage/what-is-the-difference-between-few-and-a-few
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See: you delight in finding fault. I have corrected your English for free. They will not do that in the USA. They will demand payment.
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chiv / April 7, 2022
SM thanks for correcting me. But you got me wrong. My delight is definitely not finding fault ( who am I ???) but exposing those hypocrites. Unfortunately we have many in Lanka. I admit, I just cant stand such people. This Professor is definitely not one of them. See my last comment, where I did go back and spent time reading his previous articles.
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Sinhala_Man / April 8, 2022
I know, chiv, both this Professor Amarakeerthi and you are decent and honest people.
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By the way, I have just had an 8 minute chat with Bishop Dushantha (Colombo/ Anglican). I know how difficult it is for him to do anything without upsetting the establishment, and when I said that what I wanted was to see a proper election of Teacher Representatives in 2024, he said that that is a long time away. I disagreed
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I’ve not really read this article, but I’m glad to note that Dr Janapriya has managed to re-gain your respect.
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Being flexible, and adjusting to changes in contexts is not something that I would ever regard as being dishonest or inconsistent.
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I wonder whether you have read, here, all the comments on this article:
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/chelvanayakams-124th-birthday-the-need-to-honour-him-with-transparent-cms-administration/
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It’s become afternoon now in Bandarawela. I’ve had a coffee break, now must have breakfast and then make comments here:
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/an-open-transparent-church-bishops-please-not-the-crooked-ways-of-the-sinhalese-state/
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chiv / April 6, 2022
Since Marcos and Pinochet , US has moved way ahead with reforms where not only corrupted leaders assets can be freezed but they can also be charged in US courts for corruption and crime committed outside of US territory. And you ought to know unlike Lanka most federal agencies are fully independent of governments and will follow the law regardless of who i in power.That is why Trump is facng charges and Putin and many other oligarchs just like Rajapaksas assets are freezed right now.Even a US citizen who was paid by Rajapaksas to promote their image is now in jail.
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chiv / April 6, 2022
Prof in my opinion the time you spent addressing Julie could have been better used in convincing some of your own MP, s including the ones representing your constituency to do the right thing by dumping Rajapaksas.
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innconence / April 6, 2022
Mr Prof. I salute your comment. However, we are in the state of beggers today not becuase of Rajapakse. We gave free food stamp, built free houses in milion( US never a built a single home to its citizen free), Free Healthcare, Free University education. It takes a doctor or a graduate to complete minimum a decade to pay off his loan in western countries. so Blame ourself.
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SJ / April 7, 2022
Do not many civilized countries provide free education and healthcare, and provide subsidised housing for the socially handicapped?
University education was virtually free in Britain until Thatcher came in.
Kindly check on Australia about university education.
I would say that professional degrees should come with an obligation to serve the country for 3 to 5 years, as a way of paying back a social obligation..
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Mallaiyuran / April 8, 2022
I would say that professional degrees should come with an obligation to serve the country for 3 to 5 years, as a way of paying back a social obligation ” You spent lot of money in Britain to lean to Kokku Chuda, until the gun overheats, and then spent another lot on repair the broken gun,” but your other Badiudeen PhD colleagues and Deva are bossing around in Kandy, Colombo, Jaffna. What a sad life the Sadampi struggle! What is that crab, man, the people are calling as justice? (Had you told your wish to your bosses that their children must have had been served as rookies under you, they might have kicked on your butt and got you out of UOJ)
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Mallaiyuran / April 8, 2022
to remove italics
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SJ / April 8, 2022
Still dazed!
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Mahila / April 8, 2022
SJ,
Australia, university education is not free for a very long time. At least for the last 25-30 years.
it’s like Germany or any western countries.
Once you start working the money spent ahs to be repaid as the Australian Taxation office is aware of the indebtness until the full amount is paid within a specified period.
your suggestion, “an obligation to serve the country for 3 to 5 years, as a way of paying back a social obligation” is not workable with sri Lankans!!
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SJ / April 8, 2022
“an obligation to serve the country for 3 to 5 years” was there in the 1960s into the early 1970s.
When jobs were scarce they were obliged to drop it.
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There is a different story here:
“10 European countries with free or virtually free college tuition”
(That lists Germany too)
\https://www.edmit.me/blog/countries-with-free-or-virtually-free-college-tuition
There is “10+ Tuition Free Universities in Australia to Consider for 2022”
(https://careergigo.com/tuition-free-universities-in-australia/)
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Also things seem to be changing in NZ:
New Zealand’s Labour-led government will start rolling out free university from next year onwards, starting with a free first year for students from 2018. They aim to provide three years fee-free from 2024.
(https://www.studyinternational.com/news/free-university-australia-new-zealand/)
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There are scholarships for a sizeable fraction of the students in Canada for example.
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Free education is a good investment in young people.
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leelagemalli / April 7, 2022
Innocence@
.
You may be right to some extent. It can only be one reason. However, much higher corruption and mismanagement overflew since Mahinda Rajapakshe became the president. CBK s terms, with CIVIL war at its heights, she managed to maintain it to some levels. However, with the war is no longer there, MR s adminstiration failed to balance any war expenditure. Instead, he made the nation eternal debtors to China. Unaffordable loads of loans were taken from them, but did not make use them more than 20-30%. Time has come to find out by an audit, what happened to the 70- 80% of the huge loans ? As every little child would answer the question easily, …. those sums made RAJAPAKSHES untouchably wealth so that they can afford a private jets for the pilgrims, also amidst heavy burdens of country s debt crisis. Can anyone with some sanity agree with them ?
And to tell you, One of the Japanese Professors known to me raised the same question. How a country of srilanken nature allows many things free on long run, to its nation. Free education, Free health, Free school uniforms, free meals, Free education not caring much about those who pass out of the univesities to pay the amouts back. For example, German Universities are also free for students, however, locals have to pay theur bursaries back to the states within a period of 10-15 years since the graduates start working.
–
/
Lester / April 8, 2022
Leela,
“CBK s terms, with CIVIL war at its heights, she managed to maintain it to some levels.”
You are joking? CBK bought mansions in the UK. She put her daughter through medical school in the UK at SL taxpayer expense, a massive cost. Of course she obtained land and other properties in Sri Lanka by abusing her power. People complain about Basil’s land deals, CBK did 10x. Her Ratwatte relatives are also criminals, they escaped to Australia after killing a foreigner in a nightclub. Lasantha moment! Worst aspect of CBK, she lost Kilinochi, Mullaitheevu, and Elephant Pass to the LTTE. She nearly lost Jaffna as well. Do not compare CBK to MaRa.
/
Eagle Eye / April 7, 2022
innconence,
“…Free Healthcare, Free University education.”
—
Guys who got benefitted from free education from kindergarten to university and free healthcare humiliate Sinhalayo using the term ‘Sinhala beggars’.
/
Mahila / April 8, 2022
(Part I)
EE,
“Guys who got benefitted from free education from kindergarten to university and free healthcare humiliate Sinhalayo using the term ‘Sinhala beggars'”
Trying your to imply that the beneficiaries were minorities and not the majority! Misinformation?!
If one analyses it dispassionately, the majority got the ‘Lions share’ of the education budget in the sense they constituted the largest number of students naturally and the users of the largest quantum of funds.
This is further aggravated when you compute the Advanced Level Standardisation of Marks (SoM) and District Quota (DQ) component!
Therefore it doesn’t need a “Rocket Scientist” to discern that the majority community should have been the major contributor to the Fiscal emancipation by contribution financially and the emancipated free educated Intelligentsia, which is the majority should be able to contribute to resolve the Macro-economic finances and even the dollar remittances and devaluation to be contained!!
Did that happen??
Why not??
Is SoM a failure? Or whether the DQ is a failure?
Whatever the case, we have square pegs in Round Holes to administer our governance. That is the major issue of this collapse, which has eroded the public Service Year by Year, month by Month
/
Mahila / April 8, 2022
(Part II)
And Day by day since 1970 to date, if not before!
Such deprivation of knowledge and intellect, that,
1. We have Governor of CBSL – an accountant (Bean Counter) – and not an economist or central Banker? At the best currency printer
2. Finance Minister, an individual who is lacking knowledge in and any aspect of finances and general computing and communicate clearly except Crows taking flight to smash into RR Jet engines
3. Minister of Power, who is in the clouds, bombarding that Solar addition energy to the grid would be — GWH, and no mention of the grid/transmission capacity – take the domestic kettle or oven to the power plant?!
4. Minister of Energy, who confirms inspection of petroleum installations, by viewing them when passing those installation when driven past to work and back!! Is it funny?? NO!!
5. Qualifications and intellect of parliamentarians, below desirable limits, even when content is translated to Sinhala
6. By preference and not by merit the majority is preferred! Good, but results must be produced, consistently and continually to keep the economy ticking!!!
/
Mahila / April 8, 2022
(Part III)
Why are we deficient, given all the facilities as above? Again, I repeat majority resources goes to the majority!
The President and PM have D Lit., conferred by the University of Colombo, so at least that is a consolation!
What is missing? Someone, please enlighten us?
Am I missing something or any other culpable of starving people and depriving their basic necessities – daily, weekly, monthly – it would be a Year in June 2022 of this merry-go-round!!!
Goodness, our Sri Lankan Administrative Service is being dismantled with retired Generals and Admirals taking the place/position of Chief Accounting Officers (CAO) of the Ministries.
Commander of the Army and Defence, head of Covid-19 TF!!!
Pray someone enlighten me, what these jokers know about Accounting, let alone accountability?
Going the full cycle, imagine after 5 years, they may well become Governor, CBSL – Cabral’s replacement, per se same qualifications!!
Wonder of Asia, doubtless!
/
chiv / April 8, 2022
No paper, no exam, no medicines, no surgery, soon no schools and no hospitals. I am sure you are getting it free , where you are ???
/
chiv / April 8, 2022
Above comment is addressed to Evil “free health care, free education”.
/
Native Vedda / April 8, 2022
Eagle Dumbo Eye
–
“Sinhalayo using the term ‘Sinhala beggars’.”
–
Who are these Sinhalayos?
What is their population?
Where do they live?
What do they do for living?
How does rest of the people feed them?
Are they the most stupidest people in the country?
Do they follow Buddhism or Sinhala/Buddhism?
….
….
/
Mahila / April 9, 2022
NV,
If not seen before.
https://youtu.be/KcEEw838EZ8
/
punchinilame / April 7, 2022
I am very glad that the SB intelligentsia is speaking up – they were frightened of the
Rajapakse, until the masses came out. I hope you will have followers in your
category to back you up at this crucial moment in SL History.
There is a 32 page .pdf as a reminder – in the web.
/
Good Sense / April 7, 2022
Let me make it plain by saying that the country has been dragged into a morass, with a purpose as some allege, akin to the 04/21 attacks which were preventable. The big man wanted 20A but in reality his big Doctor Secretary at that time made the fullest use of it. He has to assume the responsibility for what has happened and no use pointing fingers now. The real issue we now face is if and when we get rid of the undesired, WHAT NEXT? Are we going to entrust the nation by a set of fellows who would be cocooned by the set of racketeers and Kleptocrats? Would be fall from very bad to the worst? We must enshrine a set up so that not only the politicians who are undesirable are dumped but the crooked robed and bewigged community as well.
/
Lester / April 7, 2022
“I am writing you to request that you must not, by any means, help this family to escape with their stolen money because that money belongs to the people of Sri Lanka.”
Assuming Rajapakse looted money from Sri Lankans, a more important question is, how much? Worst-case scenario would be a few billion at best. A few billion will not help Sri Lanka in the long-run.
One of the main reasons for Sri Lanka’s present predicament has to do with COVID-19, which caused a significant decline in tourism revenue. Therefore, I recommend you ask China for reparations.
Secondly, Tamil Tiger terrorism drained the foreign exchange reserves of this country for 30 years. The government could not invest in sustainable development projects, as it would have done otherwise. Tiger terrorism was directly financed by the Tamil diaspora, most of whom live in Western countries and violated anti-terrorism laws. I recommend you contact political representatives of these countries and ask them to freeze the bank accounts of these diaspora as well as revoke their citizenship. Similar to what is happening now with well-to-do Russian backers of Putin.
/
Pandi Kutti / April 7, 2022
The Rajapakse court Jester as usual blames the Thamizh and does not want to answer as to the reason for the civil, the history behind this, and who was responsible for this. The answer is obvious state-sponsored Chingkalla racism and marginalization of the island’s Thamizh by all Chingkalla led governments, parties, and politicians from the time of independence, broken agreement, and promises to grant not just but reasonable Thamizh tights, even an international agreement with India. Chingkalla racists like him and the majority of the Chingkalla masses brainwashed by the myth, that the island only belongs to them are also responsible for this.
/
Lester / April 8, 2022
Winners, not losers, write history. Thamizh lost the war, they have no leverage in any negotiation. Crying about a fake homeland will not help their cause. They have to renounce separatism and join the democratic process. Thamizh keep electing this idiotic TNA over and over again. At least Sinhalese gave Sirisena a chance before electing Gotha. It shows which group of people on the island are truly brainwashed.
/
old codger / April 7, 2022
Lester,
“One of the main reasons for Sri Lanka’s present predicament has to do with COVID-19, which caused a significant decline in tourism revenue.” Who was the financial genius who stopped PAYE among other taxes well before COVID and caused a 30% tax loss?
Who was the opinionated jackass who ruined agriculture overnight with his fertiliser ban?
“Secondly, Tamil Tiger terrorism drained the foreign exchange reserves of this country for 30 years.”
So, who were the idiot “patriots” that wanted victory at any cost.? Wouldn’t it have been better to settle as Ranil planned, save thousands of lives, not have 300000 idle military, plus no hostile diaspora?
To all patriotic idiots listening, YES, the war was the cause of this disaster. YOU asked for it. YOU got it.
/
Lester / April 7, 2022
Codger,
You support Ranil because he was the only Sinhalese politician willing to give land to LTTE terrorists. End of discussion.
/
old codger / April 8, 2022
Lester,
Yes, I am quite open about it, unlike some who want war but prefer to live in the West (allegedly).
/
Lester / April 10, 2022
Codger,
One loser in Sri Lanka supporting another loser (Ranil), what is the outcome? Look at America, when they supported Trump, the country was strong. Now they have a weak president and people like Putin are having a field day. The key to success is to support the winners, not losers.
/
Sinhala_Man / April 8, 2022
Lester,
.
You are now compelling me to submit a comment that is guaranteed to get lots of dislikes. I suppose that there must be some devil within me that is making me write something that is going to make me unpopular.
.
I am acutely conscious of the fact that there have been few outstanding “underachievers” than me. I’m poor and disregarded, especially in the village of my birth. Why?
.
I relise that I belong to a small group of persons who are of outstanding intelligence on this website. At the risk of making mortal enemies of many persons let me start naming them: oc, NV, Kumar David, Lasantha Pethiyagoda, Rajan Philips, Rajan Hoole, SJ, Ameer Ali, Raj-UK, chiv, and yours truly.
.
A few months ago, I may have included nimal, but now I see that he’s merely ”clever”.
.
I admit that I may have omitted a few of the deserving, but you, Lester, will never make it.
/
Mahila / April 8, 2022
The country would have also saved the funds spent for NE SL!!
/
Mahila / April 8, 2022
(Part II)
V. Projects were not self-sustainable, which is the primary Criteria in such projects
VI. SL treasury was responsible to repay for projects benefitting 4 million of the population!
It was total mismanagement and abuse of Power!
Not in the interest of the public or community at large – 22 Million Sri Lankans.
Aggrandisement and one is led to believe that the seeking of the project loans was self-serving!
Enhance his position in the electorate and re-electability and those of his family!!
No excuse is tenable to mitigate this mismanagement!
This is of such high magnitude never experienced before in Sri Lankan history!!
If one has to be fair, it has to be deprivation of civic rights and custodial sentence!
/
Mahila / April 9, 2022
OC,
Please have a look, if you haven’t seen before?
https://youtu.be/KcEEw838EZ8
WION
/
old codger / April 10, 2022
Mahila,
Thanks. The Chinese were always in it for profit. They are good businessmen, who will dump a losing bet at the right time.
BTW, I don’t believe there was any “Chinese debt trap”. Most of our commercial loans were not from China.
/
Mahila / April 8, 2022
Let the mind of the “Lester the court Jester” rest his mind and recoup his senses. repeating the same ‘manufactured untruth and hypocritic assessments’.
you are trying your best to send people ‘off the scent’
No need for your diversionary and baseless leads!!!
Acolytes trying their best to divert attention towards the culprit!!
This is not the same time as that of Maru Sira??!!
The SL people have learnt there lesson.
may be the hard way!
Go back to sleep, as what you were doing when the foreign reserves were plumetting down the precipice for 6 months – during Cabal- Rala’s “Project Road map” for 6 months and in vain cannot find any trace of it!!!
That must be also, like his Ministers Kakka Flying Rubbish Dump??
/
Mahila / April 8, 2022
(Part I)
Lester the Court Jester,
“Worst-case scenario would be a few billion at best. A few billion will not help Sri Lanka in the long-run”
Don’t try your luck trying to get away cheaply – Escapist!
Get your facts correct and in perspective
1. Country had loans outstanding and being repaid/serviced with existing revenue
2. No surplus budgets to accumulate high reserves
3. Total Loans 52 Billion was for
a. non-essential, and
b. non-productive,
c. low or no Return on Investments (RoI)
d. No or very short grace period to commence repayment
e. Commercial interest rates and not concessionary lending
f. Environmental impact Assessment (EIA) for projects not done or followed
4. Opportunity costs were not evaluated or considered before agreeing on loans
The only element that seems to have been the root cause for borrowings and implementation of the project has been that,
I. The projects were in the heartland of the chief protagonist electorate
II. Ego boosting effort
III. Location was not the best, considering the population concentration and remoteness
IV. Good profit making cash cows – AASSL, SLPA and SLC were reduced to penury!
/
chiv / April 8, 2022
Jester, why don’t you write a letter to Chinese Ambassador and take your case to Geneva. If you freeze off shore accounts, how will Nirupama, Nadesan, Senathipati ,Basil, MR survive ??? Did you see Nirupama and Senathi escaping with huge suitcases.
/
SJ / April 8, 2022
The Indian ambassador will be just as obliging, although he will also show another face to the clients up north.
/
chiv / April 9, 2022
SJ, in that case you should oblige and write or help Lester in writing one. Lester recently typed that you’re the only upstanding Tamil commentator he trust. ( I am sure, you would not have missed it)
/
Eagle Eye / April 7, 2022
“…corrupt political families such as the Rajapakas have robbed the country so bad that we can no longer tolerate this crime.”
“Please allow us begin working towards establishing a new form of government built on the principles of economic justice and democracy.”
—
It looks like even university dons suffer from amnesia. They have forgotten that they sang the same song before 2015 election and sent Rajapakshes to Medamulana and brought ‘Yahapalana’ Government that turned out to be a ‘Jadapalana’ Government that ruined the economy as well as peace and stability brought to this country by Rajapakshes after eliminating Tamil terrorists who terrorized people for three decades allowing Muslim terrorists to carry out deadly terrorist attacks. Most of the guys who are now in the opposition were in that Government and they too knew about the attacks.
/
Pandi Kutti / April 7, 2022
Currently in Australia, enjoying the good life thanks to his Thamizh wife and her relatives, yet rundown the Thamizh. Typical
/
Mahila / April 8, 2022
Agreed.
Only retired or booted out editors of the Beira lake house is exempt!
Be thankful for small mercies
/
Mahila / April 8, 2022
EE
“Allowing Muslim terrorists to carry out deadly terrorist attacks.”
Everyone, knows who instigated, who was responsible and who benefitted?
He was the Master Mind (MM)
That’s why you are unable to announce the identity of the MM.
Because the MM has been identified and the MM is not willing to publicise that information!
True, it happened to be that activists committing suicide and causing destruction and death were Muslims, but it was ‘Home Grown’ MM who instigated, planned, trained and caused it to be executed!!
I am sure you are able to find the identity of MM and blame him.
Power corrupts and Absolute Power Corrupts absolutely!! Limitless!!!
/
Mallaiyuran / April 7, 2022
All the powerful countries like Japan, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Korea, India…….. Ambassadors and High Commissioners, all have to write to each other and meet together soon to solve Ceylon Problem. These countries will only shed tears that Ceylon people are starving and give additional aids to make the Royal hang around there for another three years. India sending a Oil Ship but Geetha said she had stored oils & gas for another 1 year. Do countries know who is going to get the aids they want to sent to Ceylon? Royal SLFP and UNP are going to come out soon with a master plan to save each other the way, they did in 2015 January and after the 4/21. UN offices still being paper lions in releasing Statements, not worth enough even for the paper they are wasting on this. . They all are waiting as spectators for 75 years. Some kind of People’s reps need to meet all the dignitaries i Colombo at their offices. Royals too sharp and soon they will turn the tables against their enemies. India and Western countries cannot catch up with Royal’s Aappa diplomacy.
/
Eagle Eye / April 7, 2022
“I hope you, Julie, and others in powerful diplomatic circles, will not intervene to save a family of crooks and the failed economic program they oversee.”
—
Hope they will keep quiet if Ranil and his ‘Royal Gang’ put behind bars for robbing the Central Bank not once but twice and allowing the main culprit to escape and live happily with the loot.
/
Eagle Eye / April 7, 2022
“I hope you do not want to see military rulers in South Asia. We certainly do not want dictators here.”
—
Depends whether the military rulers or dictators will help to carry out their agenda or oppose it.
/
chiv / April 7, 2022
Prof , last but not least thanks for letting us know, as many others , your anti imperialist views and actions while you were living in the US which (free speech) we both know are highly impossible in most part of the world including our own country, Russia , China, and even India. I am also told most so called anti imperialist countries today are much more imperialist compared to US and UK where supposedly originated.
/
deepthi silva / April 7, 2022
While you write to the US don’t forget that our Conman Ranil W says that IMF has spoken to him and are willing to assist Sri Lanka at this time !
According to Ranil this vital UN agency is speaking to a man who did not win a single seat in parliament, and does not have even 2%of our vote ! !
Ranil also might say that President Biden spoke to him and congratulated him for his brilliance in every field !
He will also say that Russian President Putin spoke to him and praised him for defending democracy in this small island !!
This guy is a culprit who is very responsible for the mess we are in today .
We should also surround his house and demand that he leaves politics permanently.
/
old codger / April 7, 2022
DS
“Conman Ranil W says that IMF has spoken to him and are willing to assist Sri Lanka at this time !”
You seem mighty peeved that the IMF takes Ranil more seriously than the clowns in the government. Why on earth do you think Al Jazeera, WION, BBC, etc want Ranil’s opinion but not your supermen Gota or Basil? One might think Ranil is still the PM. You think they are all closet gays? Is there a SINGLE minister who can negotiate with the IMF?
Oh, why do you think Gota has appointed an advisory panel which is 2/3 rds Tamil? Has he finally admitted that you guys are irredeemably dumb?
/
chiv / April 8, 2022
OC, IMF will prefer talking to people who they believe may return loans. Even charity organizations avoid MR/Mr. 10% knowing how they pocketed Tsunami funds.I am tired of explaining outsiders who is Mr. 10 %, what it means and worse, how he was selected as our FM ???
/
Mahila / April 8, 2022
OC,
No open admission would be forthcoming
/
Mahila / April 9, 2022
(Part II)
Reviewing the situation, that it was the Excellency, President Rajapakse (HoS, Head of Government and Head of cabinet), who had the sole authority of appointing those responsible ineffective officers to position of responsibility and accountability, especially the Governor CBSL – single entity identified as independent authority to ensure macro-economic stability of the country.
I. I would daresay that he is culpable, so given the circumstances!
II. Would you agree with me?
III. If not why not?
And then,
IV. Who else is culpable and accountable of the happening within a short period of 2 years and 3 months for this mess?
V. I am unable to hide my Utter Shame!!!
VI. And saddened at the state of affairs brought about to this hospitable nice island country!
VII. Incompetence and ineptness, to bring upon SL citizens such
VIII. Untold hardship,
IX. Misery, and
X. Economic ruin
of the beautiful and resplendent isle and it’s inhabitants
Finally, a link below, perhaps giving you some insight of this macabre situation in Sri Lankan, which is not the only country suffering this conundrum in South Asia!
/
Native Vedda / April 8, 2022
deepthi silva
–
“We should also surround his house and demand that he leaves politics permanently.”
–
In 2018 Wimal Patriotic Weerawansa also demanded Ranil to go home so that Mahinda could move into Temple Trees.
–
Are you related Weera?
/
Mahila / April 8, 2022
Deepthi,
Good Day.
International Monetary Fund (IMF) not a US agency for the US ambassador to help!
International institution, founded, post WWII, only headquartered, Washington D.C.
The US ambassador cannot do anything to intervene in IMF!! Independent!
One must get their facts in proper perspective. otherwise wouldn’t be of any help!!
The reason IMF contacted RW, winning parliamentary seat or not, endorsed as single UNP parliamentarian.
He knows what he is talking about, rather than not knowing what the contents of negotiations are like the FM Basil? Except ‘Kakka’ or crow, crow!!!
IMF and their representatives would talk to, people able to comprehend the problems and issues pertaining to Sri Lankan Crisis and raised by them to resolve crisis then negotiate a reasonable package, to bail out Lanka from the mess elder Rajapakse (ex- president) got us into.
Whether they are elected or booted out or not elected is not their concern!! Does not matter!
IMF also knows very well how people are elected in SL and not that naïve! Remember they deal with 190 other member countries!
They are well experienced, and well versed in assessing you before you can assess their direction or discern what is what?
/
Mahila / April 8, 2022
Hi Deepthi,
Good day.
You cannot “come to terms” and reconcile yourself, that the people protesting, have now identified the culprits as the great ‘Messiah’ and his acolytes of the Pohottuwa!!
The foreign currency mess due 2 reasons mainly,
I. First because, of uncontrolled borrowings initiated for unrealistic projects with no RoI (2008 – 2014) increased loan repayments in dollars
And
II. Secondly, removing the taxes such as VAT, PAYE and Customs Duty (in November 2019) on local revenue which resulted in,
a. Results in excessive consumption and consumerism and inducement of inflation.
b. Loss of local revenue estimated at 30 to 35% as of that date
The responsible person on both these ill-founded occurrences is identified as the incumbent Finance Minister of the country!! None else.
Unfortunately, Deepthi, knowing you, would not be very happy with that information.
It is Mahendra Percival Rajapakse, popularly known as Mahinda Rajapakse acting as President and FM and latterly PM and FM.
It’s an open and shut case.
Ranil has nothing to do with this mess!
There is a saying,
“WHEN GOD WANTS EVIL DOERS ERADICATED, GOD MAKES THEM GO MAD AND CRAZY FIRST”
/
Mahila / April 9, 2022
(Part I)
Deepthi Silva,
We can continue with our ranting on what RW did and didn’t do until cows come home! That will not resolve anything at all! Nor will it resolve the SL economic conundrum or or restore the US Dollar from SL Rs. 329 per dollar to 195 or 205 SL Rs. per US Dollar.
The critical question is, “what were,
1. The Executive President (equipped with the 20th amendment to boot), and
2. His coterie of preferred appointees and administrators (Not hampered by the Constitutional council and independent commissions in their appointment)
Did or didn’t do?
E. Except sitting on their Haunches ‘twiddling their thumbs and crossing their fingers, and
F. ‘Sailing along with the head of State (HoS) as everything was fine’ when it wasn’t and
G. Watching passively (wouldn’t say merrymaking, but dare say were Dumfounded as to what is to be done to rectify or recover the lost “paradise”
H. With ‘nihilism’ of knowledge, experience, ability and/or will, the decline of the situation”.
I. They were not appointments of Professionals, but a c”oterie of Nincompoops”!
/
Mahila / April 9, 2022
(Part III)
Pakistan, a friendly country of unmatched help in Sri Lankans effort to win the 30 year terrorism war!! They are caught in the same trap and the process to oust Imran Khan as PM underway.
https://youtu.be/KcEEw838EZ8
(CTRL + CLICK + U tube)
Please do not dismiss as it is the ranting of the doing of China, their rival since 1962 Ladakh war!
Times have indeed changed, perhaps what many do not realise, the extent of cooperation, at least on matters of technology and construction the 2 neighbours are mutually relying on!!
What I am referring to is the construction of the New Delhi Metro Subway under the Indian Capital!
China and Chinese tunnelling engineering company is the lead contractor!!
Please don’t take my word, delve deep and investigate, as I am sure I saw and read this article 3 weeks ago, was astonished!!!
/
SarathP / April 7, 2022
This professor, a former Fulbrighter, is also a JVP supporter. Don’t trust him.
/
Harishchandra / April 9, 2022
SarathP. :Do not trust him, but try to understand what he says.
/
chiv / April 7, 2022
Prof, I went back to read two of your letters, one addressed to Chinese Ambassador in Lanka Mr. Yi on November 6, 2018 and other addressed to Ms.Teplitz, then US Ambassador on April 25, 2019. Now looking back,we both know well, what kind of roles these two countries play on our current misery. I have no doubt your intentions are genuine and sincere. Thanks.
/
Ajith / April 7, 2022
Dear Prof.
Thank you for your letter to USA. However, I feel that truly educated Sri Lankan professionals in this country and abroad have to come together to educate our people who are kept under the dark of religious fundamentalism and fake patriotism to realise that they need to come out this darkness and country need united and sharing and respecting each other.
/
SJ / April 7, 2022
It will be good to study when a powerful country indulges in regime change in a weaker country.
We need not back even half a century.
/
deepthi silva / April 8, 2022
Old Codger you have made two things clear.
You are full of racial hatred towards the Sinhalese and whatever they do.( I take it you live in a foreign country. If living in Sri Lanka not a good feeling to have, especially if you enjoy anything given by them)
Second you blindly worship Ranil ( vast majority have rejected him.) But Ranil supporters say it was Ranil who destroyed Prabakaran by dividing Karuna.( this may be like the IMF claim , all nonsense.)
If you take it as true, you should hate Ranil too
Who did Ranil talk to at the IMF ?
/
SJ / April 8, 2022
ds
OC is very much here.
Can the three of us meet somewhere for tea?
It will be nice to meet.
/
old codger / April 9, 2022
SJ,
Lester lives in superior “Europe “. Or so he says.
/
old codger / April 9, 2022
SJ,
Lester lives in superior “Europe “. Or so he says. Can you tell the difference between “Lester”, “Deepthi”, and A14455? I wonder which one one will turn up, accompanied by three psychiatrists or just one?
/
Lester / April 8, 2022
LTTE supporters are fond of Ranil because he has no spine. He is the only politician on the Sinhalese side willing to debate this separatist nonsense. That’s why LTTE never wasted time assassinating him, he was actually an asset to them, not a liability. If Ranil is in power, first the minorities will get federalism, then an independent state. TNA has not changed its agenda. Ranil is their last and only chance. Not only the Tamils, but Muslims will demand federalism for Kalmunai and other places. Ranil has been bribing Muslim ministers for decades, that is why four of them resigned immediately after the Easter attacks. It was Ranil who gave land in the East where the attacks were planned and coordinated. This bugger Ranil is the biggest cancer to hit SL, second only to CBK who did not know anything about fighting a war.
/
old codger / April 9, 2022
Lester,
“LTTE supporters are fond of Ranil because he has no spine. He is the only politician on the Sinhalese side willing to debate this separatist nonsense.”
Not everyone who is anti-war is an LTTE supporter. So what is so heinous about separatism? If your wife wants to leave you, would you kill her? If minorities are not treated as equal citizens( there is no doubt about that) why not let them leave?
If they run their own affairs better, at least you will have a place to run to when your Rajapaksas have finished with you. It would be less humiliating than running to India.
It isn’t Ranil that created this mess. It was warmongers like you with delusions of “victory “. I hope you’re happy now. Perhaps you can eat those fancy highways before they’re sold off. Dhan Sapada?
/
Lester / April 10, 2022
Codger,
” If minorities are not treated as equal citizens( there is no doubt about that) why not let them leave?”
That is the optimal solution. When the minorities started agitating for separatism in 1948, the government should have begun deportations. Instead it negotiated with the minorities. During the entire war, the political party known as TNA represented the interests of the LTTE in the Sri Lankan parliament. That is similar to ISIS representing Muslim interests in the British House of Commons. As I wrote on this website before, ethnic diversity works well for Western countries as they have plenty of land and labor needs. Countries like Korea, Japan, China, and Sri Lanka have historically been homogeneous. That is why SJV Chelva took as his mantra, “two people, two homelands.” Unfortunately the “Sinhala-Buddhism” treats everyone as equal. That’s why even the plantation workers were granted citizenship.
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old codger / April 8, 2022
DS,
“You are full of racial hatred towards the Sinhalese”
No I don’t. Most of them are good people, more sociable than most Tamils. As for the other brainwashed idiots who think they have lion’s blood or think theirs is the world’s oldest civilization , I just feel sorry for them. How can you not feel sorry for people who claim to follow one of the greatest sons of India while believing that most Indians speak Tamil? And for the brainwashed idiots using multiple
names, but with the same Paksa agenda, who don’t see the significance of the fact that all foreign channels are falling over each other to interview Ranil for some reason, I have nothing but compassion.
BTW, unlike you, I live right here in SL. I am no hypocrite.
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old codger / April 9, 2022
DS the deluded,
Of course there are people I hate. That includes Anagarika Dharmapala, who invented this toxic Sinhala Buddhism, the vile Rajapaksas who perfected it, and a few others like Weerawansa and Cabral.
I do believe Mahinda would have made a better President. At least he knows his limits. Gota is a pretentious donkey trying to be a lion. I do feel sorry for his deluded followers who still haven’t stopped believing in their messiah while their world collapses around them.
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