The Cabinet has decided to re-appoint S.M. Charles as the Director General of the Customs Department for a period of three months.
Charles
Accordingly, the Cabinet paper presented by Finance and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera seeking to appoint retired Rear Admiral Shemal Fernando as the Customs Director General has been withdrawn.
As a result of the new move, the work to rule campaign launched by Customs trade unions is likely to be called off today.
Unions alleged that Charles’ removal was engineered after she ordered probes on 143 suspicious containers. Minister Samaraweera, however, said that Charles was removed as the revenue from the department plummeted under her watch.
Some of these containers had direct links to Thusitha Halloluwa, a Coordinating Secretary of Finance and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera, the subject minister of the Customs Department. Halloluwa had exerted pressure on Charles to appoint his ‘associates’ at the Customs Department to probe the suspicious containers and transfer the officers who are currently handling the issue.
Amila / February 5, 2019
Mongola should be kicked out of the ministry. He is ruining the gov with mano thithawella
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Buramphisincho / February 5, 2019
Why Mangala to be kicked out ?.
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Those were the days, BP Rajakashe appointed even Baggage boys without anyone s approval, and continued as it was his pvt property.
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Today, Ranil led groups have created, if critiques woudl stand again, they will care of them accordingly. That is DEMOCRACY.
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BP Rajakshes failed to create such environments. That is the truth.
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Dinuk / February 5, 2019
Bondscam Ranil and his butterfly mafia are sabotaging the Sri Lanka economy and undermining and customs and immigration institutions as they did the Central Bank of Sri Lanka with Bondscams, so that UN military bases aka logistics hubs can be set up in Lanka without customs scrutiny.
The sacking of Mrs. Charles by Mangala and the Customs strike is a deliberate act of sabotage to benefit America First and GLobal 1 percent by Washington’s puppet Bondscam Ranil so that US military bases may be set up and weapons brought into Lanka without customs checks. Maybe nuclear weapons too.
Bondscam Ranil must be impeached for endangering Lanka and looting CBSL
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Analyst / February 6, 2019
Buramphisincho
Here ! Here! Spot on. During the previous regime there was no freedom of speech , no freedom whatsoever let alone the Trade union striking in favour of a Tamil woman! and this woman in a high position.???
The last murderous regime only employed Tom , Dick and Harry who fiddled the country for them.
This is a turn around . Great for the country , great for democracy.
All these people who are commenting here are after Mangala S’s Blood just because they want to poo poo him and his Party. Ok!!
There are women in high positions from the majority community too, but are they being subdued by these Criminal bullies and Succumbed to their demands to crime and fraud??
Can the Srilankan women rise against the criminals and their demands in work places??
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Buramphisincho / February 6, 2019
Yes Analayst.
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Even Mafia Boss adds his kind of jokes today as Mervin silva did then.
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Buramphisincho / February 6, 2019
I THOUGHT INTERPOL REPORT S WOULD REFER THEIR SEARCH FOR LANKEN MONEY LAUNDERS; UNFORTUNATELY; I COULD NOT FIND IT YET: CAN ANY BODY PASS ME A THE INTERPORT ANNUAL REPORT:::: THERE WE CAN SEE; IF GOVT AT ALL MAKES EFFORTS GETTING RAJAKASHES:
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Thanks.
Burampi
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Amarasiri / February 6, 2019
Minister Mangala Samaraweera,
“Unions alleged that Charles’ removal was engineered after she ordered probes on 143 suspicious containers. Minister Samaraweera, however, said that Charles was removed as the revenue from the department plummeted under her watch.”
So, are there any non-corrupt politicians left?
By the way, what was in those 43 containers? Ethanol? Any other?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdYLeRx6hGo
VAC press conference on 03.02.2019
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Amarasiri / February 6, 2019
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Buramphisincho / February 6, 2019
Dear CT; this may not belong to the topic being addressed on this forum, but I noticed today… that govt is NO means genuine regarding asking the adequate help of INTERPOL regarding money laundering acts of Rajapakshe fund grabs. Interpol can reveal lot more about if govt was wholeheartedly raised it with Interpol.
today, I thought to search for the ANNUAL REPORTS OF interpol and see if GOVT since 2015 has genuinely addressed the issues of loudly known MONEY lanundering acts of Rajakashes.
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Not a single word of their reports contain on SL, this proves, that we are being fooled by SIRISENA-RW govt all along.
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L Wickremasinghe / February 5, 2019
Great to find that govt servants have risen to the occasion and stood by Ms Charles. I hope this example will be followed by similar action when politicians try to bulldoze their way to permit illegal happenings
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Amarasiri / February 6, 2019
L Wickremasinghe
It is the corrupt rulers elected by the People vs. the Public Servants who want to serve the people.
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Naman / February 5, 2019
It’s hard to believe how our rulers are operating the Government machinery trying to subvert law abiding Government Servants.
Political interference should not be exerted when the crooked are caught.
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Panda Vootan / February 5, 2019
The question was, did Awamangala acjieve his objective by clearing the suspected cargo (143 containers) while Mrs Charles was out of her job.
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There needs to be an inquiry in to that immediately, and examination of containers resumed urgently.
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Thieves thieves need to be exposed.
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Paul / February 5, 2019
‘Minister Samaraweera, however, said that Charles was removed as the revenue from the department plummeted under her watch’.
Maybe he means that the politicians, importers and others were not getting their usual percentage.
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nalmen / February 5, 2019
mangala tried this same nonsense with the inland revenue department which never had an outsider to head it
he will probably interfere withe the excise dept next
time sira put his foot down in the cabinet to stop the butterflys nonsense
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Ben Hurling / February 5, 2019
3 months appointment? Is she a temp or what? Mrs. Charles is a true Sri Lankan HERO. She deserves a lifetime appointment. This decision by that Cabinet of world-class crooks looks like a mechanism to bamboozle the stupid Sri Lankan public.
Cheers!
PS: Who the hell is this corrupt smooth operator, Tusitha Haloluwa? Does our country belong to that kind of criminals, maintained by corrupt politicians like Mangala S?
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Vanangamudi / February 5, 2019
Hers was not a serious appointment. Customs is too much of a goldmine for corrupt politicians to have a clean senior Civil Servant as head. She was appointed there for a
few months to fool the UNHCR/Geneva that Tamils are given key positions to Govt.
Much was expected of fairly educated men like Mangala (I know he didn’t go far in
academics in London) to set honourable standards of clean governance. I am disappointed.
As someone, a good Lankan, told me recently “the country does not have a hope in hell
and will soon go the Zimbabwe/Venezuela way thanks to our politicians” How frightening – but yet true?
Vanangamudi
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Estate Labourer / February 5, 2019
First, it was Dilrukshi Wickremasinghe who was forced to retire from the position of Head, Bribery and Corruption. Now it is Mrs. Charles, who has fortunately been re-instated due to opposition from some quarters, though only for three months. Women seem to be more willing to perform their duties conscientiously and also seem to be less corrupt compared to men. They are also at the forefront of fighting for freedom, democracy, civil liberties, gender equality and justice. Certainly, they are more aggressive and vociferous in fighting for social justice and political rights. They are also not scared to express their views freely, judging by some of the articles that have been appearing recently, both in CT and elsewhere.
Therefore, I think there should be more women politicians and bureaucrats in this country. And they must be allowed to do their work freely, as it is usually the men who obstruct the women from doing a good job. Hats off to the female of the species!
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hancho pancha / February 5, 2019
Thalatha Atukorale does not belong to that category.
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Mallaiyuran / February 5, 2019
” First, it was Dilrukshi Wickremasinghe who was forced to retire from the position of Head, Bribery and Corruption. Now it is Mrs. Charles, who has fortunately been re-instated due to opposition from some quarters, though only for three months. ”
The formulae here is whose favour one is receiving in their job. Dilrukshi didn’t look like doing her job by Old Royals and New Royals. So the death of Jayamanne signaled to her dismissal. Old Royals and New Royals didn’t not oppose Mangala’s Foreign Exchange Fraud Amnesty Act (2017) but opposed Mangala’s dismissal of M/s Charles. This time two War Criminals have saved M/s Charles, but it was the World” Biggest liar Mangala who saved them in UNHRC by repeated lies in Geneva. So M/s Charles reinstated. She escaped becoming the Lady Mahendran!
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Analyst / February 5, 2019
I wonder what had happened to the brave headteacher in the Uva province who refused to bow down re : the bribery issue with the Chief minister last year. I believe he was promoted , not Sacked or demoted.
These are the powerful Criminal heads of the government institutions bullies the honest women and men in power and destroy the country.
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Analyst / February 5, 2019
CT Thankyou.
The public cry, Freedom of speech through CT and by the efforts of the Trade Union strikers this Woman PSM Charles had been reinstated.
There were not many on CT supporting this woman’s courage in disobeying the powerful Crooks .
SADLY …….When it comes to the honesty of a Tamil woman in power is overlooked by most of the Racists on CT Commenters here.
What a pity they are only ready to shout Racism and goes silent when facing the WRONGS are highlighted in the country by the WRECKERS of this Nation.
No wonder the Country is WRECKED because of the Racists and Racism.
We see Our country has even beaten most of the Third worlds Corrupt countries in CORRUPTION AND CRIMES.
NOW THE NEXT GENERATION TO FOLLOW SUIT OF THEIR ELDERS.
Curse of the country and the Corruption goes hand in hand to destroy a Nation.
Destroy the country With Racism by the Mahamodayas of the Chapter 1&2 of Kandy whims.
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Analyst / February 5, 2019
Thank god the strong will of a Tamil woman has won the battle of Crimes in the Customs dept.
Some of the richest men and women in SL are Customs Officials who got rich overnight by illegal criminal practices.
The Parliamentarians , Diploonuts, Officials and Armed forces hoodwink the customs depriving the Nation from due custom duties( taxes)
Well done Mrs Charles a Tamil Woman. Hats off to you.
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shankar / February 5, 2019
mangala should also be given another 3 months only.Time for him to fuck off.
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Raj-UK / February 5, 2019
What a joke this govt. is. It’s not the first time Decisions were made & then back tracked, so what does that tell us? A govt. with no concern for justice & law, & certainly a Govt. that cannot be trusted.
A person is removed from duty only after a thorough investigation of any wrong doing, & if the allegations are proved to be correct, should not be reinstalled even under pressure. It makes a mockery of justice. On the other hand, it is grave injustice & a smear on the character for a person doing his or her job diligently to be falsely accused in public & given marching orders, just on the whims of powerful politicians & their cronies.
The reason given being loss of revenue during Ms Charles’s watch, in which case, is Samaraweera going to sack all the CEOs (& those responsible) of loss making Govt. enterprises, such as, Sri Lankan Air lines?
Samaraweera should apologise to Ms Charles for wrongful accusations & reinstate her, not give her a 3 months extension just to please the unions. In fact, it should be Samaraweera who should resign for his bungling or mishandling the situation. That is if he has any sense of honour, which I doubt.
Over to you, President Sirisena. Weren’t you talking about self serving politicians & cronyism just the other day? Do you have the guts to sack Samaraweera or at least investigate the injustice faced by honest Govt. servants for doing their job?
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Paul / February 5, 2019
The reappointment of Mrs Charles is the one piece of good news to come out of all this. However merely reappointing her is not enough. She must be permanently reinstated and given a free hand to carry out her job without interference, and that includes examining the 143 containers that appeared when she was on ‘leave’.
Hers is a cabinet appointment. If she faces any further problems it will be the fault of the cabinet and its leader. Don’t these buffaloes realise that the country needs all the Mrs Charles it can find?
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thumpane gamaya / February 5, 2019
there is one head of a ministry that is protected by all the presidents and ministers for last 15 year. That is B.M.S Batagoda of the power and energy ministry. Diesel power generator mafia is so strong that they pressurize all politicians not to change Batagoda from Power and energy ministry. Batagoda in turn take very good care of the diesel power mafia at public expense.
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Raj / February 5, 2019
Trade Unions should take stern action against the Finance minister and this robber-associate Halloluwa.
President Sirisena should support the Trade Unions and punish Halloluwa for giving threatening calls to Ms. Charles. Otherwise, honest officers won’t be able to work with this freaking Yahapalana government. Yahapalanaya makes its own laws and decisions beneficial to UNP bigwigs only. (Custom’s case is a good example!)
JO, SLFP, JVP and TNA MPS should exert the pressure on the President to bring the culprits to books.
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JD / February 6, 2019
In a decent society, Mangala Samaraweera would have stepped down, Here, the NGOs and the funding agency may be opposing it. I here.
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Real Revolutionist / February 5, 2019
We expect Mangala to resign if he has dignity.
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Real Revolutionist / February 5, 2019
Why 3 months?
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SMA Panadura / February 5, 2019
Whenever Mangala becomes a Cabinet Minister he always try to override the Head of State. In 2007 he was fired by MR for not consulting him prior to voting at the UNO related to Palastine problem. And in 2015 he co- sponsored a resolution brought by USA against our own country. Now DG Customs. He should be sacked from the Cabinet.
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JD / February 6, 2019
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Douglas / February 5, 2019
Real Revolutionist: You want to know “Why 3 months? Our “Politicians’ know and have experienced how the PEOPLE very easily and conveniently FORGET everything and anything within a matter of not months but weeks. Let us see what happens after “Three Months”. Hopefully, this time the Trade Unions who stood by this Official would note the “TRICK” played and continue with the “Actions” until the matter is solved permanently. Then only these “Bastards” in Governance could be taught a life long lesson. Let this ISSUE be made a NO MORE NONSENSE struggle to TAME these corrupted Politicians and their cohorts. This awakening is a white lining in a dark cloud.
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Musamil / February 5, 2019
She’s a Tamil. Don’t trust her. Do not ever trust a Tamil, they are never patriotic
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Paul / February 5, 2019
Musamil, ignoring your bigotry, the Tamils don’t have much to be patriotic about have they? How would you feel if you were in their shoes? I’d try to emigrate.
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Bodin / February 6, 2019
Yea, Tamils are not patriotic, the majority of them live in the South, and in Colombo suburbs , while they claim that the North and East is their “Eclusive Tamil Homeland”. They even drove out the legitimate owners of the North, the Muslims and the Sinhalese, by an act of genocidal ethnic cleansing.
Why don’t the Tamils just go and live in the Exclusive Homeland and quite the south, Colombo, Wellawatta, Kotahena, Kandy, N’Eliya etc.
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cholan / February 6, 2019
@Bodin
Nanaa
Tamils are living the the South even before the birth of your Great-Grand.-Father .
Even there are ruins of temples in Mawanella and Portugese sailors have mentioned about a Shinning Hindu Gopuram in Dondara.
Tamils bought their lands and built temples & houses never occupied
forcefully like your bruders.This is the difference.
Yes North-East is Tamil home land just hundred years ago the population in Polanaruwa & Anuradhapura were Tamils.
You want to live in N-E but spying for Sinhala Cardboard forces for money sorry .
Mannapitiya near Polanarwa is a traditional Tamil place since historical time ..but now you all grab their lands with the help of Sinhala police ,do you expect Tamils to suck fingers and watch.
Nuwara Eliya and all Tea plantations was created by the hard work of Tamils so they have the right to live.
BTW what is your contribution to the economy except smuggling and drug trade?
When this country was occupied by Indian Forces where were your Muslims ? It is the Tamils who have taught an unforgetable lesson to Indian army the 4th largest in the world.
Better shut and read your BUK it will take you to 4th century .
Cheers
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Taraki / February 8, 2019
Bodin, why not let a Tamil agree with your comment?
“Sinhalese of the politicised class are often misled because these Tamils deplore the activities of the Tigers when talking with their Sinhalese aquaintances. Hence they get the false impression that the majority of Tamils are with them and are awaiting a peaceful solution….. This has gone on since the time of GG Ponnambalam and the Tamil Congress, but the Sinhalese have still not got wise to this kind of double-speak. ”
– A Jeyaratnam Wilson (Sri Lankan Tamil Nationalism p 131)
In case you don’t know, Wilson was the son-in-law of SJV Chelvanayakam, another ‘patriot’.
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Estate Labourer / February 5, 2019
Musamil, What a sweeping generalization! How scientific you are! Are you sure you are a Muslim? That spelling is not used by Muslims.
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cholan / February 5, 2019
@Musamil
Kakaa shall we appoint someone from your Maradana gang.?
After this Colombo will become No:1 drug city in the world,
Isulam prohibits drugs what a joke..
Already Pakistanis all Mususlims are smuggling drugs daily basis your men at the airport and at Colombo Port will make this much easier.
Are you Muslims all patriotic? I can’t stop laughing.
During Pakistan-SL cricket match these patriots openly support Pakistan.
Cheers
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SL Kolla / February 5, 2019
Actually I’m wondering where the anti-tamil racists are – Soma, champa, eagle eye, JD and the army deserter Shamal, to name a few. Why not open your foul smelling mouths now huh?
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Lanka Watch / February 5, 2019
In response to L. Wickremasighe /05th Feb.
—————————————————-
Wicks – There is no communal feeling among the working class and in fact there is consensus now among
the ordinary Sinhala people that Tamils are to be treated better. You remember Bala Tampoe , a Tamil born in the North lead the CMU and was adored by Mercantile working class. and Vaikunthavasan led All Ceylon Govt. Service Trade Union in the 60s was revered by the govt. servants all over the country.
It is the politician, except from the JVP, who wants this division on communal lines to win the votes and they keep dividing the people. Its only in Sri Lanka , the people vote on lines communalism and economy & good management of the govt. is secondary to them If this lady who hid the Tamil name from her full name for some reason,was a Hindu and from the North, she would not have returned to her seat at Customs as President would have intervened despite Customs officers’ protests.
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thondamany / February 5, 2019
ben Hurling… Thusitha Haloluwa is no smooth operator but a dumb foul mouth idiot. In this episode of Mrs. Charles removal, he was made a scape goat by Mangala Samaraweera.
Mrs. P.S.M.Charles need to be re-instated unconditionally. She has a proven track record. She was the live wire in settling 300, 000 diposed Tamils from Mullaiwaikkal.
There are sensible talk coming out of Customs Union representatives. This is a good opportunity to make Customs corrupt free. At least one government department.
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k.soysa / February 5, 2019
How utterly foolish on the part of our “rulers” to appoint someone who is not suitable in the first place, having removed a professional.!!
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JD / February 6, 2019
It is disgusting, Tribalist Tamils had introduced Tribalism to that. Mangala Samaraweera, Pent House Ravi and Rajitha Senarathne are cleaning the ministries that they in. Poor has to pay. The rich and their foreign partners are winning. Every one above is silent.
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Sunil Dahanayake / February 6, 2019
The commentators and Colombo Telegrapgh focusing on the simple issue. The bigger is how to eradicate politicans or politicans who conduct Jawaram and do not pay taxes.
It says that the Minister who destroyed Wilpaththu is behind all these “”Jawaram business””. He should be brought to justice and prosecution. He is an alleged criminal in the garb of black suit.
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K A Sumanasekera / February 6, 2019
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Thanga / February 6, 2019
Thanks to CT and the Customs Union for fighting back the injustice meted out to Mrs Charles. The reason given by the Minister in charge is puerile. If the revenue was declining in the Customs there can be a multitude of reasons for it. If imports fall so the revenue collected. The core question is why did the Co-ordinating Secretary telephone the Director General of Customs and demand the removal of some customs officials and appoint others in their place? How come politicians are giving orders to Heads of Departments? Many thought Mangala Samaraweera is the best out of the bad lot. He has proved us wrong by his idiotic action.
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Nathan / February 6, 2019
Ignore musamil How do you even know he is a Muslim? it is some underhand work to cause dissension. In fact this is how SL is existing since suddhas left. create hatred among people and you survive in between.
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Nathan / February 6, 2019
Can anyone dare to call this a government or a country at its present form? What a shame. You chase one donkey and there comes another donkey and the same old story. Only way out for these morons is to handover back to Suddhas at least on a lease.
But who is responsible tragedy? it is the foolish misguided people who were hoodwinked by bogus patriotism and nationalism and racism and finally got rid of all the good things we had. Will our Majority brothers open their eyes. If they dont they will sink soon for good.
Racism is certainly not patriotism. Lying will not take us anywhere. Distorting history will do no good.
But this lady’s case prove that there are right thinking people who can see beyond race and religion and to come forward for justice. That is a positive sign.
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Edward / February 6, 2019
Only way out for these morons is to handover back to Suddhas at least on a lease.
Ranil and other KaluSuddas and the Tamil Diaspora who used to be the bell boys of the Suddas are handing over the country to the Suddas.
It may help the Nathans and Pillais, but not “the lower caste” Tamis and the rural sinhalese.
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Tamil from the north / February 8, 2019
@Edward, this is coming from a fellow whose name is a Sudda name………..Edward.
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