By Colombo Telegraph –
Chief Justice has asked for an open public trial. The application was refused. Then asked for observers including Bar Association of Sri Lanka. This was also refused. Thus the inquiry would be held in camera, the Colombo Telegraph reliably learnt.
CJ
Chief Justice objected to Wimal Weerawansa MP and Dr. Rajitha Seneratne MP from participating as members of the PSC on the ground of bia – There were several cases where CJ has given orders affecting these MPs/their family members. Order on this is postponed for Thursday (6th December) afternoon 2.30 pm. On that day, they will also consider whether further time would be given to the CJ for explanations.
No procedures for inquiry have been adopted. No lists of documents or witnesess have been given. The PSC is to meet without the CJ on 5th, tomorrow at 10.00 am.
Nawas Dawood / December 4, 2012
If CJ has to abslove her charges agianst corrupation better her to be at committed before the Parliment.Other wise public having reasonable doubt about CJ behaviour and her Corrupation charges!
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Kalpana / December 4, 2012
Where have all the NGO ladies of Colombo who get big bucks for women’s rights and political empowerment and for Human rights jaunts, disappeared when the country’s first woman CJ is being harassed by a bunch of thugs who sit in the diya-wena parliament?
Rosy Senanayake was also harassed in Parliament by the clown who is Minister of Transport.. but NGO queens are silent on the rank sexism in the Sri lanka parliament.
As the Sri Lanka spring gathers slow but sure momentum in defense of an independent judiciary and against the impeachment of the CJ, and while Rajapassa has got his Saffron clad Sinhala ladies and his cabinet of clowns, thugs, thieves and goons out on the streets, are the Colombo feminists hiding with Ranil’s great feminist wife?!
Shouldnt the Colombo NGO ladies be out on the street protesting sexism in politics and the parliament of morons in this Banana Republic!
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John Wayne / December 5, 2012
The legislative arm is the worst of the three branches of govt.- Executive, legislative and judiciary. On second thoughts, the Executive is pretty putrid too – and there is nothing to choose between the two!
In any case, the Sri Lanka diya-wenna parliament is full of uneducated, scum of the earth politicians who are there to make money not stand for principles. They are there because they play pooja to the corrupt executive.
Politicians in Lanka are the pits and professionals, civil society and ordinary citizens need to step in and rally around the Judiciary and Shiranee Bandaranayake, an unlikely heroine, to spur the LANKA SPRING led by another unlikely hero Sobitha thera to rescue the country from the rot that the Executive and legislature represent..
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Native Vedda / December 5, 2012
Kalpana:
“Where have all the NGO ladies of Colombo who get big bucks for women’s rights and political empowerment and for Human rights jaunts,”
Would you like the NGO ladies to share their big bugs with you. All you have to do is beg them.
Your above comment is motivated by your jealousy than real concern for the victim.
You say:
“Rosy Senanayake was also harassed in Parliament by the clown who is Minister of Transport.”
Who did put him in Parliament? Clown’s rightful place is in the circus. Your people elected him to represent them in the Parliament. Question the very people who stupidly elected a clown and sent him to a circus in which 250 (con) artist perform their amazing acts. It was not the NGO ladies of Colombo who put him where he behaves like a clown.
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Ben Hurling / December 5, 2012
Kudu Dumind asked for this. Granted. Kudu Duminda asked for that. Granted. Only CJ and General SF will be refused. Welcome to Miracle of Asia. Where AG is controlled by Gota.
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Safa / December 4, 2012
Why all this hush hush? Looks like PSC doesnt want people to observe their lack of competence. Ashamed of doing a task they dont have a clue or competence to handle. Afraid of the blunders which they would commit become public and boomerang on them. Afraid of the grave responsibility of sacrificing an innocent victim to the tyranny of the Executive?
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Cynthia / December 5, 2012
Safa – my question is also that.Why all the hush hush regarding
a matter which is of great importance to the country and the people?
What you say about the PSC is true .
Sri Lanka is getting ready for another ” KILLING ” without witnesses
to achieve another victory for the brothers !
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Sonlight / December 4, 2012
How can offenders inquire in to a (Fabricated) case against CJ? Public hearing will tear the masks of them.
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srilal / December 4, 2012
There is absolutely no point in swapping Wimal & Rajitha to another two clowns, there won’t make any difference, out come will be the same, Unless this is some sort of a delaying tactic from CJ . poor CJ’s fate has already been sealed . it must be said , opposition presence gives the much needed validity & legitimacy for this kangaroo court. this is Gen SF’s show trial number 2 and history repeating.
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janadasa / December 4, 2012
It appears that at least the government members of the Select Committee is hellbent to deny the fundamental human rights to CJ which are guaranteed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees. According to the Article 10 of the UDHR
“Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against her/him.”
and according to the Article 11.
(1) “Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which her/he has had all the guarantees necessary for her/his defense.”
The opposition should withdraw from participating in the Select Committee unless CJ being a human being her right to public hearing is granted.
Let us hear from the leaders of the UNP, the TNA and the JVP. The opposition should at least fight to allow public to hear the both sides of the story. Live broadcast of the proceeding would guarantee the justice to some extent, at least in the minds of the people if not among the parliamentarian.
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Jayantha / December 5, 2012
I titally agree with janadasa. What type of hearing is this…..All over the world this type of impeachment not only open to public ( a number of selected guests) but also to SC judges and the Bar association and the LIVE TELEVISED BROADCAST. This alone show how the MARA gang doing everything (from tenders upto selling lands and giving contracts) hidden from public.
All have to protest that this CJ hearing should be open to public and to the Bar Assocation and the SC judges and to the international community.
Who is MR or the speaker to restrict peoples rights in a Democratic country. Tomorrow they will go and sit in the CJ’s seat….
These disgusted thieves are from the worst ever rowdy areas in Sri Lanka…Weeraketiya/ Walasmulla/ Beliatta where the most crooks ever live….where MR coming from…(I know that area because I was overlooking Marketing and sales in down south) My farther always told me not to bring even a blind cat from that area…..and he proved correct.
This MF thieves MARA crooks will never leave the positions they got by crooked way…..unless all get together and chase them even if it needs to get foreign support.
It’s going to be hard…but not difficult also. The more they stay the more they ruin our country.
CJ and the Lawyers should be stern to the PSC and say they should allow for public and the Bar association and the Judges to witness the hearing.
THEY COULD HAVE THE HEARING INSIDE A GLASS CHAMBER IN THE PARLIAMENT AND CAN HAVE THE AUDIO/VIDEO LINE FOR OUTSIDERS TO SEE AND HEAR. THIS IS A MUST.
It is the peoples bad luck for bringing these crooks into power. These are power hungry crazy fanatics which are hard to kick out….only with collective effort with mass agitation could bring results, because these crooks are ever ready to destroy the country for their illicit survival.
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Leela / December 4, 2012
Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake’s Account No. 101110002058 (Old No. 100002001360) maintained at the National Development Bank (NDB) shows that Dr.Bandaranayake has credited and debited a staggering Rs.366,799,518.71 (Three hundred and thirty six million Rupees) during the period of 2008 to April, 2012.
It is observed that, every year, she has withdrawn all the money to make the account balance zero on 31st March. This is a deliberate move to hide from taxes. On the basis that account balance is zero on the date that she filled her Assets and Liabilities Declaration she had omitted this account completely. She must have earned at least several millions in interest during that period. Needless to say not declaring earned interest amount to be evasion of taxes. Imagine the transactions of her other twenty odd accounts. And this lady wants to remain the CJ.
If any of you wanted to know more details please read the full article in the ‘Daily New’ dateline December 4th, 2012.
Leela
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Desperatelanka / December 4, 2012
Please add supportive references to your comments. Else, Readers would become upsetting getting your points.
If she is going to be charged for the matter that she kept everything hidden from them being taxed – I would request everyone sitting in the parliament in high position to declare their accounts to the nation – this should be started from the INCUMBENT PRESIDENT.
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Lanka Muslim, UK / December 4, 2012
Yes, in the ‘Daily News’, the Govt.’s organ of lies. Why is the news only in it? And who gave it? ‘Daily News’ certainly cannot mislead the ‘Colombo Telegraph’ readers.
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janadasa / December 4, 2012
More so why we need an open transparent trial. Why the so called judge MPs are afraid to do so.
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Chandra / December 4, 2012
Herold Leelawardne (aka Leela)
I was honestly of the opinion you had better sense than quoting the Daily News.
I was wrong! Your slip is showing
Avoiding taxes? Clutching at straws maybe.
Chandra “Marco” Page
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Jamal / December 5, 2012
Leela your observations show an obvious bias. You want us to believe the hogwash discharged by the CDN at the behest of a band of thugs but take umbrage when the CJ tries to defend herself. I think the readers can judge Leela’ s credibility and more importantly Leela’s utter disregard for human rights. It is this type of attitude ad nauseum that will sink this country into utter chaos.
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Mark / December 5, 2012
Regardles of whether the daily News article is correct or not. Neelakandan and Neelakandan of behalf of the CJ provided an explanation of said accounts and the transactions the monies were used for. Also sums involved are far less than the ones alleged in the daily news article. As usual Leelo is pulling a fast one using bogus numbers published in a bogus news paper to slander the CJ. These are after all private accounts which are supposed to be protected from public scrutiny.
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Safa / December 5, 2012
Why dont you go and give evidence before the PSC. PSC is unable to submit written evidence?
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Jayantha / December 5, 2012
This is for you my friend Leela:
Yamang Leelo, Naduwa Ballana,
Naduwa balala, somiyak ganna,
Rupiyal Dahai, Bothalayai,
Packet Ekak, Nomile Lebei,
Yamang Leelo, Naduwa Ballana.
Kekille Naduwa Drama: Re-visit on 6th December 2012 ……ONWARDS.
Venue = Sri Lanka Parliament Complex at 10.30AM…and….Every day… . . depend on the Hora money collected….rain or shine
Actors = Medamulana Alibaba and the 117 Clan.
Special Actors = Mr. 10% (ten percent), Mr.Satakaya, Mr.shit man . . . Mr.Space man, Mr.Seaman and Mr.low man
Special Actress = Chief Justice Colombo High Court.
Free pass,Free Transport, free Lunch, free gal bottle, plus 1,000.00 rupees(commission free) ……Bring your neighbor, ladies, gents, children …two legged only…..Beware of Pick Pockets
All are welcome including my friend Leela.
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Ronny / December 4, 2012
Leela, if you believe Daily News, all the opposition members and supporters are thieves, rapists, extortionists, murderers, thugs, etc. etc. and the GOSL members including Mervyn Silva and Leela are all SAINTS! Daily News is good only for obituary notices. Now you find only a few obituary notices not because people don’t die but the readership has come down drastically.
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Desperatelanka / December 4, 2012
As it is always with her (Leela) comments – she just adds what Dailynews report. That alone proves her mentality, I wish she could better married to MERVIN the like folks and stay us calm and quiet.
I ask myself what is the different between Leela^s mind set and the masses that gathered to protest against CJ ( village and street masses – easy target of MR and thugs).
But somewhere, I happened to read this partiucla Leela or leelawardhane is a PhD from an Uni in UK. If these kind of PhDers feel like this – for whom she worked after her or his PhD should have to check it from the beginning of Leela s appointment to them – she is SIMPLY NOT far from Mervin.
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AMT / December 5, 2012
Mervin Silva who tied a samurdhi official on to a tree in public and punished is talking about Justice. The video clippings and photographs of supporters who were against CJ (from government side of course) shows evidence of Rs500 notes being distributed among the organized protestors is self evident that CJ is clean!., and the 117 government mp s should , ‘hang down their heads and cry’ !!!!!!!!
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suryagamage nilan / December 4, 2012
Daily News! or Daily Lies!
Leela, you must be a great intellectual/Moron to actually read the Daily news!
Are you doing a research project on Media Propoganda and illicit Political Power?
Was there any articles on the Great Saint Adolf Hitler? If so please share it with the Telegraph!!
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Saman Wijesiri / December 4, 2012
The king is holding tight the tiger’s tail. And very soon he will rue the day he caught it! He is sure to reap what he has sown!
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Nawas Dawood / December 5, 2012
CJ indscipline manner of behaiviour and her act on outside court,she has proved not sutiable for Highest postion for Chief Justice of Sri lankan court of Law.
Of cause some of her finicial charges are seems to be having solid ground and viloated Finicial and Tax regulation and LAW of Sri Lanka.But need to probe by Parliment of Sovergnity elecated Members of Pepole.
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Sofia / December 5, 2012
This is again BS.
What is there wrong to gather outside. It is form of a demo.
If the brutal rulers deliberately violate the law – she has every right to do as shown in the pics.
Were you born y day ? to see it in this way ? Whatever the rulers have been carrying out is beyond legal norms /disipline is far from their behaviours so you raise that CJ ^s unqualified for she is with her supporters as seen on the pic ?
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Shanthi / December 5, 2012
OK Dawood,
If what you claim is true, why does the PSC not allow a public hearing
OR at least some selected witnesses????
All members of the PSC are not to be blamed, as those from opposition parties seem to give a fair hearing- as they have requested to give more time, and even requested to postpone hearing during holidays,
which was not refused.
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Shanthi / December 5, 2012
Corrction typing error:
…….during the holidys “which was refused”
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Leela / December 5, 2012
Daily News is part of the kept press of the Government. Only fools will believe the Daily News. Actually, it is a Daily Noice.
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Safa / December 5, 2012
I read only the obituries in the Daily News. Otherwise it is a pack of lies. Shameful how these people attack and slander the CJ on the behest of their masters.
PSC has been asked to submit written evidence of their accusations which they have failed to do. Puss wedila.
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Sunila Mendis / December 5, 2012
It is so sad that after so much of thuggery and corruption taking place in the island with the blessings of the State media there are people like Leela who wants us to believe an article appearing in the Daily news.What rubbish is she writing? On whose orders?
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srilal / December 5, 2012
come on Sunila , Leela is not she , Leela is He
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Appuwa / December 5, 2012
I rather believe LEELA should be in between :) – her/his behaviour has been inconsistent from day 1 to this forum (CT).
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Native Vedda / December 5, 2012
srilal says
“come on Sunila , Leela is not she , Leela is He”
Is she/he a transsexual?
Did she/he under go a sex change operation?
Is she/he cross dresser?
Is she a lady man or man lady?
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Ainsley / December 5, 2012
Daily News is the government gazette and no one with a modicum of intelligence believe anything in that paper.
Recently Chamal Rajapakse was referred to as ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER STATE TRADING CORPORATION HE WAS ONLY THE SECURITY OFFICER WITH TEN GUARDS.I DO NOT THINK HE WILL CLAIM A BOGUS POSITION AS HE IS A RETIRING TYPE OF MAN.
i read only the OBITUARY NOTICES
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Kautilya / December 5, 2012
Daily new editor who is a Red Light fan, also after receiving a lap top and Interest free loan of Rs.1.2 million has stooped to such low level of journalism, insulting the entire journalists in the country,is being matched by another like Leela.
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Leela / December 5, 2012
Being the CJ, her demeanour should have been exemplary. But details of Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake’s account No. 101110002058 (Old No. 100002001360) at the National Development Bank (NDB) shown below doesn’t talk of any disposition suitable for a Chief Justice.
(1) During the year 2007/2008, four debits to the value of Rs. 5,524,875.25 and eight credits to the value of Rs. 5,524,875.25 transacted. On 31st March 2008 account balance is zero.
(2) During the year 2008/2009, 22 debits amounting to Rs. 31,860,754.47 and 41 credits amounting to Rs. 31,860,754.47 transacted. On 31st March 2009 account balance is zero for the second time.
(3) During the year 2009/2010, 10 debits amounting to Rs. 15,508,794.63 and 18 credits amounting to Rs. 15,508,794.63 transacted. On 31st March 2010 account balance is zero again for the third time.
(4) During the year 2010/2011, 27 debits amounting to Rs.57,488,454.95 and 37 credits amounting to Rs.57,488,454.95 transacted. On 31st March 2011 account balance is zero for the fourth time.
(5) During the year 2011/2012, 88 debits amounting to a staggering Rs.256,416,639.42 and 171 credits amounting to Rs.256,414,342.34 transacted. On 30th March 2012 account balance is zero once again for the fifth time.
Should the Chief Justice of Sri Lanka credit Rs.256,414,342.34 (Rupees two thousand five hundred and fifty six lacks) in 171 credits and debit it all in 88 debits during the year 2011/2012. One may say it is her personal business. I wonder for it works out to be over a million Rupees of deposits to her account per every working day. It also means the average credit is 1,499,499.07 and debit is Rs. 2,913,825.44. These are figures beyond the imagination of many estates, factories and traders. So the CJ is doing a bigger business than them is mindboggling. Mind you that is only one operation of her twenty odd accounts. These are questions that everyone must ponder.
I remember CJ’s attorneys Neelakandan and Neelakandan writing to the press on her behalf to tell us that the balances of most of her accounts were zero hence they were none operative and therefore not included in her tax returns. Neelakandan’s logic would have been satisfactory had the accounts not used throughout or been zero for a long time. But this particular account has been an increasingly active account except for a brief but specific period. The problem is; the CJ had deliberately made the balance of this account zero on 31st March every year for the past five years. These things will come out squarely at the PSC.
So, it’s not so much about the amounts; it is non declaration of her finances that matters. CJ should have declared from where she got all that cash from and what she had used it for in her tax returns. It doesn’t look just fishy. The fact that she had omitted to declare it in her Assets and Liabilities Declaration amounts to be a covering up of information and that amounts to be a tax evasion. And ‘tax evasion’ is a crime. Explanations such as from where she got the money and what she had done with it must be included in tax returns. Whether Mervin had not declared or the President had not declared or someone else had not declared is no excuse for any of us to evade taxes especially for the CJ. Knowingly that is what CJ has been doing for the past five years.
Those of us with over certain income are made to declare all our incomes and expenses and assets to the income tax department by law. I declare mine to 31st March of every year whenever I get the form. Excuses such as the money in our accounts belongs to our sisters and brother-in-laws or someone else are not good enough reasons to ignore credits to our accounts in our tax declarations. The CJ had known it and that’s why she had deliberately made account balance zero on a specific date.
Modes of operandy by the CJ has been that all the money in the account is withdrawn for a short period and make its balance zero and made the account looks non-operative till the tax form is filled, insert the date, signed and sends off. This business of crediting the account and then withdrawing on the right dates to fill the tax declaration was carried on every year for five years at a raw. As anyone could see the number of credits and the sum of deposit and total balance has increased every year to reach the peak this year with 256 million Rupees of credits. And that is no small transaction even for a business account. What kind of business the CJ must have been doing is the 256 million question. But we should know it. I am sure, more information would come later.
What a cheat. Is this what we expected from a person holding a ‘life time job’ of the CJ?
Leela
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gamini / December 5, 2012
Leela, you are ready to condemn the CJ for misappropriation. Why, what about your Tsunamipathi, MR? How can you have two yard sticks to measure corruption? How can anyone take you seriously?
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Jamal / December 5, 2012
Gamini, you can take a horse to the water, that’s all. This Leela’s hide is thicker than that of a buffalo. Sri Lanka is in this pitiful state due to the likes of Leela. All the hogwash thats churned by the gang comes as sewage in the CDN. Right minded people will keep away from this rubbish but Leela seems to revel and delight in it. The best we can do is for all just to ignore Leela as Leela has lost all credibility and only is good at getting our BP up!
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Cynthia / December 5, 2012
Gamini-
That is a good point re the Tsunamipathi /Janapathi.
Leela [he/she] says ” being the CJ,her demeanour should
have been exemplary ” As the Executive is claimed to be
higher than the Judiciary ,is’nt a higher standard of
“demeanour ” expected of the Janapathi ?
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Leela / December 5, 2012
gamini,
We’ll get an opportunity to get rid of MR in four years. If people like RanilW, they can elect him then. Untill then we can not only criticize his policies but shout at him with all the filth day in day out.
But it’s a different story with the CJ. Who would dare criticize the CJ. If not for this hullabaloo, we would never have known her (dis)honesty. We would have been stuck with her for some fifteen years.
We are told the SC is there to check and balance the legislature and the executive. That is well and good so long as the CJ and JSC and SC is honest. What if the CJ is not honest; who would check and balance the CJ and her action? What if the CJ is corrupt or has her own political inclinations. This is the problem.
As for your question, I wrote; “it’s not so much about the amounts; it is non declaration of her finances that matters.” I also wrote; “Whether Mervin had not declared or the President had not declared or someone else had not declared is no excuse for any of us to evade taxes especially for the CJ.”
Leela
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Safa / December 5, 2012
Please ask your idol MR to have an open, transparent, free and fair trial with international obsservers. Why is he afraid of this. You also can go and give evidence.
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PeacefulLANKEN / December 5, 2012
These stupid folks have fully forgotten them tsunami embezzelment. No matter even any properties have been marauded by President, they keep bending the head – not far from the north korean folks. Leela is there to lead them. Buru leela will never learn it. Her behaviour is annoying- not even far remote average would react in this way.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puMFLY6A-qs
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PeacefulLANKEN / December 5, 2012
SIMILAR EVENTS WILL BE COMMON IN THE COUNTRY AHEAD OF US
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=tZsVP2WoE9E&NR=1
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Native Vedda / December 5, 2012
gamini
Could you tell me why these charges are not investigated by the police in the first place?
Why does the state (MR clan) subject her to impeachment process and not have her arrested, charge her under various civil and criminal laws or laws of the land?
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PeacefulLANKEN / December 5, 2012
No references no proofs.
Just Bankem
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PeacefulLANKEN / December 5, 2012
Is the Demeanour of the CURRENT INCUMBENT PRESIDENT of SRILANKA anywhere close to exemplary ?
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Mark / December 5, 2012
Leela the deceiver thinks he nailed it wrong again. Just see what the CJ’s law firm just came out with. Go look for another angle to come out with another long monologue of rubbish. Said accounts were used to temnporarily hold monies that were invested in short term T bills. So what Rajapaksha did was to add up all the credits and all the debts of pretty much the same sum of money to come up with a totally false argument. Good for Leelo I wonder how much he gets paid for spreading disinformation on blogs like this. These are the few remaining sited that are truly independent just leave them alone and go away. Or, as they say in the United States don’t feed the troll.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / December 5, 2012
I do not think it is right for the impeachment process in the PSC to be conducted in the open. However, the transcript of the proceedings should be published. Further, considering the quality of our present parliament and how the PSC has been constituted- a majority of government MPs, it may be prudent to permit eminently qualified and neutral observers, ideally nominated by both sides. This will have a sobering effect on the PSC proceedings and contribute to it acting with greater wisdom.
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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Leela / December 5, 2012
Dr. Narendran, please don’t underestimate the eminence of Ministers like Wimal Weerawansa. He is one of the best qualified MPs. Also, he knows how to please our great leader MR. After MR will come Namal. We have to get rid of this CJ if our great leader’s family is to prosper. So, please do not put spokes in the wheel. What sobering effect. We want the PSC to ridicule the CJ. Our media led by Hudson Samarasinghe and Rajpal Abeynayake are also doing a very good job. Observers? What observers? No one should observe this trial of the century. CJ will be found guilty as ordered by MR and hanged. Long live the Rajapakse Kingdom! Woe be unto people like you who make these ridiclous suggestions.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / December 5, 2012
Will the real Leela stand up. What has been written here does does not sound like it is coming from Leela ( Leelaratne). Is someone upto mischief?
Dr. Rajasingham Narendran
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Native Vedda / December 5, 2012
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran says:
“Will the real Leela stand up. What has been written here does does not sound like it is coming from Leela ( Leelaratne). Is someone upto mischief?”
Is this a mistaken identity or an identity theft?
I thank the perpetrator.
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Leela / December 5, 2012
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran,
I am sorry I couldn’t answer earlier as I had to attend for a dana and a village meeting thereafter.
Anyway, a few words about our earlier chat first: Who could disagree with you when you write; “The sovereignty of the people are vested in the parliament, while the Supreme Court, interprets and safeguards the Constitution that vests sovereignty in the parliament.” And, “The three pillar system that supports our framework for national governance should not be sacrificed to the whims and fancies of individuals.” In short; I agree with almost all of what you have written in it.
I am also in agreement with you that impeachment process in the PSC cannot be conducted in the open and the entire proceedings should be published afterwards. As for your greater wisdom of eminently qualified and neutral observers, this will not happen however prudent your idea may be for as I said, this has become a bare knuckle fight between Rajapakses and Srirani Bandaranayake.
If that is so, it is not wrong for one to conclude that as far as the impeachment of the CJ is concerned, its outcome is a foregone conclusion. Hence, this mustn’t be confused as a tussle between the Judiciary vs. the Executive and the Parliament. That said, there should be no fear what so ever of judiciary losing out its traditional role of interpreting the law. It will not be acceptable to mass. As for judges who mix up their political inclinations with judgements this will have to be observed and remedied otherwise there will be no point people electing government and executive to office. Judiciary may do that job as well for the people.
Your postulation; “Further considering the quality of our present parliament and how the PSC has been constituted – a majority of government MPs….” is undermining our basic understanding of democracy. The democracy as I understand it works on one may call it majority supremacy. There is no concept thus far of minority supremacy. Besides, all PSC members are members of Parliament. I often see detractors of Weerawansa MP are condemning him as uneducated. They are talking as if only an English speaker a cultured person and only a university graduate is of high calibre. I for one with firsthand experience know this is not necessarily true.
Leela
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / December 5, 2012
Dear Leela ,
Thanks for the reply. Why is the impeachment process unfolding in parliament,if the results are a foregone conclusion ? This may very well be true considering the nature of our politics and the quality of our parliament.
The voting system, the nomination process and the role of money in Sri Lanka do not ensure the best are elected to parliament. Most are unprincipled opportunists at best. However, we probably deserve what we get! Further, democracy cannot be the tyranny of the majority. The concept of the rule by a majority rests on the dictum ‘ Vox Populi Vox Di’ ( the voice of the people is the voice of God). It is founded on the wisdom that the freely and democratically heard voice of a majority of people reflects what is inherently right. Unfortunately, party politics and the design of the electoral process, propaganda and the role of money and patronage have long undermined this fundamental concept in our democracy.
It is quite apparent that the impeachment process in parliament is a democratic and legal facade for a witch hunt. Unfortunately, it appears that the people at large have not been convinced of the righteousness of what is unfolding, regardless of the final determination on the guilt or innocence of the CJ. What the government is stage managing in this instance may become the straw that finally broke the camel’s back! The arrogance of power has unfortunately cast the die against this government too, as it did against many of its predecessors. This is sad as I yet believe this government has done much good for this country, despite many mistakes it has made because of its over reliance in political manipulation . The war against the LTTE was won to much acclaim. However this desirable victory has made the government believe it is invincible ,is always right and has to always have its way. This arrogance has set it on a slippery slope.
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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Native Vedda / December 5, 2012
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran:
“I do not think it is right for the impeachment process in the PSC to be conducted in the open.”
So you recommend “Impeachment without witness”.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / December 7, 2012
Native Vedda,
Because the they wil be a lot of plaing to the gallery! We have enough clowning already.
Dr. R.N
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / December 7, 2012
Because there will be a lot of playing to the gallery! We have enough clowning already.
Dr.R.N
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Lanka Muslim, UK / December 5, 2012
They fear to have an open hearings, why? The brains behind the motion having miscalculated their modes operandi find that the CJ, who was known only in the Judicial and Legal circles, have now become known in every nook and corner of the country which further challenges the already fading ‘war hero’ image of those who have self-crowned themselves.
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gamini / December 6, 2012
Who is supreme in a Country? Is it the Executive? Is it the Legislature? Is it the Judiciary? or the People of the Country? I believe the People have a RIGHT to know what is happening in a country and the three arms representing the People have no right to suppress any news from the Public as the People are the custodians and they have every Right to now what happens in the Country. Any attempt by the above mentioned arms to stiffle Information from the People, is a Crime against the People.
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Srilankan / December 7, 2012
The PSC informed the CJ that there will be no witnesses and therefore the cross=examination of witnesses will not be necessary.
Dr,NR has conveniently forgotten that it was the CJ who waived her rights to secrecy and wanted the proceedings to be telecast;
Leela nona, MP Weerawansa said in parliament today that he objects the telecasts to protect the CJ. Poor guy may not have understood what was said by CJ’s counsel in English.
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