28 March, 2024

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Release Draft Counter-Terror Act: RTI Commission Orders Prime Minister’s Office

The Office of the Prime Minister has been directed by the Right To Information Commission to produce the latest draft of the proposed Counter-Terror Act (CTA) following a request made by a regional activist group, the Mannar Womens’ Development Federation in an appeal filed under the RTI Act.

PM Wickremesinghe

This direction was made during an appeal hearing by the Commission last week at which the State was represented by the Attorney General and senior officers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister’s Office. The Colombo Telegraph learns that state authorities had been reminded by the Commission of their primary duty to ensure that people are not kept in the dark about what laws are proposed and that the Government’s own commitments to the Open Government Programme required that draft laws be publicly released and discussed prior to tabling in Parliament.

Earlier, the Office of the Prime Minister released the draft of the Reparations Bill in the same appeal filed by the activists asking for copies of proposals and/ or draft legislation and/ or concept notes and/ or documentation relevant to the commitments made by the Government of Sri Lanka on transitional justice mechanisms under the RTI Act. 

The Commission had stated that the RTI Act specifically includes ‘draft legislation’ in the definition of what information can be asked for in Section 43 of the Act and that the Government was particularly bound to respond to RTI requests of that nature.

This week, the Cabinet approved a draft Counter-Terror law but the public remained unaware of its contents. Newspaper reports have stated that Higher Education Minister Wijayadasa Rajapakshe had objected to its contents and insisted that confessions made to police officers by alleged suspects is retained as a basis to convict the suspects. 

Numerous reports by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka and international fact finding missions have disclosed that a great number of these confessions are obtained through torture and that the present practice of requiring the suspect to prove that torture had taken place was not practical. Though the struggle to reform the proposed CTA so that torture is not encouraged was successful in that the draft presented to Cabinet had omitted that clause, the Colombo Telegraph understands that an influential coterie of Ministers backed by President Maithripala Sirisena are not in favour of that move.           

     

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Latest comments

  • 20
    1

    This at least is no mean achievement: having an RTI Commission that can question even the Prime Minister.
    .
    Correct: we, the people, should never be kept in the dark. You may be right in feeling that it’s President My3’s faction of Yahapalanaya that wants things hushed up. That doesn’t matter. We have to be told; we (that means, collectively, quite obviously) have to be in control.

    • 16
      1

      Rome wasn’t built in a day ……… the country is evolving ……… in the right direction.

      Hope this keeps up ….. and the pols and the citizens come to respect the process

      A fat hope, uh?

    • 2
      13

      “… international fact finding missions have disclosed that a great number of these confessions are obtained through torture…….” THIS IS NOT TRUE.
      Many of Prabhakaran’s trusted cadre surrendered to security forces and confessed about the crimes they carried out, of their own personal will.
      There was ABSOLUTELY NO REASON to use torture when they willingly came to security forces and related their stories.
      Out of them only hard core terrorists were jailed while the others were either released or rehabilitated before releasing.
      There were many social programmes to facilitate their smooth absorption to the law abiding society.
      If torture was in place in camps, there was no reason for the government to carry out rehabilitation programmes including vocational training for surrendered LTTE cadre.

      • 11
        9

        Chimpa, you are nothing but a racist fu*kup loser who is from the Panadura brothel. You don’t even have an ounce of intelligence. You are so racist, you can’t even tell the difference between night and day…………that’s how dumb and racist you are. Your fu&king war heroes were too busy raping women they had to fight for 33 years without any success. Finally the filthy Indians, Chinese and Americans had to battle the LTTE together to win. Confession obtained under duress is not even admissible in the court of law let alone the fantastic judicial system we have in Lanka. Idiot bi*ch, go and f*ck yourself. What do you think your f’in war heroes hugged and welcomed the surrendered LTTE cadres? Most were murdered in cold blood. The same brave heroes murdered 85,000 JVP suspects in 1988 and most were innocent peasants. So go and f’off

        • 5
          5

          Tamil from the north,
          Truth is a bitter pill to swallow. Accepting the truth is not a problem for ordinary Demalu but it is a problem for elite Demala politicians, Tamil Diaspora and to few hard core LTTE cadres. Eventually truth will prevail!

          • 6
            4

            Eagle Eye, I stated the truth and is it hurting you? Sinhalese and Tamils are from the same mother, not from 2 different mothers. When we stop looking at each other like this, we will move forward as one nation. Racists among the Sinhalese will keep the separate state fire burning within the Tamils. So keep this up and see this beautiful nation of ours will disintegrate.

            • 1
              5

              Tamil from the north
              Hooooooooooo. “..racist among the Sinhalese will keep the separate state fire burning ………”
              Name one Sinhalese who wants a separate state?

              • 0
                4

                Chimpa you are a dumb arsehole. Read my comment properly idiot!

        • 4
          2

          T from N
          Indians provided logistical and personnel support. It had banned the LTTE.
          The US provided intelligence and logistical support. It too had banned the LTTE.
          But both were trusted by many Tamil nationalists, whom the two powers cynically used to advance hegemonic interests in South Asia.
          *
          China is yet another capitalist power, and it is true that China like several other countries including members of the EU, Pakistan, and Russia supplied weapons at state-to-state level. But did not meddle in the internal affairs. But there was nothing for the Chinese to gain from the victory or defeat of the LTTE.
          Thus, can China be shortlisted with the US and India in this matter, leaving out candidates with stronger credentials?
          *
          The attitude of Tamil nationalists towards socialist and once-socialist countries has been so negative for decades so that they had no leverage with any of them.

          • 1
            3

            SJ
            Tamil nationalists – my foot! Name one.

            • 2
              1

              Champawathi,

              Thanks for you question to SJ. SJ has been dying to whitewash the Muslim- Sinhala Buddhist government from the time his attraction started on Sirimavo. You out rightly discounted him. Usually, when he hit on something, he runs without turning back. That is what he did here too.
              While you and Steve are dying here to save the Chitanta and Yahapalanaya governments, the left out 15 has told they know Rapist Army shooting surrendered Tamil Rebels. S. B. Dissanayake was so precise in quoting the time, has told that Ramesh called him just 10 minutes before he surrendered and was shot. You should read the Colombo Media and response to that news too. Dilan said a South African like TRO would have enabled Rapist Army honestly confesses and NGO conduct the inquired would have been able to pardon. But the dirty game player who came to power by Tamils support, New King, said he is going to tell at UNHRC Rapist Army is not guilty. We warned IC that locking TNA in Yahapalanaya so tight to save UNP will be cutting the golden egg goose. But adamant Ex Secretary John Kerry cut the Golden goose to saved UNP and now forever, they have dismantled TNA and have sent Sampanthar home. Now West is at mercy of the UNP –SLFP’s double games on dealing with China.

              America has said in UNHRC that Lankawe must expedite fulfilling the promise. That is probably in response to UNHRC HC’s comment that Lankawe is being dodgy in complying with Resolution 30/1. You understand, this is not going to end any sooner. Only SJ is going to be happy by that because Sinhala Ehelepolas will have to sell more sovereign lands to Kaha Mathatha to please and keep it ready for long time to come their hand on veto in UN.

              Good Luck!

          • 2
            4

            SJ, point well taken. I am not a Tamil nationalist. I am human first and a Sri Lankan Canadian second. My name up here is only to tell people why I left the country so many years ago. I could not live with the f’in LTTE and the disgusting war heroes. I hate racist low lives like Chimpa.

            • 2
              3

              Tamil from the north
              I am not bothered about your hatred at all, as it consumes you not me.
              People hate others for three reasons.
              1. They hate themselves or
              2. They want to be the other person or
              3. They see the other person as a threat.
              Cheers!

              • 1
                4

                Chimpa, you are certainly not a threat but a nuisance. You are a pest and a low life racist loser. You are the filth among the Lankans and the mere reason for the chaos in Lanka. So go and do some overtime at the Panadura brothel.

                • 1
                  1

                  Tamil from the north
                  One day you will have to eat your own words. Until then!

        • 5
          4

          Tamil from the north
          Your intelligence is aptly shown in your comment. Amen!
          Your choice language shows that you are a paid coolie of the LTTE diaspora. Amen, again!
          Yes, I am a racist. I can’t stand terrorists. Amen!
          India was the country which gave birth to LTTE and then trained, provided with arms and nurtured the bloodthirsty Prabhakaran and his cadre for 34 years.
          America was the country that fostered barbaric terrorist outfits all over the world including LTTE.
          If you say India and America “battled against their pet LTTE,” that saw to the end of your Sun-god, I am sure there should be a valid reason.
          The terrorists who killed innocent civilians in cold blood should have known that their time will also come to face the same fate. Amen!

          • 3
            3

            LTTE-coolie from the north
            None of the terrorists who surrendered to the Army were murdered.
            Even during the war, wounded LTTE cadre were sent to hospitals by our Army.
            A wounded female LTTE cadre was even helicoptered for treatment which hit headlines at the time.
            Barbarian Prabhakaran who used children and women as his cadre is not a hero.
            He is a coward who didn’t swallow the cyanide breaching his own rule though he made it compulsory even for child soldiers.
            If he did that, his cadre could have saved their lives.
            The bloodthirsty savage even used civilians as a human shield to protect himself.
            Even during the last phase of the war, he was offered many opportunities to lay down arms. But he didn’t. He is fully responsible for all the LTTE terrorists who died during the war.
            Our Army saved lives of over 300,000 Tamils and many LTTE cadre as opposed to Prabhakaran’s inhumanity to sacrifice child soldiers, women cadre and innocent civilians for his life.
            Sinhalese parents sacrificed their young sons, some were the “only son” in the family, to save Tamil civilians in the North from the LTTE.
            Over 29,000 soldiers have sacrificed their lives and 41,108 were disabled in their humanitarian operation to save Tamils from the savage Sun-god.
            Today Tamils in the North live happily leading normal lives thanks to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the sacrifices made by our Army who have become a part and parcel of their daily lives since then.
            When he comes back to power, former President will address all the livelihood issues faced by people in the North by reaching out to them DIRECT. I’ve many suggestions for him to make that happen. He couldn’t do it before due to impediments created by selfish Tamil politicians.

            • 4
              2

              Champa
              How sure are you the former President will come back to power. As for me I only have a profound gratitude to each and every man and women in the Sri Lankan Army, Navy, Air Force and Police for the sacrifices they made in winning the war. I owe absolutely nothing to any Politician, as all of them only made money out of the war, continued to do so after the war, and brought the country to its present pathetic state.

            • 3
              3

              Chimpa,
              “Over 29,000 soldiers have sacrificed their lives and 41,108 were disabled in their humanitarian operation to save Tamils from the savage Sun-god.”
              Why didn’t you include the 100,000 that ran away and deserted before they could “sacrifice ” themselves? Oh yes, we also remember how your Buffalo God MR sacrificed Yoshitha on live TV and packed him off to UK. The Sinhala Army is full of such rapist cowards. That’s why it took 30 years to beat the Tigers, and even then it was the Indians/Chinese/ US.
              Please go back in the s##$hole you live in.

              • 3
                3

                raman
                Another LTTE paid coolie.
                You have no right to talk about our Army.
                You all were hiding in burrows when Prabhakaran was alive. It was Sinhalese who fought against the barbarian to save Tamil civilians in the North.
                After MR defeated LTTE, now people like you and the LTTE coolie in the north talk big!

        • 2
          3

          My friend, I understand your frustration and anger. However from your comment, I do feel you are just as hateful as Champa, even if you have more of a reason to be.

        • 6
          1

          Tamil from the north
          I am sure you are an intelligent man or woman from the north who could have made your opinion known in a more civilized and decent manner which would have been appreciated by readers. Some give and take on this forum is fine but perhaps your frustration did carry you too far. After all Champa is a lady and even if we do disagree with her opinion and comments the least we could do is show her some respect. Have a nice day.

        • 1
          1

          Ta mill from the North. I am very happy those boys did not waste the life fighting with you thrash. Instead they also had fun. Way to go. Next time it will be worse for you.

        • 1
          0

          To the Moderators- why do you allow comments such as this in absolute filth to be published in this forum.

      • 2
        1

        Sure.
        When naked handcuffed men were shot in the back of the head, as recorded by fellow military men, it was not torture. It was execution.

    • 8
      2

      Sinhala_Man,

      Yes. Imagine under MaRa MaRa ChaTu MaRa AmaNa MaRa DhushaNa MaRa HoRa MaRa, nothing would have happened.

      So, there was some progress.

  • 9
    1

    “MS Returning from Kathmandu, I was served some cashews on board a SriLankan flight, but it was so bad even a dog wouldn’t eat it,”

    The airline was profitable until former president Mahinda Rajapakse cancelled a management agreement with Emirates in 2008 following a personal dispute. The carrier had refused to bump fare-paying passengers and give their seats to Rajapakse’s family.

    Rajapakse removed the Emirates-appointed chief executive of Sri Lankan and made his brother-in-law Nishantha Wickremasinghe head of the company.

    Nishantha Wickremasinghe is now under investigation for corruption and mismanagement.

    • 3
      1

      {“MS Returning from Kathmandu, I was served some cashews on board a SriLankan flight, but it was so bad even a dog wouldn’t eat it,”}
      SrLankan airlines said the Dubai-supplied-casews have been taken off. Then what?
      We know what happened to the confiscated African ivory. And the hundreds of Kilo of drugs intercepted.

      Will some one tell me which dog breed eats cashew nuts? My ‘kitchen-pointer’ breed is not interested at all.

      • 8
        0

        Why were the cashews “Dubai-supplied”? Cashew grows in Sri Lanka, but not in Dubai. We even have a Cashew Corporation, which must be “semi-government”.
        .
        President My3 has had much to do with Agriculture. It would have been constructive on his part to have ordered that the Chairman of the said Corporation should immediately explore the possibility of supplying at least our airline with packeted cashew.

        • 7
          0

          Yes why not Cashew picked, roasted, prepared and packeted in Lanka?
          This will provide employment to locals.
          Investigation is called for.

          • 2
            1

            A police investigation may be necessary to find out who was responsible for serving Expired Cashew nuts to the President. Would the JO have a hand in the conspiracy ?

            • 0
              4

              Champa
              As revealed, the Sri Lankan Airlines has imported cashew from a Dubai based supplier for a reason only known to them. I wonder whether Rishad Bathiudeen, the Commerce Minister has a hand there.

              • 4
                1

                Champa writes to Champa..

                You have no idea man or woman – airlines collect their meals where they stops.
                This I got to know from my friend – crew members.
                So, more likely they collected them from a wrong place.
                This can happen to the best airline too.

                OK. as a frequent traveller I know this very well.

                • 1
                  3

                  Bubbuladewi
                  Where do you live? You are very much behind news.
                  If you don’t believe local news, foreign media such as APF reported that after President’s outburst, the Sri Lankan Airlines has announced that they would change their Dubai supplier and remove the offended stock of cashew.

              • 0
                3

                Oooops. This cashew comment was actually a reply to Steve.

                • 0
                  3

                  Champawathie, No worries, your problem should not be Cashews but CONDOMS.

                  You as one who has all along been practising the oldest, you need lot more of them than anyone else.
                  Since you sound to be travelling a lot, you need to buy where you stop right.

                  Good Luck Champawathie. Your service should not be limited to JOint Oppostion.

                  • 2
                    1

                    appubaba
                    Oh, I know nothing about cond… but I know everything about cashews.
                    We had “Kaju trees” which had 3 types of “puhulum” (cashew apples.)
                    I have sweet memories of running to pick Kaju early in the morning and tossing clubs at ripened puhulum in tall Kaju trees. Oh, they are so tasty in salt water.
                    We used to set a big fire outside to burn Kaju fruits in the charcoal. That is the most delicious I have ever tasted. But has to be careful as when burning they spray kind of resin which irritates the skin.

                    • 1
                      0

                      Champa
                      Thanks for a very refreshing comment. I was very fortunate when young to live upcountry where our house was surrounded by fruit trees of all kinds. Fond memories going back many years.

        • 0
          0

          “Why were the cashews “Dubai-supplied”? Cashew grows in Sri Lanka, but not in Dubai.” We done Sinhala_man.

          Who supplied Cashews in the Air Line that is sucking the whole country just for Ranil’s fancies of “National Carrier”? “Purina” should have been the one supplied in that Air Line!
          Pathetic cases!

    • 4
      1

      As someone has hilariously suggested in FB, the Prez may have eaten the contents of the silica gel packet in the cashew packet by mistake. Anyway, I use Sri Lankan for my travel from the ME and have not found any problem with the cashew.
      .
      His tirade against the government officials is uncalled for. Can he tell us how he is going to treat anyone disobeying his orders? Can he declare how much his assets are right now? according to some estimates, he is in the top 10 of the richest politicians of SL, headed by the Rajano.
      .
      Can he also explain to us how he appointed his own brother to head Telecom, a man who has no knowledge of the subject?

    • 4
      0

      Cashews offer as a bite with alcohol. Has our Gamarala taken too much of alcohol? Sri Lankan Air should have offered “Aappa” as bite?

  • 4
    2

    Way to go RTI Commission. Hats off to you!
    Next time summon Bondscam Ranil and ask him to stop his dirty tricks
    Name of Bondscam Ranil-Sira game is : Jarapalanaya and Fake Democracy. They should share a prison cell with Mahinda Jarapassa and US citizen and Avant Guard man Gota and cronies, for looting the Central Bank and people of Lanka.

    Ranil and Sira have promoted a culture of impunity and immunity for financial crime and hate crimes following the Trump-Obama Model. Obama rewarded the corrupt and bailed out big banks and Wall street, which were responsible for the 2008 crash, rather than ordinary folk who lost their homes in the crash.

  • 2
    1

    There needs to be a definition of “terrorism”.
    “Terrorism” is an act to terrorise citizens.
    Is the recent assault by a police inspector on children, a case of ‘state terrorism’ ?
    Are deaths of citizens in custody of police and prisons, acts of ‘state terrorism’ ?
    Are the shooting deaths of students riding motorcycles – even with ‘failure to stop’, a case of ‘state terrorism’.
    Is locking up complainants without inquiry in cells in police stations, an act of terrorism?
    Does interrogating a citizen without the presence of an attorney, an act of ‘attempted’ terrorism?

    • 0
      3

      justice,
      Go and tell these things to Trump. He will say bugger off!

  • 2
    0

    This is Good News and a Good and Forceful Directive. The question is: Why the authorities are not changing to abide by the changing systems? Is it their arrogance, dictatorial attitudes, complete disregard for responsibility and accountability? Or is it that they think, they can do anything and get away with? NO. These politicians and leaders , over the last decades have lived a life of arrogance and disregard for public opinion and that culture is now running in their blood stream. This reminds us ” Ballage Nugata Una Batayake Dala Thibunath, Eda Arrinna Behe” – No Dog’s Tail Could be straightened, Even If It is Embedded In a Bamboo Stick”. So, if that doesn’t work, the best the people could do is to “CUT IT OFF” so that we have no “Balu Walige” to straighten.

  • 4
    2

    Why RTI not ordering PM and President to release the full Central Bank Robbery Commission’s Report? They are selective on some and deaf, dumb and blind on others!

    • 3
      2

      Thrisu, why not you focus on other huge sums grabbed away by Rajapakshes during their days.

      Are u happy to bring them back and let this country ruined by the rascals again?

      Today BEING in India has finally opened his mouth making hopes on Basil or Gotabaya as contenders to upcoming Presidential ELection.
      That will then be leading to a somalia for sure.

      • 0
        2

        There goes simon silva balappu with his usual ass licking RW campaign.. You dont impress me at all. Your keep in germnay paid by RW?

        • 2
          0

          Thanks. Leave Simon from Berlin away. I know him too. But one thing is clear to me you guys are born one sided.
          Just add your thought Rajapakshe ill handlings with China. Then it is going tobe balance Mr Richmondian.

  • 3
    0

    Oiy !! All of you!!
    Have you heard of spent cartridges??
    That’s exactly why and how I am soooo confused. Not concussed and Comatosed after the Jana Balaya Colombata March or after drinking and eating poisoned milk and food parcel thrown at me like feeding the dog.
    Unlike the cashew nuts served in the SLankan Business class which was not even fit for a dog to consume ! Let alone me the Analyst of CT consuming and Inwagged my tail with gratitude at the trolley dolly.
    Ok all because the point here is I am confused how a Spent cartridge come Alive???
    That’s my problem here!!
    MR says his brother is going to be the Presidential candidate !! One of his ” tail mate” shouts that the NEXT SLFP Government will be lead by MR the Medamulana Modaya, next another Medamulana ” Young Gun” Modaya LOWYER thinks he can be the next President.
    Good marks for hopes , my point is they’re all spent dead cartridges.
    Have they all got Thick , dead brains which are not functioning anymore.
    Every attempt of sabotaging the present Parliament has been their game resulting ” BITING THE DUST” ,
    Total failure, just like the ” Jana Balaya Colombata March”
    Champa, KAS, Such and others are they still purging ???
    When will they give up the idiotic thoughts??
    Mind boggles!!!

    • 3
      2

      Analyst
      MR said his brother is a contender. He didn’t say he is the one he would field as his Presidential candidate.
      Gotabhaya’s attitude during 2010-2015 is one of the prime reasons for Mahinda to lose his Presidency.
      If contested, Gotabhaya won’t be able to reach 50% mark. And there will be other contenders too.
      I don’t think MR is that unwise to select Gotabhaya as his Presidential candidate and lose Presidential election the second time.

      • 4
        2

        How anyone can consider MR as a master strategist is beyond logic. He relies 100% on astrology, a primitive and stupid pseudo science, to make important state decisions. He worships all kinds of Hindu deities and visits temples in India to get their help. He publicly declares in India that his main target is to get Namal, a bigger idiot than his father, as the next leader, and laments the change of constitution that prevents Namal from contesting.
        .
        If he had accepted the defeat and kept out of politics without going around the country carrying Mal Vatti, people would have perhaps begged him to make a comeback.
        .
        This man is a calamity to himself and the country. a comeback of any siblings also would be so.

        • 0
          0

          There is a song – api asarana wela buduhamuduruwanae… is reminded to me.

          So long people have been caught by the tricks being played by MR et al, we the minority in the country (that would not be in agreement with him), have to suffer on and on.

          MR has no shame. He changes his word time to time.

          Now the News reveals if the article published in NYtimes and MR current trip to India may have been linked together or not….
          Anyways, when considering the manner, Rajakashe adminstiration was cheated by Chinese for their economic tactics, I believe, MR will also be caught by Indians.
          There, MR woul dno tthink twice, so long his family is placed above the altar.
          This man is a rabid dog for me.
          He is mad by power intoxication so that he cant see it beyond.

          Lanken politics ahead of us is turning to wrong direction – is a curse to us. If GOTLER would be marketed, entire srilanka will be conrered in the world no doubt about that.
          None of these men have plans how they would run the economy- taxation is the only way like or not … we are all caught by the debt trap – that is fact.
          Angola and Nigeria are also caught by Chinese debt traps.

    • 3
      5

      Analyst
      I have my own perception.
      Mody’s meeting with Mahinda is to bully Sirisena and Ranil to give everything he asked.
      Mody is shamelessly but shrewdly using Mahinda to his own advantage to swallow Sri Lanka.
      Too bad Mahinda fell for Mody’s trap.
      Mody’s manipulation on Sri Lankan government is now over only to replace it with intimidation.
      By meeting Mahinda out of the blue, Mody’s intention is to give the current Sri Lankan leaders the impression that he would choose to support Mahinda at the next election, if Ranil and Sirisena don’t dance to his tune.
      Mody will never support Mahinda to come back as it will jeopardize all his hard work (from 2015-2020) to take Sri Lanka under his control and use and own Sri Lanka’s resources to the advantage of India.The puppet government and puppet leaders are more beneficial to India.

      • 6
        0

        Champa! Good to note that you’re out of the bog room after eating the food .
        We all know that the biggest trap awaiting for SL is to fall into the Chinese trap.
        We also know how MR will use the Chinese trap without a thought in the world , He and his families brains are only switched on to sell the country and be benefitted .
        For him and his clan their families comes first the country , which is our country comes last.
        Their priority is to see all the checks and balances are in order for him and his family only.
        Hell with our country and its future is the attitude.
        That’s the saddest part to note here is how our politicians and the ones in high positions have looted our state wealth ,stripped naked our country which leaves nothing to be proud of any more.
        We have had national produce, well qualified doctors, lawyers, engineers served and respected all over the world.
        Now we have well qualified Looters , drug traffickers, people smugglers, which puts My country SL a well noted country in the world .
        Champa! Are you not worried for your own future generations?? Selfish SLankans have escaped to the greener pastures , they only step into SL for their own selfishness.
        Srilankan mentality will ever change??
        NO! NEVER ! To my eyes.

        • 1
          4

          Analyst
          Actually this government has given a wrong impression about the development loans taken by Mahinda.
          As of 2016, (I don’t have the latest) according to countryeconomy.com the total debt of Sri Lanka is US$ 64.48.
          In 2014, at the end of MR’s period, the debt was amounting to US$ 57.28!
          That means within 2 years, this government has taken loans to the tune of US$ 7.2 Billion!!!! What did they do? NOTHING. Do you see anything? No wonder the government admits taht their development is invisible!!!!
          This government is talking only the debt taken by Mahinda to hide the massive loans they are taking and spending recklessly for what nobody knows.

      • 3
        1

        Champa

        So Mahinda never bullied. You must be blind. If Mahinda can bully and make many to yield under pressure or if they don’t throw them away like what he did to former CJ, why cannot Modi bully Mahinda into submission?

        Mahinda sold SL to China. He caught the tiger by the tail. Now are you blaming this government, as all the damage was done during his tenure.

        • 0
          3

          Shrikharan
          Former CJ Shirani Bandaranaike was impeached by Parliament within the clauses stipulated in the Constitution. There was no bullying by Mahinda. Whatever was the reason (there were allegations of interfering in legal cases and financial irregularities which she denied), her removal was in accordance with the law.
          However, her successor, former CJ Mohan Peiris was removed by Yahapalanaya government abruptly without following the proper guidelines stipulated in the Constitution.
          Mahinda didn’t breach the Constitution when removing Shirani Bandaranaike.
          But Maithree breached the Constitution brazenly to remove Mohan Peiris.
          Mahinda didn’t sell Sri Lanka China.
          Ranil has admitted that it was him who sold Sri Lanka to China by saying that Magampura Port can be bought back if one wants. All this time he and his government vehemently denied the sale of Magamapura Port.
          \

  • 0
    0

    Both teams agree that RTI Commission is embarrassing and must be scuttled.
    Matter of timing: Before or after the election!

  • 0
    1

    How about RTI commission is named HITLER. RTI commission chaired by some protestants is a world first. Recently, UNITED NATIONS said Sri lanka can not pay DEBT unless Sri lanka respect Human rights. For me that UN Official is a CLOWN.

  • 0
    1

    I heard Wijayakala Mendis wanted this happen becuse Ranil’s instructions. This is all elelctions for LTTE front.

  • 1
    4

    This RTI……Did they ask Prez My3Sira to publish those ” names”‘ which have been named in Sira’s own Bond Report ..

    Those names must be the main Cogs in the Wheel which helped PM Dr Ranil’s mate Singapore Mahendran to arrange the biggest Bond Issue of the Mahahwamsa land, to help Dr Ranil to give Yahapalanaya to our long suffering Inhabitants…
    In the Yhapalana rulers own words ,mind you..

    What is this big issue about a Draft on Terrorists ..
    Haven’t our poor got enough problems.. I mean the 70 % great Majority Inhabitants…
    Is the Yahapalana PM more worried about Terrorists?..
    Didn’t Dr Ranil engage his NGO mates who are the Experts on these issues to do the Draft?..
    The Draft which Dr Ranil tried to sneak in recently was apparently done at the TT, by a young Lady who cut her teeth at Oxford on Constitution making for Lankans..

    Besides How many Drafts did Dr Ranil have on his new Constitution thing.?.
    With all those Dr Ranil had to try and sneak in a draft made by Dr Jayampathy and TNA Abraham to give separate Homelands……

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      KASs points are codswallop , scaremongering, and utter lies.
      Nothing more to say here by me.
      Only follow the bandwagon of the above trash.
      Best to go and take some ” happy pill “and the morning after pill after consuming free alcohol following the Jana Balana Colombata failure
      People like him/ her are only with a one track mind, that’s how to bring back mega thieves to power .
      It will never happen with their track record.
      According to our Champa even Mody is playing double games with MR. Desperation at its peak, so hungry, so thirsty for power to hide the Loot and the mega Criminals .
      Funny or not to laugh KAS????
      You make a choice!!

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        Analyst,
        You are in the wrong profession mate….
        You should have been the Organist playing that Grand Old Piano at Srikotha, when the ” Boys” sing the UNP Theme Song to Dr Ranil at the Weekends, after those spunky parties with Red Label and Buhari Biryani..
        Wonder where P U K is Jayantha nowadays…..

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    I told this before and I will say it again. What happens in the war should go with the dead people. The RTI is going to expose humanitarian aid crisis caused by our war heroes. Its going to create negative publicity for our war heroes. Whatever they did, good or bad, its all done, and its necessary to safeguard the country. Tamils deserve it anyway

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    One correction. Gota is presidential candidate as a second choice. MR said in Delhi that his son cannot come forward as the minimum age for contesting has been raised to 35. Therefore his brother has to be nominated. So Gota has distinction only below Namal Baby. That must be understood.

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    What is all this Hullabaloo !!
    Would Dr Ranil do anything harsh for Terrorists?…
    Dr Rani gave Mr Pirahaparan the Eelaam for 5 years , But Mr Pira refused .
    Dr Ranil gave Mr Pira’s Intelligence Boss the Co ordinates to Athuru giriya.
    Still Mr Pira dodn’t accept it.
    But Dr Ranil apparently didn’t show any mercy to our Sinhala Buddist Terrorists..
    And in fact Dr Ranil has done some bad things to them according to my Uncle from Balangda…..

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    Sorry,
    My Uncle has moved to Balangoda from Batalanda..

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    The Colombo Telegraph learns that state authorities had been reminded by the Commission of their primary duty to ensure that people are not kept in the dark about what laws are proposed and that the Government’s own commitments to the Open Government Programme required that draft laws be publicly released and discussed prior to tabling in Parliament.

    My foot, I can’t take this! Poor Sumanthiran and Sampanthar’s Secret Solution is over. Now somebody going to get it out!

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      Mally,
      Don’t worry….Dr Ranil now has to worry about Hindians, not Sampathar and the Apprentice.
      This RTI is nothing but a Storm in a Tea Cup..
      Hindians thought ECTA will be a cake walk if Dr Ranil implemented what He agreed with in all those MOUs with the UNP London, Diaspora Suren, Sampathar & the TNA. And f of course last, but not least ,the MOU with Modi…

      But Dr Ranil only looked after his right Royal School buddy Dr Mahendran and his extended Family.and the Singapore FTA .
      While f****** up what ever Sinhala Buddhists have achieved after Pirahaparan
      You do not need me list them ….Do you Mally?.

      No way now Dr Ranil can do the ECTA for Hindians..
      Did you see Maharaja with Modi…., Mally?..

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    I also read some where that Sri lanka president was criticizing Sri lankan air lines because the Cashe with alcohol had a packet of Silica gel. I think his comment was so dum, base less and would be good for an uneducated toruist who has only money but no the the brain. As a Leader Presidwent whould have asked the air hostesses about the silical gel packet and what is purpsoe whetehr it is eat. Then people would understand that he is humble, genuine and open person. I think that shows he was just looking for something to criticize in sri lanka and to promote he himeslf, just stupid. On the other, I heard PResident did not complain about it and some air hostess may be made a wrong remark to some one about it. That is how it exploded to dumb media looking for some news.

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    Terrorism is identified as a new phenomenon where killings in big numbers take place but it existed in the past described as threats. Standard laws seem to be inadequate in dealing with it. However, in Sri Lanka, what in reality happens is the abuse of such special provisions especially by those who implement the same. In the 1988 JVP terror era, it was the done thing (The Colombo gentry gave the nod for that) for the military to abduct suspected terrorists, question them, kill them and burn in the tire-pyre. There was no law granting the forces to do so. But the de-facto practice was abused to take revenge from one’s own adversaries, resulting in the destruction of entire families. After Jan 8, 2015, as I have told many times before, Sri Lanka has become a Police State from a military state. What special measures to be provided to deal with terrorism must be identified and I see nothing wrong in having an open discussion on the subject. Let a draft of such special powers be drawn up and publish it as a white paper giving reasons for each and every special power that is to be provided to the implementors of the law. Clearly the image of the PM is further eroded by this kind of secret drafting, possibly the sudden submission to the Cabinet seeking is approval and declaring as an urgent bill and passing it by Parliament thus doing away with any public discussion.

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