19 March, 2024

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Is Gota A Totem, Trumped Or A Trope? 

By Kumar David

Prof. Kuma David

A totem-pole or a totem is a cultural marker, an emblem or a symbol of a group or a tribe of people. To be trumped is to be thwarted or to be bested by your opponents. Trope is a less commonly used figurative term for a typical or emblematic example. Critics of the Gota-led Executive-Militaristic Regime (critics say the Mahinda-loyalist political side is less egregious) fault it for three cardinal offences – apart from lesser ones such as favours for corrupt immigrant buddies from the US, nepotistic appointment of clan members, cronies, in-laws and hangers-on, and for setting up politically biased presidential commissions. The three big ones are – even readers who deem the rebukes unjust cannot deny that they proliferate in the public domain.

1. The Gota clique is reviled as a vehicle of Sinhala-Buddhist ethno-religious inspiration.

2. He is accused of attempting to accumulate dictatorial or autocratic powers; his military buddies are suspected of harbouring a craving to foist a military state on Sri Lanka.

3. Both Mahinda and Gota kow-tow to Beijing imploring financial support and project financing.

Where does the balance sheet stand 15 months after the presidential election? At the start Gota danced around the ethno-religious totem-pole for electoral support and continued for a while after the elections. But neither Mahinda nor Gota, bogus games to gratify monks and fool voters aside, are deeply religious. Mahinda and his politicians, being shrewder than Gota and his brass, understood and responded quicker to the Muslim burial dispute. The latter slow of wit and imperfect of intellect needed an international prod to wake up. UNHRC Commissioner Bachelet’s harsh warning, the half-hearted pleas of the Muslim world and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s stern remarks in Geneva about human rights stifled the ethno-religious itch of Mahinda-Gota. Totem and dancer have reversed roles; now the regime is totem, monks and prejudice imbued petty-bourgeoisie the dancers. The change is subtle but significant; remember Mapitigama Buddy and Somarama.

Victor Ivan is confident, perhaps overconfident: “The political movement dominated by extremist Sinhala-Buddhists is now coming to an end. Its leaders and actors will lose recognition and inevitably will (be held) in contempt by the majority of Sinhala Buddhists. One ugly era is coming to an end”. (Financial Timed – SL – 26 Feb 2021; Edited for length). I am also at a loss to understand what’s behind the Cardinal’s tantrums – the PCI Report is said to have been tabled in Parliament – so the good prelate must be aware of its contents. 

On point (b) trumped, the second term in my title, is apposite. The rush to dictatorship has been challenged by stout opposition; public opinion, the press – even those editors of English newspapers and media outlets who once bummed Gota ardently – global antipathy to the Burmese coup, the fall-out in the UNHRC, the cockup the army has made of the pandemic and the tide of Muslim and Tamil domestic antipathy, have come together to push back the rush to authoritarianism. Trumped, least for now!

The consequences of (c) will be longer lasting than people appreciate. It’s not only that Sri Lanka is broke and sinking ever deeper into China’s pocket; the bigger problem is that there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Economic decline, indebtedness, and public anger at rising cost of living cannot be reversed. It is not Gota’s goose but all our collective geese that will be cooked. It is a trope in that Lanka will go down as a cliché and metaphor for predictable and perpetual indebtedness to China. Don’t blame the Chinese; if a supplicant comes begging to your gate what will you do? Pakistan and Sri Lanka are only too happy to dance to China’s fiddle; the former cares not a farthing for the persecution of Uygur Muslims nor does the latter care a stick of incense for Buddhists in Tibet. To these two and many others religion is a sucker’s game for ready coinage. 

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Latest comments

  • 35
    11

    The Sri Lankan government is moving towards a people revolution similar to. the French and the Libyan revolution. The inflation rate is high; In addition, the vindictive attitude of the government against the Tamil speaking people and also certain segment Singhalese who supports the Sajith’s party who are critical of actions taken by the government on many issues These are some of the factors that shows the government is not capable of managing the country. What can you expect from a military man who had no contacts with people other than knows to kill surrendered fighters Easter Sunday attack was a planned affair by Gota. There are some ministers who are also behind it, Now there is a crack in the family dynasty. More than everything UNHRC is well aware of the lying by the government. Indai is watching to see whther the Chinese dragon is going to swallow the country The worst thing is the government does not value the religious traditions of Muslims They are making things more complicated by trying to curry the corpses in the iland of Irrainitiu. This is a plan to bring a rift between Tamils and Mulsims; After doing these actions they calim the country is a Buddhist country. What a shame

    • 11
      23

      “Indai is watching to see whther the Chinese dragon is going to swallow the country”
      K, with you on the watch, India has nothing to worry
      *
      But think of the prospect of the Chinese dragon swallowing up India while you are obsessed with China gobbling up this potty little island!

      • 7
        27

        Be fair prof.
        .
        Can GR/MR satisfy all…..?
        .
        Does Biden/Harris satisfy all US citizens…..?
        Does Vladimir Putin satisfy all Russian citizens…..?
        Does Boris Johnson satisfy all British citizens…..?
        Does Angela Merkel satisfy all German citizens…..?
        .
        Don’t you know that Angela Dorothea Merkel is the Leader of the Germany’s ruling party “Christian” Democratic Union
        – Of course you are OK with “CHRISTIANITY” coming before Democracy in Germany.
        .
        And…..
        For you all…..
        When Biden/Harris appoint military figures for civil administration…..
        Ensign Pete Buttigieg as Secretary of Transportation…..
        General Lloyd Austin as Secretary of Defense
        – bypassing the required seven-year waiting period after leaving active-duty military…..
        Or…..
        Lieutenant John Kerry as Special Envoy For Climate….
        Its good governance and win for democracy……
        .
        What you all really wants is to hurt SL and it’s citizens at whatever the cost no matter what………

        • 10
          2

          We don’t want to hurt Sri Lanka of which we are part. If we are not satisfied with our representatives, then we shall say so.
          .
          It is true that the current government consists of our representatives – even if our votes did not help them to their present positions. Foolish people voted for them, despite our warnings.
          .
          Our business is not to punish, but we’ll be happier with these guys out of the reckoning.

        • 7
          1

          “What you all want is to hurt SL …”
          I suppose you include me in the “all”, Miss Pasqual.
          This is very, very unfair.

          • 1
            1

            I didn’t mean to interpret it that way……
            Sorry if it conveys a different massage.

          • 4
            0

            eeakdavi
            I suspect that you have got the gender of Pasqual wrong.
            An MCP started calling SC Pasqual Miss, and that has stuck I think.
            I will like Pasqual to set the record right.
            *
            I am glad that you have distanced yourself from those who wish to hurt the country. The view expressed is not far from the truth.
            As your comments on related matters have been mostly cheered by a category of people who wish the country ill, SCP perhaps got carried away.
            You could not have missed how in the early months of the pandemic, some wished that the number of infections and deaths were much larger– only to spite the government. They were proved wrong then, but later in the year the government truly screwed it up and is at a loss.
            Even the vaccine purchase policy is dictated by Geneva fears.

            • 3
              0

              SJ,
              .
              Thank you for correcting it.
              Thought I shouldn’t waste CT’s bandwidth for a personal matter.

            • 0
              2

              “I suspect that you have got the gender of Pasqual wrong. “

              Why?

              You meet Miss Pasqual at the payroll department or Pasqual is the king wears New Dress?

        • 0
          0

          This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.

          For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2

      • 8
        6

        China is a Buddhist country. Sri Lanka is a Buddhist country. India is the original Buddhist Country. SJ is a Buddhist. So, everyone and everything is swallowed by Lion lead Sri lanka.

        • 0
          0

          A
          Thank you for offering a me a sensible religious identity.
          But I prefer otherwise.
          *
          BTW, China a Buddhist country, really?
          ” China is the country with the largest population of Buddhists, approximately 244 million or 18.2% of its total population.
          They are mostly followers of Chinese schools of Mahayana, making this the largest body of Buddhist traditions.” (Wikipedia)
          Estimates for Japan vary from under 20% to around 67%, depending on definition.
          Shinto is the most popular faith system, but variously combines with other faiths like Buddhism.

      • 13
        4

        Ms SCP @ now we have mo doubt ur staple should be punnaku 😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎

    • 8
      31

      Kuviyam,
      Keep on dreaming!
      *****
      “…knows to kill surrendered fighters”

      This is a damn lie fabricated by Tamil Diaspora and racist separatist Vellala Tamil politicians to tarnish the image of Sinhala Buddhists and Sri Lanka Armed Forces who defeated LTTE Tamil terrorists. There are no credible evidences to support this except fabricated stories.
      11,872 LTTE Tamil terrorists who surrendered were pardoned, rehabilitated and released without filing charges. 594 Child soldiers who surrendered were handed over to their parents by Rajapakshe regime.
      Demalu who believe Gobble’s theory keep on telling the same lie again and again assuming that it will be accepted as truth.

      • 11
        20

        The Australians recently stripped the citizenships off ISIS fighters who came back to Australia, and sent them back to Syria.

        If some of these commenters on CT propose that we follow the western model of democracy because it’s ‘always correct’ – Should we then do the same with our rehabilitated LTTE fighters? Less of a threat to our security this way too right, following the logic of the Australians.

        Some of these commenters need to get a grip on their narrative of a ‘racist Sinhala state’ that they assume Sri Lanka to be.

      • 3
        19

        Tamilal sari PEETH sari, Indian Proverb “if you see TAMIL and COBRA kill TAMIL first”

        • 13
          2

          Disgusting, N. Perera.
          .
          I shall not allow my response to get lengthened to what it ought to be.

          • 4
            0

            CT what is most disgusting is your repeatedly allowing vile utterances that lead to more of the kind.
            Are you not interested in serious discussion at all?
            You will drive away many decent readers from sharing views.

            • 3
              0

              Yes SJ.
              ………..”Are you – CT – not interested in serious discussion at all?
              You will drive away many decent readers from sharing views…”
              I believe this is an echo from a comment of a reader who wished CT goodbye about end of last year citing the very strong bias of some and expressing it too strongly and repeatedly to serve no real purpose and CT condoning this.

        • 11
          3

          N. Perera “if you see TAMIL and COBRA kill TAMIL first”

          you wont see a Sinhala and Cobra together
          The cobra it self would have killed the Sinhala.

          • 2
            0

            R
            Do you need to sink to his level?

      • 8
        1

        EE,

        That is called stupidity.

        • 3
          1

          Stupid people cant see it . So what more talks would be necessary to see as to why ultra racist s like EE behaves. His would go down to the manner how it ended up with Anura Senanayaka aka key murder contact of Mahinda Rajapakshe family.😎😎😎😎😎😎😉😉😉😉

      • 4
        1

        Eagle ‘dumb nitwit’ Eye, few of the hardcore LTTE buggers are working for the Rajapaksas.

    • 5
      2

      Sinophobia is racism.

      No surprise.

    • 5
      14

      Mr. Kuviyam,
      .
      You idiots are telling lies from top to bottom.
      .
      1. What revolution…..?
      – It happened on last 4 elections against “Yahapalana” draconian setup who tried to avoid elections at any cost.
      .
      2. Inflation rate –
      – 2017 – 6.58%
      – 2020 – 4.67%
      .
      That is only in first 2 lines of your comment.
      .

      • 2
        1

        SCP
        Kuviyam means ‘focus’ in Tamil.
        I find him out of focus often
        His unswerving loyalty to India, however, is amazing.
        He is all out to save Mother India from the Chinese Dragon.
        All else is secondary.

    • 13
      2

      Dear Kuviyam,
      .
      They dont display facts about today’s ground situation. They go on printing money notes – so the inflation rate would go up as is the case in today s Angola.
      .
      It should be corrected as what can we expect from a millitary man who left the country for greener pastures and returned home being reborn, after long 15 years. However, countries stupid media institutions danced to their tune and made them real patriots in a land almost 9 out of 10 would go after KALIAMMA myths and astrology. The world was created so that Rajapakshes or the like could reap the harvest. Longer the people stay as if they would not know the abc of srilanken politics, better would be for Rajapakshes. That is what they called ” MAHINDA BALU CHINTHANAYA – Mahinda Doggy doctrine”: See today, on people s costs they live up their propensities without any shame, .. it is believed over 40% of the population in this country earn not even 5 dollars a day with almost anyhing and everything is expensive compared to Yahalapalanya years. Looking back, amidst various problems, Good governance govt was handling many things in a better manner. Not a single issue is handled by Rajapakshes better as of today.

    • 5
      0

      Gota is a trope (Example) for a Totem who got Trumped. The tribe has shrunk and now comprises the likes of the idiot commentators one sees on these forums. Most of the people who once voted for these liars now regret what they did. It has dawned on them finally that they voted into power the very masterminds behind the Easter Sunday Bombings. The firs thing that happened is denial out of disbelief at the consequences of their vote. Now it is regret followed by Anger. They are also beginning to realize how these douchbags and murders managed to pay Buddhist Extremists and Muslim extremists and get them to clash and waltz in as heroes to save the day. The whole Burial issue, the completely bungled COVID-19 issue that never seems to go anywhere but down the gutter are serious issues. They are Killing people. The hardship and misery is growing. Lets see where this ends up.

  • 14
    19

    If we are seeking financial assistance from China out of desperation why can’t India counter the Chinese by offering assistance in better terms?
    If the West is worried over us falling into the Chinese debt trap why can’t they give us loans at better rates to pay off the Chinese loans?
    In my case if the price of a Chinese product is same for the identical Indian product in quality I would buy the Indian product.
    After all India is our big brother.

    Soma

    • 9
      18

      S
      You may, but many Indians preferred Chinese goods (at least until the border skirmish). Wonder why.

    • 36
      5

      My dear Soma,

      The Rajapaksas buy Chinese products and services because they come with massive commissions. From the Norochchalai poeer plant, costing $1400 million, Mahinda pocketed $400 million. The Indians and the Japanese don’t pay commissions/bribes.

      • 3
        10

        “From … $1400 million, Mahinda pocketed $400 million.”
        *
        How do you know?
        That should make Basil very envious.

      • 12
        4

        Soma or the like ILK would never see it right. That is the reason srilanken move backward.
        :
        Let s be honest to us, if majority of srilanken would have been knowledgeable, would Rajapkashes ever be able to come back ?

        And I dont know a single person in that brutal family, who would be less criminal. Even that LADY, ,known to colombo circles as GOLD busicut Queen – Shiranthi was alleged to have involved in that POOR RUGBY player s day light murder. There were rumours if the woman was invited for an interogation round, she would have committed suicide. That was the reason, POLONNARUWA donkey to have blocked that happening then. That was how the donkey directly involved in CRIME investigations.

        Anura Senarnayaka the DIG is no more, but this lady and several others that may be complicit to that Jamal Khashogi like murder, will have to face it in this life…. we will be watching. Next will be MAHINDA rajapakshe – whose anything and everything look remain to be swollen today.

        JMO is also no longer alive. Srilanken judges would STAY play PIN PONG all alleged men would not have to leave their part of evidence, so that RAJAKSHSES would never be charged for any high crimes. This should finally be revealed to the GULLIBLE in this country.

    • 12
      3

      soman

      SJ types:
      “but many Indians preferred Chinese goods”

      Chinese goods are manufactured by capitalists, guided by capitalist ideology, motivated by profit, Chinese capitalists continue to exploit Chinese workers, sell their goods to proletarian and workers at a premium, for Chinese capitalists”It doesn’t matter whether a cat is black or white, as long as it catches mice.”…..

      Are you expecting Communists China to be charitable towards working class, I suppose you are like SJ living in your own imagined world, perhaps still reminiscing old Chinese magazines such as Kaiming Shaonian, (Enlightened Youth), tiny books Lianhuanhua, …… ?

    • 4
      3

      I suppose you are tone deaf and stupid all at the same time. Do you seriously think the any self respecting government or lending institution will loan money to a bunch of crooks who will pockets all or most of the money, hoodwink the lender, hood wink the populaiton of the country and when the whole economy crashes as it eventually will they will be left with loan defaults. Also,Your goons went around screaming western conspiracy and turned down assistance or have you got amnesia and cannot remember. I suppose it is useless telling you how these crooks got the BOC to lend money to an organization already in default. I suppose it is equally use less to point out that getting fraudulent loans and defaulting on them is a perk expected by these types of uneducated thugs.

  • 10
    15

    “Both Mahinda and Gota kow-tow to Beijing imploring financial support and project financing.”
    Perhaps.
    Did not India and the US implore acceptance of their own financial support and project financing?

    • 10
      6

      SJ,
      what matters is to what extent India and US implored acceptance of their project financing.

      Mara and Gota have no choice but to kow-tow because their previous deals have already betrayed this nation to the Chinese.

      To me, Rajakashes are not hearted leaders, they would ónly focusing their bags with the highest discounts they get. That is how they became untouchably wealthy since 2005.

      Yesterday on clear signs are there to see that 69 lacks of voters are making an U turn about Rajapakshe/capabilities.

      • 6
        4

        LM
        Do you really not know how much pressure successive government have been subjected by the US and India to get various agreements signed?
        Some of the biggest deals like H’tota harbour went to China as nobody else would help. I think that it was a good idea in the context of fast growing marine transport. (It was thought about years before China even dreamed of it B&R project.)
        *
        If there was betrayal, it was by RW government for making the land lease deal. I was glad that MR roundly condemned it.
        *
        The Port City was a follow up to a UNP idea which had no takers. It was not imposed by anyone. It was a bad idea from a Left and environmental perspective, but the business sector is happy.
        Do not let your prejudices lead to unsupported claims.
        Look closely at the details and study the overall picture to come to conclusions.
        When China was given the contract to build concrete houses for the displaced in the North, India through its proxies blocked it. It now objects to a properly granted power plant project.
        The US ambassador had expressed hostile views about China in various contexts.
        Who are the bullies?
        Hate China if that is how you feel, but be factual when you denounce.

  • 21
    4

    Have we got another two headed snake to rule our country again?
    It’s going to be disastrous to the entire country. It’s time for Gota to be surrounded by clear thinking qualified advisors. Not the kind of Prof G L Peiris or Security Personal. Gota needs to face the media -local & International on a regular basis. He should treat Tamils and Muslims as equal to Sinhala Buddhists

    • 6
      26

      Naman,
      What evidence you have to think that President Gotabhaya Rajapakshe is not treating Tamils and Muslims as equal to Sinhala Buddhists?

      “He should treat Tamils and Muslims as equal to Sinhala Buddhists”

      • 13
        3

        Eagle,
        “What evidence you have to think that President Gotabhaya Rajapakshe is not treating Tamils and Muslims as equal to Sinhala Buddhists?”
        For a start, you could come and live here instead of preaching from the West.

  • 11
    16

    “the former cares not a farthing for the persecution of Uygur Muslims nor does the latter care a stick of incense for Buddhists in Tibet.”
    Author, can you please elaborate on the persecution of Uighur Muslims and of Buddhists in Tibet.
    Are the ‘Hindu’ Nepalis happy with India? Is Bangladesh drifting slowly towards China?
    *
    You should know better than most about how China avoids meddling with the policy of any country.
    Imran Khan was expected to and once seen to take a firm stand on China. Why could not the US and India build on it? China needs not lift a finger when the US and India screw up their foreign relations with their knee jerk reactions.
    *
    Let us think of sorting out our problems here without recourse to meddling by outside elements.
    It requires organized work with a clear policy and programme, which the ‘gathering opposition’ is badly incapable of.

  • 10
    4

    India also not refusing to give money to srilanaka buy indian terms are different from that of CHINA.Srilanakan rulers who ever GOTHA,MAHINDA,OR BASIL Always agree for terms beneficial to them as persons and not to the country. Indian companies will not agree to 25% or 50% commission.this is the difference between CHINA AND INDIA.

    • 5
      17

      Paragon,
      The difference between China and India is China follows a policy of ‘Win-Win’ whereas India is following a policy of ‘We Win-You Lose’.

      “…this is the difference between CHINA AND INDIA”

      • 6
        2

        ………….a policy of ‘We Win-You Lose’.
        Exactly. That is business as usual.
        China & the R’s together WIN.
        We Sri Lankans LOSE.
        But then, in the MIG Deal and AIRBUS Deals, other countries equally shared the spoils. MCC SOFA all in favour of USA, a little to gain for SL. Except possibly Japan, all in it together. Finally it is “business is business” all round. No free lunches.

    • 4
      4

      50% commission and still a cheaper and better job!
      I wonder how they manage it.

  • 1
    0

    This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.

    For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2

  • 4
    11

    Guys this is a interesting News. Lankawe Health Department still has not approved China’s Jab. So India is selling that to Lankawe. India and WHO also donating that medicine to Lankawe. So China has got Cholera, diarrhea, throw up, stomach pain, heart attack……. . So it has attacked the Indian Seram Institute’s and Bharat Biotech’s computers. I do not think in future China has kill Indian border securities with Maze. India will soon kneel down like Lankawe in front of China. Indian companies are refusing to talk about it.
    Few days ago Mr. Modi bragged that India was exporting the injection to 70 countries and they are the Pharmacy of the World. In that condition if WHO says that China didn’t purposefully release a weapon grade germs, do you believe it. So then why is it trying to destroy Indian factories?

    • 10
      9

      Why are Tamil racists denying burial rights to COVID-19 dead Muslims???

      What happened to P2P?

      • 2
        2

        Muslims who live in Thamilzh areas can be buried in their local areas and no one objects to it but Chingkallam loving southern Thullukan dead should not be transported to Thamizh areas hundreds of miles from their homes, to be buried in areas, they have never lived or nothing to do with, just because racist Chingkallams like you now do not want them to be buried amongst the local Chingkallams. This is what the Thamizh are objecting to and do not deliberately distort. Chingkallams have started a strange type of ethnic cleansing on the Islamic dead. None of them to be buried in Chingkalla areas but all transported to Thamizh areas , even if they had nothing to do with these areas. This is exactly what King Senarath did 500 years ago, send all Thullukans who fled to the central Kandyan areas to the Thamizh east , as the Chingkallams did not want more and more of them coming to their areas , settling and outnumbering them. Trying again to deliberately create a rift between the Thamizh and Muslim Thamizh to advance your Chingkalla Poutha Fascism.

    • 6
      2

      Cogitating on all that is to be seen at 2.30 pm – still 15 comments on display – it looks as though Professor Kumar David’s article is an excellent summary of the dilemmas facing us.
      .
      For us who are in the country the uncertainties facing us are almost unbearable.

      • 5
        1

        Sinhala_Man: ” For us………uncertainties facing us are almost unbearable”. That is a “Good Sign”. All this while (for seven decades) people did not understand what “Uncertainties” are and how those must be “Solved”. They, instead “Opted” to look for “Hand Outs” to make ends meet. If the situation today is “Unbearable” in all respects (political, social, economical, Judicial aspects) I feel that a “Level Field” is in the offing for the PEOPLE to think “Independently” (get out of the cacoon of a “Slave”) and seek “FREEDOM” of their own choice and remembering: “Thama Hista Thama Athamaya Kawada Hari”. (Someday your hands are the covers for your own head).

        • 3
          1

          Amen, dear Simon.
          .
          The problem is that “we, the People” don’t always draw the correct conclusions despite all the evidence.
          .
          Although I try to be rational in what I say, I always include myself when critiquing the electorate. I never vote with the herd, but we’ve got to talk respectfully of “the common man”. Else all communication fails.
          .
          No, I’m not faulting you – and probably you’re not here in dear Sri Lanka. The fact is that it is very easy to evoke a knee-jerk reaction by bandying racism – or promising the moon.
          .
          When people realise that they’ve been “had” by some politicians, then they get cynical and stop trying to identify the decent fellows. The eternal problem with democracy, one might say. However, I’ve been a teacher, and I’m concerned with the growing inability of people to reason. COVID and Gota’s silly determination to expand University education may make things even worse; however, your analysis has some validity – thanks.

          • 3
            1

            Sinhala_Man: Thanks. I love to engage in a conversation with you. The trouble with our people is nothing but the “Cultural Geneology” that has been injected into for centuries by our own “Tribalism” (Kings, Adikarams, etc.) that made us “Subjective” to “Dictates” of those “Chieftains”. Even with the “Invasions” by, foreign “imperialists”, we continued with the same pattern of behavior (except those who fought and sacrificed their lives) that “Inherited” genes of “Worshiping” the “Elite” is continued to date. That is how a “Band” of “Families” and their “Cohorts” continue to rule the country. As of today, even with the spread of “Education”, our tendency to be “Slavish”( Unquestioning) has not disappeared, but it has got much worse because of the “Economic Dependency” that makes life hard to survive. This “Charasteric” nature of our people has been “EXPLOITED”, “USED” and “ABUSED” by these “FAMILY BANDITS” to be the “RULING CLAS”. For your information, I am very much in S/L. Cheers!

          • 0
            2

            My identity is known, but there’s also old codger who gives us wonderful insights but manages not to disclose who he is.
            .
            I’m thinking of those who make comments, rather than those who write articles. Go across here for a few one-liners worth a lot.
            .
            https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/polipto-2/comment-page-1/#comment-2381762
            .
            and before that
            .
            https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/polipto/
            .
            A few months earlier I had really pitched into the same author:
            .
            https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/the-pathology-of-ragging/
            .
            I think that I make far too many comments, but I know that not many have had the range of experience that I’ve had – not always by choice!

    • 6
      1

      @Mallaiyuran – I don’t knwo what is relevant to this article here. However, what you say in many words simply say “Data theft”. Its not China, all around the world most of the spy agencies doing that and private or govt sensitive data breaches not come to public space due to public anger and dire consequences. To name a few commercial use GPS subject to GNSS spoofing (Russia known for it) where most of the critical systems of a nation require time and GPS synchronization, Stuxnet worm target Iran nuclear program, etc. That doesn’t mean affected country necessarily kneel down to the attacker.

      • 2
        7

        What is your point Dayan?
        China was just only stealing some information from Defense Department Media Central computer (which they put up) and 50others in 2013 and CEB,s Grids -2016 and – 2020? Either do you say Lankawe did not surrender Colombo Pong Cing or Harbor to China in response to that attack? You say Lankawe is making its trade deal with India and America, interference free from China?
        2021 GNSS spoofing attack in Lankawe is not from Russia, but from China, period- no more talk on that!; it was not aimed at Data theft, it was an open warning to Royals government that what will happen if Lankawe co-sign another Resolution that would practically limit China’s Presence & interference in Lankawe. China is going to soon demand Lankawe to close the boarders for India and West so its spy installing can be secretive & safe. China is going to force Communist Denesh to get out of UNHRC because hanging with UNHRC is going to allow, sooner or later, Western researchers inside for war crime evidence collection. Lankawe immediately told India, even if it pays for three Inland projects, it Lankawe will borrow money and go with China, not for India.

        • 6
          1

          I simply say your assessment that “India will soon kneel down like Lankawe in front of China.” is totally incorrect. There is no reason for India to suffer like Lanka. Also Lanka soon suffer from debt burden from China that doesn’t mean it will kneel down immediately rather gradually. With the previous govt, relationship with China is all time low and more align towards western strategies. With the govt change it might happen again. Also for any country setting up the base in foreign soil difficult to hide its clandestine operations due to operational and access difficulties within and around that base. Further it depend on strategic partnership of countries such as Russia-China-Pakistan or US-India & its allies.

          • 3
            0

            Dayan
            “With the previous govt, relationship with China is all time low”
            *
            Even with that ‘all time low’ look at dealings with China between 2015 and 2019.
            *
            The Chinese are very patient in their dealings, and are not prone to knee jerk reactions.

      • 2
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        You seem to be misunderstanding the use of highly sophisticated GNSS Spoofing. It used only to warn somebody, without damaging his/her computer and not to create much hacking traffic created in the grids so unrelated others get scared too. When you try to enter into a computer it creates too much traffic. Other will note you and wonder what you are doing. If you aimlessly but successfully hack a DNS server, you can stir up many computers. But this is a sharp shooting method. This method issues a warning to one, without entering in to their computer.
        Stuxnet worm is cyber war activity against specific country. It too is control weapon. It doesn’t multiple like other viruses and destroy unintended computers. It cannot be described as sophisticated because Siemens worked on that, i.s hacking its own computers.

  • 7
    5

    Professor know it all aka SJ, I am living and working in India for past many years and none you said about India is factually correct. You could not get it correct with your own country and now you are predicting about your neighbors. China unconditionally pulled out its troops from disputed borders .Now both are back to their routine talks. Your Chinese President may visit India soon. Dragon swallowing India was just a bad dream of yours. Didn’t happen before your birth and will not even after.

    • 7
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      Back to form aren’t you?
      “Dragon swallowing India” was prompted by a not very clever comment.
      I promise that I will not try to teach you satire and upset poor you..

  • 7
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    Malia, you are right. There are rumors that China tried hacking the Grid and few other vital centers. But none confirmed. Serum continues to deliver for patent company where supply is limited because of numbers. They just delivered to Canada and others who had signed contracts. Where as India’s own Biontec did not complete the final trials hence the medical people are sceptical too. However the govt has sanctioned and quite a large uncovered population started receiving it.

    • 7
      5

      Birds of a feather!

      • 3
        6

        Why the Birds are flocking? Are you missing Chiv’s Thavani to hide.

        Chiv, can you please sooth this cry baby, otherwise the skunks follow people.

        • 5
          1

          “Chiv’s Thavani “
          I did not know until this day that Chiv is a young female!
          *
          What great things do people learn from this bottomless well of you know what.

  • 4
    3

    “The rush to dictatorship has been challenged by stout opposition…”

    I don’t think democracy (at least the Western variant) is possible in Asian countries. There is some kind of patriarchal (South Asia) or Confucian (East Asia) or monarchical tradition that values the aspirations of greater society over the needs of the individual. Within either context, the common people look to a strongman (who Westerners label a dictator) for support. That is why Singapore has largely been ruled by the same family and North Korea and China were easily swayed by Marxism, even though the same Marxism is long dead in the West. Also, keep in mind that Westminister system of the British was used to divide and rule Sri Lanka by creating a class of sycophants who served in the civil service, while the colonial power plundered the national resources.
    It is true that Sri Lanka is in debt to China, but Sri Lanka is not the only one. What about the USA, who do you think owns much of their $27 trillion USD national debt? Yes, one of them is China. That is why Trump did not penalize China for COVID-19.

  • 4
    3

    Evil, HK people too thought it was a dream which came true at last. DJ 0608 I am not sure which planet you are from but people are living in Lanka, since Independence are not assuming as you do.

  • 9
    9

    DJ, I think Australia should cut the dole for abled people like Laksiri, who should be doing at least doing community/voluntary work for all that benefits he has been receiving for years. Don’t you think so??

    • 12
      6

      C
      This very personal and nasty.

      • 4
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        I think Education department should do that for you too.

  • 5
    2

    This article has come on “last night” – sometime during the early hours of the morning. Now it is 11.00 am. already fifteen comments – that must have come on about dawn – 6.00 am.
    .
    How anymore have been submitted, I don’t know, but when there doesn’t seem to be much purpose in writing, people just don’t respond – usually. That they have done so is testimony to the fact that many have seen the despair in the article as reflecting what we all see.
    .
    A quick visit to the “Archives” on this page confirms that this article and the one “defending” the government position would have come on almost simultaneously, but with Prof. Laksiris’s article being the last. Three comments there – all rejecting the premisses there.
    .
    https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/allow-assist-cooperate-with-developing-countries-to-resolve-problems/
    .
    Clearly, “all our collective geese . . . will be cooked”.

  • 7
    3

    Nandasena belongs to archetype Sinhala Buddhist philosophers who are zealots of the principle; hitting two birds with one stone like making merit while filling the stomach as they say lets pray and make merit at the Dambulla Temple and then slaughter a wild boar for dinner. They steal billions and give few thousands to build shrines to keep the Gods happy.

  • 2
    3

    Gota eliminated the LTTE terrorist he will bring prosperity to Sri Lanka. Make Sri Lanka Great again.

  • 4
    2

    Gota is nothing but a killer and a rogue.

    • 1
      1

      Dear TFTN:
      Gota himself has claimed just that. Very recently too.

  • 3
    4

    SJ, you mean to say Laksiri is mentally disable and qualifies for welfare benefits. What else can be nasty than an individual sucking on welfare /healthcare benefits like a leech, in a foreign country and keeps spreading hatred and discriminating information among Lankans. You need to advise Laksiri and not me, unless you too are of the same kind.By the way there is great news for you. I hear Russian sputnik will be available in Lanka soon for emergency (?? ). Only case study they did on Navalny shows it is highly effective against all viruses.

    • 4
      2

      Read what you wrote.
      “DJ, I think Australia should cut the dole for abled people like Laksiri, who should be doing at least doing community/voluntary work for all that benefits he has been receiving for years.”
      *
      Yours is not a civilized comment.
      People receive benefits that they are legally eligible for, and Australia has strict rules about misuse of welfare.

      • 2
        5

        People receive benefits that they are legally eligible
        Legal eligibility is the point Chiv is talking; don’t be a cry baby constantly.
        Australia has strict rules about misuse of welfare Who said you that?
        Canadian Welfare is half the Australian:American Welfare is half the Canadian. Have you made up your mind to spend money on google and learned to use it too?

      • 3
        5

        SJ, answering to your comment from Lakdiri,s latest bluff. There is no racist or fascist worser than Lankans. It’s we who had 30 years of civil war and two insurgencies. I do not need any referrals to raise my blood pressure. People who are in denial may need your help.

        • 4
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          C
          My comment is not about LF’s views.
          I objected to a comment that was in very bad taste .
          If you cannot understand it, let it be.
          There is matching company for you.

          • 2
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            “There is matching company for you “. So you are hanging here because this is paramilitaries’ camp? So what is good taste? digging stupidity from bottomless cesspool?

    • 3
      5

      I hear Russian sputnik will be available in Lanka soon for emergency
      Chiv,
      Only 40% of the Russians agree to take Sputnik. China’s one is allowed in only three countries verses India says it is supplying to 70 countries. Out of the three countries, Singapore is only an advanced country. It say it can’t wait until somebody come ready to sell fully tested versions, because in that long time it will have lost its tourist industry. That is communist medicine. Comparing with that, Wildlife Sanctuary’s Dhammika Paani is more worth.

  • 3
    4

    Today more than 35 protesters in Myanmar were shot dead by the junta. Our Lankans have to get out and protest against Sircular’s junta to know whether it will be same or worse. Lets wait, it will not take too long to know the answer.

    • 3
      6

      Chiv,
      .
      The kind of extrajudicial killings would be inevitable in SL 2022, 2023 and 2024. This is the reason why I then predicted that human flesh and bones would be super market consumer meat once Rajapkshes are back to power. With pressure being excercised on them today, not having the brians to move forward, Gota will have no other option than follow Duterte or any other like minded men of his nature. Wait and see. This is no good news for the people, but that will be the reality for sure.

  • 2
    6

    Prof know it all could you provide me with your code on civilized / parliamentary / diplomatic hypocritical / and a honest opinion.How did you come to the conclusion a guy who writes hundreds of bluff in a span of weeks is eligible for such welfare benefits.

    • 4
      1

      Stick to the theme and do not draw red herrings.

      • 1
        3

        My comment is not about LF’s views.
        Could you return back to author’s topic rather than distracting all?

  • 2
    5

    Prof KIA, it is hard working people who pay tax, so that Laksiri can claim easy money, keep free loading and continue to screwing his countrymen. I understand in Lanka it is well accepted and the governments promote such culture. Are you one of them ??? if not please keep your advise to your self.

    • 4
      1

      You resort to personal abuse when you have no defence.
      Pathetic!

  • 2
    4

    SJ , people who pay tax will feel the pain. I am supposedly eligible to receive benefits after 65 because I have paid my dues for years by way of tax and other reductions. What I said above is Fact. It is you who is in haste to pick on others and when cannot defend tend to hide by putting the other on some kind of guilt trip. When Laksiri him self had not responded what was the hurry to give me your code and conduct lessons.

    • 4
      1

      Produce facts pertinent to persons you were picking on.
      Who do you think you are for anyone respond to your false allegations?
      You made serious allegations and now go at a tangent to duck substantiating them.
      *
      I will not waste further time on this charade

      • 1
        2

        Get over it Prof KIA. You may be so naive not to know the purpose of Rusiri. Laksiri and Rajiva ((killed him self) who are not here to give opinion but doing propaganda for current government , for personal gains.By doing so they distort facts and lie to public. They want to make CT another mouth piece like Daily fake news. ( Heard the chief propagandist died yesterday). You do not have a backbone to write a honest opinion of yours but glad to pick on others. I still remember Rajiva who blammed the Entire Muslim Community within days after Easter tragedy. His sole purpose was to create hatred and violence against them. When I confronted him right away he went on to personally abuse me instead of answering. Where were you then with your code and conduct. Prof do you know anyone who writes a comment and gives a thumbs up(not one but two). What will be the reason for doing so??

      • 0
        0

        Charade ?? Didn’t you the one say you disagree mostly with David, Philip and few others who atleast strive to be impartial and not do propaganda here. ( does it mean the word ‘ J ” ). Write an article or a honest opinion instead of picking on few who you think are soft targets. I have no issues in apologizing if I owe one ( not because of demands) which I had done a few times. Have you ?? Isn’t know it all is appropriate.

        • 0
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          Prof, Last but not least, read your own comments again and again to know what is personal abuse ??? ( playing doctor diagnosing readers with dysentery, mental imbalance, personality disorders , even autism) . Recently you just repeated what Jaffna citizen said on convocation, after picking on him. Then you wonder why Tamils as a community couldn’t make any progress with their struggles.

  • 0
    0

    Lankas own statics. Among 175 countries Lanka is in bottom 25 for economic and investment viable nations. One of the reason, less than 10 % are covered by taxation. To make things worse Mr.Sircular decided to give reduction for richest most for financing him.
    .

  • 0
    0

    Lankas own statics?

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