Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, despite initially stating he has no intention of entering politics is now saying he will in fact enter politics and Colombo Telegraph reliably learns he will be leading the UPFA snubs.
Gota
In an interview with Sri Lanka Mirror this week, the Rajapaksa sibling said although he initially did not have any intention of entering politics, he feels as if various reasons have pushed him into deciding otherwise.
“So if I get a chance to contest, I will,” he said while adding that he has not chosen a political party to contest yet. However, Colombo Telegraph reliably learns that it is he and not Mahinda Rajapaksa who will be leading the UPFA snubs at the upcoming general election. It has also been revealed that the extremist group Bodu Bala Sena which grew powerful during the Rajapaksa regime under the patronage of Gotabhaya has requested to join the alliance that would be formed by the UPFA snubs and officially pledge their support to Gotabhaya at the upcoming election campaigning period.
He says he was genuine in his intention to do some service to the country and its people and that he feels this goal was achieved during his tenures as the Defence Secretary and later Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban planning.
“I was able to, not simply end the devastation caused by terrorism but also afterwards, improve the defense situation and thereafter, transform Colombo into a beautified, well-planned city,” he said.
Speaking further Gotabaya says he never took into account, personal benefits or advantages when serving the masses and added that he feels he will be able to continue delivering tangible results with concern to the development of the country by entering the political arena of Sri Lanka.
Despite expressing his dedication to be a genuine public servant, it was revealed that Gotabaya and his brother were leading lavish lifestyles at the expense of public finances. Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had been keeping some 43 imported dogs from various foreign countries and some 23 varieties of exotic birds at the Temple Trees. Meanwhile, it was reported that Gotabaya had been keeping a shark at his residence, which had been taken care of by a Navy official along with two baby elephants, that he handed over to the Wildlife department in January following MR’s defeat. The shark was gifted to a businessman in Mount Lavinia according to Sri Lanka Mirror
Despite his repeated rejection of the reports rearing a shark in his house, his weakness for elephants and sharks is evident from the wooden, ornamental shark and elephant ornaments that are placed in a glass cabinet at his house, which can be seen in the backdrop.
Marwan / April 9, 2015
And now alongside with criminal Gota, even the racist BBS chip_monks have suddenly woken up and decided to enter into grand politics. If the situation is not arrested soon through counter maneuvers including court arrests and verdicts against these marauders, the country will sink again into another dark period of hate crimes, terror and criminality along racial lines, ethno-religious flare-ups including looting and arson, in addition to economic embargo on traders of minority communities, etc. In short, polarizing the whole country along racial divides which will ultimately extract a heavy economic toll on its populace, whilst further destabilizing and putting SL on the world map as a country in turmoil. Racial politics has no place in our country and that should be firmly ensconced into the peoples mind, right from their life’s beginning days starting in school.
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Point of View / April 9, 2015
Just heard, Parliament will be dissolved on the 20th !
No chance for the Rapapakses. They are good as dead !!!
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Rajitha Seneviratne / April 10, 2015
The only crime Gota is responsible of is the killing of murderous racist Prabhakaran and his racist gang of thugs.
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Simiyon / April 11, 2015
another army thug who killed the Sinhalese youth too- all because they had no job.
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Native Vedda / April 11, 2015
Rajitha Seneviratne
“The only crime Gota is responsible of is the killing of murderous racist Prabhakaran and his racist gang of thugs.”
Are you of the opinion that Gota committed crime?
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david strange / April 19, 2015
how about the innocent who died at the weliveriya incident involving the army under his leaderhsip” or have we forgotten?????
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Makka / April 9, 2015
Take to politics to look after the racist fringe. Turn Sri Lanka into a Military led Theocracy under the guise of politics. Goon squads and abductions of people under the guise of patriotism.
He is totally out of sync with the modern world. More suited for a banana republic or ME dictatorship.
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CHOLAN / April 9, 2015
NEXT STOP INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT AT THE HAGUE the right place for DOGABAYA
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Alican / April 9, 2015
How quick China withdraws!! Lesson to all Lanka’s.
Yemen – China’s stake in the Middle East has prompted it to expand relations with the region’s most vulnerable country. Both countries’ military leaders have also statedthat this relationship might expand into military cooperation.2014.
Homepage > China Video
China withdraws people from Yemen on security concern
CCTV.com
03-30-2015 17:18 BJT
As the situation deteriorates in Yemen, security conditions of civil resident have also been threatened by the unrest. In an interview with Tian Qi, Chinese Ambassador to Yemen, he shared with us on the withdrawal of Chinese citizens in Yemen.
“The Saudi-led airstrikes since March 26th have caused a large number of civilian causalities. To ensure the safety of Chinese citizens, the Chinese government has decided to evacuate its citizens from Yemen. Naval vessels have been sent to complete the withdrawal. This shows the Chinese government’s concern for the security of its people as a matter of foreign policy,” he said.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-03/31/c_134110948.htm
U.S. Confirms Military Withdrawal From Yemen
Security situation had ‘deteriorated,’ according to defense official
By DION NISSENBAUM
WASHINGTON—The U.S. withdrew its remaining 100 military personnel from a base in southern Yemen, officials confirmed Sunday, halting for now efforts by Special Operations Forces to train Yemeni troops and help with operations against al Qaeda militants in the country. Defense officials said the U.S. decided to pull the forces out of al-Annad air base after al Qaeda targeted the nearby city of al-Houta in fighting that U.S. officials said has verged on civil war involving the country’s besieged president, a former president and a patchwork of militant groups.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-confirms-special-operations-forces-withdrawal-from-yemen-1427046997
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Fathima Fukushima / April 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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gigurawa / April 9, 2015
Dear editor.
This item appears under the category of news on your site.
The penultimate paragraph of this report says ” it was revealed that Gotabaya and his brother were leading alavish life styles at the expense of public finances” and “it was reported that he was keeping a shark at his residence”
Just 3 weeks ago when interviewed on TV by Ada Derana, he challenged anyone to provide evidence of misappropriation of public funds.; He dismissed as a lie the suggestion that he kept a shark in his house. Despite these categorical statements, you unashamedly rehash these wild allegations as facts.
Your wilful abuse of press freedom is despicable. It is now beyond doubt that you are a hireling of the degenerate, debased, decrepit west and extremist religious groups it supports. Your mission is to take this country to the dark age of subservience to colonialists and neo-colonialists.
You also report that Mahinda Rajapkse was keeping 43 imported dogs and 23 ‘varieties’ of exotic birds at Temple Trees. Mahinda left Temple Trees in the early hours of the 9th of January, and Ranil moved in within a few days.
I wonder where these animals are now? Is it true that Ranil, is using the dogs as Rottweilers and and exotic birds as Hawks; Rottweilers to frighten off any challengers to UNP leadership which he so far held on to with an iron fist for 20 years and Hawks to prey on the gullible public.
My I also urge you to employ reporters who are a little fluent in English.
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gamini / April 9, 2015
Gigiruwa, it is a joke you requesting CT to employ Reporters who are a little fluent in English. Your Grammar and Syntax in your comments and spelling is atrocious to say the least.
As for you trying to defend the indefensible will be bared very soon. Just wait till then, not only it will be Gigiruwa but Henath Gahai(Lightening will also strike) for the crimes committed by MR and Family.
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gigurawa / April 10, 2015
Your god father Ranil used the same words in the 2005 election campaign. ” Unta hena gahanna on ” or to trnslate it to English- may they, the rajapkse bothers be struck with lightning. IIt is no coincidence that you use the exact words Ranil used in 2005. Secondly you say my “my grammr and syntax is atrocious “. Do you mean ‘ grammer and syntax “are” atrocious. and not “is”.
Furthermore what right have you got to defend the editor of CT; let them answer me. Are you being paid by CT to respond on its behalf. I repeat that CT is representing the Colombians who have one foot in Colombo and the other foot in Neo-colonial west or the Vatican.
Mr Gamini pleae come out. Are you a hireling of CT, Ranil, the decrepit west or the Vatican?
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Spock / April 11, 2015
“” Do you mean ‘ grammer and syntax “are” atrocious. and not “is”.”
It’s what the book (English as a second language for non-natives) does not teach `you` ¬is¬ right because he is pointing at you and only you.
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gigurawa / April 11, 2015
Spock
Can you make your comment in Sinhala or Tamil which ever language you can express your self in. No body can make sense out of your sentence ‘ It’s what the book(English as a second language for non-natives) does not teach ‘you “is”right because he is pointing at you and only you.’
It appears that even you don’t understand what you want to write.I doubt even in Sinhala or Tamil you can write a clear sentence.
So, Spock should be added to the list of illiterate hirelings who respond to every article on CT with the same abusive words, same disjointed sentences and same vicious, malicious language irrespective of the topic.
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srilal / April 13, 2015
Gigurawa ,
“He dismissed as a lie the suggestion that he kept a shark in his house. Despite these categorical statements, you unashamedly rehash these “
so , you take Gota’s words as the gospel truth , of-course you would as you are duty bound , here is a proof that your messiah cum white van goon was lying without any shame .
http://www.gossiplankahotnews.com/2015/04/shark-house-of-gotabaya-rajapaksa.html
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gamini / April 11, 2015
Gigiruwa,
Have you heard ‘Little learning is dangerous’. So stop betraying your ignorance in the use of ‘is’ and ‘are’. What I have said is ‘Your Grammar and Syntax in your comments and spelling is atrocious to say the least’. Learn English and not Singlish Grammer.
It was worse than lightening striking, what happened to MR on the 8th of January. Wait for the Nomination date when MR will be sent to Political oblivion. That day MR will be struck a ‘Vahi nathi hena’ and for all his supporters, including yourself to feel the heat.
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gigurawa / April 12, 2015
I am very pleased to hear your comment.You hope and pray that all sympathisers of Mhinda Rajapansa will be killed by lightnening or otherwise, so that the Tamils, Muslims, Up-country Tamils and the religiou minorities concentrated Colombo and along the coast north of Colomo who voted agaist Mr Rajapakse are the only survivors. Iam glad that you come out with your true inner feelings.
This is the agenda of Ranil, Ravindran Karunayakam, Wigneshwaran, Bdurdeen and sadly of Champika and Sobitha.
Well if you hate us, the Sinhalese so much, we can only do our best to be on guard and protect our children’s lives.
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Leelagemalli / April 12, 2015
Giguruwa the Kakuluwa@,
Are those you mentioned above “Ranil, Ravindran Karunayakam, Wigneshwaran, Bdurdeen and sadly of Champika and Sobitha” not srilankens ? You have been making every effort to paint the picture in favours of Meeharaka Rajapakshe. But the very same people would not be deceived again and again. That you should learn – let alone today. I have not seen your adding your 2 cts worth prior to the 8th January. Where had you been at the time Rajapakshe looted the poor man#s funds to the core ?
You could see it the way Wimal Buruwanse et al would see it, but many among us would ever ever agree with Rajapakshes. He is not a person who woulld ever learn it from his past experience.
It is very right Gamini’s comments –
“not only it will be Gigiruwa but Henath Gahai(Lightening will also strike) for the crimes committed by MR and Family”
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pakis pettiya / April 12, 2015
It’s GRAMMAR NOT GRAMMER
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gamini / April 12, 2015
Pakis Pettiya,
Sorry, you could not catch the cynicism in Singlish Grammer which was intentional, as the word Grammar in what I have said before stands. Heard of Tube lights?
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Sinhala / April 11, 2015
Sounds like another HoLD My Pala pseudonymous comment with the usual bullshit content.
By the way the ‘shark’ story has been verified by a visitor, so the denials are in vain.
And speaking of the “willful abuse of press freedom” being ‘despicable” – what do you have to say about “press freedom” under the Rajapakses? Despicable or nonexistent?
Give us a break, Gigu-pala.
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Rupasinghe / April 10, 2015
Every dog in Sri Lanka wants to enter politics. That’s where the you collect the dirt. Gota having tasted the dirt, and knowing fully well the whole country is full of idiots who don’t have any grey matter, has decided to enter politics. At the end of the day you can get a way with whatever you do. How about running a ‘white van’ agency ???
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Hamlet / April 10, 2015
“Every dog in Sri Lanka wants to enter politics. That’s where you collect the dirt.”
You are right Rupasinghe:-
Politics is the ultimate Resort of People like Gota who have no Education and no experience, except the fact that they have lived in the USA.
They think that Environmentally Disastrous Development and Military Power, is the Answer for Sri Lanka too!
This is the best way to collect as much ‘Dirt’ as possible!
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AM / April 10, 2015
Rupasinhe. Can you tell me if this Gotabaya has to go back to USA what kind of job will he get as per his qualifications? I do not think he has any managerial abilities at all.
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pasal / April 10, 2015
Even Siemens holds on to visa H1B to hand it to veterans- with his money & experience he becomes a director of private security force-semi government- presently so.
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maya / April 10, 2015
It is animal torture to keep a shark in your backyard however big it is. So, now Gotabaya can be brought to the international criminal court not only for abuse of people but also animals.
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gamini / April 10, 2015
Gota obviously kept this shark in a tank in his back compound for his sadistic pleasure to feed it with those whom he white vanned. No trace of the missing and no tell tale evidence.
Really Gota should have been fed to the shark.
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giugurawa / April 10, 2015
Another hired hand who cannot understand or write a word of English
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Chino / April 11, 2015
Giugurawa marrakala Thilakaratne,
mind your language- Iranian skin peeling Aryan home at colombo 7- top or bottom like
Long ago the English needed to get even with the Chinese trade but the `Tea Bags of America stopped it.
so they employed the Parses of Bombay (Iranian refugees from Surat) to transport more cheap Opium grown in Bangladesh to China .
It was more than a medicine but an addiction for the Chinese king – then came the treaty of Hong Kong- 99 years under the English.
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shankar / April 11, 2015
Chino
hi javi.easy to identify you because you are the only one who we poor simple srilankans can never understand.
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Chino / April 11, 2015
its because “”we poor simple srilankans”” are the only people on planet earth who sit on their Brains.
smile you [Edited out]
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T Wickramaratna / April 10, 2015
Rajitha S, where were you during the last ten years?
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shankar / April 11, 2015
Gota contesting is a brilliant move by mahinda.he is throwing him to the sharks like in thunderball to see whether he will like sean connery outwit them or not.he can take a backseat and watch without getting into the ring and see which way the wind is blowing first,whether the 5.8 million are still with him or have they dropped to 4 or 3 or 2 or 1.Any thing less than 1 million votes and he and gota will be thowing the towel and planning their exit strategy out of politics because it won’t be worth their while to continue. 1 million votes for gota and he will want gota to continue and develop the new party but mahinda will not enter politics.2 million votes and he will just sit there and hope that the new government will become unpopular with the people and he can come back as the SLFP head displacing chandrika again.These two elephants will be fighting it out for that crucial position that controls the SLFP.Everyone knows that siri the current head is just a puppet like manmohan singh and chandrika is the sonia.
If out of the 5.8 million 3 million vote for gota then mahinda will make his move and enter into politics but this time in the shadow of gota to help him to get more votes in the future.The transition of gota over mahinda is going to be a permanent one because out of the 5.8 million more respect gota over mahinda,but love mahinda over gota.
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roger / April 12, 2015
This got a fellow has to be chased out of the country. This chap is the only e who is responsible for all the mess. He spent government money without any accountability. He used the forces like his slaves. He created the BBS. He was behaving like a spoilt brat of a wealth business man.
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Pala / April 14, 2015
The most vicious b….d wicked white vanning mentally deranged sick man (including MR, family members and henchmen). Trying to get into politics again and live a life of filthy luxury through corrupt means.
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Stewart / April 14, 2015
The fact that this fellow and his brother are not in jail is proof positive that Ranil struck some sort of deal!
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Jackson / April 16, 2015
The cat is out of the bag.
When Wimal, Udaya and Dinesh pet dogs of Gota started a call for return of MR it was with the final aim of getting Gota to lead them in the next election. What they wanted was to get most of the other UPFA members who will not have any place in the future to rally round their former leader and finally get MR to nominate Gota as the leader.
Fortunately people of this country who have the intelligence to foresee the future will never accept Gota who deserve to be legally charged for his crimes.
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Pradeep / April 16, 2015
President Maithreepala Sirisena sacrificed his life to rescue Sri Lanka from the absolute corrupt Dictator Rajapakse and his Family and close goons who ruled Sri Lanka as their family Dowry.
Gotabaya Rajapakse who is the Brother of ex. Pres. Rajapakse is also part of this corrupt cartel.
Therefore the voters should be extra vigilant and should make sure that none of these Corrupt fake Alibaba crook patriots ever getting into power.
Let them enjoy their looted bounty and retire happily for life.
No more politics for them.
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