By Mahinda Rajapaksa –
Mahinda Rajapaksa
In a TV discussion broadcast last Sunday, the President publicly endorsed the proposed Economic and Technological Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) with India. All members of the SLFP serving in the government will now have to make a very personal decision as to where they stand on this matter which will have far reaching consequences for Sri Lanka. When the President said that it was the ‘old government’ (parana anduwa) that had started negotiations for the CEPA with India, he was not referring to my government. CEPA was initiated in 2002 under the previous UNP government led by Mr Ranil Wickremesinghe. My government did not take the CEPA negotiations forward due to the misgivings expressed by wide sections of society.
Though Indian exports flow into Sri Lanka without any obstruction under the existing free trade agreement, Sri Lankan exports to India have come up against various impediments such as quantity limitations, licensing requirements, non-acceptance of Sri Lankan product certification and state taxes at the Indian end. Our suggestion to the present government is that such outstanding issues be sorted out to enable Sri Lanka to obtain the due benefit under the existing FTA before the trade relationship is taken to the next level. ETCA envisages a trade in services as well as goods. Sri Lankan professional associations have warned that the mismatch between the regulatory frameworks for professions in India and Sri Lanka will result in Indian professionals gaining unrestricted access to the Sri Lankan market while Sri Lankan professionals are shut out of the Indian market in a repetition of what has happened in the trade in goods.
It is the height of irresponsibility to sign an ETCA ‘framework’ agreement leaving the specific details to be negotiated later when there are so many unresolved trade issues between the two countries. In justifying his endorsement of the ETCA with India, the President observed that while some people in the SLFP spoke highly of the manner in which Mrs Sirima Bandaranaike maintained close relations with Mrs Indira Gandhi, the same individuals were against the present government maintaining a similar relationship with Prime Minister Modi. We should bear in mind that though Mrs Sirima Bandaranaiake and her son Anura were personally very close to Rajiv Gandhi, neither of them supported the 1987 Indo-Lanka Peace Accord. We should be guided in such matters by considerations of the national interest.
Speaking of constitutional change during his TV interview, the President stressed the need to give priority to solve the problems of the Tamil people. The Prime Minister also now speaks of the need to devolve power. However the single most important slogan in the ‘yahapalana’ campaign was the abolition of the executive presidency with electoral reform coming next. Hence I stress once again that constitutional reform should focus on abolishing the executive presidency and bringing about electoral reform. More contentious matters such as the devolution of power can be dealt with later. The yahapalana government should respect the public opinion that they themselves helped create.
In response to a previous statement I made on foreign loans, the Finance Minister has been repeatedly telling the media that though I had said that the Mattala airport and Hambantota harbour cost 190 and 426 million USD respectively, the records of the government indicated expenditure of 210 and 1,300 million USD and that the difference has not been explained. The total cost of the Mattala airport was 210 million USD with the loan from the China Exim Bank amounting 190 million. The rest was the ‘local component’ of the project paid by the government of Sri Lanka. We mentioned only the loan component in our previous statement because we were speaking on the subject of foreign loans. The Hambantota Harbour Phase I cost 501 million and the 15% local component was met by the Ports Authority. The foreign loan component was something like 426 million USD. When the Finance minister says that the cost of the Hambantota Port was over 1,300 million USD, he has included the cost of the 808 million USD second phase which commenced in 2012 and is still under construction.
Two other ministers admitted publicly that the government had indeed taken foreign loans amounting to more than 6,361 million USD since March 2015 as we said in our previous statement, but they said that all these loans had to be taken in order to pay off the loans taken at high interest rates by my government. The project loans taken by my government was long term credit at an interest rate of 2% or less. The government borrowed 375 million USD through a development bond issue a few days ago. This combined with the three month 700 million USD currency swap announced by India yesterday, brings the total foreign borrowings of this government from March 2015 to March 2016 to 7,436 million USD. Of this amount around half – 3,298 million USD falls due in 2016. The present crisis is due to the haphazard and irresponsible foreign borrowings of the present government and not due to any loans taken by previous governments.
Perisappu / March 30, 2016
This is an another tactic to divert the thoughts and minds of the people.
Please Mr former President, please respond to the questions that people have no constructive answers yet. Prevarications cant keep the people away from their thoughts any more.
Instead of standing by the current regime and the clearence wreckage left by you, just to leave out of the track is not what a president should ever do. You are responsible for all the mess being faced the country today. YOu knew clearly that your govt cant move further… you thought only about your pocket… that is becoming very clear to those who were fooled by your today hour to hour.
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Raritythoughts / March 30, 2016
Let me name this man in few words :
Most abusive, unethical, unmoral man that to have the country into ruins.
As incumbent president made it very clear today – at the time, This man called the elections 2 years earlier, his head knew that the mess would be larger than he could ever think. Now to hang entire problems that face the current adminsitraton on them.. is shamless act of previous president who deliberately created all the problems.
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Perisappu / April 1, 2016
Even today, in Germany, they dont talk about some issues related to the war. I believe, people were rained by wrong views to consolidate their powers and abuse the nation. This is why even today, press men keep away from questioning these men. We are caught by devil. This can go year to year… few more years, until people will realize what was right and what was carried out by Mahinda Jarapakshe.
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BulathEatingPeter / March 30, 2016
Yes, you may be right.
If this man really loved the nation, he could stay silent and be away from active poltics of the day- enjoying his retirement.
That is what any sane would do if owned at least a brain the size of a needle head. But it seems the guy make him and his done important even after all and sundry now becoming aware, the gravity of harm his adminstrattion had done to the nation.
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Rajash / March 30, 2016
Dear Mahinda see below. The Hambantota Airport is rusting while there is congestion at BIA.
Didn’t you have the chinthanaya to expand BIA instead if dumping money on white elephants?
Now you are lecturing what should be done?
Japan Lends $400 Million To Sri Lanka For Airport Expansion
COLOMBO: Japan has loaned $400 million to Sri Lanka to build a new terminal at the island’s main international airport which suffers congestion from growing tourism, it was announced today.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) said the second terminal would more than double capacity to 15 million passengers annually.
The terminal, to be opened in 2020, would use solar energy and recycled water from a sewage plant for the flushing of toilets, JICA said in a statement.
“The project would be developed based on the concept of (an) eco-airport with Japanese advanced technology and know-how,” JICA said.
The loan, with 0.1 per cent annual interest, is repayable over 40 years, JICA said, adding that the agreement with Sri Lanka’s government was concluded last week.
Built to accommodate six million passenger movements a year, Bandaranaike International Airport currently has 8.5 million travellers arriving and departing, causing congestion at check-in and baggage claim at peak times.
Foreign tourist numbers have increased rapidly since the island’s separatist war ended in May 2009, attracting 1.7 million visitors last year.
Colombo is also a transit hub for passengers from the Indian subcontinent travelling to Europe and the Far East.
Sri Lanka’s second international airport which opened in 2013 in the south, about 240 kilometres (150 miles) by road from Colombo, near wildlife sanctuaries has become a white elephant serving just one flight a day.
Built by former president Mahinda Rajapakse in his home constituency of Hambantota, the airport is also facing problems from encroaching herds of wildlife which threaten to wander on to the runway, posing a danger to aircraft.
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Hamlet / April 1, 2016
“…the airport is also facing problems from encroaching herds of wildlife which threaten to wander on to the runway, posing a danger to aircraft.”
Rajash:-
I would have thought that the Opposite is the Truth!
When Irresponsible Humans, Encroach onto the Traditional Habitat of Wildlife, Who is to Blame for the ‘Danger to Aircraft’ problem facing the ‘Helping Hambantota’ Airport?
Was no Environmental Assessment done, before building this ‘White Elephant’ in the land of the Wild Elephants?
They now have to build Imitation Safari Parks (a la Singapore)for
Tourists who come searching for Native, Sri Lankan Wild life!
‘Get Rich Quick’ Greed, Plain and Simple, led to the Downfall of the Previous Government. They are now Kicking Themselves for listening to an Astrologer’s Advice, for an Early Election!
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Rajash / April 1, 2016
Wild life birds getting sucked in to the engine is another issue
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K Sundaram / March 30, 2016
Maha-HINDErance De-Percy Ra-ja-PAKSE
You do not have the basic:
– decency
– courtesy
– honesty
– sincerity
– sanity
– honour
– impeccability
– decorum
– civility
– dignity
– politeness
– graciousness
– affability
– morality
– respectability
– integrity
– righteousness
-trustworthiness
-goodness
-fairness
-truthfulness
-candour
-genuineness
-legitimacy
-dependability
-scrupulousness etc., etc.
You are simply the biggest
– Deceit
struggling to swim against the tide to cover up your blood soaked fraudulent governance to avoid being nailed for your dastardly acts.
Your red stole symbolises all your innermost evilness that you posses and it is a projection equivalent to the swastika.
Time is clicking fast. You are just few steps away from the grave. If you want redemption, just give up your Modawanse crusade and rest somewhere peacefully with you Manike.
Even Idi Amin died peacefully in Saudi Arabia after is adventurous misadventures.
You will be granted asylum in many countries. China can be the first choice. Then North Korea. You will be graciously welcome by Australia where you can live a luxurious life with state protection.
If you want Russia too can be an option where you can enjoy the most- even travelling on the worlds longest trans-Siberian railway tour from St Peters-burgh to Vladivostok. You have a special degree from the Lumumba Uni to gain godly privileges in Russia.
Govinda! Govinda!!
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Sinchuappu / March 31, 2016
why not – you just need to have a clear and healthy mind to be able to become a good columnist.
/
Seelawathie / March 31, 2016
From what I read here, I feel Mahind Rajaakshe should have eaten Punnakku more than any average villager of the kind ever did to bring the kind of articles to insist his thoughts leaving any kind of facts and findings aside.
The basics that a respectable man should have is to be compliant with law and order since those senior polticians are regarded as examples for the youth. How can one learn from this man a lession ? If he behaves as no other street man who never had the chance to learn the basics.
Even after a year since the man is goo defeated breaking his all records, he has still been telling the same baila to the same folks. The folks will nodd few more days further, then .. what will happen next ?
This is a greater harm for entire sinhale folks that hold the respect and dignity above everything.
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Samuel Jayaweera / March 31, 2016
I woul dnot call it tactic but just an another devious hearsays.. no nothing is in constructive..
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DESPARITYTHOUGHTS / March 31, 2016
Once Lanken law and order teaches FORMER PRESIDENT a Lession… the day, the nation will turn to the progress, respectful nation. basta
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Fathima Fukushima / March 31, 2016
Mahintha, Basil and Namal Rajafucksa are the most corrupt in history.
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Analyst / March 30, 2016
Why don’t you just. f……up.
Let the present government do what they intend to do. They have advisers not you the failed thief of our nation.
All you intend to do uttering My government,His government , donkey government , this that and the other.
Governments are not permanent you fool!!! Men may come and men may go the country will go on for ever.
Please shut the F,,,,,,up
CT why do you give platform for this lunatic and his family. They are the Failed Politicians awaiting charges of all sorts including the Human Rights violations , Murders , Misappropriation of funds and so on.
Do we need to hear from these, has been senile Past Politicians.
Jokers of Srilanka.
By the way while we enjoy our democracy please stop your crap.
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Sama / March 30, 2016
I think the failure lies on the curret regime. They are so decent and thoughtful before going to do anything. Thinking the consequence in case that could harm the national govt in the future.
Actually, if the rulers put these men inclu. Mahaeka – Meeharaka Rajaakshe, Buruwanse, Raththaran Hora, SB, Waligama and all that the reports and evidence make very clear them to be convicted in the future, not forgetting the moronic two sons of the meeharaka, Basil and GOta in Jail for a long time … until the investigations bring with the due verdicts accordingly, nothing would have allowed these abusive cesspits to behave this way.
Golden son of the nation, LATE Sobitha Thero told this at the begining of the new regime. And JVPers and others that hold to justice keep on saiyng, but to protect the govt and run further, they the rulers move on a snail style. That let MR and any idiots to pie anywhere they like. But this will not last that long, since earlier or later, MR has to go to Jail. Basta.
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Raritythoughts / March 30, 2016
It is just he feels that he is still in demand…
He feels looking at the masses gather where he goes to fart out… looking at them, the bugger may feel that he is the man to add the thoughts.
A man whose decisions were solely based on an illiterate astrologer is still ready to leave his stance .. OMG
The level of corruption the man deliberately carried out, was the case left by a state man in europe, he would have nothign to say.. afterwards. The press men would nto allow him to add anything..
This was the case after Cameran in the UK got elected.
This was the case obama got elected defeating Bush… bush and tony both had stinking records.. but … Rajapakshes have even worst records butthem to let further add their thoughts this way… is a joke going beyond all ethics and morals
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sr / March 30, 2016
analyst
all of us should not be jokers, all of us have freedom of expression; even the members of past regime should enjoy it, whether they’re corrupt or not is a different matter; facing any type of charges is their business and charging them in courts is present rulers business.
Let all enjoy their due freedom of expression.
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Native Vedda / March 30, 2016
Mahinda Rajapaksa
“All members of the SLFP serving in the government will now have to make a very personal decision as to where they stand on this matter which will have far reaching consequences for Sri Lanka. “
Prior to Jan 2016 it was you who made the personal decision on all matters, on behalf of 225 MP’s, Judiciary, bureaucracy, Police, …. .
You are right its the MP’s who are supposed to make the personal decision on behalf of the ordinary people, because it is a Democracy.
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Tripper / March 30, 2016
MR (or, more correctly, his ghost-writer) states:
“The Prime Minister also now speaks of the need to devolve power. However the single most important slogan in the ‘yahapalana’ campaign was the abolition of the executive presidency with electoral reform coming next. Hence I stress once again that constitutional reform should focus on abolishing the executive presidency and bringing about electoral reform. More contentious matters such as the devolution of power can be dealt with later. The yahapalana government should respect the public opinion that they themselves helped create.”
Listen to this crap! This guy has the audacity to talk about broken promises regarding abolition of the presidency! Give us a frigging break!!
And later he boasts about those white-elephants he was responsible for, using precious funds of the state / taxpayers. Neither of these two projects are of any use and were built at terrible environmental expense.
No respite for us from this king of thieves and his gangsters!
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Lankan / March 30, 2016
Mahinda Rajapakse is so bankrupt politically he has joined the group of Gammanpila and Weerawansa. Rajapakse today is a puppet manipulated by these two politically deprived individuals. What Rajapakse is trying to do is to force the hands of the Yahapalana Government not to take action against him, his sons, brothers and his gang who stole funds from the people.
Its time President Maithripala Sirisena to show he is a stronger person and take all Rajapakses’ into custody immediately. If not wal hora Rajapakse is going to take President Sirisena down.
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janaka / April 1, 2016
Exactly, protecting the filth only storing up trouble?
Let the masses know what the filth have done and get them before courts?
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Point of View / March 30, 2016
Why don’t you just f… off you scum ! Who wants to read your rubbish.
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Ansar / March 30, 2016
My dear MARA the Tsunami Hora,
This is what happens to a country when the fate of a Nation is handed over to a Swindler and a Rogue as bad as you, for a period of more than five years. I said then and I say it now, if our people had the audacity to understand and send you home after our General won for us, we would not have been in this situation. We talk of high literacy rate, but when it comes to crunch time, they flaw.
It is the financial crimes of you and your more than thieves ably assisted by Cabraal, the reason for all the woes of the present economic situation of our country. Your BIL alone gobbled a few BILLIONS at Sri Lankan, do you need the list you…….?
Who can do that, other than an ACE ROGUE like you. But wait, still there are idiots who will buy your story. Long live the ignorance and you Rogue, make hay.
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sekara / March 30, 2016
It may be a diversionary tactic.
But the issues raised cannot be wished away, and need addresing.
Let us separate the message from the messenger.
The matter has been discussed earlier in these columns and a few thoughts have been added in this item which were not touched on by the authors of earlier articles.
ETCA is serious business, and the more the debate he better it is for the country.
“Please shut the….”
“Jokers of Srilanka. By the way while we enjoy our democracy please stop your crap.”
I wonder what kind of democracy is that we enjoy when people who dissent are asked to shut up.
Was not the change of government partly about freedom of expression?
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rew / March 30, 2016
Talk of crap!!
/
Native Vedda / March 31, 2016
SJ/sekara
The government is looking forward to sign FTA with China.
Why are you keeping a deafening silence on this matter.
If the government sells this country to China, its alright with you then. You should be celebrating the event.
Have you had time to analyse FTA with China?
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sekara / April 1, 2016
The point I made is about the need for openness and more thorough public discussion.
As for the digression:
I have not seen the text of the said FTA or significant comments, critical or otherwise on it.
If you have the text, kindly let us have your observations. Or are you preserving “deafening silence” on it for some reason?
I can assure you that my position will be like that on the Port City or any other of dubious or unfavourable content.
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Old Codger / April 1, 2016
Sekara,
“I wonder what kind of democracy is that we enjoy when people who dissent are asked to shut up.” You are on the dot.
Yes, that is the essence of Democracy. Anybody should have the right to air their views, even if they are the ones who asked us to shut up pre Jan 8th 2015.
Isn’t it ironic that the great Mahinda is reduced to getting his speechwriter to comment on CT?
/
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / March 30, 2016
Dear Mr.Ex-President,
The less we see you, hear about you and hear from you, it would be better for you and us. You have had your day, your play and your do. Let what you did be judged by posterity. It is definitely going to be mixed bag that will be remembered-very good, good, bad, ugly and very ugly. You definitely squandered the chance to have been the best leader we had. You had your chance and it will not come again. The law will of course take its course and you have to live with the result. Even if the law is kind to you, karma may not. This is true for all of us. You cannot hope to be an exception.
Be wise and retire to your corner. Let those who have succeeded you do their job. Thanks to you the people have learned many lessons and as a result become very vigilant. They will not let this government have an easy ride.
They have to perform or perish. However, you have no role in that process.
Have a pleasant retirement and seek true refuge in the Buddha Dhamma and the eternal truths in the other faiths that the temples and churches you visited and prayed in, represent. Donot be a spoilsport and stumbling block and earn the disgus and the wrath of the good people in this country. Put your ear to the ground and listen to what the good people in this country think and say. Your sycophants have had their day and ruined you. Shun them like the plague.
Goodbye!
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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Kumar R. / March 30, 2016
Rajasingham,
When you so nonchalantly state “Your sycophants have had their day” would you include all those who unashamedly carried a candle for this rascal?
Wouldn’t that then include you as well?!
Remember the good old-days when you were in unmitigated veneration of this rascal?
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SJ / April 1, 2016
Do we hear the “deafening silence” on the part of commentators living in glass houses?
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Nirmala N / April 1, 2016
Kumar R.
We both love to hate Dr RN.
That doesn’t mean you go overboard and pounce on everything he says.
As far as I know he met Mahinda. He was critical of him. Just because he praised Mahinda for ending the LTTE you must not criticise him. Dr RN is equally critical of Mahinda and openly says Mahinda squandered a golden opportunity to be a statesman after the war.
Just because you and I were in the LTTE once, we must not harp on DR RN all the time. What we lost with the demise of the LTTE is a loss. It will not come back.
Let us be pragmatic and give up our hate crusade any more.
I have given up Gin & Tonic after my consultants’s advise.I am wiser now. I can think properly and I an reinvigorated.
God bless you.
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Kumar R. / April 2, 2016
Rajasingham,
Good try – but that won’t work in lieu of an apology. Your wisdom goes only thus far and no further.
Don’t feign presumption of “hate” as a convenient escape. Holding one responsible for his past misdeeds is not hate. Shying away from taking responsibility is cowardice. You are just as responsible, if not more, as the sycophants you refer to, and need to apologize for your wholehearted, unmitigated support to MR, going as far us campaigning to divert Diaspora’s family remittances to MR/Gota funds, and for your, hand-in-hand with DJ, despicable, vociferous objection to Diaspora efforts in bringing the war-crime and missing persons issues to international attention.
Although you realize your folly either borne of ignorance or greed (free-vacation), the “small-man” in you (as you confessed) resists an explicit apology and appropriate reparation (recall the slipper-less children, still slipper-less, thanks at least in part to your luxury vacation skimmed off of Donor funding for destitute).
Empty sanctimony and feigned rush to vilify MR and Gota at every opportunity you get do not wash away past sins, particularly against the poor and defenseless!
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Nirmala N / April 2, 2016
Kumar R.
Please respond to my current name than my pre-marriage name. You are insulting me after benefiting deep down beyond limits. Do not abuse my name anymore.
Why are you not attacking Douglas, Sampanthan, Sumanthiran, Sundaram and many others who have met Mahinda when he was President.
Mahinda gave Douglas Seenibola. Sampanthan and Sumanthiran walked away empty handed.
I know you made some effort to meet Mahinda but failed. You were so scared that Gota will nick you for crimes you committed with the LTTE.
The chaps who met Mahinda did not commit any crimes. Meeting a democratically elected leader who later kicked the ladder that helped him to become President is not wrong.
Even Navi Pillai met him and expressed her displeasure of him rightly.
Do you agree that LTTE had to go as it had exhausted its useful life and Mahinda was needed to do the job. He in fact overstepped the mark. Let the post process deal with him.
Let us thank him for finishing off the LTTE and condemn him for his atrocious conduct.
World is changing. Sri Lanka is changing. You are not and behaving like a stubborn little twit.
I want to be friendly with DR RN. Forget about MR,Gota and DJ. We must work with good people. I can help you to change your paranoiac hate mind.
Goddess Kaali shall bless you.
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Hamlet / April 1, 2016
Dr RN,
Can’t you see that MR is trying to ‘Right’ the ‘Wrong’ he did to his ‘Shills’, when He Dissolved Parliament Two Years Ahead of the Designated Term?
They and He were so sure of Winning that Presidential Election, they did not think to consolidate their Ill-Gotten Gains beforehand!
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Douglas / March 30, 2016
Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse, MP for Kurunegala: Please call for a DEBATE in Parliament on that matter of “DEBTS” and “ETCA”, but ensure your “PARTICIPATION”. We want to HEAR what you SAY but not what others write for you. Please do that.
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Seelawathie / March 30, 2016
Actually, Brave journalists should bring him to sense by asking all the pure questions listed to each allegations being levelled to him:
Not yet this occured, but the next step would be that… he should be very factful … if has balls he should not pigeon out.
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Sama / March 31, 2016
Seelawathie, you cant expect lanken Journos to do the job as their counterparts inthe west would do.
Our journalists are 100 or more years behind the european journalists.
European Journalists help opening eyes of the citizen within hours than the lanken counter parts would do.
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Sinchuappu / March 31, 2016
why not – you just need to have a clear and healthy mind to be able to become a good columnist.
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Max / March 31, 2016
This dumbo has’nt got the brains to do it himself, you dont need brains to rob and murder
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Rohan / March 31, 2016
Who wrote this for him? Jayaraj Fernandopulle is not around to do that for him.
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janaka / March 30, 2016
Bring on helping Hambantota 2 Kabir and finish the filth?
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Analyst / March 30, 2016
This is Modaya Mahinda speaking or most definitely his GHOST WRITER hoping that they still have a chance to utter their Lies ,
Come on you fool those days are gone the days you kept people as ignorant as you fed and watered in your propaganda Media the lies and lies of your fabricated bully boy tactics and Boasted to the Modayas that all what you said and did was Heroism , even you went round the world and returned home and. Boasted in your one sided media that you have conquered the world including when you tried to mesmerise your Modayas showing pictures of you shaking hand with the British Royal.
Poor you.
Some of the Modayas live abroad giving signal to this Insane man that he is still their king and still can return as the king of SL.
Pathetic Fool living in Pseudo Hopes.
You lived in a bubble of Euphoria which kept you going , not sure what you consume but something still keeps you going.
Is it Viagra or something else.
This man is insane. Please keep him away and treat him as an alleged Paedophile,
Out of sight out of mind that’s all we need and hope .
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jim softy / March 30, 2016
Mahinda Rajapakse is not happy for what he did to Sri lanka. IF he is happy, he can retire enjoy the memory.
Instead, he has to protect his extended family’s and friends investments. Because of that he talks non-sense.
There are journalists to carry out these people message. Those same journalists get upset when they are chased out from the country.
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jim softy / March 30, 2016
No feelings for the country… keep on exploiting and manipulating.
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punchinilame / March 30, 2016
MR and his Writer need to be reminded of what the Sinhala Intellectual community had to say – of course at the tell end of a decade of
their forced silence:- (Paradeniya University Lecturers Front)
” Friends, time has come to educate one another about the massive corruption that happens in Sri Lanka under the Present Regime. The Executive has taken the lead in this process resulting in massive debt, virtually mortgaging our mother land to foreign countries. Each individual and even the unborn in Sri Lanka owes close to Rs 400,000.00 as debt to China and other lending agencies. Country is in the threshold of bankruptcy. Today more than 50% parliament members have not even passed the O/L examination. Present regime has no respect for education. Country’s development could be achieved only by educating people. We emphasise that more than 6% of the GDP need to be allocated for education, which the emerging new leadership has promised. Hence we strongly feel that the present regime should be removed for a more thoughtful, compassionate and considerate leadership to take reins to spearhead this beautiful nation to be a DEVELOPED NATION devoid of corruption, family favouritism and protected independent Judiciary. This Government ………
1. Promised that the presidential system will be repealed, in the “Mahinda Chinthanaya”, instead extended the number of times a president could contest from two times to unlimited. 2. Robbed around 95 Million LKR from the “Tsunami” fund ( Helping Hambantota ) donated by the Japanese government. This was his first political robbery apart from what he made as the Minister of Fisheries. 3. Let all the ministers of his cabinet to rob at their will, hence he could blackmail them. He turned a blind eye when his Prime Minister imported Drugs and few members of his cabinet importing illegal ethanol and drugs. 4. Alienated the country towards China resulting in India developing bitterness with Sri Lanka. 5. Obtained loans from China at rates higher than Libor (London Interbank Offered Rate) to earn commissions. These commissions in billions were routed to Swiss bank accounts via Seychelles, where MR opened a branch of Bank of Ceylon and also an Embassy in a country where only 92000 thousand people live. Sri Lankan airline flies to Seychelles. 6. Built a port where no ships come. Air Port where no Airplanes land. He made billions of commissions doing these projects. 7. Made money building Roads : The cost per km of the Outer Circular Highway from Kadawatha to Kerawalapitiya financed by China is US$ 56 m(Rs.7.3billion) This cost is three times higher than the Kottawa Kaduwela extension of the Southern Highway financed by Japan ,which is Rs.2.4 billion per km. 8. The cost per km of Extension of the Southern Highway from Mattala to Hambantota will cost Rs.2.14billion, whereas per km cost of the Southern Highway cost only Rs.975m 9. Bid price of A9 road was Rs.140 m per km when the departmental estimate for an A class road was Rs. 20m. 10. Construction of the Norochchole Coal Power Project was awarded to a well- established Chinese contractor at US$280.00M in 2005 by the previous regime. Soon after present regime came into power it cancelled the contract and awarded it to another inexperienced Chinese firm at US$520 million-almost double the previous price. Plant is inoperative even after 2years of completion. 11. On a dispute between Essential Services Commissioner and Asset Maritime (Pvt) Ltd arbitrator-a retired High Court Judge awarded Rs.600,000.00 as compensation to the company. A Committee appointed by the President on the intervention of the First Lady awarded Rs.180 million to this company owned by Dhammika Perera and Nishantha Wickramasinghe- latter being a brother of First Lady. 12. Due to the ill-conceived Hedging deal of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation headed by Asantha de Mel (a person connected to the political establishment) lost Rs. 230 billion in2007. No one has been held accountable for huge loss of public funds. 13. Failed to initiate investigations on 29 journalists murdered or disappeared. Lasantha W, Pradeep Eknaligoda 14. Failed to initiate investigations into the deaths of Members of Parliament 1. Raviraj and one other. 15. Appointed 38 numbers of the Presidents family and extended family, to diplomatic missions. 16. Turned a blind eye on losses at Mihin Air to the tune of 6-8 Billion, made by his closest buddy Sajin vas Gunawardane who had been criminally charged previously. He appointed his brother in Law Nishantha Wickramasinghe to Sri Lankan Airlines who has no formal education and made losses to the tune of Rs 70 billion to date. 17. Influenced the judiciary to President’s benefit. Impeached the 43rd Chief Justice for no reason. Makes judicial appointments to his benefit. 18. Allows Presidents children to play (Car races) on the streets of Colombo at their will by closing roads. He over ruled Mahanayake Theroes to hold car races for his children in Kandy town. 19. Failed to nominate Election, Police, Public Service and Judicial services commissions. 20. Udayanga Weeratunga – Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia. Cousin of President Rajapakse. Accused of involving in a shady deal to purchase MIG Fighters for the Sri Lankan Air force. 21. Paid 700.00Million rupees to Prabhakaran to purchase weapons to kill innocent Sinhalese using Karuna Amman who is now a deputy Minister and a Vice President of the SLFP. He uses Kumar Pathmanathan alias LTTE arms dealer to his personal benefit. 22. How Karuna was sent to London “ On August 30, 2007 the Department of Immigration and Emigration issued a diplomatic passport number D1944260 in the name of “Kokila Dushmantha Gunawardena” whose occupation on the passport was given as Director General of Wildlife Conservation. The photograph on the passport was that of Karuna Amman. The Department of Immigration, it is pertinent to note, comes under the Ministry of Defence, Public Security, Law and Order of which Gotabaya Rajapakse is Secretary and President Rajapakse the Minister”. 23. Failed to conduct an impartial inquiry into killing of around 43 prisoners at the Welikada Prison. 24. Did nothing to improve the economy and failed to introduce workers charter. Economy in shambles. 25. Arranged for his son to sit for the Law exams in an isolated air-conditioned room, away from the other candidates. 26. Killed protesters in Rathupaswala (8), Free Trade Zone (1) and Chilaw (4). He used maximum force on all protestors.”
PEOPLE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU OF ALL POLITICIANS THAT EVER LIVED HERE!
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Non PhD / March 30, 2016
Why can’t you raise these issues in parliament,table a motion and debate it and go for votes.
Parliament members represent the people. All MPs should participate in the debate.
Why you are reluctant to debate in parliament ?
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Sama / March 30, 2016
He has always been a backstaber… He will also die as a backstaber…
His real face is far from those naive masses even today. He is not the man they knew… this man is abusive as no other lanken had ever been.
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Samuel Jayaweera / March 31, 2016
Yes born backstaber… lived and living like a backstaber…. will live also as a backstaber… and die also as a backstaber.. it is the the typical nature of rascals of high grade.
Having listend to Dr. Harsha De Silva this evening, I could get all behind the heavy debt burden that the country faces today. He made it very clear that Rajaakshe Adminsitration have taken loans in various ways not even documenting them as real loans. For srilanken airline, they have made even unborn child a long term debtor.. why ? All these were known to Rajaakshes, but he went on doing so, as a mad soldier took the weapon:
If he really loved the nation, he could have a proper fund management…. he did it as no other asian leaders of any country has done sofar.
Today, he dares to add further as to why he has taken that kind loans… he just adds his two cts not taking the responsibility… is similar .. leaving his extrements not caring the rules and regulations holding… he sitll makes every efforts to justify why he did so…. can you imagine.. this man is a born fool/ignorant/so idiotic nature.
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gamini / March 30, 2016
Obviously MR can not raise the issues in the Parliament because he is not competent other than reading out or releasing an article prepared by someone else. That is the naked truth.
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Sinchuappu / March 31, 2016
Why cant you ask the current authorities to lock up this man consdiering all the evidence at hand ?
You big guys get on with RW are accoutable for the mess that we the people facing today… we thought RW would react as promised keeping Rajaakshes in jails immediatedly RW et al is appointed. But today, WE ARE SO DISAPPOINTED: I cant see MR anymore. I hate the man forever.
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MsThalanabatu / April 1, 2016
There Gamini or other powerfuls stay both orifices seald off. Mr Wickramrate do what you can to move RW to good side. We long Rajapakshes to be jailed. Please react even if you have few hours to stay (as you once added).
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Antany Peter / March 30, 2016
As any other Lankan citizen, or any other foreigner, former President can write to a media. Not only under the freedom of speech, the former President has an obligation to answer the current government’s accusations, especially about the foreign debts. As a citizen of this country he has all the rights to write about the ETCA. I urge the people to follow basic common sense or Colombo Telegraph must block those insensible comments. Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa also noticed that the current President very much enjoys the power as a humble man from a village. Once he abolished the executive presidency, he is looking forward to become the Prime Minister. Not a bad plan for a humble man from a village, isn’t it?
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Seelawathie / March 31, 2016
BOth of them are coming from villages.
If you think that incumbent president enjoys his power, he could do that in an another form -not letting PM to lead the parliment as had been your god father MR did ? OR not ?
Why the current president did not do so ? He is the only president that gets on with the EP with a greater knowledge. That is the proven truth.
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anonymousd / March 30, 2016
This man mahinda rajapakse is an Outcast. Stay far away from him
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Goraka / March 31, 2016
Dear M.P. of Kurunaigala,
Why don’t you show where you stashed Sri Lankan’s money so that people can live debt-free, instead, of talking nonsense.
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thrishu / March 31, 2016
Who has written this article? He does not know enough English to articulate so well.
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Sama / March 31, 2016
May be one of his current day – toilet cleaners, I believe Dayan Jayathilaka.::
Did NOT you hear the way he was explaining how big crowds were present in the last Rally of Maharaja. THis particular camelian has betrayed all the academics in the countrY:
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Mallaiyuran / March 31, 2016
“To put matters into perspective, this is enough to meet the entire foreign loan components of the Mattala airport (190 million USD) the Hambantota Port (426 million USD) Norochcholai Coal Power plant (1,340 million USD), The Colombo-Matara Highway (630 million USD), The Colombo-Katunayake Highway (248 million USD) all put together, and there would still be enough money to build not one, but two Port Cities (1,400 million USD each) one 500 megawatt Sampur Coal power plant (500 million USD) and yet another Mattala airport with the final leftovers.” -Old King
“For instance, he says the Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port cost USD 426 million to construct, but the actual cost thus far has been over USD 1,300 million and it is not yet complete. This figure is without the associated costs including USD 130 million on oil storage tanks that have never been used.”-Harsha
Why the Yahapalanaya government is hiding the truth? Will Harsha release the actual cost of all other projects. Will Harsha explain how the rest of $875 Million Internal Fund came for this project? Is the Port Authority has been pawned like National Saving (or loosing) Bank?
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sach / March 31, 2016
The Hambantota Harbour Phase I cost 501 million and the 15% local component was met by the Ports Authority. The foreign loan component was something like 426 million USD. When the Finance minister says that the cost of the Hambantota Port was over 1,300 million USD, he has included the cost of the 808 million USD second phase which commenced in 2012 and is still under construction.
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Native Vedda / March 31, 2016
sachoooooooooooooooooooooo the stupid II
Why has the joint opposition (MR’s b***s carriers) sent 3 morons to Geneva?
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Old Codger / April 2, 2016
“For instance, he says the Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port cost USD 426 million to construct, but the actual cost thus far has been over USD 1,300 million and it is not yet complete. This figure is without the associated costs including USD 130 million on oil storage tanks that have never been used.”-Harsha”
Exactly what you are saying, isn’t it Sach? Interest must be paid, whether the port is complete or not.
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Saman / March 31, 2016
This was not written by Mahinda Rajapaksa.
One of the henchmen has written this article on behalf of Mahinda.
This is ridiculous.
Defeated man should rest now.
But unfortunately he has no brain cells.
Most of brain cells were destroyed because of Alcohol
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New Vanguard / March 31, 2016
English speaking minoruty
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confu tao / March 31, 2016
CT, shame on you. Why are you giving this has been any publicity? He was the despot that blocked your website and one of your journalists Pradeep Ekeniyagoda was killed during his regime. The public are aware that this imbecile is a criminal and a liar and will do anything now to save himself and family from the gallows. We have had enough of his lies and deception and this is the reason why he was voted out of office. If he has anything to say, as a parliamentarian he should be saying it in parliament and in not this crooked and slimy fashion getting newspapers and websites to publish insidious and false statements written by his nincompoop sycophants who are now without a job.
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janaka / March 31, 2016
Live television debate between uneducated Mahinda and economist Harsha de Silva?
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New Vanguard / March 31, 2016
Dear Sir
In a January 6th 2015 article, the prestigous Forbes magazine predicted it all:
In Sri Lanka, Opposition On Track To Win Elections In The Midst Of Violence
“Post-election, in order to keep his disparate coalition of ethnic, religious, Marxist, and center-right parties together, Sirisena would be under immense pressure to quickly fulfill his promise of political reform–which includes amending the Constitution, returning Sri Lanka to a full parliamentary system and holding fresh parliamentary elections in his first 100 days–Eurasia Group predicts.
A Sirisena government, focused on political reform to restore a parliamentary system of government, would likely pursue populist rather than reformist economic policies, it says, predicting a negative macro business environment.”
“would be under immense pressure to quickly fulfill his promise “
“predicting a negative macro business environment”
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Facts Vanguard / March 31, 2016
Wikipedia:
“US$209 million were spent on the project, with $190 million provided by the Chinese government via the Exim Bank of China.[7] Construction of phase one began on 27 November 2009.”
“Launched on 15 January 2008, the Hambantota Port is being constructed by the Chinese companies China Harbour Engineering Company and Sinohydro Corporation.[7] The total cost of the first phase of the project is estimated at $360 million, excluding $76.5 million for the bunker terminal.[11] 85% of the funding is provided by the Chinese Government and the remaining 15% by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.”
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Non PhD / March 31, 2016
Ane Antony Peter,
I don’t know how professional MaRa was when he was an actor and a lawyer. But I’m sure based on the “Hansard” he was not a good debator in the parliament.
As an executive President he had the full power to bulldoze things that were detrimental to the progress of the country and particularly after 2010.
Why did he changed the term of presidency? Why did he called the Presidential election 2 years early ?
Why he hasn’t written about these ?
At least can you write about these on behalf of him ? In turn he can read that in the parliament as an MP.
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jamesfeeny / March 31, 2016
The govt should knock rajapaksa of qhile they can. If in 2020 gotabaya runs and wins then the cronyism will come back and disasters for tamils and also others. Strike when he is down.
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Funlover / April 1, 2016
Aney yako when you were President you fkd up everything. Now you are offering advice. I advise you to roll it up and poke it up.
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das simple / April 2, 2016
Mahinda Sir, you shouldn’t have cancelled your visit to China. Please go there and apologize for the mess you created. The whole world will forgive you.
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