President Maithripala Sirisena today appointed Economist Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy as the Governor of Central Bank.
Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy
Dr. Coomaraswamy was the former Director Economic Affairs at the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Sirisena tweeted that he had made the appointment after consulting ‘all parties concerned.’
A product of Royal College, Colombo and Harrow School in England, he gained his undergraduate degree at Cambridge University and obtained his Doctorate at the University of Sussex.
Coomaraswamy joined Central Bank of Sri Lanka in 1973 he served in the Economic Research, Statistics and Bank Supervision Divisions as a staff officer until 1989. From 1981 to 1989 he was seconded to the Ministry of Finance and Planning.
Thereafter he worked for the Commonwealth Secretariat from 1990–2008, holding the posts of Director, Economic Affairs Division and Deputy-Director, Secretary-General’s Office and was brought back to the Commonwealth Secretariat to head the Social Transformation Programme Division, as Interim Director.
He is currently a Special Advisor at the Galleon Group.
Jd / July 2, 2016
I think he is a advisor to the pathfinder group not galleon.
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Samuel Jayaweera / July 2, 2016
Why do you say that ?
Just because every simple simon feels to add their low comments or with provable records about his performaances.
What matters is talented person with the capability to get on with lanken type of media – (absolutely MR biased), in the same time to be able to get on with UNP leadership: JVPrs with their theories could sabotage anything and everything not the point of view of experties. I still believe that AM was just a victim of lanken MEDIA. No means he has done anything wrong during his long years carrier. He is a provable expert to Singapore. We have literiture if anyone wants to check it out.
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Amarasiri / July 3, 2016
Samuel Jayaweera
Listen to President Maitripala Sirisena’s speech appointing Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy as the Governor of Central Bank.
https://www.facebook.com/maithripalas/videos/10154168009551327/
He is attacking MaRa MaRa ChaTu MaRa Amana MaRa HoRa MaRa DhaushaNa MaRa and his cronies.
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Sinhala_Man / July 3, 2016
Thanks, Amarasiri.
It was good that I was able to hear Maithri’s speech. Many adverse facebook comments, though. I’m not sure how to use my computer to type Sinhala; hope some others will also take a look, and give some likes to the guys who have made positive comments.
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Paperchase / July 4, 2016
” guys who have made positive comments. “
remember negatives too they help the english get along.
Only a couple of days ago, Wickremesinghe had said that a Committee of Lawyers, the police and the Supreme Court had cleared Mahendran of any wrong doing.
6 year contract: The incoming governor faces stiff challenge, including stabilising a faltering rupee, averting a balance of payments and debt crisis and boosting a sluggish economy.
Will he bring in commonwealth trade to offset the glut in trade.?? Put him in Hot Water and have trading in fun, both ways.
The central bank is known to frequently intervene in the market to arrest sharp movements in the rupee currency, and the vacancy created after Mahendran declined reappointment raised concerns over a potential leadership vacuum.
Who tastes but half is wise and cleverest.
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Sinhala_Man / July 4, 2016
I agree that it is normally perilous to ignore negative comments. However, in this instance, where are all those negative comments were racist, crudely racist.
To take this country forward it is necessary for us to think as a nation which is united and eschews communalism.
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Seelawathie Jayasinghe / July 2, 2016
Besides, President would not have appointed him unanimously, but with agreement of UNP leadership, else, it would not be easy to achieve anything. From his academic records on, he seems to be briniging the experience in the required fields.
Now the Maxes, Srinaths, Wimal Buruwasnses will make every efforts to paint an another picture. Further attacking UNP men for being corrupted… along for that matter that hypothetical sums should have gone missing…
THere is no powerful voices being exercised after REAL SUMS that have truly been GRABED away – this is not stupidity ? Anways, first people have to be informed properly facts they really are – without keeping the valuable points away from them – how can anyone do the job, so long mafia led – biased media men continue the job keeing away the facts from THE VULNERABLE MASSES ?
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AVB / July 2, 2016
I try to fill in for Wimal Buruwanse..
Why it is always Royalists? In my time there were some Royalists in the University, but almost all of those were 7th scholarship or O/L high achievers outside Colombo 7 or Colombo 5..
Anyway, Dr Coomarswamy has done lot of education in prestige Cambridge Uni, and his body signs show signs of very decent human being. Good luck to you Dr. Economics.. Please help the nation to paddle through this economic storm..
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Samuel Jayaweera / July 2, 2016
What matters is not that the candidates being royalists but their profiles. If their profiles are the ones being required by the employers is the bottom line. I wonder why the many here seems to be busy the candidates being tamil or Royalists or what ever other label they carry with.. anyways that is typical lanken way of thinking…
I had the time to check about AM and his performances as a Governor for the country and even before becoming governor.. there I thought he is genuine as no others. But lanken media branded him as most abusive person to this date. That is again lankens… majority lankens that just spread lies.. even at investigations being underway. .
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Silva / July 2, 2016
Jd,
“I think he is a advisor to the pathfinder group not galleon.”
OMG! If he is an advisor to the pathfinder which is haunted by that thattaya Milinda Moragoda wheeler dealer and if new CBG is manipulated by Milindaya, RW will have huge troubles ahead!
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Sam Fernando / July 2, 2016
I think too early to predict all these.
Wait and see Silva how it moves forward this time.
I still believe that AM was the victim – he is no means corrupted. I want to see this to be clear LET ALONE next days. Just attacking persons that way by virulent Rajaakshe proxy media held lanka should not for the sake of the future the country. Investors would NOT be happy…. if anyone woudl wan tot come to lanka …
These meeharak folks are very irresponsible as I see it today.
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Leelawathie / July 2, 2016
Silva for your further focus :
http://mmbl-pathfinder.com/board-of-directors.html
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Analyst / July 2, 2016
OH!! What a disappointment for the RACISTS LOT like the Jarapassa Lot!!
Weldone Mister President.
All we need at present moment A True ,Charismatic ,Honest , High Calibre Economist to Steer our Beloved Old Lady named “BANK OF CEYLON” for us to Trust , Remove all the INFIGHTS AND DISHONESTY WHICH PREVAILED FOR DECADES.
The BOC Governors., the BOC Managers , The Families and Friends got Rich ,
While our Country Got Poor , as we know OUR POLITICIANS AND THE BANKERS WERE EVER-READY TO TAKE UP THE BEGGING BOWL IN THE NAME OF OUR COUNTRY.
SHAMEFUL.
No Hanky Panky Man?? Head on Make yours and Mine a country to be Proud of!!
The Rest is in your hand and within your Head You Sir , Mr Indrajit Coomaswamy.
Prove all the . “NEGATIVES”. Wrong.
Congratulations. And Good Luck. LOTS OF IT.!!
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Leelawathie / July 2, 2016
Those who may not know about Galleon group
Galleon Group
Fund management company
The Galleon Group was one of the largest hedge fund management firms in the world, managing over $7 billion, before closing in October 2009. The firm was the center of a 2009 insider trading scandal. Wikipedia
Founder: Raj Rajaratnam
Founded: 1997
Ceased operations: October 21, 2009
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Sl / July 2, 2016
Raj Rajarsthnam is currently serving a 25 year sentence for insider trading.
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Backlash / July 2, 2016
I believe Raj Rajaratnam was sentenced to about 10 years. He should be out soon. Almost everyone “big” in Wall Street engages in Insider Trading on the sly as a matter of course. The System ensures only those they want eliminated within the largely WASP System is “caught” That was Rajaratnam’s fate as it was Ivan Boesky’s decades ago. Both went beyond the limits tolerated by The System. Both were “outsiders” Raj Rajaratnam helped Sri Lanka’s economy in multiple ways – legitimately. He is no crook. He does not have to be. He is a Sri Lankan Tamil who made his mark in that Great Altar of White Capitalism – Wall Street in NYC.
Backlash
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tatcher / July 2, 2016
The classic bureaucrat from the 60-70’s club.
(Rajaratnam’s release date is July 4, 2021.-
he dragged many high ranking Indians into libo.)
Just because others cheat must you cheat??
It’s because they are what they are that they cannot think beyond position of bureaucrats.
JT honest Kandiaha cheat!!
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ramona therese fernando / July 2, 2016
OMG!
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Amarasiri / July 2, 2016
President Maithripala Sirisena
“President Maithripala Sirisena today appointed Economist Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy as the Governor of Central Bank.”
“A product of Royal College, Colombo and Harrow School in England, he gained his undergraduate degree at Cambridge University and obtained his Doctorate at the University of Sussex.”
Congratulations, Mr. President, thank you. You found somebody who qualified, quite qualified and tested, who has a Ph.D. in economics, and he certainly must know a thing or two about economics than Arguna Mahendran.
Now when are you going to put MaRa MaRa Chatu MaRa AmaNa MaRa and his cronies, who have committed various crimes on Trial, and punish them?
Still waiting, waiting and waiting. BBS Ganasara is still loose.
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Amarasiri / July 4, 2016
Dear President Maitripala Sirisena,
We Listened to your speech appointing Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy as the Governor of Central Bank. Thank you.
https://www.facebook.com/maithripalas/videos/10154168009551327/
You are exposing MaRa MaRa ChaTu MaRa Amana MaRa HoRa MaRa DhaushaNa MaRa and his cronies.
However, we would like to know when these criminals will be punished.
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shankar / July 2, 2016
“gained his undergraduate degree at Cambridge University”
lets try out cambridge now.
can CT let us know what his inlaws are doing at the moment.
advising galeleon group-hmmmm.someone may be rotting in jail due to that advise.
advising sira and ranil-hmmmm.Hope the raja’s don’t make a comeback,because sira might be rotting in jail than.
educated at royal college-basic requirement fulfilled.No thoras please,homos.
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Analyst / July 2, 2016
@shankar
Always negativity, your type will never let Srilanka or Srilankans Prosper.
Ok , Bad advice had been given , but did he Steal money from the country or any individual??
Any names on Panama List on Tax Dodging? Ect??
Hope the President had made all the Background checks diligently on this Economist.
Or else we as Srilankans have to face the Music again.
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shankar / July 2, 2016
analyst
“Hope the President had made all the Background checks diligently on this Economist.”
he woudn’t have because only yesterday he was going to the central bank to appoint the senior man there as the governor,when ranil and mahendran rushed in there like storming norman of the iraq war,and put a stop to that.This was a compromise appointment for i believe 1 year.i’am sure that ravi K with his galeon links would have put it up to sirisena.
anyway no need of background checks.He has a solid reputation.Even raj rajaratnam,i don’t look down on him because all traders have been doing this for donkeys of years with insider trading,only he seemed to be targeted by the feds.Jealous of a black fella beating them.
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bandito / July 2, 2016
Paskaralingam the forgetful grandad is going to sit on his lap??
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ibadun / July 2, 2016
Well wishes Sir….Lets start putting the country correct economic path and also correct the mistake last 1 year and make more transparent, check & balance and independence in the CB functioning …
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Native Vedda / July 2, 2016
ibadun
I envy your short term optimistic view of this island.
“Lets start putting the country correct economic path and also correct the mistake last 1 year and make more transparent, check & balance and independence in the CB functioning …”
I beg to differ, a single man cannot wave his magic wand and cure this country’s economic sickness which had accumulated over 68 years. Therefore don’t expect miracle.
He would be lucky if he survives one year in his job if he is the right person. If he is a crony of the rulers guaranteed to survive as many years as the ruling party.
Best wishes.
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Paul / July 2, 2016
Ha ha well said. An upright man cannot survive in a den of thieves, flatterers and scoundrels. Perhaps a measure of his integrity is the number of years he lasts.
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Native Vedda / July 3, 2016
Paul
Where is KASmaalam K A Sumanasekera?
I am really worried about his safety after hearing this appointment.
By the way, did MS get authorization from Shenali Waduge before Indrajith being appointed to this post?
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Emanuel Perumal / July 2, 2016
Native Vedda , (wasn’t he the insider (trader) on this one??)
“He would be lucky if he survives one year in his job”
the paradox of reconciliation.
Now that your unexpected `other` cuckoo` has taken post and
US$ 3 billion bond issue is due July-August – would it be hit and run or hit and wait. They are all from corrupt systems and slaves of it for their benefit.
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Leel / July 2, 2016
Now what Ranil do f****** loser. Work with this gentlyman or fight with him.
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Silva / July 2, 2016
[Edited out]
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shankar / July 2, 2016
a more suitable appointment i can’t think of.Has all the qualiications and experience.Why was he not appointed instead of arjuna,in the first place?
Maybe someone knew that arjuna can be a used condom,while indrajit cannot.
well done sirisena.You are much better at selection for jobs than ranil.
Thank god you put aside daham after having second thoughts.After the blast you got with your brothers appointment from CT,you had enough.
good that sangakkara too turned down your offer,stating that he does not know much about central banks and also wants to earn as much as possible now in the twilight of his career.He likes to earn his money honestly sweating his guts out literally unlike previous central bank governors.
Anyway alls well that end well.Now where is the buriyani?Thanks.Whaat!!!someones taken the bloody egg.who was handling the packet?was it a srilanka.It is nicely rewrapped without the egg.how to eat buriyani without an egg.manager manager,what kind of country are you managing here.
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ibadun / July 2, 2016
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galleon_Group
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Native Vedda / July 2, 2016
KASmaalam K A Sumnasekera
You lost out to this Tamil man.
Start the usual mud slinging, bring back Dayan for you need extra hand, …. You can count on Wimal, Dhinesh, Gnanasara, …..
How could MS do this?
Say you can start with how a few paper clips were missing from his colleague’s desk, …… Go on.
Be a man.
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Paul / July 2, 2016
Dear Native,
Gnanasara is not available. He has taken his cue from Sirisena and is busy demonstrating against attacks on Muslims.
Paul
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Henry fernando / July 2, 2016
President has at least provided a sigh of relief to PM by appointing an Old Royalist to the CB. Men become wiser they Say, but education must make people humble.
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nimal fernando / July 2, 2016
Forget Cabraal, forget Mahendran.
Let’s turn a new leaf.
Start clean, stay clean and finish clean. That’s what the motherland needs and wants, right now.
Good Luck!
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Silva / July 2, 2016
nimal fernando,
“Forget Cabraal, forget Mahendran. Let’s turn a new leaf. Start clean, stay clean and finish clean. That’s what the motherland needs and wants, right now. Good Luck!”
Yes! Let’s forget our mothers, our fathers, how they suffered, let’s have a jolly life!
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Seelawathie Jayasinghe / July 2, 2016
It is not nice to compare Cabral with Arjun.
Like putting all together. I truly believe AM is further innocientin this regard. AG s thoughts are just one opinion only.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / July 2, 2016
What is the duration of his contract? Further, the media has reported that he had connections with the Galleon group. One commentator above has contested this and said his connections were with the Pathfinder group. Once again, is this another instance of shoddy reporting by the media?
If Arjuna Mahendran is found innocent of the accusations against him, what should follow? A national expression of apologies and plenty of soul searching! If he is found guilty, how will we ensure he is punished?
Congratulations, Dr.Indrajit Coomaraswamy.
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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Thamilan / July 2, 2016
Congratulations.
Your CV looks good.Hope you have been vetted by the corruption, financial and security authorities before your appointment.
Glad to see our President selecting another Tamil for this assignment!
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Dr,Rajasingham Narendran / July 2, 2016
It will be interesting to know who proposed Dr.Indrajit Coomaraswamy and details of what took place behind the curtains to bring about this result.
Dr.RN
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Emanuel / July 2, 2016
“interesting to know “
’cuckoo nest plot’ to hoodwink reconciliation process by Ravi K and Mangala.
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Nuwan / July 2, 2016
Ha…Ha…It seems like the essential qualification to be the CB Governor is the expertise in insider trading.
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Aia / July 2, 2016
A Tamil again holding this position provides a target for MR and his gang to curl stones at, that is the only issue I can see. In terms of merit, he seems to have the right qualification and experience, and talented regardless of whatever critic might say. Not sure who proposed his name as PM’s and HE’s preferences appeared to be different than Indirajit. Hopefully SLG do not try to leverage on this appointment and seek Radhiha’s assistance to reign on UNHRC.
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Sinhala_Man / July 2, 2016
Dear Aia,
What we need is a guy who will help put our economy right, and I feel that we’ve got the right man. I have met Indrajith a few times, many years ago, and have heard some yarns about him. Let me tell you a few, since they may correct some misconceptions, although their total accuracy may get challenged. I’ve also looked just now at a few things like this:
http://www.life.lk/article/11408/indrajit-coomaraswamy
He’s not “a Tamil” just like that! For many years I associated with his father-in-law, Chandrakeerthi R. de Fonseka when he lived in retirement in my village, and tried to get little village level organisations going, like marketing vegetables grown by the peasants. Chandra’s first degree was in Classics and he used to read Greek even in his retirement. Buddhist Philosophy and Krishnamurti were among his interests. He had earlier owned that house and property in Bandarawela where he and his wife now rest in peace, but had sold it when he had to work in Rome, and later Bangkok when he joined FAO. Returning from Thailand with a young girl they had more or less adopted, they roped me in to the team to teach the girl English (Chandra and wife had been speaking to her in Thai.) The house and property were left to Ampai Anand who married a local Sinhalese man, and one of her sons at leasT ended up at S. Thomas’ Mt Lavinia.
Yes, the Royalist dominance, in a sense continues because Chandra, too, had been there. But these were not people who thought on such parochial lines. They tried very hard to be Sri Lankans who lived in harmony with all around. His wife was very much of a musician, and I was able to borrow some Mozart operas recorded on VHS cassettes and get to know the genre so as not to be among those shocked by Kishani Jayasinghe’s rendering of “Danno Budunge”.
Chandra could be nonchalantly stubborn: the JVP wanted all lights switched off on certain days. He quite simply said that they had no right to dictate to him – and they let him be, since he was so well known for his “good works”.
Their only daughter, Tara, is very accomplished, and by now has a PhD herself – something to do with Sri Lankan politics. As a very young woman she had taught at Ladies’ College, her alma mater, but I’ve been told that she was devoting herself to almost “home educating” her sons. They had no Muslim relatives but had named the elder Imran, after the great Pakistani cricketer. It was just today that I caught up with the progress of the boys (who had been prodigies) in the article linked to above.
Father-in-law, Chandra, used to refer to Indrajith as an overgrown boy scout, who’d help anybody in distress. I think that Indrajith has his share of superstitions and eccentricities. He drinks only pure water – no tea, or coffee, or Coke or Fanta; not even fruit juices or “thambili” is what I’ve been told. I hope that those who want to be racists even after all the hells this country has been through, will focus on investigating some of those things – and it may be that our tee-totalling President would have been influenced by such irrelevancies in selecting Indrajith for this key post.
Yes, this appointment goes a long way towards restoring my faith in good old Maithripala Sirisena’s administration.
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Emanuel Perumal / July 2, 2016
“” He drinks only pure water – no tea, or coffee, or Coke or Fanta; not even fruit juices or “thambili” is what I’ve been told. “”
7th day adventist??
Which Bank and Nation Funds Sri Lankan Government of Today??
Welcome join in the cuckoos club of criminal negligence.
A health-conscious vegetarian who rarely drinks alcohol,IMF Lagarde’s hobbies include regular trips to the gym, cycling, and swimming.
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Sam Fernando / July 2, 2016
What has that to do him being an excellent Governor ?
That Gonthadipila self proclaimed to have been using SIMMERED water for his drinking – sending the message, would not even do any harm to anyone, but what came out was – high profile frauds had made to Australian nationals. I really dont think even if locals would spread lies on the issue, that Aus national woudl do so. ::
I never judge anyone from whatthey are said to be eating or drinking.. There beer drinkers or wine drinkers and they perform well on the globe – so I think this is absolutling meaningless.
Best Example is – Mr Mahida Rajakashe et al, They keep worshiping and licking the bo tree to send the message across how strong buddhist they have been. But from what they have done we can only name them as butchers by all natures.
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Paperchase / July 2, 2016
“What has that to do him being an excellent Governor ?”
big match feaver!
birds of feather flock together, government servants scratching backsides.
…three bags full Sir!
ceylon civil servants Biryani and Watilappan, chit to royal chit to harrow, chit to oxford and cambridge was the fashion of the time.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / July 2, 2016
Sinhala_Man,
Thanks for providing a meaningful insight of the person and what makes him tick.
Dr.RN
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Paperchase / July 2, 2016
[Edited out] you don’t read?- its about his sinhala father in law who has passed away not him.
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Aia / July 2, 2016
Thank you Sinhala_Man for your informative response.
Am not looking people along the racial line, but in this case. Having witnessed all what had been going on since Mahendran was nominated to this position, I thought a local talented person who is beyond MR&Co’s criticism is a better choice. Haven’t seen any wrong doings as being alleged have been proven against Mahendran, yet the media and extremists were relentless in their pursuit to get rid of him, and it was procession on streets against his nomination being extended. This has been a distraction for both PM and HE. They have formed a national government and should set the priorities right and work through the national issue ensuring the next generation is not at war again. It is fact that majority have voted them knowing their background, why …only to restore the democracy and tackle the bigger issue that the previous governments had failed. Not to bogged down on Mahendran. Winning two elections and able to form a national government is too rare an opportunity to miss, if they did, I don’t see any hope for SL, we keep pull down each other.
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Sinhala_Man / July 2, 2016
Dear Aia,
Of course I knew immediately that you are no racist; nor am I, although I acknowledge that I am classified by society as a Sinhalese. The reason for my giving myself that handle was two fold. I’m trying to get the message across to “Tamils” that not all of us who speak Sinhala (and English, perhaps), and never got down to learning Tamil, are against co-existence on this island.
My other message is to my fellow Sinhalese; let’s start building bridges, and reaching out to the people in the North who have been so badly bruised, and to the Up-country Tamils who have been exploited so mercilessly, and neglected so shamefully.
Why I placed my comment as a reply to yours was because I realised also that it would appear above the misgivings of another decent man – “Non PhD” – who feared that nasty irrelevant things would be said about this appointment.
I grant that my own comments are full of irrelevancies, but I have made one point clear: Indrajith C. knows how desperately poor many Sinhalese in Uva are. That thing about him drinking only water I heard only recently; but surely, that again ought to be re-assuring to a country which is fed up with hearing of drunken orgies by the rich.
Actually, neither the de Fonsekas nor the Coomaraswamys have amassed great wealth. They have spent enormous amounts on quality education. Aloy, below, feels sorry for Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe; so do I. I know nothing of him, but I feel that he must be a deserving man; but after all he’s not done so badly in life! Actually, early this morning, I made a comment on another site that Dr Weerasinghe would be an infinitely better choice than Charitha Ratwatte:
http://www.ft.lk/article/552376/Impasse-over-Governor-appointment-continues%C2%A0
My comment hasn’t appeared yet, but it may still come on; my experience being that they sometimes take three days to appear.
To get back to Indrajith’s suitability: he acts and dresses very simply, but he has this perfect British Public School accent, which I’m sure that you will start hearing soon enough. Such things should not matter, but on occasion they can be useful. No supercillious “Westerner” will take liberties with a man of Indrajith’s breeding.
I saw this comment by “k.soysa” only after I said those “unnecessary things” about Indrajith’s “sinhala father in law” (vide Paperchase July 2, 2016 at 6:26 pm):
“Every comment is tainted with a cynical and snide remark!”
I don’t think that, however irrelevant, I can be cricised on that score, but “k.soysa” is justified in complaining.
This appointment is good, but let us not kid ourselves: there are tough times ahead of us. We have got used to consuming (and wasting) so much that people will really start cursing the government of the day for their plight. And to an extent they are right! Corrupt Members of Parliament have been mollycoddled far too long by President Sirisena.
Thanks for the insults, the appreciation, and for the humour evoked by my earlier comment.
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Non PhD / July 2, 2016
It’s a matter of time before the joint opposition, MaRa’s MPs and his supporting media groups and NGO s starting to make stories or give twists or spins to this appointment also.
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sr / July 2, 2016
At last they’ve done it; hopeful of no controversies at all.
Congratulations Dr Cumaraswamy. Proud to have a person of your calibre as the CB head.
Hope you’re able to take any tough decision to tackle the culprits infested in the economic institutions of the country.
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Emanuel / July 2, 2016
“At last they’ve done it; hopeful of no controversies at all.”
cuckoo??
ask shill Sharma about those long negligent years.
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ala / July 2, 2016
Galleon Group is as controversial as the Perpetual Treasuries. The founder of this group is serving a jail term for insider trading. We hope he would not continue the practices of his predecessor. All the best sir.
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snowden Edward Asange / July 2, 2016
Let not MR make this a racial issue stating that a tamil after tamil is appointed to the CB to score brownie points from the rural masses to whom he plays…by attending temples in villages…
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Julampitiye Amaraya / July 2, 2016
At least Mr President got NUWANA!.
{ He too an educated guy, not like LOW Dgree from under world MARA gang ],
Well wishes to new governor.
“God bless Sri Lanka,”
“”Lankawata thisrana sarana wewa””
We,the poor sri Lankan should not Suffer.
now H L D M and/or KAS KAS got some baila [vellalas] talk
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Mervyn Silva / July 2, 2016
When RW and MS appointed Arjun Mahendran I mentioned in my comments that Indrajit Coomaraswamy should have been considered. Indrajit I believe has severed his links with Galleon when his good buddy Raj Rajaratnam was imprisoned in the US for unethical dealings at stock market.
We should appreciate that he returned to Sri Lanka after his retirement from the Commmonwealth Secretariat when he could have found better positions either in UK or US. Congratulations Sir! Hope you will put the Country’s economy on the right track with your wide experience in trade, finance, commerce, economics and international development issues.
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Emanuel Perumal / July 2, 2016
“”We should appreciate that he returned to Sri Lanka after his retirement from the Commmonwealth Secretariat when he could have found better positions either in UK or US. “”
He worked under shrill K Sharma a `Belfast Funder`and still for Galleon – a Ravi K associate.
June 2016 Present `Nannygate Baroness Scotland` (Caribbean in UK)Baroness Scotland was last night accused of securing the top political job in the Commonwealth through an ‘utterly corrupt process’ in which she allegedly awarded bogus knighthoods and made promises of cash in return for votes.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3625651/Baroness-Scotland-bought-Commonwealth-job-utterly-corrupt-process.html#ixzz4DFOTHKAl
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
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aloy / July 2, 2016
To RW the biggest disqualification one can have is to be a Sinhalese. For him it has to be a Royalist also. What on earth was the disqualification of Weerasinghe who is the most senior in CB?.
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Crony Capitalist / July 2, 2016
Maybe because he was parachuted into those positions by his bosom pal MaRa.
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PhD / July 3, 2016
Weerasinghe has obtained his PhD from the prestigious Australian University, ANU. He is equally qualified if not better for this position. If a Sinhalese was appointed the sinhala racists would not have taken any advantage in future over this appointment.
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Emanuel / July 3, 2016
there are many PhD who work as clerks.
Qualified is not the Issue but working in Hot Water where every man is a racist to the core and being forced into -criminal negligence.
Bringing in a sinhalese does not nullify – criminal negligence but increases it.
(Brahmin Dr Swamy married to foreigner Refugee stock dared to call Brahmin married to Brahmin prof a foreigner!)
He’s given notice like the traditional Tamil Brahmins of New Delhi Cantonment.
Raghuram Rajan was much more valued when things were more panicky in 2013 and 2014. Today, when things are stabilised… you don’t realise the worth of him… Next time India faces something like this, possibly you will realise that.
Same goes to Arjun Mahendra who arranged IMF (Samanta P just flew To Washington which is precedence) when China said No and India said No.
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PhD / July 2, 2016
Indrajith Coomaraswamy served as a special advisor to the Galleon group, founded by controversial businessman Raj Rajaratnam, a Sri Lankan American currently serving a 11 year prison term. On the other hand incumbent Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake was once accused of depositing funds sent by convicted hedge fund owner Raj Rajaratnam, in a private bank without informing the Central Bank. Ranil, Indrajith, Ravi, Raj, all these people have got together for a purpose.
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cat with 9 lives / July 3, 2016
Without playing that ambude only sinhala buddhist if only you say.
Dr.Coomaraswamy is an ardent advocate of Lanka’s linking up with regional and global economies by becoming part of multi-national production chains. However, he insists that trading regimes must be rule-based, stable and predictable.
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Silva / July 2, 2016
Now what the hell happened to the billions of so called insider traded monies? The much hyped COPE report so far has not said anything about the so called robbery. It has issued only highly debatable conclusions like unprofessional conduct, estimated loss, comparison between private and public placement. Where is the fucking due procedure as they call it? The COPE report must have been tabled in parliament, its findings and recommendations must be announced none of which has happened so far. And above all has the COPE revealed to the public what AM has told them in reply to all their allegations because it is essential that the general public must be informed what really has happened and they must boo be given an opportunity to look at the issue from their perspective? How can the clown president make this appointment? Just because some media and web padangu, baldi katas, “shovel” activists and MARA happy wheeler dealers made a big gung ho no one can deny the public the spirit of transparency in the activities of the government especially when RTI bill has been passed just recently. There are lots of people who held opposing views to the propagated allegations and the citizens have a right to know the truth and whether they were right or wrong in holding those views. I still maintain that this removal is a bad precedent because it is tantamount to stooping to media terrorism in democratic robe! This will further consolidate the position of foreign bodies and governments that this country is incapable of conducting impartial inquiries into any issue and therefore an international hybrid court is necessary to hear war crimes charges. Foreign investors too will abhor this country because the very CB Governor is wrongly accused and removed on highly debatable charges. The government will suffer credibility erosion-what credibility do we have anyway!
One of the positives I heard came out of this fiasco is that Auditor General had recommended that EPF be made a primary dealer so that they can directly take part in auctions. The government must take the positives and lessons learnt out from this incident and make due adjustments to its machinations to prevent recurrence of same. Now that even though AM did or did not engage in the alleged acts this scenario is a possibility that can actually take place one day or other as they call it. Therefore preventive measures and checks and balances must be adopted to the system.
This appointment has been made purely on the grounds, it seems, that former governor’s terms has ended and not because AM has been found guilty. Wait and see, the clowns who caused all sorts of problems for AM will begin their usual conspiracies against this one also!
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ranjith / July 2, 2016
[Edited out]
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shevan / July 2, 2016
Well it does not matter whether he is a Royalist or a PM’s reluctant nominee..The issue is whether he is allowed or most importantly prepared to dispense his duties as the Governor independently without giving into political pressure
Let us hope we would not be disappointed this time
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k.soysa / July 2, 2016
We are a nation of cynics. Every comment is tainted with a cynical and snide remark! Lets give IC a chance. He has what it takes and need our support, at least with good wishes and prayers. Lets be patient (another quality we Sri Lankans lack) and see what happens. It is not possible to please all the people.
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Bandula / July 2, 2016
The President obviously in consultation with the Prime Minister has made an excellent choice, signalling to all and sundry that Yahapalanaya is a alive and kicking and that the best man, irrespective of his religion or ethnicity gets the job.Dr Commaraswamy’s credentials are impeccable, which ever way one chooses to see them.He has Cambridege background besides been the only son of of Raju Coomaraswamy an eminent civil servant and international civil servant in his day.Among his forbears are Sir Muttu Coomaraswamy a member of the Legislative Council in the 1860s and indeed Dr.Ananda Coomaraswamy, one of the finest intellectuals of Sri Lanka,who’s monumental tome “Sinhalese Medeval Art ” remains unsurpassed to this day,on the subject.
That said , some of the comments here are indeed sad.One misinformed man has fired the first shots of hatred stating that Dr,C had worked for Galleon , a much discredited institution.This is an irresponsible comment.Please see his CV and then make comments, without throwing mud at people.Such sick comments also has a whiff of communal hatred.Obviously the Rajapaksa and his goons must be cursing the President for this excellent choice and will soon get to work.Guranteed , the uneducated man that he was, Rajapaksa would never have made such a high quality appointment.His IQ never enabled him to go beyond the likes of corrupt people like PB Jayasundera and Cabraal.
It must also be said that Mahendran appointment was good and that the charges against him are yet to be proved.However his credibility took a severe blow since his son in law just happened to be involved.Mahendran an Oxford product did not seem to know of the fairly hackneyed adage that “Cesar’s wife needs to be above suspicion” and in the end payed very dearly and indeed rightly so.There is no place at all for family to be even remotely connected in in the work of high profile holders of office.However Mahendran is a saint compared to Nivard Cabral who’s incompetency and absolute corrupt deals including the hedging deal and the Greek bond deal were proved again and again well beyond reasonable doubt.Old Cabraal was indeed an absolutely square peg in a round hole and easily the worst appointment made in all of Central Bank history.
Dr C. has his work cut out especially to redeem the credibility of the CB, one of the most vital instititutions in the country.He has the capacity and qualifications to deliver PROVIDED he is given the space to act in a professional and independent manner.The big questions now is wil he provided such space?Will the pulling by the leg stop?Will the new appointee be hamstrung?Pray he is not.Sri Lanka simply cannot afford another fiasco.
Three cheers to Colombo Telegraph and all other civil society activists for helping to make possible this , realistically speaking,unthinkable appointment ,coming as it does at a time in Sri Lanka when all such decisions are taken on purely political considerations. John Exter must be feeling vindicated and smiling from wherever he is !!
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Analyst / July 2, 2016
@Bandula
Excellent comment among all the negativity.
The uneducated Racists lot always thinks differently from civil minded citizens.
Well said.
We need comments like this to put our country forward and EDUCATE THE UNEDUCATED.
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Daham / July 3, 2016
“Dr Commaraswamy’s credentials are impeccable.He has Cambridege background”, “Mahendran an Oxford product”
Oh! Bandula, do we need Cambridge or Oxford products or Royalists to run the ccentral bank at a time when the country’s first citizen comes from a village in Polonnaruwa who has had his education in the same village school.
Commaraswamy has done his first degree at Cambridge and the PhD at Sussex. May be he could not enter the Sri Lankan Universities and went abroad to do higher studies or they had the means to do so. On the other hand Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe the most senior deputy governor at CB had his tertiary education in Sri Lanka and obtained his PhD from the prestigious Australian National University. It would have been better if one of the incumbent deputy governors was promoted to this position.
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Zorro / July 4, 2016
Don’t yap yap sinha le, talk shop!
Even England for the first time in its history invited Mark Carney the Canadian because of his credentials- to pull UK out of hot water.
Thats is this man’s contract for 6 years.Where the trade winds blow is his bow. Give him hot water and see how he performs but don’t shoot your foot we all have seen him play at Longdon place.
If you are thinking of Lakshman Kadirgamar,(you never seen much) of Torrington/Swiss Indrajit Coomaraswamy is another son of the soil.
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sbarrkum / July 3, 2016
Among his forbears are Sir Muttu Coomaraswamy a member of the Legislative Council in the 1860s and indeed Dr.Ananda Coomaraswamy, one of the finest intellectuals of Sri Lanka,who’s monumental tome “Sinhalese Medeval Art ” remains unsurpassed to this day,on the subject.
Sir Muttu Coomarasamy and Dr.Ananda Coomarasamy are a different family altogether.
Note: samy vs swamy
See below for Sir Muttu Coomarasamy and Dr.Ananda Coomarawamy family.
http://www.ceylontamils.com/search/family.php?individualID=935
See below for Indrajit Coomaraswamy
http://www.ceylontamils.com/search/family.php?individualID=14149
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Bandula / July 3, 2016
Abarkum you say ” Sir Muttu Coomarasamy and Dr.Ananda Coomarasamy are a different family altogether.”
It seems you have not checked with care.In the link you have provided Ananda C’s name appears directly below Sir Muttu C.So in fact they belong to one family.
Secondly your link does not go beyond the second generation.Thirdly there are many who over the years have chosen to spell their surnames differently even though belonging to one root.Anglisization of natives was one root cause for this.
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Emanuel / July 3, 2016
Bandula
“Abarkum you say ” Sir Muttu Coomarasamy and Dr.Ananda Coomarasamy are a different family altogether.””
You are wrong because you are not aware of Ananda’s family history.
James Coomerasarmy- BBC is one and there are many more Coomaraswamy from Colombo who left before and others still at Colombo in their own profession. (because of the racist island they lie low)
Ananda Kentish Coomaraswamy was born in Colombo, Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, to the Ceylonese Tamil legislator and philosopher Sir Muthu Coomaraswamy of the aristocratic Vellalar Ponnambalam-Coomaraswamy family and his English wife Elizabeth Beeby.[3][4][5] His father died when Ananda was two years old, and Ananda spent much of his childhood and education abroad. He married all white and father left no more.
Rajendra “Raju” Coomaraswamy son of Chellappah Coomaraswamy, and
nephew of Satheyandra “Sathi” Coomaraswamy ,
Indrajith and Radhika are son and daughter of: Roving!!
Rajendra “Raju” Coomaraswamy (July 18, 1915 – April 7, 1981)[1] was a Sri Lankan civil servant and a UN administrator. He was the Assistant Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Director of UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific. He had also served as the President of the Colombo Plan Council.[2]
Why is it not clear?
Remember Radhika got an honorary doctorate from Catholic university of the world Leuven because they believed that she was a relative of Ananda (he is held high by `western art circles` though no relatives were left from father or mother of Ananda.
Bureaucrats loose papers.
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sbarrkum / July 4, 2016
Bandla
Meant Indrajit C is not of the Ananda and Sir Mutu family.
See header initallics.
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cat with 9 lives / July 3, 2016
Bandula,
“Among his forbears are Sir Muttu Coomaraswamy a member of the Legislative Council in the 1860s and indeed Dr.Ananda Coomaraswamy, one of the finest intellectuals of Sri Lanka,who’s monumental tome “Sinhalese Medeval Art ” remains unsurpassed to this day,on the subject. “”
you are a rubber stamp buruva.! Sir Muthu C was born at Mutwal Colombo 15.
(23 January 1834 – 4 May 1879)Coomaraswamy married Elizabeth Clay Beebe, daughter of William Beebe from Kent, in 1878. They had a son, Ananda Coomaraswamy, the eminent art critic. That was the end of the tree as non had heirs.
The writer is the Chairman of Brandix.- by Priyan Fernando
Rajendra “Raju” Coomaraswamy
When Radhika Coomaraswamy requested me to write a little piece for her father’s 100th birthday celebration, my first reaction was why me? Can’t she find someone better?
After all, my contact with Mr. Raju Coomaraswamy was restricted to his holidays in Sri Lanka. We would meet each other at my friend Gajan Pathmanathan’s home; Gajan being his nephew……
http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=128119
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Bandula / July 4, 2016
Both Emanuel and Cat are obviously reacting in anger and jealousy to Dr.IC’s appointment in addition to their poor command of the English language.I never referred to Dr. IC been a direct decendent of either Sir Muthu C or his son Dr Ananda C.What I said was that they were among the” forebears” of Dr.IC.If you gentlemen ( if I could call you two so) don’t know the meaning of the term”forebears” no one, not even the brilliant, suave and sophisticated,Harrow and Cambridge educated Dr.IC could help the two of you:)
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cat with 9 lives / July 4, 2016
“that they were among the” forebears”( if I could call you two so) “
for your second language – dick in hand is appropriate
tomorrow you would spin like the Bandas and prove your forefathers came from nutmeg island Banda as servitude.
remember just about 1/2 billion worldwide speak english and that includes 2nd language. 6.6 billion won’t agree with gess gembo cock and bull-
you are a liar living in underdeveloped area of the world.
So much for englishness of the island that you just lost the englishman’s game 3-0 whitewash.
stupid wogs playing the southern monkey while Buruva is the word no not nutmeg.
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sbarrkum / July 4, 2016
They had a son, Ananda Coomaraswamy, the eminent art critic. That was the end of the tree as non had heirs.
http://www.sepiamutiny.com/sepia/archives/005737.html#comment-237860
From the wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rama_P._Coomaraswamy
Rev. Dr. Rama Poonambalam Coomaraswamy, M.D., (1929 – 2006), was a cardiac surgeon, then a psychiatrist and later a Traditionalist Catholic priest and exorcist, besides being a prolific writer on Traditionalist Catholicism and Perennialist topics.
Rama Coomaraswamy, of mixed Tamil, English and Jewish ancestry, was the son of the famous Indologist Ananda Kentish Coomaraswamy, and of his fourth wife Luisa Runstein, an Argentine-born woman of Jewish descent. He is the grandson of the Tamil-Ceylonese lawyer and social pioneer Sir Muthu Coomaraswamy and his English wife Elizabeth Beeby. As such, Rama Coomaraswamy hailed from notable Tamil and English families.
and boston_mahesh replied I have actually visited Dr. Coomaraswamy back in ’04 in Wilton or Milton, Connecticut.! I met his son, Frank, who is 1/8 Tamil. Frank is a principal or a teacher at a school down there. Frank is married and has at least 2 kids, who are 1/16 Tamil. They were all very nice and gracious, and I’ll never forget how happy and old-world Frank’s blonde-hair daughter was to see us. It blew my mind that these kids – who are 1/16 Tamil – still have their old surname, and they carry it with a lot of pride. They are keenly aware that their great grandfather was the first Desi knight.
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Stanislaus / July 4, 2016
BANDULA COMMENTS:
“Among his forbears are Sir Muttu Coomaraswamy a member of the Legislative Council in the 1860s and indeed Dr.Ananda Coomaraswamy, one of the finest intellectuals of Sri Lanka,who’s monumental tome “Sinhalese Medeval Art ” remains unsurpassed to this day,on the subject.”
NO
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Julampitiya Amare / July 2, 2016
I wonder what the seerasa Journos have to say about the appointment of IC. From day one the seerasa media coolies started attacking AM without a shred of evidence.
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James J / July 2, 2016
This was my choice. Good choice. Wish you well. Gods’s blessings.
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thondamanny / July 2, 2016
On what criterion is the current Deputy Governor overlooked and decided not suitable for the high post at the CB?
So, Yahapalanaya decided AM was better than Indrajith in the first place. So Indrajith is also a second choice.
What about our Independent square lust settling Economic Professario Harsha De Silva? Why was he not considered at any given time?
Is he just another nocompoop with some credentials as ranil sees?
Also, why did we overlooked Dr. W.A.Wijewardene?
OVER TO YOU Mr.CHNADRA JAYARATNE for your comments.
I propose the name of Basil fernando. he knows everything
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jim softy / July 2, 2016
Galleon Ravi likes now defunct – Galleon People.
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justice / July 2, 2016
Coomaraswamy has a herculean task of cleaning the Augean Stables a.k.a the Central Bank, polluted by Cabraal and Mahendran.
His first task should be to remove/demote those who conducted Bond auctions to favour individuals and not the nation.
Second, to deny state funds to questionable projects designed to enrich individuals.
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Emanuel / July 3, 2016
bin clearance??
He is not going to have any of that(3 Bl bond is due) but would do what he is being told.
bureaucrats do not mind in fact they are made for it.
The couple of days before departure AM was requesting for the law to recall former `bureaucrats` of the bank. there is the school boy.
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Sam Fernando / July 3, 2016
Dont mix Cabral with Mahendran. Latter is not yet convicted and He himself wants his name to be clear. Former was family friend of First family.. we showed how he played with the family.. also Kochchi giya.. dance kora.. Latter was a gentleman even if Lanken media accused him. of being corrupted.
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harry hatton / July 2, 2016
Isn’t his sister Radika in the High appointment Committee ?
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Analyst / July 2, 2016
Harry Hatton
Check on Wikepedia man if you need to know the family tree and achievements
instead of asking silly questions!!
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