I will not give up my American citizenship, says Basil Rajapaksa.
My children and wife live there, there is nothing to hide about it. I came to politics while keeping my American citizenship, he told BBC Sinhala service.
Criticising the 19th Amendment he said that the sole purpose of the amendment was to block he and his brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
On April 28, 2015 the Parliament adopted the 19th Amendment to the constitution. Two hundred and twelve (212) Members of Parliament (MPs) voted for the amendment while only one, MP Sarath Weerasekara voted against it.
The 19th Amendment added a new sub-paragraph to the paragraph “Disqualification for election as Member of Parliament” in the Article 91 of the constitution.
According to the newly introduced 19th amendment to the Constitution, a Sri Lankan Citizen holding citizenship status in another country cannot hold a seat in the legislature.
Among the important features of the Bill are: the reduction in the terms of President and Parliament from six years to five years; re-introduction of a two-term limit that a person can have as President; the power of President to dissolve Parliament only after four and a half years [unlike one year, as prevalent now]; the revival of Constitutional Council and the establishment of independent commissions; right to information as a fundamental right.
nirmali / May 6, 2017
A family of uneducated low class who have never run a business but spent their life times sucking on the public purse, police, military, parliament and pretending to be Buddhists while robbing and murdering.
The vermin better beware of the temple roof.
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Don Stanley / May 6, 2017
CAFEE, CPA, and Civil society organizations MUST build a database on the internet and publish names of ALL the corrupt politicians, and their networks of corruption with illustrated graphs.
This will EDUCATE and INFORM the masses to vote properly at the next , as most of us do not know who is a clean politician.
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Champa / May 8, 2017
None of the Rajapakse thieves should be allowed to engage in politics.
During MR’s tenure, all Rajapakses; Gotabhaya, Basil and Namal acted like Vice Presidents.
Those who have Dual Citizenship should not be allowed to engage in politics. Bringing in ithis law is the only good thing this Government did.
For Basil, politics is business. The people in this country should reject him and his dirty politics of buying innocent people and selling poverty and unemployment as tools to come back to power.
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Native Vedda / May 8, 2017
Champa
“None of the Rajapakse thieves should be allowed to engage in politics.”
Why not, they are the super smart patriots who single handedly won the war against Demelas and their Demela terrorists, no other rulers did this since Dutta Gamani, beat them up where it hurts most?
“During MR’s tenure, all Rajapakses; Gotabhaya, Basil and Namal acted like Vice Presidents.”
Nothing wrong with what they did since MR was the Chakravartin and his brothers were the raajaon bhaiyon (Kings brothers) and sons were the Yuvraj or Rajkumars (Son of the king or crown-prince, Ilayarajah).
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Banda / May 9, 2017
Tell us; where and what job Ranil has done to earn his living other than ‘politics’ since he qualified as a lawyer. Had he not collected immense sum of money (contributions for UNP) as the leader that was never declared.
Politics is business for most of our politicians including JVP brothers.
For example; Bahu hasn’t worked long enough for a government institution to qualify for a state pension. All his life he has engaged in destructive politics that put many a worker life and their jobs in jeopardy. At his last hurrah, he had shed his struggle for revolution joined his arch enemy UNP and opted to promote the ‘Yahapalanaya’ soup. And he was rewarded a full pension. Fair?
No politician can be honest today to the extent of Dudley, Banda and etc for they need vast sums of money to campaign in JR introduced huge electorate (district) and win enough ‘manape’ to be an MP.
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Native Vedda / May 9, 2017
Banda
“For example; Bahu hasn’t worked long enough for a government institution to qualify for a state pension”
Could you elaborate on Bahu’s pension story. Aren’t you picking on him because you are bit jealous about him?
“You seemed not worried at all about a foreign citizen (Mahendran) appointed as the Governor to rob it’s central bank, eh? “
“What about ‘Milinda Moragoda’, a minister under Ranil (2001-3) who was born in the US, an automatic citizen. Rajapakse brought him, eh.”
Are you saying Maha crook and Mass murderer are the only two foreigners who are entitle to enjoy duel citizenship and no other person is entitle to the same privileges?
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Nimal / May 9, 2017
What if the people are also corrupt, reason why politicians and others are tolerated.
Don you should start a such a web site.
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Bhagawaan / May 6, 2017
Duel citizen rule was started by MR &Co
To accommodate themselves in the politics,
Now other party don’t want them in the politics
This is the state of democracy in the world
No back bone to be straightforward
In public affairs
Bhagawaan
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Banda / May 9, 2017
You seemed not worried at all about a foreign citizen (Mahendran) appointed as the Governor to rob it’s central bank, eh?
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Banda / May 9, 2017
What about ‘Milinda Moragoda’, a minister under Ranil (2001-3) who was born in the US, an automatic citizen. Rajapakse brought him, eh.
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Jay / May 6, 2017
I think barring dual citizens from contesting is a good move. If Sri Lanka and US engaged in a war, all its citizens should support for US irrespective of their country of birth and dual nationality. This is how US people seeking US citizenship takes orth.
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Jadon / May 6, 2017
US gives green cards to corrupt politicians and third world dictators!
What sort of dirty game HUMAN RIGHTS GAME is the US govt. playing with Sri Lanka whil Gota and Basil who have stolen from the people of Sri Lanka and laundered massive amounts of money to the USA?!
Where are the ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL RIGHTS and SOCIAL JUSTICE FOR the People of Lanka? US govt. prats about Human Rights in Geneva, but there are not economic and social rights for people of global south or any other country
40 percent of all real estate deals over 1 million are by shell companies for corrupt politicians and oligarchs in the world. The US which is a haven for money laundering corrupt politicians from Asia and Africa and Russia and Middle East.
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thrishu / May 7, 2017
As long as those countries claiming to be protectors of human rights are at the receiving end of the massive national assets, stripped and exported to them, they do not care how the criminal minded guests got that wealth or whom they murdered or maimed in the course of accumulating that wealth. Yeah bring them and deposit them in our coffers, you will get your Green card and even qualify o apply for the Presidency. All those other useless slogans are to manipulate the United Nations to get them to declare war on innocent nations that were minding their own business quietly
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Banda / May 9, 2017
True true. Those who want to know more about the US hypocrisy, try read “confessions of an economic hit man” by John Perkins.
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Joseph De Vazz - Kotte / May 9, 2017
All these Jaraapakse brothers are Human rights violators and sent to the prison for life. These bastards ruled the country and ruined the country under the cloak of Sinhalese Buddhists.
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Gune / May 6, 2017
The Rajapakse’s are a national and international embarrassment to the political culture of this country. Under the guise of serving the people they exist to serve themselves and their families. It’s time that the foolish masses realise this and not be mislead by them and side -kick and lemon puff eating Wimal.
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Spring Koha / May 6, 2017
Mr Percent is a shameless fellow, bereft of morals, and only determined like many others of his Sri Lankan ilk to ‘have his cake and eat it’.
The truth is that Mrs Percent and the sprogs are high maintenance and if Mr Percent had to earn a living in the land of the free (and home of the brave!) he would be lost. Taxi driver? security guard? 7-Eleven?
USA Basil’s loss to Sri Lankan politics will, by my most conservative estimate, mean that we could build and operate another three rural hospitals with the commissions saved. As my driver said “Good no, Sir”
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Antany Peter / May 6, 2017
First the leaders must see what skills they can gain from the dual citizenship holders to develop the country. Seriously, Sri Lanka is not a superpower, it doesn’t have a nuclear bomb. Therefore, offering a seat in the legislature for a dual citizenship holder is not a big deal.
The people who have dual citizenship have seen and heard more than local politicians. Therefore, without a doubt they would do a better job than local politicians. Sadly, the Sri Lankan Parliament is not wise enough to understand it, but following the powerful countries’ dual citizenship laws.
Sri Lanka hasn’t had leaders who were strong enough to change the laws as they see fit for the country’s development. The current and previous leaders have been strong enough to change the laws to keep their power, in order to build their own wealth at the expense of people.
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Burt / May 7, 2017
Peter for this argument to stand it should go both ways. These same AH’s refused to give dual citizenship to people that left the country in fear of their lives. Even to be considered it had to be approved by the 7-Eleven clerk.
So your argument does not hold water.
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Antany Peter / May 7, 2017
I am not saying we should consider skill based assessment only for MPs and the Rajapaksas. Every Sri Lankan must be given an opportunity to serve the country; if a person has skills to develop the country. Instead of worrying about the dual citizenship status and losing talents.
Gota and Basil Rajapaksa have dual citizenship. Living in the West helped them to understand the Western Games. Perhaps it helped the Rajapaksas to eliminate the LTTE. Therefore, having dual citizenship status will help to do the job well. The majority of the local politicians make it as a big deal, in order to protect their parliament seats.
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eldorado / May 6, 2017
The 19th AMENDMENT was brought in as there must be a limit to this madness of subverting the Constitution to please manipulating politicians looking for bettering their own nests.The previous rulers did this to the utmost to ensure their crooked longevity in Parliament. Now they have been stalled and are looking for ways and means of circumventing these roadblocks.
The Rajapakses are adept at this, watch how they unfold the future scenario, with the help of their hangers on in the media,the lost cause politicians, the crooks who benefited from them financially, and the dumbfounded blinkered Mahajanaya.
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Banda / May 9, 2017
Amazing! you’re completely blind to ‘bond scam’ and many other day light robberies that are unfolding daily even in the presidential commission.
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Sylvia Haik / May 6, 2017
The Rajapakses of Sri Lanka are the equivalent of the Trumps in USA. They rob, lie through their teeth, and make pledges they can never fulfill, yet they have supporters who just don’t care.
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Native Vedda / May 7, 2017
Sylvia Haik
Sorry I beg to differ, Trumps can never ever match our crooks even in their most wildest dream.
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shami / May 11, 2017
Trump is university educated from a business family the Rajapaksas are an uneducated uncultured bunch from the paddy field who see nothing wrong in thieving and murdering.
Helping Hambantota? His biggest mistake, Lasantha.
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Native Vedda / May 11, 2017
shami
“Trump is university educated from a business family the Rajapaksas are an uneducated uncultured bunch from the paddy field who see nothing wrong in thieving and murdering.”
Please note Mahinda and his son Namal are qualified at the world renowned Sri Lanka Law College as lawyers.
Basil was the under study of Dutta Gamani Disanayake.
Gota was educated at the best military academy for Alugosuwa -hangman, Sri Lanka Army.
Chamal Rajapaksa was a policeman, best place to learn the basic crafts.
Well they are all educated and trained in the best academies of this island and home tutored in racism at Don Alwin Rajapaksa household.
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jimsofty / May 6, 2017
I think, because of the big crowd attend to the GalleFace may day rally, Basil Rajapakse is thiking they are winning for sure.
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Tamil from the north / May 6, 2017
I Will Not Give Up My American Citizenship: Basil Rajapaksa.
By the way he will not give up the stolen money as well. Bloody scumbag!!!
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Hamlet / May 7, 2017
What Income do His Wife and Family live on, in the US?
If He is a Truly, Patriotic Sri Lankan, He should be spending His Sri Lankan Assets in Sri Lanka, not sending it Overseas!
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Banda / May 9, 2017
If you’re so inquisitive, make a hat collection among this lot and employ a ‘private eye’ and write an article about it. lol
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BrownBoy / May 7, 2017
Sheeeeeeesh why couldn’t that person doing the interview slap the smugness off of this crooks face. What a POS. Please name one point in the 19th amendment mentioned above that is not beneficial to the citizenry of this country ? This crook creamed off of the top and now domiciled his fat ads and family in the US while shamelessly wearing the kurakkan shawl. Burn in hell you scum bag.
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Lawry / May 7, 2017
His ministry building in Deens road had a modern car park. It lifted the cars and placed it on a shelf. Fully mechanized.Brings back the car when needed. Sri Lanka spent for such sophistication. I was privileged to see.
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Hamlet / May 7, 2017
Someone who is a Citizen of an Affluent Country, does not Care What Happens to the One He was born in!
He can always get out, when things get too Hot!
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Plato. / May 7, 2017
Here is a man who on the patronage of Gamini Dissanayake, landed a job with a contractor at Mahiyangana. This contractor was one of many other contractors on the Mahaweli project in the post 1977 period.
Came 2005;Brother Mahinda was elected President.Basil & Gota parachuted to Srilanka and within a period of 10 years robbed enough to last them several generations! While the country was cheering on the war against the LTTE,THESE TWO AND OF-COURSE MAHINDA,siphoned off the robbed money to God only knows where!
Basil also had the unique privilege of moving to Impeach a Chief Justice; A mere onetime Golaya of a contractor!
Naturally,this man will not give up his US Citizenship;The whole country witnessed him running away with his wife on 09th JAN:2015,without informing even his sibling Mahinda. CT carried the Photo,showing Bail and wife at an Airport in the US.
Well then US Citizenship comes in handy in an Emergency situation.Is that not so?
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jimsofty / May 7, 2017
Plato:,
siphoned off the robbed money to God only knows where!
One LAtino – president accused the world’s most democratic country, they hold that kind of money in their banks. but, that is out of their system so no one talk it.
Even Gadhaffi had his billions in those countries and libyans never get that money as those know about would die during the struggle.
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Non PhD / May 7, 2017
Jim Softy,
Why Sinhalese diaspora keep growing in the US, UK & other commonwealth countries and in East Asian countries, if SriLanka is such a successful country since Feb 4 th 1948 ?
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Banda / May 9, 2017
Just think why soo many whites emigrated to Autralia, South Africa and Rhodesia etc at one time?
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Non PhD / May 7, 2017
Antany Peter,
Can you ask your comrade & smart patriot Dr.DJ who hates US and loves Cuba and China to right an analysis about the relative merits of dual citizenship in the context of SriLanka and with particular reference to Rajapakse brothers ? Even if you ask him , I doubt he could write an unbiased analysis because his political science PhD is an inferior one like the degree baby Namal holds.
Antany Peter, have you ever watched Joe Abeywickrama’s movies ? If my memory serves well I think in one of his movies he says ” Honthata Honthai,Narakata Narakai”.
Unfortunately both DJ & you are narakata honthai.
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Plato. / May 7, 2017
]immy.
Is there a remote possibility of getting back the monies robbed by the Rajapakse clan?
The issue here is not Sinhala-Tamil but a question of robbery!
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Banda / May 9, 2017
Have you heard the Central Bank ‘bond scam’? No?
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ED / May 8, 2017
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gamini / May 8, 2017
How is he supporting family in America without having a job and previous small salary as MP?
Who now owns mansion and land bought with stolen funds not his?
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Banda / May 12, 2017
Without raising wild cards would you mind listing all those Basil’s properties in the US so that FCID can file embezzlement and etc. charges and recover the stolen money with the help of FBI CIA etc. Don’t miss that US$ 3 billion in a Dubai Bank that minister Rajitha found and the 18 billion Mongal minister said
he found.
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Wera / May 8, 2017
This man’s and his wife now lives in the States and off an on in Sri Lanka without exerting any effort to earn a living. Not bad for an uneducated mutt who first went to the US on a tourist visa and paid for his living expenses on his brother’s credit card which was then reimbursed by his brothers ministry. How he got a green Card is also very suspicious and makes me wonder if the green card lottery program is rigged and open to bribes. As for his claim of getting the highest votes from Gampaha how stupid those people must feel for voting for such a scoundrel. He also claimed that almost the entire population of Sri Lanka attended his May day rally. Delusions of Grandeur never cease for this scoundrel family. LOCK THEM UP Mr Sirisena. Time to pull you finger out and get on with it instead of surrounding yourself with the former sycophants who servilely delivered on every single fancy of the scoundrel family. LOCK THEM UP!
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Banda / May 12, 2017
Are you asking ‘educated’ Sirisena? eh.
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Perera / May 8, 2017
whatever happened to my comment about asking basil to p£££ off to USA if he can not abide by the laws of this land.
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Bensen Berner / May 8, 2017
dear Basil, Why should you give up your lucrative US citizenship? This is one of the reasons why Trump became President. You can rob in Sri Lanka and get away in the US and vice versa. Bensen
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Upul / May 8, 2017
What can this guy offer to Sri Lanka, absolutely nothing, other than how to steal and make millions. I have no idea why people still go behind this mega fraudster. Sri Lanka will be a heaven for these uneducated, third class scam artists, until people rise against them and send them back to USA to work in 7-11 or drive a taxi rather than letting them hold ministerial positions in SL.
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Banda / May 9, 2017
You sound like an educated man. Have you guys voted for an educated man at the last presidential election? lol
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justice / May 9, 2017
This rogue, and all his family members, still have their supporters and voter-base at elections, still intact.
The big crowd at the Galle Face rally shows this.
This “Mr. Ten Percent”, his brother and all kinsmen have not yet been convicted of anything by the FCID or PRECIFAC.
This can happen only in in Sri Lanka.
Now, the president wants to re-shuffle the pack including the 94 who have not passed even the O Level !!
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Bandayya / May 12, 2017
So, you think Siriena who you voted as president is educated and all those who went to Gallface are uneducated? lol
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Mevan / May 9, 2017
Shame on the BBC to give any prominence to this rascal.
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shankar / May 13, 2017
“I Will Not Give Up My American Citizenship:”
i will also not give up my thick politician buffalo hide.
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