Thisuri Wanniarachchi
Honorable MP,
Your new found interest in media freedom is heart-warming. We too strongly believe that any form of government media repression must be questioned and corrected. We also believe that all governments must be held accountable; the media should never be censored, journalists shouldn’t be abducted or disappeared. Instead they must be empowered, encouraged and welcome by all politicians and government institutions. And yes, as citizens we must all demand media freedom and improvement in our access to authentic information. But you Sir, are not one of us; you, former supreme leader, do not get to talk about media freedom, you lost that right the moment you betrayed the trust that a large portion of us put on you to ensure the democratic freedoms of not just some of us, but all 22 million of us. You failed us miserably.
Your 180 degree transition from an authoritarian leader who led by despotism to one that is criticizing the current government for its repression of media is quite fascinating. This very news site that you chose to share your grievances was blocked and inaccessible to all of us living in Sri Lanka during your administration. I do not believe it is a stretch to assume that the irony of the recent developments in your political journey can be grasped even by those who support you.
Your grievance, had it come from an ordinary, democratic, law-abiding citizen would have been one of substance. You mention that “not a day goes by without a major demonstration against the government.” I can see how this may confuse you. You see, this government happens to encourage the democratic freedom of assembly, an act that was met with real bullets during your tenure, killing innocent civilians whose demands were as simple as access to clean water. It would have also helped if the media organizations you mention were not ones that were tainted with conflicts of interest during your tenure.
I believe Derana TV is the same network that found it necessary to recently telecast footage from your son’s minor surgery on its prime time news. We can only hope it was a potential backup plan tip that you received from former MP Duminda Silva for the ongoing investigations into your family, to somehow convince us that his surgery led to a memory lapse. I truly, truly hope it was part of some long term political strategy, if not, it is utterly unfortunate that millions of us had to see it. However, I digress from my point, so let me be very precise:
You are not one of us, you do not represent the Sri Lanka we want to see: the Sri Lanka that we demand from the current government. We understand that there’s a lot that needs to be done to restore the democracy you deprived this country of for a decade. This government has a long way to go and it is a work in progress.Unlike your supporters, we are not blind followers. We will take it upon us to hold this government accountable, ensure that another Rajapaksa era will not be repeated. We shall build a country that is strong enough to put the trauma we experienced from your leadership behind us. We will take this country forward, and we will unapologetically leave you behind. Do us all a favor and stay behind; pack up your stones and go back to your glass house.
Sincerely,
Concerned citizen.
Ajith / November 20, 2016
Brilliant!
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Leelawathie / November 20, 2016
A great article no doubt. Braovo my hat off to the young lady.
I believe 0.9Mio of first time voters in this country were the crucial and indispensible part of 08-Jan-2015 revolution- by which Rajapakshe s hope for a Zimbabwian-style tyranny was crushed as the man and his family kith and kin never ever guessed would have happened. There, you and the like young ones made it, no body else.
The greater difference between young and older voters is that young ones have guts to stand against injustice and unfairness than the rotten older voters whose thoughts and minds are controlled by various set of unexplainable grounds. MOst of the older voters are just followers of for exmaple – most known penisless/teethless leftists such as Vasudewa, Dew and all other older profs that stood by Rajakashe regime exclusively because the size of perks offered to them were high so that they cant go against former Head of state. Today, Vasidewa seems to have guts to stand and heart out in the parliament, but the very same man was a dead figure in the high days of Rajapakshe siblings`s dictarian politics specially in post war episodes of the country.
I believe in today s context, had a young blood been appointed as the minister of Justice, things would have gone in proper tracks by now, Mr. Wijedasa Rajaakshe is like a square peg in round hole in terms of fulfiling the pledeges towards the people in this country.
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Rarityminds / November 21, 2016
Rajapaskse may be dreaming FURTHER the way he dreamt to hold PE election 2 years earlier. May also be possible, as his dimwit brother Gotabaya reiterates, Trump effect would also affect on srilanka next. But most in Europe see it different by now. Trump victory was connected to american politics even if interpretations of world wide may sound in favour of them.
It is no easy to do consensul politics in a country.But Srilanka has started it with election of Mr Sirisena by its people. RAJAPKSHE WAS CLEARLY DEFEATED MAKING HIM THE FIRST EVER PRESIDENT TO HAVE LOST AN ELECTION:
Germany s current politics is the only system that can closely be comparable to that of current politics in Srilanka. Two grand parties have joined performing a coalition to govern the nation. At the time Dr Merkel was elected, her predecssor Schröder resounded, ” Kirche im Dorf lassen = one should not overestimate the problem”. Meaning at the time she was got elected, no female leadership had governed the nation – all prejudices were there to attack her even not calling her ” Kanzlerin -Chanceller). Now she has ruled 11 consecutive years, and has made her a SUPER WOMAN – Obama confirmed that she was the best to have closely worked with during his two terms – transatlantic ties became the so strong since she rules Germany.
Yesterday germany s CDU/CSU – the fraction of Dr Merkel, decided her to be the candidate for next Chancellor election.
Why I am telling you all these, I have no doubt, Trump effect would be the case in Germany, even if Dr Merkel is nolonger that popular in Germany today- with 39% are against her to become the next cancellor -only because of her Asylum politics in terms of Syrian refugees. Many believe, even if asylum politics costed Dr Merkel to go down with her politics, thre have been fields that she has scored and led the country to the top last 11 years.
This are the updates from Germany, lankens may not even be aware of the ground realities of Germany – even after Trump is elected by Amies.
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Rarityminds / November 21, 2016
“I have no doubt, Trump effect would be the case in Germany,”
This to be corrected as – No trump effect would ever be the case for Germany. Germany sees it different.And as was the case in Germany, that will have lot to do with german traditional politics. Even if Dr Merkel has been attacked byn anti asylum groups, she is still more popular in this country. And her rival candidate will nto be easy at all. SPD – POTENTIAL candidate will be Gabriel
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timbuttu / November 22, 2016
[Edited out]
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Babansincho Jayathilaka / November 21, 2016
Leelawathie,
why people neverthess respect MR ?
Is that because people are that stupid or MEDIA make them further fools ?
Why people nevertheless respect GotabayaR ?
Cant VERY same people yet compare it, if Gotabaya had been the big man in defence, the way thing could have worked against people ?
Why people neverthess respect Basil Rajapakshe, even after it was public secret that the mansion built by them highly abusing state funds – and several other high profile frauds being investigated today ?
Why people neverthelss respect Namal and Yoshita Rajaakshe even if older people woudl go in to pieces the way these men allowed sound exposure and other event by being very abusive then ?
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Samuel Jayaweera / November 21, 2016
Hey guys, do you think after Trump starts his office in January, Obama would still be visiting Europe and other countries ?
I think -no.because he served two terms and he has nothing to do with the next administration so actively.
Surprisingly, SRILANKEN FORMER PRESIDENT IS TRAVELLING TO CHINA, JAPAN, KOREA, UGANDA and THAILAND calling those are his offical visits..
CAN ANYBODY PLEASE EXPLAIN ME WHY MR BEHAVE THIS WAY ?
Why the man seems to have not learnt to relinquish power ?
ALL THESE CAN ONLY CREATE TENSIONS BETWEEN GOVERNING LANKEN POLITICIANS AND FORMER MEN right ?
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Leelawathie / November 21, 2016
I am telling you…
it is just because MR is the most abusive man in lanken politics. He has been making every effort to sabotage lanken issues. I hope the current Duo will be highly alert on this.
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Simon De Silva / November 21, 2016
The problem today is there are varied groups of media people
a) Media that still support Rajapakshe and their mafia Press
Derana, Hiru TV etc –
b) Media thatwork half hearted – not supporting the current regime but pretending to represent support good governance – SIRASA led by kILLI Raja organisation – they rather work for Premamasda Junior- – DJ analyst is also part of this machinery
c) All others work with fears to Rajapakshes media mafia – they dont report everything as they feel
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Seelawathie Jayasinghe / November 21, 2016
You may be right.
Last night I happened to listen to Derana.
They have now brought now repeated how hard they worked for the people.
In the same time, they have been allowing Goons to head up- even today, all about Goons and their acitvities are the key part of Derana media propagations.
They let their telecasting time to discuss more about Rajaakshes and their wonder making – than letting the people know – let alone today, what high profile abuses they the MR administration has made.
All in all, Derana and Hiru work as if they are Ziamesian twins bearing same thoughts.
I wonder why Hiru would not add not the least about the progress being made by current consensual politics.
In between Kill led Sirasa has only been criticising the gravity of Bond Scam but in the same time underestimating the money grabs and all losses being made during the previous 10 years.
Even young journalists of your kind has risen up to go against corruption and abuses of the former regime, but many to just ignore them – is not comprehensible to me.
All that have at least a little brain should start thnking let alone today. As to why we have to pay more taxes today than had been EARLIER.
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Analyst / November 21, 2016
Thisuri
Brilliant , Fantastic , Excellent!!
We need young people like you to RESHAPE this wretched country.
It’s the inbred ingrained mentality cultivated firstly by the Corrupt Politicians and then the Corrupt supporters of the Corrupt Politicians who have Destroyed the country to the present worst case of Corruption . This Corruption was allowed to flourish in the name of RACISM, WAR, TERRORISM , AND RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE.
The Prelates of the highest order in the name of Mahawamsa had been partly responsible too.
No one can point fingers at them for the reason that they have Rewritten the books of Mahawamsa for their OWN SURVIVAL INSTEAD OF THE SURVIVAL OF THE AND ITS PEOPLE.
The country is left with no progress awaiting for the BEGGING BOWLS TO BE FILLED WITH WEALTH IN THE NAME OF CHARITABLE AIDS FROM THE RICH NATIONS these corrupt Politicians are ever ready to PILFER these Funds.
While The Rogue PoliticIans and their families continue to steal , the wealth taken out of this country to buy properties in the names of their Kiths and kins ! WONDER how this country survives with these crooks among us promising to the citizens jobs, and better lives but nothing seem to materialise, They Rape the country naked everyday .
Thisuri said, ” You are not one of us, You do not represent the Srilanka we want to see” “Pack up your stones and go to your glass house”
These are strong words challenged against the Kurunegala MP . Beware the present GG too should have shivers in its spine.
68 years of deceiving the public should STOP.
POLITICIANS AND THE CRONIES SHOULD BEWARE.
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Amarasiri / November 21, 2016
Thisuri Wanniarachchi
RE:Response To Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Grievance On Government Media Repression
“We will take it upon us to hold this government accountable, ensure that another Rajapaksa era will not be repeated. We shall build a country that is strong enough to put the trauma we experienced from your leadership behind us. We will take this country forward, and we will unapologetically leave you behind. Do us all a favor and stay behind; pack up your stones and go back to your glass house.”
Thank you. Do you think Mahinda Rajapaksa understands it. Yes. he does, and he is a crook.He is part and parcel f the crooks and killers.
He and his cronies have used the stolen billions to bribe the president Sirisena.
The President Sirisena has turned out to be a Turncoat,Traitor, Gona, Mala-Perethaya Sirisena, in cahoots with the Crooks and killers to deceive the 6.2 million who vote for him. Just like at what has happened to the independent commission and the independent judiciary.
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AshyD / November 21, 2016
YES !
Well said, and BRILLIANT no doubt.
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Samuel Jayaweera / November 21, 2016
Yes, she has fearlessly expressed everything what and how young folks would see it. All these are underestimated by powerful media men -Derana, Hiru and Sirasa today.
I think we need more of you young lady – that sees unbiased about lanken happenings.
All academics and ones use the brain will commend your thoughts. This man is no means acceptable to govern the nation again. If any elements make every efforts to bring him back, it is only for their selfish agendas. Who are they
a) Basil Rajaakshe -how many highly provable cases have been filed against this man -not revengeful acts but being based on his highly abusive mediation
b) Gotabaya Rajapakshe – how many cases have been filed against this man – due to violation of human rights – white vanning and abductions…. not allowing people to express themselves freely.
c) Dinesh Gunawardhanda – just and another leftist, making every effort to keep his head above the war in lanken politics, else, he would have been a invalid coin
d) Wimal Buruwanse – just and another leftist, making every effort to keep his head above the war in lanken politics, else, he would have been a invalid coin
e) Udaya Gonthadipila – just and another leftist, making every effort to keep his head above the war in lanken politics, else, he would have been a invalid coin
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Sirimal / November 21, 2016
How many conerned citizens would feel the way this young writer has been feeling ?
That is my million dollar question.
I believe people are kept away from the facts yet, That is why Rajapakshe and his ghosts are still roaming in this country.
Media men, the third force of this country.. over to you, you have to deliver it today…. Please think above you – THINK OF THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY:
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Amarasiri / November 21, 2016
Sirimal
“How many conerned citizens would feel the way this young writer has been feeling ?”
“That is my million dollar question. “
The average IQ of the Land of Native Veddah Aethho Occupied by the Paras, Parasdeshis is 79, and with a standard deviation of about 15, there are quite a few Paras, who understands this.
However, unfortunately there is majority who may not understand this.
So, this becomes a huge education project, to try to get the Paras to get to the Age of Reason and Enlightenment.
Do you think that the American are smarter?
1 In 4 Americans Thinks The Sun Goes Around The Earth, Survey Says.
Remember, the average IQ of Americans is 98.
A quarter of Americans surveyed could not correctly answer that the Earth revolves around the sun and not the other way around, according to a report out Friday from the National Science Foundation.
The survey of 2,200 people in the United States was conducted by the NSF in 2012 and released on Friday at an annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science meeting in Chicago.
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2014/02/14/277058739/1-in-4-americans-think-the-sun-goes-around-the-earth-survey-says
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Simon De Silva / November 21, 2016
Yes people s reactions are mixed.
Some still think had the man beein in office, all those so called devleopment projects would have been flowing – in the same time, they dont care any possible trade embargo, which was the idea from external world, to be effective if the man was reelected. And the very same manner, people neglect or forget the stories about electric chair and war crime investigaation against MR, in Hague, as was spread in the air -exctly two years ago – in lanken tabloid, again and again.. people thought, that is why the man should be given an another mandate, as was the case in 2005, again, the people were highly manipulated – and royal astrologer from Galle lost his face.
All these were the case in short, if people need refresh.
Our people are so memory losers, and so selfish as no others.
I know how high sacrifices Mr Sirisena as a common candidate did, just 2 years ago on the 21 Nov 2016 in Srilanka –
Why peole have no brains to get them- is to be analysed. Bs jayawwewa to our folks
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Sunil / November 20, 2016
Well said Thisuri Wanniarachchi!
During the Rajapaksas government it was far worse so he can’t afford to talk about media freedom…
One of the biggest concerns right now is that this government has done nothing to deal with the rise of Buddhist terrorism just like the Rajapaksas regime!?(one of its biggest failures)
The Minister of Justice and BUDDASASANA Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa is dodging the issue of Buddhist terrorism by using ISIS as an excuse for his inaction and inability/unwillingness to deal with Buddhist terrorism…
This supposed spread of radical Islam in Sri Lanka is definitely connected with the failure/unwillingness of both the Rajapaksas regime and the MS, RW Government to deal with this radical Buddhist terrorism that is destroying Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka needs more input from millennials like yourself that seem to have a much clearer understand of what needs to be done.
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Sam Fernando / November 20, 2016
I cant agree with you more, Thisuri.
I really dont know people still goes after this monster.
Great article once again. You articulated without any reservations. Simply bravo you young lady, we thank you for your fearless efforts.
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Sarinda / November 20, 2016
Well said Thisuri! Thank goodness for people like you.
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Pandula Fernando / November 20, 2016
Talking about media repression by this MP is typical of ” pot calling kettle black”. Great article Indeed. Facts are stubborn but still remain without change. Well said.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / November 20, 2016
Could not have been said better. Bravo!
MR, you yourself paved your way to the dustbin of history. Please stay there. Have you read what was written in your name? Is your shadow writer trying to make us remember the unacceptable things you or your gang did?
If you had read it and understood it, you would have understood that it is garbage garbage to many. There are many good things that can be written about you, but not with regard to good governance.
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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Native Vedda / November 20, 2016
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
“There are many good things that can be written about you, but not with regard to good governance.”
Such as ……………… ?
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / November 21, 2016
Dear NV,
Travel around the country to see the trenendous investments made on the infrastructure all over the island, including the north and east. There was of course waste, extreme corruption, bad governance and the accompanying but nauseating self- glorification. The nature of the war and its ugliness and nastiness apart, his government did a tremendous job with the war-affected and war- displaced civilians in the IDP camps. His tenure as president saw the end to the LTTE, which had become a curse on the Tamils by then, but miserably failed to address the problems confronting the Tamils, given the golden opportunity he had to do so.
Let us not inter whatever good the man did with his bones, while also remembering his grievous faults, failures and overweening ego, and learning the lessons we need to.
Sounds like an epitaph, does it not!
Dr.RN
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Sama / November 21, 2016
Just because the mans terms put to end to the war means not everything. THAT SHOULD NO MEANS BE THE LICENCE him to abuse the state funds and the people the manner he has done.
So, do you think, would not any leader do the job the way he did it, if thingswould have been for him ? He could do lot more towards the reconciliation, but not the 1% he achieved. Why ? Why the human rights records ended up to zero LEVELs ?
COrrect, there had been road and construction developments, but over 60% of them were highly abused ones. Why he failed to maange them having had that long 45 years of expereience in lanken politics ?.
All thse money grabs, alleged have been the case during his tenure are real facts – I know few guys from account dpts and they have even got proven documents to go against Rajaakshe legally. But today govt would no do so, since the people and buddhist monks still support Rajakashes and Rajaakshe can abuse it for creation of another blood bath.
Even today, I am telling you, Rajakashe is the only president, who has the killing mentality. He woudl nto care of anything. It is just because his background. Born rascal will die as a rascal – is 100% match with his profile.
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Analyst / November 22, 2016
Dr Rajasinghan Narendran
Quote:
” travel around the country to see tremendous investments made including in the North and East.”
Please elaborate on the investments made in this part of the country , also please inform the readers why the war widows , men with families who are unemployed unablue to give them meals nor provide roof over their heads due to lack of everything , all the necessities in life.
Unemployment is the curse affecting these people in these parts, while the security services using these men and women to do their dirty work , a kind of slavery .
Please elaborate why there are no cottage industries or jobs for the unemployed, Is it not the most important factor is missing there??
Factories , offices needed for these people to be employed. Training places needed.
IT’s DEFINITELY NOT HAPPENING TO THESE PEOPLE. OPEN YOUR EYES DOCTOR AND SEE AND HEAR HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE COMMITTED SUICIDES??
Stop singing your old song that everything is. Hunky dory ,
Roads and Hotels built by the Southern contractors / owners syphoning off the wealth from the North and East while the jobs are done by the Southerners and no jobs for the locals.
How does that works??! in your Analysis???
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / November 22, 2016
Analyst,
Have you read what I written carefully?
Dr.RN
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Kumar R. / November 20, 2016
Rajasingham,
Another valiant effort to distance yourself from MR – after your prostrating at his feet to kiss his (toe?) ring on an MR-paid free-vacation faked as a delegation!
Remember writing in these very columns that MR was the best leader we could have hoped for, asserting that that within a year after Nandikadal he had completed 75% of what he had promised to Tamils, and assuring us that your mind-reading capabilities (a skill you learnt at Vet school) gives you the divine power to proclaim that MR is a very trust worthy leader who will be honourable in his political leadership, including his dealings wit the Tamils?
When will you stop your pathetic demagoguery? The “vasi-pathetta hoi”? Is that your genetics that you take pride in as well?
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Sri -Krish / November 20, 2016
Dear Thisuri,
We are very disappointed with the way the present government trying to deal with decent.
Media repression should be condemned without any reservation.
Media freedom should always be held sacrosanct
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timbuttu / November 20, 2016
Land of Bath guli,rice from the moon.
“”Media repression should be condemned without any reservation.””
If you cannot handle setbacks you will never handle success.
“Media freedom should always be held sacrosanct”
you won’t find your dream until you lose your excuses.
Do you know most working class kids of UK have been convicted and that is the result of freedom.
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jim softy / November 20, 2016
Media in capitalist countries are for money. Sri lanka is different. What do you think about the lack of responsible writing from Media ? Mahinda Rajapakse is a cheap politician, as most of others are, who lives on the govt. When it comes to him, he could not do it and he did not exactly the opposite way. Even during his reign people accused him how he manged to go infront of the Geneva – Human right Commission.
As a writer, why you did not think about writing about the lack of responsibility, shamelessness and prostituting the journalism by journalists ? Correcting Mahinda Rajapakse is straightening a Dog’s tail. Did you look for cheap popularity by bashing Mahinda Rajapakse ?
They are following blindly the western mentality.
Where is the asian or Sri lankan mentality of “pen is stronger than the sword”. So, use it responsibly ?
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Native Vedda / November 20, 2016
jim softy dimwit
“Where is the asian or Sri lankan mentality of “pen is stronger than the sword”.”
The pen is mightier than the sword was coined by an Englishman Edward Bulwer-Lytton in 1839.
When did it become Asian or Sri Lankan mentality?
What’s the matter with you jimmy?
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jim softy / November 20, 2016
Dumb Native Vedda
Suddas were very good at presenting others stuff as theirs.
Read below;
Assyrian sage Ahiqar, who reputedly lived during the early 7th century BC, coined the first known version of this phrase. One copy of the Teachings of Ahiqar, dating to about 500 BC, states that “The word is mightier than the sword.
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Native Vedda / November 20, 2016
Dimwit jim softy
“Assyrian sage Ahiqar, who reputedly lived during the early 7th century BC, coined the first known version of this phrase. One copy of the Teachings of Ahiqar, dating to about 500 BC, states that “The word is mightier than the sword.”
Very stupid man,
Assyria once comprised Syria, Iraq, Iran and Turkey.
Were they part of Asia?
When did they become Sri Lankan?
Did the Sri Lankan rule Syria, Iraq, Iran and Turkey?
The Story of Ahikar were compiled from Aramaic, Syriac, Arabic, Armenian, Ethiopic, Old Turkish, Greek and Slavonic.
There is no evidence to suggest Ahikar was Sri Lankan, Indian, Tamil, Sinhalese, …. nor Bengali.
You failed to prove everything comes from Sri Lanka and Sinhala/Buddhists.
Why don’t you give your fingers some rest?
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jim softy / November 21, 2016
DUMB Native Vedda
Were they part of Asia?
So, it it did not meet the exact definition, and you were pi$$ed off ?
Read below.
Assyria, kingdom of northern Mesopotamia that became the centre of one of the great empires of the ancient Middle East. It was located in what is now northern Iraq and southeastern Turkey.
Mesopotamia: the region in South Western Asia where the world’s earliest civilization developed. The name comes from a Greek word meaning “between rivers” , referring to the land between Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
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AJ / November 21, 2016
You know well about your home land Assyria. Well done. Find about doing a Sunnath for you.
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timbuttu / November 21, 2016
Jim,
“”“The word is mightier than the sword. “”
Kim is the sister of Kylie.
Once a word has been allowed to escape, it cannot be recalled. Horace
CT is still backward compared to other blogs.
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timbuttu / November 20, 2016
[Edited out]
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Manel / November 20, 2016
Well said Thisuri, the hypocrisy is so obvious. It takes some arrogance to pretend they were the most liberal administration when it came to the media. Journalists had to flee from the harassment and death threats, and Lasantha was made into the example. Looks like they have a severe memory problem.
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punchinilame / November 20, 2016
“Do us all a favor and stay behind; pack up your stones and go back to your glass house”….
and DO NOT SWITCH ON THE LIGHTS WHEN YOU UNDRESS, as you have done in accusing GG here.
History has no precendence to the List framed under your watch as a reminder hereunder:
LIST OF KILLINGS OF JOURNALISTS AND MEDIA WORKERS
2004
1.Aiyathurai A. Nadesan – Journalist / 31 May
2. Kandaswamy Aiyer Balanadaraj – Writer / 16 August
3. Lanka Jayasundera – Photo journalist / 11 December
2005
4.Dharmaratnam Sivaram – Editor / 28 April
5. Kannamuttu Arsakumar – Media worker/ 29 June
6. Relangee Selvarajah – Journalist / 12 August
7. D. Selvaratnam – Media worker/ 29 August
8. Yogakumar Krishnapillai – Media Worker / 30 September
9. L. M. Faleel (Netpittimunai Faleel) – Writer / 02 December
10. K. Navaratnam – Media worker / 22 December
2006
11.Subramaniam Suhirtharajan – Journalist / 24 January
12. S. T. Gananathan – Patron, Tamil News and Information Centre / 01 February
13. Bastian George Sagayathas – Media worker / 03 May
14. Rajaratnam Ranjith Kumar – Media worker / 03 May
15. Sampath Lakmal de Silva – Journalist / 02 July – killed by Army
Intelligence
16. Mariadasan Manojanraj – Media worker / 01 August
17. Pathmanathan Vismananthan – Singer and musician / 02 August
18. Sathasivam Baskaran – Media worker / 15 August
19. Sinnathamby Sivamaharajah – Media owner / 20 August
2007
20.. Raveendran – Media worker / 12 February
21. Subramaniam Ramachandran – Media personnel / 15 February
22. Chandrabose Suthakar – Journalist / 16 April
23. Selvarasah Rajeevarman – Journalist / 29 April
24. Sahadevan Neelakshan – Journalist / 01 August
25. Anthonypillai Sherin Siththiranjan – Media worker / 05 November
26. Vadivel Nimalarajah – Media worker / 17 November
27. Isaivizhi Chempian (Subhajini) – Media worker / 27 November
28. Suresh Limbiyo – Media Worker / 27 November
29. T.Tharmalingam – Media Worker / 27 November
2008
30.Paranirupesingham Devakumar – Journalist / 28 May
31. Rasmi Mohamad – Journalist / 06 October
2009
32.Lasantha Wickrematunga – Editor / 08 January
33. Punniyamurthy Sathyamurthy – Journalist / 12 February
34. Sasi Mathan – Media worker / 06 March
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Fathima Fukushima / November 21, 2016
Most of them seem to have LTTE like names.
Is that a fluke?
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SinhalaPropaganda / November 22, 2016
You seem to have ISIS like name.
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AJ / November 22, 2016
well said !
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AJ / November 22, 2016
How does LTTE name sound like ?
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jim softy / November 21, 2016
punchinilame
How many of those in your list carried the Cyanide Capsule ?
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AJ / November 21, 2016
Zero
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Rohan Perera / November 21, 2016
What about Richard de Zoysa – 1990 ?>?
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Patriot / November 20, 2016
[Edited out]
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sr / November 20, 2016
Something repeated and re-repeated
Why should this man be individually addressed and attacked or blamed when it had been a team work.
Keep it in mind that this man’s return or non return will be decided by current regimes accomplishments and; so far not so good.
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timbuttu / November 20, 2016
Nothing is going to happen to him as the FBI and MI5 will not go back on its word
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Native Vedda / November 21, 2016
sr
“Keep it in mind that this man’s return or non return will be decided by current regimes accomplishments and; so far not so good.”
I believe you, racism, Sinha Le, bigotry, patriotism, thuggery, lies, false promises, ……. won’t be liberally strewn during and before the next elections.
Remember, Hitler was democratically elected in 1932.
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vas / November 20, 2016
I am surprised by the line taken by the writer whose comments are generally anti buddhist no different from the Rajapakses who visited vatican 4 times, allowed half naked women to dance in front of the Dalada Maligawa, ignored the request of the Mahanayakes and had races round the maligawa, Supported muslim universities in the East, Allowed his muslim minister to distributevgovernment land to muslims illegal. etc
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Rohan Perera / November 20, 2016
Well said young Lady.
Hope this will penetrate the coconut shell skulls of the MR camp at least now
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Siva Sankaran Sarma / November 20, 2016
“” We also believe that all governments must be held accountable; the media should never be censored, journalists shouldn’t be abducted or disappeared. Instead they must be empowered, encouraged and welcome by all politicians and government institutions. “”
Grown up woman is behaving like a kid who has not done her homework writing shop.
After the `news of the world` (sky Murdoch)inquiry and closure the British public have a well found ill feeling towards journalist and that remains permanent even today. Same is to happen to USA with the amendment due in January.
Take the trouble to cross over to the SL embassy and ask Sunday leader’s wife how come she now holds a diplomatic passport after the initial H1B.
Fact first hand- Hampstead heath London socialites and journos like Jon Snow know the ride they were taken on and are furious with your kind of people.
Character Assassination is a pastime of Lankan journalist.
“abducted or disappeared.”
Most refugee journalist from 3rd world countries has done it to have a better life in the prosperous west.
Please give us the name of one journo from Lanka who has made a name in the west after disappearing.
Getting into the foreign office has been their ambition but once that was closed they disappear.
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timbuttu / November 20, 2016
[Edited out]
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Captain Fantastic / November 21, 2016
Unless one is corrupt to get the money to attend Bennington or one had a,full ride scholarship, it’s not easy to save the kind of money to attempt the most expensive university in the USA.
Out of state tuition alone is $47,000 plus board and lodging and books etc.
People should not talk like they’re so pure.
Maithripala Sirisena also sent one of his daughters and his goulish thug son to England to study ..media is deaf dumbass and mute.
Why?Apey hora hondai syndrome? Lots of people in the armed forces and defense contractor establishmentions including people in laws of Sarath Fonseka, made off like bandits with loot. Rich rich rich.
Of course children are blind to that. Thusly,they can write all sorts of rubbish high sounding opinions from Vermont pontificating to natives. Media including CT never asked MY3 how the hell did he make money to send his kids to England when he didn’t even own land to sell like Chandrika whiskey madam.
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KA Sumanasekera / November 21, 2016
Is this pretty MP a member of the latest political party?
Not the Lotus Flower Party.
I am talking about the Anti Corruption , Good Governance Party of the Mr Cleans, Rajitha, Ranatunga, Champachaya and the cleanest of all, the Rtd Field Marshall.
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Native Vedda / November 21, 2016
KASmaalam KA Sumanasekera
How are you? Are you alright?
I suspect there is something wrong with you. You are not being yourself.
How is your health?
How is your wealth?
How is your job?
Are you still working for MR?
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lasith / November 21, 2016
Congratulations for being a talented writer at a young age. But i wish i wish that you won’t become one of the new generation people feeding upon diaspora pumped money being a tree hugging hypocrite.
It is sad when one lose the roots of hers forgets her ancestors and disgrace her own religion.
Only a person who lived in the boarder villages during the Ltte brutalitlies will value and redeem what Mahinda did for this country.
Be realistic
Mahinda is a true leader who slayed the dragon inspite of all the odds when all the others had lost hope.
He is a true man like churchil , Stalin, king asoka or Roosevelt. He is no saint for saints don’t go to war.
But he is a true leader but not a coward scribbling in the comfort of a cosy room.
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Seen the light / November 21, 2016
Well said, young lady!
I only wish our political leaders have the guts to say what you say. They have been pussyfooting for too long.
We haven’t forgotten the number of journalists who were abducted, tortured or even killed during the last decade. These people have no right to talk of media freedom.
Lock them up and throw the keys!!
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Douglas / November 21, 2016
A “Shrimp” (Issa) always think and says, he is very “Pure”; but fails to see all his “FAECES” is stored in his HEAD. That is my response to MR’s presentation. That is how my village people understand and explain this type of sermon by “Big Wigs” both past and present.
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Levi / November 21, 2016
Thisuri Wanniarachchi
Well Said. From Humble beginning a year back you are going places. You are reachinh Himalayan Levels. You Will Soon Touch the Top of Everest at th rate you are going.
Yue are touching really wothy Topics. Please keep it up give us some good reading. This forum at time starts drifting from its objectives and ending up ih irrelevent arguments.
Please be focussed and keep up your writings
levi
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Ron / November 21, 2016
A more suitable topic would have been …. ‘tale of ashamed yahapalana voter’. Or ‘desperate times sans desperate measures’.. I can see the bitterness and the sense of mental defeat the writer is suffering through her words of rage rather than constructive journalism.
Probably mummy or daddy might be a benefactor of the present robinhood government, and this might be her daughter
‘s last ditch or attempt to save the barrasment of the absolutely apauling behavior of the yahapala government. Dear writer open your eyes and see the plight of the middleman around you. I speak and profes for that middleman who is torned by the policies of the present government and you have been subjected to severely difficulties as a result of their rubbish IMF savy policies… we too were MR supporters then turned for the change, a change I and majority of whish just was a sweet dream that never came true … Where are all those mythical stories of 18 billion USD lying in the foreign accounts offshore. It all seems well articulated load of lies…
All what we saw was the greatest bank heist in the word but with the sacrosanct of the countries PM.
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Singhe / November 21, 2016
Well said Thisuri. We need more people like you to come foreword. Anyway unless we get a medical certificate to know whether MR is suffering from acute Dementia we cannot blame him for forgetting the immediate past. Most of JO people suffer from Dementia.
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Renu / November 21, 2016
He has such thick skin like that of a Hippo, he will try to ignor the comments the young lady has made . He would have first delt with you in filth and then rest one knows what would have happend, like the Lasantha episode. None should take this clowns’ comments anyl longer as the truth. He is an out & out liar.
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yakonis / November 21, 2016
The problem with journalists in this country is that they do not know how to write objectively. They should learn to stick with the facts and cut their own take on things and stop trying to give their opinions on matters that they have no clue about. Unless you are an expert on a subject, get someone who is an expert and report exactly what they said, not what you think of what they said.
Moreover, most journalists pens are very sensitive to dollars these days, especially the overseas ones! Basically just like all other professions, they can be bought/influenced/silenced at the right price. So whether it is MR or RW that is in power, this is the case. Hence the political divisions are well reflected among journalists too.
If journalists are truly objective, then there cannot be any division among them as there is only one truth, problem is when personal agendas get introduced into their writing, they become bias and directed. These agendas are part of bigger campaigns by parties with various interests in this country, both for and against interests of the country. So its not surprising that journalists get incarcerated from one of the political parties regardless of who is in power. Also, looking at so called “working democracies” in the world, you will soon realise that it is impossible to find a truly impartial media channel/company.
So in reality truth tends to suffer, journalists take the liberty to either sugar coat bad news or take the shine off the good news, depending on their own agenda. That’s the truth!
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Sarath Perera / November 21, 2016
I know Thisuri and she is not a journalist. She’s an author, a nationally acclaimed one, works pro-bono for several government aagencies and is still about 25 years old.
ppl often mistake her for a journo.
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Adrian / November 21, 2016
Well written. MR has no shame. He will continue to pretend not knowing these sentiments and will continue to convince the innocents and illiterate to be vulnerable to his manipulations to get votes.
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Singhe / November 21, 2016
Time and again the electorate has proved that whatever the journos say people are capable of sifting through the gibberish and coming to right conclusions. Mrs. B in 1977 and MR in 2015 failed although they muzzled the press to their liking. This is likened to the proverbial Swan which will drink only the milk in a pot of water mixed with milk. let the dogs bark the caravan should move on.
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Ravi-Telugu / November 21, 2016
[Thisuri Wanniarachchi –
Honorable MP,]
Where are you Dayan Jayatilleka දයාන් ජයතිලක. Mahindia (the notorious war criminal)is mentioned here as MP.
She wake You Up for this Presidential Debate.
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Pradeepa / November 21, 2016
Miss.Isouri I think you arnt a journaliste & you are residing in a forign country.
What ever de have to appreaciat that end of the war was done by Rajapaksha era. If you are happy or no today the people has the big mouths to critisice Mr.Mahinda R. Because the end of the war.keep that in mind.When the people cant go in a bus for Work children cant go to schools & children were taken to do the war you arent in the country.Do use YOUR publication putting yourself with the normal résidents in sri lanka.
WHATEVER WE SHOUD BE GREATFUL THE WORK HE DID.
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Samuel Jayaweera / November 21, 2016
Pradeepa,
you are right only interms of war end. But that must not give any leader to rape the nation ? Do you agree with me ?
Those road and constrution work – had already been started in the days of CBK. However, we must not overestimate the work done by MR administration in terms of elemination of Terror with in the country. To that time, Ltte had been weakened by various grounds. And it was not magical leadership of MR but the collectivity succeeded the terror end.
But since war is no longer there, things could work for the betterment of all walks of people in thi country.
BUT ONLY A BUNCH MEN AND WOMEN WERE PLEASE BY RAJAPAKSHE.
It is open secret the way he abused statefunds. To date, they have enough proof to charge the man and send to jail, but for some unexplainable reasons, perhaps only known to President andPM, Rajaapkshes remain unjailed.
All these are not known to you Predeepa, or jayawathies or balawathies of lanken society since truths were kept away from them, using abusive Derana, Sirasa and Hiru on and on. Even today those media men would not say anything against Raja high frauds, in the same time, they also say nothing good done by current leaders too.
Third force of a country -is believed to be athe media.
But so long our media men would not see it that way, people will stay like you.
All is true about the freedom enjoyed since war is no longer there, but in the same time, ti was no right to take the life of innocient srilankenss in the last phase of war.
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