Sanjana Hattotuwa, Editor of Groundviews (www.groundviews.org), a website run under the auspices of the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) has been removed from the ‘Senior Staff’ of the organization, Colombo Telegraph learns.
Hattotuwa
Colombo Telegraph has received numerous emails alleging that Hattotuwa had abused in foul language the Administrative Officer of the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), a female, in the presence of other members of the staff. According to our sources CPA first decided to sack Hattotuwa, but hesitated to implement the decision due to intervention by the Executive Director of CPA Dr Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu. CT wrote to both Hattotuwa and Saravanamuttu seeking clarification on the matter.
Hattowa has refused to comment on the matter. Saravanamuttu did respond but stopped short of acknowledging or refuting the allegation or action taken.
He wrote, “I am responding to your e-mail regarding an alleged incident at CPA involving members of staff. Incidents of such nature, if and when they occur are considered by the organisation to be internal matters to be dealt with and resolved within the organization. When the governing body of the organisation and its Executive Director are of the opinion that comment to the media on an internal matter is warranted in the public interest, CPA has, as in the past, issued a statement to the media.”
Rajash / May 1, 2014
The weed is encroaching everywhere
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srilal / May 1, 2014
Sanjana ,
if the story is true , you owe an apology to that poor girl , i’ll tell why i jumped the gun ,Sanjana you have introduced a zero tolerance policy on obscene language/humor in your ground views web site , not even a mild obscene /crack /joke will have a place in your strictly guarded web site , wonder what made you to bypass your own strict guidelines especially towards a female colleague ? is it true that you abused her in foul language ? Sanjana pl try to lead by example if you want others to respect you .
PS: let me take take this opportunity also to remind you and to ponder as to what has happened to your one time very popular ground views web site ? has it got any thing to do with your own zero tolerance policy on common sense ?
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China Doll / May 1, 2014
This fellow Sanjana we found is insufferably pompous, so full of himself that he could float on his ego in the deep sea, and sexist to the core, while pretending to be politically correct.. CPA is well rid of him!
He also is a massive know-it-all with an equally massive inferiority complex because he [Edited out]. Hence he is known for picking on harassing women to show his masculine superiority power!
CPA is well rid of SH – in fact this should have been done this long ago. I know a couple of excellent women scholars who stopped contributing to Ground views because of harassment by SF. Am not at all surprised that he had attacked a younger woman in foul lanaugage. That guy is foul!
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Banda´s cousin / May 2, 2014
what education has he got to be that pompous ?
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Dil Janz / May 1, 2014
When lady editors abused by Gota this is what Dr Sarawanmuttu said; The issue I want to highlight is the behaviour of the Defence Secretary, a senior government official at the apex of power and given the dynastic structure and the nature of power, arguably the most powerful individual in the country. Over the last seven years in which he has held this position he has a record of abusive conduct in the media and against the media. This is not the first time he has threatened a newspaper editor – the last time was in 2007 and it involved another female editor. He has gone ballistic on international media on more than one occasion and likewise, strayed beyond his ken to venture policy pronouncements and spew out disparaging and derogatory comment with impunity. I have called for his resignation or sacking on three occasions- the first in 2007. I do so yet again. The Defence Secretary is reported as telling an editor of a newspaper in the foulest of language…….. ….There are those who maintain that this is nothing egregious but rather attitude, language and behavior that epitomizes the current dispensation. Others maintain that this should not be taken seriously – the Defence Secretary, war hero to boot, is hot –headed and we all have our bad days, limited and abusive vocabulary! ….Is the Defence Secretary a power unto himself? What will his president/our president, his minister, his brother do about his behavior, which, whether he can help or not, is just not acceptable in any decent, democratic society …. read; https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/cpa-removes-groundviews-editor-from-senior-staff/ Dr Paikiayasothy condemned Gota’s use of foul language and asked him to resign, but his male editor threatened in foul language a female – Tamil young girl in his own institute Dr Paki defends the male editor! What kind of decency there? Can you explain why did you defend this rascal?
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Javi / May 1, 2014
He may do SH this way before SH moves to his kind The Goo`ta and start revving in your opposite direction like Linda all for the money and motion.! All Lankian pataloyas alike.
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Palmsquirrell / May 1, 2014
” Dr Paki defends the male editor! What kind of decency there? Can you explain why did you defend this rascal? “
Where has Pakiasothy defended him?
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Pooty Poo / May 1, 2014
Its the handling of too much money that is causing sch friction within this NGO. they deal with more money than an average third world country handles, and naturally, there are going to be issues in distributing the loot.
No wonder Saravanamuttu wants to keep it inhouse!
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Ben Hurling / May 1, 2014
“I am too sexy for my hat” – Sanjana Hattotuwa
Cheers!
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Burka / May 2, 2014
Groundviews ( Sajnana) said;
In an incredible move, Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son and MP Namal Rajapaksa has published an outrageously sexist tweet via his official (and verified) Twitter account.
When sent, our first thought was that his Twitter account had been in fact hacked and that this was an attempt to deface it.
Since its publication however, Namal’s gone on to defend the publication of this image and tweet. He notes that “Memes sent to me by followers make me laugh & i simply re-share as a joke & not to offend anyone”.
Our question to him was simple. Would he accept & promote this outrageous & insulting sexism if this was his mother’s posterior in question?
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153861959385640&set=a.262431750639.314318.15965710639&type=1&theater
What is now? Shame on you Sanjana
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Mallaiyuran / May 1, 2014
“According to our sources CPA first decided to sack Hattotuwa, but hesitated to implement the decision due to intervention by the Executive Director of CPA Dr Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu. “
Is that Dr.Saravanamuttu concerned about government interference? Or is this guy is friend of him? What is the current action? Senior Editor is demoted or fired?
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Fathima Fukushima / May 1, 2014
End of groundedviews!
Good.
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julianna / May 5, 2014
No that’s not good at all, but I don’t think groundviews has closed down. But its important for any public interest group any where to be accountable and open to the public. that’s what being a ‘public interest group’ is about. what’s more, these folk are professionals; if they do a good job great — but they get paid for it, and well.
If they mess up, then they need need to ‘fess up!
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GP / May 1, 2014
Sanjana Hattotuwa, a so called promoter of liberal democracy in Sri Lanka allegedly abused a senior staff of CPA. According to reliable sources, the staff who was abused by Sanjana is a Tamil woman. #Good luck to reconciliation
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sach / May 3, 2014
CT, groundviews and all the so called liberals loving LTTE diaspora are a pompous hypocritical lot seeking personal glorification. And these fellows suffer from the same attributes they blame MR of, like autocracy, lack of descipline, control over others.
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julianna / May 1, 2014
Really! Was she a tamil?
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Fonseka / May 1, 2014
Of course Julliana, she is a Tamil and a young girl, been a Tamil she still fears, she told one of my friends; wonder what it’d be like if it happened every day? This is clearly racism.
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Pandaranayagam / May 1, 2014
This is too trivial a matter to remove Sanjana from a position in which he functioned with much efficiency and distinction. He has been synonymous with the influential Groundviews. His interviews with leading academics was a delight to watch. It is quite unlikely the liberal Sanjana is a racist. I believe [Edited out]
Pandaranayagam
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Bedrock Barney / May 1, 2014
If one is a Tamil does that mean one is exempted from being yelled at. I recently got yelled at by a higher up in my company. I was in the wrong. If the girl was in the wrong can she be exempt from be told off just because she is Tamil. The only way to figure out what happened is to listen to Sara side and Sanjana’s side and somewhere in the middle will be the truth.
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Kepmari / May 1, 2014
The middle is the mother of all troubles which is scratched and scathed by the Culprit. Hmmmm… poor Tamil cow.
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Uthungan / May 2, 2014
Barney
“The only way to figure out what happened is to listen to Sara’ side
and Sanjana’s side…..”
What about the Tamil female’s side?
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Agnos / May 2, 2014
If you look at the CPA website, the administrator is one Godlieb, so I don’t think the lady is Tamil. It could simply be foul language, which can happen in certain situations, so people need to wait and see, instead of jumping to conclusions. I doubt racism was involved at all.
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Bedrock Barney / May 1, 2014
I wonder if he can agree get his job back if he agrees to marry the female staffer that he abused?
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Native Vedda / May 1, 2014
Bedrock Barney
“I wonder if he can agree get his job back if he agrees to marry the female staffer that he abused?”
Is she willing to marry a male chauvinistic pig if that is what he is or racist bigot?
Why do you think she would agree to marry him?
I see a bit of male chauvinism in your comment? Are you one of them?
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Sponge Pope / May 1, 2014
Barney the barnacle clings into any surfaces that gets submereged.
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Bedrock Barney / May 2, 2014
There is legislation that is about to be introduced by the most honorable glorious Tisaa Karraliyade that you should take a look at, gives my comment relevance.
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Saman / May 1, 2014
You are talking about President Rajapakse’s theory.
It’s called “Medamoolana Chinthana”. Yes he can keep the Girl and her swiss pet dog.
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lynx / May 1, 2014
This will be interesting. Wonder which blogger will be the first to try to blame this also on the Defence Ministry!!!!
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shankar / May 1, 2014
culture permeates downwards they say.If Gota starts shouting at women that they are shit eating pigs,then how can you blame sanjana who may think that if the defacto president,the highest in the land can behave like this then it must be okay for him to also follow suit.So the root cause of this problem is guess who?
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sach / May 3, 2014
Oh Gota is a southern Yakko, but who is sanjana? a good engilsh speaking, went to a good english school in colombo and and having liberal atitudes and a very decent :P guy! He has very british qualities and i am sure he farts the same way brits do in UK.
You cant expect that from such a guy!
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shankar / May 4, 2014
sach,gota is always in tie and suit,unlike his brothers in their millet shawls.He is a polished character and speaks english very well unlike his brothers.Other than his homicidal tendencies he is every inch westernised especially after 20 years in US during which time he loved it so much he even forgot his country of birth and did not even come for a visit.can you compare sanjana with this CV.
sanjana had no choice but to follow gota.what is good for the goose is also good for the gander they say.
Gota is showing a good example of how to treat women and keep them in their places which he and his brothers feel is the kitchen only.In the US he would have got mauled by them and would not want to srilanka to go that way.Sanjana also who would have been brought up in the same way where his mum would have been fawning all over him while giving his sis only loads of work,would have taken umbrage at even a little bit of defiance and independence from a woman.He would have felt that gota is his guru.
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sach / May 5, 2014
This is the first time i have heard someone says gota speaks polished english! no need to glorify his english to defend your silly point. Gota and Sanajan belongs to two cultures. One culture shows the inside well, while the other conceals it.
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shankar / May 6, 2014
sach,read what i have said again and don’t try to do it when your face is burrowed between your missus thighs.I have said gota is a polished character because he dresses well and is neatly groomed.I have also said he speaks english very well.anything wrong with that?
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kris / May 1, 2014
Very good he deserve it ,for tarnishing SL image for NGO money
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Lasantha / May 1, 2014
Sanjana is very few investigative critique and a talented interviewer available today.
Sanjana is also very straighforward and a popular liberal critique among english readers.
I don’t think Sanjana is that bad as BBS Gnanasara when it comes to using foul language.
Life these days are stressful in Sri Lanka.
Perhaps CPA Dr.Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu should send Sanjana on a one week vacation to Maldives or on a cruise to give him a needed break.
Remember there is always a first strike. Hope everything will be taken care of pretty well.
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shankar / May 1, 2014
“Perhaps CPA Dr.Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu should send Sanjana on a one week vacation to Maldives or on a cruise to give him a needed break.”
You are right lasantha,every time someone misbehaves we must send them on a cruise.After collecting about 700 we should put them on a large boat and send them towards orissa with instructions not to come back ever.
today trade with india is one way only so let us at least export our trash out to them.One persons trash is anothers treasure they say.
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sach / May 3, 2014
Today trouble makers take the trip to Aus and leisure time in christmas island
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Don Quixote / May 1, 2014
Good Riddance of Bad Rubbish…a cocky little B@#$&*%d !
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shankar / May 1, 2014
[Edited out]
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Arun M / May 1, 2014
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2/
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babsy / May 1, 2014
Good lesson for all. I a senior citizen met him once at a public discussion forum and i could clearly see that he was a very arrogant man who thought no end of himself. One should know above everything to respect others no matter what.
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srilal / May 1, 2014
certainly , Sanjana doesn’t know how to address senior citizens , i remember he was calling just Nelum for Mrs Nelum Gamage in an interview !
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Punchiburampi / May 2, 2014
I have the feeling he is little bit swollen by his nature.
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vishvajith / May 1, 2014
In popular Sinhalese terms ” Mandaley Kachal “.
A near English Translation ” A mess in the forum “.
Here’s wishing good sense to prevail and issues get sorted out amicably.
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Wickramasiri / May 1, 2014
The punishment is excessive when considering the gravity of the offence. This is the opposite of what Mahinda Rajapaksa does, ie. nothing!
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ela kolla / May 1, 2014
well done…can [Edited out]?
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Dil Janz / May 1, 2014
When lady editors abused by Gota this is what Dr Sarawanmuttu said;
The issue I want to highlight is the behaviour of the Defence Secretary, a senior government official at the apex of power and given the dynastic structure and the nature of power, arguably the most powerful individual in the country. Over the last seven years in which he has held this position he has a record of abusive conduct in the media and against the media. This is not the first time he has threatened a newspaper editor – the last time was in 2007 and it involved another female editor. He has gone ballistic on international media on more than one occasion and likewise, strayed beyond his ken to venture policy pronouncements and spew out disparaging and derogatory comment with impunity.
I have called for his resignation or sacking on three occasions- the first in 2007. I do so yet again. The Defence Secretary is reported as telling an editor of a newspaper in the foulest of language……..
….There are those who maintain that this is nothing egregious but rather attitude, language and behavior that epitomizes the current dispensation. Others maintain that this should not be taken seriously – the Defence Secretary, war hero to boot, is hot –headed and we all have our bad days, limited and abusive vocabulary!
….Is the Defence Secretary a power unto himself? What will his president/our president, his minister, his brother do about his behavior, which, whether he can help or not, is just not acceptable in any decent, democratic society …. read;
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/cpa-removes-groundviews-editor-from-senior-staff/
Dr Paikiayasothy condemned Gota’s use of foul language and asked him to resign, but his male editor threatened in foul language a female – Tamil young girl in his own institute Dr Paki defends the male editor! What kind of decency there? Can you explain why did you defend this rascal?
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Thrishantha / May 1, 2014
Once the secretary of defense Gotabaya Rajapaksa said – words like “Bull Shit” (http://www.theglobalmail.org/blog/rajapaksa-calls-bull-shit-on-global-mail-coverage/693/), and “you dirty fucking shit ” (http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2012/07/15/international-condemnation-on-gota/) are normal daily Language he is so used to speak.
Of course we should try our best not to use abusive language. When I was an undergraduate student in Sri Lanka, any student debate on politics started with abusive words and it ended in abusive words. Sometimes we enjoyed doing it to an extent that friendship meant addressing somebody in abusive words like “Vessa kolla, did you eat the toffee I left here?”. The other took it as a word of brotherhood. If I said “Oh thee, wonder if you ate my toffee. Have a second for conference?”, the other would ask “What have you been smoking these days?” or “are you fucking nuts? get lost!”.
So, these things depend on the context in the lay world. I think CPA should be allowed to investigate the context of this exchange of words, and let the parties involved reconcile the issue. This is a time, critical voices are rare. Sanjana is one, and it is our job to advice each other, correct mistakes and move forward, not end their careers for something that is not so serious given what they stand against.
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Navin / May 2, 2014
Why are you apologizing for Sanjana Hattotuwa? Don’t you think the man can defend himself?
Besides, your argument is completely wrong. You can certainly say if you cannot put up with foul language do not join Inter University Student Federation(IUSF) while in the university.
However, foul language is never permissible in addressing co-workers in an office setting. Try Sanjana Hattotuwa’s language on your department secretary at King’s College and you will be shown the door in no time!
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SOMA / May 2, 2014
Foul langauge is made official langauge of the state by Mahinda Rajapakshe. He just any ministers to use free. Mervin took the lead. All others followed him. Mervin^s guru was Mahinda. SO he could not criticise Mervin. Mahinda^s language ( since Rajapakshe oligarchs are in power)highly abusive. Today he has no guts to control Ghanasara^s all filthy expressions. This is the srialnka governed by uneducated thugs.
I have no idea what SH has exchanged with his colleagues, but I only know if he copied it from President – that is a great mistake, there he has to seek an appology from that colleague. If politicians and media men would behave well, that will become exemplary to the society. So was that earlier days. So, if these men would grasp the point, automatically that will help to turn the society a better one.
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Punitham / May 1, 2014
I can’t believe Sanjana fell off his own guidelines.
We can’t afford to have a rupture in CPA at this time of our history.
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Hyacinth / May 1, 2014
As far as understand this is an internal issue of an Organization am sure the the parties concern will resolve the issue. as public we are concern about national issues, to me this seems nothing but pure gossip. Every organization has its issues the staff and the governing body of the organization could look into the internal issues and resolve their issues. wonder why CT is interested in ruining the reputation of an organization? what does CT gain by publishing pure gossip of this nature.
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Thondamannaru / May 1, 2014
Quote: ““I am responding to your e-mail regarding an alleged incident at CPA involving members of staff. Incidents of such nature, if and when they occur are considered by the organisation to be internal matters to be dealt with and resolved within the organization.”..CPA
[Edited out] Sothy Saravanamuththu….. Sri Lanka war matters too are considered by the GOSL to be an internal issues………
NGOs are DONS by day and SYMONDS by night.
Sanjana Haththotuwa a relative of the Rajapakshes??
And, the Executive Director of CPA, [Edited out] saravanamuththu too following Rajapakshe doctrine by moving Sanjana sideways instead of sacking him.
WOMEN’S RIGHTS, HUMILIATION, INSULTS, RACISM ARE NOT IN THE STATUTES OF THE CPA.
sanjana haththotuwa floating on [Edited out] Saravanamuththu’s $$$$ and
MAKES “GOTA” talk look like an angel……………
[Edited out] SARAVANAMUTHTHU ANOTHER KEKILLE KING LIKE THE RAJAPAKSHES.
They are jolly good fellows…. hip..hip..hurrah !!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Native Vedda / May 1, 2014
Thondamannaru
“Sri Lanka war matters too are considered by the GOSL to be an internal issues………”
You got it right for the first time. However there is a small problem that I find it difficult to reconcile.
If it was an internal matter it should have been kept as one.
On the contrary the state and its rulers went around the world begging for support for its war effort by giving false promises to the foreigners and buying arms, ammunition, planes, ships, artillery pieces …. obtaining training, loans, intelligence, ………. ban on LTTE, political support ……..
If you don’t treat your family well strangers will pop in and grope your wife, daughter, sister ……… on a regular basis.
Don’t blame Saravanamuththu and foreigners, blame yourself.
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R. Hettiarachchi / May 1, 2014
Rather than pile on to Groundviews, how about we all just take a moment and wait till we have more information? Lets spend more time listening than pontificating with very little information. If CT has been emailed information, then that information should be made public. If not, we really are holding a “trial by public opinion” which rarely is accurate.
Over to CT.
(p.s. Got to love how the anti-CT crowd is taking these allegations seriously, when all other articles are disparaged for being biased.)
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Nimal / May 2, 2014
When SH first appeared on the scene as the new kid on the peace and conflcit resolution block doing TV interviews he was an arrogant aggressive peacenik with an agenda and he wouldn’t allow people whom he had invited, to talk. He was all the time trying to prove his point cutting in to the speech of invitees rudely.
One got the impression that with the Groundviews he settled down to do a decent job of basically peace and human rights journalism mixed with some interviews of artists etc. from the elite circles winning somewhat dubious Ted fellow credit etc. (Ted talks seems to be a mishmash of all sorts of liberal ideas some of the ideas promoted by it, for example on education, being totally misleading.)Anyway, in these days in Sri Lanka what harm of having an overdose of liberalism?
I am all for moderating abusive comments on the web. If we are to build a decent society then we have to show the way by being decent, no?
I haven’t had watched lately SH’s political interviews with other people.
I have heard though via the grapevine that he thinks no end of himself. Well, he works under Pakiyasothy, no?
Lately the character of Sri Lankan liberal NGO scene also has drastically changed admitting radicals and technically competent report writes to into it because they are unable to attract young people with genuine liberal commitments. Or may be there aren’t many such people around these days. I am told one such guy from a NGO supposed to be addressing poverty issues who is a globe trotter on the job it seems all the time boasting on the facebook for everyone to see about his fine dining and the alcohol he drinks visiting other NGO guys and the travails and rewards of air travel!
For those who say SH’s matter is an internal one, I would say ‘really?’ Who guards the guardian is the issue finally, no?
Why wouldn’t someone report exactly what transpired with the abusive words he used.
Would Pakiyasothy like a good liberal send SH to follow an anger management course?
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M. Arunan / May 2, 2014
What kind of “Policy” – is that of “Colombo Telegraph” holds on reader comments. Most comments here are abusive above, this sort of “debate” or “engagement’ is not seen in a news site that envisions good for others. Take a look at the New York Times for example.
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paul / May 2, 2014
This is how the free flow of ideas should be promoted M.Arunan. Let the readers express their views freely. Sensorship, as you find in some other news sites is not good for a democracy like ours.
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NAK / May 2, 2014
[Edited out]
We are sorry, the comment language is English – CT
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Nazeem / May 2, 2014
Sanjana has always projected a cultured and refined outlook. So I don’t think most of the comments here are fair by him. Surely, there cant be smoke without fire. Look at the other side of the story. What provoked him. Then you may find the answer. Anyone can be pushed beyond limits.
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Javi / May 2, 2014
speech is silver but it’s too late to regret in stoic silence.
muchachoo cabron.!he should try investment banking banksters.
the most beautiful man has conceived up to now is woman- f.wright.
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shankar / May 3, 2014
“What provoked him.” [Edited out]
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sach / May 3, 2014
Of course provorker is the bad one. we can all agree with that. The 56 policy should take the blame for the LTTE terrorism and not its diaspora supporters.
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vikram / May 2, 2014
Pl don’t run down Sanjana down. He is a well qualified academic respected by well qualified academics in the university system.
It is said that he has been invited to teach a module titled ‘Digital Cultures’ in a prestigious Masters programme in English at a metropolitan university in Sri Lanka. “Sanjana read English at the University of Delhi, India and as a Rotary World Peace Fellow, was awarded an Advanced Masters in Conflict Resolution and International Relations from the University of Queensland, Brisbane with a Dean’s Commendation for High Achievement.”
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vikram / May 2, 2014
sorry about the typo in the first line.
It should be Pl. don’t run down Sanjana.
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sunimal / May 2, 2014
Shouldn’t someone has at least a Masters in English to teach in a Masters programme in English?
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Nelum / May 2, 2014
Now, what is this Metropolitan university where Sanjana is supposed to be lecturing to Masters in English students?
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wije / May 2, 2014
is this the one?
http://www.cmb.ac.lk/academic/arts/english/MA%20in%20English%20Studies.pdf
see Course Content for “Digital Cultures”
But Sanjana’s name is not there among the faculty, no?
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dingiri / May 2, 2014
How can anyone form an opinion when no one knows what exactly happened.
What was the disagreement about?
What did SH say?
What words did he use?
What were the foul words he used?
Can we have both his version and the young lady’s version of events?
Can we have a version of what happened from a vitness?
Even a mother telling a child off can be construed as verbal abuse. So until we know more this is a non story.
In the case of Gota vs Ms. Jansz we have a recording of the telephone conversation and we can hear him calling Jansz a “sh*t eating pig” for asking if an Air Lanka flight was rerouted so it could fly his dog home.
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Bensen Burner / May 2, 2014
It is very heartening that this pompous joker has been got rid of. He was trying to mimic BBC interviewers especially those in “Hard Talk and had no originality. watching the fellow was annoying. His racist remarks revealed what was intrinsic in him. Bensen
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paul / May 2, 2014
I am confused reading through all this article and the comments that follow: Is Hattotuwa a hero or villain?.
Also I am disappointed that the Rajapaksa family’s role into this malaise has not been expounded with sufficient vigour. This is not good enough guys. Have you all been given car permits by the Rajapaksa clan or what?
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