The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has released a statement justifying their arbitrary hiring of a US lobbying firm to white-wash the image of Sri Lanka and the Rajapaksa-regime against the backdrop of soured US- Sri Lanka relations and the ongoing UNHRC investigation on Sri Lanka.
Ajith Nivard Cabraal – CBSL Chief
The CBSL statement was released in response to an expose that was published on the Sunday Times political column few weeks ago, on the arbitrary course of action that had been taken by the CBSL in hiring the Liberty International Group LLC at an annual fee of Rs. 99 million, in violation of accepted protocol.
It has noted that the US firm was hired in order to implement a comprehensive overseas campaign to provide an accurate account of the Sri Lankan political and economic environment to the US and to counter the ‘extraordinary and vicious campaigns carried out by sections of the Tamil Diaspora in the US against Sri Lanka’.
Justifying their actions, the CBSL had said they have noted with ‘deep concern’ the well organized campaigns carried out by the Tamil Diaspora and the local and international media to convey inaccurate stories detrimental to Sri Lanka and have stated that if they are allowed to continue they could affect the image and economy of the country, particularly the foreign investments.
“It was in that context, that the Monetary Board decided to implement a comprehensive overseas campaign to provide an accurate account of the Sri Lankan political and economic environment to US leaders, think tanks, investors, business chambers and interested citizens to keep them abreast of the true situation in the country.”
The CBSL had also justified the cost of hiring the lobbying firms pointing out that Sri Lanka economy has grown in stature and character with exports of around 11 billion USD and imports with 18 billion USD. “In that background, investing a modest sum to create awareness in the world’s largest economy would undoubtedly benefit the Sri Lankan economy,” the CBSL has said.
Although it has acted arbitrarily without any collaboration with the MEA, it has stated it believes that their efforts have complemented and supported the activities of the MEA in countering the ‘vicious campaigns’ against Sri Lanka.
anonymous / August 25, 2014
Top of the List!
Nobel nominee! Nivata Kapurala
1. The most ignorant and stupidest head of a country’s central financial institute
“allowed to continue they could affect the image and economy of the country, particularly the foreign investments”
There is no image or dignity left for the Sri Lankans to safe-guard thanks to the Rajapassa clan + G.L. + Cabba + Vasu + Sajin Vaas……etc.
” exports of around 11 billion USD and imports with 18 billion USD “
What about the difference of $ 7billion + loqans from all over the world+ interest payments + maintaining the worlds largest cabinet + most amount of overseas trips by any govt. ++++++++++?
You are going to end up, you know where, don’t you Cabs? They will get you soon and that is a definite.
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Know All / August 25, 2014
The country should not be hiring these firms at all, in the first instance. If we must hire people to project a good image of the island, what is the purpose of having ambassadors and consuls and all manner of diplomats who are maintained there at such great expense? Also, it seems these firms have secured no discernible benefits for the country. So, it is simply a waste of good money.
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Lapatiya / August 26, 2014
@Know All!
You claim to know all, but it seems that you did not understand the simple Logic behind most efficient Governor in the history of Central Bank, Ajith Nivard Cabral.
Embassy’s are there to appoint,
Retired Armed Forces high ranking officers(Karannagoda, Thisara Perera)
War criminals (Shavendra Silva),
former IG’s (Mahinda Balasuriya),
Relatives and Friends of the First Family (Udayanga Weerasuriya, Jaliya Wickramasuriya, Dickson Daala Bandara),
Ex- Politicians (Bennet Cooray, H.R Piyasiri, A.S.P Liyanage,) who can’t win an elections,
Killers (Rathupaswella Killer),
Kith and kin’s of Politicians (Harhana Herath, Chamithri Rambukwella, Muthu Pathmakumara, Umayangana Randeniya, Oshadi Allahapperuma, Buddi Athauda, H.N.B Ratnayaka)
As you know all, Ajith Nivard Cabrala Has no option but to hire Public relation Firms to built the Image of Rajapaksha Family as Embassy’s are full of unqualified thugs, killers, Relatives, War Criminals, Killers and kith and kin’s of Politicians and Girl Friends of Politicians.
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Senthil / August 25, 2014
A desporate attempt by MR to save them from international investigation. You know these private firms never say no to any client, eventually they will tell that they have tried an impossible task and did their best-big naamam on MR’S forehead. While there is a cheep and easy way to deal with tamil’s issue why these idiots choose the dangerus and impossible rout. Who told there is no oil in srilanka for other countries to take interfere with the internel affers,see MR is borrowing money from china and channeling to US firms, weather oil money, drugs money or borrowed money , who cares. God bless srilanka and vethamahathia.
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Kumar R. / August 25, 2014
All major foreign countries have their embassies staffed with efficient, intelligent personnel capable of studying ground realities in Sri Lanka – these countries do not go by the Diaspora’s assessments for their internal evaluations.
Sri Lanka has two very valuable provisions to make their case. First, the Government officials can interact with the Foreign Embassies in Sri Lanka to make their case. Second, the Foreign Ministry can have their Embassy staff posted all over the World to make their case in the countries where they are posted.
How can you expect foreign companies, paid handsomely by Sri Lanka’s tax payers, to do a better job the Sri Lankan Government officials dedicated precisely to that task? If there is no case to make, then neither the Sri Lankan state officials nor foreign consultants can make it – and that is the reality.
Seems like someone is making huge commissions on these contracts – nothing more.
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girigoris / August 26, 2014
Our sri lankan embassies all over the wolrd had intelligent personnel? WTF are you talking about. Most of the embassies, US UK CANADA, RUSSIA are employed with dumb rajavassa clan. USA had a tea taster, who now is in cananda, no olavels, robbed money, US GOVERNMENT has proof. I dont want to waste my time more.
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Kumar R. / August 26, 2014
girigoris,
Seems like you have difficulty understanding English.
Please read the following carefully, slowly, one word at a time, and multiple times -“All major foreign countries have their embassies staffed with efficient, intelligent personnel.”
If that still is unclear to you, please let me know and, WTF, I will translate it to Sinhala or Tamil just for you!
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yus / August 25, 2014
PS to what Kuamr R states above: The question is why is the Central Bank Governor involved in this matter when it should be within the ambit of the Ministry of external affairs.No amount of white washing by the lobbying firms will help the regime if it does not get its act togather domestically or internationally.
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Sunilohan / August 25, 2014
You don’t have to keep them abreast of the country , the entire world knows who you all are, suckers of the tax payers money. There is no image to be affected , already perished
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Kumar R. / August 26, 2014
Questions for Cabraal and the rest of the lobby-buying “cabal”.
Who is responsible for convincing the lobby firm that there is a case to be made in Sri Lanka’s favour? Why cannot that official along with the Foreign Ministry convince the foreign countries and their diplomats stationed in Sri Lanka?
Why do you need a “conduit” that is costing the Government an arm and a leg while bankrupting the blood-soaked foreign reserves earned mostly by the poor ME maids – your mothers, wives, sisters and daughters?
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Ruwan Rasaputra / August 26, 2014
The kabaragoyas explanation for spending public money
makes the case worse. From the time of the first Governor
of the Central Bank, until Cabraal no one has hired any
foreign firms. Why? They felt it is not their job. This
management accountant is a show off. They write his
articles, put his name and have them published in foreign
publications. That is all they do.And for that they pay in
milliions. Cabraal taks all Sri Lankans to be buffoons.
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Selwyn / August 26, 2014
Hey Guys, please understand my situation.
Remember… l am not a Banker though Chief of CBSL.
But I can ‘cook the books’ and am now just ‘singing for my bread’.
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Davidson Panabokke / August 26, 2014
1.Why is a Bank boss doing the job of Foreign Minister?
2. Why do we have US ambassador here in Sri Lanka and our ambassador in the US?
3..Is there anything unsaid by the Sinhalese for the Tamils to say about the oppression of Tamils by successive governments from independence till today?
Doesn’t the Bank boss read newspapers/online news/articles?
4. Does our bank boss think that the US politicians and businessmen don’t read nespapers/online news/articles?
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Mallaiyuran / August 26, 2014
Central Bank? Public Money?
Who says so?
How did Lankan Royal Government brought downfall to Susan Rice. She is no longer heard by anybody. Isn’t it Republican Congress was denying funding for Libya embassy security? As usual, like the other handling of a political matters that were not clear in a Transparent Democratic country, this too has been declared as conspiracy theory. But the truth is China funding these through Lanka. America, after Blake, continuously goofing on this issue. Why China bought Colombo harbor? Just for fun or storing for electronic weapons? Does China needs Colombo harbor and Trinco Harbor after is has the Hambanttota harbor too. China has developed its plan while Sonia robbing India and Blake fighting with LTTE. It is too late for they both to deal with China and Lanka. China has deeply penetrated into India and America with the Lankan face.
Why America is interested in Lankan central bank. It is only a money transferring agent for China. When America told Lanka not to use dollar to buy Iran oil didn’t Lanka buy oil from Iran? How did it pay for that. Any doubt of is it in Yuan. America did know it could not stop Lanka importing oil from Iran.
There is no people money. It is Chinese money. Lankans has no right to cry for that.
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Chandrapala Malli / August 26, 2014
The date there is a change of government (if there
is ever one) Nivard Cabraal will be one of those
who would have to answer a lot. The PR/lobbying
company deals is only one. Who gave Rs 15 million
each on three occasions for Sri Lankans to protest
outside Geneva UN? How did Sri Lankan Italians go
in large numbers? Which Chandrapala passed on
the payments? Cabraal will have to answer these
queries and even more.
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Tara / August 26, 2014
Sri Lanka will never win this one, despite an expensive PR firm hired in the US to whitewash Sri Lanka’s image.
Maybe the rogue state of Israel advised the rajapaksa’s, but the zionists have the support of the entire US congress, a devious lobby that controls the congress, threatens, bribes and twists arms, to get the aid and weapons, and it also has the zionist media in the US, that is too scared to criticize Israel’s war crimes against unarmed civilians. The US has been corrupted by zionist influence.
Sri Lanka does not have that clout.
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Diogenes / August 26, 2014
Nivata Kabarayaa must have collected a good comission!
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paul / August 27, 2014
“Sri Lanka is a vibrant, practising democracy and a country with a 2500 year history, emerging out of a long and bloody conflict. It has the maturity and the ability to deal with issues confronting the country, in accordance with its own systems, culture and democratic traditions.
So far, all Sri Lankans have been able to enjoy peace, by practising a hybrid system of restorative justice and rapid economic and political development. In that background, it is vital that the country is not pushed into “foreign-grown” solutions of international agencies and others, who unfortunately, sometimes appear to be influenced by certain human rights crusaders, who have been well- known terror activists in the past.
It is also worthy to recall that, in its commitment to the principle of restorative justice following the conflict, the Sri Lankan government has already granted amnesty to more than 11,000 former Tamil Tiger terrorists, some of whom have even committed grave crimes. In such circumstances, if the government were to open new investigations as proposed by some, it could turn the clock back and cause great anxiety to those offenders who have been forgiven, and may even lead to some of them reverting back to violence. At the same time, some of the proposed “foreign” interventions that seem to be narrowly focused on the conduct of the Sri Lankan armed forces only, could also be construed as unfair and/or selective treatment towards the Sri Lankan armed forces who defeated terrorism, and could lead to a consequent de-stabilization of the country.
Practical wisdom would therefore suggest that reconciliation between communities must be allowed to follow a “home-grown” path in keeping with the time and space as set out by those who suffered the agony of terror, and those who are today responsible for maintaining the peace in the country. Needless to say, such reconciliation cannot and must not be “imposed” by foreigners who do not carry the burden of being responsible to the Sri Lankan people”.
Speech made at the Bank for International Settlements, Basel, Switzerland.
http://www.bis.org/review/r140521g.htm
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punchinilame / August 26, 2014
If it is true that N,Cabraal sat the CA Exam. 13 times, his individual
endurance and persistence is reflected in going all the way to enhance the
abilities of a central bank backed now by C h i n a!!
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paul / August 27, 2014
Not true. Not only did Mr. Cabraal complete his Accounting exams all first attempt, he was a multiple prize winner.
He is sufficiently competent and qualified to head a Central Bank, judging by his impeccable record, exposure, knowledge and background, not least in the field of Governance.
“Mr. Cabraal is an Eisenhower Fellow and was an internationally recognized Consultant in Corporate Governance. He was the Founder Chairman of the Corporate Governance Committee which developed the Code of Best Practice on Corporate Governance in Sri Lanka. He also served as the President of the Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Sri Lanka. He is a Past President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka, South Asian Federation of Accountants and St. Peter’s College Old Boys Union. Further, Mr. Cabraal has served on the Boards of the Securities and Exchange Commission, National Institute of Business Management, Post Graduate Institute of Management and the University of Moratuwa.
He is the author of the books, “Towards a Sri Lankan Renaissance” and “Lak Mawata Muthu Potak” (A string of Pearls for Mother Lanka). “Towards a Sri Lankan Renaissance” is a collection of strategies for the future development of the country and “Lak Mawata Muthu Potak” is a collection of over 60 short essays that Mr. Cabraal has contributed to popular national newspapers over the period 2003 to 2004.
Prior to his current appointments, Mr. Cabraal had established his own management consultancy practice which specialized in Business Revival and Turnarounds, Corporate Governance, Top Management training, Corporate Planning and Business Valuations. During such period, he served as a Director of several quoted and unquoted public companies until December 2005 at which time, he resigned from all private sector positions to take up public office”.
http://www.treasury.gov.lk/centralbank/CBnews.htm
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Kumar R. / August 27, 2014
Paul,
With all theses credentilas, why is he unable to convince the World Bank, the IMF or the US?
Why does he need foreign consultants – and would you knowor care to details on the credentials of the foreign consultants whom he has hired?
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paul / August 28, 2014
My dear kumar R, in economics this is called specialisation or division of labour. As the Governor, he has a job to do. A specialist consultant- I do not know who it is or their credentials- could certainly do a better job of formulating a strategy and a plan of action which the President, Governor and others could implement. Please see my other post, that Sri Lanka is not alone in this. Assuming it is not a dud deal to siphon out money,the deciding factor is also pure economics: the value for money aka benefit vs. cost equation. It may cost a lot but if the resulting benefits are more, then you go for it.
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Native Vedda / August 28, 2014
paul
Have you forgotten Ajith Nivard Cabraal’s role in the hedging fund deal?
Please read the news:
CB pays huge amount as legal fees on hedging deal
MONDAY, 12 MAY 2014 08:45
Despite repeated denials about the Central Bank’ involvement in the controversial hedging deal, it had paid as much as Rs. 480 million as lawyers’ fees regarding the transaction referred to the international arbitration panels, the Daily Mirror learns.
The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) discussed the financial reports of the Central Bank last week at its meeting conducted in the parliamentary complex.
Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) struck a deal to hedge its purchases of crude and refined products on the international market in 2007. It was done when the oil prices were hitting US $ 147 a barrel in 2008.
However, the prices crashed to less than US $ 40 a barrel later, compelling the CPC to make payments to various banks with whom the hedging deal was signed with.
The deals were later taken to the Supreme Court with a ruling that the payments should not be made.
These banks sought international arbitration afterwards.
CPC struck this deal with Standard Charted Bank, Deutsche Bank, Citibank, Commercial Bank and the People’s Bank.
The role of the Central Bank was implicated in this transaction which caused huge losses to the government.
However, the report of the Auditor General said that the Central Bank paid Rs. 420 million on behalf of the CPC, but only Rs. 147.5 million had been recovered up to the end of 2013.
Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal said this payment had been made on behalf of the government and CPC and it would be reimbursed.
Also, the rep[ort of the Auditor General says the Central bank lost Rs. 36 billion in the gold transactions due to the diminishing prices in the world market and it was a global phenomenon well beyond the control of Sri Lanka.(By Kelum Bandara)
http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/46974-cb-pays-huge-amount-as-legal-fees-on-hedging-deal.html
Paul
Why do you always back the most stupid people of all?
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paul / August 28, 2014
I can’t write a thesis on financial risk management here. To put it simply, you take a gamble that the price of a commodity – in this case crude oil or petrolium- would move adversely and enter into a futures contract to buy / sell at a predetermined fixed price/ for a fixed period/ or a fixed quantity. This is on the assumption the adverse price change would cost you more than the hedge premium.
As you and I know economists who advise on these matters are not divine and they could get it wrong at times, thus resulting in a loss due to the hedging process.
What you are quoting is one such sour deal.
Unless we could prove gross incompetence, gross negligence, bad faith or corruption, we can not turn back and blame the decision makers just because it resulted in a loss.
Remember name of the fame is ” You win some and lose some”.
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anonymous / August 28, 2014
Paul,
“if the resulting benefits are more, then you go for it”.
What benefits & who ?
The word ‘IF’ can be defined as ‘Uncertainty’ as well, am I correct?.
According to the greatest human being ever, the ‘Buddha’, “Sabbe sankahara Anichcha, Anaththa & Dukkha”.
So, all the credentials one holds are just ‘Labels’.
“True ‘WISDOM’ does not come from studying great theories or philosophies but from observing the ‘Ordinary’.”
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paul / August 29, 2014
“What benefits & who ?”
Beneficiaries are Sri Lanka, its economy, reputation and the people. Benefits are to increase -or even to reduce the decline in- its world’s standing and in bilateral economic activities which include trade, investment, tourism etc.
“According to the greatest human being ever, the ‘Buddha’, ‘Sabbe sankahara Anichcha, Anaththa & Dukkha‘. So, all the credentials one holds are just ‘Labels’”.
“the greatest human being ever”. I agree with you.
However please don’t quote him to justify such a foolish argument. On the one hand, CT readers are clamouring all Govt. appointees to senior positions are “unqualified” and here you are claiming qualifications and experience are just labels. You can’t win, can you?
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anonymous / August 29, 2014
My dear Paul,
I am seeing an intelligent thought process going on in your mind which we call (samma ditti). Therefore I like to share my ‘experience’ not the qualifications in life with you. Yes, of course, ‘qualification’ is a label but not an ‘experience’. What me and yourself have experienced is completely different to what the other human beings do.
This so called experience the ‘Buddha’ revealed is something which is beyond ones imagination called ‘Nibbana or Sunyatha’.
So, my dearest friend, you are correct to say “You can’t win, can you?” but ask yourself this question, ‘What am I trying to win?’.
If you like to know more search for Ajahn Sumedho, Ajahn Jayasaro or Ajan Brahm or Forestsangha.org on google.
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paul / August 29, 2014
anonymous,
Your proclaimed enlightened experiences and the venomous, demeaning language you use on this very same thread tells me you are either confused, ignorant or deceiving yourself. Just ask yourself as a genuine follower of the Buddha, should I be using these foul words to diacribe another human being, aren’t you not braking “samma vacha” in doing so?
1.Nobel nominee! Nivata Kapurala
2.The most ignorant and stupidest
3.Rajapassa clan
4.You are going to end up, you know where, don’t you Cabs? They will get you soon and that is a definite.
There is sarcasm, pride, demean and extreme hatred embedded in these un-buddhist statements.
It is perfectly acceptable for one to use such terms in a political debate, but just don’t confuse your arguments with Buddhist philosophy for they belong to different domains.
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anonymous / September 1, 2014
Dear Paul,
I think you are getting more & more confused by trying to prove your intelligence or what ever. I am not claiming anything here as I am not a fully enlightened human being & I never said I am.
I think you should read a little bit more about Buddhism and the history of the Nigantas etc.
1.Nobel nominee! Nivata Kapurala = Spineless individual
2.The most ignorant and stupidest = (Mithya Aajeva. Mithya Drushtika) wasting the innocent taxpayers money.
3.Rajapassa clan = (Asathpurusha sevanaya)
4.You are going to end up, you know where, don’t you Cabs? They will get you soon and that is a definite. (Aadeenava of the above actions) Hell!! (They will get you, They= Thanha Rathee & Ragha)
Like I mentioned earlier, all the words I’ve used are ‘Labels’. There is no ‘Greed, Hatred or Dilution’ embedded in those thoughts what so ever.
I was referring to my great teachers findings of the universal truth about cause & effect. I hold no one responsible for my ignorance but my existence. I hope this is not too complicated for you to uncoil.
May you be well, happy and most of all be free from all sufferings!
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paul / September 1, 2014
“May you be well, happy and most of all be free from all sufferings!”
Thank you for your kind , compassionate words anonymous. On your behalf, I directly pass on your good wishes to the Governor CB and the President, SL. I have no doubt that as a well grounded follower of Buddha dharma, your compassion is universal and not selective.
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Kumar R. / August 28, 2014
My very dear Paul,
Economics – my foot!
Here are some lines from your very own posting (the other posting you mentioned) that, if you had bothered to read, would have properly enlightened you:
“A sum of $4.3 million spent on spin doctors to make Tony Abbott look good … ..if the remuneration is based on return on investment, I’d ask for my money back.”!
“He (Tony) has, however, succeeded in topping Julia Gillard’s status as the lowest-polling PM”!
“This is public relations gone feral and is nothing more than disingenuous, deceptive and manipulative medicine dispensed by ”spin doctors”.
“Communications consultant: usually someone hired to assist and advise those who wish to save face, or keep up appearances of efficiency and competence no matter how lame and halt they are. The typical communications consultant can stall for time, confuse the issues, disconnect or improperly connect channels of communication in order to obfuscate, pervert the course of natural justice, and retain control of the situation by being the only one who really knows what is happening.”
Show me one comment or observation in your own posting that you draw attention to, that is supportive of your convenient over-extended cover as economically driven division of labour. What pathetic hoopla!
Of course gullible, misinformend desperates do use spin doctors – there is a sucker born every minute. But when the sucker is sucking up public funds for his misguided adventures, all at enormous public cost, then it is indeed the responsibility of every single, right thinking citizen to challenge it – and not swallow it hook, line and sinker as you seem inclined, if not delighted, to do.
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paul / August 28, 2014
Kumar R, point i am making was “CB of SL was not alone in relying on spin doctors” and likewise there will always be critics like you. On the other hand Mr Abott and the members of his party were/are convinced that it was the right decision. In the end that is what matters. “Dogs may bark, but the caravan moves on” as the saying goes.
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Kumar R. / August 28, 2014
My dear Paul,
I appreciate your confession – how inadvertent that may have been.
So you knew (a) it does not make economic sense on “return on investment” basis, (b) does not provide poll advantage as proved in Tony’s case, (c) it is merely a disingenuous, deceptive and manipulative medicine dispensed by ‘spin doctors’, (d) these consultants are hired to save face, or keep up appearances of efficiency and competence no matter how lame and halt they are, and (e) they “obfuscate, pervert the course of natural justice,” among other similarly loathsome attributes.
Yet, you took it upon yourself to give this sordid affair an economic legitimacy by stretching, if not contorting, the noble concept of “division of labour.”
To summarize then, from your own postings, there is indeed no better personification for a “spin doctor” than our own dear Paul! Correct?!
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Razeek / August 27, 2014
Public money is used to suppress news of dictatorship and massacre of minorities in SriLanka.
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paul / August 27, 2014
Sri lanka is not alone – in paying spin doctors dearly to boost up image. It is all well worth it.
http://www.smh.com.au/comment/the-age-letters/paying-a-hefty-price-for-keeping-up-appearances-20140712-3btwf.html
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paul / August 28, 2014
Some you win, some you lose. That by the way is life.
http://www.colombopage.com/archive_14B/Aug27_1409122142CH.php
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paul / August 28, 2014
Kumar R, point i am making was “CB of SL was not alone in relying on spin doctors” and likewise there will always be critics like you. On the other hand Mr Abott and the members of his party were/are convinced that it was the right decision. In the end that is what matters. “Dogs may bark, but the caravan moves on” as the saying goes.
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Kumar R. / August 28, 2014
My dear Paul,
I appreciate your confession – how inadvertent that may have been.
So you knew (a) it does not make economic sense on “return on investment” basis, (b) does not provide poll advantage as proved in Tony’s case, (c) it is merely a disingenuous, deceptive and manipulative medicine dispensed by ‘spin doctors’, (d) these consultants are hired to save face, or keep up appearances of efficiency and competence no matter how lame and halt they are, and (e) they “obfuscate, pervert the course of natural justice,” among other similarly loathsome attributes.
Yet, you took it upon yourself to give this sordid affair an economic legitimacy by stretching, if not contorting, the noble concept of “division of labour.”
To summarize then, from your own postings, there is indeed no better personification for a “spin doctor” than our own dear Paul! Correct?!
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Lex / August 30, 2014
A parallel Govt,
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Peace / September 2, 2014
The GOSL is going in the wrong direction and the excuses are many. One being to counter LTTE propaganda against the country. But most of all this is a funny situation where there are too many “mahadenamuttas” each acting on their own. When did the Central Bank get involved in these matters? The time they should have got involved is to keep advising the adverse propaganda during the war and made the statements necessary as soon as the war was over.
To begin with when you had a crook for an ambassador who became the fall guy while other crooks who were surrounding him benefited but now in Washington, they are wondering what happened when the “Goma” hit the fan. The clueless Sri Lankan referred to by Rajiva Wijesinghe is absolutely right. How can a young inexperienced “pandan karaya’s son” talk for Sri Lanka. This is all about robbing the country.
ABOVE ALL, THE SUCCESS OF THE LTTE IS THAT THEIR LOBBYISTS OPEN THE DOORS FOR THE VOTING DIASPORA TO SPEAK. THEY SPEAK AGAINST SRI LANKA AND THEY ARE HEARD AND OPINIONS ARE MADE. WITH THE GOVERNMENT, THEY ARE SECRETIVE AND KEEP THE VOTING POPULATION OF EXPATS AWAY FROM SPEAKING TO THEIR REPRESENTATIVE AND THEY SPEND MONEY ON LOBBYING WHEN LEGISLATORS CLEARLY SAY THEY DON’T WANT TO TALK TO LOBBYISTS, THEY WANT THE VOTERS AS ULTIMATELY THE REPUTATION OF THE COUNTRY IS TARNISHED NOT BY THE LOBBY GROUPS BUT THE LEGISLATORS WHO HEAR THE WRONG STORY. These dumb idiots may have big titles but their eye is on the pot of money and not the desired results.
The President should dig deeper and see how all these people are filling their pockets and digging the grave for the leaders in our country. Nothing visible has happened and this lobbying has gone on for over 5 years even during the No Fire Zone fiasco, Washington was lobbying. Where did the money go? It only saved the job of a young inexperienced useless jonny whose father was a boot licker and who is probably also behind the property deal that the Ambassador became the fall guy. The same useless jonny moved from one company to another and despite the lack of results, he is named as the person “in charge” while his interests are in night club businesses and restaurants. When does he have time to be in the lobbying business. He is beyond clueless and WAS NOT EVEN BORN IN SRI LANKA. His father takes fees from clients and doesn’t deliver. His name is dirt among expats who know what a crook he is.
The son takes all the plum jobs and doesn’t deliver. So what is the difference. Any important people come to Washington they are dined and wined and the father drops names as if they are peanuts!!! The Government and the President are living in a Fool’s Paradise. Spending on the Lobbyists is not going to buy a better reputation. As long as the crooks keep secretly signing these lobby agreements, keeping the voting expats at bay, the country will go nowhere. BLOODY CROOKS!!!1 THAT’S ALL THEY ARE. All these years, the expats spent their money paying for political donations and spoke with the legislators. The expats are called upon only when jobs need to be done. ALL YOU CROOKS ARE SELLING THE COUNTRY!!!!!
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