Kapila Chandrasena, ex-CEO SriLankan Airlines, who was forced to resign when his termination on charges of corruption was eminent, is to be appointed to the Mobitel Board of Directors on the directive of President Maithripala Sirisena, Colombo Telegraph learns.
Kapila Chandrasena
Ironically, Chandrasena will be replacing Thusitha Haloluwa, once Secretary to Maithripala Sirisena and presently Coordinating Secretary to Mangala Samaraweera, the former Minister of Telecommunications who was replaced by Harin Fernando after the General Election. Haloluwa played a key role in forming the Common Opposition which backed Sirisena to challenge Mahinda Rajapaksa for the Presidency.
Chandrasena was at one point CEO of both Mobitel and SriLankan Airlines. During his tenure as CEO of Mobitel, he initiated what was the first effort to purchase Hutch in a deal where the purchase price was to exceed the real value of the troubled telecommunications service provider by more than US $ 50 million. It is alleged that Chandrasena is being brought back to Mobitel to seal the fresh effort at a deal this time initiated by the President’s brother Kumarasinghe Sirisena.
Chandrasena came to fame as a young man as an aide to the “Casino King” Joe Sim during the Premadasa Presidency. His financial irregularities were exposed by a special committee headed by JC Weliamuna. That investigation is yet to be concluded. Chandrasena is expected to be brought before the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) shortly. By appointing Chandrasena to the Mobitel Board President Sirisena severely compromises the work of the FCID.
Colombo Telegraph has published detailed reports of the SLT-Hutch deal and exposed Kumarasinghe Sirisena’s unethical and highhanded behavior to clear the way for this.
Despite different party loyalties, highly influential politicians from both major parties are in a concerted effort to seal the Hutch deal with Chandrasena allegedly looking after the Hutch interest, Colombo Telegraph learns. Political differences it seems are being set aside in the interest of getting a share of the kickback pie.
The President, after pledging a corruption-free, nepotism-free country in his election campaign. is now placing corrupt loyalists of the Rajapaksa regime in key positions.
Sirisena, who decried Mahinda Rajapaksa for gagging the media, is now personally calling up editors of Sinhala and English national newspapers to complain that he should have been consulted before publishing reports. As a result editors are maintaining a strict silence on the Hutch-SLT deal.
The President doesn’t seem to be taking any chances in information on this deal appearing in newspapers. Following Mahinda Rajapaksa’s footsteps, it is reported that he is in the process of acquiring control of newspaper houses through businessmen close to him.
Ben Hurling / November 27, 2015
Sir,
While you are at it, do not forget to re-appoint currently totally unemployed, ace crony Nishantha Wickramasinghe to Sri Lanka Telecom board.
While Kapila can help Mobitel with the Hutch deal, Nishantha can truly show Kumarasinghe how to milk a GOSL owned enterprise such as SLT completely dry.
The fit would be just perfect for the “Good Governance” elite.
Cheers!
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Amarasiri / November 27, 2015
President Maithripala Sirisena,
“Kapila Chandrasena, ex-CEO SriLankan Airlines, who was forced to resign when his termination on charges of corruption was eminent, has been appointed to the Mobitel Board of Directors on the directive of President Maithripala Sirisena, Colombo Telegraph learns.”
Congratulations, President Maithripala Sirisena, show Mahinda Rajapaksa that you you are nor second to him and that you are sa truly a Good Sinhala Buddhist, who prays to trees, irrespective of what the Enlightened Buddha said.
Thank you sir, all the Modayas, Mootals and Fools appreciate what you are doing for Yaha Palanaya.
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Native Vedda / November 30, 2015
Ben Hurling
Could we have Nishantha Wickramasinghe back at Sri Lankan Airline.
Without him everything seems out of place in this thrice blessed island.
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anonymous / November 27, 2015
Stay in Malta, do not return. We will send all your family and friends as refugees. You are a disgrace and a liability.
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Sinhala_Man / November 28, 2015
President Maithri,
I must have been among your staunchest supporters, but even I have given a thumbs up for the comment by “anonymous”.
These things about your brother, Kumarasinghe, had always looked bad. We, too, took risks, in supporting you. Was it all for this?
However, this quote from “Daham” below represents the sort of thing that we can do without:
“Yesterday he made a speech in English at the CHOGM summit in Malta. He must have got the text written in Sinhala.” Actually I’ve been wanting to hear his Sinhala, just innocent curiosity, plus I’ve been teaching the language – with no great success! Such a messy language, English is!
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Sinhala_Man / November 29, 2015
What I meant, of course, was that I wanted to hear his spoken English (not his Sinhala, which is wonderful), but with a view to understanding any difficulties that he has, and helping, certainly not to mock. Could someone help me by posting a link to an audio-clip; I’ve tried the President’s official website (after Googling), but it’s not there.
The problem is that when high office is attained by someone it is difficult to get that person to hear you at all, quite apart from his finding the time to listen.
Which language is used doesn’t matter, and the way Maithri uses Sinhala one realises what a well-developed language it is, and how well-honed his own use of it is. The problem is that Sinhala is used by only a minute section of the human population; and it’s becoming so “unfahionable” to use the language, that ever fewer people will use it properly. I can’t! That is what will cause expressive Sinhala to disappear.
English is a difficult language to learn, but I think that I can thank my teachers (who included my parents) for having taught it to me effectively. My own children have mastery of the language, but about only a few of my pupils have achieved that level. English is the most useful of languages to learn because it is the most widespread, and if one counts all those who have a second-language acquaintance with it, it easily outstrips all other human dialects.
But to attain that goal of having everyone able to use English in this country, we must stop sneering at the so-called “mistakes”. We all make them, after all. This comment started by acknowledging one, albeit it amounted only to a slip of the mind.
However, the problem now is that our fault-finding must now focus on Moral, and not Linguistic, lapses. When you highlight inconsequential awkwardness of expression in a foreign language, you provide an escape route; what we demand is political accountability.
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Amal / November 27, 2015
What is Ranil Wickremasinghe doing about all this? Gamarala is getting out of hand and the UNP is not doing anything about it. How come there is no one to question this idiot?
Where is Sajith? Rajitha? Champika?
Where is the civil society that spoke about real change?
The situation is deteriorating faster than the Rajapaksas but no one is doing anything about it.
The world will soon lose faith in us. Sad.
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chuti putha / November 27, 2015
Well the government is like a Pickel. We citizens do not know who is running the country, RW is a One Big liar where he first made all his Royal freinds and their relations in so he cannot correct others, MS does the same and then say if you can do it why Cant I ? which is fare enough, RW ruined the show in the first place by getting Arjun Mahendran , bond scam and loosing the dignity. The MS bought the defeated candidates back to the Cabinet which was worst. So both these leaders have bought Shame and filth to this government so far.
This is a slap on the face on US the citizens where we got rid of the currupted leaders CEOS, by appointing MS and he brings the same crooks back.Look at Arjuna Ranthunga , now once he becomes the Vice president of Sri lankan Cricket ( Which he will definitely) then his Crooked brother Nishantha who has been to FCID twice, and hated by the people of Sri lanka become the President. Then Arjuna is the Minister of Shipping and the other brother Dhammika is the Chairman of Ports Authority, Prasana is in the parliament again been to FCID for a land grabbing deal, and the insurance schemes of Part Authority and SLC will be given to other brothers P&A insurance run by Sanjeewa. Now isnt this the Family palanaya ? this is non other than not having Shame ….
Its a shame that we have a President and P< like this doing nothing , to lick the wounds, The ppl in north lighting lamps for LTTE fighters who were killed which shows that there is still sympathy and empathy towards them even by Wigneshwaram, What a state of affairs. never dream this country will ended up i the hands of TWO PIMPS .
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Leer / November 28, 2015
January hijacked by Sobitha it was for the people by the people also known as bad logic buruvas like the English pirates.
whether you play elle or crocket you are spun by the English octopus trying to be a star fish in the Indian ocean.
you may end up with selective liberty and freedom but never will you have honesty, efficiency, effective government/ people.
Only WW3 will change that.
Even the biggest German bank has a Jain director and he speaks in English while everyone else has to speak German. Sinhala buddhist must first get flushed to be.
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Leelawathie / November 28, 2015
Leer means in German – Empty.your message has no substance – what do you want to say ?
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Leer / November 28, 2015
that you were born in a coconut shell like a stupid square head.
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Babanis Aiya / November 28, 2015
Chuti Koluwo,
if almost 75% the nation are crime and corrupt friendy, what would you do ? Do you want to import people from other countries ? Do we have enough candidates meeting with specific job profiles ? Answer is NO. So what are the options have we got on our disposal ? Either import them or use the mixed virulent working force further. Latter was the case for a developing poor country since the state has no funds to hire forces from outside.
Please dont use your orifice just because god gave it to you – just think before leap – that can then help all buruwanse and gohnwahanse supporters to realize the gravity of today s chaotic srilanka.
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Patriot / November 28, 2015
All political parasites including Ranil,Sajith, Rajitha, Champika have skeletons in their closets. As such, they are unable to fight for justice. Very sad situation to be in. As Anonymous has suggested above Sirisena should stay in Malta.
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words / November 28, 2015
No ..no.. the world is nominated him for the Nobel Peace prize.. you got it all wrong!:))
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / November 29, 2015
RW is very good at giving a long rope. He is very patient and tolerant man. MR was given plenty, before he hanged himself! I hope Maithri, does not go too far down the slippery slope.
Dr,Rajasingham Narendran
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Lalith / November 27, 2015
All this is shocking. Unless this situation is arrested we will be back to square one. It is now almost certain that Maithipala Sirisena is definitely going to be worse than Mahinda Rajapaksa. CBK and Ranil should be responsible for this miserable situation in the country. This man Sirisena is a joker who should be put in his place immediately.
Wake up Sri Lankans wake up. If you want to make use of the January 8th victory please stand up to this man now.
Thank you colombo telegraph for exposing this man. You and Lanka enews are the only website fearlessly telling the truth. Please keep up the good work.
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Samuel Jayaweera / November 28, 2015
You should be a born idiot to see it in that way.
Why should not you have grasped it yet ? Did My3 do the kind of high profile abusive task sofar,
Pleae get your facts right man.. just becasue god allow you to own a healthy mouthpiece.. using it whtout thinking twice is karama. Please get your facts right… dont get misguided by all abusive majority folks .. they are the stumbling block of anything being blocked
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Asanga / November 27, 2015
Ado Sirisena are you not ashamed of yourself. What wrong has Sri Lankans done to have a president like you.
The Rajapaksas started earning only in their second term. You are now promoting corrupt individuals because that is the only way you can make some money. All your brothers earned money through thuggery and corruption.
You have violated all the promises you made. Are you aware that no president has become so unpopular within such a short time? We know that Sobitha was so upset with you that he did not even want to see you.
You have now earned enough please abolish the presidency as promised and get lost.
Are the UNPers sleeping? Where are the people who spoke big about corruption? Where is Ranjan Ramanayaka?
Sujeeva Senasinghe?
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Gon jokes / November 27, 2015
Ranjan Ramanayake? Could be playing to a camera in front of the bribery commission.
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Analyst / November 27, 2015
Getting better every minute passes by.
All the crooks and murderers are back in fold. ,so that we need not worry about anything.
As the saying goes birds of a feather flocks together. Do we need to worry ??? NO.
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Superman / November 27, 2015
Thank you telegraph for exposing this Fraud. To appoint Kapila Chandrasena to the Mobitel board shows what a rogue we have as president today. This administration is not only weak but corrupt too. Sirisena does not have any support from anywhere. Even the slfpers hate him because he has never done anything for the party or the people he represent.
He is a cold blooded politician who has no commitment or concern for anyone than himself. I have worked with him for a short time when he was health minister and I was never impressed with him for anything.
He is an opportunist who will betray anyone for his gain.
Today the common enemy is Sirisena. Only thing he has not done so far is to introduce the white vans but he will do that too.
We did not get rid of the Rajapksas for no reason. Sri Lankans should start fighting for their rights..
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Leelageamma / November 27, 2015
This cant be. This man is said to have studied in the US.
I dont think every men and women worked for MR can be branded as idiots.
If so, we have to hire foreigners for lanken stakes. Man be realistic ..
in a country every second is to be corruption friendly, you expect president to appoint guys from outside world ? You idiots are not in lanken politics, so you can express things easily when facing it, President or RW have to face it real.
Think it about please.
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Leer / November 28, 2015
you are terrorist like turkey – gun dealing, drug dealing money laundering.
Like to have turkey on my plate then for lankan chicken next year and see the refugee boats flow down under
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lakshman / November 30, 2015
Man is said to have earned Degrees in US and Australia.Has anyone verified the claims.Please go ahead and try
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Ranjith / November 27, 2015
[Edited out] Sira,
What are you doing to our country. Please stay in Malta. You are a liar and we have had enough of you.
Within 11 months we have got sick and tired of you.
Rajapksas are beginning to look like saints. We got fed up of them after 10 years we are already fed up of you.
Please let Ranil run the country and you do what you are best at which is talking about yourself and yourself only.
Bringing Aravinda’s brother in law will destroy Mobitel. Aravinda must be waiting to do all the deals. Did the young stupid minister agree to appointment this Racketeer.
Harin is a big disappointment. He will never win the way he won this year. He has shown that he is a weak leader.
Ranil should take control of the situation otherwise it will be better to bring back the Rajapaksas.
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maalumiris / November 27, 2015
Mr President
Why not go the whole hog and appoint all Rajapakses to plum positions in your new Yahapalana government
Then you can at least say you have stopped Bull…tting the people
AND you can put a lot of your political woes behind you and gain a very strong and charismatic ally
Just do it. I for one, am quite tired of the whole circus so far !
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Sapumal / November 27, 2015
is this our president Maithree’s fault or something wrong with his genes? Or may be something wrong with this this political party call SLFP. They cannot live without thieves and corruption. They are born corrupt gang or what? I dont understand. People should make a decision from now on. they dont care about what people says.
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Gune / November 27, 2015
Where and to whom can the Sri Lankan people turn to if the country’s own President is letting them down? We had so much hope in this man but MONEY seems to blind them all.
Tell me in which country does a President’s get personally involved in appointing board directors of companies. They have so many bigger tasks to achieve than small matters such as this unless it is for filthy money.
You are a bloody shame Mr. President. You have taken the peoples mandate and rubbing it into the ground. My vote has gone to waste.
We are a nation going from the frying pan into the fire.
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Pot Shot / November 27, 2015
At least all these stories that are now surfacing answers one question? Why are MR & his clan not being prosecuted?
The answer : Is because all our politicians in government are busy making money that they have forgotten their pledges to the people.
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justice / November 27, 2015
Chandrasena has some hold over President Sirisena – else, why this appointment when the Weliamuna investigation has exposed the former.
Else why appoint a man about to be investigated for serious fraud?
I have now lost all respect for the President and the Prime minister.
It looks like the nation is going backwards – to the Mahinda Rajapakse regime – he must be enjoying this!
Meanwhile this talk of “abolishing the Executive Presidency” and about a new constitution appear to be ‘red herrings’ to the gullible – citizens and politicians alike.
Those who want dual citizenship must think again.
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Plato. / November 27, 2015
This is what happens when PEASANTS become heads of STATE.
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Liberal One / November 27, 2015
Irony is appointing Haloluwa to the Mobitel board is a more corrupt move than this because he was behind bringing this government into power. Nobody cared then.
Anyway wasn’t Sri Lanka supposed to be free from political appointments after the much hyped 19A and independent commissions? Is it evident at-least now that it was a farce all along to win votes of the middle class idiots?
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Fero / November 27, 2015
Sooner the fooled voters realize that this good governance crap was just a rhetoric to fool them and establish a US puppet regime to create a mono ethnic federal state in north and east the better. I am fed up with their whining now.
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Sapu / November 28, 2015
Why the hell US create a mon-ethnic state indefgeral state in North and East(Which makes no sense by the way)?
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JeffK / November 27, 2015
[Edited out] We are going back to the pre 2005 era of corruption + zero development + separatism from the corruption + healthy growth + security we had under MR.
Now keep yapping. But you very well know it’s true.
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Sapu / November 28, 2015
we had security under MR LOL!!!!!!!!!!
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Yahapalanaya / November 27, 2015
The country is being s—wed by Gamarala President. Very soon Lalith Weeratunga followed by MR will be appointed to important positions while RW is globe trotting in a 3 -piece suit. Anyway RW can’t say much as he is behind Mahendran’s appointment.
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K.A Sumanasekera / November 28, 2015
It hasn’t taken long for Bodhi Sira to become a Bory Sira… Right ,,
After all the bullshit about how he couldn’t handle Nepotism and Corruption under Rajapaksa and Bodhi Sira taking a great risk to his precious life to give us Yaha[alanaya, his actions so far make me puke…
Only Yahapalanaya he is going give us is the White Court to try our War Heroes .
And give Eelaam for Vellalas.
A comprehensive list of the rest which the Elite may think come under Yahapalanaya, is in “Island” broad sheet in Colombo.
The Tubby Minister who used to be a Toy Boy for a high ranking Yahapalana politician challenges the Colombo Elite to show why the appointment of his dear brother as a CEO comes under Nepotism ( ???? )
Another Minister appoints both Son and Daughter for Tax Payer funded jobs and demands to know why it is unfair, when both worked hard to get him the Gig as a Yahapalana minister.
Two Ministers have appointed two sets of Directors to Govt owned Insurance Company, Hyatt, Mobitel and several others.
One Govt Corporation has two Chair Persons one sitting up stairs and the other down stairs. Must be a two storey building.
So what is the big deal about this ex Captain getting a new gig at Mobitel?..
I mean Boru Sira’s own brother can keep an eye on him going forward ,so that he can’t do racketeering like he is alleged to have done in his previous gig.
BTW ,I mean this is mild in comparison to Yahapalana FM Mangalan’s LeN artillery and mortar attacks on Boru Sira and his Yahapalanaya.
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Douglas / November 28, 2015
In a way good and a blessing that Rev. Sobitha passed away sooner than he himself saw the results of his efforts in bringing this “Common Candidate”, the VULTURE. He (REV. Sobitha) being a monk expected to be a follower of the teachings of Gauthama Buddha, could not adhere to the first of the Noble Eight Fold Path, viz. “SAMMA DITHTHI” (correct vision and understanding). Now Prof: Sarath Wijesuriya – the successor to Rev. Sobitha, what have you got to say of all these taking place in Yahapalanaya? Perhaps you will have to perform “Hara Kiri”. I suppose Nothing” else you are left with.
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Daham / November 28, 2015
Gamaralage Sirisena few days ago appointed three SLFPers who lost at the last elections as directors of Special Projects to three provinces which were won by the UNP. Why? Then he appointed a disgraced person to Mobitel. Yesterday he made a speech in English at the CHOGM summit in Malta. He must have got the text written in Sinhala. It would have been better if he made the speech in sinhala language. What a disgrace to Sri Lankans.
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Lalitha / November 28, 2015
How can this joker be nominated for the nobel price. Sirisena is doing exactly what Mahinda did so why not nominate Mahinda because that man did it more effectively.
The UNP govt. should be ashamed to talk about nominating boru Sira for the nobel price. This man is going to be worse than Mahinda so any one who supports Sirisena will have blood in his hands.
The UNP idiots are so disunited gamarala is getting ideas. Hareen Fernando the UNP star has shown his true colours. Either he is a real fool or a corrupt politican. May be even both. Telecom ministry is run by the presidents brother not Hareen. We don’t know whether Hareen is bringing Chandrasena. After all Hareen is also involved with the presidents brother to do the hutch deal.
This government is finished. All the good people are thrown out and big time frauds are introduced back again to the system. Voters are helpless. Aney ape rattata Devi pihiti.
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PhD / November 28, 2015
“How can this joker be nominated for the Nobel price”.[Edited out]
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shankar / November 28, 2015
the best thing is for the voters to give a slap in the face to maithri and ranil by voting for the JVP at the forth coming LG elections .Otherwise this is going to continue.The best message is the people’s vote.MR disregarded the messsage sent to him at the UVA provincial council elections and paid the penalty.
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Veronica / November 28, 2015
Sri Lankans are truly mad to talk about nominating Sirisena for the Nobel price. They should be talking about impeaching him. With a bunch of idiots like Malik Samarawickrema advising the PM it will be the same old story for him very soon.
RW must get his act together and take firm decisions without listening financially corrupt people like Malik. Wherever there is Malik there is corruption and the PM still has not realized it.
Sirisena is going to be a tsunami. All political leaders should get together and decide how to deal with this dangerous Tsunami. Otherwise many lives will be lost and we will see the white van culture again.
People like Mangala Samaraweera, Lakshman Kiriella, John Amaratunge are day dreaming if they think Sirisena is going to be a true democrat. He is a third grade thug and nothing else.
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Harry Hatton / November 28, 2015
Read Weliammuna’s report on Air Lanka to see about this guys character
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M Kuruparan / November 28, 2015
As some one said ” Sinhalese people’s memory last for 2 weeks only “. People will shout today and will forget this in go on to their work.
See the people in Thailand, how they change the corrupt Govt, by gathering together. This will NEVER happen in Sri Lanka, as we forget everything.
Arjuna said in one interview that he was angry with his brother for stealing his tiffen. NOW he is asking what’s wrong in appointing him, thinking that people have forgot what he said couple of weeks earlier.
Same goes to all politicians. Tell some thing before election and do just opposite just after election. we will simple tolerate them and will Vote for either to Blue or Green.
Bloody fools. . .
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roger / November 28, 2015
Some body wants to propose Sirirsena for Nobel prize. Ha………..ha………….ha………………..Frog in the well
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Jim softy / November 28, 2015
IT was Sriyanthi Rajapakse’s Brother who destroyed Srilankan Air lines. Only thinking This guy Kapila could not avoi was saying No to that OLD man became young man Play boy who was sleeping with young air hostesses.
Who ever who wrote this article should be by a journalist who is aligned with Mahinda RajapakAse group of companies and got money to support Mahinda rjapakse.
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thondamanny / November 28, 2015
“Chandrasena has some hold over President Sirisena – else, why this appointment when the Weliamuna investigation has exposed the former. Else why appoint a man about to be investigated for serious fraud? “
Great work Sira………………………
You deserve the Nobel Prize for over riding the Constitution.
You have shown some guts.
Hope you make another statement in English or in French when in Paris.
The country is on fire Sira is galavantingthe world.
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Leon / November 29, 2015
Nobel prize will become the joke of the century if scoundrel Sirisena is nominated.
He is a illiterate rogue who has no decency or shame. It is time for people to
get rid of this joker before any further damage is done. Where is Chandrika, Ranil
& co today, are they frighten to come out because of skeletons in their cupboards.
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