Social media is up in arms against UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe’s move to give a Cabinet position to controversial politician Ravi Karunanayake despite serious allegations leveled against him on multiple issues.
Ravi
Testifying before the Presidential Commission on the Treasury bonds issue in 2017, Wickremesinghe admitted that Karunanayake misled him on the Penthouse allegation raised by UPFA MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage who said the apartment was financed by Arjuna Aloysius, the man at the centre of the bond fiasco.
Wickremesinghe stated that he believed that the senior UNPer and former cabinet minister was telling the truth about the ‘Penthouse allegation‘ when it was first made by MP Aluthgamage.
“I asked him ( Karunanayake) about it and he said no. There was no reason to go further”, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said in response to a question posed by Attorney General Jayantha Jayasuriya.
The social media activists now question the rationale behind Karunanayake’s reappointment as a Cabinet Minister when he had even lied to Wickremesinghe.
UNP sources, however, said there was no truth in rumours that Karunanayake would be made the Finance Minister. Nevertheless, they admitted that the controversial politician would be appointed to a Cabinet post on Monday.
Real Revolutionist / December 15, 2018
Yes, the president has trump cards
RW will be the PM only, without portfolio.
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Amarasiri / December 16, 2018
Penthouse Ravi,
So, you want to be a minister again ? Why not become a Doorman, Doratu-Palaya.
Do you want to share the same cell with Alosious, your go between? Even UNP has no shame!
How many times did you take the ICM? Over how many years?
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wannihami / December 15, 2018
Beautiful, go for it Ravi my man. Let us give the Central Bank to Mahendran while we are at it.
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Plato. / December 15, 2018
Ranil.W. should realise that Loyalty alone is not enough to be rewarded. How about Integrity- a higher virtue?
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Amarasiri / December 16, 2018
Ranil too seem to have a rotten ball problem.
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Summa / December 15, 2018
Forget RK. Must seriously consider RB (Range B.) for what did to put a stop to 500M DEALS and the exposè. Must find a way to kill FROG JUMPING too.
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Ajay / December 15, 2018
Ravi is the greedy pig who initiated the unravelling of Yahapalanaya. He should not be made even a deputy minister’s peon.
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Sharmini Serasinghe / December 15, 2018
Don’t you dare Ranil Wickeremesinghe!!!
At least now grow a backbone and kick this crook out of the UNP. He belongs with the greedy hogs, Rajapaksas. Send him there.
We shall take to the streets if you give this man a cabinet portfolio!
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Doratupala / December 16, 2018
How about being “responsible” and bring back the mango buddy of the CB fame to “clean up” the entire banking sector? –
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Ayathuray Rajasingam / December 16, 2018
Sharmini Serasinghe, I do not know whether you remember that even Lalith Athulathmudali had second thoughts about Ravi when he formed the DUNF..
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Amarasiri / December 16, 2018
Shaming Sersinghe,
I have heard that Ravi took many, many years to complete or not complete his ICMA. Wonder if Rainil is trying to balance out the Dork Sirisena, with his own Dor, Ravi.
Is Penthouse Ravi still living in the Penthouse?
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T. Devendra / December 16, 2018
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craig / December 15, 2018
The UNP should not and cannot appoint RK as a cabinet minister. How can a man who publicly says that he does not know who pays his rent of 1.5M PER MONTH administer any ministry or even a post office? Do not forget that RK has a penchant for appointing his family members to key positions. Do not forget who he appointed as MD of SLIC no sooner he became the FM. It was his BIL Bangsa Jayah . I am sorry, RK may be a good party man but he has lost his credibility. He should voluntarily take a back seat without embarrassing the UNP.
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Sinhala_Man / December 16, 2018
Craig,
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If I remember right , he said that his b-i-l had the qualifications and the experience to head the Insurance Corporation. His qualifications? First-in-Laws, which means he didn’t complete the Degree. His experience had been as an Inspector of Police. He insulted the country by even offering such explanations.
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If the UNP wants to retain any credibility they must take action against Ravi K. in some of the many cases in which his outright corruption has been proved. He presents himself in lounge suit all the time, but is no different from a guy like Mahindananda Aluthgamage.
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Why did I mention Aluthgamage? Yesterday, a humble, honest man did some time good tiling work for us. He would always support parties with people like Aluthgamage because they “wedak karanawa”. That he was merely getting Public Money spent on personal supporters (while pocketing some himself?) was lost on the man. That is one way that voters decide.
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But more than all else, it is “cost-of-living”. That it has gone off owing to scams of all sorts, and huge military spending, he has no time to find out.
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Ravi Karunanayake’s “popularity” stems from remembering names and faces, and personally answering and listening to phone calls. Commendable no doubt. But the man is a CROOK!
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Critical thinking / December 15, 2018
Rail is no difference from m&s and MR .
All greedy and corrupt ..
Vote to JVP
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whywhy / December 15, 2018
The supreme court ruling and multiple N C M against MARA and SIRA was not a
LICENCE for Ranil to play his games ! Whoever Ravi is for U N P , he is rightly
Pent House Ravi for the country ! Let him come clean from that dust first . Like
MARASIRA are a curse to their gangs , Ravi is a curse to U N P at least until the
dust is clear ! It is democracy that won in parliament and the courts and the
results just got back to normal and not beyond that . You the U N P has now got
an opportunity to make use of it the right way . PLAY IT WRONG AND THAT IS IT !
YOU MIGHT FIND A LOOPHOLE FOR YOUR EXCUSE BUT REMEMBER people know
it only as RIGHT AND WRONG . If we ask MARA why he accepted SIRA’s offer , we
would ask Ravi the same question of accepting and Ranil of offering !
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Sinhala_Man / December 15, 2018
Agree with this statement: ” Kick this crook out of the UNP”, by Sharmini Serasinghe.
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We staunchly supported the stand against Sirisena’s silly actions. We were quite conscious that Ranil had done almost equally silly things. Also, it is surely time for the UNP to give the country a team of fresh and younger politicians. So many who commented in these pages were specifically asking that Ranil be reinstated because the way he was replaced was all wrong. Those same people were asking for a change of leadership after a decent wait.
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To bring back a man like Ravi Karunanayake is an insult to all citizens who took a stand.
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The majority of the population have no time to think all this out; instead they spread cynicism. Starting right now, there has to be lots of writing in the Swabashas to convince the people that things have changed.
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Start now, by removing the tainted.
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justice / December 15, 2018
Rajitha Senaratne is another with a bad record as Minister of Health
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citizen / December 16, 2018
Justice, Bad record of Rajitha comes from GMOA now in courts having infiltrated SLMC to grab power over medics. President SLMC resigned and gave procedure needed to safeguard the now corrupt SLMC by restructuring it. Rajitha was taking meaningful steps against GMOA TU tactics existing in a govt statutory SLMC body functioning now in rebellion against law and order and contempt of courts. Power hungry GMOA terror, faked TU signatures, as they need to safeguard their head AP in another personal contempt of court case from civil society movement.
There is no law and order or integrity in political dictatorship of GMOA. The stage set, curtain raised, GMOA on stage ready for drama to begin. More deadly for the sick than the constitutional coup with deceived and power sick leaders. H.E can be fooled again by GMOA flattery of support and can hiccup again like SAITM elimination. Judiciary is only hope.
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vithura / December 15, 2018
RW should realise that MR, his clan and his stooges are not finished. They will try and exploit situations such as the bond scam as an excuse to get back to power. Hence, RW should not make any ill advised move to keep controversial people with allegations of corruption in government. It is now the time for RW to prove to the people at large that he is capable of providing effective leadership and transparent governance, which in turn requires firmness in saying no to people soiled with corruption and those with corrupt intent, otherwise he runs the risk of exposing himself to be castigated as another MR!
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Zubair / December 16, 2018
I have voted for UNP all my life but I will not do it anymore if the cabinet that is appointed has crooks and unsuitable persons such as Ravi and co. This is your last chance Ranil please think of the country and its citizens, you do not have children adopt the citizens and young generation as your children and do something good before you leave.You are a rich and privileged man who has enjoyed every possible position in parliament. Please do whatever you can to leave a legacy.I am sure your wife Maithri will agree being the Lady she is Please… Please… you do not need all this anymore.
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Lankan No 1 / December 16, 2018
Vote JVP
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Sinhala_Man / December 16, 2018
Last chance: not for Ranil to hang on for a year, but to salvage something of respect as a legacy by making way for somebody to take over leadership in two months or so. Is that too much to ask?
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We’ve called My3 all sorts of things. He will accept the humiliation that is his punishment two hours from now when he is forced to swear Ranil in as Prime Minister. Ranil has to undergo the same sort of penance in a controlled way, which few will remember, if he exercises some intelligence.
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Raj / December 16, 2018
This is what Today’s ‘Economynext’ says about Ranil:
“Wickremesinghe famously lacks people skills, and has uneasy relations with the parliamentary group, other members of his party and the general public.”
Appointing Ravi (The crook) as Finance minister will attest to the above, and this action hints that RW too may be a crook or an accomplice.
UNP lost a few chances to get rid of Ranil but the party failed miserably. It’s next and last major failure will be the next general election and the presidential election.
Then the UNP will split and a Pohottuwa type new party will emerge.
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Raj / December 16, 2018
This is what Today’s ‘Economynext’ says about Ranil:
“Wickremesinghe famously lacks people skills, and has uneasy relations with the parliamentary group, other members of his party and the general public.”
Appointing Ravi (The crook) as Finance minister will attest to the above, and this action hints that RW too may be a crook or an accomplice.
UNP lost a few chances to get rid of Ranil but the party failed miserably. It’s next and last major failure will be the next general election and the presidential election.
Then the UNP will split and a Pohottuwa type new party will emerge.
Anyways, Mahinda will have the last laugh!
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Amila / December 16, 2018
It may be wrong to appoint him but with current situation it may not be possible for unp to move forward at all without giving him any ministrial position considering following two reasons. He also played a key role in keeping some of the unp guys within the party and preventing a crossover. Also if he is not awarded a ministry, he may try to pullout of the new government with some mp’s with him.
Also unp may try to get some more slfp guys to secure 113 so that they may not have to heavily depend on tna. These things may look ugly but it will be difficult to keep the government stable till next election without them.
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Good Advice / December 16, 2018
After swearing in as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka for the 5th record time on 16 December 2018, we anticipate that Hon Ranil Wickramasinghe would state something similar to the following targeting his supporters:
“I please ask you not to display cutouts, banners and similar structures that hail my assumption to the Prime Minster position. If posters are displayed (still unnecessary), they should be displayed only on authorised sites. Please refrain from displaying my portrait at government institutions as I believe it is not necessary. I anticipate the ministers of the new government would follow suit. Please limit the use of firecrackers as not only they pollute our environment, they also cause real fear in animals who live among us.”
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Dushmantha / December 16, 2018
CT is making up a story. Social media is not revolting against Ravi. Ravi is the only man who can resurrect the economy.
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wannihami / December 16, 2018
Absolutely, let us cheer him on, and let us bring Mahendran back
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A.D.J. Perera / December 16, 2018
Ranil must advise Ravi K first to return, with Interest, the US$3 million he defrauded
from Raj R, of Lankan origin in New York. That Ravi used his clout to get the Courts to clear him in this Case is a blackmark and makes a mockery of our justice system. Ranil W has no right or business to assure Ravi K a Cabinet post if the UNP gets back to power, as is widely alleged.
Ravi K will not become destitute if he is out of the Cabinet. He still has millions coming to him from his legitimate business and much more regularly from the crime bosses of Colombo – of whom he is widely suspected to be the Patron Saint. What a reputation for a former Royalist from an elite family – two of whose relatives are much respected DIG’s of the 1960s
ADJP
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Maharage, / December 16, 2018
This animal Ravi Karunanayake is even more corrupted than Mahinda, Basil, GoTo trio. Ravi K. is not only a gross liar, but a businessman running several brothels in Colombo and suburbs. Prostitution was his main business before moving to freight business. He has a network with rural areas that provides poor girls for his brothels. It is through brothels he amassed a vast amount of money to start and run freight business.
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Maharage, / December 16, 2018
This animal, Ravi Karunanayake is even more corrupted than Mahinda, Basil, GoTo trio. Ravi K. is not only a gross liar, but a businessman running several brothels in Colombo and suburbs. Prostitution was his main business before moving to freight business. He has a network with rural areas that provides poor girls for his brothels. It is through brothels he amassed a vast amount of money to start and run freight business.
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Rwkf / December 16, 2018
When will RW start consider the citizen and stop considering his cronies who are really no good to the country. He has messed up the country and the economy. Why cant he see beyond ravi, malik etc. And pick someone who is more qualified and honest? There are harsha and eran. Why cant they be given an opportunity? We need a set of fresh vision as the the old one is totally rotten.
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K A Sumanasekera / December 16, 2018
Blessed Lot this Yahapalana suckers…
Dr Ranil, the PM for a second innings , with his ex World’s best Finance Minister to bat for our Inhabitants.
Wonder how much the Duo will Score this time?….
But there are lucky 32 who are are sitting on the bench , waiting to score 500 Million plus..
God Bless & Merry X Mas…
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thushan / December 16, 2018
BRILLIANT!!
UNP you never learn your lesson.. only 2 years are there for a General election and a couple of months for a presidential and you’ll are going to drag Penthouse ravi into the political scene and give MR’s opposition mouthpieces things to talk about??
this move itself shows that RW is preparing UNP for a mass burial cometh the next election..
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Raj / December 16, 2018
Arjun Mahendran: Secretary of Finance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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hancho pancha / December 16, 2018
RW ia the bane of Srilankan politics. Had MS seen to the end of the Man it would have been a feather on MS’s Hat.
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Agnos / December 16, 2018
If RW lets the crooks back in, the TNA and JVP that wanted to uphold democracy and the rule of law without any rewards, will feel cheated. RW might have felt that Ravi K and others needed to be rewarded for not jumping to the Rajapaksa faction for more $$, but that is very revealing of the character of these crooks, always willing to jump for $$.
If the UPFA, SLFP and SLPP join together as opposition, then Sampanthan may lose his opposition leader post, and AKD will lose his deputy opp leader post. In such a situation the TNA won’t have much leverage on behalf of the people it represents. They may want to advocate for a caretaker government that includes the TNA and the JVP; if that happens, the TNA and the JVP can accept a few cabinet positions in order to rid the cabinet of crooks and show the UNP that a non-corrupt administration is possible, though RW will continue to be the PM.
I know these two parties won’t feel comfortable about being part of the government given the needs and demands of their constituencies, but I think the TNA and JVP should consider this until the next elections are held and try to gain some tangible benefits for their constituencies.
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A.D.J. Perera / December 16, 2018
Let the readers express what they feel about this very controversial, unscrupulous and super-ambitious man. Bringing him to Ranil’s new Cabinet will be at Ranil’s own peril.
ADJP
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Edward / December 16, 2018
Can you find an honest Politician in Sri Lanka, If you find one Name him/her? It is a curse of the country. Courts have Saved democracy but …….? Operation successful patient died!
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Sinhala_Man / December 16, 2018
All societies have this problem, Edward. Honest men there are, but they don’t get votes (or reach the very top – as the case may be) because of the heterogeneity of society. Let’s take examples:
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Vickremabahu Karunaratne: mention his name and you see hatred on the average Sinhala face: he is irrationally labelled a Tiger, or an “NGO-Karaya”. Wije Dias, not even heard of by you, reader (please be honest enough to admit it).
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Different sorts: Mangala Samaraweera: admission of being gay knocks him out.
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Imtiaz Bakeer Markar: the fact that he’s a Muslim knocks him out. Have you ever listened to him talking about the social (in)significance of religion?
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Prof. Jeevan Hoole: he’s a Christian. In any case, he’s interested only in conducting elections, not in contesting them.
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All these people are honest, but we don’t think of extending support to them, for an even greater variety of reasons than I have enumerated. And, we ourselves have but limited memories and capacities to retain knowledge. Even if you diligently refer the Wikipedia entries of them all (and I have mentioned only persons of sufficient eminence to have such entries), six months from now, you would have forgotten.
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Fewer than 1% of our population read anything written on these subjects in English. Most of us are personally O.K. The need is to engage in discussion with a variety of people (not only taxi-drivers), in Sinhalese and Tamil.
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Edward / December 16, 2018
Thank you, Sinhala_Man It is unfortunate the honest man has no vote yielding Slogans.
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shankar / December 16, 2018
Why is ravi k not being charged for what he did.Social media should put pressure on RW for charges.
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