Former government Minister Navin Dissanayake speaking at the inaugural presidential election campaigning rally of the common Opposition movement today said Minister Basil Rajapaksa used to be a staunch UNP supporter, even though he has conveniently forgotten that past today.
Addressing the gathering at the rally held in Kandy this evening, Dissanayake said, “Basil Rajapaksa was my father’s PRO in the Mahaweli project. Until my father employed him, he did not even have Rs. 10,000. He worked in that position for about eight years and even actively campaigned for the UNP, but today he has forgotten it all.”
Meanwhile, common candidate Maithripala Sirisena who attended the rally clad in a Modi-styled outfit said for the past six months the government spent over Rs. one billion in producing dramas, printing books and preparing DVDs containing defamatory material on the Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe because the Rajapaksas were convinced that the Presidential battle would be against Wickramasinghe.
“But little did he know that the man who would rise up against him was right there inside Temple Trees,” he said.
JHU frontliner, Champika Ranawaka who also spoke at the meeting pledged to oust Mahinda Rajapaksa from his seat on January 8, in the same way they paved way for him to take up the President’s seat in 2005 when he did not have either the party members or his brothers around him.
Meanwhile, President Rajapaksa flew to India today seeking divine intervention towards his victory at the upcoming polls. Indian media reported he is due to visit the Thirupathi Kovil in Andra Pradesh where he is to engage in religious rituals and receive blessings to ensure his victory at the Presidential election.
Robert.R / December 10, 2014
Did you remember the UNP voters who voted for you when you crossed over?
People in glass houses….
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vishvajith / December 10, 2014
True, True.
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Dodo / December 10, 2014
Mahinda Jarapassa will indeed need divine intervention to win. But even the Gods have deserted him.
The usually victorious Sri Lanka cricket team lost in Hambantota!
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Ganda Weera / December 10, 2014
Now who was the ghost who offered you 100 million to stay with the government.
I want to find out just to publicly humiliate him for thinking you are worth that kind of money.
What would you be if not for your father’s name? Just think about it.
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Sven Perera / December 10, 2014
Even guys like Mervin – once upon a time he was the bone licking dogs of Bandaranayake family – today turn ministers under the most abusive president of the world -Meeharaka Rajaapkshe.
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Native Vedda / December 10, 2014
“even though he has conveniently forgotten that past today.
Does the son remember what JR said about Gamini and Mahaweli project to a foreign media?
Does the son remember the name of the richest Sri Lankan at the time?
Does the son remember the Jaffna Library arson?
Does the son remember releasing UNP thugs from police custody who went on wreak mayhem during 1983 riots?
Does the son remember what he said on radio during the 1983 riots?
Many of us like to hear what the son has to say about his father’s other side.
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Backlash / December 10, 2014
Nice work, Native V. The higher level politics of this country has been hijacked by crooks, cheats and hypocrites – notably in the
post-1987 period. Not that all political leaders before that were entirely free of sin. But certainly till about that time things were
generally under control with the Judiciary and Parliament fiercely free and independent. However, both institutions sunk to despicable lows during the Rajapakse regime – shaming all decent Lankans in all four corners of the land.
Maitripla S, Ranil W, Mangala, CBK are all guilty of corruption and nepotism at different levels when they were in power. The choice of the people today is to chose the best of the worst. It is palpably clear most of the country is ready for a change – any change. But will Jan 12 bring that change? The Rajapakses have subverted every arm of governance to ensure they stay in power for a long time. They are helped by an semi-ignorant electorate incapable of rational political thought but that acts viscerally – swayed by communal and religious prejudice. If it took Mugabe over 40 years to ruin that economically strong African country making Zimbabwe a virtual nation of beggars, you can count on the Rajapakses to do it within the next 5 years. We are already there. The curse of this country is not only our corrupt political system and our inherent nature to steal but more those irresponsible and semi-educated Buddhist religious hierarchy – drunk with majoritarian power from 1956 to date. True they have the largest number of people under their watch. They have the right but where is the responsibility?
Backlash
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srilal / December 10, 2014
can any one tell what does PRO stand for ?
is it
professional , public relation officer , planning & reporting officer, problem resolution officer ,professor or some thing else ?
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Ananda / December 11, 2014
That is Public relation officer. There were so many others holding this position under Gamini’s Ministry of Mahaweli Development.
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srilal / December 11, 2014
cheers Ananda , i read some where here that BR was a driver , i was just curious !
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J.muthu / December 10, 2014
Native,
He is simply Sinhala Buddhist [Edited out] idiot remember his father worst corrupt among Sinhala modayas…jumping every where…no morals, no policy….nothing but fool all Sinhala modayas…
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Native Vedda / December 10, 2014
J.muthu
“no morals, no policy….nothing but fool all Sinhala modayas…”
You should add no morals, ….. fool all Sinhala modayas like their Tamil stupid brethren fooling their fellow stupid Tamils.
Recently Sivajilingam tossed the maze during Northern Council meeting.
Read this:
“Angered Wigneswaran walks out of meeting
Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran yesterday (9) walked out of the District Coordinating Committee (DCC) Meeting held in Kilinochchi in anger following an agitation between Minister Douglas Devananda and TNA Parliamentarian T. Sritharan.”
http://ceylontoday.lk/
10/12/14
Whats the matter with you stupid Tamil people.
Though Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran tried to calm down both very, very, …. stupid persons the verbal fire fight went on on on on ….. and on.
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Paisa Must Appah / December 10, 2014
Does the son remember the orchards in Australia procured at the expense of SriLankan taxpayers monies?
Does the son remember how the Mahaveli waters flowing through Colombo 7 enriched certain occupants there for generations to come?
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Native Vedda / December 10, 2014
Paisa Must Appah
“Does the son remember the orchards in Australia procured at the expense of SriLankan taxpayers monies?”
Thanks for adding another piece of son’s selective amnesia. I was going to add this Australian investment story after receiving approval from my elders.
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mechanic / December 10, 2014
This so-called native vedda is no vedda, bugger is a kallathoni tamil from the east.
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Native Vedda / December 10, 2014
mechanic Sinhala speaking Demela
Unlike your forefathers my people didn’t travel by kallathoni Bihar and Tamil Nadu.
One day you may have to travel back to where your great grand father came from,actually to work in cinnamon garden.
Maybe they arrived with Kalinga Maha’s mercenary (Vellaikkara Padei) army from South India. Possible origin of your forefathers can be traced to Erivirapattinam.
Have your DNA tested to confirm your origin.
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Paul / December 10, 2014
‘This so-called native vedda is no vedda, bugger is a kallathoni tamil from the east’
I couldn’t care less where he is from – he speaks the truth.
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whywhy / December 10, 2014
The story doing the rounds at the time was,JRJ made
fun of Gamini whispering to him “I think Gamini,
Mahaveli starts from here” meaning Alfred House
Gardens!I was at his funeral.Gamini is no more now.
He was punished by the victims.Premadasa was
punished.And the return of the UNP to power since
then never got realized.I think the past now has
to be the past teaching us bitter lessons not to
repeat it.This could be the best time for a new
beginning with a new man!
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vishvajith / December 10, 2014
The points raised are conveniently forgotten by him.
Why should our people vote for these fellows, I ask.
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anonymous / December 10, 2014
Visvajith,
That is not a good enough reason not to vote for the SWAN. Don’t forget, he is only a ‘rat’ who jumped ship for ‘convenience’.
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Snowden Edward Asange / December 10, 2014
When it comes to him, seeking votes Dont bother voting him, BUT to chase away a dictator WE all need to come together and see that the MARA clan is ousted n chased away..like Saddam, Gaddafi and their ilk. We in SL CANNOT expect something like the Arab Spring, so the next possible action is to see the backside of the MR clan and kick em where it hurts… ENOUGH is ENOUGH, WE who support him for a 3rd term are ANSWERABLE to our generations to come for the folly that WE let to happen… RIGHT UNDER OUR NOSE….
When they came for my friends I was asleep…
when they came for my neighbor I was asleep…
when they came FOR ME… there was NONE to come to my help….
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Peace Lover / December 10, 2014
he is another opprotunist as well,i meant Navin D the man who jumps fences,at least the Rajapakses dont do that so for that I respect them better than this chap Navin
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Indra / December 10, 2014
Very valid comments here from Native.
Navin Dissanayaka did not have the foresight to anticipate that his speech made with intent to defame Basil would not fail to backfire on himself. Navin Dissanayaka is one of those who propelled into politics, primarily exercising “hereditary rights”, not due to his exceptional talents.
Ranil and Maithri please make sure that starting with this man, NEPOTISM will have no place in their thinking or indeed their government if they come to power.
They must also make sure that everything the pups want to say in public should first be submitted for vetting to a “communication” division to ensure they do not put their foot inside every time they open their mouth. Caveat : Pay dearly for Own Goals.
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Arul / December 10, 2014
Politics IS to “conveniently forget the past”!!!
This in short explains the very essence of politics-
forget the past,
forget the promises made,
forget who you were,
forget those who stood by you,
etc etc etc etc etc………
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Harry Hatton / December 10, 2014
A snooty speech from a man whose father by reputation was a very corrupt politician. If Basil was a driver then that is OK because he was earning a living. If he did that job well that is all that matters.But Basil becomes bad only when he becomes a corrupt commission earner. So Please don’t insult drivers and other service providers implying they are a low kind of people.
Only about 5 years ago there was a picture in the newspaper of Mayantha Dissanayake( Navin’s brother) flat on the ground worshiping Mahinda Rajapakse. Why did the son of the “great” Gamini worship the brother of a driver in that manner ?
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paragon / December 10, 2014
DEAR NAVIN WHY YOU HAVE FOGOTEN TO MENTION THE OTHER PRO OF YOR FATHER AT DARLEY ROAD MAHAWELI MINISTRY THE FAMOUS MISS SANOJA BIBILE WHO WAS DOINIG WONDERFULL JOB THERE.BSIL WAS PAID 10,000.00.HOW MUCH SHE WAS PAID,KINDLY CLARIFY.
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Matilda Ellepola / December 10, 2014
whatever, is not for political favourism and influence all of the Rajapaksa siblings are either clerks or military or police officers or gas station attendants or 7Eleven store keepers in USA.
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Ali Baba Sabry / December 10, 2014
Don’t forget, the brother who later became speaker was only a night-duty security guard.
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JULAMPITIYE AMARAYA / December 10, 2014
ANEY PAAVU BASIL UNCLE;
“Basil Rajapaksa was my father’s PRO in the Mahaweli project. Until my father employed him, he did not even have Rs. 10,000. He worked in that position for about eight years”.
Even Now Also He does not have Rs 10000 with him ,
“Only UBS Credit Card and millions Of Swiss Franks in Swiss banks and Monaco Banks”.
That is the Difference NOW AND THEN.
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j.thavarajah / December 10, 2014
NATIVE.
Your reponse above reminds me of the famous quote of the BARD.
The good that men do are interred with their bones;It is only the bad that remains.
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muslim / December 10, 2014
Gamini and the son are best forgotten,the son may deprive Sirisena of some minority votes,he is a time server.
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Pot Shot / December 10, 2014
Naveen’
You are welcome back but don’t think you were any better. Not only did you betray the UNP but you betrayed your father and father-in-law too.
At least reform now and know that the future of Sri Lanka must take precedence over your selfish ways.
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shankar / December 10, 2014
“Basil Was My Father’s PRO, He Has Forgotten That Today: Navin”
One thing that basil has not forgotten is gamini’s get rich quick tips.
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Amaraweera / December 10, 2014
Navin be more Mature.Your good father did not have sufficient money to pump petrol to his car? in 1976/77. So do not talk about Basil. All wealth that your family enjoys today is the wealth that Mr.Gamini Dissanayake acquired after 1977? What is 10000/= that you talk about.
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Shingalaya Moadaya / December 10, 2014
[Edited out]
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NandaGupta / December 10, 2014
Regardless of politics, I have seen Basil’s work after the tsunami after math. He executed the entire workforce from his office, I was amazed to see the way he worked, and he was efficient, well organized and competent. He had lot of energy to go with it. I have seen a smart hardworking man who delivered amazing results by prioritizing and coordinating the ministries to get the work done to relieve the people from the worst disaster in the history of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka handled the tsunami aftermath with limited resources much better than how USA handled Katrina disaster with all the available resources. Basil Rajapakse was one of the key people for the great recovery. It is a shame to put down people for working in gas station in USA etc. We should appreciate the hardships they have gone thru with all the talents they have. They were not used by their own country to get the best out of them. There are many brilliant people who did waitressing, pumping gas and work as newspaper carriers. People like Matilda and Navin shows their immaturity and egotism. They need to grow up.
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Nimal / December 10, 2014
My3 was going work in a bicycle when he was Gramasevaka.None of his brothers had a bike.They had to walk or take the bus go anywhere.Now all eight brothers are billionaires.MY3 son’s character is same as Malaka Silva.Navin should know this too.
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Samuel Bandara / December 11, 2014
Malaka Silva and My3 s son and the like youth are common to this society today. It is all not because of the fathers prominence may be the trend of today s youth. They dont respect anyone -but all surface things. I know this by myself having met my nephews in SL lately. Today s youth have no respect towards their elders.
But I dont believe that MY3 became rich by MR regime. He has been in lanken politics for last 4 decades.Over the years, they have risen up to the levels they are today.Rajapakshes were also not real elites that is the reason them to be isolated by colombo elites even today.
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jay gunasekara / December 11, 2014
Navin is a buddhist and may have not read the scriptures even though he attended Trinity like his father.Christ said “let him that has not sinned cast the first stone” and all their stones fell down as they were ready to stone a women that had “sinned”. We all know that Gamini enriched himself on the Mahaveli project but the Rajapakses have made billions of Dollars on all the infrastucture projects. This has to stop and a new corruption court should be establised after the present political appointees are prosecuted and jailed for their wrong judgements including Sarath Silva.
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patriot / December 11, 2014
Navin, you are no comparison to your father. don’t talk too big, Sri Lankan politicians are master in corruption, no trace on the transaction does not mean did not take bribe.
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Ravi Perera / December 11, 2014
Navin,
Your father was one of the most capable and talented (If not the best)politicians in the JR cabinet. If not for the JVP trouble in 1988 your father would have been the presidential candidate.
Stories of your father owning orchards etc are utter rubbish by people who are filled with jealousy. Kumar Ponnambalam an ardent LTTE supporter use to say that your father had no hand in the burning of the Jaffna Library.
If your father was alive, we may never have heard of Chandrika or MR.
You are one of the few educated and good politicians in the parliament. Unfortunately people are going to compare you with your father who was an exceptionally talented politician. This is something you have to learn to live with just like legendary Don Bradman’s son did.
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srinath.gunaratne / December 11, 2014
There is a big difference between education and intelligence, Any man who has little sense of decency would not stoop into this level to humiliate another human being for the job he did. This is another low of the low of SL politician, Does Basil have to worship your feet so he was your father’s PRO? Grow up you spoiled prick, Your values are not so different to likes of Mervin and a shame to human intelligence. Be a decent human being, Maybe this is the kind Trinity breed? Explains lot.
While you were licking their asses, they were good, now they are Kuli karayo?, No wonder Mahinda clings to his family, At least none of them have betrayed him.
Looking at the contending bunch to grab the power, I do not see any difference to ruling party, May be Sri Lanka need a ass kicking President like Mahinda. Other wise how can you control this scum?
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Native Vedda / December 11, 2014
srinath.gunaratne
“There is a big difference between education and intelligence,”
There is a humongous difference between education + intelligence and wisdom.
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srinath.gunaratne / December 11, 2014
Yes unusually, [:)] you are right this time, I wrote it in hindsight, my apologies,
But For our people, intoxicated with opportunism and greed, What difference would it make?
If Lord Buddha was here, They would White van him too.
For those who wants to know the difference…
http://www.quora.com/What-is-the-difference-between-intelligence-and-wisdom-Are-smart-people-wise
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