The Government of Sri Lanka is struggling to find three persons of integrity and general fitness with respect to the requirements of representing civil society (non-politician members) in the Constitutional Council. Already one of the nominees, Dr Radhika Coomaraswamy, has come under flak for dubious positions taken on Sri Lanka. The ‘Daily Mirror’ in an editorial outlining the qualities that CC members ought to have has also urged that people with certain track records shouldn’t be entertained. Some of the traits flagged are reminiscent of Coomaraswamy’s track record.
Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne
Meanwhile the credentials of another nominee, 84 years old, Sarvodaya leader Dr A.T. Ariyaratne, are as suspect given overwhelming evidence of family bandyism within the movement. This is at odds with the zero tolerance of corruption and favoritism promised by President Maithripala Sirisena in his election campaign which unleashed scathing attacks on his predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa for favors granted to family members.
Colombo Telegraph reveals the following pertinent information on Dr Ariyaratne.
1. President Premadasa filed charges against A.T. Ariyaratne and established a Commission that found he had siphoned donor funds to his family bank accounts.
2. A.T.Ariyaratne is the life President of Sarvodaya.
3. His son Dr Vinya Ariyaratne is the Gen. Secretary of Sarvodaya and was its former CEO.
4. His wife Neetha Ariyaratne is the General Secretary of Sarvodaya Suwasetha Sewa Society Ltd. and the Secretary of Siva Setha.
5. Dr Vinya Ariyaratne is also a Director of D.D.F.C Finance (Deshodaya Development Finance Company Limited ) as well as Sarvodaya Economic Enterprise Development Services (Gte) Ltd (SEEDS).
The third nominee Justice A.W.A Salam is not tainted in this manner. While he has a reputation for being a fair and competent judge without any known political affiliations or biases, neither is he known for any extraordinary skills or capacities.
The question being asked in political circles is, if this was the best the Government could come up with, if they had to nominate seven persons they would be in a severe crisis!
Related posts;
‘I Can’t Remember’ Radhika To Be In Constitutional Council?
Rajash / June 4, 2015
“The Government of Sri Lanka is struggling to find three persons of integrity and general fitness “
They have all fled the country in fear over the years.what a sad state of affair for the country.
How about Sanga and Mahela so far untouched by politics and corruption!
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Dilhara / June 8, 2015
There are plenty of good people but Ranil Wickramasinghe wants to appoint cronies like the corrupt clown at the Central Bank – Mahendran.
Ranil always appoint and picks the doggiest Colombo 7 elite Tamils it seems – and am NOT a racist!
Fact is, Professor Savitri Goonasekere would be a far better appointment to the Constitutional Council, as she is a person of high integrity and moral standing, and does not run after power and wealth and hang out on the local cocktail circuit, unlike RC who is full of herself and constantly boasts about what she has been doing and loves NAME DROPPING! RC is in love with herself!
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punchinilame / June 4, 2015
Simply choose 10 persons and give points on a pre-set basis to select the 1st 3. So
many factors can be incorporated to local situation.
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Paul / June 4, 2015
As far as I am aware Premadasa ‘fixed’ Dr Ariyaratne because he refused to back the call to war. He held peace meditations and suchlike and Sarvodaya took food and supplies to the North and East. He refused to condone any killing at all.
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Douglas / June 4, 2015
I knew Dr.Ariyaratne from my school days. He started as a teacher in a small village school in Unawatuna situated in a picturesque site called “Roomassala” in the Galle district. I don’t think he ever mentioned that beginning excepting to mention he started at Nalanda College, Colombo. In my association as a teacher in that village school, I had developed quite a lot of respect and admiration for his involvement in “Sharamadana” on the ideology of Late Vino-Ba-Bave. It is very creditable for him to have developed this into a an organization called “Sarvodaya”. All the work is very creditable and commendable.
However, every person has his/her limitations especially as you grow old in age, it is to be realized that your vitality and mental engagements too deteriorate. That is a fact of aging and him a Buddhist must draw his attention to three basic teachings viz. Jathi, Jara and Marana. That is what is called “Self Realization” of the TRUTH. He knows very well that any political involvement in today is not that easy or a an easy task to deliver. He can be nominated to any position; but it is left to the nominee to consider all aspects of that assignment and make a “valued judgement” as regards your own capabilities to fit into such shoes. He may be quite healthy; but I fear that he would be able to handle this assignment of being serving in a Constitutional Council. It would have been much more creditable had he turned down the nomination with all the humility and thanked all those who considered him. There is a time to turn down such assignments and Dr. Ariyaratne would have earned much more respect ,recognition and respect than the humiliation he faces now. It is not too late for him to do it. Please pave the way for “young” generation to show their skills.
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Piranha / June 4, 2015
People had to adjust their behaviour in order to survive under Rajapaksa’s rule and it appears that 10 years of bloody Rajapaksa’s misrule has tainted every single person in Sri Lanka. Even the good people became cunning, devious and corrupt under his rule.
It is a shame that the Sri Lankan society cannot find just three upstanding citizens with intelligence, competence and impartiality to be appointed to the constitutional council. I hope the likes of Rajapaksa’s are never allowed to raise their ugly heads to be elected to rule Sri Lanka.
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max / June 4, 2015
Yes yes Piranha, many people including VP, Pottu, Charles Antony etc., had to be adjusted their behaviour during “bloody Rajapaksa’s misrule”! But Sri Lanka is not that unfortunate because it has very clean, untouched citizens like Piranha! Way to go man!
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K.A Sumanasekera / June 4, 2015
I didn’t think Sarvodaya is a Family Trust with a Trading Bank as well.
The main issue is the the Boss’s ripe age of eighty four.
Does this CC job involve reading a lot and making notes. Or just a matter of putting the hand up?.
if it is the latter, there shouldn’t be any probs.
It will be like young Mr Grace in “Are You being Served”..
Or should Sira ask Ranil to help with some imports.
I mean Ranil told Parliament yesterday that anyone with a protection Visa can serve in any gig in Srilanka under his watch.
And Ranil has kept his promise and gave our Vellala CM’s Nephew a decent gig to look after our cash.. Sorry borrowed cash.
Suren Surendran, PM Rudrakumaran . Senator Skantharaja, Mr Kirubaharan are exceptional candidates.
My elders just told me about one Senaviratna,But his is too ripe too..
I mean they have had nothing to do with our Politics . Nor do they have Family Trusts in Srilanka.
Surely one of them can fill the post.
The other dude Salaam must be okay as long as he is not a buddy of Bathudeen.
Because it may raise issues of conflict of interest with our Greenies..
Interesting Stuff..
BTW, wonder who the third dude is?…
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Point of View / June 4, 2015
Totally agree. I strongly feel Dr. Ariyaratne is not fit for the role. Unfortunately, he has a tainted past. He is on record expressing racist views too.
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manjula fernando / June 4, 2015
The nominees are just like Ranil W ,only pretence of good governance but in reality selfish and mediocre.
When Ranil was asked whether Arjuna Mahendran is a citizen of sri lanka his answer was to talk about others but did not answer the question.
On every occasion Ranil has gone against the current of history. In 2005 he messed up his mandate and got played out by Chandrika/Mangala combine. Then he saved Sarath Silva from a no-confidence.He appointed a taxi driver as Mayor of Colombo when Milinda Horagoda messed up the unp list.
In 2010 and 2015 the once mighty UNP could not even field a presidential candidate but went behind Sarath Fonseka and MS( lucky to find a nationally acceptable leader here)
Now having become PM by chance, he tried to introduce a executive PM concept but was stopped by determined efforts of Champiksa Ranawaka and other national minded leaders.
The UNP has one big problem-Ranil, a man the country does not want but the UNP cannot get rid of. Ranil and his small band of old Royaliss and pseudo intellectuals are a curse on the UNP and the country.
Again he is trying to appoint old and discredited and suspect persons to the constitution commission so that he could manipulate them.Only MS can lead this nation but he may sooner or later be tricked by RW. So I think we are in for a dark period in our history
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Csm / June 4, 2015
Why they did not appoint Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera ?
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Mr. Mister / June 4, 2015
Who is the author of this article? Please tell us your name.
Since the author feels that he or she is qualified to comment on Radhika and A.T., perhaps he/she should present himself/herself to the President as a potential appointee to the Constitutional Council
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Plato. / June 4, 2015
Re:The third nominee Justice A.W.A Salam………..neither is he known for any extraordinary skills or capacities……,..
Are the political members of the CC.known for any extraordinary skills or capacities apart from being MPP?
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muhammed Fazl / June 4, 2015
I couldn’t have said it any better.
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Shri / June 4, 2015
Under the yahapalana regime only Royalists and phuftas are given appointments. so find three of them for the cc. I am sure Rani & Manik can find them as they have found for the HC to Australia.
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maali karunaratne / June 4, 2015
Sarvodaya may have started well, but now it is a big fraud. They have high sounding names for there programmes on peace etc. they hardly do anything proper. They have shramadana, where most of the shramadana workers are women and there is no empowerment that take place. They have massive lands and buildings all over the island and we yet do not know what they do. It is nepotism at the highest level.
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MR / June 4, 2015
In 1970s Sarvodaya movement was well known for its anti Tamil views. Mr Thirunavukarasu, Northern Province representative of Sarvodaya, severed his connection with this organisation and formed a separate Northern Province Sarvodaya Movement which is still functioning having its office in the island of Punguduthivu. He told, before his death, that foreign funds received for the Northern Province development by Mr Ariyaratne was not spent for his province and he cannot tolerate step motherly treatment any longer, hence he leaves the organisation and forming a new one.
Can anyone tell us how many publications were released in Tamil by Sarvodaya in 1970s and 1980s?
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Pygmalion / June 4, 2015
Sarvodaya projected a holier than thou holy image of itself.
Shramadana was their forte.Foreign funding flowed in for water supply projects,shelter etc and they even had District offices.They maintained a camouflage which fooled not only the foreign donors but also local political heavyweights like Premadasa when he was PM! But before long Premadasa pulled off their mask.
In essence it was and is a racist outfit.
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Naga / June 4, 2015
What is the point in appointing 84 year old Ariyaratne and 81 year old Sampanthan to the Constitutional Council? Can they actively participate in the deliberations of the CC and do proper research on the credentials of persons nominated to higher positions? Are there no other alternatives?
In the case of Sampanthan he cannot even properly walk and at times need to be supported. These days I have seen him in photos addressing public meetings seated.
Most people lose their memories and the capacity to use their brains once past 70 years. That is the reason why in a country ike Australia no one can be a High Court judge past the age of 70 years. Once a person reach the age of 70 it is generally believed that person lose the capacity to think rationally.
Surely in a country with a population of over 20 million there will be other suitable persons who can be appointed to the Constitutional Council.
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maali karunaratne / June 4, 2015
There are lots of people who have problems in walking but their brain functions well.I do not think that physical disability has anything to do with the functioning of the brains.
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thondamannar / June 4, 2015
What about appointing Me to the CC? I am a sri Lanka PP holder & not 84.
Also, I am not a Royalist & need shaving cream.
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sam / June 4, 2015
CT you have missed Mrs. Amara peris, younger sister of A. T Ariyaratne. Amara peris was the heading Saravodaya women’s movement and no nothing of gender or feminist discourse.
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Plato. / June 4, 2015
Naga.
When JR was elected PM in July 1977 and then made himself an Executive President in 1979 he was well past 70.
So,according to your Hypotheses he was unable to think rationally from 1977 to 1988 when he let go of the Reins!
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PEACE / June 5, 2015
There are plenty of capable, intellectuals who can serve but they are overlooked if they are not “Green” in color or they have not gone to Royal College or are a part of the PM’s club. There is no shortage of people of integrity and there is no shortage of those who stayed in the country because they didn’t run away from MR’s regime. MR’s regime is being painted as an excuse for those who were handsomely rewarded by western countries to become their allies and get paid handsomely to topple the government. Not because they loved those personalities, but they wanted scapegoats who were traitors to the last bone who will fall prey to money to do anything to benefit their selfish goals. BLOODY TRAITORS WHO CAME INTO POWER WITH UNDERCURRENTS SHOULD PERISH THE SAME WAY SOME OF THOSE WHO DID IT TO OTHER COUNTRIES DISAPPEARED MYSTERIOUSLY WHEN THEY DIDN’T DELIVER. WAIT FOR THAT DAY!!! IF YOU PLAY WITH FIRE YOU GET BURNED. PEOPLE HAVE FORGOTTEN VERY QUICKLY. IDIOTS WHO DON’T READ AND UNEDUCATED RULERS DON’T EVEN KNOW THEY ARE BEING USED BY CORPORATE GREED IN MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES THAT ARE NOT TRUSTED EVEN BY LEADERS OF THEIR OWN COUNTRIES.
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Rabok / June 5, 2015
Thanks PEACE – The best comment – unfortunately most of the voters of this country fails to see the truth of the matter or else they see but do not want to understand – If Ranil continues as PM of this country – only gods can save this country from obvious disaster
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Lion / June 5, 2015
Instead of this man who has so many allegation behind him and some of the allegations were proved,the government should have appointed Mayadunne the former auditor general for this position.
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EW Golding / June 5, 2015
I have a slightly different take on this issue.
We need people from different parts of the spectrum who can be trusted to display absolute integrity in ratifying appointments. (If I understand it right, the CC does not select the appointees; it rejects clearly unsuitable candidates). Hence I think the following names are worth considering.
From the religious/spiritual side: Ven Maduluwawe or Bishop Chickera.
From the NGO/learned society side: Ariyaratne, Jehan Perera or Carlo Fonseka.
From the Left: Lal Wijenayake, Prof Viyeya Kumar or Prof Kumar David.
From the minority communities: Sampanthar/Sumandiran, Rauf Hakeem/Justice Salam.
And others; am am not trying to fill the list, just make a few suggestions.
The basic criteria are twofold. (a) Integrity; absolutely untainted by scandal (b) intellectual ability to understand the role of the CC; NOT TO PUT FORWARD NAMES (that is the task of the the government) but to ensure that arseholes are not appointed. (Vide the role of the US Senate Committees on Supreme Court and top Federal Appointments).
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maali karunaratne / June 5, 2015
Ariyaratne, Jehan Perera and Carlo Fonseka are not people with integrity. Sarvodaya is not transparent. Nepotism is there a hallmark. Jehan exclusively supported LTTE and he is not transparent either. I remember Carlo Fonseka [Edited out]
Rauf Hakeem and honesty are far apart!!!
I do not know about the rest of those whom you had spoken.
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Native Vedda / June 5, 2015
maali karunaratne
Please let us know the names of those people with integrity, who didn’t support LTTE one way or another, not being opaque, honest, ………
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Srinath. Gunaratne / June 8, 2015
Ideally retired judges with proven track records should be asigned to these posts.
Or should be elected by the people from an independent list with the presidential election
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Richard Perera / June 6, 2015
I very much doubt whether this Constitution Council can do justice because Ranil has already done the ground work behind the screen. Already Ranil has strategically appointed his own UNP people for all governing bodies. Those UNP’ers were starving for many years and thanks to President Maithreepala Sirisena they got an opportunity. Take any Board of management or any Governing body. All newly appointed members are old UNP’ers who were waiting for an opportunity. For example new members have been appointed to all University Councils and many of them, if not all, are UNP’ers. They will select the Heads of those Universities from among their party fellows. Take the Vice Chancellor election recently held at Peradeniya. The council excluded the current Vice Chancellor’s application and voted for their own party man who worked for the UNP over the last 15-20 years. The person elected by the council is a great UNP’er and a close associate of Ranil. In fact members for the council were appointed by Ranil in consultation with this candidate. This is Sri Lankan politics. If the Constitution Council wants to prove otherwise, ie “Yahapalanaya” or good governance, appoint apolitical people into those high positions. Then people will believe that the 19th amendment is in effect. Otherwise we all become fools!
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Millroy / June 6, 2015
I do not understand why Western world has not offer for” Nobel Price” for you at yours services to Millions of Poor Sri Lankan life had been uplift by Dr AT ….?
But you are not that suitable and eligible for the Constitutional Council, why ? you were ex- Training Teacher who have not an expert on constitutional knowledge or Republic of Sri lanka, politics or other countries. You are not a political scientist.
Your( Dr AT) are too Old to study vital matters of nation survival of ‘democracy governances and rule of law’ or Yahapalanaya in our land in 21st century.
We don’t want waste Tax Payers Money an appoint of wrong person to CC.
Your an appointment to CC is wrong proposal by certain political idiots. Such important and vital position of our future nation survival , that proposal of DR AT is must be ignored by Chamber of People Represtaitaive.
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Plato. / June 6, 2015
E.W.Golding.
Fine.Will Prof:Kumar David agree to this.True he is a Leftist:But then we cant afford to lose such people to the CC.I mean what is there so great about the CC.
Even editors of the Sunday Times,Daily Mirror etc can fit the bill.
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Millroy / June 7, 2015
Why not THAT John Kerry of US and Narandi Modi of BJP-RSS is inside the CC is better than so-called left; Lal Wijenayake, Kumar David and Vijiya Kumar proposed by Dr E.W.Golding.
They (Kerry & Modi) not agents of any body ,indeed the real leaders play politics of Separatism and secessions to divided an Island of
Sri lanka with power and money.
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Jayan / June 7, 2015
Now a days it’s very difficult to fine people with integrity. Only people who I can think of is former Auditor General Sarath Mayadunne and former world court Judge Justice Weeramanthri
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Sinhala_Man / June 7, 2015
Shortage of candidates for the Constitutional Council? From above, may I suggest the following:
Kumar Sangakkara
Mahela Jayawardene
Ven Maduluwawe Sobhitha
Dr Nimalka Fernando
Prof. Kumar David
Muththaia Muralitharan
Rajan Hoole
and, once more, Radhika Coomaraswamy
Azath Sallay – too much a politician?
Dr Fazal Sultan Bawa
Or why not Imtiaz Bakeer Markar, who, I believe knows and respects Buddhism and Hinduism
Yes, there are plenty of people, without our having to turn to the likes of Dayan Jayatillke!
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Spring Koha / June 7, 2015
“”The Government of Sri Lanka is struggling to find three persons of integrity and general fitness”…
and, last Christmas, we couldn’t find a virgin and three wise men for our church nativity play in Negombo.
Dammit! What is our blessed island paradise coming to?
(No wonder people are emigrating in their droves…)
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Moda Putha / June 8, 2015
Why not appoint the following
for the Constitutional Council:
Dr Mervyn Silva
Duminda Silva
A.H.M. Azwer (to represent Muslims)
Vasudeva Nanayakkara (the left movement)
Tiran Alles
Gotabaya Rajapaksa
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