High drama prevailed at the weekly meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers yesterday, with several ministers threatening to quit the government if transparency does not prevail when it comes to decision making by the leaders including President Maithripala Sirisena and Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Marapana
At one point during the stormy session Wickremesinghe had walked out with one minister describing that he had left in anger and another saying that the Premier had left to prepare for his special statement in parliament on the governments mid-term economic plan.
The Premier however had not returned to the meeting room thereafter.
The hotly debated issue during the meeting was the special statement made by Law and Order Minister Tilak Marapana in Parliament on the Avant Garde issue on Wednesday.
Ministers Rajitha Senaratne and Champika Ranawaka posed the question on how Marapana could make a special statement in parliament without the permission of the cabinet.
Senaratne questioned on who had given permission for Marapana to make a special statement.
A visibly agitated Senaratne had questioned whether Marapana was batting on behalf of the Avant Garde as he was in the company’s payroll.
Meanwhile according to a minister present at the meeting an angry Ranawaka had said that while some ministers who had entered the cabinet through the backdoor were running amok, those who fought tooth and nail to topple Rajapaksa and bring the new government to power were being sidelined.
Meanwhile Minister Rauff Hakeem too had backed Ranawaka and Senaratne noting that transparency was lacking when it came to decision making from those in the highest echelons of the government.
A number of ministers questioned the views expressed by Marapana and asked the President whether this was an attempt to sweep the issue under the carpet,
One minister recalled that Marapana’s name was linked to the Avant Garde issue during the previous regime’s time as well and urged the President to investigate the matter.
Marapana had represented Avant Garde in a law suit during the previous regimes time.
Both Ranawaka and Senaratne had threatened to quit if transparency does not prevail when it comes to decision making by the leaders. They also urged Sirisena to continue with the Avant Garde probe irrespective of Marapana’s stand.
Meanwhile Sirisena promised the ministers that he would look into the matter.
However, the debate on the issue which even prevailed after President’s assurance showed that Ministers were not happy.
Marapana making a special statement in parliament on Wednesday said that the Police had raided the Avant-Garde floating armoury vessel at the Galle Harbour soon after the election to ‘score points’.
While dismissing allegations over the whole matter, the Minister stated that it was similar to the millennium city affair in 2002 when a hideout of government intelligence officers were raided at Athurugiriya, while revealing their identities to the outside,
Minister Marapana told parliament that facts have been distorted to create a wrong picture in the minds of the people.
Piumi / November 6, 2015
This man Marapana was standing naked before the August assembly. He was addressing the courts by saying”mage sevadayakaya”. In the first place PM should not have brought this man to the Parliament. He was one person who badly politicised the Attorney General’s department during HE Wijetunga’s time. and was also responsible for the fall of the UNP government at the time.
PM if you really want to continue with the “yahapalanaya please get rid of these bad eggs. IT is very clear why the present AG decided to defend the Avant Gard. This man Marapana was behind the decision.
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Ben Hurling / November 6, 2015
Could be agreed play for the Gallery. In an effort to wear out public scrutiny and burst public pressure. Remember CB Bond problem is in the back burner now.
A calculated, driven crook of Marapana’a standing would not have made such brazenly dumb statement in Parliament otherwise. Without some sort of a clearance from more powerful, crafty players.
Sri Lankan Cabinet meetings must be akin to gigantic, chaotic, ever so bickering Afghan Grand Assemblies (Loya Jirgas). If not worse. No offense to tested Afghans.
I cannot believe impoverished taxpayers of our country actually foot the bill for such large gatherings of monkeys every week, called Cabinet meetings. To achieve nothing. Except eat, drink, quarrel & drive away in luxurious SUVs. All at state expense.
To begin with there should not be two monkeys running so called Law and Order & Justice ministries separately. It is actually the same thing. Fire the both!
Cheers!
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mj / November 6, 2015
Avant-garde is grading the gold and $.. dumped in the deep see by MARA..only Avant garde knows the exact spot ..
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srilal / November 6, 2015
Thilak Marapana , W Rajapaksa and Vajira A’s action might rock the boat , Ranil will have to do some thing drastic to keep the fragile coalition ;thus , he will have to sack these three ministers .
I don’t know much about Vajira’s action though , but definitely TM and WR ‘s actions seriously undermined the Yahapalana government; therefore,this incident has put MY3 and Ranil in an awkward position.
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rew / November 7, 2015
It will be impossible for RW/MS to avoid fall out from the Avant Guard and Central Bank twists and turns.
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Yasin / November 7, 2015
You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours.
My3, like it or not, will not rock the boat. He is taking time so that MR will soon retire from politics with dignity and all cases relating to the previous regime would be swept under the carpet. After all, MR was My3’s
master. It would be indeed strange If My3 did not know about the Avant Garde saga which has been operational for many years now because he was the defence minister or Deputy DM at one time.Also the SL Navy must have had a record of this vessel but not recorded as per instructions given to them.
Ranil’s hands are tied after the CB governor Arjuna Mahendran’s bond saga. So he has not much say in anything without consulting My3.
Taking a good look at the people running our country, it appears that 99 percent are crooks voted in or out by the people.
The voters are the audience of jokers in this suspense filled daily drama which never ends and will never end for the next 5 or 6 years.
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nic / November 6, 2015
Marapana has blood on his hands. Being a former minister in the UNP Government he chose to be the defense attorney for the company in question where he was handsomely PAID for his service. This guy is unprincipled with no integrity. Perhaps he has something which satisfies Ranil’s deviated sexual preferences so much so he had to be brought through the national list outside of which he would not have garnished votes in an election outside his family!
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Korala Thune Gamarala - Sisira Weragoda- / November 7, 2015
In 1980s I could remember a lawyer from Avissawella referred him as “MARA POTHA”, not Marapana.
Also could someone find out the source of the verse
“Diyehi Yana dandata
pihitak wethath pera sita
dudanan hata pihita
no wow yana basa sabea kale mata”
Culprit No2 Wjjedasa H quoted this as from Guththile,SF). I wonder whether it is from another book
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Lanka Watch / November 7, 2015
Piumi – Despite your narrative about Mr. Marapana, he will still remain as the minister for law & order and the PM will take over
‘Avant Garde’ case and the same thing that happened to Central
Bank Governor Mahendran’s case, which is collecting dust at PM’s office, will happen to this case. PM is a good man but very reluctant
to take action against the wrong doers, which is a weakness in him.
It was wrong on the part of the PM to have walked out of the cabinet meeting, instead he should have stayed back and defended his colleague
or exposed him. MR is no fool to have stayed in politics as he is sure that his chance is nearing. There is a cabinet division now and what
next and what to follow is the next question. Its time the president puts his foot down to save the govt.
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Wera / November 6, 2015
This idiot has got to be dumped. I have never seen anyone acting so carelessly and so corruptly among the UNP ministers. Who gave him the Law and order ministry so he can go on messing up. No more national list for crooks Mr Prime minister. He may be your buddy but he is completely destructive and cannot be allowed to carry on. Mr Marapone has a track record and it is not a good one and it certainly is not one that deserves the rewards the PM has given him.
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Ordinary Lankan / November 6, 2015
,,transparency was lacking at highest echelons of the government.?
Yes m indeed , billions of bribery at play
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EDWIN RODRIGO / November 6, 2015
It is good to see that still in this country, there are politicians, who have some conscience. After the MARA years such good things were stamped down and destroyed using maximum possible force.
We as janathawa of this country stand firmly behind those are trying to defend this country against such rogues, sacrificing even our lives for that noble cause.
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shankar / November 6, 2015
“A visibly agitated Senaratne had questioned whether Marapana was batting on behalf of the Avant Garde as he was in the company’s payroll.”
This guy should be kicked out of the cabinet.How can he be on the payroll and still be a minister while they are being investigated.Also his brother gamini marapone PC is on the payroll of mahinda stoutly defending him in the ITN case.
So far what has this bugger done for law and order other than bashing female students who are peacefully marching towards a ministry and also bashing another innocent student in the 5 year old girls rape and murder case.has he caught the guy or guys who are going on killing women in a village.
Maybe he has a nice bum because though his decisions as the defence minister in the previous ranil government triggered the election leading to its downfall,ranil still keeps him in important positions.
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Panco Villa / November 6, 2015
The Yahapalanayas are taking us for the ride of our lives!
How can Marapana, who is paid by Avant Garde, have the audacity to make a “special statement” in Parliament in defense of his paymasters? And why was he appointed Minister of Law and Order? What a sick joke perpetrated by Ranil W! And Maithri doesn’t have the balls to rectify this BS?
Ranil pulled a similar stunt with Mahendran, ignoring all the criticisms without any response.
Time to clean out the pig sty! Hopefully those ministers with guts will actually resign in protest and put their money where their mouths are.
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EDWIN RODRIGO / November 6, 2015
Not only does this man with clear divided loyalties supporting his paymasters, while betraying the millions who supported the Yahapalanaya, but he goes on to insult the police saying ‘they were trying to score points”.
Let us suspend this myth of Y-playanaya and tell the police to give him the full treatment. Hanging by his legs and beating is too good for him. We need lots of imagination to give him what he deserves.
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Patriot / November 6, 2015
“Senaratne questioned on who had given permission for Marapana to make a special statement.”
Senaratne surely should know that Marapona wouldn’t have made that ridiculous statement in Parliament without the blessings of both president Sirisena and Prime Minister Wickramasinghe. If Marapona has done it without their approval he should have been fired by now by the President. This shows the typical political maneuvering in Sri Lanka. It seems even the President wants to sweep this issue under the carpet. May be Marapona is being used as a pawn.
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thumpane gamaya / November 6, 2015
Everyone knows Marapone is on Avant Garde Payroll for years. Only difference this time is Avante Garde recently increased their contribution to Marpone’s account. Why should Marapone talks on behalf of the Cabinet, is the cabinet making the contribution that Avante Garde is making towards Marapone.
The other top beneficiary from Avant Garde is Wijedasa. This morning I met 3 people in the train from Maharagama who has voted for Wijedasa at the last elections. Guys are badly regretting their decision to vote for Wijedasa at the last election after hearing the press conference of Field Marshal Fonseka yesterday.
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punchinilame / November 6, 2015
Should not the BASL bring up a public interest case against this Wijeadasa guy for his
confession that he prevented Gota being arrested in the Avant Garde investigations? Was
this a priviliaged statement?
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Pot Shot / November 6, 2015
Its increasingly looking that all allegations against MR and his gang of family and friends are turning to be false. It seems like the UNP have connoted lies to come into power. Its almost going to be a year since the new government came into power and nobody has been prosecuted or convicted yet.
We the people are always losers and the politicians continue to hoodwink us irrespective of which Party they might be from.
Its time to give the JVP a chance.
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vas / November 6, 2015
This goes to prove that no lawyer should be appointed to any position that deals with the administrative positions of Minister of Justice or Law and order . They are too enmeshed in the corrupt legal system of Sri Lanka. We have had only lawyers in this position since independence. and it has not brought any relief to the ordinary litigant. It has only brought misery and wasting of time and money. The beneficiaries have been the lawyers and law of lawyers.
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Justice & Fairplay / November 6, 2015
Dear Mr President, Dear Mr Prime Minister,
Please note, this is most probably the beginning of the end.
If you are complacent anymore in the face of the ludicrous, all great plans and all great projects will come to naught.
We want a clean up first. Clean up of all that was dirty and unacceptable. That is why you both were installed.
THE FIRST CONSIDERATION THEREFORE HAS TO BE A DECENT, RESPECTABLE, ABOVE BOARD GOVERNMENT. It should be seen to be so, through its actions.
Respect for the Law must not only be stated, but seen by us to be believed.
Nepotism must be eradicated. Rooted out, along with the perpetrators. You know who they are, but you look away.
If ‘LOOKING AWAY’ is the way you approach things, don’t be surprised, the Prime Minister will soon end up in the opposition (where he will once again feel quite at home!)for another long spell.
If you are governing, GOVERN so that we can be proud of our Government; not ashamed of it.
Many of us were the floating voters and we will continue to float unless you tell your ministers to respect our intelligence.
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Vetmahadeva / November 6, 2015
Justice & Fairplay,
You said it the way it should be told to those concerned, they are our main concern as well now.
The present hybrid government has already attained the worst status, by knowingly appointing Chief Legal Consultant of the Avant Garde Security Agency Thilak Marapana as the Minister of Law and Order. The Prime Minister childishly trying to cover the sin he has committed (having a strong hand in appointing Thilak Marapana as the Minister of Law and Order) by jumping into preemptive announcement economic plans and divert the attention of public security concern issue in Parliament, well ahead of the budget submitting Schedule. The Good Governance has become mere slogan of toppling another Government, nothing of it the New Government. Thilak Marapana shamelessly pronounce that he cannot divulge any details of Avant Garde Security Agency and sheepishly claim that he has bound to the company, not to divulge the important details of the company, to the Supreme Council of the Nation – The Parliament of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, how can a Cabinet Minister, a Former Attorney General of the same country subordinate the Supreme Sabah the Parliament, to a Company he is representing as a Legal Consultant?
He is not fit to be a Representative of the people in the Parliament, and to be a Cabinet Minister merely representing a Company – not to divulge details to other Representatives of People in Parliament.
Thilak Marapana apart from being the Minister of Law and Order, is a retired Attorney General as well and as such he is in a position, indisputably influence the Department of Attorney General; his response in the Parliament to Chief Opposition Whip on Wednesday was nothing else than of mischievously influencing the CID Police Inquiry going on now.
Further he had committed another National Priority Program damaging crime by attempting to remove the Chairman of National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, Dr.Chamira Nilanga Samarasingha, who is in a process of divulging the details of names and status co of leading local drug kingpins – This Doctor as a Chairman of National Dangerous Drugs prevention program taking the Nation in a correct path. Why on the earth he has to be removed by this minister a complete representative of Fraud and Corruption. Is it for Government”s desperation to appoint crony in the line of a Police Officer who can be made a crony of politico, than a Professional, who would be very objective of his duties?
Thilak Marapana either should resign as minister or should be removed as a cabinet Minster of Law and Order doing neither of this the present government would be shown the same destiny of its Predecessor
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anonymous / November 6, 2015
My dearest Sorry Lankans,
My heartfelt sympathy for the poor and the middle class voters of this beautiful island. Stop everything you are doing for a moment and look inward, ask your self who you are & what you expect from life which is ‘Anichcha, Dukkha & Anathma’. Is it worth living a life full of ‘Lobha, Dosha & Moha’? The most compassionate being ever, the ‘enlightened one’, the ‘Buddha’ gave up all luxuries for the well being of the people of the ‘Universe’ (Roopee & Aroopee). The group of people present in this government are not the individuals you expected and they must be removed ASAP, not by force but ‘Wisdom’ (ප්රඥාව).
Get rid of this thief and the entire lot!
I suggest Ven. Sobhitha as the President (only as an advisor/ peoples representative) and General Sarath Fonseka as the PM. The SF you all knew does not exist anymore as he has changed his way of life just like the Prince Siddartha did when he left the palace.
Metta to all and be happy and free from suffering
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Portia / November 6, 2015
It is clear there is a conflict of interest. Is Marapana’s statement the view of the Cabinet ? He has jeopardised his position as the minister in charge of the police. He should realise that justice must appear to be done; which with his statement gives the layman the impression that it does not! He should never have been appointed in the first instance and shows bad judgment on the PM’s part and his for accepting. In short, in the interest of ‘good government’ he should resign or be sacked!
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Jagath Fernando / November 6, 2015
Nothing will happen.
Even when there is sufficient evidence, this regime has Rajen a decision not to prosecute anyone.
Avant Garde is a good example. Sil clothes at TRC amounting to Rs 600 m is anther one.
This is Yahoalanaya at its best. Get used to it for the next 4 years.
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Spark / November 6, 2015
Legislation needs to be bought to disallow retired Attorney Generals, Judges, Magistrates, Chief Justices and Armed Forces Personal into becoming Politicians. Massive conflict of interest takes place while ethics, principles and justice are monkeyed for ulterior motives for which those same persons once held high position. After retirement, some of these individuals wish to make money during the last stages of their life and may not care for any form of integrity towards that end. Their are the highly principled individuals who would retire and continue their services towards humanity in an ethical manner, very much in discreet and always donating what they had earned and using their influence in society to help others and never themselves, but persons of that character are not seen or rather not available at all in countries like Sri Lanka.
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Burt / November 6, 2015
What’s the going price for a minister in Sri Lanka?
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Ben Hurling / November 6, 2015
Burt,
Do contact Nissanka Senadhipathy, Avant Guard “Lokka”.
He has latest, most updated, infact real time rates.
Cheers!
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The Professional / November 6, 2015
What can the society expect from TM the crook?
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Daham / November 6, 2015
The prime minister, the President and the Ministers are not carrying out their duties properly for the welfare of the people. The president is globe trotting taking with him Budhdha relics. For whose benefit he does these idiotic acts is anyone’s guess. He just talks about eradicating Kidney Failure in the Anuradhapura District while the health ministry send circulars to Hospitals to stop carrying out dialysis on patients over the age of 48 according to news reports. Accordingly young poor patients who have kidney failure are going to die when they reach 48 years. Poor patients who are already above 48 will not survive. In this country ministers like Thilak Marapona, Wijedasa Rajapaksa , Vajira Abeywardene, Malik Samarawickrama are getting huge sums of money from the wrongdoers in order to get political protection. The PM and the President are not governing the country.
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PhD / November 6, 2015
Before Marapana was appointed as the minister for Law and Order Lanka e news wanted people to e mail the secretary of the PM not to go ahead with this appointment. Accordingly we did what we could do to stop this man becoming the minister. ALAS! Ranil Wickramasinghe as usual never listens to people. He is an ARROGANT RASCAL. His buddies Marapana, Malik, Vajira and his Boy Sagala will one day make him a very unhappy man.
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Barus / November 6, 2015
This is Sri Lalalanka!!!!!
Nothing has changed from last year. Same corruption, same pilfering, same hoodwinking. Only the actors are different as the older actors got lethargic, and the new ones are active in keeping up with the pace of the old ones.
Beautiful Country with shitty rulers!!!
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Douglas / November 6, 2015
First: AN APPEAL TO “CT”: Please publish the live speech made by the Chief Opposition Whip, Mr. Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Parliament on 4th October 2015 as regards all these “DEAL MAKING” by the members of the Cabinet. That will reveal and explain to the public most “Updated” situation in relation to the much publicized all “Investigations” carried out by the CID;FCID;BC and the Presidential Commission. The whole House was dead silent and listening as he (AK) itemized the subject matters of those “Investigations” including this “Avant Garde” case. “SIRASA” carried it titled “Sampurna Kathawa” (whole speech)and some of the social media too gave wide publicity, because it contained FACTS that could not be refuted by anyone in the Government or the Opposition.
Now coming back to the main subject matter: At yesterday’s Cabinet meeting some of those matters were hotly debated and the President is expected to make a statement as regards an “Arranged Visit” by the Chairman of Avant Garde in the company of a powerful UNP man from Galle. This, the President has been compelled to do, because, Mr. Anura Kumara referred to this “visit” in his above mentioned speech in Parliament and asked the authorities to check the CCTV cameras and the “Visitors” book at the President’s office. So let us wait for President’s statement on that. But the fact remains it is a “DEAL”.
Next interesting matter is the “Explanation” and “Apology” given to the Addl. Magistrate, Mr. Nishantha Peiris by the OIC of the FCID, Unit 2 on 5th Oct. 2015. Why this was interesting? The OIC in question while tendering his “Apology” said that the Attorney General gave instructions to “arrest” both Lalith Weeratunga and Anusha Pelpola, the Chairman and the Director General respectively of CRT, on September 16th evening (night). But he could not do it because, the next day ie.e 17th he was on a duty call at Attanagalle Courts. Then on the 18th he came to know that the matter had been referred to the High Court. “Why” and “Who” did that? The only reason we could see was to prevent the “arrest” of the two and facilitate granting bail. If they were arrested and brought before the Magistrate, under the existing laws in relation to Public Property, he had no option but to put both into REMAND CUSTODY. Now as the case is in another court, the “Magisterial Inquiry” had to be concluded. That is how this “Sil Redi” (Devotees Clothes) case of Rs. 600 million of PUBLIC FUNDS turned out to be a “DEAL”.
The other most interesting case is that of Sajin Vass. He was granted bail, because the Government announced that he has been made a “WITNESS”. I raised this issue in one of my earlier comments too. IN WHAT GOVERNMENT CASE SAJIN VASS IS MADE A WITNESS? Mr. A.K. raised this question in Parliament on 4th October; but NO ANSWER WAS GIVEN. The most interesting thing here is not that of a “Witness” ; but FIRST TIME in the history of Legal matters, a “FICTITIOUS WITNESS” and “AN ACCUSED” is provided with SECURITY from the MINISTERIAL SECURITY DIVISION. By that provision of security from the MSD, this “VAGABOND” is treated in par with a Government Minister or a VIP. Haven’t Sri Lanka already made a “MIRACLE” not only OF ASIA BUT OF THE WHOLE WORLD.
Mr. President what DID YOU DO TO US AND THIS COUNTRY?
NB. CT; Please publish that live telecast of the speech I referred to above. A BIG THANK YOU in advance.
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Upul / November 6, 2015
Marapane will say anything Ranil wants him to say.
His survival depends on it.
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paragon / November 6, 2015
it looks like earlier ALIBAABA HUNDRES THIEFS are better than current ALIBAABA AND FORTY THIEFS.
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Backlash / November 6, 2015
The carefully designed Avant Garde enterprise to illegally import, store and surreptitiously export, for profit, dangerous arms to destinations in conflict and civil war conditions – should not be treated lightly.
The master-mind behind this (everyone knows who this small and bloated minded man is)should be weeded out and subject to maximum punishment.
The countries where these arms found their way too should also lodge
complaints with the UN, ICC and other international bodies using credible evidence to hound these venal, sick brains.
Backlash
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Shan / November 6, 2015
This is becoming a joke. AG closed the case and then President wanted more investigations because some of his ministers pressure him to do so. Now both Justice and Law and Order ministers came out and said that there is nothing to investigate. It is about time PM and President come out and say what is really going on.
While government playing politics, it also is going to lose multi billion business through Ratna Lanka. I think the reason for the controversy is this: This venture is a brainchild of Gota and some in the government want to bury him no matter what.
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bo / November 7, 2015
No 1 Bribe taker! Don’t expect justice for anyone with this kind of binkudda’s in charge of Law and Order. “Binkuddo bola thoth naatapan. maath natannam ……..!!!” It is just a game,does not matter who is in power.
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K.A Sumanasekera / November 7, 2015
Rajitha Senarathna and Champkaya Ranawaka threaten to quit the Government..
Heheheheheheeeee.
I know Batalanda can not sack them , Because Bodhi Sira won’t allow him.
But the Elite and the Anglican Seniors in the Christian Faction should force their Leader to accept the resignation.
And make an exgratia payment as well..
Because our Dalits in the South wouldn’t elect them even for a local Funeral Benefit Club..
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bo / November 7, 2015
The man responsible for all this crooked activities is Ranil himself, Marapana is just a front. All the dealings are between Rajapaksha’s and Ranil W. No doubt Marapana has his hefty cut for becoming the fall guy. If RW is a proper leader with a backbone and principles he would have controlled his flock, but this black sheep has been up to no good, and I bet it is with RW’s conniving.
Who is really in charge of the country at the moment. It certainly is not MS; he has got that inevitable sickness of foreign travel. Otherwise, if he really loves the country, he should take those Presidential powers in his hand and wield a sledgehammer over these crooks in the parliament.
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Patriot / November 7, 2015
Nissanka Senadhipathy the owner of Avant Garde and Vajira Abeywardene together have met and wished President Sirisena on the 10th of January according to Cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senaratne. However, President has said that he did not know it was the Avant garde owner. Funny explanation for meeting a rogue.
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CITIZEN / November 7, 2015
This is ridiculous! If he is a man with any respect he must immediately resign and do his business. He is defending his client in the Courts against this serious fraud and performing his role as the Minister in charge of law and order. No person shall descend to this low for the sake of filthy lucre! If the man had any professional etiquette he should have declined to accept the post covering law and order and Police. I know your readers will say that such thing has never happened in our country. Same is applicable to his colleague in the Cabinet who also has a role to play in the gamble!
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