President Maithripala Sirisena’s amateur Governor Appointees, ignorant of the terms and the boundaries of devolution of power are causing serious damage to governance.
In a controversial bungle up, Governor of Southern Province Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon interfered with four coveted school admissions to Southlands Girl School, a National School under the purview of the line ministry of Education. He threatened the principal of the school and her husband regarding this matter and engaged in further abuse of power by deploying the police to the residence of the principal to intimidate her. Later, the principal of the school was reported to have requested the withdrawal of the investigation about Governor’s misconduct. Informed sources at the Ministry of Education revealed to Colombo Telegraph that the principal has made this request under intimidation by Tennakoon who’s abusive, terror inducing conduct has been raising concern among the government employees in the province.
Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon
Tennakoon, the former CAFÉ chief, harping on impartiality and transparency raised eyebrows accepting the post of Governor from Sirisena. A brief time in to his office, Tennakoon, probably in a state of ignorance about his administrative boundaries, called for explanation from the authorities regarding an assault of prisoners within the Angunakolapelassa prison which does not fall within his purview. Facing social media backlash, Tennakoon was forced to promptly withdraw his letter via a letter of apology written to Minister of Justice Thalata Atukorale.
Meanwhile, the amateur Governor of Central Province, Maithri Gunaratne, ignoring all administrative boundaries, single handedly diverted traffic of Kandy town. With little or no consultation with experts, police or other local government authorities he practically brought the busy tourist town to a near standstill. Gunaratne, noted dissident and saboteur within the United National Party openly crossed loyalties to Sirisena after the constitutional coup of October 2018. In an attempt at off show –off politics Gooneratne ventured in to this abrupt change in Kandy traffic, pussy footing around the obvious solution of opening up the crucial roads surrounding the Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the tooth relic) to appease the Mahanayakas.
In a recent development, yet another Governor took overstepping boundaries to the next level, potentially precipitating a diplomatic debacle. The amateur Governor of the Northern Province Suren Rāghavan is reported to have made an attempt at making an ‘official visit’ to India without revealing the mandate of his visit, nor the list of people he intends to carry out ‘government negotiations with’.
Maithri Gunaratne
When contacted today by Colombo Telegraph, Governor Rāghavan confirmed that he has planned this ‘official visit’ to India to negotiate the return of 83 000 registered refuges and 20 000 unregistered refugees to Sri Lanka. When queried on what authority he, as a Governor of a province has in negotiating such resettlement which is a central government issue, Raghavan replied that” as the custodian of the people of the North, in the absence of a functional provincial council, it is well within my responsibility to attend to the day to day grievances of the people. I’m going to India to get in touch with the refugees and related agencies. I want to find out if they are returning with their free will”. When asked who authorized this planned negotiation, Raghavan stated that “I have made an application for the authorization of this visit, and I’m awaiting the permission of the President”.
Speaking to Colombo Telegraph on the condition of anonymity our Foreign Ministry source stated “it appears that Rāghavan, ignorant of the powers not vested in him has attempted to use his political shortcuts to undermine the authority not just of the central government, but that of His Excellency the President”.
A source at the Presidential Secretariat confirmed this attempt by Rāghavan stating “Rāghavan kept the President in the dark when seeking permission that he was venturing in to a serious violation of the constitution. However the President’s Secretary Udaya Seneviratne has taken prompt measures to update the President to avert a serious debacle”.
Strongly disputing Rāghavan’s claim our Foreign Ministry source stated “Governor Rāghavan is not awaiting President’s approval. That is a lie. The permission was granted by the President who was kept in the dark about Rāghavan’s actual intentions. Presidential Secretariat forwarded Rāghavan endorsed request to the Foreign Ministry which in turn was forwarded to the High Commission in India. Rāghavan is fully aware of this fact. We have also confirmed that Sri Lanka’s envoy to India, Ambassador Austin Fernando, a former Governor himself, has communicated his fact based, forth right observations on this matter in no uncertain terms, saving embarrassment to the President and the government”.
Dr. Suren Rāghavan
When questioned by Colombo Telegraph whether venturing in to state negotiations is a power vested in a Governor of a province, Rāghavan stated that “it is, according to the constitution I know. When questioned if foreign policy and refugee issues fell under the concurrent list between the provincial government and the central government, Raghavan replied “I’m not sure, I have to refer to the constitution”.
Under the 13th amendment, subjects falling separately under the provincial government and central government are spelt out whereas those subjects shared by the two entities are maintained in a concurrent list.
Commenting further on this debacle our source at the Presidential Secretariat opined: “it appears that the overconfident Governor about to venture in to a bipartisan negotiation with India was basically unaware or pretending to be unaware that he would be causing a serious violation of the constitution and foreign policy. Such ignorance or arrogance and overzealous attempts at abuse of power by the newly appointed Governors come at a heavy cost to the President and to the government”.
Colombo Telegraph’s attempt to contact Ambassador Austin Fernando for comment was unsuccessful.
Eagle Eye / March 10, 2019
Who is the main culprit for this state of affairs? None other than the son of the soil Gamarala Sirisena. This is what happens when inexperienced baggage boys (that is what he was till November 2014 when he announced his candidature) are appointed to high posts. There are many more like him and increasing daily. The country will be better off sending him back to Polonnaruwa to do what he is best at, plowing his Paddy fields. Statecraft is serious business. As for the three Governor numbskulls, this has happened due to lack of Provincial Council elections. Who is to be blamed for that?
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Simon De Silva / March 10, 2019
Eagle Eye No 2@
WOW APPLAUSE TO YOU nevertheless, Mr Eagle Eye, but I really dont think, that is the same and usual Mahindapala (ultra racist) that abuse his mouth always being supportive to Gamaratha Gonthadiya and Rajapakshe aka King of all hood winkers.
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Please listen to this Thennakoon and his articulations. He is abusive as Gamarala and Rajapakshe have been. By end of 2014, Thennakoon was sitting with all the ANTI Rajapkashe force to defeat him by hook or crook. But for some reasons, he became more an apologist of SIRISENA. That is why the bugger, an another bayya was one of the hand picked invitees of killi’s Sirasa TV channel, for any bashing out to Ranil Wickramasinghe and UNP.
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These men are like BLUE FLIES being usually found on the HEAPs of excreta seen at the road sides.
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JD / March 10, 2019
Maithripala sirisena wants to remove some of the 9000 professional corrupts who wants to develop the country. Keerthi Tennekon must be one. Maithri gunarathne’s like problems are every where because there are so many politicians fighting for the same electoral district or part of the electoral district. At the same time, and there are so many beaurucratic offices who develop the area and there is no agreement even among them. The reason is too many cooks cooking the soup.
On the other hand, Ranil the bond Scammer and his gang of professional corrupts says suddenly they have finished developing the country and it may be complete by the time of the election or may mostly one year after the election. They will do every thing after the election. That is called VACHIPARAMA govt.
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Ajith / March 10, 2019
I don’t put the blame on Srisena alone. Every aspect of the constitution was violated by all those Presidents preceded him. Further, the constitution itself confused and there is no single interpreation for what is said in the constitution. The whole governing system is a failure since 1948.
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Babalathappu / March 10, 2019
These three afore mentioned men are red herrings and straw men. So, people’s agony will grow up more in the days to come… against Sirisena and his politics in particular.
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nalmen / March 10, 2019
fools rush in where angels fear to tread
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Desperate Sinhalaya / March 10, 2019
Time has arisen, srilankens to name their staple food as ” Rata thanakola -Grass”: They have proved to be born stupid people sofar. Not just politicians, but people too should take the responsibility of today’s crisis. Regardless of the grave situation, people would surely elect the same or new set of sycophants representing the people in this country also in next election. This goes as if moving on a curve. There are no clear signs of palpable changes in the prevailing systems.
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President perse obviously contributes more to political hegemony. No matter power abuses tresspass the constitution. Alone the story of so called assasinations has now become a blatant lie. For some reasons, Law and order bodies still stay as if they have no other choice. Judges appointed to look into high-profile crime cases, acts not not genuine enough in order to come with the verdidcts. Best example is the snail moves of writ application regarding Gotler’s case as reported by CT few days ago.
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Buddhist / March 10, 2019
Was it not this joker Keerthi Tennekoon who tried to bribe UNP MPs’ during the 52 days illegal government to buy them off? What a stupid thing to appoint him the Governor?
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Peiris / March 10, 2019
Ok forks, this is how Sirisena is conducting the business of the nation. He is clueless, and his officials too clueless. Just imagine very soon where the country would end up still more this man stays in power. In total 22 millions of them in the country, still he couldn’t find good caliber people for these jobs, rather he wants boot lickers to carry forward his second term ambition even if country and people go to dogs. Come what may, he is only keen in power, nothing but power.
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BSP / March 10, 2019
Like Sirisena his golayas too are idiots.
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Mahesan Niranjan / March 10, 2019
Technicalities aside, if Governor Raghavan is addressing the issue of the Sri Lankan refugees in India, we ought to thank him. They were displaced under very difficult conditions and, unlike those who escaped to the West, had rather tough lives. Facilitating their (voluntary) return home is everybody’s responsibility.
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SJ / March 10, 2019
MN
The spirit in which one acts is one thing. Following protocol in state-to-state matters is another.
However well meaning one may be, breach of code makes one vulnerable to attack.
It is sad that he has enabled people to bracket him with two others whose integrity is subject to question.
The Governor, NP should be cautious. Otherwise such errors will undermine his position on various fronts.
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Mallaiyuran / March 11, 2019
” Technicalities aside, if Governor Raghavan is addressing the issue of the Sri Lankan refugees in India, we ought to thank him. “
There are lot of hidden conditions and loopholes in the sentence. We are not going to pick up all by word by word; But a general concern of this kind of blind licensing writing!
If “Technicalities aside” and IF THERE IS NO CURE FOR A CHRONIC DISEASE, WILL MERCY KILLING WILL BE THE SOCIETIE’S SOLUTION? IS THE ISIS CAMPS ARE TEMPORARY SHELTER FOR YAZIDI WOMEN? https://www.aljazeera.com/mritems/imagecache/mbdxxlarge/mritems/Images/2019/3/2/aeb9e7045bca4047974ed1e64fc61052_18.jpg
How a man who was appointed to replace Reginald Corey, who held a SLFP meeting at his house, presided by Chandrika, the archenemy of New King. Reginald apologized. But New King decided to use the opportunity to put the knife on the throats of Muslims and Tamils and forcefully milk their votes in the election, so he appointed Tamil Buddhist to North and a Middle East’s medieval evil Extremist to East. Then the Tamil Buddhist barred Tamils inviting Ranil with Tamils costumes. What was the big deal for this Sinhala Old Fox to have communicated to the meeting organizer as he doesn’t’ like Tamils’ customs, only Yellow Sari clad hooligans must be standing to decorate the hall and Only Sinhala Buddhist customs must be followed where he and his Rapist STF entourage move around in North?
This Northern rascal is a combination of Kathirgamar + Thuraiappah + Thiyakar……..+ anyone going to be born in North in that line, in future.
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SJ / March 11, 2019
Mallung you say
“This Northern rascal is a combination of Kathirgamar + Thuraiappah + Thiyakar……..+ anyone going to be born in North in that line, in future.”
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Do you suggest returning to the “good old days” (from 1975 or so until early this century) when every “traitor” had to be sentenced to death?.
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Mallaiyuran / March 11, 2019
SJ,
Another funny quip?
Where do get that kind of idea from my writing.?
Still white washing all Paramilitaries and war criminals? is that why?
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SJ / March 12, 2019
No Mallung sir!
Not at all my dear Mallung sir!
The language sounded very familiar and highly reminiscent of the ‘good old days’ Only a clarification as the familiar prescription was missing.
Even then the prescription was not spelled out every time.
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BTW, is ‘this Northern rascal’ a paramilitary or a war criminal?
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Mallaiyuran / March 13, 2019
” BTW, is ‘this Northern rascal’ a paramilitary or a war criminal. ”
It is hard to make you to get familiar with your language. So it is hard for me to explain where you have already placed him! Beyond that, the Legal maxim is, a person who helps to hide another criminal’s crime is a criminal. Some Northern Rascals may want Sinhala Cinema Actresses to accompany them to be stooges; some Tamil Buddhists may go in men only clubs.
The language sounded very familiar and highly reminiscent of the ‘good old days’
For how long you have been hearing my language to categorize it your familiar language that you are employed to specialize (by your bosses)? Is there a state funding to UoJ to maintain a Lexicon by you in UoJ in your Language faculty lab to do the language comparative studies? If so how many Individuals’ language in the list you have had by now? How many of them seeing light still and for how many the Appe Aanduwa has given Visa and lifted up and put on the flight without the help Alucose?
“Only a clarification as the familiar prescription was missing.”
Myy exigence, dogs’ tails don’t get straighten. As I said to you, I don’t enjoy beat the dog to see it shows its teeth to cry. Horses appear want to leave, clearing the camps, but we are stuck with donkeys that still remain.
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SJ / March 13, 2019
Mallung
You are ducking very simple questions that arose from your mallung comments.
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If you cannot, let’s forget it.
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“Some Northern Rascals may want …” you say now.
May I know what kind of Northern Rascal you are? Are you not one from the North?
Do’nt get your k******s in a twist.
It is only a request for clarification, not an attempt to straighten your anything.
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Mallaiyuran / March 13, 2019
” If you cannot, let’s forget it. “
You could not forget, but struggling to put the coiled tails between the legs?
” May I know what kind of Northern Rascal you are? Are you not one from the North? “ Did it took so long to compose that question? How many days and how many turns you wanted to create it?
Sadly you have difficulty to parse your own language. Is that why you have the contract to “Language Comparison “. Otherwise you, it seems, you don’ want me to explain about you. Opportunity PhD, now are I am upgraded from Diaspora Rascal to Northern Rascal? Good; some, if, any enemies of me there, who are in your and the other Northern Rascal’s line, please on my behalf, tell them Honey he is Back in North”.
There are a lot Northern Statesmen, when the Coup is lost once again, “Mella Mella Velladar Aahinam.” But we show them strongly telling that they had come back when the Coup was there. Modaya Politics is in South. South voted to Sirimavo rowdyism for rice from Moon. Northern Rascals’ brothers never voted these Paramilitary Gangs.
(If you have touched on a wrong thing don’t take to nose. That is the third place you are spreading by that mistake)
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SJ / March 13, 2019
Malklung
“You could not forget, but struggling to put the coiled tails between the legs?”
How many tails do you have?
You need not answer this question either.
Your response to ” May I know what kind of Northern Rascal you are? Are you not one from the North? “ is interesting.
At least you like the question.
So why don’t you tell us what kind of rascal you are and whether or not you are one from the North?
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Mallaiyuran / March 14, 2019
“ Malklung
“You could not forget, but struggling to put the coiled tails between the legs?”
I don’t think you are capable with your English Spelling ability that you can pose a question to me. Do you think I should try answer to all question that fly on the sky?
Your ability has repeatedly your capacity to understand the answers given either. I thought who writes on CT are English Educated and have a capacity.
So why don’t you tell us what kind of rascal you are and whether or not you are one from the North?
How many of you are sleeplessly waiting for me?
(Some Paramilitary Heroes have many tails. Some tails hang behind many bosses too. That question was posed to you. You tell me your way of life?)
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Mallaiyuran / March 11, 2019
We understand Thevaram’s concern about the Tamil refugees in India. Many things have appeared TN Newspapers about their plights. Certain amount crime pested; their future, children’s education…….everything is up in the sky. But still their life is still much better than War widows and rebels life in North East. For so many NGO’s requests, they refused to voluntarily return. No forceful luring in drug dealing or prostitution by Rapist Army. No continuous follow up by Rapist police and STF. When 52 days Coup government started, these groups attempted to communicate with Colombo embassies because many even started to fear for their. That time Karuna-Deva declarations of their return were extra. They shot two policies in Vaharai and arrested 30 released rebels. Still a woman with five children is warning she has no way to continue her life if the children’s father is not retuned so she wants to give children and she too wan to drink poison. Is TN camps are that bad?
This dumpster is a cooli of New King, dumped only for North. Out of the one lakh refugees, I understand a considerable crowd is Eastern Tamils and up country Tamil. Has a made a deal with East, Central and Una Governors to represent the residents of their area.
Further this clown has declared that he is going to Geneva to represent Tamils. (Interestingly, he has become the rep of North in going to Geneva Perahera – where he can’t be undemocratic, but when it comes to Indian refugees, he has become Northern Custodian; does that mean he is the shepherd of the 150,000 Rapist Army, occupying the Northern Tamils?) Does this educated fool understand what “Representation” is? That is a job only with the mandate of people he represents. North wants his boss, “The White Flag Murderer” to be prosecuted in an International Court for that war crime. Will he tell that in Geneva?
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Naman / March 10, 2019
I do NOT find fault with the New Governor for NPC. It’s good of him trying to solve issues even if exceeds his limts as long as he is able find SOLUTIONS to variety of issues faced by his people in HIS Province. Trying to get the Displaced SL Tamils from India is a positive action.
He needs to control /SOLVE the Narcotics issue/Aava group’s violence/ unemployment/ poverty/ lack of life skills in the people
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Good Governance / March 10, 2019
From top to bottom they think no end of them selves. Respect for Law? Rule of Law? Pooh! “Law! Law! I am the law”. If we have a President who think who could dissolve Parliament in a jiffy then what can you say about others? If we have a PM who shields the crooks of the crooks what can you say about others? So this conduct of Governors is nothing surprising. The message is clear. Whether MR times or MS+RW times one is given position for the “services rendered” especially so for fattening the personal purse. Once accorded a position IT IS OK to squeeze the juice out of it as compensation for the “services rendered” but BOY! DONT GET CAUGHT!
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JD / March 10, 2019
Govt should understand people do not like Provincial councils. Those are there only to make Tamil politicians happy who now wants more. NGOs are working for foreign money for which you can apply via the web then they keep on badgering the govt. Some ministers are doing it just to stay on the top. I think Keerthi Thennekoon like people should be fired and should go through the Judicial system.
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JD / March 10, 2019
RAGHAVAN proved that he is another CHEAP tamil. Protestants and Catholic are ranscaking the north. they are worried about that. He as soon as he came when took a cheap shot at Budda Statues, it is just bullying and nothing about reconciliation.
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Native Vedda / March 11, 2019
JD
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“RAGHAVAN proved that he is another CHEAP tamil.”
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Don’t you consider him a better Tamil than a converted Tamil such as you, Wimal Sangili Karuppan Weerawansa, Members of Mahindawamsa, Udhaya Ganapathipillai, ….. because RAGHAVAN is an authentic Tamil?
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JD / March 11, 2019
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2
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JD / March 10, 2019
Maithri Gunarathne’s job is not that rewarding, so he wants to be a Minister who can earn big bucks, get contracts, foreign trips commis in dollars, Francs, Deutcsh marks etc. On the other Municipal
Mayor says I want to give contracts, I want to some money to become a Parliamentary minister. So, every one is working to become their mentors MAFIA bosses, Drug Barons. or Mega Criminals.
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Mano / March 11, 2019
It looks as if we are in Everybody’s Appe Anduwa, a Democracy we are supposed to have, Aristocracy of the President, and Bureaucracy run by Presidents appointees and a Dictatorship of the Underworld Mafia Gangs. The people are in a cauldron of boiling soup of miseries.
Unfortunately all these taking place with the direct and indirect blessings from the clergies of all faiths, and the God fearing people left with no Gods to come for their help.
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Eagle Eye / March 11, 2019
We should thank the Governor who stopped the decision by Maskeliya Local Government dominated by descendants of slaves brought to this country illegally by British bastards to change the name ‘Sree Paada’ to ‘Shiva Paadam’. Descendants of Dravidian slaves brought by Parangi and Olanda bastards ‘Demalized’ Sinhala place names in the North. Even now they are trying to do this. Recently Viggie suggested that the name ‘Naagadeepa’ should be changed to some bloody Demala shit name. It looks like ‘Wathu Demala’ racist politicians are trying to imitate Northern Wellala Demala politicians for their political survival and create problems for the ordinary Demala people who live in harmony with Sinhalayo. Do not think that Sinhalayo will keep on tolerating this kind of provocations. Sinhalayo have a track record of fighting against Dravidian invaders and defeating them. Remember what happened at Nandikadal.
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justice / March 12, 2019
Eagle Eye,
Please read the history of the Jaffna Kingdom.
There is no need for obscenity.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaffna_Kingdom
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lalith Dahanayake / March 11, 2019
gunaratne is a disaster for kandy. two cent lawyer without a brief. but it is good for unp because all know he is a traitor to the party
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Henry Fernando / March 11, 2019
It is evidently clear that president’s acolytes are taking him for a ride, this was clearly demonstrated by his action to sack the Prime Minister followed by prorogation of parliament and not stopping at that went on to dissolve the parliament. What kind of governance is that? One could construe this as sheer ignorance coupled with pride and arrogance arising from inferiority complex. Now we see this type of arrogance is trickling down the line to those appointed to high positions who are misfits and utterly dishonest. I still remember What Sir, John Kothalawala supposed to have said after the defeat of UNP in 1958 or so to a new MP in SLFP. It is a pity we don’t see such honest and clean politicians today but they are hell bent on protecting Buddhism and Sinhala but not the lives of the poor and the needy. If you really love the people and the country never ever think of entering parliament again, try and see how you could evade or escape the arms of the law.
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Ad / March 11, 2019
This is a good example why we need a system and not an executive.
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Mama Sinhalam / March 11, 2019
Raghavan is the nominee of Sillysena, a war criminal who was responsible as Minister of Defence for the killings of the Tamils by the military. He is a vile impostor. The Tamils in hold him in utmost contempt.
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K.Pillai / March 11, 2019
Governors MUST keep their hands off local government and politics.
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The Governor of Central Province, Maithri Gunaratne’s single handed traffic diversion of Kandy town would have had support from experts, police and other local government authorities. He did not consult the Kandy Mafia.
Why the irrelevant thingy that Gunaratne is a noted dissident and saboteur within the United National Party openly crossed loyalties to Sirisena after the constitutional coup of October 2018?
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More obnoxious is the Governor of Southern Province Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon’s interference with school admissions, threatening the principal of the school and her husband, deploying the police to intimidate her.
Worse much much worse. CT reports under intimidation, the principal requested the withdrawal of the investigation about Governor’s misconduct.
By the way, forgot the Uva CM forcing a school principal to kneel? Earlier that day, she went against the CM’s demands on some administrative matters.
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The Northern Province Governor Suren Raghavan should know that every one of his moves is being monitored. If he wants to keep his job, he must emulate the former NP Governor Rtd. Maj. Gen. C A Chandrasiri. One must do away with conscience.
Beware of those who praise and flatter you.
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K.Pillai / March 11, 2019
The recent ‘breaking news’ in CT, by a regular contributor, regarding the impending sack of Suren was highly exaggerated!
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SJ / March 13, 2019
That may have been a preemptive attack like some others by the same contributor.
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justice / March 11, 2019
Sri Lanka Tamil refugees in India live in various situations in Tamil Nadu & elsewhere.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankan_Tamils_in_India
They constitute various groups. All do not wish to return.
There are even proposals that they be given Indian citizenship.
Raghavan should study these parameters, confer with Tamil Nadu & Central Government, before considering their problems. If they return, they probably will be unemployed, and with nowhere/ no housing to live in.
Raghavan should endeavour to solve problems of Tamils in the North, before going to ‘rescue’ those in India.
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JD / March 12, 2019
I heard fcuture president Mulgal Karu and Rajitha Senarathne health minister the great are ganing upto become President and PM as Ranil may quit politics. Wijedasa Rajapakse tried it and he was fired.
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Renu / March 12, 2019
No wonder these jockeys were appointed by one who had scant respect for the constitution
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dayal / March 12, 2019
racists like eagle eye are born to spread hatred; no future for SL. mano G, do not waste time on reconciliation.
-dayal
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Mallaiyuran / March 13, 2019
Mahinda Samarasinghe is out. He is blaming the Tamil Buddhist..
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