By Rajeewa Jayaweera –
Rajeewa Jayaweera
News has begun to trickle into the public domain of Leader of Opposition Mahinda Rajapaksa MP agreeing to permit the leader of Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and former Leader of Opposition R Sampanthanthan MP, to continue to reside in the official residence and retain the two official vehicles assigned to the Leader of Opposition.
Rajapaksa has supposedly agreed to the request as he already has a residence provided by the state as a former President.
It is very easy to be magnanimous and charitable when the costs involved are not paid from one’s own pocket.
Sampanthan has supposedly received a ‘Quit ‘Notice’ from the relevant authorities. He has also been notified, legal action would be initiated in case of failure to vacate the house.
The TNA leader wishes to remain in the residence of the Leader of Opposition due to his private residence in Colombo being located on the top floor of a multi-storied building which does not contain an elevator. Being 86 years old, he supposedly finds it challenging to climb several flights of stairs up and down daily.
It is understood, a cabinet paper had been submitted and approved formalizing the arrangement.
No reasons are known for the two vehicles.
As a result, an ordinary MP now has the use of a state bungalow and two vehicles besides being entitled to a Duty-Free vehicle permit which if not already sold can now be easily sold as is the practice with our MPs.
The residence and vehicles are not Rajapaksa’s private property to do as he pleases. They are given by the state for the duration he holds the post of Leader of Opposition. His attitude in this instance is typical of how state property was abused during his administration.
However, this is not about Rajapaksa, Sampanthan or any individual. It is about the impropriety of state property being used as private property.
Given the cabinet decision (probably made to curry favor with TNA), a distinct possibility exists of new accommodation and vehicles becoming necessary whenever the next Leader of Opposition assumes office.
The public has seen this kind of abuse of state property and the waste of resources in the past when successive Presidents occupied Temple Trees, thus compelling the state to provide alternate accommodation for several Prime Ministers. All this while keeping the President’s House mothballed.
A frequent complaint heard is the lack of policies and regulatory frameworks governing most things. The fact a ‘Quit Notice’ has been sent is proof, a system does exist in this instance. The policy has been circumvented with a cabinet decision.
Gone are the days when gentlemen politicians such as W Dahanayake who packed his suitcase and left his official residence Temple Trees. He took a bus to Galle leaving behind his official vehicle, the day after the people voted his government out of office.
JD / March 9, 2019
I read some where Financial ministry officials saying that the ministry does not know where aboutand how many cars are assigned to each MP etc., Another news is Mangala Samaraweera is initiating a Public toilet program I think the major reason is one american company is waiting to take lease the public toilets and the srilankan drivers will drive the water bowser and clean those and collect money. the company collects profits.
There are so many schools, even afger 71 years govt doing it, that do not have toilets or water. Yet, the Parliament Elevator that broke down probably lack of proper maintenance in time or frequent overloading. within two days, they replaced with a new elevator and the cost was about Rs 100 million which is about $ 75,000 (probably air lifted it)
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Laxmi / March 9, 2019
87 year old dodo, Samabanthan should quit and hand over to the younger generation!
There should be a retirement age of 62 for ALL politicians- especially for this generation of corrupt politicians who have ruined Lanka with their Lux cars and uty free SUVs and paid for residences in Colombo 7.
Time for Sambanthan, Bond ranil, Mahina Jrapassa, Clown Sira to quit and let a new generation of hopefully clean leaders take over!
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Native Vedda / March 9, 2019
Laxmi
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“87 year old dodo, Samabanthan should quit and hand over to the younger generation!”
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You mean Mavai Senathirajah (76), C. V. Vigneswaran (79), Kanthar Nallathamby Srikantha (not known), Mahinda Rajapaksa (73) who is desperate to lead Tamils, ……
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JD / March 9, 2019
Sri lanka can not developed into a decent country because of very greedy politicians who are there to advance their dynasties. It is stupid to talk about parties when they jump from one side to the other. did you see, USA had helped CIABOC and CIA will be helping in anti-corruption. Why ?. what is behind it. PTL has helped even the BASL (Sri lankan lawyers). why. so, it is far serious issue than we think.
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Thassim / March 9, 2019
Use some of the EELAM Tamil Tiger money the government froze to provide him with support. TNA was Tiger Nominated Alliance those days. Why would the terrible sinhala and muslim communities who together are more in number than Eelamists waste their tax money on an illegitimate Leader of Opposition who only represented the Tamil minority in Parliament?
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Native Vedda / March 9, 2019
Thassim
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“Use some of the EELAM Tamil Tiger money the government froze to provide him with support.”
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Please clarify:
Only Sinhalese and Muslims pay Taxes?.
Not only Eelam Tiger money the government froze but the gold and cash Gota and his goons looted from Vanni.
Why should the state pay for the representatives of the JVP who terrorised this island not so long ago and those war criminals still who are active in politics and running the state?
Remember, the Tamils, Sinhalese Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Christians …. are still paying for the mistakes and destruction committed by the state and its operatives.
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What’s your problem?
Are you that stupid to see the big picture?
Can you not see beyond your nose?
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JD / March 9, 2019
Native Vedda: : check for the definition of a soldier in the dictionary. that is by human right respecting war mongering who destroyed the whole world. Now their new group with a more extreme philosophy is exploiting and raping Asia. Our politicians are professional corrupts and plundering the country is legalized. They are called Legislators, see how corrupt that word, when they are uneducated criminals and Fraudsters. It is the educated who make laws but educated are just puppets.
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Kumar R. / March 9, 2019
Frankly “one residence and two vehicles” issue is legitimate but only a mickey mouse of an issue when the President can confess on TV interview that he knows of millions of rupees his own party members, some his personal friends, bid and received as bribes during the recent political fiasco, and he neither takes responsibility nor is there any vertebrate to challenge him and his Presidency!
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Jaya wewa!
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Hamlet / March 9, 2019
Rajeewa Jayaweera ;
“Gone are the days when gentlemen politicians such as W Dahanayake who packed his suitcase and left his official residence Temple Trees. He took a bus to Galle leaving behind his official vehicle, the day after the people voted his government out of office.”
I remember the days when Dahanayake would sit on the Verandah of our House in Galle, talking Politics with my Father!
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Naman / March 9, 2019
The ‘OLD VALUES’ that was practiced by Hon W Dahanayake and others existed when SL wasn’t a Banana Republic.
Deceiving the Gods and the voting public is an ART that has been mastered by today’s Corrupt and pseudo Patriotic Politicians of the last few decades. By instilling the FEAR in the majority Sinhala Buddhists that the minorities are trying to separate the country or the larger Tamil Nadu is going to engulf them, THEY get in to POWER and then misuse them.
The so called Educated ones too are ‘bought off’ by their ill gotten money. No professions are exempt from this!
A very sad story indeed
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Sunday - Leader / March 9, 2019
Rajeewa, Let me tell you something Here , One of the Fundamental Circumstances why Lasantha Wickramathunga was assassinated by Our Beloved Die hard Savage Military Forces was
” He had Questioned Repeatedly ABOUT the
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LAVISH LIFE STYLE OF SENIOR MILITARY OFFICIALS & THEIR FAMILIES PRIVILEGES….he has said
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They are Leading life Styles Like they works for a Fortune 500 Company….Do you believe that?
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..well that what they are like….Rajeewa if you have a SPINE in your back ..50% chance you may OR may not….why don’t write about the Lavish life of Sri Lankan Military Officials Particularly Son of the Patriotic B….Ches who works for the Sri Lanka NAVY…That Navy Senior Officials families Leads a Life Styles Equals Like these Morons Works for Cinnamon Grand if Not Hilton -Colombo….Again why don’t write about that…..all so do you know a vast I mean vast majority all most 100% of their Children go abroad for Studies….
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Siri Gamage / March 10, 2019
Does anyone know how many official residences are there in Sri Lanka(including domestic servants,drivers, gardeners etc) for politicians and other high officials in the public service and services? The cost of maintaining them?
Some advisors to those in authority also get such perks, I believe
No wonder we need foreign aid and loans to maintain the system…
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K.Anaga / March 9, 2019
Politicians and Gentlemen cannot walk hand in hand. A politician will ensure that the gentlemen trips and fall, never to get up again, as a gentlemen.
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K.Pillai / March 9, 2019
{“It is understood, a cabinet paper had been submitted and approved formalizing the arrangement”}.
Whatever the ‘arrangement’ is.
It is common knowledge that the former Opposition Leader is NOT Buddhist-Sinhalese.
Rajeewa Jayaweera is known for his dislike of TNA.
Here Rajeewa is doing a Rajeewa in a puerile manner.
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Native Vedda / March 9, 2019
K.Pillai
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“Rajeewa Jayaweera is known for his dislike of TNA.”
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Rajeewa Jayaweera is known for his dislike of not only TNA, but Tamils, Sinhalese, Buddhists, India, American, the Brits, democracy, justice, ………………….. and lot of people, country and things and himself. He doesn’t use a mirror.
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soma / March 10, 2019
I dislike HELA Urumaya, TAMIL National Alliance and MUSLIM Congress. Racism/Fundamentalism should not be officially recognised.
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Soma
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Native Vedda / March 11, 2019
somass
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“I dislike HELA Urumaya”
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Is it because Hela Urumaya is not zealous (fascist) enough to take this country to where you want it to be?
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Vinolika Kudukedu / March 9, 2019
I’m very surprised, as up to now Rajeewa has been a strong Rajapakse lacky
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Roger Rogerson / March 9, 2019
Sambandhan the racist must not be given a home in Sinhala south
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Native Vedda / March 9, 2019
Roger Rogerson
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“Sambandhan the racist must not be given a home in Sinhala south”
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Good.
Let him have his official resident in his Tamil Eelam.
Let him divide the island.
What’s the matter with you?
Aren’t you being clever dick?
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Ajith / March 9, 2019
Roger,
There are lot of racist Tamils, Muslims live in pure Sinhala south. There are lot of foregin nationals including chinese, indians, Americans are living in the Sinhala south. It is sad that you don’t even have a Sinhala name for you. When you say Sinhala south, do you mean North, East and West are not belong to Sinhala? Do you think South Sinhala is the only belong to Sinhala, others are Indians? Check with Rajeewa, he may tell only Rajapakse family is Sinhala.
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Estate Labourer / March 9, 2019
Some people will not notice the elephant droppings but will complain loudly about mouse droppings. R.J. is one such person!
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Mayan / March 10, 2019
Sumanthiran has stated in his Declaration that he has three houses and his wife owns a flat. Why can’t he accomadate Sampanthan in a portion of one of his houses, so that Sam could lead final part his life with respect. Living on the mercy of Mahinda is disgrace to him and TNA.
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Native Vedda / March 10, 2019
Mayan
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“Sumanthiran has stated in his Declaration that he has three houses and his wife owns a flat. “
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Are these houses fit for Sambandan to live given his age.
Where does Sumanthiran has all his houses, Karavetty in the North? If so you want Sam to commute everyday from Karavetty to colombo to conduct his parliamentary business.
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Good idea.
I wonder why hasn’t Hopper Sirisena appointed you an advisor to him, the government, the state, …?
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Mayan / March 10, 2019
I believe out of three houses and flat, one may be in Karavetty or any other part of Vadamarachchi. If all of them are in Karavetty, does Sumanthiran travel from there to Colombo daily?
With regard to Sampanthan Aiya it does not make any difference whether he lives in Karavetty, Trincomalee or Colombo. He has not done anything beneficial to the Tamil community up to now by living in Colombo, or to the country during his term as an opposition leader, and guarantee that he wouldn’t do anything in the future too. Let him remain in Karavetty or Trincomalee and come to Parliament once in three months if he wants , so that he won’t loose his membership. He and his TNA politicians are a big ” sumai” on our head. Don’t you agree ?
P.S
Hopper Mama called me but being a person from Adankappattru, I ignored his call. Being unemployed I love reading your comments that are filled with humour sarcasm and wit. I enjoy it.
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soma / March 10, 2019
When I see the Tamil desire to live in the south I feel proud as a Sinhalese. Give one house to each TNA member.
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Soma
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Native Vedda / March 10, 2019
somass
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“When I see the Tamil desire to live in the south I feel proud as a Sinhalese.”
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You see the full potential for yet another riot, huge ethnic cleansing, looting properties, cash, jewellery, consumer electronics, furnitures, …… rape, murder, ……………
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We know you have been itching for another riots since 2009. Start planning now, this time around you must build large alliance of rioters, STF, Army, Navy, Airforce, local thugs, rent a mob, saffron clad thugs, Wimal Sangili, Dr Gota (for efficient execution), ……….. a grand Coalition of racists and fascists.
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It could also be the prelude to a coup under the leadership of Dr Gota and his war criminals, a possible change of government you so desperately demand in this forum.
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Wish you well.
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Eagle Eye / March 10, 2019
Native, “You see the full potential for yet another riot, huge ethnic cleansing, looting properties, cash, jewellery, consumer electronics, furnitures, …… rape, murder”
So why are they begging to be ethnically cleansed, looted, robbed of properties, cash, jewelry, electronics, and furniture, raped and murdered by living outside of their ‘traditional homeland’ in the South? Is it because they face worse in their traditional homeland???
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Native Vedda / March 10, 2019
Eagle Blind Eye with Birds Brain
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Isn’t it part of the fascists’ grand plan, the final solution to completely get rid of the minorities, first chased them from habitats, then from rest of the country, now planning to get rid of the rest, ……….. in the process loot everything possible?
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Eagle Eye / March 10, 2019
Dumb Native Vedda
Answer the question without your brainless rethoric or is it beyond your capability?
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Josh Lekamwasam / March 10, 2019
rajeewa.
you are no longer a Rajapakse lackey?
Join Ranajan Ramanayake, Sharmini Serasinghe, Emil van der puten, Sugandhika Fernando bandwagons
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chiv / March 11, 2019
To all sane viewers of CT it is better to avoid reading and commenting on this hypocrite who seems to have run out of ideas.
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Namal Perera / March 12, 2019
If a Ex President disgrace the Presidency and shamelessly return to Parliament as a MP, all the perks of a Ex President should be immediately discontinued and treated as a MP.
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Champa / March 13, 2019
Namal Perera
First of all, why should the formerPresident be shameful to come to Parliament when 5.8 million people voted him in January 2015, almost half of the total voters. The 5.8 million people have a right to be represented by their leader in Parliament.
Secondly, you cannot discontinue the perks and salaries allocated to former Presidents at your whims and fancies.
The Constitution doesn’t bar any former Presidents re-electing to Parliament. If it is the wish of the people, what is your problem?
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NAK / March 15, 2019
The actual sequence of this episode is as follows.
MP Sumanthiran approaches MR and informs him that his staff has written to former leader of the opposition MP Sampanthan to hand over the official residence and the two vehicles allocated to the leader of the opposition.
Then Mahinda replies saying that his staff are only following procedure failure of which they will have to face legal action on abuse of public property. He also says that “since he has official residence and vehicles as the former President he does not need those used by Sampanthan and he can use them IF the cabinet approves such use”
Accordingly,there is no question of of MR being magnanimous with public funds though the same can not be said of the cabinet which is under the thumb of the TNA anyway.
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