By Mangala Samaraweera –
Mangala Samaraweera | Finance Minister
What should be of great concern to all Sri Lankans at this moment of time is not the MCC Agreement, but the fact that one of the principal candidates of the Presidential Elections to be held next week has still not renounced his US citizenship and his wife and son continue to be fully fledged citizens of the United States of America.
In order to renounce the citizenship, a US passport holder must obtain a “Certificate of Loss of Nationality” with the US Treasury, where the DS 4079 is approved for renunciation.
In the 1st six months of 2019, about 1090 have been officially recorded with who have renounced their US citizenship.
However, there is no approved DS 4079 for Gotabaya Rajapaksa in any of the 94 US District Courts.
The filing could also be seated in US Embassy in Colombo to be cleared. Usually, transactions and procedural backlogs between the US Treasury and the US State Department are taking 16 to 24 months to clear.
It is also a lengthy process due to the taxation portions if income and assets are greater than the stipulated amount.
Even after approval by the State Department, there is further 6 to 9 months with the US Treasury when the DS 4079 is approved for renunciation.
Therefore, it is extremely clear that Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa remains a US citizen today, while being a candidate for the Presidency of Sri Lanka.
In fact, in the unlikely event of Gatabaya Rajapaksa winning on the 16th, Sri Lanka will have a President, who is a US citizen and Sri Lanka will also have the dubious honour of having the only other American first lady in the world other than Melania Trump, the First Lady of USA.
Therefore, I challenge Gotabaya Rajapaksa to produce the “Certificate of Loss of Nationality” and the DS 4079, proving his renunciation of his American citizenship before the country goes to the polls next week.
Ganjapani Gorakapola / November 7, 2019
Too Late, Mr Mangala;
The independent Elections Commission including high-standing academic and Commission Member, Prof Hoole, accepted the nomination papers of a US Citizen contrary to the Constitution.
It is your leader, Hon RW, who personally organised an SL Passprort and SL NIC to the US Citizen to “ensure his candidacy”.
Why shed tears now, Mr Mangala?
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Amarasiri / November 7, 2019
Mangala Samaraweera,
First of all, the mean IQ of the populace is 79, and many do not know the truth and the lies from the the politicians . So, the politicians, the monks, the priests and the Ulama feed on them, and they all collaborate with each other to be in power and maintain their hegemony.
If the Yahapalanaya did their elected job of Law and Order, for all the financial crimes and capital crimes, Gotabaya should be in Jail now. Instead he is running to be the President.
Ask Ranil W and Sirisena, why Gota is not in jail? Because he is still a Para-Sinhala Para-“Buddhist “ and a US Citizen and if elected will sign the MCC?
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Amarasiri / November 7, 2019
Mangala Samaraweera,
MCC and Gota are the same coin, the US coin.
See how the US abandoned the Kurds to the Turks, for the US self-interest. The MCC is about the US self-interest. Do the low mean IQ 79 populace and the politicians get it?
Now Gota is about the US self-interest and the Rajapaksa Mafia Family self -interest. Do the low mean IQ 79 populace with limited common sense get it?
Or , are they still blinded by the Para-Sinhala Para-“Buddhist” ideology, that is a distortion of Buddhism, and is an insult to the Buddha?
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nimal fernando / November 7, 2019
Citizenship is a minor matter: least of the problems ……… Gota is a serial-killer …… but all that is moot.
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Gota will lose.
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Buddhists dont support killers.
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It’s a Buddhist country isn’t it? :))
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Sinhala_Man / November 8, 2019
nimal, I wish it were as simple as that.
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Many a Sinhalese voter rationalises it by saying that Tamils are not really humans.
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However, it may be that Gota’s intellectual limitations are getting shown up.
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Also, there is a minor split in the SLFP. Unfortunately, Chandrika doesn’t have all that much credibility, although I’ve always considered her a decent egg. Kumar Welgama, too, has been consistently opposed to a Rajapaksa dynasty.
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Native Vedda / November 8, 2019
nimal fernando
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“It’s a Buddhist country isn’t it? :))”
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Is it?
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“Buddhists dont support killers.”
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Sinhala/Buddhist fascists however love killing with automatic impunity, been doing it for many decades.
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The saddest part of it all is the majority of Buddhists and majority of Sinhalese let themselves to be taken for a ride not just in the past years but for many decades.
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I blame you for not educating them.
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Sinhala_Man / November 9, 2019
Whether those guys were “[accepting] the nomination papers of a US Citizen contrary to the Constitution” or were accepting it in legally, that was such an important document that it should have been displayed to the public.
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Let us not pour oil on troubled waters – but we await explanations from ALL THREE Memebers of the election Commission.
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If that is not forthcoming they have to be sacked, I guess, but I wouldn’t know what should be done to the elections. Fairest compromise: let the Rajapaksas now substitute chamal for U.S. Citizen Gota.
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But come to think of it, that will be to the advantage of the Rajapaksas, because Gota has already been exposed as a moron, while Chamal is regarded as a somewhat more benign ex-policeman.
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What a mess!
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Saman / November 7, 2019
Good question. There have been rumors swirling around that the US wants the other side to win and be their puppets, but if the US really wanted that why didn’t they make it hard for GR to get out of his citizenship, when they could have dragged it until after the elections, if they wanted the other side to win? They could also have postponed and delayed the Lasantha case, just to make it harder for GR to become a candidate.
Strange they did not do anything to prevent his candidacy, and instead made it easy for him to cancel his citizenship, and run for president here.
Maybe HE is America’s puppet, after all the rest of the family happily reside over there, and seem to have strong connections to America.
He should produce the original certificate, and put this to rest.
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D.P. / November 7, 2019
Saman,
It is very likely that GoRa has found loop hole in the system to contest the election. However, that is not the most strange aspect of campaign. It is the same people who are backing GoRa making a concerted effort to discredit free MCC grant worth $ 470 million from the US siting it as a Trojan Horse for US intervention. It is very unfortunate to see how the majority of SL media also contributing to the same hypocrisy! I wonder how much “black-money” in circulation in order to sell media their soul to GoRa? How could SL media ever forget the (in)famous T’conversation between GoRa & Fredrica Janz? Here is the link:
https//www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/gota-has-gone-to-the-dog-srilankan-airline-s-and-a-puppy-dog-for-his-wife/
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punchinilame / November 7, 2019
Saman – It has been stated that the Sinhala people remember things only for a short period – a week?
A review here is timely now that the President-elect is or was from the USA?
1st part: see – https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/rajapaksa-authoritarianism-premadasa-welfarism/comment-page-1/?unapproved=2309168&moderation-hash=17d0b446c61aa6e704532734dedb47f3#comment-2309168
2nd part: see: https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/the-price-of-freedom-yahapalana-failures-must-not-drive-us-into-the-arms-of-an-authoritarian/comment-page-3/?unapproved=2309314&moderation-hash=cf21e17fb4500322043706e4a6593445#comment-2309314 2-11-19
3rd part – See: https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/news-from-2025-presidential-election/comment-page-1/#comments see the response to Mohd
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desmond / November 7, 2019
Ironically MRs cohorts blame RW for each and everything but to see he has supported MR, GR that lunatic Passport Vimal and the list goes on…
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Hamlet / November 7, 2019
Does Sri Lanka really need a President who cannot be trusted?
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EA / November 7, 2019
Yes, its the only kind of President we have ever had, apart from DB Wijetunga.
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K.A. Sumanasekera / November 7, 2019
I thought Nandasean was born in Srilanka and lives in Srilanka..
Is id bad for being a President?..
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Nosey Parker / November 7, 2019
Hon Minister
How about striking a deal with GR ? You produce the looted $18 billion which you claimed to know the whereabouts of in 2015 , and he produces the document.
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Native Vedda / November 8, 2019
KASmaalam K.A. Sumanasekera
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“I thought Nandasean was born in Srilanka and lives in Srilanka..”
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Are you sure?
It appears he has been commuting to work in Colombo from his home base in the USA when he wasn’t going to Singapore for medical check up or treatment.
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This is Sri Lanka don’t you know you can buy and sell any damn thing including birth certificate, Identity Card, passport, degree certificate, marriage certificate, death certificate, …………… ?
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BukiPaala / November 7, 2019
Keep Crying Mangala,
NO ONE CAN STOP GOTA’s HISTORICAL WIN ON NOV 17th
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Native Vedda / November 8, 2019
BukiPaala
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“NO ONE CAN STOP GOTA’s HISTORICAL WIN ON NOV 17th”
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No one can stop him from racing to the bottom, actually good people cannot stop him nor do they want to stop. The problem is he is determined take the people and country with him.
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By the way according to Elections Commissioners the results won’t be declared until 18 th November 2019. Where did you get the election results even the voting is yet to take place? Are you an astrologer or involved in early vote rigging?
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Gemini Cricket / November 7, 2019
Dear Minister
What you state here is in the hearts and minds of most Sri Lankans, however our greviences end there. Gota was given a ticket to run for polls by your government in which you happen to be an integral member. Now that really baffles me.
How could a senior minister have doubts about the validity of Gotas claims of not only renouncing his US citizenship but US having acknowledged it and approving of the same!
Sri Lanka has indeed turned into a banana republic. Different strokes for different folks, isn’t it?
But let me tell you this, for a very long time I have pondered why Gota did the most illogical things that eventually resulted in Mara loosing his presidency.
For example the formation of BBS and needlessly and blatently attacking muslims with impunity under Gotas watch was one of the main factors that contributed to the demise of Mara govt. If you look carefully much of blame that goes to Mara govt is actually as a result of what Gota had done; Mig scandel, Tajudeen murder, Eknaligoda abduction and disappearance, Avantguard scam, etc are a few more of Gotas antics. Mara however paid the price.
Now let me ask you another question, if Chamal Rajapaksa has been nominated instead of Gota, don’t you think he would have won easily? Yet he was not nominated, Mara hesitantly went with Gota. Doesn’t it beg a question why? Why go through the hassle? Dont you think Mara was forced to nominate Gota?
Well, it seems to me, in retrospect that this could have been Gotas intension after all. That is to make Mara unpopular, remove him from power, disconnect China from having undue access in Sri Lanka, win the election and become a dictator. Give US the upper hand in access to Sri Lanka. Reverse the balance of power in the region.
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punchinilame / November 7, 2019
No, it is Gota who wanted to become President _ for one and only reason – which forced
Mara to grant him that: To have all the legal charges etc. etc of the Rajapakse family
taken off the hook for good. All other Statements are a mere cover-up in keeping with
SL political style.
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Saroja / November 7, 2019
What is the hesitancy in producing the Certificate of Loss of Nationality and DS 4079 so that voters can be confident that we are clear of all doubts on the poll day? Ranil can protect GR even at this moment to become PM under GR’s presidency! Transparency is paramount to Presidency and I hope GR will oblige to the citizens of SL by facing to first important ACID TEST to demonstrate that his transformation from a serviceman to statesman is complete and not in limbo!
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Eagle Eye / November 7, 2019
mangala, Please get lost. Ordinary folks in this country do not care for this nonsense. Gotabhaya was born in this country. That is it!
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Piyadasa Yalagala / November 7, 2019
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Douglas / November 7, 2019
Ganjapani Gorakapola: A small correction to what you referred to Prof. Hoole. Perhaps, you would remember, even through this CT, Prof. Hoole did mention this matter of GR’s renunciation of US citizen was discussed at Commission level; but as the discussion followed, he (Prof Hoole) did elect to remain “Silent”. Many more facts are to “Surface”. Best is to wait and see.
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charles / November 7, 2019
Get ready to pack up your bags soon Mongala. You are not suitable to be a Sinhalese and Sri Lankan.
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D. P. / November 7, 2019
charles,
It is well known fact Sajith has enemies within the UNP elite. One strong proof is TNL TV which owned and operated by Ranil’s own brother starting to support GoRa. Buty that doesn’t improve GoRa’s qualifications. I still strongly believe that GoRa is suffering from mental disability of anger management, mental condition known as “bipolar syndrome”. It is extremely likely that all of his criminal behavior stem from this mental instability. Just listen to the taped conversation between GoRa & Fredrica Janz over her query regarding the “Swiss Puppy” incident in 2012. People like these shouldn’t be allowed to deal with others outside the immediate family without expert supervision, let alone electing to be the president. It was well known fact that even MaRa was afraid to contest his decisions!
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I wonder why Sajith’s campaign is not using this tape that much in order to expose who real GoRa is! If GoRa’s campaign has a weapon like this, we would be hearing it 24/7 by now!
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Hamlet / November 8, 2019
Charles:-
Do you mean that ‘Mangala’ has a Higher IQ than the rest of the ‘Sinhalese and Sri Lankans’?
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charles / November 7, 2019
Mangala that is not your job. Ranil wants Sajith to loose. That is why he brought up MCC agreement, Gas problem, agreement with TNA last 2 weeks of the election.
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Wera / November 7, 2019
It is because of this issue that the case in the court of appeal was filed. What happened? The judiciary blocked it. Dual citizens cannot run for office to be president of Sri Lanka. What happened? The EC blocked it and let him run. The Americans want the GOSL to accept the MCC funds as a gift. This is to foster good relations and also to help our economy. Who is all out against it? The US citizen. The Judiciary is compromised and has been so for a very long time. The judiciary manages to be independent only when it absolutely has to other wise it is compromised and partial to Gotler postponing every case again him. Deshapriya only acts independent when he is backed into a corner and has no other options. Other wise he too is a partisan pro Rajapakshe hack. The other two commissioners are too decent and can easily be bullied into accepting Deshapriya’s rulings. The AGs department is another den of Rajapakshe sympathizers and has been so for the last five years. In addition to delaying case fillings when they are ultimately filled the prosecution is willfully sabotaged thus letting the accused off the hook. So my dear Minister Mangala this is something that needs to be sorted out soon.
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D. P. / November 7, 2019
Saman,
It is very likely that GoRa has found loop hole in the system to contest the election. However, that is not the most strange aspect of campaign. It is the same people who are backing GoRa making a concerted effort to discredit free MCC grant worth $ 470 million from the US siting it as a Trojan Horse for US intervention. It is very unfortunate to see how the majority of SL media also contributing to the same hypocrisy! I wonder how much “black-money” in circulation in order to sell media their soul to GoRa? How could SL media ever forget the (in)famous T’conversation between GoRa & Fredrica Janz? Here is the link:
https//www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/gota-has-gone-to-the-dog-srilankan-airlines-and-a-puppy-dog-for-his-wife/
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Bandu / November 7, 2019
So even now contest it in the Courts and the Elections Commission. Useless telling the public.
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S de soysa / November 7, 2019
Too little too late!
As somebody said the masses don’t care. The masses are too dumb and they still want MR and his worthless gang. Just goes to show. This country has really hone to the dogs!
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Henry fernando / November 7, 2019
” Dear citizens, our’s is not to question why, but our’s is to do and die.” If dubbed Mr. clean is the architect of this episode too like the Central Bank great grand robbery, let all UNP fanatics strike their breasts with a great ” Mea Maxima Culpa”. and you may have to chant ‘ Hosannas’ whether you like it or not. It is said that a country gets the Government it deserves. The deafening silence of the Leaders of maha Sanga is baffling except for a handful who are standing firmly against the present culture of impunity in the political spectrum. Is Nagananda’s “Dasarajadarmaya” only a thing of the past and is it obsolete now? If we are really committed to protect Buddhism I personally think Maha Sanga should lead their flock and discipline the Politician from top to toe as they are the biggest culprits, who are responsible for the present state of our country and society.
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dulan de silva / November 7, 2019
EC commissioner cannot question the nationality of the candidates if the person declared he is a sri lankan citizen. Gota is a duel citizen and he can hence claim to be a sri lankan citizen.This is sadly the procedure. Geetha was unseated long after she was elected based on a court case which said she is a Swiss citizen and thus not able to be an MP.Gota also cannot as he a US citizen but can he be challenged in courts after is elected President ?
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observer / November 7, 2019
dulan, Robbers, liars, murderers and cheaters can be challenged in a higher court of righteousness and justice, but you must learn how to go there, filing a case acknowledging the attorney and the judge. Judiciary here has been bought over through fear, but that court is through faith currency which cannot be bought over. Verdict will be in your favour.
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Muhandiram / November 7, 2019
Mr. Mangala Sameraweera
You are Crying Foul so LATE in the day with just over a week left for The Election. What were you doing ALL these days?
What is the point in Challenging Gota to produce DS 4079 Now? Was it NOT possible for you to raise your Objection when Gota filed his Nomination papers?
What are you going to do if Gota simply IGNORES your challenge, which he is Most likely to do?
Finally, please tell us what you propose to do should, God Forbid, Gota win the Election as we DON’T want a U.S. citizen to be our President. Isn’t it HUGE SHAME on ALL of us if a Non-citizen becomes our Leader and First Citizen?
Come on Mr. Mangala, Please Double up and Hurry.
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anonymous / November 7, 2019
Well done Mangala.
Perfect timing and a legitimate request in all areas of ‘Law & Order’. Get the citizens behind it and the US embassy reveal the truth or file a law suite against the US govt.
My dear Muhandiram,
“You are Crying Foul so LATE in the day with just over a week left for The Election. What were you doing ALL these days?”
Organizing the candidacy of Sajith, MCC challenge, 2020interim budget…. and many more. He has picked the perfect time to send ‘The Mass Murderer cum Fraudster’ reeling. Don’t forget, he is a master planner.
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rbh / November 7, 2019
US will play the trump card, US can say the citizenship is voided if he listens to US agreement or
can make his president valid if he did not listen to US, US will not cancel the citizenship so that his president will be voided from sri lankan, US deal card, some of the sri lankan. someone to pull a rabbit out after his coming.
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S de soysa / November 7, 2019
Mr muhandiram. You said it man!
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Muhandiram / November 9, 2019
S de soysa
Tks friend
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Gamini / November 7, 2019
We cannot expect NGR to do anything sincere, forthright, honest and within the law of the land. He is is a veritable psychopath and a law unto himself. (That is why he arranged for a fake certificate to be released to the media). He will not accept this challenge. If he wins, there are bound to be court cases challenging his election and his eligibility to be a candidate.
Part of the problem is this Government’s lack of commitment and ineffectiveness in prosecuting the alleged criminals. Had that been done effectively, this maniac, fanatic and bigot will be behind bars. Instead, he is still roaming the streets freely (albeit there are overseas travel restrictions imposed by the judiciary).
Voters, please use your franchise judiciously, wisely and aptly!
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Piyadasa Yalagala / November 7, 2019
Managala Samarweera is political not be qualified for that Post of Minster of Finance.
He lack educational of that qualified for background that his Monetary policies by has ruin national economy.
He is that not educated person for such post of Minister.? The freedom of voice of People lost their rights to expressed by in new model of Journalists.
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Champa / November 7, 2019
hmmmmmmmmmmm…… it looks like something is brewing underneath.
Why did Mangala take this matter up at this last hour?
I believe that Mangala has more connections with the US than Gotabhaya.
For me, the attitude of the slave government is not like they are going home. The majority of the citicenry cant stand Yahapalanaya, but they look like more confident than the other side.
If the UNP is planning to file a court case in the event Gotabhaya wins, it is better for Mahinda to ascertain the availability of this Certificate and assure people, so that there is clarity.
According to 19A, if the President is removed, died or resigned, the PM will become the Acting President.
I don;t think those who want to vote Gotabhaya purely due to their allegiance to Mahinda or for the sake of the counbtry, want to see Ranil as the Acting President.
There is no room to avoid answeing this question anymore or use Gammanpila as the mouthpiece to go around the subject without giving a clear answer.
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rbh / November 7, 2019
US will use him to sign contracts the trum card US has is if he did not agree with him US will say he is the citizen of America then According to Sri lanka constitution he cannot be President If agrees with US then US will not say anything because it is US internal affairs So Someone will pull out a rabbit from the hat.Politics is the only field in which the more experience you have, the worse you get.
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Buddhist / November 7, 2019
Magala you should translate the MCC agreement into Braille and give it to Gota and SLPP politicians if you want them to answer your question!
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Jehan / November 7, 2019
It’s a shame u donkeys let it happen, and now we have a mafia to defeat at the elections.
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Champa / November 7, 2019
Gamini
By using the words :alleged criminals: you have shown that even you have doubts whether they are actually criminals or not.
Prove it first and then talk.
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K.Anaga / November 7, 2019
Mangala!
If all what you say is correct isn’t there a remedy in our courts?
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CondemnedLizaPriceless / November 7, 2019
According to Nagananda, Goatabaya was not even called for the preliminary interview to renounce his US citizenship. Even the criminal Lankan dual citizenship Gotler has is fraudulent. What more does Mangala need more proof for? Goatabaya is a US SCUM BAG! His son Manoj is a equal scum bag who had laundered money and evaded US taxes. He is also not pursued by the US and I found that Manoj is employed at a US company in the West coast that is one of the foremost US-DOD (Department of Defense) contractor. How did Manoj get a high profile security clearance to work for such a company? Our Gotler, the White van murderer and assasin is a “plant agent” of the agency. The US, China or any other nation knows that planting such venal parasites like Goatabaya can easily be lobbied and swayed for any strategic interests of these powers. They can’t do this easily and openly with SajithP or any other appointee. The previous US ambassador Richard Blake is also an asset being paid by the same agency and indirectly serves lobbying firms and ends up in various payrolls. People who know Richard, and observed this scoundrel’s life style in DC, will testify that he lives beyond his means lavishly than most other former US foreign service or public service retirees.
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