28 March, 2024

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Gota’s Journey Had Its Humour 

By Shyamon Jayasinghe

Shyamon Jayasinghe

Shyamon Jayasinghe

Oh! What an era we live in! Gotabaya Rajapaksa, most powerful sibling of the most powerful President Sri Lanka ever had, on a journey to the Bribery Commissioner’s Office! On the first of January this year did you, reader, ever imagine this journey? Even on the 8th of January Maitripala Sirisena had no clue that Gota will have to make his way to the Bribery Commissioner’s Office under his watch as President. Maitri was hiding that fateful day in a secret place fearing that Mahinda Rajapaksa would have Gota’s men get him and his family. Everybody feared Gota.

Such are the insecurities of politics. The Buddha had said that everything emerges, stays for a while and passes away. But nothing passes away as astonishingly as political fortunes do. We are surprised when it happens; yet we soon get accustomed to the imagination that politicos, once ensconced in the seats of power, are hard to get rid of. More than us, the politician himself will least believe his glory will end. The delusion of permanence is both the driving force of politicians in power and their eventual death knell.

The Daily FT of 24th April 2015 carried a report of Gota’s journey which compels comment. I like to share this with my readers. A large crowd of protestors had assembled in the premises defying a previous court order. Rajapaksas are experts at jana ganga (rivers of people). They had mastered the mobilizing technique from the JVP. We saw it at election meetings. We saw it at Nugegoda. With ample financial resources at disposal and a well -organized local mob leadership such jana ganga simply happens. Poor Basil, now in person, didn’t have it organized for him-maybe due to his slight fall- out from the Rajapaksa mainstream. His nephew, Yoshitha, had reportedly castigated the uncle for being primarily responsible for his Dad’s fall from power. Yoshitha does not admit his own contribution.

GotaBack to the crowds. They carried an illegal Sri Lanka flag without the two stripes that represent the Tamil and Muslim communities. In other words, they stand for the ‘pure patriots,’ or, as Dayan Jayatilleka may say, ‘smart patriots.’ The racist rallying cry that has been marking the “bring –back MR campaign” was reflected here, too. The theory that minorities are guests who must live on the good nature of Sinhalese constitute the brain, heart, and soul of Sinhala extremism. Leading the crowd there was Gammampila, the break-away founder of the ‘Pivithuru Hetak,’ (pure tomorrow) campaign –whatever that may mean. We are familiar with Namal’s ‘Tharunyata Hetak (Tomorrow for Youth). The youth got nothing of that campaign of Namal except that the funds were reportedly outlayed for the Dad’s election campaign. Maybe night car races were also run on that money. In the case of Gammanpila, there is an admission that the current regime is not ‘pure’ (in character) and that we hapless Sri Lankans must wait until Gammanpila ushers that purity. A leader in a hurry, the circumstances of his suddenly leaving the JHU was definitely not the start of that ushering because it was transparently foul. Maybe, Gammanpilla has reformed after that furtive slip away.

Besides the crowds, Gota himself came out with some choice statements on the way to the Bribery Commissioner, according to the FT report. He was not after drinks. ““I served this country honestly as an official. If they can do this to an official like me, I don’t think any State official will work for this country again,” And what have “they” done? Summon him for questioning. Prey, what’s wrong with that? In the civilized world the law is supreme and even big wigs must allow to be examined for charges made. If the charges are not sustainable they are let go. No official will be discouraged to work in circumstances like that. If one is not guilty one can hang it. Next, Gota becomes the judge in his own cause when he says, ”all these allegations are baseless.” Obviously, the Rajapaksas were judges in their own cause when they were in power. If matters went pass them and their musclemen to court there were judges who would have acted “sensitively,” because it is the government that the judges are dealing with. Mohan Pieris proclaimed the doctrine that judges must be “sensitive to the executive.” In this part of the world judges are required to be sensitive to the law and the law alone. But now the pendulum has swung away. Mohan’s law and the Rajapaksas are no more.

Counsel for Gota, Kariyawasam, also showed his colours during that suspenseful journey. The charges had been with regard to financial transactions that had taken place while Gota had been Mihin Air Chairman. Kariyawsam stated ”in defense” that this was a period when Gota was busy fighting a war. Can lawyers be more stupid? If Gota was busy why did he take up the post of Mihin Air Chairman? So many better qualified persons could have been spotted in any nook and corner in Colombo itself. The rub is that it all must be kept in the family. We know what the Sri Lankan Airlines “family Chairman” had been up to.

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Latest comments

  • 21
    9

    The Rajapakses and their stooges do not understand the Rule of Law,though the father and the son are “Lawyers” they prefer the law of the jungle.When charges were levelled against Pradeep Kariyawasam regarding the NSB-stock market scandal Mahinda made a speech at the Chartered Accountants institute where he said “Apey miniha nissa shape karanda haduwa” thats reflects his style of governance and the regard he has for the Rule of law.For the sake of the future of the country the Rajapakses and his henchman must be removed from the political arena lock,stock and barrel.

    • 4
      14

      YUS – Who the F..k are you to decide that one should be removed or this one should be removed – that is a decision to be taken by voters of this country – At least MR did not lie when he said “Apey miniha nissa shape karanda haduwa” – Now what is happening Ranil appoint a person with a pending court case for violating foreign exchange regulation of this country as his Minister of Finance – Ranil reinstate CB governor back after a bogus enquiry carried out by his party colleagues – when anyone with ounce of brain understand CB Governor is not a clean guy – MS who shouts about MR appointing his family members everywhere in his government – now appointed his brother as SLT Chairman – and son in law as PRO of Defence Ministry and daughter – lady in waiting – When Ranil selects all his Royal buddies as his cabinet Ministers – MS did not oppose – YUS before you comment – look impartially, what the heck these Yahapalanaya guys are doing – still only 100 days gone

      • 10
        2

        Rabok, you sound so angry at all this. Did you lose a MR-blessed appointment on the 9th of January. I guess unemployment has made you a sour individual.

      • 2
        1

        [Edited out] If you want to lick MR [Edited out] go ahead. But you will have to get under the stake his butt is impaled on.
        Gota will be roasted just like Wijeweera. Get ready for that day.

    • 3
      2

      So far I have not seen the rule of law being properly applied by the new leaders. This is clearly demonstrated by the Central Bank bond issue fiasco, and the questionable appointments to high positions, such as a person under investigation, to the position of Finance Minister and a close family friend of the PM to the position of Bribery Commissioner.
      I always believed the country will not be able to avoid corruption and nepotism, whoever comes to power. What is important is economic development, security from terrorism, sovereignty and unitary status of the nation, which issues are conveniently not discussed these days. Instead we see articles like this, written by biased people who are happily enjoying the peace and security achieved by the very people they are trying to ridicule and castigate.

  • 17
    4

    Gammanpila,Gamanpila. Who is this SOB

  • 25
    7

    Shyamon Jayasinghe, great article

    We have our civil society – Having this feeling is great

    Thought you don´t exist after reading some articles from Jayan and Rajiva last weeks

    People like these were definitely brought to the Nuremberg Tribunal in 1945

  • 27
    5

    This GoTo Hell did not give an iota of sympathy when his men dragged away General Fonseka like worse than a criminal; that was a man who served his country to the rule book, done his supreme duty to the nation and liberated the country from the scourge of terrorism. Now he has no shame trying to convince the public that all his corrupt and underhand activities are an honest days work of a civil servant. If that is true, then I wonder what a dishonest civil servant’s track record might be?

  • 19
    8

    I heard from one of Gotabhaya’s supporters that Gota annoyed at being summoned by the Bribery Commission had been screaming “Knowing people, know I am who” and “I’ll get these bastards”.

  • 12
    1

    Do not think even so lightly of bad deeds, that will not come back to me or him.Just like a water pot is filled by the falling water drops, so that the fool is gathering his evil deeds until fills himself with agonies here and hereafter.

  • 13
    2

    There wont be a Hague to worry about as Ranil did not sign the Rome convention. The USA also did not sign the treaty to safeguard the military.All Srilankan leaders together with Sirimavo are war criminals the way they handled the JVP revolts.Ranil has a lot to answer to the Batalanda torture chambers and the murders that took place there.

    • 0
      1

      Ranil did not sign the Hague Convention because Bush withdrew from It which the Clinton had signed earlier.US Congress passed resolution (aka as invade Hague” that US should take action against any move to take even a US soldier to Hague.

    • 6
      1

      tut tut, Mollosovich did not sign the convention as well Yet he was dragged to the Hague AND DIED IN PRISON . RW has no power to sign conventions as PM. This rests with the President of the country .( CBK when he was PM )

  • 12
    48

    Sirisena has begun to take revenge from most important people who put life to save the country , and I do not know why the people are still wait to kick out this venomous puppet from the country . Puppet Sirisena is unable to walk straight , so how come he rule the country . Sirisena is biggest ever traitor of nation which has proven already ,if he further take steps to bully our heroes that we must Call off people to street to revolt against this puppet . Unless he will eradicate our patriots . Who fearlessly devoted to save our country .

    • 4
      14

      Jayalath thanks for your comment. Please disregard the likes you got.One day the truth will come out.Even Jesus and Lord Buddha was betrayed. One day specially the Sinhaleese will cry for what they did to Mahinda Rajapaksa when they get slaughtered by others.

    • 3
      7

      Well said Jayalath . We salute you .

    • 2
      2

      6,200,000 people disagree with you ! We have a Statesman now instead of a drunkard Tarzan !

      These SOBs should be skinned alive and hung to dry.

      They did more harm to this country than any other !

  • 15
    36

    Sad day for sri lankans. get out of the country if you can. the country will fall in to some unwanted hands. people who truly worked for the country will be jailed. puppets become kings in the name of Yahapalanaya. in the future no one will be proud of being a sri lankan. no leadership hopeless country! we wish we never born there!

    • 4
      4

      So said Angarika Dharmapala as he left to India in disgust.He further wished never to be born in SL . I can understand his wisdom now. The Sinhala are an ungrateful, envious bunch of people

      In response to Ravi.

      • 5
        1

        Very true Sarojini,

        Sinhalese are one of worst in the world. True words of “Prabakaran “Sinhalaya’s memory is only two weeks old”.
        People have forgotten 30 years of suffering. Bombs, abductions and killing. People have forgotten how Premadasa & Ranil W has fed LTTE. How corrupt Chandrika K was. True the Rajapakse’s were living and acting above anything in SL. But at least they destroyed LTTE and brought peace to this sad country. Built roads and developed the infrastructure after 60 years. True under MR law and order went downwards. But others since 1960’s were not better. What a sorry bunch of people.
        NO DIGNITY, NO SELF RESPECT, NO INDUSTRIAL OR TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT ( EVEN THEY CAN NOT BUILT A BICYCLE), LIVING ON FORIEGN AIDS AND HARD EARNED MONEY FROM HOUSE MAIDS. LOOK AT OUR POLITICIANS OF ALL PARTIES.
        NEITHER I DO NOT WISH TO BE REBORN AMONG THESE PEOPLE

  • 15
    2

    Any idiot in power can make any allegation, cause any citizen to be taken into custody, questioned by the CID, Bribery Commission etc. Proof of the pudding is securing a conviction through independent judicial process. We shall wait for the day.

    • 4
      1

      paul

      “Proof of the pudding is securing a conviction through independent judicial process. We shall wait for the day.”

      Please note politicians make deals with their counter parts in the opposition, of course behind closed doors. Could you name one politician who had been sent to prison or served full sentence for committing crimes such as corruption, nepotism, war crime, wheeling and dealing outside rule of law?

  • 20
    3

    Today’s newspaper MR accuses the government of persecuting his family. It is NOT ‘persecution,’ but prosecution, Mr Former -President. Prosecution takes place under the laws of the country and there is a due process attached to it. Why be scared ?If your family has been above board you are safe.Basil, for instance, has to explain what he did with the 77 million set apart for poor Divineguma beneficiaries. You will soon have to explain why you put Tsunami money in your private bank account

    • 0
      0

      MR doesn’t know that he doesn’t have a third b–l.

  • 18
    9

    Gota’s Journey Had Its Humour:

    Gothas journey has only just begun. His final Journey along with his brother the former Commander in Chief will be to the HAGUE.

    That journey will not be Humorous. It will arduous and torturous.

    • 5
      4

      So you are from the L.T.T.E.

    • 6
      1

      Gota’s final journey will hopefully be a jail cell in SL. He helped us win the war and secure the country, there is no reason to get the Hague involved lol. Our country and our affairs. This has nothing to do with our current security.

      But he played God with people’s lives and money. Why in the world was he the chairman if Mihin Airlines if he was too busy with the war activities? Let me get the credit for the war + pay for whatever wrongs he did.

  • 8
    16

    The problem here is the appointment of DG of he bribery commission it-self is illegal. Ranil became the PM overnight when UNP is minority in the parliament. He appointed his friend(or friend’s wife) as the DG. She is definitely politically biased toward UNP. Ranil, Ravi and Rajitha knew all about 100 day plan and Sirisena did not have the full story. Gota and even those who worked for them will never have a fair trial at this commission. DG(and the Panel) should be appointed to a place like this with the consent of the parliament. They all should look at their profiles and political affiliations and then appoint them and make sure they are always independent and unless they resign, no president or PM can remove them.
    I like a reply from Mr.Jayasinha if he knew the Sinhalese idiom “Baduth Hamuduruwange, Naduth Hamuduriwange” Okkoma Ranilnge. I don’t want jokes or unrelated facts.

    • 12
      3

      Orpheus,

      Is it only now that you are looking for Independent People to investigate? Where were you for the last ten years when your megalomaniac MR ruled? The whole country was witness to the Impartiality of MR rule, as to how a number of political murders were investigated or not investigated. How CJ 43 was manhandled and ejected. How a Military Court Martial was set up to hear SF’s case. How MR created a servile Justice system to suit his needs to stay in power by enacting the 18th Amendment and the opinion expressed enabling him to contest the third term? Pimps like you are responsible for the break down in Law of this country.What right have you now to question about the Independence of the people at the BC? Just Piss off!

    • 6
      0

      Every single person who voted for MS knew that they were voting for Ranil as the PM.

      UNP voters voted for Ranil
      Other voters voted for Ranil because whatever shortcomings were still outweighed by their hatred and disappointment for MR.

      Every single person who voted for MS disliked MR. They wanted him out and is glad he is out. That is the reality. MS and Ranil might make a thousand annoying decisions, but to the people, it’s still a better option than MR

      • 2
        1

        Really ? If you look at the voting pattern of the last Pres. election one wonder why whole Northern & Eastern,up-country provinces and of course Colombo district voted for MS + RW. Is there nothing sinister about it ? No hidden agenda about it ? Modayas never realize this. Some even vote for a bottle of arrack or a lunch packet.
        I give MR the blame for corruption, lack of law & order. If anyone think SL will be better off with RW and the wimp, are day dreaming. We have to dance to the music of British, Tamil diaspora and of India. And sometime later to Muslim separatists.

  • 6
    2

    Gota is a petty minded character. Why was the Army ordered to remove the photograph of the “greatest General in the world” which should have been placed adjacent to all retired Army Commanders?
    No mention of the General who commanded the Army that anhilated the most efficient terrorist in the World in the memorial at Mullaitivu.
    to what depths could a sane human descend.

  • 3
    5

    If the national flag has its legal basis on the Constitution (Article 6), then the National Anthem is also protected by the same Constitution (Article 7). Why has Sirisena not been impeached for violating the constitution by allowing National Anthem to be sung in Tamil ? Lets have ONE constitution from which all legality /illegality is based on.

    • 3
      1

      Premila

      I thank you for your brilliant comment at the same time envy your expert knowledge on Sri Lankan Constitutional matters.

      I am bit thick therefore could you bear with me. Here is an extract from constitution. I do not see what you see “Why has Sirisena not been impeached for violating the constitution by allowing National Anthem to be sung in Tamil?”

      The National Anthem.
      7. The National Anthem of the Republic of Sri Lanka shall be “Sri Lanka Matha,” the words and music of which are set out in the Third Schedule.

      THIRD SCHEDULE Article 7

      [Words and Music of the National Anthem and
      Instructions to play]

      http://www.priu.gov.lk/Cons/
      1978Constitution/NationalAnthom001.pdf

      http://www.priu.gov.lk/Cons/
      1978Constitution/NationalAnthom002.pdf

      Premila

      I would like to take Sirisena to courts for violating the constitution, please advise me on what charges and under which provision of the constitution.

      Thanks

    • 1
      1


      Why has Sirisena not been impeached for violating the constitution by allowing National Anthem to be sung in Tamil ? “

      Were you not aware that the National Anthem was sung in Tamil before
      The constitution was violated when it was stopped.
      A sensible question will be why isn’t MaRa not in Jail. He nearly staged a coup and at the moment still planning it.

  • 5
    6

    Shame on you, Shyam-on. Gloating over something staged by the revengeful UNP. Whenever they grab power it is a case of revenge on the opposing party. JR, Ranil’s uncle started it. He gave police a holiday soon after getting elected, so his henchmen could go on the rampage without hindrance. JR concocted false allegations against Sirimavo and took away her civil rights. Next he remanded CBK’s husband Vijaya K without a single charge being brought. Surprising CBK is hobnobbing with Ranil now. Ranil has taken after his uncle, taking revenge on Rajapakses – when will UNP grow up?

    • 2
      4

      Mel it is a dictatorship Governing the country today . People wanted a change and they got it big time !!

      • 2
        0

        Premila, Mel, Sarojini

        I can understand you all pointing out the short comings under MS and RW. It is understandable. What I do not understand is you trying to cover up gross violations under MR or pretend that nothing wrong happened under MR. For that matter MR has publicly admitted that he saved many in his Party from all wrong doing, because they were party people. He has this qualms with all those who has gone against him today. But all those who did wrong like Nishantha Wickremasinghe, Sajin Vass G, Jaliya Wickremasooriya, Udayanga Weeratunge and everyone else in the party are still protected by MR for his own survival. If at all, the current problems are minor, compared to what has been committed by MR cronies under MR. Please try to be rational in your comments as the readers here can see your tomfoolery.

      • 3
        1

        sarojini

        Good to hear from you.

        Gota still manages to wheel out his bins to dump his trash.

        Where are the other ball carriers such as sach, Taraki, Jazz, Madhavi, Sinhala Banda, mechanic, Lal loo, ……… ?

      • 2
        2

        People also wanted MaRa, GoRa and their cronies in Jail for the murders they committed. MS is lacking dictatorship skills.
        A good dictator is better than a bad democracy.

  • 2
    7

    [Edited out]

  • 7
    2

    I think in the interests of all peace loving and law abiding citizens of this country it is important for us to protect the hard won freedom we gained from the despotic rule that was the Rajapakshes. The morally bankrupt Rajapakshe family and their gang of cohorts will try and use every possible trick in the book to sabotage and derail our hard won victory by hook or by crook.
    The evil Rajapakshe forces will make every attempt to get back to power and take us back to those dark days . Let us guard against it by voicing our opinion and reminding everybody of what it was like under Rajapakshe rule not so long ago. Use every possible forum , news sites Facebook , Twitter, youtube and try and lobby the main stream media as well to get the message across . Don’t stop until the bad smell of the Rajapakshe’s completely disappear.

  • 6
    2

    When MR and his clan is under scrutiny the people who benefited from illegal deals are hurting and stand to lose. Hence they try their best to bring back the rouges to feather their own nest. Shut up and let the law take place to bring out not only MR and his clan but also the vultures who has taken part in thieving our beautiful country and the people. If you donkeys hover round MR is because you are uneducated, ignorant and greedy.

  • 0
    1

    Noting the way our Con Mohan Pieris behaved in dealing with some of the cases brought before him, “Sensitive to the executive”, an understatement. The reality was not MR, even if Gotta got a cold this guy Mohan was sneezing, that is how judiciary and executive were colluding. And, now they doing a cry baby nothing other than capture the power quickly so they cover of their dirt before it has been exposed. Disappointing to see some of the commentators trying portray actions taken against them as political victimizations while county looks at awe. Not only do they work on the jana ganga but would at blogging too.

  • 3
    1

    Ms Saojini. You are dead right. Sinhalese are an ungrateful lot. That is why they let Gota and MR jail the Army Commander for three years and grab his titles and pension away until Sirisena gave back all that and more.SF was in a prison cell with bomb shrapnel in his body. If the Sinhala people realize their great lapse they should hang MR and Gota on a pole

    • 1
      1

      Karunaratne Gamage

      “If the Sinhala people realize their great lapse they should hang MR and Gota on a pole”

      Where is hanging going to stop? Who is going to hang the last person? We know MR, Gota and Fonseka had committed war crimes. It does not mean all of them and their subordinates should be hanged.

      It is everyone’s responsibility to give the rulers wise counsel, not the sort of eye for an eye let the world go blind advice you prefer.

  • 2
    1

    Well said . Gota ran his own mafia with groups in the armed forces and thugs. Looted money and commited murders with white vans etc. He took law to his hands . Now he is acting like a saint. He caanot get away from his karma even he escapes the law.

  • 0
    1

    Gota, may not have money in Sri Lanka bank accounts, but check whether he has funneled money to his friends in Los Angeles, USA.

  • 1
    0

    The people voted out the family of THUGS.

    Now what they want the new government to do first
    and foremost is to LOCK UP the whole Rajafaksa family.
    It doesn’t matter whether in Welikada Or in Haugue.

    Separate cell for each member p;ease And it should be for life.

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