A case has been filed in the Court of Appeal by Civil Society activists Prof. Chndraguptha Thenuwara and Gamini Viyangoda alleging that citizenship was never conferred on former Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and SLPP Presidential hopeful Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and that he is not a Sri Lankan citizen.
Former secretary to the MOD – Gotabaya
The legal action comes amid an explosive investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department into Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s passports, dual citizenship, visas and NIC documentation.
Earlier this week the CID told the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court that the file containing Rajapaksa’s dual citizenship papers and applications could not be located at any of the Government departments and ministries dealing with citizenship matters.
The CID reported facts to the Chief Magistrate that the Department of Immigration, the Ministry of Defence and the Home Affairs Ministry did not have custody of Rajapaksa’s file.
The Chief Magistrate has ordered the Immigration Department to hand over all files connected to Rajapaksa’s dual citizenship to the CID. The Chief Magistrate also issued an order for state authorities to hand over details of all officers, employees and polling agents who were on duty at the 2005 presidential election.
Jagath Fernando / September 28, 2019
Wow!!
What is going on in SL??
Hope Govt servants learn a lesson not to bend the laws to satisfy politicians at least now. It is shocking as to how the so called SLAS officials treat politicians like gods and dance according to their tunes. Shameless public servants !!
Was pleased to note that Customs head was taken into custody for releasing gold to a temple. Hope all these Ministry Secretaries and Department Heads are held accountable for all the unauthorized recruitments done recently to satisfy politicians.
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Lalith / September 28, 2019
It’s not a case of bending laws. At present, every man has a price. If you know what I mean.
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Nic / September 28, 2019
Thanks to the Rajapakse’s. Like Basil aka Mr 10% later became 20% – inflation in Sri Lanka sky rocketed and so did his price. Then the former 1st lady – demanded payments up front.
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Dilhara / September 29, 2019
Gota is the made in America Dictator in waiting for Banana Republic Lanka!
Nivard Cabraal’s visit to US, was very likely to make a deal with Trumpland – the land of the deal – to negotiate Gota’s ‘release’ from US citizenship and various cases, in exchange for his future signing of SOFA and MCC, and/or, American bases in Mannar and Trinco. now that Ranil is a lost cause?
Voila, delivery of a America Dictator on a platter to SL?!!
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Native Vedda / September 29, 2019
Nic
–
Hang on!
The files may suddenly reappear.
This is miracle of Asia.
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Dilkie / September 28, 2019
Yes, every man has a price,but Govt. Servants carry a responsibility to be honorable in executing their duties. A case in point is Lilith Weerathunge one time Secretary to the President. He is charged for misappropriation of state funds for purchase of ‘sil reddi’, on the orders of Mahinder. He will is awaiting Appeal. Let it be a lesson to all Officers of the State. Don’t bend backwards to satisfy corrupt politicians.
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Good Sense / September 29, 2019
Don’t forget that the Maestro Gamini Senarath was acquitted but Lalith Weeratunga got convicted. Someone told me that Lalith did not adopt the correct “strategy” to win his case. Oh! Yes! Money talks. Cash is King.
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Amarasiri / September 28, 2019
Immigration Officials,
The files you had were missing. You all know who took it, unless there was a burglary. So who took the files?
Is Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a Citizen or just another Para? Even the mean IQ 79 voters need to know if Gotabaya is a Citizen or not, a Para or not.
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paddy / September 28, 2019
Hurrah !!! This is the best thing that can happen. Gota please go back where you came from. Thank you.
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Hamlet / September 29, 2019
Officials Who Do Not ‘…treat Politicians like Gods and Dance according to their Tunes’, are Threatened with Death or Worse; and So Resign from their Positions and Leave the Country! And the Country is left with the Dregs Who are Willing to Dance!
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Sugath / September 29, 2019
It looks like, if we continue the way we have been been doing in some of the govt institutions ,now trying to adhere to the law of the country with out bending their back to the politicians , and this will certainly create a precedence for other institutions to fall in line, country is getting closer to create a situation to separate govt from state machinery, which would never have happened if not for the 19 amendment. This was the great achievement of the Yahapalanaya govt despite their other deficiencies.
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Nissanka Dasanayaka / September 29, 2019
Well said. Public servants should stand up to the politicians
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Amarasiri / September 29, 2019
The Immigration Department,
Gotabaya Rajapaksa is a Paradeshi, a Para, when he became a US Citizen. To become a Sri Lankan Citizen, he had to apply for dual citizenship. When was this citizenship granted? Was it granted at all?
Is there concrete evidence that Gotabaya Rajapaksa is not a US Citizen anymore?
Please hand over the list of The officers who are responsible, Are there electronic copies?
Are you also following the “tradition” of missing bodies extended to missing files?
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mike / September 28, 2019
“File containing Rajapakse’s (GOTLER) dual citizenship papers and applications could not be located.” Gone missing, just like the body parts of Thajudeen!
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K.Pillai / September 28, 2019
Mike
He was Gitler when the file left the Asgiriya Office. When did the name change to Gotler occur?
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Patriot / September 29, 2019
Pillai,
You meant ‘glitter’!!
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whywhy / September 28, 2019
mike ,
And Eknaligoda ?
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Robert Fernando / September 29, 2019
Gota will join the parents & loved ones of the ‘Disappeared’ and start demonstrating with them demanding what had happened to his documents and papers? He will allege white van disappearance!
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punchinilame / September 29, 2019
Not missing but being re-set to fall In
Line to suit the Rules. The file will
be found with an excuse the I/E
Is capable of in their mafia activities.
They are alleged to have earned Rs.
84 million from April 2015 to Dec
2018 in illegal income in the grant
Of Dual Citizenships, with cases
dragged for 4 yrs. – the same story
of missing Files!!
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Ajay / September 28, 2019
I’ve always said he’s an undercover American operative. People … wake up and smell the coffee.
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justice / September 28, 2019
The very fact of missing files on citizenship of a prominent and well known citizen and candidate for the highest office of the nation, is a cause for concern that the missing files contain important information which may be related to his candidature.
The files need to be located and read by relevant authorities before the Election Commission receives applications for the post of president.
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AshyD / September 28, 2019
GOTHCHA………The cat is among the pigeons now. What happens now? The law should take its course. The Chief Householder Chamal Rajapakse should be first booked for providing false evidence. Gota for breaking the law of our country. The officials at the polling booths who let him vote.
Cancel MR election in 2005 and 2010 and ………….. I don’t know what can be done on that score. It is now a very stinking can of worms if all this is true.
ONLY TIME WILL TELL
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Acumen / September 28, 2019
When I was defense secretary I didn’t have to submit any documents to become Sri Lankan citizen. Now you are asking for these documents. Sorry I have to call Ali Sabry to ask the court permission to fly to Singapore for my usual medical treatment at Mt Elizabeth hospital.
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Dilkie / September 29, 2019
Attaboy!! Of course we understand. Magistrate will forgive. Only to convince EC. Good luck.
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Sinhala_Man / September 28, 2019
A guy called “Andrada” said this three days ago:
.
“Are you saying GR’s nomination will be rejected by EC when he presents his papers?
Sir, there will be a bloodbath of Herculean proportions if that happens.”
.
here:
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/confidence-in-the-electoral-system-the-election-commission-the-attorney-general-the-police/
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That article is one in which one of the three Elections Commissioners says that regulations must be followed, laws enforced. The interesting question whether the supposed popularity of a person should subsume his flouting of regulations gets raised. If allowed the law of the jungle is instituted. The strong (in this case popular) may devour the weak (in this case the individual – who happens to have a minority identity).
.
I’m grateful that the Colombo Chief Magistrate is not a kangaroo.
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Champa / September 28, 2019
Ha ha ha ha, I guess, this is a handiwork by so and so. (Hey CT, I am abide by your rules, ok)
So, who will replace this guy? I am 100% sure it is so and so.
I am sure Gamarala is meant to go to heaven once again.
I saw some fake and real astrologers showering praise on so and so saying that he is instrumental in winning this election and that he has a Raja Yoga. Man, I also have some yoga, according to an Indian astrologer who read my horoscope some 35 years ago. Anyway, I will withhold the name of that yoga, as, so far, I haven’t heard anyone else having it in Sri Lanka. I am not a Presidential contender. Therefore, it is not important.
So, about this news, I must say the replacement will be more disastrous than the outgoing candidate. Guys, we have work to do.
(Oh, c’mon, CT, give my freedom to write about the election. I have been writing comments since February 2015. This is the first time my comments were not published based on my political view.)
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Champa / September 28, 2019
About Gamarala’s predicament, I wrote a comment to a Sinhala daily which isn’t published yet.
Gamarala is meant to go to heaven once again!!!!
When the election date was announced as November 16, I felt something was not right. Then I checked the date on which Gamarala was meant to go to heaven last year. Gee! it is the same date, November 16. So I put two and two together.
So, Gamarala is meant to go to heaven on November 16, the election day, most importantly, it will happen before the election results are announced.
Now, I know who has given this date, November 16 to the Elections Company. It is so and so.
This is what will happen.
Gamarala and the Elephant both will go to heaven not together, but separately, most probably on the same day. I am sure so and so has promised the big one that, in such a scenario, he would take over the country. Then so and so will distort the outcome of the election. If so and so will contest, he will be the winner. Even if the current one contests despite legal-hurdles, he will be the winner, not through a free and fair election of course.
I just gave a heads up.
Knowingly or unknowingly, sometimes, astrologers give some hidden clues in their predictions. When I heard the nomination date-October 7, is not good for the current candidate, but it is very good for so and so, who doesn’t even contest, I thought what the heck. Then again, when I heard a prediction that November 16 is also good for so and so, but not for the one who is meant to contest, I thought whats. I like this type of mysteries. When I hear something like this, my mind works overtime.
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Champa / September 29, 2019
Hey, look at this. This is for all who are interested in Numerology. (Mine is self-learning.)
The nomination day is 7.
The election day is also 7 (1 + 6).
Sri Lanka is electing the 7th Executive President.
How coincidental!
Is there anyone whose life path number is 7 (other than me)? I am joking.
What is Mahesh Senananayake’s life path number? Others; i.e. G, B, M, S, A & N, I checked. None of them have the life path number 7.
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whywhy / September 28, 2019
Champa ,
If the Indian Astrologer is spot on , your Raja Yoga must be
taking you to the right location ! And if it happened 35 yrs
ago , well darling , take a deep breath , just another five
minute walk , you reign for ever and ever and ever !
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Tamil from the north / September 29, 2019
Chimpa, you don’t write anything intelligent, you only bring the muck in your head and spill it all over CT. CT is not a garbage dumpster.
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Champoa / September 29, 2019
Tamil from north
I can see that the so called muck was worth enough to get a comment from you.
Cheers!
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Mallaiyuran / September 28, 2019
Did that guy is born in Lankawe? Sorry, is that guy was ever born?
When Modayas were scooping up all the CID investigation files, accidently they scooped & burned his immigration file too. Sad man! Poor Modayas
Old Brother Prince helped Karuna go to UK. Now somebody can help Old Brother Prince to come to Lankawe.
I think Hezbollah will be a valuable help on this time. Tamils were complaining that his agents having all the rubber stamps and franks and making all kind of land deeds in all manners the clients want. Hoping with the help of Hezbollah, before the end of the day, they will be able to find the file back.
Good Luck!
(Even in the land managed by Escobar in the Mexican jungle , there would have been some order and discipline)
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Real Revolutionist / September 28, 2019
This is very unreasonable.
Any citizen in a democratic country has a right to contest in an election.
How can a person with citizenship in 2 countries (dual citizenship) lose his/her democratic rights.
He/She must be given a right to contest elections in both countries.
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Patriot / September 28, 2019
Real Revolutionist.
Can Herr Gottler contest Presidential Election in US, while remaining a dual citizen of Sri Lanka? Laws in both Countries do not permit. Obey the laws.
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Real Revolutionist / September 30, 2019
Patriot
According to you & the law,
Dual citizenship = No citizenship in both countries.
So dual citizenship is a joke.
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Sinhala_Man / September 29, 2019
Even if Gota renounces his Sri Lankan citizenship, he cannot contest for POTUS. That’s what Trump created for Obama in 2008 – the “birther” controversy.
‘
A POTUS can be any colour, but he must be born in the U.S. Hawaii is part of America.
.
Obama’s father was Kenyan. Trump said that Barack was born in Kenya, but his, by then divorced, mother knew that this baby was destined to contest the Presidency. So she got into a plane with her infant son, and registered his birth as being in Hawaii. If RR now swears an affidavit saying that he was the obstetrician who delivered Barack in Kenya, Trump may help RR’s friend to renounce this now unnecessary American citizenship.
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Good luck!
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Yahapalanaya / September 28, 2019
I am baffled. How was GR employed as the Secretary if not a SL Citizen. Did he have a work permit? if so on what basis would a US citizen be hired to work as a Defence Secretary?
What would US state department say on this matter.
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Yahapalanaya / September 29, 2019
Did he even have a proper visa or to remain in the country? In other countries visitors overstaying the visa are banned from entering the country for 10 years and employers who are caught employing such people are made pay heavy fines.
This is a man who some blind and slave voters are trying vote into power to turn the country to a heaven.
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Siri / September 28, 2019
All this is utter BS. Not a finger will be laid upon GR now and in the future.
The man is not a fool and those who are trying to make him a fool are the very fools themselves.
What damn fools live in sri lanka.
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Dilkie / September 28, 2019
Siri.
Remember Mahinder was kicked out from Prime Minister Post in October 2018. If there is a will there is a way. Citizen Perera has got guts and ****s.
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Freddy / September 29, 2019
If citizen Perera has guts and balls then citizen Perera will not be waddling in the cesspit of corruption. Citzen Perera will be a affluent citizen today like the citizen Pereras of Singapore & Malaysia without having to vote in some corrupt wanker every five years.
Citizen Perera has to check if he genuinely has guts & balls and if you Citizen Dilkie Perera has balls then there is something wrong with your body’s chemistry.
If there is any citizen Perera who has the balls to lay his hand upon GR then hats of to him for he is truly a citizen with balls.
Have a good week ahead in your dreams.
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mike / September 29, 2019
Siri – Nevertheless, on the whole, you have become a bloody fool!
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Samson / September 29, 2019
It is you and people like you who are the sorry dunking fools.
Lets face the music, you stand in line every five years, vote some arsehole into power whose sole intention is to make hay while the sun shines, he robs you and the other fools lock stock and barrel, laughs through his rear and then makes a clean exit.
After five years you are left standing in your underwear the same underwear you wore five years previously and left to ponder what you achieved in the five years.
Mr Clean Politician has left laughing while you are left crying and what do you do next stand in line again and vote another arsehole back into power.
It will go on and on until the day a dictator comes into power to whip the shit of your arse and get you into your damn senses and then it will be too late.
If there is anybody who can and will whip the shit of your arse and make you a good and productive citizen that person is Gotabaya Rajapaksa and hope he comes into power.
If not you will be a moron like all till your dying day.
As for me i was a bloody fool until i decide to leave and not come back.
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Lankan / September 29, 2019
He is a criminal, by all accounts..just walking free cause Sri Lanka is a lawless country.
Those supporting him are definitely fools!
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George / September 29, 2019
In other words you have illustrated how powerful the Rajapakse’s are. ?
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ranjith / September 29, 2019
You are the damn fool
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Kalu Nangi / September 29, 2019
Siri,
He has already decided to back down from the Presidential election.
Going is not good for him.
Perhaps that’s why the hurried discussion with Maithripala by Gota, Mahinda and Basil. Pohottuwa and SLFP might join together and field one candidate after this…
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Estate Labourer / September 29, 2019
Mahinda Deshapriya will probably overlook all these ‘peccadillos’ and allow Gotabaya to contest the presidential election!
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Sinhala_Man / September 29, 2019
What if the Tamil member of the Elections Commission (what’s his name?) objects?
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What a country this is!
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PARAGON / September 29, 2019
[Edited out] this comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.
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upali / September 29, 2019
We should have advertised the Presidential vacancy overseas. There are many leaders with experience overseas and interview them give them citizenship and allow them to contest.As the Mahanayaka recommended even Hitler would have become eligible to apply.All agree that our past leaders have failed since independence.
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Sinhala_Man / September 29, 2019
Upali,
.
Obama has such a nice demeanor that many Sri Lankans love him.
.
Have you seen the shop in Ratnapura prominently named OBAMA.
.
He could well defeat Gota in Sri Lanka.
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Now supposing Kamala Harris gets tuition from the admirable (I use the adjective seriously) Nagananda and introduces an Autochthonous Constitution in America to allow Gota to contest for POTUS in 2024, how many votes will Gota get in America?
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Much confused / September 29, 2019
To yahapalanaya,
As a US citizen he cannot contest an election. However he could be appointed to a non elected post in SL with the SL citizenship. Hence the alleged fraudulent , post dated award of the SL citizenship in 2005 so could be appointed as DS.
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nalmen / September 29, 2019
why does gota not show his renunciation acceptance letter to the public once and for all
to dispel doub t
sajith should demand that he does so when he starts his campaign
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Yonag / September 29, 2019
Assuming GR was indeed a US citizen all this while, according to the American Tax Office (IRS) every American citizen is liable for federal tax even if he/she has already paid taxes in a foreign country if their income exceeds US$103,900 per financial year. Its called The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) that allows you to exclude a certain amount of your FOREIGN EARNED income from US tax. What this means is that if, for example, you earned $118,000 in 2018, you can subtract $103,900 from that leaving $14,100 as taxable by the US Govt.
But $14,100 is chicken feed. As defense secretary I’m sure he would have earned millions of dollars as commission on arms procurement during the war which he may not have declared to the IRS as an American citizen which carries criminal charges according to US Law. The culture of ‘Aiya-Malli-Sahodaraya shape karala gedera yang’ that the Sri Lankans practice does not apply in the US. Lets wait and see what happens. This is very interesting.
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Manel / September 29, 2019
Do we want an illegitimate president? We were the laughing stock of the world, when we had TWO Prime Ministers. Let’s not even risk it. Gota is so desperate to be president he will do anything, even break laws, to become one.
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Bandu / September 29, 2019
My only concern is he is talking execution already. What will happen if he becomes Prez if he could be a
such a fraudster that all his past ten years was a sham with files missing. So he signs SOFA as an Amercan in Sri Lanka. Modawansa Gonmanpila Dinesh nationalists please say something.
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Bandu / September 29, 2019
My only concern is he is talking execution already. What will happen if he becomes Prez if he could be
such a fraudster that all his past ten years was a sham with files missing. So he signs SOFA as an Amercan in Sri Lanka. Modawansa Gonmanpila Dinesh nationalists please say something.
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chiv / September 29, 2019
Guys dont get too excited. In Lanka nothing will happen. Just like Thaj, Lasantha, Easter and hundreds other unsolved mysteries, this too will be added to list. There is much more information available on this case (including old and new NIC numbers , issue date, voter registration information —-etc, but no papers are found????? that is why I call it a mystery. Imagine if papers relevant to a person of Gotha,s stature cannot be found, what is the chance of finding any documents to prove our own existence ???? Yesterday MS endorsed Gotha. As long he is around, truth will never be found.
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Plato. / September 29, 2019
So this is the man citizens in this country are hoping to elect as the Head of State?
Disgraceful!
Srilanka a Land like no other!
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Vichara / September 29, 2019
It is admitted that Gota had a dual citizenship i.e. that of Sri Lanka and USA. When US citizenship is abolished the SL citizenship still remains. Case closed.
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Strategist / September 29, 2019
We need a determined leader with a track record. Throw stones at Gota at your peril. Politics aside, other candidates DO NOT have the attributes and capabilities of Gota.
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Sinhala_Man / September 29, 2019
Dr Ajith Colonne has much more understanding of Defence than Gota.
.
It is a pity that he is not a candidate. In the video you see him cheering Mahesh Senanyake. I haven’t met any of these guys but I’ve watched so many hours of these guys on YouTube that I’d recognise them anywhere.
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Come to think of it, how different the attitudes towards rivals among the Alternatives and the the UNP.
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ranjith / September 29, 2019
Please release the file don’t hide the file how can a non citizen contest the presidential election election commission its back to you please do your job
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ranjith / September 29, 2019
You are the damn fool
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Nathan / September 29, 2019
Siri is correct. In this totally lawless pathetic land if you have power you can do anything. Buddha told them not to worry about justice or FairPlay but to worry about the outcome. Gotta come back all the thief’s are safe while honest ones will have white van hospitality.,so many people disappeared, now files vanished and soon many more will vanish. Bright future is ahead.
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Bawa / September 29, 2019
They must be very afraid of GR to make such ridiculous claims.
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justice / September 29, 2019
All relevant documents/files missing from state custody regarding only one man who wishes to become president, is a very serious matter.
He cannot contest any elective office.
His procurement of a Sri Lanka passport and National Identity Card is questionable. Those who enabled him to obtain these two vital documents should be arrested and interrogated – this would have happened in the case any other citizen by now.
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