President Maithripala Sirisena participated in the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN Headquarters in New York today, accompanied by his son Daham Sirisena who has no official status whatsoever in the Sri Lankan delegation.
When President Sirisena left for New York and when he arrived in New York the Presidential Media portrayed him as a simple man in contrast to his predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa whose foreign visits were made with a large entourage with the tax payer having to foot enormous bills. These sentiments were echoed by almost all sections of the local media in Sri Lanka. Indeed pictures of him arriving in New York in a disheveled state was hailed as an example of his simplicity.
Sirisena rode to power pledging to eliminate the nepotism and favoritism that marked Rajapaksa reign.
The President is seen with his son Daham, Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera and Justice Minister Wijedasa Rajapakshe.
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Lotuseater / September 26, 2015
WTF. At least Rajapaksa never preached meritocracy! He was a man of his word, and his words were “family rule.” And at least Namal the baby was an elected Member of Parliament unlike this buffoon (he looks bored – should have taken an iPad to play Angry Birds). So much for BS Yahapalanaya. And what the heck is the Minister of Buddha Sasana doing there? The guy is notorious for shopping trips on taxpayer expense. Some years ago he concocted a reason to go to Istanbul for a conference on the government’s dime, only to stop in Dubai to shop for floor tiles for his house. One wonders about the size of the retinue that followed on the next plane to JFK!
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Antany Peter / September 26, 2015
In Sri Lanka Family politics also called good governance ;-)
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Thiru / September 28, 2015
Appe aanduwa, our rule, what else can it be?
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Sensible / September 26, 2015
We don’t need another Rajapakse.
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WalaGemba Raja / September 27, 2015
IS this “Good Governance” or oood grievance?
A close colleague and foremost political research scientist uttered this statement to me. I like to share this with everyone. He said this is part of the “Dorkinist” (being inept and not associated with Prof. Richard Dawkins) political evolution that we are experiencing from Yaha-palanaya to Gawwa(Cattle)-palanaya to Waha(poison) palanaya to Juddah(uncouth) palanaya to Yakkagay(Devel’s)palanaya. Instantly this reminded me of MR’s quote when he urged voters to elect the “Known devil over the unknown devil”. No matter who is in power, we the people are left with no other alternatives with Yakko’s all around us. Unfortunately, the “Yakkas” have triumphed by hijacking our politics, our destiny by shattering our hopes for a better future.
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renu / September 26, 2015
Sirisena this is very sad , You are trying to follow the Rajapakses, by taking on Public funds your Children. I can understand if it was the spouse. Ranil will only take spouse with an invitation. So don’t start this kind of nonsense which the public will not approve of. Your daughter too was trying to do what the Rajapakse Children did. Keep them off Governance unless & until they come into be members of Parliament
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renu / September 26, 2015
Please let us now whether there was any other Family member with any other delegation. At least if he went there off his money he should not sit with the Delegation but in Observer Gallery. Please understand he System & Protocol first when you do state Visits in the future
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dabarahena / September 26, 2015
I guess the son is bullying the father…!
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garawi / September 26, 2015
Yes this is unacceptable from a president we thought is trying to clean up the corruption in Sri Lanka. Isn’t this corruption too? Ranil instructed government institutions to stop unnecessary foreign travel to cut down costs. Why does the President adhere to it? Sirisena is ruining his own image by actions like this. I am flabbergasted!
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Yasin / September 26, 2015
Garawi…..don’t be. There’s more to come. This is just the beginning.
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Shrikharan / September 26, 2015
Certainly some form of privileges are allowed for the immediate family and that happens in any department anywhere. One cannot take this too seriously. One is only plucking a hairs.
Further the President’s son would have travelled through his own private expenses. Son is always a son and father has a responsibility as a father. We should give them some space.
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Nimal / September 26, 2015
Knowing that people,the taxpayers are critical about the extravagance associated with this trip the new President haven’t leaned the lesson.Hope they are not going to repeat the last year’s drama where Blue whiskey drinking Vass,G had assaulted the then Lankan High Commissioner.
Where is that dirt bag Vass,released on bail must have gone there?
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Kaleel / September 26, 2015
I think these days the Pvt media has nothing interesting to report. Wouldn’t u like to take your son to gain experience at your own expense? The president of a nation has hardly anytime to spend time with the family so this shouldn’t raise eyebrows . These kids didn’t rob the nation? These kids haven’t harmed a soul? Please work on the bigger picture and not petty politics. As media you have a responsibility and you don’t have to be a Facebook or social media. As a father it’s his responsibility to give the best experience you possibly can for your son and I wouldn’t think twice if I had the same opportunity to take my own son on my own expense.
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Danushke / September 26, 2015
This logic is accurate elsewhere but MY3 is someone who came to power for simplicity .. to fight family rule .. This is an utter disgrace and a slap to those who voted for him
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Csm / September 26, 2015
Hmmm.. Has the president payed for his son or is he there instead of his mom?
Is this how president find time to spend time with his son?
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Yasin / September 26, 2015
The daughter was out and about in support of her father. It is acceptable as it is at “home”
But this is somewhat beyond acceptability.
My3 AND HIS DELEGATES ARE ok, but the son,
what is his role in the delegation ? looks like official as he is
with papa in the UN council.
This is how MR started after his resounding victory in 2010 and thereafter everything was blown out of proportion and the countless overseas trips grew larger and longer and comprised family and friends and paid by state funds or peoples money.
It looks like the state will have to pay for more frequent travels of our Prez
and his ministers along with their food and stay and travel expenses.
Why, oh why did you bring this “YAHAPALANAYA” thing because there is no such thing but only nonsense from day one beginning Jan 08.
People are not Gods, they make mistakes but this for the people is like adding insult to injury.
What we can see here is not YAHAPALANAYA but NAHAPALANAYA.
Mark these words and check it out…..CBK will also claim for travel and other expenses soon.
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Mudalige / September 26, 2015
This is totally unacceptable. We have had enough of this family bandism. Keep your family away till they are elected by the people for a responsible post to serve the people.
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Leon / September 26, 2015
It appears S/L has fallen from frying pan into fire. Sirisena has no calibre, talent
or vision to be the President. He was a unknown politician for forty odd years making
his living doing politics. He is only a follower copying the previous president’s
methods of poperations. Iam sure there will be more of this nature but nothing from
him to better the country.
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Suresh Murugaser / September 26, 2015
Disgraceful behaviour from someone I had the highest regard for. First the brother as Sr Lanka Telecom Chairman, and now this!! Pretty poor show!
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avanthi / September 26, 2015
When a president travels to a important conference such as this one he needs advisers for the important meetings with dignitaries he will meet on a official level ,no President is knowledgeable on all topics hence he has to take personal with knowledge in the respective areas. Please don’t forget that mahinda Rajapaksa took 160-175 on his entourage when he was on official visits. How fast we forget the past.
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words / September 26, 2015
[Edited out]
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Dkoon / September 26, 2015
My Dears
You all don’t realized the MS lost his head just before the parlimantry election. This will be repeated in our so call democracy without any hindrance. Am used to this democracy over the last 50 years. That is why it is said the old wine in the new bottle. So don’t regret.
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Muslim / September 26, 2015
WHAT A SHAME MR PRESIDENT SIRISENA ,THE PEOPLE NEVER EXPECTED THIS FROM YOU.
YOU ARE NOW ON THE DOWNWARD SLOPE ,SO ,BE CAREFUL OF YOUR FALL.
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Paul / September 26, 2015
Anybody still think that Sirisena will be President for just one year?!
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Chandra Seneviratne / September 26, 2015
Good governance
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weera / September 26, 2015
We too discuss this matter why ?. Somebody suggested possibly Daham accompanied the President as a translator.
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ray / September 26, 2015
Dear Mr.President, remember in Yahapalanaya one has to behave honourably in highest offices and not like a shameless papa. We,the voters are disillusioned now and wonder whether Yahapalanaya is really an illusion that betrayed all.
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Paul / September 26, 2015
It’s all very well for us English speaking people to write in these columns and express outrage but what about the masses? Why are they not revolting? Well may be they are revolting but why are they not protesting? Isn’t it because they have gotten used to this kind of thing and just accept it? They don’t know what good governance, transparency etc really are. How can they when they have never experienced these things? When they run out of patience they will evict the government and replace it with some other bunch of thugs or foment a full scale insurrection.
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Upul / September 26, 2015
This is what you call “Kiyana kota ehemai, Karana kota mehemai” style leadership that the President is showing. I think this mentality is very hard to get rid from the minds of anybody. You need to discipline your mind to a very high level to get rid of these habits.
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Desapriya / September 26, 2015
There is nothing wrong in accompanying a son of a statesman for a tour of duty. In this case the President is entitled to accompany the spouse and instead he took his young son to show the world. And there is no rule in the Assembly not to take a family member or non- delegation on the occasion. In the past the former President took a bunch of 300 odd merry makers on free charted SriLankan Air for this same UN journey accommodating them in highest paid luxury Hotels in US spending tens of millions of public money.
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Native Vedda / September 26, 2015
Desapriya
“instead he took his young son to show the world.”
Not at tax payers expense.
If he wants to show the world to his young son then he should have bought either an atlas book or an educational globe.
“And there is no rule in the Assembly not to take a family member or non- delegation on the occasion.”
Tell us in what capacity he represented this island. He should be spending time in prison for what he did to Asela Waidyalankara.
Nothing has changed at the external affairs ministry, manned by chandiyas.
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Waz / September 26, 2015
Comparing to the scale of things rajapakse family were doing which isnt a part of development IS humungous. Yalahapalana involving family is in an acceptable level. No one has high job ranks or no ones brings lambo or aston martins in, his mrs doesnt own a school, son doesnt own a tv station etc. All they are doing is participating along with thier farther. If i was a farther and i had the opportunity take my children abroad or get involved with my work IF they are free i would gladly take them along. You know when you go out to big events and they give u a free pass to bring someoe along? Thinks hes done the same here. There is nothing to be dissapointed of, well not yet, we all would do this if we were president of any country. Get real people.
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Cerberus / September 26, 2015
Can this country produce a single principled politician? The man is a disappointment to those who had faith in him and hope for the furture!
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Abu Mukarram / September 26, 2015
Its true taking son without any official status is wrong. But comparing him with MR is wrong. Drastically Reducing the number of people in the entourage itself is commendable. By the way MS Himself is a human being. Not an angel. So he wd make mistakes. Ok tell me just because of this are we gonna change the regime bring MR back
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PattiGona / September 26, 2015
Give the man a break. Sirimavo, Premedasa, Rajapakse all took their children on state trips and to UN.
This son was sent off to London to study because he was behaving like a ghoul in clubs and was involved in the assault on the DIG’s son. He needs the son to translate and speak English. He needs someone he can trust because he’s not educated and cannot really be called a high IQ leader.
He barely can utter a word or two in English. He needs his son to help him. Besides what if the son beats up the person who says he can’t go? He’s dressed smartly too. Give him a break. Everyone has flaws.
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roger / September 26, 2015
in this important meeting what is this buffoon doing? no one takes their children along for important meetings. MR started this very late. Thae parliament. He did not take his other sons. Ms watch your steps, people are starting to think that MR without corruption would have been 100 times better than you
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Horikadey / September 26, 2015
What did Sirisena think he will get out of the UNO visit. If it is to impress his son he got the podium in the highest body in the world to address, the simpleton got his maths wrong. The unkind truth is most delegates go there to hear the Big Boys speak and make promises. While leaders from insignificant countries, like SL, speak the other delegates move out to the washroom, to make phone calls or to light a cigarette.
The function this useless delegation under Aiyo-Sira may secure could have easily been achieved by our own Delegation in the UN and Washington. That is what they are paid public money for. Yahapaalanaya seems to be moving in the wrong direction.
BTW, young Sira should seek advise to wear his tie and chose a good one. Looks like he has got his stuff from Suit House in Maradana.
Pow aney!
Horikadey
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Grail of the unholy blood / September 26, 2015
Pictures: ‘Non-Nepotic’ President Sirisena Takes Son To UN General Assembly
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1) Colombo Telegraph is unfortunately in delusion suddenly ,the once a unbiased ,ethical, people Journal has now taken upon them to blindly use The terminology Nepotism’ even if a political leader’s family member offers a lift to him to any Official place or even have a cup of tea in together.
Disappointed
2) when did a son of a Politician accompanying him for world conferences or to the UN had anything to do with nepotism =definition:The practice among those with power or influence of favouring relatives or friends, especially by giving them jobs:
Ct you are day by having trouble in defining the heading of Articles, this what happens when you send to much time with somapalas & Leelwaties ,instead you having the sincere wanting to raise them to your level they will drag you down to their level.
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3) You need to do a turn around and become the old ,high standard totally unbiased Journal again , remember no one is indispensable please put things back in their place an promote ethical writing and stop slandering an character assassinating or else you wont last long I assure you.
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4) My father took to every single place of work when I was a young man and it thought me extremely well, which no university could have thought me.
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5) It is not anyone’s damn business if The President is taking his son around to learn and to enter Politics ,or sends his daughter around to Villages to talk one to one to understand their grievances on his behalf and also if he has intention of encouraging her to get into politics too , he is not playing hide and seek he is open about it, and what is so wrong in his daughter being accompanied by security , why is anyone upset that their dirty cruel plan of assassinating her failed >?
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This is the problem when you allow to-much of press freedom they go insane .
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Lotuseater / September 27, 2015
Interesting perspective. I think the definition of nepotism that you quote in fact fits very well with Sirisena’s decision to take his thug son (who has no position in government) to the Regular Session of the UNGA.
You may have learned much from your father taking you around with his work, but that I think is a violation of professionalism. If this was an acceptable practice, you would need to be comfortable with employees children hanging around any place of work – e.g. at a bank teller, a police office, doctor’s office or hospital ward, immigration counter, classroom… how about the cockpit of an airplane you’re traveling in… would anyone be ok with that?
The fact that one benefited more from being taken around by one’s parent on official work duty than a university education doesn’t justify the former but reflects poorly on the latter!
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THONDAMANNY / September 26, 2015
Quote:We too discuss this matter why ?. Somebody suggested possibly Daham accompanied the President as a translator – WEERA.
THEN PROBABLY DAHAM WILL READ THE SPEECH OF AIYO SIRA WHICH IS A ENGLISH TEXT FROM THE LECTERN AS WELL ON THE 30TH. DO NOT BE SURPRISED FRIENDS…
its because unable to take the spouse as she can not read english text.
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