The Galle Magistrate has impounded the passport of former Defence Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa over CID investigations into the controversial floating armoury.
PM Ranil Wickremesinghe, Minister of Public Order John Amaratunga and former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa | File photo – June 2010
The action was taken after the Attorney General’s Department consulted Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe with a recommendation that Gotabaya be taken into custody together with three others for alleged violation of the Firearms Ordinance and other laws. It is over the floating armoury owned jointly by Rakna Arakshaka Lanka Limited, a fully government owned company and Avant Garde Maritime Services Limited, a privately owned company.
Prime Minister Wickremesinghe has said that the former Defence Secretary should not be taken into custody. He has stated that an arrest would lead to problems for his government and directed that all other legal steps should be taken. Others whose passports were impounded today (Monday) are Vice Admiral (retired) Somatilleke Dissanayake, a former Commander of the Navy, Major General (retd.) K.B. Egodawala, Chairman of Rakna Lanka and Manjula Yapa, Managing Director of Avant Garde.
The CID is conducting investigations into how former Defence Secretary Gotabaya gave government owned weapons to a private company in reported violation of laws. A key Defence Ministry official whom the Police wanted to impound the passport, Damayanthi Jayaratne had left Colombo for New Zealand where her family is living. She has left before she was arrested. There are allegations that inside help were obtained. It is claimed that she issued all instructions to Avant Garde for handing over of weapons and that private company was enjoying the sole monopoly of renting state owned weapons to private parties overseas. Millions of dollars have been earned by this company. They had provided money and a fleet of vehicles for former President Rajapaksa’s presidential election campaign.
The owner of the Avant Garde company Yapa Nissanka Senadhipathi who retired from the Army is known to be a close friend of Gotabaya and has been spending billions of rupees for different tasks given by him. CID is this week expected to question Major General (retd)Kapila Hendawitharana, former Chief of National Intelligence over the scandal they are probing.
Senadipathi’s role in obtaining the support of important persons in the government has become a huge controversy. His passport remained impounded. However, Police did not object to bail when their counsel made an application to the Fort Magistrate to enable him to travel to Nigeria. In June 2014, Senadipathi had led a delegation to Nigeria which included Chief of the Defence Staff Major General Jagath Jayasuriya, Mrs Damayanthi Jayaratne and Hendawitharana. His power with Gotabaya was so much no one wanted to object to an official delegation going. Now, after Sri Lanka government began investigations, the Nigerian government is investigating whether any weapons from Sri Lanka have gone into the hands of terrorist group Boko Haram.
There was high embarrassment for two people who were openly supporting the Avant Garde case. One was Tilak Marapana PC, who is counsel for Senadipathi and also advisor to the Anti Corruption sub committee of the government. Other is Wijedasa Rajapakshe, Minister of Justice. At a meeting of the committee, when Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the JVP leader and Champika Ranawaka, the JHU leader raised questions, Solicitor General Suhada Gamlath could not keep quiet. He disclosed that Marapana directed him not to object when an application is made to have the passport of Senadipathi returned for him to travel to Nigeria. Gamlath said he checked with Justice Minister Rajapakshe. He had said he was asked not to object and go slow with the case.
This is how Anura Kumara Dissanayake told several public meetings that Rajapakshe was trying to black out the investigation. Of course Rajapakshe has denied this and goes on to give interviews to media that he is innocent. Leader of House Lakshman Kiriella told Parliament that operations of Rakna Lanka and Avant Garde were legal. Presidential inquiries had revealed that the reply which Kiriella read out had been prepared by Defence Secretary K.M.D. Basnayake. He is the same person who had granted leave for Damayanthi Jayaratne to travel to New Zealand.
Benjamin Bakalakakul / March 9, 2015
The UNP government stinks
to high heavens. On top
of this, Governor of
Central Bank Arjuna
Mahendran has helped
his son in law to make
Rs 500 million in bond
issue. What it took the
Rajapaksa boys ten years,
it is clear the UNP guys
will do in 100 days. That
is Yahapalanaya.
/
Amarasiri / March 9, 2015
Benjamin Bakalakakul
RE: Exclusive: Ranil Prevents Gota Arrest
Was that the deal with Medamulana mahinda Rajapaksa AFTER the failed Coup, and Ranil being called to the Temple Trees?
Okkpoma Horu: All are thieves.
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Dr. Thomas / March 9, 2015
True or false, very funny!
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Point of View / March 9, 2015
I feel this is a good move by Ranil.
This shit eating Pig, Baya-Gota will not survive one night in prison after what he did to some of the prisoners.
He should be alive until he is being charged for his crimes !
/
Real Peace / March 10, 2015
Yes, I think Ranil is right at this juncture. He doesn’t want to rock the boat in a big way before the election. Who knows GoRa might be operating a military unit within the SLA. Eventually, GoRa will be taken into custody after the election especially when the CID dept points its finger at GoRa for Lasantha’s murder, by that time, Ranil hopefully leads a strong govt.
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The Professional / March 10, 2015
Dear Mr. Point of View,
Your viewpoint may have flashed across Ranil’s mind too. The motto of Welikada Prison “Prisoners are humans” will definitely be proved beyond any doubt if GR is remanded. “Humane treatment” will be the difference.
/
Ben Hurling / March 10, 2015
Judiciary is supposed to be independent? No?
Why on earth should then the AG consult PM? RW’s political future has nothing to do with law of the country.
Why didn¨t the AG issue orders to arrest the suspected criminal. In this case Gota. A citizen like all others.
Did the AG lack the backbone to do what is required by law? Do we have a spineless AG?
This article explains in a nutshell all that is wrong with this country.
All monkeys at the top are corrupt. And scratch each other’s backs for survival. What we have is a mafia web at the top.
Kicking out The Don, Mahinda Rajapassa gave the nation a breathing space. However, if citizens are dumb enough to keep electing corrupt clowns from SLFP & UNP to rule this country, we can only blame ourselves.
Cheers!
/
Paul / March 10, 2015
How apt.
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rew / March 10, 2015
RW the stumbling BLOCK
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Abraham / March 11, 2015
Wait till the General Election are over. He will unleash the ruthlessness on the Rajapaksas as revenge.
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K.A Sumanasekera / March 10, 2015
There you go…
Thanks Benjamin for enlightening us Dalits on this pure corruption , nepotism and commission free Yahalalanay by the Elite, Anglicans and the Muslims
/
Ben Hurling / March 10, 2015
Dear Sumane,
Your manipulative references to race, religion, caste & social etc. are offensive & destructive to society.
I understand you are hoping to save your ousted King’s behind. You are desperate.
Otherwise I would really consider giving you a pat on the back for some of your comments.
Cheers!
/
Abu Mukarram / March 9, 2015
However, Ranil is between the horns of dilemma. . . a situation similar to GEDARA GIYOTH AMBU NASEE. . MAGA HITIYOTH THO NASEE.. Ranil would have stopped the arrest of GOTA fearing it would affect his governme.t. But less he was concerned about those who wait for gotas arrest among those who voted for swan. So he s gonna loose a greater share of UNP votes in the coming election
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Harry Hatton / March 9, 2015
People of Ranils type have very predictable behaviour patterns. Firstly they like to espouse a certain status quo, family national heros, royal college, knows international affairs, knows what to do as his blood line is superior. By necessity his interlocutor has not got any of that therfore Ranil is superior !
Secondly he is extremly manipulative and devious. He will stuff the UNP with servile and useless followers like Malik samarawickrema and John Amaratunga, Dinesh weerakody, Sagala Ratanayke types who will do any thing for him. Then he will get hold of journalists like Lasantha W, Singha etc through whom he will vilify all real opponents or imaginary ones like Sajith Premadasa and even presently Rajitha Sanaratne.
These journalists will suggest that when even Senaratne opens his mouth he puts his foot in it. But the biggest public disaster this country has seen is Ranil wickramasinghe.Now these chaps are going around attacking the Port City project because Ranil the American puppet is opposing it.
Thirdly , in the UNP, where he is virtually a dictator and others are utterly helpless he will act with great arrogance and meanness hardly acknowleding them as human beings
.
But in reality Ranil is is a very meek and weak character who was terrified of Prabakaran, Premadasa snr, chandrika and even MR.Remember how he behaved when Chandrika took some ministries away from him in 2004 ? Was he able to impeach Sarath Silva who did so much damage to the country ? Did he want to fight the terrorists ? Will he sack the disgraced Arjuna Mahendra who is his good buddy ?
When he is in the company of alfa males like Gotabaya Rajapakse, Mahinda rajpakse, Premadasa Snr ,Ranil is a purring little pussy. He will deal with them and accomodate them anytime.
. He is in awe of these all male type thugs.
This country is cursed. We are between MR the Rogue and devious little queen Ranil.
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Peace Lover / March 10, 2015
YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD!
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Ben Hurling / March 10, 2015
Excellent analysis Harry Hatton.
MR, Gota & Ranil are hardly our only problems.
Do not forget Sajith P who is waiting in the wings. Dreaming of Ranil’s demise. One way or the other.
Coz’ Sajith truly believes Sri Lankans just cannot wait to make him Prez. Besides, it is his inheritance. After all.
I am amazed not a single Journalist has questioned Sajith P how he sustains himself financially without drawing a salary as a MP. Where does his funds come from? “Mariakade” politics for the stupid Sri Lankan Gallery.
Cheers!
PS:
1. Please arrest Ranil for obstruction of Justice & abuse of power.
2. Please arrest Solicitor General for backroom deal making with politicians. Rather than standing by the law of the country.
3. Please arrest current Defense Secretary. Known for corruption. For making sure Damayanthi escaped to NZ.
/
Dr. Thomas / March 9, 2015
True or false, very funny!
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CHANAKYAN / March 9, 2015
Is good governance allowing the law to take its course?
In the days of the first Prime Minister, was it allowed to take its course by DS, in the Trawler Issue?
Overmighty POLITICS intervenes to ruin the country in both its present and future.
/
Mallaiyuran / March 9, 2015
Old Royal prime Minister was contended with efficiently his and his son Traders. He, in the press photo, had a douche, sleepy look, probably of the effect of his trade.
New Royal prime Minister is far fetching activist.
Much is the share in the hands of the New Royal Prime Minister’s of arms trade and the rice mills?
If this is a legal trade owned by the Lankave’s Royals, who is managing it? New Royal Prime Minister?
Three professors, (rather three stooges) seated the New Royals to get rid of the corrections of the Old Royals.
From DS time, UNP is the leader in the Sinhala Intellectuals comedies. SLFP is slightly tilted towards Sinhala Buddhist’s Modayaness.
There is no question about SLMC. But what is role the TNA playing in hiding these?
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jansee / March 9, 2015
This is the type of regime and judicial system that SL expects the world to believe in conducting a credible and independent investigation. It is still old wine in a new bottle.
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Paddy / March 9, 2015
RANIL …. you are beyond disgusting. Why do you think we went to the polling booth early morning on the 8th Jan??? Not to make you PM but so that justice would be done. You idiot.
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bo / March 9, 2015
There appears to be a campaign to sling mud at Anura Kumaaea to undermine his campaign against these business thugs and I bet it is coming from Wijeyadasa.
In the final analysis all the rogues including the PM and Justice minister, and John bass are in the pockets of illegal arms dealing thugs. It says, brids of a feather flock together like, all the rogues gang together.
Poor President Sirisena, it seems your PM is undermining your campaign to clean up corruption
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Rohan Polwatte / March 9, 2015
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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gamini / March 9, 2015
Ranil Wickremasinghe who complained to Richard Armitage about the Ugly American amongst us referring to Gota, who steam rolled Justice in this country, being defended today is beyond comprehension. Ranil better have good reason to explain to the public with action very soon because the average just despise and loathe Gota so much. I know there are many like myself waiting for the pound of flesh. Nothing more and nothing less.
/
sach / March 10, 2015
Do you realize that your worth to an average SLn is less than Gota’s morning fart?
/
Native Vedda / March 10, 2015
sach
Congratulations for being the only Sri Lankan to qualify as a “F**t Expert”.
What instrument do you use in collecting and analyzing the worthiness or the power of the rectum scale?
Did you also discover that, After thunder comes the rain.
Great job keep it up.
/
sach / March 11, 2015
whenever someone’s fart is mentioned, loin cloth fella is attracted to it…i wonder why!
/
moderate / March 9, 2015
Dear Ranil,
I am sure you are deaf and dumb to what is on the CT website! However, accountability to the law overides all your idiosyncratic ROYAL ideas !! You are a proxy PM! Not come through the front door! I am sure Mr President would order an investigation such as over the Arjuna Mahendran fraud. Why doesn’t the Prez order an investigation against all the fall guys who protect criminals whether MARA, UNP other other crazy guys in Yahapalanaya!
Take care Rani(l)♡♡♡
/
Joseph Perera / March 9, 2015
I AM A US CITIZEN . SRI LANKAN ORIGIN. THIS IDIOT SHOULD BE DEFEATED AT THE ELECTIONS. THIS WILL MAKE THE WAY FOR JVP TO COME INTO POWER. LIKE IN THE USA BOTH MAJOR PARITES IN SL ARE HIGHLY CORRUPTED.
USA WILL CONTROL SRI LANKA WITH ITS HYPOCRACY.
NO HUMAN BEING NO MATTER WHAT HIS OR HER BELIEF SYSTEM IS CANNOT EVADE THE DIVINE JUSTICE OF GOD.
I HOPE AND PRAY THE NEW PRESIDENT WILL INTERVENE AND STOP THIS CROOK MAKING THIS KIND OF DECISIONS OF TGHE FUTURE. IF NOT THE PRESENT GOVT WILL BE DEFEATED AT THE LECTIONS.
GOOD LUCK TO THE POOR PEOPLE OF SRI LANKA WHO VOTED FOR CHANGE.
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gogomahinda / March 9, 2015
Ranil is corrupt and keeps himself surrounded by a very corrupt group of friends,he even has had his very own Sajin Vaas in Moragoda.Same story today just a newer set of his friends.
If his buddy tried white collar crime like this in Singapore he would be long locked up in Changi jail so comes to Lanka to rob and do hora deals.His chairman Malick is no better as they have MR on speed dial.
Ranil is now full of himself and so are his hurrah men who are in for a big fall soon.
JR never surrounded himself with rogues.Sadly,not many clean pols in UNP.Sadly after decades of PA/SLFP/UPFA rule the UNP of Ranil is not in a position to win.
Harry Hatton btw is spot on
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Tony Waters / March 9, 2015
It would be extremely surprising if this were the only major scandal involving Gota. Stay tuned.
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jude fernando / March 10, 2015
How can RW take the law into his hands? We want the justice system to be restored withso there there will be no more political interferences in it. Actions of RW is nothing but further politicization oft he justice system
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Rajash / March 10, 2015
Birds of a feather flock together
It is indeed a shame that so far none of the Rajapakse family or his cronies has been charged with corruption and mis governance.
They will go scot free.
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Leonvet / March 10, 2015
Not surprised one bit. Ranil is devious character and will not take action against the Rajapakses.
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Jim softy / March 10, 2015
Impounding Gota’s passport is witch hunting.
All these comments supporting impounding of Gota’s Passporet is by LTTE – RUMP members.
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Shamil / March 10, 2015
Jim softy, How many times you went under of Wesipaksa and Gomapaiiya?
Didnt those stink?
/
Douglas / March 10, 2015
Aiyo, Sirisena [Edited out]. This Ranil & Co. will never allow this President to establish his “Yahapalanaya”. However much wrong doings, illegal and fraudulent activities of the previous regime are exposed, Ranil & Co. will never allow appropriate legal action to be taken against Rajapkse, his family and the goons. I too begin to think JVP is going to be the answer.
/
Paul / March 10, 2015
Told you so!
/
Common Sense / March 10, 2015
This article states that the Solicitor General could not keep quiet and he disclosed that Marapana directed him not to object when an application is made to have the passport of Senadipathi returned for him to travel to Nigeria.
If he did have the back-bone to reveal the story, then why did not he have a back-bone to perform his duty to object the return of the passport of Senadipathi?
According to the article, again, the Solicitor General checked up with the Minister who asked not to object and go slow with the case. If the need is to de-politicise the public service what is the need to check up with the Minister on an issue like this?
The fact remains that some go slow took place. Officials reveal that it is due to political force. If an official implies that he has to bend to political force for survival then what is the guarantee of survival if the secret instructions are revealed? THIS COMPLETELY DEFIES COMMON SENSE.
Chances are that a hypothesis would be afloat that Officials did something irregular for corrupt reasons and blame the politicians.
/
shankar / March 10, 2015
It is better to collect a few scandals and then arrest and charge gota.First you have to explain to the people the loss suffered by them due to gota.In this case army seems to have given their weapons to a private company on hire.So the people will think that the war is over,so why not earn some money with the weapons that are lying idle now.They will get enraged only if you can prove that the money earned did not come back to them,but was used by some to wine and dine and have a jolly time while they are suffering without 3 decent meals a day.So further delving into the case has to be done by the CID before arresting him and ranil has to explain to the ordinary masses that it is justified.Just breaking a firearms law is not enough because the people are so used to that breaking of laws(in fact they also do it frequently such as putting up a extension without approval etc)they are immune to these kind of things,you have to show them what they and their kids are losing instead by the actions of the officials.
A full dossier should be collected on gota such as the MIG deals,the white van killings,any other monies he has misappropriated etc and then only after clearly showing to the masses the losses that they have suffered,he should be arrested and charged with multiple charges.
ranil is right in this instance because there will be a backlash at the polls because people will think that this just a witch hunt and the respect that they have for gota should not be underestimated.First the government should keep on chipping away at that respect and then deal the coup de grace to the severely wounded gota.
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Lakshman Wijesinghe / March 10, 2015
What a serious crime is this? “Floating Armouries” I just cant imagine why all these politicians are so corrupt! We thought this type of thing happens only with the Rajapaksha Regime !! Ranil seems no better !!! Why couldn`t he keep away without interfering with the laws of the land leaving the CID to do the needful ? Now let him take the wrap at the elections coming very soon. Wait until we vote for U again Ranil. Silly Goat.
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Japwatch / March 10, 2015
I am confident that the PM is doing the right thing. This move is in the interest of the people of this nation. The Rajapakshas are a bunch of low lives have done unimaginable damage to the entire systems of the country. Need time to find out all the misdeeds. If you lock them up, it will be giving them an easy way to escape. Let us practice patience and let justice prevail.
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Hard Truth / March 10, 2015
To all those who abuse Ranil here:
If you do so because you are hardcore MR supporters, then I have nothing to say to you.
But if you do so either because you are UNP supporters or simply citizens who wanted to see better governance and are dissappointed by the clearly visible go-slow approach (as I suspect most of you are) then please consider this.
The question is not just what happens within these 100 days, and whether better governance is delivered within this time. What is of far more importance is that we keep this (slightly) better government that we got for the foreseeable future, and not give any room for a terrorist, thuggish, racist and corrupt government (MR or somebody similar) to come back to power.
There are 5.5 million people out there who voted MR. If it was a parliamentary election in January, MR would have won it. He got 90 out of 160 electorates, even when JVP, JHU etc campaigned for him. In a general election these parties presumably will contest separately, and TNA will sweep north and east. Even if SLFP votes are split, it will be a hard fight. And MR will find a way to contest, SLFP or no SLFP. He is already preparing the groundwork for that.
As the likes of ‘Dr’ DJ are at pains to point out, the majority of the majority still sees MR, GR etc as the war heroes who delivered the country from ‘terrorism’, myopic to the fact that they are far worse terrorists themselves. And people in this island are easily swayed by sympathy. By dragging their ‘heroes’ to prison, Ranil would be handing them their victory in the next election on a platter. Thank God he is not stupid enough to do that.
MR and co repeatedly said that if Maithri won, they would be arrested and humiliated, perhaps even sent to the electric chair, because they knew such statements will win them votes. It is to counter this that Maithri ‘assured’ their safety before Presidential elections. Do we want to create a drama and give these guys the electoral boost they need?
I agree that justice must be done. But I will take any day the scenario where MR and co are free but at home over the scenario where they are in jail one day but in power next day. Best to stabilize this government via a parliamentary election, where good people regardless of the party are elected and thugs are marginalised, and then we can see if we can punish these criminals and terrorists. RW is doing the smart thing.
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mathew / March 10, 2015
Ag consulting Ranil what kind of rule of law is this
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Michael Peiris / March 10, 2015
The difference between the UPFA and the UNP
is big money.
The rogues will never be brought to book.
All the election promises – piles of files
at tV talk shows,ferreting out ill gathered
gains of Rajapaksas is bullshit.
Coming through the backdoor, Ranil only
wants to save the Rajapaksa family and
help his own Royal Club make all the money.
So once more he has let the country down.
/
Wera / March 10, 2015
This mess will take more than 100 days to clean up. Right now the UNP is in a minority government. It cannot take any of the Rajapakshes into custody because the state is still clogged with Rajapakshe stooges who will declare war and depose the UNP led government before they can get to the 100 days if they tried. There are also the Marapones and other assorted morons within the UNP who will go along with any old arrangement for personal gain. The UNP is not immune to corruption. Nor is it free of soulless crooks. Hats off to the AG for revealing this gem. Now the public know who the scoundrels in the UNP are. These people need to the named, shamed and kicked out. No mercy should be shown to those who befoul the will of the people and treat them like garbage. However, in this instance I do not blame the PM. He is in a tight spot. He needs time to catch the big fish. But I can see the noose slowly closing in. One person working towards this from behind the scene is the FM. There are others may their efforts bear fruit.
/
Madhavi / March 10, 2015
Dear All,
Personally, I think all those who have written the posts above, should come down when the next general elections are announced and form a group, whereby, instead of sitting in their plush offices/homes of the first world countries and critisise the on going actions of the government, do a door to door campaign, ensuring a win for whom ever they wish chosen to govern the country.
Secondly, I wouldn’t blame RW in this instance, as he is only a Prime Minister of a caretaker government until the general elections are held. By taking in any of the Raja brothers or any member of the said family, would only result in MR walking in, again, as the leader of the SLFP and appoint himself as the new PM.
Sri Lankans, most of them, vote not by judging, or weighing the reality, have a habit of going by their emotions. This I say of the rural folk. If promised that a loaf of bread would be supplied at rs. 3.50 or fertilizer provided free of charge, well, they won’t question on how, what, why but vote in favour of those who made such offers.
Putting Gota behind bars, would only strike the sympathy vote across the nation, and whoopeeee, we have MR and his cronies back again, taking revenge on those who dared to cross him, and once again, it’s a family affair. Brothers, sons, nephews, I’m sure wives and what not.
But then, non of you expats would know the day to day hardship encounter by the citizens would you? After all, you have your say, read the e-papers, say, ‘tut tut’ what a horrible situation the country is in, and continue with your current lifestyle, whilst it is we who have to face the music.
Please, again, I implore you, give up your jobs and new found citizenships overseas, come back to Mother Lanka, become Sri Lankans, not as dual citizenship holders, but true sons and daughters of the soil, join up with whom ever you support, and let’s topple every government that takes your fancy.
Thank you
/
Ken Robert / March 10, 2015
Well said
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Native Vedda / March 10, 2015
Ken Robert
Did you receive 3 published articles from CT?
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ken Robert / March 11, 2015
native
I did not receive the articles
regards
ken
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ken robert / March 16, 2015
Native
I received your email.
/