By Karu Jayasuriya –
Karu Jayasuriya MP
The Rajapaksa regime that has been governing through a constant flow of ‘media carnivals’ is poised to stage another spectacle in the coming weekend in Mahanuwara, the ancient citadel of Ceylon. A massive and obscene exhibition of racing cars and mobikes is being planned with their notorious efficiency which is woefully manifest in such wasteful tamashas but not in the day-to-day administration of the country’s burning issues. Objections and protests have already been raised by the Kandy denizens, including the religious dignitaries in the Hill Capital. In a joint communique, a protest against holding of nightly car races scheduled for the 27th and 28th of this month in the historic town of Kandy, issued by the Mahanayakes of the three Nikayas is already on record. Laying emphasis on the narrowness of the roads in the city, in addition to the tremendous disturbance caused by car racing at night to the serenity of the city where the Temple of the Tooth is located are among salient reasons pointed out by the High Prelates of the Sasana. And they asked the Government not to hold the races.
It is a well-known fact that this car-racing tamasha was organized by the three sons of the Executive President of this country and some organization called Carlton Sports Club. The rulers, in this instance, should have paid more than cursory heed to the request made by the Mahanayakes. All indications are that scant respect and attention have been paid to the request of the Maha Sangha. Their sole aim has been to go ahead with the unholy act for which they had already made massive preparatory work.
The most unfortunate feature of all this is the fact that there accrues no economic benefit to the country nor any advantage in the field of sports by holding these nightly car races in a serene city such as Maha Nuwara. Their personal glory and stupid arrogance have overtaken sane thinking and prudent decision-making. No lover of the country could justify the enormous amount of country’s resources squandered on events such as this. The United National Party most steadfastly request the Government to do away with this nightly carnivals and heed the request made by the Mahanayakes. If the rulers are what they profess to be, Sinhalese Buddhist patriots and guardians of our cultural values, then they should not hesitate to cancel this maddening exhibition of obscenity and arrogance.
There are ample examples in the international arena where stubborn rulers had to go home almost stripped to their bones once the people realized that their ‘acts’ were just a gimmick played upon a gullible people. And, time and time again it was proven that such arrogant and stubborn rule has no lasting power before truth and honesty. The day that fate would befall our set of dictatorial rulers is not too far.
*Statement issued by Karu Jayasuriya, Chairman of the Leadership Council, UNP
Vibhushana / June 27, 2014
I agree, the most appropriate place for motor racing is perhaps Nuwara Eliya. It already hosts the hill climb etc.
They should make Nuwara E. the racing capital with horse races too.
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aratai / June 27, 2014
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Who are you to decide that vibushana? Are you a Rajapakse too?
:-)
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Vibhushana / June 27, 2014
I see you have a hard time understanding English.
Didn’t you notice I used third person gender-neutral singular term ‘they’ ?
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Tamil from the north / June 28, 2014
We will have a buffalo race and call one of the buffalos Vibushana
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Sven Perera / June 28, 2014
Cant authorities hang these 3 sons of the megalomaniac so that entire world can learn – that the man is beyond all ethics and morals of the own people.
Mahanaayakes, once upon a time, were respected by almost a larger majority of the nation, but today, they have become no voice. Even previous regime held them as the nation#s voice, but the culprits of BBS have already tarnished the entire image of the srilanken theros incl. mahanayaeks.
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Paul / June 27, 2014
‘Their sole aim has been to go ahead with the unholy act for which they had already made massive preparatory work’.
Very true but couldn’t that also be said of you crossing over to the Government and back again?
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AVB / June 28, 2014
Captain of national Rugby team is eldest Gon son of this Gon President. Anybody or any journalist question this? Was Namal school captain or was he selected for school team when he was studying? I agree, this is not that important. However, when this President son, prominent MP, national captain was playing rugby in Korea recently, 10 other young MP went all the to Korea to Cheer Namal, and those MPs we’re not available in parliament for one of important ballots.
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F. N. Stein / June 27, 2014
Feeling the pulse of the people the Mahanayakas publicly told the Govt not to hold the Rally in Kandy. But who are the Mahanayakas when in comes to the Carlton Princes. Eventually, these Mahanayakas had to eat humble pie and say they are agreeing to ONE MORE RACE only. This is not the first time the Mahanayakas have been ridiculed publicly by the Rajapakses. Going by the past, will not be the last either. What Buddhism in the country has come down to.
It is time the Rajapakses learnt what the people want. For instance, they want the indispensable Coconut at Rs.25, a loaf of Bread at
Rs.35 and a Kilo of Rice at Rs.40. What has Mahinda Rajapakse got to say to that?
Frank N. Stein
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Native Vedda / June 27, 2014
F. N. Stein
“What has Mahinda Rajapakse got to say to that?”
He won the war against LTTE. What more do the stupid people possibly want?
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Sunil Mohan / June 27, 2014
He would say to add ” A Lamborghini for Rs 100 mn “
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Park / June 27, 2014
The so called Sinhala Buddhists who are supposed to be the defenders of the race and religion could not even select a proper Sinhala name for the sports club, they had to call it “Carlton”.
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citizen / June 27, 2014
Mr. Jayasooriya, All Sri Lankans know this, but their unable to take any legal action. The Democratic act was to appoint vote for a political party against this kind of corruption and waste. 49% of people voted for the party that is in opposition, but today because of stupid actions by you and your party leader and the greediness of the bigots you nominated for election, the Grand Old P arty of UNP is in shatters with a shameful less than 10% say in parliamentary matters. There is no point in exhibiting your skill in writing for a few intellectuals in Colombo Telegraph. The only person who has guts to speak out not intimidated by threats is Hon Mangala Samaraweera. He may be gay but the only person to be addressed as Hon in this den of thieves. Mr J stop weeping and trying to show you are a fighter against corruption, nepotism living on peoples money just like all the cabinet ministers, jackals and their filth. Get you UNP jokers to review the GOP or go to hel…………………..and let us all be damned.
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gamini / June 27, 2014
Citizen,
You are pointing your fingers at others for the shortcomings. What have you done instead, to elect a decent, honest and educated person as the Head of State, where you opted for a Tsunami Fund Embezzler?
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Sven Perera / June 28, 2014
People of this country are said to bear high literacy rates but inthe same time, they are the born fools just enjoy surface issues rather than profound thoughts. Latter has brought them to a margin today, making nation a laughing stock. Who are our leadersh.. they have no standard credentials to compare with anyone. They the idiots themsevles boast of their achievements… but those are only limited to commission earning physical constructions. WHO would become high rich there are only the bunch of thugs always rally round being on licking modes of Rajapakshes.
I wish people are have cut the neck by themselves. Now we cant fit it again so that they are given a life. Kenda has become Kanda. The day, I see Rajapakshe are found in drains to the very same manner Gadafis ended up, that would be the begining to the progress of our people. There TNA and the rest of the country will start their discussions towards the sustainable peace for the all folks.
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aratai / June 27, 2014
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I think this is a master plan by their Uncle, the next President.
He is pushing these 3 boys to spend time on games and toys, while he is playing with real guns.
:-)
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gamini / June 27, 2014
Aratai,
Wait till the sons take the guns to their hands. You saw what happened to that North Korean Kim Jon’s uncle?
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Native Vedda / June 28, 2014
gamini
It was reported Kim Jong-un killed his uncle with 120 starving dogs. The sons need lot more dogs than Kim Jong-un had.
We will be going back to medieval times.
Is there a painless way to send the clan and its cronies to Seychelles where it appears they have a place for their retirement.
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JULAMPITIYE AMARAYA / June 28, 2014
If they donot Have enough Dogs in Their clan,
Let them import Dogs from Switzerland. like Hothambaya did for His Wife’s present.
We can Spare our Royal Flight from Sri Lankan Air[ If it is ready after refurbishing ] with all expenses paid by Our Tax payer’s money
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Horikadey / June 29, 2014
That was an unnecessary piece of dirty journalism by Frederica.
What’s wrong in a top official getting a dog from Switzerland if it doesn’t cost the state much or serious losses to the airline.
Jansz tried sensationalism to bring GR and the Rajapakse Govt to public ridicule – on trivia. There were many other issues she could have wrapped them on the knuckles with. She was a good, investigative journalist. But she went far on this Dog issue.
Now the Sunday Leader is a rag – good for the kadala kadey.
The shrewd, slimey Lal made a neat packet.
Horikadey
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Orpheus / July 1, 2014
I think he wants to make the Video game called “Night Street Racing” a real thing in Sri Lanka.Once one of these racing cars crash onto a wall or go down a hill they will stop this silly game of the young rich idiots who never earned the money to by these cars.
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Namal Perera / June 27, 2014
Any one surprise? This is corrupt lawless Banana Republic ruled by a ……? God save former Democratic Sri Lanka.
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Rationalist / June 28, 2014
All these comments are missing the most important Point.
Don’t these foolish Offspring realise that they are harming the Environment for their future Generations, by increasing Carbon Emissions from the Fossil Fuels they are burning unnecessarily.
Firstly by importing expensive, fuel guzzling Vehicles like Lamborghinis, and then Polluting the Atmosphere, with their emissions.
But what can the Parents do? After all Boys will have their Toys if Dad can afford them, with Tsunami Money!
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Upul / June 27, 2014
Is’nt Mr. J’s daughter married to a Dissanayake? Enjoying the Mahaweli bribes AND UFPA MP’s sorry Minister’s perks too.
Talk about eating from both sides!
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sujeewa devarani / June 28, 2014
“Enjoying the Mahaweli bribes AND UFPA MP’s sorry Minister’s perks too. “
And the funniest part is that this Gobba suggested that the govt give Ministers a monthly allowance as a means of preventing them from taking bribes. Heh, Heh, Thaathis Mahaveli pilferage not enough? What jokers we have in the cabinet.
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Lion / June 28, 2014
This person is not a staight forward person.This man has black marks all over his conduct in the past.He totaly ruined his carier by joining with 17 UNPers to strengthen the hands of this despot which he crticise now.Acording to unconfermed report he left UNP as he was promised the premior ship in RANGOJAS government and ultimately he had to leave after he got a good shelling from basilo when he clamied what he was promised, when the prsent regime came to power.This incident had tarnish his immage beyond recovery.Then once he betraied Gen Sarath Fonseka at the last minute without turning up for a public meeting which he has promised to participatae.He has only one thing to his credit as he may be the only person who never claimed a vehicle permit which he is entitled to in this parliment(according to news reports).No one accuse him for corrupton and kick backs.But he had ruined his carier which is hard to rebuild.
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Raj / June 28, 2014
I am at a loss to understand the Mahanayakas’ & some Politicians’ so much concern about the proposed motor races in Kandy when there are burning issues like violence, lawlessness, large scale corruption & human rights abuses across the board in the country that need their attention.
I am a Motor Sports enthusiast & enjoy motor racing just like most people in Sri Lanka who enjoy cricket or other forms of sport. Irrespective of the unsuitability of Kandy venue for motor sports from a safety aspect, if I remember correctly, ‘Kandy races’ were a regular event until a bad accident in the mid 80s, when it was decided to ban racing around the lake thereafter but I do not recall any fuss by the monks at the time for ‘desecrating’ Buddhism in the ‘holy’ city of Kandy. As for the environmentalists who are concerned about the pollutants from the cars emitted during the races, the emissions from the luxury vehicles imported on duty free permits at the expense of the tax payers are not far behind, particularly, considering the number of vehicles used by politicians as back up vehicles on their journeys, even though the country is supposed to be free from terrorist violence, as well as, the large scale emissions of old vehicles that ply our roads. Since the import duty is prohibitive for most of us, older cars with less efficient engines are still being serviced instead of being scrapped, paving the way for modern, highly efficient & safer vehicles. Only the privileged are legally allowed to profit from duty free or duty concession permits.
This venue is certainly not good from a safety perspective but involving Buddhism as a reason for gaining public support deplorable. The Govt. has allowed the importation of very expensive performance & luxury cars (including ‘sports utility vehicles’ such as BMW X5/X6, Range Rovers, Hummers, etc) to a privileged few, which is the issue that should be addressed instead of trying to get political mileage from an event by involving Buddhism.
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