‘One of the men who calls my brother a traitor invested 7 million rupees in Golden Key,’ a brother of President Maithripala Sirisena said at a cocktail party in Colombo last night, Colombo Telegraph learns.
Viyangoda
Obviously upset by accusations against his brother, the said individual had also stated the following with a liberal lacing of expletives: ‘My brother became President after being in politics for 49 years. This man was in France in the eighties working as a driver and is now eying a top post in a state media institution. I will reveal all and F$&@&& him.'”
Investors in Golden Key according to Lalith Kotelawala were launderers of black money. He said this in an interview with Upul Shantha Sannasgala a few weeks ago.
Colombo Telegraph believes that the launderer referred to is Gamini Viyangoda, a columnist who often writes about the ills of greed. When contacted Viyangoda denied having invested in Golden Key. Colombo Telegraph then asked if his wife had invested in Golden Key. Viyangoda angrily denied this too saying ‘mama thamuseta kiwwa neda eka paarak?‘ ( I’ve told you once, haven’t I)
Colombo Telegraph learns that his wife Padma Wijesinghe indeed invested in such an amount in Golden Key. Viyangoda a regular columnist and a strong backer of Sirisena recently referred to him as a traitor for having allowed Mahinda Rajapaksa to contest the General Election.
The President recently said that prior to his decision to take on Rajapaksa, he hadn’t known or met most of the organizations and persons who were later involved in the campaign.
Full interview;
Patriot / July 17, 2015
I do not agree with this mud slinging at Gamini Viyangoda who always speaks the truth about the prevailing situation in the country.
Gamini spearheaded the Citizens Force to Oust MR and elect Sirisena. When Sirisena betrayed the people by giving nominations to MR and his rogues(clan) Gamini and the citizens force started criticising Sirisena which is the right thing to do by the right thinking people. Sirisena is surrounded by people like Shiral Lakthilaka(who got into the national list of UPLF) who is an enemy of Ranil. Their ill-advice is the cause for the present predicament of the country.
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vishvajith / July 17, 2015
I met Gamini V., in France in the late 90’s. He translated and published the classic ” Love in the time of cholera ” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Even then he spoke of fairness,
justice,equality, a neutral press etc in SL. I haven’t met Gamini since.
We all do, different work in different stages of our lives. Some of us have spent time in jail. Ask FM Fonseca.
Gamini raised valid concerns with Pres Sirisena. Most people think likewise.
The word ” traitor ” is loaded and better left alone.
Btw, many depositors at Goldedn Key were regular Citizens. It was their hard earned money that has vanished.
Let’s calm down, shall we.
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Nagananda / July 17, 2015
When Mr Victor Ivan referred Mr Viayangoda to me sometime back, seeking financial support to upkeep Ravaya Newspaper, claiming that it was facing a severe financial drawback, the way Mr Viyangoda talked to me, made me to believe that it was a genuine appeal made to public.
I checked with Registrar of Companies and found that Ravaya has been registered as a Guarantee Company, where no funds belongs to the company could be appropriated by any person by way of profits, income or any other manner.
Thereafter I contributed Rs 100,000/- and altogether 220 people contributed Rs 10,600,000.00 to this ‘good cause’.
Sometime later I realized that this money had been surreptitiously robbed by Mr Victor Ivan deceiving all the contributors, who were never informed by the appeal in the Ravaya newspaper that the funds that would be collected would be given to Victor Ivan. In fact we not issued with a formal acknowledgment for the contributions made.
It is sad to note that after I request for a receipt for the payment made Mr Ivan got angry and launched a full page grossly unfounded scratching attack in his newspaper. But he did not have backbone to identify me by name in fear of prosecution and simply letdown the reader by publishing an innuendo, of the average reader was absolutely clueless.
This is surely a despicable act on the part of both these individuals and definitely both of them should be held accountable for this criminal misappropriation of public funds.
In this regard, I have already made a complaint to the Fraud Bureau and also the Registrar of Companies. And I understand that the formal inquiry into this fraudulent act has been launched with assistance provided by the Registrar of Companies.
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nivardcabaal / July 17, 2015
[Edited out]
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Gamarala / July 17, 2015
We Sri Lankans blame politicians for being corrupt. But if we look at ourselves it is a well known fact that most Sri Lankans are corrupt one way or another.
As the President said in his speech, the entire tendering system in the whole country is corrupt. Various regulations specially for new developments are used by people to request bribes (and not used for the betterment of the country). Most people do not submit a proper tax return and most who own luxury vehicles do not even have a tax file. It flows down from top to bottom from Senior politicians to the people who extort money from private buses and office peons.
IN THE SRI LANKAN CULTURE BEING DISHONEST IS CONSIDERED AN ACHIEVEMENT unlike in the developed cultures where such actions are socially unacceptable.
In this back ground the the politicians who get elected are a reflection of their voter. I think before blaming the politicians we should get our act corrected.
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K.A Sumanasekera / July 17, 2015
This is a bloody beauty,
Arwinda de Silva got his LKR 150 Million back. So did Mrs Fernanado pulle with her LKR 3000 Million deposit .
And the Chief Kota himself admits that the Golden Key money is not only Black Money but it is also Terrorist Money.
Our Yahapalana Finance Minister and the Treasurer Mr Ravi Galleo Karu recently got the Golden Key Boss out of the slammer.
In order to do that he stitched up a deal with all Golden Key Depositors to withdraw all their charges against Mr Kotalawala.
And Galleon Ravi gave a guarantee that their deposits will be refunded in full.
Thank God Dalits don’t pay Income Tax.
On to more serious issues,while Bodhi Sira is worshipping even Bo Tree Branches, all clad in White and participating in Bodhi Poojas to get wisdom and strength to give our poor inhabitants Yahapalanay, his loving bro in glasses, is doing cocktails in Colombo.
Even our SLFP Baiya Ministers wouldn’t know what cocktails are, let alone the Dalits in Pollonnaruwa and else where.
So who are this Sira brother’s drinking buddies?.
They must be Colombo Elite and Poodle Club Members and even Golf
hackers in Borella.
Wonder whether Sira is an Elite who acts as a Dalit?.
I mean realistically a Baiya with 49 years association with fellow Baiyas can’t make this transformation to sit with the Western Consulate Bosses, top NGO and Toiya Ranil to do deals to give us Yahapalanaya.
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jimi / July 17, 2015
7 million is not a big money for some one who lived in France.We don’t no his driven skills,but he can write well.
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Peace Lover / July 17, 2015
hhmmm i wonder how much money our single malt hero K A Sumanasekera alias Athal Sumane alias HLDM invested in these finance companies or perhaps he invested in more safer climes in Gold Coast?
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K.A Sumanasekera / July 18, 2015
P…. Lover,
Even Golden Kota himself asked why did those depositors come to him,when they had other finance companies to invest?.
What an insult?.
And Galleo Ravi now says all depositors will get their money back on July 24.just in time for the election.
Wonder where Galleon is getting this money to let Golden Kota back in business, to rip off mums and dads with the dough who vote for the UNP and pay membership for the Poodle Club in Colombo.
But P Lover needn’t have worry about that..
Velalas nevere takerisks with their dosh, let alone giving it to people like Kota to look after.
Besides they are not voting UNP either this time, because they have other choices in TPA,SLMC,JVP. and JHU, where the Vellala Party TNA is not contesting.
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Salgaadu france / July 17, 2015
I know this man for nearly 30 years, he works in France in Paris Embassy of Nepal to UNESCO ambassador as a driver his whole life in France , till he leave to Sri Lanka , his wife is a domestic house maid in France . so I can’t believe that he could earn such a lot of money to invest in Golden key account , unless he stole money belong to some one or he invest money behalf of another person , I know Viyangoda is a big lier and he do the thing opposite that what he says to others .
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Samuel Jayaweera / July 17, 2015
So you should also be an another refugee in france – who is now envious of VIYANGODA ?
There are dozens of others that rallied round to MR and abused the people s money why to go after this guy. ? Having seen the man appeareing in Satana program, i find the guys views are close to the right thinking ones of the country. So please dont personal attacks but work on marginalizing most brutal man of the country -Mahinda Burupakse.
Lanken Sangayas – monks should finally wake up to stand against the politcial come back of Mahinda. Then only they have done a service for the nation.
Today is the land mark day – that the bugger would utter all lies to attack anyone go against him and his bunch.
Why the bugger went for a early election was because of the lack of funds to run the rest. But now to put the all loads on UNP or Prez sirisena .. will not be sold easily.
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srilal / July 17, 2015
Salgaadu france ,
According to you , Viyangoda is a dishonest person and a cheat ;hence he couldn’t have made 7 Million working in France , going by your details , the couple had been working full time in France (with Free food and lodging) for many years ,if that the case, how could Rs 7 million be a huge amount ?
As to MY3 brother’s attack on Viyangoda , it’s understandable , but CT trying to exploit the situation to its advantage , this is rivalry . Viyangoda is a person who spearheaded the campaign against The Mafia king , took the extreme risk and exposed the whole Mafia family without thinking the consequences , when the masses came across about the MY3’s gross betrayal , all of us felt the same way , Viyangoda being a outspoken person , didn’t think twice of his choice of words. what harm did it do to the nation ? after all , it was not a personnel attack on MY3 , he simply criticized his actions which we all endorse . well done Viyangoda ,may be because of your candid actions , MY3 got the record straight.
PS: if we don’t learn to criticize when it really necessary , MY3 will be another MR .
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Nish / July 17, 2015
Mr Viyangoda has not heard that ‘people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones, or stand up in the bath’!
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i hate hate stories / July 17, 2015
wow.. CT who’s next to be crucified ? SARA, Jayantha Danapala, Radika, Weliamuna, Victor ivon and now Viyangoda..
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Daham / July 17, 2015
“ONE OF THE MAN who calls my brother a traitor invested 7 million rupees in Golden Key,’ a brother of President Maithripala Sirisena said”
This surely must be Sirisena’s brother’s English and not the translation of CT editor.
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maalumiris / July 20, 2015
One question people
Was at any time, illegal to have invested money in Golden Key ?
If so, thousands of people who invested amounts both large and small, are crooks.. Is that the position of the commentators here who are condemning Viyangoda ?
Just asking
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frank / July 17, 2015
All of Mr viyangoda’s arguments for calling MS a traitor to the cause were valid at that time. He was a crusader for Ms against MR so why should he not criticise the decision to grant MR nomination. So many ppl including myself did talk of MS in very bitter terms BEFORE he delivered his statement on 14thJUly & now in my opinion MS stands resurrected.
Gamini viyangoda hadevery right to express his views whether or not he invested Rs 7million in golden key.
Compared to the huge sums invested Rs 7million sounds paltry by comparison.
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Salgaadu france / July 17, 2015
Samuel Jayaweera
I came to France year 1972 , that time there were no refuges, free visa to Europe , after the 1983 Sri lankan refugees start to come .. and Europe apply to take visa before enter to Europe..
I didn’t say , Mr viyangoda invest money on Golden key , I said with his salary and even with his wife salary ( they were separated long time ) both together not enough to collect that much money , story is A false accusation against him ,
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priyangika / July 17, 2015
Your brother is a traitor, a betrayer. Mr Viyangoda has pointed that out. We are not at this moment concerned about his credentials but the country and 6.2 million voters think that way. None of us are fooled by his speech
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Mahendra De Silva / July 18, 2015
I respected Viyangoda as a neutral political analyst who has done a service to free our country from the clutches of dictatorship. But after reading Viyangoga’s comments during last 3 months, I came to the conclusion he is nothing but a UNP puppet I have not seen any comments by Viyangoda condemning corruption under present UNP government including the Treasury bond scandal at Central Banka, which has all the signs of a huge fraud. Why is Lankaenewss being so silent on this issue? Is the Lankaenews, the official paper of UNP? There are many Sri Lankan patriots living abroad who admired them when they exposed huge corruption and misuse of power that took place during Rajapaske regime. Majority of the people wanted a change not because they want a UNP government, but they wanted justice, rule of law, and good governance in our country. Right minded people believed that principals of good governance are essential for our country and people to go forward in to the 21st century. But it appears some people like Viyangoda had their own agenda in addition to getting rid of Rajapakse
In my view President MS did the correct thing by allowing people to decide whether Rajapaksa should be brought back or not. The greatest advantage good governance movement have this time is they have a level playing field in this election to fight with Rajapaksa and clan, Old Regime will not be able to use their usual tricks this time. They will not have state machinery, including the state media and armed forces to support them. We should be grateful to President Maitripala for providing Sri Lankans this opportunity to have a genuine election. If Ranil and Good governance movement fail this time to completely eradicate corrupt politicians including Rajapaksa, through this fair election, we have to conclude that Sri Lanka is not still matured for principals of good governance. It is the Karma of the people or inefficiency of Ranil and good governance movement to convince the people that we need communal harmony, peace and good governance to develop the country. The UNP will also be judged by how they handled corruption when their own man in Central Bank is charged with it. Some argue if this is the behavior when there is no absolute power, whether they would break the record of old regime in corruption and misuse of power when they really have a majority. Therefore it is unfair to put the whole blame on the current President for following the democratic principles in allowing people to decide the fate of Rajapaksa in this election.
It was disgusting to see how Lanka enews and some people like Viyangoda insulted President MS. This shows that some journalists could go to any low level to insult their target. These guys believe they are the all mighty who could pass judgements on everyone even without any solid basis or foundation.
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NAK / July 18, 2015
If Ranil could win he would definitely have come forward.They needed some to breakaway some Sinhala/Buddhist disgruntled votes from the SLFP and thats why Sirisena was chosen. Also Sirisena was of the quality that RW and CBK can manipulate unlike SF who was a egomaniac.
Sirisena having chosen to live blue and and green at the same time was bound to be a traitor to one side or the other but in his eagerness succeed in his initial plan of a national government,which itself is wishful thinking at most and day dreaming in reality,he has been called a traitor by both sides.
Actually his reasoning was good.If he could destabilise and weaken the UPFA and Ranil being ever the loser that he is,who can never form a government of his own has no other option but to agree to a national government.
But Sirisena left out a vital eliment out in his calculations. That is, he underestimated his opponent who he never really believd he could beat and the resovle of the Sinhala/Buddhist people against the interfereing west and Indians.
US and the other westerners were well known for their involvement in our politics and were not taken seriously as their ability to interfere was minimal.But it was not clear before the elections that actually India was behind his win and the moment it became known the tide turned faster than it came.
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paul / July 18, 2015
Who is this “I” not agreeing with mud slinging on Viyangoda? This is election time and mud slinging is the main weapon politicians and their henchmen use as fodder to kowtow us the foolish voters. So learn to live with it.
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thondamannar / July 18, 2015
Nagananda Kodituwakku – You should have compalined to the FCID through Ranil. That is a very effective place to sling mud and all these criticism hora, hora & corruption and ehanol are products of FCID just opening the lid of cases sent to them by the CSC to enable to be used in electioneering and deprive nomination. Its kind of a political tool
Now think of it, good that you went to the Fraud Bureau.
Long and short of it, Uyangada good or bad has abused his position as a journalist…………….
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baludeen / July 20, 2015
viyangoda is a NGO scum
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Hubert / July 22, 2015
The writer has not disclosed name rogue Kothalawala is a Jara man
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Asanka / August 10, 2015
Gamini Viyangoda is a two bit political dupe. who runs on foreign NGO money. He betray the cause and ran to France and now flying in on occasions and try to show that he’s a big shot to all the local activist who bled during the Rajapaksha regimes tyranny. this masquerader should be kicked out of progressive movements. Because Viyangoda only trying to puff his ailing image at expense of others.
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