Newly appointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is reported to be in a moral dilemma over the current front-runner for the post of Minister of Constitutional Affairs and National Integration.
Dr. Jayampathy Wickremeratne PC
The name that has floated to the top on the insistence of Chandrika Kumaratunga is a prominent lawyer with an unsavoury history. A long time Kumaratunga loyalist and therefore an obvious pawn of the ex President, this individual was caught cheating at exams while a student at the Science Faculty, University of Peradeniya. Having been sacked for this, he re-invented a career for himself as a lawyer. He has now entered Parliament through the UNFGG National List.
Wickremesinghe’s dilemma is that he cannot reject outright the request of Kumaratunga who openly backed the UNFGG (United National Front for Good Governance) led by the UNP (United National Party) and at the same time would have to consider the fallout of appointing a known cheat to this key portfolio.
Colombo Telegraph reliably learns that this individual is none other than Jayampathy Wickramaratne. Repeated attempts to obtain comments from both Wickramaratne and Wickremesinghe proved futile.
Correction: Earlier versions of this article incorrectly said Dr Jayampathy entered Parliament through UPFA national list.
Robert.R / August 26, 2015
Good governance and CBK will never work as seen from her 11 years of misrule, only second to Mahinda the despot.
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leelawathie / August 26, 2015
This particular Robert is a born racist. How come then CBK s choice and support MY3 took the lead to save this nation again ? You must not be an another high profile man like Wimal buruwanse okay.. there are millions who supported the change … kicking Mahinda forever.
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Don Stanley / August 27, 2015
CT Editors: if you are calling someone an exam cheat you need to provide evidence on this.
This is awful journalism and people will stop reading this website.
The second point is that the person appointed to draft a new constitution must have as Chapter 1 a chapter on Good Governance of political parties which includes
1. A 2 term limit on party leadership and central committtee member ship
2. an age limit of 62 to prevent political parties become geriatric ward and or fiefdom of a single individual or family dictatorship and to enable and give space talented young people to head the party.
3. Asset disclosure by all politicians
4, educational qualifications of at least a FULL Bachelors Degree from an recognized University now that Sri Lanka is a country with high rates of literacy and educational achievement unlike in the days of D.S> Senanayake.
5. One third reservation for women in the party committee and nominations.
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Kudu Jayaratne / August 27, 2015
“How come then CBK s choice and support MY3 took the lead to save this nation again? “
She did this through sheer spite; Not for the love of the country. She was given 3 chances and spoilt them all. This time shes upported Ranil (whose throatshe cut before) and My3 just to take personal revenge on MahaJaraa. Both, she and MahaJaraa are in the same leaugue of robbers.
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Hinniappu / August 26, 2015
CT please be real. One time criminal cant be a life long criminal. So, if the said lawyer should be an exam cheat. For that, he should have been punished. RIght ? But that should NOT be a reason not to have appointed him going through his profile.
This is typical hatred srilanka. Now we will read rains of CBK attackers joining adding muds to attack her. Uncivlized creatures are filled in srilanka, never would it be a nice island turning the situation to the positivity. I never think that average lankens would ever become civililhzed. Alone the records of Wimal Burwuanse and Gomanpila prove my statements here.
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sds / August 27, 2015
@hinniappu
Oh, please…
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Amarasiri / August 27, 2015
Hinniappu
Namal Rajapaksa cheated in his law exam. Nothing happened.
At least this guy, after cheating in science, got his law degree.
Did he cheat there too like Namal Rajapaksa?
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Lapatiya / August 27, 2015
Hinniappu,
Just go through the following hit list and new findings about disappearance of Prageeth Eknailigoda as published by CT today. May be you remember some time back there was an article about disappearance of Prageeth Eknaligoda written by “Uvindu Kurukulasooriya”. In that article he has mentioned that Prageeth has send some “Human Ashes” to Presidential secretariat and that led to his disappearance. Now there is another story about Mistress and I am confused.
1. Prageeth Eknaligoda – Still Continuing
2. Lasantha Wickramatunge
3. Sonali Samarasinghe Wickramatunge
4. Sandya Eknaligoda
5. Dr.Pakyasothi Sarawanamuttu
6. Sanjana Hattotuwa
7. J.C Waliamuna
8. Victor Ivan
9. Dr.Jayantha Danapala
10.Dr.Jayampathi Wickramaratna
Hinniappu, there is only one perfect Journalist/Person in the world. Just guess who he is?
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Native Vedda / August 27, 2015
Lapatiya
“Hinniappu, there is only one perfect Journalist/Person in the world. Just guess who he is?”
I will name a few
Malinda Seneviratne
Dharshine Irathinavalli
Rajpal Abeynayake (where is he now)
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Lapatiya / August 27, 2015
Native,
None of them are qualified to beat that Super Human Journalist who write this Garbage.
Can insulting a Dead person and his family, specially his young Kinds call as Investigative Journalism?
Rajpal Abeynayake (where is he now) – Still searching his lost Wallet.
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Leelawathie / August 28, 2015
Oh yes,
I was about to forget him
he is one and only DAYAN SILVA JAYATHILAKA.
TODAY, HE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO LIVE ( I MEAN ANYONE WHO WOULD HAVE GONE AGAINST RAJA)IF RAJAPAKSHES WOULD HAVE WON THE ELECTION
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Sisira Weragoda / August 28, 2015
Please add Uvindu Kurukulasooriya to this list above for his dirty journalism which he resorts to, selected people and issues.
Why doesn’t Uvindu Kurukulasooriya see Thilak Marapana, Highway robber (Sea Pirate) of Avant Garde legal team being tipped to be Minister of “Law” and “Order”!!!!
Compared to things currently investigated by CID FCID and PRECIFAC
where MARAPANA is a big HUMBUG, incident referred to Jayampathy W is a drop in an Ocean .
We all had being up to mischief in our young age (40-45 years back), they are not grave crimes, things done with petty Courage.
Shame RW
Shame UVINDU for your blind eye.
We need CT being not tarnished with dirty journalism.
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John / August 27, 2015
Exam Cheat in cabinet?
If so what about Central Bank cheat ? they can be in cabinet ! okay
More than anything else “good governance” was exposed in public when they negotiated how to share portfolios , It was a dog fight.
Dog fight in public to ” work for people” ? haa…ha..
They all are after corrupt money they can make through big, powerful ministerial portfolios , we can understand what is on cards.
This is the beginning , If so , one thing is sure this UNFGG won’t last more than 02 years, very sad guys,
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leelagemalli / August 27, 2015
Rajapakshes are said to be all cheaters in exams. Father to sons are said to be so called intelligent. By their behaviours people got to know how cruel they had been. Nevertheless them to get reelected and others not.. what a theory.. this can only be in SL. – hell island cornered by this date.
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Amarasiri / August 27, 2015
Dr. Jayampathy Wickremeratne PC
1. “this individual was caught cheating at exams while a student at the Science Faculty, University of Peradeniya. “
“Having been sacked for this, he re-invented a career for himself as a lawyer.”
So Lawyers are better Cheats than scientists. There is no surprise here. Aren’t Mahinda Rajapaksa and Namal Rajapaksa Lawyers?
2. “He has now entered Parliament through the UPFA (United People’s Freedom Alliance) National List, along with others loyal to President Maithripala Sirisena, among whom are seven individuals rejected at the polls.”
So, the National List is the way to go for cheats and defeated candidates.
This will always happen, unless one changes the constitution.
What do you think of the UPFA voters electing Mahinda Rahapaksa, Wimal Buruwansa and a few others?
3. “Wickremesinghe’s dilemma is that he cannot reject outright the request of Kumaratunga who openly backed the UNFGG (United National Front for Good Governance) led by the UNP (United National Party) and at the same time would have to consider the fallout of appointing a known cheat to this key portfolio.:”
CBK and RW Horse Trading, negotiation accompanied by shrewd bargaining and reciprocal concessions, a political horse trade.
“Colombo Telegraph reliably learns that this Horse is none other than Jayampathy Wickramaratne.”
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mj / August 27, 2015
This women is crazy. .Ranil must teach this woman a good lesson for trying to destabilize the new government. .this woman is a cures to Sri lanka..
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sama / August 27, 2015
She is crazy – that is why she and her mediation liberated the country from most brutal Dictator of the country – Mahinda Jarapakshe.
You are dead right inthat way. Ranil cant teach her, otherway around has helped Ranil or UNP to reboot their culture. There if you and the like could see it right – let alone today should be grateful.
Women hatred among the idiots of your kind did prove not electing Rosi Senanyake but voting for Wimal Buruwanse and Gommapila. Latter are the most idiots and have done nothing for this nation, nevertheless them to have gotten that hundreds of votes can only be in uneducated filled this hell island only.
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mj / August 27, 2015
Have you forgotten, foerny General, Anuradha Ratwatte..and his sons…MARA as her sucsseser. .isn’t enough to distroy Sri lanka..
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Amarasiri / August 28, 2015
@CT
RE: CBK Forces Ranil To Appoint Exam Cheat To Cabinet
Why did you not have the eadline
Mangala Samaraweera Invites and Forces Kadirgamas Memorial To Invite War Criminal Tony Blair ti give Memorial Lecture: Shame on you Mangala.
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zaman / August 26, 2015
Jayampathi Wickramarathne was appointed from UNFGG national list. Are you sure about the name Telegraph?
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Mallaiyuran / August 26, 2015
Great!
Marvelous!
CT, please check this before you post this.
In the Sinhala Intellectual Society, seeing a man like Dr.Jeyampathy is needle in the haystack. He is an Exam cheat?
They all are Sinhala Intellectuals. There is not single is good.
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Davidson Panabokke / August 27, 2015
Cheating in exams in your youth is a crime if you prove to be a worthy person later on?
A substantial number of people like that would have gone through inside and outside the parliament.
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gamini / August 27, 2015
Davidson,
It is no excuse that it may have happened before. Once it becomes common knowledge, it is not acceptable. Unlike then, today the media is wide spread and fast. Besides where do you draw the line if you allow at this instance.
JW has got caught cheating not when he was a youth, but in the Peradeniya UNi. No excuse whatsoever.
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Patriot / August 27, 2015
Are you saying that the SLFP rogues(some of them were rejected by the people) President Sirisena is going to appoint as ministers were babies when they robbed the country.
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Davidson Panabokke / August 27, 2015
Needle in a haystack!
Literally speaking in SriLankan parliament of Elwcted Members.
That’s right. Let’s see if Ranil has the conscience to find a political solution without clinging on to ethnicoutbidding of the last 60yrs.
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jansee / August 26, 2015
Sri Lanka claims to be a Buddhist country. Far from the years of Buddha’s departure, a blood-thirsty tyrant, Asoka, whose greed for power ransacked and murdered thousands in his war against Kalinga converted to Buddhism and had planted the seed for not only the revival of the religion but also on its expansion far and beyond. It was Mahendra and Sangamitra, the children of Asoka who have been hailed as being responsible for what is Sri Lanka today – its avowed stand that it is a Buddhist nation.
Funny isn’t it, a country that can accept a blood-thirsty tyrant turning over a new leaf and his children’s efforts have been recognised and accepted but one person who committed a wrong so long ago is being held in contempt. I don’t know this man and I don’t even know what his deeds are after that incident being cited. Are we going to hang him because of that incident or are we going to decide on the totality of what his life has been.
Quite frankly, I do not know of this person’s deeds in life. All I am saying is, do not pin this man down for that mistake he made for which he was sacked. Coming into public life warrants a behaviour and conduct befitting that office as this involved the people’s trust placed upon him but the scrutiny should be not only on that particular incident.
“HE THAT IS WITHOUT SIN AMONG YOU FIRST CAST A STONE”.
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kumaran / August 26, 2015
Who was Asoka’s father and who was his mother? From where di they come?
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jansee / August 27, 2015
kumaran:
“Who was Asoka’s father and who was his mother? From where di they come?”
Definitely not from heaven.
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Native Vedda / August 26, 2015
Whoever leaked this story should go back to their stupid childhood and adolescence if they too acted in similar fashion.
If this was held as a serious crime I am sure not a single MP qualifies to be appointed as Minister.
If one uses the same criteria one cannot employ Jim Softy, KASmaalam, OTC his sidekick Ramuuuu, sachoooo, lal loo, Namal, Basil …….. however they seem to be doing alright.
So why not Jayampathy Wickramaratne, and the post is Minister of Constitutional Affairs and National Integration, not much there to do at this ministry. No one cares about the constitution anyway. Much ado about nothing.
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Ben Hurling / August 26, 2015
Are we to find people, who have never ever made a mistake? Ever in their lives? Including their youth? There won’t be anybody left around. To be hired for anything.
Let us give people second chances.
Cheers!
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gamini / August 27, 2015
Ben,
I am rather surprised coming from you to give a second chance, you upholding Justice and Honesty all this while. In the first place those who come to Public life should not have any skeletons in their cupboards. It is no surprise CBK promoting JW after her own Sorbonne Degree. If we can not find decent honest to represent this country and has to rely on these cheats, no wonder we are in this predicament. Believe me, although I hold RW in high esteem, if something like this is revealed about RW, that is it. RW has no more respect from me and is not acceptable further.
What a shame? Having a black mark JW should have never come to the fore front. Imagine his position today how he will cope with the world. Unless he also has a thick skin like the others as CBK and MR crowd. Jayampathy Wickremaratne should gracefully step down from the Nationalist List without jeopardizing other Professionals and Academics of repute in the country. Shame! Shame!
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Native Vedda / August 27, 2015
gamini
In an Ideal world I would completely agree with you. However humans being stupid one has to draw the line between serious habitual crimes and crime of opportunity with no so serious consequence.
I have no intention of defending any crime nor misdemeanour. However there must be some correlation between crime and punishment. He was sacked from Uni perhaps was the appropriate punishment at the time.
Has he re-offended?
Was he involved in serious crimes, human rights violations, war crimes,swindling,
Big businesses including banks employ rehabilitated/reformed hackers/criminals to protect their websites, stores, …..
Recent reports state that Scotland Yard employs rehabilitated Jihadists.
Better set a thief to catch a thief.
How many of the past and present MP’s and Minister’s have clean record?
Could you name them?
How many of the state officials including peon have clean records?
This was not a serious crime, committed only once, …….. perhaps he was not that clever after all, therefore no threat to national security, may not contribute creatively to the evolution of constitution, probably the best person to protect status quo, …..
When you are young and very stupid you do all sorts of very very stupid things. Everyone should have second chance, including war criminals as long as they confess, own up, say sorry and beg mercy.
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Patriot / August 27, 2015
“jeopardizing other Professionals and Academics of repute in the country”
Dear Gamini, Are you aware that this type of cheating at final examinations at most of our Universities has been going on even before this particular batch got caught. As such, there is always the doubt that the so-called Professionals and Academics that you are talking about too have made the same offence without getting caught.
It seems Gamini has a personal grudge with Jayampathy.
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Ben Hurling / August 27, 2015
Gamini,
I see your point and concern. I too burn for world-class standards in our administration. Therefore I see no need to cross swords with you on this one.
All I am saying is a sense of forgiveness and magnanimity should guide us. In all our endeavors.
We must learn to care for those who have committed crimes or made mistakes in their lives as well. Then we are a strong society.
Cheers!
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AVB / August 27, 2015
Well said NV. Some great leaders in the world have openly accepted they had used illicit drugs in Uni or High School age.. Jayanpathy looks like he is in his 50s, if CT journalist couldn’t find any recorded wrong doing by this man after his his Uni days then Jayanpathy must be very rare good human in SL…
This also remind me why SL people who are in 50s divide into groups depending on schools they went when they were 15~18, or whether they went to Uni or German Tech, raised in Colombo or country side, Ba Bla.. This is very obvious among SL migrants settled in the West. Buddhist temples are divided along this line too…
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Mallaiyuran / August 28, 2015
“If this was held as a serious crime I am sure not a single MP qualifies to be appointed as Minister.”
Is there something hard pressing that Dr.Jeyampathy has to be given a ministry?
Out of the remaining 49 ministers, not even one is qualified to take over the ministry proposed to Dr.Jeyamthay? If so, are the rest are ministers or buffalos used in the field to plough the land? Instead of herding 50 what about a 5 good ones?
Could the Ranilpalayana stop the gimmick of national government and re-appeal to the people to select a party that will be capable of ruling the land? They need this gimmick to save the Old King from war crimes.
Is there is an event on the media, after Dr.Jeyampathy involved in selecting a candidate to stand in the election, without hiding his past record, confessed his fault and pleaded excuse from the people who had started to believe his good record?
This is the man started the CC game with Thero Sobitha saying Old Royals are rogues. Will the thero ask for removal of this man? Or is there some defect on thero’s history too so he is going to shut up his mouth?
Yes… That is always the same old proverb “Palaiya kurudi kathavai thiravadi”
(blind old woman open the door for me)
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Agnos / August 26, 2015
It is not fair to bring up any negatives from long ago
if he/she has maintained upright character since then.
It is silly to assume that people who make serious mistakes in their youth won’t reform themselves and live an exemplary life.
Such past indiscretions may end up in someone’s file for ever, but it
cannot and shouldn’t be a career killer if the person has learned from it
and changed.
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Uthungan / August 26, 2015
True.A single act of indiscretion should not be held against an individual provided he/she has taken the rap for it,repented,and resolved never to repeat that act and changed over to a new leaf.
But that change has to be genuine and sincere. To forgive is human but to forget is not. Subject to that criteria there is no harm in the appointment.
But if CBK has made the appointment like she had done in the case of former CJ Sarath N Silva then that means she has not learnt her lesson well enough.
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worry / August 27, 2015
Hmm.. I am not favor to this guy anyway as I have no idea about this individual and I give a BS to Jayampathy. “CBK Forces Ranil To Appoint Exam Cheat To Cabinet.” If Ranil appoint him to one of top portfolios then it is pretty bad political culture. There is no question about it. The good thing is now we are talking about this kind of critical stuffs. Here is the thing, if we can recall MARA’s regime, we had leaders to run the top portfolios with full of, murderers, rapists, cheaters, lunatics, thefts, gangsters, underworld ganja dealers, white van kidnapers, ethanol dealers, Greece yakas, hare-brained monks, stupid Buruwansas, Gong-mangpillas, ridiculous professors, bizarre university lectures as advisors to the president and Namal Rajapakse, and a lunatic CEA director, sold out SLF director, failed CJ, ruthless Defense Secretary, Tsunami fund Horu, Samurdhi fund Horu, Development projects fund Horu, Highways development money Horu, Ports Development money Horu, kudu businessmen, President spoken person killers, Rugby Player killers, journalist killers, Cartoonist killers, Ganja Dealers, so many unqualified, unprofessional, pissu foreign diplomats, and person named him call King Dutugemunu as the president of the country. So my point is, it is not big deal whether “Exam Cheat to Cabinet Post” in this country. Anything could happen in this Land of NOWHERE.
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Piranha / August 27, 2015
CT,
You should be highlighting the hordes of murderers, rapists, kudukarayas, ethanol merchants and other unsavoury characters who will be packing the UPFA benches in the new parliament.
Dr Wickremaratne is a well respected lawyer and human rights activist who may have made a few mistakes in life in his younger days, but who hasn’t. Do you think all those in public life or holding important positions in society are whiter than white and have made no mistakes in their lives in the past?
The man is a decent fellow who I am pretty sure will make a valuable contribution to society as a government minister. Please go after the real criminals who got elected with the help of the mega thief and mass murderer Mahinda Rajapaksa.
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Sapumal / August 27, 2015
I am sorry to say this. I have a respect for CT. But in this case I really can’t understand the real intention of the writer. I don’t know who wrote this. I know him well as student indecent times he is best person with academic qualifications and experience for the job. What else you want now? If you look for past, you will not be able to find anyone. Sannasga also have accused for the same thing. How many in the other side of the UPFP ?WhAt we really need is to solve our burning issues with capable people.
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Leelawathie / August 27, 2015
You may be right.
CT should see it first before going to add any low level statements or articles by anyone. That should be valid to me and all and sundry.
Now with no that much to be published, quality of the website could fall down easily.
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worry / August 27, 2015
Sapumal,
With all respect, I agree with your concern. But as critical thinkers (pre & post Rajapakse era), we should see all sides of the coin. In this case, we need to see all sides of the issue for the progressive path of our country whether it is Namal Rajapaske (exam cheater) or Jayampathi (exam cheater) that does not matter. Both are (were) wrong to hold public office if they have done some thing wrong in public. Period! Because these people going to be the role models for future political leadership of our nation. So bringing such story about JW is not a bad idea for public discussion. People voices will enhance political leaders (RW or CBK or MS) views at least in small ways to do the right thing to the country rather than party or individuals.
Cheers.
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Punitham / August 27, 2015
Teachers know how some very naughty pupils have become nice citizens afterwards.
I am shocked to see Colombotelegraph is giving this as news.
By the waywhen are you going to publish Tony Blair’s speech so that the voters and parliamentarians will know about devolution of power and federalism.
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K.A Sumanasekera / August 27, 2015
No dough in Constitutional Affairs ..Right..
Finance Ministry would have been a worry.
May be Whisky Madam’s long term strategy , to throw the hat in to the ring, and prepare the stage for a young Kumaranatunga hyphenated Banadaranayaka to take charge of the Elite and the , Anglicans after Batalanada ‘s Yahapalanaya which would stand Sira in pastures with a good feed lot.
Vellalas will be laughing all the way to Eelaam on weekends..
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Tamil from the north / August 27, 2015
Ha Kandiah Arasaratnam Sumanasekeram, I missed you. I simply came looking for you as I am a bit pissed off at things today and wanted to read some of your comments and have a good laugh. You never let us down, thanks for being there for us eternally with your ultimate stupidity. Thank you!
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Native Vedda / August 27, 2015
Tamil from the north
No KASmaalam NO CT.
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Somapala / August 27, 2015
This write up is bullshit that you do not expect in CT.
Firstly he is not a SLFPer.
Secondly he was appointed from the list UNFGG.
There may be mistakes done in the past.
Think of Angulimala.
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Sengodan. M / August 27, 2015
Hitting below the belt is a bad habit, CT.
Sengodan. M
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Leon / August 27, 2015
Ranil stick to your principles. It shows character.
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Village Green Guy / August 27, 2015
Buddha did not ostracize people who had committed indiscretions in the past. Using his mindfulness, BUDDHA foresaw the spiritual potential of even inveterate killers like Angulimala, who eventually became an arhant (perfect person), by exonerating them from their avijja (ignorance) through the realizaton of the middle path–the fourth Noble Truth.
Exam cheating violates the Right Action component of the sila (ethics and morality) dimension of the path. The intensity of the karma that Jayampathy Wickremaratne’s dispositions (sankhara) aggregate has registered will depend entirely on the intention behind the act of cheating. The very wide publicity given to this indiscretion signifies the degree of dukkha he has already going through.
FRom a Buddhist point of view, the prime minister should apply the mindfulness (vipassana) approach:
Concentrate on the present. Consider the competence of Wickremaratne to perform the duties of minister of constitutional affairs and national integration than any other parliamentarian. Do not rely on the pressure and recommendation of CBK or/and MS.
Meanwhile, I am losing my faith in MS because it is becoming all too evident that he is more concerned with “loyalty” than with the promised yahapalanaya. I cannot believe that he insisted on using the SLFP National List to appoint as parliamentarians political crooks like S. B. Dissanayake, Anura P. Yapa, Sunil Premajayanth
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Off The Wall / August 27, 2015
Science is overrated anyway. In my book, someone who cheats in science is a better human being. That shows his natural inclination is towards the humanities. Tell me, who is better educated: someone who has learned the technique of extracting a rotten tooth or building a bridge over a river, or someone who has learned philosophy, literature or the intricacies of constitutional law? Unfortunately our lopsided social values and skewed education system glorify technology at the expense of true learning. This distorted view pushes students to pursue subjects that they have no affinity for, making their schooling a miserable experience. I know this firsthand. Learning should be an exciting creative adventure. In my view, Dr. Jayampathy Wickremeratne PC has nothing to be ashamed of. He was bold enough to make his choices. A man’s got to do what a man’s got to do.
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Rohan / August 27, 2015
But, unfortunately, the options are limited!
Not a lot of good people in politics. If good people come to politics, they are spoilt by the others already in politics.
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asaipillai / August 27, 2015
Hello CT
You have some serious issues. You muck racking a issue Dr.JW supposed to have had many many years ago! Is that what you have got? Is there anybody who had not not made stupid mistakes during their younger days? What matters is what Dr. JW has made of himself NOW. Quite simply a highly respected and learned lawyer of high calibre. RESPECT that CT!!!
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Patriot / August 27, 2015
CT is again trying to sling mud at a person who is trying his best to serve the country in a positive way. CT is even unaware of the fact that this gentleman was appointed from UNFGG national list.
The word exam cheat is too harsh. It was not only this gentleman there were about 15 out of 22 students who were caught trying to bring in notes to the exam hall. All of them were punished by not letting them sit the exam for two years and not giving them classes at the final exam. The other seven also were not totally innocent. Some even brought in text books into the hall which were thrown out from the back door when found out that the supervisors were going to do a thorough check that fateful day. All these people are doing very well now some in foreign countries.
Dr Wickramaratna is the best out of the MPs present in the present parliament although he was a victim of that incident at Peradeniya. His knowledge of constitutional law will be a tremendous asset to the country at this juncture.
If that unfortunate incident did not happen in the 70s we would have had a Chemist of no use now instead of a constitutional expert.
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Nana / August 27, 2015
If you are going to punish this guy then we have to say adieu to politics in Sri Lanka. Can we name one person who does not have a Black mark against him or her? Yes, some are worst than the rest. He has paid his price for the mistake made therefore lets give him the benefit of the doubt so he can pay back to our society and country in a better way.
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Daham / August 27, 2015
Wonder why Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe should be in a moral dilemma over the current front-runner for the post of Minister of Constitutional Affairs and National Integration at a time when President Sirisena is bribing hoards of SLFP corrupt politicians including SB, Dilan, Vijithamuni Soyza with cabinet posts.
Unlike the other typical politicians Dr Jayampathy Wickramaratna will serve the country without robbing public money. He originally being a good scientist will use his expert knowledge in constitutional law effectively to bring peace and happiness to this country.
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School Principal / August 27, 2015
I agree that a mistake made long ago, even a grievous one, should not be held against a person all his life. For the record however JW should issue a statement confirming the fact (if it is true), apologising to those who still trust, and affirming that he has learnt from his mistake. END OF STORY!
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Point of View / August 27, 2015
I don’t think he owes an apology to anyone !
He only cheated himself and let down his parents and teachers. He would have asked for their forgiveness a long time ago. Period.
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Daham / August 27, 2015
Why should he apologize? He should not.
It was an error of judgement. For that a punishment was given by the University by not giving him a class at the final examination. As such, an apology is not necessary. He switched to Law and became the most qualified lawyer in the country unlike G.L.Pieris.
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Rohan / August 27, 2015
I think this is unfair. Society punishes people for wrong doings but lets them redeem themselves. This is an incident that happened over 40 years ago. Then he moved on to law, became a lawyer and got a good Master’s in public administration. He then got his PhD from the same University in which the incident happened. His thesis on fundamental rights has been published and is used by law students, lawyers and judges.
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Wera / August 27, 2015
Going by the comments it seems this story is a dud created to sling mud at RW and CBK. CT has manufactured a dilemma for Ranil where none existed. How about focussing on the deceitful back stabbing going on within the UPFA by the well known muckrakers Wee Wee and Dinesh to form their own GOV. How about informing the reader about the meeting the Jarapakshe acolytes had with the TNA to try and rope them into from a GOV. These utterly shameful deeds are ignored while an artificial controversy is created to write about.
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J P S Weerasinghe / August 27, 2015
Whether true or false this allegation must be a number of decades old one. You CT , CAN YOU FIND AND PUBLISH ANY THING MORE RECENT. A man can go wrong once or twice ,if its is not an offence punishable with life imprisonment no point in condemning him for life. He has been a public figure for long , without clinging on to an incident took place a number of decades back come out with solid facts during his carrier/conduct as a public figure.
This article is out of mere malice or CT seem to be undertaking mean criminal contracts of tarnishing images of prominent people.
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Sujata / August 27, 2015
What are these standards? Is their no room for second chances?
Jayampathy and a group of students were indeed expelled from the university for cheating (forty years ago!).
Having paid their dues, since then they have indeed reinvented their careers, becoming some of the more productive individuals of their generation.
Shame on you Colombo Telegraph.
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Fara / August 27, 2015
CT standards are dropping steadily. As someone else stated if this sad tale of a University misdemeanour is the only fault you can find with Jayampathy that in itself is saying a lot. Get over it and find more important issues to write about.
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Vetmahadeva / August 27, 2015
Hello CT
You have serious sadistic issues. You are digging out a grave, for an issue Dr.JW supposed to have done and dumped many many years ago for good to become a soft spoken gentle man in many many years back!
Isn’t it sadistic? CT
Is there anybody who had not not made stupid mistakes during their younger days? What matters is what Dr. JW has made of himself NOW. Quite simply a highly respected and learned lawyer of high caliber.
RESPECT that CT!!!
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Barus / August 27, 2015
How many of the commentators here have NEVER EVER cheated in their school days? Copied the homework from a fellow student? I am not a single one can raise their hands and say I NEVER CHEATED.
So stop this HYPOCRITICAL diatribe and stop throwing mud at a new government that is being formed.
COLOMBO TELEGRAPH, this is not a news worthy topic. You are just creating sensation to increase your readers count. Please be objective and rational when you report.
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gamini / August 27, 2015
Honestly I am appalled and surprised, how some of the comment posters who have displayed and upheld Justice and Honesty so far in this blog, castigating CT for publishing this piece of news and attempting to compromise for a cover up. By what standards?
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Daham / August 27, 2015
Gamini’s comment is disgusting! You are probably jealous of Dr Jayampathy Wickramaratne’s educational qualifications(Ph.D. in constitutional law, B.Sc.(Chemistry special),Masters in public administration) who has the most appropriate qualifications for the said ministry. He will be the most qualified man in the present parliament. Sri Lankans should be lucky to have a person of that calibre in their parliament where most MPs are corrupt bastards.
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gamini / August 28, 2015
Daham,
Qualifications means nothing where dishonesty is concerned. Is Namal R. also not qualified? Erudition alone does not make a man of principle or of honour. Simple as that. Ofcourse, for the suckers who are born by the minute, it is no issue. Have a nice day!
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Patriot / August 27, 2015
Gamini should read Prof P T Jayawickramarajah’s comment on
August 27, 2015 at 9:53 am. Their comments are admirable.
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Prof P T Jayawickramarajah / August 27, 2015
This is unfortunate that people fail to understand the different concepts such as ethics, integrity, expertise and academic achievements. “Cheating”is some thing we always encounter in life mainly in business and politics.It is not an acceptable ethical behaviour expected of a person with integrity.
In the present context the person concerned seems to have cheated in an exam several decades ago as an undergraduate. People develop and improve themselves at different stages in their lives. What is required for a minister is his current expertise and experience in the selected field. If the person concerned is an eminent constitutional lawyer in the field with a doctorate (? legal subject) which is the highest academic degree achievable by anyone, Sri Lanka should be lucky compared to the days when a former Minister of Finance was reported to have never passed GCE O/L mathematics!
Let us hope for the opportunity to have appropriately qualified ministers with integrity which is relatively rare in the developing world.
Dr jayawick
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Shrikharan / August 27, 2015
I agree with Prof P T Jayawickramarajah
We do so many wrong things in our formative years and we grow out of it except a few. One should not harp on these unless one has not grown out of the bad habit.
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gamini / August 28, 2015
Prof. Jayawickremarajah,
You are entitled to your opinion. For your information erudition alone does not make a man of Honour and of Principle. A child is taught from his younger days what vile is and what virtue is. I saw some one has quoted how Angulimala after killing 999 people was pardoned by Buddha and how he became an Arahat. Just like that. Buddha was no God to pardon other’s sins. This type of tall stories as Jathaka Katha was invented to foster Buddhism. If this be so, why only Angulimala even MR and Gota could be pardoned by the gullible and as advertised MR is to be the next Buddha. What a JOKE? Forgive me, I do not believe in any Religion. I only believe in my Conscience to which I can never cheat. I have no double standards to any including my family and friends. This Sinhala Buddhist Nation that boasts of a 2550 History are unable to find 250 Honest and Decent men to govern this society. This is the bottom line. Shame! Shame Indeed!
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Daham / August 29, 2015
“even MR and Gota could be pardoned by the gullible and as advertised MR is to be the next Buddha”
Gamini, your aregument is irrelevant. Yes, MR and Gota can be pardoned if they admit that they robbed the country and are willing to pay back to the country everything that they robbed or else they should serve a punishment for what they have done. Gota should be jailed for killing people as he can not pay back to that crime.
In the case of Dr Wickramaratna, he served a punishment for what he did together with all his batch-mates(error of judgement) as a young guy and thereafter his behavior has been exemplary. He should not be punished again in a civilized society. So Gamini just stop repeatedly writing comments with regards to this article. Try to be a Gentleman.
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