By Arun Kumaresan –
Arun Kumaresan – Air Vice Marshal (Ret’d)
Cost of manipulating Higher Defense Management – National Security Council
It was a sad and horrific day for all humans not only Sri Lankans nor Christians. Tentacles of religious fundamentalism and extremism have consumed many innocent lives on the day they were celebrating the resurrection of Christ. But as the reports indicate there had been a pre warning; not general but specific to violent acts targeting the Christians.
Mr. President: You have been pre occupied in your attempt to seek a second term; in such course you have increasingly taken all aspects of higher management defense & security into your hands. Before coming into this specific incident; there are questions that are related to your conduct as the Minister of Defense relating to higher defense management.
Mr. President: You are aware that the higher defense management of the Nation is tasked with the National Security Council. It comprises, in addition to you, the Prime Minister, Ministers of the subject of Finance, Law & Order and Foreign Affairs, Secretaries to the subject of Defense, Finance, Law & Order & Foreign affairs, Service Chiefs and the IGP. When required, Heads of Intelligence Services are called in for specific briefings to take stock of threats to National Security. This is the way matters relating to higher defense management are conducted and courses of action formulated in any Democratic Nation. However, in contrast on your specific instructions, many a times such meetings have been conducted in the absence of the PM & other UNP Ministers from 2015. In addition, instructions have also been given to the participants who have been cleared by you to attend such meetings, to keep the time and venue secret, to shield it from the PM & other UNP Ministers.
Mr. President: Question 1 – In your pre-occupation of your secret agenda to consolidate power, did you violate the ‘Norm & Form’ of the conduct of the higher defense management by intentionally omitting legitimate members in such high value discussions?
Mr. President: I wish to remind you, that after you intentionally violated the Constitution and appointed Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister, you took over the subject of Law & Order under Ministry of Defense. Even after the defeat of the political coup initiated by you, you continued to hold this portfolio under your purview. Hence, the entire security apparatus of the Nation was under your total command and control. It is now a public knowledge that there was a pre-warning by the Intelligent Services that attacks were being planned by a religious fundamentalist group targeting Christians especially during Easter.
In this context, the statement by the Hon. Prime Minister has great relevance – Quote “Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had noted that although intelligence units had provided information on a possible attack, adequate precautions were not taken to prevent it. He has further added that he and the ministers were not informed of this as well.” This substantiates that such serious matters affecting national security have again been kept away from the Prime Minister who is a legitimate member of the National Security Council and reinforces the earlier assertion of the conduct of illegitimate National Security Council meetings under your stewardship.
Mr. President, the above sounds very serious; you may have no sense and fear to trespass Constitutional boundaries; but now your acts disturbing higher defense management structures has resulted in Loss of lives, bloodshed and mayhem. It only reflects your foolish arrogance, self centered decision making and utter incompetency of governing the Nation.
Mr. President: Question 2 – Aren’t you culpable of the offence of ‘Manslaughter’ due to your intentional actions to marginalize the National Security Council and not acting on the credible intelligence that was in hand to prevent this catastrophe?
Mr. President, you have the right to visit Thirupathi in India. For a person “doing the right” to his fellow countrymen, the God will visit him or her. A person not doing the right to his people, will not and should not be tolerated by anyone leave alone the God. You by your in-actions mis and selfish actions coupled with petty thinking have aided and abetted this “manslaughter”.
Note to Readers
The main issue Mr President discusses at these illegitimate National Security Council meetings sans UNP members; was to check what UNP government is up to. For him it was National Security.
Lankan / April 22, 2019
In Sri Lanka, people forget all what took place soon, to avoid any further attacks like this , people must force government to take some action now.. to find the perpetrators of this attack.
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nimal fernando / April 22, 2019
All these people were sacrificed to seek a non-forthcoming second-term for Sirisena.
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He cut off the PM and the entire cabinet ………… and jealously hogged the defence ministry to conduct some political chicanery in the near future with SLFP and SLPP. And this is the result. He is the most self-serving selfish president we have had. In his mind all what matters is himself; to hell with the rest of the citizens.
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This is not the time for Ranil to maintain a stiff upper lip but to be man enough to confront Sirisena and lay the blame squarely at his feet.
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If not the UNP young guns should revolt and get rid of gutless Ranil ……….. How many more years of this crap can the nation go on with? …….. he is been there for 20 odd years doing nothing!
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I don’t believe a single word any politician says ……… none of their’s got blown off.
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Talk is cheap.
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An Observer / April 22, 2019
Where was the Decence Secretary, Hemasiri Fernando appointed by the President?
Isn’t it his duty to take the lead on security matters and inform the President to take appropriate actions?
Has a Past President of the IOC for donkeys years and the GM for a Bank got the relevant experience and qualifications to be the Defence Secretary of a country?
Problem with our country is almost every politician appoint their cronies to important positions in govt. irrespective of their experience or qualifications.
All three leaders (MS, RW, & MR) regularly visit Thirupathi Covil to get “Wisdom” to govern our country but all these guys are ardent Buddhists!!!!!!!
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Bharana / April 22, 2019
Spineless RW on a security council would do little or no difference. What have he done so far ?? Disintegrate the intelligence with his liberal baddy mongala.
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Anonymous / April 22, 2019
It was bad enough that the Rajapaksas were behind the manufacturing of Buddhist Terrorism now they are manufacturing and working with Muslim terrorists attackers to make the Rajapaksas popular before the next Elections??
Well done Gota nothing changes with you criminals…
Dirty politics is the only thing they know…
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mana / April 22, 2019
Reply to Anonymous
Please do not play party politics with this tragic event.
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Sinhala_Man / April 22, 2019
It is the Rajapaksas who are playing politics here.
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However, it is true that Mahinda Rajapaksa is out-smarting both branches of the now dead Yahapalanaya. I have listened carefully to MaRa’s statements. He is a consummate politician.
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All three are dirty old men, but MaRa is the cleverest of them, and therefore the most dangerous.
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My3 is the most culpable. He can’t resign just like that. He ought to explore the legal possibilities of holding a fresh Presidential Election ASAP at which he will not contest himself. He’s just not competent.
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Radical Ideas / April 23, 2019
Hi Sinhala_Man, You are one of the most rational voices in this forum who talk sense. As you say, the beneficiary of this whole drama is the Rajapaksa team. Now, coming to Maithree, there is a massive sinister plot got exposed. Why DID THEY NOT MAKE IT PUBLIC, of the available information with regards to this horrendous crime before it happens? Maithree kept this thing dumbed down for the next 14 days until it is finally happened and the innocent lives are lost. The next is, the Pro Gota machinery is airing their hidden happiness over the 290+ dead people, playing the shameful politics, to promote his card for the Presidential slot. Also, the Pro Mahinda/Gota media machinery is starting to blame the “government” by way of isolating the UNP and Ranil as the ones who are responsible for this carnage as they did not take any action on the information about this group and its plans. But, didn’t you notice the that all of these scumbag pro Gota criminals are NOT MENTIONING the elephant in the room— Maithree the President of this “Government” and the DEFENSE MINISTER who is totally responsible for everything what happened.Wimal Weerawangsa and Mahinda using trickery of words not to blame the ONE WHO IS MOST RESPONSIBLE-Maithree. Now, everybody know the allegiance of Maithree as he is always a stooge of Rajapaksas. So, whatever the actions of MY3 had taken, it will always be in the benefit of REMOVING RANIL and SACKING the UNP govt., and installing RAJAPAKSE CLAN back into power. GOTA is open about saying that HE IS THE ONE who should be the president under this context. And when you put all these puzzle pieces together, you will see the ugliest picture of RAJAPAKSE and the BBS/MAHASON/JHU plan drawn in the board to take this incident to the next level of the PLAN-B in the Rajapakse (Pro Zionist) coming to power again.
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Shivaji Modi / April 22, 2019
SL must seek Israeli assistance without delay.
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Mala / April 22, 2019
We can do without that snake being brought into the country, wait, from what I hear, those scumbags are already here.
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Rushdie / April 22, 2019
They have been arrested already. Further arrests are being made.
Indian, Israeli and western publications have correctly revealed them quoting Lankan officials.
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JD / April 22, 2019
The suicide bombing pretty well planned and timed.and they waited until the president is away. I think they bought some ISIS, of ISLE of LEVANt Paid killers too. I am wondering why Ranil mentioned that among the people that he informed about the Slaughter was Mr. Sumanthiran. It is Ranil and Mangala Who bullies Military officers and disintegrated Military Intelligence service. I say, Ranil is a willing partner and is a CIA agent. They debilitated and MR and now attacking Gotabhaya Rajapakse. They want PResident to be cut down to the size. Besides, They want President to accept the defeat or the failure and hand over or share the Defence, STF and police with Ranil. This may be the same reason why they want Executive President abolished. If all these works out, Ranil will contest president and the future president Ranil will hand over every thing in Sri lanka on a platter..
Another important point is Muslim planning would never attack three Breakfast lodges probably occupied by mostly by NGOS. One of the attacked Lodges had another Ahmisa, Thisarana like person, this time SANGHA and said to be the HEAD OF THE SRI LANKAN DEFENCE ASSOCIATION. what is that. This kind of things happened in THailand, EAST TIMOR, NICARAGUA and VENEZUELA
I think the objectives of the Suicide bombing is multi-purpose, pretty well and precisely planned. Political advantages are one. Can not be by Stupid LTTE.
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Anonymous / April 22, 2019
This is a follow up to CoupeLk don’t be fooled the Rajapaksas fingerprints are all over this. Just the thing they needed to manufacture In order to justify a Rajapaksas return…
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Analyst / April 23, 2019
Anonymous
I think so too. Certainly they have a hand . Not a Buddhist temple was touched. Not a single Parliamentarian ventured out on Sunday , as we know that they knew what was about to happen!!
They allowed in the innocent people to get killed while they stayed in safety.
How can we describe these Politicians ? Are they for the People or for their own.??
Makes me sick.
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JD / April 22, 2019
Correction: among the people that Ranil mentioned about the bomb blast was Sumanthiran why was that ? for some reason, Is Ranil reporting to Sumanthiran but not to the President ?
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JD / April 22, 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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AshyD / April 22, 2019
IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT… This message goes out to all the 224 Members of Parliament. He is doing more harm than good for the country.
If he had any intelligence about the attack as we are now hearing, then the President is GUILTY OF HIGH TREASON.
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Elathamil / April 22, 2019
Oh yes! Then immediate presidential elections and Kothapaya wins. Is that what you want?
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Sinhala_Man / April 22, 2019
Immediate Presidential Elections, yes.
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Fortunately for us Ahimsa Wickrematunga has worked a miracle, so Gota probably can’t contest.
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But few even of CT readers appear to realise how they should vote. I’ve tried to tell you here:
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/next-presidential-elections-are-the-media-doing-justice-by-the-nation/
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Others more competent than me ought to have worked that out. An Elections Commissioner has there commended my observations, but doesn’t feel it correct to write it up better than me.
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Readers who don’t take the trouble to take a quick look at that are also to blame for arrogance and carelessness.
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SU / April 22, 2019
There had been prior SPECIFIC intelligence warnings according to news reports.. But spineless government didn’t act on it swiftly many innocent people died including foreigners due to Sri Lankan government’s negligence and inefficiency .SHAME ON THEM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it is no point in shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted,(assa giyata passe isthala wasa wadak na) Apparently intelligent reports said there were threats to VIPs.. so they all got covered. One went to worship Lord Tirupathi.in India….one said his dad said not to go to church… Sri Lanka was a good target for those terrorists as PM and President do not communicate, there is no stability..ministers were fast asleep…..so our country is run by these shameless people…. .Do not let these people to fool you again.
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Jambu / April 22, 2019
The intelligence warning was issued. Although no one bothered to take it on board and put the necessary counter measures. Its hard to swim upstream against the tide. Its easy to swim with the flow. This is what apathy does most.
Even then, this is dealing with the after effects – not the causes. One significant cause I can mention.
Although it can be somewhat harder to understand if you aren’t in the loop. So I urge all to trust this panel of experts with Mr. Nagananda Kodituwakku
here -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bd9_W04NoRo
The island hides an important aspect that will strengthen it in many ways. The govt must acknowledge and let the world know the truth. The present Buddhist establishment and other commercial interests are hiding it because revealing will cause personal difficulties for them. Although this is not about individuals but national interest.
Regardless of your background, setting the record straight there will benefit you and your family. So do what you can, let all those in power understand this change must be made. More info by clicking on “Jambu” above.
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Shrikharan / April 22, 2019
The President who has proved beyond any doubt he does not have any back bone, who cheated the 6.2 million voter promising he will never again join with the named crooks and let down all those voted him to power on that single promise when he joined again with the same crooks, now should resign and leave office.
He has no vision. He is good at cheating people and backstabbing all those who helped him. In spite of all the warnings let such a human disaster happen in the holiest day for the Christians. Such a person can’t lead a country.
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bingo / April 22, 2019
Shrikharan
Yes, that crazy cockless dog should be kicked off hard!
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N. Ethirveerasingam / April 22, 2019
Both the Oresident and PM should resign. Both are preoccupied with each others power struggle.
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DPJ / April 22, 2019
Aiyo Sirisena! It is your presumption that you are omnipotent, has caused this calamity. You are a dim wit, a nitwit, a bounder, a scumbag, and a third class blackguard. I have no alternative than cutting my right hand for voting for a unscrupulous bloody rascal like you. You should have been left to plough in Polonnaruwa, or dig sand illicitly or should have been left to get killed for going behind others wives like your brother.The Security Council is not your property.. For your sins it was the poor people who paid the ultimate prize. You should be made to pay for this. You should by now be in the Calaboose by now. Don’t come out with your clap trap now, you SOB.
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Dan / April 22, 2019
[edited out] and I am ashamed that I voted for him!
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Craig / April 22, 2019
I hope this letter can be translated to Sinhala and sent across to Him.This is treason. Lets see who he will blame? It is my considered view that SF was the best to hold the law and order ministry. The President shunned him for petty personal reasons. Ruwan sounded pathetic while addressing the press yesterday. The IGP has shrunk out of sight. The SWAT team climbing the ladder in Dematagoda looked shaky and unsure.
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shankar / April 22, 2019
Impeachment proceedings should start immediately.he is responsible for all the lives lost.
For god’s sake abolish the presidency.Too many cooks spoil the soup.Two leaders for one country.
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Gemini Cricket / April 22, 2019
Something stinks in all this…
Why would muslim extremists target Christians in Sri Lanka? Christians have done the muslims nothing wrong!
For the past few years it was the BBS and its buddhist affiliations that have been constantly finding reasons and attacking the muslims in general, yet conveniently the buddhist public was not targeted.
The government knew about all this was going to happen and nothing was done to prevent the attack.
Prime minister and his ministers were kept in the dark.
The attackers had access to all necessary training, material, and the freedom to accomplish their aim.
Sarath Fonseka was nominated as defense minister time and time again, yet they choose to keep him relegated with other portfolios.
President is not even in the country at the time of attack.
The terrorists are captured quite easily and exposed conveniently within a very short time.
Something is wrong, I can’t put a finger on it, like someone said before, this kind of operation cannot be accomplished without serious help from a higher power.
Besides elections are at hand, politicians can and will go to any length. I woner I just wonder….
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Andare / April 22, 2019
To Gemini Cricket
Your assumptions and dragging Buddhist monks to this is sickening and dangerous. Please keep your wild mind under control.
Are you not aware that there is severe tension between Muslim & Christianity on the world stage?
Muslims in prayers were targeted on Friday (their special day) in New Zealand. Christians in prayers were attacked on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka.
Many in the world see a similarity in the above.
There is a mention of capturing suspects, the investigations are at an early stage.
It was very unfortunate that politicians are taking advantage of this, particularly PM who is coming out with statements that is showing the world the dire politics in SL.
Previous terror attacks were eliminated by the entire government including the past President. It is not Sarath Fonseka’s victory alone. How would he get the resources to fight the ward if not for the past President?
Debate intelligently without resorting to wild allegations.
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Gemini Cricket / April 22, 2019
I am not assuming anything. Just wondering.
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If it is a crime to wonder how conveniently cirtains things are happening.
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Besides, fyi, I am a. Sinhala Buddhist from deep south too, but what is wrong is wrong, I will not condone injustice to fellow humans and keep quiet just bacause I am sinhalese. My buddhist background does not teach me to be an extremist.
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Let us not forget how many innocent people have lost lives in this little island needlessly. No ethnic group or religious group has been spared.
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By the way I have not mentioned anything against buddhist monks, it is you who brought it up. I am sure it is your subconscious mind that is driving you to those conclusions.
Gemini Cricket
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Andare / April 22, 2019
Reply to Gemini Cricket
Your background is irrelevant. When SL is reeling under the shock of the events it is extremely important to keep a rein on thoughts that occur randomly in every human’s mind. That is the message I wish to convey.
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Bharana / April 22, 2019
Stupid gemini … come out of the well you are in. Arnt you aware that there is an ongoing tension between muslims and christians at world stage. ??
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Champa / April 22, 2019
Of course there are questions.
1. Being the President, the Minister of Defence and the Minister of Law and Order, why did he take one full day to return to Sri Lanka when his return journey is only less than 4 hours even by a passenger flight?
2. Any other President would have rushed back to his country when he first heard of the first bomb blast.
3. Did he wait for another bomb? I mean the last bomb to explode? I guess “their” plan was to have 10 or 12 explosions. By the time I sent my first comment, there had been 9 explosions. The 10th or the 12th could have been Dalada Maligawa, not by Thawfeek Jummah but by government perpetrators to incite Buddhists against Muslims.
4. Country was without a Head of State, a Minister of Defence and a Minister of Law and Order for 24 hours as the Sri Lankan President gave priority to his private tour.
I have more to say.
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Champa / April 22, 2019
I dare say the President, the PM/Government were fully aware and fully involved in these attacks.
Let’s see the interesting scenario:
1.)Indian media and the CNN were super quick to identify a man called Sahran Hashim who happened to be the Leader of the National Thawfeek Jamman and another man called Abu Mohammed and label them as terrorists, which is news to Sri Lankans.
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2.)These revelations were extraordinary given the fact that, by the time, the GOSL hasn’t even issued an informal statement. The conclusions of Indian media and the CNN were so fast, one might even think their reporting were pre-made.
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3.)The stark similarity between the Memo issued by Sri Lankan Police and the reporting of Indian media and the CNN was astonishing. How could that be? The only possibility could be the “foreign intelligence sources” mentioned in the Memo were RAW and CIA who had prior knowledge about the explosions. The lengthy details in the Memo is again unusual, as if the “perpetrators” have “deliberately” leaked the information to the Police to make the incidents more natural.
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4.)The ready-condemnation and the cooperation of the US, India, EU and UN within just a few hours of the incidents were also extraordinary. We have experienced a 34 year terror era under LTTE, but I cannot ever remember such speedy and readily available support against “terrorism.”
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5.)It is now no secret that the government was fully aware of the explosions including locations. Harin says he didn’t go to Kochchikade Church as his father had received information about a suicide bomb attack, which is true, although I guess it was a parcel bomb.
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6.) The muteness of UNP Ministers/MPs who otherwise talk like parrots is weird as if they were asked to be silent.
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Champa / April 22, 2019
7.) According to sources the men who checked in ShangriLa have given an address in Dematagoda where other men were with bombs. It is reported that the Police has taken the suicide bombers’ “own lead” and raided the place. Then there had been two explosions. Then the Police had found the vehicle in which suicide bombers said to have travelled and a house in Panadura. All these information is two good to be true. Are the suicide bombers nuts to give Dematagoda address? It is apparent that the Police was able to “make these findings” within a few hours as the government was involved in this.
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8.) Until yesterday, the Thawfeek Jamman was known as an extremist outfit. There is no record of them to be “this organized.” They attacked a Church in Batticaloa (?) in 2017. What did they do for 2 years? Converting people as suicide bombers is not an easy task. LTTE took years to brainwash its cadre before training them as suicide bombers. It is pretty obvious that “some foreign elements” have brainwashed the Thawfeek Jamman and its leader to become suicide bombers.
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9.) Only the last week the American Ambassador visited the Eastern Province. According to some sources she has held secret talks with local politicians and some organizations. Then this week the Eastern based National Thawfeek Jamman carried out bomb blasts. Then we heard the astonishing revelations about “terrorists” through Indian Media and the CNN.
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10.) This slave government is a product of the US and India. It is no secret that they are hell bent on protecting their interests. Creating chaos with the help of the slave government is the best way to disorient Sinhalese. I guess “they” expected religious riots in the aftermath or in parallel to these explosions, which did not happen.
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Sinhala_Man / April 22, 2019
Champa,
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Three comments by you. The first is spot on.
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You are going too far with your conspiracy theories in the next two.
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Siva Sankaran Sharma / April 23, 2019
The reason , they did not condemn or support the Sri Lankan state immediately during the so called LTTE terror, is because they knew the Tamils were fighting a just war against state sponsored Sinhalese terror and war crimes. It is only when mad Prapakaran became a megalomaniac and not listening to any reason , for peace , that they reluctantly supported to the Sri Lankan state to end the war, as the Sri Lankan state promised these nations, that is they helped them to win the war , just Tamil rights ,federalism will be granted and true reconciliation will happen, however as usual the Sri Lankan government and the Sinhalese reneged on these promises. The Tamils from the north/east are indigenous to the land and have a long history in the island and ruled their lands until European colonials arrived. Their fight was just. They were trying to protect their lands from state sponsored Sinhalese Buddhist racism. However Muslim extremism and fundamentalism has no excuse in the island. They are fairy recent immigrants from South India to the island and have no history or owning any lands or ruling any part of the island. They arrived in the island as refuges and were given refuge in the then Tamil lands along the west and later in the Tamil east. Now with Sinhalese state help and aid and support from certain Islamic nations and organisations , they are aggressively trying to steal the ancient Tamil east and parts of Mannar from the Tamils and create some sort of Wahhabi Islamic Caliphate in these areas and use this , as a spring board to capture the rest of the island.
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Concerned Citizen / April 22, 2019
This whole thing screams “FALSE FLAG!!!”, I wonder how many more innocent lives are going to be destroyed. You need to write this up as an article.
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lalith / April 22, 2019
president will appoint some feckless supreme court judges who will write a useless report to whitewash him and his incompetent henchmen. and the slavish unp will still refuse to impeach him. ultimately we the people deserve the leaders we elect
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paul / April 22, 2019
Do not worry, Ranil will appoint a Royal commission…….
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Julampitiye Amraya / April 22, 2019
We are bloody fools to appoint these hyenas as Rulers of our Country. THIS BUGGER HAS NEGLECTED HIS ULTIMATE DUTY TO SAVE THE COUNTRY FROM TERRORISM FROM FOREGIEN INTERVENT INTERNATION
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Chandra / April 22, 2019
The tragedy can be described as a conseqence of the wanton misdirection and inaction of the state apparatus that engulfed the country since 2015 . The people are in a state of shock, to some extent, similar to the Tsunami disaster. The sudden sympathy of the West seems amazing; should be viewed sceptically.
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max / April 22, 2019
CT, there is a fare share for you too, for this Easter Sunday horror. Reasons : Whenever intelligence services of the country or opposition parliamentarians voice against search operations of possible grouping by the Police or Armed Forces , you and your tamed commentators label them as “racists”. Eg: When Wijedasa Rajapakshe, then minister of justice, in parliament, pointed out some incidents, you guys accused him as “MR-ally” or “Sinhala Buddhist racist”. When Buddhist statues had been vandalized in Mawanella by some of the Muslim extremists and found the perpetrators in Wanatawilluwa, Puttlam, as usual, your voice was against to those who unearth the conspiracy but not to the perpetrators. List goes on. If this cruelty would have happened against Sri Dalada Maligawa or Sri Maha Bodhi, you would just ignore or simplify it saying “just a reaction against “Sinhala Buddhist hegemony” but this time, the devil has to come to the Churches. But, will you ever learn a lesion? I doubt.
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sinhalese buddhist / April 22, 2019
Both UNP and SLFP are to blame for the destruction of our national security mechanisms. Dismantling the intelligence units – as per orders from the Ealam diaspora – is one reason for this lapse. Ranil is responsible for the majority of the guilt.
MR and Gota are responsible for promoting anti-muslim hatred, which in turn radicalizes young muslim men.
Muslim clergy should take full responsibility for their role in fomenting fundamentalism within the island, using SAudi and other gulf state money. These missionaries should be banned from the island.
Ferret out the bad seed, so that the majority of muslims can live in peace.
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nalmen / April 22, 2019
if the president was informed and did not tell the pm and cabinet it is a very serious matter
worse he quietly left the country
that is enough grounds to impeach him as he is solely responsible for the carnage
it is time that both unp and slpp took him to task
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Kalu Nangi / April 22, 2019
This is shocking news indeed!
At least now the Premier and Minister of Defense must inform the public why they were not aware of the serious security threat and that National Security is now a subject totally controlled by the President. If the Premier and State Minister fail to enlighten the public of the actual situation prevailing in the country, both of them should resign. We cannot trust this stupid “trumpet blowing” idiot of a President anymore. If he is working with the Rajapakshas still, this carnage could have been planned as their 2nd Option at a coup, since the 1st attempt failed miserably in October last year.
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Hrd Truth / April 22, 2019
I
First of all, my sympathies to the families of the victims.
Who did this is the most pertinent question.
One one hand, the involvement of suicide bombers, if this information is true, clearly points to Islamic terrorism. No paid operatives will go and give up their lives for political ends or money. There has to be some ideology behind that. Tigers are the only non-islamic group capable of that, but they are no more, and whatever leftover element of them will achieve nothing from this.
On the other hand, the well-coordinated nature and how easily high profile areas were targeted points to some powers within Sri Lanka helping the attackers. Could a foreign islamic organisation which has no operational experience locally have done this only with the help of local Muslim collaborators? I do not know.
Whoever did this, clearly the Pohottuwa presidential candidate will benefit from this attack and the racism it stirs up. In any crime, anybody who is likely to benefit fro the outcome is a natural suspect.
UNP has nothing to gain from this, so it makes no sense to blame them. UNP gains nothing by being able to blame Sillisena, who is a lame duck whose term will end soon. It is not worth the risk for UNP to be able to pin the blame on Sillisena who everyone hates anyway. Gotler, on the other hand, has everything to gain from it.
A nexus between Istamic terrorists and Gotler, through his Pakistani contacts, cannot be ruled out.
Gotler may have everything to win but the idiots who will vote for him have everything to lose.
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Lion / April 22, 2019
As Sharmini said this is ” MAD MAN ” …fellow has appointed a commission headed by a retired Supreme Court Judge to investigate when the need is to appoint a Minister of Law & Order ..there is serious lapse in the Itelligent Service of the Country…the most important fact in an open economy..Now his objective is to find an involvement of the UNP … Under the circumstances he might appoint Namal Kumara as his intelligence Chief soon…
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Hard Truth / April 22, 2019
II
Why target Christians, and not Bhuddists? It may be, because, the local hand which supported the act did not want the Bhuddists to get hurt, as some commentators allege. But it could also be because, International Islamic terrorist organisations have more anger towards Christians, and the local muslim collaborators were controlled by them. This could even be a response to Christchurch. I think this is more likely. The ‘local hand’ would not care much about Bhuddists anyway, as some non Bhuddist commentators here think. It is not really very racist, only selfish. Remember the Sinhala Bhuddists who asked for water?
Some white foreigners, who have relatives among Sinhalese, have said to foreign news agencies that they were warned through “local grapewine” not to go into Colombo yesterday, and so they escaped. How did they get this information? They certainly had no Muslim contacts. Big hint there.
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Dulan de Silva / April 22, 2019
No it was because the killers were angry with Catholics as the NZ bomber was a catholic.
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Hard Truth / April 22, 2019
Dulan,
Not sure why are you saying ‘No’. I have quite clearly mentioned that taking revenge for the NZ attacks might be a reason, and indeed a very likely reason.
That said, the NZ attacker was NOT a Catholic (he was a Christian, though, or at least from a traditionally Christian family) and he was not a bomber, since he shot people not bombed them.
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Sinhala_Man / April 22, 2019
Hard Truth, I fully agree.
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I’d like to add that Prime Minister Jacintha Arden’s immediate and sincere action neutralised much of the hurt for Muslims.
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RohanS / April 22, 2019
The absolute silence of the Buddhist Prelates and Hierarchy is deafening! Not a single message of Condolence or sympathy towards the victims. Are they already in a state of Blissful Nirvana on Earth????
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Champa / April 22, 2019
RohanS
Don’t try to incite people against each other with bogus accusations.
The same day many prominent Buddhist priests including the Chief Prelate of Asgiriya Chapter expressed their condolences and concerns.
If you have a selective eyesight, it is not other people’s problem.
Their messages were on TV news and in newspapers too.
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Sinhala_Man / April 23, 2019
Champa, and even Eagle Eye,
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You’re quite right. The Prelates spoke out.
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The Cardinal is not to blame for this, but this should be a lesson to him as well: he’s long been playing politics.
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Eagle Eye / April 22, 2019
RohanaS,
Where the hell you live. Don’t you watch Sri Lankan TV news. May be you are too busy washing toilets in London.
Several Buddhist monks expressed their condolences and appealed to stay calm. Some monks went to meet Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith and expressed their support to the Christian victims. Simply because you have an anti-Buddhist mind-set do not talk from your ahole.
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Buramphisincho / April 23, 2019
That is typical to our most sacred chapter monks although they decide it for the politicians in this country.
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That is why I believe that buddhist monks in SL today are 100% hypocrites.
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If buddhists further believe that they should only respect the ” safron robe”, we d better help an animal wearing it. Surely, they would do the job properly.
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karaya / April 22, 2019
Reply to Hard Truth
Your statement ‘Why target Christians, and not Bhuddists’ (learn your spellings man/woman) is a sickening and a hateful thought. It says that if Buddhists were targeted it is ok.
Do control your mind and thoughts.
What SL needs is not people guess working but allowing authorities to investigate.
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Hard Truth / April 22, 2019
Haha emotional and presumptuous, Karaya. Calm down. My question certainly does not say, and neither does it imply (except, may be, in some form of Sri Lankan Singlish that you think is English), that it is OK to target Bhuddists. It is certainly not OK to target innocents from whichever faith. Read both my comments fully. I asked that question, because it is important to understand the motives of the attackers, and thus identify them.
You want to allow your authorities to investigate? Good luck with that. First get them to finish investigating who killed Lasantha. I don’t think we have the luxury of relying on so-called authorities to give us conclusions in a timely manner. I would rather use my brain, and discuss my guesses with intelligent people too. Now I do realise that may not necessarily include you. That is why I will ignore your reply below.
Oh, by the way, you may find that most people from UK, US, Australia and Canada will not know how to spell the word ‘Bhuddist’ ‘correctly’. Because it is not English, anyway, only anglicised Bali. Guess you will want to teach English to all of them. Moron.
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karaya / April 26, 2019
Ha Ha Hard Truth
You must be so intelligent that you beat Albert Einstein. It is worth getting an assessment of your higher cognitive functions. There are plethora of such assessment tools available on the internet. Why not try them?
Ha ha people from UK,US, Australia, Canada are more polite and eager to correct any mistakes. I know it is too much to expect it from your self.
Ha ha calling others moron is like” pot calling kettle black”.
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gamarala / April 22, 2019
[Edited out] We are sorry, the comment language is English – CT
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Eagle Eye / April 22, 2019
Sri Lankan civilians had to pay the price for the terrorist act carried out by Australian White Supremacist in New Zealand. To take revenge, they selected a soft spot and targeted Christians and White guys..
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Danny Ibrahim / April 22, 2019
Following his visit to Thirupati in India, the Panb*** took his sweet Jayanthi to Singapore for a holiday and also to meet with crroked gem dealers who are interested in trading with him.
He stayed in Singapore with sweet Jayanthi for one and a half days after the trajic events because there were no business class seats available in Singapore Airlines!.
The earlier this Pamb*** is thrown into the rubbish bin with sweet Jayanthi, the better off we will all be.
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Saman / April 22, 2019
Sirisena must resign now
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Christopher Seneviratne / April 22, 2019
Our idiot President should resign failing with he should be impeached, thrown out, arrested and sent to jail. The Pottuwa idiots should get together with the UNP and thrown out. Our beautiful country should not be at the mercy of this idiot any longer. If the Rajapakse’s if they have self respect and feeling for this country should to it immidiately.
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Shyam Dissanayake / April 22, 2019
Excellent article. These questions beg for answers from the President. Does he have the guts to do so?
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