By Shyamon Jayasinghe –
Shyamon Jayasinghe
Has President Sirisena woken up from his slumber and shown up ticker at last? He has unequivocally made a statement that he will bring before the law all those suspected of violations of human rights not connected to national security. We are jubilant over the following story appearing in The Ceylon Daily News of Thursday, 30/3/17:
“President Maithripala Sirisena said today he was not prepared to make any war hero a suspect in the charges leveled against the armed forces and the government on the alleged violations of human rights during the war against terrorism.
However, he said he was unable to protect those found guilty of acts not connected to national security and those guilty of killing media persons or sportsmen. He made this statement at the opening of the newly constructed three-storeyed building at the Defence Services School in Kurunegala today.”
What is important is that President Sirisena has specifically mentioned the killing of media personnel and sports persons. This is an obvious reference to the brutal murders of Sunday Leader Editor, Lasantha Wickrematunge and ruggerite Thajudeen.
These two murders stand out today in very high profile not only because of the personalities involved. Lasantha was a prominent and outspoken editor of a mainstream newspaper. Thajudeen wasn’t anywhere near that kind of an elevated public personality. What listed these two murders in the priority list of public attention were reasons other than the high profility. In Lasantha’s case, he had evidently been strongly persona non grata with both the former President, Mahinda Rajapaksa and his powerful brother, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who had been none less than the Defence Secretary officially and ‘Minister’ of Defence in virtual reality. The murder occurred upon the heels of the newspaper’s investigation report about the purchase of MiG planes made by the Defence Ministry. That was a very big deal by any standards and Lasantha’s report suggested that Gotabaya had been behind a racket. Apparently, there had been a verbal altercation between Lasantha and both the brothers where foul words had poured forth. Secondly, it has now been revealed that there had been an apparent over-up in the nature of attributing Lasantha’s death to gunshots. On the other hand, current postmortem investigations on the exhumed body have clearly indicated that Lasantha had been stabbed brutally on his head several times.
Thajudeen’s murder derives special public attention because, according to story, he had incurred the wrath of the former President’s siblings. In a situation like this immediate public sympathy is drawn toward a perceived injustice done by the high and mighty of political power. In addition, Thajudeen was an innocent and friendly guy with a small kid in hand. The public’s sense of foul play got intensified. Again, current post-mortem investigations have unveiled that the murder of the young man had been carefully covered up after dismissing it as a case of motor accident. Courts gave the order that it had, in fact, been a murder.
In both these cases what is clear is that the Defence Ministry evinced little motivation to pursue action. I remember Gotabaya going before BBC and angrily suggesting, upon questioning, that Lasantha could have been killed by “one of the numerous” enemies he had made. There it all ended. The President and the virtual Minister of Defence should have thought it their responsibility to treat this case seriously as it had been the murder of one of Sri Lanka’s leading newspaper editors that would attract world attention. Particularly, they should have realised that they would get implicated if care and caution hadn’t been exercised. But, then, they were ensconced in power with such apparent safety that it appeared they would never fall.
Why bother? This is the central problem of power that Lord Acton famously enunciated as a behavioural principle when he said that, “power corrupts; and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” It is now a cliched truth.
It is poor imagination not to suspect that the President and Gotabaya were unaware of the background to both major assassinations. This is not to mention the covering up that had been done in both instances. On a minimum, Gotabaya, being in charge of law and order and police, should have made it his prime duty to pursue both these murders until the perpetrators were caught. On the other hand, by bringing into the Defence Ministry as supervising MP for Defence a man like the jailbird Duminda, then suspected of murder and drug-dealing, both the President and brother Gotabaya demonstrated an appalling and outrageous callousness over responsibilities for the subject of law and order. Pardon me, former Excellency, for uttering this unpalatable truth. When you behave like that we say like this.
The Acton’s behavioural theory is correct and it tells the world about the necessity of avoiding power sans checks and balances. It also explains the central fault line of the constitutional position of an Executive Presidency. Although the US President is restricted by checks and balances to a significant extent still we witness how Donald Trump is playing ducks and drakes. Trump has recently appointed his son-in-law to a powerfully created position of overseeing others of the executive.
Persons in politics, anywhere in the world, would try to live on the largesse of funds provided by taxpayers. Today’s Herald Sun, Australia, gives the recent story of Australia’s former Foreign Minister Brownwyn Bishop (according to report) rorting public funds in this way over foreign and local travel. Detail statistics are given. Australians are lucky to have a free Press like this and to have journalists who aren’t afraid to expose. These are part of the total system of checks and balances available in Australia and the whole Western political system. I believe, this is what we expect ‘yahapalanaya,’ to achieve in Sri Lanka. Right now, our MPs loot the public largesse or treasury-buying and selling luxury car permits and engaging in all manner of questionable deals. Those in power will rob and sort at will if they can find the loophole.
In the Sri Lanka part of the world, politicians typically go beyond financial crimes and abuse They will murder their opponents if the opening was there.
Catching the culprits and bringing them to law without fear or fervour is what President Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinge had publicly promised. If offenders are let off the hook it would all be open sesame for any future offenders. Hence, President Sirisena must carry out his declared intention to bring to account the perpetrators of crime under the previous regime-whoever they may have been. The above mentioned two illustrations of major crime had nothing to do with national security and nothing to do with the war. One cannot use the ‘war hero,’ slogan to protect such offenders.
Let’s hope, therefore, that our President’s above expressed intention is a serious one and that it signals a hope for the movement of good governance. The Sri Lankan public have had enough of despair about the slow progress of investigations.
*The writer can be contacted at sjturaus@optusnet.com.au
K A Sumanasekera / March 31, 2017
Shamon’s idol Sr Ranil stated in Parliament that the Six Star General killed Lasantha.
What more proof does the Yahapalana Sira needs to prosecute.
Yahaplana Police Chief who was hand picked by Dr Ranil through the PC of course, has prosecuted even Buddhist Monks.
They even exhumed Thajudeen’s body, as I understand.
Dr Ranil has spent Millions of Tax payer money on O/T for his UNP Police.
Where are the goods?.
I don’t think Sira’s Ticker can do better than Dr Ranil’s .
The way the great majority inhabitant population are suffering today because of high prices of basic essentials and lack of jobs , both don’t seem to have Tickers.
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janaka / March 31, 2017
You see any white vans and people being abducted on the orders of the uneducated uncultured filth?
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Curious George / March 31, 2017
1. If the writer had mentioned at least a single sentence about the Central Bank bond scam, the content of this article could have been worthy of attention.
2. The writer conveniently forgets the thousand and one corruption cases leveled against the Sirisena-Wickremansinghe government and tries to praise Prez Sirisena having written a series of eulogies about PM Wickremasinghe and his Yahapalanaya for the last two years.
3. He writes: “Those in power will rob and sort at will if they can find the loophole.” He should have elaborated the point as follows: …… and the recent Central Bank bond scam is an excellent example of how those in power rob and sort at will if and when they find a loophole!
4. The writer should not forget the fact that it was none other than PM Wickremasinghe who accused Sarath Fonseka in Parliamanet of the killing of Lasantha Wickrematunga.
5. I would like to bring to the readers’ attention that CT has published an editorial, titled: “Killing Lasantha And Attacking Journos: Was It Gota Or Fonny Or Both?” For us CT readers, this story has two sides and implicating one party only would not help us make a fair judgment at all.
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Douglas / March 31, 2017
By the time President wakes up the “PERAHERA” (Procession) has passed the critical land mark. He is no more and would not be able to recover. His “PUROHITHAYAS” ( Advisors) are too late and put him trouble knowingly and purposely. Now it is all correct for us to call him “AYIYO SRISENA” and give a “Panksukule” and “Mathakawastrae”.
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AVB / March 31, 2017
Shyamon thinks “Australians are lucky to have a free Press”… West is LUCKY to have check and balances in their political system. According to Shyamon, East or particularly SL should be unlucky.. What kind of logic is this!!
I don’t remember 1971, but I have seen and remember how Gov “Ranaviruwo”, “Goni Billas” murdered tens of thousands of poorer class (suspected) civilians in 1988~89. I remember seeing 10 beheaded young people in a roundabout near Peradeniya university by Gov “Ranavirowo” in early 1989.. People paraded there to see the dead bodies like seeing “Vesak Thoran”… General public made believe those killing were the right way to stop Sinhalese terrorist, JVP. We saw how our civilian “Ranavirowo” burnt thousands of houses and murdered thousands of brother civilians by blunt house knives (“Manna Pihiyas” ), some burnt alive. I do not want to assume what might have happened in NE from 1970s….
And we general public accepted all those atrocities , because we are “UnLucky” (not foolish??) , not like Lucky like West.
Now Shyamon forgets all these atrocities and going after Gotabhaya and his killings of Middle Class Sinhalese Journalists, not a bad cause at all!! .. Good on you!!
Considering the killing instincts we general public (& SB monks) have in our roots, Gota will be the most suitable and democratically preferable leader in “Lokenma Uthum Rata”.. In 2020, more than 70% of SBs will vote for Gota, 70~80% of Tamils/Muslims may vote against Gota, then ultimately Gota will get 60~65% total votes.. this will happen because SL people are UnLucky, not because of our ignorance..
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gamini / March 31, 2017
The fake lawyer and navy officer could not tackle the big Thajudeen so called in uncle psycho and his killers who bungled the operation by placing the rugby player in the passenger seat, Lasantha killing before testifying in court on crooked MIG deal kicked up a stink world wide so the bunglers beat up supporting editor, the tiger explosive discovery where the bunglers wrapped them in Sinhala newspaper ,the suicide bombing bungled by taking gas mask in bomb proof BMW,helping Hambantota theft not in Sri Lankan bank but British bank not in government account or prime minister account but account of prime minister sister bound to raise suspicion and bank employee to alert Lasantha exposure and death sentence by the bunglers?
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Amarasiri / March 31, 2017
Shyamon Jayasinghe
RE:Is President Sirisena Showing Ticker?
1. “He has unequivocally made a statement that he will bring before the law all those suspected of violations of human rights not connected to national security. We are jubilant over the following story appearing in The Ceylon Daily News of Thursday, 30/3/17:”
Is President Sirisena peeing in his pants?
What other statements has he made so far?
2. “However, he said he was unable to protect those found guilty of acts not connected to national security and those guilty of killing media persons or sportsmen. “
Well well, some of the suspects were “War Heroes” as well? They were merely extending their killing skills, to appease Mahinda Rajapaksa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Can a War hero kill based on “national security”, and then kill based in “personal security”, “power security” or “ego security” ?
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Amarasiri / March 31, 2017
Shyamon Jayasinghe
“Killing Lasantha And Attacking Journos: Was It Gota Or Fonny Or Both?”
Who are the others in the Team?
How many “War Heroes”. How many “Bribery and Occupation Heroes”?
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/killing-lasantha-and-attacking-journos-was-it-gota-or-fonny-or-both/
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soma / March 31, 2017
Mr Shymon, along with many other participants in CT you too stand accused of hiding your X source of information. If you divulge what you know and your source it is very easy to crack these cases.
For example Mangala Samaraweera says Rajapaksha has $18 Billion in foreign accounts, not 17 billion or 19 billion. Isn’t his paramount duty as a responsible minister to corporate with the authorities by divulging his source of information?
Incidently, Lasantha Wickramasinghe’s family members should be able to shed some light on whether the body carried gunshot wounds or knife cuts. You don’t need a PHD in forensic medicine to notice that.
Soma
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Wera / March 31, 2017
Gotabaya Rajapakshe’s association with murder goes a long way back to the days he was in the active military serving in Matale during the JVP insurrection. Mass graves were eventually unearthed but the investigation died out as many others did during the time of El Presidente. Some one needs to write a book connecting the dots about this maniac who publicly threatned to kill Frederica Janze and got away with it. While the RW and Sirisena remain silent and do not speak out condemning this man he struts around putting himself out there as a potential candidate for public office ably supported by a retinue of idiots including Sri Lankans living in Australia. The murder weapon used in the Lasantha Wickremathunga murder was described very well in the Sunday Leader itself immediately after his murder. It was a air rifle that fired a metal projectile which could be retracted hence the missing bullet or gun power residue. There were only a few sources that were known to posses such a weapon at the time and these sources were also named.
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Patriot / March 31, 2017
Dude your hate has no end. Even the diaspora criminals paying the government to put Mahinda and Gota behind bar. It is not going to happen simply because hatred consumes thyself not others.
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Amarasiri / March 31, 2017
Shyamon Jayasinghe
“It is poor imagination not to suspect that the President and Gotabaya were unaware of the background to both major assassinations. This is not to mention the covering up that had been done in both instances. On a minimum, Gotabaya, being in charge of law and order and police, should have made it his prime duty to pursue both these murders until the perpetrators were caught. On the other hand, by bringing into the Defence Ministry as supervising MP for Defence a man like the jailbird Duminda, then suspected of murder and drug-dealing, both the President and brother Gotabaya demonstrated an appalling and outrageous callousness over responsibilities for the subject of law and order. Pardon me, former Excellency, for uttering this unpalatable truth. When you behave like that we say like this.”
More victims, more widows.
Missing Journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda’s wife Sandya Eknaligoda receives 2017 SECRETARY OF STATE’S INTERNATIONAL WOMEN OF COURAGE AWARD from Melania Trump
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old codger / March 31, 2017
“Detail statistics are given. Australians are lucky to have a free Press like this and to have journalists who aren’t afraid to expose. These are part of the total system of checks and balances available in Australia and the whole Western political system. I believe, this is what we expect ‘yahapalanaya,’ to achieve in Sri Lanka”
Instead, we have outfits like Sirasa going on agenda-driven witch-hunts and self-promotion drives, planting their political puppets in all parties and presenting them as “public opinion”. Wasantha Samarasingha, Azath Salley ,Susil Kindelpitiya, Namal Karunaratna come to mind.
Then we have Hiru and its kid-glove treatment of Duminda Silva.
We have the Sunday Times and its obvious filtering of opinion (unlike the Sunday Island). I don’t know much about the Sinhala/Tamil media, but I suppose they are not much different.
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Dinuk / March 31, 2017
Those arrested for Keith Noyers abduction have been released on bail!
Ranil and Sira are playing games with Criminals and the gullible Sri Lankan people, and have been protecting the Mahinda Jarapassa criminals..
The culture of impunity for financial crime and political corruption has magnified massively as the CB Bond Scam organized by Ranil. Ravi K etc shows.
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Amarasiri / March 31, 2017
Dinuk
“Those arrested for Keith Noyers abduction have been released on bail! “
Now they can travel to Australia and try yo kill him. Gota has enough stolen funds.
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Eagle Eye / March 31, 2017
“The Sri Lankan public have had enough of despair about the slow progress of investigations.”
Who are these ‘Sri Lankan public’ that you are talking about. Are they some guys sitting in Melbourne, Sydney, London, Toronto, Paris, New York and Colombo 7. Look, general public in Sri Lanka do not care rat ass for these investigations. There are people who even believe that guys like Lasantha, Ekneligoda, Noyahr were a threat to national security. You can have your perception and others can have a different view. Who is right and who is wrong is subjective. We the people who live in Sri Lanka have more important things to worry about. Taxes! Taxes! Taxes! Cost of living is sky rocketing. Guys in the underworld who disappeared during Rajapakse regime are playing havoc. Economy is going down the drain. Those who came to catch ‘Horu’ have turned to be ‘Kamba Horu’. So don’t come to talk on behalf of ‘Sri Lankan public’ while sitting in a ‘Greener Pasture’.
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Uthungan / March 31, 2017
in short the suthor’s concern is if as the saying goes “the taste of the pudding rests in the tasting of it”.
Will President My3 show the gumption to proof his mettle is the question now?
My fear is that there is no such precedent that exists that we can attribute to justify his utterances in similar cases to show that he is indeed a man of his word, if you remember what he told the mother of that 17 year old school girl Vidiya who was raped and killed in Punguthivu and in the case of the two Jaffna University students who were shot and killed by the police. Even in the case of Vidiya’s there was a police involment.
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Preethi Peiris / March 31, 2017
We cannot allow those who were involved in the murder of Lasantha, Thajudeen and Ekneliyagoda to get away. It would be a shame. I agree with the writer
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Uthungan / March 31, 2017
In short the suthor’s thinking is if as the saying goes “the taste of the pudding rests in the tasting of it”. Will President My3 show the gumption to proof his mettle is his concern now.
My fear is that there is no such precedent that exists that we can rely on to justify his utterances in similar cases to show that he is indeed a man of his word,
If one remembers what he told the mother of that 17 year old school girl Vidiya who was raped and killed in Punguthivu and what he did in the case of the two Jaffna University students who were shot and killed by the police when riding on a motor cycle.
In both the cases there was a police involvement.
In Vidiya’s, an alleged accused now in custody was allowed to escape to Colombo by the police.
In the case of the two students, the police officers were suspended from duty pending inquiry but with full pay.
In both there was no question of even a semblance of so called ‘national security’ involved.
It is doubtful if he has indeed waken up from his slumber to realise that he is trapped in a cul-de-sac of his own beliefs.
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Mohamed / March 31, 2017
“However, he said he was unable to protect those found guilty of acts not connected to national security and those guilty of killing media persons or sportsmen. He made this statement at the opening of the newly constructed three-storeyed building at the Defence Services School in Kurunegala today.”
The journalist seems to have bought the “boru show”. As the time nears, President’s attention seems to focus on vote-bank.
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Antihumbug / March 31, 2017
Eagle Eye if your Gota claims to have won the war why could he not have found the culprits who murdered Lasantha and Thajudeen? Answer me that. Did he need a Fonseka?
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Rajash / March 31, 2017
I am arresting Gota not for war crimes but for other crimes. – that is for Domestic consumption
I am arresting Gota for all crimes he committed.- That is for UNHCR consumption
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Native Lankan / March 31, 2017
Many in SL agree with the comments made by Eagle Eye: “There are people who even believe that guys like Lasantha, Ekneligoda, Noyahr were a threat to national security… Who is right and who is wrong is subjective. We the people who live in Sri Lanka have more important things to worry about. Taxes! Taxes! Taxes! Cost of living is sky rocketing. Guys in the underworld who disappeared during Rajapakse regime are playing havoc. (Some powerful ministers brought them back from Malaysia, and now protect them: you know how Angoda Lkka ran away by a smuggler’s boat a few days ago after murdering Samayan)! Economy is going down the drain. Those who came to catch ‘Horu’ have turned to be ‘Kamba Horu’. (RW is no longer considered Mr. Clean!) So don’t come to talk on behalf of ‘Sri Lankan public’ while sitting in a ‘Greener Pasture’.
Mr. Shymon Jaysinghe! You heard the reality? Can you hear from Melbourne, Australia? If you are not dumb and deaf (unfortunately due to natural aging) you should think of writing impartially instead of bragging your boss RW; it is time to understand the ground realities in Sri Lanka, and it is good for all who write from greener pastures!
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Plato. / March 31, 2017
President Sirisena,as Head of State,is telling the World that no action will be taken against any member of the Security forces[He calls them War-Heroes] even if they killed and Raped innocent civilians since this was a War against Terrorism!
This is precisely the stand taken by MaRa and GoRa!
Sirisena was elected and MaRa booted out by the Tamil vote to redeem the atrocities committed against the non-combatant Tamils!
His comments EQUATE ALL Tamils to the LTTE.
He is still in the mindset of a Grama Seveka Niladhari of the Polonnaruwa District!
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soma / April 1, 2017
Plato
I believe 99% Tamils are Ealamists, 99% Ealamists are LTTE supporters, 99% Muslims are Ealamists and 99% Sinhalese majoratarian minded.
Soma
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Dr Ransimala Vidurupola / April 1, 2017
Those in political office (whichever colour thy bear) should be shown firmly and squarely that they have no right to use their official powers for the murder of other citizens. Nobody has a right to the lives of another. Any and every citizen must be able to breathe freely and live freely without being subject to threat or violence by powers that be.
This is the basic right of a human being stated simply. It is also common sense.This is not a political issue but an HR issue and all human beings have to enjoy these rights. It is the precondition of a civilized society. One or two commentators don’t seem to understand this and they try to politicize this.It is no matter for politics. I agree that even if a war hero was responsible he must be dealt with without special pleading. Murderers, thieves, and rapists cannot be let free on some ground that they were war heroes.How could such knaves ever have been heroes?
The very relevant circumstances that this writer presents so eloquently do not keep Gota and MR beyond suspicion over the two deaths. There was also a charge that the former First Lady’s Four-wheel drive had been in the scene in the Thajudeen murder. Yes, I recall the BBC interview. Gota rode high as though he were the President himself. Other Ministers were scared of this fellow. Now, where is he?
I do not share the writer’s optimism that these offenders would be dealt with as there are deals going on.
But the writer must be commended. We have to speak our mind
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Karundasa Gamage / April 1, 2017
The worst-case scenario for Gotabhaya in the possible future is that (1)he took big commissions on the MIG purchase and shared with brother (2) did really nothing to win the war but stole the victory from Gen SF and the armed forces (3) he carried out a death squad under a special intelligence service (4) he ordered the killing of Lasantha, Ekneliyagoda and a few others (5)he cooperated with his Prez bro to drag SF into jail and clap a fake charge sheet on him and get a bogus court to have his jailing confirmed.(5) cooperated in the killing of the ruggerite Thajudeen.
If he is found guilty thereshould be no mercy shown to this rascal
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soma / April 1, 2017
KG
It is very easy to prove those charges if YOU corporate with the authorities by divulging your source.
Soma
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Subra / April 1, 2017
Looks like the UNP is turning against Sirisena.
President Sirisena, take note.
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Kalu Nangi / April 2, 2017
It is the other way round….! Prez Sira has a master plan to damage UNP reputation. He is putting that plan into opertaion with the help of Maharaja. Sirasa has started its smear campaign against UNP.
Prez Sira is no “knight in white armour”. He is trying to “pull the carpet” under UNP feet”.
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Prem / April 1, 2017
Got was going around ordering people here and there. Threatening them. Became too big for his size. He thought he had a right over the lives of others.
Now where is he? waiting till he is put into jail
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Migman / April 1, 2017
To Karundasa Gamage! I don’t know what kind of garbage you are throwing at CT readers! Do you think if there is an iota of evidence, wouldn’t this Yamapalana hyenas take Gota as their bite? The answer is even with Fonny’s backfiring statements they won’t be able to do it.
During the next Presidential election people will give the authority to Gota to keep all the MIGs (that he had purchased and used during the war against LTTE) as souvenirs for himself! I myself would try to convince the JO on this matter. Then there would not be any suspicion or court case about it! He finished the war; so let him have them as a memorable gift! (He could in turn hand them over to the war museum!)
I’m curious about your ‘karunka’ name! You don’t know how to write your fake Sinhala name!
Today there is a good article on ‘Divaina’ about Geneva fiasco played by your type of people! Please read it if you can read Sinhalese! Now everything is exposed!
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Plato. / April 1, 2017
Soma.
Your line….
…I believe 99% Tamils are Elamists,99% Tamils are LTTE supporters….etc.
Could we assume that based on your belief the GSN turned President has similar views?
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Thanga / April 1, 2017
The killings of Lasntha, the disappearance of Prageeth Ekneligoda, the stage managed murder of Wasim Thajudeen all happened with the knowledge of Mahinda Rajapaksa and Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. Both aided and abetted the killings. The disappearances of over 100 senior LTTE cadres after their surrender to the army on May 18, 2009 evening at Vadduvaakal and the shooting of over 300 LTTE cadres who surrendered to the army with white flags. More than 20 media personnel got killed during Mahinda Rajapaksa’s regime. Mahinda Rajapaksa reaped what he sowed during his rule. Nemeses caught up with him sooner than he expected. Yet both Mahinda and Gotabhaya have the temerity to announce they will contest the next presidential elections and get elected. President Sirisena says he will not protect those who killed media men and sportsmen. It is not enough to say it, he must do it. Similarly, he should put on trial those army/navy officers responsible for war crimes. There will be no reconciliation unless those accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity are punished. Unfortunately, President Sirisena is not speaking about the January 8th revolution lately. His promise he will not allow the country to go back to the dark era of Mahinda Rajapaksa must be put into practice. Meer words are not enough.
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Plato. / April 1, 2017
Thanga.
The problem with President Sirisena is that he is unable to shed those values that he carried with him when he ended up as Head of State due to fortuitous circumstances!
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