By Vipula Wanigasekera –
Dr. Vipula Wanigasekera
Before writing this, I came across a viral TikTok video allegedly exposing a member of the present government attempting to influence the police regarding an investigation into unauthorized tree felling. Shortly after, news emerged that former Speaker and MP Asoka Ranwala, involved in a Sapugaskanda accident last night, was requested to undergo alcohol testing. What does this signal for the NPP Government? Simply put: a deterioration of credibility.
This highlights the central challenge facing the present administration: securing and sustaining the credibility that initially brought them to power. Despite operational challenges in the aftermath of recent floods and landslides, the President’s visible presence and urgency resonated strongly with citizens. This response is not incidental; it reflects a deeper political shift. Since the Aragalaya — the 2022 “people’s struggle” that toppled a once-dominant administration — credibility has emerged as the most valuable political currency in Sri Lanka. What was once desirable is now a mandatory qualification for leadership.
The Aragalaya was driven not only by economic hardship but also by deep frustration over impunity and governance failures. Citizens demanded accountability, not merely new faces. The public’s tolerance for a political culture where scandals surfaced and disappeared without consequence has sharply declined. This transformation continues to shape expectations today.
Against this backdrop, the present government holds a comparative advantage: it is widely seen as having fewer corruption allegations than previous administrations. Whether flawless or not, this perception shapes discourse, allowing the government to foreground integrity alongside policy — a claim many predecessors struggled to assert amid reputational baggage.
Conversely, elements of the opposition still face public allegations tied to mismanagement, misuse of public funds, or controversial procurement practices. Even without assuming guilt, unresolved allegations erode credibility, because in the post-Aragalaya era, perception carries nearly as much weight as fact.
Losses of credibility are not always linked to major scandals. Sometimes symbolic gestures suffice: photos of politicians beside luxury properties abroad, excessive travel, or ceremonial displays during national hardship reinforce suspicion that privilege endures while citizens struggle. History reinforces this trend: the 2015 election saw voters embrace anti-corruption narratives, yet stalled investigations and faded prosecutions deepened frustration and amplified demand for leaders whose integrity is demonstrable.
Today, credibility is central, magnified by social media that broadcasts every misstep instantly. Platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook have made governance hyper-visible and immediate, turning even minor errors into national conversations. Coupled with reforms such as the Anti-Corruption Act of 2023, which strengthened oversight but also faced criticism from various quarters, political credibility has become measurable and unforgiving.
The current disaster is not just a humanitarian challenge but a defining credibility test. The President’s early interventions — visiting affected areas, coordinating relief, engaging MPs and international partners — have reinforced confidence. Yet citizens will judge the government on two fronts: whether short-term relief evolves into sustainable recovery and whether governance structures can respond effectively in future not only in crises but public services.
For Sri Lanka’s democratic future, this focus on credibility is both encouraging and demanding. Legitimacy now depends less on ideology or party loyalty and more on personal integrity, competence, and transparency, amplified instantly by social media. Future governments will rise or fall on their ability to earn and maintain public trust.
References
1. https://vm.tiktok.com/ZSHw5u7vgNGsY-Za55n/
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-jj4iWZk44
*The writer is a former Diplomat and Head of the Sri Lanka Tourism Authority, and currently a Lecturer, YouTuber, Meditation Coach, and Reiki Therapist
nimal fernando / December 14, 2025
“What does this signal for the NPP Government? Simply put: a deterioration of credibility.”
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Oh C’mon Vip! Don’t be so lester!
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The NPP is made up of Lankans: not Martians. From time to time, a few are bound to show their true Lankan traits.
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But can you deny ……. that this is the cleanest and the most law-abiding government in living memory?
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Please please please ……… challenge me with comparing this with any former ……. with true examples/facts!
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And to boot, AKD is a true Buddhist! …….. Never thought, I’ll encounter one of these rarest of the rare beasts in my lifetime! ……. It’s like seeing the Loch Ness Monster, Bigfoot, ……… a non-lester Lankan …….
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vipula / December 14, 2025
Nimal, I think you need to read my article again where I said ‘ the present government holds a comparative advantage etc’ . Credibility is not necessarily corruption in terms of money but the promises and made prior to elections and expectation being met so far. I don’t know if you are in Sri Lanka. If one is below middle class, travelling by public transport, making a daily living , having to depend on public offices ( and that’s me) we would like a decent living with dignity more than the time spent on apprehending the culprit
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nimal fernando / December 15, 2025
Vip,
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I’ll keep it very simple.
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If nothing is clouding/obstructing our free minds …… we can look at a rock and say this is a rock. We can look at a tree and say this is a tree.
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If a person can’t accept a rock as a rock and a tree as a tree ……… isn’t that a mental illness? ………. ( Let’s keep Wittgenstein out ….. he himself was not all there! :))) )
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As far as I’m concerned …….. what I encounter in the forum, day after day, is nothing but people with acute mental diseases.
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All what I’ve done, is tiptoe around metal diseases – not get, swept away with them! :)))
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As a renowned Lankan movie critic and a guy with Lankan matinee-idol looks …… you’re a man into arts ……. read Borges’ short story “The Circular Ruins” and Kawabata’s “Thousand Cranes.” You’ll get it ……. I want for to figure it out yourself. It’s a drag for me to explain.
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We’ll you should know if life imitates art ……. or the other way around ………. :))))
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Douglas / December 16, 2025
nf: Your observation – ” As far as I am concerned……What I encounter in this forum, day after day, is nothing but people with acute mental diseases.”
That is a ‘SUPPER’, ‘ SUPPER’ observation only you dared to say in words.
Thank you.
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nimal fernando / December 17, 2025
Vip,
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Just a thought ……. if you look at Lankan PhDs ……… from the Western tradition/training they come from ……. it’s de-rigueur/obligatory ……. to embellish simple things ……. and unnecessarily build them up into seemingly “complex” thingies/shindigs …. it comes with the territory ……
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As a man into the arts …… why don’t you break from the herd/tradition …….. and go in the opposite direction: be a pioneer?
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Write distilled to the bare bone ……. ideas/concepts. Like in the Japanese form of writing Haiku. ……… You write down something and take away as many words as possible …… and leave only the minimum of words necessary to express the thought/idea.
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Then the words don’t leave room – nooks and crannies – to hide dishonesty.
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In music …… the band “The Police” did this …….. their sound was a sparse Reggae sound ……. with most notes/sounds taken out ………
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As an artists …… you are the one who should be telling us these things! :)))
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nimal fernando / December 18, 2025
Sparse music without too much filling in ……… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1c2OfAzDTI
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nimal fernando / December 15, 2025
Vip,
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Just remembered ……. as a great movie critic …….. are you offering several different versions of the same truth? ……… Like in “Rashomon?” :))))
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AI …….. “That’s a fascinating concept you’re pointing to! Yes, the phenomenon you’re describing—multiple, often contradictory, but subjectively “true” accounts of the same event—is widely explored in narrative and philosophy.
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The concept gets its popular name from the classic 1950 Akira Kurosawa film Rashomon, which masterfully uses a framing device to present four distinct accounts of a samurai’s murder and the assault of his wife. The film doesn’t offer a definitive “real” truth, leaving the audience to grapple with how perception, self-interest, and memory shape reality.”
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nimal fernando / December 17, 2025
minor edit,
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Then the words don’t leave room – nooks and crannies – to hide intentional or unintentional dishonesty. —–> Then the words don’t leave room – nooks and crannies – to hide dishonesty.
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nimal fernando / December 15, 2025
Even going as far back as King Rajasinghe …… can anyone show an example …….. where any Lankan rep in parliament resigned for a misdeed?
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Ranwala resigned ……. at least acknowledge that …….. even if you can’t bring yourselves to give credit to the JVP/NPP.
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For starting a factory and on a large scale bogus labelling contaminated water to inject patients – some of who died – …….. frigging Kheliya was protected and the NCM was defeated by Ranil & Co of Bodhisattvas!
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At least give credit to Ranil …….. even if you can’t bring yourselves to acknowledge it!
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Accepting a rock as a rock. A tree as a tree. …………. Is there a better example of a mental disease? :)))
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Talk about throwing pearls before swine ………
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Not calling anyone a swine: it’s the festive season: an oversupply of ham ……..
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But as the idiom goes ……… :)))
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nimal fernando / December 15, 2025
To reiterate …… my loyalty is always to the country/people.
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Have no precious sacred cows to protect.
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Have no pet hates/peeves to denigrate.
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Truth is my only companion!
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Well, except for an imaginary 18-year old Brigitte Bardot ……. talking that French softly in my ear ……. Ooooooh la la …….
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chiv / December 16, 2025
Nimal , 👍
You nailed it.
Read your closing comments on insecurity 😄 LOL
Turning of bold and italics was ultimate 👌
Merry Christmas !
😂😅🤣
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nimal fernando / December 17, 2025
chiv,
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It’s actually an art. :)) …….. There is a unit in Quantico profiling people. From the ransom notes they wrote they were able to profile them pretty accurately long before they were caught ……… 20:30 ……… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7TLvk0iRsM
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I know Native more than he knows himself! :))) …… All his fears and insecurities ……. and all the methods of ‘Bad Faith’ he use to avoid responsibility.
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A profile of Vip ……. is slowly emerging. :))))
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Native Vedda / December 17, 2025
nimal fernando
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How are you?
I am bored with too many advice given to AKD by every TOM, Dick and Harry (Apuhamy, Kandasamy and Abusali). For the first time I am witnessing a politician is being affectionately treated as their own brother, son, … by all people of this island except mentally seriously sick men belonging to corrupt party politics.
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There is a danger though AKD could be elevated to a cult status. You know very well what would happen to the people when a leader attain cult status, the leader likely to turn himself into another Praba/Gota/Mao/…. Keep an eye on party stalwarts who are likely to turn themselves into private entrepreneurs.
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Also keep an eye on Tilvin, Lal, …. who may have their own agenda. Don’t complain I didn’t alert you.
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Do you read any conspiracy behind US’s two military aircrafts landing in Hindia’s Palaly airport?
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nimal fernando / December 18, 2025
“when a leader attain cult status, the leader likely to turn himself into another Praba/Gota/Mao/”
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Native,
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In all the above 3 ……. an element of “fear factor” was involved.
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No one fears AKD …… there is true affection ……. no coercion …….. because his behaviour deserves it ……… crazy as it may seem …….. especially from a place like Lanka …….
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Jack / December 14, 2025
For the sake his own government, MP Asoka Ranwala should step aside from his parliamentary post until proper investigation is performed of his conduct involving traffic incident.
Also It has been shown police has gone back to their old tactics by omission , not conducting breathalyzer test and taking blood sample promptly to check blood alcohol level.
Conduct of police and other people who use undue influence should be investigated.
It is better than before by all means but still stinks.
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vipula / December 14, 2025
Yes Jack , and these are signs of incompetence, lack of authority, Bureaucracy which still believes they can take the NPP politicians for a ride
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old codger / December 16, 2025
Vipula,
“Bureaucracy which still believes they can take the NPP politicians for a ride”
Not at all. I believe NPP politicians too are human. No Sri Lankan who has tasted power will refuse its privileges, which include giving illegal orders.. The police will grovel before any government in power.
Those who believed that the NPP is “different ” in some way are in for more surprises.
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leelagemalli / December 14, 2025
Jack and all other sane commenters,
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Who else should be dismissed by parliament? Unfortunately, people often act as if they are permanently vaccinated.
1) Handunetti – Scandalous participation in an international conference that tarnished Sri Lanka’s reputation in ways that no other leader from the South Asian area has ever done – could not even pronounce the word “question” correctly.
2)Jagath Manuwarana was apprehended in a drug-related incident, but no further information is available.
3) BImal Rathanakya – under his power, together with TOMPACHAYA; WHO is the head of state – over 323 containers were released, the most of which were labeled red, and what was inside is still unknown to the country or parliament.
4) Even now, Premier Dr. Amarasooriya has yet to resolve the Rocket Chichie issue.
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this list is ceaseless
Aiyyo… Aiyyo, THAMBUTHTHEGAMA polburuwa used the Dunningkruger effect to deceive the nation as no other leader has ever done.
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CChampa / December 14, 2025
This is another useless article.
Hello, please write about the measures taken by the government to assist flood victims to rebuild their lives. Somewhere, I read 25,000 military personnel have been deployed to repair roads, bridges and dams. There is no coverage on mainstream print media. (I don’t watch TV.)
In Watagoda, Talawakele, 45 families, who were temporarily sheltered in the Yoxford Tea Estate, were asked to leave. They are now stranded as their houses are inhabitable. Where do they go? Is there a school nearby to shelter them? Watagoda is a small town in the Nuwara Eliya District. This is only one case. I think the media has a responsibility and obligation to help flood victims in reporting their grievances so that relevant government officials can take swift remedial action.
My heart goes out to those who lost their loved ones and its impact on closely knitted neighbourhoods and families who had to adapt to difficult times living in shelters. Also, how many tourists were in flooded areas? Did they receive assistance?
Needless to say, Sri Lanka has a very long journey to fully recover from the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
1/2
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vipula / December 14, 2025
I do not write to please individuals. Also read my article again where I said ‘ Despite operational challenges in the aftermath of recent floods and landslides, the President’s visible presence and urgency resonated strongly with citizens. This response is not incidental; it reflects a deeper political shift’. The term Credibility encompasses vast area and the floods took place only a few days ago. I am referring to overall management of the Government to make a turnaround and those two incidents were cited to show that law should apply to everyone.
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Native Vedda / December 17, 2025
C Champa
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“I read 25,000 military personnel have been deployed to repair roads, bridges and dams.”
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Not sure about the figure, however the important bridges are being built by the Hindians and two field hospitals are being run by Hindian Armed forces.
This is Sinha Land, what the hell Hindians are doing in Bautha/Sinhala land?
Tamilnadu Chief Ministers sends rice, groceries and medicines.
You cannot trust them.
Why don’t you protest?
If you cannot get the patriotic people like Sangili Karuppan, Weerasekera, ….. to do it for you. Please let me know the date, time and venue I want to support you.
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“Where do they go?”
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The government has published emergency telephone numbers of the Disaster Relief committees of each district and Sri Lanka Red Cross is actively involved in relief work why don’t they contact local committees. If they are not helping them please complain to the Malwathu Maha Viharaya – +94 812 203 900 or
Asgiri Gedige Rajamaha Viharaya: +94 814 953 355 or
Asgiri Maha Seya – Kandy: +94 812 222 568
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“Needless to say, Sri Lanka has a very long journey to fully recover from the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.”
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True however it will take many centuries to fully recover from the man made disasters over the past 75 years.
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CChampa / December 14, 2025
Sri Lanka has 77 Early Warning Towers (EWTs) equipped with sirens to alert communities in coastal areas of impending severe weather. They work with satellites, radars and sensors to detect tsunami, cyclone, storms and heavy rain. In addition to EWTs, there are 14 other early warning methods activated by the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).
As revealed by the Director-General of the Disaster Management Centre at the “Tsunami Disaster Rehearsal Programme” held on November 5, 2025 (three weeks before Cyclone Ditwah), ALL 77 tsunami Early Warning Towers in Sri Lanka were “non-operational” (since 2022) due to an issue with the US-based company (maybe Iridium Network, I am not sure) which transmits satellite signals to our EWTs.
(Source: https://mawratanews.lk/news/all-tsunami-alert-towers-non-operational-for-three-years-dmc/#google_vignette
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SJ / December 14, 2025
CC
Was Ditwah a tsunami?
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old codger / December 15, 2025
There was a lot of water involved…..
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SJ / December 16, 2025
Not much salt in it tough!
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old codger / December 14, 2025
As far as Asoka Ranwala goes, he was a ludicrous choice for Speaker. At the CPC, he was leader of the Engineers Union, though it is doubtful if he was an engineer himself, but was familiar on TV talk shows spouting the then JVP line that corruption was the cause of high fuel prices.
Even the present Speaker is an excitable and schoolmasterish type who doesn’t know how to conduct himself in his position. The current Deputy, Rizvie Salih, would have been much better at the job.
Perhaps the NPP wasn’t really expecting to win, and didn’t have a list of suitable candidates for official positions.
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leelagemalli / December 14, 2025
OC,
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Vijitha Herath was chosen by them to be the FM; is he capable of carrying out his duties?
They raised their scale that high, but by lying openly about their higher qualifications and promising a utopic state under their leadership, they have failed to do the job as of today, even reaching the levels of former Foreign Ministers (Late LKR, Late Managal Samaraweera, Ali Sabry) – million dollar question: why can’t our CT-doby men (spearheaded by Douglas, Unawatuna) see it yet?
-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HIx-rijNsg&t=896s
ASOKA RANWALA was chosen by them to be their government’s first speaker. Was he in any way an acceptable choice for the nation’s three most powerful citizens? In reality, it is believed that the individual who caused the traffic collision tried to avoid and conceal.
Above all, Preimier claims to have a PhD from Edinberough University, but her claims don’t support her suitability for the position. Twelve months ago, she introduced the purported PhD Ranawala as a qualified individual. Since then, she has been silent, and no supporting documentation has been presented to the parliament as of yet.
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vipula / December 14, 2025
Yes OC, people are beginning to wonder on this
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nimal fernando / December 16, 2025
Vip,
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Just out of curiosity …….. did you raise the same concerns when Ranil went to so much trouble – even threatening to call the judiciary to the parliament for questioning – to appoint Deshabandu as the chief of police?
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Deshabandu was a well known criminal ……. Ranwala is yet to be proved/convicted.
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This is about fairness …… not defending anyone.
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Let the chips fall where they may.
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leelagemalli / December 14, 2025
Hello OC and all other rational thinkers,
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrFNX5OiULM
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This is how the budget for 2025 was determined, according to an expert.
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– What happened to Chathruranga Abeysinghe, also known as DIGITAL BABY, who was expected to lead the nation to new heights? I recall Old Codger saying something about him before the election, which made him another ballonized figure. However, the individual has now been identified as no different than that imbecile Sunil Handunetti.
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Our enormous NPP promoter from JVP-hotpot Unawatuna, you owe us a constructive response to all of these disappointments…. if you come with links, please think twice, don’t come with “GUNEAIYYA” or the like lesser class of youtubers in this nation. Please study them before we are requested to listen to them. Thank you.
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We will arrive in Sri Lanka by private jet and will make arrangements to land at Koggala Airport. I believe your mobs would not come to us for public butchery as they did during the 89-92 insurgency.
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leelagemalli / December 14, 2025
Vipula,
Thank you for bringing out this CONTROVERSIAL accident in terms of the most well-known NPP candidates’ lack of a PhD although claiming to have one by name – former Speaker Asoka Ranwala.
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Former minister Champika Ranakawa stated that Ranwala was a technician at Univerisity yof Moratuwa. Ranawaka is known to an electrical engineer at that university. According to “JVP” news, Ranwala eventually earned a higher degree, such as a PhD, from a Japanese university. Those who work closely with PhDs may be aware that if you choose to pursue a doctorate, you are required to give them with a “A-Z” summary of your education in the form of a comprehensive curriculum vitae before completing your doctoral thesis. However, speculations are spreading that RANWALA does have a PhD, but it was awarded under a different name. My foot!
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Tbc
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vipula / December 14, 2025
what about the Police that appeared not performing the duty by not taking blood sample?
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leelagemalli / December 14, 2025
Even police officers may be afraid to approach them (RANWALA is said to be a real beast) since they had a significant criminal record during Jeppos’ violent dark phase from 1989 to 1992.
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We have high-level discussions regarding the Sinhala race, but I do not participate since the NPP is our dominant party. I am ashemd to be sinhalaya today.
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We should feel ashamed to have allowed former terrorists to rule our country now. I recall a few occasions in which THEN JVP terrorists gave the meat and bones of the deceased to their own parents and relatives. Later, the parents were informed that the pork they devoured was really the flesh of their own son’s meat. Could you imagine? That is a bit about the cannibalistic history of our AKD-led organizations from 1989 to 1992.
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Native Vedda / December 17, 2025
vipula
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“what about the Police that appeared not performing the duty by not taking blood sample?”
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It is not unusual for the police to not perform their duties.
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They are now worried since the new government was elected a few months ago as the government warned Police force against their unearned incomes. They do not know how to balance household budget and how to pay for wife’s new saree.
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leelagemalli / December 14, 2025
cont .
That comes at a time when even many NPP fans are furious, unable to believe their eyes when Ranwala arrived late to report to police following his mishap, which is alleged to have gravely injured a newborn, her mother, and grandmother.
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Police did not complete the process of taking the “breath test” of the driver, Ranwala, until 18 hours after the event occurred. And most importantly, This is entirely contradictory to what the President himself says in public, that “the law is today equally applied to everyone” under his administration. Ranwala, the guy who drove himself to the hospital, was observed in a “wheelchair” as he entered the hospital. Who do JEPPOS suppose “us the srilankens” are? Can they continue to mislead this brainwashed nation?
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All of this is read and heard in a country headed by the NPP, not the Rajapakshes or Wickramasinghe governments. falsehoods, outright falsehoods, and amateurish practices.
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Tbc
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vipula / December 14, 2025
Yes leela all these revolve around credibility
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leelagemalli / December 14, 2025
Vipula,
“Yes, Leela, all these revolve around credibility” – They came to power to show us an exemplary way of governace, be it in police, CID, public offices, parliament, airports, schools, medical practices, supermarkets, on the road with traffic organization, and so on. However, with over 14 months gone, without any natural calamities, they have not been able to do any single good thing, other than boast about what the previous government achieved.
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No openness or accountability as promised, no equitable application of law and order, and what? Many people in the country are angry now, and while NPP candidates are skilled at public lying, they are also fools who lack fundamental knowledge and skills.
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leelagemalli / December 14, 2025
Even if some analysts acknowledge that terror groups have moved, they would never do so. My careful examination of JEPPOs as of right now demonstrates this.
The issue now arises: Why in the world would RANWALA try to flee even after being caught in the act of causing the accident that severely injured a 6-month-old baby, the infant’s mother, and the grandmother?
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The entire country would reject AKD leaders if the child died during the healing procedure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLAWg9hWaMg&t=100s
Despite the fact that extremist individuals like RANWALA and AKD are truly criminals due to their previous unethical behavior, so-called voters granted them the authority to rule and destroy our country. Shame on people.
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Ajith / December 14, 2025
“This highlights the central challenge facing the present administration: securing and sustaining the credibility that initially brought them to power. “
NPP/AKD now uses the same executive power which was used to oppress the people over the past 45 years. He promised to get rid of this executive power with his new constitution within 3 years of government. So far, he has not taken any action against those who involved against Tamil speaking people of the country. He just talk about equal rights, the problems faced by the people but never taken any action against those misused the power. Of course, the politicians of the North East are in a very weak position and still remaining with the same political game played by the past leaders. It does not mean it will remain the same for long. NPP uses this natural disaster to deviate people from the real problems and his promises. At the same time the international players also landed in the land to play their games. AKD lost his credibility because he are surrounded by game players. How long he can hide his true face? One Party, One Country, One religion, One race is his vision?
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vipula / December 14, 2025
The biggest failure so far is the inability put the house in order in the public service
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leelagemalli / December 14, 2025
Vipula, public criticism will not persuade authorities to change their minds easily.
They could improve by implementing certain mechanisms to rectify them.
As is the case in politics, each organization may have both good and evil individuals. There is no such thing as excellent in one place.
We have several Turkish senior scientists who work with me; more of them behave as if they work in Turkey (by treating women not equally), but this is not acceptable in western European surroundings.
They can be readily cornered at the end of the day. However, like ANURA KUMA DISANAYAK, they are unsure of their own abilities. AKD should be ashamed right now for spouting such outrageous lies, yet his character is dishonest.
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vipula / December 14, 2025
There have been occasions where Politicians and Officials have performed in respective Ministries and Departments. Its a simple formula.
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leelagemalli / December 14, 2025
Vipula,
Disaster relief authorities have complained to the opposition leader and his MPs that the government has failed to do its duty and has not allowed those officials to do it effectively and independently.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5WqnXGi_Lk
So, how can this rule be exemplary? I believe that the current government is far inferior than any other governments we have had since independence. The AKD will be unable to manage the disaster aftermath, as the CBK and MR administration did following the Tsunami Disaster. That is getting clearer by the hour.
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leelagemalli / December 14, 2025
Vipula,
I’m not sure about you or others, but I realized in university (in the early stages of undergraduate studies) at Lanken State University that Jeppos, with their attitude, would not run that far. They just cannot get along with others who have different thoughts and perspectives.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HskrwAc4-X8
They would have been wise to implement NORTH KOREAN-style governance, but democracy is a long way off. That is a significant loss for the Sri Lankan people, who had democracy decades ago on the whole Asian continent. It is considered one of the oldest democracies.
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Native Vedda / December 16, 2025
vipula
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“The biggest failure so far is the inability put the house in order in the public service”
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Then one should ask him or herself why it is so?
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Politicians come and go however the Functionaries are part and partial of the permanent state, in fact they are the custodians of the state,
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Douglas / December 14, 2025
Now, the main topic is Asoka Ranwala. This is my opinion:
1. Asoka Ranwala should never have been nominated to be the Speaker. In my opinion, he doesn’t possess the stature and the charisma to hold such a high position as the 3rd citizen of the country. I have observed his utterances at talk shows and appearances at Trade Union protests. In my opinion, he is not even fit to be a Junior Minister. So my question from day one was, how can this man conduct a meeting of 225 MPs of the Legislature? Forget his PhD. Even with that qualification in hand, he would have proved a dismal failure as the ‘Speaker’.
2. His recent accident piasco. In this, the Law Enforcement (the Police) must bear the full responsibility. Why did they fail to act as per the law? However much the Police have been given the freedom and the authority to act according to law, irrespective of the status of the person, it has become a ‘Himalayan’ task to take them out of that genetic feeling of ‘Slavishness’ in the presence of the ‘Elite’ class.
3. I am happy that the IGP has ordered an inquiry into the conduct of the Sapugaskanda Police OIC and the rest involved.
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Ajith / December 14, 2025
“2. His recent accident piasco. In this, the Law Enforcement (the Police) must bear the full responsibility. Why did they fail to act as per the law?”
If I ask the same question about a monk attacking a police in Trinco malee where is the law? or police protecting a Monk who built a Buddhist Temple in Thaiyiddy, Jaffna?
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old codger / December 14, 2025
Douglas,
The Police are also Sri Lankans. They are trained to respect authority from childhood. It is a rare student who will not fall down and worship a teacher, and even rarer, a politician who doesn’t worship a Mahanayaka. We are feudal, it will take a very long time to change that.
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leelagemalli / December 14, 2025
Dear OC,
.
I doubt Douglas or others would view it correctly. He responds with “malle pol” to my questions. And urging me to evaluate the facts. Could you imagine? His crab’s movements are beyond my comprehension right now. The Thanakola eaters would never view it correctly. I have a suspicion Douglas is linked to Watawala, the lawyer who shamelessly abuses his legal approval.
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SJ / December 14, 2025
I remember a student (from Mullaitivu I think) some years ago who was honoured for his brilliant performance at an examination and was asked to worship the principal who gave the award.
He refused saying “Why should I worship anyone? May parents I may for I owe them very much.”
I hope that he was not tamed in later life.
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leelagemalli / December 15, 2025
“We are feudal, it will take a very long time to change that.”
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In my childhood (upto late 80ties), we used to worship and lick the feet of grownups exclusively on NEW YEAR AVURUDU day.
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However, in recent years, when the Rajapakshes became Dutugamunu and granted unique privileges to “SIVURU wearers,” practically everyone, not only teens, but also those aged 22 to 25 or older, bowed down on their feet, even if they did not know you well.
The biggest embaracement I discovered was that two years ago, I went to see a remote village principal of a primary school(Galle), although I haven’t seen them for ages because I’ve been living permanently outside the country for the last 3.5 decades, a 25-year-old son was made to kneel before me at the behest of his father…..(wedihitiyanta garu kirima). I tried to explain that I am not a bo-tree, but it didn’t assist them any more. Over the last few years, youngsters have been abused for no reason other than to do what their parents want.
Sometimes those young people do not even speak to their own parents, but they are trained to act like robots, much as in the army or the military.
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Native Vedda / December 16, 2025
old codger
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Is it possible to democratically abolish the posts of Mahanayakas?
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old codger / December 16, 2025
Native,
It is not necessary to abolish Mahanayakas. If Buddhists stop feeding these fossils, they will automatically come to terms. I read somewhere that CBK had donated Rs. 250 mn for disaster relief while the Mahanayakas had come up with 50 mn. You think CBK should be the first female Mahanayaka?
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Native Vedda / December 16, 2025
old codger
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“I read somewhere that CBK had donated Rs. 250 mn for disaster relief ….”
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The Bandaranaike Memorial National Foundation (BMNF), headed by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, has donated Rs. 250 million to the government fund …. http://www.dailymirror.lk 9 December 2025
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I am not sure the entire sum was her own money.
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“CBK should be the first female Mahanayaka?”
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No objections, of course.
But then why stop there?
Why not Vimal Sangili Karuppan Maliban Biscuit Wansa?
Or his most devoted admirer, Bhikshuni C. Champa Therai (Ordained via Facebook, Zoom, … )?
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Sri Lanka, where institutions donate money — but individuals collect the merit points.
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leelagemalli / December 14, 2025
“His recent mishap was a fiasco. The police must carry full accountability”
However, what if the police are controlled by the executive presidency in this nation, rather than the police commission? And I’m curious as to why the breath test was performed 18 hours after the event. If we were discovered breaking the law, we would be screened by having our alcohol levels tested on the spot.
And Ranwala’s unique privileges were extremely evident, and this was not forgotten at the time; 323 containers were released (even those labeled as illegal), and the police were not involved in an independent manner.
I believe Douglas mahathMAYA should be fully aware of all of this. You may persuade locals in SL, but not us. We collect information from a variety of sources, including European TV discussions. Thank you.
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Douglas / December 15, 2025
LM: Thank you for confirming what I said about the ‘Law Enforcement’.
There was a time when the police were fully under the control and mainly used as a ‘lethal weapon’ by the Minister (political authority) under Thiran Alles. Not that ‘Tyranny’ was confined to that period only. It was the characteristic feature of the Police we had. Where was the ‘Police Commission’ when that ‘Tyranny’ existed? Wasn’t it a shame to find the wife of the Secretary to the President, Ranil W, sitting in as a ‘Commissioner’? That was unbearable. That is one among many reasons for us to go for a ‘CHANGE’.
With the ‘Change’, we had some breathing, but the ‘Human Souls’ who had manned this outfit were a ‘Genetic Breed’ (not all, but a large number) of corrupt, shameless, slavish self-seekers. No doubt, it is not that ‘Easy Task’ to change this setup. But we have to do it.
In that pursuit, I think this is the only opportunity we have. That is what I am doing – Force this Government to change it, because nothing could be expected from bringing back the ‘Old Stock’.
Cheers!
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leelagemalli / December 15, 2025
D,
Thanks, but Please avoid giving “Malle pol (just prevarications only)” responses. I would beg that you stick to the facts.
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Where on earth do you see proper law enforcement today?
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Their NPP guys (Jagath Manuwarna and few others including Bimal Rathanayaka are above law) act as if they are privileged, under the orders of AKD himself. Previously, during Mr RW’s presidency, these fools were demonstrating at every corner, but no one is going on marches now, despite the fact that rulers have failed to execute their jobs correctly. AKD is regarded as the weakest leader thus far. He might have been suitable for running a roadside baking store, but nothing more. After terrible floods displaced millions, including 600,000 people, in the state, insufficient cash were sent there.
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leelagemalli / December 15, 2025
apologies for errors – Following the devastating floods that uprooted millions and killed 600 or more people, insufficient funding were sent to the state.
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vipula / December 15, 2025
My point is this could be a tip of an ice berg. The lethargy is seen in every public institution
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whywhy / December 14, 2025
What if we call it ‘ credibility as the new currency in Srilankan culture ?’
We do have everthing in right place not to be trusted and of course we are
not alone on this planet that can not be trusted , there are too many on the
boat but the million dollar question is , Who are these guys , the JVP to
even imagine that they can Change That Face ? At the very first opportunity
they got , They were Exposed How Unreal They Are ! And How Arrogant
They Are Not To React in favour of the public by removing Ranwala from
parliament ! Do we want to call it ” deterioration of credibility ? ” Didn’t they
know that they were far far from real ? Certificates are nothing without
hands on experience . Handunneththi is the best example ! Srilankans are
corrupt and that is why they chose corruption to rule them . You said you can
change it , without asking Dr Ranwala (still no proof)whether feasible . We do
have Four more years left and more tests awaiting . I am for change but wnt to
put myself in reliable hands !
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Douglas / December 15, 2025
LM: You mentioned of the ‘Independent Police Commission’. In my earlier comment, I said of one member of the Commission, i.e., the wife of Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake.
Did you know of another member still sitting there? He is C.D.Wickramarathne an ex IGP.
This is the Commission (Independent) member who went to the Airport to receive Basil Rajapakse on return from a visit to the USA. Did you see that picture in the media?. Basil R was seated on a couch, and this man went on his bended knees to greet him with clasped hands. Do you call these types ‘Independent’? My foot.
This shameless ex IGP a member of the Police Commission still sitting there. What can you expect from these types? That is why I am asking for a change (from whom I can expect) and not out of my ‘Dementia’ mindset you impose upon me.
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