While at least 91 persons have died, a further reported 110 have been reported missing and thousands have been rendered homeless to date due to severe floods and mudslides due to inclement weather which has swept through Sri Lanka during the past days, several President’s Counsel newly appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena celebrated in style on Friday night (26th) wining and dining at Colombo’s swanky five star hotels.
J. C. Weliamuna PC
Among those who lavishly celebrated was anti-corruption activist JC Weliamuna who held his event at the Cinnamon Grand, Colombo.
Meanwhile, senior trade union activists who had been invited by Transparency International, Sri Lanka (TISL) to take part in a conference on Right to Information (RTI) on Saturday 27th May declined the invite on grounds of conscience, saying that they could not participate in a discussion on RTI held by an organisation whose functioning was contradictory to the basic principles of RTI.
They pointed out that RTI requests to TISL filed by several senior trade union activists in regard to providing documents indicating serious internal financial and management irregularities in the organisation had been declined on non-justifiable grounds by TISL Executive Director Asoka Obeyesekere.
The documents asked for included information relevant to the discontinuing of senior TISL staff who had been whistleblowers on fraudulent acts committed by TISL. The staff members were not given the report of an inquiry carried out by (then) Chairman of TISL Lakshan Dias and (then) Director, JC Weliamuna into the relevant incidents even though they and other members of TISL who stood up against the injustice committed, repeatedly asked for the document.
Dias and Weliamuna stepped down from their positions at TISL following the filing of the RTI requests. However, Weliamuna continues to be a key influence in directing the policy of the organization as a member of TISL.
Related posts:
Dias And Weliamuna Step Down From TISL Following RTI Requests
Plato. / May 26, 2017
Nero fiddling while Rome burned!
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Analyst / May 27, 2017
Blessings in disguise , yes while the people are dying in the after effects of natural disasters this is the time to go begging for foreign aid.
Yes another disaster good for the Parliament Mafia and the side liners Mafias , whether
theyre Parliamentarians or so called NGOs./ PCs like Welimuni? They’re all GREEDY VULTURES WHO DOES NOT KNOW THE FEELINGS OF AFFECTED PEOPLE.
THIS IS THE CULTURE OF IMPUNITY TOLERATED BY THE MAFIAS FIRSTLY ON THE DESTRUCTION AND THE SUFFERINGS OF ALL THE MINORITIES ! Now it’s whole sale greediness on the expense of poor and vulnerable of all walks of life.
Buddhas teachings put into practise??
He must be writhing in hell or heaven??
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Suzie / May 30, 2017
Article seems to be more of a personal attack against Mr Weliamuna and TISL than anything to do with the title.
It’s not well researched though. The RTI act applies to public authorities. This sounds like someone’s personal vendetta. Terrible journalism Colombo telegraph
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Amarasiri / May 26, 2017
J. C. Weliamuna PC,—————————————————————————–
” several President’s Counsel newly appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena celebrated in style on Friday night (26th) wining and dining at Colombo’s swanky five star hotels.”———————–
“Among those who lavishly celebrated was anti-corruption activist JC Weliamuna who held his event at the Cinnamon Grand, Colombo.”
How was the food? What about the drinks? Who taught you? Mahinda Rajapaksa? Maitripala Sirisena?—- Just curious!
“Dias and Weliamuna stepped down from their positions at TISL following the filing of the RTI requests. However, Weliamuna continues to be a key influence in directing the policy of the organization as a member of TISL.”
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siripala / May 26, 2017
It’s a worldwide phenomena! ………………………………
Nothing to moan about. …………………………………………………………..
Just recently 200 Housing charities of UK attended a dinner called in by the largest trade union of UK and each manager upward paid £ 1700. While they make only unaffordable housing for the first time buyers…………………………………………
Granny says if you have nothing to say don’t say it.
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Mallaiyuran / May 26, 2017
$ 1.1 billion spent on Hangbangtota habor. It can not be used. Addition lands and Sub docking rights needed just to leave this with China. The biggest disaster has been created by massive dynamites and earth digging. When the flood come into their houses, people are on the road. Those who lated have saved the money in the foreign bank accounts. They won’t remember this. They won’t analse to find how did this happen. They will be supplied with Biriyani next May Day too. They only remember that. Thero De Silva will write his opportunistic essay. Life goes on!
In this condition, the master crook Champika is on the project of building megapolis..
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Jim Softy / May 26, 2017
If the PC council is celebrating on govt money that is a different reason. Govt, I read, had allocated another Rs 360 million foe importing Motor vehicles to ministers and beaurucrats.
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Jim Softy / May 26, 2017
The same thing happened during the meethotamulla incidenace.
The following is during the fllods;
A supplementary estimate to seek Parliament’s approval to spend more than Rs.360 million to purchase vehicles for some ministers and renovate official residences of several other ministers was presented to Parliament today.
Accordingly, approval was sought to spend Rs. 154 million to purchase new vehicles for the Ministry of Defence which is under President Maithripala Sirisena while Rs. 120 million was sought to purchase vehicles for the Finance Ministry. Approval was also sought to spend Rs.43 million to purchase a vehicle for the Deputy Minister of Rural Economy and Rs. 16 million to purchase a vehicle for the Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade. The notes of the supplementary estimate said funds that were allocated for the purchase of vehicle in 2016 but remains unutilized will be used.
In addition Rs.3.4 million was sought for the repairs of the official residence of Social Empowerment and Social Welfare Minister, Rs.1.2 million for the repairs of the official residence of Digital Infrastructure Development Minister and Rs.5.9 million for the renovation of Central Province Governor’s official residence.
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argon / May 26, 2017
You guys are also like Nero, who fiddled while Rome was burning. You guys are commenting while people are dying. Leave your keyboards and come with me to help the victims.
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Douglas / May 27, 2017
These are the “PEOPLE” and their “Organizations” who boast of bringing in a “New Government” having ousted a a sitting Government. Among them are some of the other types called “Civil Society” organizations such as “Puravasi Balaya” (God know how many are in that Balaya), “Organization Against Corruption” of which this recently appointed “PC” Mr Waliamuna is also a member who incidentally collected a cool Rs. 4 million on the Sri Lankan Airline investigation. Another such is the organization that was started by Late Ven. Sobitha, now headed by Prof. Wijesuriya. These viz. “Civil Society Organizations” are yet another “AMOEBA” type that spread its protozoans to suck the gullible and make a quick buck during a crisis situation. So do not expect any good from these types; but it is time to expose these vagabonds and make them go naked. This CANCER called “Civil Society Organization” is another to be annihilated for the good of the country.
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Pro Republica / May 27, 2017
Cinnamon Grand? For a laddie from Walasmulla who once worked as a waiter in Colombo before doing his attorneys and clawing his way up by pretending to be a human rights wallah?!
Not bad, eh!
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Ad / May 27, 2017
Our professional have a craze. Go around in an expensive Duty free car, wine and dine in 5 star hotels, See Disneyland, live in huge mansions, and then rob the cost from the public directly or indirectly. There is so much injustice taking place in the country. They have professional knowledge and the ability to correct. But they prefer to call themselves Buddhists, just to rob or beg from the innocent public disregarding their plight.
They are all living with the false belief that luxury will bring them eternal glory and people will regard them as elite. Bullshit has more nutrients.
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M.Hade Sharef / May 27, 2017
Selfish Srilankans born that way.
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Sadn / May 28, 2017
You people voted now you suffer net time you vote JVP and see at least if they are good other wise w have the leadership we voted for shut up and go anc help flood victims
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justice / May 28, 2017
Only in the field of law, are the experts/practitioners ‘elevated’ to a higher ‘plane’ of achievement, without any postgraduate degrees or any higher degree of ‘expertise’.
A lawyer’s increased earning capacity is supposed to be a ‘higher qualification’;
Political notoriety too adds to this.
This “PC” ‘qualification is mostly political.
That this is a matter to be celebrated, is laughable.
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Dot / May 28, 2017
Any Other country would have stopped everything and declared a national day of mourning if 91 or more face the final curtain of their life on this planet and many many more are marooned ..But the elite both so called educated and the social climbers cannot feel any empathy , cannot cancel their ‘conferences ‘ to wine and dine rather than face the current situation of the country ,,Sad sad world .The Government allocate fundings and then feel that hey have done their duty ..and wait for things to bounce back to their former life .The President just could not project to Australia that we are a nation of caring people by rushing back to the people that propped him into power ..Well as gthe Buddha said it quite truly even our traditional way of caring has changed and nothing remains the same .Water ways do not like to be disturbed and finds a way of rushing down to the sea destroying the man made obstruction when it could renew its strength when the climate changes and gives it more velocity ..and to many its ‘ those ‘ that are affected and not us
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K A Sumanasekera / May 28, 2017
Welimuna who is supposed to be the ace Anti Corruption fighter has never said anything about the Singaporean and his SIL, who robbed the EPF to rob the Central Bank,,,,,,Does it sound right……Nor has he said anything about the Mahendran Family friend, Dr Ranil who gave the orders… Welimuna has not said anything about the Ministerial Hora either ,who was kicked out, from his Finance Office chair ,but on to a another chair..which is not far from the old chair…..So you think Welimuna worry about Meethotamulla or Kalu Ganga. or Kelani Ganga …..
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Chandra / May 28, 2017
See a good comment by one JK Wijedasa (a senior journalist’s father, I think) on the unconstitutionality of appointing PCs. http://www.sundaytimes.lk/article/1020861/president-appoints-new-25-presidents-counsels
Very correct. I was sent a mail that this same gentleman has written to the Chairman
Public Representations Committee on Constitutional Reform, saying that appointment of President’s Counsel under the 8th Amendment to the Constitution, confers an unfair privilege discriminating against the other professionals. As he points out, in fact lawyers number just over 14000. Rest of the professionals numbering few hundred thousand are not recognized. These include academics, medical profession, scientists, architects, economists, bankers etc. The rest of his letter is as follows;
‘The practice of appointment of Queen’s Counsel ceased with the adoption of 1972 constitution on 22nd May 1972. The appellation changed to Senior Attorney-at-Law. 1978 constitution maintained the same position. Prior to the 1972 constitution it was a tradition onoly, though unfair.
Then 12 years later the 8th Amendment was pushed through on 6th March 1984 empowering the President to appoint President’s Counsel. The amendment mentions the colonial appendage Queen’s Counsel. Don’t we know that we shed shackles of colonialism with 1972 constitution? Lawyers cannot even talk of an unbroken tradition.
In the 19th Amendment the 8th amendment text is reintroduced as Article 33 (e).
Article 33 (e) To appoint as President’s Counsel, attorneys–‐at–‐law who have reached eminence in the profession and have maintained high standards of conduct and professional rectitude. Every President’s Counsel appointed under this paragraph shall be entitled to all such privileges as were hitherto enjoyed by Queen’s Counsel;
I suggest SUCH AN OBNOXIOUS clause SHALL NOT BE INCORPORATED IN THE PROPOSED NEW CONSTITUTION.’
There is fat chance of this good suggestion being implemented because those people in that committee are also part of that same hypocritical clique.
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Medhaka / May 28, 2017
To Colombo Telegraph,
Writing cheap articles of this nature ruins your reputation as an investigative news portal. While I understand that there may be a moral imperative to help those in distress, your task as a news portal is not to engage in moral preaching/policing.
According to your logic, does the world have to grind to a halt when a disaster strikes? If that were the case, all 365 days of the year would have to be spent idle! Rather, isn’t it possible for individuals to do their part to help those in distress and at the same time move on with their normal lives?
Please do not use your news portal to carry out personal attacks and propagate cheap journalism. It risks ruining your reputation as one of Sri Lanka’s better investigative news portals.
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Chandra / May 29, 2017
@Medhaka, It is not CT which is cheap to raise issues of this nature but it is people like you who see nothing wrong in this sort of behaviour who is cheap. It is not a case of ‘the world’ grinding to a halt. Get your facts right. We are talking of ordinary decency by Sri Lankans here. For sure, you must have also been one of the people celebrating.
Why is it ‘personal’ when these matters are written about? If someone pretends to moralize in public, then, that person must also PRACTICE WHAT HE PREACHES.
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Medhaka / May 30, 2017
@Chandra, Firstly let me make it clear that I’m only a law student and was not invited for any of these parties. I might also mention that I’m no fan of this system of appointment which is greatly politicized. However let me answer a few of your unfounded observations.
I say that this article is cheap and personal for a number of reasons.
Firstly, if the writer was concerned about the ‘so-called moral repugnance’ of PC parties, why does he/she limit themselves to referring to one such lawyer’s party. If moral repugnance was the issue he/she should have named all such lawyers concerned. If you have been following CT’s previous articles on Weliamuna and TISL it becomes obvious that this PC party is being used as a convenient tool to take a cheap shot at him. (Please note that I’m not making a value judgment on the TISL investigation, but only on it being tied up to a completely unrelated issue of the so called morality of PC parties)
Secondly, you refer to ‘ordinary decency’ as being a justification for suspending these parties. Notwithstanding the overtly ‘moral policing’ flavor of your statement, could you explain why only the suspension of a PC party meets your standard of ‘ordinary decency’. Isn’t it possible for an individual to help his fellow countrymen and also celebrate an important event in their lives without breaching your sanctimonious standard of ‘ordinary decency’?
In light of these reasons I stand by my previous comment.
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Nagananda / May 28, 2017
In Sri Lanka, the office of the President Counsel is not something bestowed on the people who deserve it. But is something obtained by a plea made by the applicants. This is not acceptable and not the practice followed in Britain that introduced the legal system practiced in Sri Lanka. There those who are deserved to be honored with silk are nominated by the members in the profession and the general public.Therefore, I believe that the relevant rules should be changed accordingly.
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Chandra / May 29, 2017
Good on you Naga! Its true. Nowadays, this is a political ‘reward’ bestowed for ‘work well done’! As a retired civil servant, I remember a time when QC meant something. Now its a joke.
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jigsaw Jakson / May 30, 2017
It is not the establishment (the judiciary) that has gone to the dogs, but that dogs (no insult to mans best friend) have entered the esteemed establishment and rule the system.
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Gunasiri Janasoma / May 30, 2017
The majority of Parliament members are enjoy by their life-style; Ministers are above that;,Prime-minster is to care hoots; President accompany large number of delegation when is supposed to official or non-official visits oversees:
Bring luxury imported vehicles of cost of Billions of Rupees of worth for travel near distances with their families. Every Ministers residence can see more than 7 to 8 vehicles park in near by .
What about other govt. officials , Judges of all courts including Supreme court judges ,Lawyers, Doctors, University Teachers, Tuition masters, some school Principles , Private company directors/Chairmen , Local elected members ,Provincial Council Chief ministers ,members of Provincials, Mayors of Municipality Councils ,Urban Councils and their Members, Board of directors of Sate Corporations , High Ranking Police officers that including IGP and below ranks , Army Offices that including Army commanders below of that , Navy and Air force Commanders below that. Are enjoy such unlimited privileges and perks unknown benefits for their children are unaccounted generation come into being.
The every nook and corner the Island top to bottom corruption has cost vise of money that more than 20% of total GDP of SL that in approximately. This type of “democracy” of the bourgeoisies has not listen to public voice since last 70 odd years.
The real democracy enjoy by not only ‘few’ of capitalist owners by their obedient servants are more life-enjoy than high ranking top bourgeoisies ..Ours capitalist order is depend of exploited and plundering wealth of nation by 10 % of top of few political mongers , who’s are at the best vested interest of Politics of Parliamentary Democracy of two party system !!!@
Sri Lankan State is corrupted ,that an incorrigibility cannot be redress or rectificty by any means is not possible. Only the one path remain an open??? what is that ?
Left to decided by power of People along >
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Sirisena Yatawara / May 31, 2017
Presently we are challenging by new catapostorp—-Flood victims , having ample an opportunity new avenues to seized diastase’s relief funds and Goods by ruling authorities in power. The 60% funding will never received the real victims. The daily need Goods over 40% will be mishandle by Authority.
This was what has been happen in during the 2004 December Tsunami Millions of US dollars has gone ruling authorities. By private NGO’s which one of largest NGO had received Millions of US Dollars by like Saravodya! .
All Tsunami funds received from UNICEF,several donors of Western countries ; Japan is one of largest donors came to Sri Lanka at that time. No accountability by Tsunami funds by present govt. or previous govt. authority . All means of the relevant files has closed by political -power of ruling authority then and now!
It is well known fact that —–Ever-never reached to Tsunami funds and goods for the victims of hundred thousands of people in Island wide. The Even LTTE has exploited Tsunami funds for “liberation of Tamil” from Sinhalese ” hegemony”!!!@
Sri Lankan all Police high ranking positions ,Judges, Lawyers, Politicos and leaders of Political parties, that including JVP, TNA, MC and Tamil of Indian origin coolies Party leaders of all parties mainly, that leading in center and provinces are corrupted by before and after elected in set chambers.
What is to be done of Flood items NOT that received from oversees, is this will go to the need victims in remote areas ?
Is that donors having good intention ,the really needy will received ,who is going give guarantee given food, cloths, daily and shelters need will be distributed by authority ?
Is that President has not given any accountability at all.! Primer is in holiday in USA for Two to three weeks ? He will not retune to Island until next turn of disasters.
This is where that Sri lanka lack democracy and transparency of whole system . These an issues are not been that address or search or investigation by Human Right Council in —Geneva???
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Mama Sinhalam / June 5, 2017
Well, President’s Counsel, could not have any greater eminence than the Presidents they advice. The Presidents of Sri Lanka were the most corrupt politicians in the world. How can their Counsel have any better values? They are a pack of no good idiots who operate within a low level legal system that had lost its past glitter, peopled with corrupt judges like Sarath Silva and Attorney Generals like you know who.
PC must be taken to be an abbreviation for as I suggest, a Pencil Cutter, Pie Cutter or something like that.
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