By Shyamon Jayasinghe –
Shyamon Jayasinghe
Before movements and institutions fall apart they become objects of laughter. Many thinkers of the past have commented on the valuable function of humour, laughter and mockery in social life, namely that they help to rectify and to correct course. Henri Bergson’s theory of humour amounted to this. Stendhall said that the aim of comedy in theatre is to expose man to the mockery of the audience and thereby induce corrective action. Charlie Chaplin has also remarked that the function of comedy is to sharpen our sensitivity to the perversions of society. The protest organised around the Federation Square at Melbourne city against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who arrived to deliver an oration before an audience of legal academics indeed did exhibit the mutation of a once serious militant Diaspora of the communities into objects of laughter.
Two days prior, Hon Ranil Wickremesinghe was awarded an honorary doctorate from Deakin University, Melbourne at its Geelong Campus graduation ceremony. I was present. The ceremony itself had been full of pomp and dignity. It was the first time after six decades that a Sri Lanka Prime Minister had set foot in Australia. When suitable foreign dignitaries are given awards like this it has not been the practice to play the national anthems. Australians this time saw it appropriate to break with tradition and we herd our dear anthem sung, followed by the Australian anthem.
The hall was full to capacity with wigs and gowns worn in different colours, Scottish and aboriginal musical performances and so on. Ranil made a speech which shone powerfully for its substance and brevity. He received an echoing and re-echoing applause from the audience. I was in the audience and I felt proud to be a Sri Lankan-although now a domesticated Australian. Ranil cited the Dhammapada and the poet Rudyard Kipling and concluded by encouraging the new graduates to “make it” in this challenging new world of the technological transformation.
On the other side of the divide some militant elements of both the Sinhala and Tamil Diaspora were readying themselves for a big protest when the Prime Minister arrives in Melbourne for his oration. One Sinhala militant announced over the local SBS channel that hordes of protestors are to gather. It looked like Ranil’s Waterloo was going to come. Another announced that the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister is due to come soon. “We will surround him,” the guy threatened. The Tamil radio channels and grapevine were also getting charged.
One can understand the tamils who are still smarting after the fall of their LTTE leader. But the militant Sinhala critics kept flaying the University for granting Ranil the doctorate. I have in my possession some of the numerous email that went out from them. One, by a prominent militant of the past who I will disguise with his initials as RS states that, ‘Ranil can use his doctorate only in his relations with Deakin University.’ Another words the honour is of limited value. RS also mentions the Bond case
Another, MK, said, ‘Deakin has not done its research well,” and he doubts Ranil’s intelligence. A well-known lawyer, DW, claimed to be able to assess Ranil well as he is related to him and knows him well. He also boasts of having being in Royal.This guy is in the habit of boasting relationships with important Sri Lankans. PG said that, ‘Ranil is honoured for something he didn’t do.’
Now, the funny thing is that these varied persons claim to be patriots. Here, they assault the University for giving Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister this special honour. And they denigrate the Prime Minister personally. It is a case where Australia honours and Sinhala patriots dishonour a leading son and Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. They also cannot see any good in Ranil Wickremasinghe.
Came the 16th of February, yesterday. I was present here, too. I have presented to the Colombo Telegraph editor an image of the Sinhala protestors that shows a crowd of around twenty only! To be honest, this image was taken at around 5.30 pm -about 30 minutes prior to Prime Minister arriving for his oration. Some more crowds would have trickled later; but presumably it would not have been anything significant. The Sinhala group had been allowed well outside the hall, at the back and well away from Ranil’s arrival route. They carried slogans that cried out against ‘revenge over war heroes,’ ‘selling the country,’ and a ‘proposal to have a Federal State.’ No such proposal is out and the draft constitution itself is unknown; but they like to protest at the unseen. Wimal Weerawansa’s arrest may have been in their minds. Indeed! Wimal is a hero!
The militant Tamil Diaspora mostly employed young Aussie socialists. Socialism is stone- dead in Australia; yet there are some fair numbers who keep shouting for it. There were only a few tamils in the group. The number in total would not have exceeded fifteen. I tried to take a photograph but I wasn’t allowed by the organisers. These protestors managed to get themselves heard, unlike the Sinhala fighters outside in the sun.
The comedy here was hilarious: Both our Sinhala nationalists and Tamil nationalists had become strange bedfellows. By having Ranil as the common target their shared the bed!
However, the weak wails from both sides stopped well before Ranil arrived and the Prime Minister could deliver his speech without any interruption at all. We heard no noise at all while inside the hall.
Hon Dr Ranil Wickremesinghe spoke on a rather technical subject this time: “Freedom of Navigation in the Indian Ocean.”
The hall was full to its capacity of 400. The audience had been selected after prior registration. From the Vice-Chancellor downwards it was a gathering of celebrated legal academics. Some prominent Melbourne solicitors were also seen. Another bona fide honour for our Prime Minister! He received another huge applause by all and sundry. Another occasion for Sri Lankan pride!
I wonder if there be any Sri Lankan Parliamentarian today who could have matched the quality of presentation by our Prime Minister. Ranil evinced his intellectual grasp and his marination in practical politics over forty years. Our protesting elements would have benefited by getting inside and listening to the erudition of their Sri Lankan leader and sharing the honour he bequeathed to us, instead of dehydrating and languishing in the outside summer – sun.
Something of the following from Guttila Kavyaya seems applicable:
ඉඳ ඉඳ එක වෙහෙර
විඳ විඳ දහම් මනහර
සිඳ බිඳ දුක් සසර
අනේ දෙව්දත් නොදුටු මොක්පුර
A sharp thought pricked me: Isn’t Ranil Wickremesinghe the last chance for Sri Lanka?
*The writer can be contacted at sjturaus@optusnet.com.au
Piyadasa Yalagala / February 18, 2017
Right to protest is the Right of Democracy!
We Sri Lankan are believed that democracy of current government in working towards that wrong path, result of that we have every right to protest.
The voice of People is voice of Democracy!!!!!!
We have learn that democracy since independence 1948?
That is majority democracy ,but UNP-Ranil Wicks has not accepts this principle of majority Democracy.
UNP-Ranil W@@@@@@ that neo-liberalism has denied Independence of Governances of Parliament which rule by majority.
The Current UNP governances is nowhere not that belongs to Westminster Democracy or either US or French model of Democracy.
Its own (UNP-RW)political terrorising norms of Democracy.
How is that TNA become leader of Opposition ?
Having 16 members in Parliament?
How is that JVP given more hours to address Parliament only 6 members in chamber?
The UNP-Ranil W… must be shame to see that is what type of democracy, what he is preaching, that he act just an opposites that !!!!
This is how that Dr Ranil.W… has given Honorary Doctors by Deakin University by is also the mishap of democracy.
Well known facts revealed that UNP democracy is hypocrisy .?????????
That is why protester has been to public.
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Native Vedda / February 18, 2017
Shyamon Jayasinghe
“The comedy here was hilarious: Both our Sinhala nationalists and Tamil nationalists had become strange bedfellows. By having Ranil as the common target their shared the bed!”
This was not the first time, there had been precedent before.
R Premadasa and V Prabaharan had political, military, strategic, diplomatic ….. honeymoon against Hindia and its IPKF in 1988.
MR and VP worked together against their own people since 2005.
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Wera / February 20, 2017
Your ilk would goose step to Hitlers brass band on your way to the Baths. You are mental cases go treat your selves and stop being a disgrace.
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Karunadasa Gamage / February 18, 2017
The Sinhala protestors became jokers by joining with the Tamil terrorists. In the same boat? Ha Ha.Funny. From what the writer says the Tamils at least did not dishonour the doctorate that our PM received.But,however, our Sinhala patriots ( or those who call themselves patriots) dishnoured the honour given to our nation. Shame on them.
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Mark S / February 18, 2017
For some selling out the country is ok if some westerners give some award. We remember a certain leader was so keen to get the Nobel Peace Prize she almost signed a ‘package’ to make Sri lanka pseudo-federal.
For old-timers like the author, who appears to be dazzled by wigs and gowns, this may be a big deal. But for anyone who analyses the situation without trying to fluff it up using big words, it is obvious that Ranil Wickremasinghe has done nothing for the Economy or for Human Rights. So this award is meaningless.
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Upali Wickramasinghe / February 19, 2017
Mark S “Ranil Wickremasinghe has done nothing for the Economy or for Human Rights. So this award is meaningless.’
You are right on the comment on economy. Having been in the Cabinets of JRJ and RP ranil W had done some service to Human rights – though not enough.
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Prasad Ambepitiya / February 18, 2017
Brilliant stuff! Sri Lanka got to save itself from these saviors. Imagine the rubbish they have been talking. The judgment of suitability for PhD is entirely with Deakin. How can these idiots decide?
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Agnos / February 18, 2017
Shyamon,
Just off the top of my head, RS = Ranjith Soysa of the deceptively named SPUR, right?
I do not exactly share your optimism about RW, but let us wait and see.
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Lorenzo / February 19, 2017
Come on Agnos give RS a break
According to RS there was more than 300 people demonstrating as reported in Lankaweb
Ranjit does best to organise a piss up in a brewery
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Sunil Dahanayake / February 18, 2017
Dear Mr. Shaymon,
The peaceful protest is the hallmark of the democracy. I personally know that there are many Sri Lankan people who live in Australia severely criticize the current “Yahapalanya” government. But they did not participate in these protests because they do not want to have unnecessary trouble from the current administration when they come to Sri Lanka.
If you want to really measure the popularity of “Yahapalanya” government, you ask the current Sri Lankan government to have a simple election such as the Local Government election. Why are they postponing the local government election?
Anyway, you have shown that you do not use your intelligence and good will of your Alma mater (University of Peradeniya) in praising the current administration of Sri Lanka. In a way, that you will lose your goodwill and become a real joker in front of the intelligent professional Sri Lankans who live in Australia.
You tell us what are the reasons for granting an honorary doctorate for this politician. I can site many examples as given below.
1. By heading a government that increased the basic commodity of rice, price from Rs.60 to 100 and depriving the poor people of Sri Lanka having their basic meal with rice.
2. Attempting or alleging to cover up many frauds carried out by the current Sri Lankan administrators. One example is the Central Bank Bond Scam costing the Sri Lankan taxpayers billions of Rupees. In Sri Lanka, we take schoolchildren to police custody for stealing three coconuts and simultaneously, we garland (giving honory degrees) to the politicians for covering up white colour crimes.
3. Increasing the Sri Lanka Rupee exchange rate from Rs. 130.00 to 150.00 (to the US dollar) in a two-year period.
4. Trying to lease vital government resources to foreign companies such as the Hambanthota Harbor for 99-year lease to temporary boost up the exchange reserves. Trying to lease the Trincomallee Harbor to Indian companies.
I can give many examples. However, there is no point. Every day, we read these news items from the various news and other web sites.
If you want to really measure the popularity of this government in Sri Lanka you simply ask the question whether “Yahapalanaya Sapada” from a three wheel driver. I am sure that he will not scold you but your mother.
Most people in Australia and Sri Lanka are expressing their opinion indicating that this particular university has lost their credibility and accreditation due to granting honorary degrees to this kind of politicians. What this university has done is a cheap marketing activity to gain the students’ image from Sri Lanka. But it is a short term and will backfire.
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Native Vedda / February 18, 2017
Sunil Dahanayake
“If you want to really measure the popularity of this government in Sri Lanka you simply ask the question whether “Yahapalanaya Sapada” from a three wheel driver. I am sure that he will not scold you but your mother.”
A mere three wheel driver is not a representative sample of 21 million people nor does it make your survey “scientific”.
Why don’t you learn something about opinion polls and how to conduct them and then type your one sided opinion?
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citizen / February 18, 2017
Mr.Jayasinghe,
We respect your right to form your own high opinion on RW.Being safely away in Australia it should not be that surprising.
We have no qualms about RW being honored with a Doctorate from Deakin or any other University for reasons and criteria best known to them perhaps.However to most of us it may not mean much as his often lofty ideals are far from being practical on home soil.
We too for so long thought RW could perhaps be the Last chance for Sri Lanka but sadly though based on what’s being happening since late,it should instead be better for the country and its people ,that we see the LAST of RW soon enough
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Pihillagedera / February 18, 2017
Indians outside India always stand up for their leaders like Modi. But we Sri Lankans are ever ready to look up and spit. This is what happened in the Melbourne protest-I believe
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P Kokka / February 18, 2017
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2/
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Sunil Dahanayake / February 18, 2017
Dear Mr. Shaymon,
The worth of this act by the Australian University can best be explained by using a famous sinhala saying as given below:
“Who is going to pick-up and eat the bee-hive on a butt or rear side of a dog”.
It is useless to Sri Lanka, Australia and specially to this particular university. If you want to really measure the public opinion of this act, you may contact the VC’s office of this university and ask for the emails and letters received for and against on this act. I am sure that there could be many protesting emails and letters to the VC on this act.
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Native Vedda / February 18, 2017
Sunil Dahanayake
“It is useless to Sri Lanka, Australia and specially to this particular university.”
Hope you do remember that in 2009 just after the war had ended the University of Colombo conferred MR and GR Honorary Doctorate.
Is it useful to Sri Lanka, South Asia, the world and particularly University of Colombo, given that Dr Laksiri Fernando who was the proposer has later on 11 October 2015 in an letter to the VC of University of Colombo requested the uni to revoke doctorates from GR & MR?
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Chtrananda de Silva / February 18, 2017
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2/
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Chitrananda de Silva / February 18, 2017
See how we go this time.
It is not unusual for many Sri Lankan expatriates who have lost their identities in the new host countries to lick the boots of their leaders back home, hoping to get a plumb post in the government sector.
This is a bigger issue for those who have held ‘big’ positions back home before.
This kind of sycophancy is worse than all other dangers to democracy. There were many such boot lickers for Mahinda Rajapakse and it looks like Ranil Wickremesinghe has no shortage either.
Down with such boot lickers.
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Sena Wadduwage / February 18, 2017
[Edited out]
We all know the non-existence of any academic credentials of this man Ranil who only managed to get in to the Law College with JR’s help. He was as stupid as Anura Bandaranayake, his classmate at school. Deakin gave this bone to him because he is a western ‘lickshoes’.
Imagine a Third World leader quoting Rudyard Kipling!
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Mike / February 18, 2017
Sena Badduwage
“We all know the non-existence of any academic credentials of this man Ranil who only managed to get into the Law College with JR’s help”.
You must be a dumb ass to compare Ranil with “lowyer” playboy Namal Rajapassa and his father Medamulana Meeharaka !
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Sena Wadduwage / February 18, 2017
[Edited out]
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Native Vedda / February 18, 2017
Sena Wadduwage
“[Edited out]”
Excellent
Thanks for keeping it brief.
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Native Vedda / February 18, 2017
Sena Wadduwage (or the nasty Shenali Waduge)
“Imagine a Third World leader quoting Rudyard Kipling!”
Why not, if the the war monger Dayan could drop names such as Antonio Gramsci, Mao, ….. why not Ranil.
What is the big deal, even I could quote from Rudyard Kipling:
The White Man’s Burden
TAKE up the White Man’s burden –
Send forth the best ye breed –
Go bind your sons to exile
To serve your captives’ need;
To wait in heavy harness
On fluttered folk and wild –
Your new-caught sullen peoples,
Half devil and half child.
Take up the White Man’s burden –
In patience to abide
To veil the threat of terror
And check the show of pride;
By open speech and simple,
An hundred times made plain,
To seek another’s profit,
And work another’s gain.
…..
….
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / February 19, 2017
Ranil was two years junior to me in Royal. He was an above average student in his batch, unlike Anura. He entered the faculty of law of University of Colombo purely on merit, having obtained adequate marks at the then advanced level exam, at a time when entry to university was purely on merit and not other criteria like standardization. Completion of a law degree at university does not entitle one to practice law in Srilnaka, and they have to follow a course in Law college to qualify. So Ranil entering Law College is nothing extraordinary.
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Andare / February 18, 2017
The Rajapakse Peretha Thatuwa were the guys who protested.They deserve a hoot for insulting our Prime Minister
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Jessie / February 18, 2017
Look at the photo. It is a joke. No audience.No numbers.Never seen a thing like this.Why did they not at least hire some people like hiring Negombo women to cry at funerals?
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Prem Vaidyaratne / February 18, 2017
Shyamon Jayasinghe, can you tell us if these protestors are dole bludgers- with no work? Aussie government must send them back
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justice / February 18, 2017
The Deakin University Chancellor/Vice Chancellor would have stated the reasons for the award in his introductory speech.
Shaymon Jayasinghe should at least state the contents of this speech.
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Nimal / February 18, 2017
These jokers that protest should come back and develop the country.
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jim softy / February 18, 2017
Nimal
These jokers that protest should come back and develop the country.
Do you understand how Ranil Wiciramsinghe became a leader in the yahapalana govt. He himself took over the Central and Lost Rs !4 billion within 18 months.
Politicians they do themselves if not they select losers, theives, ignorents or uneducated.
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P Kokka / February 18, 2017
When people go overseas and are jobless they need some attention.
So they create some mischief.
Looking at the people Syamon has mentioned, they all have good jobs, and have taken time out of their work due to the love of the motherland. They don’t like what is happening, and live in a society where they can show their protest.
Some people would gladly listen to any opinion of Sri Lanka expressed by foreigners, but don’t want to listen to expats.
[Edited out]
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Sapphic / February 18, 2017
Did he write the speech or his so called wife with a brilliant mind and OhD in English write it?
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jim softy / February 18, 2017
I can not believe how much inferior they feel these domesticated Sri lankans when they live in Aborginal lands where the natives are thrash and descendants of British Prisoners are the new owners.
Shyamon is a true Kalusuddha who could not find anything from Sri lankan or south Asian litersture to quote and he is quoting some Europeans. First paraqgraph is full of that garbage. This guy worships those people. What scum !. True Inferiority complex.
Ranil wickramsinghe is a gem to shyamon and to Native Vedda.
Ranil has a LAW degree. But, he is trying to speciize in Economics by attneding every economic summitt in the world, and screwed up the country by taking over the Central bank underhim. First thing he did was robbing it legally. Here this UNKNOWN UNIVERSITY has gained a lot of publicity in SRI LANKA among thousands of propective graduates of that university by offering this peace of paper to Ranil and for waht. Reconciliation, offering Tamil eelam, and every thing else that Australians don’t give to Aborginies.
It is a failed protest to you. Do you think, the protest has to be violent as in Sri lanka ?.
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Rajiv / February 19, 2017
Deakin University just gave an honorary doctorate to Batalanda Ranil. Enough said.
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Stanley Dissanayake,Trinity Collge / February 19, 2017
Mike & Native Veddah-
well said both of you. Mike suggests that these protesting clowns who are Rajapakse foot soldiers think that Ranil got his law degree in the way Namal Boy-the car racing idiot- had got it. Even Yoshitha boy got into Navy after lowering standards. That never happens now. if anything like that happens the RTI law is there for anybody to follow up.
As Native Veddah states the Rudyard Kipling poem was a great quote -anytime.I like Native Beddah’s own poem about the White Man’s Burden.
Can these protesting urinators understand these poems?
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Native Vedda / February 19, 2017
Stanley Dissanayake,Trinity Collge
Mahinda Rajapaksa was able to enter Law College under a scheme which was devised by Siri Mao Bandaranaike for new members of parliament during the 1970s.
I am not sure how he managed to to qualify as a lawyer. Probably Siri Mao would have devised another scheme for SLFP MPs.
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Gamini Laxman / February 19, 2017
“Our protesting elements would have benefited by getting inside and listening to the erudition of their Sri Lankan leader and sharing the honour he bequeathed to us, instead of dehydrating and languishing in the outside summer – sun.”
This is brilliant, Shyamon Jayasinghe. Have you heard of any Diaspora protesting about an honour given to a leader of his country? That way, the Tamils were dash good. They did not say a word about the honour that Ranil earned. They only accused the army of occupying Jaffna.
These Sinhala extremist blind men cannot see their utter stupidity
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K A Sumanasekera / February 19, 2017
WOW , Mr Shymon got an invite to the convocation where Dr Ranil Wicks was awarded a PhD.
How cool…
Wonder whether he got an invite to Canberra as well, to dine with Dr Ranil.
My elders tell me this PhD is for Batalanda’s mastery in Economics.
Yhapalana Govt has to pay back USD 3.8 Billion in 2019 to foreign Bond holders.
Looks like Dr Batalanda has to use his and his mate Diaspora Singaporean.s mastery as well again, to find this money.
I didn’t see any Thamizas holding LTTE Flags there.
Why did Mr Shaymon try to involve them, I wonder.
BTW, did anyone see the Singaporean in Dr Ranil’s entourage?…
Mr Shaymon who reckons he is a domesticated Aussie may have thousands of fellow domesticated ones, who would love to get the same returns as PT get, for their Super investments in Sovereign Bonds..
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Pal Abey / February 19, 2017
For no-hopers like us who are jobless after the fall of Rajapkse, these jokers are providing good entertainment.
During good old days, when people like Rajpal Abeynayaka (free laptop) were advising Rajapakse, things like this would have not got any publicity.
Bring back the Rajapakse media brigade.
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Thanga / February 19, 2017
In the land of the blind the one eyed is the king. Among the current leaders Ranil Wickremesinghe stands out as a sober leader who does not engage in sabre rattling and communalism. He is also not corrupt like his predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa. The Rajapaksa family misused state power to enrich themselves. Rajapaksa promoted nepotism and cronyism as a fine art. During the hey- days of his autocratic rule, more than 250 of his kith and kin worked at the temple trees. His relations and cronies with poor qualifications were appointed as diplomats and heads of corporations. No one can accuse Wickremesinghe of such nepotism and corruption. He deserves the title Mr. Clean. Having said that, he is a weak leader not having the courage of his convictions. Had Wickremesinghe supported the draft constitution proposed by the then President Chandrika Kumaratunga in 1995 the country could have avoided a costly war, It would have led the country to a new era of peace and prosperity. When he lost the elections he dumped his federal solution to resolve the national question into the dust bin of history. Today he is dilly dallying with the commitments Sri Lanka gave to the UNHRC. He is against appointing foreign judges, prosecutors to investigate war crimes committed by the government and the LTTE. He and his party are opposed to federalism. He is refusing to learn lessons from the past. Federalism is only a system of government well suited to a multi-cultural, multi-lingual and multi-ethnic country like Sri Lanka. The system seeks unity in diversity. To live and let live. I reserve judgement on Wickremesinghe till the constitutional process is completed. He is heading the important Steering Committee comprising 21 MPs. Now that he has been conferred with a PhD, we expect more from him.
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Shyamon Jayasinghe / February 19, 2017
I thank all those who have read my piece and I thank CT editor for publishing. I thank all commentators-even those who use this opportunity to revile me and try and undermine to my opinion.
1. I must emphasise that I am no party man and I don’t have heroes. I do not beleive in heroes.I support the UNP and its leader Ranil Wickremasinghe only at this stage in the country’s circumstances and that backing is CONDITIONAL on their delivering rightly the promised yahapalanaya. If one is honest one has to admit that fair progress has bean made although a lot is left to be done. The great relief is that the abominable faimily rule of the Rajapakses are over and I do not think they will ever get back.
2. There are a few persons emailing me for the names of the ‘patriots,’ who are referred to in initials only in my article. I have to tell them that I am not going to release them because that would mean I am making this a personal matter. I am not interested in persons and my writing is confined to principles of political behaviour that are manifested in persons gone astray from the ideals of decent civilised living.
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Saman Adikari / February 19, 2017
Ranil Wicks of Old UNP leader is main culprit of Central Bank Bond scam by aiding abating to Ex-CB governor to loot public money belongs to Sri lakan tax payers.
No legal actions has taken against Ranil.w..until now , by UNP leadership has been that manipulating state power and all tools of govt. by all enforcement authorities have no right to go ahead by without orders from Ranil W…of UNP ‘s authority.
This fine “Democracy of UNP” of that “Good governances and rule of Law” advocated by USA, UK and Indian model of corrupted politics has undermined rights and values of voice of democracy of PEOPLE of SRI LANKAN.
Form the Western point of an their ideology of democracy is bias on that the depend their political leaders who are served for Neo-Liberalism have every right exonerated all charges against Ranil W… and other from “compromised govt.” by of all corruption .
CB Bond scam is nakedly violated of the public finance by Ranil W.. in personally that involved.
But USA, Australia, New-Zealand , UK and EU countries want to covered up his Bond Scam by they have given honorary Doctored to Ranil W…. of UNP.
They want created NEW political image for “Democracy” of “Good Governess” and “Rule of Law “for Ranil W…of who has looted public funds .
UNP has lost cause of Democracy in deeds. The regain and review UNP’s oriented “democracy” of their cohabitation of MS and CBK images are rapidly evaporating at the near future.
The Democracy is our bastion of all Sri Lankan the irrespective many complex differences of lines of politics.
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Amon Conghe / February 19, 2017
Well, Well, Well.
Shyamon should now be happy that we have Dr Ranil to accompany Dr Mervyn!
Shouldn’t he invite Dr Mervyn to his 150 member cabinet now.
THey are equally (un)qualified PhD [Edited out]!
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Selva Gnanam / February 19, 2017
With regard to Shyamon J’s above article I would like to the readers to please note the following.
Tess Flanders said that “One Picture is Worth a Thousand Words” when she discussed journalism and publicity. The picture Shyamon J has published was taken about an hour before the actual protest – organized by the people he calls “the militant elements of the Singhala diaspora” – began. I visited both the protest sites he has written about and took photographs of both. I don’t know whether he published the above photo to deceive the readers or whether he was not aware of the actual crowds who attended each protest. The LTTE occupied the sidewalk of Flinders Street in front of the Fed. Square Atrium while the “militant Singhala diaspora” occupied Princes Walk behind it. The LTTE protest was to counter the invitation extended by Ranil for the Tamil refugees to return to Sri Lanka as he said his Govt. welcomed returnees. When you read the placards carried by the “militant Singhala diaspora” you will get a clear message of what they wanted to say. It was nothing about Ranil’s Doctorate. I, as an independent observer challenge Shyamon to let me publish the photographs I took on that day as against the deceptive photo he has published. When both sets of photographs are published let the readers decide. Shyamon, you can use any expert to authenticate my photographs and I will bring them to any place in Australia. If you back out the readers will know that you are a fake. Over to you my learned friend. Good luck.
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Shyamon Jayasinghe / February 20, 2017
“Selva Gnanam.” If you read my piece again you will find I have admitted mine was a pic taken by an observer before the oration started -about 30 minutes before. I have also acknowledged that more protestors would have trickled in later. I have since seen the pics taken later and asked other attendees but found the crowd had still been a pathetic and lamentable showing. The fact that you want to prove your point by bringing pictures to me shows your bankruptcy. One of the guys who had joined you all, a friend of mine, told me:’boru wedak.”
You have to realize that you guys can no longer muster crowds here with the kind of empty slogans you now use. Your problem is that you refuse to be real and to be awakened. The Sinhalese in Melbourne are ahead of your cheap and vacuous calls for protest. In Sri Lanka, too, big social changes are taking places and new generations think differently. teledramas are an indication. You all are left behind.
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