Facing mounting discontent island-wide due to misgovernance, inefficiency, reversal of policies almost overnight, the galloping cost of living etc., the Rajapaksa regime now appears to be on a calculated path to weaken the Opposition by going against key Opposition figures. The plan is to create havoc in the Opposition and win the Provincial Council elections to be held in the first half of 2022.
Justice Priyantha Jayawardena
It is reliably understood that the groundwork has been laid to move against Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa for alleged misappropriation of monies of the Central Cultural Fund, which came under him during the Yahapalanaya government. Already, SJB leaders are wondering why Premadasa is reluctant to oppose the Rajapaksa regime in a more confrontationist manner, reminiscent of how UNP leader J.R. Jayawardene, ably assisted by his father R. Premadasa, gave a tough time to the Sirimavo Bandaranaike government, which too had a 2/3 majority. According to sources, the Government is in no hurry to take the ultimate step, preferring to strike when it would be most effective.
The Special Presidential Commission headed by Supreme Court Justice Priyantha Jayawardena is expected to begin sittings soon.
The Presidential Commission on Political Victimisation headed by retired Supreme Court Judge Upali Abeyratne had identified 22 political leaders and individuals connected to the Yahapalanaya government for the alleged violation of the Constitution in establishing an Anti-Corruption Committee and the Anti-Corruption Committee Secretariat. Among those named are former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, former Ministers Mangala Samaraweera, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Rauff Hakeem, Malik Samarawickrama and Sarath Fonseka, TNA Leader R. Sampanthan, TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran, JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, lawyer J.C. Weliamuna, former M.P. Dr. Jayampathi Wickramaratne, senior detective Shani Abeysekera and Deputy Solicitor General Thusith Mudalige. The Presidential Commission on Political Victimisation was referred to as the “Pissu Poosa” Commission by several Opposition MPs in Parliament.
The Special Presidential Commission has been mandated to report on whether civic disability should be imposed on those named in the report of the Presidential Commission on Political Victimisation. In the 1980s, the J.R. Jayawardene Government stripped the civic rights of former Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike for seven years under the Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry Act for the alleged abuse of power during her period of office as Prime Minister and was thus denied of the opportunity of challenging J.R. Jayawardene at the Presidential election of 1982.
According to reliable sources, Genesh Dharmawardena, a known acolyte of the Rajapaksa family, has been tasked with “coordinating” with the Special Presidential Commission. Dharmawardena is presently the Public Trustee and was Director-General of the Commission on Bribery and Corruption during the previous Rajapaksea regime. He has also been Additional Secretary (Legal) at the Prime Minister’s Office. Despite the high offices held by him, Dharmawardena is described as a mediocre lawyer.
Justice Priyantha Jayawardena himself is close to the Rajapaksa family, having been the legal advisor to Basil Rajapaksa before he was appointed to the Supreme Court, raising many eyebrows in the legal fraternity. According to Hulftsdorp wags, he was on his “best behaviour” during the Yahapalanaya Government but is now back to his old self. Jayawardena is known to be keen to succeed Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya. It is no secret that there is no love lost between the two. Rumour has it that the Rajapaksa regime would like to see Jayasuriya retire prematurely. Jayasuriya was appointed as Attorney General and later Chief Justice under the Yahapalanaya Government.
Jayawardena is now working tirelessly in the Commission and has picked his own Police team to assist the Commission. Additional Solicitor General Rohantha Abeysuriya, who led the team of lawyers from the Attorney-General’s Department to assist the “Pissu Poosa” Commission will lead the team assisting the Priyantha Jayawardena Commission as well. Abeysuriya is well-known in the Department as being pro-Rajapaksa and a strong Sinhala nationalist.
On 15 October, the “Lanka C News” a website close to Minister Wimal Weerawansa carried a news item, obviously planted by the Government, that Ranil Wickremesinghe, Rajitha Senaratne, Champika Ranawaka, Sarath Fonseka and Anura Kumar Dissanayake are in danger of losing their civic rights. (By Saman Gamaarchch)
Ajith / October 17, 2021
I would like to see that the civic rights of those 22 previous government leaders civic rights should be removed because they failed to remove the civic rights of the previous Rajapaksa family government. However, I am sure Rajapaksas will not touch Ranil because he is part of Rajapaksas.
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Sinhala_Man / October 17, 2021
Ajith,
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You tend to comment on almost every article. If it is after reading them will a reasonable degree of diligence, it would be all.right.
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Have you looked at all 22 names? They include Shani Abeysekera, AKD, Sampanthan, Sumanthiran, Sarath Fonseka and Mangala Samaraweera. I haven’t met or corresponded with any of them. Nobody has suggested that they be executed. Executing Mangy wouldn’t be easy, actually.
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What’s being suggested is actually is investigating them all, so what I’ve said above is irrelevant. But the cost, and by barking up the wrong tree, we’ll be letting other matters go uninvestigated. We don’t know how serious the charges are.
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Bottom line: none of those whom I have cherry picked was a Rajapaksa lover. This is a story to be ignored!
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Ajith / October 17, 2021
Sinhala_Man,
I read all 22 names and I know many of them have done anything wrong other than their duty. What I am trying to say is that Rajapaksas directly responsible for many crimes during their period and people and civil society sacrificed their life to get rid of them from power and Ranil government and allies failed to bring them to the courts and they have to face the reality. Under Rajapaksas, there is no law, no judges, no courts and decisions are made by Rajapaksas only. What do you expect from Rajapaksas? Dictatorship! The country and people have to realise true face of the Rajapaksas.
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leelagemalli / October 17, 2021
Ajith .
.with all respect, do u believe that it is easy to punish Rajapakshes where judges and lawyer community are fully bribed by Rajapak henchmen so that any justice could be easy. Not just authorities in law and order but media never supported former Gov during their term. It s all like a huge kunukanda filled with various dangerous reptiles that would nt separate one another.aiyyyyyyyyyoooo🐕🐃😉😉😉🐃🐕😉😉😉😉😉
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leelagemalli / October 18, 2021
General public
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– should be made clear that NPP are well disiplined and uncorrupted (lesser corrupted) sofar – media to paint a devilish picture about JVP should also stop…. for the sake of the nation.
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They dont cheat people by using bang wagen filled with FAKE MONKS and decorative animals in order to twist the mind set of the voters
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Nor have the JVPrs ever bribed to any organisations in order to grab power
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Nor have they themselves as Parliamentarians abused the funds allocated to them.
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Compared to big giants and other smaller parties, JVPrs fulfil all what PEOPLE could expect.
.
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SJ / October 18, 2021
A
Keep up the entertainment.
U R never rong!
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Ajith / October 18, 2021
SJ,
……………………………………
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SJ / October 21, 2021
Excellent comment for someone stuck for words.
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Sinhala_Man / October 18, 2021
I agree, Ajith.
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These are the Rajapaksa strategies to make us feel inadequate. Let’s not feel guilty about our own occasional typos. I sent my earlier comment from my mobile phone and I see two obvious typos there, and there may be more here.
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Similarly, when I read your comment, I knew what you meant, but there may be other readers who carry away the general impression of our hopelessness in the face of corruption by all politicians. Don’t worry; I’ve got your meaning – I’ve read “anything” in your first line as “nothing”, and I’m in total agreement with what you say.
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Our problem is with the Rajapaksas, and possibly with Ranil Wickremasinghe. Others? Yes, but we may not know enough to go into the details.
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See how Noor Nizam (self-identified as a Rajapaksa stooge) has used your comment – to be fair before he would have seen mine. Eagle Eye has had two comments aborted by the moderators.
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Don’t worry! By addressing each other affably, we’re outwitting them.
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tbc
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Sinhala_Man / October 18, 2021
Continuing . . .
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I must make a comment here (apart from what I submitted a few minutes ago):
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/sajeewa-chamikara-9-october-2021/
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where Upatissa Pethiyagoda seems to unwittingly weaken the opposition to the Rajapaksas; and also here:
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/in-defence-of-the-jvp/
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where it is more difficult not to apportion blame. You see, this young man writes very carefully, and he is quite intelligent.
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However, the greater dangers lurk in the countless Sinhala (and Tamil? – probably not) Youtubes that appear. I firmly repudiate all that ask us to spoil our vote, using a variety of specious arguments. Sepal Amarasinghe is one such, and he has succeeded in seducing Nagananda Kodituwakku, who I feel is honest. Usually these fellows try to win us with “honest trifles.”
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Panini Edirisinhe of Bandarawela
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Sinhala_Man / October 18, 2021
Correction :
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I’m sorry, I’ve given the wrong connection (above) to the Upatissa Pethiyagoda article which seems to dismiss the NPP (with the JVP forming its core), introduced by these words: “I must make a comment here (apart from what I submitted a few minutes ago):”
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It should have been:
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/the-depth-of-disappointment/
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Having said that I must stop for this morning (Lankan time)
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nimal fernando / October 18, 2021
When would the real Sinhala-Buddhists realise ………that the minorities in the guise of “Sinhala-Buddhists” – Tamil Bandaranayakes and Muslim Rajapakses – are making it impossible for the Sinhala-Buddhists to live in their own country!
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“Sinhala-Buddhism” has nothing to do with Buddha! …….. It’s a blooming mental-sickness ……. there is no cure ……… EE, Soma, …… people who are afflicted with it will make even frigging Sigmund Freud climb walls; go insane!
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Ah, the human theatre! I’m beginning to enjoy this!!
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GATAM / October 18, 2021
Rajapaksas will not touch any TNA MP. The more the TNA arouses racism the better it is for Rajapaksas. They both have a live and let live agreement.
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leelagemalli / October 18, 2021
Their usual excuse has been… it happens also in developed world. a few days ago, one law maker in conservative party was stabbed to death in UK.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSoebSZ9zaU..
However, I dont think that court cases are being interfered by politicians in EUrope. We noticed, how many times Italian leaders were jailed. So is the nature in UK and Germany. Germany is even stronger than in UK.
Srilanken systems are made so that politicians and court authorities work together. If POliticians are blamed, why not court authorities are blamed in the same time ? Those judges and lawyers obtained their education thanks to free education. Most living in SL, dont know that PEOPLE finance their education. Doctors and Lawyers dont care much about the truths. This has lot do to with the culture maintained for decades. Even if those JUDGES are not doing their job, they are called ” Nadu hamuduruwo”… my gosh.. all the reveal not only Ranjan but also we should all stand against corrupted court behaviours.
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I have the feeling that INVISIBLE and DIVINE forces protect Rajapakshes for some reasons. Might well be they have bribed even gods… R PREMADASA was caught by a bomb as a result of his records, but MARA to remain? there I become helpless about DIVINE forces ..
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Noor Nizam / October 17, 2021
I fully support Ajith’s comments/opinion and this should be done without hesitation. But the two evils of democracy in Sri Lanka, the most deceptive and opportunistic and corrupt Sinhala politicians Rajitha Senaratne and Champika Ranawaka should be defenitely brought before the “Rule-of-Law”, exposed and punished severely and their “CIVIC RIGHTS” should be withdrawn for 25 years. This will bring peace and harmony to the country, our Nation and our “Maathrumoomiya”.
Noor Nizam – Peace and Political Activist, Political Communications Researcher, SLFP/SLPP Stalwart, Convener “The Muslim Voice” and Member “Viyathmaga”.
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leelagemalli / October 17, 2021
Noor Nizam,
Viyathmage of incumbent government are dogs.. no further proofs would be necessary..
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I am not a fan of any politician in my home country but I truly believe if Rajitha remained as the minister of health, not even 500 would die by Covid.. Seetha aeamawella, muttihami, avajathaka Jayasumana, hora godagewa did nothing nu got their cases be exonerated.
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Now I dare to say that good governance govt did a good job, until polonnaruwa donkey was caught by mafia boss and his tactics for destruction of UNP and JVP. TODAY WE SHOULD ALL SUPPORT NPP, BECAUSE WE DONT WANT RAJAPAKSHES LOOT AND SUCK LAST BLOOD DROP OF OUR INNOCENT PEOPLE.🐃🐕🐃🐕🐃🐕🐃🐕🐃
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Mallaiyuran / October 17, 2021
Noor, if write in Arabic I cannot understand. What do you mean by “our “Maathrumoomiya”. HE HE HE HE HE………
Please don’t write in Latin either…… What you mean by “Rule-of-Law” ….. Rajitha Senaratne and Champika Ranawaka should be defenitely brought before the “Rule-of-Law”, exposed and punished severely and their “CIVIC RIGHTS” should be withdrawn for 25 years. Did you mean Aanduwa’s entertainment room 4th floor, by “Rule of law”?
Did you meet Rishard after the bail? If so congratulations! Let me tell you a short story of Ranil. To save Royals, he set wedge to all and cheated all. Then broke the sluice door thinking that nobody would be seeing him. But the water has wiped out not just him, but even the UNP and UNP’s acolytes like Rishard, Hakeem, without anybody seeing them. So, if Allah’s grace is there, we would be lucky to come and bail you out in Trinco one day.
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SJ / October 18, 2021
NN
You are even funnier than A.
Keep it up.
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Ajith / October 18, 2021
Noor Nizam,
Where is the rule of law? It was dead completely long time ego? If there is a rule of law, the first thing is to punish Mahinda Rajapaksa and their family because they robbed this nation.
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Eagle Eye / October 17, 2021
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leelagemalli / October 17, 2021
Thanks making it short! Rajapakshe saranan gachchcamiiii!!!😡😡😡😡😡😡😡
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Tamil from the north / October 17, 2021
Eagle ‘clown’ Eye, your comments are always right to the point and brief, thanks
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Eagle Eye / October 17, 2021
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ramona therese fernando / October 17, 2021
Nothing done on the Easter massacre, though.
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The Opposition should now take the golden chance to group together and form their own committee to counter prosecute the Rajapaksas…..but guess with the military junta in place, that would be an impossibility. Where is the JVP uprising, at least, in all of this? Are they only good for torturing innocent university students?
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Tamil from the north / October 18, 2021
Eagle ‘dumbo’ Eye, you have done it again. Brilliant, thanks for keeping it brief.
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Simon / October 17, 2021
I welcome this “Special Presidential Commission” headed by Priyantha Jayawardane and the “Special Team” that includes Additional Solicitor General Rohana Jayasuriya who “Assisted” the “Pissu Poosa” Commission. The “Police Team” to be “Picked” up to assist is yet to be named. Undoubtedly ALL of them would be “Elite” members of the “Pissu Poosa Club”.
To make my comment very short- It would be “HARA-KIRI” for “Rajapakse & Co.” That is an invitation to put on the “Thinking Cap” for the “Literate Club”
For my “Kadamandiya Club” – It would be – “Deli Pihiyen Kiri Kema” ( To eat curd with the Razor Blade)I will discuss that with the “Club” shortly and report back.
So let us “BEGIN THE GAMES”.
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Jayasiri Samarakoon / October 17, 2021
Justice Jayawardena delivered some good judgments. In 2018 he agreed with the other judges and held that Sirisena’s dissolution of Parliament was unconstitutional. However, things changed after the 2019 Presidential elections. His separate judgement giving the OK for the entire 20th Amendment was very disappointing. He even said that the immunity of the President can be restored. Fortunately, the majority said that it cannot be done without going for a referendum and so, people are able to challenge acts of the President. Justice Jayawardena should not be a party to the vicious plans of the Rajapaksas. He has the potential to be Chief Justice and must try to become a CJ acceptable to all. Otherwise, he will become another Mohan Peris.
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MyView / October 19, 2021
….”He has the potential to be Chief Justice “….
Woe be that day.
If someone of the stature of the judge of the SC does acts in a way, not consistent with the expected norms of the position he holds, how can one trust that person will in future NOT ACT in the same way for personal interests.
It is this keeping this blind faith in political parties and individuals, even after being let down, that has been the bane of Sri Lanka.
If the educated act this way, can one expect the average voter to exercise discernment in whom to vote.
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Buddhist1 / October 18, 2021
Get ready, people are going to come onto the streets. Every single trade union other than Rajapakse slaves will be on the road. We have seen this happening when Italy tried the same tactic in their colonies before those countries kicked the Italian Govt out. Rajapakses get ready to leave the country soon. Remember also what happened to Gadafi!
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soma / October 18, 2021
What the citizens should be worried about is whether the accusations are true or false.
Now don’t come and tell me that previous governments too are guilty of similar or greater offences.
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Soma
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soma / October 18, 2021
We should be happy that fighting among the crooks will result in at least a few of them get injured.
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Soma
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Native Vedda / October 18, 2021
soman
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If Hindia and China chose to fight a nuclear war in Sri Lanka without any prior warnings what should the innocent civilians do to protect themselves?
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Could you have a word with Shavendra and Kamala Gunaratne find out if there is a evacuation Procedures that we all must follow?
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Have got a spare nuclear bunker near your house?
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soma / October 18, 2021
Reminds me of your Thalaivar’s bunker.
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Soma
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Native Vedda / October 18, 2021
Native Vedda
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“Reminds me of your Thalaivar’s bunker.”
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Seriously, I was told your brethren Psycho Thalaivar spent most of his adult life in bunker, physical as well as mental, like Mahinda, Gota, …..
However in your’s and your fellow Sinhala/Buddhists case you have been living in mental bunker since the advent of Annagarika Homeless Dharmapala.
You haven’t answered my request.
Do you think you have cleverly dealt with my very important life or death question?
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soma / October 19, 2021
Native
When others were swimming in Nandikadal you were hiding in Thalaivar’s Bunker, weren’t you?
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Soma
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Native Vedda / October 20, 2021
soman
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“When others were swimming in Nandikadal you were hiding in Thalaivar’s Bunker, weren’t you?”
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How stupid can you be.
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Had I been hiding inside your brethren’s bunker he would have committed suicide long ago or sought refuge in English Speaking countries not that he is fluent in English.
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Luckily he survived thanks to you lot.
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Go check Native Vedda’s comment to DBS Jeyaraj, Canadian Tamil, Economists, Sri Lanka Guardian, ………………….. .
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Do you think VP’s b***s carriers would have allowed me to?
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Why you lot find it difficult to raise interesting questions or make clever comments?
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You should free your mind from all your silly thoughts.
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Thiha / October 18, 2021
The Problem is not the crooked judges or the Kangeroo courts or the Rajapkshe’s who created both. The problem is with the 6.9 million idiots. They live on a daily diet of Ada De-rena and Hiru the local equivalent of America’s FOX News. Maybe Jayaweera can convince old scoundrel Rupert to buy his shit channel and make a fortune one of this days. Anyway these Sinhalese Buddhist have no concept of right and wrong. Cannot tell the difference between a good government and a government of rogues and imbeciles screwing them to the wall day in and day out. The Rajapakshe’s know they can use these crude nasty machinations and blast them thru their media channels and convince the 6.9 million idiots to vote for them all over again. By the way there is no pact between RW and MR. What is there is gratitude by MR towards RW for saving his arse from the gallows. If there is one good quality of MR is that he has what is called humanity towards a person who helped him in a difficult situation. It is also called quid pro quo. It goes a long way.
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Eagle Eye / October 18, 2021
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MyView / October 18, 2021
I am not so sure about…
“…..If there is one good quality of MR is that he has what is called humanity towards a person who helped him in a difficult situation….”
Marchiavelli (prudent rulers should shed moral scruples, adopting whatever means are necessary to preserve their state) Rajapakse is not that saintly. He undercut VP after getting his support, may on the basis that when he paid money to VP through Alles and RADA, his obligation was over.
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deepthi silva / October 18, 2021
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SJ / October 18, 2021
When a report starts with “It is reliably understood” one should noter the volume of unreliability that underlies ir.
What is the evidence that “the groundwork has been laid to move against Opposition leader”?
*
I do not rule out the likelihood of the event.
But there are options for cultured journalism in place of such ‘reliably understood’ stories which are mostly figments of imagination.
Kindly separate fact from opinion from fantasy.
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