President Maithripala Sirisena today hit out at the Constitutional Council again saying it has rejected the appointments of 12 judges in the recent past.
Speaking in Parliament this evening, Sirisena said the Council had either him nor the judges as to why their appointments were shot down.
“There is a serious issue in the judiciary as the judges are dissatisfied with the decisions of the Constitutional Council. Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, in a four-page letter sent to me, explained that the Constitutional Council does not recommend appointments of judges based on seniority. He has said ability and skills will be taken into consideration when recommending appointments. But, it is unclear as to how they arrive at conclusions on the ability and skills of judges. No one is aware of their criteria,” the President added.
“I also heard that the certain verdict they had delivered in the past had become a disqualification for some judges. This is not acceptable. Some judges, who worked hard for years, have become frustrated with the current system” Sirisena said.
The President also criticized the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) for questioning the STF Chief on deploying his officers to the Boossa prison where “notorious criminals” are held. He said the notorious criminals were sent off to the Boossa prison as the Welikada prison became “ungovernable”.
The President also asked the Human Rights activists to stay out of his way as he is ready to impose the death penalty on ‘drug offenders’, regardless of the opposition to his move.
“I am determined to proceed with my decision and drug offenders will be given the death penalty in a month or two. I request human rights activists to refrain from appearing on behalf of the interests of drug offenders who are a menace to our society,” the President said in his speech in Parliament.
gamini / February 6, 2019
Sirisena is like a Cat on a Hot Tin Roof these days. He is desperately trying to cover his shit.
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babanpunchi / February 7, 2019
Yes, all these are just best over acting……. telling that he is aware , goes on asking for apology for not show up in the parliament beyond 3 months. If i were there, i would have questioned him , why he deliberately violate the constitution ? And this is not the first time… and for what purpose, he sworn in before the constitution of the country ? Just thefirst citizen, if he would not set example, who will have to ? In UK, Queen would never shed a tear drop before the nation. Nor has he ever been reported to be late a minute. All that is to be exemplary to her nation. But our leaders hold speeches and never hold on to them…………………….. utterly shameful.
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And the latest is that so called his wholehearted efforts towards the actions being taken against drug kinpins. However, not a single word being added on delay of investigations on money laundering acts.
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Samson Gunawardhana / February 7, 2019
yes Emil@The old Sinhala expression describing people who can’t cover their misdeeds translates into, “Like a cat who has defecated on a rock,” indicating that it can’t, in normal cat fashion, cover up its mess! ගලේ පහරපු බලල වාගෙ.. අද මේ තත්වයට සිරිසේන පත්වෙල. වහගන්න බැහැ කිසි දෙයක්.. මේ මිනිහා හෙලුවෙන්..
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Today, what drops down form his Cesspit are taken as no credible any more.
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See so called President:
1) violated the constitution as no other leader ever did in this region.
2) Did we have war time situation, during the last 3 months – President to just neglect his responsiblities regarding taking part in parliamentary sessions. If he is that hearted about the people s problems, he could turn up there every other month. Here we see his behaviour is not all its cracked up to be.
We overestimated his profile. Now he has fully been taken a ride by Rajapakshe led groups.
3) He acusses HUMAN RIGHTs COMMISSION, but why could not he then discuss with them openly at the time, issues arose ?
4) Now trying to be a CARD BOARD hero, reiterating that his investigations on LAW and order issues are being held with speedy pace. But this took last 4 months.. And that Namal Kumara the so called informant of the president, stay unarrested sofar even if CID proved him to be a person who has gone criminal acts not to allow him continuation his normal civil life.
5) Why on earth, SIRISENA is playing games abusing the kind of minions attacking UNP ministers ?
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Emil van der Poorten / February 7, 2019
gamini:
The old Sinhala expression describing people who can’t cover their misdeeds translates into, “Like a cat who has defecated on a rock,” indicating that it can’t, in normal cat fashion, cover up its mess!
In any event, the total irrationality of this man, defending all that Buddhism stands for in one breath and wanting to put people to death in the other, is symptomatic of a corrupt and totally unprincipled individual.
Think of the sequence:
1. He ate hoppers with Mahinda in the morning
2. He betrayed him by noon
3. He formed a united front government with Ranil
4. He said he’d never run for another term as President.
View all of that in the context of his recent conduct and his own actions speak more loudly about the character of the man than anyone else can.
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Sayanim Maruwa / February 7, 2019
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Eagle Eye / February 7, 2019
gamini,
He is not trying to cover his shit but though it is bit late trying to open the shit pit of Don Juan Wikkama-singham and his ‘Royal Gang’. But Sirisena cannot wash his hands off by exposing these things because in 2015, he became a party to bring these crooks to power.
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Rabok / February 7, 2019
TRY TO be reasonable even most of the decision taken by him during past years are no good – recently he had taken few very good decisions beneficial for the country although these decisions may not go well with UNP
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Cpt Wadiwale / February 7, 2019
You are damned right that when we take our dogs outside to do their business, they’ve usually got a routine. They sniff around for awhile, search for a perfect spot, get distracted several times and finally do their thing … and then rake their feet back and forth, covering it up with dirt or grass. Yes, he is also actually trying to cover it up.
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SJ / February 7, 2019
True.
BTW, the phrase in Sinhala is “gala uda reepu balala” (the cat that shat on a rock).
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Babalathappu / February 7, 2019
It is high time to go for a country wide and hold a referendum to collect the data on the credibility of Incumbent President SIRISENA.
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90% would share their heart out that they cant trust this guy for a minute.
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So that says everything right… a man whose credibility is zero, he cut his neck by his own, and he further leads the nation also today … is this NOT the role MODEL for a Banana republic ? He scratches his back and head on and on, until his term will be declared as GONE.
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So will we have achieved UNDER his lead ? A SITUATION AKIN TO FALL FRYING PAN TO HEARTH.
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Late GOLDEN Thero Sobitha, COULD forsee this MAY WELL be he had the wisdom as no other, to see things the way, how SIRISENA goyya started by appointing DEFEATED men as his colliation partners. That was the most abusive first step of the STUPID man…. manifesto contained how we have to go forward, but HE BOOTED out it and sat with dogs. Today, he may be scratching but still not coming to the point to say, ” yes I was misguided by my stupidities”:
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To me if EXECUTION would be reimposed, not MAKANDURE MADUSH but MOST ABUSIVE SIRISENA should be executed first then Mahinda Rajapakshes.. then all other high criminals. basta.
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Rew / February 8, 2019
Liar
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Amarasiri / February 6, 2019
Sirisena,
RE: Sirisena Hits Out At Constitutional Council Again: Questions CC Decision To Shoot Down Appointments Of 12 Judges: Also Attacks Human Rights Commission
The Supreme Court also reversed the appointment of your Fake PM and your illegal dissolution of parliament.
Why not appeal to the supreme court.?
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Mud Hole / February 7, 2019
Looks like you will have to go to the supreme court soon to bail out your Burgher kinsman ‘Ryan’ van Rooyen!.
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Another piece of scum of the kind is caught.
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Amarasiri / February 6, 2019
President Maithripala Sirisena,
The problem can be solved by abolishing the executive presidency.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QazibSXdvU
‘Abolish executive presidency’ Leaflet campaign in Colombo on 05.02.019
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Sena / February 6, 2019
Giving death sentence for the drug dealers and traffickers is a good move for they are destroying the lives of our young ones and their future as well, and it going to be a good deterrent. But, judges no way, the judges with good records should be given preference, and those with questionable records should be held back, what Sirisena is trying to do is to get these people up. inorder to influence them, and get judgements in favour of him. He is trying all the tricks in books to get his way. If had his way with the judiciary, the recent coup would have been legalised, and it was thevarted by honourable, impartial and independent judges.
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JD / February 7, 2019
Even if the President is wrong, People’s right to vote is superior to the fundamental rights of 225 and one election monitor who is a dual citizen probably and is a american citizen and one with very questionable patriotism to the country. So, the Judges is decision is questionable. IT was a Very corrupt animal farm like parliament and animal gone haywire. Judges must have seen how the parliament behaved and acted the way they approved NCMs.
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Rohan R / February 6, 2019
I agree with him, now instead of president appointing judges with his biases the CC is appointing judges with their biases. So what’s the difference. A better system would be to get rid of the CC and have President appoint the judges and have a Parliament select committee approve them in an open hearing . This would enable people to see if a judge is rejected. Failing this, The nominated judges should be going in front of the CC in an open forum so that people can clearly see why a certain judge is rejected . Allowing a secretive CC reject a judge without an explanation is not acceptable and is not democratic. It infringes on the fundamental rights of the judges as citizens of Sri Lanka.
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Vanguard / February 9, 2019
Appointment of judges is always political, the fact that there is a difference of opinion proves it. Who are the CC members?
Even in America it is political. Very much so. Not sure about UK.
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Real Revolutionist / February 6, 2019
HRC of SL must be renamed as Criminals protection commission of SL as what they’re doing practically is that.
President is right; hang all the drug dealers & make law to hang fake HR activists too.
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Naman / February 6, 2019
It’s always very important to catch the mastermind behind the drug cartel and not the ones who are making small sums. Same applies to those who committed war crimes —targeting the one who gave orders to kidnap/torture/rape/murder
Those who got huge commissions and stolen foreign aid should be serving long sentences in the Jails.
Handing over death sentences is NOT the way to go about
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Doratupala / February 7, 2019
Quite correct.
This whole thing reeks to high heavens. No transparency – impartiality or logic at all.
I am no fan of MS – but what he says here makes sense.
As for Capital Punishment – I prefer complete abolishment – but with total isolation of drug and similar offenders ( the big ones – not the small fry) completely from society with strong prison regimes ( which again will draw tears of the HR brigade)
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Real Revolutionist / February 6, 2019
PM must be given a timeframe to bring back AM, though unrelated to drugs he a criminal too.
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Gune / February 6, 2019
Let him Say what he wants to say. He has a few months left and thereafter he will be history.
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C.P. Bacon / February 6, 2019
Nancy Pelosi, clearly referring to the chaotic Donald Trump “I brought up 4 toddlers. I can easily handle
one more” Do we have a parallel in the political landscape of this Resplendent Isle today?
Chris P. Bacon
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Cpt Wadiwale / February 7, 2019
You have indicated incorrect figures.
FYI,
I would like to refer you to the following webpage Link for correct info. She is a mother of 5 and not 4.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/01/16/pelosi-case-tantrum-take-away-tv/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.3eb8099ade01
She has said, as a mother of 5 children, knows how to handle a toddler’s meltdown.
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SJ / February 7, 2019
CPB
You make me wonder how well Nancy Pelosi brought up her kids.
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JD / February 7, 2019
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Valentine / February 7, 2019
The process of appointing the Judges is clearly not perfect. The President complains that no reasons given for rejecting his recommendation, but I think he should give reasons for his recommendation in the first place. Seniority alone should not be a deciding factor. If The President gives his selection criteria and reasons for his recommendation then the CC will have no choice other than giving reasons for rejection.
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K A Sumanasekera / February 7, 2019
Dr Ranil and Mr Karu were both absent when Sira made the Speech…
Wonder whether both were indisposed?…
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Or attending the briefings of the CC & HC…
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Native Vedda / February 7, 2019
KASmaalam K A Sumanasekera
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Were you expecting Dr Mhinda to appoint you as the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the UK, USA, Canada, Down Under, China, …. when he was moonlighting as the Prime Minister of this island?
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Sim / February 7, 2019
When President appoints Lansa as SLFP organizer, what is he talking
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shankar / February 7, 2019
A judge should be appointed based on how many correct decisions he has made,and judges who make wrong decisions not according to the law should be rejected.Their records will be easy to check.
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wannihami / February 7, 2019
Shankar how do you know which is the correct decision and which is not, it is not an examination question paper.
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shankar / February 7, 2019
wanni
from the appeal process and based on lawyers feed back.Also when a judge gives a decision he has to give reasons for the decision.
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Robert Wanasundera / February 7, 2019
In other news
MP Wimal Weerawansa said that twelve MPs, including he and Dinesh Gunawardane, were trapped in the Parliament elevator for about 15 minutes, a short while ago.
He said it took 15 minutes for Parliament staff to rescue them after giving an emergency call from the lift.
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mike / February 9, 2019
Robert W – “In other news….” What can you expect when approximately 10 – 12 morons in parliament try to get into an elevator meant to carry 6 (according to reports)!
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SJ / February 7, 2019
S
How does one determine the number of ‘correct’ decisions?
Do you mean ‘politically correct’ ones?
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Mallaiyuran / February 7, 2019
The SC justices turned out to be problem for New King only after the October Coup. Unexpectedly, the Sinhala Only Jury judges gave a verdict based on TNA lawyers’ argument. This allowed a new fear stem out if in the case of War Heroes, including Old King, New King that would not reach the Sinhala Buddhist standard. The Coup verdict was opposite to the Raviraj Murder case verdict. But at the same time propaganda was launched to take advantage of the verdict, that the local courts can deliver fair judgements so no foreign Judges and Lawyers were needed to examine the Mullivaaikkaal Genocide. This was aimed at the March 2019 UNHRC sitting. But the hope of Mullivaaikkaal may not turn out so easy. So it is very important to New King to make sure that the local SC justices under any circumstances will give out a verdict in favor of War Hero Criminals.
Media reported that the coup was to save Old Royals from cases. Then Old King who comes to the PM seat will provide additional security for New King. Now that strategy fell apart. The failure left additional down fall. The Coup deal was to ensure New King stand in the EP election for second time with the support of the Slap Party. But Old King in hurry split from SLFP and went to Slap Party. Old Brother Prince is not in Slap Party. But he has declared that he is a candidate for EP election. Old Royal family denied him being elected on behalf of Slap Party. But they denied them electing anybody who would lose the election. So this makes one to wonder if there is another candidate too from Old Royals. So New King cannot decide whose votes Old Brother Prince is going to split, his or Slap party candidate. In challenge to that, New Brother prince has declared, to get justice to New Royal Family, he too will be in election.
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soma / February 7, 2019
Appointment of judges on the basis of seniority is a clear and transparent criteria. Creates least resentment among the competing colleagues. In the Asian context evaluation of ‘merits’ is a questionable exercise unless merits and demits are in the extreme as is visible to everyone. In the work place I have seen middle managers giving high points to the personal favorites, relatives of the top management. I have seen how work place harmony is destroyed bt this merits manipulation.
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Soma
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JD / February 7, 2019
Sri lankan Human rights commission looks very biased and is working for some other agenda. PResident should ask SLhuman right commission head infront of a All party committee including the President and should question her.
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Eagle Eye / February 7, 2019
Better to give JVP type punishment to drug dealers as well as to corrupt politicians and public servants. Hang a board around the neck telling the crime and place the guy in front of the Fort railway station.
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Babalathappu / February 7, 2019
Eagle Eye,
How can a septagenarian of your nature come with this ?.
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Then Rajapakshe will be the first to hang on right ?.
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If you are not yet caught by ALZHEIER, you may remember, how Rajapkashe abused a helicopter and huged one of the KEY drug KINPINS in negambo…. ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kidRti12Q24
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nalmen / February 7, 2019
everytime he says something it will happen in two weeks time or two months time never immediately
so by that time everything is forgotten
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GETABERE / February 7, 2019
Sirisena is a weathercock not worth bothering about as he can do is to talk talk and talk absolute NATO. He is singing for DEEPALI because she is in a soup as she did not act like a judge but was a RUBBER STAMP OF MR and did his bidding to jail Sarath F. She was rewarded by promoting her over the heads of seniors to the APPEAL COURT, Justice SRI SKANDARAJA who had an impeccable record was overlooked by MR. Its because the President HAD ABSOLUTE POWER behaved like a ROWDY OF MARIAKADE and treated SHIRANEE B SO INHUMANELY using guttersnipes BOOROWANSA who drummed his way to power and wealth and jokers like DILAN and many other briefless KALU COAT karayas who are millionaires. YES HE DIS ALL THAT BEHIND A CURTAIN .LOOK AT notorious chain snatcher before he became the driver of Ediriweera P as the daughter wrote to the press HAVING A WEDDING AT THE SHANGRILA with corruption charges on, MALWANA ROGUE BASIL who never did a job now a billionaire was an attesting witness and came late for the 100 million wedding of the year .
DEEPALI should not be elevated as her entry was not on merit or seniority but as a STOOGE OF MR and Sirisena is pleading for DEEPALI stooging MR for support to run again, Shame
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rbh / February 7, 2019
The President also criticized the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) for questioning STF.
The reason of Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) for questioning about the why was it “ungovernable”.situation became at welikada prison as said by the president.
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Sandra Aponso / February 7, 2019
Another 7 months then your final countdown.
Get lost for good also take with you RW, MR, GR, BR and NR.
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clean slate / February 7, 2019
Hang them. And go the whole hog. Take their condemned bodies in open municipal dirt carts to the Borella crematorium. That ought to put a stop.
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Mokade badu / February 7, 2019
Shitsena u r a f……g moron. Judges should be appointed on the basis of their integrity and honesty and skills and not on seniority. Shithead would love to make political appontees but this has to be stopped and the cc is doing the right thing. Judges who were unqualified were apponted in the past because of connections and loyalty to the Fukshas but this is no longer going to happen you idiot and traitor.
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chiv / February 7, 2019
In the last press meet MR finally has admitted to war crimes conducted by the forces and he wants to see the responsible ones punished.If so does it make him more patriotic or a pseudo ????? . The other pseudos and followers of MR , may help in answering. My concern is the current judiciary we have in Lanka.Are they competent to deliver justice???? The answer is a definite NO. Then what?????????
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Spark / February 7, 2019
The CC consists of members appointed of different calibers, clean record and independence by various important sectors & persons in Governance including the President. In fact, President himself nominates 1 person of his choice. The reason for constituting a Constitutional Council is to overcome nominating absolutely crude crooks who in-turn can manipulate Government sectors towards Political agendas such as Ex-President Rajapakse nominating Mohan De Silva as CJ and getting Supreme Court verdicts delivered according to his whims and fancies and also the Helping H’tota verdict given by another hench-aiya Sarath N Silva… which under the present CC System can never happen.
Nobody should be promoted on Seniority but specifically on Skill & Competence. Sirisena himself is a big example, where he does not have the competence, honesty, skills, knowledge, ethics & principles for holding the post of President, he obtained this post due to a intransigence of Politicians to find a nomination to beat a criminal Rajapakse who was governing the country in total arrogance to law & order.
Some “Judges may have worked hard” in the past, but it needs to be seen whether it was for the agenda of Politicians or for the good of the country. Justice Wijesundera is an example when she delivered the imprisonment verdict for Sarath Fonseka and this same President Sirisena pardoned him & promoted him Field Marshal.
Both Boosa and Welikada Prisons are notorious, just an example is Duminda & many other politically powerful Prisoners have all facilities such as cooling, communication, daily outside food, no hard labor etc… all these known to Sirisena but his agenda is to divert attention towards non-entities such as NGO’s.
I challenge the President to hang any prisoner sentenced to death within the time he himself has specified without talking his normal humbug and nonsense.
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Naman / February 7, 2019
Should we not bring JUSTICE to the Judges who gave judgements to suit their political masters. They really caused more damage to the country. Judges promotions should depend on HOW their performance had been in the past. MS is trying to get his [or MRs] Judges promoted.
The Justice Department needs to speed up their work to bring cases to completion within a TIME FRAME so that Public does not have to wait ages and spend a lot on the Lawyers.
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Estate Labourer / February 7, 2019
Ok, ok. Let the headless chicken run around a little more. It will all come to an end soon. Just grin and bear it for a few months!
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cholan / February 7, 2019
I invite Holywood to make a comedy movie on this SL POLITICAL CLOWNS certainly this will be an International blog buster.
Clowns are unable to rule the country, unable to run a parliament, still shouting ape anduwa thus proved they can’t manage this country anymore.
Soon like Robert Mugabe, this cursed SL has to mortgage overseas properties to pay for import. Many Zimbabwe embassy / high commissions buildings overseas now belong to Libya who exported oil there.
Suppose if Tea Eastae workers go for a month-long strike these clowns will crawl.
M.E cleaning jobs will be soon a past .because of the growing economic problem there, Arabs now recruit low paid Africans.
Better let Greater China take this cursed land and run, corruptions & religious fanatics will be then meet bullets. and there won’t be racial issue and appointments.
Cheers
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Jay / February 8, 2019
Gong Sira knows his time is up to leave. He will not be nominated by any party other than the SLFP. Now he acts like a crab in a pot . When the temperature rises he may notice what he has done over the 4 years.
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