Namal Rajapaksa MP today said his younger brother’s attack to a Rugby referee ‘was a misunderstanding’. Namal Rajapaksa’s response came as a reply to a tweet sent to him by another tweeter user Zaman Alfeoz. Zaman asked “@RajapaksaNamal, did your younger brother Rohitha Rajapaksa attack the refree at 7 a side game… is it true?”
Presidential offspring Rohitha Rajapaksa assaulted Rugby referee Dimitri Gunasekera on May 05th at the Havelocks Grounds in Colombo after the Navy lost a qualifying match.
The incident took place when the Police A team defeated Navy knocking the latter out of the Inter-club Rugby sevens tournament organised by the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union.
Rohitha Rajapaksa, the youngest son of President Mahinda Rajapaksa was captaining the Navy A team at today’s game. His brother Yoshitha usually captains the team.
Following the Navy defeat, Rohitha Rajapaksa picked up referee Gunesekera by the collar and assaulted him in full public view, eyewitnesses say. The attack on the referee only ceased when Yoshitha Rajapaksaintervened, even slapping his younger sibling when the latter refused to break up the altercation.
With referees refusing to stand to protest against the assault, the tournament was suspended for over 45 minutes. Finally, following a meeting of high level officials with the referees the tournament resumed. Both Rohitha and Yoshitha Rajapaksa were seen regularly in discussions with the referees during the rest of the evening.
The game of Rugby in the country has been severely politicised by the Rajapaksa family in recent years.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s second son Yoshitha is the captain of the Sri Lanka Rugby team and the Navy Sports club.
Related posts;
Censorship: Presidential Offspring ‘Referee-Beater’ Rohitha Rajapaksa On Buzz With Daily Mirror
Presidential Offspring Rohitha Rajapaksa Assaulted Rugby Referee In Full Public View
Senior Rugby Players Avoid National Team
Sri Lanka To Ban Sportsmen Refusing To Represent Country
Rugby Under Revised (Rajapaksa) Rules
Appuhamy Regiment And The Recent Rugby Games
I Went To A Fight And A Rugby Match Broke Out!
Jay / May 9, 2013
This country is not belongs to Rajapaksa’s and his cohorts. They should understand that this thuggery/attacks in every sphere of life will not last for ever and it is clear from our immediate past political history. But the issue is they are bringing up a new generation in this violence culture and will take centuries correct.
The religious leaders, mainly Buddhist clergy has to play a leading role to cultivate good values. To me it is not effectively happening at the moment
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Ben Hurling / May 9, 2013
Agree.
An extremely violent political culture is being transferred to the next generation now. As we clearly witness all over the country.
Political offspring do not know to how to handle problems in any other way. Violence and corruption is all they know. And all they have seen. Throughout their upbringing. And will emulate.
Sri Lanka’s political culture needs a total change. New people of integrity. New blood. We must make sure offspring of current corrupt politicians will not take over positions of power in the country.
That is a very big challenge. Given how stupid our electorate is. People love to send criminals to Parliament. But, we must try. Otherwise we do not even have chance of saving Sri Lanka.
PS: Nothing will happen to Rohita Rajapassa. They will settle the matter with the refree(s). By bribing them behind the scene. SLRFU is run by a Rajapassa cronie(s). Sri Lanka is truly cursed by these people.
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Samson / May 10, 2013
It is reported that over 250 of MR relatives today are in public sector.
None of them seem to read CT articles – or they just pay blind eye as they treat us all today ?
I wish I could read any comments added by one of those country scattered Rajapakshes, what they feel towards what people^s anger today
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P.B / May 12, 2013
Hi not 250 it is 568
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Samson / May 12, 2013
So the others in his bunch have let those relatives to get appointed as if people are idiots. It is shame that why anyone dared to come forward and ask why… what a shameful lankens ?
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Samson / May 12, 2013
nobody has risked it being against those over 500. There lies the failure on people. Rajapakshes to western eye – is born to destroy the nation.. they dont have principles. nor have they god sorta wisdom before being jumped onto do anything. Nor have they god respects towards human values. All these are more than evident from the incidents that have been coming to surface through press these days.
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Peter / May 9, 2013
Jay you say – “The religious leaders, mainly Buddhist clergy has to play a leading role to cultivate good values. To me it is not effectively happening at the moment”.
True, BUT what hope do we have with them when we see what is done by ‘Buddhist’ priests (eg: BBS) and the silence from the clergy you speak of is deafening???
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Sama / May 9, 2013
In an environment, where Buddhists monks are compelled to behave as the model (BBS) made by president^s brother, HOW CAN MOST SACRED MONKS TAKE A LEAD is the question comes to my mind instantly when reading this. Sadly, many seem to stay dead silence whatever the harm is being done by so called buddhist monks to lanken society today.
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Sama / May 9, 2013
This they did after killing that British tourist.
This they did after killing Baratha
This they did after killing Waragoda MP
This they did after assaulting that Army officer
This they did after letting Juliampitiya amare to continue mass killings
This they did after sending legally appointed CJ -Dr. SB
This they did after appointing the new CJ though with crime investigations against him going on
This is typical to them Rajapakshe genetics are unique.
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JULAMPITIYE AMARYA / May 9, 2013
TILL NOW,
Rugby referee Dimitri Gunasekera did not say ‘It Was A Misunderstanding’.
to us it is DAYLIGHT ASSAULT TO THE JUDGEMENT OF SPORTS.
THEY HAVE TO REMEMBER, THAT THERE WERE SO MANY 1ST FAMILIES WHO WERE IN WORLD POLTICS NOT LIKE THEOSE FROM WEERAKETIYA.
like Quddhafi,Sdaaam Hussain,Suhartho, Marcos fammlies.
now what happened to them?????.
so Namal rajapassa, same fate may happen to your’s also.
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MNZ / May 9, 2013
We all have misunderstandings, but do not assault the other party.
I don’t know if Namal means that if anyone of us has a misunderstanding it is quite okay to thrash the other party.
If so, can we now have a 20th Amendment to the Constitution legalising Namal’s point?
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Sherrif / May 9, 2013
Buddhist clergy does not see rugby matches. We know that some of them are interested in attacking our shops! Of course, they can ask Namal to get his brother to apologize. May be the good sportsman he is , he would have already done. When in power people do not know the difference between good, bad and the ugly!
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Sama / May 9, 2013
But Buddhists monks closely study the manner BBS and the sympathizers vandalized the pvt and public properties several times in the recent past.
Boy are boys but in such an incident – it is advisable their offspring to make an appology for the indecent incident. Then only people would make their mind up forgiving the mistake, SINCE making mistakes are human and common to everyone.
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Safa / May 9, 2013
Any ordinary citizen would have been arrested and charged with criminal assault, but in this case it is a simple misunderstanding. Most probably if the referee had preferred charges it would have turned the other way, referee assaults player.
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Kautilya / May 10, 2013
These Rajapkase brats are (all three) are nincompoops and their only interest is fair sex. It was reported eldest brat shared a film actress with the father. That is the world they are in.
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citizen silva / May 9, 2013
Ha ha like father like son
like ayya like malli
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Dhaksha / May 9, 2013
The misunderstanding is on YOUR part Namal. In case you are in denial, your family has a bad reputation for resorting to violence, or ignoring violence, when someone is against what you do. Your brother is just mimicking the Rajapaksa tactics of ruling this country. What next? Will he send a white van to make the referee “vanish”?
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Randy Mathew / May 9, 2013
what’s new? The Rajapakse siblings have turned out be like their father.
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kp / May 9, 2013
im sorry, but to me this seems a little too over-the-top even for CT. We all know the Rajapkse method of ‘misunderstanding’, but im beginning to feel this is being over-sensationalized, especially in the light of the fact that it was Rohitha’s own brother who slapped him and took him away from the altercation…
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quidproquo / May 10, 2013
Rohitha’s brother slapping him in broad daylight would also ordinarily be a crime that would result in charges against him in most functional democracies.
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suryagamage nilan / May 9, 2013
It is perfectly OK for the brothers to assault after all they have royal blood coming from Dutugemunu? Please have some respect for royalty?
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Mahela / May 9, 2013
This is truly another show of how Hambanthota Gas Gemba puppets behave when given positions. There is no difference in everything they do according to their known culture, family history and upbringing, now spreading all over Sri Lanka. This is their family curse now spread all across Sri Lanka and to all institutions.
It’s time to Boycott the Navy team in future until these Moron brothers are kicked out from Navy team.
Boycott and isolate Rajapakses is the key to show our displeasure and disciplene.
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fred / May 9, 2013
As MNZ quite rightly points out, when we have misunderstandings with others we don’t see fit to assault them. One of the things sports are supposed to teach you is to take things in your stride, in good spirit and without resort to violence. Time was when if an incident like this occurred, the first reaction of the spectators would have been to shout, ‘Which school?’ because such behaviour would not be seen as that of someone who went to a ‘good’ school. Another reaction would have been to say that the parents of this offending young man have failed to bring him up properly. And on that score, young Namal and his family should be (or we hope will be) suitably embarrassed.
And Safa, you are right, “Any ordinary citizen would have been arrested and charged with criminal assault” But, don’t forget, in SL, every one is equal – but some are more equal than others!
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Goraka / May 9, 2013
If you misunderstand, you talk about it. You don’t assault a referee. Even the elder brother thinks public are stupid.
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DD / May 9, 2013
Boys will be boys. This is not the first time a referee was assaulted
during a game of rugby. Globally!
It shows a winning spirit that Sri Lankans sadly lack.
If the President of Sri Lanka shows an interest in
Sri Lanka rugby, it is much needed.
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Ambettaya / May 12, 2013
All this with Jayantha Dharmadasa saying that SLC has gone to the depths. Politicizing any sport will take it to the depths. The nails of SLR is being driven in systematically. We can have our Rugby players tackling like a bunch of sissies for sure. We’ll be so incomparable with the IRB playing nations.
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J muththa / May 9, 2013
Punish Rohitha Rajapakshe…. A mere slap by Yoshitha will not do.
He has brought disgrace to the First family.
Father’s power has corrupted his thinking.
He must be banned from any Rugby in future in addition banned from visiting any Rugby Match or ground be it to witness a game or otherwise.
He can visit Navy Grounds at Welisara and watch the Navy practice.
A damn cheap skate stupidly showing his toughness before a halpless referree?
Was he attempting to come out of the shadows of his brothers??
What a way to do it. An absolute moron.
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Rishme Sheriff / May 9, 2013
how can you boycott .. these guys will pay for people to come watch the matches
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Paisa Must Appah / May 9, 2013
Dmitri must be careful now. Soon, Uncles White Van will be coming for him.
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කඩප්පුලියා / May 9, 2013
If I come and hit you,did you say it also a misunderstanding.Fly a kite you bugger.
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Samson / May 10, 2013
XXXXXK MP welcomes Namal’s comment
May 8, 2013
UK Member of Parliament Simon Danczuk has welcomed comments made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son Namal Rajapaksa that “there has to be a trial” to make sure the people who murdered his constituent are brought to justice.
He was referring to the murder of UK national Khuram Shaikh on 25 December 2011 in Tangalle,
Namal Rajapaksa recently told the BBC that he did not know why the accused were out on bail and that “there had to be a trial”. He added that “these kind of incidents should not take place”.
Pressed on the involvement of local politician Sampath Chandra Pushpa Vidanapathiran, who was one of the suspects out on bail, Rajapaksa said he was “shocked to learn that one of my colleagues had got involved in such a thing”.
Welcoming the President’s son’s comments, Simon Danczuk MP said it was now widely acknowledged in Sri Lankan politics that the murder of Khuram Shaikh had damaged the country’s reputation.
“There has to be a greater sense of urgency to get this trial moving, it’s no good politicians saying ‘there must be a trial’ while in the meantime the wheels of justice are moving at snail pace,” he said.
“This is a problem that’s not going away,” he added. “I know most Sri Lankans are ashamed that this terrible crime happened. But it’s time the Sri Lankan Government started taking these crimes seriously and delivered justice for the victims.”
The government had in March said that the Attorney General (AG) is to forward a direct indictment to the High Court, without a non summary inquiry, relating to the death of Khuram Shaikh.
It said that a special prosecutor has been nominated by the Attorney General to conduct the prosecution under the guidance of the Addl. Solicitor General who heads the Criminal Division of the Attorney General’s Department.
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Aney Apochchi! / May 10, 2013
Samson:
Do you expect ANYONE to take these pronouncements seriously? It’s a well-known fact that Namal’s security detail is composed of IRCs and that is the “culture” in which all of them exist. Murder is perfectly okay as long as they are not the victims!
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Ben Hurling / May 10, 2013
This Namal is truly aspiring to be his Dad. Rajapassa trademark. Denial and lies!
Tangalle tourist murder and rape is so high profile. Our country is internationally shamed by it. Millions of Sri Lankans, including myself are ashamed of it.
Namal claims he does not know? Utter BS! Get a life Bro! People are not idiots!
All invloved disgusting, criminal local politicians were cronies and henchmen of corrupt Rajapassa clan. Period!
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Fair N Square / May 10, 2013
1st off ROHITHA RAJAPAKSA is NOT in the NAVY, its YOSHITHA who is, and he captains. How on earth did Rohitha play in the NAVY team? leave alone captain the team? worst is Namal trying to defend, where as Yoshitha SLAPPED ROHITHA…. There is NO room for a MISTAKE….. what happened is ROHITHA SLAPPED A REFEREE OF A RUGBY MATCH ……….PERIOD.
NAMAL , PLEASE learn to accept what your brother did is wrong.. so we all can move on, knowing that sooner than later, what happened to USAI and Qusai Hussain( Saddam Hussain’s sons) will happen to you folks….TIME IS RUNNING OUT.. GET ready to raise your sarongs and run… for dear life…
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Fair N Square / May 10, 2013
…………While running see that ya’ll are minus ur undies… so that the death knolls will ring… DING DONG…
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Rojith de Silva / May 10, 2013
It’s shame that no media coverage is given to this brazen act of thuggery. Where is SLRFU in this? Guess Asanga Seneviratne owes allegiance to the royal family and not to uphold the true spirit of the game.
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Aney Apochchi! / May 10, 2013
Asanga Seneviratne is a shameless stooge of the Rajapaksas and he has a track record of encouraging the Navy (and Air Force) and their supporters to assault opponents and their supporters.
He is a shameless piece of ….
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Disgust / May 10, 2013
Just another episode in the ‘life and times of Chintana Dynasty’. I still do
not see the word ‘sorry’ being mentioned by the attacker nor
the referee saying he was like … having a sudden seizure and the attack was helping him to get over it…
Let’s wait for the next episode!
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reader / May 10, 2013
no it is misbehavior
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MR Retort / May 10, 2013
It is quite right and a person with any understanding would ever do thing of that nature?
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truth_seeker / May 10, 2013
I have seen rugby players 2-3 times bigger than this runt (in rugby terms) just accept the referees decision and leave the filed with their head downs in English, South African and Australian rugby, which are played by real men. Any of those guys could pick the referee and body slam him like a ragdoll. Yet they absolutely accept the referee’s decision regardless of how much they disagree with it.
I think these guys should be let out to play against real rugby players to learn a lesson about the game and discipline. One time I was watching a game where SL national team was playing against the Springboks in some international competition. It was not yet half time and the score was 63-0. Sorry no prize for guessing which team was 63! Sri Lankan rugby – what a joke! Can we ever compete in this game at international level? Go do something that you are good at. Anyway like someone once said about rugby – if it is a game it is too much and it is a fight, it is not enough!
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Sangakkara / May 10, 2013
He should be sacked from the National Captaincy and court martialed as a navy officer, oops am I dreaming? Well what can we expect he is a Rajapaksha after all – like father like son
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Randy Mathew / May 10, 2013
the dad came to power by foul means & the son wants to win by foul means. Well, well , well Like father like son. Our beautiful country has been taken to a new low by these cursed scoundrels.
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M. GONE / May 10, 2013
A SO CALLED RIGHTEOUS REGIME….. WELL THE VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IS NOT MADE UP AFTER ALL….. .THIS IS JUST WHAT HAPPENED TO INNOCENT TAMILS AND NOW TO ANY ONE WHO OPPOSES…… INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TAKE NOTE……. THIS WILL NOT LAST FOR LONG ….. SOON AND VERY SOON WE ARE GOING TO SEE THE VICTORY WHEN THE RAJAPAKSES THE MURDERERS ARE GOING TO BE DEFEATED ….. AND OH OHHH THAT GOTHA(BHAYA) IN WILL BURN IN THE LAKE OF SULPHUR FOR ALL ETERNITY……. WHERE IS THE DISCIPLINE GAINED AT ST. THOMAS’…… WHAT A DISGRACE… WHAT A DISGRACE…. AND HOW CAN THIS SMALL WORM CAPTAIN THE NAVY TEAM IS HE ENROLLED IN THE NAVY????????
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len / May 10, 2013
Its all a misunderstanding ref did a such good job little Rajapaksa brat wanted to give Ref his game Jersey he just checked the ref’s collar size by garbing him by scurf of his neck.
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