Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s niece and senior staffer at Temple Trees Ishini Wickremesinghe aggressively promoted propaganda videos to celebrate Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s nomination as SLPP presidential hopeful, Colombo Telegraph can now reveal.
Ishini Wickremesinghe
A few hours after Colombo Telegraph revealed clandestine negotiations between Temple Trees and Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s aides about forming a national Government after the presidential elections, Colombo Telegraph readers perused Ishini Wickremesinghe’s Facebook page. Readers left several bemused comments regarding the content shared on her profile on August 11, soon after the SLPP held its convention and nominated Gotabaya Rajapaksa as presidential candidate.
Colombo Telegraph did its own perusal of Ishini Wickremesinghe’s Facebook page after being alerted by readers. Our investigations revealed that the Prime Minister’s niece had actively shared a 51 second propaganda film featuring about a decade worth of footage of the former Defence Secretary’s key moments in public life. Further perusal showed that the video had been shared under the “public” privacy setting meaning it was available for viewing by anyone on the internet, both on and off the Facebook platform. Ishini Wickremesinghe had also shared the video five times on her Facebook wall at regular intervals.
At 4.13 AM on August 12, she shared a post by Eliya – the civil society movement mobilising support for Rajapaksa, congratulating him on the nomination.
At 4.34 AM, she shared the propaganda film for the first time.
Thereafter, the video was shared 5.22AM, 9.07AM, 9.51AM, 11.25AM and 2.29PM. (See the posts by Ishini Wickremesinghe below).
Social media experts told Colombo Telegraph that this type of content sharing at regular intervals on social media is referred to as “aggressive promotion”. It is designed to get maximum reach for content a user wishes as many of his or her followers and friends on Facebook to see.
Colombo Telegraph also learns that TNL TV the channel owned by Ishini Wickremesinghe’s father Shan, who is also brother to the Prime Minister aired significant footage of the SLPP convention and Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s nomination.
In her open letter to Prime Minister Wickremesinghe earlier this week Ahimsa Wickrematunge the daughter of Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge who was murdered in 2009 referred to Ishini Wickremesinghe’s blatant promotion of the SLPP candidate.
“Because it is election season, you are publicly attacking him as a killer. But even as you do so, your Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayaka and other ministers are visiting him and spending hours at his residence, your government is allegedly issuing him irregular identity cards and passports and your senior aide and niece is openly promoting Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s campaign propaganda on social media.
Ishini Wickremesinghe is a close associate of media moghul Dilith Jayaweera, who stands accused of stock market manipulation during the tenure of Mahinda Rajapaksa’s presidency. Together the pair are the masterminds behind the negotiations between the Prime Minister and the Gotabaya Rajapaksa camp.
Ishini Wickremesinghe currently serves on the Prime Minister’s staff. Formerly a member of Mangala Samaraweera’s staff before the Finance and then Media Minister realised she was a Rajapaksa mole, Ishini Wickremesinghe was instrumental in securing Jayaweera’s advertising firm TRIAD the UNP publicity campaign for the February 2018 local government election. The ad campaign cost a whopping Rs 200 million in exchange for the most lacklustre and inane taglines and advertisements “api UNP”. During the October 2018 coup, in the presence of several UNPers including Samaraweera and others Ishini Wickremesinghe declared that if the UNP did not nominate Ranil Wickremesinghe as presidential candidate, the Wickremesinghe family would throw its weight behind Gotabaya Rajapaksa. (By TB Bambaradeniya)
JD / August 15, 2019
All the wahhabi ministers who were made saints by the Ranil’s Handler’s PSC are with the DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL FRONT. For the time being The national Candidate project of Karu Jayasuriya is suspended.
/
JD / August 15, 2019
I think, Navin Dissanayake is a better presidential candidate. Navin Dissanayake is willing to work for minority power devolution and he says Tamils should get Land and police powers.
/
Thappu / August 16, 2019
JD, Will you vote for Navin if he contests. What will you do if he goes back on his word.
/
Burt / August 16, 2019
Do not believe anything politicians say close to elections.
Premadasa actually managed his portfolio well, stayed low and did a great deal for the people.
/
D. P. / August 16, 2019
JD,
If Navin is better than GoRa , why don’t you ask GoRa to withdraw so that UNP could offer the ticket to Navin? Of course, unlike GoRa, neither Navin nor Sajith will order to kidnap, torture and kill people they don’t agree with.
–
Instead of lying, why don’t you simply say that you would vote even for GoRa’s Swiss poodle?
/
JD / August 15, 2019
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2
/
Craig / August 15, 2019
CT seems to be on to “something”. Today the Daily FT has stated:
“Two civil society activists, last week filed complaints with Police , requesting urgent action on the alleged irregularities in Rajapaksa’s citizenship and passport paperwork, and his voter registration. However, Daily FT reliably learns that political pressure from within the Government has prevented the Police from taking any action to begin an investigation.” Someone must now file a RTI to obtain these details. Something disgustingly foul, fetid and filthy is brewing at temple trees. Is Ishini smitten by the Rajafuckse pheromones?
/
Amarasiri / August 16, 2019
CT,
Para-Showing their Para-Characters and colors.
What is the difference between Ranil, Sirisena, Mahinda etc. ? Not much.
What is common to them?
They all Profess to be Para-Sinhala Para-“Buddhists” as they all prostrate to the Para-Monks .
/
shankar / August 15, 2019
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2
/
Sinhala_Man / August 15, 2019
The tragedy of Sri Lanka is that the majority of our citizens have become so disillusioned with politics that they perceive villainy, without thinking it necessary to understand what is happening because this is all so confusing. Ahimsa Wickrematunga has lived through so much horror that she can’t blind herself to what is so clear.
.
In our own way, I think that many of us stated explicitly during the October 2018 coup that we were against the actions of the by then crazed President Sirisena in totally betraying the will of the 6.2 million who voted for him by appointing the man whom he defeated as Prime Minister. I’m sure that I can fish out many comments that I made saying that we opposed Sirisena’s actions because they were anti-democratic, but that Ranil should not take all that as personal support for him. What about the almost 5.8 million who voted for Mahinda Rajapaksa? They are not treated with any more respect.
.
All are manipulated. The one solution is for us to make full use of the three preferential votes so that the winner cannot claim that he had clear first choice backing. I put some comments on here early hours of this morning:
.
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/gota-mahinda-sajith-ranil-pups-and-foxes/
.
Gobsmacked as I am by this latest story, I only hope that I’m writing coherently. We’re just not going to take more of this lawlessness from the government itself. How to get this message across to the majority – who are working, and can’t find the time to study al this?
/
Extra Cover / August 16, 2019
From what I can read I agree with what has been written
I voted for the bastard Ranil and what a pariah he has turned out to be. He and his butterfly clan should be decimated.
/
Amarasiri / August 16, 2019
Extra Cover,
Please don’t insult the Pariah caste by dragging Ranil into the caste.
Ranil claims to be Givigama.
He is actually a Para-Sinhala Para-“Buddhist”. They all are insults to Buddhism and to the Buddha.
/
Native Vedda / August 16, 2019
Sinhala_Man
–
“All are manipulated.”
-.
Does it mean we all are stupid?
Has our education made us stupid?
What is the connection between education and wisdom?
Why do I find a few “uneducated” wise and interesting?
We live in an era of mass media, each of them have their own little and big agenda some secret and and some overt.
–
Mostly media is striving to manufacture consent.
So common man/woman do not need to think for him/herself. The difficult part of thinking is done for them from the pulpit of Editorial with the help of the spin doctors.
–
Here in this island questioning authorities and party leaders of their utterances and actions is anathema to all. Questioning is part of rationally growing up. Most of the adults shut the children up if they curiously question them.
No matter what the functionaries and political masters say and do no one is allowed to question them.
–
That is our heritage, as we have been witnessing it in this forum albeit at small scale.
/
Amarasiri / August 16, 2019
Native Vedda,
Can you “educate “ a low IQ Para and make him or her wise?
Even the so-called “educated “ Paras are not wise.
Stupidity is a virtue for them.
Philosopher, is a lower of wisdom. Philos -Love and Sophia -wisdom. How many Paras are Philosophers?
/
Sena / August 15, 2019
Let Ishini, Ranil and their family go to hell, instead of ruining UNP party and country. Very soon the people would send them packing stock and barrel. They are real leech and parasites who thrive on the blood and sweat of other people. Up until now, we all are his ardent fans but after seeing and hearing his antics with Gota and the Rajapakshe’s we despise him to the core.
/
Amarasiri / August 16, 2019
Sena,
A new UNP Tag lime?
Ranil Apayata Palayaw’
Ranil Go To Hell!
/
Jayantha deAlwis / August 16, 2019
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2
/
Kumarathasan Rasingam / August 16, 2019
The question is: will the incoming Rajapaksa administration be tied up in adhering to the implementation of the 83-page 2017-signed ACSA and be compelled to accept Washington terms in the SOFA agreement.
/
Kalu Nangi / August 15, 2019
Now it is abundantly clear why no action was taken to expedite the cases against Gota.
Ranil’s reign is over…. that little respect we had for him, is gone after this exposure.
/
Gamage / August 15, 2019
RW is the greatest traitor the country ever had. Because of him the President MS went crazy. After 2015 elections MS was very amicable towards RW. RW treated him like dirt. He thought only the Royal club knows everything. As MS is not a born leader, he didn’t know how to handle the situation, he went wild. That is the truth. He tried to get at RW in an unconstitutional way by trusting MR. Actually MR is better than RW. As everyone knows he is a born rascal, a liar, and a thug, and he does not hide it. He is not a wolf in sheep clothing like RW. RW is a Hyena. Maybe the niece too has the same genetic make up. If not how can she behave like this? But one thing is sure. Sooner or later these creatures in human form will have to face the law of the nature; KARMA. No one can evade that.
/
Sinhala_Man / August 16, 2019
Dear Gamage,
.
I wholeheartedly agree with your observations here. We were not wrong to vote for My3 in 2015. He was much better than most politicians, but he’s turned into a lunatic. Even that fact doesn’t excuse his present globe-trotting alternating with sudden irrational statements that he’s so far got away with.
.
Just imagine allowing people to speculate at this late hour that there will be Provincial Council elections!
.
Yes, My3 is an educated and well-read man – almost exclusively in Sinhala. By the way, this article deserves the attention of more people.
.
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/how-we-came-to-this-pass-iii/
.
It’s wonderfully accurate. I have heard so many balming C.W.W. Kannanangara for the disappearance of English. This writer, Dr. Sachithanandam Sathananthan, has got the details of about what happened to education right, where we, Sinhalese, are often confused. One begins to understand the forces that sabotaged the work that My3 was originally keen to undertake.
/
soma / August 16, 2019
Dear Sinhala man
“We were not wrong to vote for My3 in 2015.”
NO YOU WERE DEFINITELY WRONG, THEN.
If Rajapaksa was such a villain, devil incarnation as portrayed, how can his acolyte is the best man to lead you along the great moral journey towards Yahapalanaya? Of all the crooks in the world you couldn’t find a man who did not raise his hand for the 18th amendment and impeachment of lady Chief Justice? You made use of his traitorous nature, who would betray his master? You seem to entertain this notion that Rajapaksas must be got rid of by hook or crook TOTALLY FORGETTING THAT THERE ARE LARGE NUMBERS WHO SUPPORT HIM AND THIS IS A DEMOCRACY . ( I greatly respect Sarath Fonseka’s statement that let Gotabhaya contest, we will defeat him in Elections.)
You may want to know why I am such an ardent supporter of Rajapaksa. These are the reasons:
https://youtu.be/8-4aDbeSgzA
I only hope that, in fact it is your duty towards the readers here, you will watch this video before you write about Sirisena next.
–
Soma
/
Native Vedda / August 16, 2019
somass
–
“If Rajapaksa was such a villain, devil incarnation as portrayed, how can his acolyte is the best man to lead you along the great moral journey towards Yahapalanaya? “
–
When Mahinda addressed a hustings in Kilinochchi in 2015 said “There is a saying that the Known devil is better than an unknown angel” (outlookindia.com 02 January 2015)
–
The devil himself confessed to the voters. What more do you want?
/
Sinhala_Man / August 16, 2019
Yes, Soma,
.
This video, put together on 13 Dec 2016, using two earlier videos from the 2010 Presidential Election campaign of Mahinda Rajapaksa, does represent things that we have seen before. Comments have been disabled – because such a lot of insults would have followed.
.
I think that you’re right to say that when we voted we were allowing ourselves to overlook certain aspects of Sirisena’s character. Our reasons for voting were different, but yet I think that Ranil undermined whatever determination there may have been on the part of Sirisena to be more honest than he had been when so fulsomely praising Mahinda Rajapaksa.
.
I think, as you have said, that I have to admit that much as soon as confronted with this aspect of Sirisena as well. And so, my reaction is to reject all these politicians and give my First Preference to others. Those others (and I refer in particular to Nagananda Kodituwakku) have yet to present us with their full and coherent plan.
.
I await that – but it is at a different level that I suggested that you study that pretty comprehensive article by Dr. Sachithanandam Sathananthan. He may have a Tamil name, but the facts are correct, and the analysis objective. The Sirisena speeches that you have given us were painful for me to listen to. For now, I confess to being fed up with all these guys. I hope that you will not quote this comment of mine out of context. I cannot support any of these guys by now.
.
I hope that something more inspiring will emerge before the elections, but it is unlikely that I will revise my view of the Rajapaksas. As for most Rajapaksa supporters – they seem to do even less thinking than us. This is the problem with democracy. We need to foster clearer thinking.
.
So thanks for the ticking off.
/
Rajash / August 16, 2019
Gamage : RW is the greatest traitor the country ever had.
please name the traitors from the day Sri Lanka got independence -inc SWRD; Srimao; JR; Premadas; Gamini Dissanyake:Athulathmudali; Premadasa;Chandrika; Mahinda; Ranil: The Sangha; Mahanaykes; bald headed men in yellow robes..
/
Kumarathasan Rasingam / August 16, 2019
The question is: will the incoming Rajapaksa administration be tied up in adhering to the implementation of the 83-page 2017-signed ACSA and be compelled to accept Washington terms in the SOFA agreement.
/
Tamil from the north / August 16, 2019
What’s the big deal in this woman supporting Goat? Ranil himself is a secret supporter of the Goat, so why can’t this wretched woman support this rowdy and goon?
/
JD / August 16, 2019
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2
/
JD / August 16, 2019
Every one is talking bad about Ranil and the UNP. How about arresting the whole UNP because of what they have done so far for the last four years. Ranil and his gang can go to jail for a few life times. Others will get lesser terms.
/
Hela / August 16, 2019
Has CT joined Mangala’s propaganda team?
/
Burt / August 16, 2019
May be RW instructed her to do so. Ranil is happy being PM and doing nothing other than enjoying the perks of the job. So it is not far fetched to think that Gota and Ranil came to a mutual understanding.
After all be has been protecting Gota for the last five years.
/
K.A. Sumanasekera / August 16, 2019
Bambara is trying to sting Ishini now…Wonder why?.
–
After the destruction of our post Nanthikadal peaceful and prosperous Nation, including the destruction of the Catholic Community , I know the great majority have a fair idea why Dr Ranil and his new Muslim and old Tamil political Alliance is on the back foot.
–
After reading a bit about this Ishini, now I can understand why the UNP is trying to issue a Fatwa on her.
She seems to be educated , intelligent and most of all with a bit of patriotism which is very rare attribute among the UNP. Elite, and Anglican Faction..
–
Being the daughter of a Dad who seems to have substantial Media Interests , I am sure Ishini and her Dad want Lankawe to be a peaceful and , prosperous, Nation for their their Children and Grand Children to live and continue looking after his Media and other Business interests …
/
Wera / August 16, 2019
Empty vessels make the loudest din. That is what is going on right now. This person Ishini seems to be an animal lover. But She does not have any empathy towards the victims of human slaughter aka the murders of Lasantha etc. She is not a dim wit so the conclusion is that she sings for her supper. And the man paying for her supper Dillith Jayaweera calls the tunes.
/
Good Sense / August 16, 2019
In a previous comment of mine, I have said how close the Rajapakse’s and Wickramasinghe’s are. Many other and I have to live with the fact that in politics there are no permanent friends or foes. What concerns the average with an intelligence is where is the equal application of the law, even for instances like murder? The murder and other forms of violence committed on journalists and others come to the surface only at “interesting times”. What we want is justice, collect evidence and make a strong case against the perpetrators of these heinous crimes and prosecute, convict and punish the wrong-doers. SAD! Chaps across the political divide are playing foot ball out of destruction and maiming of human lives.
/
SarathP / August 16, 2019
So the cat is out of the bag. Perhaps, the cat was never in the bag! Remember Ranil’s visit to Gota in Singapore, while the latter was hiding from the Sri Lanka judiciary, pretending to be ill?
Ranil is a greater traitor to the UNP than to the country. He has thwarted, sidelined, or eliminated the slightest opposition to his “leadership” within the party, especially from younger members. I read somewhere that 88 prominent UNPers are now with the opposition. The UNP’s constitution, with so much power bestowed on the leader, is not worthy of a party that calls itself democratic.
Give Sajith credit for hanging on, despite all the attacks he has faced. He has much to learn in terms of leadership, but he has tremendous grassroots support, and is perhaps the only UNPer capable of defeating Gota. With the right advisers and a Cabinet, he could become a good leader, too.
/
No hope Lanka .. / August 17, 2019
Why do we the Willing sheep of this bleeding nation even bother who becomes The President ,PM, Government or Oppesition ???
Does it make any difference ? The Constitution stage was set 70 years ago and reset with ammendments after amendments , finally UNP seniors made sure their “illgotten Child” the Excutive Presidency is not completely abolished , they craftly moved the 19th which can be again amended with 18th .
Then the fake fear mongering of fedralization leading to separatism ,India has it, Malaysia has it, to name two Asian nations, it works well .
Well when the country’s provinces has proper administrative demarcated destricts with peoples participation the accountability becomes
obligatory , not many politicians would want that , the only man who had some desire close to such a System was late Premadasa .
As long as the power is not shared with the people in a constitutional system where the people can be apart of each provision’s development , deciding on its rules , its land , ita resoures ,its taxation , no matter who comes to power things will only change on the surface and will go on and on as long as people can bear.
/
PARAGON / August 16, 2019
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2
/
Kugan / August 16, 2019
How can he contest while having serious criminal cases going in the courts.until clear from courts no one can’t contest.if any one have convicted for criminal charges they will be refrain from parliament.
/
The Good Nitizen / August 16, 2019
Awaking to reality
————————
In future powerful Countries will no longer confront eachother directly .
All wars will be faught via Proxies .
This is very effective , keeps their country away from distruction and makes Arms trade the number one lucrative business in the world easier to trade and more profitable and with almost Zero logistics their profit margin will increase greatly.
some of the main players
USA, Britian , Whole of EU, Russia, China , North Korea Israel, Iran, Saudi Arabia , UAE, While Pakistan , India and Sri lanka may be turned to the battle field.
most probably , a massive bloody war may begin in Kashmir and then extend in East of Sri Lanka .
India its confirmed with Modi’s new decision , while Imran a very unenthusiastic leader for War may try hard to keep low as possible the supply US arms to Kashmiri rebels while India may create a local Hindu militia.
The US is hell bent in seeing a US proxy become President in Sri Lanka and will do all they can to block a common peoples leader.
If it happens we will not see any war until 2021 , not until proxies are properly trained and armed.
2020 will decide Sri Lanka’s future.
a seed of terror was planted and now a custodian to nourish and flourish is in the making,
unless some miracle changes the candidate , which is very doubtful with the majority voter sentiment .
Most likely we could be fighting a Proxy war for two very poweful nations testing theirs arms capabilities at the cost of our lives for a very long time ,may be never ending.
/
Soam / August 16, 2019
Sri Lanka to come out of the current political conundrum, should forget the past underdogs and their cohorts. The country must come out of the 17th or 18th centuries mindset and works toward the good of ALL. MS, RW, and the Rajapakse mob lacked vision other than looking after themselves. Out this, MS is absolute clown.
Now, Sri Lankans need to understand fully what these current presidential hopeful stand for. What are their policies and how will they unite the country to make measurable progress. This is going to be tall order. But, there may be Macron, Trudeau or Jacinta waiting in Sri Lanka. The public need to identify and bring them forward. If not the current light weights will have the country divided between India, China and the US. Chums you have lost your independence and will only dance their tune.
/
vajira / August 16, 2019
UNP is fast loosing its image with the leadership of Wickremasinghe who promised to expose corruption and irregularities.As far as corruption is concerned he has done best out of all crooked politicians of this nation with the massive fraud of the Bond scam.Although critical of each other on platforms the SLFP and the UNP have a mutual understanding to cover their sins thus cheating the suffering masses and time is ripe to drive away these evil forces and resurrect the nation from disastor
/
Manoda / August 16, 2019
Ishini is a stupid woman. Ranil should sack her. She is taking Ranil to grave.
/
BP / August 16, 2019
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2
/
Estate Labourer / August 16, 2019
Ishini Wickremesinghe’s endorsement of Gotabaya may get him an additional 100 votes perhaps, which will not matter much. But this issue does raise questions about people who run with the hare and hunt with the hounds. Then CT has made a reference to ‘Eliya – the civil society movement’. How can any movement that promotes the candidacy of an alleged war criminal, murderer and robber of public money for the post of Executive President be described as part of civil society? Next thing we know the Bodu Bala Sena will also claim that it is a civil society movement, haha!
/
Amila / August 16, 2019
Ranil never wanted fonseka to win at 2010 election. When it came to 2015 also he wanted to save his leadership and wanted sirisena to loose as well but people stood with sira n he won. Now ranil wants unp candidate to loose so that he can be the opposition leader n he will be able to keep leadership as well. Unp members should kick this old fart out of unp with its cunning relatives like this woman.
/
The Good Nitizen / August 16, 2019
Its Time to send uncle and niece home..
Nepotism is the lowest and least imaginative form of corruption.
,,,,,,?
A sure way a country can develop is through a true development of the masses. Yes! A sure way to ensure a true freedom of the people is for the people take up their own destiny into their hands and bond their strengths to positively dare with a clear vision and fortitude like the eagle for a great change in wisdom and in peace, devoid of rebellious motive, massacre and nepotism, and with tenacity, direct the thought, policy and inspiration of the few people who rule the masses for the best change ever! Until this is done, the masses shall always cry out of ignorance, not knowing the real power within them and beg at the feet of the few people for how they should live their lives!
Ernest Agyemang Yeboah
/
Elder buffalo / August 16, 2019
Where are these UNP WC (water closet) members and political opportunists like Dinesh Weerakkody, Son in law of famous Viagra John who claimed to be behind the machinations of the ‘Rainbow Revolution’ by publishing books written by others etc as their own work and tried to take the credit for it himself (having being the chairman of two private banks using his political connections despite never having done a proper days work in his life outside the HR department)? Never in their dreams expecting a Rajapaksa return? The fellow was playing badminton with one of the Rajapaksa boys while helping the rainbow revolution it seems – too many fanciful revelations that will land these jokers and others of the same stable in trouble unless they strike up a Ranil/GR deal. Now we see where it is all coming from.
/
Rajash / August 16, 2019
They are all political prostitutes
/