Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) was thoroughly humiliated today as it was forced to remove an article published in its website few hours ago containing defamatory material on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa and Prime Minster Narendra Modi and publish an apology hours after it kicked up a storm in India.
Secretary to the Ministry of Defence
The article titled ‘How meaningful are Jayalalitha’s love letters to Narendra Modi?’ written by Shenali Waduge reportedly sparked heavy criticism in India for its content, with TN politicians demanding the Center to immediately snap ties with Sri Lanka.
Alongside the article was a graphic in reference to the many letters by Jayalalithaa to PM Modi that sought his intervention in the fishermen issue, which met with even harsher criticisms for its ‘objectionable’ portrayal where Jayalalithaa holds a pen and writes, while in a heart-shaped thought bubble above her head is PM Modi.
The apology published under the title ‘An Unqualified Apology’ in the Defence Ministry website today, it states the article was published without appropriate authorization and that it does not reflect any official position of the Government of Sri Lanka or the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development and has extended an apology to Indian PM Modi and Jayalalithaa.
Following the publication of the article, political parties in TN including BJP unit and its allies – PMK and MDMK reacted angrily, condemning the content of the article and its accompanying graphic.
“They degrade the PM and the CM – the Centre should demand an apology from the Sri Lankan President and the Defence secretary,” PMK chief S Ramadoss was quoted stating in an article that appeared in the Times of India on the controversy while he had added that India should not hesitate to sever diplomatic ties if they refuse to apologize.
Pakshe / August 2, 2014
A word of advice to Mother India. Do not assume that the Sri Lankan regime is amenable to the former tea boy and western darling Prime minister Modi. India has a bad habit of getting the wrong end of the stick and living to regret it regarding Sri Lanka. Learn from the lessons of the previous regime’s dealings with the Rajapakshe’s or live to regret your actions. Afteral1 it is unbecoming of a major world power to be taken for a good old ride all over again by a tin pot dictator with absolutely no credibility.
/
Ponkoh Sivakumaran / August 3, 2014
Tea seller is going to address the Congress. When will the petrol pump attendant go?
/
waran / August 3, 2014
Hi Pakshe! you have exhibited your ignorance and arrogance. lack of civility shown in this below statement of yours and jealousy pouring from all your holes.
“Do not assume that the Sri Lankan regime is amenable to the former tea boy and western darling Prime minister Modi” Modi knows to handle the modaya’s like MR,GR and you. Laughable advice from self created modaya.
/
Tamodaya / August 2, 2014
Tamils in Tamil Elam (hell) are lucky.
They don’t have to put up with this nonsense.
/
Shiro / August 2, 2014
Wadduge is not a professional journalist. She is a racist being used by the rajapaksa regime to spew the propaganda and keep casting blame on victims.
Thank you India for doing what we Sri Lankans cannot do – make the dishonorable Defense Secretary and paid servant, Wadduge, look like mean spirited liars, vindictive and causing trouble.
/
Amarasiri / August 4, 2014
“Wadduge is not a professional journalist. She is a racist being used by the rajapaksa regime to spew the propaganda and keep casting blame on victims.
Shinali SHILL Wadduge is a professional SHILL journalist. She is a Para-Sinhala “Buddhist” racist being used by the Rajapaksa regime to spew the propaganda and keep casting blame on victims and spewing lies. She is NOT the ONLY one.
/
Amarasiri / August 4, 2014
Shiro
“Wadduge is not a professional journalist. She is a racist being used by the rajapaksa regime to spew the propaganda and keep casting blame on victims. :
Shinali SHILL Waduge is a Shill.
Another Tool used is lankaweb. They do not like alternate views. Amarasiri gives then indigestion and constipation. Here is Proof.
Lanka web is like the Church trying to suppress the truth of the Heliocentric Model . They want to suppress the para-Sinhalese “Buddhist” Racism., the Curse of para-Monk Mahanama lies and imaginations claiming it to be Buddhism.
Examples are: ” Amarasiri Says: Your comment is awaiting moderation. August 3rd, 2014 at 9:52 am Amarasiri Says: Your comment is awaiting moderation. August 3rd, 2014 at 9:52 am
1. Amarasiri Says: Your comment is awaiting moderation. August 3rd, 2014 at 7:25 am
2. Amarasiri Says: Your comment is awaiting moderation. August 3rd, 2014 at 4:44 pm
3. Amarasiri Says: Your comment is awaiting moderation. August 3rd, 2014 at 4:33 pm
4. Amarasiri Says: Your comment is awaiting moderation. August 3rd, 2014 at 9:52 am
/
Bruz / August 2, 2014
PM Modi and CM JJ are still state level local politicians and they are yet to learn international political tricks or politicking. Modi excelled in Gujarat and so is JJ in TN. For Modi, it’s a long way to learn world politics but he will, and one day for sure will kick MR’s butt. No doubt, they(NM & JJ) are smart people and a good match too -:) !
/
Burt / August 3, 2014
I too think PM Modi was not ready for national politics although the people wanted change because of the corruption and incompetency of the Singh govt.
Modi better hope and pray that he does not have any real problem with Pakistan or China he is not ready for it. He put a big show when taking office since then he has done nationally or internationally that would make some one take note.
He is acting as if he does not have a backbone and the worlds largest democracy and its people are insulted.
/
douglas / August 2, 2014
I too read the article. The contents are facts nothing but facts. This issue of “poaching” by Tamil Nadu fishermen has been hanging on us and affecting the fishermen of the North of Sri Lanka ever since the end of war against terrorism. In one respect, the Tamil Nadu fishermen are taking the liberty of peace time to harvest our fishing grounds and on the other Politicians of the State of TN are playing dirty “political Games” on both sides. All the while, until Mr. Modi came to power Tamil Nadu politicians had a field day with the Congress Party, dictating terms on them. Now, even with a majority seats coming into Ms. JL, she has lost all power of being a “King Maker” in India. So it is a “Big Time” game played by the TN Politicians to attract attention of the Central Government and establish a power base. That is why even Ms JL is dead against installation of land marks demarcating the sea boundaries for the guidance of the fishermen of both TN and SL The second issue if Kattchative and the third is emerging, i.e the issue of visas to the UNCHR Investigation team. It could be the way they show their solidarity with the defeated LTTE and even that is very collective and personal to TN people and politicians. In that scenario it is not strange to see them trying their level best to throw a wedge between India and Sri Lanka. That is purely a “Political Game” and such things happen all the time in world political arena.
I don’t see any reason to tender an apology on the facts of the article of SW. It may have been wrong to publish it in a Government Ministry web page perhaps without disassociating with the responsibility of owning the authenticity of the facts therein.
/
David Waduge / August 2, 2014
Shenali’s [Edited out]
/
dinesh / August 3, 2014
Shenali tries to create issues in india when her own sister and brother in law was caught printing 5000.00 rupee notes at their home. I guess nobody knows this connection.
/
Shiva / August 3, 2014
India should now know how this brutal barbaric Sinhala Buddhist apartheid regime is treating the innocent Tamils in Sri Lanka. India should invade without further delay and bring these alleged war criminals to the ICC to stand trial.
/
Native Vedda / August 3, 2014
Shiva
“India should invade without further delay and bring these alleged war criminals to the ICC to stand trial.”
Who is going to take the Hindian war criminals to ICC? Remember to charge them also for aiding and abetting terrorism in this island.
Further charges should be brought against them for knowingly harbouring Tamil and Sinhala terrorists on their soil.
/
Lord Shiva / August 3, 2014
Shenali Waduge’s journalism is full of anti-Tamil, Anti-Indian, promoting hate against the Tamils and Indians and nothing independent. It is not a surprise and she may even write that Indian diplomats are corrupted, have personal relationship with the Rajapakses and anti-Tamils. Shenali may re-confirm that it was reported in the media that Nirupama Rao has paid a personal visit to the Rajapakse in Colombo and also Sushma Swaraj received expensive gifts from the Rajapakses when she visit Sri Lanka.
/
Shiva / August 3, 2014
Shenali Waduge’s article exposes that she is not happy with [Edited out] and that’s why she is having a day dream about something that will never happen or practical. Shenali, what a hate monger and a distasteful women?
/
Bruz / August 3, 2014
Let’s leave Shenali and MOD for now and look at something interesting about Lanka-Natwar Singh-Rajiv- and his murder.
Also some very interesting comments between a Sri Lankan Sinhalese and a Tamil Nadu Tamilian, I happen to read in the Hinduatan Times dated July 31.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/rajiv-s-sri-lanka-policy-led-to-his-death-he-was-badly-advised-natwar-singh/article1-1246790.aspx
/
Bruz / August 3, 2014
MOD- cum-UD- Ministry of Defense and Urban development ? No No No . It should be changed to reflect the ‘correct’ meaning as MODDD-UD.
The Ministry of DEATH, DISAPPEARANCE and Urban DESTRUCTION ! Nize and a fitting name, eh !!
So Gota the looney goon might face any US legal action ? !
Will wait for that…and let Modi and JJ do their things for India.
/
Bruz / August 3, 2014
Another interesting but a funny thought;
The meaning in Tamil for “MODI” is = A foolish woman !
and the opposite gender word for ‘MODI’ is = ‘MODAN’ meaning a foolish guy !
Who is MODI and who is MODAN in today’s latest Indian politics ?
JJ or NM ? ! Time will tell..
/
Kalal / August 3, 2014
MOD was carrying the white flag this time saying we surrender….MOD conveniently threw Shenali under the bus.
Quoting from MOD web site, “it states the article was published without appropriate authorization and that it does not reflect any official position of the Government of Sri Lanka”
Appropriate Authorizations?….Gota didn’t know this?
“it does not reflect any official position of the Government of Sri Lanka”…..What position is that Shenali’s fetal position?
/
Davidson Waduge / August 3, 2014
Shenali’s father David Waduge was a member of the government clerical service.Shenali’s thinking seems very influenced by her father’s mentality
/
pearl thevanayagam / August 4, 2014
Shenali Waduge has [Edited out]. She is no journalist and she is no nationalist. She is just a greedy selfish individual. She will castigate Buddhism if it serves her business interest.
/
sundaram / August 5, 2014
article was withdrawn and an unqualified apology was made. in international relations the matter ends there. ask mr.izath hussaian. he is well qualified to tell us. we are not in the DPL field and should not go beyond our limitations and talk utter non sense about foreign leaders elected by their people. see now because of senali our govt. has to apologize. we should not make CT to do the same thing.do you know ardent supporters of TN chief minister are doing worse things foolishly in TN against our president.our cricket team was chased out. srilankan air line office was attacked. more things can take place. i cannot advice TN people..you have forgotten the humiliating misadventure of the IPKF. apart from their failure or whatever it is they were ruling one third of SL for sometime. pl. think of the reason for their arrival. what was the contribution of our leaders and their tongues.the great giant the politician JR who was very eloquent in other matters did not open his mouth for sometime. it was a great betrayal of sri lankan people by JR.
sundaram
/
Ram / August 5, 2014
The article was published elsewhere and was factual. It was the ‘illustration’ that accompanied it at the site in question that was found objectionable. Quite a different matter.
/