Nepotism a la the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe combine continues to flourish and expand with the latest example being the brother-in-law of Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake being appointed as Chairman, Development Lotteries Board, an institution that comes under the direct supervision of Karunanayake.
Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake
This is not a first for Karunanayake however. He shows a penchant for appointing brothers-in-law to top government positions. Earlier he appointed brother-in-law Bangsa Jayah, a former Police Sergeant as the Managing Director of Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation (SLIC). By way of giving credence to this gross abuse of position, Karunanayake said that SLIC, under Jayah, had shown significant growth in revenue since January 2015.
Turning accepted management wisdom on its head, Karunanayake told Lanka Business Online, “it’s better to appoint a go getter rather than an inefficient professional” before trotting out the aforesaid growth numbers.
Subsequently however Karunanayake’s attempt to appoint another brother-in-law and school mate at Royal College, Gihan Malalasekara, to the post of Sales Manager Sri Lankan Airlines (UK), hit a road block.
Colombo Telegraph earlier exposed the crafty maneuvers to slot Malalasekera into this lucrative role within the national carrier Sri Lankan Airlines in UK.
Malasekara’s wife Rosie tried to resurrect her hubby’s chances by posting in social media a virtual character certificate of the would-be Sales Manager which included emotional salutations of his virtues as a husband, father, sportsman and human being. She drew more flak than sympathy from other Colombo Telegraph commentators.
Undeterred by all this, Karunanayake appointed Romesh Jayawardena, the ‘step brother’ of his wife Melarine, as Chairman, Development Lotteries Board.
Romesh Jayawardena’s father Mana Jayawardena, it is reliably learnt, was married to the Finance Minister Karunanayake’s wife Melarine’s mother even as he was courting her.
Meanwhile the new DLB Chairman Romesh Jayawardena, who also has no previous experience in managing top posts of this nature, just like Bangsa Jayah, is known to have owned a garage repairing automobiles down Sri Saranankara Road Dehiwela in Sri Lanka. This was prior to migrating to Canada.
One of our whistleblowers told Colombo Telegraph “hooray, hooray the Minister Finance Ravi Karunanayake’s BILS are everywhere!”
Barathan / December 19, 2015
Time and again Ravi K has disqualified himself to hold public office. In a country of any decency or rectitude he will be ostracized and cast aside.
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sarath / December 19, 2015
Last time this idiot spoiled UNP with CWE. This time his Budget has made a record in the History by bringing forward the worst budget where all the sections in Govt/Private are leading for strike actions. In spite of all he is best known as Nepotism next to Arjuna.
MY3 & RW should sack him immediately.
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Raj / December 23, 2015
dont use harsh words or show anger, just come to the point,
yes old regime did have bad people every where so do you think this Gov can trust them and can work with the old cheats,
We need new people and good qualified people in for responsible position,
if ravi k have good people in his contact they will be given a chance,
will give this gov time to fix the 10 year old mistake and mess, pls stop the blame game for few months.
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Amarasiri / December 19, 2015
Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake
Do you have any more sisters left.
I have an excellent buddy of mine, and I would like him to get married to one of your available sisters. The chap is smart, healthy and very articulate. He won’t put you into trouble like the present brother in Law.
No Dowry needed. Just favors what you have been bestowing your current bozo BIL.
Any thoughts?
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maalumiris / December 20, 2015
LOL!
First favour. Please stop posting on Colombo Telegraph!!
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Amarasiri / December 20, 2015
maalumiris
“LOL! First favour. Please stop posting on Colombo Telegraph!! “
Are you one of his brother in Laws?
Why are you jealous?
This is just a Proposal from an excellent buddy of mine who wants to get into the gravy train.
What about Marriage Brokers? Stock Brokers? Real Estate Brokers. Why can’t Amarasiri be a Booker as well. They all provide a service. Amarasiri may or may not take a commission. Even a Laptop!
By the way, do you know that the Earth Spins on its axis and goes around the Sun. Still may people, including those who read CT, do not know that.
1 in 4 Americans Don’t Know Earth Orbits the Sun.
http://news.discovery.com/space/astronomy/1-in-4-americans-dont-know-earth-orbits-the-sun-yes-really-140214.htm
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maalumiris / December 23, 2015
Amarasiri,
I AM a little envious because you have someone to get onto the Gravy Train and I don’t. I pray your suit will be successful because then even a few drops of gravy may fall into your lap as well !
Definitely I don’t begrudge any good fortune that you may have !
Maybe I can adopt one of the Karunanayake’s and join the party that way !
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carlos / December 21, 2015
So what is Ranil W and Maithri S waiting for, enough is enough
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bo / December 19, 2015
Karunanayaka manipulates top Sri Lankan appointments as if he is ruling a kingdom of an incestuous family. Well we know what we get out of such marriages. Lining up their own bl***y pockets while the going is good; it is mo different to what Rajpakshas were doing; we have just exchanged the ariyas-inhala suit to a crappy pair of long pants. It sucks. Yeah, y bleed dry Sri Lanka and its tax payers, you leeches.
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thrishu / December 20, 2015
Some lunatic politico (Nimal Siripaala, I think) said before the Jan 8 election, we would be better-off keeping the known rogue than the unknown rogue. This rogue is proving that the politico was absolutely correct!
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Mallaiyuran / December 19, 2015
These thief keep advertising to the International Communities that they they are singing all the papers on the floor of the UN but keeping the Royal Government within themselves to practice anti-pluralism, anti-democratic, anti- secular and anti-corrupt practices.
Many opposed this thief coming to sit on Finance Ministry Chair. Who listen to that all? His personal corruption charges are not yet cleared. It is like a cat guarding the milk. Like in the Old Royal Government Hakeem was on the Justice ministry when he was accused of murders. If the New Royals are not there, then the Old Royals will come. So [Edited out]Modayas have to accept this known hell instead of unknown heaven.
But they have to conduct a referendum like the Scottish one and let the Tamils go free.
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Babylonian / December 19, 2015
This is a (not so?) shocking disregard for ‘good governance’, not to mention the promises made by the Yahapalanayas when they were courting us voters!
It is also a reflection of the integrity (now a extinct species) of our politicians, President and PM.
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Jagath Fernando / December 19, 2015
There is no difference between MARA and yahapalanaya.
Relatives and friends and catchers of politicians will benefit. Ranil is proposing to increase the staff allocated to MPs to 18 and hence all MPs have the opportunity to employ all siblings and relatives and also give them a pension after 5 years. May be even a car permit as well.
Idiotic govt officials cannot realize that when they get in to trouble there will be no politicians to help them. A good example is when chairman and DG of SEC are taken into custody the politicians and mega businessmen who benefited by manupulating stock exchange transactions are roaming around freely!!! Imagine a day where the big boys and chairmen of the crooked listed companies are all at Welikada!!! Unfortunately it will not happen.
Every MP is guilty of nepotism and that is the bottom line.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / December 19, 2015
Nepotism, bribery and corruption are bad habits like thumb sucking in infants continuing into childhood and deforming their teeth! To stop this old grandma’s used give a soother to the infant to suck first and if the thumb sucking continues into the stage where the teeth start erupting, soak the thumb in bitter caster oil. Failing which a bandage is put on the thumb.
Our politicians have to given a big dose of something much more bitter to stop the bad habits they wallow in. Jailing them will not help, as they manage to get best comforts in our prisons. Public disgrace will also not work with them, as they are thick skinned.
Can CT readers come with ideas for alternate punishments?
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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Options / December 19, 2015
Dr. Narendran – ” Can CT readers come with ideas for alternate punishments?”
Tar and Feathers? Public Flogging prior to jailing and Hard Labor? Confiscation of Assets that were not in possession prior to appointment and not declared?
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / December 19, 2015
Yes it takes two to tango! There is a demand and the supply is ever ready to make use of the oppirtunity.
Dr,RN
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / December 20, 2015
Sinhala Buddhist,
The above comment is in response to your’s below.
Dr.RN
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K.A Sumanasekera / December 19, 2015
Rajapaksa eliminated the 30 year old Tamil Terrorist Outfit ,the Tigers.
But they couldn’t do anything about the 3 Million Dollars which Galleon Raja sent to the Tigers through his mate Gallion Ravi.
That is how smart our Finance minister is.
For bad timing , uncle Sam stopped paying interest on Green Backs.
Otherwise Galeon Raja would have collected at least double the capital, which Galleon took for safe keeping.
Of course Galleomn would have charged the normal service fees plus a percentage of the Capital gains. All in green Backs.
Even if Jaya is as half smart as the Bill, he would have done a good job at the Yahapalana Insurance Corporation.
Because all Yahapalana supporters with the dosh would have flocked to get Jaya to look after their net wealth, which includes life savings, commissions, dividends and inheritances.
Plus they must be paying hefty premiums for life cover, medical insurance and even trauma cover.
Development lotteries Board will be in even better safe hands too, if CT’s description of the new Chairman’s Family back ground is correct.
I mean young Rumesh is a Motor Mechanic who are known for changing parts even when nothing wrong with them.
And he will definitely bring new competences to run the Lotteries.
There is lot of Dosh to be made when giving contracts to print tickets, automation and so on.
But what pisses me off is that it is the poor Dalits who buy these Lottery tickets hoping for the big Jackpot..
And my main concern is, whether Romesh get advice from the BIL ( Step) and keep a cut from the tote also, before allocating the prizes…
Yahapalanaya is soooo Cool ..Isn’t it?..
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Time Exposure / December 19, 2015
KASumanalpala – Still sucking up to the Rajapakses are you? Didn’t it “piss you off” when your idols were screwing the Dalits and everyone else and fattening up their bank accounts scattered all over the globe with their ill-gotten filthy lucre??
I guess your payment also covers the post-reign of the criminals!
The current mob are no shining examples, but they have miles to go before they get even close to those anal apertures your head is so comfortably ensconced in, so spare us your smelly crap!
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Native Vedda / December 19, 2015
KASmalam K.A Sumanasekera
“Rajapaksa eliminated the 30 year old Tamil Terrorist Outfit ,the Tigers.”
Nopes, for the umpteenth time it was your brethren VP who eliminated Tamil Terrorist outfit with immense support from Hindians. You ought to be grateful to VP. I know you are.
Have you updated Mahawamsa with another of this recent myth?
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Johnny Eelam / December 19, 2015
Native Vedda Coast Vedda
“Nopes, for the umpteenth time it was your brethren VP who eliminated Tamil Terrorist outfit with immense support from Hindians. You ought to be grateful to VP.”
If your brethren VP wanted to eliminate the Tamil Terrorist outfit, he could have bitten the cyanide capsule that was dangling 3 inches from his mouth.
Why should he need the Hindians help?
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Native Vedda / December 20, 2015
Johnny Eelam
“Why should he need the Hindians help?”
What sort of stupid person are you?
Didn’t you know Hindians created LTTE from the scratch?
“If your brethren VP wanted to eliminate the Tamil Terrorist outfit, he could have bitten the cyanide capsule that was dangling 3 inches from his mouth.”
Since you have amply demonstrated your stupidity, I will try and clarify his position on his dangling cyanide vial.
Did he tell you that the vial contained cyanide or any other poisonous liquid? Did you ever allow you to taste it and confirm your stupidity?
Where did you get the idea he was indeed carrying what you believed to be cyanide?
Seeing things, hearing voices and unusual beliefs are symptoms of people experiencing psychosis.
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KA Sumanasekera / December 20, 2015
Dear Native,
Why so much venom still in your brain?.
Your fellow Vellala , Wiggy from Cinnamon gardens , has a portrait of Piraha[aran in his heart, if not behind his desk, according to my Elders.
You are right . The Capsule must have had ” Ice” and topped up daily to make them relax while doing nothing.,
And the dose was increased when they were about to be launched, because overdosed Ice addicts are lethal even without their Suicide Jackets.
There is no record of any Cyanide poisoning even among the 500 Top Commanders who perished in Puddithikuruppu.
Now you must relax and enjoy Yahapalananaya and celebrate the coming year watching our brave Soldiers being dragged in front of Diaspora nominated and Bedouin Prince appointed White Judges,
And our Commanders getting stripped of their uniforms and going home with just the singlets on their back.
That is after serving time in Bogamabara under UN guards, because our local guards wouldn’t harm them even Batalanada send instructions to that effect.
Your buddy and our Field Marshall has forgiven the Suicide Bomber who took out FM’s trachea and half the lung.
How cool.
Take a leaf from his book and have mercy on us,Not me and Johnny but our Dalits who are getting screwed by Batalanada Ranil, Galleon Ravi and even Singapore Mahendra.
Did you watch his Press Briefing before welcoming the first Yahapalana New Year.
He was having a field day with the lame questions from our so called Financial Journos representing the Colombo Elite.
The Singaporean appeared to be cocky in telling the Press Scrum that 5 plus something GDP Growth is fantastic going, implying that it was all the hard work of your mate’s mate Galleon Ravi.
( May be one of our Economics experts here can tell me how 5 % is better than the average 8 % plus for the 5 years since Nanthikadal )
The Singaporean even praised Galleon, and said he is such an inspiration for him to give us Yahapalanaya.
May God Bless them both…
Wonder when the next lot of our Yahapalana bonds are coming out..
I got a few USDs in HSB of course.
Let me know if you have any contacts in Perpetual . I will be delighted to invest some even at 12.95 % which young Aloysious managed to get from the first lot.
I will buy you a bottle of 17 year old Balvanie if you can help.
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Native Vedda / December 20, 2015
KASmalam KA Sumanasekera
Could you type in Tamil, Sinhala or English.
Sorry I am Esperanto illiterate.
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Native Vedda / December 20, 2015
KASmaalam KA Sumanasekera
“Take a leaf from his book and have mercy on us,Not me and Johnny but our Dalits who are getting screwed by Batalanada Ranil, Galleon Ravi and even Singapore Mahendra.”
However you enjoyed when MR and his clan screwed you from left, to right, centre, top and bottom. You didn’t even feel whether he is coming or going. You are gifted, I must say.
“I will buy you a bottle of 17 year old Balvanie if you can help.”
I am a teetotaler and am not for sale.
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KA Sumanasekera / December 20, 2015
Dear Native ,
So you are a TT, a Vegan I suppose and worship in Nalloor when you visit the homeland.
There is no point in wishing you Merry X Mas .
Any way greetings of the Season.. and happy Yahapalanam New Year.
BTW Did that Dalit UNP MP Suresh kill himself in Parliament?.
We should nominate this dude as the MP of the Year for getting that 2 Dollar increase for our Estates Girls, who now even produce slimming Green Tea for the Colombo Elite.
And they are at least well above their fellow citizens in your ancestral land, who are still on a Dollar a day.
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Native Vedda / December 20, 2015
KASmalam K.A Sumanasekera
“Why so much venom still in your brain?.”
I know you are a secret admirer of VP.
Is it because karava.org celebrates him as “Karava Revolutionary Velupillai Prabhakaran the founder leader of the LTTE”?
You have lots of affection for him. Is it because he won the war and two elections for MR?
Why didn’t you save him from Gota’s arrogance of power?
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Johnny Eelam / December 20, 2015
Native Vedda Coast Vedda
“Didn’t you know Hindians created LTTE from the scratch?”
You mean the LTTE was created, trained, armed and funded by India!
Please confirm; you are a teetotaller, you don’t smoke any funny brown stuff either and you just had a Road to Damascus Moment.
What’s next?
IPKF killed thousands?
There are 4000 documented rapes by the IPKF?
The IPKF attacked the Jaffna hospital where, without any hesitation, they killed doctors, nurses, hospital workers and patients?
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KA Sumanasekera / December 20, 2015
Dear Native,
Now I know why the Bedouin Prince was told to set the starting date as 2006, for the White Judges of the Hybrid Court to find War Crimes?.
Jaffna Hospital was the second largest that time , according to my Elders.
May be it was a miscalculation of the coordinates, just like that demolition of the Dalit Hospital in Afganistan last month….
Thanks Johnny .. Merry X mas..
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maalumiris / December 24, 2015
@KA Sumanasekera
Now, Now you must not take the happenings in Afghanistan and Syria and Iraq and push them in a Native’s Face !!
Apparently only Russian bombs are hitting civilians while American and Western Bombs are very discerning, even taking the trouble to go up to the person and inquiring as to their age, gender and occupation before blowing up
As for growth, 5% is definitely better that 8% – because we are doing maths in the Yahapalanaya way nowadays !
By the way, good find on the Bedou Prince’s decision for 2006 !
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sinhalese buddhist / December 19, 2015
Dr.NR
Our politicians will end corruption and nepotism only when WE do. Our over-affinity to the “extended family” and “race” over our respect for merit and authenticity is what continues to nurture this malice.
We each has to stand up and say “I am not an extension of my family, religion or race, but an individual who needs to stand on his own two feet”.
Our parents should not pick up the phone to call relatives in high places to find us jobs, bribe clerks to get our files moved to the top, bribe the porter to get to the front of the air port counter, etc. etc. Then and only then will we start to transform our society and cleanse ourselves.
A good dose of the most bitter kasaya is in store for ALL of us, in this inter-connected world of outsourcing to the most capable and cheapest labour.
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upul / December 19, 2015
Is the assets declaration by the cabinet of ministers available for public disbursement?
If not, why? Aren’t these crooks working for us, the public?
In college Ravi could not afford luxuries and today his assets can make your head spin!
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Senthil / December 19, 2015
Still west think and it is true that we are good for labour work but useless to lead/manage. We never plan anything before starting something, just start to do things and allow it to go on it,s way, not the way we wanted – India & Modias handled Tamils issue very badly and there is no hope that they will handle well in the future – it is British who gave the garland in monkey’s hand, instead they could have kept the beautiful country with them. Occasionally God send good person to earth to regulate evil power, one of them is our great leader.
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R.K / December 19, 2015
On reading your article about Hon.Ravi K its disgusting. It seems this YAHAPAALANAYA government is no better than previous RAJAPAKSES regime.
UNP did not perform well in last general elections, they dint even gat a simple majority to form a UNP government. Now the UNP popularity is wilting. It looks Hon.P M is helpless we expect lot from him.
Either UNP SLFP MAHINDA GROUP all look the same no change of attitude towards the voters or poor man Some good and right thinking persons should emerge in the best interest of the country as a whole.
Its time that all think that we are all Sri Lankans. Not Sinhalese Tamils Muslims etc., Because politicians live on this ethnic divide. Let us live in prosperous Sri Lanka. OH God Help our Country.
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anthony / December 19, 2015
Well done Ravi. You are a blessing for us to come power back again quicker than expected.
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Kanna / December 19, 2015
Wow even after admin comment policy,.
So many anger and un acceptable words and language
used,.
Preplanned article and same team comment?
Give sum time to new Gov to solve the issues,.
We the people created this mess in past 10years
Breeding a network of selfish cheating businesses,
media and officials,.
So need new people to bring change. Dont play blame
Game now with ulterior motive to attack FM & PM.
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Douglas / December 19, 2015
Sarath: You proposed in your comment: “MY3 &RW should sack him immediately”. Whom you would ask MY3 & RW to be sacked for all such appointments (inappropriate,unqualified and incompetent) both have done so far?. I believe the answer is: PEOPLE. It is encouraging that a section of that factor – the “PEOPLE” showed their strength to some extent during the last couple of weeks on the Budget of 2016. Now the PEOPLE must “demand” answers for these types of “Highhandedness” viz. the appointments to High Positions of “Peoples’ Institutions” from the newly set up “Independent Commission” – the Public Services Commission. That is the next “Awareness” programme that must arise.
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Leon / December 19, 2015
Nepotism wagon is running at full throttle. Arjuna Ravi and all other rogue
politicians are in the wagon driven by crooked President & Prime minister.
Earlier you kick these two rogue leaders,it is better for the country.
Sirisena is so guilty,that he is always reminding that he is going to fulfil
all his promises. Its a beggers belief.
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ELDORADO / December 19, 2015
Ravi K is a pain in the butt. He is single handedly bringing the ‘yahapalanaya’ Govt down to its knees. In addition to his nepotism as above, he has made one big bloody mess of the Budget. Ranil must remove him poste haste before he does further damage to the Govt. He is a dead loss !
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ELDORADO / December 19, 2015
Ravi K is a pain in the butt. He is single handedly bringing the ‘yahapalanaya’ Govt down to its knees. In addition to his nepotism as above, he has made one big bloody mess of the Budget. Ranil must remove him poste haste before he does further damage to the Govt. He is a dead loss ! The people have had enough of his bullshitting.
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roger / December 20, 2015
This was started by Sirisena himself by appointing his brother to Telecom. Now he cannot do anything. Even PM was justifying this act in the parliament the other day saying (something about the expenses of MPs and Ministers are so high sothat they have to resort to other ways of increasing the income) so did Arjuna said that brother is dependable. Do not forget that is the very reason why MR used his siblings. Don’t be surprised if this governments amd even the PM justify corruption in time to come.
all this is a power game. RK is a liability, hope RW will realize this sooner than later if hasn’t as yet.
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Cloudy Skies / December 20, 2015
A little bird told me that Ravi K’s BIL Gihan Malalasekara who desperately is trying to get the job as Manager Sales UK Sri Lankan Airlines, arrived from London yesterday. Wonder what is brewing now with his appointment, since much pressure has been exerted and all manipulations have been exposed. This is a sick and dirty game the politicians keep playing.
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shankar / December 20, 2015
ravi,ravi on the ball,who is the best brother-in-law of all.
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KA Sumanasekera / December 20, 2015
Has Ravi K got Dogs….I mean good ones , not just mongrel pups…
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gamini / December 23, 2015
Sumanasekara,
I do not think Ravi K is interested in getting his dogs covered by you.
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laksiri / December 21, 2015
all sri lanka politian are mentally sick animal. they will forget soon upon come go power what they promised to people and how they got power.how police surgent can manage largest insurance institue of the country. look like this man also like former leaders and realy sucker.
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Henry / December 21, 2015
Dear voters in future PLEASE cast your votes for [Edited out] ones to avoid Nepotism
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musthafa / December 21, 2015
Ravi Has Big Head But No BRAIN !
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carlos / December 21, 2015
Still trying to figure out what hold has Ravi K on the PM and Prez, any suggestions???
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Ram / December 22, 2015
Some of us seem to have missed out on this new development in Sri Lanka, where the dowry is paid out in several stages.
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gamini / December 23, 2015
Granted Ravi K has appointed a couple of his In-Laws to positions under his Ministry. See the barrage of attacks on him. I believe it is justifiable if CT or any other can post of any misdemeanor committed by them. Currently it is only a storm in a tea cup of the appointments, whereas under MR when such appointees robbed wholesale, leave alone nepotism, these critics were silent. Therefore let us first get going and highlight if there is fraud.
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Backlash / December 25, 2015
[Edited out]
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