Asanga Abeygoonasekera
“Rather leave the crime of the guilty unpunished than condemn the innocent” Cicero
In a rather strange development at the Ministry of external affairs for the appointment of Kshenuka Senewiratne as Ambassador to Thailand who has questioned this author( see the following letter)and presented much trouble as Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs, when independent writing was produced against or advising Mahinda Rajapaksa over his term as President. She was the closes to Sajin Vass Gunawardena and did everything possible to destroy our foreign relations image. At the Parliament debate according to Sajith Premadasa who clearly stated it was Sajin Vaas Gunawardena who was the inventor of slap diplomacy a new art something similar to hard and soft diplomacy. When speaking regarding this matter with Anura Kumara Dissanayake the JVP leader he said “now the punishment transfer is Thailand”. The following letter was issued by Kshenuka requesting me to stop writing against Mahinda Rajapaksa regime. If you read the two essays I have written clearly to advise Mahinda Rajapaksa to do the right thing not to take him out of power.
It was a team of close ill advisors who got Mahinda Rajapaksa out including Kshenuka. She put an end to our reconciliation conferences at Kadirgamar Institute blocking all our funds basically asking us not to do anything. When foreign secretaries such as Romesh Jayasinghe and Amunugama assisted to develop the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute an important area for the Ministry what she did was the reverse. All research staff who has been kicked out by Minister Mangala Samaraweera from January wonder what they are doing at the institute without any staff.
In our neighbour India, while political appointees may be asked to leave when a new Minister is appointed, competent junior staff who are necessary for the continuation of work are retained to keep the wheels of State turning even at transition. When this author complained regarding this to a strong UNP political leader he said goto Minister of Good Governance and complain. Now six months have gone and most of the researchers are working at other think tanks and has no interest to join government think tank again due to this. We raised the statue of this great man Lakshman Kadirgamar which was dumped for many years at the Institute car park to show that such incredible men of great value who sacrificed their life deserve a better place.
The lady who accused and called the audit against Kshenuka is now accused of being close to the LTTE, a strange development. On a visit to Cuba by this author to present one of the initial research papers by a Sri Lankan think tank to the Cuban think tank, was pleased to hear the integrity and the hard work she did at the Cuban embassy in Sri Lanka by many cubans who praised as a brilliant ambassador which I was proud, for having such efficient officers such as Tamara Kunanayakam in our Government service. It is a known factor that it was Kshenuka who got brilliant people like Dayan Jayatilleka, Tamara and Rajiva Wijesingha out of the Ministry. One of the grave mistakes done by Rajapaksa was to appoint Kshenuka instead of bringing Ambassador Prasad Kariyawasam at that time.
One should raise the question who advised to hire Bell Pottinger and foreign consultancy firms to pay millions of dollars? This was the questions raised by the UNP at the last presidential election.
I have served under many public secretaries but never seen or faced arrogance of any public secretary such as Kshenuka Seneviratne. I can clearly say although Minister GL Peiris was the foreign Minister it was Sajin and Kshenuka who was running the entire Ministry and everyone at the Ministry knows this. Minister GL Peiris a person with highest integrity couldn’t do much with this setup. Helpless officers like us had to write explanations of four pages defending and reminding the democratic rights bestowed upon us from our own constitution “the freedom of expression”
JULAMPITIYE AMARAYA / June 20, 2015
Pukka Answer to a LACKEY OF JARAPASSA,
WHO she does not know,? who is paying for her salary.
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Native Vedda / June 20, 2015
JULAMPITIYE AMARAYA
“WHO she does not know,? who is paying for her salary.”
I am told Thailand is famous for its sex tourism industry.
I wish her well in her new job.
I do not intent to offend sex workers (prostitutes) nor am I against them.
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JULAMPITIYE AMARAYA / June 21, 2015
N V.
Thai joints are famous for Pole Dancing of Sex workers.
And Sri Lankan young and old, Males and females are Doing Part time jobs there,
If any body willing to do part time jobs, they can do so.
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Paul / June 20, 2015
Well done Yahapalanaya. Why hasn’t a single minister, mp or bureaucrat of the Rajapakse dictatorship been convicted of corruption yet? Lack of evidence or ‘deals’?
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Navin / June 20, 2015
Mr Asanga Abeyagoonasekera
There are many names flashed in your Article. Most of them stink to the high heavens.
Let us know why you are different, if you are.
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Douglas / June 20, 2015
Now that Mrs Kshenuka Seneviratne has been “exonerated” of all the charges as per the “FINDINGS” by a “Retired Accountant” and her appointment to Thailand has also been “confirmed” by another panel for making “high ranking” appointments in the Government Service; the previous panel of inquirers appointed by the Ministry of Finance who found her answerable to mismanaging the affairs of the Geneva office must be taken to task immediately. However, it was strange enough to note that this “Retired Accountant” who was appointed by this Government did not even care to look into that report or at least call those members to explain matters. Perhaps, that could be another “Face” of Yahapalanaya propagated by this Government. However that “Face” of Yahapalanya is described as YAKAGEPALANAYA by the public. Aiyoh Mr. Maithripala Sirisena – President, what is happening? Is this what the people expected of you?
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Ghost of LK / June 20, 2015
[Edited out]
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Native Vedda / June 20, 2015
Ghost of LK
“[Edited out]”
I can see your legs on your keyboard.
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Peace Lover / June 20, 2015
ah look at Namal Baba dancing his cares away ;-)
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Luxmy Silva / June 20, 2015
Asanga did his best to please the then President Rajapakse with his speech:
Public lecture delivered by Asanga Abeyagoonasekera Executive Director LKIIRSS at Virginia Tech University “The Aftermath of Civil War in Sri Lanka: Reconciliation and Resiliency” October 3rd 2013
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Davidson Panabokke / June 21, 2015
If anybody wants to read the article:
http://www.kadirgamarinstitute.lk/media/press_release/Public%20lecture%20delivered%20by%20Asanga%20Abeyagoonasekera%20Executive%20Director%20LKIIRSS%20at%20Virginia%20Tech%20University.pdf
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Gratiaen / June 21, 2015
Namal baba is dancing and also looks unbalanced.Very nice!
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paul / June 21, 2015
I’m sure he can’t twist like that after a good curry!
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bo / June 21, 2015
The problem with YP is that while its head means well, it has no connection with the body that is still being run by MR bag carriers,and receipients of MR’s black money. YP has been hijacked by these goons as much as by those bribe seeking, criminal politcians (THE FROGS), making a mockery of YP. I think MS should stop being a hermit, wield the powers given to his role as EP to clean up the system of all these criminal elements, and only after all that once the system had a fresh blood transfusion, he should think about relinquishing his role. That should be the only way out.
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Common Sense / June 21, 2015
Something in me tells me that all that is happening is against common sense. In investigating about a former Secretary, Why only a retired accountant? It should have been a panel of personnel with different disciplines. What is the guarantee that a retired accountant has done a job properly? Now I understand that the Public Service Commission requires investigation reports from investigators who are in the service than those retired and if so the first act itself in appointing the retired accountant is flawed.
One thing! will the retired accountant has a chance of getting a diplomatic posting of a lesser rank? God only knows. It is well known that very senior bureaucrats in the Foreign Office (All in the Mahila Samithi) would have heaved a sigh of relief that they would not be now required to take action against Madam KS.
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Londoner / June 21, 2015
Attempt to implicate Khenuka Senewiratne with Bell Pottinger is grossly unfair and unreasonable. KS never promoted Bell Pottinger for PR or any other purpose. She criticized the Central Bank for hiring the services of Bell Pottinger. She used to say that Bell Pottinger collected material from the High Commission and reproduce them as if they were their initiatives! She also got very high level appointments for VIPs visiting London using her good office for which if asked Bell Pottinger would have produced bills for thousands of Pounds.
She also did everything possible while in London to expose LTTE credit card scam and money laundering operations. It is unfortunate that people criticise public servants with unfounded allegations.
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Native Vedda / June 21, 2015
Londoner
“She also did everything possible while in London to expose LTTE credit card scam and money laundering operations.”
If true how many of them did go to prison?
” It is unfortunate that people criticise public servants with unfounded allegations.”
Was she with Sajin when he beaten up Chris? If she was, as a patriotic public servant what action did she take against the thug?
How come you know a lot about what she did in London?
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JULAMPITIYE AMARAYA / June 21, 2015
LON DON,
You should understand That,
Sri lankans are not like KONDEY BENDAPU CHEENU any more!
Does she wear White dresses like her former Bosses, when she visits to Temples or churches??????.
Is she a god fearing, Honest to the Toe, nothing to Comment what so ever and Very saintly Character as your done White washing??????.
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Piranha / June 21, 2015
Brilliant people like Dayan, Tamara and Rajiv?
Are you kidding?
These three are brilliant at self promotion and nothing else. These three egotistical people defended Rajapaksa’s misrule and misdeeds.
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Piranha / June 21, 2015
Kshenuka has UNP connections and that’s why she is still in government service despite the fact that she was a faithful servant of the Rajapaksa government. She was one of those responsible for ruining the country’s foreign service but remains a public servant.
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Jagath Fernando / June 21, 2015
Kshenuks is a smart woman.
She was the baby of Namal and Sajin and close to MARA and cosy with UNP.
Not a bad achievement and deserves Thailand.
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Jassen builder / June 21, 2015
[Edited out],namal baba ,is a super star, the bugger has a taste what we call in Sri Lanka -LIFE IS THE VARIETY OF SPICE.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / June 21, 2015
Dear Asanga,
Although without direct bearing on your report, I take this opportunity to acknowledge the good work you did at the Kadirgamar Institute. It was the frequent appearing of G.L. Peiris and his soulless speeches in immaculate English, that halted my attendance at events organised by you and your team of young professionals.
What your report confirms is that our politicians and public servants have a penchant for making what is good worse, not better.
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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Beeta Akka / June 21, 2015
Look at that picture will you Aney; This woman wearing trousers and dancing the marry devil. Also see where her eyes going. Right into his crown jewels. No wonder still in power. No kulture. Only big mouth and you know what.
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Batalanda Ranil / June 21, 2015
Lucky B….. But I pity the Princeling’s poor taste. He could have romped with Helen of Troy if he wished.
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Navin / June 21, 2015
[Edited out]
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Londoner / June 21, 2015
1. Kshenuka never promoted PR agencies in UK while in London. Bell Pottinger is fully aware of this.
2. She launched a very effective campaign against LTTE activities. For more information you may contact the London Met Police and Financial Intelligence Unit at SL Central bank.
3. She was fully committed to High Commission work. She was appointed to UK by Late Mr. Kadirgamar.
4. She even organized Mega Promotional events under the patronage of then Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, at a time the LTTE elements were campaigning heavily to boycott Sri Lankan products and services.
It was the MR regime and its political appointees which prevented her from running the High Commission in a smooth manner.
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