Chairman Derana group of companies Dilith Jayaweera speaking at the opening of a book launch openly confessed that he took over the Chairman post of Derana to prevent himself from going to jail.
A shocked member of the audience speaking to Colombo Telegraph questioned “Does it mean that there are conditions to prevent people from going to jail? I am confused. Does it mean media bosses are exonerated even though they break the law? Is it because politically they can be blackmailed thereafter to run elections campaigns and also cover up the sins of politicians? “
The Derana Chairman shockingly also went on to say that he also enjoys smoking a “joint” whenever he gets an opportunity, even though he reiterated that he is not addicted to it.
The phrase “Smoking a joint” that the Derana Chairman Jayaweera used is widely understood publicly in Sri Lanka, as smoking of cannabis.
Even though many countries in the world have legalized the smoking of cannabis, it is still prohibited and illegal in Sri Lanka and could possible send offenders to jail.
“I may be a Chairman of a big group of companies, but I also like to travel in a tuk tuk and eat at the famous wayside cafe Pilawoos,” Jayaweera went on to say.
The flamboyant Chairman of the Derana group Jayaweera elaborating further during his speech stressed on the importance of happiness. Finding happiness for many has now become a problem.
People find happiness in many ways he went on to say.
Some smoke cannabis, some like to get intoxicated from alcohol, whilst some like to find happiness whilst chatting with friends.
The greatest of happiness we can be derive from are the principles we can learn from the teachings from Siddhartha he went on to say.
However no where in Siddharta’s teachings is it ever mentioned that happiness can be derived from smoking of cannabis.
Earlier Jayaweera was investigated for stock market manipulation through the infamous pump and dump schemes by the FCID in 2015. But after the sacked former FCID boss DIG Ravi Waidyalankara began making “deals” with criminal and crooked elements of the Rajapaksa regime he concluded the case.
In 2015 the Colombo Magistrate’s Court ordered a full report on the controversial share transactions of then SEC Chairman Nalaka Godahewa, Dilith Jayaweera, Sarvajana Anandaraj Ameresekere and Varuni Amungama who is Jayaweera’s business partner at TRIAD and Derana. Jayaweera and several other high net worth investors are under scrutiny by various law enforcement agencies for alleged involvement in share price manipulation and insider trading at the Colombo Stock Exchange. A FCID case into alleged share manipulation by Citrus Leisure, the company headed by Jayaweera has been referred to the Attorney General as well as several other Securities and Exchange Commission related cases that have implicated the media boss. (By Janaka Ranaweera)
Amarasiri / March 30, 2019
Dreams TV Chairman,
So you are an addict?
Who sold you the drugs?
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M. Sajjad / March 30, 2019
Whatever, his honesty should be appreciated
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Real Revolutionist / March 30, 2019
Honestly he should step into prison.
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Sunil / April 1, 2019
Just make smoking cannabis legal like most developed countries so that our police can go after the real criminals. And we can use the extra tax from cannabis to pay back some of the countries loans…
Maybe then the police and lawyers will have more time to bring the Rajapaksas Criminal Network to justice!?
Why has nothing happened after all this time!?
Have deals been cut to protect them!?
Unacceptable we want this Government to deliver what it promises the citizens of this country or bring in international investigations and judges to do the job…
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Babalathappu / April 1, 2019
Brother Amarasiri.
what is the purpose of this article ? I really don tkno why CT gave publicity to this article ?
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There had been speculations that this bugger was complicit to have abused the black money earned by Rajaakshes… I can imagine this guy being from Galle, may have come to colombo to earn his living. But we all know that Derana is full blood media channel to Rajaapkshes rascals. During that 52 day period, they gave lot more publicity to Rajaakshes fully ignoring the real situation in the country.
:
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Annie de Silva / March 30, 2019
Sadly SL has become a “Shithole Country” as Trump puts it Thanks to all these Crooks we have in politics , & preach ” Siddharta’s teachings” Bloody A’holes… (& What A’holes we Sri Lankans Are)
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Amarasiri / March 30, 2019
Annie de Silva,
Annie of the forest, you are beginning to understand, Para-Sinhala Para-“Buddhist “ civilization and the differences with pristine Buddhism prince Sidharatha preached.
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Old codger / March 30, 2019
Hey CT,
Don’t be such an old nag. Let him have his ganja now and then. Let’s hope he tries something stronger too, like heroin. Tat should take him off the scene permanently. Maybe………….. all politicians should be given heroin free!
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Old codger / March 30, 2019
Hey CT,
Don’t be such an old nag. Let him have his ganja now and then. Let’s hope he tries something stronger too, like heroin. Tat should take him off the scene permanently. Maybe…………. all politicians should be given heroin free!
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Jambu / March 30, 2019
It makes sence. There is some basic entry criteria to understand the pure version of Buddha Dhamma. Not the one used by 99% of the people in the island. The pure one as arisen from the ashes but only a few can understand the doctorine. The Ada Derana chairman is in the camp left out.
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kolla / March 30, 2019
In the paradise for crooks who will cast the first stone ?
Pro Ranil lobby is saying that Ranil’s brilliant plans are being scuttled by Sirisena and that is why things are falling apart for this government !
As far as the people see only the brilliant Bond scam was scuttled ( to some extend ) by Sirisena. Had he not intervened Mahendran would still be the governor of the central bank and every thing would be fine for the old Royalists who lurk around the 5th lane.
What other “development ” scheme planned by Ranil has been scuttled by the President ?
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Sena / March 30, 2019
Oh holy shit, how dire these dirty elements shamelessly refer themselves to the Greatest Noble teacher of all – Lord Buddha. They haven’t practiced even a micron amount of his noble ways. They have only one thing, dirty money, earned in dirty ways but they are utterly shame to the country and the world.
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tha Prasudy Sittampalam / March 30, 2019
Attempting to run this article. Perhaps you would?
Legalising cannabis: lawmakers, hurry!
Sri Lankan law makers must act immediately before the $13 billion global market for legal cannabis – for medicinal and recreational use- runs away from us. The Gold Rush of the new millennium is upon us!
Cannabis is banned by law in Sri Lanka and users treated like criminals, fined when caught and often sentenced to jail terms. But if cannabis use is a crime, who are its victims? For it to carry such harsh punishments, someone or something must be hurt. The use of cannabis hurts no person, animal, property or society in the slightest. If that is so, why are smokers treated like criminals?
Unthinkingly, Sri Lanka still treats cannabis as a dangerous drug, without any evidence to support the assumption. Meanwhile, shackled by this archaic, arbitrary and unnecessary law Sri Lanka stands to lose its share of a US $65 billion market in the next five years alone!
The rest of the world on the other hand is quickly waking up to its incredible potential to develop entire economies.
In the last 10 years, countries decriminalizing cannabis has continued to rise sharply. So has the size of the legal cannabis market!
California alone made US$ 2.75 billion in 2016. Canada just legalized cannabis for recreational use, shooting demand through the roof; actually more than it can grow currently. Asian countries are right now girdling up to exploit the immensely profitable legal cannabis market. Hurry! Law makers! Before the global market runs away from us.
For Sri Lanka, cannabis may be a lifesaver. Growing legal cannabis
commercially not only boosts the economy by leaps and bounds, it does it without harming the ecology, like many heavy industries do. And our climate is just right for it.
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Jambu / March 30, 2019
The nature of mental stimulants is that the effects do not last. The Adrelenaine run takes a nose dive as soon as its over. Although it gives an impression it does. The best way is to stop depending on external simuli for anything. Its like chasing your own tail. You never win. It may not harm the ecology but will destroy minds. It will be criminal to give young ones the wrong example.
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Lapatiya / March 30, 2019
Smoking cannabis is allowed in “Gotabaya Rajapaksha Nikaya” Followers of Gotabaya Rajapaksha can do anything after smoking cannabis like manipulation of stock market, distribution of “mud’ through the media, poisoning poor mass by distorting facts etc. His boss, Gota also operated white van company, killing and abducting Journalists and opponents, directing Rathupaswella shooting etc. ordered possibly under the influence of cannabis. The way his media running it is also possible that his media fellows are also following their Boss.
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DPJ / March 30, 2019
In the known history of Sri Lanka, there are only a handful of highly successful honest businessmen who had started from scratch. Among them Angulugaha Gamage Hinni Appuhamy of Maliban fame and Hema Komanage Dharmadasa of Nawaloka Group of Industries are the most outstanding and prominent. The so called Dilith and Dhammika of Rs.500 taken from home fame, who are supposed to be successful businessmen are not of that category. Hinni Appuhamy or Dharmadasa did not use the shameful pump and dump method at the CSE. They did not either use Gota’s infamous ill-earned Mig deal monies in the Securities Market. They did not take EPF monies surreptitiously to invest in the securities market with the help of Mahida Rajapaksha family. So Dilith it will take several more generations for you to come clean.
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Nosey Parker / March 30, 2019
DPJ
AG Hinniappuhami didn’t create his empire by using political influence. The other gentleman you have named was extremely close to very important politicians and exploited those connections for personal gain . No comparison at all .
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Badr / March 30, 2019
This fellow has ss turned out to be a racist simply because he has been ‘ordered’ to give wide publicity to promote racism and Sinhala nationalism by those who were in power and hope to capture soon. There should be a random hard drug check on this chap.
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Sammy / March 30, 2019
Cannabis oil, though illegal in Sri Lanka, is supposed to be good for health & treating cancer but not in “smoked” format. Addiction to anything is not good.
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Yahapalanaya / March 30, 2019
Wasn’t this guy together with Godahewa accused of stock market manipulation and what happened to that case? It is suspected that part of Rajapakses black money has been converted into white money through his business ventures.
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Mokade badu / March 30, 2019
This guy is rajapaksha stooge and the money he made sucks. A suckarse of the highest type.
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Pygmalion / March 30, 2019
Amunagamas are also in the same Pigsty of characters like Jayaweera. Jayawewa!
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Champa / March 30, 2019
This is an utterly disgusting statement by a Cannabis addict, demeaning Buddhism.
Dilith Jayaweera is a disgrace to a civilized community.
There is no similarity between attaining Enlightenment (by a Buddha) and inhaling Cannabis.
Enlightenment is self-realization.
According to Lord Buddha, if one can detach one’s self from pleasing thoughts and displeasing thoughts, he can make his mind neutral.
For example: Practicing “Aanaapaanasati Bhavana” (mindfulness of breathing).
“Aanaa” is like bringing in good thoughts like compassion or kindness.
“Paana” is like removing bad thoughts, like, longingness, hatred, clinginess or antipathy. Practicing Aanaapaanasati builds mindfulness and concentration.
The path to Enlightenment is practicing the Noble Eightfold Path which is divided into three categories; Seela (ethical conduct), Samadhi (mental discipline), and Pragna (wisdom).
How could one even think of comparing the Enlightenment of Gauthama Buddha with sniffing Cannabis?
His statement should be denounced by all Buddhists.
Dilith Jayaweera owes an apology to Buddhists, even though he may have made this statement under the influence of Cannabis.
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Jambu / March 30, 2019
Well, I agree with you mostly. Although, when you said.
“Aanaapaanasati Bhavana” (mindfulness of breathing).”
I must say this is absolutely wrong. Click on my name above for more info.
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Champa / March 30, 2019
Jambu
You can say here, why it is wrong.
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Champa / March 30, 2019
Jambu
“Aanapaanasati” is the basic meditation I learnt as a kid, even before I started going to school.
When I first learnt Bhavana from a grand-aunt, she told me that while meditating Aanapaanasati, if I heard a noise, I should concentrate on the noise and be mindful of the noise until it stops and then get back to breathing meditation. The aim of this Bhavana is practicing concentration on what you are doing.
In simple, it is about inhaling and exhaling. it is similar to taking oxygen to your lungs which is good and breathing out carbon dioxide which is bad. You add good habits to your life and eliminate the bad.
As I said you can explain why you think what I said is absolutely wrong.
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Jambu / March 31, 2019
Champa,
I hope you clicked on my name above and read the post there first. That will set the stage for what I am about to say to you next.
What you say was indeed the practse but its a flawed method. Please bear with me and read the post. I will describe how the Ana-Pana itself was described wrong in another post there later.
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Champa / April 1, 2019
Jambu
If I click your name, only I will see what you have to say.
Therefore, please reply on CT so that everybody can see your reply.
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jambudipa / April 1, 2019
Champa,
I am not planning to have a love affair with you. It’s not a private messaging thing.
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Champa / April 1, 2019
jambudipa
Learn to talk to the point. Let me remind you the topic.
You said what I said about Aanapaanasati Bhavana is absolutely wrong.
I invited you to prove. You didn’t. Instead you asked me to click your name. Why should I do that?
You challenged me. Now it is your turn to explain your position. I don’t see any reason to go elsewhere to find your answer.
You have posted 3 comments already, but there is nothing about your objection to my view on Aanapaanasati.
You first said what I said was ABSOLUTELY WRONG.
Then you said, “what I said was indeed the practice but its a FLAWED method.”
What am I to think? I didn’t challenge you. It is you who did that.
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Jambu / April 1, 2019
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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Siri abeygooneratne / March 30, 2019
Appreciate your comments be honest is very important but do you,? Derana channel political party newspaper pro Rajapaksha you are with Duminda Silva’ group too how you earned so much money on Short period
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JD / March 30, 2019
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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JD / March 30, 2019
US Legalized Cannabis and lost the game. Canada made it legal for specific people. Unlike Sri lanka whose followers are buddhists, Non-buddhist countries have so many mental patients who need Cannabis to escape their MENTAL CONDITION. Drugs, and Mental conditions are most common here in the developed world.
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K.Pillai / March 30, 2019
Chairman Derana group of companies Dilith Jayaweera speaking at the opening of a book launch openly confessed that he took over the Chairman post of Derana TV group of companies to avoid languishing in jail.
No wonder Derana TV gets all that advertising income!
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Dilith Jayaweera sermonises “Some smoke cannabis, some like to get intoxicated from alcohol, whilst some like to find happiness whilst chatting with friends”.
“…….chatting with friends” before, during or after a ‘joint’.
.
After reading the CT short brief on Dilith’s past and present, we, layLankans, know why we are stuck.
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Good Sense / March 30, 2019
The fundamental is that if you break the law you must pay. That is exactly the thing that does not work whether it was MR times or MY3+RW times. However shocking the revelation is there is a silver lining for the keen observer willing to investigate into drug trafficking. Now drugs of all sorts are caught in a raid and in the recent past it is several hundreds of Kilograms. Now from the revelations of DJ can we conclude that consumers of hard drugs can be categorized into several grades just as much as Alcohol takers can be categorized into. The reason is that my gut feeling is that the intended end drug taker of all the drugs that were found in the country and had not been seized may not be Sri Lankans. Thus we can estimate how many drug users, categorized depending on the drug/s that is taken, the frequency, whether an addict or not etc. Having done a census/estimate or even a guestimate we can target the takers and wean them. We may even introduce some laws from Singapore and Dubai to strengthen our laws. Had the Dubai law prevailed here DJ must be sent to jail for having it in the blood.
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K A Sumanasekera / March 31, 2019
He is a cool Dude… Good on ya mate..
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You are doing a fab job at Derana , looking after the interests of the great majority who didn’t have any Digital Media Exposure for a long long time.
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I love your programs specially the ones where your boys and girls ask the hard questions from the Liars , Cheats and even Kudu Mudalais who give us Yahapalanaya .
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Have a Joint mate, It is good for you.
Western countries have made it Legit to grow your own , only for your own consumption. because it is now a part of Medical Treatment for certain conditions.’
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Srilanka can’t do it I suppose , with so many Politicians depending on Mush’s Kerala Herb Corporation..
BTW,
Is Dr Ranil’s UNP Minister of Jokes Wig Ranjan, still going after the Kudu Members in Kotte?… .
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BalaN / March 31, 2019
Dear CT,
It seems you working for the tobacco industry is proven again. Cannabis is owned by the big tobacco. Why you all want to highlight it is probably money. Allowing paid commentators to do the rest is your favourite technique. Be ashamed of yourself.. Drop cannabis and you won’t see any major change of the emphasis of the story. This man is corrupt. That’s all.
Best
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Duleep Perera / April 1, 2019
So the main promoter of killer Gotabaya Rajapaksa
is now self confessed druggie.
The man who moulds public opinion
through Derana TV channel is a self confessed
druggie
What more do Sri Lankans need to know about
this wheeler dealer?
Of all things, he wants to contest on the SLPP ticket
for Rathgama.
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nandaratane weragoda / April 1, 2019
what a big deal these people are making of this ‘having a joint’ comment. for one thing, this guy doesn’t refer to having cannabis. even if he refers to that, what’s the big deal. our people really know how to go on a trip on some small thing.
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TMA / April 3, 2019
So basically he’s saying that he smokes a joint and follows the path of Buddha
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prashan / April 3, 2019
The real Happiness arise from in side of the people. There is a big gap bet ween happiness and money . that is core point that i got from this peach. Our people always going to catch the wrong end. it doesn’t matter what ever he drink or smoke that is his personal life.
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justice / April 5, 2019
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/cannabis-the-facts/
Information about Cannabis is here.
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