President Maithripala Sirisena, who is currently in New York for the the 72nd Regular Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 72) has been accompanied by his wife Jayanthi, son Daham and daughters Chathurika and Dharani Colombo Telegraph reliably learns.
Two yeas ago Daham Sirisena was spotted attending the UNGA sessions and seated with the Sri Lanka delegation raising eyebrows and causing much embarrassment to the President.
This year, however, the President’s wife and elder daughter Chathurika, although seen at the UN Headquarters, have not been spotted attending the sessions. Daham, is in New York, according to sources, but has not been seen as yet at the UN. Although the President’s younger daughter Dharani has not been in the public eye as much as her controversial siblings, she is also in New York, a foreign ministry source told Colombo Telegraph. (By Senarath Molligoda)
Sirisena family | File photo
Don / September 20, 2017
Please give the man a break. He is one of the few honest and simple politicians we have and don’t insult the poor guy for no reason. We all now how our other politicians spend public funds.
/
bombili / September 20, 2017
few honest and simple politicians !!!!!
Rubbish. Utter rubbish.
He appointed his brother as chairman of SL telecom with an increased salary of about Rs 10 lks per mth.
Saughter who was Miss no one, overnight became an advertising baron controlling all government depatments.
Son a nigh club bashing , a good for nothing man.
Only the wife & the other daughter may be half decent.
DON must me living in a cockoo land
/
Don / September 21, 2017
you are right…I’m not living in your land but have seen how your leaders systematical destroyed your country. I am just saying that he is best choice you have and I know he is not from the Colombo elite and that seems to bother a lot of people. I think you should stop insulting his family ( or anyone for that matter), without any valid proof. Cheers!!
/
Premalal / September 23, 2017
There are many ways to destroy a country. Doing nothing after being elected promising many a noble thing and having power to do so is one such way. Our President gets a first class for inaction.
/
Roi / September 21, 2017
Poor guy? keep the family home without becoming a joker
/
roy / September 21, 2017
give the man a break. Ammata handbrake……If he is a honest politician MR and the thieves should be behind bars including Ravi K,Mahendran and co.
Don, your great great great grand children won’t have anything left,the way these buggers are looting.
/
don / September 21, 2017
Thanks for the advice Roy. I know its completely destroyed by our great politicians and I can assure you that my grand children with not be living in this country.
/
Burt / September 21, 2017
Only airfare for MR for three years:
“Former President, Mahinda Rajapaksa, spent more than Rs. 785 million within three years to charter SriLankan Airlines aircraft for his visits abroad, documents obtained by the Sunday Times show. The airbuses would often remain idle in various airports until Mr Rajapaksa finished his tours.
SriLankan has billed his office a total of Rs 785,079,185 for 90 aircraft movements in 2012, 2013 and 2014. This figure does not reflect other multiple costs such as crew accommodation. These expenses were often met by Sri Lanka’s diplomatic missions abroad.
Mr Rajapaksa usually flew on one of two Airbus A340s owned by SriLankan. Their registration numbers are 4R-ADG(a 243-seater) and 4R-ADE (a 299-seater). These long-haul aircraft are the largest the company operates. The respective airbus would be unavailable to other paying passengers whenever Mr. Rajapaksa hired it. This could mean several days.”
/
Wera / September 22, 2017
Than you very much for pointing out these facts which most people either don’t know or pretend not to know. IN this country we have the jealousy brigade who simply tore to shreds all the old wealthy families who tried to serve this country and still get abused for their efforts. Then came the have nots and they too right fully got accused of robbing the country. Folks that is human nature. When you put a person who has never had this much oppulance and power into the presidency this is going to happen. But when you compare the Madamulane Jarapakshe to any of the other have nots who became president their misdeeds fade into oblivion. Sirisena is probably the best of the lesser evils we face. It would be best to give the man a break and appreciate him. For there can always be another Jarapakshe who can easily sink this country for good.
/
Silva / September 21, 2017
Don… you’re right. He is one of the few honest politicians. My husband works at the Foreign Ministry and confirms that only Prezi and First Lady’s travel were paid by our tax. Daham’s last visit as well the children’s current travel are paid by Prezi’s personal fund….he’s rich in his own right which some idiots don’t seem to know. I think CT also should be a little bit more responsible and specific when reporting. Its the right thing to do.
/
bobbili / September 21, 2017
BS!
Presidents personal fund ?? All taxpayers money.
How did gramaya get rich in politics with only their salary to support.
Siva must be one of his goons..
How did the daughter managed to acquire an apartment in ‘Empire Apartments’ ?
He turned a blind eye to Bond scam.
No different from MR regime. At least he steered the 3 decades of war to an end. & was in power for 10 years.
These jockers are blood sucking tax payers money more than MR in just two years.
/
whywhy / September 21, 2017
Bobbili ,
Do you think Sira was drinking milk under the palm tree
for forty years ? Can a top salaried man in Srilanka make
it to this height after JRJ constitution ? What would be
the case of a GS then ? Had we the Srilankan , ever been
ready to see a humble village folk on this top ? These are
not even dreams coming true scenes ! Just one curious
and inevitable question , where does these paradise men
expect an ALL HONEST MAN to emerge from ? Is there
any mechanism in place to produce or support such an
effort in the paradise so far ? All I can see is , in my
experience , SUCH CHILDREN WILL BE MADE ORPHANS
EVEN IF EVER TO BE BORN !
/
Jurassic100 / September 21, 2017
Silva…… can you please request you husband to find out who paid for hotel accommodation, meals and local transport in New York for President’s children and enlighten us ???
/
Justica USA / September 23, 2017
That Rajapaksa would be none other that the fake lawyer, who should be behind bars, but has hopes of leading the country flicked by idiots…rules must be brought in to prohibit ppl who have been jailed for crimes to NEVER be able to hold ANY PUBLIC OFFICE…
/
Amarasiri / September 23, 2017
CT,
Why such a big deal.? This is the bonus President Sirisena and his family is getting for putting their lives on the line towards getting Mahinda Rajapaksa and his cronies replaced on January 8, 2015.
Besides this is good public relations for the country, because he is a normal family man, despite the excesses of Daham.
How does the Rs. 600 million in Sil Redi compare?What was the value proposition for the populace, other than MaRa MaRa ChatTu MaRa and cronies?
What about the Gotabayas’s $30 million MIG Deal? What about Basil Rajapaksas stealings? How did Basil Rajapaksa buy a $4.5 mullion house in California?
/
Upul / September 20, 2017
The president must be allowed to take his spouse using the taxpayer money. The rest have to use their own money if they want to be at the UN. If that too was taken from the taxpayer, then there is an issue.
/
Simon De Silva / September 21, 2017
Upul,
even last time, he had financed his sons tickets and accomadation by own pocket.
Unlike in the high days of KING OF MAFIA, people have become very nervous today even attacking current prez some times for nothing.
This is very unfair. As a person who is more sensitive to key issues, he will respond to CT soon, I hope.
CT is simply against Mr Sirisena but they support former ballige putha for some reasons. I really dont know why.
/
Jurassic100 / September 21, 2017
Upul / Simon De Silva……. politicians in general and President, PM and Ministers in particular are subject to intense public scrutiny. Therefore, President could easily issue a public statement confirming all expenses including air fare, accommodation and logistics for children are paid by him. Absence of such a clarification is what leads to all this speculation, I must say quite justifiably.
/
Sellam / September 20, 2017
There are many young Tamil men imprisoned for so many years, without trial and awaiting mercy from the president. But the president and his family having a very good time in the United states.
/
lal / September 20, 2017
They are linked to terrorism one way or another. There should be trials and if found guilty the animals should be hanged. Let the trials begin!
/
SJ / September 20, 2017
I take your point– but then he is not quite pretending to be their guardian.
Then the Tamil leaders are globe trotting under the same circumstances.
Their excuse cannot be the same.
/
Native Vedda / September 21, 2017
SJ
–
“Then the Tamil leaders are globe trotting under the same circumstances.”
–
Brilliant observation.
So Tamil leaders should go to the prisons, open the gates and let the prisoners go free or phone the Commissioner General of Prison and head of armed forces and ordered them to release all the Tamil prisoners. It appears the Tamil leaders too have equal powers as the president to get things done. Good observation.
/
Punchiburampi / September 21, 2017
There are also some people die without having proper meals in Africa, but in the name of them you would not go fasting right ?
So just because some have been jailed, should the president spend his own funds getting them out ?
What an argument ?
Good luck… Sellam, had current prez been wasting state funds for their extravaganzas simialr to what MR had always been doing, then your attack can be reasonable, but a prez who even let his powers to be curtailed for the sake of nation and even use charter flights for his travels should be commendable as I see it.
/
Jimsofty / September 21, 2017
Sellam: what about Whole Sri lanka was in a prison for 26 years or more. Why you are so worried when a 200 or so are in jail ?. Aren’t you a Tamil Racist ? Are you the one who said we got all the Srilankans in a box of matches ?
/
Naga Ramalingam / September 21, 2017
I agree totally. This President unlike others came to power on promises to undo the injustice done to the Tamil community, and particularly made TNA to believe that the release of Tamil prisoners is his top priority. He and his government has signally failed to fulfill any of those promises.
/
John / September 21, 2017
Sellam,
Barbaric LTTE terrorist invaders must not expect mercy.
/
Native Vedda / September 23, 2017
Johnny English Bongo Baby
–
“Barbaric LTTE terrorist invaders must not expect mercy.”
–
How about the Kallathonie boat people, who have over a period converted themselves from pagan worshipers, to Hindus, to Catholicism, to Buddhism to Sinhala/Buddhism to Sinhala/Buddhist Fascism?
/
Piranha / September 24, 2017
John
Barbaric LTTE ? very rich coming from a Sinhala modaya, the biggest barbarians are the Sinhala armed forces and thugs who killed many thousand innocent Tamils over the years. This is the reason the Tamils want to go separate .
/
Sinhala_Man / September 21, 2017
Yes, Sellam,
There is much undeserved suffering in the world. We must end that, but it won’t happen just because we all sit on the ground and cry.
Let this family be happy!
Actually, I’m glad to see that the responses are probably different from what CT expected by publishing this story.
/
Enough Bashing / September 20, 2017
I’ve noticed President Trump’s wife was at UN when he delivered his talk much like he was recording a board meeting in his Apprentice reality TV show. Then what’s wrong with President of SL to take his family to witness his speech at UN as well as to become President Trump’s audience at his reality show? Only issue here is who paid his family vacation in NY. There are many donors willing to provide paid vacation for him and his family for the rest of his life if he could resolve SL’s 50+ years of old ethnic problem. So far he is moving in the right direction but in a rather slow phase. Give him a break. Shall we?
/
Naga Ramalingam / September 21, 2017
It is not bashing…your comparison of Trump’s wife attending a meeting in US is very much different from the whole Sirisena family going to US on state expense!!
/
Justica USA.. / September 23, 2017
Where were u when MR took plane loads of stooges on chartered flights to NY, where were u when Rohitha Bogollogama went one one such trip n celebrated his daughters 21st Bday expenses at public expense? Hold ur breath, the cake cost ONLY 12000 USD…for more detailed info one must access through the public info act of those years..from the SL mission in NY…
/
SimpleSimon / September 20, 2017
He is no more a sincere politician than the rest of them. Why did he fall out with MR? Because he was not promoted to be PM !! The same selfish, self serving ego of the average politician. What can one expect?
/
punchi singho / September 20, 2017
Very ugly
/
Desapremiya / September 20, 2017
At least be thankful that the CT and other media outlets can report something like this under this regime. Imagine if we had the previous murderers and tyrants in power today. This site would be blocked and inaccessible under a media blockade. Your regular contributors, journalists and your family members would have received death threats. Your correspondence eavesdropped by government while media outlets or equipment on the ground set on fire. Is this what you want to bring back now that you have forgotten and have a short memory of the “mleichcha beeshana samaya”?
/
sbarrkum / September 20, 2017
How come there is never any mention of JR’s three grandsons.
One grandson Pradeep is Gampaha District Organizer of the SLFP
http://www.dailymirror.lk/108756/JR-s-grandson-appointed-SLFP-Gampaha-district-organizer
/
whywhy / September 20, 2017
It is an official tour , first lady can join it but not necessarily . Why
daughters and son ? It could be at their expense , but still why at
times like these ? Why can’t the president go on a family holiday
some other chosen day ? Why make an official tour look family
tour ? No big fuss but could have been avoided by giving the tour
a touch of professionalism and statesmanship .
/
Mihira de Alwis / September 21, 2017
Sellam, Most of these young Tamil men, probably showed no Mercy towards their victims. In any case, the two matters are not related. President taking his Family to the UN, I do not think he should be in mourning for the arrested thugs and not live a normal life.In regard to the people awaiting trial, discuss the matter with the Politicians from the North and file a separate lawsuit for better justice. Don’t look for Mercy from the President as these men have been arrested for a reason, for the crimes they have committed.
/
justice / September 21, 2017
Mihira de Alwis,
Why does it take more than twenty years to prove what you allege, in courts?
I opine that nothing much can be proved against them, and, if they are released, they will sue the state for millions, and the UN and the world will come to know this gross injustice.
There are rumours that their cases are to be transferred to courts in the south, before judges who will ‘toe the line’ and find them guilty, apart from making it extremely difficult for lawyers and their families to attend.
/
Soul Man / September 21, 2017
This is why he is called ” Janadipathi Thaatha “.
/
Naga Ramalingam / September 21, 2017
Surely Chathurika deserves a vacation after her hard work of writing the book about her father. She should also should take with her the woman who actually wrote the book.
/
Dot / September 21, 2017
For most people .in the world of earthquakes , Tornado and floods adding to the cost of living this UN meetings and the leaders delivering empty speeches mean nothing..People are suffering from wars and armies of occupation and embargoes of power politics nothing happens at UN level ..but this fiasco of meeting of whales sharks and minnows happen for appearances matter , so I suppose for the families of the Speakers its a big outing and a big day ..and why worry if they pay for the airtickets , the stay at the Waldorf or wherever ..for hotels at NY is not easy on a budget ..but these people have enough money for to attend the big show I suppose ..so much surplus cash for a grand holiday to see the President Thatha hobnobbing with the greats of the day ! A family outing !!..may be not news for the other tabloids for they are silent
/
Mama Sinhalam / September 21, 2017
As long as he did not use state money for his kids’ trips, there can be nothing wrong with this. Hope he returns and gives an account of the expenses for the trip to clear the public on this.
/
Hela / September 21, 2017
Don’t be jealous folks. Let them enjoy…….Can’t you see their bright smiles? I don’t have to eat….my stomach is full just looking at the photo (I am sure it would be the case for many of my fellow Sri Lankans)…………..
/
Native Vedda / September 23, 2017
Hela
–
” I don’t have to eat….my stomach is full just looking at the photo”-
–
You bloody old pervert, we know why you are not hungry. Where are you looking at?
–
You are not only a bigot but a pervert too.
/
Jimsofty / September 21, 2017
This is a sure sign that aSirisena is not contesting a second time. So, he is using country’s money to show his family the world.
/
Renu / September 21, 2017
Hope they pay for their tour , and meals & logging , and will not get into Presidentl’s Official account like the Rajapakses did
/
Gamarala / September 21, 2017
Well Trump did not have far to travel from his Apartemnt in the Trump Tower, which is so close to the the UN HQ. Whereas the S/L President and his whole family had to fly all the way to New York which would have cost a pretty penny to the Tax payers of poor S/L.
/
Vithanage / September 21, 2017
Enough Bashing,
Trump took his wife not his entire family. And he did not travel thousands of kilometers, he went to New York from Washington. Look at a map if you don’t know. Trump may be an ass but he has enough personal funds and does not need official funds to travel between the two cities. The question is who paid for the Sirisena family to spend days in New York. Who is paying for the hotel stays?
Enough Bashing might re-read or listen to Sirisena’s campaign speeches. Remember those promises- no nepotism, no promoting family and always accountability. What happened to those promises. That is not all. He said he will serve only one term as president. Want to bet on that? Now and he and his family have got a taste of power and privilege you think he will retire gracefully? Where do you think daughter Chaturika suddenly acquired wealth? Cornered all state advertising. Shame on her and the family. What about the son? Smashed up any nightclubs lately?
/
a progressive citizen. / September 21, 2017
it is very ironic that while the poor soldiers who have been alleged for war crimes in sri lanka are suffering behind the iron bars with the auspices of this simple president , the same president who vociferates pretentiously that he won’t let the high ranking army officers and soldiers be prosecuted by any foreign hybrid court , is taking his family members on a tour to u,s,a at the expense of poor srilankans . this is not the embezzlement of public fund ? at last it is poor voters who got cheated to this fucking simple president. we need not white wash any corrupt politicians whether it be any person from the previous government or from the present government.
/
Kabaragoya / September 21, 2017
Gamaya and company at the UN. Looks hilarious.
/
Sinhala_Man / September 23, 2017
Dear Kabaragoya,
I’ve been following this story for four days; I was very happy that almost nobody was descending to quite the level that you have now plumbed. Therefore, I desisted from making any lengthy comments, only comforting a Tamil writer, Sellam. I asked him not to grudge happiness to those who can be happy. Is it a solution to anybody’s problems to be collectively miserable?
The President made an excellent speech in New York. He is an educated man who speaks very well. On that score, I’m still happy that I did the little I could to get him elected. The only problem is that he doesn’t always implement what he says in International fora.
Why can’t you rejoice when you see the spontaneous happiness of this family? Yes, given the background that they come from, they must be very proud of Maithri. Human happiness doesn’t look “hilarious” to me. I wish it for everyone, including you, and I hope that it is something that is sustainable. Indeed, Maithri waxed quite eloquent on climate issues, which Donald Trump is indifferent to. I have never been outside Asia, and given my age, never will, but I don’t grudge the family this outing.
*
However, his assurances to the International Community regarding War investigations are beginning to sound hollow. Regularly stated, but nothing implemented. We all know that the punishing of the perpetrators of such crimes is unrealistic, but surely we can investigate and acknowledge. However, there has been a recent boldness in his approach to the Bond Scam, and let us hope that this is carried over in to other areas of concern.
*
To be continued . . .
/
Sinhala_Man / September 23, 2017
Simon de Silva, above, states that only only two tickets were paid for by the State, but that has been countered by “Jurassic100”. However, “Silva” says that she knows this for a fact from her “husband”. Not conclusive, so keep debating, but not insolently.
This is my appeal to you, dear Kabaragoya: say what you have to about corruption, but not the way you did when you found fault with me for not being a Rugby fan. Statements made in the tone that you adopt are deeply insulting to the majority of the people in this country who speak only one language – which is a truth about the population of the entire world.
Somebody had stated that Sirisena had barely managed to get past Grade Eight. Can’t be! At the time he enrolled for the three-year Diploma in Agriculture at Kundasale it would have been necessary for him to have passed his O. Levels. That Diploma was a decent qualification, albeit the emphasis would have been on practice rather than theory. Arguably such learning often leads to reflection and deep understanding. Later, he did that Diploma in Politics at the “Maxim Gorky Literature Institute”. Brain-washed in to Marxism? We have to listen to him talking. He is widely read: would some of it be in Russian and English? Probably. However most of his reading must have been in Sinhala. I speculate. Must he respond to all such idle speculation, or get on with the work of being President, and enjoy some of the simpler pleasures of life that come his way? How else can life be bearable for a tee-totalling vegetarian?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maithripala_Sirisena
Checking facts is so easy today. That Wikipedia entry is long, but it is not one that is all sycophancy.
/
Sinhala_Man / September 23, 2017
Kabaragoya, you and I appear to be Sinhalese who have done most of our reading in English. What are we then reduced to when whites who have lived in this country attack us for being darkies? I have tried to counter one such here:
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/chathurika-butchers-appachchi-now-its-thaththa-of-the-nation/comment-page-1/#comment-2132322
I have posted my comments at the very end – the last just now, hours before the deadline. What would you say to such a person?
*
I would grant that such guys have Logic on their side. Evolution is such that the various ethnic groups COULD be genetically different in many ways including intelligence, moral sense and physical strength, but those are specialised fields of knowledge, and since, I cannot possibly acquire all the insights necessary, I’d rather be non-judgemental.
I return to my theme of the damage that is done by mocking comments such as yours. It leads to bottled-up frustration which explodes with such ferocity as may spell doom for us all. We’ve done it to the Tamils, we’re doing it to the Muslims world-wide, and now you’re doing it to people whose culture is authentically Sinhalese.
*
“O, wad some Power the giftie gie us
To see oursels as others see us!
It wad frae monie a blunder free us,
An’ foolish notion.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_a_Louse
CONCLUDED!
/
gamini / September 21, 2017
Better looking than helping Hambantota low life?
/
nalin / September 22, 2017
i have lost faith from president pm and whole yahapalanaya bunch
/
K.Anaga / September 23, 2017
Make hay while the sun shines.Time is limited .
/
Lanka Watch / September 24, 2017
World Leaders , whether its the President or the Prime Minister ,should not mix up pleasure trips with official trips as this will lead to speculations whether people’s money is used to buy air tickets and to pay for accommodation for the “Jing bang” that accompanies the leader. The UN head quarters in New York is a spot where the world leaders meet few times an year to discuss problems affecting humanity around the world .. The leaders, specially from third world countries, should maximize this opportunity to meet as many leaders as possible on the side line and grab what ever assistance they could get for their countries, instead they make one speech at the UN assembly and rest of the time , go shopping with the families and meet friends and relations. and make their own private deals.
Treasury should see that , apart from paying airfares for the accompanying officials, only the
President and the first lady get the tickets and not members of the leader’s family. Well said
but who will bell the cat is the question the Treasury secretary may have to face. In this particular case, there is no evidence that this photograph was taken at the UN/HQ or overseas and it is doubtful that this President had the guts to get the people to pay for the tickets for the rest of his family, knowing well, how much of criticism, his predecessor faced for spending billions of rupees on Official travel and in those jolly days, lost a good deal with Emirates airlines for not offloading fare paying passengers to accommodate the “Jing Bang”. of the Govt. entourage and ever since, Sri
Lankan airlines, doing it alone, is losing billions on daily operation. and the present govt. cannot
find a partner to revive the dying airline.
It is also possible that President’s first daughter, seen at the UN/HQ accompanied him on a special assignment as private secretary, which is acceptable..
/
Sinhatamil / September 25, 2017
War crimes were commited by both sides, yes (like in every other war since the beginning of time), Tamils were discriminated, yes, the LTTE started out as freedom fighters, yes, but they turned into a group of terrorists. Make an effort to address the issue from an unbiased viewpoint and maybe one day we will finally live in a united Sri Lanka.
/
Sinhala_Man / September 25, 2017
Dear Sinhatamil,
You have summed it up admirably in a very few words. Going by the name you have given yourself it is possible that you are conscious of a mixed heritage that you are conscious of. In my case, my ancestors have all been Sinhalese as far back as I can remember, but obviously there have been marriages (other less formal alliances that produced issues are hushed up!) to people from other communities.
Population control world-wide is necessary; so many of our problems stem from having such a huge human population. Back to topic: let us realise how important social mobility is, and rewards to the decent and hardworking.
*
The world is changing, and we are people of the past, and some of us have the habit of asking for absolute accuracy. That we can’t always ensure, and it may be that we ourselves would like to be reticent about certain facts. The growing generation has access to far more facts than they can possibly assimilate, and it relates to the entire world. We now know about the fate of the Rohingiya refugees. So much depends on the media, and what it cottons on to – often not objectively, sometimes even accidentally. And, of course, many are the occasions on which those with knowledge think it in order to distort, sometimes without any mal-intent.
*
So what do we pass on to the next generation? Historians must go in to minute detail, but then such truths are not examined in depth by the average person. Increasingly we will have more “uneducated people” – despite all the proliferation of recorded data, if only such data could be accessed by those who want to know absolute truth!
Let the scholars do their work; by the time the majority of us are adults, we operate with what we were taught in primary and secondary school.. If only we could be satisfied with the broad picture that you have given us!
*
At a political level, we must remember that for reconcilliation some forgiveness is necessary from BOTH sides.
/
Percy / September 25, 2017
Lanka Watch asks who will bell the cat? Don’t you worry about that! People are waiting to tell Sirisena what they think of him but he does not want to face the people. Postponing local govt elections endlessly. This is a foolish strategy. The longer they postpone the inevitable the stronger the anti Sirisena forces will grow and the resulting gigantic wave of anger and resentment will drown them all. The end is near for Sirisena/ Ranil
/