By Lal Wickrematunge –
Why did five men attempt a robbery at Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema‘s house at Dickmans Road, Bambalapitiya on the 24th morning of August? A cursory glance at Mandana’s residence by any sane person could raise many interesting questions. The Ismail Abeywickrema residence, is in fact the last house any would be robber would enter, on Dickmans Road, if they wanted to carry away the biggest booty.It is also the most austere residence along this road. The residence seem to say “come and get anything from this house if it’s of any value”.
It is a well known fact that Mandana, the Associate Editor of the Sunday Leader does work each week through Friday till 2 or 3 am of Saturday to put the paper to bed. This fateful week she had finished earlier than usual or curtailed her work to get home well before that time. The Associate Editor’s father had returned home around mid night, noticed some men hovering around nearby, but had not given it much thought. The house settles down for the night though Romesh, Mandana’s husband is yet at Havelocks Sports Club, his watering hole, which is at the lower end of this road.
The would be robbers, enter the premises over the rear wall and use an implement to remove an iron bar of a window adjacent to the room in which the senior Ismail sleeps, to gain entry. Or so it is assumed at this point in time. This house has a three and a half foot front wall secured by a very old grilled iron gate. The front door and windows are wood paneled with frosted glass panes that could easily be prised open. The time is around 2.30 am on Saturday. Mandana is half asleep in an ante room. Mandana’s mother and ten year old daughter CK are asleep in a room leading off senior Ismail’s room. The criminals armed with knives and a sword prowl around with the help of a torch light before holding senior Ismail at knife point. The lights are put on and they proceed to hold Mandana at knife point. Negotiations begin with Mandana agreeing to give whatever valuables provided none of the family, are harmed.
At this point another from the group proceed to hold her mother and daughter at knife point which leads to Mandana pleading that the verbal agreement reached with them should be honoured. The criminals go on to break open all the steel cabinets and wardrobes and scatter all belongings in a random fashion. They pay special attention to paperwork. By now they have used items of clothing to cover their faces by tying them around like a bandana. Mandana’s rings are whisked off and the criminals look for the only jewellery in the house which belongs to Mrs Ismail.
One of the criminals whispers to Mandana, ” the problem is because we are two groups”, when she pleads that the inmates should not be harmed. One criminal has spoken to Mandana in english. ” Don’t shout”, he said, later another says that she is the problem and they have to take her. Interesting.
Time ticks by. The criminals have been in the house for over one and a half hours!!! One criminal’s cellular phone rings. He moves away to answer out of earshot of Mandana. Around 3.45am Romesh arrives at his home and finds a few lights on in the house and the side gate opened. Finding this unusual he proceeds to peer through the side gate to find the side door leading to the hall adjoining senior Ismail’s room opened and signs of some activity. His suspicions aroused Romesh hurries out through the front gate and calls the Police Emergency.
It takes more that twenty minutes for a Tata cab with five Policemen to arrive at the scene. One of them is armed with a pistol.being apprised of the situation the policemen fan out to surround the house. One of them goes in through the open side door to be attacked by a criminal and falls down in the hall. Another policeman grabs the pistol from his fallen comrade shoots at the criminal who shouts “Police, Police” and runs into the interior of the house. Romesh, standing outside could hear the sounds of the window and door panels being shattered. The criminals were attempting to get away through the front entrance. Finding that exiting through the front being difficult one runs back towards the rear and is shot repeatedly. Meanwhile, Mandana has closed the door to her room as her mother had done so already.
One criminal, fatally wounded in three places falls down whilst the other four flee in different directions. By now the Police have got in their back up men and they move swiftly to cordon off the area to apprehend the four who have fled. Two were caught on a rooftop trying to conceal themselves. One was caught in the front garden by a Policeman who wrestled with the criminal before arresting him. He whispers something to the Policeman and Romesh, who was watching this fracas took a photo of the criminal only to be ordered by the Policeman to delete it. The fifth criminal was arrested shortly thereafter. Game, Set but not the match yet.
The Police rush the fatally injured man along with others to the General Hospital.The doctors pronounce him dead. He had a glancing injury to the side of his head, one through the waist and another to the lower abdomen, which shot caused his death.Identification of the five perpetrators does not take long. The Police finds two of them with military background. Three of them were brothers of which one was military trained.
It was ironic to find the injured Policemen and the criminals being treated side by side in the General Hospital. One perpetrator confessed that a three wheel driver who plied for the Abeywickreme’s time and again, had given them the contract. Far fetched, but maybe true to some extent. Further investigation will/may bring out the entire story.
Mandana, did her best to continue writing in the same vein that the Leader of yore was reputed for, through her political column. She had recently pioneered a Union for Journalists. One of the objects of this Union was to protect Journalists.
The call by Romesh, brought the Police Emergency to his door. They did not know who, why nor wherefore of the criminals.They reacted according to their training. Full marks to the five Policemen who are now to be decorated by the IGP.
What gave confidence to the criminals to spend over two hours in the house? Unusual behaviour. Why did they not grab whatever they could and leave? From where did a grenade appear by the rear wall? Why did they not keep it with them? When was it found by the Police? Did someone introduce the grenade later? Why did they not look out for Romesh who may have returned any moment from the time they gained entry? What would have been the outcome had Romesh not returned at that time and made the call to the Police?
Suspicions will arise as The Sunday Leader and her staff have been repeatedly attacked, property destroyed and the founding Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge killed. None have been solved thus far, including the murder. If the Police did not open fire, apprehend the suspects in the act, this too would have been C3 ( accused unknown in Police jargon).
Aney Apochchi! / August 28, 2013
Lal:
You better be careful that, given the statement made by Anura Senanayake (DIG) which is in TOTAL CONTRADICTION to your story and those appearing in The Island newspaper that this was a simple burglary, NO MORE, you are not apprehended by a goon squad and given a one-way ride in a white van!
Perhaps, that creature of Asanga Seneviratne and the Editor of The Sunday Leader will also add her two cents worth to this narrative. She can perhaps say that the Abeywickremes and Ismails all had the same nightmare during the course of which they broke down doors in the house and ransacked almirahs etc. That should enhance her already-existing reputation for truth-telling!
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Sri Lankan / August 29, 2013
Lal is the chairman and this is his statement on the millionth attack on his staff.
For all the attacks on his staff none of the crimes have ever been solved
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winston devalliere / September 19, 2013
Dear Aney Appochchi,
It’s taken me a very long time to respond to your piece on Lal’s perceptions about the so-called ‘burglary’ at Mandana’s residence. To begin with, your cursory treatment of something seriously presented by a man of Lal’s stature, a man who has riSked all, and LOST HIS YOUNGER BROTHER, LASANTHA, TO THE MASTERMINDS BEHIND THE CRIME COMMITTED AT MANDANA’S HOME,A MAN WHOSE LIFE REMAINS ON THE LINE,A MAN WHO HAS STEADFASTLY STOOD FOR THE TRUTH, REEKS OF THE OBVIOUS LACK OF APPRECIATION YOU HAVE FOR SUCH SUBLIME THINGS. IT QUANTIFIE YOU FOR WHAT YOU ARE, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU DEFEND THE INDEFENSIBLE BY QUOTING CRAP FROM OTHER NEWSPAPERS. THERE SEEM TO BE QUITE A FEW PEOPLE WHO MIGHT SEEM TO HAVE BEEN DIRECTED BY THEIR HANDLERS TO THROW CHEAP, IMBECILIC TAINTS AT THOSE WHO UNFLINCHINGLY PURSUE EXPOSURE OF THE TRUTH, THE DRAW RED HERRINGS AGAINST THE DIRECTION IN WHICH PUBLIC DEBATE IS HEADED.
Just in case you are such a person, may I submit here A FEW EXTRACTS FROM A CONTRIBUTION I MADE A WHILE AGO TO A DIFFERENT WEBSITE ABOUT what is A VERY CLEAR, AND PERHAPS the most prophetic insight any journalist [ LASANTHA WICKREMATUNGA] has had into the direction in which Lanka is headed under the current regime, IN THE HOPE THAT THIS WILL IN SOME SMALL WAY HELP MEN SUCH AS YOU TO FULLY GRASP THE URGENCY OF THE NEED TO APPROACH THIS SUBJECT OF HOW THOSE OF INTEGRITY IN THE MEDIA ARE BRUTALLY TAKEN OUT OR ARE GOT RID OF IN ONE MANNER OR ANOTHER BY A REGIME THAT BROOKS NO INQUIRY INTO THE TRUTH.I BELIEVE THE ” COLOMBBO TELEGRAPH ” IS ALSO COMMITTED TO THAT LOFTY PURSUIT. MAY i PRESENT HERE AN EXTRACT OF MY ARTICLE THAT APPEARED ON A DIFFERENT WEBSITE: iT REFERS TO LASANTHA’S FINAL EDITORIAL.
QUOTE : ” they are extracts from Lasantha’s final editorial, published posthumously. I fully subscribe to what he wrote..and may I say, having moved very closely with him, that I can almost hear him talking to himself, [as he often did when mulling over stuff for an editorial,] and then jabbing his thoughts down on paper. His might have been a heart busting apart with an incredible amount of pain, so sure was he of his imminent assassination,a fact that suggests a tip-off by an insider, while he carefully assessed the accuracy of every word of farewell he wrote.He might well have been locked up all alone, just him and his conscience, perhaps a picture of his kids on the bed by his side, or vividly recreated before his eyes as he perhaps tearfully penned his last lines.. saying his final adieu.
I try hard to put myself in his place as he wrote that final edit but can’t because it’s impossible to enter into the depth of that pain..and knowing all too well what he was I would not in the least be surprised that he saved you the trauma he might have been living through by not giving you the slightest indication of his fears.
For the record, here are a couple of extracts which your readers would do well to keep alive in their memories because I think they will determine the parameters of what needs to be done in the context of the task that is before everyone who has a conscience:
Wrote Lasantha : “What is more, a military occupation of the country’s north and east will require the Tamil people of those regions to live eternally as second-class citizens, deprived of all self respect. Do not imagine that you can placate them by showering “development” and “reconstruction” on them in the post-war era. The wounds of war will scar them forever, and you will also have an even more bitter and hateful Diaspora to contend with. A PROBLEM AMENABLE TO A POLITICAL SOLUTION WILL THUS BECOME A FESTERING WOUND THAT WILL YIELD STRIFE FOR ALL ETERNITY.[ CAPS MINE ] If I seem angry and frustrated, it is only because most of my countrymen – and all of the government – CANNOT SEE THIS WRITING THAT IS SO PLAINLY ON THE WALL[ EMPHASIS MINE]
It is well known that I was on two occasions brutally assaulted, while on another my house was sprayed with machine-gun fire. Despite the government’s sanctimonious assurances, there was never a serious police inquiry into the perpetrators of these attacks, and the attackers were never apprehended. In all these cases, I have reason to believe the attacks were inspired by the government. When finally I am killed, it will be the government that kills me.
LASANTHA THEN VIRTUALLY SPEAKS FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE TO HIS FRIEND, THE PRESIDENT, AND EVERY WORD IS SATURATED WITH UNSPEAKABLE PATHOS, SO MUCH SO THAT ONE CAN SEE THE TEARS ROLL DOWN HIS CHEEKS. SO, OBVIOUSLY, HE DID HAVE POSITIVE INTEL OF HIS PLANNED MURDER.SAYS HE, AND THESE WORDS WILL REVERBERATE IN THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF EVERY FATHER AND MOTHER. I QUOTE : ” You have told me yourself that you were not greedy for the presidency. You did not have to hanker after it: it fell into your lap. You have told me that your sons are your greatest joy, and that you love spending time with them, leaving your brothers to operate the machinery of state. Now, it is clear to all who will see that that machinery has operated so well that my sons and daughter do not themselves have a father.” { that, my dear APPOCHCI, is what you are in truth defending.for to defend a lie is to protect the perpetrators of that lie]
‘a DEATH SUCH AS THIS IS IN FACT BEING TRIVIALIZED BY THE REGIME’S WORDSMITHS WHEN THEY CHURN OUT THEIR DEFENSIVE BRIEFS TO PROMOTE ITS LONGEVITY AND WHITEWASH ITS FACADE.THAT’S NAUSEATING…REPULSIVELY SO.
IT’S UTTERLY WRONG THAT ONE MAN SHOULD HAVE BEEN SUBJECTED TO SUCH AN AGONIZING END.. AND THAT HIS KILLERS BE AFFORDED PROTECTION.WHAT’S MORE SICKENING IS THE FACT THAT HIS KILLING HAS SILENCED HIS COUNTERPARTS IN JOURNALISM AND ONLY ELICITS SOME INANE AND VACUOUS STATEMENTS FROM FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS AND ORGANIZATIONS FROM WHOM ONE EXPECTS A RESPONSE THAT WILL PRODUCE A QUICK AND MEANINGFUL RESPONSE TO THIS FOUL DEED.
IN THE CONTEXT OF WHAT I’VE SUBMITTED ABOVE, IS “RECONCILIATION AND HEALING” JUXTAPOSED COMFORTABLY BETWEEN IT AND REALITY ?
I SEE NOTHING , EVEN ON THE FAR HORIZON, THAT SUGGESTS THE VERY REMOTEST POSSIBILITY OF A COMFORT ZONE FOR THOSE OF US WHO SEEK CHANGE.
WHAT THEN IS THERE IN THE FUTURE ? WHAT DOES IT PORTEND ?
THE ANSWER TO THAT IS THE FACT WITH WHICH WE NEED TO DEAL IN RESHAPING THE FUTURE OF SRI LANKA.BUT WHAT’S THE TOOL WE USE TO RESHAPE THAT FUTURE ?
THE ANSWER IS BLOWING IN THE WIND.. AND THAT WIND BRINGS WITH IT A VOICE FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE..AND THE SMELL OF HIS BLOOD AS HE DIED AT THE HANDS OF HIRED HOODLUMS.
THE QUESTION : WHAT NOW?
THE ANSWER TO THAT IS ALSO BLOWING IN THE WIND , OR AS LASANTHA PUT IT SUCCINCTLY.. “THE WRITING IS ON THE WALL, ITS PRIORITIES ARE CRYSTAL CLEAR.”
DON’T EVER DARE TO TRIVIALIZE THE KILLING OF A FELLOW JOURNALIST, FOR WHEN MEN SUCH AS YOU BRING AN APPROACH OF CHEAP RIDICULE TO SUCH LOFTY AFFAIRS, I MAKE SERIOUS NOTE OF ONE OF THE REASONS THAT CONTRIBUTES TO BUTTRESSING AND WHITE WASHING STATE SPONSORED CRIME.THERE’S SOMETHING UNSPEAKABLY DESPICABLE REALLY IN WHAT MEN OF YOUR CALIBER DO.
May I ask you humbly to approach such matters with sobriety, against the backdrop of the larger picture, the larger context within which the state takes out whom it wills, gets rid of those it wishes to,and gets away with it all because men such as you lack the integrity to call a spade a spade.
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Mahinda / August 28, 2013
My son did it
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K.A Sumanasekera / August 28, 2013
Even our Army Officers can’t speak English,let alone the soldiers.
Here are two Army deserters,chatting to the Editor of the main English rag of the Colombo Elite.while robbing her belongings and spend two and a half hours inside the house.
And five Policeman come with one pistol at 2,30AM in the Morming to investigate a burglary reported to them by the main occupant of the house.
It wasn’t that long ago the Policemen carried Machine Guns even in sunny afternoons in Bambalapitiya.
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Moon / August 28, 2013
Rumour has it that one Mahinda`s [Edited out]
@Moon/ Punchinilame, don’t post rumours – CT
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Lapatiya / August 28, 2013
Our best friend “Aathal Sumane” is telling the truth. Actually now a days all the thieves in the country knows that Journalists are very rich. Everybody knows that our Aadambarakara Thatha has given “Lap Tops” to each and every Journalists to take them to his Lap. Aadamabarakarakara Thatha has given Interest free Car Loans to Laptop Journalists and for some very good Laptop Journalists Land and Bank Loans etc. So it is not wrng for thieves to think that Journalists are very rich.
Thieves who entered to Mandana’s house probably western educated thieves because they spoke to Mandana in English and that proves this is part of an International conspiracy according to our Friend “Aathal Sumane”
May be “Aathal Sumane” forgot to mention about Mandana’s Husband. That may be part of the conspiracy that Mandana’s Husband was away at that time of the night.
Also our “Aathal Sumane” is correct to say that 5 Policeman came with only one Pistol. That is true, because all the police weapons taken out for protection of VVIP’s who participated Police Dogs Marriage ceremony.
“Machan Aathal Sumane Kade gihin enakota monawa hari bite ekata aran waren hode”
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Rooster / August 28, 2013
Athal-Sumane ha ha ha. :)
Super name for him. Actually he is ‘Athaling’ us.
Athal Sumane wont rest if he doesnt put his two cent comment to each and every article. Of course he is been paid for that.
Gota’s & NaRa’s Mandana I A, residence attack was an well
known fact otherwise shown in regime’s laundry media as some petty thieves broke into the house to rob some valuables.
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shankar / August 28, 2013
“And five Policeman come with one pistol”
Do you expect one policeman to come with 5 pistols.
BTW gamini fonseka would not have needed even one pistol.Go and see welikedera again.
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K.A Sumanasekera / August 29, 2013
Is MGR still around???
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JULAMPITIYE AMARAYA / August 28, 2013
Sumanawarthi;
“Even our Army Officers can’t speak English, let alone the soldiers”
But They how the read the Geneve convention for The Battle front at
Mullaivaikal And WeliWeriya.
But They and Their Masters [yours too] speak from their hind quarters.
You are also a So Called Detective To your handlers,
so why don’t you get into Bob catting business like your bosses.
Good job of your Synthetic Lower at Madamulaana.
THAT WENT AVEARY.
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Peace Lover / August 28, 2013
so what are you trying to say K A Sumanasekera?
are you saying our brave army officers are illiterate and cant speak English? I dont think so as they are taught English at KDA and the Defence Colleges here
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Safa / August 28, 2013
Why do these robbers frequently enter the houses of journalist belonging to the Leader. Faraz and now Mandana. Especially when they are at home. A message to ‘keep your hands off’?
The Krish story is floating around and people are wondering what is happening. JKH project was also inflated by a similiar amount?
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shankar / August 28, 2013
“Why do these robbers frequently enter the houses of journalist belonging to the Leader.”
They are drawn to it like bees are drawn to honey or bankers are drawn to money.
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JULAMPITIYE AMARAYA / August 29, 2013
wrong,
Like UPFA’s VVIPS and Politicians drawn To ABADUCT and Taking RANSOM MONEY.
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Psharmindra Samuel / August 28, 2013
Strangely and Sadly the perpetraitors did have cove from a myterious power,which did not transpire.The truth will find this out very soon.Thank you Lal for boldly writing this piece.
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justice / August 28, 2013
What subsequently happened will establish the bona fides and identities of the perpetraters.
Were they produced before a magistrate and held in custody till a case is filed?
Did the attorney general allow?
It is plain that this was NOT a robbery.
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Mahela / August 28, 2013
According to Ranil Wickremasinghe’s talk at the Weliweriya, the documents that robbers were looking for are related to Krish bribery scandal where a top Got.VIP son is involved. Also LEN gives a better picture of the culprit who planned this operation.
Here’s the web. to read more of the 400 million Krish bribery scandal.
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/130714/business-times/krrish-denies-making-any-pay-offs-52237.html
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nalaka_Godahewa
lankaenews.com/English/news.php?id=13826
I still wonder what the robbers wispered to the policeman, and why Police forced Romesh to delete the photograph of the robber.
There are many worms in the pie and all are directed towards the one and only Great Alibaba Thief.
Robbing, cheating,cunningness, bribery, thuggery,murder, rape, commission taking, double face and double acting, big head and swolen face,comedy jokers, false pride are all in the family DNA and in their blood and in their vains are now been passed to other framily circle, relatives and to party goons.
Oh, I missed Kangetta, Julampitiya Amarae, Tsunami Jack pot, Atha Kota,Sarath N.Silva, Karuna, KP, and DIG Vas……my lovely sweety honey buns.
Leopard will never change it’s spots and the only solution is a collective game plan to save our country from the blooded devil cunning fox and to work on a systematic plan to remove the crook before it ruin our country and force people to eat Punnakku, Polkudu, coconut scrape and Thanakola….Grass. Pretty soon it will happen. Kangetta has already polished our Central Bank.
First the blood sucker came for Lasantha…..and now it is looking for it’s next prey.
It’s time for people to wake up and bring the culprits to Hague International criminal courts.
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Bandara / August 28, 2013
It is another clear example of current Regim that our Mother Land went to a dog level Pls lankans wake up!
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Peter Fernando / August 29, 2013
We need arab spring style -like uprising to come out of the situiaton we the nation are caught today. All Rajapskehs should have been removed from the rule to allow peace,respect and dignity of the life together with law and order.
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Ben Dover / August 28, 2013
Lal, you obviously have a knack for telling a riveting story really well!
The developing scene is, as you put it, interesting.
The culprits are now ‘bagged’ and identified – situation ripe for follow up action, including tracing the crime to its orchestrator. Will the investigation be credible? Will it do enough to bring about some positive change to the messy situation we see today? Will we see some chinks in the armour at the Provincial Council elections in September?
If the answer is yes to the majority of the above questions, all credit should go to the bar-hopping, pub-crawling, bleary-eyed Romesh. Oh, by the way, is it possible for a skilled IT security person to retrieve a deleted image from a memory card? Worth exploring perhaps?
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Jim softy / August 29, 2013
In Sri Lanka, some media people are very treasonous. Because, I haven’t seen a journalism that is more destructive to the country and to the majority than the journalists in Sri Lanka.
I am pretty sure, they are getting money from special interest groups and work for them. They are doing nothing good for the country.
Sri Lankan govt should take this into consideration and solve this problem.
Sri Lankan media is not giving the true picture about what is going on. The picture they give to outside is very very biased against the country, the sinhala – people as well as the Sinhala-buddhists.
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Peter Fernando / August 29, 2013
Current regime is not capable to see anything. Days are numbered. This regime is absolutely the worst ever we have had sofar.
Today, every criminal can continue his activities, so long he has somethign to do with TOPLEADERSHIP or any other Rajas.
The country once upon a time was popular as – the pearl of the asia has now become – crime friendly paradise in the asia under the guidance of an idiotic leader who seems to have no respect towards any international communities. After commonwealth summit,international communities will learn more about sofar untold stories of the current regime
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chandra / August 29, 2013
Jimbo
You must be taking the Daily Noose in a literal sense
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Mahela / August 29, 2013
Hay Jimmy Dean………
Sorry I missed my breakfast sausage today. Could not attend for the Breakfast meeting with Percy at Araliya Gaha Manderiya, and also to collect my Free gifts of laptop, house loan and the duty free car permit.
What other perks you need to write a biased and favourable articles on Percy and the family. Tourism increase by 30%, economic development by 20%, First world country with 10,000 US Dollar per capita income, Airports built in the sky and Harbours built on Rocks. Aren’t these truly wonders of the world…..
Have you ever seen any other country offering this much of perks to their reporters, Journalists and media personnel.
What a wonderful cunt..ry to live………
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2VCwBzGdPM
Also I have to be careful of White van abductions, sudden disappearances and from Greese Yakas. Do you remember Lasantha, Prageeth, Fredrica and now Mandana…….
Mr.Jimmy Dean sausage…..could you explain how many newspapers, TV stations and radio broadcasts are owned and controlled by your Medamulana Percy the Dictator crook Bast…d moth…r fuck…r as..s Hole.
Please tell us as to how many Truly Independent Newspapers, TV stations and Radio stations are there in Sri Lanka today……
Go and lick the ass of your Pig eating shit to get the 10% commission for licking their ass you crazy Bit…h without talking Bul shit.
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Point of View / August 29, 2013
Are you talking to the mirror ?
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JULAMPITIYE AMARAYA / August 29, 2013
JINM Sothfy;
“Sri Lankan government should take this into consideration and solve this problem”.
Many years Ago They The Governance Started To Solve This.
First They try to Bribe The Media. Some accepted the Bribes and Hanging Behind the SAATAKAYA and Army Psychopath.
Then Used Goons Intimidate. Some Media Men Fled the Country.
Then Started to kill them.
Now it is Going on With the Help of People like you
AND YOU PRETEND TO Be ” I DO NOT KNOW ANY THING AND I AM A Milk Sucking BABY”.[ MODAWANGSA’s BABA HUKUNG].
ARE YOU HAPPY NOW.
“DANO BUDHUNGE, SRI DARMASKADAAAAAA”.
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Palayang yako! / August 31, 2013
Jimnutty:
Why don’t you provide proof of even ONE SRI LANKAN CENT being paid as a bribe to ANYONE who is critical of this government?
You and the rest of those “on the take” are very free with these b.s accusations. Those who have the money and inclination (for obvious reasons) to pay and accept bribes are those AROUND YOU AND THOSE YOU WORK FOR.
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Namal Perera / August 29, 2013
Wonder of Asia. This is the democracy in corrupt lawless Banana Republic which serve and protect only the CRIMINALS. We should not forget that this is the only Nation in the entire Universe where people tie themselves to trees, assault themselves and shoot to kill themselves and so on. God save former democratic Sri Lanka.
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Vartharajah Perumal / August 29, 2013
This is a western conspiracy hacked by NGOs funded by Christians
It was also a set up created by Sunday leader for sensationalism.
Wimal Weerawansa will expose it soon.
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Vartharajah Perumal / August 29, 2013
Sarcasm
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Chum / August 29, 2013
Sri Lankans should all rally and come together and work to put an end to this evil dictatorship.
Enough is enough
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Mahasonah / August 29, 2013
Be careful Mandana, and remember that “once CHOGM is over there’ll be Noori all over”! This is a top ordered hit to get documents of sibling commissions and they stop at nothing you know! Just like IRA said to Ms. Thatcher once ” you have to be lucky always while they had better be only once”. Try contacting Puyallup for advice because the Flagship knows all.
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Morhinie / August 29, 2013
Many years later I hope all intruders will be pardoned like in the RooLekha deal.
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Lasantha Pethiyagoda / August 29, 2013
Like most crimes that occur, this too will be forgotten in time. People are compelled to move on in their battle for survival, and investigations, reports and statements made by the arrested will become obsolete as they grow older. “Breaking” and fresh news will become the focus from time to time. Such is life, isn’t it?
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Spring Koha / August 29, 2013
The clue lies in what Ukku whispered to the policeman.
This was a ‘burglary’ set up to achieve an objective yet to be disclosed. But it all went pear-shaped when (1) somebody forgot to script in the cops, and (2)nocturnal Romesh was expected to be in his own bed. What an almighty cock-up by the unseen hand; the gang of five were stoned and had’n’t a clue about time. Now the messy ha-ho has to be shaped up by he who shall remain anonymous.
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shankar / August 31, 2013
“The clue lies in what Ukku whispered to the policeman.”
horse whisperer.
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Jai Bunker / August 31, 2013
Why was he so fascinated of the Ukku?
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kali / August 29, 2013
I think the Burglars were from the lost property office looking for Wimal Weerawansa who has been missing for weeks.
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Independent Thinker / August 29, 2013
Lal Wickremetunga, once a Sub Inspector in the CID has
said his piece. It is clear he has not forgotten his
CID days and crime scene observations even if he has
now become Sri Lanka’s Rupert Murdoch. Or so he thinks.
I will not comment on what he has said. At best it is
a version which even Mandana has not brought out in
such detail. At worse, he is making a case for Mandana,
which he is perfectly entitled to do.
Now, the question is this. Lal was the sole owner of The
Leader Publications having wrested control from Harris
Hulugalle. He sold it to Asanga Seneviratne for some Rs 200
million. Yet he is the Chairman of the same company though a
minority shareholder.We all know that a Chairman has a lot if
not some clout in a company.
Why is it that there is NOT one word in The Sunday Leader
from Lal. He is not quoted in the news reports. This CT article
has not even appeared in any form in The Sunday Leader.That apart,
as a knowledgeable SI from the CID at one time, he could have
even offered to make a statement to the Police. That is in his
capacity as Chairman of the company. He could very well state
his suspicions there. Why did he not do that?
This leads to the biggest question – Is there a battle within
the board of directors of The Sunday Leader. Lal in his CT article
says Mandana is an Associate Editor. However, the front page headline
story in the last issue of The Sunday Leader refers to her only as
a journalist. Has the roving web correspondent and a site operator Eeaswaran Rutnam been told to write that Mandana was only a journalist? That could be a free lance reporter, a contributor, reporter or some such office held by a person. Is this not an insult to the Associate Editor by her own newspaper?
All is not well at The Sunday Leader. What readers of the CT, I am
sure, would want to know is whether this was an inspired attack or
just a case of robbery. By remaining silent and allowing only a
spokesman to make comments, the Government has given strong
credibility to the former. Of course that is their style. Even if
hell breaks lose, it takes time for them to get their story
together or fabricate one. Will the real truth ever emerge?
People like Lal could have helped bring it out. They who talk of
such lofty ideals should not preach but practice what they believe.
It is still not too late for you to go to the CCD and tell them
your suspicions as the Chairman of The Sunday Leader group of Publications. You would be at perfect liberty to release it to all
the media. Even if they do not publish, CT will. Lal, so do not
fear to do the right thing instead of simply preaching to others.
/
Sun / August 30, 2013
What makes you think he isn’t doing anything?
Lal worked for decades tirelessly carrying the sunday leader on his shoulders and did everything he could through his business to ensure sri lankans were in the right to know.
The Sunday Leader is a family run business and while Lasantha was the face of the Sunday Leader Lal was the driving force.
When Lasantha was assassinated Lal had to continue as a businessman after losing his businesses face and personality but also his brother.
Im sure it was a taunting and harrowing ordeal to go through.Any institute or empire run by a family can understand that any company goes through its hardships but when its personal its much harder. I’m sure if the Rajapaksa family were to lose basil or paraya gotabahaya it would effect their government but also the family.
The Sunday Leader was the only independent media institute in Sri Lanka and its survival ran its course.
As for Lal it was his brother and his media institute that represented media freedom and raw journalism in Sri Lanka.
And even after the selling of the leader they continue to be the face of that in Sri Lanka
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Spring Koha / August 30, 2013
This one is beyond an ordinary CID sub inspector. Better to ask Miss Marples to give a hand. Lal perhaps knows more, but Lal dare not tell; not in his precarious position. Hence,the article is a helpful red herring. The planted jewellery has been disowned by Mandana. English speaking burglars negotiating at 3am? 5 policemen 1 pistol arriving by Tata cab. Who paid the fare? Inspector Closeau eat your heart out. These things should only happen in a B movie. But who is the silent, unseen director. Will he be ever introduced to the waiting audience? Cue the spotlights…..step forward…….??????????
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Mahela / August 30, 2013
Can there be a link between Mandana’s house break and planned murder to recover the Krish documents, UNHRC Navi Pillai’s visit and Raja tuma’s “Nade” entourage chartered cruice Belarus tour…..
The conspiracy could have been planned to get away from the Mandana murder cover-up and to get away from the crime scene.
Unfortunately the plan got mis-fired and the culprits cought.
Now there’s going to be another cover-up.
Anything is possible in the Jokers “Aishcharya” Wonder Land.
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winston devalliere / September 1, 2013
Follow your thread my friend to a logical conclusion.:two and a half hours of searching and threats.Not a finger is laid on her. My guess is that one,perhaps two guys ordered to keep Romesh away at a pub until a pre-agreed signal was given fell down on the job. ROMESH, THE UNEXPECTED ELEMENT.NOT ONLY BARGED IN BUT CALLED THE COPS….OH OH ! AND YOU CAN BET YOUR LAST DOLLAR THAT THEY WERE EXPECTING THE UNEXPECTED and , mark this, knew that only one revolver was needed to take out the only man in the gang who knew where the orders came from to snatch the krrish documents. imagine the shit had Mandana splashed the dung all over the rajapaksa faces in the Sunday Leader and ensure that Navi Pillay reads it all before calling on the President.
that would have been the stink of the century, right ?
So something had to be done in a hurry because the moles in the editorial MARK THIS, HAD TO BE ON HAND TO RUMMAGE THROUGH MANDANA’S STUFF IN OFFICE TO MAKE SURE THE k DOCUMENTS WERE NOT THERE. SO IT IS SUBTLY ARRANGED PERHAPS FOR MANADANA TO BE FREE TO LEAVE OFFICE EARLIER THAN SHE NORMALLY DOES TO FACILITATE UNSEEN ENTRY OF ANOTHER GANG TASKED TO LOOK FOR THOSE DOCUMENTS. AND SO ANOTHER MISING PIECE FALLS INTO PLACE.TO WITH, THAT WE KNOW WHY THE “ROBBERS” HAD TO WAIT OVER TWO AND A HALF HOURS AT MANDANA’S HOME : IT’S BECAUSE THEY IMPLY HAD TO SWEAT IT OUR UNTIL A CALL CAME FROM THE SUNDAY LEADER THAT THE MISION THERE HAD EITHER BORNE FRUIT OR FAILED.LAL’S LIFE I SAFE ONLY UNTIL ‘THEY’ FIND A WAY TO TAKE HIM OUT IN A MANNER THAT CANNOT BE LINKED TO THE MASTERS OF THE GANG THAT WAS SENT TO KILL LASANTHA.MANY PETTY MINDS ARE GLAD ABOUT THE NEGATIVE HAPPENINGS PERTAINING TO OWNERSHIP OF THE SUNDAY LEADER.BUT IN THE FACE OF HAVING A BROTHER BRUTALLY PUT TO DEATH AND LET DOWN BY MALES [ I SELECTIVELY DON’T SAY ‘MEN’] IN THE POLITICAL SPHERE WHO BY ANY MORAL STANDARD SHOULD HAVE ENSURED THAT LAL’S AND LASANTHA’S MORE THAN NOBLE COMMITMENT TO SRI LANKA. TO WITH, THE SUNDAY LEADER, REMAINS EXCLUSIVELY IN HIS HANDS, SLUNK AWAY EVEN BEFORE THE DUST HAD SETTLED AT KANATTA. WHAT SCOUNDRELS WHO, AFTER HAVING PROFITED MOST FROM LASANTHA’S AND LAL’S INTEGRITY,DISTANCED THEMSELVES FROM THE FATE OF THE PAPER WHEN POTENTIALLY BIG COMMITMENTS BEGAN RISING OVER THE HORIZON. YES.LAL REMAINS CHAIRMAN AND, WITH NO QUALIFICATION WHATSOEVER, PERHAPS THE ONLY CHAIRMAN ENTITLED TO TRUE PRIDE IN HIS POSITION.HE COULD HAVE VERY EASILY TOLD HIS YOUNGER BROTHER TO CALL IT OFF OR TONE IT DOWN BUT HIS COMMITMENT WAS IN NO MEASURE ONE JOT LESSER THAN THAT OF LASANTHA’S. I KNOW THIS PERSONALLY. IT’S TO HIS CREDIT THAT HE POSTED HIS OBSERVATIONS ON THE CT. GIVEN THE VERY REAL DANGERS TO HIS LIFE EVER SINCE lASANTHA WAS KILLED I AM CERTAIN THAT IF LAL CHOSE TO KEEP OUT ANYTHING OR SEEMED TO UNDERPLAY ANYTHING IN HIS PIECE, THAT DECISION AROSE FROM A SENSE OF SANITY IN THE FACE OF EXISTING THREATS ON HIS LIFE. AND JOURNALISM CERTAINLY CAN’T AFFORD TO LOSE A MAN OF HIS STATURE AND INTEGRITY.I ONCE WROTE SHORTLY AFTER LASANTHA WAS KILLED ATHT THOUGH THE MASTERS OF HIS KILLERS ENTERTAINED THE FANTASY THAT LASANTHA’S KILLING WOULD END IT ALL, THAT ‘ NOW IT ALL BEGINS”. IT’S TAKEN A LONG TIME TO GATHER STEAM BUT IT HAS AND IT IS ONLY NOW THAT MEN AND WOMEN FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE ARE BEGINNING TO STAND STRAIGHT AND WALK TALL.
HOW STUPID OF YOU TO ASK ” LAL, WHY DON’T YOU SAY YOUR PIECE IN THE SUNDAY LEADER? BLOODY NAIVE AREN’T YOU. SHOULD YOU SHOVE IT UP , IT JUST MIGHT HELP STAUNCH THE FLOW OF YOUR FAECES ON THIS SITE.
WHAT DID ONE OF THE ASSHOLES WHO BROKE INTO MANDANA’ HOME SAY TO THE COP? YOU OAF, HE WAS TELLING HIM TO CALL SUCH AND SUCH A NUMBER FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS. TOO BLIND TO GET THE PICTURE ARE WE?AND THE COPS ARE TO BE OFFICIALLY HONOURED FOR THEIR EXCELLENT WORK. MAKES NICE READING FOR NAVI PILLAY. THOUSANDS OF SOLDIERS WHO PUT THEIR LIVES AT INCREDIBLE RISK AT THE WAR FRONT FAILED TO GET SUCH RECOGNITION.
AH! WHAT A FINE GOVERNMENT. READING THE ACCOUNT,nAVI pILLAY MIGHT HAVE WIPED A TEAR OR TWO OFF HER CHEEKS.I NEARLY DID.TRUTH. THESE GUYS SURE KNOW HOWTO CONVERT A HIT SQUAD INTO A CRIMINAL GANG AND MAKE COPS LOOK LIKE SUPER MODELS OF THEIR PROFESSION.
LAL MIGHT BE LAUGHING HIMSELF HOARSE.. HE KNOWS WHAT THE POLICE FORCE IS YOU NUT.
THEY GOT RID OF LASANTHA and SHAUKETALLY.MANDANA AND ROMESH ARE ON THE WAY OUT. HOPE THEY’RE NOT SO STUPID AS TO WRITE A COMMENDATION TO THE IGP a la SHAUKETALLY. His ‘thank you’ piece published in the Sunday Leader after that bullet barely grazed his jugular did wash over me with a bit of nausea.
Three years ago I predicted that “now it all begins”. Today I can assuredly say” now it picks up speed”.
LEST I FORGET, KUDOS TO THE CT… I THINK YOU’RE DOING A GREAT JOB WITH LOTS OF INTEGRITY UNDERPINNING IT.BLESSINGS.
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Sumith / August 30, 2013
/* Aug 30 (Island) The identity of the mastermind of Saturday’s break-in, at The Sunday Leader Associate Editor, Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema’s residence in Bambalapitiya, had been revealed by one of the suspects in custody and action had been taken to track him down, Western Province Senior DIG Anura Senanayake told The Island yesterday. */
Why on earth a robber want to hire another robber to rob houses? -:)
another cover up to hide the top politicians involved in this…
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george jilmart / August 31, 2013
Good movie to make- the story goes like this- the prince received a bribe, this was exposed in an article by Mandana, she had documents which were incriminating, the documents had to be destroyed, robbery was set up as a motive to disguise the obtaining of the documents, the police reacted swiftly as they were part of the act, now it looks like a pure burglary, but we know about the Krish deal,ha ha. Lets wait for the next event. KS and Leela will love this story, the arseholes.
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Vizzy Pooh / August 31, 2013
The R family is getting so much in commissions that they will murder all Sri lankans if they have to. This was one such attempt.
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Independent Thinker / September 2, 2013
Mr Winston de Vallier – Other than your idiocy ( a built in
defect from older days), you have not said anything of
sense or substance. I am not sure whether you, leave alone
God, would be able to understand what you have said. Have
another go!! I sympathise with you.
/
Poppet Lalu / September 2, 2013
A Churchilian, the first one
and the second, not de Valliere
but de Valued. He is advise
people to do what he has not
been able to do in a lifetime.
Shove what? You know it too well
mate!!!
/
Harl Paruwah / September 5, 2013
Look at that Valierre (not sure whether that is the
correct name or some oddball pseudonym for a Somali
pirate). He says “they got rid of Lasantha and Shauketali…”
The damn fool does not realise Shaukatli is live and
kicking. Where did you get your facts? You don’t seem to
be too friendly with facts!! Perhaps that’s a bad habit
you have got used to for a long time!!!
/
winston devalliere / September 19, 2013
I don’t normally waste my time with imbeciles but why not look up the Thesaurus on the definitions of words and phrases before you make a public display of your amazing stupidity ? You might start with ” get rid of”.You’re wasting space meant for use as a forum for informed and intelligent people.Sad that, after all these years, your self-image has remained in the gutter. Might be terrible to be living with such an inferiority complex….. and the indignity of not having a birth certificate. We’re talking of life and death situations faced by journalists of integrity and you stupidly barge in with the inanities above which you’ve never risen in 40 years.No wonder your mother left you with a name like ‘hari paruwah’… sound so very much like ‘pariah’.How sad !
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Safa / September 9, 2013
(Lanka-e-News-09.Sep.2013, 4.30PM) Last night ‘unknown persons’ had entered the residence of the senior journalist’s Mandna Ismail Abeywickreme and taken away the number of computers. This time the buglers had entered the annex of the house, which had been rented to a businessman to use as an office.
‘Curiouser and curiouser!’
/