The Yahapalana Government is set to go ahead with the deal to buy a Russian-built Gepart 5.1. Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) for the Navy costing US $ 135 million or more than Rs 20 billion this week.
President Sirisena – Minister Difence
This purchase goes against recommendations from all authoritative sources and in particular serves no meaningful purpose given the Navy’s current requirements.
It was widely rumored that the former Navy Chief Travis Sinniah’s tenure was not extended because he was dead against this purchase.
The Sunday Times revealed that ‘the cost of the OPV at US$ 135 million would come from un-utilized credit from a facility issued by Russia on February 10, 2010’.
Although the credit line lapsed in 2015, the Government has persuaded Russia to re-validate the US$ 135 million for five years and a Russian bank has extended a loan for the amount at an annual interest rate of four per cent, the Sunday Times further reported. In September this year, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a recommendation from President Maithripala Sirisena, as Minister of Defence, for the purchase of this vessel. He said in a Cabinet Memorandum that “The Sri Lanka Navy has a requirement of this kind of a ship and already given the recommendations to purchase this.” Defence sources say the purchase of more ships from two different countries is now on the cards.
A delegation from Rosboronoexport, the monolithic state-owned enterprise for defence exports, will arrive in Colombo for this purpose. The delegation is to be headed by Alexandrovich Mikheev a close friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Sunday Times claims that the delegation is expected to hold talks on other Russian defence equipment on offer.
nalmen / December 3, 2017
Russia is accused of interfering in US elections
at this rate they might start interfering in ours too
who is our Michael Flynn?
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Dude / December 3, 2017
Corruption is the name of the game!
This is why Navy Commander Travis Sinniah who questioned the deal had to resign after 2 months and is now the youngest Admiral in the world without a job and the opportunity to serve his coutry
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Native Vedda / December 3, 2017
Dude
–
The former Navy Commander Travis Sinniah may be a honest officer however the tradition dictates one has to question the deal so as to increase bit for “larger commission/kickback”.
–
His service was not extended when he reached his retirement age which was within the ambit of the government.
–
Following the footstep of Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara Travis too can go into film industry, join SLFP contest elections, win elections sit with the JO, ……………. visit Geneva periodically, ………
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S.Modaya / December 3, 2017
NV: There are so many over 55, over 65 year and over 70 doddering corrupt politicians who are looting the country. The New Constitution should have a compulsory retirement age for ALL POLITICIANS at 55.
55 is too young for a distinguished officer and professional to retire. The retirement age of the Navy Commander could have been extended for a few years and up to 65 for all those in line of succession for Navy Chief.
But in Miracle of Modayas everything is upside down and this generation of corrupt politicians is living too long, looting and depriving youth of leadership and clean governance.
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Shenal / December 4, 2017
Who the hell can capped the people’s voting power? If people wants a 90 year old guy to rule the land it should be allowed to happen. Who are you to bar people’s choice?
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Native Vedda / December 4, 2017
Shenali
–
When did you start valuing Democracy?
By the way the state also must provide a palanquin and 6 men to carry the 90 year old ruler in and out of the parliament in addition to a team of nurses, nappy changers, a pharmacist, a hospital bed, ambulance, ……………
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Shenal / December 5, 2017
So what? You should respect the people’s choice.
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Native Vedda / December 4, 2017
S Modaya
–
First you should educate the politicians and the state functionaries how to earn respect from the people before they are allowed to exercise their right to entitlements.
–
The state functionaries, faceless little persons behind the desk need to be told why they are sitting there in the first place. The people should be told who these little persons are and they constantly need to remind the little persons why they are sitting behind the desk or the purpose of being a state functionary, …….
–
These lazy bums have taken the people for a ride for many years.
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Justice & Fairplay / December 4, 2017
Native,
Poor statement from you about Travis. I wish you hadn’t, and this is not the first time.
He is not the type who will follow Sarath Weerasekera’s footsteps nor join a political party, from the little I know of him.
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Native Vedda / December 4, 2017
Justice & Fairness
–
I am sorry I have to reluctantly disagree with you.
In this island non of the top officials could put their hands on heart and say their rise to the top is attributable to their exemplary service, hard work, honesty, ….. During their carrier somewhere they would have either pleased their political or their immediate masters.
–
Most of my close friends and acquaintance who worked/work in the state institutions were punished for their honesty, hard work, …………….. non were rewarded when they were entitled to while the the lazy boozy b***s carriers were promoted at a phenomenal rate, may be two three grade above his/her colleagues.
–
Either one has to have family connections/network or be a fine b***s carrier to ruling party, ready to shout “Aye Aye Sir” to their political masters/divisional heads if one wants to rise to the top. This includes conniving, colluding, aiding and abetting all sorts of unethical/criminal activities. This is the general rule and there could be exception however I do not believe service officials are the best examples.
–
Remember from Mahaveli project to war economy made many billionaires all involved large purchases.
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Justice & Fairplay / December 5, 2017
Dear NV,
You have not directly replied to my defense of Travis, but simply generalised. Regrettably that won’t do since the insinuations are damaging.
You are too sensible a man to allow bias to cloud over your better judgment. Unless you have clear evidence to the contrary, you will be better off conceding that Travis Sinniah was a fine Officer and Gentleman, and as fine as they come.
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LAC3 (rtd) Buddhadasa / December 4, 2017
Okay, okay, go ahead and buy your warship, Mr.President. Just don’t name it SLNS Maru Sira please.
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Dodo / December 3, 2017
Both Sira and Ranil are responsible for Travis’ removal! Don’t blame only Sira. This is bi-partisan UNP-SLFP corruption and resulting brain drain we are talking about.
TS also revealed about the Avant Guarde scam in which both Ranil’s Tilak Marapona and Gota were involved in!
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Jim softy / December 3, 2017
President Can be HONEST by asking including extra parts for the ship from that commiss. IF not, by establishing an agency to handle buying foreign things and collecting the commis in a fund.
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Amarasiri / December 3, 2017
President Sirisena,
So, you think that buying UNNEEDED ships for $153 million, and expenditures on manpower and maintenance is a good deal, even though the interest rate is at 4%?
Remember, these assets depreciate.
Is the real reason for the purchase, somebody is getting a big commission on this?
Who are those people?Your brother Dudley?
Remember, Gotabaya Rajapaksa the crook and criminal, made similar deals wITh the Russians/Ukranians on the MOF deal and made US $30 million, and kIlled LASANTHA WICKRAMATUNGA AS WELL.
Why not arrest the crook and crimonal Gotabaya Rajapaksa for a change?
This is NOT your money.
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Champa / December 3, 2017
UNP seems to be in a move to attack the President. It is clear that the President had submitted the Cabinet Memo based on the recommendations of the M/Defence and the Navy. As apparent, he has nothing to gain from this purchase. However, someone in the UNP circle is to be benefited.
.
Arousing suspicion, Mangala had shown a keen interest in increasing the defence budget out of the blue. The massive increase at a time like this is pretty unusual under pusillanimous Ranil and his UNP government. It is evident that the budget increase is to make billion rupee defence related purchases and conduct military seminars/exercises to foreign troops.
.
President’s decision is easy. If we read the following line of the article, the answer is there. “Defence sources say the purchase of more ships from TWO DIFFERENT COUNTRIES is now on the cards.” The decision is simple. President should CANCEL the purchase of ALL OTHER SHIPS (from where, I have no idea), go ahead and purchase the Russian vessel, for two reasons. (1). A re-validation has been requested by the government giving an informal assurance for the purchase. (2). Russia is more important to us than “other two countries”.
.
Defence is one of the most corrupt fields in the world as well as in Sri Lanka. When every purchase of the government is political, it becomes a political lottery to UNP Ministers. That is how UNP operates. Corruption is a cancer and the practice is now integrated into the government/political systems. UNP government is the mother of all corruption. Eventhough the culprits are brought before the law with supported evidence for their nefarious gains, even the judges seem to be mesmerized by their artful defences. Therefore, the President should take stern action against corruption at his level.
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Prasanna / December 4, 2017
Nothing to gain from this purchase? How about you go and ask Kili Rajamahendra, Chevaan Daniel, Shiral and hitan’s son-in-law this question?
Looks like you are fan of sirasa big-time…
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Champa / December 4, 2017
Prasanna
Your comment is so lame, I don’t even understand of your fear of Sirasa. May be you are working for them, that is the reason you give credit where it is not due and importance unworthy of them.
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Anver / December 4, 2017
Just 2 months ago SL purchased its largest warship from India. Remember?
What is going on?
Are the Sea Pussies active again? Or is it for commissions?
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Mallaiyuran / December 4, 2017
Yes, but we returned Air buses Old Royals bought also. That means, as we saved some losses, we are entitled to buy something new for our fun too. When you come to power, you can return the ship paying commission to somebody. Didn’t UNP fixed CB’s inoperability by taking batta on the bond deals.
(Chitanda Goverment bought pales on Commission, and Yahapalanaya Goverment returned them to get commission.)
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Champa / December 4, 2017
Someone above says Travis Sinniah questioned the purchase of the Russian vessel. Did he question the purchase of the Indian vessel? I don’t think so. May be, may be US moved him against the purchase from Russia. I remember a few weeks ago US even gifted an offshore petrol vessel to Sri Lanka something which is very unusual. When you put two two together you get the picture. President is not in a position to cancel this purchase at this juncture as it will reflect bad on him. He has to go ahead with the purchase of the Russian vessel, but he should make sure to cancel all other future purchases of ships.
.
About Travis Sinniah, I myself opposed him even before he became the Navy Commander on the basis of conflict of interest. He was someone who has retired from the Navy citing personal reasons some years ago and later worked as a Security Specialist at the US Embassy. This government reinstated him and later appointed him as the Eastern Navy Commander in 2016 which is unacceptable. US will never even reinstate a naval officer who retired from the service and then worked in the Russian Embassy or any other Embassy as a Security Specialist, let alone appoint him as the Navy Commander or promote him as an Admiral. Anyways, Yahapalanaya is and was always manipulated and intimidated by foreign powers. Sinniah retired the second time in 2017 after reaching the retirement age plus two months’ extension. He shouldn’t have been appointed as the Navy Commander in the first place.
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Amarasiri / December 5, 2017
Anver,
Are they afraid of the Malabar invasion, as has happened in the past to to Paras?
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Gobbaya / December 4, 2017
What interference are you referring to?
We have Americans, Indians, Chinese, Pakistanis already interfereing in our affairs.
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Silva / December 4, 2017
Can the citizens of Sri Lanka demand that the national wealth not be wasted on another countries trash!?
We have more important areas that need so much attention. the last thing we need at this moment is our government to buy some rusty outdated ship…
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Sinhala_Man / December 3, 2017
The need right now is not for an Off Shore Patrol Vessel for the Navy, but for National Reconcilliation, and of immediate concern is for the the political parties that don’t advocate the further raising of ethnic tensions to fare well at the Local Elections.
*
Yes, it was good for us to have a Navy Commnder with at least a Tamil name; the fact that he and his wife had not opportunistically changed their names at any time meant that they had principles of some sort! We heard rumours of commissions promised to the President’s s-i-l, but there seemed to be contradictions in the stories. Was the vessel a new one or “reconditioned” as most items bought by Sri Lankans now-a-days are.
*
“old codger,” this is from a Windows 7 computer near Colombo no comments seen yet, and using Google Chrome. Can navigatewith mouse, but spell-check doesn’t respond, although it does underlind. Not possible to make this first comment using the Firefox Browser.
*
We certainly don’t need an arms build-up in this country. Building up good will is far more important.
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Sinhala_Man / December 3, 2017
Now, how is it that spell-check didn’t draw my attention to “underlind” above. Well it has now.
*
This is using the Firefox Browser. No Adware detected from previous posting using Google Chrome.
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oldcodger / December 3, 2017
Dear Sinhala Man,
The Opera browser lets you get in the first comment. You can even select text with the mouse (but not paste it) . The mouse left key works inside the comment box. Not quite normal, but better!
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Sinhala_Man / December 3, 2017
Thanks, old codger.
Although it is now obvious that the good “nalmen” has beaten me to making the first comment, the real distinction is the difference between posting a comment at the very bottom of the list, and posting a “Reply” as I am now doing.
*
It will not be possible for me to put this comment at the very bottom. At this moment, the last comment is by Jagath Fernando. I could post this as a “Reply” to his, though.
*
Yes, very long ago, I was persuaded to use the “Opera browser”, and I have nothing against it. However, there are two other considerations. One is not to fill your computer with inessential software (phone reviewers call it “bloatware”. The other is to down-load only what you need – and that is best achieved by getting it direct from the (in this instance) actual browser site, and not from “softonic” or “cnet”. Not that those sites are frauds, but they, too, have to earn, and they sometimes bundle what you want with some other advertising programme. So, when downloading, one has to go to the “Advanced Options”, and reject some accompanying programmes (which can be done), instead of accepting their “default setting”.
*
One of the problems is these bright young helpful guys, who like to recommend their latest fad. This happens with Antivirus programmes as well, where the two in recent vogue are “Nod32” and Kaspersky. These guys will even tell you that it’s all right if we just get the virus definitions from them, without purchasing the software. If you look at what Wikipedia says about Kaspersky, you will see what they do by labelling rivals as “false positives” etc.
*
This is why it is best to obtain products which have a free version to start with, but ascertain how that particular company earns its revenue. All this you probably know, “old codger”; it may be that someone else may learn something from this – or it may be that others get bored by my comments, and so, “Wolf, Wolf”, they miss the occasional profound comment that comes even from a guy like me.
*
Apply such complexity to the purchase of a ship!
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Rajash / December 3, 2017
Sinhala Man – completely agree with you. why on earth spend such a colossal sum on off shore petrol vessesl? The Sinhala polity is still has a suspicious and nervous mind set and a mental block. The Sinhala polity think Vaiko is preparing to invade Sri Lanka.
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Amarasiri / December 3, 2017
Rajesh,
It is not Vaiko.
It is commissions!
Just give a one-time commission to the President and ask the them not to buy the ship.
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Rajash / December 3, 2017
Amarasiri – agree its commission. …but how does he sell it to the gullible Sinhala masses?
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Native Vedda / December 3, 2017
Rajash
–
Simple, the gullible are ready and waiting to buy anything, even a second hand car from KASmaalam KA Sumanasekera.
–
Since you are planning to spend some time in the island you will find a buyer who would be interested in buying your Buckingham Palace, CERN, Eiffle Tower, ….. Mother of Parliament, ….. Big Ben, …..
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Amarasiri / December 3, 2017
Rajesh,
“…but how does he sell it to the gullible Sinhala masses?”
Well, well, he was not the first one on that line of business.
There was monk Mahnama of Mahawamsa….
There was SWRD….JRJ…. Mahinda Rajapaksa, and now Sirisena.
The mean IQ of 79, certain;y helps in making the sale. Agree, it will be harder to sell to the Singaporeans and South Koreans, whose mean IQ’s are 10 and 106.
National IQ Scores – Country Rankings
https://photius.com/rankings/national_iq_scores_country_ranks.html
Rank
——– Country
———————– %
————-
1 Singapore 108
2 South Korea 106
28 Sri Lanka 79
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Native Vedda / December 3, 2017
Sinhala_Man
–
I take your point.
What do you do with the officer class without enough ships? They need to pretend to be doing something needon’t they. If the rulers don’t keep the officer class busy they will get some funny ideas, along with officers of other forces. The larger the project/purchase the larger the kickback is. The santhosam has to be divided and distributed among those who will make this purchase possible.
–
You may want to live a honest frugal life not those who accustomed to live luxury life funded by stolen wealth from the public. You would have noticed a change of behaviour among the people. In good old days very few poor people stole to feed their family or extended family, because they had nothing to satisfy their need. Now it seems the rich steals from the poor, state, others …. because they want more. They aren’t motivated by need but by greed.
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Lone Wolf / December 3, 2017
Sinhala_Man,
Borrowing US $ 135 million to buy ONE ship and paying the money back with 4% interest is insane. Especially when the ship is not needed. The only explanation I can think of is that somebody with power will get money from this deal. Is there nothing more useful to buy with this credit?
In case you do not know Opera offers VPN free of charge. You can use that VPN to access blocked sites if you want to.
I have Firefox with
https://www.eff.org/https-everywhere and
https://noscript.net/
and think that comments work almost as they should. As you may remember I was unable to comment some months ago.
You may have problems because of the oldish Windows.
/
Sinhala_Man / December 3, 2017
Wow, Lone Wolf,
You are obviously a tech wizard.
*
So, I guess, you’ve just copy-pasted those two links as though there was nothing the matter.
*
My copies of Windows are not only “oldish”, but also they are not legal copies, so I don’t get updates. However, there were some updates that Windows considered very important that were sent to me, and there were no after-effects. Decent of them. May also help in their rivalry with Apple.
*
Many thanks for the free advice; the problem is that I won’t sit down to master all that. And I don’t want to pack my hard disk with too much “soft-ware”.
*
But that still doesn’t explain why most of these problems arise only when we are working within Colombo Telegraph.
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Jagath Fernando / December 3, 2017
All governments and their heads and friends made money and it has been the norm.
Mara and his family and cronies had their turn, R W and friends had their turn and and why not Sirisena?
If the voters are deaf, dumb and blind – you may return them to power again so that they can rob even more!!
Cannot find a single politician out of the 225 today, who have left everything behind and genuinely come forward to serve the people. We are mad to think that these morons are there to serve the people.
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observer / December 3, 2017
Jagath, your last sentence is heavy. Serving is for slaves only. Robbing is for those we in our madness send to parliament repeatedly expecting different results. Commissions are for some but robbing is for all of Diyawanna till it floods and takes it all away. The end eventually comes.
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Estate Labourer / December 3, 2017
The government is doing this because it is determined that this country shall set the record as the “Most Failed State in the World.” All actions such as this help to drive the score up!
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Lapatiya / December 3, 2017
It seems that Lankaenews disclosure is correct so far. Now we can understand why Lankaenews blocked in Sri Lanka and Media attack on UNP and It’s Leaders using Sakkili Maharaja’s kakkussi Kata. Also now we can understand why Travis Sinnaiyh had to retire without getting any extension.
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Aku / December 3, 2017
So Mr Sirisena, what is your commission??? Is this why you blocked lanka enews to cover this robbery??? Cancell this deal and show us you are honorable or continue to show us you are the same as the man who stole tsunami funds…
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Jim softy / December 3, 2017
Probably this is part of modernizing Sri lankan Navy even though the Ship is old. US 135 million and Rs 20 billion are both about the same. Instead of signing ETCA, Sri lanka can ask India to look after the seas. Why Sri lanka is not doing that. Is India a Headache ? Instead of selling Mattala or the Trinco Tanks, Sri lanka should have asked India to look after tge OCeans.
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shankar / December 3, 2017
sirisena’s vessel scam and ranil’s bond scam and rajapakshe’s allround scams.
God save this country.
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Amarasiri / December 3, 2017
shanker.
What do they have on common? They all are Paras.
Can we ship them back to their homeland India using the newly acquired ship?
/
J.Muthu / December 3, 2017
What can i say, sorry for the sinhala poor…..as long sinhala low class live in coma stage….sinhala criminal govigama , rathala asses fool this poor sinhala….
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Sena / December 3, 2017
The whole world is in going for small smart weaponn which are highly effective. We are heading in the opposite direction. This 30 years old rust bucket is only good enough for scraping, and to junk the yard. If it’s to be modernised and refit, it would cost a huge fortune, which the people illoffored for there are more pressing matters require urgent funding. Here only few commission agents going to amass huge booty.
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punchinilame / December 4, 2017
It was reported that Travis Sinniah inspected such a ship lying in
Singapore Waters before making his negative report on this purchase.
Cohorts of MS in the media industry have won this round – Like a
Dudley, Sira has the same taste – nothing the Voter can do
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Atticus / December 3, 2017
All we need to know is: who is getting the commission?
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ReeriYaka / December 3, 2017
Son in low vary happy. I am Gamarala and I like to make monei por risking my lipe. Vally happy.
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Mallaiyuran / December 3, 2017
Secret Solution is based on two gimmicks. 1). No Tamil Parties from North East is accepted in Yahapalanaya so Sinhala Mass will have an illusion that government is not working with Tamils to offer them rights, so the Secret Solution is free from any Hangbangtota part for Tamils. 2). SLFP, who is a part of Yahapalanaya joining with TNA, who is in the opposition will make sure Yahapalanaya will have 2/3 in all times it wants so when they are used for Secret Solution, it will not be flashing issue. These are additional understanding given to Tamils through TNA, with the other agreements which were achieved, witnessing IC, who put together the Yahapalanaya. Now SLFP has to go out; TNA supposed to come in. TNA has no way but to surrender to UNP. So, the flamboyant Secret Solution is dead on its arrival, though of its highly colorful marketing tactics of Sumanthiran in the North. The draft came out because of the virulent, wild spread of Yasmin Sooka Syndrome in Colombo Metropolitan & its Neighborhood. Instead of allowing the Draft go ahead and cause the damage, which initiated by the Syndrome, to Wildlife Sanctuary, Yahapalanaya would split and put halt to the Draft. As the Yahapalanaya is breaking up, to save the SinhaLE, the Wildlife Sanctuary, from the damaging Yasmin Sooka Syndrome, TNA is told to save the UNP, once again, by the IC. (We had pointed the damage done to TNA by January 2015 election. TNA will face severe trouble in the North by dissident parties.) It is guaranteed that Sinhalese will not vote for the new “Dudley Chelva-Pact” drawn in opposition of SLFP and Joint Comedy Club.
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Mallaiyuran / December 3, 2017
This new political trend is about to take the Tamil out of the Sumanthiran induced mirage in the North-East. UNP-SLFP may soon return to their original face (status) instead of Yahapalanaya – Joint Comedy Club Mask. Death of New King faction is the prophetic message radiated out of the repeated Natural Calamity sent by Buddha from the time Yahapalanaya took the power. (Political calamity is different. But even after offering Thirupathiyaan and Saparimaliyaan their due cups of coffee, the natural disasters being send by Buddha are not leaving Lankawe alone. ) Even if there is no new advantage is created for Old King Faction, these calamities are very damaging to New King Faction more than UNP, the other partner of Yahapalanaya. New King’s attitude recently suggesting, he as of not planning for long term political struggle and future, but trying to secure anything comes to his hand and bugger off safely, when the show comes to end.
Lost in the greed of having old King freed from IC inquiry and thus he from white flag murder accusations, New King has lost the hold of SLFP. At this political condition, New King is not coming to anything for next time, whether it is EP or PM. China’s veto is enough at UNSC. That has been secured by UNP and controlled by UNP. But New King feels he goofed on this and trying to sell to Russia as much as possible amount of Hangbangtotas and have his image place and pocket secured by the “The Sword and the Ship” stories. This will be the Russian Veto at UNSC.
Politics is usual in South. But any damage is always shouldered by Tamils. By the Sinhala Intellectuals’ efficient use of TNA to pocket as much as possible, while using it to wade off the West away from a voluntary involvement to political solution is going to leave the Tamils in the sky like “Thrisangu” for another 10-15 years.
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Rohan Gunaratne / December 3, 2017
It is with profound sorrow to announce the death of our comrade K A Sumanesekera alias Sumane. Cortege will leave from medamulana to batalanda for burial.
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Native Vedda / December 3, 2017
Rohan Gunaratne
–
Will KASmaalam K A Sumanasekera be resurrected under a new name and a new avatar?
–
Bandula Jayasekera believes he is the Minister of Beer.
Why not KASmaalam being appointed the Minister of Malt Whisky?
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Mallaiyuran / December 3, 2017
Sumane is a dedicated comment writer. He has been an important element in balancing the UNP acolytes in CT and keeping CT as a balanced media. He is being missed for some reason. This would mean Gamini like Ultra racist UNPyers a green flag to stage a Batalanda in CT with their comments.
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Pygmalion / December 3, 2017
This is by no means a Commission. It is a rip-off! Travis Sinniah was short-circuited for this.
Dudleyge Sudhiye!
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Jim softy / December 3, 2017
Buying military weapons definitely gives commis. Now BOND SCAM RANIKL is ready with the election and Mahinda Rajapakse is ready with money form different Scandles including that of Avant Guard. MAY3 also needs money for the election. but,they all complain about low salaries and perks.
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ramona therese fernando / December 3, 2017
I mean,….if yahapalana can tell masses how exactly this ship is to be used: e.g. protection against Tamil Nadu invasion. But Tamil Nadu invasion will probably not be a official war-declared invasion, but a wave -upon-wave of illegal migrants( some with intentions of taking over the whole of the island, as always)………so firing onto them, will look like crime-against-humanity scenario.
********************
Is the boat for a possible S’pore invasion for reasons of poor-performance on the triangle deal (TamilNadu-Singapore-Colombo)? One undemocratic monetary deal by Ranil and Co, that now incurs the problem of a retailation from S’pore, due to non-workability of South Asian brawn and brains to the artificial immigrant-Chinese standard.
**************
Is it a US-Russia deal. Where Russia gets rid of their old stock of vessels and buys brand new US machinery?
***************
OH!….come to think of it………..with Ranil and Co’s triangle deal, Singapore, hand-in-hand with Tamil Nadu might just invade us due to non-workability of the triangle deal from the Lankan end. (It will be the once in the 2,500 year chance for Tamil Nadu of course, to consolidate the Island of which they declared was theirs 2,500 years ago).
***********************
Pirates in the south seas…..nah….that’s a stretch. Unless, the shipping land, silk-road deal has been given the go-ahead by the Trump-admin. Then we’d have to protect against pirates.
*******************
Come on Yahapalanaya…..give reasons to the tax-paying masses for the 20-billion spend.
***********************
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Douglas / December 3, 2017
Are we still collecting funds for that CAT (Computerized Axial Tomography) Scan Machine needed for the Maharagama Cancer Hospital? Mr. President, before spending this Rs 22 Billion on a probably a “Refurbished” Petrol Ship, did YOU any of your :PURHITHYAS” suggest to think of installing at least one of those CAT Scan machines in each and every “Teaching Hospitals” for the benefit of the Poor People and also the Medical Students who have to be trained on modern technology on diagnosis? Don’t you realize that your PREACHING has no COMPATIBILITY with your ACTIONS? This shows the time has come to send you for an urgent “SCAN” of the “Brain” or the “Whole Nerve System”; I don’t know; perhaps both, I would suggest.
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shankar / December 4, 2017
douglas,you are talking like a schoolboy.These honourable representatives of the people are not thinking the whole day of scans,but only of scams.
However they will be returned by the people to parliament.So they must be truly representing the qualities and high standards maintained by the people.So let the people,their children,grandchildren,great grandchildren,pay the loans.
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K.Pillai / December 3, 2017
Remember the Norachcholai power plant mess. Eventually it got going because of Lankan expertise and industry.
The Russian Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) will be kept going by the Lankan Naval ratings at a price. The money spent on annual maintenance will be more than sufficient to upgrade, maybe 10 rural schools every year.
Lankan Navy recently ‘arrested’ Rohingya refugees in international waters on their way to Australia. For whom is the Lankan Navy working?
Lankan Navy is able to dictate terms, in return for loyalty.
The OPV may be used to apprehend TN fishermen but this matter must be settled politically. The Navy will use the OPV to enhance its hospitality wing.
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Niro / December 4, 2017
Tamil Fishermen settled illegally over 1000’s of years and now want their own nation at the expense of the natives.
Ethnic Unrest in Modern Sri Lanka: An Account of Tamil-Sinhalese …
Haraprasad Chattopadhyaya – 1994
The earliest inscriptions and Pali chronicles attest to the presence of the Tamil traders in Ceylon in or about 2nd century bc. Between the 2nd century Be and 11th century AD when the Cholas annexed Ceylon to their South Indian empire, there were several Tamil invasions on the island, most of which resulted in short periods of rule by the Tamil adventurers.
The laws and customs of the Tamils of Ceylon –
Henry Wijayakone Tambiah – 1954 –
The first invasion recorded in the Mahawansa is that of Sena and Kuttika (177-155 B.C.). They were sons of a freighter who brought horses to Ceylon, and attracted by her prosperity they invaded Ceylon with a large army of Tamils, defeated King Sura Tissa and reigned for a period of twenty-two years till they were finally expelled by Asela (155-145 B.C.), one of the brothers of Devanampiva Tissa.
Contested Lands –
Sumantra Bose – 2009
Tamils were now doubly beleaguered as a minority, as a community that had arrived in Sri Lanka only a millennium previously as a result of Tamil “invasions” from south India, and as a group that had allegedly been unduly privileged under the colonial dispensation.
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Native Vedda / December 4, 2017
Niro/Ranjith (sprrw) the Magician of the south
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Did you have a good holiday? Its been a long time since we last saw your typing.
Alright what are you trying to tell us in your own twisted way?
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sarath / December 4, 2017
Mr. President, you will pay for this dearly someday for this deal. Is this what Sri Lanka needs today, a $135mm war ship based on a loan at 4%? How are you different from the previous regime who borrowed money, like drunken sailors, to implement unwanted projects. You submitted the cabinet paper on this and the UNP crooks approved it. Few honest navy personnel lost their jobs. Truly unbelievable. Does this country have any politicians with the backbones? Where is the big-talking JVP?
Sri Lanka needs debt reduction not more debt. SL’s debt/GDP is near 80% now, the level Greece experienced just before the collapse of the economy. Greece is still paying a price for the excessive spending. Eventually something has to give if you spend more money than you can afford. It is the currency first and then followed the collapse of the economy as FDI/FII will come into a holt at some point. Foreign money from the bond market is going out already. In a great year for global emerging markets inflows, SL had minuscule inflows to the stock market this year. Ranil is trying to put more taxes on the stock market. It looks like the perceived “Mr. Smart” has no clue that stock market is the barometer of a economy. It is the place where companies can raise money to expand and create jobs. When was the last time SL had a successful, large IPO. The last one I can remember was Dialog and that probably happened 10 years ago. It is incredible to me that the rulers of SL doesn’t seem to understand that it is the private sector that creates jobs in an economy. As a global investor I am sitting in the U.S., and invest every Dollar I can in India as Modi is trying to reduce corruption and expand the private sector. All SL has to do is to just piggyback on India just like Hong Kong is doing servicing the Chinese economy.
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Jim softy / December 4, 2017
I think eventually once all the Navy and Air force is built, US may ask Srilanka to join NATO to stop Chinese Expansionism. In the mean time MY3 is earning some dough very important before retiring. Children need some capital and MY3 needs money for election.
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Mallaiyuran / December 4, 2017
It is being said New King is reappointing Ravi.
First we have to clear path. “We have nothing against Ravi; No objection of appointing him back. No Welcome”.
Entire CT had predicted its all eye washing. The presidential commission was only to feed Colombo Media who once in while need some government boost on the news side because the “Arrested Aava Khulu’s most important leader, Landslide, River overflow, Flood Victim” are too boring and repeated for people. They like something hot-hot.
Lots and lots of public money thrown in these law twisting Commissions.
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Colombo Man / December 4, 2017
With the increased threats by foreign interest and threat to SL territorial integrity ,security and protection of resources WE NEED an OPV.
How it was procured is a different story?
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Hela / December 4, 2017
The Russian vessel purchase is powered by the same oily hands of Snowy Mountain River Hydro………………….Gamaraala needs catching up to do to match up with the bond loot.
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roy / December 4, 2017
20% of 20 billion is 4 billion commission . Two way split is 2 billion each, not bad.
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roy / December 4, 2017
In a few years time another politician will make money on scrap metal.
Srilanka politics and looting continues….
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roy / December 4, 2017
Make Hay while the sun shines……
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Gune / December 4, 2017
these sort of stupid decisions will lose you the election.
#wewontforget
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R J Dasa / December 4, 2017
SRI Lanka schools dont have a toilets. But we are buying ship to attack who.?
This is crazy, We need to give basics to our people b4 we spend for war ships.
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Native Vedda / December 4, 2017
R J Dasa
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The idea is to send school children on excursion to the ship which can be used as public toilet in few years time.
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Did any of the previous governments or for that matter this government prepare a need assessment before they draw up nations budget? Even if they did what was the % of total expenses spent on the needs of the people?
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K.Anaga / December 4, 2017
It may be that the political boat the President is sailing is about to sink. Hence he has ordered a Russian vessel which could keep him afloat for few more years and give him the financial stability to with stand the storm.
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