By Shyamon Jayasinghe –
Shyamon Jayasinghe
“Governance constitutes an implied social contract and, therefore, a serious social responsibility; it cannot be played as a personal ego exercise”
Prima Facie Case
Unlike Humpty Dumpty, even all the king’s horses and all the king’s men cannot put him together again. To be sure, minister Sarath Weerasekara’s alleged misdemeanours are not yet proven; however, it seems equally reasonable to conclude on the basis of the narrative set forth below that there is a serious prima facie case against him. The minister must clear himself on the basis of an independent investigation. To enable that, the minister must resign
The Bang and The Disappointment
Colombo DistrIct Pohottuwa Government minister, Sarath Weerasekara [sorry, I am missing his army titles) began his political career with a terrific bang drumming his undying love for the ‘Sinhala Buddhist motherland’ deeming his opponents, including Sarath Fonseka, as traitors; and beating a man of the stature of Ranil Wickremesinghe, five times Prime Minister, from position number one in the district and sending the latter home. I am sure by this episode Sarath disappoints his voters-except the totally blind and deaf ones.
The episode is over the recent dramatics associated with the wedding ceremony of his son at Shangri-La on the 28 May, the birthday ceremony of Chandimal Jayasinghe the following day and the behaviour of model Piyumi Hansamali who attended that party and was sent on quarantine.
It is not important whether Piyumi wanted her clothes or not; I doubt that mattered much for her.
What startles me is how the minister in charge of the police and defence should (as alleged) take the trouble to call the police in the bus carrying Piyumi to quarantine at Passara, and instruct the cop to turn the bus back and arrange for the model to collect some clothes to wear. The minister states that he had ordered the IGP to do that but does that make a difference? There is a dispute as to where the bus went back eventually. The minister states it had gone to the Talangama police station and stayed there until Piyumi got her clothes.
Hiru Clip
I have the video clip from Hiru TV program (5/6/21) “Paththare Visthara,” where the presenter categorically points out that our dear minister Sarath had called the cop in the bus from Piyumi’s smart phone. How that smart phone had gotten into the Excellency’s hands is a Bangladeshi Takka million question. The Hiru presenter seems to be having more data with him and any investigator should go to him for that. But can we ever expect an investigator to meet the lion in his den? President Gota, despite Amendment 20, appears powerless all the time against all kinds of misdemeanours by his close men. Why Gotabaya Rajapaksa wanted the 20 Amendment I do not know. Yahapalanaya Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had a way of pushing Ravi Karunanayake out after the Penthouse scandal. On the other hand, our dear President seems like a toothless tiger. When the latter is ruffled by a
Pilisadara audience he crackles as he did recently over tomatoes. But no fuss over Sarath.
Minister Sarath Weerasekara should have an immediate investigation on him by the President but that appears not coming after a week of the incident at Shangri-La Hotel. In a more civilised Australia the minister would have resigned immediately in order to facilitate an impartial inquiry; if not, Prime Minister Morrison would have winked the offending minister to do so. However, no sign of winks from Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Minister’s Son’s Wedding at Shangri-La
To ordinary men like us with a modicum of intelligence several questions arise over the episode that began allegedly with the wedding of Sarath Weerasekara’s son at Shangri-La itself on the 28 May when Covid-19 restrictions had been in force. Why did the Minister in charge of the police and defence not abide by the legal restrictions that every other citizen in the country had to obey? How could he have given his assent for a wedding ceremony? Is the minister in charge of law and order not making a joke of his subjects? How does he expect all others to abide by the law?
President Gotabaya would surely have known about the wedding of his key minister? How did His Excellency acquiesce?
These are serious issues that the entire government must answer. I am surprised the Opposition has not taken this up.
A subsidiary question: it is alleged the Minister’s wedding ceremony was at Chandimal Jayasinghe’s wallet. Chandimal is a London qualified wedding dresser who has a terrific market demand in Lanka’s prestigious wedding market. He is said to be a billionaire. Our model subject Piyumi Hansamali is his friend. Was the minister’s wedding payed for by Chandana or on the house? Either way that was bad. LankaE News states that Chandimal payed for all expenses including clothes etc.
Chandimal Jayasinghe’s Birthday Party
The coincidence was too much for commonsense to bear: How did Chandana get to host his birthday party at Shangri-La two days later? Unlike the minister, he is an ordinary citizen though, presumably, with a fat wallet. Once again, the quarantine and lockdown restrictions had been in force. It is reasonable to expect that Chandimal had that party with assurance of support from high- up. Could he have had a prohibited party otherwise? This cries for official explanation. The President’s office must explain and the minister must explain.
Back to Piyumi
Piyumi Hansamali comes to this narrative at this point. Belatedly, the OIC of the Fort Police station had been alerted to the transgression of the law not until after the minister’s wedding the previous day. It is alleged that the Salakuna TV program had alerted. The OIC came and arrested 14 revellers of the party including Chandana Jayasinghe and Hansamali. On magistrate’s order the party was bailed out and packed away in a police bus and taken to quarantine at Passara. Hansamali says she phoned the minister at that point when she realized that she was taken away for quarantine without the required clothes. What a brazen act to phone the minister? I am sure the police would have obliged her. She must have phoned the minister in the confidence that she can be released.
‘The Hiru story (above) that the minister had phoned the cop in the bus from Piyumi’s phone has needs checking. Hiru presenter said he had evidence. If the Hiru version is right Piyumi had met the minister personally. How come this happened? Was the bus driven to the minister’s office and not the Talangama station? Was Piyumi’s contact with Sarath Weerasekara a personal one at this stage? I don’t think one needs Scotland Yard to come in to solve this problem.
Slippery Path to Violation
In the above circumstances, the reader will pardon me for having a fair suspicion that the minister in charge of law and order and police does not appear in good light at all. He has given an explanation but that escapes all these valid questions. For example, his holding the son’s wedding party in times of lockdown is avoided.
it is impossible for Sri Lanka to promulgate and impose law and order when exceptions like these are allowed to be made in flagrant violation. This is happening right down the line due to infirmity at the top. Recently, we observed the birthday party of the mayor of Kurunegala, who I am told, was powerful minister Johnson Fernando’s driver. This guy had a birthday party also while the restrictions were in force. Even the policemen had attended the party and they ate cake.
Can anyone beat that? Another exception due to powerful intervention. Johnston talks big on behalf of the president all the time
When exceptions like this are both created and acquiesced at the very source of power a slippery slope that leads the path to open violation of the law is set up and that makes it hard for the top to bring matters under control. “Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold,”- WB YEATS.
“Governance constitutes an implied social contract and, therefore, a serious social responsibility; it cannot be played as a personal ego exercise”
The inevitable break down of the chain of the law is inescapable when exceptions are made-allowed or acquiesced-like these. When the offenders are at the very top the ugly example is magnified thus making the whole law process a national joke.
Mockingly Ugly Display
There is another side for this.These luxury parties are a mockingly ugly display in times like these.
Sri Lankans bear untold suffering under Covid-19 stress. The Director General of Health Services (5/6) confirmed 40 deaths including one death occurred Saturday and 39 deaths occurred from 21st May to 04th June due to Covid-19 virus infection.
The total number of deaths due to Covid-19 infection in Sri Lanka is 1,696 by now. According to the state minister the actual number is three times more. Also, test rates are relatively low.
One can imagine the hopelessness in the community at large and the desperateness to make ends meet.
Isn’t it ugly to have open wedding ceremonies and birthday parties at Five-Star luxury spots for all to witness? Isn’t it thoroughly bad form for the minister in charge of police to be associated with these hideous and nauseating public exercises?
Besides, where has Sarath Weerasekara’s claimed patriotism gone? Should we have more patriots like him?
*The writer can be contacted at shyamonjayasinghe@gmail.com
Captain Morgan / June 6, 2021
“These are serious issues that the entire government must answer. I am surprised the Opposition has not taken this up.”
I am not surprised. The Opposition is led by a wimp.
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leelagemalli / June 7, 2021
Cm,
During good governance, opposition looked powerful because criminal Rajapakshe + punnakku drinking majo6 in the country sat together. This nation would never see it right if a paradigm shift would nt work with the thinking of the average. Only way out would be media and media expert s to work on rebuilding the society. After that only they should introduce better development projects. Now shortly before falling to the manner Greece destined it, only a pragmatic leader free from pro SB Racism could give a life to this nation ☹☹☹☹☹☹☹☹☹☹☹☹
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deepthi silva / June 6, 2021
How one sided , obtuse and unfair a veteran man can become !
True,Sarath Weerasekera is not much of a politician , he came into politics only in 2019. But at the last general elections he received the highest number of votes in Colombo.
Your ideal leader Ranil Wickramasinghe who has been in parliament from 1977 and has been Prime Minister several times, leader of the once mighty UNP for nearly three decades did not even qualify to enter parliament!
Although there is no evidence of it , you say that Sarath Weeasekera is in the pocket of this fashion designer Chandimal. If it is true, his vision for enrichment is very small.
Did Ranil say what benefits he had received in the past from Arjuna Mahendran( or son in law Aloysious) , the dubious banker he appointed Governor Central Bank and then went on to commit a huge swindle there together ? Has Ranil ever declared the various monetary and other benefits and pleasures he had received from innumerable sources in the last 50 years ? His endless foreign travel, eating at 5 star hotels overseas, wine, whiskey, first class travel , his annual trips to Davos?
If that list can be compiled the nation will be be in shock.
Born serfs may be impressed with such false persons, but not all are slaves
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Nathan / June 6, 2021
deepthi silva,
You reflect a poor understanding of how votes are cast in Sri Lanka. The more anti-Tamil you are the more Sinhala Buddhist votes you get.
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Could you re-word your comment based on this reality.
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Humble / June 7, 2021
Hatred of tamils is the driving force of the collective sinhala mindset.
So much so that they will happily sell off the island to china if it means the tamils wont benefit.
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Sinhala_Man / June 9, 2021
Nathan, there, unfortunately, is much truth in what you say.
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There seems little that we can do.
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I will tell you some things: don’t scoff at Swabashas. Don’t mock like sitrep24. Don’t keep prescribing English for all, when we don’t know how to provide it.
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Nathan, you know all that; certain others don’t.
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punchinilame / June 7, 2021
Presidents of Sri Lanka – Whatsapp message:
William Gopollawa
J R Jayawardene
R. Premadasa
DingiribandChandrika Kumaratunge
My3pala
Nandasena Rajapakse
Xi Jinping – from 2025
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Plato / June 6, 2021
Really, Shyamon J? Why all this Indignation? Somewhat old fashioned eh?
This whole affair is a storm in a Tea-cup by Srilankan standards!
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Rajash / June 7, 2021
Is Gota scared of an army coop. All these generals he is promoting in various ministerial and other administrative positions may be plotting to turn against him and take power with a army coup.
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pakisB / June 7, 2021
Et Tu Brute
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old codger / June 7, 2021
Rajash,
It is necessary for Gota to keep the ranaviruwos happy, you see. They are the ones in his backup vehicles. They alone can organise an unfortunate accident for him……..
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punchinilame / June 7, 2021
This is a possibility – and Basil will return to continue with the Army!
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Sargent Nallathambi / June 7, 2021
Syamon,
Are you living in another planet?
Have you ever heard of a politician resigning because he / she has not lived up to the high expectations of the voter in South Asia let alone Sri Lanka the land of useless politicians?
Mahathma desha palanaya is dead people like Dudly Senanayake , CWW Kannangara , W Dhanayake is over.
So how can we expect Sarath Weerasekara to do the right thing?
Sajith , Eran, Dr Harsha Desilva also happy to import brand new cars for MPs as per proposal of government in the middle of the pandemic.
Borrow money from Bangladesh , China and carry on doing boru sobana…
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Humble / June 7, 2021
Why did the Minister in charge of the police and defence not abide by the legal restrictions that every other citizen in the country had to obey?
———–
The lockdowns are a form of class warfare agains the poor and middle classes by the ruling classes.
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Humble / June 7, 2021
Sri Lankans bear untold suffering under Covid-19 stress
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Yes that is true but NOT because of the imaginary virus but due to the economic devastation caused by the lockdowns.
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Kanapathy Varunan / June 7, 2021
I don’t think Puni needed additional clothing? as a popular actress, she could have managed without much.
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pakisB / June 7, 2021
This government has no moral authority to continue in power any more. Resignation is the respected way out if there is a conscience. But these buggers are hardhearted with no feelings for the people or country. Well will a day come if not willingly they will be thrown out unwillingly. The signs are for sure in the horizon going by their own misdemeanors.
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deepthi silva / June 7, 2021
[Edited out]
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chiv / June 7, 2021
Shyamon, give a break, The grumpy old SW wanted to organize a pageant show with the help of that event manger, for the benefit of (???) those who were quarantined. Just try seeing it as a “Big Boss” virtual show. Didn’t Trump conduct one .
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Raj-UK / June 7, 2021
Marie Antionette, Queen of France in the olden days, has famously said ‘eat cake if there is no bread’ (or to that effect) which, perhaps, was the last straw to destitute Frenchmen that probably started the French revolution. In times of desperation, with a pandemic running wild, many privileged in SL seem to be eating cake too. However, a blood thirsty SL revolution is unlikely, after all, we are still grateful for the saviours of our race & religion, & all their cronies, as well. So the rich can have their cake now delivered during the lockdown while the rest can manage with whatever they have.
Cont.
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Raj-UK / June 7, 2021
Cont.
The GOSL, in its infinite wisdom, imposed a harsh curfew lasting over a month but since then, the regulations became relaxed with social functions & gatherings. Now, SL is back in a lock down while most other countries which imposed less harsh but more consistent restrictions, are coming out of lockdown, having the pandemic very much under control. In SL, local snake oil & divine intervention didn’t work, no vaccination strategy & with no money, even begging from Bangladesh (a poor country 50 yrs ago that a musical concert helped to raise money for the poor), it seems more important to import luxury SUVs for the parliamentarians. I am not violent by nature but sometimes I see justification in the French revolution.
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Ajith / June 7, 2021
“President Gota, despite Amendment 20, appears powerless all the time against all kinds of misdemeanours by his close men. Why Gotabaya Rajapaksa wanted the 20 Amendment I do not know.”
Shymon,
What a question? 20th amendment is needed for him to do all the crimes and protect criminals.
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leelagemalli / June 9, 2021
Dear SENSTIVIE Readers,
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anyone with some sanity would be clear , it should be another red herring misleading or distracts from a relevant or important question.
What is the important question right at the moment ?
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Why on earth GOSL led by GOTLER and wiyathmaga let entering the poisonous loads carrying ship into SRILANKEN warters ? Can even high volumes of compensation cover the damage to ECO system in srilanken waters ?
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GOSL#S stupid actions may be either a logical fallacy or a literary device that leads mercy cows dominated audiences toward a false conclusion.
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Mallaiyuran / June 8, 2021
Pyumi called a man, a minister to get her some cloths because she did not have anything to wear. Did she told to Rear Admirable that which closet’s dress she wanted and where could he find the keys? Or Rear Admirable carries a duplicate set of keys of Pyumis’ Almirahs? This Rear Admirable is there not even for one year. How did Pyumi ended up carrying his phone number? How many cards Pyumi use on her phone? Can she publish her telephone statement for last six months? She is an actress, so certainly there are something fishy going to be there. So, forget about hers. Can even the Rear Admirable publish his official phone’s statement? Shyamon Jayasinghe, how many Ministers’ telephone numbers you have in your cell to call in an emergency? Do you have at least Pavitra’s? Leave that aside, how many times your might have called 911 in your life time, especially for because you didn’t have a pants to wear. Shyamon, how sure are you when you put your email that next time Pyumi not going to call you, or you are safe from Rear Admirable for that? This Pyumi is a bigger gilmart than Rear Admirable. She is not honestly covering up Rear Admirable, but she is advertising her on his expense. The talk is Pyumi’s hallmark, not drafted by any lawyers.
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Mallaiyuran / June 8, 2021
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/like-humpty-dumpty-minister-sarath-weerasekara-has-had-a-great-fall-he-must-resign/comment-page-1/?unapproved=2396263&moderation-hash=94c8989ed3bd79623c44755d16625d59#comment-2396263
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Black Lankan / June 8, 2021
This sarath weerasekara is a pathological racist and a megalomaniac with a foul mouth. He won election by enticing the sinhala buddhist fools by his racist talk. That is the only way to win election in SL. How did Gotta win, all by sinhala buddhsim. But Sarath was foolishly going too fast thinking no end of himself with the backing of Gotta. When you go fast it is natural you will crash too. To my observation honestly I felt he was too foolish and too immatured. But these are guys Gotta select. Now we can see what is happening, disaster all around all due to mismanagement. No one can save the country now. Just imagine getting loan from B’desh and that too mere million $200. What a patheti c state to which the country has sunk.
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chiv / June 9, 2021
Black Lankan, It is for the same reason I keep writing that” people and country deserve it”. Leave Gotha how did this racist megalomaniac get elected that too with a thumping majority. People who did not vote for SW are no better because they just preferred a different kind but for the same reasons. There are always exceptions, but of insignificant numbers, to make any impact. Today in Canada the whole country rallied behind a Muslim family from Pakistan who was mowed down by a racist animal. In Lanka it would have been a mere news. And if it was in their homeland Pakistan it would have not even made into, being a news. As long religion and politics are concerned I am still working on getting free from both evils. Within my immediate family we have people from German, U.S, India, Europe, U.K, ___ Among religion we have Buddhist, Tamil, Catholic, Christian, Parsis – – .(hoping to have others too). Languages spoken are unlimited. This is just a beginning. Mallai you truly have an inquisitive mind.
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Mallaiyuran / June 8, 2021
Is the death threat to Chamudidha is related to Pyumi’s case? The Lankawe’s History’s biggest media crackdown is on action. Anybody whom the police taking in is jumping out of jeep or swallowing drugs or running away from custody to cause police shooting or committing suicide somehow. No real details come out for these deaths. Without external intervention this cannot be stopped. India & Western democracies should not look at other side and say it is internal justice so they can do nothing. Aanduwa has no money to import food. It is distributing the confiscated materials perishing in customs storage. These guys a few months ago burned 100 of thousands of tons of turmeric to punish Tamil & Muslims traders import turmeric from India.
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leelagemalli / June 9, 2021
Mallaiyuran@
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Cant you get it yet ? It was just a -RED HERRING.
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It is very comparable to that of SORYSENA, constatntly abused that ” namal kumar- informant”.
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Piyumi’s activities are being taken as current govt’s main focus, because that way only they could divert the thoughts and minds of grieving majority of this country. State is empty today. If Rajapakshe would be offered, to become FREE pimpies to rich countries, NAMAL BABY nad other babies of the murderous family circles would line up like TERMITES so quickly.
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Look how they rule the country today, ….. Namal Baby as a NOVICE to be a MINISTER but being placed above all the NAKI PAPPAs that are believed to have decades long EXPERIENCE in local parliamentary politcs.
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Yestreday, I heard Namal Baby talking about ” VACCINATION”, however not being able to differentiate the meaning of VACCINE and VACCINATION….. this is common though many politicians elected by PUNNAKU eaters majority, however, those who know the stuff better, too stay as if they are made BLIND and DEAF.
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leelagemalli / June 9, 2021
I have the feeling what our srilankkens as voters doing it with RAJAPAKSHES and the like stupid leaders is very similar to what those in souther east countries th emanner they get on with their MONKEYs.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwQJwI_NhQc
-This monkeys belong to forests.
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Buruwage wade balata baradenawa waage… Donkey s work are being dragged by dogs.
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Naman / June 8, 2021
Sajith Premadasa or Ranil W are not the Leaders of Statemans like. They are certainly wimps in front of Rajapaksas. SL had been unfortunate not to have a Politician with his/her’s heart set in the betterment of the country. Sajith P too scared of the King
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Black Lankan / June 9, 2021
Please dont blame Sarath. He got the bus to turn back not to hand over any clothes to Pumi but to hand over sanitary pads and that is a humane act. He is SL Pad Man after Sajith who too would have done the same thing but to all menstruating women and not only to Pumi. Pumi really looks a high class Colombo lady and fits into the stylish affluent and not effluent society of Colombo.
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chiv / June 9, 2021
Goes to show what matters to politicians,pseudos and to few selected ,entitled, privileged citizens during this difficult times. There is pandemic, inadequate vaccines, natural disasters, people without home/food/belongings, Easter victims, people still searching for their missing ones, scare of inadequate hospital beds/oxygen ——- and yet this corrupted hypocrite is busy getting clothes for damsel in distress. SW learned this from Mr. President who hired plane for his puppy to return in comfort. If true this guy lied to public about not conducting his son’s marriage.Ted Cruze (also Boris and few others, take note all are bunch of low lives) too went on a vacation to Bahamas while his constituent was under days of blackout, but could not get away like SW and had to cancel vacation prematurely and return home in disgrace. Come next election it will be an issue for him to deal. Boris too learned his lesson, apologized in public and didn’t bother inviting guest for his recent engagement/marriage. Where as SW continues to abuse with the help of Mr. President.
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chiv / June 9, 2021
Shyamon, forgot to add soon your friend RW the fixer , will enter “Covenant house” to scratch Rajapaksas backside .
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Good Sense / June 9, 2021
Shyamon talks of independent investigations and to do it SW must resign. The term “independent” could be sacrosanct in UK, Australia and other white realms of Her Majesty. What independence is there in Sri Lanka for a fellow to do his job properly other than his own grits and guts? Let SW follow Shyamon’s prescription of resigning. There would be a lot of noise if the investigation clears SW and says it is a damp squib. The SJB machine of propaganda, especially using the social media, is doing fine in making to look the Government inept and rudderless. Of course, Shyamon would not give any credit to SJB, Sajith in particular, and he will look for a Ranil even if he is in the next world. It is interesting to note that SW has made a statement in Parliament in the nature of a personal explanation thus paving the way for the SJB to bring in a substantive motion in Parliament causing the appointment of a select committee to examine the matter, thus enabling all the information to come out. Irrespective of its outcome, including possible foot notes, the evidence given is there for us to judge.
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chiv / June 9, 2021
There are two interesting news. 1) It is about ANOM, a software messaging app developed by FBI, coordinating with law makers all over the world nabbing hundreds of mafia syndicate members, in a massive global crime sting. For the same reason I am confident the master minds behind Easter will be unmasked. 2) Our Lanka born venture capitalist,(Engineer by profession, ex FB executive) residing in Canada Chamath Palihapitiya who is known to be most prolific SPAC sponsor, has turned Billionaire overnight (on paper) when his recent IPO Clover Health Investment Corp price doubled shooting up his profits by 4000%. (based on MEME in Reddit rally). Apparently 682 million worth company on Tuesday IPO is worth 9 Billion today. Unfortunately the guy cannot cash out his windfall due to restrictions in selling stake. Anyone has opinion on SPAC stocks ?? Though not of my interest, I will like you hear from Nimal Fernando.
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chiv / June 10, 2021
Shyamon, is it true RW the fixer will be accompanied by Ape Man Ganasara to the Covenant House. Given RW ‘s reputation even before stepping into house, the rumors are that, his main goal is to porch people from SJB. Hope Ganasara will not threaten, intimidate or abuse/curse people , inside the Covenant House.
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Black Lankan / June 11, 2021
Ranil is the most invasive cancer SL has seen. This shameless bugger, a fool who could not even win his seat, is coming back through back door to mess up the country again. Why cant this fellow just go and be at home. Oh what a messy, shameless fellow he is. Blody disgrace. Even Blind eagle alias HLD is better than this fool.
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