Sri Lanka marked another phenomenal low point in multilateral diplomacy by defending the appalling human rights record of one of the worst dictatorial regimes on the face of the earth.
Sri Lankan Ambassador to the UN in Geneva, C. A. Chandraprema made a statement at the human rights council defending North Korea, led by third generation dictator by Kim Jung-un. During an interactive dialogue after a Special Rapporteur presented a damning report on the appalling human rights situation in North Korea, Chandraprema who is himself an accused executioner allegedly involved in at least three assassinations of human rights lawyers, urged “All UN human rights mechanisms to engage in a genuine and constructive dialogue with the Democratic Peoples’ Republic of Korea based on mutual respect and cooperation.”
Chandraprema
A 2014 UN Commission of Inquiry found that the government of North Korea committed gross, systematic and widespread rights abuses, including extermination, murder, enslavement, torture, imprisonment, rape, forced abortions, and other sexual violence. North Korea operates secretive prison camps where perceived opponents of the government are sent to face torture, starvation and forced labour.
The shocking statement by Chandraprema comes the same week Sri Lanka became the first and only country in the world to recognize the military Junta Myanmar which staged a coup d’etat to unseat the democratically elected administration on February 1.
Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena formally invited the purported Foreign Minister of the military regime, U. Wunna Maung Lwin for a The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) meeting to be chaired by Sri Lanka.
No other government in BIMSTEC which also includes India, Bangladesh and Thailand have recognized the military regime in Myanmar. The formal invitation by the Foreign Minister – Sri Lanka’s top diplomat has granted recognition to what the rest of the world considers an illegitimate regime.
Meanwhile in Geneva, President Nandasena Rajapaka’s handpicked Ambassador has been aligning Sri Lanka with some of the worst human rights violators in history. Last week Colombo Telegraph reported how Candauda Chandraprema similarly defended Eritrea, a country that had openly supported the LTTE even facilitating 10 aircraft to be smuggled to the terrorists’ organization. Foreign Ministry sources confirmed to Colombo Telegraph that Secretary to the Ministry, Admiral Professor Jayanath Colombage has approved Chandraprema to defend the human rights records of some of the worst violators in the world including North Korea, Syria, Eritrea, Belarus and Nicaragua.
These actions however will most likely backfire on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council. The resolutions on North Korea at the UN General Assembly in New York and the Human Rights Council in Geneva are championed by Japan and the Republic of Korea (South Korea). These countries also happen to be two of Sri Lanka’s largest bilateral donors. Both South Korea and Japan are current members of the HRC which is due to vote on a resolution concerning Sri Lanka next week. Bangladesh, which too is a member of the council, will be concerned by Sri Lanka’s recognition of the military junta in Myanmar which it accuses of gross violations which may even tantamount to genocide of the Rohingya community. Nearly a million Rohingya refugees who were chased out of Myanmar since 2017 are looked after by Bangladesh.
A very senior diplomat with previous experience in the Geneva processes commented to Colombo Telegraph that the ‘the inexperienced and cavalier Colombage-Chandraprema combo have managed to drag Sri Lanka to the nadir of multilateral diplomacy and made it impossible even for our friends in the international arena to vote in our favour at the upcoming resolution.’
A resolution on the human rights situation in Sri Lanka is due to be taken up for a vote on either 22nd or 23rd of March. See video of Ambassador Chandraprema’s intervention on behalf of DPRK (North Korea) here (time stamp 47.40-48.25). (By Chinthika De Silva)
Professor ANI Ekanayaka / March 14, 2021
The despicable goodwill and support extended by Sri Lanka towards pariah states like North Korea and Myanmar all notorious for their injustice cruelty and monstrous human rights violations is an example of the old truism ” birds of a feather flock together” !!
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SJ / March 15, 2021
Prof. E
What about the pariah state that bombed North Korea to near destruction during 1950-53, and is preventing the reuniting of the South and North.
The US has created a crisis in N Korea by its prolonged regime of sanctions.
The interest in N Korea has nothing to do wit human rights but disarming N Korea of its only deterrent against attack by the US and its partners in warfare.
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Rumble 2021 / March 15, 2021
North Korea has no Roti Chennai/Teh tarik/Barber shops..but South is allowed for the workers.
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AYATHURAY RAJASINGAM / March 14, 2021
Birds of the same feather flock together.
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SJ / March 16, 2021
“Birds of the same feather flock together.”
AR, I see it in CT too.
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Ajith / March 14, 2021
Sri Lanka under Rajapaksa regime now confirms that they are leading towards the most human rights violating dictatorship group which includes Myanmar, North Corea, China and Pakistan.
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Eagle Eye / March 14, 2021
Ajith,
Several democratic countries who show that they are champions in promoting human rights in the world and want to bring resolutions to punish Sri Lanka and its Armed Forces that crushed LTTE Tamil terrorists who massacred Sinhalayo using suicide bombers, claymore bombs, multi-barrel guns and child soldiers committing war crimes and human rights violations had a cordial relationship with the fascist megalomaniac dictator of Eelam.
At the last stage, when they realized LTTE is doomed, they wanted to rescue the megalomaniac dictator and take him to a safe place. Height of hypocrisy!!!
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old codger / March 15, 2021
Eagle,
“Several democratic countries who show that they are champions in promoting human rights in the world …”
Why are you living in one of these countries then? Don’t you feel safe among Sinhalayo? Do you know something about Sinhalayo that we don’t?
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Jeeves / March 16, 2021
Never seen these green pasture seeking hypocrites living in or trying to emigrate to countries like Russia,China, North korea, Saudi Arabia or the likes and to preach from there. it is always the west or the countries that are liberal that these people gravitate to and are ungrateful to. including the people who emigrate from the middle east. maybe a lot of Asian countries had a political existence and higher moral standards millennia before the west. but now there can be no arguments or doubts about who is carrying the baton now.
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SJ / March 16, 2021
J
Russia, China and N Korea do not need cheap foreign labour. So immigration is minimal and generally not encouraged.
They treat foreign guests with a lot more respect and compassion than their Western counterparts.
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old codger / March 17, 2021
S.J
“Russia, China and N Korea do not need cheap foreign labour. “
A small correction. N.Korea does send labour to China and Russia.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-usa-russia-sanctions-idUSKBN1ZM2FD.
Vietnam used to send labour in the 80’s.
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SJ / March 17, 2021
OC
Agree.
But the ‘need’ is more political than economical; and in the context of the burden of sanctions on N Korea.
The N Koreans are not immigrants. They are like our labour force in the ME.
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Rumble 2021 / March 15, 2021
What was done in Jaffna by FP/TULF/Tamil Nadu is worse than any you mentioned…grateful for the GoSL to have saved the rest of the Tamils from these thugs and keep them in the parliament therefore is easy to monitor.
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Raj-UK / March 14, 2021
Seems SL is desperately seeking solidarity with ‘pariah’ states. An indication of planning to join the club soon, if not already?
The similarities are clear; military authority in civic governance, suppression of opposition, control of judiciary, oligarchy & state corruption, ‘fake news’ & state controlled media, ignorance of environmental issues, rise in poverty, etc etc, yet, the majority of citizens still seem to be in denial. Generations of suppression & brutality has made North Koreans blind & submissive & I don’t think there is leadership in SL to organise massive protests as in Myanmar, Thailand or Hong Kong. In any case, an uprising will be crushed swiftly with Chinese assistance if necessary. No surprise in the invitation to Myanmar for talks either. Obviously, there is much learn from each other.
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leelagemalli / March 14, 2021
Raj-UK,
.
may I ask you when you plan to travel back to SL ? This time it can cost us 7 lacks or more from Europe to Srilanka..do you have this information ?. I mean per person. we should all protest against Rajapakshes mafia net work. We should all stand against. Indians, Pakistanis and Bangaladeshis dont have such problems.
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Raj-UK / March 15, 2021
leelagemalli
I don’t intend to travel to SL in the foreseeable future. I always thought of returning to SL after retirement but that idea is now shelved, probably, permanently. My SL friends tell me I am a third class citizen in UK, which maybe, but I am no better in my own country, therefore, I can empathise with the minorities in SL.
I was into my first week of my annual holiday in SL when the curfew was imposed last year but within 2 days, my airline arranged for me to return to UK at no extra cost. Since then, I spent 10 days in the Greek Islands in September & if I was found to be infected, the Greek govt. would have borne my quarantine costs & testing. However, the UK govt. is now forcing quarantine in hotels near airports on travellers from 30 or so ‘red alert’ countries (SL not among them) at a cost of £1700 for 10 days. Maybe Boris J learnt that from SL. Many travel companies are offering good deals in anticipation of Europe opening up in the summer, so I have wide choice for my holiday. Despite a cheap holiday in SL due to the massive depreciation of the Rupee, many in developed countries are concerned about issues, such as, human rights & environmental sustainability. Even my builder, who was planning a holiday in SL later this year, has changed his mind now.
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SJ / March 17, 2021
Poor you.
That was when risk of infection was minimal, although some wished otherwise and worked hard to stir panic.
*
Nobody from those parts will miss a holiday in Sri Lanka because of the HR and environmental situation here.
They happily visited amid the war, as before and after, to pollute our beaches with plastics– that was despite calls to boycott by various activists and NGOs.
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leelagemalli / March 14, 2021
Birds of a feather flock together. By 2015, as we know Rajapakshes had only Swaziland and China.
:
Thanks to Good governance, Rajaakshes enjoy it as of today…. but how long would the international community respect the criminals is a numbered… I dont hear anyone in Europe talking any good about current govt. We attacked that SORYSENA on and on for his pathola style behaviours, but we also saw that european leaders respected SIRISENA-RW govt.for some good reasons.
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SJ / March 17, 2021
“…european leaders respected SIRISENA-RW govt.for some good reasons.”
May we know the ‘good reasons’?
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leelagemalli / March 17, 2021
I know your spectacles are given by the Chinese. You often behave as if you are appointed agent by the chinese. I am not given by them, nor am I servile to EUrope. But Rajaakshes made our nation life long debtors to the CHINESE. Their so called investments brought nothing to the nation, but brought much to their high criminal family making them untouchably wealthy.
–
why dont you look at what they have done to Pakistan, Nigeria, Angola, Maldives and not forgetting SRLANKA. Imran s recent visit to srilanka was not because he loves our country, but he has been struggling to get rid of their loans made to China. He just wanted to play down their situation and send a positive message to the world.
.
Advantages of GG rule looking back:
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1) Glyphosat (herbal biozide which cause UKKD in srilanka and many like minded countries in the world) ban in SL was made immediately SIRISENA-RW came to power. Germans and several powerful nations struggle for that for such a long time. Germans and other nations held TV forums, if srilanka could ban Glyphosat what obstacles we should have in Europe in that regard
.
2)Improvement of Human rights records high/ caused GSP plus to be gotten back
3) Fisheries ban was lifted
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leelagemalli / March 17, 2021
Apologies, my comment is to be continued.
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SJ / March 17, 2021
LM
You are the one that seems to have difficulty with reading, but that has nothing to do with eyesight or glasses.
I asked a simple question asking you to expand on “…european leaders respected SIRISENA-RW govt.for some good reasons.”
*
If you cannot answer it, ignore it. I did not insist on an answer.
Why do you need to go at a tangent analysing my character and thought.
I defend a lot of people and countries attacked out of prejudice.
I do not endorse pouring of irrational venom even on a criminal.
I will defend you as well if you are attacked unfairly.
Try to be civilized, if you can that is.
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SJ / March 16, 2021
R-UK
You may have heard this news story:
During a vigil organized in a London park on Saturday evening to pay tribute to Sarah Everard, kidnapped and murdered by a London Metropolitan Police officer, and protest violence against women police officers forcibly pinned mourners to the ground, handcuffed and took them away amid cries of “shame on you” and “let them go” from onlookers.
What is worse is the whitewashing of police conduct by media outlets including the BBC.
How will you classify this falsification of reality?
*
You rush to predict ” In any case, an uprising will be crushed swiftly with Chinese assistance if necessary.”
Will the Scotland Yard be a better substitute for suppressing uprisings?
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SJ / March 16, 2021
During a vigil organized in a London park on Saturday evening to pay tribute to Sarah Everard, kidnapped and murdered by a London Metropolitan Police officer, and protest violence against women, police officers forcibly pinned mourners to the ground, handcuffed and took them away amid cries of “shame on you” and “let them go” from onlookers.
(Correction: comma placed after women)
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Native Vedda / March 17, 2021
SJ types
–
“During a vigil organized in a London park on Saturday …………………………….handcuffed and took them away amid cries of “shame on you” and “let them go” from onlookers.”
–
The point SJ tries to make here is that this never happens in China.
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Eagle Eye / March 14, 2021
Sri Lanka has to face these harassments because of a blunder made by Sinhalayo giving asylum to a bunch of ungrateful ‘Para’ people.
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Captain Morgan / March 14, 2021
All the “Pariah States” in the world must band together and present a united front against the countries and UN bodies advocating human rights and other such nonsense. Sri Lanka is eminently qualified to assume leadership of such a grouping. This country must provide the initiative and make arrangements to form a prestigious club of countries led by dictators. Nandasena has all the requisite qualifications to be the Chairman of such a group. They can take various actions like imposing trade embargoes on countries that are critical of them and even abduct their leaders and heads of UN bodies for trial in a special court.
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SJ / March 15, 2021
CM
The US is the leading pariah state but has been immunized against all UN punishment.
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Jeeves / March 14, 2021
Srilanka has obviously joined the new ‘Axis’ countries in the making. she will not be doing this without the prompting of China which has her by her ‘balls’ (!) now.
Srilanka is just doing the initiation rites assignments that is required of it by the gang leader just as they do in the notorious crime families.
All originating from our keeping domestic wounds without healing for far too long. China has been welcomed by the new Buwanekabahu. it won’t be long before the international vultures land here. we have never learned from our colonial past. another cycle has started.
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chiv / March 15, 2021
Who said Lanka is not another North Korea. ??? Myanmar became another Lanka ( not the other way)
Days ago, Junta accused Aung of hiding 6 kg gold and half million of US dollars with no evidence whatsoever as reasons to suspend her recent election victory and place her back on house arrest.
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Dayan / March 15, 2021
I wonder China behind the sinister moves of government responses, actions and the timing. The series of actions and timing while UNHRC sessions taking place not something any government will even dreaming to do except SL. The Chinese strategy to alienate SL from Western and Indian influence something to blame for.
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SJ / March 15, 2021
D
It is the US strategy to wean SL from China that has badly backfired.
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Naman / March 15, 2021
The Tamils were prevented from voting Ranil W in the Presidential Election , thereby assuring Rajapaksha’s victory. This resulted in not only annihilation of LTTE but also for the Rajapakshas to have total control of the Island. This has brought worsening situation in SL in all fronts___economically; Freedom of expression; Judiciary; Human Rights, environment;
It is sad to see that we are following the footsteps of Myanmar[ Burma] which another so called BUDDHIST COUNTRY where minorities are targetted.
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SJ / March 15, 2021
N
Could you kindly tell us who ‘prevented [Tamils] from voting Ranil W in the Presidential Election’.
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SJ / March 15, 2021
Soon after the JVP insurrection the UNP falsely charged in parliament that North Korea was involved in the insurrection. The FP backed the UNP.
Mrs B fell for it and curtailed diplomatic relations. China too was targetted similarly. But, amid the cultural revolution, China promptly dissociated itself from the JVP and declared support for the government, much to the dismay of the UNP ad FP.
It took some months for N Korea to clear its name. But the damage done by the mischief makers had lasting impact.
That was a time when the North Korean economy was way ahead of the South’s. Investment in South Korea through FTZs was partly to boost S Korea’s flagging economy.
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Rumble 2021 / March 15, 2021
Dear SJ
Thank you for the clarity on the North Korean support for JVP..This is what we read in the news papers then..even in the Thinapathy government paper.
I always wanted to understand the JVP origins..is it totally and organically Sri Lankan or is their any other Nation involvement that we know of etc?
I was based in Ulsan, South Korea for a year few years back. TheKorean still teach all their children to grow up thinking there is no division. Very heathy indeed. They understand the geo political nature and mange life accordingly. One of the most hard working people I have ever seen….was so pleased to see a huge 12000+ Sri Lankans employed in the SHIP and Offshore platform building contracts…well organised & supported by our Government/Korean Embassy then in year mid 2011- mid 2012.
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SJ / March 16, 2021
JVP tried to befriend Cuba and China,but unsuccessfully.
Some translation work for the Noth Korean embassy was undertaken by Premlal Kumarasiri (formerly of the Left Communist Party led by Shan) who was doing assignments for the embassy found its way to Sinhala translators with JVP affinity.
Not much money was involved , but that was used to pin the insurrection on NK.
After NK clarified the matters raised, diplomatic relations were normalised.
Relations with South Korea got a boost after 1977.
It is the US that keeps the country divided.
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Rumble 2021 / March 17, 2021
SJ
How come not Russia? would have been the Natural choice as RW studied their and returned to start the insurgency?
Then another story he was befriended by the NK whilst in Russia??
What was the difference during the Cold War?? all the same side then the “communist block”?
Either way this fits in with the Cold War scenario of what happened in all the third world countries…divide and conquer by both parties who played games for control..the Warsaw and Nato then?
This is how all the kids in the third world found causes to fight with Armes supplied by both parties and destroyed their respective Nations. This is why the Non Aligned movement thrived so hard to get out of this lockdown by the superpowers then?
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SJ / March 17, 2021
RW was expelled from Russia.
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Rumble 2021 / March 18, 2021
Dear SJ
That makes sense as Soviet Union/India /SL had good relations then and am sure they would not jeopardise that for anything at that time.
Now I am clear on the NK story and how it was sorted out etc.
Is it save to say this was the RW venture of its own where he had successfully affected the University students and the rural kids at the same to participate in the insurgency. Wanted to have Marxist state just like no other place in Asia by a bunch of young kids??
Do you think the military would have just gave in/changed sides if it was not for India to save the day?
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Naman / March 15, 2021
SJ
The money handed over by a courier from Rajapakshas to LTTE did the job.
That money had stolen from the Tzunami relief fund
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SJ / March 16, 2021
N
Do not lie.
The money diverted from tsnami relief funds was returned months before the elections.
Sripathi Sooriyarachchi MP claimed possession of a video recording of the transaction, and threatened top present it in parliament. He died before he could in a car accident under questionable circumstances.
*
The point is that the LTTE collected a bribe to do a dirty job.
Until the bribe the LTTE did not talk of a boycott.
The New Democratic Marxist Leninist Party from the time of nominations took the stand that there was little choice between MR and RW.
The LTTE tried to persuade the NDMLP to issue a public statement calling for a boycott. The NDMLP refused to oblige.
The LTTE bullied people to prevent them from voting.
It was a disgrace.
*
The LTTE exposed its political bankruptcy by collecting a bribe.
Had it called for a boycott at the very outset, it would have been an honourable position.
The LTTE treated Tamils like cattle.
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chiv / March 16, 2021
Thanks to China , India,s forex reserves have grown larger than Russia to become 4th largest.
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SJ / March 16, 2021
Malle pol.
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SJ / March 17, 2021
Good News for China Bashers
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An open letter appealing to the intelligence services has been signed off by a number of lockdown sceptics including lawyers, human rights activists, and a former US Air Force general urging British and US spies to probe claims that China purposefully tricked the world into lockdown to trigger an economic crash.
Source:
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/13718024/china-trick-world-into-lockdown-open-letterr/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebarweb
*
It seems that the Chinese successfully created the illusion of a virus pandemic, which went everywhere but not outside Hebei in China.
China thus created a bogus need for lock downs and face masks suffocating the economy of other countries while China itself quickly lifted its restrictions to restore economic activity.
That is more convincing that the theory that COVID-19 was a Chinese manufacture.
*
China bashers of the world unite.
You have nothing to lose except the mask, sanitizer and vaccine jab (if you have not had it already).
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chiv / March 17, 2021
Malle pol/ Prof Knowaka it all aka SJ , just because you are ignorant dosent mean it is not true. (people who colse their eyes and call it dark). If Sara was kidnapped in Lanka or China you would not have even known it, to write here. When confronted your Chinese or Lankan President would have asked who is Sara. Now I believe there is two sides to every story because you the only has defended North Korea.
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chiv / March 17, 2021
Prof know it all aka SJ, there is a media called Reuters Business Edition where you can read about forex. For your information there is no free media in China other than Communist party version. U.S and other Western countries are accusing China of not providing real information and facts in the early stages. We also are well aware how China tried punishing whistle blowers and one among them a doctor later succumbed to illeness. We also know to develop a vaccine takes longer time, where as China claimed to have within 6 months from the onset. For a guy who thought there was no such pandemic just because it has not spread to Jaffna where he is residing these facts are difficult to comprehend. Now you are accusing of your ilk(of course there are people like you in every part of the world) for calling pandemic a bogus. There are Trump fanatics who will parott trump’s ramblings and they do not represent the whole country. Does Paniya Pavithra represent the whole country including you ??
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chiv / March 17, 2021
Professor KIA / SJ, just see your comments. You like a manic person went after each and every one with your verbal diarrhoea. When Native confronted, you just side stepped. You are an exception in glorifying North Korea, which even Eagle ,Dinuk and others have avoid.
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SJ / March 17, 2021
Malle pol again and again
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SJ / March 17, 2021
I just realized
It is malle poll, three bags full.
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chiv / March 18, 2021
Prof KIA , Childish, try again.
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chiv / March 18, 2021
OMG, Prof KIA, you have company. (amazing that people of your ilk has plenty of company all over the world ). T
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chiv / March 18, 2021
OMG, Prof KIA, you have company. (amazing that people of your ilk has plenty of company all over the world ). Tanzanian President who is just another educated buffoon (supposedly has earned double degree and was a prof like you ), called pandemic a bogus, denied any infection in his own country, made fun of people wearing masks and claimed it to be western conspiracy, is NO MORE. Apparently Vice President recently admitted to having Covid and media speculated the buffoon gave it to him (though he denied having any infection). State called the unexpected death was secondary to cardiac arrest. I guess doctors forgot to tell him, people with Covid usually die of cardiac arrest because of the overburdned heart. Since Feb 27 this buffoon has been missing in action and state kept reporting he is absolutely fine and working hard from home (just like Trump).
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chiv / March 18, 2021
Prof KIA, there is more to the story, four of the netizen who questioned the prolonged absence of the President, were arrested, charged with spreading hatred and fake news, and imprisoned. This Buffoon also refused to order any vaccine for his citizens, calling pandemic a bluff. The world is definitely better off without such educated buffoons. Dont you think so ??
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SJ / March 18, 2021
I will translate the idiom:
thuttukku reNdu kottaoi paakku.
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chiv / March 20, 2021
SJ I tried asking a few and they all agreed it is not idiom but referring a problem between your both lower limbs. One said may be it has metastasized to your head. Get help Sorry though I a physician but of entirely different specialty. Poor you.
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chiv / March 19, 2021
I have no clue ? are you rambling to your self again.Too bad get over.
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