28 March, 2024

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Meethotamulla & Corrupt Politicians

By Barbara Seneviratne

Barbara Seneviratne

Oh! my heavens how lucky we are to have such conscientious ministers, members of Parliament and C.M.C mayors who suddenly were awakened to the cries of the folks who were victims to be buried alive by the so called loving, faithful, dedicated politicians.

This mountain of garbage at Meethotamulla was deliberately built with no concern for the health hazard it created for the poor but not for the unscrupulous politicians who with the help of the C.M.C. mayors and contractors pocket nearly Rs.8 million a year. It is no wonder that they gave no ear to the people of the area. 

However, let us hope that garbage mountain at the Ginganga in Galle would not face the similar fate as Meethotamulla. This garbage mountain at Ginganga could be seen if one takes a boat along the river towards the Jet wing hotel. It will be another catastrophe and the livelihood of most of the people living close to the river and the garbage mountain is operating boat tours for tourists along the river.

These politicians spend thousands of rupees on spirits and food at elections not for the benefit of those who voted for them but to harvest a larger amount of black money. Another instead reason why they want the old system of provincial councils is because that system would enable them to line their pockets from the funds allocated for the development of village roads, schools and local hospitals which they promise to do but they never do.

Unfortunately we do not get people of the caliber of Lalith Athulathmudalie, T.B Illangaratne, T.B Subasinghe or Anil Moonasinghe as members of Parliament. It is said that 90% of our politicians are uneducated. This was supported by Bandula Gunawardana’s speech and wherein he stated that a family of four could comfortably live on an income of Rs 2000/ per month. The majority of politicians of today are good at collecting their 10% commissions from tenders but lack the ability to propose or deal with any of the outstanding problems of today in the areas of education, health, water and electricity. They hardly have the capacity to visualize or detect what is good or bad for the country, but good at organizing strikes or dashing coconuts on the roads. They are also good at delivering grandiose senseless speeches to hide their disabilities. How can we expect these corrupt, unscrupulous politicians who extort money or sexual favors and who take advantage of the innocent folks to fill their pockets be concerned about the plight of the community. Their behavior in parliament also indicates their disability to be decent, and disciplined.

For decades politicians have not taken garbage dumping issue seriously. The best part is that it is for these politicians that the government gives free rides abroad, duty free luxury vehicles and pension after just for 5 years for behaving like a bull in a china shop. Beside for attending Parliament they get an extra payment. Sri Lanka may be the only country that pampers politicians be they crook or to prevent them from crossing over to other parties or through fear that they will expose the culprits.

 It is time that the President realizes that preaching at all functions will not deliver the goods. The prevalence of political corruption has had a number of consequences. It’s affected the country’s economy to a great extent. It is high time that the government and the President guarantee that corruption in all institutions would be exposed to the public and would instill discipline at all levels.

The president must further ensure that racial discrimination is no longer legitimate under the law and any sign of it that can be fought legally is taken to the courts. He must further take serious action against police manhandling of witnesses and presenting false charges in courts. 

The country’s court system can’t effectively deal with corruption either. This is because the court system is engulfed with injustices and corruption is deeply rooted. For example the prevailing legal system is weak to punish corrupt politicians. No society can succeed without a proper social order and no successful society has ever existed without the rule of law, which is a necessary and sufficient perquisite for economic growth and development. 

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Latest comments

  • 10
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    The biggest curse to the world since the fall of “Lucifer” from God’s grace are politicians. That’s why it is said that politics and politicians are only one step from the gates of Hell.

    • 5
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      Who is the Minister in Charge and local authority who must resign for the Meetotamulla carnage? Pathala Champika Ranawaka and the Colombo Mayor and Municipality officials who are cutting down all the treas of Colombo but not disposing garbage in a sanitary way, are corrupt to the core.

      Beware: the wolf in sheep’s cloths, Pathala Champika Ranawaka, Mega city megalomaniac who is pushing the China port city and at the bottom of all the corruption, spin and environmental rot. As minister in charge, he should have been forced to resigned after collapse of Meetotamulla Garbage dump and murder of innocents which is under UDA and his subject. Instead Pathala is playing a spin and blame game – passing to buck to Goon Gota! Pathala is China’s Sinhala Buddhist emperor and savior in waiting and after the corrupt political circus of Ranil, Sira, Mahinda Jarapassa is done, Pathala of the Mega Port City will rule Sinhala Buddhist Lanka in the Chinese golden age.

      • 0
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        S.Modaya,

        I think you have identified the the real factor behind the declining state of the country and its hell-hole governance-the SINHALA ONLY MAFIA with the Jewish backing corrupting the country for the last 100 years.

        Champika Ranawaka, the UNP,SLFP, JVP etc… all are the many faces and many dimensions of the same SINHALA ONLY CURSE which is drowning the entire nation with its population who are being divided into segments of races by these evil forces same as the MEETHOTAMULLA GARBAGE HEAP that came on the surrounding innocent people….

        The Garbage heap is the POLITICAL SYSTEM and the vicims are the innocent people who are the dumb voters who are being duped into believing that the so called election process is genuine and it is producing the results of the people’s wishes….. NOT AT ALL…

      • 0
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        2nd part,

        The Jews of the WEST…the Evil Jewish Empire that raped the whole earth with their BRITISH EMPIRE project devised this systems of governance to be introduced to the world which is, in its truest form, is nothing but a SEVILE TO THE JEWS system and an exploitative and corruption ridden system to steal the mass population.

        The SINHALA ONLY is thus was introduced by the same EVIL BRITISH educated BRITISH created elites like the SENANAYAKES, BANDAS, JAYAWARDENES, WIJEWARDENES, KOTALAWELAS and the modern day elites created from the downtrodden garbage heap like the PREMADASAS, RAJAPAKSES… are all have and had only one vision in their political life….to bring about and continuously taking forward of the EVIL SINHALA ONLY project.

    • 6
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      Be fair.
      Where will human knowledge be if not for a little prank by Lucifer?
      Christian scholars are still struggling to figure out what went wrong between him and Him.

      Before politicians there were the clergy stirring conflict among human beings.
      Compared to them the politicians are novices.
      But they seem to be delivering little favours to some of the faithful when He declines to get involved or even upsets some well-crafted schemes.

  • 4
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    Madam Senviratne, thanks for your valuable article.

    I think what would be surprising is to talk about non-corrupted politicians in the lost island.
    Both politicians and majority of people are highly corrupted, not just in terms of income related issues but almost in many areas. Even so called religious clergies are corrupted.
    If some so called most respected theros or any other religious leaders would not even want to see the problems of the poor – are also abusive and corrupted. No candidates in religious communities are away from corruption either.

    So in this country if one would talk about non-corruption culture, that will get lot more focus.

    Besides those got killed by the man made disaster lately, out of them lot more families had been involved in garbage related income earning black jobs.
    One would easily share it is no right to put the blame on them, but part of guilty should be shared by them for sure. Even if those the like folks would have been informed, their stubborness dont allow them to respect laws and orders in the country.
    The kind of problems have been heard almost in any country that continued with development projects. Be that Malaysia, Indonesia or Kenya, Nigeria are the same – some people have faced the kind of threats not being able to relinquish the place their livelyhood had been for decacdes.

  • 4
    1

    “Unfortunately we do not get people of the caliber of Lalith Athulathmudalie, T.B Illangaratne, T.B Subasinghe or Anil Moonasinghe as members of Parliament”

    they may have calibre but they were also all corrupt.

    a “corrupt calibre” is same as an “uneducated corrupt”

    that is why I Lanka is where it is today.

    • 3
      1

      What matters is the level of corruption…. not just on funds and the related, but behaviours too belong to corruption and abusive culture. None of the politicians in the country and .. are non corrupted- if they would stay neglecting things, not giving priority where it was due are all belonging to abusive category.
      You cant find any non-corrupted politicians in entire developing world. For those men were less corrupted than the ones in ruling today.
      MR was the worst devil of all corruption in the country . No other leader abuse funding that way as he did. No matter Meethota mulla or other areas, the poor of the poor fell even much deeper, but the guy et al, toured in the US by spending lacks of dollar per tour.. remember ? Today, he further seeks sympathy but prevaricating when asked for reasoning even for billion dollar wastages came into being within his financial management.

      Even JVPrs are corrpted, but they the less corrupted than others in the scene.

      • 1
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        Please do enlighten us about the corrupt activities of the JVP since they want anyone to come up with any allegations of their corruption, even of a paper clip or ballpoint pen.

        • 1
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          I have no faCTS, but several men in public revealed some corruption handlings of AKD and JVP as a party lately… please check yourself in the web.
          Chatura Senaratne, Wijedaasa Rajapakshe and even CT had once brought few articles on their purchases of cars. etc. That is why I put them to the less corrupted list. And .. the fact not just funding related issue, but also several otehr issues belong one to be abusive or corrupted. Please get them from the web and discuss them here, you can only win if your arguments would deliver facts but facts. I am from Europe, but very interested to know more about JVP external affairs related policies.

      • 0
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        I agree.
        One name comes to mind VP.
        ok ok just hold on I am not LTTE

    • 2
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      How did you come to the conclusion that Mr: Anil Moonasinha was corrupt? As far as I know he was not at all corrupt to our detriment.

  • 3
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    there are so many politicians and so many levels of the govt whioch include the central govt, provincial govt and the municipality -that could be answerable for the garbage removal. Some says, it is the ABANS – a company owned by an Indian is responsible for giving bribes to every politician and not doing the job.

    It says, about 150 officials had travelled to different countries looking for a feasible strategy and they did not do anything. Finally, The prime minister Ranil Wickramsinghe, as soon as he became the PM, had said he would provide a solution in six months but that did not happen too.

    Now, all gang up and accuse the defeated govt which was sent home because they did not do the job. The govt took over the job is silent.

    I know sri lankan law is also, as in any other country, only for rich people. So, politicians are silent. Courts will not do anything. President is busy protecting his but. So, what to do.

    It is the stupid voters who voted for these scoundrels.

  • 6
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    The uneducated uncultured thieves and killers are still free?
    Start doing what you promised Mr president?

  • 5
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    “Another instead reason why they want the old system of provincial councils is because that system would enable them to line their pockets from the funds allocated for the development of village roads, schools and local hospitals which they promise to do but they never do.”

    This is called ‘Decentralization of Corruption”.

  • 4
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    Successive Presidents and Governments condone the crimes of Ministers, MP’s and other bureaucrats. A Nation which condones the wrongs will not survive. People, ordinary and innocent people are the sufferers. Their sighs, curses and tears will destroy the peace of minds of these politicians who are responsible for every situations in this country. They will never allow the country and the people to prosper. They will create ethnic disharmony for political gains, and destroy the lives of the people and create misery for the entire country.

  • 3
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    When the JVP won control of the Tissamaharama Pradeshiya sabha they started a recycling project for the said area most successfully and it was in operation till they were ousted. If that system was adopted all over the island this tragedy would not have occurred.

    • 2
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      Harishchandra,

      if their recycling was that praiseworthy… and saved millions to the state, why the very same folks coming from the area rejected ot less supportive to the party efforts in the consecutive elections ? Can you please elaborate on this ?

      I as a non-party supporter, but focusing CIVIL society to produce a better candidate to rule the nation, kicking off any parties in lanken stage today, would love to get ot know why JVPrs were backkicked by very same folks ascending from Mid nineties. I thought JVPrs would have outreached masses in the country by today, unfortuantely, even in last electioned, breaking my hopes too, they failed to win at least 15 seats.. why ? Please come with constructive arguments explaining and revealing us the facts. By doing so only you the JVPrs can win the hearts and minds of masses. Just attacking but not getting the finger tip feeling in politics, no any party can win new voters.
      Nor in a country over 70% of people are naive and far from checks and balances of the ground realities of politics.

      • 2
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        https://www.facebook.com/jvpsrilanka/videos/1331581846931099/ Check this out.
        People tend to vote selfishly, and want only someone whom they can personally approach to attend to their personal needs like getting a job or helping out in finding a school for a child and if you are not in power this is not possible. At the last General Election so many wanted to vote for the JVP but at the last moment did not, as they did not want to gamble on a party that would not have been able to record a convincing victory. The killings that took place during the 89 insurrection too is something that the electorate cannot reconcile itself to. In ’77 all that Mrs: B did for the country did not reflect back on her since the media downplayed the benefits of her policies and magnified the shortcomings. Even today the media or may I say the majority of the media does not want a party in power which does not approve of kickbacks. Are you aware that the JVP is the wealthiest political party in Sri Lanka? Why is that? It is because they are about the only party that has given a honest return of their assets.

        • 1
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          Harishchandra@

          I believe need of the hour is to have a TV channel for JVP own. Lanken kind of media even in todays cotext is no means acceptable. They the pvt media TV channels are misguiding folks as no times int he past.

          However, I believe JVPrs will win the hearts and minds of masses within next 2 years ahead of next election. That can then make a change in this country. But JVPrs should spend lot more where they need more trainings.

          I see inablity to convince the average should be the main short coming. Even if they the JVPrs do lot more by being whole hearted and genuine, nothing seem to be taken by average mind set.
          I know what you mean by the harm they made in 89, in which I tool lost my buddhies and mates just becasue they had been just registered University students. Some of their parents had faced serious psychological problems. And they would never allow JVPrs to be that facists. And the fears spread across the country was chilling when even remind them today.

          I think Dherana TV sender to be close down can clean the nation.

          They are absolutely not doing a good work. Most of them are like free media prostitutes. They would do anything and everything if they are paid. Some lawyers or the like candidates with basic degrees do the low level interviews and discussions to promote vicious politicians.

          • 1
            0

            I am not a member of the JVP but with what the present govt has done with the power of the two strongest parties put together has made me come to the conclusion that both are as ineffective as the other. I do not have to go into details about this, it is more than evident after a two year period. Therefore I feel that we should try the other options available. The only option is this party and at the last parliamentary election they put forward a well educated set of candidates and I thought that they would be far more suitable than the sitting crooks at the time and used my vote for them. I do not want anything personal from MP’s (My daughter is married and a citizen of Australia and I live on about 200 perches of land in a suburb of Colombo) I only feel sorry about what this country has come to. When I was in my teens I remember getting discharged from a Govt: hospital was so difficult to the extent that patients used to sign on the bed-head ticket that they were getting discharged of their own accord since it was very difficult to get discharged till one was really fit to be discharged, but today since these hospitals are overcrowded patients are being discharged even before they are really fit to be discharged. I am 66 and I had a choice of schools to choose, today it is one big hurdle to get a kid into a school. The billions that these crooks have robbed could very well have gone into these necessities and this country could very well have been paradise. Today most of the educated in this country are on the lookout for some country which would accept them, What a difference from the 50’s and 60’s.

            • 0
              0

              Lankens what they face today is not occured with last few months.
              The system has been so rotten for the last few decades. Above all people s indifference is contrast today than had been in the past. I usually visit the country once or twice a year but whatever I get to see is not as I would want to see them. Like for example just walking down on the road, is a struggle to me (eg. biyagama road near to the Kelaniya Temple or from Paliyagoda).. vehicles get entangled as it is seen Calcutta or any other chaotic cities in developing world. Even if there are two lines, but Tuk tuks and their followers make a new line so that the vehicles move on 3 lines.. ones visiting the country even looking at the manner their not obeying to prevailing laws is beyond all bearing. I am tired of travellign to colombo by a public transport each time back in the country. However, I try my best to pick up my own exp by doing so. Bust conductors and drivers in pvt buses are uncivilized so as in Somalia, Pakistan or the like minded countries. Not just the density of populace but people s indifference and ignorance make it worst there. Sound exposure in buses and street corners are so high as ear drums would have been damaged being unable to bear the decibles. But people seem to be doing nothing but stay as if they are hallozinated. That has been part of their culture by today. So you talk about getting discharged by a hospital – even doctors have become like money makers loosing all ethics and morals. Recallign once I met a specialist who was the neurologist treated to my beloved mother, even if I wanted to share my views about mothers feelings after dosage changes, he just ignored.. just because I live in abroad. Some of them suffer from inferior complex related psychological problems. So for me, the country is marching not forward backward.. unfortunately the saddest truth.

        • 0
          0

          What Mrs B did for the country?

          She took SL several years backwards. Her only achievement was probably being the host of a glorified third world club with despotic members like Gadafi, Mugabe & Idi Amin which did not have any world impact & faded away after a couple of years.

    • 2
      0

      I believe, this may be my own opinion.

      JVPers are not practical but like us non-political opinion makers, they too just do the job being gathered under one umbrella. Just listen to that Handunhetti, Samarasinghe – they cant achieve anything lying beyond their attacks. I simply believe, JVPrs need more training.
      Who would as human beings want ONLY to share attacks on and on.

      Here in europe, Donald Trump is being highly criticised for not having a senible personality WHILE masses still praise Obama.. There no skin colour or anything what matters to the youth and masses in Europe is the person and his attitudes.

      Likewise, everything around AKD and other emerging candidates in JVP are fine. Their energies towards working as one unit standing fearlessly against corruption and abusive handlings are commedable any one who ticks right.

      But as politcians, they should have some other skills in winning people. People like in Europe are no knolwedgeble about politics. Their mind sets can easily be mainpulative provably by distribution of rice packets for example.

      Not just one grave issue, thousands of the kind are on the list. So priority should be given to the most alarming issues is being seen in the country following man made disaster like Meethotamulla garbage dump and loss of over 40 or more in that livelyhood.

      • 0
        0

        Handunetti has done a lot being the chairman of COPE and Samarasinha has done a yeoman service for the employees in the private sector, blocking the transformation of the EPF into a pension fund being one of many.

        • 1
          0

          What do you think the reason behind JVPrs not to have earned atleast one dozen of seats in the last election ? If everything in them would have been fine, according to you, or other that worked diehard to STAND against corruption and higher abuses. I indeed had much hopes, that atleast a dozen of JVPrs would have been elected to the Parliament.

          • 0
            0

            When the Jathika Hela Urumaya contested and won eight seats if I remember right at the 2005 GE: they were placed second as a party in Maharagama and Dehiwala galkissa while polling a mere 300 odd votes in Moneragala. Even at the last GE: the JVP polled more votes in the urban areas while the rural voters opted to vote as they had for generations by voting for the same crooks. On both occasions it is quite evident that the more intelligent voters tried to bring in new representatives with a better knowledge but the less educated electorate did not go with that flow. If we were fortunate enough to have at least 40 or so of them in Parliament the circus that we are witnessing today would have been entirely different. Just look at the way the Health authorities are handling the H1N1 virus, goes to show that they are highly corrupt and playing into the hands of the drug mafia or they are thoroughly inefficient.

  • 1
    0

    Barbara Seneviratne –
    ..And all those others who are blaming Politicians for the Meethotamulla Disaster.

    Look at yourself First.

    Did you Sort out your Home and Garden Refuse in a Responsible Manner before the Authorities took it away to be dumped?

    Or did you just leave it to the Authorities to sort out the Rubbish in the Plastic Bags, your Servants left out for the Garbage trucks to Collect?

    It is the Duty of each one of us to ‘Care for the Environment’, and bring it to the Notice of the Politicians who Don’t, Won’t or Can’t!

  • 0
    0

    Ms BS.

    Well presented. Indeed it is very very difficult to fathom the kind of politicians we are having. Some of them behave like Tintin. Others like Asterix. Even some like Tom and Jerry. President behaves like Droopy. It is all comic figures. Even their responses are comic. It is our brethren who got suffocated to death at Meethottamulla which they find good enough to compensate. There is crime committed. President is of the opinion that parliamentarians are above criminal activities. Now President thinks of employing SF to become cowboy against protesters. What a lot of idiots we have around us. When there are many many solutions, why are these parasites occupying the parliament? To usurp of course. Shameless genes. Probably of Somalian Bihari origin.

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