19 March, 2024

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President’s Officials In A Twist Over Spin On Controversial ‘Official Song’

The office of the President finds itself floundering in confusion over a music video about Maithripala Sirisena.

Sirisena

A Facebook Meme

The video, titled ‘President’s Official Song for 2016 – Numba Ape Minihek (You are one of us)’, was aired on national television on the 8th of January, the first anniversary of Sirisena’s election. The lyrics and visuals were immediately and severely criticized for being inconsistent with Sirisena’s election rhetoric and for being plainly ridiculous. The song was taken off the air and removed from YouTube, but copies are still being circulated and parodied.

The President’s office issued a statement claiming that it had nothing to do with the production and airing of the song. The question however is not whether it is the official song or not, but whether or not the President himself listened to the song and whether or not he approved its telecast.

Status updates on Facebook by the producer clearly shows that the President was aware of the production and had approved the final cut to be telecast.

When Colombo Telegraph contacted the President’s Media Director, Dharmasri Bandara Ekanayake for clarification on the matter, he claimed ignorance. However, he agreed to inquire from the President himself. Colombo Telegraph awaits a response from the President or any of his spokespersons to these simple questions, either affirming or denying involvement.

Siritunga Rajakaruna an activist who supported Sirisena’s campaign to establish “Good Governance” told Colombo Telegraph that it is a good sign that the video was removed, which indicates acknowledgment that it was a serious error in judgement. However, he said that the idea of good governance is founded on giving value to truth and humility.

“There’s nothing wrong in making a mistake. What we expect from people who espouse good governance is to admit mistakes made.

“If President Sirisena did not commission the production and did not approve its airing, then someone has been extremely mischievous. In fact it’s more than mischief because the television had been fooled into believing that the video was made on a Presidential directive. The producer works under the President himself. Dr. Arosha Fernando is a senior consultant at Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka, which is an institution that comes directly under the President and appears to have operated as though he was representing the President.

“If indeed the President was involved, as the footage and the producer’s Facebook update indicates, then he has to come out and say that he made a mistake. That’s the practice that the current reconciliation initiative advocates. It is essentially about acknowledging wrongs done and expressing regret. It’s not about punishment.”

The producer has gone silent since the video was removed from YouTube and the television station stopped airing it.

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Latest comments

  • 5
    0

    The crown on Sirisena’s head looks more like the crown that Richard II and Rajapakse wore- a hollow crown. The story that must be learnt is that the mighty can fall to the depths of despair in a matter on months.

    • 6
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      It is right that we need to crush the bud at the tetril stage in order to control emerging a new king. Else our LANKEN polticians would not

      But do you guys at all feel – should we make this a big issue at this stage ?like making an elephant out of an insect.

  • 6
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    RE: President’s Officials In A Twist Over Spin On Controversial ‘Official Song’

    – Numba Ape Minihek (You are one of us)’,

    – Ape Numbae Mee-Harakek (We are your Buffaloes)’,

    The President Sirisena should have said, Yes, I was looking at what the MaRa was doing, and I thought I could do better.

    This would have been the end of it, and could’ve said i like music ans songs and wanted to be part of it.

    After all, Enrico, is a Musician too, and the girls threw their bras.

    Will they throw their bras when I sing? I want the girls to come without bras.

    President Sirisena, please help the Girls kick a bad habit. Bras are not part of the Sri Lanka culture, it is part of the decadent Western Culture.

    Do Women Need Bras? French Study Says Brassieres Are A ‘False Necessity’

    From the Grape Vune, Bulath Vine and Vettila Vine News:

    Women who go braless may actually have the right idea, new research suggests.

    According to the results of a 15-year study in France published Wednesday, bras provide no benefits to women and may actually be harmful to breasts over time.

    “Medically, physiologically, anatomically, the breast does not benefit from being deprived of gravity,” Jean-Denis Rouillon, a professor at the University of Franche-Comté in Besançon, told France Info.

    Conducting the study at the university’s hospital, Rouillon measured and examined the breasts of more than 300 women, aged 18 and 35, taking note of how the additional support provided by bras affects the body over time. (It should be noted the study does not mention breast size.)

    Overall, he found that women who did not use bras benefited in the long term, developing more muscle tissue to provide natural support. As France’s The Local notes, Rouillon also noticed that nipples gained a higher lift, in relation to the shoulders, on women who went braless. When bras are worn, the restrictive material prevents such tissue from growing, which may actually accelerate sagging, the study concluded.

    Capucine Vercellotti, a 28-year-old woman who participated in the research, found that she breathes easier without the constraints of a bra.

    “At first, I was a little reluctant to the idea of running without a bra, but I got started and after five minutes, I had no trouble at all,” Vercellotti said, according to the Agence France-Presse.

    But don’t throw away your bras just yet, ladies.

    Despite the findings, Rouillon said it would be dangerous to advise all women to take off their bras based on the study’s sample, which may not be representative of the population.

    Speaking to France Info, Rouillon cautioned women who have worn bras for a long time — several decades — from following the recommendation since they would not benefit from taking off their bras now.

  • 5
    1

    “There’s nothing wrong in making a mistake. What we expect from people who espouse good governance is to admit mistakes made”

    “It is essentially about acknowledging wrongs done and expressing regret. It’s not about punishment”

    Well what do you think the post of president is? Some office given to a toddler who expects to be lead every step of the way? Is that the best justification you could come up with? Because all my3 seems to have done so far are mistakes. My3 and his media director are feigning ignorance.. again.. “mama danne naa” seems to be the favorite response of our wonderful president, the liar of the era.

  • 12
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    Sirisena has proved time and again that he is not in the habit of admitting his errors, so let’s not hold our breath!

    The whole episode reeks of ineptitude, egomania and personifies the man’s ‘godayata magic’ syndrome, not to mention the indisputable dishonesty he is guilty of.

    Oh woe is Sri Lanka!

    • 3
      2

      Prez Sirisena – why not you call him like that ?

      At the time SO CALLED ATHIGARU JANADHIPATHI UTHUMANANAN was in his seat, you guys went on repeated the pre fixes.

      Anyways, coming to the point – dont you think your ANTIPATHY towards godayas go that far ?

      Go to a srilanken university – whom you will get to see there if not godayas ?

      Go to the airport counters – whom you will get to see there if not godayas?

      You are guys are no better to racial minded rajapakahse groups in an another form though.

      Majority of the people are godayas and gullible too- that is the problem we have been facing in this country – is an another problem.

      BUT DO YOU THINK ATTACKING HEAD OF STATE elected by people this way – is exemplary

      • 2
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        Sama, you are absolutely right … goda modayas must have a goda modaya to rule over them. Silly Sirisena is the most appropriate.

      • 5
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        Sama, to answer your questions:

        “BUT DO YOU THINK ATTACKING HEAD OF STATE elected by people this way – is exemplary”

        “Attacking the head of State” for breaking his promises to the voters is perfectly in order. We do not need such characters in charge of running the country. To say one thing and do another is contemptible. How can one respect him when he has filled the cabinet with thieves and those he promised to jail for their crimes?

        You then say that ” Majority of the people are godayas and gullible too- that is the problem we have been facing in this country – is an another problem”.

        ALL of us who voted for Sirisena could be termed “gullible”, but we had to choose between the “known devil” and the “unknown devil” and the “unknown devil” won. We are now getting to “know” what sort of “devil” we chose!

  • 7
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    “The King Parakum BRA” is the ideal name for this man. Wonderful idea!!

    • 1
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      Daham

      Just a improvement

      HE shoul dbe named as “The King Para-kunu BRA”. It woul dmore wondeful!!!!

  • 2
    0

    This is totally unfair!

    How come the President gets a full-blown song

    and the PM does not even get a Kaviya ?

  • 1
    0

    What a sillysirisena – our [Edited out]! ho ho ho, ha ha ha

    • 1
      1

      If Prez Sirisena is [Edited out], there should be no words to name Mahinda Rajapakshe. He was the fool of the nation to have caught by a fortunesteller to go for election 2 years earlier to the termend.
      Can you imagine ?

      And the manner he appointed tea tasters to condom testers to foreign missions…

      and the manner he appointed except his mother to any others known and close the family as respresentatives for the country..

      and the manner he appointed all the authorities to take care of the funding issues.. that were like the monkey were given wrong weapons.

      so fun lover can you bring me any argument to call the current prez this way ?

      • 0
        0

        My dear Banji

        So you are entitled to think you are better off being infected with the Ebola virus, rather than with the AIDS virus?

  • 1
    0

    Sycophants have corrupted leaders of nations, over the ages, and Sri Lanka is no exception.
    It needs steel resolve to counter the suggestions of sycophants.
    The leader who treats them with contempt will be admired by citizens.
    President Sirisena should admonish them, & get rid of them.

  • 1
    0

    Meeharaka replaced by a Gonburuwa. Welcome to the miracle of Asia.

    • 0
      0

      that means the best way to control the majority puththalam buruwas of your kind. .. you cant expect any good leaders would ever be able to control you guys… either you speak from the other end or you have neither eyes not a single brain cell

  • 2
    0

    MS has already lost his credibility. A reputed news paper carried a story that MS was angry with the corrupt finance minister for not allowing the Polanaruwa development going with out tender procedure. And MS has asked why one high way project went through with out tender procedure. Its pathetic for a president to ask that he should have prevented it and questioned it at the start. Bow he is angry because he is not allowed to avoid tender procedure, Tis simple that thieves are running the country. All the contracts that were stopped after the so called yahapalanaya came into power must be to re advertise them and get commissions from the new bidders. As the old crooks under MR has swept all possible commission in the first round.

  • 0
    0

    We forget things very easily and conveniently. That is our National Trait. Just imagine what would have happened to CT if this sort of publications and criticisms were directed at the ex President during his tenure of POWER. Not only the CT personnel but even the commentators would have been hounded and “Guard Dogs” taken care of the rest to put all of them to “REST”. At least we have seen the results coming out of this Public Cry and in no time this particular “Foolhardy Business” venture has been withdrawn and the “Investors” were exposed. Now this President who praised so highly the social media for his victory must realize the strengths and caliber of such public opinion and take corrective steps to put things right and the right people at the right places. Although the President is “Silent” on this “Numba Ape Minihek”, I am certain he would have got the MESSAGE and dedicate to serve the PEOPLE but not these few VULTURES hovering around him. Mr. President: Please do not allow any room for these VULTURES to call you “NUMBA APE MINIHEK”. If you do allow that to go on, please note that is your END.

  • 0
    0

    WE HAVE MADE MISTAKE. SO SAD.THERE BUYING MORE MORE LANDS.SIRISENAS FAMILY.SO SAD.

  • 0
    0

    PARAKUM-BRA OR SILLYSENA ????????

    Whatever name but one thing sly Polonnaruwa Senas are gobbling up Sri Lanka lands and has emptied the Nuwara E’liya Lake as well.
    very soon they will own the Lake as well.

  • 0
    0

    why such a fuss?he is the reincarnation of parakramabahu.If you look at the old portraits of parakramabahu you can see a close likeness.He also looked like a retired school principal,but what a dynamo he was,building old those tanks.Rajarata is where everything started and everything will end as well.

    A new era has dawned.

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