By Suranimala Umagiliya –
The Daily Mirror newspaper of 12th February carried an interview with Gotabaya Rajapaksa nestled in the front section. The interview would have been better placed in the TV section. The infantile explanation was straight out of Aesop’s Fables.
Gotabaya says that Lasantha murder, Keith torture and assault and the Prageeth Ekneligoda disappearance were done by two people. Who? He does not say. Is this the humbug that we want as a President of this country? He knows who murdered Lasantha Wickrematunge. He knows who abducted, tortured and released Keith Noyahr after Karu Jayasuriya called his brother Mahinda who was the then President. He knows who made Prageeth Ekneligoda go missing.
“I won’t tell. Make me President and I will tell all”.
It’s the same story from Gotabaya. “If I am made the candidate to run for President, I will give up my American citizenship. If not I am American. Freedom is not enough without discipline”….blah blah.
Gota
Pretence at being a patriot is not lost amongst the intelligent section of the Sri Lankan populace. Gotabaya and Mahinda banks on the rest of the population to bring them back in to power.Sprinkled amongst them are the racist elements.
Let us assume that the Yahapalanaya government has failed.Even dismiss the democratic freedoms emanating from the Independent Commissions. Does that necessitate a return to the old vomit?
The international standard for a new paved road costs around Rs 7.5 million per km. The roads Rajapaksha’s built cost Rs 27 million a km. Does Gotabaya know that? This American states that the infamous MiG purchases were between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Government of Ukraine as recent as last week. He says this despite the Ukrainian Government denying that they NEVER sold any aircraft to the Sri Lankan government. That was a statement made to the Sri Lankan investigators inquiring in to the purchase of MiG aircraft.Of course MiG aircraft were brought to Sri Lanka via a third party who made a killing and we know who that was. Gotabaya has now the very same lawyer who appeared for Lasantha in the same case defending him after the murder of the newspaper editor. Money talks.
Rajapaksa family has the gall to say that murder is rampant in Sri Lanka since the Yahapalanists took over. Have they forgotten the killing of Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra? Lasantha Wickrematunge? Nimalarajan? Nineteen journalists from the North? Abduction and torture of Keith Noyahr? Assault on Upali Tennakoon?
Prageeth Ekneligoda gone missing, probably murdered too? Not forgetting the rampant drug trade flourishing aided and abetted by their regime ?
The glitz and glamour connected with the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime was but a cloak which covered the dirtiest,corrupt and an immoral period in our history. Money, however dirty was respected and became a fashion to be emulated. Even cricket was not spared. The International Cricket Council confirms Sri Lanka is the most corrupt cricketing nation. Such degradation of a nation encouraged and nurtured by Rajapaksa’s will take decades to correct.
Is Ranil the answer? Or is it Karu Jayasuriya, Sajith Premadasa maybe even Maithripala Sirisena? None have shown strength or courage to turn the tide. Probably waiting for Godot.
Be that as it may, ( Lasantha in his writing often used this phrase) Gotabaya knows that two people were behind the murder of Lasantha. One was himself.
Who was the other?
The American must speak now or hold his tongue forever.
PARAGON / February 14, 2019
THERE ARE ENOUGH BUDIST SINGALA MODAYAS TO BELIEVE THIS COCK AND BULL STORY .These same brainless group going behind MHINDA AND COMPANY LIMITED.Soon gothapayia will open his eyes in disbelieve WHEN LOKKA WILL APPOINT HIS WIFE SHIRANTHI AS PRESIDENTAL CANDIDATE
/
Navin / February 14, 2019
Under the Rajapaksa’s there was not only these gruesome murders, but there were white van abductions, journalists threatened, harassed, and killed, journalists fleeing the country fearing for their lives, ex servicemen acting like thugs and killers, we also had the terrible torture and killing of a young ruggerite, which together with the other crimes, remain unresolved today, with NO justice found for their families. This is no way to run a country. We were sick of the Rajapaksa’s and their crime family, but it seems the present lot are either incompetent, or have some agreement with the Rajapaksa’s, to never seek justice for their endless crimes. We also have seen prisoners, go in, and come out fast, for their crimes. In Sri Lanka all it takes is one phone call from the bigwig, and their golayas are out.
Only in our banana republic.
/
Upali / February 14, 2019
Forget everything. We know that to date the killers are living eating drinking and sleeping among us. I don’t think that they get any sleep.There is a million Dollar question. Why didn’t Rajapakse regime dragged their feet in investigating these murders.
/
Hamlet / February 14, 2019
If Gota knows the People who Committed these Murders, He is Withholding Information, Which is a Crime according to the Law!
Arrest Him and He will have to answer with the Truth!
/
roy / February 14, 2019
These Rajapakse brothers are trying everything possible to gain power.
“I won’t tell. Make me President and I will tell all”.
Its like a prostitute saying, give me what I demand I will let you do anything.
These culprits are scrounging the poor ,what they deserve is in their overseas accounts.
They tried the race cards in the past creating a riots in the south and then in Digana area ,after it was a failure they have got around with Muslims . Also Maras son had a Hindu wedding ceremony
to win their votes .
Politics in Srilanka is becoming dangerous and sad when one one witnessed Maras son’s wedding with all the rogues in the same team and now Madush the drug lord’s implication with politicians.
/
Dravidian / February 14, 2019
The utter shame is men in the top political order are not only on the “take” in each big Contract but the young are trained to defraud the State coffers. Remember that failed Indian Film Festival where the big guns from Bollywood were invited under great fanfare – allegedly by the Prince. This so-called mega event was to herald the Prince’s political arrival – for the world’s attention . The Railway, the Tourist Board, several 5-star Hotels and others were all forced to play a part on the assurance they will all be paid. The Railway made available a luxury, fully-provided Buffet Car to run from the Katunayake airport to the Fort Railway Station. These cost for this lone is said to be in the millions of dollars It is understood to date the payments incurred were not paid for – including bills for food and beverages.
It will be of public interest to know who owes how much and to whom as well as when and to whom the services were provided.
Dravidian
/
Rationalist / February 15, 2019
If this is the Case with all Government Tamashas, it is no Wonder that Government Departments are Being Run at a Loss!
/
Eagle Eye / February 14, 2019
Suranimala Umagiliya,
Let us assume for a moment that Gotabhaya was behind these cases. This is a big thing only to a handful of NGOs and Civil Society crooks thriving on $$$s from White Supremacists. What is important and admired by a large majority of people (Demala, Muslim, Sinhala, Malay) in this country is the lives saved by Rajapakses by eliminating Demala terrorism and peace in mind they enjoy. Some guys (including Champika and Rathana) will jump out and say ‘Mahinda Rajapakse cannot get the credit for that’. I ask; ‘Who else can’? J.R.Jayawardena, R.Premadasa, Ranil Wickramasinge, Chandrika Kumaratunga. The answer is “NO’. All these guys were cowards who failed to give the right leadership to kill Prabhakaran (reincarnated Elara) and dismantle LTTE.
————–
Whoever is responsible, getting rid of traitors was a blessing for this country. Even Awamangala has told once that Lasantha is a traitor. Ekneligodas have gone into records as traitors even during colonial rule.
/
justice / February 14, 2019
An MP lost her post because she had a foreign passport.
How come Gota dares to contest for president?
How come there are many politicians too, promoting this?
/
Amarasiri / February 14, 2019
Two besides Gotanaya Rajapaksa?
Then it is three . Were there three MIG’s or two?
/
Maharage, / February 14, 2019
GoTabaya Raapukse did nothing to Sri Lanka other than killing of innocent civilians and journalists.
If anyone claims that he finished the “WAR”, that person is either a lunatic or an idiot. He only destroyed Sri Lanka and its image.
If not for Sarath Fonseka’s strategic direction, the WAR would never have been won. Give him all the credit for decimating LTTE terrorism.
/
K A Sumanasekera / February 14, 2019
This is interesting.. I mean this Dude’s costings of building Highways.
–
Rajapaksa Contractors charged 27 Million per Km.. But the Yhapalana Friends reckon they can get it done for just 7 Million a Km.
That is just a third of the cost.
–
Rajapaksas have built at least 200 Km which is a whopping 6400 Million worth of Kilometers.
Yahapalanaista could have built 600 Kilometers for the same cost.
–
Wonder how many Highways Dr Ranil and his UNP Ministers have built in the last 4 years after getting all those Loans and Bonds totaling more nearly 6000 Million US Dollars?……
/
K A Sumanasekera / February 14, 2019
Without naming names, Gota had mentioned not just 2 but 4 names in that Interview . ?…
/
nalmen / February 14, 2019
whats the use of talking
the masses are deaf dumb and blind when it comes to politics
/
Pandu de Silva / February 14, 2019
There must be a popular uprising against Gota. Ranil W, Mangala S, Malik S. and their bunch of cronies must be booted out and the second tier of the UNP given their due place.
Otherwise, we are in for a winter that will be so dark that the Mahinda era will seem like sunshine
/
Words / February 14, 2019
Your hero Ranil said not so long ago that the murderer was non other than your OTHER hero- Sarath Fonseka?! Remember???
You don’t believe him any more?? Cause it’s an inconvenience to yahapalians??
/
craig / February 14, 2019
The MIG deal has been laid bare in many newspaper exposes recently. The DM journalist has failed miserably in asking questions based on the real facts. Therefore we have to conclude that this interview was published to attempt a clean-up of Gota. Or an eye-wash. A red herring. I do hope the verdict of that little trial presently going on in the special high courts will be the start of the chipping of his absolute arrogance.
/
Steve / February 14, 2019
Two behind Lasantha murder – MR & GR.
/
shankar / February 14, 2019
nope.1.sri lankan gota.2.american gota
/
MirakRajBanda / February 14, 2019
We know one is you (Gota) and who’s the other?? Let me guess ….Your brother (Mahind)???
/
Robert / February 14, 2019
It is a calamity and an incorigible fallacy in the democratic system. Gota holding the country and the people at ransom. I do hope our people, spcially those who parrot the MR and his family’s praise, will realize their folly. A man called Gotapaya, the former secretary of defence, involved in clandestine killings and disappearances refusing to divulge the identity of murderers. The man demands the country to make him a president, disregarding the democratical process, but coming out with dictorial character with a demand and a string held to it. His refusal to divulge the criminals, is tantamount to supporting them. These people are not Sri Lankan. They loot the country through all the available avenues, accumulate wealth to live a luxury life in the USA. He has looted more than enough. His statement about his citizenship is the most arrogant and impudent. He has to be a president to be a Sri Lankan, if not he would be an American. Is he really loyal to his country. Leaders of Pakistan have always done that. After their tenure of leaders of their country, they take refugee in foreign countries. They return to their country only to contest elections to be the leaders, o ce again. Mrs. Bhutto, Nawas Sharief and Musharraf were leaders abandoned their countries. We have Gota , Sri Lankan only as a president , but an American as a citizen. One has to be an American to be called a citizen, seems to be his idea of citizen. In line with that perception, all the people must be presidents to be the citizens of Sri lanka. Does he think the people are his slaves and country is a land for the pirates. Where is his integrity. Aiding and abetting a murderer totally negates his character that accentuates his lack of integrity, his low level of mental capacity, which nullifies his aspirations for the leadership. We will be in a hell hole not in a country, when men like him are made leaders.
/
Rwkd / February 14, 2019
The reason that Rajapakses are still running high after putting the country thro so much of turmoil curruption and unjust deeds is the set of puppets called the private media. (Less talked about the state media is better). They gulp down every thing that the Rajapakses tell them , sensationalized and repeat them enough times so that we start believing every thing we are fed. Is there no reporter to ask rajapakse why he is keeping information that he claims to be having without going to the police with it as any responsible citizen of the land should do. Last time I checked it is a crime to hold any info regarding a crime!. Oh then is he not an American?
/
CITIZEN / February 14, 2019
He believes that he will be above the law when he is President! He can always cook the cases against him with a different “masala” after becoming the President!!
/
Plato. / February 14, 2019
The Nation knows that he is one.It takes Two To Tango; who is the other[s]?
/
rbh / February 14, 2019
I won’t tell. Make me President and I will tell all
Is this not Bribing for president
/
G.K. Vithana / February 14, 2019
Here is a man who gets excited at the slightest
thing. Yet, a lot of people are going to disagree
with me when I say this. It is NOT rpt NOT
Gotabaya who is behind the murder of Lasantha
Wickremetunge. It is Sarath Fonseka. Of course
GR knew about it after it was done.
There is ONE man who lavishly entertained Police
officers at a five star hotel and convinced everyone
that it was GR and NOT SF. What a travesty of justice?
This is by no means to say GR was an innocent sadhu.
He has gallons of blood in his hand and is a murderer
and arrogant s. o. b. (whatever that means)
But truth must prevail. Will it ever in Sri Lanka?
/
SKM / February 14, 2019
Other is MR!
/
Sinhala_Man / February 14, 2019
I’ve only skimmed through this article.
.
Yes, this is a damning indictment of Gotabaya Rajapaksa himself. Now it’s up to Ranil Wickremasinghe to make capital out of it. If he can’t, will he now at least think of handing over liberal leadership to somebody else?
/
Minolika Rathwatte / February 14, 2019
Former GA Douglas Umagiliya’s son Suranimal has landed a real bombshell. Gota is clean bowled
/
SKM / February 14, 2019
He is collecting more sins by lying over the sins he already has. His followers too will collect sins as they very well know who he was/is.
/
chiv / February 14, 2019
OMG. Thank You so so much. You just said it . You have helped in reflecting my thoughts with appropriate words. (which I am incapable) . Well articulated . There are only a few who can write the way you do. Amidst all the fake news and rubbish going around , we need people like you to help in maintaining our sanity. PLEASE keep writing and exposing these third rated crooks. So readers, the question is if one is GR who is the another person responsible for these murders. Any guess ?????? MR ???MS????or BOTH???? All of them have blood on their hands.
/
Wijebahu / February 14, 2019
Yes, you seems to know all about everything (Gota did), but the police and courts know nothing, why don’t you go to the police and tell them what you know (send a email if you are outside SL) or hold your tongue forever.
/