By Kumar David –
Prof. Kumar David
Apart from the question of propriety and conduct unbecoming of a national institution like the military, the criminal charges of a serious nature filed in the courts by the police against the infamous Tripoli Military Intelligence Platoon, is a tinderbox political issue. The Rajapaksa Brothers and the SLPP are incensed by allegations that this unit and its commander Major Prabath Bulathwatte were instruments of the Mahinda Rajapaksa government for abduction and assassination of suspected LTTE cadres and anti-government journalists. Two cases filed against Gotabaya Rajapaksa in American courts allege such wrong doing. When the Paksas and their cohorts holler that intelligence units vital for national security have been dismantled they mean that their apparatchiks have been demobilised under public pressure about human and democratic rights. In just seven words: The Bulathwatte case is a political issue.
Furthermore the Tripoli Platoon is deeply enmeshed with Gotabaya, therefore these political implications are also partisan in nature. Was Commander Mahesh Senanayake unaware of these corollaries? To be generous let us say that when he made his fateful decision he did not realise its full political dimensions. But the outburst of public condemnation afterwards has been so pronounced that by no means can he be still unaware. His minions surely have brought the following to his notice.
The Financial Times of 13 May reported under the title ‘Major Bulathwatte who commanded the Tripoli Military Intelligence Platoon, allegedly responsible for assassinations, abductions and attacks on journalists recalled to active service’ as follows: “The main suspect in the abduction of journalist Keith Noyahr in May 2008, Major Prabath Bulathwatte, who also led the shadowy military intelligence unit suspected to be behind the 2009 murder of The Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge, has been restored to active service, Army Commander Mahesh Senanayake said. Making a shocking statement during a television interview aired on Saturday night, the army chief claimed that side-lining Bulathwatte had resulted in intelligence setbacks after the interviewer revealed details that the terrorist behind the Easter Sunday bombings, Mohammed Zaharan, had been on the intelligence officer’s radar”.
Colombo Telegraph carried, Lasantha’s Daughter Slams Army Reinstatement of Death Squad Leader: “Prabath Bulathwatte’s reactivation in a prominent post will not only pose a serious threat to and have a chilling effect on those army officers and witnesses who had the righteousness to speak up against Bulathwatte’s alleged wrongdoing says Lasantha Wickematunge’s daughter, Ahimsa Wickrematunge”.
The (international) Committee to Protect Journalists slammed Senanayake: “Promoting to active duty an intelligence officer implicated in the killing of a journalist and torture of two others severely undermines Sri Lanka’s claim that it is fighting impunity for crimes against journalists,” said CPJ Coordinator Steven Butler in Taipei. “The move creates threats to journalists in Sri Lanka, who are not safe to do their jobs.”
The Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association “Strongly condemned the decision to restore Bulathwatte, the main suspect in the abduction of journalist Keith Nair and leader of a shadowy military intelligence unit suspected to be behind the murder of Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wichremetunga”.
Articles by Tassie Seneviratne (retired Senior Superintendent of Police Titled “Security Forces should not harass Innocent Public” in the Sunday Island of 12 and 19 May give details of many instances of communal oriented abuse of power by the security forces.
Believe me what I have quoted is not the worst being being said, particularly in the vernacular media and in private conversations. And what was Mr Senanayake’s response to this tirade? “Nobody should tell me what I should do”.He did not say he had cleared it with the President and Prime Minister; had he said so it would have put a different complexion on the matter. Then it would be a decision by politicians and there would be no undignified suggestion that the army was dabbling in politics.
Leaving aside the political dimension there is a matter of propriety. Police investigators by all accounts have a strong case, but presumably there is nothing in the law preventing the reversion to state service of a person charged with the crimes, even abduction and assassinations. In India, candidates on murder charge are permitted to run for election to the Lok Sabha but they are turfed out if convicted. This ruling was to prevent governments in office filing fanciful charges to block opposition candidates from contesting elections. Bulathwatte’s case is in no way similar; his restitution to service is undesirable.
What are we to make of the argument that Bulathwatte is privy to useful information and/or that he is a capable investigator. Sure, both may be true but do not justify renewal of active service. Really Mr Senanayake is the 350,000 strong Sri Lankan military not able to find 10 to 20 officers of spotless reputation and high ability to man a top-class investigative unit? Current and retired police and military officers are incensed by the implication that the services are incapable of staffing a proficient intelligence unit without recourse people who are on trial. And as for information Bulathwatte may be privy to; why it’s simply a matter of debriefing him thoroughly. Or is it being said that he has declined to reveal critical information unless offered a post?
My next point is important. Times of political unrest and instability and periods in which a state of emergency prevails are dangerous for democracy. There is no denying that there are circumstances in which such measures are necessary, at the same time these are the circumstances in which plotters thrive and conspiracies abound. Historically when democracy has been abrogated and a dictatorship imposed anywhere in the world it is during turmoil; plain vanilla out-of-the blue dictatorship is rare. Taking all things into consideration I am not worried about the military per se in this respect in Sri Lanka at the present time. My concern is whether this or that political “black-hand” (there is more than potential culprit) may attempt to make a move behind the scenes. Such a thing was not possible in 1983 since we had a strong personality as President with 2/3 majority in Parliament and a stable government. Today the government is fractured, personalities at the helm plastic and the opposition ambitious. The atmosphere created by this double whammy (a terrorist assault followed by several days of communal mob rioting) is bad. The worst thing terrorism and mob rule does is to open the door to power grabbers. At such times strictly proprietary conduct of the military is most desirable.
There are two more basic safeguards: Normalcy must the restored fast and the armed forces recalled to barracks, and second and more important, the primacy of civilian rule must remain absolute and unquestioned. The latter safeguard implies mobilisation of the people: Mobilisation in this context means openly and extensively discussing the dangers, vigorously opposing the idea in the media, and if the need arises, confronting it with a general strike.
I do see the things returning to normal and the supremacy of civilian power being soon restored. Unfortunately, thereafter the three main candidates for the Presidency, Gota, Ranil and Sira are a poor slate. There are human rights charges against Gota and Tamils and Muslims perceive him as a threat. Will he try to hang on forever like brother Mahinda? Ranil is steward of a government that even UNPers call a failure and as for Sira the less said the better. None of this triumvirate will mobilise the people to meet a threat were it to materialise from one of the other two or from another source. The grapevine and social media are saturated with lies and speculation about potential presidential candidates – Dhammika Perera, Sarath Fonseka, Naganda Kodithuwaku, you name anyone and his/her name is floating in cyper space. The reality however is that there is a near universal demand for an alternative candidate. See for example the two web-links below or numerous others:
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgxwCgpTNfCnZjLRNsgJbhfFRMFdL?projector=1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ij3XPGgscNU&feature=youtu.be
In these circumstances, how should one cast the second preference vote? No ways should any of the deplorable Gota/Ranil/Sira triumvirate get a first preference vote? This topic I will return to nearer the date and after Gota’s citizenship puzzle is clarified. Forget the triumvirate, Lanka needs an alternative that reflects ‘the fed-up voter’, those who rallied to the January Eighth Movement of 2015, the Left, Liberals, Democrats, TNA, Mano Ganesan, women’s and non-governmental bodies, the and if it wants to join the JVP. It’s not at all too early to call a Unity Forum(s) to take up the idea. Of course we won’t win or come second but Rome was not built in a day and I daresay the builders toiled for a while before the job got done. If the people in their majority choose Gota, Ranil, or some other rascal nominated by the SLPP or UNP they will suffer for five more years but the effort to get past such obstacles has to start now and the builders have to be tireless. Many people say this, but a concrete call for a Forum has yet to be issued.
A core element in the programme has to be rejection of ethno-politics – slavery to the identity obsession. Eradication will require intervention on many fronts; education, creating a new consciousness and changing the constitution. Embedding religion (the so-called rightful place of Buddhism) and special mention of Sinhala in all constitutions since 1972 has encouraged a narrow and profoundly divisive state of mind in the people. A plural, democratic, modern and progressive philosophy cannot be stimulated in the country unless the Chapter on Buddhism is repealed by assertion of secularism and all differential or unbalanced references to language are removed. None of this is going to happen overnight but it is time to boldly place these matters on the agenda.
JD / May 26, 2019
Kumar David: How many Decades ago, you were a professor. Your expertise was electricity. did you predict that it was going to be a useless subject. Now, you want to be the consultant for others. Your obsession is the common candidate project. On the other hand, I suppose NGO kaakkaas gathered into Ranil’s Ghetto Temple Trees where he locked himself in and wants him to cooperate with the President which Ranil does. On the other hand, NGOs like Karu Jayasooriya, he is saying He would be ecstatic to serve in that position, But they know he is very old. I don’t thin Army had any unwise appointments. It is the two Gay – politicians who are not leaders and just bend to what every NGOs, International community, UNHCR, TNa, LTTE RUMP etc., say. that is why Intelligence apparatus was demoralised. Politicians protected and obeyed to Sri-lanka – Pivot to Indian Ocean program. As a result of that, 250 innocent People including children and women died. You do not have any have attitude. You are Trotsky, but live capitalist life, and want Tamil Tribalism long lived. Right niow, the Parliament is heaven for that kind of people.
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Don Stanley / May 26, 2019
What quick return to normalcy? There is a lot of fake news about so called IS threats in and from Sri Lanka. The fake intelligence threats to create fear psychosis and attacks on Muslims are on going with Reuters at the forefront of BAD NEWS fake news.
Also, it seems that even the weather reports that specialize in fake disaster reporting in and on Sri Lanka are controlled by the US Embassy which has been exaggerating the heat and temperatures, drought and various weather disaster stories. There is a systematic pattern of weather disaster reporting on a daily basis with fake news about IS attacks every Sunday to scare the people of Lanka.
The Weather disaster stories about global warming are to legitimate purchase of extra power from Turkish barges and setting up oild refinary to fuel the US War machine in the Indian Ocean, now that Diego Garcia has been green-washed into a Marine Sancuturay and is under observation after the ICJ and UNGA ruling that it needs to be returned to Mauritius in 6 months..
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Dodo / May 27, 2019
Indeed, Fake news and exaggeration about weather DISASTERS, like a fake story about a hurricane hitting Lanka after the CIA planed, Saudi funded, and ISIS claimed Easter Sunday Attacks on China’s BRI in Sri Lanka, and the UN’s exaggerated reports on anti-Muslim riots in Sri Lanka is big business and an excuse to interfere in the domestic affairs of small states by US and its allies.
Weaponization of religion with Fake News and promoting fear psychosis and neurosis about DISASTERS, weather related and otherwise is the big industry and another pattern of and for foreign interference in Sri Lankan’s international affairs and economic and security policy making. As for US Citizen Gota Funding BBS and Tauwheed Jamat and the US puppet Bondscam Ranil continuing this practice – Well what’s new? The US game in Sri Lanka with Gota and RW is: “heads I win, tails you loose”. Either way Lankan citizens are screwed by the US and its puppets!
Bottom Line is US should be kept out of the Indian Ocean and asked to go back to the Pacific and Atlantic. This Indo-Pacific is BULLSHIT more fake news and the US and UK and France all need to get out of the IO rather than talking bullshit about “Rules Based Indo Pacific” What the hell is that?
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Dinuk / May 27, 2019
Lots of Fake Intelligence stories too. Like the headlines in all today’s papers about IS boats from Sri Lanka heading to Kerala. This is all planted fake intelligence about IS to
1. distract from the UN General assembly vote against Diego Garcia military base and Chagos Islands and the fact that the so called Islamic State was set up by US and CIA owned, with Saudi funds to to undermine in the global south countries and loot their resources
2. Destroy multi-religious societies in Asia and Africa by Weaponizing Religion to prevent the rise of China and Asia and make Trumpland “great again”!
India seems to have lost the plot as usual and is on the wrong side of history!
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Anonymous / May 26, 2019
Until serious action is taken against the Rajapaksas and their Criminal Network acts of sabotage against the nation will be a norm… it seems they are even willing to burn the country to the ground and crash the Sri Lankan economy to try and evade criminal prosecution against themselves and their band or criminals… immediate tactical intervention is the need of the hour to surgically remove this Rajapaksas cancer In order to save the nation and put Sri Lanka back on a productive track.
Rajapaksas links to terrorist outfits like the BBS and the Thowheed Jamath linked to ISIS and how they funded, cultivate and used them to create domestic terrorism should be investigated and exposed to all Sri Lankan’s and the world…
The failure by this Government to do more to investigate expose and prosecute the Rajapaksas Criminals is a reason we see acts of sabotage against the nation. They are trying anything to avoid their criminals activists from being exposed…
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AshyD / May 27, 2019
I feel the best combination at the next Presidential elections would be a Sarath Fonseka and JVP front. This is going to put the cat among the pigeons. Whether it will materialize Only Time Will tell.
On the horizon, as I see it, only Sarath Fonseka and the JVP are not tainted with corruption. If Sarath Fonseka was he would have been skinned by the Rajapakses and as for the JVP, there was one BAD egg in their basket (WW) who has been kicked out long ago.
I am sure if the Sarath/JVP front comes forward, with the latter’s impeccable grassroots organizing skills it will run a chill down every other candidates spine, that is if they have one!
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Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka / May 26, 2019
The good Professor has completely missed the Indian election result and what it says about the power of populist majoritarian nationalism.
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K.Pillai / May 26, 2019
Dayan Jayatilleka wants Kumar David to note the “….Indian election result and what it says about the power of populist majoritarian nationalism”.
Both have missed the cave-in by MS to Gnanasara Thero, the populism of the majoritarian extreme rightwing ultra-nationalism of Bodu Balla Sena (BBS) which is working towards a Sinhala/BBS-Buddhist Only SL.
By the way, this Modi has to reign the HolyCow vigilantes, the saffrons and the Godse-worshippers.
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Native Vedda / May 26, 2019
Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka
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I suppose you have nothing better to do, I mean all your life.
Watch:
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Sri Lanka: Why do sectarian tensions still simmer? | The Stream
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5ZaqJWIqaM&feature=youtu.be
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You should convince your friend, philosopher and guide Windbag Wimal Sangili Karuppan Weerawansa to boycott anything Arab, for example Aljazeera, Petrol, date, employment opportunities, tourists, ……………………….
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Simon De Silva / May 27, 2019
Mr Native Vedda,
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I am down not knowing how a doctorate holder would get on with a “school drop out” (Windbag Wimal Sangili Karuppan Weerawansa) ? Do you have any idea why DJ or the like men in lanken lime light seem to be ULTRA hypocrites for themselves ?
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This man DJ should either be a birth failure or gentically related to our racist (early octagenrian – Mahinda Pala from Down Under (his USER name on CT is EAGLE eye)).
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We attack GERMANS being that RACIALS in that part of the world, GERMANY s AFD has improved also in the EU parliament election yesterday, but I do beleive, our NUMBERs in god punished SRILANKA are even more by now.
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SJ / May 26, 2019
In fairness, AKD expected a win for Modi although the scale was larger than expected, for events in January favoured Hindu Nationalism more than anticipated.
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Fascist threat in India is different from that in Sri Lanka.
India is a little too diverse for a fascist dictator to take over. Modi is the nearest that India has so far got.
Hindutva as a phenomenon is there to stay and there is no way that electoral politics can respond to it. The left has to unite on a mass political basis and learn to work as a united front outside the parliamentary system.
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As for us, SB fascism has made inroads into major political parties and the failing of parliamentary politics could take the country towards a military-fascist power. Its style is considerably different from that of Hindutva. So comparisons with Indian electoral politics are not very useful.
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I do not share the faith that AKD seems to have in our parliamentary politicians. In fact I had lost faith long ago.
While we should defend parliamentary democracy against any form of dictatorship or fascist coup, time is ripe for mass politics with an anti-imperialist socialist agenda.
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Desperate Sinhalaya / May 27, 2019
DJ,
you have been pleasing wrong parties from the day one. We never expected learnt men to react so.
Either you are a birth failure or abused by Rajaapkshes to the very same manner, the villagers have been made.
We can hope ony divine forces to take you away. Longer you the kind of are there, worst it will be for the people in this rotten island.
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Uthungan / May 27, 2019
DJ
What Indian populist majoritarian nationalism are you on about?
To regard the Indian election result as populist and majoritarian is an utter misnomer.
The popular election result in Kerala and Tamil Nadu and Bengal negates that.
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Native Vedda / May 27, 2019
Uthungan
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You may have to be bit careful if and when you decide take on Dayan the war crime denier for he used to do clandestine work in Hindia or it was in the mid 1980s accoding to his confession, some years ago .
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Anpu / May 31, 2019
Dr Former Elamist
In other words you are saying that Sinhalese politicians are capable of fooling the Sinhalese people as they did from 1920s
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JD / May 26, 2019
One of the spokesmen for the Common Candidate project is consulting the Army. What a patriot. How much MCC is paying you per hour ? Give a phone Call to Mangala too. Are the peace keeping forces still there ?
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JD / May 26, 2019
Kumar David: what ever you talk, if the dictator helps them, I mean your master, they always liked dictators. Only when dictators went against them, they destroyed the Dictator. So, what you are talking is politically, BS.,
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Lankan 7 / May 26, 2019
if MR and co family comes to power, Ranil, MS and many more people will end up in jail. So, it is in the interest of all these people to block them from power.. that is going to take place soon..
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upali wickramasinghe / May 27, 2019
Lanka, That is something that will never happen in SL
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Thappu / May 27, 2019
Lankan 7, Don’t bet on Ranil being put behind bars if MR and co family comes to power. If you know why Ranil never even attempted to investigate MR, you would not make such irrational statements. As for MS it is another story.
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Jayantha Pathberiya / May 26, 2019
As usual, a waste of penmanship. One see obvious bias and cheap propaganda against the Rajapaksas. Then again what could one expect from CT.
JP
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nimal fernando / May 26, 2019
“Quick Return To Normalcy Will Restrain Would-Be Dictators”
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Eh! … Don’t count on it; you don’t know Lankans ……. you don’t know what’s in store.
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There is a breed of dogs called Pit-Bulls (the full name – American Pit Bull Terriers.) ……… In the days past, they were bred solely for dog fighting.
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The name originates from the fact that when Pit-Bull puppies were born they dug a deep pit/hole in the ground and kept the puppies in the pit and fed them there until they got bigger. They were not allowed to see anything of the outside world.
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When they were big enough to fight they were taken out of the pit and put to fight other Pit-Bulls bred the same way. They were the meanest most ferocious dogs ever bread. The owners who owned the best fighters made a lot of money off them.
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Most Buddhists temples in Sri Lanka have turned out to be pits/holes to breed a ferocious breed of fighting-monks. They teach them nothing much else in the pits.
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The rabid ferocity (ready for a fight, anytime) in the countenance of Lankan breed of fighting-monks – like in the pit-bulls – betray the purpose of their breeding.
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This is true anywhere in the world …….. there are Muslim-bred Pit-Bulls, Christian-bred Pit-Bulls, Hindu-bred Pit-Bulls, ………. But what is pertaining to us is Buddhist-bred Pit-Bulls
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The side of Lankan politics that own the best Lankan Pit-Bull ol’ Ganasara went and got him out of the pit.
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Well, the owner might end up making a lot of money …………… not necessarily in money …………
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LEONARD / May 26, 2019
Prof. Kumar David
Dear Prof. you missed bagging Trump or to make connection to dictator why? bit of a memory loss ha! happens to most of the Intellectual’s. Missed the opportunity to connect the dots “would be dictator’s” and Trump see it wasn’t too hard.
By the way great man LKY was called a dictator by more than few intellectual’s and some still do.
While all you intellectuals opine about the merits and morality of the qualities of the leadership and history lessens from your ivory towers while never been in a position to take hard decision or running even a road side shack but have the audacity to criticize. General public is looking to there loved ones safety.
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K A Sumanasekera / May 26, 2019
Mano Ganeshan for President…Will Samapthar and his clan vote for Ganeshan?…
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I thought Dr Kumar’s first pick is Mangala Samare, who will shit it in, with the TNA, Wahabi Parties , Anglicans , UNP Elite and even the UNP Sinhala Buddhists.
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And Mangala Samare will do all that “cleansing” which Dr Kumar has listed in his last Para, as must do to give us Democracy and Prosperity.
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Although Dr Ranil and Mangale have said it even before, In fact in 2015 when they came with a Bang.
It is sad that it all ended with a Bang if you may pardon the pun.
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Actually If Dr Kumar can get Mangale to stand up, there is not much Media preparations to do as Mangale’s U Tube Clips articulate all what Dr Kumar has listed as Must Does to the great majority who are in fact Sinhala Buddhists.
Mangale , Dr Ranil and the other Political groups whom Dr Kumar has in his coalition can start the Rallies with Mangales’ U Tube Clips playing on a Big Samsung’s new 8k Screen, .
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On thing though, I wonder whether those 40% off Ads in Mangale’s Clip’s for Salwar’s from Fashion Bug will be appropriate, when the Rallies are held in the Bible Belt..
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Native VEdda / May 26, 2019
KASmaalam K A Sumanasekera
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“I may not agree with what you say, but I will fight to the death your right to say it”
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Beatrice Hall
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GATAM / May 26, 2019
Who are you to tell the army!
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Good Sense / May 26, 2019
I would have much appreciated had Prof. Kum adopted a more scientific approach to the problem than joining a bandwagon to unleash words. How long a man be kept under suspension from service without being brought to trial? Prof. Kum certainly does not suffer from amnesia to forget that the only tangible conclusion was the “silredi” case (subject to appeal) and all others, especially murdering or maiming journalists are only in the investigation stage. Major Bulathwatte may be a third class executioner, far from having any intelligence value but he too deserves justice. With the Easter Sunday carnage opinion was built up in many quarters, where Prof. Kum does not patronize, that only a witch hunt was initiated to deactivate intelligence assets just to satisfy certain quarters and that opinion is propped up entirely due to the tardy progress in the long arm of the law catching the perpetrators. I believe that there is some evidence in bringing a court case but it is not brought up mainly to engage in trading by those in authority and those in the receiving end.
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Nathan / May 26, 2019
In SL anything is possible and anything can be done. It is a historic lawless land run by lawless and senseless morons. The stooges who trail these morons too are mindless, principle less, opportunists who survive on “make hay while the sun shines” concept. These are a bunch of utterly shameless creatures that call themselves as Good Buddhists and they are there to protect Buddha Dharma. What a bunch of lies by these evil survivors. So what this man Mahes has done is just that. He is a super class stooge hoping for better times scored over injustice and corruption. He is certain that Aiyo and his goons will be chased out soon and will be replaced by other set of evils. So this guy laying the ground work to please his future handlers for a better life. Dukka Deepa will continue this way until it undergoes total demise. Is there any hope at all. But one thing I admire is the guts these low lives have to distort and turn and twist the laws to their whims and fancies to achieve only what they want. Releasing of the Thug yellow Robed Monster is one such example. This Aiyo Sirisena had released this evil doer against all forms of norms and disregarding the judiciary and with total contempt to people’s wish.
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Analyst / May 26, 2019
Srilankan followers may have disgraced Lord Buddhas teachings of Philosophy knowingly or unknowingly.
The mentality of the followers of Lord Buddha is so shameful , there’s nothing to connect with this great believers sermons.
All what’s followed in Srilanka is ANNIHILATION OF MINORITY Race AND THEIR MEANINGFUL PROPERTIES , THEIR peaceful living in harmony and most of all destruction of the Minorities Religious worshipping places.
Deadly against the beliefs of the Lord Buddha.
It is indeed very sad to see the destruction of the name of a great Philosophers dreams , virtues and sermons.
They say having the Bible in one hand and a Pistol in other. Sad indeed.
There should be a limit for this mind boggling destruction of one’s sermons in his name.
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JD / May 26, 2019
If SLFP joins the UNP, UNP and common Candidate will be Maithripala Sirisena. NGOs and Dollar Kaakkaas like that way. They are already talking to MS. If Jackal Opposition joins UNP, Gotabhaya Rajapakse will be the common candidate. UNP is ready for that too. There the NGOs are lost. But, Mangala is for that. IF nothing works, Karu or Sajith will be the UNP candidate. Sticks are Carrots are already in place.
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Sunil J Dahanayake / May 26, 2019
Bankrupt rotten article written by an academic. This man always has double standards on democracy and public administration.
This fellow is a complete ignorant when it comes to governance of a country. But trying to show that he knows everything. The most important thing that Sri Lanka needs at this hour is a very strong president to bring the establishment in three fronts, Economic, Political and Social environment in Sri Lanka. In order to provide these three pillars a solid base, the country’s security situation should be upgraded with eternal vigilance, monitoring and taking actions on violations. But this fellow repeatedly write some bullshit to show his academic intelligence but shows that he does not have any of that. This is not an insult. Most of the Sri Lankan academics, in the Faculties of Arts and political science do not have any kind of practical and pragmatic knowledge on solving problems in the short run and long run. These people write articles living on ideological ivory towers.
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PINCH THE BABY & ROCK THE CRADLE / May 26, 2019
Pinch the baby& Rock the cradle
What if , what if ,what if….
Zaharan was a nut house though with a degree imagined to become a Abu Bakar of Sri Lanka ?
Everyone wants to be MGR, or superman ,Hollywood or bollywood .
What if his mad imagination was used by 100% local parties to fulfil their own agendas ?
What if The ISIS Video was doctored?
What if The local parties have achieved their agendas and now have created a permanent .gonibila to use whenever required ?
That is a lot of IFs and if all.these ifs are one if ? What a big IF we shall have? .
IF ITS SO ,?there is no more real ISIS ,may be there never was one? and one imitation was created and the first mould is destroyed and the permanent cast is now available to produce copies any time ????????
Politics ,they say is actually politrics .
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Don Stanley / May 26, 2019
KD: Wake up! The most dangerous and deluded Dictator in waiting with is US puppet Bondscam Ranil, and there should be protests outside the US Embassy to send its Ambassador who is visiting Buddhist temples, particularly the Mahanayakas and Weaponizing religion in Sri Lanka back to where she came from!
What happened to the separation of Church and State in the US Consitution. why is Alina Teplitz lying outside the Temple of the tooth?!
At the root of the political corrupt in this country is the USA which has taken corrupt politicians of all political parties on jaunts to Washington and promoted the idea that politicians are a Uber caste who are entitled to endless perks at the tax payers’ account and promoted a culture of bi-partisan Corruption in the Cesspit Parliament.
The solution is to ban any one over the age of 62 contesting elections and let the younger generation hopefully less corrupt take over.
This current generation of politicians who have ruined the country GET OUT!
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Sugandh Thomas / May 26, 2019
Shouldn’t we be glad that ACSA between Sri Lanka and the United States was renewed for another ten years? Would it not restrain a military coup?
In case of a military coup to overthrow the government and enforce martial law, I think, other countries like the U.S.A. will step in to help regardless of whether the ACSA is in place. And same would apply should we find ourselves in a dictatorship!
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Champa / May 26, 2019
The last para is a dream which will never come true as long as Sinhalese Buddhists live in this country..
How dare is this writer to suggest that the Chapter on Buddhism in the Constitution be repealed?
How dare is he to even think that the minority can erase our 2600 years old religion from Sri Lanka?
For your information, Sambuddha Sasana will prevail another 2400 years in Sri Lanka.
A Buddha is born in every 5000 years and every Buddha will attain Buddhahood in the sky right above Sri Lanka, a place where universal energy is centralized. Even modern scientific researchers have found out that Sri Lanka and its surrounding sea area have the lowest gravity in the world, which is unique. Moreover, the energy of Gauthama Buddha will exist in Sri Lanka until the next Buddha is born. Therefore, nobody can break the continuum of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
You say, “A plural, democratic, modern and progressive philosophy cannot be cannot be stimulated in the country unless the Chapter on Buddhism is repealed.”
For your information, Lord Buddha’s philosophy is universal and practical. Even today, Buddhism is as relevant as Lord Buddha’s time.
Give a name to your “plural, democratic, modern and progressive philosophy” which is yet to be stimulated and tell us where does it exist.
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LEELAGEMALLI / May 26, 2019
Champa the most known Woman – the one has been practising the odest…..for the benefit of Rajaakshes and Wimal buruwanse…. and their kith and kin.
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Champa seems to be unaware of the terror behind that part in the prevailing constitution. I thnk all the buddhist monks that create new forms of violence by seeding racism-seeds, should be banned from local politics. We could better find a girl friend to RATHANA THERO….. would you be kind enough find one among your colleague Champawathi ? Rathana has been destroying this country……. so as B****putha Xanasara today.
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If the nation would have been facing a threat with Buddhism (not the true buddhism but so calld BUDDHAGAMA)being part of constitution in today,, no doubt, we should all get together to repeal it.
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This country belongs not only to SO CALLED RACALS, but also silent buddhist like us that long over the decades peace to be restored for all in this WITHERED island.
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Champa / May 26, 2019
LEELAGEMALLA
You are a silent Buddhist? Your strictly inferior comment shows that you are not a Buddhist and not even a Sinhalese.
There is nothing wrong with our Constitution.
It all started only when the slave government, which is under obligation to minorities, LTTE diaspora, NGOs and the international community, came into power in 2015.
This government’s time is officially over in March, next.
The Presidential election scheduled to be held at the end of this year will be the beginning of Sri Lanka’s revival from political treachery.
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LEELAGEMALLI / May 27, 2019
If i would add anything against you or the creepers, I am branded as NGO kakka… or not a sinhalaya, not a buddhist etc. I wonder why you the kind of low lives are made to believe so.
You have been mislead by WIMAL WEERAWANSE SYNDROME
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That says:
Anyone that would agree with some European agreements according to SCHOOL DROP out Weerawanse – traitors. But the bugger himself has been betraying almost everything in his life.
Started as a maxist and ended up being part of KING OF THE OBSEQUEIOUS brutal politicians – (Rajapkashes).
Satrted as a maxist and todaythe bugger s name is pronounced as the most abusive among the smaller party politicians to have misled their foster parties and their head. All because these men of WB nature would know nothign but to surive themselves going by the nature of KINITHULLA of a MEEHARAKA (blood sucking creatures being found on buffaloe skins).
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I dont support any parties, but always stand behind good natured, democracy respecting leaders. Be them UNPrs or JVPrS OR Nagananda Kodi are yet to be concluded in the days to come.
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Analyst / May 26, 2019
This dumb Champa lives in cuckoo land ? What makes you think that Lord Buddhas Philosophy is practised as Preached by the most reverend Lord Buddha here in Srilanka? the APEH Aanduwe?
What’s Preached is not Practised here.
One example a sad example recently in the streets of Srilanka the Buddha land , a beaten up human being was dragged by men in Uniform because there was no humanity shown by any one to take the man to hospital!!! Because of the humanity by the so called Buddhists have failed.
Disgraceful to admit you and others are followers of Lord Buddha.
So much of Hate , Crimes of indescribable nature , Murders, Plundering state wealth,
and Encouraging Drug menace including Intoxication of substance..
These are the main Preachings of Lord Buddha to be Abstained.
This country Buddhists are Smart ass Aleks who without any qualms practise these acts AGAINST Lord Buddhas Preachings.
Some kind of Paranoia instilled in the name of Lord Buddha and his Philosophy.
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Champa / May 27, 2019
Analyst
Who says the slave government practices Buddhism? Since 2015, they were all out to erase Buddhism from Sri Lanka.
You are talking about 0.01% while 99.99% of Buddhists live according to the religion.
If Sinhalese were as violent as Muslims and Tamils, there wouldn’t have been any Muslims or Tamils in Sri Lanka.
Your comment gives the impression that Buddhism is the only non-violent religion, other are not. Thank you.
For your information even Lord Buddha’s time there were many who resort to violence. Eg: Bhikku Devadatta even tried to kill Lord Buddha 3 times.
If anybody thinks that Sinhalese should tolerate all terrorist acts of Tamils and Muslims in the name of Buddhism, they are mistaken.
Throughout our history, Sinhalese Buddhist kings had to wage war to protect the country.
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upali wickramasinghe / May 27, 2019
Champa: BS. Get at the photographs published after Gnanasaras day at Homagama courts. It will make you realise that, your pious hopes will end by 2050.
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Sinhala_Man / May 26, 2019
Dear Prof. Kumar David,
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Your often demonstrated intelligence and writing skills (amazing for a guy whose profession is supposed to be connecting bits of wire to conduct electricity) makes me hopeful that you will write something on how to vote strategically at the 2019 Presidential elections using the Prefential Voting system. Unfortunately, it is not possible to point to an example of its working.
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We’ve had seven Presidential Elections since 1988, and someone always reached 50% on the first choices. No other country has this system.
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Something similar is used to elect the Mayor of London:
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayor_of_London
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How it works is well-illustrated, and blogs like this may help you formulate your arguments. After all, you too, are only a human being doing your best for fellow humans with less powers of reasoning.
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babanpunchi / May 26, 2019
Sinhala Man,
yes, we have to improve the awareness of the people on Voting for next time.
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But you need to do it in all 3 languages. I dont think any articles being written by Prof. KD are translated to other two langs and let more of the readers view the contents.
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I think need of the hour is to find enough TRANLATORs for English to Sinhala and English to Tamil.
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Mr Sinhala Man, you may be known to enough retired teachers that would do the job… Please encourage them to come forward and do the job. If people remain so gullible with the news being telecasted/found in local papers in favour of vicious men, we cant expect any changes in lanken politics even after any of the elections to be held towards the end of the year and next year. If nothing would be improved in the line of people’s awareness, things would stay like moving in a circle.
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Sinhala_Man / May 27, 2019
PART TWO
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Now to the Specific Question that you asked, “ babanpunchi”.
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I intend setting out for Bandarawela at dawn today. I have to be at the Police Station there at 10.00 am. on Wednesday, the 29th. Why? I can’t possibly start telling you that story here. Please see:
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/national-introspection-in-the-aftermath/comment-page-1/?unapproved=2275603&moderation-hash=acec3e33ba22c9d3d77edb7b47df4dd0#comment-2275603
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I’m determined to sound a less depressing note by discussing what is being done by a retired teacher who belongs to this party. However, I will have to return to it later. In a day or two, I’m afraid.
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialist_Equality_Party_(Sri_Lanka)
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I’ll place at least one comment here.
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Sinhala_Man / May 27, 2019
Dear babanpunchi,
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Yes, I know plenty of retired teachers, but few share my views, and even fewer will make the noises that I do, in a cause where, in the medium term, the prospects of success are zero. I’m pessimistic. Obviously, in the long term, I will be proved right, but by then the majority of people will be suffering for what we are doing now. I won’t be around, obviously; it may be that my grandchildren will be. Or will it be even later? They arrived on Friday night from Malaysia. They’ve got to start learning Sinhala now. The younger, not yet four, is O.K. with that, but during the first term, the going was not good with the elder, who will soon be six.
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The problem for her is compounded by the fact that she attended a small, very expensive, private international Montessori school in Kuala Lumpur for 18 months. The teachers there did not teach; the children learnt.
Now they are in the Sinhalese Medium of one of the most reputed of the old Private Schools. Almost all children will know English, a few of them only as a Second Language. Inevitably my grand-kids will chum up with First Language English-speaking kids. There are Tamil Medium classes as well, but I just don’t know the proportions. In any case, my daughter doesn’t have the craze that I had to make the kids TRIlingual – knowing Sinhala and English will be enough. Both kids have picked up some Mandarin Chinese, which I think that they will forget. They don’t know Malay. I don’t think that any readers will demand the details. In this Colombo School, the teachers do a lot of formal teaching. Inevitable, given typical Sri Lankan parental attitudes.
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Sunil Abeyratne / May 27, 2019
Hello Sinhala Man,
It is best to comment on the article and not author’s profession. Your description Dr David’s profession indicates how little you know of Electrical Engineering.
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Sinhala_Man / May 31, 2019
Dear Mr Sunil Abeyratne,
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Many thanks for the generous but strange advice. You see, I thought that I’m the guy who’s often pedantic.
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I’m sure that Prof. Kumar David is a great enough man and with sufficient sense of humour, for my comment to have evoked a wry smile from him.
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However, I must tell you that the social tasks which Dr D altruistically undertakes owing to his Marxist-Trotskyite commitment possibly require far more disciplined thinking than what was founded on the observations of Galvani on the twitching of frogs legs.
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Anyway, I’m sure that your advice was kindly meant; so thanks.
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Analyst / May 26, 2019
We will not experience any positivity until the hard core Sinhala Rump gets taught of how to live harmoniously within Multiculturalism.
They need to know that the Minorities will not abandon their Roots and leave Srilanka for good.
The Sinhala Racist Rump are the cause of the deterioration of this island for all the carnage and the so called terrorism since 1958.
Politicians are the worst hard core who uses the village Modayas and educated Rumps who lives in SL and Abroad spreading hate and destruction.
Srilanka will never change , and the self destruction will continue.
Politicians are the cause and they’re greedy for state wealth.
There’s no Patriotism.
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Analyst / May 26, 2019
Srilanka will be used for its self destruction by the Internationally aggressive nations for their sale of Arms and Amunitions , Money Laundering, Exploitation of our Commercial products and Industry.
To name the few , our world famous Tea, Rubber, Cottage industry and many more are not recognised anymore in the world market.
The Greedy Politicians should take the blame for this state of our nation.
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Leonard / May 27, 2019
Analyst still at it ha! with your favorite utterance Modaya’s well I would remind you old saying “It take one to know one”.
You sound and write like the Sri Lankan immigrant who landed in New Zealand & now living off NZ tax payer because cant hold a job but have the audacity to bash New Zealand. I once offered him to buy his air line ticket to leave the country to put him out of his misery, you can guess what happen he wouldn’t take the offer.
I would go far as to say you are the clone of this ungrateful skag in New Zealand.
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Analyst / May 27, 2019
Leonard ,
If you can’t take the heat jump into the ocean , which ever next to you.
Nice try of the New Zealand skag but your total immaturity makes you the real Modaya.
Next time if you can’t take the heat jump in the well that should make you a true Srilankan Modaya.
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Ahfzll / May 26, 2019
The need of the Country is for a fresh brood of educated people to enter the Political arena. If I may suggest a name for the new Political party it would be “Zzz None of the Above”. Alphabetically, it would ensure the last place in the election list.
Should this become a reality, I predict that the New Party will get over 50% majority, without much canvassing or needing to get the biased TV stations to give them time.
All they would have to do is to maintain that people appointed will be those who have an educated mind – to deal with the responsibilities they are entrusted with and they would be held responsible should they do anything contrary to the best interest of the Sri Lankan populace – out of fear or for favour.
The RULE-of-LAW will prevail and apply to each and every Citizen of Sri Lanka. Bigotry , Racism, Bias and Prejudice will NOT be allowed – the penalty for infringement will be to lose their civic-rights.
Wonder, who in the current Political scenario would even qualify to join the Political Party – ” Zzz None-of-the-Above”
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JD / May 26, 2019
Parliament is corrupt. What Sri lanka needs is dedicated Patriots. Otherwise, Listen to what EDUCATED PEOPLE says. Educated people lie to the teeth. I have Listened to University graduates visiting the Parliament talk. They lie to the poor people via Radio.
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punchinilame / May 26, 2019
The present PTA regulations can be easily used by merely placing all culprits and
trouble-makers under House-arrest, implying that they sign the records at the Police
Station twice a week. This includes even yellow-robed personnel. Hope the Army
commander will effect this simple check and control with immediate effect.
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Buddhist / May 26, 2019
Once again its clear that the present Army Commander is acting like a “Bias Politician”. Its sad to see SL armed forces and police chiefs become political “golayas” and do not act as independent parties. I wonder if this happens because the selection of these chiefs are bad or Sri Lankans are not matured enough to be independent. For an Army Chief to say that he was asked by a politician to do a favour means that the politician feels that he or she can approach a chief to get a positive result. Why is this? This is because history has shown over and over again the Armed Forces Chiefs and Police Chiefs have been puppets of the politicians. This has to change. We also see this in the manner former Army, Navy and Airforce senior officers prostituting themselves for Gotabaya.
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Fahim Knight / May 26, 2019
Our Constitution is like the Song There is a hole in bucket , the hole ,
Dear Henry &Dear Liza never could fix.
As much as they needed a new bucket , we need a complete new Constitution ,that is truly by the people and for the people .
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Tamil from the north / May 26, 2019
There is no ISIS threat in SL. This is all weaved by the MR clan to bring the Satan (GOAT) to power. Simple as that!!
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Douglas / May 26, 2019
The ONLY reason given by the Army Commander for “Re-Instating” this Bullathwatte – the “Accused” in the case of “Abduction” and “Murder” is: “He has specialized knowledge and information especially relevant to the Terrorist Activities in the North East region of the country. ” Does any one with an”atom of brain” prepared to buy that reasoning? What would have been the situation if this Precious” cargo was “LOST” in action or under mysterious circumstances? In contrast, that reasoning shows nothing but the “Irrationality” of maintaining a “Limited ” reserve of intelligence within an Armed Force that is charged with Security and Defense of the country. Let Army Chief be REMINDED that NO ONE MUST BE MADE INDISPENSABLE. I am sure, he knows it; but some “HIDDEN” force of an “AGENDA” is in operation. Your are presently doing a good job; but be careful to avoid the poisonous snakes under grass who are ever ready to find a PREY in “Troubled Environment”.
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JD / May 26, 2019
Mano Ganeshan worked for FOUR YEARS as the minister for Reconciliation. NGOs are spying every where. Even then Zaharan who had even a warrant or two for arrest blew up, but politicians knew him. This article is simply Racism. but, it is against selected people. but, there is one group, They are always saints. But, Sri lankan Evangelist Alliance says they are being persecuted.
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K.Pillai / May 26, 2019
Prof Kumar David sees in the ‘Major Prabath Bulathwatte recall’ by the Lankan Army Commander Lt Col Mahesh Senanayake as one of the {“…..Unwise.Appointments….”} that the {“…..Army Should Desist From….”}
Kumar David pretends not to see the Mahesh-challenge to embattled MS, “Stop me if you dare”.
Persons with normal eye-sights can act like blind person but not the other way round.
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{“Quick Return To Normalcy….”}
Normalcy my foot! Which part of the past seventy years is ‘normal’.
{“….Will Restrain Would-Be Dictators….”}
Why does Mahesh’s tail, and yours, wag when certain images come in the Media?
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Sri-Krish / May 26, 2019
But the army should always be effectively under democratic political leadership to prevent the solders having any fanciful ideas.
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JD / May 27, 2019
Why Sri lanka is IMPORTANT. War is Boring: Sri Lanka Conflict a Preview of ‘Hybrid War’The so-called Battle of Chora was a preview of a new kind of “hybrid” warfare that is driving major changes in the military planning of the U.S. and its allies. (See Thomas P.M. Barnett’s WPR column.) Another example, often overlooked, is Sri Lanka’s bloody, 26-year insurgency, which ended in May when a major government offensive destroyed the Tamil Tigers rebel group. (See Brian Calvert’s WPR feature article.)
The Tigers were early students of Hezbollah, the Lebanese terror group, which in 1983 sponsored a suicide attack on a U.S. Marines barracks in Beirut that killed 241 Americans. “The head of the Tamil Tigers, [Velupillai] Prabhakaran, decided to try to model an attack just after the Beirut suicide truck assassination,” Dr. Rober Pape, a University of Chicago political scientist, told National Public Radio in May.
The Tigers’ first suicide attack, in 1987, “set off the entire wave” of suicide bombings in the region for the next 20 years, Pape said. He counted 273 Tamil suicide attacks between 1987 and the end of the conflict this spring — the highest number in any conflict. The Tigers enjoyed “tremendous popular support” among millions of Hindu, Tamil Sri Lankans.
To their insurgent tactics, the Tamil Tigers added highly conventional forces. These included a ragtag navy and even a rudimentary air force composed of light propeller-driven aircraft, apparently bought on the black market and outfitted with bombs. Meanwhile, Tamil air-defense troops exacted a high toll on Sri Lanka’s air force, shooting down seven aircraft from Sri Lanka’s only attack-helicopter squadron over a four-year period.
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