19 March, 2024

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Did Bankruptcy Of Sinhala Language Help Push The Country Off The Cliff

By M. M. Janapriya –

Dr. M.M. Janapriya

For quite some time I have felt Sinhalese despite being a beautiful language in some instances seems to lack the wordpool necessary to give the exact meaning to a word it choses use. I say this with despair and dismay as I love my country and my language immensely.

The words I am going to talk about are relatively new and hence are very likely those coined by some team of Rajya Bhasha experts.

I will start at the very beginning,

A very good place to start.

When you read you begin with A B C

When you sing you begin with Do Re Me

So let me put in words and see why they are there and what they mean.

Adhipathi (අධිපති) is like an emperor often used to describe the proprietor of a big business. Eg. Nawloka Samuha Wyaparaye Adhipathi. (Owner of the Nawaloka Group of companies) This man owns everything about the business but the employees. In organizations like this, employees often get treated as if they were in a feudal system. In my opinion this word Adhipathi that has been coined, has been and is being used quite loosely without any foresight whatsoever is the biggest stimulus for people in power to lose their heads.

Derived from this word Adhipathi is Janadhipathi (ජනාධිපති) which gives the holder of the position the impression that he reigns supreme over all beings in the country great and small. J.R. Jayewardene was the man first to suffer from this mental malady. He demanded to be addressed as His Excellency and said in an address to the nation the only thing his enormous and unlimited power couldn’t do, was to make a woman, a man. Just like in the time of ancient kings he had to have concentric rings of confidants and guards to ensure his safety. In order to look after the welfare of these people money had to be spent in large amounts and to this end laws had to be bent. He didn’t stop at that. He needed Judges to give judgements in favour of his government. Senior and righteous members of the Judiciary like Mr. Neville Samarakoon had JR goons shouting derogatory slogans in front of their homes. JR’s successors did the same but worse, with the exception of late Mr. D.B. Wijetunga. The Rajapaksa era is something I don’t need to elaborate on. Just to describe in one sentence, papa became the uncrowned king of Sri Lanka whose progeny treated the countrymen with contempt. They never considered the possibility of an oppressed majority rising against their corrupt regime creating a human Tsunami.

The equivalent term to Janadhipathi in English is President. It is a very simple and a benign English word which we used as early as the 7th standard at school for example, to denote the colleague who got elected to lead the literary union. Presidents of developed countries are addressed as Mr. President and they have no squirms about it. There is public and media scrutiny about all their doings. This being a key feature of a vibrant democracy those at the helm consider it their duty to talk to the media regularly. This is conspicuous by its faint presence or indeed in some instances total paucity of it in the arena of Sri Lankan politics where Janaya’s Adhipathi and his minions and lackeys reign supreme over those who sent them to the Parliament. What an irony? Janadhipathi should be renamed as Muljana, (මුල්ජන) Janakara (ජනකර) or Janapala (ජනපාල) Mark my words, if it is renamed as above the clamour to become one will diminish considerably.

Maha Banku Adhipathi (මහ බැංකු අධිපති – Governor Central Bank) comes next in the order of importance. Almost all Maha Banku Adhipathis thus far have run amok in their job simply because the term Adhipathi has gone right into their heads. Governor simply means a regulator. A good example of a governor is what I had in the Korea made Kerosine generator I used over 25 years ago. It was a simple spring-loaded mechanism that maintained smooth running of the single piston 4 stroke engine by either tightening or loosening itself on its own. This happened when either a load was added or removed from the circuit.

Governor Assembly of a small Domestic Electricity Generator

The governor of the bank does exactly that, regulate the country ‘s economy by making minor looking adjustments in monetary policy which have far reaching outcomes to maintain economic equilibrium. This is indeed a responsible job in which august Adhipathis present and past have failed to deliver and hence should have been taken to the cleaners. If the law in this regard is ambiguous or indeed lenient on such wrong doers it should have been ammended swiftly. On the contrary these Adhipathiyas have been and are being paid astronomical amounts of money as salaries for undertaking the responsibility of running the economy. Laki and Cabby have demonstrated in no uncertain terms that one can do a shoddy job of it as Adhipathi and run away with a loot like what was in Aladdin’s cave. Nadanlal is marking time till his pocket jingles well while the economy is getting stabilized at a new normal almost on its own. We don’t need a so called golden brain to tell us to be austere in times like what we are in right now and to start horticulture in whatever way we can to storm the widely anticipated food shortage. It is just common sense, isn’t it? If I am voted to power at some point individuals like this would be brought under the long arm of the law and given the maximum punishment stipulated for such offences. All their ill-gotten monies would be confiscated. I recommend that these unimaginably high salaries, the payment of which cannot be justified even in one’s wildest and weirdest dreams be slashed to realistic levels forthwith. There must be hundreds of Nadanlals or ones better than the so-called best hovering around incognito waiting. I would call them in to take over. Also the word Adhipathi of the bank should be replaced with maha Banku Samanayakara (මධ්‍යම බැංකු සමනයකාර) which conforms better to the real meaning of Governor which is indeed Regulator.

There are so many Pathis like Kulapathi (chancellor), Upakulapathi (Vice Chancellor), Sabhapathi (Chairman), Nagaradhipathi (Mayor) etc. Even the most innocuous of it all like Viduhalpathi (Principal Teacher often called the Principal) gives the individual horns. Metaphorically those who have been kicking their staff and students will gore them once the ‘Pathiness’ goes into their heads.

Maha is the other word that makes people behave insanely. In Sinhala culture and Buddhism the word Maha is frequently used to describe the enormity of an object. Mahamera (මහමෙර) is an enormous mountain described in Buddhist mythology (which the blind followers believe to be true). It is also known as Mahameru Parwathaya (මහාමේරු පර්වතය). Maha Brahkma (මහා බ්‍රක්ම) is the chief of the world of Brahkmas. In this world only the mind exists and the physical body doesn’t. Maha Brahkma is supposed to have powers to perform miracles. Maha Margaya or Maha maga is the singhala equivalent of the word highway. Here the word Maha signified its almost infinite distance and in the long past it was humans on foot who mainly used the maha maga. They walked long distances to do business, to get to reputed places of worship, see physicians and soothsayers, see parents and of course to see Lord Buddha.

Lord Buddha is supposed to have had 32 Great Male Attributes (දෙතිස් මහා පුරුෂ ලක්ෂණ). I believe inflating the image of the greatest man who walked this planet by incorporating unbelievable untruths in Buddhist books has been done to create a godly figure in the minds of the followers. His height is supposed to have been eighteen 1.5 foot units called Riyan (රියන්) which translates into 27 feet. Gosh, a human measuring 27 feet in height? There is nothing in the history books to say at least Prince Siddhartha was an exceptionally tall man.

As a result of the foregoing, in the listener’s mind, the word Maha created a special place of grandeur. So much so they considered anything and everything Maha like Maha senawa (මහා සේනාව) a large army was invincible and hence it generated a sense of venerability. Hence the Rajya Bhasha Departhamenthu buffoons should have got into the habit of thinking long and hard before using this prefix in coining titles. Not to be. They seem to have used these words in a very casual or offhand manner or they may have been genuinely incapable of coining proper and more appropriate words.

The head of a provincial council of Sri Lanka is called in Sinhala Maha Amathi (මහ ඇමති). This scantily educated, Alawaka bellied rascal with a pigeon brain lost his head the moment the man sat in the Maha Amathi chair. Alawaka is a demon described in Buddhist mythology that had a mammoth belly as a result of eating humans. In English this same chap Maha Amathi is called Chief Minister which simply meant he is the senior guy amongst the ministers. In the Scottish Parliament (Scotland is almost a self-administrative region of Great Britain) the chief of the elected crowd is not even called the Prime Minister. The individual is simply called the First Minister. Maha Amathi should be replaced with Pradhana Amathi (ප්‍රධාන ඇමති).

Another word of importance in the Sinhala language is Mahaacharya (මහාචාර්‍ය) This is simply a position which is often the highest in the tutorial staff of a department of a University. It has nothing to do with the person’s overall knowledge of the subject. Neither does it describe the degree of skill the holder of the title has if it is a subject like my own field which is Surgery. Newly established Medical Schools recruited from the profession as Heads of Departments, individuals with a good academic record directly as Professors not infrequently because they had people inside the system to ‘to pull wires’ for them. Few decades on, the process seems to have got completely politicised. People with bad academic records like failure in one or more subjects at the final MB.BS, did not prevent them securing positions in the tutorial staff of medical schools as long as they had political backing. One such appointee is Penisumana, (පැනිසුමන) a darling of the last elected President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka who ran for his life. Penisumana is supposed to have failed in Paediatrics. Completing the game of filling the blanks, his thesis too is alleged to have been written by a friend.

This term Mahacharya mesmerised all and sundry including the State and Private print and electronic media into believing that these jokers were the end all and be all about the subject. Because of this venerable nature of the title people stoop to very low levels to secure one. In my field, there were plagiarists who reproduced other’s work verbatim as their’s and when discovered got away with it like how Nihalsiripala did recently on the commission issue. Wrote very ordinary papers and published minutia. Delivered orations only suitable for a gathering of village elders. These substandard stuff were entertained by a system which jealousy guards the plumes they often borrow or steal. The few lines of poetry depicted below, that appeared in Sunday times of the 13th August 1995 says it all, at least in my field of expertise, Surgery.

The handwriting on the paper cutting belongs to another professor of the same faculty and a batchmate of the bloke described.

My description of a professor does not apply to the few who are real experts in their field of speciality. I extend my sincere apologies to the handful of such individuals. I strongly feel this title should be renamed Pradhana Acharya (ප්‍රධාන ආචාර්ය) or Prathama Acharya (ප්‍රථම ආචාර්ය) because there is nothing maha about it.

Dear media people do your homework before bringing professors on your TV channels for expert views. More importantly the Neologists or Lexi connoisseurs of the Singhala language who are called Sinhala Bhasha Parameshwaras (සිංහල භාෂා පරමේශ්වර) should deliver for every coffer they are paid and do justice by the nation by coining appropriate words that exudes the exact meaning of the word required than simply use pathi as a suffix and maha as a prefix to an already existing word and hope for the best. History has proven that best hasn’t happened. Instead, the exact opposite has.

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Latest comments

  • 9
    3

    People who do whatever they’re doing because of their interest in the subject, and enjoy doing it, are the ones who make real contribution to society, as they excel in their work. They are happy to receive monetary reward and recognition for their work, but those are not the prime motivation for their career choices. It is the activity itself that they value most and what gives meaning to their lives. On the other hand, it is the mediocre minds who have nothing to contribute to society who are greedy for the money, power and prestige involved. That is their prime motivation. They need the trappings of their positions to fill up their empty vessels. In pursuit of such vain goals, they screw up their lives and the country at large.

    • 9
      1

      “People who do whatever they’re doing because of their interest in the subject, and enjoy doing it, are the ones who make real contribution to society, as they excel in their work.”
      Not always, and particularly if they get obsessive or reject lateral thinking.
      People are only responsible for their deeds, outcomes are often outside the control of the actor.
      *
      It is not the mediocre mind that is “greedy for the money, power and prestige”. I know brilliant minds that had been far worse.

      • 7
        0

        SJ
        “Not always, and particularly if they get obsessive or reject lateral thinking.” That’s my point. Those who make a positive contribution to knowledge and society are those who are not obsessed with themselves or their subject – which is essentially the same. Two sides of the same coin. If you take yourself seriously, you become very possessive of your field, your line of research. Your work is what makes your frail ego secure, and you become a control-freak. Rather than having an open, creative mind, you want to control everything about your pursuit, research, or whatever. You want to shut your eyes like a cat when you see evidence that contradicts your pet theory. Forget about lateral thinking. Such an attitude can only make you miserably possessive in your work and as a result your contribution becomes mediocre. In stark contrast people, who are not so much motivated by ego as by their curious minds, enjoy their work immensely by approaching with openness and creativity leading to valuable new knowledge. And they keep their dignity without running after empty titles by genuflecting before politicians, priests, moguls, tycoons, and other mafioso.

      • 5
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        “For quite some time I have felt Sinhalese despite being a beautiful language in some instances seems to lack the wordpool necessary to give the exact meaning to a word it choses (to) use.”
        I suppose, since Dr.J is a Sinhalese, we must take him seriously. I think much of the problem was created by unthinking translations of technical terms into Sinhala in the 50’s by clueless committees who had no inkling that terminology is fixed in stone, but changes with time. Also, words take on different meanings with context. An example would be “Bus driver” in IT. I don’t know, but I do hope some pundit hasn’t dubbed it a “riyadura” of some sort.
        In Sinhala, the Intelligence Division is known as “Buddhi Angshaya”, when it actually should be “thorathuru angshaya”. For Dr.J’s information, that’s an instance where Sinhala is more precise than English. English uses “Intelligence ” to mean information, news, wisdom, etc. But the Sinhala(or is it Sanskrit) “Buddhi” means wisdom, and “thorathuru ” means data or news. But the translators have it backwards.

        • 3
          1

          OC
          There was some clumsiness in the 50’s in both S & T.
          Glossary compilers tried to literally translate technical terms, hardly realising that a technical term need not have the meaning that a literal interpretation yields.
          Much of it is over now. Gear and clutch are part of standard Sinhala terminology now.
          There are, however, occasions when serious mistakes occur.
          *
          Seriously, does the word “intelligence’ truly reflect what the term stands for in statecraft? It is information that is gathered, not intelligence (which is hard to gather as you often see in CT).
          The dictionary definition of intelligence is “the collection of information of military or political value”. So the flaw is in the source itself.

        • 1
          0

          Wisdom is “ஞானம்” in Tamil and “புத்தி” is “Clever” in English

      • 2
        0

        SJ,
        People who do whatever they’re doing because of their interest in the subject, and enjoy doing it, are the ones who make real contribution to society, as they excel in their work.”
        Yes exactly, but the real world is much more complex!
        When you don’t get the job you wished to engage in, but forced to accept a job just to get an income for your daily survival, the job satisfaction is lacking .
        But you engage in the job that provide you with a regular income, but on the sidelines engage in the passion of your life and make a success of it at the expense of their regular job.
        Many, many eminent people falls into this category.
        Poor souls!

    • 2
      0

      All this language business – Sinhala or English – is way over my head. I just get by with the few cuss words I’ve learned from Native Vedda.

      “People who do whatever they’re doing because of their interest in the subject, and enjoy doing it, are the ones who make real contribution to society, as they excel in their work. They are happy to receive monetary reward and recognition for their work, but those are not the prime motivation for their career choices. It is the activity itself that they value most and what gives meaning to their lives.”


      Women is my interest and the subject of my intrigue ………. chasing skirts is my passion and I enjoy it. …….. Wonder what contribution I’ve made to society.

      Dunno about monetary rewards or recognition ……. at times was just lucky to escape with me life!

      I haven’t excelled in my work: not even close …….. Old Codger is the one who excels without even trying …….. some are born with the talent: others can’t even come close.

      • 2
        0

        continued

        I’m still searching for a meaning to my life …… I haven’t still found what I’m looking for ………


        I have kissed honey lips
        Felt the healing in her fingertips
        It burned like fire
        This burning desire
        I have spoke with the tongue of angels
        I have held the hand of a devil
        It was warm in the night
        I was cold as a stone
        But I still haven’t found what I’m looking for
        But I still haven’t found what I’m looking for

  • 7
    8

    Dear Dr Janapriya,
    .
    Welcome back! We, chiv and I, were talking about you as recently as five days ago. See here:
    .
    https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/sri-lanka-democracy/
    .
    I have said, “Surgeon Janapriya ……… had written some good articles on countering the Corona virus ….. [Suddenly] he wrote two articles on a quite different subject “. After chiv responded to me, I wrote this: “He’s sincere. And he didn’t exactly get angry with me. He politely excused himself.”
    .
    You are a most conscientious man. On Corona you switched over to writing CT articles in Sinhalese. Searching just NOW, I find that you have written “Political articles in Sinhala even this year:
    .
    https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/m-m-janapriya-27-april-2022/
    .
    “leelagemalli” has replied there to you. He had turned against you on the subject of race. I haven’t read any of that – where’s the time?
    .
    This response to your yet unread article is just to say that I know that you are sincerely grappling with what seem to be inescapable dilemmas. The concerns of the Sinhalese cannot be brushed aside

    • 8
      1

      Sinhala_Man,
      The concerns of the Sinhalese cannot be brushed aside, – Granted.
      Janapriya ‘says’, “I love my country”. Does he.
      The well-being of the ‘country’ is paramount, more paramount than any one person, group, or the other.
      I’d accept leelagemalli anytime over Dr Janapriya.

      • 8
        1

        A bank becomes bankrupt if the depositors withdraw all their money at one go. Similarly if at one go you remove Sanskrit and Tamil words, Tamil grammar and Malayalam script, Sinhala language will become bankrupt.

        • 1
          1

          Will not the same happen to Tamil if Sanskrit, Prakrit, Urdu, Portuguese, Dutch and English words are removed?

      • 7
        0

        Nathan and SM,
        .
        I think everyone will reiterate their love and concern for their country regardless of the majority of minorities. I raised this question I raised this question long before I left the country for Europe because of the infernal problems raised by the Rajapaksas that this country belongs only to the Sinhalese who treat the minorities as “foreigners” and enjoy any rights arbitrarily.

        Why our Sinhalese people often think they are superior. My question at the time of the Muslim conflict was why? My family couldn’t answer me enough. After that again seeing the changes in Pera, I again questioned why our students stood up against the Tamil speaking students in Jaffna. Again I raised the same question when I was in Europe, why is the embassy treating the Tamil Sri Lankans as if the embassy is their private property? All these questions crossed my Sinhala from the day I knew him personally. And some people thought I was a Tiger supporter. Can you guess, because I am of the opinion that we should all be considered “Sri Lankans”; Calling me a traitor… ?Just kidding… 3 decades ago I visited that Hantane tea factory. There I could not believe my eyes but the truth was that they were treated like animals. Surprisingly, our Colombo (wimal buruwanse) people are spreading rhetoric that the West is making every effort to marginalize us.

    • 5
      1

      It was with some apprehension that I typed in my last sentence there, Nathan. It was fortunate that an intelligent regular Tamil reader who responded. Regular? You realise that I try to make balanced comments.
      .
      We both well realise that “the concerns of the Tamils and the Muslims cannot be brushed aside either”, is the unstated corollary to what I have said.
      .
      If a Hindu now stats that Muslims also are “Tamils” since they all speak the language (that’s changing!) because Muslims choose to use religion to assert their social identity.
      .
      How tiresome all this is! I don’t know my Wittgenstein all that well, but SJ has quoted him. I feel that Ludwig W. wouldn’t disagree strongly with what we’ve been saying, Nathan.

      • 3
        0

        Over to you, those who are interested in philospopher Wittgenstein@
        .
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BoKjQfMihs

      • 1
        0

        Sinhala_Man,
        To put things in perspective:
        ‘If a Hindu now states that Muslims also are “Tamils” since they all speak the language.
        .
        Speaking a language doesn’t make one belong to that group. You and I can never be English!
        Even if you know Tamil, and even forget your Sinhala completely, you will remain a Sinhalese.
        Muslims are Tamils, not because they speak Tamil, but because they ARE Tamils.

  • 8
    3

    “For quite some time I have felt Sinhalese despite being a beautiful language in some instances seems to lack the wordpool necessary to give the exact meaning to a word it choses (to) use.”
    Can you name a single language on earth that has achieved this feat of ‘giving an exact meaning to each item of its word stock’?
    (One Prof. L. Wittgenstein offers some interesting answers.)
    *
    Sinhala has been far more progressive than many South Asian languages— thanks to Kumaratunge Munidasa. If it cannot develop a word from its traditional sources, it adopts the word as it occurs and Sinhalizes it. I say this from a few years of experience in the OLD to develop tri-lingual glossaries.

  • 0
    0

    The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis?

  • 6
    0

    What is a language for? Why is there so much attachment to a language?
    How does your language contribute to your well-being?
    What is religion for? Why is there so much attachment to a religion?
    How does your religion contribute to your well-being?
    Do these attachments enhance humanity?

  • 5
    0

    Janapriya,

    Sinhala is a beautiful language, so are the Sinhalese people.

    There is nothing to be remorse or be ashamed of the people or the language.

    It evolves over all the time beautifully, there is always ups and down, when you were down and reached the bottom, you need not lose hope and overcome with despondency , but face the calamity bravely with resole and determination because there awaits a bright future .

    Self criticism is necessary and is progressive.

    It can be certain that the downward journey is over and the birth of aragalaya demonstrates the vitality and perseverance and the manner in which the Sinhalese people are ready to question something even they even considered as seared for years.

    I, as a Tamil am happy to be associated with such a brave, kind hearted, beautiful people and their language, religion and culture.

    Let us build a new nation together with resolve with determination so that our nation will prosper to
    greater heights.

  • 5
    2

    I’ve carefully read the entire article now.

    It would be good if we started referring to our legal by illegitimate President as “Janapala Ranil Wickremasinghe”.
    .
    If everyone did that, he may, perhaps heed our requests, administer more relevantly, and allow somebody more acceptable to be the next Janapala.
    .
    Panini W

    I have now read the entire article carefully.
    .
    I suggest that we refer to the current President of Lanka as “Janapala Ranil Wicremasinghe”. He may then be more willing to focus on the routine administration of this Lanka and conduct those Parliamentary Elections soon, so that the new, now acceptable and legitimate legislators, could work on those desirable Constitutional changes with the blessings of their masters.
    .
    “Their masters”? Well that’s us!
    .
    Panini Edirisinhe of Bandarawela

    • 3
      0

      SM,
      .
      No matter what anyone said or did, not only language but various factors caused the collapse of Sri Lankan society. People’s carelessness and neglect of nature has destroyed this nation by putting the so-called educated people to sleep. Though blessed with free education, they are not fit for law and order after graduation. So how can a nation be clean? Those who imitate them do not care much, but force themselves to appear. There are no role models provided by the state or higher officials. Above all – Mahinda Rajapaksa’s “Salum Dora” motto faded this society like no other leader did. Even a criminal would be enough to be a public leader, if he or she was ever close to the abusive politician of this country, Mahinda Rajapaksa.
      .
      1) Sri Lanka as a country of free education, with a record literacy rate of over 93%, must know how to run things properly (this is the highest in the SA region)
      .
      2) I think, in general, Sri Lanka does not take things seriously before implementing them for its people. This is not only about language terms, but also about new methodologies. Be it in education, medical, export and import, sports and many fields are equally affected.

      • 6
        0

        Literacy is better than illiteracy, I guess, but by itself, given the huge amounts spent, it’s not something remarkable, is it?
        .
        If our people are educated, then we should not now be in this state of chaos and poverty.

        There’s a lot wrong with education. Blame the politicians, not poor Joseph Stalin. Let nobody talk about education unless they are serious about going in to the details.
        .
        Panini Edirisinhe / Retired Teacher of Bandarawela

  • 4
    0

    Dangers posed by YouTubes
    .
    Examples from Sinhalse Prgrammes, but non-Sinhala speakers: Pay heed!
    .
    PART ONE
    .
    It may be safe to say that for most of us learning to read and write was a laborious process, and that the books we had were relatively few and were difficult to come by. What was available to us had been carefully edited and printed and there seemed to be controls.
    .
    Let me not dwell on that since the inadequacies of that first paragraph can be shown up because almost all of us knew what was happening. Now we are faced with all sorts of things happening behind our backs, and we are suddenly faced with knowledge out of control , and we know that not. Many of you will click the DISLIKE button for what I have written, and those will get registered.
    .
    The most important decisions for the country are made by monolingual Sinhalese, and they are increasingly being “educated” by youngsters in the family who get their information from YouTube programmes.
    .
    There are DISLIKE buttons on YouTube programmes as well; did you realise that the DISLIKE button there has been rendered impotent? Why?

  • 3
    0

    PART TWO
    .
    The spread of information is already out of control; never mind what it will be like in 2122; how will it be in 2032, a decade from now? There are other social media such as Face Book and Twitter (I don’t use either of them much) but I’ve been listening to many, and even been urged to try my hand at launching some. I was sent this:
    .
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NU0hOlUD2v0&t=15s
    .
    I haven’t commented there. The speaker, Anjali, has read very few of the comments, although others visiting the site have given many “LIKES”. We have no way of knowing about “DISLIKES”. Clearly YouTube would like to keep it that way.
    .
    See what is said of YouTube:
    .
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YouTube

    “As of May 2019, videos were being uploaded at a rate of more than 500 hours of content per minute.”
    .
    It is clear to me that nobody knows – not even YouTube.
    .
    I’ve been amazed to find, only today, that one of the most influential (and dangerous!) YouTubers, Sepal Amarasinghe, has been doing his programmes for only three and a half years.
    .
    What you get here is in chronological order:
    .
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC58y6NhWQ_IkAUJdYqtmtQg/videos

    • 3
      0

      PART THREE
      .
      This has been his first offering:
      .
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm-bJICLe2Y&t=12s
      .
      Just three and a half years ago: 31 Mar 2019. That’s about the time that Wikipedia is still talking about. Clearly, therefore, YouTube has by now grown to such an extent that nobody exercises control, but the money keeps rolling in to the owners, Google. And their revenue is generated by advertisements. Just how healthy are those advertisements?
      .
      This was when I realised how damaging these programmes are. Just before the Parliamentary elections he advocated mass spoiling of votes.
      .
      The date when this was made was   2 Aug 2020.
      .
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds0AgcwQfto

      This is when he was talking NOTA (<see Wikipedia)
      .
      I don't waste time on the stuff made by him.   However, I see these positives here:
      .
      1.  He reads the comments  –  note the red heart.
      .
      2. Many readers have read the comments of others. Evidence:  many likes.    Note that “Dislikes”  don’t get counted.

      .
      3.  A fair number of “Replies“.   Some by Sepal himself.

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      0

      PART FOUR
      .
      Misleading: 
      Criticism of the murderer “Choka Malli” of the SLPP.  His target in these comments are the anti-SLPP  readers, who he hopes will “NOTA”  –  thereby helping the SLPP.    Those who lost  –  the NPP.
      .
      Compare and contrast:  about Dhammika Perera  (I’m not going to listen  –  it is playing as I type)   9 Jun 2022
      .
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6NbASp2S40
      .
      Many “LIKES”, fewer “Replies”,   no interventions by Sepal.
      .
      More recent:
      .
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28KCw-O91Lg
      .
      Here he names three people who he hopes will undo the damage: Sajith, AKD, and Kumar Guneratnam
      .
      Somebody has to keep a tab on all this. To start with, please, somebody, write an article on this.
      .
      Panini Edirisinhe

    • 1
      0

      Clarification:
      .
      Please read the sentence in the middle of this SECOND PART as:
      .
      “It is clear to me that nobody knows the current situation – not even YouTube.”

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