Cousin of President Rajapaksa – Jaliya Wickramasuriya, Sri Lanka’s former Ambassador to USA has been gravely cautioned over the financial misconduct allegations against him and has been ordered to pay back over Rs. 45 million that he had swindled through financial misappropriations.
Jaliya Wickramasuriya
Making an excellent case on the detrimental impacts of the widespread nepotism prevalent in Sri Lanka’s Foreign Service, Wickramasuriya was exposed by the US government earlier this year to Canadian authorities, concerning the financial misappropriations when committed during the purchase of a building to house the Sri Lankan embassy at 3025, White Haven Street, Washington 20008.
He had been ordered to pay back this hefty sum after the Accountant involved in the transaction divulged the details to save his neck, as the suspicions over the issue initially circled around him.
A column in today’s issue of the weekly English newspaper Sunday Times referring to the same incident (though it has not mentioned Wickramasuriya), notes that he has made an appeal claiming the money was paid to him by the seller but that it was reject. However, it has been noted that the common practice in the US is for the seller to pay commissions if any.
It has been revealed that Wickramasuriya has also been involved in two other transactions where he had made mark ups and pocketed the money.
According to diplomatic sources that spoke to Colombo Telegraph, one of the transactions had been the hospital bill of Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne for the treatments he received at the John Hopkins University Hospital. Meanwhile, the other had been on a payment of legal fees to a law firm that dealt with a case relating to war crimes against President Rajapaksa in the US.
Colombo Telegraph has been unable to reach Wickamasuriya for comment.
The paper also reports that following the mounting allegations of corruption, the centers of power in Colombo including official residences of the leaders have been declared out of bounds for Wickramasuriya. It also states that an irate President had remarked that Wickramasuriya had ‘rubbed mud in his face’ (mooney deli gewa) indicating a slim chance for him to be offered another posting.
Upasiri de Silva / July 21, 2014
What about the other cousin in Russia just like Jaliya -NO QUALIFICATION other than SSC (GCE (O/L)doing all the deals to get MIG 24’s and other Military Equipment and Helicopters doing good business to make Rajapaksa brothers billionaires?
Jaliya try to play it alone and never got any support from Jarapaksa brothers, but the guy in Russia is doing it with them and he is exempted from any charges.
Most HC and Ambassadors play out money as the President appoint hem to earn money by selling the country.
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DesperateSrilanken / July 21, 2014
Hey friends, can anybody please publish the credentials of Jaliya Wickrma… so that the entire world could know the vision and wisdom of srilanken executive – to have appointed Tea tasters for the positions that everyone hold as very important for a country just got rid of Ltte TERROR activities ?
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Upasiri de Silva / July 22, 2014
JALIYA was a cloth salesman and then did some Jill-mart and landed in Canada then to USA. SSC qualified TEA salesman who was not able to express himself was posted as Ambassador to look after Rajapaksa dynasty in USA. In addition to what he earned from this property deal, he took a fare share by hiring Cars for every Rajapaksa visit.
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Sun / July 22, 2014
Has he at all the capacity to represent the nation in outside world?
We are not pakistanies or the others that have low level literacy rates. Srilanka s literacy rate and other social indicators are reported to be comparable to those of many rich countries. Had not we fought a war, like in Palastina, we are a 100% NATION. Not because of Rajapakshe politics but the free education offered by the govt since indepenence. Today ballige puthas that have no brains to get it that Free education should be prevailed in the country have been making all efforts to privatize the education and lead the nation let going the path of Pakistanies or other countries. Latter points are only clear for Educated leaders. I really dont know what Vasu is doing by sitting on the wrong side. He was a most vociferous man in the past. His arguments and talents in fighting for the rights of people were distinguished in the past. But today, he is given a pill by Megalomaniac as nothing like BADA WIREKA KIREEMA CAN help him further. Not forgetting Rajiva AND Glp, both highly educated DIMWITS could turn srilanka a great nation, but they are doing the same not far from Vasu.
Country’s youth would curse all these seniors if they the idiots in power runs the country this way. They the youth would never notice what caused seniors and professionals stayed mum. Having lived on the west, being away from the country, I notice, this country deserves a great leader who is educated, cultured and has the vision to lead this nation. At least now, people wake up.
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Sun / July 22, 2014
Dayan Jayathilaka and the few have done so. Why JW stays mum when he is questioned about his credentials should be focused by srilanken americans living there. If they love the country, they should work together to protect the nation from idiotic president s idiotic adminsitration.
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tomsam / July 22, 2014
The Sinking Lankan sinhala community in USA are aiding and abetting the Genocide of Tamils.
They dont to care much about justice and coexistence.
They continue to be the ‘silent” partners to the events in this stinking island.
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Sama / July 24, 2014
they are like srilankens in current day srilanka.
How can they act better, if the lanken living in the country fail do the due. against the barbaric regime.
We the sinhalayas are such passive folks that is the reason.
Gone are the days powerful sinahalyas did their best for the montherland.
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Marwan / July 21, 2014
An exposure n the level of corruption in the country.
http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=107044
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Bensen Burner / July 21, 2014
What did you expect? Bensen
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MirakRajBanda / July 21, 2014
This stupid idiot not cunning enough to swindle US$35 million alone.
He was backed by MaRa, GoRa, BaRa and plottde by Nirvaana Cabraal.
If we dig into deeper- who knows what comes out?????
‘rubbed mud in his face’- yes indeed, Thank God, he got caught red handed!!!!!
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justice / July 21, 2014
A popular sunday paper carried a news item titled “Diplomatic Disaster” on the recruitment of Jaliya W to the foreign service, which alleged that select members of the then Committee on High Posts met on an unscheduled day and approved his nomination.
This was how he was thrust into the foreign service and became a ‘diplomutt’.
He was/is the only diplomat allowed to do private business – selling tea.
He spent millions hiring private firms in USA to write his speeches.
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paul / July 21, 2014
“Times … refer notes that he has made an appeal claiming the money was paid to him by the seller but that it was reject. However, it has been noted that the common practice in the US is for the seller to pay commissions if any”.
Could someone out there explain to me in plain English what this means? Is this person Jaliya claiming that he did not accept the commission although it was offered to him?. Is the allegation (that he took the commission) based on so called “common practice” in the US? Can’t the accountant be more specific and tell the investigators whether it was paid in cash or cheque or bank transfer? In the latter two instances, investigators should be able to trace if the money went into Jaliya’s bank account.
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Oliver Twist / July 21, 2014
The three deals highlighted by CT are not the only ones
on which tea seller Jaliya Wickremasuriya made money.
All those US PR firms that were hired to write his
press releases were paid enormous amounts. There have
been complaints about the mark ups.
At least External Minister G.L. Peiris write his own press
releases where he is portrayed as the Henry Kissinger of
Sri Lanka doing the best diplomatic tasks. Here no payment
is made to anyone.
Udayanga Weeratunga, another cousin of Mahinda Rajapaksa, is
the [Edited out] millions from the MiG 27 deal of the Sri
Lanka Air Force. Until he became Ambassador in Russia, he was
only running a small buth kadey called Club Lanka in Kiev. He
played the role of pimp for those who visited Ukraine at
different times.
When commmis kaakas and pimps are appointed as Ambassadors to
important countries, who suffers? The country. Sri Lanka is
paying dearly for it no.
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Abepala / July 21, 2014
Something wrong with the family blood, all these members born to robe country’s money. Two terms are not enough to full fill MR’s wishes. So, never mind, appoint MR again for the leadership. Then by the end of his other term the whole country will be robbed by him and the balance relations and henchmen who are in the Que. GL Peris is blind, only thing he can see his Penis.
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Sun / July 21, 2014
Question is whether he has got one ?
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Sun / July 22, 2014
It is said, guys that hide between legs HAVE THE behaviour eunachs. This is a common parlance among the many. More or less, GLP has allowed President to appoint his guy, even without qualifications for the foreign posts. There, Kadirgamar would not have allowed anyone to get in. That is the reason great Kadirgamar has left a great legacy of his external affairs. Prof titles and law education, teachings could be intrumental for Glp TO BUILD up a great foreign ministry but his nature has ruined the ministry to all abysmal levels. There alone, Rajapakshe has proved his dictator like behaviour. Donkey people who attack UNPers in Sapugaskanda should be illiterate and ones that live on the rice packets offered to them.
Mervin should be not burried near to late great singer Jothipala, but with kadavasa of free living and dying dogs on the street.
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Sapumal / July 21, 2014
Dont blame this guy. He is not qualified to do the job. Who pick him for the job is to be blamed. This guy did what he knows to do other than business. Majority of the diplomatics who work for the Rajapaksa regime is better to do their job at Toilets than working as Diplomats. It is the reflection of this uneducated gang. I heard that this the man who supposed to take over another diplomatic appoinment in a another western country. What a shame for us all. Our country has ruined, diplomatic service has gone to dogs, our values and ethics , law has gone to Rajapaksa maffia dogs. Only solution is to change this regime as soon as possible with the support of everyone.
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uart / July 21, 2014
Thank you USA.
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Goiya / July 21, 2014
Yes no doubt he played out with money not only those accounts even collecting money from the US Sri Lankan community living in US. Misused all the facilities given to the embassy. He use all that for his business and for his relatives, friends in US and Sri Lanka. Half of the staff are his relatives and people supported for his business. Still they are there and working for him.
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OUR TUPID ASS SRI LANKANS / July 21, 2014
Our AMERICAN SRI LANKANS still like to welcome this idiot and hang with him. SRI LANKANS ARE THE MAJOR IDIOTS IN THIS WORLD. They dont have a back bone.They should not welcome idiots like this bo cott them if mervyn comes or any other rajavassa come protest against them instead of eating KAWUM KOKIS and have ing dance and parties with these TJHIEVES and MURDERS.
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Tamil from the north / July 22, 2014
I will bet you any money, next elections horapakse will either rob the votes to win or majority of people will vote him in. If horapakse can rob the country all the money out there, why cannot this fool take a bit? ask yourself why you voted for these uncouth rascals. The LTTE buggers prevented the Tamils from voting for that lazy bugger Ranil, so this war criminal won by a thin margin. What excuse do you all have this time?
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peter Jayasinghe / July 22, 2014
Why only Jaliya. Kshenuka’s infamous deal to sell the London High Com residemce should also be probed.
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Wera / July 22, 2014
The Sinhalese mentality of justifying all wrong doing as long as it is committed by ape miniha is at the bottom of this mess. The Rajpakshe’s are classic examples of no nothing nobodies who were coddled my madam Sirima’s jealousy brigade. Well as the saying goes the worm turned and the once powerful elite families (Banadaranaike’s, Ratwatte’s Obeysekere’s etc.)who started this nonsense fell victim to the very scoundrels they nourished. Whereas the old families had no reason to plunder the state the scoundrels they nourished always knew that some day they will get their chance. The rest is history. No use weeping. All those who support and vote UPFA collectively bear responsibility for the destruction they have wrought on the state.
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Diogenes / July 22, 2014
One can imagine that our Excellent President`s relations elevated by him to high positions are all rogues, murderers, rapists, `komissioners,`plunderers,thugs , all sorts of criminals imaginable under the sun. No wonder if he appoints this rogue as the next Chief Justice and Vidanapathirana becomes the next Prime Minister.This state of affairs brings to mind the Sinhala saying: ` To a man who gobbled down a shipload of shit, the stench of a fart is negligible!`.
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Muniyandy / July 23, 2014
That is the most memorable proverb I have come across in my entire life!
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mj / July 22, 2014
The property was built in 1951. 3025 Whitehaven St NW is in the Woodland-Normanstone Terrace neighborhood in Washington, DC. The house is sold for $6,256,000.on 1-16-2013.with 10.1% commition.
Property Taxes and Assessment for 3025 Whitehaven St NW.
Year Tax Assessment Market
2013 $12,742 $5,099,830 $5,099,830.
http://www.zillow.com
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mooney deli / July 22, 2014
the namani wijedasa/sunday times article cited in an earlier comment was pretty selective and covered up more than it revealed – especially concerning the Washington embassy operations. this is how our tax money goes down the drain. corrupt politicians of both sides, corrupt officials and the corrupt media scratch each others backs.
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Native Vedda / July 22, 2014
mooney deli
Could you let us know the going rate of commission.
It used to be 10%.
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Dollar Bills for all / July 22, 2014
I guess he’s thinking, “Atleast I made hay while the sun was shining!”.
Now if he does’nt get reappointed, he can spend the rest of his days sipping a Pina Colada by the pool, at his mansion in LA. When he feels like beating the heat – he can charter a private jet to fly himself across the pond to Europe. What a life – the life of a Rajapakse relative…..
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truth / July 22, 2014
I don’t know how many of the people who comment here are Sinhalese. If the average Sinhalese “really” feels that Sri Lanka is going down hill, then they must de-throne the “cause”. But I feel whenever the question of law and order concerning the Tamil people, they just turn a blind eye. If they had acted impartially towards the “Tamil issues” since independence, we would not be in this situation now.
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Justin Sakalasuriya / July 23, 2014
I read almost every comment about Jaliya. People forget
that he is a protege of Henry Kissinger and was lecturer
on international affairs at Johns Hopkins University in
Washington. He is the author of several books his latest
being the Asian Pivot. He was Man of the Year by the Time
magazine though they decided not to publish his photograph
on the front page of his bio data inside.
Jaliya Wickremesuriya is a synonym for corruption. Ask him
and he will tell you how to pilfer dollars from any deal. All
those PR firms he hired to write news releases about his good
work in Washington DC (serving lunu miris, kiribath and kokis) to
Sri Lanka expatriate community. They say his chef won an award
for making the best cutlet in Washington Another check was
given an honorary mention for making pol sambol.
Sri Lanka needs more qualified rogues like him. Little wonder
MR appoints family members like Jaliya and Udayanga Weeratunga
to rob as much you like. An ordinary watcher in a hospital is
caught by Bribery people for taking five rupees and allowing a
visitor to go into a hospital during off hours.
Praise be to Lord Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Grand Daddy of the
corrupt and inept family members. They will receive their just
deserts from the people one day.
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Sunndaram Navasiva / July 24, 2014
All this dictatorial Presidency was created by this stupid JRJ. UNP brought this evil constitution to Sri Lanka. Ranil W also voted for this debacle. We must not forget that even during UNP/Chandrika era corruption was rampant. Now comes MR and do it in style.
HAVE YOU EVER HEARD ANY OF THE UNP LEADERSHIP STATING THAT THEY WILL PROSECUTE THE MR REGIME WHEN THEY COME TO POWER? NO it is because they will also do the same.
So this is a thing that will continue.
Lastly we must be thankful that the LTTE was rid out by this Govt where RANIL lick the ass of LTTE.
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Rohana / August 1, 2014
Jaliya is Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Nephew not Cousin. CT correct this mistake.
He is cousin of NIrupama Rajapaksa (Late George Rajapaksa’s daughter).
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Neem Farzan / August 7, 2014
I am sure his sister , who is a director an Mobitel and sec to prez, plus his brother at airport and aviation can bail him out.
What shameless people!
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Drb / April 28, 2016
Many comments
Mostly accusatory
Devoid of facts substance ? Truth
All inpowerful position like the benefits some
Like for other reasons
Based onscratch my back
All are exposing corruption
Can it be processed
And prosecuted?
Des
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Kakka / July 22, 2016
A whole family of robbers! I have actually heard this family having serious discussions about, how corrupt the Yahapalana Government is!
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justice / November 18, 2016
His appointment was reported to be a “Diplomatic Nightmare”.
There were many more financial improprieties reported by Sunday Leader earlier.
The FCID should follow up on these too.
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Kodituwakku / November 19, 2016
They need to expose Consul General, Swarna Gunaratne in Los Angeles, Baratha lakshman sister also came from Canada after the new government to take the office here ( hirunikas aunt ). Wasting the tax payers money. Also hirunikas defender abudticon case, I’m sure everyone remembera that. The driver of that defender arrived to Los Angeles to work at the consulate office in Los Angeles. I have all the info,, if anyone can expose this fraud let me know
Thank you
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Dr. Zeeniya Nizam / November 27, 2016
Knowing all about Jaliya, I would like to say something about the present ambassador Prasadh Kariyawasam. He was my senior at the University of Peradeniya in 1976 and his respectable wife Kanthi was my batchmate.
I am confident that Prasad will not behave in this manner, and will bring credit and honour to Sri Lanka.
President Maithripala has done the perfect choice this time!
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