The board of Inquiry headed by J.C. Weliamuna on Sri Lankan airlines has found blatant violation of airline regulations and the use of embassies for illegal business activities under the Rajapaksa regime.
The inquiry found that the High Commission had been sending unaccompanied cabin bags with a “Rush Tag” in UL flights to be collected in Colombo by “authorities”. ( Rush tag means and identification tag for re-dispatched baggage – lost, unclaimed or mishandled baggage)
According to the Weliamuna report, then London station manager Desiree Premachandra who tried to stop this illegal practice of sending motor spare parts for the use of former president’s son Rohitha Rajapaksa had been suddenly transferred out on the direction of the former President Rajapaska.
The Ministry of External affairs is urged to inquire into the conduct of the officials attached to the High Commission of London who were involved in sending unaccompanied baggage using SriLankan airline by the BoI.
Read the report below;
Abu Mukarram / April 8, 2015
Despite all these atrocities caused to the national economy which are getting heaped day by day, up to the sky level, its pathetic to note there are ‘bayyos’ exsisting still. Ironically, we are a nation who boast of a higher rate of litteracy. Lollll
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Ben Hurling / April 8, 2015
Senior diplomats of Sri Lanka’s MEA were bystanders to this criminality against their own country. They watched these unfolding crimes from the sidelines. Did nothing.
While enjoying chauffeur driven limos, villas & domestic servants to achieve nothing. But, to oversee Sri Lanka being abused beyond recognition by an uneducated, criminal family, their cronies and henchmen.
These so called spineless, boot-licking, corrupt, senior career “diplo-door-mats” of Sri Lanka should have their manhood examined.
What else would explain their failure to blow the whistle on behalf of their country and 20 million impoverished people.
Shame on you!
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Yasin / April 8, 2015
These are chilling tales of extreme corruption from the leader of the nation downwards. Diplomats in many countries were political appointments
or favored persons of the bureaucracy and they were most concerned about their own positions and getting involved in matters where players are from the top is like dipping your hand in boiling water so everyone kept mum
including the local authorities at the BIA. Turning a blind eye was safer than losing one’s both eyes. Therefore all cannot be blamed for these
high handed acts of the high and mighty and obviously nothing is going to happen to all the drumbeats as crooks from before are now in the present
and the current masters will find a way to sweep them under the carpet or
hold those implicated in these “crimes” for political ransom.
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Analyst / April 8, 2015
Blow the whistle for what to get white vanned or blown up by this stupidest family in history who thought they owned the country and the wealth/ I mean the wealth handed over by various international funds for the use of the public. This family and friends swindled while the bystanders watched and nodded. Spineless Modayas of Srilanka.
I’m sure this exactly happened to ordinary Tamil Modayas by the Majority and everything was hushed up.
Now the wheel has changed to a different direction.
All because the SLankans are good at covering up crimes and put the blame and spin the truth .
Now it’s cancerous either it’s to do with the religion or the curse of the past.
There is dishonesty and lack of principles.
As I said Temple before Breakfast and kill the friend/ neighbour by night.
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Anzul J / April 8, 2015
The Sri Lanka High Commission’s involvement is a sordid sad story of corruption.
Basically,an inept officer by the name of Chanaka Talpahewa was transferred from the Maldives to London by Sajin Wass Gona and Shenuka Seneviratne to do the dirty Job for the Rajapaksa family.He always rushed to airport when Sajin came and was anxious to be the first one to carry his hand luggage.
Talpahewa has apparently been in Foreign Service for over 16 years but he has had just two postings in Maldives and London on account of his inefficiency and poor working skills.In short no ambassador wanted Talpehewa.Thats why he was “parked” in Maldives where there is nothing much to do.. Tallapahewa is son of one time Chairman of Petroleum Corporation during who’s term the place lost millions of rupees through bad decision making and corrupt deals.
[Edited out]
Government should investigate these rouges who have brought much disrepute to our country.How can they continue to work on behalf of our country in London ,where some of best and brightest diplomats have worked in the past.? What is the new government doing?
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Wickrama P / April 8, 2015
It is interesting to see what Anzul J has written. Anzul J should stick to the point. It is sad how jealous people are. According to what is known Dr. Chanaka Talpahewa was transferred to London as others refused to go to London after Dr. Nonis’s affair. By going through the record he has done a quite a good job. Organising H.E. the President visit in London in such a manner shows how capable he is. H.E. the President told in public said that it was after 1982 that such a welcome was given.
Going by his record you can see he is one of the best and the brightest. Just check his all round qualifications and achievements. I believe that he is the most qualified and brightest in the overseas service. In Sri Lanka also officers have to work. We know how some always goes on posting currying favour. It was during Sajin’s time that he was sent him to Maldives. So much for being Sajin’s golaya. He is known to be straightforward like his father.
He must be a good team leader to get others to work. Good that Yoganathan and Haniffa can learn from him.
Rogues should be exposed and punished. This incident has happened before Dr. T and Mr. Y even came to London. But looks like some of the rogues who have set the rot in London are always next to the President these days.
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Ranjith H / April 9, 2015
I agree with Wickrama P. Dr. T is a brightest, most qualified and efficient. I was told that he was in Colombo for long time even refusing postings given to him. We know people in the SLFS who can’t even write two sentences correctly in English. We also know that people were only taking notes at a seminar when the country is being criticized. People also try to get their lackeys to their places such one lady who was in Delhi is trying to go the DC.
As far as I know, after Dr.T came to the London Mission, thinks were put in place and the Mission is in order now. I believe, he and his able team should be commented .
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Expat / April 9, 2015
@Wickrema
You are wrong as worong can be.Yes,Talpahewa was sent to Maldives during Sajin’s time .[Edited out]
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Medalankara de Choppe / April 9, 2015
When did Talpahewa get a PhD? Please do not insult that qualification. Already the Colombo University’s tart had granted many PhDs to priced jokers.
As far as my friends in UK who meet Talpahewa regularly, [Edited out]
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Suresh K / April 9, 2015
Did you’ll see that Dr. Chanaka’s book is published by Ashgate Publishers. Great achievement. Good luck to him for flying the sri Lankan flag.
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Banker / April 9, 2015
An officer serving I in London’s Sri Lanka High Commission presently [Edited out]
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Ex Ceylon Civil Service / April 10, 2015
Having a posting in Maldives has a corrosive effect since there is nothing much to in terms of work and see too.Now when one who has worked there for 3 or 4 years is sent to a busy pace like London you could imagine the problem.Its like getting a tuck tuck to race from 0 to60 in 4 seconds!! As a result of adjustment issues he becomes unable to deliver and then he starts running after and worshipping politicians to simply survive..This is a major problem in the Foreign Service today, as this article in CT clearly shows
.A High Commission clearly cannot use it’s privileged position to facilitate spare parts to be airlifted by attaching a “RushTag”It’s clearly a case of abusing the tag to get promotions.So going from rusty Maldives to busy London means one must be prepared to facilitate business through ANY means, tag or no tag!!!
Of course I understand there are still some principled officers who while been efficient had refused to carry out illegal orders during the previous regime .But it seems they did it at great sacrifice.Lets hope the 19 th Amendment puts things right for our:dear SriLanka.Hope the glory days of of once super efficient Foreign Service come back.But…..hmmm will it??.Now is that a ” Rush Tag ” question ? !!!!.
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bo / April 12, 2015
Super efficient foreign service……? London High Commission, accelerating to from 0-60 in 4 sec? Where did this writer get his data and facts? Has it ever achieved anything but 0 – (-60) ever since it was established. Actually I have never ever seen any SLK HC other than CN doing anything in a hurry and their staffs were following the same line. They are there for a foreign holiday and why should they care about its customers.
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Banker / April 9, 2015
An officer serving I in London’s Sri Lanka High Commission [Edited out]
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Dr.Know / April 9, 2015
Wacky you seem to live in a dream world.No one would refuse a posting to London.[Edited out]
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still existing bayya / April 9, 2015
Abu, we have passed so many similarities since many years back. the apple estate owners in overseas to river projects that diverted to private addresses, or selling state owned properties for peanuts or involved with foreign exchange rackets are just few cased in example. So sounds like you are a “bayya” that endorses the crimes that had done by other politikkas except rajapakshes. I wonder to what “bayya” category deserves you. And Weliamuna is a famous NGO funded lawyer. He has to somehow create such stories in order to make his masters happy. So all in one line: wrong is wrong whoever done that.
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Medalankara de Choppe / April 9, 2015
The Baiyyos will open their eyes only if Mr.The Great Ranil decides to act. He is like the ostrich.In the interest of the country he should act, whether it is according to the laid down regulations or not.Rajapakse did that with Sarath Fonseka.This time there is a whole gang involved.
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Lady Rush / April 10, 2015
It’s absolutely wrong to pin the blame on the poor protocol officer.He was obviously acting at the behest of his boss.So it’s the Boss who has to be identified and punished,for he was surely trying to get some favor of a promotion from the recipient of the Rush Tag consignment.
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Sugula / April 11, 2015
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2/
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Upul / April 8, 2015
Who drafted this report? If Attorney Weliamuna read this report, I do not think he is that clever as the media claims.
Did no one notice the spelling mistakes and howlers? Obviously writing in English when one does not speak it, must be difficult.
Deaf years REALLY???? That is not a typo. That is NOT KNOWING ENGLISH!
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Dr.Goebells / April 8, 2015
Upul
The report was not meant to test Mr. Weliamuna’s knowledge of the English language . Not all of us are as well versed as you are in the Queen’s language . What is more important is the content .
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srilal / April 8, 2015
Upul ,
So , you are concerned about the quality of the language in the report , right ? what made you to come to such hasty conclusions about J.c Waliamuna’s comprehension level ? Guess you are some sort of an expert in the English language to point out other’s competency level ! let me point out your own poor grammar mistakes in your very short comment itself.
1) ” If Attorney Weliamuna read this report, I do not think he is that clever as the media claims. “
the whole sentence is grammatically wrong , you don’t know how to use the “IF” condition (condition 0 and 1) properly .
2) “Did no one notice the spelling mistakes and howlers? Obviously writing in English when one does not speak it, must be difficult.”
what were you trying to say ? “Did no one ” or is it “Did any one “
3) “Deaf years REALLY????”
what made you to think that isn’t a typo ? may be you are so keen on finding the grammatical errors and typos than the actual contents of the text.
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Snowden Edward Asange / April 8, 2015
What makes YOU think Mr Welimuna personally typed all that? do u also expect him to PERSONALLY proof read the whole report for spelling mistakes? Really now?
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Kettikaran / April 8, 2015
Weliamuna is often found wanting in the preparation of his reports in good English. I have noticed this weakness even in his public English speeches as well. He is not alone. Justice Minister Wijedasa Rajapakse is poor in English too. All results of the Sinhala Only Policy of 1956.
Prior to this we were known for our excellence in the field. The quality was high because Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Burghers and others studied in the four corners of the land used English medium throughout the country. The quality of Sinhala and Tamil during those years did not suffer at all. Of course, efforts were made recently at high Govt level to arrest the situation. But it will take a long time to recover the old glory.
Weliamuna can change the situation in the future if he seeks the assistance of his lawyer colleagues who are better in the language.
Kettikaran
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Snowden Edward Asange / April 8, 2015
YES !!! U said it right… The English language that was taught to MOST if not all in the era gone by, made ppl grasp an excellent command of the language, some even excelled at the surprise to many… SADLY the Sinhala only law made a mess of the country. English is the MOST used link language, taking the importance of it has resulted in a big loss to the country in the International arena…
I know some TOP businessmen who find it difficult to converse in English with overseas clients… I know we have to have pride in the use of our local languages… but then again… English makes it convenient to express oneself better..
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Upali S.Wickramasinghe / April 9, 2015
Mr. Kettikaran, do not be silly. The Teacher who taught bus EEnglish at Ananada used to advise us to read papers published in the English Language to master that language.
I read almost all the English papers published in this country. The best howlers come from the Daily Mirror.I used to write articles to this paper.The last one I wrote was on the Sugar Industry. That article was edited by a sub at the Daily Mirror.I was ashamed to read it.He had translated what I have said, after translating it to Sinhala and substituting English terms for his Sinhala terms. This did not stop there, Daily Mirror spells Prizes as Prices in the Educational supplement. Today’s ( 2015.04.09) Daily Mirror carries this :
19A: SC ruling read in House
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that they were ready to remove sections require for a referendum. –
What a farce.
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Stoic philo's / April 10, 2015
deaf years?? to be fair by her .. they did not listen.
Who can … guess how much industry and providence and affection we have caught from the pantomime of brutes?- R.W.Emerson
What did that mean, to kiss? You put your face up like that to say goodnight and then his mother put her face down. That was to kiss. His mother put her lips on his cheek; her lips were soft and they wetted his cheek; and they made a tiny little noise: kiss. Why did people do that with their two faces?
– James Joyce
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kumar / April 8, 2015
I agree. Upul is commenting on the standard of English and not the context. All thumbs “down” represent our typical impatient attitude. I am sure Mr. Weliamuna did not type this but someone should have done a simple spell-check. We have to change our attitude from that of being arrogant, impatient to be more humble and truthful.
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Kalal Barry / April 8, 2015
Upul,
Before you criticize Mr.Weliamuna’s English check what you have written. Yours is not perfect either.
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Analyst / April 8, 2015
Blow the whistle for what to get white vanned or blown up by this stupidest family in history who thought they owned the country and the wealth/ I mean the wealth handed over by various international funds for the use of the public. This family and friends swindled while the bystanders watched and nodded. Spineless Modayas of Srilanka.
I’m sure this exactly happened to ordinary Tamil Modayas by the Majority and everything was hushed up.
Now the wheel has changed to a different direction.
All because the SLankans are good at covering up crimes and put the blame and spin the truth .
Now it’s cancerous either it’s to do with the religion or the curse of the past.
There is dishonesty and lack of principles.
As I said Temple before Breakfast and kill the friend/ neighbour by night.
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Analyst / April 8, 2015
Upul
ZERO. Marks for your clever Singlish.
Please do not show your ignorance in public forums.
You will not score any points but thumbs down. Shame on you .
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maali karunaratne / April 8, 2015
Why are we worried about good English. It is the subject that matters
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Matilda Ellepola / April 9, 2015
Upul.,
are you another rogue old Thomnian like this Romeo Wicks the old fart as well as the 3 Rajapaksa kids?
Not all rogues in the country are Thomians., but a very high rate of rogues in the country are old Thomians.
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Medalankara de Choppe / April 9, 2015
M<r. UPUL, I must apologize to you on behalf of those that made rude comments about your comment. They did not know that the children of servants who worked in the houses of European planters were very competent in English.Those children carried local names and in thier certificates of birth the father's name was left blank.
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non PhD / April 8, 2015
Oh My God , what a revelation by Welliamuna Report.
Is this practice by the protocol office started during Kshenuka Seniwiratne’s time in London or Justice Nihal Jayasinghe’s time in London or Dr Chris Nonis’s time in London ?
Hats off to Desiree Preachandra. She is a real patriot and not a Boru Patriot.
Will the smart patriot Dr.DJ write an analysis on this ? Or will he claim this is a trivial issue and a political scientist of his calibre have better things to do like bringing back MR and his regime back to power at any cost ?
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Snowden Edward Asange / April 8, 2015
YES !! hats off to Ms Desiree for standing for what is RIGHT…..
I only wish the Welimuna report just did not want to commend her BUT also instruct to PAY her compensation for illegal transfer.. The pain of mind she went through and the shame she would have had while facing colleagues should also be considered… Get the EX pres to pay her the compensation out of his own pocket..
Phew… am glad she was not white vanned by gobbaya jarapassa…
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Deemon / April 8, 2015
These three MR’s sons may have [Edited out]
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dcn / April 8, 2015
Thank God, he has saved this country at least at this late stage from these ruthless,power hungry criminals.
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Rio Ziegelaar / April 8, 2015
It is really pathetic to be reading in almost everydays newspaper about all the various acivities (criminal) the Rajapakse family created and yet the family is walking free and even enjoy the biggest security amongst them. Who is bullshitting whom?
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Snowden Edward Asange / April 8, 2015
RW is bull shitting the masses who voted for MS not RW… He wants power coming from the back door.. WE the Voters who wanted CHANGE sent MR home not for RW to come to clip the wings of MS… RW is guilt of association with the MR clan, he probably made deals on the night after elections raking in zillions…
MS should NOT RW try his pranks and clip his wings.. more over IF at the elections RW loses and MR wins, we will be back to square one.. SO MS should stand his grounds and say that his powers would be pruned ONLY after the general elections so that he can have the situation in check..
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Mervyn Silva / April 8, 2015
Don’t punish the poor protocol officer. He wouldn’t have done this without knowledge of Chris Nonis. Nonis did all the micro management.
Nonis was also a Director of the Sri Lankan airlines while being the High Commissioner. Punish Nonis for these crimes and corruption.
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Neutral / April 8, 2015
yea everything people is true . They are currupt bunch but they ended the brutal war and we are freely speaking on social media because of ex presidents backbone . Yes he is too stobborn and has no strategic knowledge to develop a country like Sri Lanka . But at least move on with the Rajapaskse’s we Sri Lankans have better things to do , get the systems right so no one else can mis use powers like they did . We Sri Lankans how good we say we a a selfish race and doesn’t think about others benefit we just want to pull down people’s legs . Stop the hatred towards each other and work on a common goals where as people we can develop and through that the country can develop .
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Justicia / April 8, 2015
Some of those who comment here does not realize that this is only a part of the full report. This part contains only of Ms. Samaranayake. The BOI has also recommended the criminal prosecution of Nishantha and Chandrasena. So the BOI has not concentrated only on this Air Hostess as some seems to think.
This Ms. Samaranayake is cannot be an uneducated person to understand that she should not (and illegal) receive salaries and other perks from two institutions. So she willingly received illegally public funds. She should not only refund this ill-gotten money but should also pay an interest on those money.
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son of commoner / April 8, 2015
Dear friends
These inquiries, in my view, are solely for the purpose of tarnishing the image of Former president Rajapakse who gave leadership to eliminate the LTTE terrorists which nobody else could or really wanted to eliminate for whatever reasons best known to them.
Rajapakse may not be a perfect person but compared to all other previous Prime Ministers and presidents, he solved the problem created by previous rulers to get political mileage or they unintentionally or otherwise, by thier action, created; one simple example is the paving the way for creation of LTTE. Because of Rajapake only, we people irrespective of ethnicity ,are sure we and our children will return home safely and alive ,when they go to work or school and not in a coffin or they will not return home at all; LTTE used to forcibly recruit their children to be used as human fodder from largely Oppressed castes of Tamils to create a separate state for elite tamils to rule and use so called low caste people as their slaves.
Do not be naive to think ,except Rajapakse and his siblings and children that all others are great people and are saints who have sacrificed their personal lives come forward for the sole noble purpose to improve our lives and that of our future generations.
you only have to go back to their original backgrounds and present living standards and see how as politicians they have become multi-millionaires(billionaires).you all might be shocked to see the guys now acting as saints are far worse than Rajapakse and his children.
If you put a economic value to lives lost and injured and economic losses to our country due to LTTE actions and compare costs whatever due to Rajapakes misdeed (nobody perfect, do you agree, if not recall the word of Jesus ,who when asked people to come forward who has not sinned,there was nobody)and then carry out a cost benefit analysis and compare that with previous rulers service to country, you all might be shocked to find that Rajapakse had performed far better than Chandrika,Sirimavo,SWRD, Premasada,JRJ.
out of all of them my assessment is SWRD was the worst who gave birth to tamil problem by sinhala only act not that he love sinhalese but shrewd man he was used weakness of sinhalese(nationalistic feelings were roused for his mean advantage) so that he could defeat his opponent who was portrayed as a Britisher,whereas Banda was the real “Englishman” who wore pyjamas and went to bed but went out of the “Palace” in national dress (we those days wore sarongs at home but never went out of the gate without wearing gentlemen’s dress) to deceive our gullible rural masses.This man’s lady forced us to study in Sinhalese but sent their all three abroad to study in English. Chandrika the cunning women, now who master minded defeated of Rajapakse ,who did not get anything when she married Vijaya, how do you think she own mansions all over the world according to Ravaya Guy former JVP fellow.
I am not sure, except Ranil, how many people are there in the parliament or for that matter in the public service who has not directly or indirectly benefited from his or her public office (I do not mean abuse).If I may give one example, the man from remote kotmale village who during the JRJ time made a significant contribution to economic development of Sri Lanka came to own a mansion next to British council in the Capital and the talk was mahaweli was flowing through the mansion. I do not say the gentleman robbed public funds.I consider him a gentleman, he did a great service,despite some shortcomings
What one must understand is when large public construction projects are executed ,which are extremely high risk projects those are have the merit to be in the right position at the right time, invariably benifits (perhaps due to meritorious acts done during previous births, like present president,as per MahaMangala Sutta, “Pubbhetha Kata Pungnatha”).Similarly ,during Rajapaka tenure large numbrer of infrastucture projects never done during the entire History of Sri Lanka were done,and as a consequence ,lot of people have benefited.I do not mean by robbing, commissions are part of business and Contractors being experts know how to do business.Once, I can remember my brother in law who happened to be a christian Priest told me that even the Bible allows taking commissions for the service performed ,when he found i was too naive in my conduct.I still can remember that as young engineers we got only Rs. 680.00 a month when we joined public service and our unions clamoured for increased salaries our seniors used to tell this is only pocket money and system will look after us if you know how to conduct you self ,as from govt tax no more can be paid.
I was a govt engineer all my life for more than 30 years until I left and migrated to a former British colony like Sri Lanka .for the sole purpose to give university education to my children as I could not afford to send my children abroad.However,I have seen many public servants who were even junior in rank but could afford the luxury of sending their children to most expensive schools and universities,although they perhaps at birth did not inherit anything from parents.
So Gentlemen ,pl stop denigrating Rajapakse and his immediate family members.He is not a saint but like you and I an ordinary human being who has thousands of faults but had done a great service for the country, certainly more better service than the “saints” who for the sole purpose of coming to power keep on denigrating and abusing him in the most unacceptable manner.I do not mean Ranil and Karu but almost all the other guys, they I am sure did not use public office for their personal gains.Of course, Ranil was born with a silver spoon in his mouth ,hence there was no necessity, apart from that Royal clan was their to support him (he was a true royalist),not the guys like who has a palace down parliament road,there was a talk that he was personal assistant to lalith, you know what I mean.
With love to all ,and hate towards none .
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justice / April 9, 2015
son of commoner,
Were you an engineer in the PWD – commonly referred to as the Public Waste Department?
No wonder you became rich enough to migrate.
/
Justicia / April 8, 2015
How many Japanese talk proper English. However, they could talk to convey what they want to convey. Why talk so much on a trivial matter. What is more important is what the content of the report is and not excellence of the language used.
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Analyst / April 8, 2015
Whose fault was it? The fault was the politician’s clever tactics from the era of Independence. They promised the GODAYAS milk and honey if they turn the country into SINGHALA LAND While they educated their broods abroad or in top Colombo schools . The village Modayas never thought that English is important for their own future.
See what happened these are the products of that culture of politics.
It’s not UPUL’S. fault to point the finger at another because this is exactly what the leaders did and created a division.
When Mr Banda created this absurd policy the masses followed and and voted with a landslide victory. Banda was the cause for Swabasha medium then the others followed the band wagon resulting this scenario. The Srilankans found themselves in disastrous situations not being able converse in English internationally.
Clearly we all know how the EX Prez And Co conducted themselves in the international Arena with limited spoken English and made a fool of themselves.
Let’s not repeat it.
Upul should realise his fault too. I myself had been the product of this Swabasha medium.
But I did not ask for this mess.
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maali karunaratne / April 8, 2015
Only a fortnight more for the 100 days. When are they going to take action against these robbers. No point in talking and writing. Let them take action against these characters. I don’t know whether those who are in power see CT and the frustration of the people in not taking these persons to task. Can anyone in this column who are closely associated with the present government, tell us the delay. Are they scared of MR’s team
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Analyst / April 8, 2015
RWIs the cause in delaying or pussy Footing the gullibles.
Politicians are like circus clowns. Not to be trusted.
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ric vibes / April 8, 2015
twisted lanka..! its time to straighted things out once & for all.. everybody who’s abused power should be held accountable.. enough of excuses already..
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Lanka Watch / April 9, 2015
As per the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), every additional kilo carried on an aircraft must be accounted for.Passenger/
cargo/baggage weights, catering weights, aircraft spares, fuel weights are added onto the basic weight of any aircraft and this is usually done in pounds to be more accurate and a document called weight & balance sheet is prepared by the ground staff and the captain of an aircraft, signs it and sets take off procedures based on the final exact weight of the aircraft. Most major airlines select their country managers from a pool of Airport managers,who have gone through rigorous
training on weight and balance and then sales,as safety of the aircraft
depends on correct weight and how it is distributed on the aircraft but
some airlines like Sri Lankan airlines choose any Dick, Tom or Harry, who is connected to the govt.as Country managers and to show off their power,they over rule the airport staff’s decision and allow excess baggage for their friends and politicians to be carried on the aircraft
with weight unaccounted and free of charge and more dangerous is to carry a piece of luggage under “rush Tags” as mentioned in this article
w/o a genuine claimant on arrival and becomes a security threat. These rush tags are used for the bags belonging to passengers whose baggage did not connect their flights due negligence of loading staff or lack of space in the holds. It is very strange that it went though tight
security at London airport, all these days .These ‘know all’ managers do not realise that in the event of a crash of an aircraft, they think that they all rush to the site of the crash but they are unaware,the civil aviation authorities, also rush to grab the “Weight and balance sheet” signed by the Captain, from the office of the airport of departure among other flight documents, while others hunt for the black box, to check whether correct weight was carried and load evenly distributed and not exceeded weight limitations. Sri Lankan airlines should conduct a seminar on aircraft safety to the politicians and their own senior management staff, who serve as country managers, over
seas ,other than the airport staff.
Time and again, people have commented on this column that the airline must be run by experienced people, with the help of some foreign experts from overseas and it fell on deaf years of the Govt. and they would not budge an inch to venture out to see how an airline should be run. Thanks to the experienced and dedicated pilots of Sri Lankan airlines, we , touch wood, did not have any mishaps so far and that does not mean that it should be run like a bus service, where thousands
of lives are involved.In fairness to those staff demoted or transferred
on this issue, should be reinstated in their old positions with wide
publicity, given so that no one, even the ministers, will not fool around with the safety of the aircraft.
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Lanka Watch / April 9, 2015
…..further to my above comment, Sri Lankan airlines’s management should see that, who ever gives verbal instructions to allow excess baggage free of charge, or allow ‘rush tagged’ baggage, which is not the property of a Sri Lankan airlines passenger, should email the airport manager or if he or she is at the airport, they should sign a form stating no.of kilos allowed free of charge and the airport staff should add up the total kilos allowed free of charge and add it on to the service weight for the aircraft to be on the safe side and it should be notified to the CEO/Chairman so that some one takes the responsibility, instead of embarrassing the airport staff at the check-in counters, who takes on him or her, the responsibility on behalf of
some one else. In the event of a crash, the counter staff gets into
unwanted problems. For some airlines, operating in the middle east, excess baggage charges becomes a source of high revenue as workers and house maids carry excess baggage for their loved ones.
People who travelled in USA, Canada and Europe, will know that they
could not carry even one pound extra w/o paying and there were many
instances where passengers were offloading due funds not available
to pay for excess baggage charges for few kilos. This may the reason why the govt. does not want to streamline the country’s national
airline.
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justice / April 9, 2015
The ‘Rush’ tag racket must be going on even now, as there has been no investigation reported, and the same staff members are in the same old posts/positions.
Gota’s ‘swiss puppy dog transport’ pales in comparison.
This is why, both airlines must be wound up to prevent the nation’s wealth being squandered further – while thousands of “poorest of poor”
women slave in the middle east to feed their families back home.
Is there “prestige” in running such airlines???
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son of commoner / April 9, 2015
Dear Hon Justice,
let me, sir, answer your question, whether i worked for PWD. By the time i graduated, JRJ had come to power and was one of the guys who had the good fortune or un-fortune to get involved in mahaweli projects and never worked for the dept you refer to .That is how I have direct exposure to the conduct of the guys who now blame Rajapaske, who are not really saints when they had power.
Sir ,you are wrong when you said I would have had enough money to migrate,i do not know what your background is.
why should i migrate if i had enough money,sir. Sri Lanka is the best country if you have money and one of the worst countries to live if you are poor.You must understand what i mean.How do you think not so honourable people have become honourable members?Sir, what cannot you buy or what cannot you do and still escape?
For your kind information in the country where I am am talking about,we have to pay only 25% of cost of university education if you are citizen or Permanent resident and that also children are given given loans and so cost is borne by children and not parents.
.If i had the money that you are talking, why should i migrate when at latter stage i had a top position.for your kind information as a professional i required only Rs 2.0 million to get family migration,however,if i were to educate them abroad I needed at least RS 20 million per child
Life is not that rosy for immigrant parents here ,in the particular place i am ,especially for professionals most of are forced to do menial work for survival.However, for less educated especially our friends from north ,most of whom have come here under the pretext of genocide sinhalese killing them are okay.Even so called high “class” guys from north do not mind doing all menial work ,janitors(including washing “kakkusi”of susda) but when they come back to Sri Lanka, acting as if they came from heaven.
For your kind information, despite being a chatered enginner(UK) in this particular country ,i could not job except as technician which i quit after few months(here you have to do everything,where we have 10 guys in Sri Lanka) ,so sir in fact i returned to Sri Lanka and again work in the North until recently.
So my dear Hon justice, life is not that rosy here unless you come with less educational background and for them they do not mind doing anything but of course you really have to work to earn your bread and butter.
sorry ,sir for giving a detail account and trust you now can appreciate why I migrated when i was not so young.
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Alican / April 10, 2015
If you ever get close to an island where everybody is guilty,
the only crime is getting caught.
In the island of thieves,
the only final sin is stupidity like the son of conman.
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