Professionals and civil society activists have raised concerns about Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa with his name failing to appear in the list of persons that have renounced their US citizenship, in the ‘Federal list’ valid as at 30 June, published on Thursday (15).
Gota
The documents published, which is similar to our Gazette notification, on a quarterly basis is mainly for tax purposes. The list issued in the first quarter for the year 2019 also did not carry the presidential hopeful’s name.
Constitutional lawyer Dr. Asanga Welikala, took to Twitter following the news stating “If Gotabaya Rajapaksa hasn’t fulfilled the legal requirements for election as President at the point of nomination – as there are serious questions – then regardless of party loyalties we must be able to agree that he cannot and must not be allowed to stand. Basic Legality”.
When Rajapaksa returned to the country concluding his last visit to the US, he said that steps had been taken to renounce his US citizenship during the visit. During this same period, he was also served summons of a legal action pursued the slain editor Lasantha Wickrematunge’s daughter Ahimsa claiming damages for being responsible for her father’s murder, while Rajapaksa was the Defence Secretary.
Soon after arriving in the country he again left for Singapore, in May this year, to obtain medical treatment. It is now revealed that Rajapaksa was issued a new local passport which he used for this trip. Civil Society activists Gamini Viyangoda and Chandraguptha Thenuwara has lodged a complaint with the police headquarters questioning how a US citizen has issued a Passport without him officially renouncing his US citizenship.
It has been also indicated that the new passport was issued with the assist of the Prime Minister and his top officials.
Minister Harsha de Silva too posted on twitter stating “Mr @GotabayaR’s name is not in the list of US citizens who had lost their citizenship as at 30 June 2019. Then how did he obtain Sri Lanka only citizenship in May 2019?”
In response SLPP Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa had stated that the minister should not be worrying about the SLPP candidate and if his documentation is in issue they will present if necessary. He further went on to say in his tweet that the Minister should rather be worrying about how to govern the country for the next few months to salvage it from its sorry state and also as to who can they put into the race.
Concerns are raised over the fact that even if Rajapaksa’s name makes it to the next list which is scheduled to come out only in mid-October, if it will be too late for him to be eligible to contest the elections.
The Elections Commission has previously stated, that if there are any concerns about a candidate’s citizenship anyone can petition the Supreme Court and that the Elections Commission can request that such determination is made within 14 days.
Craig / August 16, 2019
Mahinda will be in deep shit again. How will he extricate himself and his brother? Today the acting IGP has finally ordered the Colombo Crimes Division to commence investigations into the issuance of that passport and NIC. Gota must be pretty desperate to to be making so many blunders and gaffes on his way to be nominated by the pohottuwa. His damage control artistes must be in full swing by now.The U.S will squeeze his balls till he squeals “yes” to all.
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Amarasiri / August 16, 2019
CT,
Can anyone petition yo the US Dept, stating that Gotabaya Nandasena Rajapaksa is a US Citizen with criminal cases pending against him, and allowing for him being allowed to renounce his US citizenship, would prevent justice and the law of the land?
Can this petition be submitted by Lasantha’s daughter and others?
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Patriot / August 16, 2019
Sure the USA Knows all the facts and more. No need to petition.
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nimal fernando / August 16, 2019
C’mon! ……. The Rajapakses never ever tell the truth ……. they are the champions of lies and deception ………. but the majority of Lankans just love it and can’t have enough …….
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Who are we to deny the people what they want?
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It’s Barnum & Bailey Circus, Rajapakse style ………. everything to make the people happy
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Gota has not renounced his American citizenship; never will ……. as long as he does not publish or submit a false certificate/document he has not broken any American law ……… Gota can get his buddies Dilith et al to submit/publish false documents to his heart’s content.
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Life has not been devised by morality: it wants deception, it lives on deception. Don’t ye know it?
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I just envy the Rajapakses …….. I wish I had their talents of deception ………. I’ll be 18 billion richer. ……. and people falling at my feet and thanking me for it !
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Ah Lankans ……. I just love them!
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harishchandra / August 17, 2019
No one could have said it better than you have here, but so sad that the majority are blind to most of what is happening in this country
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Mallaiyuran / August 16, 2019
Amare,
Your question is highly relevant, but the problem I see is how to insert the new petition into the process of cancelling US citizenship. As one applying for and cancelling the citizenship is private matter, these have no opening to public input.
Ahimsa’s case does not hold a legal responsibility on US courts. The crime was committed in Lankawe. Further, he was Lankawe citizen at the time of crime. So, by all means, the justice serving priority is for Lankawe court system. Her petition is calling UC courts that she was not able to get a justice in Lankawe, further, at the crime time he was US citizen, so US court must take a sympathetic look on her plight for justice. It is civil case. Based on that US Supreme Court is very unlikely to issue even an injection to delay the issuance of the citizenship release.
There is a chance if it is criminal case or if he had failed his obligation to full a governmental duty, it can be used to delay (may not complete denial) his process.
His action of getting Lankawe passport and using already that to Travel might suggest that US is willing to work with him and provided that some future events would take place the under that, US may be willing to give him a predated cancellation certificate. So not to spoil that kind of chances, he is willingly defrauding Lankawe systems and got a passport of Lankawe to stay away from using his US passport.
A passport is an US Immigration’s property so a person not willing to use should return it back to immigration. Old Brother Prince may still hold his US passport with him.
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mike / August 16, 2019
Craig – “The U.S. will squeeze his balls till he squeals “yes” to all.” I sincerely hope our grass-eating voters will squeeze this bugger’s balls till he drops dead. The Rajafucksha’s are nothing but murderers, robbers, rapists etc. and want to stage a come-back and eat the rest of the pie.
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babanpunchi / August 16, 2019
Srilanka is today a place where any lies would lead them to all ends. No matter any untruths would become headline capturing news, so long those media men are on the pay roll of some hidden men.
Just imagine, not a small crime, but a 16 year old girl while being invited to a SORCERY therapy, at a POHOTTUWA regional organizers place was raped out on 7 times on broad day light, but without politce custody he got free. By name the ballige putha is called Pushakumara – AKA Rathatharan from Akmeemana, s crime case went under the carpet since that easter sunday bomb disaster. This case was about to be heard on the 30th April.
Ranjan Ramanayaka was the whistleblower of the aforementioned rape crime, but nothing worked on getting the CRIMINAL arrested how come ?
Ballige putha Rajakashes are behind this to protect the rapist, how many times the bugger should have ungone to the girls in that areas. But the kind of became so pompous if Rajaakshes stood by them. The very same was the case with NIMAL LANZA and his broad day light drug trafficking.
Almost every one in that Negambo suburbs are well aware of the very evidences, that proved the world, that NImala lanza is a drug kin pin.But for Rajakshes the kind of high criminals are real good beloved hearted POHOTTUWA supporters.
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nimal fernando / August 17, 2019
A simple question.
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Why all this hullabaloo about Gota’s new passport?
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As a dual citizen, when in Lanka, for all practical purposes he is a Lankan citizen. He is entitled to a Lankan passport.
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Don’t many dual citizens have 2 passports? Gota would’ve already had 2 passports; one American, one Lankan.
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And his great smart-patriotism, love and yearning for the beloved motherland compelled him to kick the American passport.
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Anyone who believes that contact me pronto …….. I’ve a Bernie Madoff used car to sell you ……. the best deal ye’ll get in your lifetime!
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Seyed Niyaz Abdeen / August 17, 2019
I have nothing against the Rajapaksas and I am a singular voice and wish to go the way the political river flows. Like it or not The Rajapaksas may have looted the country, done all sorts of wrong things’ betrayed the nation and it’s people, sold the country (mainly to China)
killed all opposition and whatever they have done, they are the choice of the people, MR is still the uncrowned king of Sri Lanka and come any election and his faction would sweep the polls mainly from the majority Sinhala and Sinhala Buddhist votes. If they are the peoples choice then I am with the people, like the saying “what is good for the goose is good for the gander”.
Rajapaksas stand united and in the other camp (UNP) there is disunity, misunderstandings and a big snake in the grass like RW.
MS is the worst and disoriented President and leader and thanks to timing his poor acrobatics are closing on him and never to be sighted again except as an MP from his own electorate Polonnaruwa.
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Amila / August 17, 2019
After handing over the nominations, this issue should be taken to courts just like geethas case. Then pohottuwa will not have a candidate and will be a cake walk for gov candidate.
Another possible scenario is once pohottuwa candidate get rejected the fight may be between unp candidate and so called new front. New front may win. This may be what ajith kolonne mentioned.
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Nathan / August 16, 2019
Oh simple. We can pass a retrospective legislation. Or pass a law that Rajapaksha family this law does not apply.
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D. P. / August 16, 2019
Nathan,
I appears that this incident raises a valid legal & practical issue for all Lankans who could be waiting to rescind dual citizenship. What if it is you or me in this predicament -waiting for the legal document in order to apply for a local passport- with an urgent need such as a medical urgency to travel abroad? In a situation like this, there should be some rules to issue a temporary passport – say just for the duration of the travel time & to be invalid upon return.
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Lack of such a rule may have prompted to the Gvt to make a special arrangement for GoRa by breaking the existing law in the process. To my opinion, it would have been better to pass a new rule than to break the law b’cos the bad political buzz would be the same but, on fairness all, changing the law would have been the right thing to do.
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Unlike a temporary passport, a permanent passport can raise potentially major legal questions regarding GoRa’s eligibility to become a presidential candidate. Since it is clear that the Immigration Office has bypassed its own rule to accommodate a special need, the best solution now is to get a court order to cancel the issued permanent passport and to bring a new act in the parliament in order to accommodate similar special circumstances .
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The most important thing here is not to allow the Gvt to make one mistake to continue to a second bigger problem meaning, GoRa should not be allowed to manipulate a loophole in a concession for other personal and/or political gains such as contesting a major election.
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Amila / August 17, 2019
Take medicine from the country you are in. Why travel overseas. Just pure bullshit.
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Maharage, Nimal / August 16, 2019
Aiyo, Poor Nandasena, After all what happened your big talks. You are nothing but a garrulous mouth. Go back to your previous job as Gas Station Assistant in US. You are no more recognized in Sri Lanka even for a clerical job.
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Amila / August 17, 2019
He is one of the worst candidates. Look at the way he talks. Just like chathura ! Also no strength in voice. GL would be a better choice than this power greedy nandasena ! He might not evwn get 30% at PE. People will not vote for another sirisena.
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Max / August 16, 2019
It beats odds to understand why all are worried about GR’s citizenship problems. There are so many nagging issues in this country and all want to forget it. We have a Eunuch of a cursed PM, a Moron as a effing President, a bunch of bloody Shaggers sitting in parliament waiting to rob at every turn, a public service where corruption and lethargy are rampant, a police force that is impotent, killers sitting behind the wheels of vehicles on the roads, general public who are turning from honesty to corrupt ways, clergy of all faiths who are more frightened of politicians than the Gods they serve, ???????????????????
What more can Sri lankans want in negativeness ??????????????????????????????????
What Sri lankans need is a lesson, a scourging lesson that will bring out the good in them and banish the evil for good.
” The good that i want to do i am unable because of the evil in me. “
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Estate Labourer / August 16, 2019
Max: People are worried about GR’s citizenship issue as it has a direct bearing on their future freedom and well-being or deprivation of same. If not for that who will care a shit about this?
Further, RW is pulling strings from behind the curtain to assist crooks and criminals. Now I think VN was justified in calling him a ‘Pa*a*a’.
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SJ / August 18, 2019
EL
For your kind attention:
Be a little careful about endorsing certain words of abuse. The words insult a people more than the person referred to.
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Lankan / August 16, 2019
Are you daft? Typical Sri Lankan idiot..
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Ben Hurling / August 16, 2019
This corrupt, psychopathic, control freak and his extended family has no respect for the rule of law. They have never been law-abiding citizens ever. Ironically, the criminal, murderous clan from Hambantota is being ably assisted. By power-hungry, self-serving, scheming, back-stabbing, spineless, greedy LOSERS we elected in 2015 to rescue us. Though politically enslaved, the stupid electorate must rise to the occasion. DISCARD this LUNATIC to the DUSTBIN of history! I BEG YOU!
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shankar / August 16, 2019
Just like all the missing persons.He must be having some fake documents in his hand.It is better for the foreign ministry to write a letter to the US high commission here and ask why his name is not there in the document copy attched, as he is claiming that he has got his US citizenship cancelled.
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KA / August 16, 2019
US has no obligation to sori singala lanka.
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Roy / August 16, 2019
Gota’s US citizenships not renounced yet confirmed by my legal team
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KA / August 16, 2019
It does not matter.
Sori singla sori supreme court will make an exception if it goes to court.
Otherwise, Gota is okay with all stories, fake or not.
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chiv / August 16, 2019
This is one of those gimmicks/dramas we get to view daily in Lanka. What ever may be, the law or constitution does not apply to Rajapaksas Family. (they did not care for constitution/law during their rule). Why make hue and cry ??? now. Law and constitution is only for the common and the poor.See the fun. GR comes back lying stating he is no more a US citizen. A forged document is published in media to convince people. When that failed, GR says he has the document at home. Namal says they will show only if needed. The shit heads like Gommanpilla and habitual liar Wimal has different stories. I remember initially it was Rajapaksas who used foreign citizenship as a weapon against opposition and minority politicians claiming they were “nothing but pure Lankans”. Soon after MR was shown the door, BR was seen taking the first flight to US the next day, followed by GR, who was prevented from leaving , by court petitions. These are our so called patriots and guardians of Lunatic Lanka.
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The Good Nitizen / August 16, 2019
Gota has plenty of time , he is planning to go on a Cruise and be back about 2 weeks before elections .
The entire officials on both ends are on fulltime 24 hours aday duty getting all his paper work done.
RW is personally handling the delivery services.
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Rajash / August 16, 2019
they think they can hoodwink the country….and they think like in Sri Lanka they can also corrupt the US system…
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Nathan / August 16, 2019
It is natural that the US will not let go it’s precious citizen. In case war breaks out with China or Russia they need the services of a war hero. So all the documents produced by these guys are fake. My god, deiyane, what they won’t do. How about hid Dhamma Deepa passport. All fake. Hang the buggers who produced these fake documents. Could it be Sevalaya Ranil.. No wonder even Blind alias HLD are quiet. There is another passport hora pasting posters for Gotta. Never ending joke.
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Ranjith Gunawaradana / August 16, 2019
The paramount issue of latest list of citizenship has been GR name Not been appear in by State Dep. of US!
The listed of US has been omitted of GR Citizenship which is that not important for us?
We wanted that US must respect ours national sovereignty and as neutral country which is land and soil by non interference Island sovereignty by any superpower domination of lanka..
We are an independence nation ,we do not wanted be meddle on that big -power revivals politics in between that USA ,Indian and China at Indian Ocean by any cost of ours lives of Independence of People of Sri Lankan.!
Therefor USA is using GR citizenship-card as bargain chip against that block of GR in coming Presidential election by while l interest of UNP regime to remain in power for ever ?
Is that democracy advocated by of so-called “world champion” of ‘Democracy’ by USA?
Indeed present UNP ruling puppets are timely in Minority govt. as a ruling party in the Parliament, which is govern by forcefully without PROPER MANDATE ?
In fact US wanted a military base in Sri lanka by unknown agreements to be an OPEN DOOR for occupy Island for USA colonial rule in by 21st century…Region of Indo-Pacific domination?
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anon69 / August 16, 2019
USA gets what they want. They do not care two hoots about any other country, unless they play ball with them. Specially, under Trump. Sri Lanka is a small blip in their Radar.
If and when Gota becomes the president, they will squeeze Gota’s NUTS and get what they want. They have all evidence of Gota’s evil acts perpetrated by him and the Rajapakse family.
Ranjith Gunawaradana, you are writing as if you do not know that entire Rajapakse clan lives in USA.
Get real, live in reality.
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Rohan David / August 16, 2019
MR’S PM’S HOPES WASHED OFF. GOTA FLED TO US TO SAVE HIS GAS STATION ASSISTANT JOB.
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SJ / August 16, 2019
It may still be too early to rejoice.
His nomination may still go through; he may contest; he may win.
The US may release him if he is elected.
And Law is pliable.
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Sinhala_Man / August 17, 2019
That is the great danger.
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All too many will shrug and say, “Well, that’s democracy”.
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Rohan David / August 19, 2019
GOTA’S FAMILY ARE STILL US CITIZENS LIVING IN LA IN LUXURY MANSION.
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Estate Labourer / August 16, 2019
Namal Rajapaksa says that Minister Harsha de Silva should not be worrying about Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s citizenship status and that he should concern himself about how to govern the country for the next three or four months. We can be sure that if one day Namal becomes president of the country this is the kind of talk that will spew out from his mouth all the time. He is not giving a proper answer to the Minister’s question but is changing the subject to some other topic.
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K.Pillai / August 16, 2019
There is more to it than meets the eyes or ears. In 2005, when US citizen GR returned, he obtained i.e gave himself, dual citizenship of SL without renouncing his US citizenship. The SL passport office is a law unto themselves where the Lankan Elites can get anything done. For example, remember Karuna Amman given a diplomatic passport, in the name of a Sinhalese person, by Gota?
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MR wants to be the PM in the first instance. Sensationalising GR’s plight may likely be towards this.
Has CT taken the bait yet again?
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Gnanasara Thera may out manoeuvre all!
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Kugan / August 16, 2019
Folks he himself doubtful whether he can win,
This patriotic lankanan doesn’t wants his US pension to loose.
Give a chance for the future dictator,if he wins he definitely renounce,he got the green light from all Prelates that’s good enough to fit.
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Plato. / August 16, 2019
In a couple of days time Namal R.will take to twitter and proclaim that the USA.did not permit Gota to renounce his American citizenship since the Democrats[ Democratic Party USA] need him as their next Presidential candidate!!!
And there are lots of folks in this country who will believe this story: After all, Srilanka is a Land like no other.
Srilankas loss is USAs gain eh?!
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Hamlet / August 17, 2019
Plato:-
The USA Voters might decide that, Even Gota will be better than Trump!
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Ajith / August 16, 2019
Cheating, Bribing, Lieing are fundamentals of Mahinda Rajapakse group. They always think that Sinhalaya are modaya’s and easily they can buy them pretending as patriotics and real Buddhists. Still Sinhala people do not ask questions about why they murdered Lasantha and why not KP or Karuna who were real non-patriotics.
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Ranjith(SPRRW) / August 16, 2019
I feel this essay writer think leaders of this perticular political party & its alliance parties are fool to nominate their presidential candidate who is said to have dual citizenship without getting proper confirmation in this regards. Writer may be thinking that those leaders are unaware of 19th amendment to the constitute as well. With that thinking and swollen heads with all knowing one’s feeling written this essay I suppose. Get lost man. All the political parties here in Lanka have their own legal advisers. Do you know that bullshit writer ????????????????
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Good Sense / August 16, 2019
Let us accept the fact that the name is not there in the publication. Are we to assume that Gota alias Herr Gottler has no paper certificate establishing that he has renounced his US citizenship and got the SLPP bandwagon to nominate him? If so, look sharp. Gota will ultimately not be the SLPP candidate for the Presidential elections. It is possible that the US may be holding on to something until it gets an undertaking from Gota, Mahinda and others on securing US interests in Sri Lanka. We have to wait and see what drama turns out to be.
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Jinadasa Waduge / August 16, 2019
Indeed it is not a bad idea to have a US Citizen as the President of Sri Lanka, provided that presidential election is pronounced as a legitimate referendum to accept the US Constitution in place of our 1978 constitution.
With a US Citizen being our president it might even be possible to amalgamate Sri Lanka to USA as a constituent state. Imagine we all can get the US Passport. Isn’t not our lifetime dream.
To hell with jathika aalaya, which in any case we used to attack tamils and Muslims and not Americans.
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Sinhala_Man / August 17, 2019
Greenland has angrily refused to be bought by the United States!
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No hope Lanka .. / August 17, 2019
ah , bad show
Then UncleSam will rape her.
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Gemini cricket / August 16, 2019
The way Gota wants to hoodwink us into voting him will be the same way he will hoodwink us and sell the rest of Sri Lanka and pocket all the money.
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It seems to me that they have a sense of entitlement as they want us to believe that they won the LTTE war.
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You can be rest assured that those who are his close supporters will be having the same aim. I pity mother Lanka should these bastards manage to win.
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JD / August 16, 2019
I am thinking how this will work inside the grand scheme ? Even in BOlzanaro, some one unknown became president because of Media. social media plays a gigantic role. Cambridge anaLytica with Face book has specific web page for that to remove undesirable comments.
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Real Revolutionist / August 16, 2019
So afraid of gota?
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JD / August 17, 2019
I think AL bagdadi’s plan blew up. The lst moment, Ranil wanted to survive in politics. So, he double crossed, I suppose. Anyway, Ranil says, I do not know how to operate a machine, or to do carpentry or Masonry work. so, only thing I can do is this thing inside Temple Trees. I am still young and only 70 years old.
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JD / August 17, 2019
Even if Karu Jayasuriya comes he is consulted by a US federal employee, a former Sri lankan diplomat. So, what is the problem. both look the same. A US citizen and another getting advisers from a US federal employee. Sajith knows everything of these.
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JD / August 17, 2019
The first victim was LTTE. The second victim seems to be Ranil. If KAru Jayasuriya comes, the PM will be Mangala. Mangala Wanted to be the President. but, the goddess scolded him in filth.
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Kugan / August 17, 2019
Why can’t he contest US as well SL!
Gives him drones instead of white van ,he will wipe out the terrorism single handly
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S.G. / August 17, 2019
He will get it when time comes. Sources say that he has struck a deal with the Americans to fast track to get his citizenship renounced. The deal is that if he wins, he will sign SOFA and MCC. They believe him because he was the one who signed the ACSA in 2007. Though MR bootlickers like Dinesh, Weeravansa, Bandula G and Gomapila screech, in their hearts they know MCC, SOFA are not bad deals. Their problem is those were given to current regime, so they have to oppose no matter how good it is. They know the countries like Singapore, South Korea, Japan are thriving because those countries got American support. They know after ACSA was signed in 2007 by GR, they managed to defeat LTTE with that support. No American boots came to our country after 2007. MR tried his best to get MCC deal, but couldn’t due to HR issues. They don’t want it to happen under this regime. Those so called patriots (actually traitors) know if we get that deal, in the future our poor women would not have to go to middle east for slavery. But they don’t care, because their women are safe. We are a small country, better to be in American good books than bad books.
The story goes that GR group has hired a very expensive consulting company; the same company who did US President’s election campaign. They have easy money looted from our poor country. If GR can develop this country I wouldn’t mind supporting him, but with his track record as a ruthless murderer, and the ex military guys with so many war crime records surrounding him, it is very hard to trust him.
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JD / August 17, 2019
I read right now South Korea is fighting a RAPE case. Imran Khan came out from his SOFA program.
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K.A. Sumanasekera / August 17, 2019
No wonder Dr Ranil and his CC don’t want to announce their Candidate yet, although his Deputy from Keselwatta is running riot in the Up Country holding Presidential Rallies with the Second Tier UNPers in the Estates.
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When Dr Ranil’s Legal Eagles arrest Nandasena on Forgery Charges which is for violating our Mahavamsa Immigration and Emigration Laws , it is automatic Welikada for Nandasena.
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Dr Ranil will then announce his preferred Candidate to the Colombo Elite , Anglican , Vellala and the new Allies the Muslims with all the Bells and Whistles .
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Last time Dr Ranil produced My3 Sira at the Sugathadasa Stadium, it was GFT Suren Surendran who was the Head Line Act, with his USD 4 Billion offer to give us suckers Yahapalanaya.
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This time it is S .V Kirubharan from Paris who has suggested to Dr Ranil that he and his CC must nominate Field Marshall Ponseka.
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I thought it is really cool.
Wonder whether Kiruba is going to match the Suren offer with Euro Dollars?..
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