Manila-based human rights groups said Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena ran the risk of facing scrutiny by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague, due to his remarks pledging to emulate Rodrigo Duterte’s brutal war against drugs.
Sirisena drew condemnation from the civilized world when he publicly lauded Philippine Duterte’s “war” against drugs, during an official visit to the country.
Human Rights Watch, last year, stated that Duterte’s murderous “drug war” resulted in extra-judicial killings of tens of thousands of drug suspects.
In one of his speeches, Sirisena said, “Excellency, the war against crime and drugs carried out by you is an example to the whole world, and personally to me. Drug menace is rampant in my country and I feel that we should follow your footsteps to control this hazard.”
Philippines human rights group iDefend said that if Sirisena was serious about following Duterte’s lead, he should be ready to face scrutiny by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague, which has started a preliminary examination into alleged crimes against humanity by Duterte.
“We warn Asian leaders not to emulate the Philippine model but adopt a humane, evidence-based public health approach to the drugs issue through a rights-based governance that strengthens, not erodes democratic institutions,” iDefend spokesman Judy Pasimio said today.
Meanwhile, the President’s Media Division today announced that Sri Lanka would get help from the Philippines to deal with the “drug menace”. In a statement, the PMD stated that experts from the Philippines would arrive in Sri Lanka soon to look into technical advisory groups operating in the country, dealing with the drug menace.
JD / January 20, 2019
When Mahinda Rajapakse engaged in the LTTE war, Many NGOs, INGOS, UNP RANIL KIRIELLA and PENTHOUSE RAVI were against. Even the USA tried to save Pabakaran nand UK and FRance wnted PEACE with them etc., etc., But the public 84% approved the Elimination of LTTE. SIMILARLY, PHILILLIPINE PRESIDENT HAD 88 APPROVAL RATING. WESTERN MEDIA write qand wrote against what Duterte doing. Even the USA was against it. UK Media was crying out loud sasying human rights, uman rights. Guardian just like KAsippu Joseph was saying 20, 000 dies, it may be more than and 100,000. MAtirhiapal Srisiena must think about that. See how Malaysia, Singapore, andSaudi Arabia do not have drug problem. IN THOSE COUNTRIES IT IS DEATH SENTENCE EVEN FOR FOREIGNER WHO BRINGS DRUGS. EUROPENAS AND AUSTRALIANS WERE CAUGHT smuggling it I here now drugs cme from Batticaloa side. Tamils say death sentence is the best (GOd Natha,)
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raza / January 20, 2019
Sri Lanka has a legal system which everyone is bound to follow. However carrying out death Sentence is timely. All world know that We do not carry out Capital punishment so that Drug Traffickers are Using SL as a enroute station.
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Anonymous / January 20, 2019
One thing that President Rodrigo Duterte and Maithripala Sirisena have in common is that they are both mentally unstable and unfit to play the role of President…
Both should be impeached and tried for treason…
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JD / January 20, 2019
This is a made up story by CT.
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M. Sajjad / January 20, 2019
And MR might be laughing and patting on MY3’s shoulder telling “Ova ganang ganna epa”
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WalaGembaRaja / January 20, 2019
How can the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague prosecute Sirisena? Scrutiny by any human rights group would be a waste of time unless these organizations are jobless and have nothing better to do than to target Sirisena. What Sirisena did with Rodrigo Duterte is nothing worse than what President Trump did during his tour. I am not in any way defending our president. Even if he is taken to the Hague or tried in abstention, how can an organization like the ICC fraternize prejudice and selective persecution of our president when I suspect he is not mentally fit to govern. The only exception to this would be if a psychiatric assessment and analysis conducted by an international and independent body sanctioned by the ICC could prove otherwise. I will be damned if anyone could prove if MS is sane! Please let this soul rest his last days without further incident. We have had enough already!
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Maggie / January 20, 2019
Will they condemn Trump for admiring Duterte?
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Navin / January 20, 2019
Good question. Trump has rejected America’s moderate allies, and embraced butchers, and tyrants, like Putin, Kim Jong Un, and Duterte.
In Trump’s small brain, he thinks he is a dictator just like them, and admires their ruthless ways.
We do not want Silly going that way.
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Champa / January 20, 2019
Navin
US has never produced anything, other than terrorists, drugs and weapons.
If Trump can be different, the world will be beautiful.
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Champa / January 20, 2019
Maggie
Yeah, all HR Groups are scared of USA and target only small countries.
USA is allowed to bombard, launch missile attacks from ships or planes, invade sovereign countries, promote terrorism, protect terrorist outfits and their leaders, produce nuclear weapons, sell lethal weapons, guns and illegal drugs and topple leaders of sovereign countries by allocating funds to NGOs openly, through their state budget. But, not a single HR Group is dared to criticize them. Why? Is it because HR Groups are also funded by USA? That is the biggest joke.
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Analyst / January 20, 2019
What goes on inside the Skulls of the Rulers? Are the Skulls packed with Grass or Grey matter ??
Looks more like with Grass.
God help Srilanka!!
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Desperate Sinhalaya / January 21, 2019
Sillysena, plays with the innocient people.
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I dont think we should respect him any more.
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Travelling to anywhere- right at this critical juncture of the island, being squeezed to neck debts, with chinese debt trap no second to Angolians, but to see that the head of state to waste state funds for such entourages. As if the current trip is of vital importance, he spends a week out of the country ?.
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My anger -I now get ouf my hand when even thinking about today ‘s fate.
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JD / January 20, 2019
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Bunjappu / January 20, 2019
Rajapakshes put his dog’s tail around the neck of late lybian leader- Gadafi.
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World became aware, the way Rajapakshe was then moving was – authoritarianism.
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We 6.2 mio of voters- srilankens stood against Rajapakshe and finally got rid of him AND replaced him with former SLFP party secretary, former minister of health, former MOST obsequeous Ministerof Rajakashe cabinet – Maithripala Sirisena.
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Now Mythripala Sirisena has been behaving going beyond Rajapakshe.s. Whatever the controversal steps being taken by SIRISENA is against democratic principles. Even country s supreme court found SIRISENA s reactions are unconstitutional.
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I NOW believe, if ANYONE was close to RAJAPAPKSHES are beyond ALL ethics and MORALS.
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If not LAWS, but GODs will see it sooner than LATER. May the blessings of GOD with LANKEN nation.
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In retrospect, even if we have chosen the wrong man to drive away Rajathuma, Mahinda Rajapakshe, but now it is becoming clear, incumbent President is the other side of the same coin.
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JD / January 20, 2019
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Eagle Eye / January 20, 2019
Bunjappu,
“I NOW believe, if ANYONE was close to RAJAPAPKSHES are beyond ALL ethics and MORALS.”
——————————
What do you say about those who are close to ‘Central Bank Robber’?
If someone breaks in even to a small rural bank and rob, the police will catch the bugger and charge him as a bank robber. But if someone rob the Central Bank, that guy is considered as a good financial manager and become eligible to be the PM.
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Bunjappu / January 20, 2019
Eagle Evil Eye,
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Please get your facts the name of god and better said, for the sake of PEACE and HARMONY for living beings in this country.
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President SIRISENA himself MADE it very clear that BOND BANK SCAM was not retrict to the period from 2015.
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President SEIRISENA himself made it clear the SIZE OF the huge losses since 2008.
According to his experts it should be over 1000 Billion rps.
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Please ASK YOURSELF and your circles, as to why BP SIRISENA deliberately would not intend to expose the RECOMMENDATIONS issued by JANAPDHI PATHI COMMISSION that investigated not JUST Central BOND SCAM but all other over 35 high profile Crime investigations ?.
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If you fail to SENSE it, please ask your GRAND GRAND children to help you with. You as an elderly person may well be the case you cant see it right yet today. But TRUTHs would never be hidden and buried under the carpet for ever
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You guys just BECAUSE for your own reasons to hang with A MAFIA Boss, noboy with sanity would be able to follow you. Pleae respect that. All the best for you as a SENIOR by the way.
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Kumaraya / January 20, 2019
President Sirisena was, acting as defence secretary during the peak of the war in 2009. He is also alleged to have committed war crimes. Usage of Cluster Bombs, Chemical Weapons is now coming up with evidences to prove.
He is also responsible for the war crimes and crimes against humanity.
If he fails to honor the UNHRC Resolution and implement all the recommendations in good faith and soon, he will be taken for International Criminal Court with others.
If he continues to listen to the Buddhist clergy, Maha Snaga etc. Sri Lanka will be a failed state for ever and ever. The poor voters will continue to suffer for generations to come.
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Amarasiri / January 20, 2019
Human Rights Gtoups,
Would you prefer Sirisena emulating Mahinda Rajspaksa and Cronies? He is already doing with a few shortfalls.
Whom would you like Sirisena to emulate?
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shankar / January 20, 2019
he won’t emulate duterte because he is AFNS qualified while Duterte is NFPS qualified.
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Eagle Eye / January 20, 2019
LTTE tried to ruin this country using bombs and failed. Now they are trying to ruin this country using drugs. President Sirisena, do not listen to these Human Rights parasites thriving on $$$s. Mahinda Rajapakse led the war against LTTE terrorists and won. You lead the war against drugs. People in this country are behind you. Demala mothers who got relieved from the fear that their children will be snatched by LTTE terrorists to be recruited as child soldiers are grateful to Mahinda Rajapakse. In the same way Demala, Sinhala and Muslim mothers will be eternally grateful to you if you save their children from drug barons.
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Bunjappu / January 20, 2019
It is known to everyone that LTTErs were on it. Thanks to social collectivity/not forgeting sacrifices of three forces, elemination of terror within lanken bounderies hit a home run.
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Drug Traifficking rose their heads under the patronage of RAJAKASHSEs during recent years. People would rememeber how Rajapakshe abused STATE HELICOPTERs at the time DRUG KIN PIN NIMAL lanza was about to be arrested by police in 2013. Under Rajapakshe leadership, his PM was caught by having issued LETTERs pleasing those drug/alocohol importers. :
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuggVAsudJ4
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We perfectly KNOW if as you say, Rajapapkshes are the SAVIOUR of this nation, they could also stand against DRUG traffickers right. Ironially they hang on too close to those men, Negombo area people would know how DANGEROUS Nimal Lanza’s drug trafficking to that part of lanka.
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Public SECRET -Right off the bat, Drug TRAFFICKERS become CLOSE CONFIDIANTS of Rajappakshe family ( PLEASE get your facts rights that wonot mislead you then). That says everything about the charactor of Rajakapskshs.
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Dont you know that pseudo Philathrophist Duminda SIlva is now a jail prisoner for murder charges, But he was then more pulular AS KUDU DUMINDA? – was almost the condom supporter to Gotabaya Rajapkshe.
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Today s lanken drug traffickers become the ones to pump collosal amounts of political campaigns of Rajapakshes. Police and and LEGAL authorties including judges are bribed in this country by Rajapkashe. Latter is PUBLIC secret
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As usual entire MEDIA mafia men are silent on these FACTs. That is why you guys remain PINGONNU in terms of the facts.
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Good luck to you anyway, you will fall down to the hell sooner than later to be busy your evil thoughs this way.
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ramona therese fernando / January 20, 2019
They’d lose the case on the point that the war for oil (aka democracy) cost millions of lives.And oil does not kill inhabitants, but drugs do.
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POV / January 20, 2019
Sirisena is clearly bonkers, as his recent actions have revealed. He hasn’t a clue about the horrendous murders and executions carried out in the name of combating the use of drugs, not to mention the horrifying statements that Duterte utters about women and what he has done in the past. Either that, or he sincerely believes that Duterte is a role model to be followed. And if this is the case, how can he possibly align his views with his bogus piety and belief in the Buddha’s teachings? And now he is contemplating pardoning that other BBS monster for what he has done in the name of Buddhism!
By the way, has the Inland Revenue investigated how he has become the third richest man in the country all of a sudden???
Another bloody crook and looks like we are stuck with the a-hole!
Give us a frigging break from this craziness!
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JD / January 20, 2019
If Drug Lords are to be executed, Kudu dimu, Lanza, and 175 inside the parliament should be annihilated first. That should incude all the indirect or direct owners of the Liquor stores which include PENTHOUSE (he was even thiking of mixing KAsippu with Mendis), RAVI, Daya Gamage, Johnston Fernando and there should be Brothel owners too.
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Estate Labourer / January 20, 2019
JD: There is nothing wrong with LEGAL liquour shops. Nothing wrong with brothels and massage parlours either, whether legal or not legal. If not for the latter institutions where will the bachelors and the married men with uncooperative wives go, to obtain the relief that is essential to relieve both physical tension and mental stress?
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JD / January 20, 2019
ESTZTE LAbourer: Employ your daughters and sisters in the Brothel. Ask your mum and sistets to be rotten infront of the Liquor shop. som some one can take home andd use.
How is that ?
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roy / January 20, 2019
Sirisena ,You can’t continue the hopper game for ever, during the dummy or fake government you and Mara were involved in raising mega funds for the elections . Could you please let us know what happened to the people involved in the drug trafficking .Are they SLPP, SLFP or a coalition.
Patholaya don’t be naughty.
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K.Pillai / January 20, 2019
[“Meanwhile, the President’s Media Division today announced that Sri Lanka would get help from the Philippines to deal with the “drug menace”. In a statement, the PMD stated that experts from the Philippines would arrive in Sri Lanka soon to look into technical advisory groups operating in the country, dealing with the drug menace.”]
Make sure that their baggage are checked thoroughly on arrival AND departure.
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postmodern hate bag / January 20, 2019
I mean what is “Human Rights”. If I want to kill somebody for my own gain and gets away with it then that’s my right as a Human. Person who died was just genetically/emotionally/technologically inferior and the other superior. Why some divine authority influenced thought pattern (either for or against) should hold the right to define what Humane is??? Aren’t we living in the age of science and reason?
Why let anybody decide what’s right or wrong?
Don’t let Colombo telegraph or international Abrahamic colonials invade your freedom. Don’t let them virtue signal. Wake up.
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Bug watch / January 20, 2019
PMHate bugger, YOU should wake up! And not only that , but while you are at it get your brain checked, as it is obviously buggered up.
You have a totally warped idea of what the term ‘human rights’ means.
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Suran / January 20, 2019
Yes, this man should be brought to the Hague for doing so many inhuman, illegal and very vicious and mean things. Not only, he is -on daily basis – bringing shame and humiliation to himself but to the country and it’s people too. We made a terrible mistake by making him the president, for this ill educated and ill informed bloke who is surrounded by real goats as advisors to show him the ways to run the country. It’s time to say enough is enough with this two no peny worth hello.
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Suranga Gunasekera / January 20, 2019
UN human rights? Designed to protect all humans? Including the drug dealers and their gangs?
,
In 2010 the top 362 billionaires owned half the world’s money. In 2015 the stat showed the top 68 owned half the world’s money.
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Why don’t we fight for a fair and just system for humanity? Isn’t it a basic human right to get access to food and water? Aren’t the drugs making the economic disparity worse? Where will they invest this dirty money? Will this improve the standards of humanity?
,
How do you think the CIA and many dangerous organizations get funded?
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Samson Gunawardhana / January 20, 2019
Suranga,
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We know enitre world is corrupted more or less. Those bodies refered above too would not be exempted from it.
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But we island nation, should NOT make efforts to solve issues out of our bounderies. Why not we folks see our over corrupted issues and make efforts to get them caught.
Why shoudl we stand against our own obviously untouchable , sharks. If we would suceed only we could pay the way our future generations to be blessed with a better life right ?
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Our mistake has always been just pointing the finger at others. And overwelmed with our paranoid theories. Just imagine, if your lovely ones would have been abducted, got raped, physically hurt or killed as is the case in Lasanatha s, Ekanaligodas, Thadjudeen or the like minded over 50 cases, how would you react ? If I were one of those vicitimized families, I would not wait a day, I will plan to take the revenge since I know LANKEN law and order would be blocked by Rajakashe goons.
I would have spent last cent to get them caught and get served the justice.
Dont you think so S gunasekara ?
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Suranga Gunasekera / January 20, 2019
Mr. Gunawardhana,
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I will definitely be lost without justice. But I can only hope that I will find my true self within the storm.
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I must only take steps towards the path of peace. Otherwise all the anger and hate might consume me.
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It’s not the act which derives you, but the intention. I won’t judge you because it’s only you can do the same.
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It is my belief that, most of the top in Sri Lanka are corrupt, one way or the other. I can’t agree more with you on this.
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But I strongly believe that, these outside influences are a far more greater issue than you would imagine.
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The finances come mostly through drug or terrorist related organizations, which controls our corrupt top.
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To win the war, we must win this battle first. This will stop all the finances and save our vulnerable youth.
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Samson Gunawardhana / January 20, 2019
Dear Mr Gunasekara,
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Thanks for coming back to me so swiftly
I agree with you to some extent, but I rather believe, the ball lies on our law makers/our people. Drug menace cant be unbeatable, if the law and order would be set as it is the case in Singapore and Europe.Besides we have our advantages being an island.
Entire law and order structure is much at a stake yet today. That is known to almost everyone in the country. See our eyes would not mislead us, we see, high criminals get scot free.
Ironically enough nothing seems to be working on restructuring legal system yet today. Courts and authorties in Law and order remain in their slumber. Enforcement of rigorous law and order is indipensible if we at all expect our future genetions be flourished.
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I dont live in the country for ages. Nevertheless, I keep alert on news updates down there from the day i left fewe decades ago. I have a big heart to help our people (kids and aged are being focused today) and I believe lankens in general deserve better systems being applied that is why I add my thoughts to this and other valuble forums.- while living in Europe. So, the little we can do is to share our thoughts as much as we can in order to allow some ideas. To me, even an inch of move towards progress in our home country, seems to be very difficult.
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Now I am in the phase of searching for aetiology/cause study
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# The place given to Buddhism in the country – they hidden in safron robes abuse it to the core today – the gullible get caught easily, all these occure in the guise of buddhagama (not real teachings of buddha based on non-violence), even high criminals obvioulsy enjoy impunity – this is akin to diplomats escaping any high crimes
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Suranga Gunasekera / January 21, 2019
?
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Thiru / January 20, 2019
In Sri Lanka, 70 Years On, Misery Is Deomcracy’’s Only Real Legacy
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Sam Fernando / January 20, 2019
In Hindsight everyone is clever.
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I dont think any ideology could work with lankens so long culprit mindset would dominate this country.
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In the guise of buddhism and being paranoic to so called western invasion, they make everything kaputt.
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Some japanese louded, if SRILANKENS would not change their mindset (superior complex to them, but to other inferiority complex) , nothing would work out for prosper in this country.
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Even JVPrs are heavily suffering from INFERIORITY complex. They intrepet things against urban communities. They bring some public speeches that the average would never consider as normal. They feel that urban communities would only toot their ownhorns.
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Muhandiram / January 20, 2019
Since October 26, 2018, My3’s words and deeds have been regarded with derision and, justifiably so. Whether his remarks about emulating his Phillipine counterpart in fighting the drug menace in Sri Lanka is acceptable to the International HR groups or not, let us not forget that the Drug Menace in Sri Lanka is a very serious problem and that it cannot be treated with kid gloves any more. It needs tough action and special measures so that the country is saved from becoming another Afghanistan.
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Palani Supramaniam / January 20, 2019
Looks like that the these Human Rights Groups do not consider the Tamil Civilians as subhuman and did nothing to prevent the massacre of civilians by the Simhala Army or to punish the blatant perpetrators of the same.
Again I ask you, are the Drug runners more important than the innocent Tamil civilians including many women and children?
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Spring Koha / January 20, 2019
Firstly, I hope our Prez counted his fingers after the hand shake with Dirty Duterte.
As for prosecting MS, they must first get Duterte.
But our Island dealers will not succumb that easily. They hold the scrotum sacs of too many of our very very high ups, and I have it on reliable authority that tears will flow if they squeeze hard.
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Babalathappu / January 20, 2019
Spring Koha@
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just look at their BODY POSTURE. Both are moving together as if they just escaped away from a high crime
:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWCuffCpJnY
They are both well aware of the impressions of civilized folks towards their actings. These men continue their mlechcha nature irresepctive protests.
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When a criminal be convicted to gallaw, he or she would behave taking indifferent. Now Prez Silly-Sena/Sorry-Sena is becoming clear that his dream would never come to reality. Let alone, he is not sure of his life. Any one on the road would throw caution to wind, since fury reaches beyond bearing.
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Champa / January 20, 2019
That is utter rubbish by Manila HR Group which is acting selectively.
They should know that a President of any sovereign country can have individual public laws unique to each country, where ICC has no right to interfere.
Why only Sri Lankan President?
How about leaders of 8 countries – China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Philippines and Indonesia that actually execute offenders?
I am against President Sirisena bringing hangman, cos’ it doesn’t solve the problem.
Drug trafficking is a crime only second to terrorism both of which target the lives of innocent civilians and therefore, both should be dealt with toughest laws.
However, as a Buddhist, I am against hanging the offenders as suggested by President Sirisena, though I fully agree that drug trafficking, which is a GLOBAL ILLICIT TRADE plaguing our country should be stopped with all might.
As per records, 34 countries have death penalty for drug related crimes.
Singapore has the world’s harshest drug laws.
Sri Lanka is a small country which can crack down smugglers as, mainly the country is used as an air and maritime transport corridor by international and local drug smugglers.
Many drug offenders in our prisons are local drug transporters. It is time to bring in news laws that would confiscate the mode of transport of these offenders on the spot, be it a trishaw, scooter, boat or a luxury car. If drugs are found in shipping containers, under no circumstances they (containers) should released but take action to destroy the entire shipment.
Drug consumers who are arrested should be sent to compulsory drug rehabilitation centers, while middlemen who are in possession of drugs and heavy traffickers and drug-lords should be sent to mandatory death penalty which has a moratorium at present, and confiscate all their movable and immovable property.
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Mama Sinhalam / January 20, 2019
It is Duterte who should be emulating Sillysena. Remember the Gamarala was defence minister when war crimes were committed by the SL armed forces. Duterte came into the scene later. He killed alleged criminals. Sillysena caused to be killed civilians.
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JD / January 20, 2019
DEmala: what do you say you Mother was Sinhala ?
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nalmen / January 20, 2019
nothing to worry about as he never keeps his pledges
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K.Pillai / January 20, 2019
In allowing the Philippines Uniformed Services a freehand (including collection of ransom, rape etc.), President Duterte gets their loyalty. One is not surprised that not a single drug king has suffered.
MS said what he said because Duterte was his host.
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If MS were to do what he said, he will be punished by the voters.
Lankan drug users, dealers and runners come from the top rung of our society down to the bottom.
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Real Revolutionist / January 20, 2019
Drug trafficking may be seen as brother of terrorism.
Terrorists in human/civil attire may be shot or human/civilians in terrorist attire also may be shot (irony).
Likewise drug dealers in civilian attire (with an assumption that they are non-human) may be shot (before prosecuting) or civilians in drug dealer attire also may be shot (irony).
HR bodies must find/propose a way to correctly identify both terrorists & drug dealers without making pressure upon genuine fighters of both.
HR bodies may be seen as obstacles, to fight both terrorism & drug dealing so they must try their best to have more moderate way of fighting for HR.
Both, the terrorists & drug dealers shouldn’t be pampered (as HR bodies are doing now)
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JD / January 20, 2019
Moda NAvin: TRUMP took over some thing that can not be restructured by firing alone. Tell us how to save UNP, a sinking ship. It is just like that.
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Mano / January 22, 2019
The cunard that LTTE did drug trafficking is a vicious propaganda by the RAW and often planted its own hirelings to make a case against the LTTE . That cunard is still helps the LTTE adversaries who run that story in full swing. So long there are gullible mudheads , even after decimation of LTTE, it still worth a million dollar bet.
If that story is gospel truth, how come Kudu sutha and his political Godfathers? Is there anybody that believes MR,Kotta,and MS are innocent of the crimes and MSreal life Messiah god sent to Sri Lanka wash out drugs?
MR made a fortune out of the war against the Tamils and MS is about to take his turn in the war against drugs. Wish him all the success.
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K.Pillai / January 22, 2019
Our speculations and foul-mouthings of MS were a waste of time. The Duarte method of drug control was a bait and we fell for it! MS wanted to distract us from what was about to happen in Mindanao, Philippines. This really happened!
Muslims in the southern Philippines voted on Monday 21 January 2019 in a referendum on a new autonomous region Bangsamoro that seeks to end nearly half a century of unrest, in what their leaders are touting as the best alternative to a new wave of Islamic State group-inspired militants.
The vote caps a tumultuous peace effort by the government in Manila and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the main rebel group, to seal a deal that was signed in 2014 but languished in the Philippine Congress until it was finally approved last year.
In July 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte signed the legislation creating the new region, called Bangsamoro.
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Is Duterte distracting Filipino attention? Crafty bugger!
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