The Board of Directors of Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) has withdrawn the prestigious Integrity Icon 2018 award presented to controversial figure, Dr. Wasantha Dissanayake, Director of Apeksha Hospital who has in recent months being labelled a racist.
In a statement TISL said, “Following a preliminary inquiry, TISL’s Board of Directors had suspended the Integrity Icon 2018 Award presented to Dr. Wasantha Dissanayake, Director of the Apeksha Hospital. Dr. Dissanayake was afforded the opportunity to appeal this decision and has chosen not to do so. TISL can therefore confirm that the award has been withdrawn.”
Dissanayake has been in the center of controversy in recent months after he levelled serious allegations against the Fight Cancer Team Sri Lanka, and its founder, M.S.M. Mohammed, who have been collecting funds to purchase a tomotherapy machine and linear accelerator machine via a bank account operated by the Ministry of Health.
Asoka Obeyesekere, Executive Director of TISL said that the decision to withdraw Dissanayake off his award was taken following his Facebook post in December 2019 which contained inappropriate and offensive language. “A letter was sent to Dr. Dissanayake asking him to provide an explanation. At the Board Meeting in January 2020 it was decided that the actions and explanation offered were not in keeping with the values of TISL and Integrity Icon. Having considered his response, the board decided to suspend the award, and Dr. Dissanayake was informed that he could appeal the decision by 12 March 2020. No appeal was lodged and therefore the award has been withdrawn,” Obeyesekere said.
Mohammed and his team has categorically rejected allegations by Dissanayake who claimed that Mohammed was misusing funds collected. Addressing a press conference in December, Mohammed said that the control and management of the fund, which Dissanayake referred to as having been misused was in fact vested with the Health Ministry. “Only the Health Ministry has the sole legal authority to deal with financial transactions in the account,” Mohammed said.
In February, the Fight Cancer Team also lodged a complaint with the CID over the spate of fake and racist news spread by Dissanayake.
babalath appu / April 1, 2020
We the right thinking human being would commend the Board of Directors of Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) for their decision.
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We must not reward any kind of racist from any parties.
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Thank and well done.
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S. C. Pasqual / April 2, 2020
Mr. babalata thoththu…..
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“Transparency International” can insert the “award’ in the a…….. of their “Board of Directors”.
Who cares…….
Dr. Wasantha Dissanayake still have his “prestige” & “Integrity”
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Kunu Wasaantha / April 3, 2020
Pasqual : You are an idiot. Does Dissnayake give you eanemas/
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GATAM / April 2, 2020
Cremate all COVID-19 dead. No burial whatsoever.
All are equal. No different treatment for anyone. No race based laws.
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Muhandiram / April 2, 2020
According to WHO Guidelines dated 24th March 2020,
“People who have died from COVID-19 can be buried or cremated.”
“The dignity of the dead, their cultural and religious traditions, and their families should be respected and protected throughout; “
Learn more and educate yourself by reading the WHO Guidelines at:
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/331538/WHO-COVID-19-lPC_DBMgmt-2020.1-eng.pdf
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Chandima Gayan Mapalagama Kumarage / April 3, 2020
I f you want to bury got wherever the country it does. Not in Sri Lanka
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Amarasiri / April 1, 2020
Author Colombo Telegraph,
Dr. Wasantha Senanayake, is yet another idiot, another racist who is making allegations without data for support,
Well done, striping his title. He does not deserve it. One guy, who happens to be Muslim, is trying his best to help cancer patients.
This brainwashed idiot, the so-called Dr. Wanbabe Wasantha, who probably prostrates to imbecile monks, wants to hamper it making allegations.
Was he part of the Wanda Pethi brigade. Was he trained in Oara-Sinhala Para-“Buddhism ,” , called Buddha-Agama? What about the Hippocratic Oath, he took?
He is behaving just like the monks, all fake.
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Wasantha Bandara Ranagala / April 2, 2020
Mate:
Nowhere HE the Siddhartha Gauthama preached such abhorrent qualities. Panchaseela or Five precepts put all of them in a nutshell. Start with “thou shall not kill” is simple and strait forward. Beyond that its loving kindness to all living beings not human alone, at the cost of your life.
Just because this dirty doctor was born a Sinhala Buddist he is not a practitioner of the principles of the Buddha nor pays any attention to them. Leave this to the honorable Sinhala Buddhists to settle with. As for monks, the robe does not make a Bhikku but the practice.
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kabaragoya's malli / April 3, 2020
Did you see how his mother used the dogs?
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Vis8 / April 7, 2020
amarasiri: His last name is Dissanayake, not Senanayake. At least read articles before you rush to express your paranoia in comments. Go get a life, punk.
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Maharage, / April 1, 2020
—Thanks TISL for the great decision !!!!
———Over to 6.9 million Sinhala Buddhist Traitors to beg TISL to reinstate the lost title back on to this Racist DR.
——-More Great News to come in the near future ——-
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JD / April 1, 2020
TI has integrity. That is the best Joke. Who is the boss of TI. I heard they have to find funds ion their own. So, they can be bought.
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rbh / April 2, 2020
He was with the and participated all official Fight Cancer Team Sri Lanka, and suddendly turned agaist their stand, he is cancerus be become a prominent by making remarks he thinks it is a great practice to boost him to positivity. people are very smart they know all move
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rbh / April 2, 2020
JD
I heard they have to find funds ion their own. So, they can be bought.
I heard is 3rd class thinking without proof
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Raj-UK / April 1, 2020
Some of us in Sr Lanka have a habit of spreading rumours, unsubstantiated information & conspiracy theories for some obscure reason. In the recent past, there have been rumours of Muslim restaurants & even clothing shops lacing food & under garments with birth control medication but even the GMOA did not take any action to squash these rumours. The worst, perhaps, is the incarceration of a Muslim doctor without any proof for carrying out unauthorised abortions. At least in this case, the TISL has been quick to take action for which I raise my cap to the Board of TISL for having the guts to do so.
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ROHAN JOHNPILLAI / April 1, 2020
at long last somebody or an organization of repute has had the balls along with the courage and the courage to withdraw a prestigious award.
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racism or misappropriation of any form or format should not be allowed anywhere on this planet.?
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In this sad sorry hellhole, the swabasha since 1956 Yakko’s think that they are gods gift to the world and they do not care two hoots when rave rants like demented parasites hurting many an innocent living or deceased soul.
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this racist pariah was given the opportunity to give his explanation or his sad tale of woe as to why he conducted himself in this manner but he chose to ignore the given chance to rectify matters.
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if a member of a minority community or an opposition politician made these remarks he or they will be investigated arrested and remanded indefinitely till the cows come home.?
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I just a few minutes ago read the online version of the Ceylon Daily Mirror stating that the acting IGP a blind slave to the rajapuka family has sternly warned the likes of me who criticize his lords, masters,=
and mistresses will feel the effects of his long impotent on the core tools.?
WOw, to be arrested and punished for exposing the truth about the horrid doings of the mighty rogues.?
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I challenge him to do so.?
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cheers, R. J.
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Sugandh Thomas / April 1, 2020
A very serious integrity deficit in this country. A long running deficit.
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Racism is rampant and accepted behaviour in the mainstream culture of this country under Gotabaya’s presidency.
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Leelagemalli / April 2, 2020
They have it in their blood even more than that of Israelis. :
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But the outer cover of the book is BUDDHAGAMA (Srilanken kind of Buddhism, more based on Jathaka Stories taken from Hinduism).
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Real buddhist teachings are far from SRILANKA’s budhagama, even Buddhist monks (skin heads in Red/Saffron robes) disgrace minority srilankens in public. THey feel that they are given the chance to look down upon the minority people. This is the reason why I took my own measures against SRILANKEN monks, that is – I have fully stopped my DANA aka alms giving ceremonies to them since 2019.
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Better I would focus on HOMES for the aged, homes for the children and stray dogs that vage their tails as much as they could, just for a bathguliya being offered to them.
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Lanken BUDDHIST monks are just HYPOCRITES that have been abuseing the IMPUNITY in srilanken culture. They are placed above the law, so they abuse their rights going beyond the red line.
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Examples:
Incumbent CHIEF monk – Most sacred now turned out tobe most scared, TEMPLE in Kelaniya
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Maedagoda Abhayathissa – a BUSINESS man in Robes but being back by Mafia Boss Mahinda Rajapakshe for his existence.
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GATAM / April 2, 2020
Racism everywhere in SL.
Now some people want special treatment for their dead. While all are cremated they want their dead buried. This is abject racism and must not be tolerated. SL cannot go forward with this type of tribalism in the 21st century.
Cremate!
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ajith / April 1, 2020
What is the relationship between Mahinda and Dr. Wasantha?
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Ajay / April 1, 2020
This Wasanthaya is a number one bum-licker of the lowest grade. He does it not only for the Royal Rajapassas – but even to extreme stinkos like Weerawansa, Ittakande and Gandhasara. Can you imagine a doctor who should at least have some knowledge of hygiene doing it? Can you think of anything lower than this in this universe? He’s an inveterate liar and an unabashed racist. TISL has done well to brush away this scum from staining their sterling reputation. A fine example that should be followed by all concerned with professional standards in the country. Especially in health care, judiciary, police, armed forces, financial institutions, education, religious bodies (does “Malcolm” ring a bell?) and the gutter media – where all kinds of unqualified crooks, political shills, greedy criminals and sexual predators are screwing the people out of their wits. Phew … … Is there anything in our public service left out? Anyway, without getting our aspirations too high, let’s hope at least the next government will be a proper one, so that this slimy fellow can be stripped of his medical degrees too and thrown into the jail for his many unhygienic habits.
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Murali Rajapaksha / April 1, 2020
TI sri lanka are you operating in sri lanks? In sri lanka you should give the Dr a big promotion.
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Walli / April 2, 2020
Transparency International….. Hahaha… We know who they really are..
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Wasantha Bandara Ranagala / April 2, 2020
The Board of Directors of Transparency International Sri Lanka
This is an organisation (TISL) without any authority to implement actions against those who are breaching principles it upholds.
Its important to dig into the history as to how TISL decorated this quack doctor with the title. He wouldn’t have been deserved then either and TISL is answerable to? This person calling himself a doctor (Dissanayake) should be stripped of his professional title as a doctor to start with and then take the issue with developed countries to impose a travel ban on him in line with what is being inadvertently practiced on military officials – a self serving project of western power brokers.
It behoves upon decent Sinhala Buddhist leaders to mount pressure on authorities to conduct legal proceedings against this uncultured man who brought disrepute to the honorable title Medical DOCTOR>
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Sinhala_Man / April 2, 2020
The Board of Directors of Transparency International Sri Lanka should be congratulated on making a stand on this issue of racism, the relegation of which is fundamental to any civilised society.
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Seven comments so far, and six of them clearly approve. I add my voice to them, as a matter of principle. I must confess that I don’t know much about the people involved.
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JD voices reservations. But he is anonymous. It is time people began to take responsibility for what they say by revealing their identities – as I shall do now.
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Panini Edirisinhe (NIC 48 3111 444V) aka Sinhala_Man
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S. C. Pasqual / April 2, 2020
Mr. Mrs. Sinhala_Man,
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When …”” I don’t know much””… please shut the f….. Up for god’s sake…..
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Sinhala_Man / April 2, 2020
Dear S. C. Pasqual,
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I know enough about you not to ever take the advice proffered by racists like you. I have been honest enough to state that I don’t know the ins and out of this case.
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I knew enough about the disgraceful pardoning of that Sunil Ratnayake fellow who is on death row to unequivocally condemn his release by your heroes, the Rajapaksa. I wonder if your name really is Pasqual? Why not do what I am doing – give us your NIC number.
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Please talk sense. I am a man. What does your salutation to me mean? Could you please stop insulting the readers here – and actually this very forum – by talking gibberish. And f…… ? I know enough Old English to know that the word which you haven’t had the courage to complete has been around for at least a thousand years.
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To finish with, please Google “Old English”. The chances of your being an ass who imagines that Shakespeare wrote Old English. After learning who it is that talks out of ignorance, please have the decency to show that you have been given a free lesson on the history of the English Language by me – the “gambada ingreesi mahattaya.”
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Panini Edirisinhe (NIC 48 3111 444V) aka “Sinhala_Man”
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Simon De Silva / April 2, 2020
Pasqual,
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we thought you would have been washed away in a toilett pit of BP Mafia boss. :
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I question why Corona or deadly viruses are away from You and Srilanka s mafia boss yet today ?.
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Please give us break. God bless srilanka.
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Sunil Jay / April 2, 2020
I am with you Sinhalaman,
And my respects to you,for putting
Logical comments.by you whererver possible.
You are real”පුරවැසියා”
I Don’t think Dr Wasantha has put his case properly.
Dr W. Must put all account details
That Mohd is having in his name.
Mr Mohd clearly told the accounts
Are directly by Health Ministry
So what’s going wasting time.
Mr Mohd says he is merely canvassing for Cancer patients.
If Mr Mohd syphoning money from that boc account under
Health Ministry.
Please give those details
Suniljay
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K.A. Sumanasekera / April 2, 2020
This must be a heck of a prestigious award.. Looks like Dr Wasantha put the foot in it…
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BTW , wonder whether any Yahapalana Leaders who served us during the last 5 years like no other time, received any of these prestigious awards?..
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That is what which came to mind, after seeing the UNP heavies Messers , Ravi, Daya, Ranga, Ranatunga, Dissa, and the last Yahapalana Defense Minister sitting with our new President , opposite Mahinda,
And advising Prez Nandasena how to win this desperate battle to save the inhabitant population .
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I hope the TI takes these yeoman services from them into consideration when penciling the awards in the Corona free Future..
That is if they haven’t won any under Yahapalanaya..
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Patriot / April 2, 2020
I commend TISL for the bold decision taken as such rascals who HAD FREE EDUCATION in the company of the RAJAPAKSE NIKAYA SCOUNDRELS IN SAFFRON ROBE LIKE NURSE ANANDA ABEYTISSA WHO USED THE SACRED BOWL TO COLLECT MONEY TO PAY A COURT FINE NOW SILENT ELLE AND UDUWE PEDALLED RACE AND RELIGION.
NATURE IS PUNISHING THE WORLD AND AT THIS TIME NONE OF THEM ARE IN THE FRONT LINE HELPING BUT WITH MASKS ON WITHIN THEIR TEMPLES. ELLE IS AN INTRUDER OF A STATE LAND IN COLOMBO 7 and UDUWE OCCUPYING A TEMPLE BY FORCE BLESSED BY MR.
90% of the rogues of all colours who lived on the country must be booted out and Mr 10% must be sent to America.
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Frustrated sinhalaya / April 2, 2020
Patriot,
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Srilanka could control well the numbers, because it is an island. They have not the same problem as is the case with border countries. See how the biggest island in Europe – UK has set their numbers under their control while France, Germany and other grand nations score more. Even if the deaths in UK are much higher than that of Germany, their numbers are under their control yet today.
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From what Dr Janapriya added, I got to know that no quarantining measures were set also on the 10th March… even if the curves in EUrope just turned out to be exponential from the 6th onwards.
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Had the GOVT been strict at the begining, no spread would have been the consequence. Today, they dont yet, if there are lot more CLUSTER- patients hidden across the country – but to me, considering ground information, there should be lot more than the 146, that should have been POSITIVE… in the country.
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They the uneducated RULERs only focused on the election, by neglecting the essential steps should have been taken, long ago.
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Nepal and Vietnam have controlled their numbers in an efficient manner, even if the former is to be far poor country compared to srilanka.
All in all, Rjakashes thakkadiyas almost ruined the nation again.
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Pal joey / April 2, 2020
I would suggest that the Medical Board also takes action to remove him as a doctor as his behaviour is reprehensible and not becoming of what is expected of a medical professional. This scumbag is not worthy of even cleaning the toilets in a hospital.
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Abhaya Premawardena / April 2, 2020
I have another useless award called the Tamils darwin award that has been awarded to the native monkey
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dayal / April 2, 2020
there are several other responsible people who are racists. list is long. this includes even ministers and intellectuals.. if you want to become unpopular among the majority you have to talk in terms of moderate views and about reconciliation. samasamajists lost everything mainly because they spoke sense about the language issue namely ‘parity of status for both languages’.who is going to punish the racists in the major political parties.
-dayal
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Siva / April 2, 2020
No one take TISL or Asoka Obeyesekere seriously! It’s just a fake organization giving out fake awards and a mouth piece for Ranil.
So TISL can keep its awards and shove it up their’s. No one cares.
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Sena Egodage / April 2, 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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Cousin George / April 2, 2020
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SRIKIT GUNAWARDANA / April 2, 2020
I recognize some of the names of the ‘commentators’ like Amarasiri. I am sure that they hide their ethnic identity by using Sinhala names to post their comments. Obviously these people cannot be Sinhala if one follows through the comments they have made for the past at least 7 years. This forum is bogus and is being used to pelt stones at the Buddhists and the Sinhala.
TISL may also be such a front. An objective report should publish what has been said by the accused for the readers to judge for themselves. I would not be surprised if my comments also be ‘censored’ by the editor. It is sad that all the people who are complaining about racism do not look themselves in the mirror! Racism started with Westerners they worship in the first place. Almost everybody has a reason to claim a bigger piece of the pie! Race, Gender, Color of skin, Height, weight or whatever…………….. Discrimination. Once their tummy is full all become philanthropists.
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Rev Medalankara de Choppe / April 3, 2020
Unlike you idiot, the TISL is an organisation that had beenfighting thievary in the public sector, a common trait among our Sinhala Buddists.
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rbh / April 2, 2020
He was with the and participated all official Fight Cancer Team Sri Lanka, and suddendly turned agaist their stand, he is cancerus be become a prominent by making remarks he thinks it is a great practice to boost him to positivity. people are very smart they know all move
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SRIKIT GUNAWARDANA / April 2, 2020
Incidentally, read one of CT’s previous reports! “TISL Whistleblowers Ignored, Bullied, “
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Good Sense / April 2, 2020
I r note the following:
(1) A member of the medical profession questioning the integrity of a good samaritan (I believe that his son too was a victim of cancer) without any evidence as such (going by other media reports) dragging ethnicity into the dispute, which is regrettable.
(2) Some of the comments made here on this subject spread ethnic hatred which is regrettable.
(3) There being question marks about TISL itself and its making an award and subsequently withdrawing the same really has no significant meaning. I consider its current stand to disapprove of ethnic bias as laudable on the face of it, without any examination of any under-currents.
(4) Death due to COVID – 19 is serious. Due to prevailing situation observation of religious customs would not be allowed in conducting funerals. This can be painful particularly to a certain section of the society. Dragging this matter here is not of good taste.
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