19 March, 2024

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Social Media Up In Arms Against Penthouse Ravi’s Possible Appointment As Cabinet Minister

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.

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Latest comments

  • 69
    2

    If Ranil appoints this shameless crook Ravi Karunanayake to any ministry, let alone Finance, he has learned nothing.

    If Karunanayake threatens to cross over, please let him do that. He belongs in corrupt-to-the-core gang.

    In any decent democracy, a MP with serious allegations against him/her, will not be appointed to any ministry until he/she has their name cleared. Ranil ought to know that and have the backbone to say that. That’s called leadership. Sri Lanka needs a leader with balls, who can stand up to corruption, nepotism and cronyism, NOT a wimp, who gives in to blackmail.

    Listen mate, if you still got tin ears, and go ahead and appoint this dirty warlord to your cabinet, I can’t wait to see the day it comes back to bite your arse.

    • 37
      0

      Men always act true to their character …… so, I’m not holding my breath ……. but Ranil now can vindicate/extricate himself from the stupid mess he created for himself …… if he has a Road to Damascus conversion and instigate a true/real/genuine inquiry/commission into the Central Bank and the EPF from 2005 to the present and let the chips fall where they may.

      Even if it does not stop corruption, it’ll at least expose monumental corruption carried out in novel and ingenious ways and be a deterrent in the future.

      A no holds barred apolitical genuine inquiry will be a historical landmark in the nation. That’s the greatest service he can do now. ……….. But …………..

    • 23
      0

      Kamal,
      Yours is the most appropriate comment on this news. Thanks for making it so clearly.
      I’m not making any comment because you have told everything I have to say.

    • 9
      3

      Kamal

      Before all people want to know who or what cleared Ranil, of all the allegations linked to his appointment of AM & CB bond scam.

      Have people forgotten them in the heat of SC decisions??

    • 4
      7

      No leadership RW posses.
      With the help of USA and intl counttries he has overcome the recent crisis.
      If he wants to leave RaviK he needs the Help of USA and Sumanthiran as well.

      • 5
        2

        You really need to stop blaming other countries for our domestic situation. Your quite happy to take foreign aid. If you think other countries are interfering in our country don’t take money from them. You can’t have the cake and the bun. Kindly explain your statement re interference.

    • 2
      0

      K.
      Good point.
      Ranil’s cunningly knows that S L’S can be manipulated very easily; he has led the UNP for a very long time in spite of the poor electoral success. He likes to be surrounded by his old schoolmates. That is the nature of the beast; get used to it.

  • 33
    12

    Ravi is such a nice dude, he speaks perfect English, always impeccably dressed, saw him one time chatting with Mahendran at a five-star place up nord, both well-cultured gentlemen, so they pocket a million here a billion there, they have expenses, one must understand.

  • 12
    14

    Lumpens, you asked for it, now you will get it !

    Something this guy has not had for 40 years ( abilities and integrity), he will show in this one year ! But of course no elections where people can give their opinion !

    You guys are struck down by mentally paralysis when it comes to Ranil. -You think he comes from superior stock., old royalist, lives in Colombo 7, Knows everything, discusses economy with Mahendran and Paski in English, the international community ( what is that ? China, India, Norway, US, NGOs ?) loves him, goes to Devos Switzerland every year to represent Sri Lankan business, hates corruption, looks down on the new rich, and yes very manly too ( Kawuda Hora, dancing with aunty , remember ?)

    • 6
      3

      I think he’s still better than the other yakkos though.

  • 11
    9

    CT surprised that you are carrying on the Sirisena-esque journalism by hurling invective at a person who has still not been convicted by a court of a crime. I am no supporter of this gentleman but the attitude of the media acting as judge juror and jailor in Sri Lanka is precisely why yahapalana came apart. The whole media in Sri Lanka is pro Rajapakse with very few exceptions. I hope at least CT will maintain some impartiality. What about other unp ministers against whom complaints were made in public?

  • 20
    1

    We are surprised and dismayed to learn Ranil Wickremesinghe having the vicious intention to appoint habitual serial swindler Ravi Karunanayake as the minister of finance. Most intriguing fact is that Ranil being an experience politician and a lawyer having gone through the agony of shamelessly being dismissed from the position of PM by an uneducated President who is acting as a minion of Mahinda Rajapakse. This would clearly establish Ranil’s involvement in all the fraud committed by Ravi Karunanayake et-el. If Ranil appoints Ravi again to the position of Minister of Finance, President Sirisena should initiate an inquiry against Ranil and Ravi to convict them on all counts. Ranil you are a real betrayal and not learnt from the past blunders, please go home.

  • 6
    8

    People are writing through emotions, this shows how shallow they are. The fact that Ravi was given a penthouse by Aloysius, well he paid a heavy price for that. Bond scam Report did not recommend initiating charges against Ranil. We can’t crucify someone forever. CT readers, please allow Ranil to select his cabinet if you want him to show good results. Surely Ranil can’t run the Finance Ministry with Range. And there is noone else. Now’s the time to fix the economy, not sling mud at people. Ravi is the best suited to do the job among the 225 in the parliament. Ravi understands the economy more than anyone else. Mangala is best suited to be the Foreign Minister not Finance. To say appoint Range for his loyality; are these people sane? A new story has been fabricated by another that Ravi ran brothels in Colombo. I ask my fellow readers to be reasonable. Again, making Sri Lanka prosperous should be our No1 priorty and Ravi is best suited to do that. Let’s stop mud slinging and give him another chance. Above all CT readers who did so much to bring back Ranil should not start attacking him even before he has sworn in.

    • 7
      0

      That is why the National List exist.

      Ranil should bring in a Professional Economist and not touch RK even with the far end of a barge pole unless of course one wants the other to cover any loose ends of the Bond Scam.

      Bringing in Ravi will be committing political Hara Kiri

  • 13
    1

    This will be the end of UNP if Ravi K is appointed a minister. Corrupt to the core and it was proved any doubt this this man is an A grade rouge who use politic and position to earn money Money morney nothing else. People are aware who this man is.

  • 8
    0

    All the old big shots of the UNP should refrain from accepting minister posts if they really care about the country. Please don’t be selfish. I am sure you all have amassed a lot of money enough to live a life of luxury for the rest of your lives. Let some young people in for a change .

  • 12
    1

    Mr. President, here is an opportunity for you to play one of your “trump cards”. Just Refuse to swear in Penthouse Ravi. You can even announce in advance that you will Not accept Penthouse Ravi as a Minister or even a State Minister. This is a Golden Opportunity for you to reclaim some lost prestige.

  • 6
    2

    It is the issue of “You scratch my back and I scratch yours” .

    Ranil has to do a favour because Ravi did him a favour by supporting him to have the parliamentary majority.

    You see, bond scam issues should be settled by proper courts where ‘friendship’ is not taken into account and only judged by the facts of the case.
    I am saying ‘proper’ courts because in this case a special court was enacted through parliament and strictures was placed on the powers of the court. One such s limitation or constraint was court was not allowed to punish anyone. So it was a court where the judges had one arm tied behind their back. In a way was a mockery trial.

    So through this case Ravi Karunanayake was really not found ‘guilty’ but in a softer tone voiced that he had committed wrong doings. Ranil was not cross-examined.

    However since he was not found guilty is ‘innocent’ and so he is entitled to all the rights including cabinet portfolio!

    The people should have protested. People means certainly ordinary public has no technical knowledge but ‘watchdogs’ in the legal profession who has the know how should have collectively taken it up and questioned the sincerity of the Government only to whitewash those involved in the biggest crime.
    So now the biggest bank thief is a free man back again in action with billions of cash at his disposal.

  • 1
    6

    What has costed this reprieve? 500 million into fourteen ?

    I am happy My3 has proved his sanity and the courts have delivered justice . But who will care the blindfolded lady with a broken Balance?

  • 9
    1

    If this news is true it means that RW is never ready to learn a thing. If he messus up this time UNP will be in a deep black hole with no way out.

  • 3
    1

    Don’t you know that crooks let crooks in?

  • 3
    2

    I am writing this as an impartial observer. Every man is innocent until proven guilty. RaviK has not been indited by any court for a crime that I know of. Whether he will be or get a fair trial is a different matter! Ravi K might have lied but how can our perceptions or personal opinion get ahead of justice. why do we keep bashing him (RaviK) or anyone else for the same reason. If Ravik has not been charged as of yet, then he remains innocent. The same rule applies to any other alleged criminal whether it be anyone from the Ranil faction or the Mahinda faction. Why can’t Ravik be appointed as a cabinet minister if he is still innocent until a court proves otherwise? How can we say that he has lied when a court still has not given a verdict or law enforcement has shown us any proof against RaviK if he did lie. If a fake PM could have been appointed by our deranged president, then why cant RaviK be appointed as a cabinet minister or even as PM? Are we forgetting that this is Sri Lanka – the epitome of all other Banana Republics combined. Where is the law that says that no one that is in the midst of a criminal investigation for an alleged or “suspected” crime or scandal can not be appointed by law to a public office? Can anyone please show be the statute.

    • 2
      0

      WalaGemba Raja

      “If a fake PM could have been appointed by our deranged president,”

      ……..our deranged president

      Hold on you just said “Every man is innocent until proven guilty”

      President not yet proven to be ‘deranged’.

  • 1
    2

    The best option for the president is to be a constitutional dictator. Make a cabinet of 30 without portfolios & have all the ministries in his hand.

    Sure, frustrated UNP will volunteer for an election @ no time.

  • 2
    1

    There are pros and cons. I dont see anything wrong with that.Nothing has proven against him.Even if he is wrong on something, I think he is still better than Rajapaksa clan and capable of doing something for the country. If I am the PM, I will take the risk. There are reasons for that. ( This is a mud slinging and propaganda campaign against Democratic forces.)

  • 7
    0

    Why is it that CT attacking only Ravi? What about the other corrupt people – Rajitha S, Champika R, Arjuna R, Lakshman K, Malik S, John Am, Palani D. They are not saints; corrupt to their eyes.

  • 6
    0

    RW seems to think he is on a crest of a wave…..what a foolish man..if he appoints RK to any ministerial position….that will be the end of the UNP..hope Sajith and the others who have some brains insist that RK be left out….with no position…..RW thinks he has a lot of brain..but he is a foolish man for all that he does to bring the grand old party down….

  • 6
    1

    Ravi K has been a crook and swindler ever since his college days. He did not have 5rupees to call his own, back in the day!
    He swindled Mrs. Athulathmudali, soon after Lalith’s death of party funds.
    His case about $funds received from the US, disappeared no sooner the UNP came to power in 2015.
    His.. I don’t know who paid for the penthouse defense, is now quite famous.
    The deposit of funds from UK into his Logistics company’s accounts is still unanswered.
    Who paid for the penthouse is still not answered.
    How his Logistics company got the land near Katunayake is not answered.

    All this by a chap who did not have 5 rupees in his pocket at Royal College.

    I don’t think I need to say more.

  • 1
    0

    I hear political prostitute and petty thief Viyalendran is now showing interest to join UNP. This is what most Lankan politicians are about.no exceptions. He may seek minister position after crossing over????

  • 21
    1

    Ranil Wickeremesinghe,

    You have been given a second chance. Please prove that you are worth it and for goodness sake DO NOT screw it up!!!

    We as a nation are tired, fed up and disgusted with the way all of you politicians irrespective of party colours have let us down.

    We WILL NOT tolerate it ANY LONGER!

    • 3
      0

      Dear Sharmini,

      “We as a nation are tired, fed up and disgusted with the way all of you politicians irrespective of party colours have let us down.
      We WILL NOT tolerate it ANY LONGER!”

      Agree with your sentiments wholeheartedly but if they screw up what can we do?

      According to the Constitution power resides fundamentally with the people. But the trash the people rejects are brought back in the National List with scant disregard to the peoples wishes. Perhaps post 19A SC ruling, this can be challenged as a violation of the people’s fundamental rights.

      The elected MPs dump their electors and sell themselves like prostitutes to the highest bidder with ease. Why did the framers of 19A delete the clause that the JVP proposed to arrest this political thievery? They knew and yet left room for democracy to be prostituted.

      Will Ranil clean up his National List and force others to clean up theirs?

      Will Ranil amend the Constitution to stop MPs selling themselves to the highest bidder?

      Will Ranl bring back those who are tainted by the bond scam?

      Any govt with a 2/3 majority can do any wrong with impunity because they are secure for 54 months. Neither the Judiciary, nor the Executive nor the Sovereign People can do anything short of mutiny to stop them.

      Is this the Democracy that we seek?
      Can it lead to Rule by the Gun?

      The 19A while bringing in many a good thing has brought a Dracula to suck our blood. Perhaps the good things were meant to camouflage the draconian blood sucker.

      I hope this comment will trigger a discourse.about our Constitution and Democracy..

    • 4
      0

      Ranil W,

      It is all right to make the error the first time. Only Idiots and Dorks repeat the errors. Sajit premsdasa has warmed you about appointing Penthouse Ravi to the finance ministers post. Actually, Ravi is not suitable for any ministerial post. Give him a job as a Doorman, Doratu Palaya.

  • 8
    1

    What’s so surprising about this? Ravi and Ranil are one and the same. When Ranil is sworn in again, Ravi will be standing there side-by-side. Ravi is the only one who intricately and expertly knows the execution and implementation of the Ranil-plan-of-action.. Without Ravi, Ranil is nothing. And the elites have the dire need to secure their dough.

  • 7
    1

    Rajitha, Champika Ranwaka and Lakshman Kiriella are equal or more crooks than Ravi K. Dilrukshi Wickramasinghe was sacked as she was going to investigate Rajitha who owns ships.

  • 3
    0

    I think Good Advice is giving good advice to all of us. Let’s listen to him as he is right.

  • 2
    2

    If you try to stir the pot, Appa Sira and Mahinda Raja will be the winners. Let’s allow Ranil to run his government; who are we to dictate terms to him?

  • 2
    3

    Ranil the mastermind of daylight robbery of Central Bank of Sri Lanka, No t only CBSL, all the other banks are waiting for your arrival where you can mastermind more robberies with Ravi K, Gang of Footnotes etc.

  • 0
    0

    Why can’t we have Eran Wickremaratna as th FM ? He is the most suitable for this post. We must appoint ppl ready to serve the nation and not the ones who want to serve themselves or the party they represent. This is the time for the ppl of the country to become the watch dog. We must keep on the vigil and not rest till this country gets rid of all rouge politicians and the corruption that’s bleeding our country.

  • 3
    1

    Fascinating to read articles and comments on my motherland. Very interesting and passionate. I am worried about Trump and his deranged tweets here and the multiple investigations into his conduct and his family’s conduct. I think all the top leaders in Sri Lanka can’t top the orange madman and his lies here in the US. I am not eligible to comment further. Sri Lankan seem more mature than Trump’s base.

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