Mass public demonstrations against a ground water contamination scandal in the Gampaha District took a deadly turn a short while ago after the military was deployed to disperse the protests and the resultant tension left at least one person dead and over 20 injured, according to police and hospital sources.
The victim was a 16 year old male, according to hospital reports. At least one more demonstrator was critically injured in clashes on the scene.
Protesters reacted angrily to the presence of the army resulting in severe tension that also caused injuries to several journalists reporting on the demonstration.
Police had earlier tried to disperse the demonstration using water canons and tear gas after the protests blocked the main Colombo-Kandy Road, but called for military reinforcements when attempts failed.
Security forces personnel had fired into the crowd in its efforts to disperse the protest, residents told reporters. Video footage has also emerged of the assault.
Journalists and camera crew were prevented from covering the clashes, with the military moving to destroy the memory cards of at least one photojournalist reporting in the area.
Ada Newspaper photojournalist Chanuka Kulasekera was admitted to the Gampaha hospital following the clashes. His camera has been damaged in the attacks.
By 9:40 p.m. Sri Lankan time, a power blackout took place in Weliweriya. The power is yet to be restored in the area.
Residents and reporters on site are calling it a mini-war and claim the security forces are combing the villages for instigators of the demonstration. Residents say they are still hearing gunfire in the area.
Ground water contamination in Weliweriya, Gampaha brought residents of some 10 villages in the area out onto the streets a few days ago led by a Chief Monk of a temple in the area. Residents in the area have implicated a glove making plant known as Dipped Products PLC a subsidiary of Hayleys Group
in the contamination crisis, although the company has stringently denied the claims. The residents are demanding the closure of the industrial plant and pure drinking water facilities from the authorities.
According to some reports, the military will be stationed in the area till 2 a.m. tomorrow. Residents speculate that the company is attempting to transport goods from the plant tonight and the military will supervise the operation.
Meanwhile the Chief Monk leading the protest Siridhamma Thero called off his fast unto death a short while ago following discussions with Hayleys representatives at the Defence Ministry. Hayleys officials also held discussions with Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa yesterday Colombo Telegraph reliably learns.
muji / August 2, 2013
A part of Mahinda Chinthana
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Don Carolis / August 2, 2013
Development is an ENVIRONMENTAL and SOCIAL Disaster in the Miracle of Asia! Development is a joke because Basil Rajapassa who fancies himself King of Gampaha is an uneducated moron who has not got a basic degree, but calls himself Minister of Economic Development!
The Rajapassa vision and policy of development is CASINOS and TOURISM and building white elephant infrastructure with Chinese loan – ports and airports and highways in Hambantota while destroying the environment. The newest white elephant and environmental disaster development project is: building a port city in the sea at Galle Face by a CHinese company in the name of development but NO ENVIRONMENTAL or SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT has been done. We all know that when sand is consolidated in one place – up stream sand is eroded and the Mount lavinia Beach on the west coast has shrunk since the work in the Colombo port..
DEVELOPMENT DISASTER CREATION IS THE RAJAPASSA past time while generating massive national debt that is crashing the Lankan rupee.. DISASTER CAPITALISM IS the name of the game..with the family pocketing massive kickbacks.
In short, Development under Rajapassa is a joke! Rajapassa this week has taken another massive loan to pay for Mattala Airport maintenance – throwing good money after bad. Hambantota development is a joke – massive 6 lane highways without cars, a port sans ships, and airport sans planes and passengers to the sleepy fishing village. The rupee is crashing under the loans taken for white elephant infrastructure, and the country bankrupt.
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Dinuk / August 2, 2013
This incident indicates that there needs to be a serious discussion on Rajapassa’s World Bank inspired post-war development model which is an environmental, social and economic disaster that is piling on the national debt and widening the inequality gap, and militarizing society.
Questions need to be asked as to how the World Bank is funding the Ministry of Defense via the Urban Development Authority. How are WB the funds being spent on militarizing governance in Sri Lanka? The World Bank MUST be held ACCOUNTABLE for funding the Rajapassa military dictatorship and paying the wages of soldiers who are doing “city beautification” in Colombo. AID IS FUNGIBLE and the world bank needs to answer.. But the opposition UNP has not got the vision or the interest to ask the big questions about the stinking ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE and DEVELOPMENT model in Rajapassa’s Debacle of Asia since Ranil is busy consolidating his dictatorship in the UNP.
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Wan Dept / August 3, 2013
Dinuk, Moda haraka, The country is on fire and you [Edited out] is having a go at Ranil!!! What type of a pervert are you? If you are so concerned with the welfare of the people why don’t you come to Welivariya and lead the fight against the regime? Ranil is already doing it!!!
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mahela / August 8, 2013
Wan Dept.
What Dinuk saying is People have lost faith and trust on Both Government and the opposition.
How Dayasiri talked just the day before that he never leave UNP and the way he crossed to other side next day is unbelieveable.
What we think is both The ruling party and the opposition does is they both “Gonata Andavanava” screwing the voters in the country.
That’s why many believe that Sri Lanka Parliament is the Biggest Whore House in the country.
You could buy, sell or exchange the famous Parliament whores over the counter provided the Pimp pay the asking price. There are already over 65 whores been sold, and many more to be sold in the future. Look at the Parliament and judge yourself.
Ranil is preaching Bana in the parliament and go home and sleep. He never go and meet and talk to people on their needs, grievences and requirements until an election gets near. He cannot do
Colombo seven type Business Politics with people. He should get his arse out and be on the street visiting and talking to them and listen to their grievences. Otherwise for God’s sake let him go on early retirement.
For me I am happy the day Parliament is Burned down to the ground ank kick out all these Parasite blood sucking Leeches and vultures out. They are there only to rob our country. Nothing else.
ONLY A 20 MEMBER WELL QUALIFIED, EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONALS WITH THE HELP OF ANOTHER 20 MEMBVER ADVISORY BOARD COULD RUN THE WHOLE SRI LANKA IN A MUCH BETTER WAY.
Think yourself and see if I am wrong.
I will guarantee and prove it myself.
It’s time to close down the Parliament Whore house.
on behalf o
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Ronny / August 2, 2013
Don Carolis, I appreciate your very good comment except that you should change RAJAPASSA (King’s arse)to RAJAPAKAYA. I am not afraid to say this as this bastard and his brothers, sons, wife, mistresses, in-laws, relatives, henchmen and the two kudu Silvas have ruined our once beautiful country with smiling people. Now, you find mainly rapists, thugs, extortionists, drug dealers, exploiters, murders, contract killers, etc. etc. etc. We are not in Sri Lanka but we sympathise with our helpless brothers and sisters living in this “HELL ON EARTH”.
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Senerath K / August 3, 2013
I too agree with you guys but idiotic Gampaha district fools deserve this treatment for voting this MORON, Uneducated Mongal looking Basil Horapkasa and that madman Mervin. Every RajapakaYaksa should be eliminated from politics in Sri Lanka.
These Uncultured Uneducated Rowdies from Medamulana should be sent back to their caves.
We need the elite politicians back in power.
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Jayantha / August 3, 2013
I agree with all of you. Rajapakse uneducated villege gas gambas got the taste of Politics once Commission money started flowing in.
In all other countries before authorizing any project they do very extensive studies such as on environment, soil testing, air, water, land pollution, climatic conditions and changes, green house gas, waste disposal,environment, air and soil pollution, type of population that lives around the project and their living standards and their ages and health condition, etc,etc, which many times run into over 100 different tests, feasibility studies, reports and research been conducted that sometimes run over many years before authorizing and going ahead.
But under Rajapakses not even the cabinet ministers do not know until the Project has aloready started and many with not even official tenders been called. Nobody knows other than Rajapakse Alibabas.
This is what the crook did to our country after fraudulently getting passed the 13thy Amendment in the 2/3 parliament using over 60 paid imported opposition MPs.
In Mattala the Alibaba cleared over 700 acres of thick Jungle to build the Airport, while chasing all the animals and reptiles and their habitat and then covered over 500 acres of Virgin cultivable soil with three feet deep of thick concrete.
The virgin soil which never been used before contain all the nutrients to grow crops for many many years were destroyed. All due to the greedy uneducated thieves. Now they claim there is climatic changes happening in Mattala which is already a dry land.
Also the environmentalists say the latest Port city Project will distroy the coastal sea bed and sea sand. There could be land and sea erosion and damage the sea coast upto Galle.
This is our main Tourist attraction and main source of foreign income and damaging the sea coast will destroy our Hotel Industry.
The ever foolish Greedy uneducated Rajapakse commission Kakkas who have no class, reputation or respect at all came to do Politics only to rob the country.
They should be brought to justice for destroying our country, environment and the lives of the people and should be punished and confiscate all their assetts.
It is time to take back our country from this Cheap crook thief before further ruining it.
World Bank lends money to Any crook who destroy their country. As long as they get their Interest and loan payment, they don’t care what the crook does with the money.
This is the end of Sri Lanka and the Opposition is still in-fighting among themselves and still sleeping without protesting.
Shame on both dictatorships in Government and the Opposition who let down it’s citizen and ruined our country.
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Asantha / August 4, 2013
Jayantha, It is birdbrainers like you who are responsible for the present situation in the country and not the opposition or Ranil. Ranil cannot do anything when there are people like you who are spitting up on their own head. It is you who propagate the myth that Ranil and opposition cannot help the people and ultimately it is you who suffer and not Ranil! If people voted for Ranil we all have stepped out from all the horrors of Rajapaksha terror but now it is too late and your vote is worthless because Rajapakshas has transmutated into a despot and despots do not need elections to retain their power! Weliveriya is a good indication of what is there in the store for the fools who voted for the Rajapakshas! It is now only a civil war or an international mediation that can change this regime! No fucking point now in talking about opposition! If you can get Indian army or some foreign army invade this paradise of fools which will be our only hope now of redemption from the clutches of the Madamulana Gankabara hathikare!
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Asantha / August 4, 2013
Sorry, “transmuted”.
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Jayantha / August 5, 2013
Asantha,
First I am not a birdbrainer, but a critical thinker.
Also I call spade a spade and cannot be bought for money.
Ever since we got Independence and had elections, all our generations are strong UNPers. Same with me and my son.
We were the generation of Sugathadasa and Mallimarachchi era and hope you know how they fared. Nobody could touch them until they died.
No matter who leads the party, we are still UNPers. That’s why we are sad to see what is going inside the party Hierachy.
This is the time that UNP should capitalise on this Weliweriya Massacre and send a strong message across to public that they are with the victims and also educate them on the coming Rajapakse Military dictatorship, and to get their votes for a change to win PC elections.
Weliweriya massacre came as a blessing in Disguise to opposition parties to win PC elections and let’s see who is making use of it.
Do you know that every 100 rupees that opposition party members spend on PC elections Rajapakse & Company spend 10,000 rupees. It’s 100 fold . This is the monster that opposition has to fight with.
UNP should immediately stop infighting and unite as a team and focus to win elections.
Rajapakses already lost last Presidential elections and they know it. They won by fraud and they know it.
Ranil should stop visiting Voodoo house for black magic coffee and start moving with the general public and help them to slove their daily needs and win their hearts, minds and their votes.
It’s no point dreaming and waiting till 2014 elections, and should start campaigning now it self.
Hope atleast by now UNP will come out as a united party and start winning.
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patriot / August 6, 2013
All you morons visualize MR has been winning elections with fraudulent votes. But in the back of your minds, all you pea brained idiots know that UNP can win Colombo municipality only. What more to say when UNP cannot even organize a successful rally anywhere let alone a protest march.
Only Man-gala is doing his job with flying colors – organizing a mud campaign with lies. But the problem for him is even UNP crack-shots are abandoning the ship. In our villages, even the stupidest of the stupids ask why the UNPers are jumping the ship if it is winning coming-up elections.
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priya / August 4, 2013
For ordinary citizens who want to start a small factory, all these so called environmental tests are done, but these favourites do not face these issues.
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Arsath / August 3, 2013
Where was Upeksha (A.K.A Paba) while all this was happening? I presume she was also elected by these same morons.. Aney Appochchiye.. Opposition/Ruling party all are morons..
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Lalith Silva / August 4, 2013
Sinhalayas,
Thanks for the Kewum & Kiribath……Den kapan guti. (now get the beating)……
All these idiots in Gampaha voted overwhelming for Basil Rajapakshe, Mervin Silva, and Paba in the last election. Don’t they deserve this? Now, Dallas A and company is out on `Damage Control’ blaming the JVP.
Come on guys you`ll have heard of tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons to disperse crowds but your so called Patriotic Ranaviru were told to use live bullets. Gota`s army will kill anybody on orders. The very Army that went to war because the LTTE shut the water supply to the farmers of Mavilaru is now shooting at the people who are asking for drinking water.
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Jayantha / August 5, 2013
Only the cowards who hide behind over 100 security personnel where ever they travel give these types of instructions to shoot hi-powered bullets at innocent protesterts.
Also the ones who shot at unarmed protesters also are equally cowards.
I wonder if they are “Ranaviru” of card board “Buffalo Soljars”.
Even Jungle animals have better instincts when it comes to survival.
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Kalu Malli / August 7, 2013
[Edited out]
We are sorry, the comment language is English – CT
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dodo / August 2, 2013
The Chickens come home to roost..
And then they came for me…
The militarization of the country and Gota’s DEEP STATE that runs the Rajapassa military dictatorship with a facade of democracy, is hitting the Sinhala community today.
Sinhala folkd now know and see what the minorities in the northeast have lived with for decades…
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David Blacker / August 2, 2013
You think the Sinhalese didn’t see and know all of that during ’87-’89?
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whywhy / August 2, 2013
David Blacker
Don’t you know that Srilankans don’t want to look
back.When myth is the foundation of a race and they
are proud of it,that tells everything about them.
They don’t want to learn from anything.
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Kap De Silva / August 3, 2013
I am with u sir.
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David Blacker / August 6, 2013
My comment wasn’t addressed to the Sinhalese but to the people who are expecting the Sinhalese to be surprised at the Army action. They are not surprised by the Army shooting, they are surprised that the GoSL letting them down.
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Aney Apochchi! / August 3, 2013
Blacker:
Do you have to insist on adding your one and a half cents worth of inanities to this discussion as well?
Why the hell don’t you revert to what you do best – count dead, nude, female bodies and stop occupying space on this website?
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David Blacker / August 5, 2013
Sorry, but you are mixing up your masturbatory fantasies with what is being discussed here. Things have to be broken down into cents for people like you who have no sense.
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Kalu Malli / August 7, 2013
The citizens of Weliweriya merely wanted clean drnking water….they didn’t blow up their fellow citizens and never did they demand 1/3 of SL as a separate nation.
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Ben Hurling / August 2, 2013
What an abuse of the so called “Rana Viru” concept!
Army now always present at all civil demonstrations by the citizenry. Often with brutal results.
From Meethotamulla to Welikada prison. Now at Weliweriya.
Get ready to face a true “Junta” style, family run dictatorship in Sri Lanka.
What an unlucky country. Got rid of VP after 30 years. Only to be replaced by a clan gone mad from the South.
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JULAMPITIYE AMARAYA / August 2, 2013
KILLING FIELD PART 5
GOING TO START UNDER THE PETRONAGE OF MAHINDA RAJAPASSA.
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Mahela / August 3, 2013
Killing Field 5 Already started during the Welikada Prison Massacre, Thangalle Murder and the DIG contract Killer now spreading slowly.
What is the Main opposition Jokers party doing.
Call Callum for the next CH 4 documentary.
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Asantha / August 4, 2013
Mahela,
“..What is the Main opposition Jokers party doing…”
What are you fucker doing anyway? Do your duty first before you criticize others!
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mahela / August 5, 2013
Asantha,
Not only me but all my Generations have done our duty to UNP ever since Independence.
We are the Strongest UNP’er ever, even before you were born.
Therefore don’t talk Bullshit in the forum.
Let Ranil put the house in order and come out from the shell and talk on behalf of peoples needs, freedom, rights and justice, and not to wait dreaming till 2014 elections to come into power.
Leaving 65 is enough and no more.
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JULAMPITIYE AMARAYA / August 2, 2013
Another 10% of my brother big B’s is going on drains.
Kill them all . kill them.
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kautilya / August 4, 2013
The JVP, having completely lost political support of the public, has began a series of uprisings”, using university students (J’pura and Sabaragamuwa), where they block roads, traffic, and create incidents of utter public disruption in the hope of reaping from anarchy.
There is a pollution problem, and you see it all over our streets, with motor
vehicle exhaust, diesel exhaust etc in an utterly over-densely populated urban environment where residential zones and commercial zones have been intermingled
since the days of Premadasa and before. But most pollution problems develop slowly and with the connivance with the public itself.
The way these “protests” have got staged in Gampaha and Welioya, at university campuses, and how roads and trains are blocked, with petrol bombs deployed, etc suggest that all his has nothing to do with environmental pollution. Were the wells acidified by political agitators in gampaha to create the incident? How was the US embassy so bast and reeady to condemn the incident, while when people protested against oil leaks from pipelines, the state troopers cracked down with no uncertain force in several instances in the past few years in the USA?
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Sengodan. M / August 2, 2013
People in the South have perhaps experienced the fruits of militarisation for the first time. They will also now have a better understanding as to whose interests are protected by the regime of the siblings. Some things have to be learnt the hard way. Anyway it is high time that the people in the entire country unite in order to throw away this repressive regime. There should be no further delay.
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JayGee / August 2, 2013
You must have been born in the 1990’s! The southerns have faced the JVP and it’s crushing in 71 and 87 which cost a hundred thousand lives, plus the murderous LTTE that mercilously killed through its suicide missions for three decades. What’s sad is the combined opposition parties paid by the public to hold the government to account is busy working on their own narrow objectives whilst the masses suffer…
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Deshapriya / August 2, 2013
yes I was 18 when armed military squads combed our houses, abducted our friends, and murdered many. Sengodan. M is either ignorant or has a very short memory.
However, I do agree that this is a sharp reminder to the younger generations who may see the military only as saviors. I am very grateful to the soldiers and officers who risked their lives to fight the LTTE. However we have to be aware that the military can be and will be used by the regime to protect their personal economic interests and power.
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Sengodan. M / August 2, 2013
If militarisation is not curbed and re-tracked, it is not hundreds of thousands but millions who will suffer. The repression by the military of the State with all resources at its disposal will be far more fierce than the efforts of the JVP and the LTTE combined. People in the North have experienced that fully but the Southerners are only beginning to get the taste of it. I am simply giving a warning of what lies ahead!
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David Blacker / August 2, 2013
You seem ignorant of history, Sengodan. Deshapriya isn’t talking about JVP repression but the military campaign that wiped out the JVP far more completely than the Tigers. Over 60,000 died, the majority in one year between 1989 and 1990.
You keep saying that the Sinhalese are getting their first taste of it, but they have tasted it long ago. They already know.
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Native Vedda / August 2, 2013
David Blacker
“Over 60,000 died, the majority in one year between 1989 and 1990”
Could you site evidence for the above and let us have a breakdown of figures into unarmed innocent civilian, JVP terrorist and armed forces.
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manisekaran / August 2, 2013
He would run for cover now;
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David Blacker / August 2, 2013
Why, are you planning a prosecution?
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Native Vedda / August 3, 2013
David Blacker
“Why, are you planning a prosecution?”
Not for prosecution but for a submission at the future Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
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Anura / August 3, 2013
Dear Native,
You sounds like our hero Gota. He used to say “give me names and contacts” if somebody complain about past misconduct by Gov or Forces. You need exact figures ???
Anura.
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Native Vedda / August 3, 2013
Anura
“You need exact figures ???”
You will never get exact figure. An approximation would be suffice.
I am sure you are aware of the principles enshrined in Truth and Reconciliation Commissions.
No truth no reconciliation.
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David Blacker / August 5, 2013
So Native, shouldn’t you seek the truth instead of expecting me to provide it for you?
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Asantha / August 4, 2013
JayGee, Ponna buruwa, are you living on Red planet? Have you ever been to Weliveriya? Don’t sing fucking moda choon byla here! Ranila has already gone to Weliveriya and assisted people and doing everything possible. These areas were developed by Ranil in those days when he was the MP for those areas. You stupid bastards are writing rubbish because you do not know anything else!
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Suranee / August 2, 2013
‘Anyway it is high time that the people in the entire country unite in order to throw away this repressive regime. There should be no further delay.’ And how do you propose they do it Sengodan?
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Sengodan. M / August 3, 2013
Suranee,
It could be with more and more peaceful protests for a start. The Egyptian people got rid of Mubarak with peaceful protests. For all people to unite, first we should get rid of or at least expose the true nature of distracting forces like BBS, RB etc. These have been created and are being encouraged purely to divert the attention of people from their real woes!
Sengodan
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Amarasiri / August 2, 2013
This is an Environmental Regulations Issue.
In the USA they have EPA, Environmental Protection Agency to oversee the Clean Water and Clean Air.
In Sri Lanka, when we have fundamental human rights such as free expression, free religion and freedom of speech are curtailed, the water contamination becomes a secondary issue and pushed aside.
Why did the security forces NOT disperse the BBS criminals as well?
Why the Double Standards,
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Kap De Silva / August 2, 2013
BBS want to stop killing cows not humans sir.
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Amarasiri / August 2, 2013
Dear Kap De Silva.
“BBS want to stop killing cows not humans sir”
Why, only cows can attain Nirvana = Extinction?
Where the cows created, and humans evolved?
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Mahela / August 3, 2013
Beef will be available only in outlets run by the Army….or sold underground at higher price.
Rajapakses Monopolised Beef industry similar to Drug, Ganja, Kasippu and casino mafia cartel industry.
Soon it will spread to Chicken, Pork, Goat and Fish industry.
Get ready to eat Punnakku, polkudu and grass. Receipees with the Health Minister.
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patriot / August 6, 2013
Al Amarasiri jayantha, mahela and et al should continue to shoot from the hip, MR can be sure he retain his vote bank.
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Symbian / August 2, 2013
by attaching mosques, fashion bug, churches and even the peaceful protesters opposite their head office.
u are either a brainwashed fool or a BBS follower (result is the same thing)
point here is residents protesting for clean water is met with military aggression. can u imagine what will happen when people protest for more serious issues?
this is the reason for still maintaining a high number of military and equipping them with anti-riot gear.
Sri Lanka needs (sadly) a Tienanmen square incident for people to open their eyes. right now everyone is like as long as it is not in my neighborhood and i am not affected i am fine mentality.
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whywhy / August 2, 2013
Amare
“in the USA they have EPA.” Yes,we also have more than
them in the “miracle” nation.BBS,RAVANA,SINHALA RAVAYA!
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JayGee / August 2, 2013
Haylese is not the blu chip it once was, it’s management has been pervaded by goons, now headed by the richest man on the stock mark worth 39billion, a name unknown of a decade ago.
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Mahela / August 3, 2013
Now owned by the waiter who worked at a Dubai Hotel.
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IvedA / August 3, 2013
THat he was a waiter at a Dubai Hotel and is now the richest man on the stock market could be a cause for admiration..but using his money and influence in this way makes him as JayGee says just a common thug!
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gamini / August 4, 2013
Mahela there are many doing thousand times better paying jobs as a waiter, but can not get anywhere near this guy. Sudden meteoric rise of Dammika was the transfer of Joe Simm’s property for his management, when Joe Simm had to leave the country unexpectedly. Dammika was Joe Simm’s faithful driver.
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mahela / August 5, 2013
Gamini,
No difference to How Rajapakses planned and executed Golden Key collapse. Hon. Lalith Kotalawela was a UNP supporter and Rajapakses planned to acquire his Property through fraudulent means. Impeaching and firing CJ Shirani Bandaranayake was part of this game plan.
The Nugegoda Appartment complex has been taken over by Basil using a phony company.
Await for Rajapaka Sri Lanka Economic collapse. Already Gasolene supply on COD basis.
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patriot / August 6, 2013
Kothalaya went down for what he had done to Ven Soma. Kothalaya’s directors robbed the deposit collections left right and center. Kothalaya didn’t know for he was on an ego trip then. What had Shirani and MR got to do with Kothalaya companies going down, idiots. It was just ‘ditta dhamma vedaniya kamma’.
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mahela / August 8, 2013
Patriot,
Kothalaya had enough and more Assetts both in Golden Key and the Cylinco house to produce as collateral to pay back depositors.
He was willing to sell he assetts and settle the depositers which MARA did not allow to do so.
CJ Dr.Shirani Bandaranayake knows about this and had all the files. Mara played pandu with her.
How come your Maharaja keep on pumping Six Billion Rupees year after year to the Monster loss making Sri Lankan Airline and Mihin Air.Where are those money coming from. Whose money are they, pumping to a fleet of Leased Aircrafts with no visible assetts.
Remember his grade 10 pass Bill is the chairman making 250,000 as monthly allowance evading taxes.
That is no body’s business to check how other people do their business when the biggest Alibaba steals peoples money.
Go and tell taht to your Hambanthota Fake Joker and not to us.
Mara’s plan was to Collapse Golden Key and Take back it’s assetts for peanuts since Kotalawela is a UNP supporter.
The Alibaba crook already took over GK Nugegoda appartment complex under a phony company name.
Go and get screw with your Alibaba
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patriot / August 6, 2013
mahela, What’s wrong with you idiots. Did not Abraham Lincoln a lumber jack at one time.
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adam / August 2, 2013
what a pity poor people, struggling and raising their voice for their basic insfrastructure,, the government and police are not ready to listen them or ready to fullfill their basic need to sip a bit of clean water.
look at these forces and police,, government cant even tolerate the innocent people’s voice for their basic need,, at the very next moment they fired tear gases to quit these innocent needy people. where were these forces??????????? when BBS rioting and spreading hatred rally against the monority ??? why the governement think a moment to send these forces to fire tear gas on those extremist BBS monks terrorist to stop the injustice against the minority
I want all my Srilankans to walk head held high with peace and prosperity.
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mahela / August 8, 2013
[Edited out]
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Rod Atknson / August 2, 2013
Api Veruwen Api, this is the Patriotism, We for We a emblem given to Army and paid a good salary to protect the rulings. Well this is the beginning of the end of all my friends. where is BBS n Ravana Balaya? i think they are after GONAs as they are Cows. shshsh :)
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Mahinda / August 2, 2013
[Edited out]
We are sorry, the comment language is English – CT
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Ranga / August 2, 2013
[Edited out] gotabaya [Edited out]
We are sorry, the comment language is English – CT
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Indik Kumara / August 2, 2013
As a country we are running to very pathetic situation which there is no any rule, law or control. It seems to be no any active contribution from opposition politicians or parties to get some relief for the people,or to prove, at least they are representing on behalf of the people. The damage to the society under this conditions may be higher than the consequence emerged as a result of LTTE terrorism. Civil society , activists and intellectuals have to come forward against this undemocratic way of governance.
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savio / August 2, 2013
ARMY HAS NO RIGHTS TO FIRE!WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!
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JULAMPITIYE AMARAYA / August 2, 2013
YES,
Even
They did not at THE Nandikadal / wellamullivaaikal either.
not blood hounds, but
These all are western and foreign NGO’s conspiracies’.
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Concerned / August 2, 2013
The Ranaviru too have turned into thugs and goons now. Army should not be firing on its own people! The major on charge was a disgrace to the very uniform he was wearing
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j.muthu / August 2, 2013
You are right, they can only allowed to kill Tamils. They should be trained again and must be educated to kill Tamils. Karma man karma…
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IvedA / August 3, 2013
sorry, the army fired on its own people for 26 years in the north and east and twice in the south..and we celebrated….
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axel / August 2, 2013
Free airtime for Holcim Cement:) Way to go Holcim!
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JULAMPITIYE AMARAYA / August 2, 2013
I was just thinking,
sorry,Chirman Manilal is not there to celebrate.
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Safa / August 2, 2013
The south too is now enjoying the fruits of militarisation. The govt is using the military to attack defenceless people instead of providing a solution to their problems. A likely scenario emerges for any protests in the south in the future. Any protest against COL or any legitimate issue by the opposition or people will be met with the same response.
It seesm that live ammunition has been used. Will the govt hold an inquiry into this incident? It may simply be forgotten like the Katunayake incident. Maybe another presidential commission.
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Anura / August 2, 2013
I just checked last night Rupavahini and Derana news.
Rupavahini does not even had this issue in their headlines, and just mentioned those demonstrators caused delays and other issues to general public, specially to passengers.. Nothing about death or injuries…
Then I checked Derana and they confirmed one young person was dead and lot more in hospital… so this is very true incident…
How Siri Lankan people tolerate these sort of injustice!! Rupavahini is theirs’ and it must serve general public.
No anger, no temperament for right of justice in Sinhalese mind or brain.. just tolerating injustice….
Anura
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Chandra Seneviratne / August 2, 2013
Bullet is the answer for the people who asked for clean water.
The cunning MR who knows the stupidity of the people may even visit the scene with his television and propaganda crew and cajole and embrace little girls and boys as virtuous Godfather purporting himself as if he does not discern anything. The very protestors themselves then greet him with cheers and jeers .This the game he plays to fool all the people all the time.
The question is whether the people choose the ballet the peaceful way to alleviate themselves from this criminal, corrupt, bankrupt pervasive rule of MR or they push themselves on a path of bloodbath to relive from pervasive culture of impunity. Only the future history we tell this once unfolded.
The armed forces and police whom they once called ‘runaviru”( brave army) will point guns at unarmed innocent people with impunity.The people will then realize that it is a “MaRa sena”. People should repaint once they come to terms that armed forces and police are the repressive machinery of MaRa rule.
Chandra Seneviratne
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Punchinilame / August 3, 2013
When Governance is a taste as described below, who in the name of
reasonableness wont come down begging pardon for the shooting? This
has to happen, and it also serves as a hidden warning to future protests – be it Sinhalese, Tamils or Muslims:-
[Edited out]
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MY FOOTE / August 2, 2013
Here are the salient facts.
01. The factory is a subsidiary of the Hayley’s Group
02. Dammika Perera controls Hayley’s Group
03. Dammika is close to the ruling family
04. Protecting “ape eka” is more important than protecting Rata, Jathiya and Aagama ( country, race, religion)
05. Hence the voters do not count
Welcome the the miracle of Asia
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Kalu Nangi / August 5, 2013
Dammika could be the Rajapassa Proxy investing Rajapassa’s HARD EARNED MONEY in the share market. Through Dammika, Rajapassa & Co must be having a controlling interest in many private sector companies, including Hayleys.
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K.A Sumana sekera / August 2, 2013
Looking at the able bodied young thugs waving sticks and throwing stones and rocks at the Armed Forces is certainly can’t be classed as the proper way of settling envirinmental .issues.
Accomodating the needs of Economic Development and protecting the environment is a difficuilt balancing act.
The inhabitant population must offer their utmost cooperation to the Govt, when difficuilt environmental issues are encountered.
Especially considering the prospect of the two minorities taking charge of Land and its resources of one third of the country for the exclusive benefit of only 20% of the inhaitant population if the current campaign lead by the TNA and their overseas collaborators lead to fruition.
Blocking a main road and stopping hundreds of thosands of people travelling and tranporting their dialy needs can not be allowed or tolerated under any circumstances.
Bankrupt Opposition Leader has been threatening to bring the inhabitants on to the streets to topple the Govt.
Is this part of their plan?.
How many JVP and UNP activists were among the rampaging mob?.
Isn’t it disgusting to watch the youth of the Nation,throwing rocks at the Military Forces, who sacrificed 25.000 of their comrades to give the freedom that these rascals and their parents and friends enjoy?.
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Peace Lover / August 2, 2013
ah Mr Leela of Lee Potter illfame (K A Sumanasekera) is back again bending backwards to whitewash this incident
tell me Leela,you said in an ealier post that its your wish for the wellbeing of the inhabitant poor population and now that same population is being brutally supressed,so where do you stand now?
BTW:LEELA where is your next property development scheme going to to be? let me know mate ……
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Mahasohon / August 2, 2013
Sumanasekara, you creep. When the rulers have to set the military against the voters that elected them, then it is the start of the downfall of those rulers. Don’t come out with the petty excuses that you give here, you backside licker. If these people have to fight for the essential drinking water today, then tomorrow they will be struggling to find the very breathing air under this regime. The power gone to their head Gotaya and his clan thinks that keeping a crummy factory afloat is more important than the people that sent them to their power houses. I just hope that the remainder of the country, Gampaha district in particular would recognize who the real public enemy No: 1 is. Where ever we look we see political criminals at large in this country,using military and police forces as their heavy weapon. There will be a time that the public will turn round, and will tell the regime, enough is enough.
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JULAMPITIYE AMARAYA / August 2, 2013
K A S;
You,
Another Buffalo Started to bellow for the Ruling family government.
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Mahela / August 3, 2013
Sumano…please listen,
Don’t bring in your utter stupid and crazy comments to this forum.
There is no Parity to justify shooting live bullets at unarmed protesting civilians unless Gota has gone crazy.
The pig eating shit essentric, crazy and lunatic defense secretary has no right to call in security forces to curb public, when IGP Anura Senanayake said he will take care of these Protesters issue.
This crazy Bast…d should be sent to Mulleriyawa to check his brains.
He is a war criminal who massacared over 40,000 innocent tamil civilians in Nanthikandal.
He should be sent to Hague to face international criminal court.
Listen to following BBC interview and see what the IGP say about him.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sinhala/multimedia/2013/08/130802_weliweriya_audio.shtml
This crazy mad ass has gone crazy and need Psychological treatment.
He should be closely watched before doing another Genocide Massacre.
Somebody from opposition or a concern Citizen should inform President and the Internationl community to Pack him abroad for a psychological evaluation and treatment.
He needs Psychatric treatment before going mad and crazy and will bring another genocide among citizen.
Please tell your Big Boss Rajapakse to pack him abroad for Psychological treatment before it’s too late and before he bring another total distruction.
I guarantee that Gota has gone crazy and need help. He looks like gone crazy and some doctors have confirmed it.
Please tell your president about this.
Await your reply.
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Walagambahu / August 3, 2013
@Sumana Sekara
Dude, you have a serious brain issue and need immediate medical help.
Once you cure your brain issue, I sincerely hope you would stop trowing Red-Herrings, because they look silly and comical.
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Anagarika Somapala / August 3, 2013
First of all, this is an international conspiracy (both CIA & RAW are involved). The villagers including the Buddhist monks at Weliweriya are brain washed by the NGO working for international intelligence agencies. Hon. Wimal Weerawanse may be able to throw more light on this. They made a Buddhist monk to fast unto death.
Fortunately, on the advice of our defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakshe, the patriotic SL Army (Ranaviru) went on a ‘Humanitarian Operation’ to Save the Buddhist Monk from death but the villagers at Weliweriya wanted the Monk to attain Nibbana & hence pelted Stones at the army!
We have to be proud of our patriotic Sinhala Army for having restricted the ‘Collateral Damage’ to only one civilian death to liberate the Buddhist Monk from the lawless Weliweriya villagers.
It is due to the actions of a Buddhist Monk who went on a Fast unto death inspired by the brain washed Weliweriya villagers that resulted in the bad name for our patriotic Sinhala Ranaviru! If not for Gotabaya’s timely ‘Humanitarian Operation’ we would have lost another Buddhist monks at Weliweriya.
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Jim softy / August 4, 2013
Protesters closed the main and the major Road. So, the govt used Army with loaded T-56s ?
That is justifiable ?
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Leon / August 2, 2013
These are the same people who danced for the army and are not being shot by the army they once adored. Instead they should have asked why did our brothers rebel, what did we do to push them to a point of rebellion? Why did so many have to die? Now there are no brothers to kill so we kill ourselves as the killing continues…remember we reap what we sow.
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Leon / August 2, 2013
should read, “now being shot…” not, not
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Saman Wijesiri / August 2, 2013
People asking for safe drinking water are greeted with bullets! Democracy on show on the eve of Commonwealth Summit! People who elected a ruthless and unscrupulous dictator as their President and returned goons to parliament should not expect better treatment than this. By the way where is our opposition leader? This political eunuch who is expected to give the leadership to every struggle for justice and the democratic rights of the people has disappeared!
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h.a.somaratna / August 2, 2013
why ? Government is so much worried about this acompany.It is a matter for the Environment Authority to take immediate action to withdraw their licence to stop operation. The Enviornment Act has given necessary power to do so. Further they can be prosecuted for the wrong doing to the environment and to the public.But Environment Authority has failed to do so in this case as this may belong to the people who are above to the law.
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diani / August 2, 2013
Coming in the run-up to the Northern Provincial Council election, the question cannot but be posed as to whether the Establishment which sent lethally armed soldiers to confront a crowd of unarmed civilians in the Gampaha district yesterday, will do otherwise, or deploy less force, if faced with peaceful protests over, let us say, issues of land seizure in the North. What if school-children, nuns, or elected members of the Provincial Council are shot or disappeared? Will that not trigger a surge in Tamil Nadu, followed by a demarche from Delhi in an election year? Will this not open the road to R2P?
30 years after Black July 83, a disturbing thought strikes me: Was Kuttimani right when he said 30 years ago, in his final speech in the Colombo High Court– months before he was slaughtered in Welikada jail– that the brutal methods used in Gurunagar army camp would come home to the south one day?
[Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka was Sri Lanka’s Ambassador/Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva 2007-9 and Vice–President of the United Nations Human Rights Council, 2007-2008]
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nimal / August 2, 2013
Imagine what happened in North.
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Anura / August 3, 2013
Imagine what might have happend in North even before 1983!!!!
Anura
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crazyoldmansl / August 2, 2013
What fight for clean water? What pollution? There was no word about any pollution all this time. This factory is not one that was built yesterday. It has been functioning for a while. If it was polluting groundwater how is it that the matter was not brought to the notice of the public all this time? Even this article does not tell us what was polluting the groundwater and how.
Be that as it may, the more important issue is that emergency regulations have been used to order the armed forces into action against these protesters and this action has included the opening of fire. The armed forces, or at least the contingents involved, have shown themselves to be quite comfortable opening fire on civilians in what is not only a non combat zone but part of the city suburbs.
If the armed forces are required to maintain such an attitude towards civilians the response that it will elicit in the long term cannot be may not be favorable.
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Devinda Fernando / August 2, 2013
I love reading the comments below these articles more than the articles themselves… All are by a bunch of CRYING LITTLE GIRLS who support the opposition party with an axe to grind against the government. We have these Violent Thug Mobs of DONKEY PROTESTORS blocking the main Colombo-Kandy Road… Endangering the Public, blocking emergency vehicles like Ambulances, Police, and Fire trucks from doing their jobs and saving lives,… and blocking commerce, and endangering the public safety but its the government’s fault for trying to restore Order??? Good one you UNP SISSY WOMEN who shout from behind your keyboards for the destruction and disintegration of your own country just to spite the opposition party.
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Senguttuvan / August 2, 2013
Good to have Devinda back – after a long while in articulate comments on the more popular blogs. For a while, I thought Devinda has transmogrified into my friend Native Veddah.
Senguttuvan
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Native Vedda / August 2, 2013
Senguttuvan
When you see a no ball from a Vedda, make sure you hit a six.
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shankar / August 2, 2013
you idiot devinda,can’t you see the main point that dayan is making.Armed forces are not meant to clear up the roads of protesters.That is a job for the police and if need be the riot police if things start to get out of hand,in this case it did not.
Armed forces are not meant to be used against your own people especially when they are protesting against being forced to drink contaminated water.Will you drink it?
This was clearly an intimidation to the rest of the country,not to this particular protesters only.Someone in the regime seems to be getting a bit nervous of the people it seems and using the armed forces as tool to scare them into submission.fat hope he has to think that the armed forces will kill their own mothers,brothers and sisters just for a pay packet.One day they will turn their guns the otherway.
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Suranee / August 2, 2013
Shankar,
‘Armed forces are not meant to be used against your own people especially when they are protesting against being forced to drink contaminated water.Will you drink it?’ I fully agree with you. The question is why was this factory allowed to continue operating. I’m sure this problem persisted for a long time and it was as a last resort (probably since the authorities turned a blind eye to the complaints made) the people decided to go on a mass protest demonstration and the Siridhamma Thero went on a ‘fast unto death.’
Why did they have to shoot civilians leaving one dead and many injured? Has the military forgotten they are suppose to protect us civilians, the same civilians who pay taxes to take care of the military personnel.
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Punchinilame / August 3, 2013
I am still wondering if there is no electronic gadget that can turn off an implanted pace-maker, say in any US Citizen at the top here?
Who has this Remote?
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JULAMPITIYE AMARAYA / August 3, 2013
be carefully,
still white vans of sycophant heart patient are ready and
on full gear to bet on unpatriots.
[ but to safeguard goat’s ass lickers]
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Point of View / August 3, 2013
Someone very powerful has the remote – someone up above :)
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Lapatiya / August 2, 2013
I think this is also a part of an International Conspiracy. probably Tamil Diaspora and NGO’s are behind this. I don’t understand why people are asking more and more as our “Jathiye Aadambarakara thaththa” has given everything that people need. International Airports, International stadiums, private Universities, international Ports, Highways, Nelum Pokunu etc. etc. If these people need water plenty of imported bottle water available in any super market all over the Island. I am sure there will be another protest tomorrow to support Jathiye Aadambarakara thaththa saying that they don’t need water. How is our “Rana Viruwo” they have started 2nd Humanitarian operation in south. “Thopi wenuwen Api” Ascharya marai ne?
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Lapatiya / August 2, 2013
Saddarmadveepa Chakrawarthi is going to ban cattle slaughter within 2 months. “Minissu Maranawa wageda harak marana eka maara paw wadak ne nadda?
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whywhy / August 2, 2013
Lapatiya
Didn’t we promise to give you “plus?”This is that plus!
Why don’t you understand our language?We clearly said,
in future, our cattle will be safe.If you want that
kind of safety,use your common sense Lapatiya and didn’t
we promise you “miracles?”Sinahaven ho kathaven bae
maninnata minisa!
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Wickramasiri / August 2, 2013
It is doubtful that Mahinda Rajapaksa will learn a lesson here as to what can happen when the military is given free rein. The excessive violence from the military must be condemned. Then again I wonder what the real cause of the dispute is. Dipped Products of Hayleys is a highly respected entity. As perhaps the worlds largest producer of surgical gloves, it must have met all the stringent international standards. So how come this situation? Somebody wants to drop the share price and buy in to the company?
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shankar / August 3, 2013
“Then again I wonder what the real cause of the dispute is. Dipped Products of Hayleys is a highly respected entity.”
Wickremasiri.You are still living in yesterday.Welcome to today,where Dhammmika Perera controls hayleys now as he bought into it in a big scale.This guys networth is about 40 billion rupees.God knows how he made that much of money.he is supposed to be close to the rajapakshes.That should speak for itself and answer your question as to the cause of the dispute and the respectability of hayleys.First ask yourself the qusetion”are the Rajapakshes highly respectable people?Then the second question to ask is “if someone is close to them then can they be highly respected”?Then the third question to ask is “if that person now controls a company will it be highly respected”.
Culture permeates from top to bottom and flows down that way.If you have a highly respectable person at the top then the whole organisation will become highly respectable little by little.If you have a highly disreputable person at the top the opposite will start to happen.I have seen this happening in the private sector so often,with bad companies changing for the better when a new CEO takes over and good companies changing for the worse when a bad CEo with loose morals and ethics take over.The CEO will closet himself with people whom he is comfortable with and is the same as and sideline or get rid of others who are diffrent from him and thats how culture starts to permeates downwards.So the rot always begins at the top.
Hayleys as you rightly pointed out was one of the flagships of Srilankan business and a internationaly reknowned company with some of the finest CEO’s at one time,but with Dhammmika perera at the helm it would have become a tool now to make quick money for himself and his henchmen in the government and as you say shady things like bringing down the share price to buy on the cheap could be also one possibility.These kind of shadiness will continue with a shady owner who very little is known about how he amassed his immense wealth.
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Kalu Nangi / August 5, 2013
An Inside report from the company itself states that treatment of factory waste was done before being released externally and it was so done till the electricity tariff was increased in or about March this year. Thereafter to cut costs, they stopped the treatment of effluent. The untreated factory waste was thereafter released to the environment. Hayleys no longer have people of principles at the helm to look into environmental issues. They are now only concerned about making money.
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Sumith / August 2, 2013
In Katunayake similary a civilian got killed during soe protest against pension bill. After that those got scared and nothing happened.
Similarly here, also people will get scared of army killing them if demonstrated.
You can’t mess with MR government.
UPFA will rule Sri Lanka happily ever, forever.
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David Blacker / August 2, 2013
The pension bill was withdrawn, so who do you think got scared?
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mahela / August 5, 2013
Sumith, you say….
UPFA will rule Sri Lanka happily ever, forever.
My foot…..Didn’t you see what treatment Rajapakse got in London during the last two tours. Watch Youtube……now spreading to other countries.
Ye, now the Only refuge is Uganda, Sea shells and Swaziland.
Warrents issued for the war criminal and Mass Murderer.
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Qassim ben Qassim / August 2, 2013
Ground water contamination ? goodness , a country at one time blessed so much with pure clean water ,i just cant bring myself to believe this is happening here ,I know it is known almost most part of Indonesian ground water are contaminated and everyone has to depend on bottle water, so soon will be gone are the days you dig the earth anywhere and you will find sweet drinking water, what have the politicians together with business cartel done to this country in greed of money? this blessed country is an agricultural paradise no one has ever bothered to care about that and develop that sector ,but only found an easy way of making sure of quick buck into their pockets by pawning the country at exorbitant interest rates & going into industries without any research on the effects of our environment or any long term set plans, we may end up having to have water only for few hours a day like in some part of India in the future , this country the people make a big fuss on cattle slaughter ,on other peoples religious belief & hypocrisy of animal love feeding stray dogs ,without a proper program of a permanent solution to put an end to the stray dogs, they complaint Muslim Mosques are collecting money and distributing to poor muslims , they even grudge at other faiths for looking after thier poor, why cant they for a change distribute the money collected in the temples among thier poor? which is also I believe never audited and the whole thing is enjoyed for luxuries by the very ones who are suppose to have given up worldly pleasures. why cant local people & their religious leaders or priests engage in a more noble cause like lobbying against free flow of alcohol which destroys so many families? setting up of unethical investments which will no do no good but bring curse to this country? what about the the unconcerned distruction of our eco system? no they wont bother about that, as long as they can oppress any minority they consider themselves heros..
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Lets wait and see if ever China has a melt down as predicted by many financial experts , down will go sri lanka for ever, as the maximum no of eggs of this country are in China’s basket.. the whole nation should have walked in support of these people suffering without water & what business has the army to use force on its people & priests for protesting for their rights , this is not a communist country or a military dictatorship rule,why are the people not concerned or are they waiting till the worst happens? the future of our country is covered with dark clouds , I do not see much hope.
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