President Maithripala Sirisena‘s daughter Chathurika has turned his passionate pledge of putting an end to nepotism and family bandyism on its head when she dragged state officials with her on a visit to villages in Welikanda, Polonnaruwa.
Chathurika Sirisena stated to the media that she had not come ‘just to show face with an entourage’, but had come instead to share her father’s dream in helping to solve the problems of the people. She added that this is why she was accompanied by state officials.
She is reported to have visited Mahawelitenna, Sinhapura, Dimbulana, Perakumyaya and Kudapokuna during this ‘fact finding mission’.
“She has every right as a citizen to go anywhere in Sri Lanka and talk to anyone who is ready to talk to her, but Chaturika Sirisena has no legal status to warrant escort by government servants including police officers,” good governance activist Chinthaka Perera told Colombo Telegraph.
Maithripala Sirisena, during the media conference where he announced that he would be running for President stated vehemently that one of the reasons for him contesting for the Presidency was to put an end to nepotism and family bandyism.
Meanwhile when Colombo Telegraph contacted the President’s Deputy Director Media Sunil Jayasekara to clarify if Chathurika has been given a portfolio in her daddy’s government, said that as far as he knows she holds no governmental position.
Above the Rest / September 6, 2015
The problem is not Ms Sirisena. As far as I know, she holds no government position. There are no rules and regulations that she needs to follow.
The problem is with the public servants who do not have the guts to tell her that they, as public servants, have rules and regulations to follow, and that Ms Sirisena should not expect them to dishonour their rules and regulations. They can add some spice, if they tell her that that is their own way of supporting the President’s good governance.
Public servants telling the politicians’ offshoots the truth is long overdue. No public servant had the guts to tell the truth to Namal in the 21st century, or to Sajith in the 80s & 90s, or to Anura & co in the 70s. The nation is paying for the crimes of those spineless public servants who curried favour with the then politicians.
Come on public servants of Sri Lanka, and specially Polonnaruwa! Throw the rule book at politicians’ offshoots, and ask them to follow government guidelines.
President Sirisena, if he is the man I believe he is, will be on your side.
/
samare / September 6, 2015
Hey friends, why not you guys would better focus on the pictures of the palpath – that make us very clear that thre are still rural folks without having a proper shelter – which was deliberately hidden by Rajapakshe Regime. Had these villagers been better informed the real thinking of Rjaapkashe, the vote outcome gained by Raja would have fallen in significant numbers.
/
Navin / September 6, 2015
On appearances, a ‘take-no-shit’ public spirited kind of lady. I like her. If she gives voice to the neglected segments of society, and can ameliorate their condition, she should be encouraged.
She should abide by the caveat: no abuse.
/
John / September 7, 2015
Certainly I agree with you, in the absence of Rosy Senanayake, Chathurika can do something for rural poor , women, children & neglected.
We should look at what they do, it’s akay so long as they do the right thing.
I have no doubt she can enter politics some times later.
/
Gp / September 6, 2015
Looks like she is trying to get to Politics? So many Ministers and Deputy Ministers in the Cabinet – Please send them to the field to do what she is trying to do…
/
lasith / September 6, 2015
Sentiments aside, she seems to have a likeable personality and unlike Namal and the rest, she should make her father very proud.
MS has done a good job raising his daughter. I am proud of and happy for MS.
/
sama / September 6, 2015
You may be right. alone what she added in the small speech she held, sounds she should be well educated.
But Namal Baby and anyone of the most abusve Madamulana, did not know how to hold a speech outreaching the many. They only knew thuggish manner, no sooner this partiuclar namal or the other will have to face it.. in terms of the deliberate killings carried out by the – Ruggerite case. May all gods be on the side of the victimized convicting this young men for their crimes done in the guise of their power greedy intoxicated father.
/
Sinhala_Man / September 6, 2015
Yes, she seems a nice girl, and think that what I’ve seen today is not a great problem. Not even taking one or two officials to guid her, so she can give reliable feedback to Maithri.
Of course there’s the possibility of it getting to her head.
What is going to be very important is having one or two public officials who will warn Chthurika if she gets too cocky. Even more important is the Sirisena family then telling the official that he’s done well to draw the line.
I still think Maithri a great blessing for Sri Lanka.
/
Real Peace / September 7, 2015
[Edited out]
/
Amarasiri / September 6, 2015
Gp
” So many Ministers and Deputy Ministers in the Cabinet – Please send them to the field to do what she is trying to do…”
60 of the elected MPs did not even show up for work in the Parliament.
Yes, send the MPs to the field. the paddy field, at least it will do some good, and let the buffaloes rest.
/
The messenger / September 6, 2015
Looks like UPFA is going to have a hard time in selecting a candidate for the next Presidential election. We have Mahinda’s son Namal, Chandrika’s son Vimukthi and now Sirisena’s daughter Chathurika.
/
mike / September 6, 2015
The messenger
Playboy Namal and ‘lowyer’ is nothing but a piece of s..t compared to Chathurika or Vimukthi !
/
The messenger / September 7, 2015
Maithreepala Sirisena says he will not contest the next Presidential election. I cannot see a good alternative in the UPFA as a candidate for the next Presidential election. His daughter Chathurika is a good option if she joins politics now and contest the local government or provincial council election. Even today there are several father and son in parliament so there is nothing wrong in Sirisena’s daughter joining politics.
/
Rishad / September 6, 2015
Are we surprise at the reasons behind? President’s party lost the Polonnaruwa district at this election. So he must have asked his daughter to find out what went wrong in the district. I dont see anything wrong if she used her own resources to do this. Unfortunately she is using state resources.
/
shankar / September 6, 2015
rishad
you are as cunning as rishad badiurdeen.You know very well that the party that the president supported won in pollonnnaruwa and that win was because of the president.Don’t try to distort facts here.
/
Patriot / September 6, 2015
People can excuse Mahinda Rajapaksa’s “nepotism and family bandyism” (although it is wrong) as he gave leadership to eradicate the 30 year war. What has Sirisena done to the country so far. Appointing 100 odd ministers to save his party leadership. He is the most selfish hypocrite Sri Lanka ever had as the president.
/
Amarasiri / September 6, 2015
Patriot
“What has Sirisena done to the country so far.”
1. Become the Common (Sense) Candidate and depose Mahinda Rajapaksa’s “nepotism and family bandyism” of Liars, Crooks, Robbers, Criminals, Rapists and Murderers on January 8, 2015.
2. Prevented Mahinda Rajapaksa’s “nepotism and family bandyism” of Liars, Crooks, Robbers, Criminals, Rapists and Murderers again on August 17, 2015.
It is worth a lot to a majority of Sri Lankans with common sense.
/
Patriot / September 7, 2015
No one will waste time or bother to read Amarasiri’s long, meaningless and boring comments.
/
Native Vedda / September 7, 2015
Patriot
“No one will waste time or bother to read Amarasiri’s long, meaningless and boring comments.”
He has his own followers. One needs adequate IQ to read and understand his/her comments. If you haven’t got the right IQ just forget it.
/
Patriot / September 7, 2015
Short and sweet is the best way to get across ones point of view. Amarasiri probably has no other important work to do other than writing long and boring comments. He is everywhere.
/
mike / September 7, 2015
Patriot
You are a dumb ass! Amarasiri’s comments are read by most of the readers. Loser.
/
Patriot / September 7, 2015
How do you know for sure? You three seem to be persons with extremely high IQ.
/
Amarasiri / September 7, 2015
Patriot
Do you want to learn math from Wimal Buruwansa of 2/2 =0 fame?
Do you want to learn economics and investments from the Medamulana Meeharaka, MaRa, who cleared the jungle and put an Airport and that is losing money every day, taxpayers money?
Mattala Airport Truth
[Edited out]
/
Patriot / September 7, 2015
See, He proves my point that his comments are irrelevant .
/
taraki / September 6, 2015
Here comes Polonnarura International Airport!
/
Above the Rest / September 6, 2015
Here comes Polonnarura International Airport …….
……. where the big jet engines roar!
[Edited out]
/
Sarath / September 6, 2015
What’s the fuss? Give her a break. Better to go with officials so that they won’t have excuses later.
/
Vetmahadeva / September 6, 2015
As long as she is trying to help the rural community, by reaching them, what is the wrong and fuss about, whose theory is that Chathurika shouldn’t have a passion of her own for rural community, because her father is the president of the country. Whose assumption is that she didn’t have the same passion before Maithripala became president. If she has visited a rural community during Mahinda’s period, what would have been the consequences? Please think.
Now as a Presidents daughter, media publicity she wouldn’t have bargained for, and the security if Mahinda’s sons are entitled for wherever they go,even now so does Maithri’s daughter as well.
Those who write comments shall always aware that there are enough rural population that unable to access the normal channel of government machinery, and when the daughter represent the president, for a good cause, there is nothing wrong in it.
It is nobody’s secret that Neel Balagaya (Blue Force) under Namal Rajapaksha
was entirely “Blue” in its activities, I feel sorry for those innocent girls! Isn’t this a far better proposition?
/
CSM / September 6, 2015
I’m not very sure if she is doing this on behalf of the president or for herself. If president wants to find out about his home town he can very well send some official for this purpose.
There is something wrong in this approach the daughter trying to bask in fathers glory and power.
I hope this will not happen in the future.
/
Madura Wijeyewickrema / September 6, 2015
as long as Pre’s dau’s intentions are bonafide, this is good. Poor people in remote areas needs more proper attention. Someone like this young lady who was born in Polonnaruwa ought to understand problems of people in district of Polonnaruwa better. Please carry on with your good work & help your father to achieve his goal where poor villagers are concerned. Prove that your critics are wrong by good tangible work. Good to have critics so that the young lady takes utmost care not to fault.
/
Rarityminds / September 6, 2015
Madura you may right.
But looking at the comments – I feel many of the among that added their two cts worth against Chatus move – have no idea about the nephatism or higher abuses but just making every efforts to attack her for no real reasons. And it is too early to add such defamatory remarks about the prez offsprings either. I think today lanka media need more filters not to allow unnecessary charactor assansinations. This should then fall to the agenda of good governance being supportive to that as active media institutions.
On the western world, being popular through cinema actresses/actors or politicians – their siblings and offsprings do take part in charity works of various kind. That they do using their publicity – these men and women are previledged in that context- having the chance to do so, instead running amok the way former presidential sons did. Or former presidential siblings did. Nephatism starts when relatives of powerful active politicians abuse the law and order. Until then we cant name it as an act being identified as such.
/
M.Fouzy Ismail / September 6, 2015
All this rubbish about nepotism and family bandysim in this instance is nonsensical. Mahinda Rajapakse got his clan in many positions to feed his family and extended family. They had no real task. President Sirisena would have requested his daughter to undertake this fact finding mission and and interact directly with the people and report to him. Not only to be an ear to the people but also to find solutions to their problems by having the government officials also at hand.
We can reasonably assume that she will report to her father her findings and the response of the officials, to her father, who will then act to relieve the problems the people are facing. She is not working for renumeration but to help her very busy father to find solutions to people’s problems. It is clear that the officials were present not on her request but on the instructions of President Sirisena.
It may be asked why his daughter and not another official to undertake this task. Everyone knows how problems are swept under the carpet by officials. The President’s daughter will be able to represent matters to the President truthfully as she sees it. Not only the problems faced by the people but also the responses of the officials. The President could then call for a meeting of the officials concerned and act to fast track whatever needs to be done.
Please, let us not criticize for the sake of criticizing but act with more understanding.
/
Sapumal / September 7, 2015
I don’t think there is anything to criticize here. But it is very good to move from bad governance to good governance. That means to understand the difference between state and government, individual politicians role and state responsibilities. This shows our undeveloped , I matured approach to public affairs. It is ok to have loyalty to our present president and the govt. but it should not blended with our administration process. This is not what we talk about as solutions.
/
jaith / September 6, 2015
just waitnfew months
all politicans promise no corruption
and soon they will also rob srilanka
srilanka needa to re start everytjing like singapore did in 1960s
if need be then split it into three cointuntries
/
Chandi Bandi / September 6, 2015
My God! She looks a tough nut already.
/
Ranjith / September 6, 2015
Higher officials must take action against the officers who accommpanied her? Did they take the permission? If so from whom. Where is Ven Hon. Sobitha? Is he at sleep?
/
Ponkoh Sivakumaran / September 6, 2015
Let us hope that another Royal Family is not on the rise. They will also end up in the rubbish heap.
/
Atukorale / September 6, 2015
I think those who speak against the activities now handled by president’s daughter , want her to go to night clubs and dance as most of the sons or daughters of politicians do for the last ten years. When Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son wanted to hold motor races around sacred Dalada Maligawa and nobody spoke against those activities. But when this lady go around on fact finding mission among the poor villages some people point fingers at her.Does she want to waste public money and enjoy herself as the other politicians and their families?
/
Samuel Jayaweera / September 6, 2015
I dont think that the very same folks failed to criticise at the time THOSE NIGHT car races entertained pro-Rajapakshe fractions. There, Media was threatened not to go against them. Every morning as current president articulated lately, media men and women were advised by former president not to utter a single word agianst him and his family ones. That was the case.
Today these men and women abuse the freedom – that the great leader of the curret day -MY3 has created for all just holding the office for 8 months. We the sinhalayas specially dont know how to thank or be grateful.. they behave as if they have deleted their fest platte, hard disc within shorter period of time.
/
ernest macintyre / September 6, 2015
I give the benefit of the doubt to this lady.
True, there is an appearance of transgression, but we don’t know the background. There could have been danger to her if she went without these state officials. So, permission was probably got,justifiably. Looking at this situation requires imagination, not mere awareness of the letter of the law in vacuo.
And,to respond to another comment,even if all the facts of the rural poor are known, if this lady wanted to experience these people,face to face,as a prelude to action, bless her.
/
CSM / September 6, 2015
‘if this lady wanted to experience these people,face to face,as a prelude to action”
isn’t it too early to think that any action will follow?
How come she gets interested about the poor folk now ?
using state officials and vehicles for this is wrong. No one can justify. bad precedence I would say.
/
Raj / September 6, 2015
She has absolutely no authority to go on a ‘walk about’ with Govt. Officials if she has not been appointed to any appropriate Position by the State. She can do so with volunteers on their own time & report to her dad her first hand experience but not at the expense of state resources. When there are Ministries & Provincial Councils set up by the State for that purpose, she cannot authorise state officials on duty to accompany her & use other State resources (vehicles, etc.) without the relevant Ministerial permission. Whether she had the blessing of the Govt. or not, I am not sure, but if she had, she should have been accompanied by the Minister, the deputy or at least a high ranking officer & her role should be limited to observer status & not involve actively, which shows the ultimate uselessness of this exercise. There is a protocol & if she did not realize it, it shows her lack of understanding of such matters. In SL, red tape & bureaucracy is rampant, but this is not a solution & if people start interfering to be hailed as ‘people of action’, especially if they have no official status, it is an indication of lack of knowledge resulting from a lower level of education on the part of those orchestrating it. Premadasa believed in ‘taking the bull by the horns’, so did Vermin Silva apparently, but when it comes to matters of state in particular, there should be order, responsibility & accountability with no interference from outsiders. This is obviously another PR exercise to boost MS’s ‘common man’ approach.
/
Tilak / September 6, 2015
She is not trying to throw her weight about but really trying to look into the needs of the poor peasants of her hometown. She did not go there with a convoy of Jeeps filled with STF personnel. Neither did she use a chopper like what MR’s children did during their time . One should not criticize for the sake of doing so.
/
Samuel Jayaweera / September 6, 2015
Tilak,
whoever what ever good being done should be praised, instead these insane commentators just criticise. But when Wimal Buruwa or others that bring only nationalistic malicious views about anything are not being even heard by very same folks. I am fed up of this nation actually. Lucky we live in Europe though keep travelling to the country twice a year, but this island nation would never be changed their negative thoughts about anyone. Moreover any good move of anyone would not be seen as good by them. Majority is said tboe buddhists by birth. I really dont know where these men and women went wrong. Perhpas, the school education in genral is not a good one them to become this kind of malicious to this date.
/
Mallaiyuran / September 6, 2015
Take my Joke(not yoke). That is lighter than others! This the Sinhala Intellectual comedians give out. The Sinhala Buddhist take it.
[Edited out]
It is sad that extremely few commentators seems to be understanding that she does not have a position to do this. She was not hired even as private firm to do this.
There are some news suggest that next UN entourage is going to have more than 100 members. In 2012 when GLP, Mahinda, Kshenuka and many Sinhala Cinema supporting actress went to defend the war crime in Geneva, under old King’s Chitanda, it was under 75. Ranil Palanaya is going to have more than 100. This time entire Waldorf Astoria is needed.
/
maali karunaratne / September 6, 2015
This is the beginning and in time to come she will throw her weight around like the other “princes”. She will use government resources too. It is not correct to go with government officials whether she goes in her father’s private car or not. What she should do is a fact finding mission or a research on her own. She has taken the centre stage in the discussions and poor public servants appear to be nodding men.
/
The Rogue Ayer / September 6, 2015
What has happened to the son of Sirisena who had problems with the police due to a violent incident on a beach and large amount of foreign currency found hidden in the house of his girl friend?
Are the police investigations maybe continuing?
I have not seen anything in the media on these cases.
/
backlash / September 6, 2015
Recent history shows some close members of former Presidents assume they too were entitled to some Presidential powers. It was common knowledge Premadasa’s wife was in many rackets in cahoots with crooked businessmen paying pooja to her. In particular, she was behind regular contraband Container imports, mostly from Singapore, using undue pressure on decent Customs officials. Who knows – even without her knowledge, dangerous drugs could have come in. Two Rajapakse brothers and sons assumed they were well beyond the law and ran a Reign of Terror – including kidnapping and murder.
And now Aiyo Sirisena’s family are getting knee deep into troubled waters. It was not long ago his son Daham was accused of using a large team of Police personnel when he went night-clubbing – a fashion among the neuve riche mainly fron rural backgrounds. It is time the man now steps in and remind his rural off spring there of yahapalanya and that there are limitations in even in the kind of poor governance that is around in the country now. Despite some faults, CBK saw to it her two educated children behaved well and did not feed on public funds.
Backlash
/
Chor Raja / September 6, 2015
“Despite some faults, CBK saw to it her two educated children behaved well and did not feed on public funds”
Don’t forget, the Mother did all the looting on behalf of the children who were kept a respectable distance away from blame. What about the Emirates deal and the several other shady transactions involving govt assets which brought her ample legal funds to purchase Prince Andrews castle in the UK. Just ask Victor Ivan.
/
backlash / September 8, 2015
Chor Raja
It is possible the Bandit Queen has some skeletons in her cupboard. After all, don’t forget she unabashedly said “politics is our family business” – probably meaning her. Certainly not her
two honourable parents both of whom belonged to that era where politicians were not the unadulterated rogues we are ill-fated to endure today. I mean most of them. But Prince Andrews Castle in the UK seems pretty far-fetched. If this was true the alert British media and the paparazzi would have gone to town with the story. Still, I concede anything is possible in our political landscape.
Backlash
/
Sam Unagolla / September 7, 2015
Atleast she’s more pleasing to the eye… not like [Edited out]
/
truth / September 7, 2015
If anyone thought that there is going to be any change in the way the Governance of the country is going to change, I feel sorry for them. How can you expect any change? These are the same people who are at the helm since independence. To expect things to change for the better after a bit of a “shuffle” is pure ignorance!!
/
justice / September 7, 2015
She has set a good example to all MPs who should visit their electorates by surprise at least ten days each month, walk into government offices, hospitals etc., and warn absentees & shirkers to do their duty to the public.
Also see projects and ensure proper procedure, prevent waste.
They should visit the poorest villagers in their huts and listen to them.
Drop in at police stations and ask citizens there why, what and how they came to be there.
Drop in at courthouses and see whether cases are unnecessarily postponed.
Visit bus stands and listen to opinions & complaints of commuters.
Visit grama niladaris and see what they do.
/
SrilankenFrankfurt / September 7, 2015
Yours is a valid point.
Instead of making every effort to attack her, but to get the message she is trying to move forward – should be done.
/
Priya / September 7, 2015
absolutrly you are spot on.The bottom line is she has highlighted the light of these poor villagers.The responsible villagers cannot shy off their duties now.She appears a charming descent woman and what ever her motives are some light has shed to the people’s lives.Hope she will continue the task.
/
kligon / September 7, 2015
By next election she`ll be ready to contest…!!!(all these fathers,sons,daughters,brothers,and uncles together in the parliment…..and “good governance”….its a joke..!
/
mel / September 7, 2015
What is more astonishing is the abject poverty in Plonnaruwa where Sira was ruling over 45 years !! What the heck was he doing? Eating his kehel kola rice packets and resting on his laurels (MP, minister etc)????????????
/
Ram / September 7, 2015
Yet, they voted for him. Universal suffrage has it’s limitations.
/
BBS Rep / September 7, 2015
Many commenters here are missing the point.
Chaturika may be better educated than Namal and may be a better person wholesale than Namal. And she is certainly better looking than Namal- hehe.
However the issue is that she is flexing the muscles of her father at the pathetic civil servants and also at the poor villagers. She has no other legitimate claim to do what she did other than being the daughter of the President. Being the daughter of the president does not entitle her to take upon herself to go about pushing people no matter how meritorious her actions are. This is how corruption begins.
It must be nipped in the bud.
/
maya / September 7, 2015
rajapaska is pimping his daughter who up to now was in the shadows (where a woman’s place sgould be according to them)to get the mass support. this is now low this man can go.
/