In a scathing indictment of Sri Lanka’s governance landscape, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has handed down a damning verdict. MP Harsha de Silva, speaking in today’s parliament session, highlighted the gravity of the situation as he discussed the contents of the IMF’s Governance Diagnostic Assessment report. The verdict is clear: corruption has permeated every level of Government institutions, from top to bottom.
Harsha de Silva minced no words as he shared the IMF’s concerns, which include a multitude of pressing issues. One of the primary reasons for the delay in disbursing the second tranche of funds is the shortfall in government revenue, as well as the sluggish progress in foreign debt restructuring. However, perhaps the most significant roadblock to financial recovery lies in the Government’s persistent failure to address its deep-rooted corruption problem.
In a rare moment of candid self-reflection, MP Harsha de Silva urged the Sri Lankan Government to swallow the bitter medicine it so desperately needs. With a history of approaching the IMF for assistance a staggering 16 times without lasting success, he argued that now is the time for comprehensive reform. The Government must seize this opportunity to cleanse its system of corruption and pave the way for meaningful change.
The IMF has laid out a rigorous 16-point plan, a blueprint for Sri Lanka’s revival. These directives, while formidable in scope, are essential steps towards transparency and accountability. They include:
1. Establishing an Advisory Committee by November 2023 to nominate commissioners for the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).
(Harsha de Silva: “This committee will ensure that the nominations for key anticorruption positions are not influenced by political interests, which is a critical step in tackling corruption.”)
2. Publishing asset declarations for senior officials by July 2024, an act that brings much-needed transparency, with only 12 out of 225 MPs having disclosed their assets.
(Harsha de Silva: “This move will shed light on potential conflicts of interest among top government officials, promoting accountability and integrity.”)
3. Enacting Proceeds of Crime legislation by April 2024 to align with international standards, combating money laundering and illicit financial activities.
4. Amending the National Audit Act to hold officials accountable for the use of public resources.
5. Finalizing and implementing regulations for beneficial ownership information and creating a public registry by April 2024.
6. Enacting a Public Procurement Law by December 2024, addressing the alarming procurement and corruption issues.
(Harsha de Silva: “It is quite evident the failure in procurement and corruption with the mess that’s going on in the Ministry of Health with emergency procurement but yet no action was taken.”)
7. Publishing reports on increasing competitive tendered procurement contracts, targeting agencies with low levels of competition.
8. Requiring the publication of all public procurement contracts above LK 1 billion and other critical financial information on a designated website.
9. Implementing the State-Owned Enterprise Reform Policy to ensure ethical management.
10. Abolishing or suspending the Strategic Development Projects Office Act until a transparent process for evaluating proposals is established.
(Harsha de Silva: “If one may recall what happened at COPF not too long ago, when a tax holiday was given to one company for 17 years, I asked only one question, what is the benefit or revenue generated to the government? But they were unable to answer that; they took me away as Chair of COPF. Now it is being made necessary by the IMF to display the cost of such tax holidays.”)
9. Amending tax legislation to prevent unilateral tax changes without parliamentary approval.
(Harsha de Silva: “We can recall the sugar scam, where midnight gazettes were used by the Minister to benefit certain people, and the government encountered a loss of 16 billion but nothing was done yet again.”)
12. Implementing short-term anti-corruption measures within revenue departments to enhance oversight and sanctions.
(Harsha de Silva: “These incidents are taking place under political influence with no accountability.”)
13. Exploring options for new management arrangements for the Employee Provident Fund to avoid conflicts of interest.
(Harsha de Silva: “It is vital that we take the EPF management out of the central bank to avoid conflict of interests in the future, similar to what we witnessed with the Domestic-Debt Optimization.”)
14. Revising legislation, regulations, and processes for stronger oversight in the banking sector.
(Harsha de Silva: “State banks are subjected to heavy politicization, as we have seen the substantial amounts of non-performing loans held by the banks”)
15. Establishing an online digital land registry and ensuring progress in registering/titling-state land.
(Harsha de Silva: “Investors will not come if the current way continues, as land deeds are at one place while the survey plan is elsewhere and you need to bribe officials to get something done; thus, the IMF has urged this.”)
16. Expanding the resources and skills available to the Judicial Services Commission to strengthen justice.
It is evident that these directives are not an imposition but rather a lifeline for Sri Lanka. They promise to bolster transparency, root out corruption, and ensure that the government is held accountable for its actions. The IMF’s involvement guarantees that these measures will be implemented rigorously, leaving no room for evasion or negligence.
The gravity of the situation is starkly clear. Sri Lankan citizens are struggling to make ends meet while corruption remains unchecked. Professionals are fleeing the country, and the public’s trust in the government is eroding. The IMF’s intervention is not a burden but a beacon of hope.
The ball is now in the court of Ranil Wickremesinghe and his SLPP government. Opposition to these measures is not an option, as they represent the only viable path forward. The IMF’s directives are a lifeline, an opportunity for Sri Lanka to cleanse its system, regain trust, and pave the way for a brighter future.
As Harsha de Silva aptly stated, the bitter pill of reform is the only way forward. Under a future government, discussions with the IMF will aim to revise certain aspects of program, while implementing all 16 directives, charting a course towards a prosperous and corruption-free Sri Lanka.
Cicero / October 5, 2023
None of these will be accomplished. Accomplishing them would work against the ruling Sinhala elite which depends on corruption. The more important thing to do is to bring ethnic and religious harmony without which there cannot be prosperity. Again, the religious bigots in yellow robes will not permit it because they have much to loose. It will take ages for the Sinhala Buddhists to crawl out of the Mahavamsa mud-hole they have dug deeply for seventy five years. Why don’t they let us go so that we can fend for ourselves without being dragged into their mud-hole?
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chiv / October 5, 2023
Cicero, all of the above steps mentioned , are sensible and essential for any country to thrive. Lankans as usual trying to criticize IMF pretending to be the victims. The other country in our situation right now is Pakistan ( no surprises) . In doctor s diagnostic parlance ” condition ; Brain Dead consider organ donation , provided, there is any ( healthy ones) left.. Sorry Lanka.
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nimal fernando / October 5, 2023
“Why don’t they let us go so that we can fend for ourselves without being dragged into their mud-hole?”
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Have you lost your mind? ……….. Gone stark raving bonkers?
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How is my sorry Sinhala ass going to live it down ……… if you guys become free and successful?
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Mahila / October 5, 2023
Nimal,
The majority of SB illiterates think Otherwise!!!???
They feel 24/7, 365 days year around Bana, Pirith and Dana at all temples right round the country under the aegis of the UNO!!!???
UTOPIA!!!???
They are of unanimous in their thinking, that existence of MINORITIES in this land IS DEPRIVING THAT OPPORTUNITY!!!!???
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Native Vedda / October 5, 2023
nimal fernando
–
“How is my sorry Sinhala ass going to live it down ……… if you guys become free and successful?”
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Sorry to say you are going mad.
Both Sinhalese and Tamils can’t live with each other while they can’t live without each other.
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Here is the evidence:
Reconstructing the population history of the Sinhalese, the major ethnic group in
Srı Laṅka
By
Prajjval Pratap Singh, Sachin Kumar, Nagarjuna Pasupuleti, …, Niraj Rai, Gyaneshwer Chaubey, R. Ranasinghe
–
https://www.cell.com/iscience/pdf/S2589-0042(23)01874-6.pdf
excerpt:
–
…..
….
Therefore, we have performed a high-resolution fine-grained genetic study of the Sinhalese population and, in the broader context, we attempted to reconstruct the genetic history of Sr ı Laṅka. Our allele-frequency-based analysis showed a
tight cluster of Sinhalese and Tamil populations, suggesting strong gene flow beyond the boundary of ethnicity and language.
…..
Now you know why both people are equally very stupid (perhaps through inter marriages).
/
Native Vedda / October 5, 2023
nimal fernando
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Please ignore SJ for the purpose of this discussion.
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SJ / October 5, 2023
That seems a plea to me to leave the poor sod alone.
OK, I will give it a try, although it deprives me of some fun.
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nimal fernando / October 6, 2023
Native,
–
I’m an everyday colloquial man ….. no great deep-studies to quote from …… my education comes from movies.
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From “Mississippi Burning” 1988 ………. What deep-study can put Lankan Tamils’ situation better?
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–
Ward: Where does it come from, all this hatred?
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Anderson: You know, when I was a little boy, there was an old Negro farmer lived down the road from us, name of Monroe. And he was, uh, – well, I guess he was just a little luckier than my Daddy was. He bought himself a mule. That was a big deal around that town. Now, my Daddy hated that mule, ’cause his friends were always kiddin’ him about oh, they saw Monroe out plowin’ with his new mule, and Monroe was gonna rent another field now they had a mule. And one morning that mule just showed up dead. They poisoned the water. And after that there was never any mention about that mule around my Daddy. It just never came up.
/
nimal fernando / October 6, 2023
continued
–
So one time, we were drivin’ down the road and we passed Monroe’s place and we saw it was empty. He’d just packed up and left, I guess. Gone up North, or somethin’. I looked over at my Daddy’s face – and I knew he’d done it. And he saw that I knew. He was ashamed. I guess he was ashamed. He looked at me and he said: ‘If you ain’t better than a nigger, son, who are you better than?’…He was an old man just so full of hate that he didn’t know that bein’ poor was what was killin’ him.
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Mahila / October 5, 2023
Cicero,
They (the SB’s) yearn for company!!??? They want to enjoy alone but suffer in COMMON!!!??? Otherwise, they have no opportunity to discover the ‘PAIN’, they undergo unless in company!!!???
They need help, please remain until the END!!!??
/
ramona therese fernando / October 5, 2023
Excellent set of determinations by Harsha De Silva via IMF diagnostics. Yes, we are scrambling now!
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However, Port City Colombo consecrated and sanctified by King Charles lll, will render all current and previous corruptive monetary practices, essential procedure. That Mahinda has come out of hiding and is going around the place with great self-confidence gives proof to this.
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Presidential & governmental elections will be next Sept. SLPP will be in all readiness to present their manifesto to the people: “Rich Lanka via British Crown! So, we are gong to be a colony of Britain again with our own King Mahinda holding the Lankan wealth! We certainly won’t look like Singapore and South Korea. We’d be surfs on own land to uphold the Global Billionaires, for them to dole out money according to their whims and fancies; their main aim being to sustain their wealth…….workability of surf masses the path to it. SciFi Dystopia!
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Mahila / October 5, 2023
“That Mahinda has come out of hiding and is going around the place with great self-confidence gives proof to this.”
Mahinda, the Messiah and saviour nationalistic patriot is now gain about and around!!!???
Incidentally, by the way (BTW), the question arises now that Harsha De Silva has revealed only 15 of the 225 MP’s have FILED THEIR YEARLY ASSETS’ DECLARATIONS!!! So, 210 of these Honourable members haven’t done so!!!??? The question is have this MP (second coming after being premier and HE President) filed his assets prior to his oath taking as MP!!!?? The answer is NAY!! Not at all!!?
Why Pray is that laxity or inability to file assets!!?? IS IT BECAUSE HE HAS TOO MANY ASSETS TO BE DECLARED TO MAKE IT CUMBERSOME!!!??? Or are THEY FAST FLOWING ASSETS, BEFORE ONE COULD FILE THEM THEY DISSAPPER FROM HIS HOLD – TRANSITIONAL TYPE – TEMPORARY likened to a girlfriend!!!???
Sure, Shiranthie would be greatly amused by that type of musings!!!???
/
ramona therese fernando / October 5, 2023
Only thing we can do now to be a democratic society in line with those shiny modern successful countries like Singapore, South Korea, luscious paddy-field Vietnam and Buthan, is to install the wealth tax (+ all the others). If Ranil can somehow take on the correct reins, he will do wonders for himself and the country. But he is too trapped by SLPP. No, Anura is better. Anura+Sajith are the best combo.
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Mahila / October 5, 2023
FRYING PAN INTO NAKED FIRE!!!??
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leelagemalli / October 5, 2023
I instantly agree with my friend, Harsha having said that he agree with those 16 points. This nation has been playing with the IMF for solong and we should be grateful that they further allow us to work with them.
Even if we call us SB dominated nation, however, we are short of gratefulness as a basic value. Nor have we any kind of foresightedness. Our leaders dont seem to learn from the past. Nor have the masses see it right either.
Long before Gota was driven away from his presidency, RANIL, Harsha and several others in Good governance govt were constantly warning, that only option to come out of the pit is going to IMF. Earlier is better.That was then ridiculed out by VASIDEWA (number one Thakkadiya of Rajapakshe CLAN) and other dog’s sons. As a shameless nation, we should not be able to face the world today.
What happened was in the end what they predicted. only that, Gota s 3 years wasted the time and put the people from frying pan to fire.
–
And that FAEKEL eating pig Nivard Cabral (Number one crimminal to be hanged, if real laws would be implemented)and Basil the Kaputa wasted much of time not allowing Gota to do the job. Gota is an animal, who would not have any knowledge but his ego similar to a village Thug. H
tbc
/
leelagemalli / October 5, 2023
Cont.
.He is stood out curses to the mislead of SRILANKEN media whores. SRIALNKA is famous to have bred enough village Chandiyas..
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We as SRILANKENS (so called one of the oldest asian democracies) should be ashamed. Either we have to do it ourselves or finally agree with the international institutions if they are going to give us a hand to get out of the pit we are fallen in. We stay as if we are obstructed by a huge stone on our way. In the end we again fall on the same shit-pit in. What a nation ?
–
I think our people should finally be ushered with their thinking nature with a pardigm shift. Any country, including SOUTH koreans have sacrificied a lot before they achieved the economic growths. Malaysians and Indonesians are the same. What should we always feel that risking few years should not be done from our side ?
.
In all previous sessions, either our people don’t take it seriously or are unable to fulfill their promises despite agreements. i BELIEVE this attribute is in our people s genetics.
.
Because we as a nation cannot build a consensus for changes at national level.
At this very critical turning point in the country, all the learned must come forward to persuade the uneducated people to support these conditions for a common cause.
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Douglas / October 5, 2023
Dear LM: Isn’t it time to stop the BLAME GAME? Aren’t all that you say HISTORICAL (inheritance from the past) and ONGOING well-planned and orchestrated CRIMES (economic, social & political) committed by the GANGS led by the “Leaders” who have grabbed power deploying all types of crooked ways and means?
You say all of the above in detail and continue to get engaged in that “Blame Game”. We (the people) know all that well because they are presently suffering the PAIN of their own MISTAKES and STUPIDITIES. However, TREMORS are appearing, and a CHANGE is in the forecast.
So, in my opinion, it is time to stop the “Blame Game” and make a MOVE (help) towards that imminent CHANGE.
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leelagemalli / October 5, 2023
Dear Douglous,
.
We humans are not all perfectionists. With exception that work close to AKIDISM (led by JVP).
.
Your distinguishable flaw is that you often fall for any comment made by any guy on this and other forums. Of course, since almost anything and everything is CAUGHT by criticism, blame is inevitable.
.
If LP anyone else just says HARSHA is a hypocrite, no different than many youtuber-commenters, how come you join them without a second thought???? – in fact you have been living in SRILANKA all along ?
What is the basis? As someone who comes from the HEALTH CARE field, I know how much sacrifices were made in the emergency services introduced by Harsha with the funds of Indians amidst the high resistance of Pohottuwa Rodia.
Remember that the 1990-emergency ambulance service saved millions of lives, going back to the COVID crisis.
Also, he worked hard together with the late Honorable Minister Mangala Samaraweera to get the GSP plus concession for our country, so it was successful. If you and anyone else are underestimating him, I don’t know what qualities candidates should bring to run as politicians.- i am speechless.
–
tbc
/
leelagemalli / October 5, 2023
cont.
.
I don’t think it’s fair to attack anyone arbitorily even if you don’t have any real information about them. Bond Scam is one such allegation towards RW and his government by MARA to corner UNPrs. Bond Scam should be further investigated and all the allegations leveled against various parties should be resolved. As far back as 2008, my trusted sources revealed that the bond scam was created by Mara and Hegemonist Cabral. Please consider them.
:
However, the biased media, which stood against RW, propagated it in favor of the MEDAMULANA dogs. And never forget, late Killie the real enemy of RW had his own hidden agenda to destroy him. Sirasa wanted to make SP the leader of the country, however, it ended up in vain.
–
If assume what you are saying the truth, should Arjuna Mahendran, as a Singaporean, be freed from charges in that country where law and order riglrously applied ? Sirisena spreading lies in favor of him and Rajapaksa made whatever he could in order to revenge on RW. You will see more of the truth in the near future. I always believe that UNTRUTHS are never permanent.
.
I know this Harsha through some friends in Colombo, according to them, he is one of the few uncorrupted politicians you will ever know in Sri Lanka.
.
.
/
Douglas / October 5, 2023
Dear LM: I have been in constant touch with what is going on in Governance by all these crooks. Having said that, I agree that some constructive work has been carried out by the very crooks who have plundered the National Wealth. That constructive work was what they were elected for and obliged to carry out and those are not miracles. That is their DUTY and RESPONSIBILITY. So Harsha or anybody else in Governance did and doing is what is DUTY BOUND by the People and for the people for which work the PEOPLES’ TAXES are being paid for their upkeep. It is like you or me being employed by an employer to do an assigned job for which work is compensated in kind and praise. That’s about it and nothing more.
As regards the “Bond Scam” this man Harsha was the “Leader” in organizing the “Foot Note Kalliya”. Do you know that the CB was brought under the “Control” of the then Minister of Finance, Ranil W on the advice of the then “Advisor” the crook Samarawickrama of the UNP? He is the one who got Ravi Karunanayake to submit that infamous “UNDATED” letter to the Ministry of Finance stating that the Government owed Rs. 70 b for “Contractors”? With this “Letter,” this crook Samarawickrama ATTENDED the “Monetary Board” meeting that decided on the “Bond” issue.
/
Douglas / October 5, 2023
He was an “UNAUTHORIZED” attendee at the CB’s Monetary Board meeting. That was how the “Bond Scam” commenced. The Auditor General has already reported on the “Big Loss” and on top of it, there is a Finance Ministry report too. All these “Reports” are in the archives of the Parliament. So, please DON’T try to Blindfold me. I am very much alive and have studied the FACTS.
LM: You referred to “Arjuna Mahendran”. Who brought him as the Governor of CB? Wasn’t that the very controversial appointment by Ranil W?
When Arjuna Mahendran BOLTED away to Singapore, Ranil W in answer to a question in Parliament stated: ” Arjuna Mahendran informed me he was going away to attend a wedding. I will bring him at any time he is wanted in this country”. This is very well recorded in the Hansard. Please look for it.
In spite of “RED ALERTS”: “INTERPOL WARRANTS” and “HUNDREDS” of requests to the Singapore Government, Arjuna Mahaendran lives happily after the “Bond Scam” with the “Blessings” of Ranil W, who PLEDGED to bring at ANY TIME he is wanted. Where are the “Foot Note Kalliya” and Harsha?
Aiding and Abetting to commit a crime is also a crime. So are Harsha and all those involved in Yahapalanaya of MY3 and Ranil W.
/
leelagemalli / October 7, 2023
Dear Douglas,
.
Thank you very much Most of us agree with some of your points.
It cannot be compared to that of the Sinhalese man who has been subjected to harsher criticism for the past few weeks. Let me share with you my thoughts on popular culture and how they deal with things in Sri Lanka as given below.
–
Norms (in Civilized societies /Administrations):
I fully agree that politicians should not be treated as gods and their services should be at par with that of professionals or any other deputized employee.
Where I live in Europe, high-ranking politicians, Nobel laureates, stars of various natures, even star football players have no special privileges anywhere. So, law and order is maintained in such a way that it gets the praise of everyone.
tbc
/
leelagemalli / October 7, 2023
Cont.
.
Sri Lanka (Paleolithic and completely primitive cultures):
Although MPs are elected legislators of the country, more recently than at any time in the past they are richer by doing any business deal, and at the same time, they force people to respect and sometimes keep above the law. Its people either respected them or nixed their ignorance in the bud, and that indifference created a decadent society that held up vagrants as heroes.
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If that had been the culture during my childhood, I cant really have good memories of that country; Fortunately, I was blessed with a somewhat respectable life in that country until the early 90s
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More people have put up with this in our hell of a lot more recently than when I lived in that country (before the early 90’s). That tolerance has worked well to punish them in the same society today. My sister complains not being able to use public transport. Many known to me complain how hard they move from A to B in colombo. If our elders rise from the grave, they would not digest the situation and collapse on the spot.
–
However, those who have gone ahead with such systems tolerate it yet today. I WONDER HOW MANY MORE MONTHS THEY DO SO:
–
tbc
/
leelagemalli / October 7, 2023
3
Now about the bond scam:
Many of us focused only on the perception of SIRSA TV channel from 2020 and various kinds of speculations are in the air. Mahinda and his Cabral, as far as I can see, are the masterminds of the theft going back to 2008.
–
As far back as World War II, it automatically became public opinion, just as Germans respected Hitler’s Goebbels theories. If you look closely at the issues in Sri Lanka, a lot of the entire issue has become public perception, because in recent times there is no basis in reality. It became their media culture throughout and the Rajapaksas reaped the harvest. I will give you a good example, HITHUMATHE JEEWITE film makers can kill living women at will, to sell their films based on false stories. That was 100% revealed by NETH-FM exponsing the SIZE of FRAUDs telecasted by DERANA TV (see link below).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ktd5YIg6dQ
–
tbc
/
leelagemalli / October 7, 2023
.4
The Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, AM by name, was selected by RW considering his previous credentials and its track record in the banking industry. The Oxford educated Governor did not have a single blemish on his CV. It was confirmed by my friends in London regarding his credentials. So anyone with some education is welcome as long as his CV is adequate for his tenure.
.
Considering the Governor’s credentials, how can the blame be placed on the person who appointed him? Then RW is not to blame. You have added “foot note kalliya” or other clans, but these are just general baseless allegations based on JVP traditions, but to my knowledge Harsha has signed it, he is well aware of the complexity of the scam. However, All this the architect of the theft did not reveal. No one could confirm with certainty who was the architect of the theft.
:
Furthermore, Sirisena as President explained that the bond scam was created by then Finance Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa (2008) and then Governor Ajit Cabral. However, the credibility of what Sirisena added was not taken seriously.
/
old codger / October 8, 2023
Douglas,
Would you care to explain what this bond scam was?
1 Who lost money?
2 How much did they lose?
3 Who made a profit?
4 How did they make a profit?
5 Is it a crime to make a profit?
Maybe you can answer these questions which nobody so far has answered?
/
old codger / October 8, 2023
Douglas
“The Auditor General has already reported on the “Big Loss” “
Would you be able supply a link to that report, or a news report?
/
paragon / October 5, 2023
MR.BEEN RANIL HAS BECOME A TERMINATOR IN FRONT OF GERMAN PRESS REPORTER AND HAVE TAKEN OVER THE JOB FROM GOTHAPAYA.UNDER THE CURRENT POLITICAL SITUATION IMF IS ASKING TOO MUCH FROM RANIL.
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Mahila / October 5, 2023
He is building a case for him to be projected as saviour and elected at PE 2024!!!??? His excellency, President, HoS, HoG, CIC of Tri forces et all!!!???
THTA IS THE AGENDA – NONE OTHER!!!???
/
Pandi Kutti / October 5, 2023
Yes, the crossroads now is when the army leaves or abandons a base in the north and east, they most probably inform the yellow pets and they come over and takeover the base and lands belonging to the local people, with the intention of converting this place from a military site to a Chingkalla Buddhist site to suppress the local Thamizh speakers. This happened yesterday in Kinniya, as soon as the army left the camp and lands belonging to the local Thamizh Muslims, a group of Buddhist monks arrived to take over. What is this some sort of joke? It is not a joke for the local Thamizh and Thamizh Muslims. The same thing is happening like Kurunthoor Malai to an illegally Buddhist Vihara construction in a Thamizh village in Trincomalee the court has banned the construction of this illegal Buddhist Vihara but with the support of the occupying Chingkalla armed forces and Police the Buddhist monks are openly defying the court and continuing with the construction. Reforms indeed!
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Pandi Kutti / October 5, 2023
No wonder they do not want any international investigation but badly want a local Kangaroo commission full of Chingkalla Buddhists and one or two Thamizh and Muslim rubber stamps with no voice and will meekly comply with what they are told to fool the world, that Thamizh speakers are also on the commission and it’s fair to decide and give unfair one-sided pro Chingkalla verdicts in favour of the Chingkallams
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nimal fernando / October 5, 2023
All of a sudden ……. I’m starting to like the IMF! ……IMF, welcome: whip the slaves into shape.
–
Who among ye do not agree IMF’s plan is better than …….. Ranil’s 2048-plan?
–
Ranilsts please speak-up now ………. or forever hold your peace.
–
Native, silence is an option ……….Gamini, silence is not an option.
/
Mahila / October 5, 2023
Nimal,
Agree with you. It’s the perfect recipe. Will it result in better outcomes, or Ranil the bean would carry out some deception???
If not for ‘Dhammika Paniya’ and ‘Muttiya’ by Pavithradevi loving FOLK voters, we should have had a better government during these Post Covid trying times!!!
Sri Lankans, who averted the Japanese invasion in 1946 and gained Independence without shedding a drop of Blood in 1948, to undergo all this TRAUMA!!!???
What SINS did Sri Lankans commit since then to deserve such pain and misfortune – one after the other???
/
Sugandh / October 5, 2023
The IMF prescribed anti-corruption measures that require enactment and/or amendment of laws will need the support of the corrupt bunch currently filling up the seats in the parliament. Will they?
–
Does the electorate need a chance to clean up the parliament to enable implementation of the prescribed anti corruption reforms?
–
Has the electorate itself progressed in knowledge and values to elect a worthy group of parliamentarians?
–
Is the IMF indirectly exerting pressure to conduct parliamentary elections?
–
The same old challenges remain in the way of legitimate and genuine anti-corruption reforms.
/
Captain Morgan / October 5, 2023
Sri Lanka must bite all 16 bullets now or our present and future generations will be condemned to wallow inside a deep shithole for eternity!
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RBH59 / October 5, 2023
Journalist is to confront those who are abusing power. Facts means you are able to make your point without a lot of fillers and stumbling hesitant Straight forward men speak because they have something to say; To hide facts the president speaks because he have to say something or divert the audience mind coming up with aguments to suppress the subject
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Lasantha Pethiyagoda / October 5, 2023
This man Harsha is a hypocrite. He hunts with the wolves while appearing to run with the hares. He is not sincere, although his criticisms are valid. New commissions, boards, bodies etc are all part of the humbug and deceit. Sri Lanka urgently needs an overhaul of the system, by a new set of committed individuals who have influence at grassroots level, with a good network of diligent, hard-working and genuinely committed people. Neither of the two main camps have such people. The people must collectively realize this and rise against their oppressors.
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Douglas / October 5, 2023
Lasantha Pethiyagoda: Well said. Thanks.
This “Pandith” (Harsha) is like our Minister of Justice Wijedasa. These are good Talkers but No-Action politicians. The other day Wijedasa Rajapakse made a similar speech at the Parliament, and in my comment on this page, I compared it to the “Peacock Dance” that spreads the beauty of the feathers but bares the stinking “Shit Pit”. I know how this Harsha worked his buts out (organized the FOOT NOTE Kalliya) to defend Ranil W when the final report of the COPE on “Bond Scam” was to be presented to the Parliament.
All of the “16 Points” (supposed to be in the IMF report) are matters in “COMMON SENSE” know-how that PEOPLE demanded and demanded from the politicians for decades, but not dished out by any who grabbed power. All of them have proven they have FAILED and FAILURES who cannot be TRUSTED anymore and beyond.
So, it is TIME to make the CHANGE and look for a NEW TEAM that should be given the CHALLANGE and capable of taking upon the task of fulfilling the TASK. Period!
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SJ / October 5, 2023
LP
Fair comment.
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Buddhist1 / October 6, 2023
The need of the day is to dissolve the Parliament and go for a general election. Only then we can improve the present plight of the nation. Ranil has this power today and this would be seen as a positive step by the IMF and the World Bank. In addition the parties in the opposition with then have to work with Ranil the President, at least for another year. The benefit of this move will definitely felt by the nation.
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SJ / October 6, 2023
B1
Have you considered the option of dissolving Parliament and do not holding a general election ever?
(I have not given much thought to what can be done with the President.)
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Raj-UK / October 6, 2023
Just a sec., wasn’t it the same Harsha who said that he will never allow our war heroes to be hauled up in an international court? So has he changed his tune when it comes to mega corruption & mismanagement or keeping to his word, it would be (if at all) an internal enquiry? Funny he was unaware of all the corruption until the IMF spelled it out to do something about it. So start cracking the whip & lets see if you can even round a solitary punk into jail.
Trump is being investigated for abuse of power & mismanagement but we are talking mega corruption. There are ways & means to investigate money laundering & I am sure most govt. would be happy to cooperate as the Rajapakses are shunned by the civilised world. My Italian colleague told me last week that Berlusconi was an amateur compared to the Rajapakses. We have that international accolade but being an international pariah doesn’t make them have sleepless nights.
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SJ / October 6, 2023
R-UK
“My Italian colleague told me last week that Berlusconi was an amateur compared to the Rajapakses.”
Does not the Berlusconi — Rajapakses analogy tell us that the Italians can be just as daft as we can be?
Now they have a fascist (politely called neofascist, far right etc.) for prime minister.
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Raj-UK / October 7, 2023
SJ
We were talking about the rise of ultra right wing parties in Europe due to the massive daily influx of refugees, particularly, in Italy, the point of entry to for illegal immigrants to Europe. Corruption among politicians is universal & Italy is probably the most corrupt European country but there were fearless law enforcement officers & judges who were able to even crack down on the murderous Mafia.
Berlusconi was a colourful character (famous for his ‘bonga bonga’ sex orgies) & his charisma was just as MR’s but though his corrupt practices were subtle, it came to a stage when it was thought enough was enough & the citizens turned to alternate parties. However, it were the far right parties which benefitted by ‘marriage of convenience’ coalitions with other parties by capitalising on the refugee issue, which is considered most important right now. Italians are used to Mafia style extortion in every govt. dept. & even corruption at the Vatican is no secret but the scale of corruption, mismanagement & abuse of power by a single family in SL seems more than that of the combined corruption in all Italy. Italians, like the Sri Lankans, have not much choice when it comes to politicians but for them, the refugee crisis is the overriding issue right now.
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SJ / October 9, 2023
Berlusconi is the nearest to a fascist Italy had in charge since Mussolini until Giorgia Meloni took charge.
He did not ride into power on the back of the refugee crisis and was not voted out of power at an election.
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I only said that the Italians can be as daft as we can be.
Thank you for confirming that position.
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