By Harsha Gunasena –
Ratnajeevan Hoole is a member of the National Elections Commission (NEC). His behavior is controversial due to the unprecedented nature of his published writings and interviews given to the newspapers.
Hoole is from Nallur, Jaffna. His father was an Anglican priest and the mother was a lecturer of the Kopay Teacher Training College. His wife is fellow academic, and they have three daughters and one son. His brothers, Rajan and Paul are PhD holders. Rajan was a co-author of Broken Palmyra which equally criticized the atrocities of both LTTE and the state. His brother Noel is the Head of the Technical College, Vaddukoddai. His sister is in New Zealand and he lost two of his brothers.
He graduated from University of Moratuwa with a BSc in electrical engineering. He holds a PhD in electromagnetic field computation from Carnegie Mellon University, USA and a D Sc in computational electromagnetics from the University of London. (N.M.Perera also had a PhD and a DSc) He was working in Singapore, Canada and USA and came back to Sri Lanka in 1999. He was appointed Vice Chancellor of University of Jaffna By President Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2006. However, he could not take up the position due to death threats of the LTTE. He went back to USA and came back in 2010 after the defeat of LTTE. During the 2011 local government elections he documented and reported on violation of election law by government backed EPDP. After EPDP complained about the defamatory report He was summoned to magistrate courts of Kayts and he left the country without going to courts. Later he returned to the country and was appointed a member of NEC in 2015.
The President said that NEC is not independent citing the behaviour of Hoole and many others are of the same view.
Prior to his recent interview to Daily Mirror on 24 April 2020, he has sent a letter to NEC which was published in the newspapers. He claimed that the Chairman of NEC telephoned him and suggested that 28 May 2020 as the date of election to which he has disagreed. He further mentioned in the letter that Indian Journalist P.K. Balachandran has written in an article that the President wanted the election to be held on 28 May and an announcement of NEC is expected.
His problem was that the Chairman was taking decisions all by himself. He gave various examples to that effect and referred to the press conferences of the Chairman as follows. “He gives press conferences where there is no agreement as a commission on what is to be said and we two sit on either side like dummies.”
Hoole also revealed that the Chairman NEC was involved in drafting the gazette dissolving the parliament in October 2018. “Although Mahinda Deshapriya denies it, I am informed by senior staff that the gazette dissolving Parliament in October 2018 was prepared by Director Channa de Silva, the two went together to the Presidential Secretariat up to the gate where de Silva alighted from the car and returned, leaving Deshapriya to proceed alone.”
In October 2018, Hoole as an individual went to the Supreme Court challenging the decision of the President. There are no provisions in the constitution specifically mentioned that the NEC can go to the Supreme Court seeking for clarifications. Since NEC is not an individual it cannot file fundamental rights petition in the Supreme Court.
However, in the case Karunathilaka and another (Varuna Karunathikala and Sunanda Deshapriya) Vs. Dayananda Dissanayake, Commissioner of Elections and another, on 27 January 1999 Justice Mark Fernando with the consent of the other judges including the Chief Justice sated as follows. “Should the 1st respondent have insisted on the poll being held on 28.8.98? While I appreciate the difficult situation in which he was, nevertheless it is necessary to remember that the Constitution assures him independence, so that he may fearlessly insist on due compliance with the law in regard to all aspects of elections – even, if necessary, by instituting appropriate legal proceedings in order to obtain judicial orders. But the material available to this Court indicates that he made no effort to ascertain the legal position, or to have recourse to legal remedies.”
This is a landmark judgement where Justice Fernando redefined the Article 35 of the constitution where the presidential immunity was dealt with. Justice Fernando found fault with the Commissioner for not instituting appropriate legal proceedings in order to obtain judicial orders. Hence it is up to the NEC to find out that way to obtain judicial order when necessary. Hoole without waiting for the action of NEC went alone to the Supreme Court in his capacity as an individual using the only way available to him which was to file a fundamental rights application against the President since NEC in any case cannot implement an illegal order. If so, it is against the Nuremburg Principles although those were defined based on war crimes. More importantly Hoole won the case. Therefore, it cannot be argued that Hoole was not independent as a result of this act.
Justice Mark Fernando once said that he was delighted to deliver judgements in favour of the public interest and against the authoritarian rulers. Hence Hoole in this case was fearlessly independent.
Hoole defended the decision of the NEC to hold the elections after 2 June 2020. “SLMC’s Rauff Hakeem and Nizam Kariapper have declared our decision unconstitutional. Not quite. Yes, Article 70(5) is violated. It is violated not by us but because it is impossible for the new Parliament to meet by 02.06.2020 given COVID-19.”
In an interview to Daily Mirror on 28 November 2019 Hoole candidly expressed his views about the duel citizenship of the presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa (GR). He said that he inquired from the embassy of USA about the dule citizenship of GR and was informed that they could answer only if the NEC asked the question. When he informed this to the NEC, he was told that GR was not yet a candidate.
“I thought citizenship is serious enough to raise on nominations day as an objection from me, but was advised by my two colleagues and lawyer friends that others would object, hence I should keep myself dissociated from such objections to examine those objections when they are filed. I was assured that typed up objections were circulating. However, no objections were raised.”
His intention was to make sure that all candidates were abide by law. There were no objections from the rival candidates. But still he was not happy. He would have been happy only if a proper authority, in this case the embassy of USA informed the NEC that GR was no more a USA citizen.
The question that now arises is: what is the definition of independence of a member of the NEC? Is it only to be independent from the rival candidates and ensure a level playing field? In respect of Judicial independence, “it is extremely important that their judicial authority be exercised in an impartial manner.”
United nations Development Programme in April 2012 in Cairo, Egypt adopted a set of Principles for independent and sustainable electoral management. At the Forum five key principles for electoral management were identified. Those were, independence, impartiality, transparency, professionalism, and sustainability. “Independence refers to an Electoral Management Board having a degree of institutional and organizational autonomy and not receiving or responding to undue pressure; impartiality as being an honest broker, playing a fair game and overseeing the political process; transparency means being (and being perceived as) an honest broker; professionalism implies providing a good and cost-effective service; and sustainability means ensuring the possibility of having efficiently managed elections as periodic events.”
Therefore, although the political parties did not raise any objections it is the duty of the NEC to satisfy themselves whether GR has adhered to the constitution in respect of his citizenship.
We have observed that the Chairman NEC complains that the guidelines issued by them were not followed by the private media institutions. Hoole was of the view that NEC could ask the TRC to withdraw the frequency licence of errant broadcasters. This situation arisen since the 19th amendment went backwards of the provisions in Article 104B. Prior to the 19th amendment the Commission can issue guidelines to any broadcasting or telecasting operator and they have to ensure compliance with those guidelines. After the 19th amendment the NEC can issue guidelines to all and state institutions should ensure compliance of those guidelines which should be approved by the Parliament. Constitution now is silent about the compliance of the private broadcasters and telecasters. This is making mockery of the intentions of the 19th amendment. Hoole’s comment came in this background.
Hoole was very critical of attacking the Muslims who were travelling from Puttalam to Mannar to vote on the presidential election day. He mentioned that his request to have special polling stations in Puttalam for them was turned down although the law allowed it. He said that although the Chairman rightly speaks of the need for national empathy for minorities, there were cruel jokes at the Commission premises about Muslims being cheats who will vote again if allowed to return to Puttalam. We have observed a similar behaviour recently at Derana TV station at an accidentally televised show at the interval of a programme where Muslims were slashed by participant politicians including that of JVP.
However, the information revealed by Hoole did not include confidential information of the NEC. According the Right to Information Act, the information relates to an election conducted by the Commissioner of Elections which is required by the relevant election laws to be kept confidential, should not be revealed to the Public. Also, according to the Act, a request for information shall not be refused where the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the harm that would result from its disclosure.
Therefore, the actions of Hoole improves the transparency of NEC and compels its Chairman and the members to be independent and impartial which would strengthen the confidence of Public of the NEC. Hoole by his very presence, I believe, strengthens the NEC and the hands of its Chairman as well. He is a legend of our times and that is why his actions are controversial..
Buddhist1 / April 30, 2020
Hoole is a honorable person and another kadirgamer of Sri Lanka. Every individual in Sri Lanka should salute him for protecting democracy and rule of law. We need more leaders like him in Politics, not the thugs, rapists, paga kings, drug lords and above all blatant liars.
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Ajith / April 30, 2020
It is absurd to compare Hoole and Kathirkamar. Kathirkamar did not represent Tamil community. He worked against Tamils because of power. At last he was murdered by those who do not want him to be a Prime Minister.
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leelagemalli / May 1, 2020
Buddhist,
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That Wimal Buruwanse and his men make every effort to brand Prof. Hoole as a LTTE ora diaspora supporter. There is a saying in sinhala vernacular There are selfish people in our society that can make Kabara a thalagoya if they deliberately want to mislead someone. – this hell of the country is filled with rascals today. They dont seem to respect the dignity and respect of a human life.
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The very same bitch’s sons painted the picture in favour of the rascals while making decent Mr Wikramasinge be the biggest bond scammer. But truths will come to light sooner or later.
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N. Perera / May 1, 2020
Hoole is an honorable person and Kadirgamer also. LTTE saluted to Kadirgamer. Hoole several times escaped thanks to the Sri Lanka government.
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Sinhala_Man / May 2, 2020
There are many strange things happening, and I don’t think that we should move forward until this mystery is solved.
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Dear N. Perera,
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If the tribute that you seem to be paying to Professor Jeevan Hoole here is sincere, how do you account for the chillingly hate-filled comment in this other place?
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/are-we-an-independent-commission/
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The gravatars are the same. Could it be that two very different persons are logging in to the same section of the same computer? Or has this person carelessly kept another computer into which you had logged in running, without logging out as you should have?
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Repeat the Gravatar is the same!
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leelagemalli / May 2, 2020
Mr Sm,
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I think this Perera should be a retard.
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Going by your information – I checked myslef, that he has praised somewhere else, if not his ORIFICES are not cross implanted in between, him to use the same mouth to come back with the current is beyond my understanding.
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Please take good care of you Mr SM…. there are whole lot of infomation that many in Europe today stand against the LOCKDOWNs.
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Sinhala_Man / May 3, 2020
Dear leelagemalli,
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Thanks for the feedback. I can’t think of much that is original to write about. In this instance, I had happened to remember the earlier comment.
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You’ve been doing heroic things during the last few days. So many effective comments – if only the others are listening.
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The real problems that we have are with these utterly insincere people who insist on saying things which they, themselves, know are not true. This is why I have respect for Champa. We may find ourselves in total disagreement with her point of view, but her stands are honest and transparent.
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Back to the nominations themselves:
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https://ceylontoday.lk/news-more/13083
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See this article which summarises the nominations received in Mach 2020: I was amazed to find that Colombo voters will be confronted with a list of 924 candidates. Sounds like a 20 foot ballot paper! You can get a magnified image if you know how:
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https://ceylontoday.lk/site-api/uploads/media/e64d27ecdb6bb914ff8ac38ec7da7e79fd2cff10.jpg
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And Gota wants this to be the case even if the election is held only two years from now – and that despite his getting in while an American citizen, despite all Ahimsa Wickrematunga’s efforts.
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N. Perera / May 6, 2020
One man’s food is another man’s poison, journalism, and prostitution both are the same. I can say, Journalists and Prostitutes are the same
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Mallaiyuran / April 30, 2020
I think Ratnajeevan work with TNA. I don’t know why you have to compare him with Kathirgamar. Kathirgamar was SLFPyer, was open opposer of TNA. It doesn’t not mean I support TNA. But Ratnajeevan is having courage to stand for what he think correct. That will be admired across the aisles, Sinhalese, Tamils, and Muslims.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / April 30, 2020
You cannot compare prof Hoole with Kadirgamar. Kadirgamar never stood for what was right. Despite his education he told lies to cover up murders of Chemmnai mass graves, Bindunuwewa massacre and Navali church bombing deaths. He tirelessly promoted himself to be a darling of Sinhalese with the sole aim of attaining a bigger position in the country. Sadly fate prevented his ambition, being denied of glory by his own supporters. Prof Hoole on the other hand is not seeking any position or perks by his stand, but only making himself a target of blind supporters of present government. This example will lead to more and more people standing up for justice and sideline crooked elements in the society.
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Mallaiyuran / April 30, 2020
Harsha Gunasena,
You need to bring CT too here because at start when Ratnajeevan wrote essays opposing this faulty election process and faults of election commission, none of the Colombo media was prepared to bring them out. So sent them to CT.
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Simon / April 30, 2020
I think a piece of important information revealed by Hoole is missing here. That was: When the Gazette Notice declaring the election date to be 20 June (decided by the Commission) was submitted for the signature of Hoole, he found the date was mentioned as “20 May”. By that time one other member has signed it. Mr. Hoole, on questioning the member, who has already signed it, said that he did not go through the entire contents. He the other member got very angry, and as per some media reports, he took the paper and tore it into pieces. ( I do not trust this reporting) However, the fact remained that the Gazette Notice, if signed by Hoole without reading the contents in full, the date of the election would have been notified as “20 May”. How did that “Mistake” happen and who was responsible for the “Mistake”. We don’t know. Was it a “Typographical” error OR was it closer to the date, the President wanted i.e “28 May?. Isn’t it, in any case, throw a shadow of doubt on the credibility and professionalism of the NEC?
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Harsha Gunasena / May 1, 2020
No. Your information is not confirmed. What Hoole said was he had gone through the Tamil translation and he found this error.
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Simon / May 1, 2020
Isn’t Tamil language the second Official Language of Sri Lanka? Wasn’t the Tamil Language notice meant to be published in the Gazette after Hoole signed it? If that was signed, definitely it would have gone into the Gazette with a different date. My question was: Why a different date was mentioned in the Tamil Language notice? That should never have happened. That is why there was a “Doubt”. I too didn’t believe the media report of the other member “taring it in anger”. I said so in my comment. Thank you.
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Mallaiyuran / May 1, 2020
Thanks Simon, we too read most of your points and I almost in agreement with your arguments too.
The difficulty in the commission is not that Ratnajeevan is Tamil. I believe they all are at higher level, not at voters’ level to hang on these differences. The all three have to take commission’s decision unanimously, so they have forget about their political opinions inside the commission. The problem is with Mahinda, who publicly work with Royal family. When it is known fact, it is hard for outsiders to go with the commission decisions. Further here Commission should have drafted the original in English by all three members and one member translates to Sinhala and Ratnajeevan translates in Tamils. There is no need for any external translator. But Mahinda seems to drafted with Royal consultation and used a translator and passed to Ratnajeevan to sign. So the memo missed the discussions they had and the date agreed.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / May 1, 2020
According to thirteenth amendment Tamil was made an official language on par with Sinhala with English as a link language. Therefore Tamil is an equal first official language of Sri Lanka as much as Sinhala. Just because even after 33 years of its enactment, successive governments are observing it in the breach, not issuing all official communications in Tamil also, does not mean that Tamil is second to Sinhala. In Singapore there are four equal official languages and all notices in public and all communications are in all four languages. When you step into a Singapore Airlines aircraft at Katunayake airport, you will realize it. When Singapore can strictly adhere to the official language policy, it is rank racism in Sri Lanka which is preventing it to do so. Having wording different in language version is to hoodwink the Tamils. Can you remember how they said Orumitha (united) in Tamil, Ekiya (unitary) in Sinhala and nothing in English. What Chairman tried to do, does not appear to be a genuine mistake but to cheat prof Hoole who cannot understand Sinhala, and will go by Tamil version which states the date correctly, because according to constitution, when there is a conflict between the language versions, it is the Sinhala one that prevails.
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Helios / May 1, 2020
Sorry to see you have no better things to do than promoting a man with a notorious reputation as divisive, anti Buddhist, foreign agent always looking for troubloe.
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One useful thing you have done is tracing his ‘Anglican’ (Henry VIII cult) origins that explains his attempts to carry the mantle for the British Jew invaders of our country.
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Can only say, ‘Down with Hoole’.
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Sinhala_Man / May 2, 2020
Dear Mr Harsha Gunasena,
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I’m so glad that a fellow Sinhalese thought it fit to pay this glowing tribute to Professor Hoole who richly deserves it, with others like the indefatigable “leelagemalli” and others joining in. Also, many regular Tamil readers have joined in.
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I’m sure that Simon also is really puzzled by this, but I don’t think that either of you ought to be overly worried by this apparent contradiction.
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Professor Hoole will himself clarify this soon enough, I feel.
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There is to be a meeting of the Elections Commission tomorrow. What will be on the agenda? It may be that Prof. Hoole is busy preparing for it, and so hasn’t had the time to respond to these observations of ours.
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http://www.adaderana.lk/news/63261/special-meeting-of-election-commission-political-party-reps-tomorrow
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Let me hope that we will hear from Mr Nalin Abeysekera as well. I have met his late parents who lived in Badulla. His father was a much-respected Proctor, as they were then called.
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We have two Districts in our “remote and backward” Uva Province. It looks as though there have been fresh outbreaks in both “Badulla” and “Moneragala”, but we are doing fine. Lots of vegetables and fruit. I wish we could be sharing all that with all you folks elsewhere! I do hope that all’s well with all other readers.
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Sinhala_Man / April 30, 2020
Thank you, Mr Harsha Gunasena for this objective account of Professor Ratnajeevan Hoole who has become a household name in Sri Lanka. Everybody seems to know that there is this champion of our Democratic Rights but for many he still is some vague entity.
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You have begun and ended this tribute by saying he’s controversial. If so, it his because “the “blatant liars” referred to by “Buddhist1” in the only comment currently displayed, are hurt by his truth-telling, but can throw nothing at him, and so they have to invent fiction about cars and accommodation. It is good that you have given readers the facts about this man to whom our country owes so much. Through his uncompromising fidelity to the truth, he has made it possible for all our citizens to know about the scale of manipulation in public life.
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He has never courted popularity by ignoring offences from “friendly forces.” He has always been quite blunt in his exposure of hypocrisy. It is that refusal to ignore what is evident that marks him out as different from most of us. May he be given the strength to continue to be the champion of honesty.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / May 1, 2020
An honest man will never be popular among crooks and a forthright man will never be popular among liars. Should people stand up and speak out against crooks and liars or turn a blind eye and enjoy the perks and privileges.
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Plato / May 1, 2020
Prof: Ratnajeevan Hoole has only one fault; HE IS FORTHRIGHT IN HIS VIEWS AND HAS ALWAYS CALLED A SPADE A SPADE! This fault,if faulty has won him several admirers as well as an equal number of enemies.
For example his description of Arumuga Navalar a Tamil cum Hindu scholar as a Tadpole won him many enemies. The description may have been perfect but……..?
His elder brother Rajan, was a crusader who exposed the LTTE, in his writings and as a result he was forced to go underground for several years, losing so much in life. The price to pay for a Principled stand .
Anyway Ratnajeevan Hoole has told the nation about the not so Independent Election Commission!
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soma / May 1, 2020
It looks like each member is also independent from one another.!
If so what is a ‘commission’?
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Soma
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Harsha Gunasena / May 1, 2020
You are correct. ‘it looks like’. Ultimately commission would be stronger with these diversed views. At the end it will be benificial to us, People.
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Jay / May 1, 2020
I think first of all an independent organisations like NEC should be made independent by necessary legislative regulations, processes and procedures, Those come with forms and checklists. If there is a form that should be completed by the applicant to give citizenship information, Income information with attached declarations and certificates, it will eliminate personal interventions which could be viewed as bias acts. This is why I oppose Dr. Hoole’s behaviour. he may be a genuine good person.I think law should prohibit an independent member of these commissions issue personal interview and personal articles on matters relevant to the commissions activities. This does not prevent a member talks about other personal matters and express views. If any member of such a commission thinks other members of the commission violates lawful regulation, that member should report to the Constitutional Committee from which they are appointed. If the Committee does not act on, he can go to the Courts. That should be the way, not behaving like a pawn of unknown behind the curtain.
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Harsha Gunasena / May 1, 2020
You all are having Tamil nationalist point of view. I have written this article in Sri Lankan point of view. Both Hoole and Kathirgamar are great Sri Lankans. I have not discussed about Kathirgarmer here.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / May 1, 2020
Harsha Gunasena, you cannot label as Tamil nationalist point of view, any constructive criticism about Kadirgamar. When Chandrika came to power, she offered ministry post to Neelan Thiruchelvam as she wanted a prominent Tamil in the cabinet. If he was a crook he would have thrown all his principles to the wind and accepted it. Being a honest person he politely declined and recommended the name of Kadirgamar who is a Tamil. So Kadirgamar would have been a non-entity if not for Neelan. Does telling lies to cover up crime constitute good behaviour of an educated person. While Neelan stood up as an elder statesman, Kadirgamar stooped down as a gutter politician.
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srikrish / May 1, 2020
Prof Ratnerjivan Hoole is a loner and individualistic and not a team player
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / May 1, 2020
It is better to be an honest loner than a crooked team player.
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chiv / May 1, 2020
Each member should be independent not the other way about. Lankans are used to Rajapaksas commissions , hence the confusion. During Rajapaksa time he was having evening tea and snacks with SC judges, especially Eva who updates him with all the gossip. Rusiri, waiting for your independent expert comments ????????
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Lasantha Pethiyagoda / May 1, 2020
It is now common knowledge that Sri Lanka’s value systems have plunged to ever-new lows, with those who dominate the airwaves being scumbags of the highest order. In that background, people like Hoole are a diminishing species with very little respect for their academic or integrity credentials. It is the misfortune of all Sri Lankans that very soon they will lose the most valuable contributions such people could have made to society, while the scum will dominate public opinion and charter the course of its dismally fated future.
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Sinhala_Man / May 2, 2020
Well said, Professor Pethiyagoda,
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While appreciating all that Professor Hoole has said, and recognising his almost unique outlook (his brother Rajan is also great, but quite different from Jeevan), I feel that there may well be other, younger people to fill the void that will result from Professor Hoole and Mr Abeysekera retiring from the Elections Commission.
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I, too, am old. That is just the reason why we must discover new and competent poeple
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rj1952 / May 1, 2020
During the 2006 year period when the now forthright honourable Professor Hoole was wooed by Mahindan Rajapuka and he was doing nothing but dancing to the tunes of this ganankarraya boyfriend of many a frustrated in every aspect loose with no morals women.
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After his performance in 2018 during and after the illegally unseating of a legally elected Prime Minister I sadly had to reverse my opinion about him.
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Now he has developed the courage to stand on his 2 feet and battle against the autocratic draconian decisions taken and being taken by the mad lunatic madly rampaging herds of the 2 legged Rajapuka human beasts.
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Even with this present kallathoni of an illicit brainless racist American citizen of a disgusting disgraceful president, he has had the moral rights, the courage and the strength of a Mr Sando a body built strongman, to fight against the always loyal to the Rajapuk clan Election Commissioner who has been nothing but a total disgusting to this well-respected office where being impartial is the primary requisite of a mandatory requirement.
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Long live Professor Doctor Hoole is all I and very many can hope and wish for.
3 hearty cheers to him & his family. R. j.
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Harsha Gunasena / May 2, 2020
You insult President, PM, Chairman NEC and finally prof Hoole covering behind a psudo name. This is cowardice.
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Sinhala_Man / May 3, 2020
Dear Mr Harsha Gunasena,
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I’m a bit surprised at that outburst! Most people on this site operate with pseudonyms – some of them may be so vulnerable that they are forced to.
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What I find more disturbing is the inconsistency of a person like the N. Perera, whom I have blasted above. It may not be his name at all.
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And me? I selected my generic pseudonym so as to indicate that our views needn’t be stereotyped. Message to both the Sinhalese and the Tamils. Many regular readers also know that I frequently display my name and my NIC number.
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And photograph. I have written a few articles as well; as here:
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https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/challenging-three-cheating-thomian-pharisees-and-not-doing-it-from-behind/
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Think of who ought to have responded to me, and didn’t. You will realise that there are few brave people in our country. Sri Lankans seem to be worse than others. Time and time again, teachers, too, have been unwilling to openly support me. No, not even one – as you will see from how the cowardly, faceless Board hid under “collective responsibility”.
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And those are people who are securely in place.
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Panini Edirisinhe (NIC 483111 444V) aka Sinhala_Man
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Harsha Gunasena / May 6, 2020
Thank you very much. I really appreciate your comment but the NIC no. is not necessary!!
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / May 3, 2020
He is Rohan Johnpillai probably born in 1952 hence uses the pseudonym rj1952.
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Sinhala_Man / May 3, 2020
Dear Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam,
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Thanks for making that explicit. So, Rohan Johnpillai appears to have very open about his identity – although certainty will come only he states it himself, with the same gravatar and the rj1952 user name that he would by now have registered.
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Even then, there’ll be people who come up with far-fetched theories to question identity. The epistemological question may even arise as to “Who am I?”. We’d better see what David Hume has to say about it. The end result is that Gota pardons Sunil Ratnayake saying that it has not been “proved” that he slit that poor boy’s throat.
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http://www.informationphilosopher.com/knowledge/coherence.html
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and
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IN7PUy8ZrQE
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Listen to that last Youtube; a good man, but you will understand why most people give up on Philosophy! I still don’t know the actual name of the Plato below, but he always comes up with sharp observations.
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Let all this not detract from the gratitude that we must express to Mr Harsha Gunasena for writing this article. It is a tribute that was very necessary to Jeevan Hoole, ultimately a simple human being who is trying to do what is right.
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Plato / May 3, 2020
Sinhala Man.
The Board @ STC may have thought that there is collective security in the same way that Sheep thought on their way to the Butcher!
Prof: Ratnajeevan Hoole, of-course does not believe in collective responsibility; Quite rightly too!
That concept is only for the Birds and the Bees, and the Cabinet of Ministers!
Actually, I knew Nalin Abeysekera, the other E.C member @ College[ Boarding ].Much Senior. A BAR-AT-LAW, he retired as the Legal Draughtsman. A soft guy even now!
With these days of Lock-Down, Chairman of The Board must be having bags of time[ what a hackneyed phrase! ].
Time to read Oscar Wilde- The Importance of being Earnest!
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Paramanathan / May 3, 2020
Professor Ratnajeevan Hoole is a renowned scientist and Sri Lanka should be proud to have him back in the land. Unfortunately the government by appointing professionals and academics to responsible positions expects them to behave like ‘YES MEN’ which is uncultured and unprofessional. Prof Hoole is honest and transparent in his work and very neutral and unbiased in his conduct, he can’t be conditioned or constrained by appointing him to a responsible position. So called minions and the hooligans from the government resorted to the lowest level to brand Prof Hoole as LTTE sympathizer. Prof Hoole cannot be compared with Late Laxman Kadirgamar as both of them are of different calibre. Crux of the matter here is government is not in comfortable position to appoint an honest, transparent academic and a scientist in a responsible position. Shameful affair that there isn’t a place for such high calibred person in this country. Cos’ ours is banana republic.
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