The public will once again be at the receiving end tomorrow when the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) together with trade unions representing teachers, nurses, and transport workers launch an island wide strike over the SAITM issue. However, despite the strike, GMOA President Anuruddha Padeniya will offer private consultations at leading private hospitals across the country for a fee.
The GMOA today confirmed that over 20 trade unions will support their one day strike tomorrow as the government had failed to offer an acceptable solution to them over the SAITM medical campus in Malabe.
The All Ceylon Transport Employees’ Association General Secretary Sepala Liyanage had also extended support to the GMOA’s strike on grounds that it was not possible to ‘produce a doctor’ like a bus driver or conductor.
The 21 trade unions including the Ceylon Teachers’ Services Union, Ceylon Teachers’ Union, Independent Education Employees Union, the Railway Guard’s Association and the Railway Driver’s Association will take part in the strike. Reports also said that some other trade unions who will not be actively taking part in tomorrow’s strike will be wearing black bands as a mark of protest against the government’s decision to give recognition to SAITM and its students who are studying to be doctors.
However, Minister of Health Rajitha Senaratne had said that he was not scared of such actions and the strike was a conspiracy to topple the government by the GMOA which is working with the Joint Opposition. Meanwhile, GMOA’s Nalinda Herath has warned that if they do not receive a favourable response by the government soon, the GMOA will be compelled to go on a non-stop strike from May 9.
Functions at Lady Ridgeway hospital, Maharagama Cancer hospital, De Zoysa and Castle Maternity hospitals are expected to continue without any interruptions despite tomorrow’s strike.
In September last year, the GMOA launched a token strike across several hospitals in the country in an attempt to pressure the government into granting admission for their children to 12 popular schools. Analysts pointed out that the main reason the GMOA was against SAITM was because they fear if any private institute produces doctors, they will lose their many perks and hence was holding the country’s public to ransom in an attempt to safeguard themselves.
GMOA President Anuruddha Padeniya, a Paediatric Neurologist, who will take part in tomorrow’s strike at government hospitals, will however continue his private practice at six private hospitals tomorrow, where each session will cost Rs. 1925 inclusive of hospital fees, according to the doctor booking website e-channeling.
B Perera / May 4, 2017
Is this about a Padeniya or a [Edited out]
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Samuel Jayaweera / May 6, 2017
Why cant they reshuffle GMOA ? This body is the most abusive committee.
Not just once, how many times they make any kind of efforts to sabotage the day today life of the innocient people. Besides, there are no body in this committee that earned their degrees by using their own funds. Meaning tax payers funds were used to get them MBBS degrees. There they have to see it with wholehearted thoughts. This paddeniya should be hung by his balls so that the rest of medical doctors can finally learn a lession from the punishment.
These men have been abused by Mahinda Rajapakshe and his forces being behind the scene.
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SEA ... / May 6, 2017
What the govt is not capable of….the gas station attendants are capable of. …You got to take the bull by its horns….
My hats off to All attendants..
Let the DICKtors feel the pinch..
http://www.asianmirror.lk/news/item/23551-no-petrol-for-doctors-on-strike-attendants-turn-vehicles-away
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S.Modaya / May 4, 2017
GMOA are corrupt terrorists.
Most of them are in pay of Pharmaceutical Companies and are trying to distract the people from their corruption with protests against SAITM.
Sad thing is that student are suffering and the whole university system is in disarray also because JVP is using this GMOA terrorism is bad faith, to cause havoc in Universities.
AKD performance is very sad and JVP is clearly doomed for destroying University Education in Sri Lanka!
JVP should come clean and protest of Corruption investigations of Corrupt politicians in parliament of Morons.
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predictor / May 4, 2017
As a long time reader of colombo telegraph.please don’t publish this kind of baseless allegation.thi is programmed channeling facility.it is does not mean you can channel him tomorrow.
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Sheril Fernando / May 4, 2017
This is an utter lie. echannelling hardly ever updates its website.
Shameless journalism by Colombo Telegraph.
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RuwanL / May 5, 2017
Padeniya is doing his private practice today. Anyone could check this out!
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SEA ... / May 5, 2017
Now that this has come to light…bugger will cancel all appointments…citing…DUE TO UNAVOIDABLE CIRCUMSTANCES…HOPE THE BUGGERBREFUNDS THEBPSTIENTS…COZ HES LOOKING ATVJAIL TIME FOR CONTEMPT OFCOURT…
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Darunuwathie Punchihewa / May 6, 2017
In the days of Rajathuma, he could easily abuse Padadeniya.This partiuclar GMOA powerful man stayed as if he was fed with Kirimati (clay) ( kirimati gilapu kimbulawaage)at the time SAITM was introduced by Rajathuma et al. Nor were any others opposing Rajathuma, may be they were all enjoying the perks secretly offered to each of them.
Why cant Srilanken govt remove this bugger from GMOA. Let him go out of the country. Then we can appoint someone else, who is no biased to the position. What stands on the way, if the state would want to remove this devious men ?
He is professsionally a paediatric neurologist, but his behaviours are far from human kindness. How come the lkind of idiots ruin this nation ? We the various elements should stand against this kind of abusive doctors. It is high time to stand against the kind of abusive doctors.
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jimsofty / May 4, 2017
Now, we know, educated means he is educated in medical science and not in human values. Some times, simpletons are more humane thant these educated
So, every where there are there are ones in human bodies but they are just animals, and in this case, a Pretha (those with deprived of some thig).
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Nanthana / May 5, 2017
Padeniya got educated on our money (People’s money) and now he is making millions of rupees through private practice. But when we want to educate our children through our hard earned money through private universities, he wants to stop it. Mind you, we the high tax payer’s made the major contribution to the govt. coffers to educate these free ride doctors.
So according to him, we have to pay taxes for him to get educated free of charge, but we cannot use our own money to educate our children.
If he really cares about free education, will he pay back the money spent on him to the government to use it for other students.
Biggest joke is, he wants to stop private universities, but wants private hospitals for him to make millions.
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mottapala / May 5, 2017
Do you know how many millions he is making?
May be he is paying more taxes than you?
How many poor people you help a day?
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SEA ... / May 6, 2017
Hello….wake up n smell the coffee ….heis NOT helping the poor by inconveniencing the public.. .moreover he is charging a fee for private practice so how is he helping the poor? Moreover he was poor onettimein his life …and had to use public finds to get UN educated… He’s only helping himself to fatten his bank account…
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mottapala007 / May 5, 2017
Why didn’t you use your money to educate your children at A/L so that they are educated enough to go to a proper university?
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Nanthana / May 6, 2017
Not only for AL’s i spent my own money but from kinder gardens itself , and continuously paying taxes for free riders. And they got A*’s and As for London A/Ls and they have the right to study, we are not going to allow these mean free riders to spoil it at any means.
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Jagath Fernando / May 4, 2017
No govt has had the courage to ban private practice to doctors serving in government hospitals. This would ensure that GMOA would not wield power to hold patients to ransom.
All GMOA members who oppose SAITM are hypocrites if they do private practice and Padeniya is no different.
Hope this govt will have the courage to push through required reforms!!!
GMOA is a typical trade union who will do anything to protect their turf.
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Lion / May 6, 2017
Yes…yes….why not…
The govt submitted a supplimentary estimate of LKR 3,300 mn to the house for the purchase of Luxury Vehicles for 6 ministers.. Governor…secretary…at LKR 43.0mn each….this for reforming the mental patients in the shit house..
They always look for trouble days …days closer to long holidays for those because the attention of people are diverted or time barred for challenge one SC…..
These are deceitful tactics of looters of public money….
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Nuwan / May 6, 2017
Very true, when all the other government servants are banned from private work, why only the doctors are allowed, even nurses are not allowed to do private practice. Private practice for doctors should be stopped with immediate effect.
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Plato. / May 4, 2017
The GMOA is holding the People of this country to Ransom.Very similar to the white van abductions for ransom.Who else but MaRa who created SAITM is now backing the GMOA TO GO AGAINST IT.He will clutch at any straw to capture Power!
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K.Pillai / May 4, 2017
Looks like the membership of the unions supporting the GMOA stand, just cannot afford to send their children to SAITM.
Is SAITM exclusive? GoSL must address this underlying issue.
Padeniya is not an angel. Are the SAITM owners angels?
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Maharage / May 5, 2017
Corrupted GMOA terrorists!
Most of you have only an undergraduate degree and you must be grateful to Sri Lanka for the opportunity given to undergraduates like you to become medical doctors. If you live in one of the most advanced countries like US, you won’t stand in iota of a chance to become a medical doctor.
Hollow Half-baked GMOA doctors! Do you know how hard for someone to be medical doctor in those countries? Unless you have a four year first degree at least and a top score on MCAT among other things, you are not even qualified to apply for a medical college. In US.today, over 70% of medical school applicants have at least a Master’s Degree. About 10% of applicants have a Phd in medical research or a related field.And that is why in those countries, we witness great breakthroughs in medical research, education, and the delivery of professional services. I doubt, Dr. Padadeniya has a recognized post-graduate degree substantive enough to be a neurologist.
Even though you have a cheap medical degree from universities in Sri Lanka or similar countries, you still try to fool gullible Sri Lankans with the quality of your service. You must be ashamed of your boundless greed for money and duty free cars after having a free education at the expense of poor tax payers in the country.
The reason why you strike is clear. You – half baked GMOA doctors are scared to death of more competent doctors entering your trade and posing a threat to your chances for private practice, make more money, and get duty free cars
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mottapala / May 5, 2017
You are contradicting your own statements. So its so difficult to become a medical doctor in US but in Sri Lanka you can even if you have 3 S passes in A|L and lots o money ?
Padeniya is a board certified specialist.
A medical degree need to be good. Not cheap or expensive.
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NIM / May 6, 2017
The Board that certifies is themselves after failing them many times to collect examiner fees and then repeating the same trick on the ones that come after. The standard is their own standard. They cant compete with foreign qualified, but stay here, extract money and occupy power positions to create chaos so that they can have only their own solution of breaking others. Foolish SAITM says yes to politicians duped by this GMOA conspiracy and trap SAITM MBBS in yet another training programme, instead of demanding their legal right to post MBBS internship. No fear.
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Wera / May 5, 2017
I hope the government stops playing Vessanthara and grows a backbone. The last time we let these type of scoundrels keep going on strike for political reasons Banda was shot to death in his own home. We cannot afford to let our decency and our reluctance towards violence end up costing the lives of people who have nothing to do with the utter filth who stir up these shit storms. SAITM is just an excuse to keep on staging these strikes. Going from the comments made here it is obvious that most of the commentators know this and choose not to mention the true intentions of these so called doctors.
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Ruwan Fernando / May 5, 2017
You cannot negotiate with terrorists. Time to pressure e-channeling to drop doctors from their list if they strike!!
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mottapala / May 5, 2017
Why can’t we have this option with the politicians too?
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Sujan / May 5, 2017
We are unfortunate people in an so ill fated country where people support selfish motives of Doctors to inflict suffering among themselves. So we deserve the outcome.
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A.L. Nizam / May 5, 2017
Why is the government taking much interest in protecting a private institution SAITM? Doing private business? People are not fools. Why are Rajitha and others in the cabinet working to protect this private body? Education Minister is also barking. He has to look at his own ministry which is in bad conditions. No policy, No updates in the ministry website, officials are lethargic etc.
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Concerned Muslim / May 5, 2017
Your slip is showing, you scumbag ! Why did your cardboard hero allow SAITM to be set up during his time.
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ranjan / May 5, 2017
Answer the question
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ctizen / May 5, 2017
Justice protects SAITM. Otherwise fractured SAITM would be in the bellies of multidisciplinary factions whose commonality is the devil.
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Lion / May 6, 2017
Undoubtedly the great SAITM defenders are shareholders of it..
They know the desire of the parents to educate their children..and
in the absence of anymore assets for sale…they decided to sell Education..
with catchy slogans….
President do not want to Nationaliise it …..But place it in the Stock Exchange….
Then the ownership is legalized …
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Manusha / May 5, 2017
Trade unions are there the protect members employment-related rights. The only relationship between GMOA and SAITM is that SAITM Increases GMOA’s competition. Furthermore, the GMOA is connected with the business of sending students to foreign medical schools and giving tuition to students who are sitting for ERPM examination. Therefore, the GMOA is trying to control the market through their TU power. I am at a loss to understand as to why the government is not exercising their legitimate power to control GMOA’s unruly behaviour.
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Ramani / May 5, 2017
What a hypocrite. If he is fighting for a cause then he must cancel his private practice too. Shame on such doctors.
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eldorado / May 5, 2017
Even the Bus Drivers Unions have more common sense and humaneness than this GMOA Vermin. Like someone said bring in the Public security Act and declare the medical service an Essential Service and take it on from there as regards these corrupt and blood sucking Leeches. They have far too much of ill gotten wealth at the expense of Patients who they continue to fleece.
Take over their movable and immovable properties if they resist and then send them to Remand/Jail and bring them to their knees. Show them that they are just ordinary Citizens of this Country like every one of us and are not Demigods like they are wont to believe that they are; and that they are subject to the law of the land. These Bastards must be taught a lesson that they will never forget, once and for all.
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Amila W / May 5, 2017
Doctor is little more educated than a plumber. Both charge us for their services. But plumber learnt plumbing from his own.
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Ranjan / May 5, 2017
How about you education? Is it little bit less than a plumber? Do you do your services free to the public?
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SEA ... / May 6, 2017
Plumbers dont use the Publics money to educate themselves but SL doctors use public education to qualify as doctors…so yes while making a living they are INDEBTED to serve the public. IF the doctors PAID every cent ….well then yes they can charge just like ANY service provider… With NO FREE VEHICLE PERMITS…and opportunity to admit their kids to REPUTED schools by passing certain laws.
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Asanka / May 5, 2017
I checked e channeling site today & found out this post is an utter lie.Colombo telegraph is GOING KADE to NEVIL SEEYA
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We the people / May 5, 2017
Before the social media backlash began against him this morning, his appointments at Nawaloka and other Hospitals were very much visible. He had 7 patients today. The scum has closed its access to the public. We do have proof.
Their afternoon actions are being watched !
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srinath gunaratne / May 5, 2017
I think people will not tolerate this behavior for too long, Doctors are morally and duty bound to provide their services!
sooner a doctor here and there will be attacked by a disgruntled parent.
I guess this is the only way they are going to get the message.
Even the educated in SL are not yet civilized! So how do we expect civility form the commons?
These doctors do not want to go overseas, because
mostly nobody wants them,
Secondly they will not be able to exploit people like in SL.
Thirdly the work load and their duty teaches them that what it is that really to be a doctor!
Shameful! after a completely gaining free education from the tax payers!
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SEA.... / May 5, 2017
Just now ……derana reports…
Padeniya has been served summons to be presrnt at the court of Appeal on May 22 for contempt if court….nice….throw the buggers in jail…lets see how they will do private practice while being in jail… http://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=40553
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srinath gunaratne / May 5, 2017
Fantastic News!
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Ranil Jayantha Wijeyesekera / May 5, 2017
The president is i8n favour of preventing use of alcahol and Drugs. Smoking is now expensive. we are going in for organic food and old strains of rice. We must introduce ayurveda in a big way. Yoga and buddhist meditation should be introduced to the work place. We then can earn foriegn excange by exports. Er can offer tourist our services. We can send trained docters in Ayurveda abroad. This will be a filp to buddhism. We can have a crash course to teach buddhist monks in these modalities. Alternative medicine doctors should be trained.
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Citizen / May 5, 2017
They have become
G arbage
M ountain
O f
A sia
In Sri Lanka Doctors have been given too much privileges by successive governments at the expense of public.
One way of tackling this menace is to restrict recruitment of post interns to government service. Only on merit basis limited number of candidates can be recruited. Others must be asked to start their own private clinics.
Government should declare health care services as an essential service.
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Sirasa owl / May 5, 2017
Just like GOMA goons are striking and protesting, it is time to for right thinking public to stand outside GMOA office and Dr. Padeniya’s house and protest against his double standards. Must target the others as well. Time is right to stand up against these little Hitlers.
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Ranjan / May 5, 2017
Shall we include Rajitha, Kirialla, Ravi as well to the list?
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Concerned / May 5, 2017
Mottapala aka Ranjan – how much are you paid for the licking job ?
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CITIZEN / May 5, 2017
These fellows are heartless and hypocritic mongrels whose only objective is to amass money!
Those with the MBBS degree and registration alone don’t become Doctors. It is the solemn Oath of Hippocrates that they take like “to serve the sick and all measures for the benefit of the sick according to my ability and judgment; I will serve the poor and keep them from harm and injustice. I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody if asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to this effect…….” If they violate this solemn Oath they cease to be a Doctor and they are not any higher than the Sanitary Labourer in the hospitals they serve! It is disgraceful that these Doctors having taken such a solemn oath to “serve, care and console the sick and poor …” stoop to low levels for pecuniary benefits and political considerations throwing the sick and needy to untold sufferings and hardships!!! For this heartless and merciless act they indeed deserve an Oscar Award for Hypocrisy! The Government should all their movable and immovable properties under Emergency Regulations after declaring the Health Care Services as Essential Services.
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Arththanan / May 5, 2017
The so called SAITM was established with the blessing of Mahinda Rajapakse, where were the so called GMOA and the othe unions which are striking today? Were the paid by Mahinda not to oppose?. The GMOA and the so called unions should have started the strike at the beginning and should have forced Mahinda and his cabinet not to grant approval. Two years after the change of government they now want the present government to rectify Mahinda’s wrong doings. The so called GMOA doctors were given free education at the cost of the tax payer and today the tax payers are inconvenienced for the education they gave to these doctors.
After getting their qualification by way of free education they charge absorbitant chanelling charges without paying taxes. These doctors assets should be verified and punished for not paying taxes. Set of idiots
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Lanki / May 5, 2017
Minister of Health should give notice to GMOA and review the following on a priority basis:
1. The charges made by private hospitals from patients and the relevance of the tests requested by the doctors.
2. Restrict the number of hours a doctor can work in a day, this should take into account the public and private practice time spent. If a doctor is over stressed his or her assessment will not be correct and danger to the public.
3. Review and reduce the charges made by the doctors for private practice.
4. Review and restrict the compliments, compensations and private trips the doctors get from Pharma companies.
5. Irrespective of the seniority of the doctor, make all doctors transferable every three years, and with no exceptions.
Immediately appoint a committee with no links to the doctors to study the above. Its time the GMOA members know they cannot hold the public to ransom.
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Ranjan / May 5, 2017
1. Relevance of the tests to be checked by a committee with no links to doctors? Like who?
2. Good idea. Less work in the hospital.
3. Its a matter of supply and demand. Its your choice. Buy or not.
4. As long as it applies to all the public servants, including politicians. Who also had FREE education. {only a few though]
5. Even now seniority is not taken in to consideration.
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Douglas / May 5, 2017
A suggestion for those opposing and critical of those GMOA members engaging in Private Practice. Why not decide to BOYCOTT channeling those GMOA members practicing in any Private Medical Institution? That will send a strong message to those Doctors and “BOYCOTT” is a good tool to use by the public. Are you ready to USE that tool?
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Silva / May 6, 2017
[Edited out]
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SJ / May 6, 2017
“GMOA President Anuruddha Padeniya, a Paediatric Neurologist, who will take part in tomorrow’s strike at government hospitals, will however continue his private practice at six private hospitals tomorrow, where each session will cost Rs. 1925 inclusive of hospital fees, according to the doctor booking website e-channeling.”
Is there proof that he provided that service?
If not, this utterance comprises politics of desperation.
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Citizen Silva / May 6, 2017
GMOA on strike.But Pavaadeniya on channel practice , earning his millions at Nawaloka hospital.Ranjan Ramanayake has in fact obtained an appointment to see the crook.The official receipt is now on social media.This crook Pavaadeniya is a Rajapaksa a..e licker.
How many poor people would have died or are in serious condition due to the Pavaadeniya/Ara Soysa strike?Now they will summon a press conference and tell a bag full of lies on Pavaadeniya ‘s chanelling business at Navaloka while their lickspittle GMOA is on strike.May lightning strike the entire gang.
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SEA ... / May 6, 2017
AAMEEN….
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