Openly President Gotabaya Rajapaksa supporter Chathura Alwis of Derana TV was unwittingly exposed last Tuesday (31) when several racist slurs hurled at Muslims were inadvertently aired during a break in the political talkshow – Wadapitiya.
Chathura Alwis
The Wadapitiya talkshow was attended by Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage – who too had been caught in making a racist comment just a few days back, immediate former State Minister of Tourism Promotion Affairs Arundika Fernando from the government side and former MPs Buddhika Pathirana (UNP) and Wasantha Samarasinghe (JVP) from the opposition ranks. It is not confirmed whether ExMP Pathirana was present when the racist comments were made although the presence of the other three politicos are verified beyond doubt.
Concerns arise as to why the two politicians from the United National Party (UNP) and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)- two parties which have fervently portrayed themselves as antiracist, anti-extremist; failed to condemn such abhorrent, unethical and reprehensible actions of the TV anchor and Minister Aluthgamage.
“Now I should be paid for allowing this to be said,” quipped Alwis, who is known to make many racist slurs against the Muslims before, but surprisingly had been promoting as an inclusive individual in the face of the public during recent months.
To which Minister Aluthgamage mentions about statistics possibly relating to figures of Covid-19 patients and deaths arising from the Muslim community.
“19 out of 20 found (on 31st)” added Aluthgamage implying that they were Muslims. (However Sinhalese still make up majority of the 148 Covid-19 patients so far, as at 12 noon)
“Definitely we must attack…. I had a chance to attack during the morning show with that….. Otherwise this won’t do”
“Even Bimal (Of the JVP) has criticized it saying that there was no burial and it was wrong. Is it inaccurate?” he asks exMP Samarasinghe from the JVP.
“No that is fake,” replies Samarasinghe.
“If I am asked whether the Ulema Organisation (in reference to ACJU- the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama – the apex religious body of Islamic theologians in Sri Lanka) has taken a decision (on the burial / cremation issue) I will tell I don’t care whether its Ulema or Hanuma even”
“I saw Upul Shantha Sannasgala’s post,” says Alwis.
“When I went for the meeting with Director General this (cremation) issue came up. We brought the Chief JMO (Judicial Medical Office) Dr Ruwanpathirana was called in….” said former State Minister Fernando.
“He has thoroughly refused,” claimed Alwis.
“You can’t deal with Muslims,” replies Minister Aluthgamage, who in the middle of fierce anti-Muslim attacks in the run up to 2019 November Presidential Elections promised a Muslim school in the Kandy city and ensured that Muslims would be safeguarded in the event they were able to increase the Muslim percentage of votes cast for Gotabaya Rajapaksa from 10% to 20%.
“In Dharga Town, when the procession was ordered to be called off, they (Muslims) distributed alms-giving from a vehicle,” says Samarasinghe who is affiliated to the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) which portrays itself as an antiracist, anti-extremist Marxist party.
“WHO guidelines (on disposing of bodies) were earlier published on our web. Now it is removed. In vain we published that. Why should we publish that? We should have published our own (guidelines),” Alwis questions, affirming that the Rajapakasa regime did allow even burials in principal at the beginning.
Experts are raising questions as to whether Alwis is a medical professional to discern on the approach to be taken over Covid-19 deaths.
“You can’t dig eight feet to bury in the Negombo beach,” added exMinister Fernando.
“No those are irrelevant. Saw what (Russian President Vladimir) Putin said?” question the JVP politico, siding with Alwis and Aluthgamage.
“Now it’s over…. This time they (Muslims) will have to understand that they can’t jiggle… ”
WHO (World Health Organisation) guidelines say coronavirus victims may be either cremated or buried and is practiced that way the world over. However the first was hurriedly removed and the second guidelines allow burials only.
Earlier too Minister Aluthgamage went on Derana TV trying to prove a surreal correlation between Muslims and Corona (https://twitter.com/i/status/1245638663595102209)
Interestingly the Tuesday’s episode has not been put on Youtube like all other previous talkshows. It is learnt that the advertising revenue of Derana too like many other TV channels has been badly hit by the Covid-19 Crisis and have very few commercials to be aired at present.
Alwis was referring to Sri Lanka’s second coronavirus victim – a 64 year- old who was receiving treatment at the Negombo General Hospital, who was cremated on 30 March against the urging from the Muslim community. Racist campaigns attacks on social media against Islam heightened after the deceased was found out to be a Muslim.
Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Leader former MP Rauff Hakeem condemning remains of a Muslim were cremated against the teachings of the Islamic faith. The ExMinister in a post on Facebook last Tuesday said the government’s action was “unfortunate, regrettable and of course reprehensible,” making him the subject of chagrin of many pages supporting President Rajapaksa.
Earlier Dr. Anil Jayasinghe went on none other than Derana TV explaining that the Ministry of Health guidelines did allow burial beyond eight feet or cremation under the supervision of JMO, Medical Officer of Health (MOH) and Public Health Inspector (PHI) (https://twitter.com/i/status/1245579999798681600 )
However legal experts say that Alwis’ comments and action of Derana TV in vicarious capacity, tantamount to intention to incite violence against minorities in breach of International Covenant for Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) of 2007, which criminalises advocacy of “national, racial, or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, the hostility of violence”.
Netizens enraged by the racist slurs condemned both the TV anchor and the channel.
Afra Nawaz
@AfraNawaz2
“Shame on derana and shame on chathura, first learn the ethic of journalism. Don’t create racism.”
Arkam Ismail@ArkamIsmail “@AzzamAmeen The Real face of the uneducated Racists Media and The Uneducated Politicians. Chathura @adaderanaUseless Aluthgamage”
Sahad@ShahadRismy
“Chathura and Mahindananda convo.”The WHO circular has some hidden loopholes for them (WHO allowing to bury), JMO took it away from the website as soon as they could””Why can’t we make our own circulars and upload?”What makes you all so happy on denying rights of another ?”
Oshala Herath@OshalaHerath· “Derana TV journalist, Chatura de Alwis, who handles the media on a racial basis, should be arrested under the ICCPR law. @GotabayaR@PresRajapaksa@KaruOnline@RW_UNP”
Sanjana Hattotuwa@sanjanah· “හැතිකරේ’ trending on #Facebook a proxy indicator of things very quickly going down the proverbial පල්ලම්, esp. in relation to communal relations in #srilanka. Anti-Muslim rhetoric already virulant & widespread. I know this pattern. It doesn’t lead to anything good. #lka
Just hours before the controversial talkshow Alwis posted this on his Facebook page.
“Joining in Sri Lanka’s battle against COVID-19 and aware of the negative health and economic impact it will have, Akbar Brothers has pledged Rs. 100 million through a number of relief measures to ensure that its employees and the local community are sustained and supported during this difficult time. Akbar Brothers has pledged Rs. 50 million to the COVID-19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund initiated by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. In its continued efforts to serve the people of Sri Lanka, the company affirmed its involvement in the construction of the New Health Centre in Chilaw. Additionally an emergency response entailing food supplies, medical equipment and other replenishments has been organised for all is employees. Relief packages including dry rations have been distributed among the workers and the local community including temples, churches, mosques and those in need around the vicinity. The Board of Directors of Akbar Brothers said it was deeply grateful and proud of the unwavering cooperation of its staff and management for adhering to safety measures and hygiene protocol and that it was fully committed to its civic duty as a responsible corporate citizen of this country.”
rohani samath / April 3, 2020
Chathura Alwis go ‘kade’ like many others and then lament later. By then
you would have lost all. Foolish man guard your tongue don’t get cursed.
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Amila W / April 3, 2020
Chatura holds talk-shows up until close to 2 AM. Then reads main newspaper coverage at around 6.30 AM, I guess. Then again comes in Lokaya Saha Lokayo. Then he becomes a news anchor. Then a guy is doing Travel with Chatura and many other shows.
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The guy is hardworking, but I don’t call it professionalism or journalism or he is a journalist. He is just an enthusiastic casual & exploited worker ready to do anything his Channel asks him to do, and we ever expect a casual laborer to do professional masonry?
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With all these qualities, don’t expect something special from this guy who is just a coolie, and probably this leaked video is a setup to cover up or divert on various things going on.
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Radical Ideas / April 6, 2020
Amila, wonderful description about CHATURA. No other word is necessary….
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renu / April 3, 2020
Was this fellow Chatura labeled “Sinhala Buddhist” when his mother delivered him to the world by any chance? , As a journalist get the basics right .Nobody comes with a label only Myths & Stories that categorize you to different sects and religions. He generally exposes his absolute ignorance as he is totally partisan
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Gos / April 3, 2020
This is a total misinterpretation of what was said. U should be ashamed of yourselves for trying to stir up racist hatred by telling a host of lies as always. Aluthgamage was referring to gatherings at mosques despite govt warning about ppl gathering outside during curfew time. He said this while trying to explain that he asked priests to refrain from doing so and Alwis at that moment said should he be referring to Muslims as it could be interpreted just the way this news item has done ! Stop making capital out of a harmless but true reference to disobeying curfew rules. All who try to gain political or racist capital out of this dangerous pandemic situation are scum !
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Shakeeb / April 3, 2020
If they are clean and have no issues then why would Derana remove and report any post containing that clip in social media.
The WHO guidelines for disposal of the deceased which included the methodology for burial and cremation was in the Sri Lankan web until the first Muslim death and suddenly voila it gone…
And that clearly got exposed in this clip
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Radical Ideas / April 6, 2020
Rajapakse and the GOVIGAMA MAFIA RULING ELITE gangsters trying every opportunistic event or a moment to capitalise it for their 10 decades long WAR ON ISLAM ( from 1915). The anagarika’s evil teachings is used by the GOVIGAMA ELITE criminals from the D. S. Senanayake times to somehow fulfill all the EVIL Commandments Anagarika handed over to them to be implemented as and when they get a chance. The Genocide against the Muslims is still pending and the Racist gangs are working with MODI/BJP/RSS criminality to work on a proper plan to do it in their usual decades old PROFESSIONAL ways.
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Api Sri Lanka / April 3, 2020
Yes Sri Lanka can??? successfully divide our beautiful nation on racial lines. Let’s do it. Dilith and Varuni will you join me?
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Sam Ppanditha / April 3, 2020
So why did we fight with LTTE? They wanted to didide the country on ethnic lines?
Lets give North & part of East to LTTE, Negombo to Catholics and balance of East to Muslims and Buddhist the rest
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Ranjan / April 3, 2020
Disgusting comments, why do you want to compare the data whether they are muslims or Sinhalese they are all Sri Lankan’s. Talk about the Sri Lankan figures. This is a global crisis. Chatura, Mahindnanda , shame on you!
Very sad
RG Sri Lankan living in NZ
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Maghribi / April 3, 2020
What a surprise. Racism thrives and votes in politics.
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✍Fahim Knight / April 3, 2020
Peace be to you, nice to see you after such a long time
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zaru / April 3, 2020
I am prepared to die of corona instead of living in his racist country
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Goviya from the village / April 3, 2020
it appears that Sri Lanka is presently ruled by the Army Police and the GMOA together with two Media moguls Dilith Jayaweera from Derana and Renu Silva from Hiru. Common man on the streets have to gulp down all the fake news that is freely disseminated by these culprits. Chatura is the lap boy of Dilith and is well fed and kept at Derana for spreading fake news and supporting Gota’s Land!!!!!
Life in Lockdown Land and Gotler’s Land will be very difficult in coming months!!!!!!
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Kalu Nangi / April 3, 2020
Sri Lanka is a multi ethnic and multi religious country. It is mostly the Muslim community that brings much needed revenue to this country. Brandix and Akbar Bros have stepped in with magnanimous gestures. These stupid media coolies, having forgotten that, have gone back to their favorite past time of attacking minorities when all communities should work together peacefully to beat this pandemic. We will have to face serious economic issues in the very near future. Let us watch how the Government is going to overcome that without the support of all communities.
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rew / April 3, 2020
Great Pretender
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Nalini / April 3, 2020
Colombo telegraph always make mountain out of a mold and very anti Rajapaksa and always wrong facts are given to stir up trouble a,lung communities.I watched the programme and he pointed out to not to meant ion or bring other communities that will harm and cause problems.
In fact in my view Muslim community is non compliant to restrictions and causing major disaster.They severely held Jumna prayers,Also last person who passed away exposed many people to the virus .
Added to that ministers Hakeem and Badudeen now getting on the band wagon about cremations.Let the dead rest in peace and think about how to save the living before it is too late
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Mubarak / April 4, 2020
Don’t forget those who came from Italy are the first to spread in spite of the government showing them a proper quarantine method.
There’s no religious division here as Corona doesn’t consider on religious basis.
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Native Vedda / April 4, 2020
Nalini
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“Let the dead rest in peace and think about how to save the living before it is too late”
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Don’t you think in order to put the matter to rest the state, saffron brigade, security forces …. good for nothing people join hands to start a riots?
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They shouldn’t miss an opportunity.
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✍Fahim Knight / April 3, 2020
Special Message to The Entire Muslim Commuity of Sri Lanka
Including BORAHs
-‘xxxx
Please be very careful ,There are several groups who are working hard to create fear and hate in the hearts of Muslims against The President and PM once again.
The aim is to some how distance the Muslims from The Rajapakshes and create hate against the entire Community.
It is very disturbing at a time when the Corvid 19 patients have risen to 1 million and yet these groups are enjoying spreading hatred as if they have been chosen and their tomorrow is guaranteed.
However only if The Muslims respond these groups will succeed and keep on it
Because they know the emotions of Muslims.
My advice is if you are an emotional person who can not ignore social media racism , please deactivate all your accounts , especially FB and only share relevant information with regard to the Pandemic on WhatsAppmessenger.
Leave religous matters connected with Corvid 19 to be handled by Scholars , Imaams etc .Even if someone forward you any anti Muslim sentiment just delete it.
Finally I am.saying this with Responsibility ,The President or The PM will not do injustice to the Muslim community , but we need to let them deal with the Muslim leaders and need while we restrain.
And best not to respond to racist comments on CT either .just reply with what Bilal said when Khalid ibnu waleed agitated them, peace be to you and nothing else from now on.
Avoid watching any TV Channel that promotes hate and racism.
Please do not play into these groups hands , remember , every single incident of riots were due to Muslims playing into the hands of these groups.
At the moment The President & PM have their handful so please be patient , pstience will be rewarded
One of the best thing you can do is tell the FB to ban people who spread hate and racism and if they refuse just deactivate.
Peace be to you and AYUBOWAN
✍Fahim Knight
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✍Fahim Knight / April 3, 2020
Peace
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✍Fahim Knight / April 3, 2020
Peace be to you
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Badr / April 3, 2020
Racist Chatura, at least learn to close the door when you are shitting
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A p gunatilaka / April 3, 2020
Chatura is a mental pora as well as Sanka. They both are suffering from some mental illness. That is why they are always talking about deshanuragaya ape rata etc.people who talk so muh about these things are mental wrecks like these two idiots.
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Walli / April 3, 2020
Mr Chatura said nothing wrong. And this Colombo telegraph is clearly which published from London by exiled person named Uvindu Kurukulasooriya publish lot of garbage against this country and majority citizens. Chatura has the respect of entire nation apart from few traitorous
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Native Vedda / April 4, 2020
Little Willi
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“Mr Chatura said nothing wrong.”
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What Chatura said was right?
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“Chatura has the respect of entire nation apart from few traitorous”
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Do you really watch his programmes?
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“by exiled person named Uvindu Kurukulasooriya publish lot of garbage against this country and majority citizens. “
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We like those garbage, does it bother you, why don’t you try to get lost (p**s off)
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chiv / April 3, 2020
The only country to exploit any human tragedy , is our SILLY Lanka. Whats New?????? Previous history says was Easter exploited ???YES ( MS did), Tsunami ???? Yes (MR started a fund). Thirty years of war ???? YES almost every politician thrived on it. Plenty of money was made by politicians in all kind of deals (arms deal by GR, 10 % BR, MR,S generous LTTE donations) . Pogrom and such incident as Black July ???YES (JR did ) . Take a look at the participants and their charge sheets.
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WMFernando / April 3, 2020
Why nobody has a backbone to say cremation against burial as directed by “Allha” is not bad. Thinking burial as the only way for dispose of dead body is one’s foolishness and narrow mindset.
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✍Fahim Knight / April 3, 2020
@WM Fernando ,
Peace be to.you and to your family
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Anu Moh / April 3, 2020
Death of any human being causes great pain and distress to the families and the only thing left for them is to ensure a proper funeral. It is a matter of immense personal value to the family of the deceased and many Muslims would prefer the dead to be buried as religiously enshrined. (Faizer Mustafa)
WHO:
Burial
People who have died from COVID-19 can be buried or cremated.
Thats the wish of common moslems, it’s not against the WHO guidelines. If WHO had disallowed burial, then we’d have accepted it. Those who say that cremation is only way forward, they are talking on racial lines to hurt a community’s sentiment. They will be subjected to the curse but I hope that receive guidance to good thinking.
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Lanka Perera / April 3, 2020
We have to decide what is the best for our people. Buddhists and Hindus have been creating the dead bodies because it is the hygienic method of preventing infection. During small pox epidemic British made it mandatory to cremate all who died of it and Muslims obeyed the order without any protest because they knew what will happen if they flout the order. We do not have Sinhala politicians with back bone to tell Muslims off, and few of them who stand up to this nonsense of Muslims are being called racists. What curse are you talking about when guidance is being given on good thinking. Let Allah do anything, we have Buddha’s protection to ward it off.
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jehan / April 3, 2020
racist pig cannot change color. the mentality is low grade as the up bringing is low grade, the friends are low grade. the cycle continues. when in position of influence, low grade speeches. only thing to cover expensive cloths/ cars/ watched. still mentality low grade.
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Serry Junaid / April 3, 2020
This racist rant against Muslims has been going on forever not only by the Sinhalese but by all non Muslims they comment on the clothes we wear and many more things that we do behind our backs but when they speak to Muslims in person they act like angels. The best answer to all this hypocrisy is to ignore all these fools and just continue living and following the customs that we ar used to.
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Wild buffaloa / April 4, 2020
Islam, the only religion in the world to consider its followers a different race and ethnicity. That says something
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Buddhist / April 3, 2020
Supporters and those who oppose the comments shown in this article clearly show that the non-racists are higher than the racists. However, all those who are commenting and reading this article are educated. What about the uneducated? What are the educated doing in order to educate the others who cannot read English?
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jagath / April 3, 2020
chathura was explainig what is called sinhala buddhist view. He is a padeniya in media
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Nimal Tissa Wijethunga / April 3, 2020
Muslims clearly shows that they are racists and not belonging to Sri Lanka by raising objections to cremation of dead bodies due to corona virus on medical expert panel advise.
Rauf Hakeem as a bankrupt politician brought this to the attention just to improve his dwindling fortunes in an election and if Muslims wants, they can be sided with the bankrupt politicians rather than understanding the most challenging situation to the mankind ever facing in the history and action to contain it for the sake of masses of Sri Lanka is a Top Priority and above all other considerations including religiously connected as well.
Therefore, we as Sri Lankans expect everybody specifically minority Muslims to understand the situation and its demand for overriding all other consideration applicable under normal conditions show solidarity with all the others in the country in this grave situation.
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Charles Perera / April 3, 2020
This comment slandering Chatura Alwis as a racist is certainly made up by some one jealous of this excellent Journalist. I follow most of his reports, political as well as others, even religious reports and interviews. I find him a very objective sociable friendly and a well informed, enthusiastic journalist who tries to give the viewers a good correct and a serious report of facts. He infact told in one of these politicl debates that it is best not to mention the ethnicity of the Corona virus affected persons, as they should ll be treated eqully as victims of Covid-19. In fact there are concerns amoung some how its that some of these Corona Virus affected persons are Muslims who had come from India, Indonesia and Malasia. Infact there is an article in Lankaweb copied from Colombo Today writteb by M.Najeem that unknown to the police or any one there are Members of the Tawlid Jamad in Muslim villages who ion the night go from house to house preaching fundamantalist Muslim Religious teachings. They do it even during the Curfew as no body is there to control them. It is such a person who was taken from Atalugama in Bandaragama who was found to have been infected by the Covid-19. Asad Sally and Rauf Hakim must be in the know of these Muslim fundamalist teachers who go round infecting people. It is only if a Sinhala person makes a reference to a Muslim that he is called a Racist. But behind the words of these critics of Chathura Alwis are those trying to hide the MuslimTaufid Jamad activities in Sri Lankaa. These persons who falsely attacked Chathura Alwis as a racist, should be investigated by the police.
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walpola / April 3, 2020
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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Tb / April 3, 2020
THE BOTTOM LINE IS, DOUBLE-FACED, DOUBLE-TONGUED RACISTS HAVE GOT CAUGHT LITERALLY WITH THEIR ‘PANTS DOWN.’
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Thondamany / April 3, 2020
All who comment here are racist pigs stoking the fire at a time COVID has brought the entire world to its knees.
All comments are with hidden political agendas.
Nothing digest in Sri Lanka without political raking.
Sri Lankans are unable to focus anything of substance sans politics.
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jehan / April 3, 2020
chatura is a terrorist at this time in need for the country to pull together, what is this pig trying to archieve. Terrorist use different modes for objectives. This racist uses his media platform
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