28 March, 2024

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Publish And Be Damned

By Suranimala Umagiliya

You will never find peace of mind until you listen to your heart ” ~ George Michael

An important essence of being a leader is to listen to the collective voice of his/her people. People, as in the wider context and not those who are closest to you politically.

Access to persons who can express the mood of the public without expectation or fear of losing privilege is paramount. President Maithripala Sirisena and Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe seemingly do not have such people at hand. Or deliberately fails to listen if there are such people for reasons of their own.Trust placed upon this duo in 2015 has been betrayed. Never before has a government faltered in such disgraceful fashion to complete simple tasks entrusted to them.

No leader can survive by confronting issues at hand with weak knees. President Sirisena does not have the acumen. PM vacillates and is weak kneed. They appear to have personal reasons for not prosecuting the Rajapaksa clan, hold them in awe or are frightened of them. Maybe they are frightened for themselves should the former President or another corrupt or murderous member is shunted to political office. Read below a report carried by Al Jazeera on 06.04.2018.

Former South Korean President Park Geun-hye was sentenced to 24 years in prison by the Seoul Central District Court after she was found guilty of corruption, Al-Jazeera reported today.

The former president was found guilty of several corruption charges, abuse of power and coercion in a verdict issued on Friday. She was also fined $16m.

It was alleged in the trial that Park, 66, colluded with a friend, Choi Soon-sil, and a former presidential aide, in pressuring big businesses to donate to two foundations set up to back her policy initiatives.

She was also charged for soliciting bribes from the head of the Samsung Group for government favours.

Park was acquitted in at least two of the charges, including abuse of power relating to forcing Hyundai automobile company to run ads for the company owned by Choi.

South Korean state news agency Yonhap reported that Park did not appear in the sentencing trial.

She has been in prison for more than a year, but has refused to appear in court for most of her hearings.

In December 2016, South Korean lawmakers overwhelmingly voted to impeach Park, but she refused to resign offering instead an apology while denying any legal wrongdoing.

Three months later, the eight-member Constitutional Court then voted unanimously to remove her from office.

She was charged and detained soon after her dismissal from office.

She is the daughter of another president, Park Chung-hee, who seized power in 1961 and was assassinated eight years later.

Newspapers, wire services and electronic media have carried ad nauseum the crooked and murderous deeds of the former regime under Mahinda Rajapaksa. Three long years and a bit have elapsed of the Yahapalanaya rule but Rajapaksas roam free. Free to destabilise politically, economically and more. It does not matter to President Sirisena or Ranil. They are “I am alright Jacks” too.

Follow JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake‘s speech during the no confidence debate in Parliament on the 4th of April. This can be accessed on You Tube. Please listen to him. Never before have 225 members of Parliament arrogated to themselves the right to plunder, rob, murder, amass such shocking amounts of money, murder, foist racism, murder and God knows what else in the recent history of our Nation. The political suspects, their kith n kin and bag men are known. Do not forget those in the private sector who are equally guilty. They too fix tenders, help the politicians to rob and even advice them on how to launder the ill gotten loot. We can name them. There are Big Boys who have never produced a safety pin who have amassed billions if not millions. Some have used these monies to get into/ buy into legitimate businesses. Their off springs, wives, sisters, brothers et al can be seen in the lobbies of five star hotels flaunting baubles, dripping heavily with gold, swathed in shockingly exorbitant clothes, draped on sofas looking out anxiously to catch the eye of fashion photographers. It does not matter a nowt that the fashion pages are scanned only by their partners in crime. Read Koluu if you doubt this.

But this missive is not about the riff-raff. This is a desperate appeal to President Sirisena and PM Wickremesinghe. We do not know why you interfere in the legal processes of Sri Lanka. But since you do, here’s a plea from your subjects including the upright, honest Policemen and Armed Services personnel. Put the RAJAPAKSAS and the other corrupt POLITICIANS in jail. We are certain that you know who the corrupt are.That was the mandate bestowed upon you in 2015. Do not behave as if you are yet in the opposition.

We have descended willingly into a quagmire of corruption, hate, racism, profligacy and artful dodging. You can bulldoze and destroy an edifice in a trice which took years or decades to build. You politicians are guilty of being the bulldozer. The people too have over time followed you. Corruption is now endemic.

Racism was not created by the illiterate. It has always been sparked by the educated extremist or politician. The illiterate and the desperate will follow and turn to violence. And in Sri Lanka a section of the Buddhist Clergy has been in the forefront of such violence. The Police will not touch them. They are aware that behind the robed violence is a politician. Take them to task too. You will be revered.

Time is running out. It’s not running out for you, but for us. The 225 entrusted by us, and sent to parliament are no longer the Honourable so and so’s, as they insist on calling themselves. They are thieves, robbers and some even murderers. High political office is not to have a safe passage nor be remembered in posterity as a former President,f ormer PM or former Minister. It is to carry out tasks honestly, with equity on our behalf and to lay a foundation to the future generation. The laurels will arrive accordingly.

Unless and otherwise the Rajapaksas are taken to task legally and put away neither of you will be able to govern without the sword of Damocles hanging over your head. You of course would only lose political power. The people will lose everything.

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    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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    Good article. So obvious that MS and RW are protecting the Rajapakshas and the corrupt clan of the previous regime. No question that MS is a spineless patholaya and Ranil a gutless, balless, hypocrite clinging on to power on the coat tails of Maithri. RW is a born loser, does not have the charisma or savvy to lead the party or be the PM, is a sad specimen of a power hungry creep who has lost almost every election that he contested. At least he must realise that why he is the PM today is because the UNP supported Sirisena at the last elections because he knew that he does not have the support of the people. The latest attempt by him to suppress the NCM against the 16 SLFP pricks who voted for the motion to remove him just shows what a liar and cheat this guy is and how he keeps changing his tune by the day and hour to con the other UNPers of his motives and carry on as business as usual. The good young guys in the UNP like Harsha and Harin and Eran need to breakaway from the UNP now ASAP and form a new party with educated, honest politicos to become a fourth political force in the country. UNP, SLFP, SLPP and the new party of decent committed people who have the interest of the nation and its citizens is what we need. All these fossils who are now in politics need to be kicked out and we need a political revolution of young leaders like in France and Canada and New Zealand. SL has suffered since independence due to the extremely poor quality of our leaders and riff raff politicians who see governing as a business to enrich themselves and the friends and relatives.

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      A very good article. Over 6 million voters believed that President & Prime Minister will take necessary actions against MR & his clans for robbing this nation and the crimes against humanity. They are not asking to kill or prosecute them but to allow the law and order and justice system to do its duty. Three years is very long and if you don’t take any action against them people may not forgive you and turn against to you before those criminals drag you into the streets.

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    I think we have a NEw pabakaran who will take the minorities of 31% to their promised land both the Nasirishthan, Orumiththanadu and Evagelist – Vatican some ehre in colombo. Need to watch how this will unfold. I hope Ranil will not drink against and drink his own vomit while sleeping.

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    Everything has broken down in this country, just show me one sphere that has not, and even now, only a repair job headed by someone like SF will be able to put this back to some sort of order.

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    Another great piece by Suranimala.
    “Racism was not created by the illiterate. It has always been sparked by the educated extremist or politician. The illiterate and the desperate will follow and turn to violence. ” There is an educated extremist even in the present government, once famous for producing petrol from polythene, but nowadays in the garb of a great city planner.
    Our constitution is a patchwork periodical. Nowadays, it seems there are no competent legal draftsmen to write clear and unambiguous laws. Everything must go to the Supreme Court.
    We need foolproof laws against racist incitement and hate speech. The law must be used against anybody regardless of what robes they wear.
    And of course, the camel in the tent: Why is NOBODY pressing for the removal of the right of MP’s to change sides after being elected? This is the single biggest corruption issue, but everybody talks of non-existent bond scams.

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    Ranil went to New York to save Old King. He refused to sign Rome Accord. He fired Mangala for signing Resolution 30/1. But some of you guys are saying Old King brought the NCM to catch and punish Ranil on Bond Scam? A joke cannot go like that…..

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    “Racism was not created by the illiterate. It has always been sparked by the educated extremist or politician. The illiterate and the desperate will follow and turn to violence. And in Sri Lanka a section of the Buddhist Clergy has been in the forefront of such violence. The Police will not touch them. They are aware that behind the robed violence is a politician.”

    An apt synopsis by the author of this country’s post independence history!

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      And that Buddhist clergy went to Norway and met Tamil diaspora persons. :)

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        Behind Tamil diaspora is CIA. A IRish Journalist in PARISH says, Itis the TEXT book Strategy of CIA to send Monirities against the Majority. They had done it else where. Itis PArt od the PIVOT TO ASIA.

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    The crisis in Lanka is Structural and organized by the sole superpower that is using its Sri Lanka Sinhala Buddhist Diaspora citizens – Basil and Gota as Manchurian Candidates while “advising” Ranil with Fake Economic Development Experts.

    The bi-partisan UNP-SLFP political corrupt governance racket IS a structural crisis in Lanka today, and is organized and brokered by Ranil’s US/ Washington handlers and “policy advisers” whose anti-China game in the Indian Ocean and strategically located Sri Lanka is: “Heads I win, Tails you lose”.Just think, Ranil’s UNP goons have attacked the Sirasa and News First media, just like Mahinda and Gota Jarapassa did!

    US citizen Gota, who privatized the most lucrative SL navel operation to a foreign Surveillance and globalsecurity company called Avante Guard is the Manchurian Candidate for President of Lanka today protected by Bondscam Ranil on instructions of his foreign handlers.
    Lankan masses are screwed in this game of Thrones
    Also, Anti Tamil 1983 riot/ pogrom, and more recently anti Muslim riots in 2018, all happened during the UNP regime pushing neo-liberal reforms (advancing US strategic interests and access to Data platforms – financial, biometric, marine, land bank etc) for which the minorities were scapegoated as the economy crashed due to corruption.
    Anti Muslim riots were to distract us from Bond scam, organized by Pathala Champika Mega Polis BBS and Mahasohon Patron to benefit Ranil and keep mega ego Pathala – China’s emperor..
    Bottom line is, Bondscam Ranil must be impeached for Grand Larceny at the Central bank of Sri Lanka sooner or later and Ranil should share a prison cell with Mahinda Rajapaksa, and US citizens Basil and Gota the Avant Garde Navy Scammer.
    Long live Miracle of Modayas!

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      S. Modaya,
      “US citizen Gota, who privatized the most lucrative SL navel operation to a foreign Surveillance and globalsecurity company “

      Is operating on navels that lucrative? I thought kidney transplants are more lucrative.

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      Modaya Idiot
      Ranil UNP goons attacked Sirasa.
      Just a few crackers were lit at dawson street by Jubilant UNP supporters and there was no such attack. Check your facts b4 commenting.
      May be you must be Faraz Shauketaly the killi mahendrans mud dog.

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      Sri Lanka should have retroactive legislation and Chora Rujina, MR Ranil and many more should explain and allow the impartial courts to decide it. PZrliament is full of MEga billionaires and can not be explained with their salries. Kiriella and John amaratunga are billionaires. HOw did that happen. Basil has assets all over the world. How come.

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    Suranimala, Excellent and thanks! But you forgot the global networks and super power security and business interests (of the Global 1 percent), that promote a market for Corruption and Buddhist Wahabiism in South and South East Asia — to divide, distract and rule the post-colony that is being encroached by China these days..
    What you describe is a near global phenomenon in a majority of Third World counties (Africa, Asia, South America) that are pawns of Superpowers and the new Cold Wars that are brewing.

    Sri Lankan politicians have become Mega corrupt with Foreign Aid projects that are White elephant Debt Traps for local people and so called AID FOR TRADE. . In the name of Development we have fake development aid and experts that buy corrupt local politicians in the name of Aid for Trade – aka. Fake Development Projects – Mahinda Rajapaksa Hambantota white elephant port airport, Central Bond scam with advise of IMF and Washington to keep UNP going, protection of Basil and Gota by Ranil all brokered overseas. What happened to the US and UK anti-corruption experts who were to track dow looted wealth from Lanka and those stored in Panama Papers and Pardise Papers? Gone with the wind. Protection of US citizens Gota and Basil is important if Ranil fails in his mission to advance the security interests of the sole superpower in the Indian Ocean and Rajapaksa family comes back!

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    Political poetry. Loved reading this.

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    We know the Rajapaksas are corrupt but they continue to evoke the belief that they would return to power by stoking Sinhala-Buddhist nationalism, the refuge of all crooks down the ages of Sri Lankan history. It is time that the diaspora, both Sinhala and Tamil, prosecuted these thugs when they visit foreign lands for the mayhem and killings they have effected. It is hopeless to think that the judiciary in Sri Lanka will do anything about this. That is why Sillysena says no to foreign judges for war crimes trials. War crimes trials there will be. They will take place outside Sri Lanka. When the time comes, some foreign state that is annoyed will leak sufficient information about the Rajafuksas. But, the electorate is pliant. SL will become the football of foreign powers with the Rajafuksas as willing players on the part of the Chinese. We will all be grass trodden in the battle of the elephants.

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    We all like to see SLK taking a page from South Korea or follow what happened in Zimbabwe, when it comes to dealing with corrupt leaders, and as an extreme do what China does, taking them out at dawn and shoot them. But SLK is SLK, those countries have a working law and order system. Sri Lanka has not got such a system. I don’t have to say it, Ranjan Ramanayaka said it openly in the Parliament, and for saying the same thing in public outside he is being prosecuted. So don’t hold the breath hoping that corrupt previous regime or the corrupt present regime leaders and all acolytes will ever get arrested or prosecuted let alone be punished. Even yesterday some law man has predicted that even Bond Scam criminals including the PM would not have to answer any questions in a court now that PM has won the confidence at the parliament. Sri Lankan leaders are good at twisting words to suit them and twisting the circumstances to suit their situations. You sure have heard of the excuses that the Man that Climbed Down from Kitula (jaggery palm tree, the palmyra). It is just the same …….. our Sri Lankans mind set, corrupt. It cannot be washed off.

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    Some seventy years of vertical thinking has led into or sorry plight.
    Thank you Suranimala Umagiliya for initiating lateral thoughts. Our hopes lie here.

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    “PUT THE RAJAPAKSAS IN JAIL”

    The prosecutor jury and the executioner… heh heh….

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