Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, appears to be flouting his own election pledges in his attempt to appoint his cousin Amari M. Wijewardene as the new Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
Amari Wijewardene
Wickremesinghe, who came to power promising to wipe out nepotism, and promote good governance, transparency and accountability, has bypassed much more qualified foreign service officials, and has instead proposed the name of his cousin, who is Chairman & Managing Director at the Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC.
Her name has been nominated to the Parliamentary Working Committee on Senior Portfolios as the new High Commissioner to UK.
She is also cousin to Ruwan Wijewardene, the State Minister of Defence.
Last November, Manoj Warnapala, the son-in-law of Austin Fernando, advisor and confidante of President Maithripala Sirisena and the Governor of the Eastern Province, was appointed as a consul to the Sri Lankan High Commission in UK.
Since the resignation of former High Commissioner, Dr. Chris Nonis, in September 2014, the post has remained vacant. There is also no Deputy High Commissioner.
words / February 8, 2016
Yahapalanaya shining! Now their supporters will scream how good she is.. blah blah blah..
Oh.. we are such fools to have thought things would be different under this lot!!!
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max / February 8, 2016
Yes, the henchmen of yahapalanaya now will start screaming of her ‘qualities’ to hold the high post in London. What a bunch of jokers we have under the disguise of ‘balance critiques’!
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Kalupahana / February 9, 2016
Amari, sorry to say, is both arrogant and ignorant. She does not have the educational qualifications – background in International Relations or Political Science to hold such a job.
Ranil has already caused serious damage to the economy by appointing Arjuna Mahendran who is a corrupt and criminal insider trader who should be tried in open court to be head of the Central Bank.
Mahendran has no qualifications for the job of CB governor, such as an advanced degree in Economics, and is insecure and afraid of Sri Lankan professionals and Economist.
As a result all Sri Lanka’s excellent Economists with PhD.s from excellent universities over seas are are being side lined by this bond trader who is running behind Harvard economists who do not know the problems in the local political economy.
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Jagath Fernando / February 9, 2016
She has all the right qualifications.
1 from Colombo 7
2 from the right school
3 related to a politician
4 speaks good English
5 owns a business inherited from family
6 has the right connections
What more is required to be an ambassador or high commissioner ? This is what MARA did under his regime as well.
Even our so called career diplomuts are no better. Most beggars cannot speak proper English and has done nothing to promote trade and investment. However good at carrying the bags of the politicians and being at the airports to greet them.
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podi baba / February 9, 2016
Why did they appoint Ruwan as the state minister for defence ? Any relative of the Ranil Clan? Why is Akila Viraj the Minister for education? any idea ??
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Thiru / February 8, 2016
This is “Appe aanduwa” < This is our rule:
This is how we have been ruling from the word go in 1948.
Who are you to question us? Once you elect us, keep your mouths shut till the next election!
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Amarasiri / February 8, 2016
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe
RE: Ranil Does A Mahinda: Appoints Cousin As Sri Lankan High Commissioner To UK
“Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, appears to be flouting his own election pledges in his attempt to appoint his cousin Amari M. Wijewardene as the new Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.”
That was the Job Rosy Senansayake did not want.
They have to appoint somebody.
The Question: Is she qualified? If Yes, not a big deal. Who are the other potential candidates. If not move on.
Can’t wait for ever without filling these posts.
Question: Why not a Tamil?
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Lanka Watch / February 8, 2016
Amarasiri – why not a Tamil.?
A good question Amare. For the last one year, no indigenous Tamil was appointed for any higher position in the Government sector or
the armed forces/police or govt. corporations due to TNA, does not exert pressure on the govt. to appoint Tamil officials like
Govt. Agents, Governors and department heads, at least in Tamil areas unlike SLMC, they were wise enough to accept portfolios in the Cabinet and packed their departments with their own people,
which was expected.As you know there are two opposition sides in the parliament,one is the regular one with Mr. Sampanthan as the leader and other called joint opposition headed by Mr. Dinesh Gunawardene and Mr. Sampanthan is happy with this position and
not bothered that Tamils should be given equal opportunity by the govt. when appointing govt. officials but rather happy to go behind Indian and Muslim ministers, a third party approach, to sort problems for the Tamils of N/E. The Tamils gave them permission to accept ministerial positions to serve the Tamil people but TNA preferred to be in the opposition for reasons unknown to the people. The problems related to land grabs, excess military over the requirement in N/E and day to day problems faced by the Tamils could have been solved much earlier if TNA accepted ministerial position as the cabinet meets very often
and constant dialogue would have paved the way for solving existing problems.
The appointment of CJ was purely accidental as you know as the Govt. was pressed for time and the President was sworn in by the next senior judge, who happened to be a Tamil.
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Lanka Watch / February 9, 2016
Yahapalanaya – Is it sinking or shining ?. PM Ranil thinks that the
govt. belongs to his family.
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abhaya mendis / February 8, 2016
well done.
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Plato. / February 8, 2016
YAHAPALANAYA.
Date of Manufacture: 8th Jan:2015.
Date of Expiry: 8th Feb:2016.
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Ponkoh Sivakumaran / February 8, 2016
The government must, if it appoints her, let the people know why she merits the appointment over other citizens of Sri Lanka. The fact that she is a Wijewardene does not do. We have had wicked songs about Wijewardenes in the past but in the future people have more potent weapons. They will simply through My3 and Ranil out into the gutters.
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Guttersnipe / February 8, 2016
yeah, right. And replace them with what? Back to Mahinda?
Talk is cheap, and Ranil knows that.
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William Sacks / February 8, 2016
Why not mention about her connection with Walgama family?
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William Sacks / February 8, 2016
Why not mention about her connection with Walgama family too?
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tinpotjihadi / February 8, 2016
There is NO CONNECTION to Welgamas. She happens to related to late Upali W. Upalis token “wife”/widow is NOT related and is married to a Welgama. RW has a “wife ” like that too .
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Dr,Rajasingham Narendran / February 8, 2016
What are her educational qualifications and accomplishments other than the positions she holds in Swadeshi Industries?
Why was she selected? What is special about her other than being a cousin of the PM?
I remember the President – rather foolishly-offered this position to Kumar Sangakkara a months back. Did he refuse? If he had, I salute him.
Yahapalanaya is fraying at edges!
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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Lanka Watch / February 8, 2016
Dr. RN,
Kumar did refuse saying that this position should go
to a career diplomat and not to him as he is a cricketer and not a diplomat. He is a through sportsman and a gentleman, as you know.
He was penalised for it ,aftermath of the concert he & Mahela
organized.
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Pandaranayagam / February 9, 2016
Maitripala S trying to make Kumar Sangakkara as our HC in London is yet another example of the many ignorant facets of our Gamaya
President. To him Cricket is the end of the universe and he thinks the whole world goes gaga with Sangakkara. I admit Kumar S has good cricketing credentials and is a fine, educated lad.
An eminent Tamil to fill in the position will serve an all round useful purpose – particularly in the eyes of the world that has seen many instances where the Sinhala Govt and army have committed serious HR/War Crimes against local Tamils. Charlie Mahendran may have suffered by recent events sorrounding his son. Will eminent lawyer Kanag-Iswaran or Dr. Radhika Coomaraswamy consider an offer, if made?
Pandaranayagam
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Lanka Watch / February 10, 2016
Pandaranayagam,
ooops!. Din’t you know that people applying
for overseas postings in Govt. sectors should be Sinhala Buddhists only.This is the unwritten law of the country. They
also should have the right connection and should be able to express themselves in English language, understandable to the westerners.
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Rohan / February 9, 2016
Sangaakkara would have done a stellar job compared to a number of current (and recent past) high commissioners Sri Lanka could find to represent the country around the world. I would have been disgusted if they chose Sanath Jayasuriya or Muttaiah Muralitharan.
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Spring Koha / February 8, 2016
So the thinking goes like this. Our HC in London needs a good clean up, and a fresh start. Who better than Madame Kohomba. Fragrant and fresh, with lots of dosh, the elegant well-bred dame will soon have the Hyde Park edifice bright and sparkling.
Dr Slapp pushed tea in his time. Now expect plenty of soap to be available in the chancery washrooms of London.
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anon / February 8, 2016
Ranil is becoming a joke. Disgusting behaviour appointing his relation when there are so many experienced, suitable candidates out there. Disappointing that Sri Lanka has sunk to this level yet again.
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Japwatch / February 8, 2016
Probably no one wants to take that position after the damage that was done in the previous regime.
Sangakkara and Rosy did not accept the offer – maybe they do not want to miss the money-making opportunities with their businesses here. So this lady was probably persuaded to go. Maybe, there is no one competent enough to do this job among the common people of this land. Just having the qualification is not enough- CIVILITY is also important. Now how can you teach that?
Never mind, as she seems rather industrious, as Spring Kota says we can see some good coming out of it.
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Lanka Watch / February 10, 2016
Japwatch – Have you gone crazy ? . This job needs expertise in bi- lateral agreements, in-depth knowledge in handling diplomacy & trade and London is the centre for many political activities and we should have a senior diplomat to represent Sri Lanka. Talented people from the diplomatic corp. were chosen those days but later this position was politicized with people who could handle their bags at the airports and take them around shopping. Appointing ambassadors to other countries should be FM Mangala’s job and the PM’s job.
Why deviate from the policy of appointing career diplomats, who are trained in various aspects of handling diplomatic missions, abroad. and this Govt. should set an example. They criticized the former
regime on nepotism, corruption and political thuggery and got into
power, swearing to eradicate above and what are they doing now.
Aren’t the people watching them.?
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PattiGona / February 8, 2016
She speaks very good English and she’s from Colombo 7 Aristocracy. You godaya sinhala speakers are very jealous;she’s closely related to RW and part and parcel of rich busyness people. I think she was educated like the other Radalayas,at St . Bridgets. They all went there to be proper wives to suitable husbands with wealth.
She is not godey like vernacular sinhala speaking gama,raalas of MY3 AND MR clans. So She Is qualified Simply Because She Knows Which Knife AND spoon to use for Salads, Main Course AND dessert etc., She is from thw RADALA ENGLISH speaking gang that adores and hero worships Ranil. That’s enough qualifications. OLevels is sufficient to be an ambassador considering Mangala also has only O levels. Remember Chandrika appointed a geriatric wala,payayi goda,payayai DeSaram who was related to her to the UN?old chap these are pukka appointments of elite colombo 7 low country Radalayas. Quit whining. Mangala is a different caste. These are life long patrons of Kelaniya temple and Gangaaraama. Ask podi saadhu about their buddhist generosity. Stop complaining. These are not gamayas like MR’s and MY3’s people.
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Sylvia Haik / February 8, 2016
PattiGona. You sound like a right old snob. The Colombo 7 glitterati is no different proud Sri Lankans you call Godayas. In fact I’ve found them far more generous and tolerant. The apparent difficulty in finding someone who is also not a relative and suitable to fill these top diplomatic posts, is the prevalent habit among the higher echelons of our society to marry cousins and other relatives to hang on to their fortunes. If madness emerges in some folks, it might be owing to accidental inbreeding.
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Native Vedda / February 8, 2016
Sylvia Haik
I really enjoyed reading PattiGona’s sarcasm. We need more of the kind of humour which makes us less tired of reading other typings in this forum.
Re-read his comment.
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Rohan / February 9, 2016
I second NV there. The sarcasm is not too deep, a simple straight forward one, meant for the lay people :) I enjoyed reading PattiGonna’s comment.
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PattiGona / February 8, 2016
Dear Sylvia, I was trolling or being totally sarcastic. But I’m aware how these idiots think in those arrogant circles. Everyone else got my sarcasm but not you.
Aiyo. I agree with you. But these arrogant unproductive lives and inherited wealth look down on fellow Sinhalese and think they’re white British even in ancestry. Pathetic. Then Sharmini S also thinks like these discredited Bourbons. Look at Sarath Fonseka. They don’t like the fact that his daughter is now part of the English speaking aristocratic upper classes via pending marriage. It’s sad
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Lankan / February 9, 2016
PattiGona,
What’s wrong with Sharmini’s thinking?
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Sylvia Haik / February 9, 2016
PattiGona Sorry I had missed the sarcasm. Age is fast catching up I suppose.
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sarojini / February 10, 2016
As I understand the criteria necessary for the. HC post is aristocracy, ability to speak. English the Colombo 7 background with plenty of money.and good connections to the elite.
Reply to pattigona.
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Bumiputhra / February 8, 2016
All are the same.
Within 6 mths.of being elected, just started, as time goes by more to come.
Shall pass MR’s record
Captain Poo – Brother appointed – “only trustworthy person”, no Qualification needed.
Maith3 – Brother as Telecom chair, salary increased to 10 lks !
man
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Bumiputhra / February 8, 2016
All are the same.
Within 6 mths.of being elected, just started, as time goes by more to come.
Shall pass MR’s record. Sad state of affairs,
Do not practice what they preach.
Captain Poo – Brother appointed – “only trustworthy person”, no Qualification needed.
Maith3 – 1. Brother as Telecom chairman, salary increased to 10 lks !
2. Son taken to UN, a kid in nappies seated with big boys. what a joke 3. Relative to the London HC
Ravi – BIL appointed to Insurance Corp – “Go getter Better tan a professional”
Now Ranil – Relative as HC London
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harry hatton / February 8, 2016
These are not the only relatives appointed by Ranil. Ruwan Wijewardena ( no hoper made a minister !), is one. how about the bogus doctor made a director at Appollo hospital-“Dr” Wijesundera?
Dr Wijesundera’s sister was sa( gala) Ratnayakes wife.That marriage was a bit like Upali Wijewardenas.
Come on media are you asleep ?
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Muslim / February 8, 2016
Why cannot these politicians practice what they preach?
Because politicians are politicians ,they cannot be trusted, all are self serving and only promoting nepotism.
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dejected / February 8, 2016
Why do you publish such distasteful comments?Do you want us to stop reading you?What are your ethics?
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thondamanny / February 8, 2016
because… The Politician preach with one Tongue and practice with the other or the stand=by Tongue.
Our Velu bit his own tongue when he was in position he was offered Federalism but he went for All or Nothing……….
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Murumbeena / February 8, 2016
When RW was at Royal College he kept company with only those from colombo 7. He was a upper minded guy who looked above those below him.
He is still the same. If he says he is with the masses, that is a lie and a political gimmick. Despite MR’s many faults he is the opposite of RW.
Coming to the point of High Commissoner to the UK there are no career diplomats available and if there are suitable candidates they might not want the post. Sri Lanka has been a geographical disaster from the day it achieved independence and the blame lies squarely on the voters who have been casting their votes for square pegs to be fitted into round holes.
To those who believe no explanation is needed.
To those who don’t believe no explanation is possible.
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roger / February 9, 2016
whats wrong with you all?
why can’t our dear PM appoint his relation? if he cannot whats the point in being a PM. He told many things to come to power (don’t forget he is a gentleman) He said port city will not be continued – now he is begging China to restart – my guess is that these chaps wanted “some thing” – that’s the reason for renegotiations.
He appointed his friends for top posts – don’t forget he is a gentleman.
He wants to be a clean man with clean suit. How can he maintain this – its so hot these days. Please understand if he was a politician in the UK, he can be a clean politician. How can he maintain that in SL. Our people ( that’s ourselves) are corrupt. Whats the point in him being a clean man for a corrupt people.
He waited soooooooooo long to come to power. poor man let him have his share. don’t be unreasonable. after all you live only once. ( I don’t believe in rebirth). Don’t forget he is a clean man. impeccable in words. His problem is that he has selective blindness – that’s because he is a choosy character.
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bo / February 9, 2016
Can she speak up for Sri Lanka in political arenas, is she quick witted and think herself on her feet and express it immediately, or is she there to make some business deals for her company’s welfare. What s wrong with Sri Lankans, they never leran from their mistakes!
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Mallaiyuran / February 9, 2016
Mahendran & Fonseka’s appointments what kind of morality Ranil Found?
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Janz / February 9, 2016
Autonomous lunatic Mallaiyuran’s normal sickness.
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K.A Sumanasekera / February 9, 2016
Every thing is not hunky dory in Yahapalana Foreign Affairs. Is it?..
Our loving Foreign Minister Mangala says no one can f**** around with his ministry,
Although he didn’t use the same terminology , it was the intent of his message.
I had to to make it easy for our Cyber age Yhapalana sucking youngsters to understand it.
What pissed Mangala was his boss Batalanda Ranil appointing one Charitha Ratwatte to overseer and pilot our Yahapalana Foreign Policy.
Batalanada has in fact been very harsh on Mangala.
Here is what Batta has said.
“FM has done nothing in the last 12 months”
To say such things, specially when the lovely FM was splashed across Yahapalana Media as well on BBC ,grasping both hands of the UN Prince on our Tarmac , is mind boggling.
How much untiring work Mangala did to make this happen.
I mean, to sort of embrace the Bedouin Prince on our Tarmac which was destroyed by the same Tamil Terrorists who have now.become the victims of War Crimes.
And the Prince to now demand answers from Batalanada and Bodhipla as to what happened to these Terrorists and their supporters and their abductees. I mean, the people whom Mr Pirahaparan abducted to live with him in Nanthikadal..
Wonder whether Mangala will tick off Batta’s cousin getting this big ass gig in London ?.
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Lanka Watch / February 9, 2016
PM Rail & co. did one better than MR as only relatives, brothers, cousins & brother in laws are accepted for higher positions as they
feel that blood is thicker than water.
Amazed at the audacity of the ruling party to reverse what they promised to the people, prior to last election. They do not seem
to realise that large chunks of votes will be cast against them
for cheating the people, which will pave the way for MR to win
the next election, easily.
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sarojini / February 11, 2016
Excuse me. You forget that the. Rajapakses you talk about were elected by the people. CHAMAL B, BASIL, NAMAL, SASHINDRA. nirupama Etc. who are the people that RW appointed. Were they elected by the people. Instead they have appointed defeated candidates rejected by the people.
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shankar / February 9, 2016
ranil does a mahinda,chandrika,D.B wijetunge,preme etc
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Yahapalanaya / February 9, 2016
Now it is Brasena’s turn to appoint a favourite to FM. Those who were wondering where Charitha’ Ratwatte was would have heard that he was one of the members of the committe appointed by RW to oversee foreign relations in which Majority are from Royal.
This person can be from Col. 7, SBC, speak good English whatever but for white masters she would still be a brownie coming from a third world country.
More Ammo to MR. and group.
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BBS Rep / February 9, 2016
Ranil flouts his election pledges, My3 flouts his election pledges, the Rajapaksas flout all their election pledges, and so forth and so on. Tell me one single Sri Lankan politician who did not flout his or her election pledges. Our shock and horror is really out of place here.
The problem here is with those like you and me who expected the election pledges to be sacrosanct. We the voter are being taken for a ride and made buffoons by our politicians – ad nauseam ad infinitum ad mortem.
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Lankan / February 9, 2016
Sumanasekara,
Still nowhere close to the levels of
ridiculousness during the time of the
Medamulana gangsters is it?
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K.A Sumanasekera / February 9, 2016
Be patient mate…
Yahapalanaya is only 13 months old ,,Isn’t it?..
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Peace / February 9, 2016
There is something seriously wrong with this scene. We are supposed to have a Foreign Minister. Rumor has it that the FM and Pres are locking horns. Now the Foreign Ministry has been grabbed by the PM. The PM is appointing who he wants.
Selling soap is not the same as being a diplomat. All the friends and relatives in the clan will be going to London to shop and to the theater and have fun. The country will go to the dogs. As it is dogs are better than people but when they have a pedigree they are worth something.
This lady has benefited from the family connections. Anyone can run a soap business. But diplomacy is a different ball game. What a joke is this???
RW will outdo MR with relatives because he has many more and also the whole of Royal College whether they had brains or whether they are crooks does not matter.
We Sri Lankans have among us very bright people if they want to look around but they don’t. So we are morons unless there is a relationship by blood. That is the reason our jobs are being opened to 30 million unemployed from India to come over and depress wages for RW’s rich friends who will pay them lower salaries and make bigger profits to reduce our population to beggary. What a stupid move. More stupid moves will come with appointments like this. RW is heading for a dictatorship. FCID and SF — Police and army are covered!!! Diplomuts are covered. RW’s mother and the new Ambassador’s mother are sisters. Minister Ruwan’s father is their brother. Sooooooo if this is not nepotism what is it then.
Slippery soap will slide the country down the sewer faster because all the soap water ultimately ends up in the sewer. Soap goes nowhere else!!! Sad, Sad, Sad. No need for brains, no need for education, no need for knowledge but high positions go to brainless people. Any comments about running a soap business does not hold water and the skills just do not transition to this job. Another blunder Sri Lanka style……… This is why expats have to do the work of diplomuts.
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laksiri / February 9, 2016
do not worry this is the well know carry lanka even after election how many corrupted election loss SLFP people came to parliament from national list?this country will never can fixed and changed it is make like this it break like this.
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Roshan / February 9, 2016
Could someone please tell me what has changed? If the present government criticizes the past one, they should be doing better! This really is “more of the same”. Important Diplomatic postings, such as London, I believe, should have a career diplomat heading the mission. Are we short of them??? This is only a slightly better joke than the post being offered to Kumar Sangakkara!!! Atleast he was sane enough to refuse! Think there’s no need to go through the neopotism list…others before me have done it.
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Patta Pal / February 9, 2016
Hardly any country sends career diplomats to London. Sri Lanka has done it about twice only through all this period since independence. We know the mud that stuck on them, worse than political appointments!
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