By Mangala Samaraweera –
Mangala Samaraweera- Minister of Foreign Affairs
The National Unity Government ushered in through a historic and revolutionary election in January 2015 has recently marked three years in office. As the Government attains this milestone, our achievements are many, but the road ahead of us remains as long and challenging as ever, and Sri Lanka stands again at the cusp of a crucial election in three weeks time that will determine the course of our nation in the years ahead.
Once again, it is an election that will decide if democratic institutions and traditions, painstakingly rebuilt since January 2015 will be torn down and laid to waste again. It is an election that will determine if Sri Lankans will live free or under the yoke of fear, impunity and grotesque abuse of power by a single family and its henchmen.
For this local government election on February 10th is much more than a regional contest to capture political power in urban and municipal precincts. It is an old regime’s first real attempt to recapture power and restore an old, corrupt and dictatorial order.
Incumbency fatigue and the monumental challenges ahead of Sri Lanka as the country strives to march towards sustainable peace and prosperity, weighs heavily on the January 8th constituency and the representatives elected to serve them. Disillusioned by the road ahead, which seems fraught with difficulty and the potential for lost opportunity, this constituency may waver. But I believe it is important to try and build on what has already been achieved and keep the window open for peace and change. I believe it is important to have a long memory. I believe it is important to be long-sighted and clear-headed about the monumental choice facing all Sri Lankans in this crucial election.
As memory fades and we are embroiled in the politics of the present, it is easy to forget that once, not so many years ago, a Government shot and killed its citizens for the crime of demanding clean water.
We need to ask ourselves, where all the white vans have gone. Where have the grease yakas gone?
We must question why the Government’s political critics and dissidents are not being thrown in jail. Why media organizations are not attacked and burned any longer. Why journalists are not being abducted or killed.
Remember the night races – the gift of an indulgent father who wielded all the power of his presidential office to ensure his sons could have a good time?
Remember the time when young men paid with their lives for the crime of being a rugby rival?
Remember when an incompetent brother in law to the President ran the national airline to the ground?
Remember how it was impossible to speak openly about the excesses of the ruling family except in hushed whispers not so long ago?
Of course, these are basic freedoms that citizens in any functioning democracy should take for granted. But it must never be forgotten that there is a profound co-relation between the end of this tyranny imposed upon the citizenry and the fall of the Rajapaksa regime in 2015. And it is this culture of extravagance, abuse of state property and state terror that is trying to make a comeback in the February 10th local government election.
Electoral inroads made in this poll could be used to attempt to recapture national control in future elections. So while the forthcoming election may be a ‘little one’ it has national consequences that could reverberate for years to come, casting long shadows over the lives of Sri Lankans who have begun to live unfettered and free again today. Yes, perhaps we are not where we hoped to be by this time. But we will get there. Change is incremental, political systems are entrenched and sometimes immovable; but the will to change remains as strong as ever.
With the Rajapaksa regime and its fellow barbarians at the gates once more, Sri Lanka is at another crossroads at this election. In a way, this makes the choice clearer for all those citizens who want liberty, democracy and peace. On February 10th the people will have to choose once more – will we continue the march to freedom or herald a return to fear?
Patriot / January 26, 2018
Mangala is really worried. Barbarians are at gate buddy run run for your life with your bond thiew RW and RK.
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anonymous / January 26, 2018
“Mangala is really worried.” Do you really think so?. Let me tell you something. Why were you so quick to response?. Only the ‘Fake’ patriots of your kind, including ‘Deserter Gotha’ are the ones that are shaken at the moment. Get real man!
Great work Mangala, you are the ‘mastermind’ of all.
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Somawathie / January 26, 2018
Mangala created the family rule of barbarians , murders, rogues.
Now what is he saying.?
Go away to the political wilderness
That was yours and where you belong.
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Cerberus / January 27, 2018
Minister Mangala, the failure by the Maithripala Ranil Coalition Government to take action against the Rajapaksas is at the heart of all the problems this nation is currently facing. The current political situation is one brought about by this governments failure to take action against the Rajapaksas.
The longer this government postpones and avoids taking steps in this direction will only put the future of our country in danger of falling back and deteriorating towards a failed state status…
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Jim softy / January 26, 2018
Mangala Samaraweera is among those public thieves. He has experience with SLFP, UNP and LTTE. He knows if SLFP comes his overseas trips and flamboyant life styles are over. HE is the same man just before this so-called Revolution can me and lied to people saying Mahinda Rajapakse Plundered $ 18 billion and he and Rajitha Senarathne had found some $ 5 billion or some where. Yet what he actually here even Mangala Samaraweera started nepotism during his time as the Foreign minister, bullied Army veterans who defeated LTTE. that was simply to make Global Tamil forum and LTTE rump happy. He wnts to sell the country to western interests and he thinks 7500 LGBTQs interests (when they not discriminated as in the west) are more important thant rest of 22 million people. Simply Majority culture, civilization are nothing instead, Tamils are superior. 7500 LGBTQ’s are superior, children should drink Bear because it is cheap. You think, the needs of MCC, IMF and those live in air conditioned rooms in the west or here in Sri lanka more important than poor people still struggling. How about nothing mentioned about three years of Struggle by Ranil and Ravi the LIAR’s attempt to cover up the Sri lanka’s grandest theft of cleaning and emptying all the Banks and employee providents’ Fund. What did you guys did while getting commando security let the LTTE humiliate soldiers in bunkers. How about suicide bombers exploding every where in colombo if White vans were not to exist. How you were going to stop suicide jackets coming to colombo just negotiate EElam for LTTE UNPATRIOTIC party is still sucking life blood for poor Voters. Pathetic, shameless thieves. No limit to the their gross behaviour. Why voters are this stupid and forgetful. Is it Mahavamsa mindset this stupid and forgetful ? Only JVP supported the war. they have been honest even though they are not mistakeless. but they are not white collar, two piece suit wearing thieves.
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Jim softy / January 26, 2018
Mahinda Rajapakse was stupid. HE took his priorities and targets wrong. You guys should get the same result one day. He had a golden opportunity be the real king in Sri lanka. The same fate should come to other thieves who think because of their family inheritance the parliament is theirs and they are chosen to destroy the sri lanka. Sri lankan voters are still innocent people. Politicians are exploiting them and they gang up to lie and win votes. Simply they are stealing lucrative salaries, humongous perks and benefits for doing nothing.
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Ajith / January 27, 2018
Jim softy,
MR was not stupid. He did everything with calculation. He couldn’t succeed in his plan. It is very common for people with too much greediness.
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Words / January 26, 2018
Yep.. a very historic revolution you hopeless good for nothing !..Downhill all the way at breakneck speed!!
You really should be ashamed of yourself.. but instead you have the audacity to write such crap!!!
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Kamalawathie Sameer / January 26, 2018
Words – Your words are nothing but crap in brief!
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Jim softy / January 26, 2018
Mahinda Rajapakse, even though he gave the leadership to win the war, was defeated because voters accepted that he was corrupt and he did every thing in the book to show it. that is why People rejected him and protested him voting to this govt. Now, UNPatriotic party think it is the party that people trusted. If so, why UNPatriotic party can not elect a president and always needs the help of SLFP to win a PM position and none of the parties is capable of making a govt without the help of three wheeler parties and those destructive so many LSSP parties. You people come and try to brain wash with more BS. Some how people have to understand it is enough these thieves were trusted for so long to be of capable doing anything except bungling everything up and stealing. Sri lankan people are polite even in front of White collar thieves, they are innocent. Politician – thieves exploited it for so long. It is JVP which understands that Sri lanka had been invaded economically, financially and culturally by the west. Now they want lands, harbours and political power and you are heading that project. JVP is the only party that has declared their Assets and not any one of you has done that which means you all need to continue plundering the country.
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Kalu Albert / January 26, 2018
What a pathetic attempt of this man to cover up the damage which has been inflicted on our beloved Nation by the his UNP crooks, lead by his equally pathetic leader Dr Ranil.
National debt has increased to 80 % of the GDP in three years of Yahapalana rule.
Not even one meter of a freeway has been made. Let alone opening the Hoax Wagon factories which Dr Ranil promised to give Yahapalana suckers millions of jobs.
In contrast the previous regime built the Southern Highway. Katunayaka Freeway. And Colombo Jaffna Highway. and even the beautiful Mannar Jaffana Coastal freeway.
All what Yahapalana Minister did was collect 0.25% of the LKR 138 Billion loan as commission and give 1.1 % to their Diaspora mate and the Agent in Colombo. as the facilitating Fee. from the LKR 138 Billion Yahapalana Laon which was obtained from Mitsui Bank.
And Dr Ranil boasting about it , although the interest rate is well above what the Chineses finance.
Mr Mangala may regurgitate the same BS as they have been doing before Jan 2015.
But the great inhabitant population are not going to swallow it any more.
But Mr Mangala will be hard pressed to keep his Diaspora mates and the Vella TNA quiet, after the recent demand of Mr Sambandan that he wants Dr Ranil’s new Constitution presented to Parliament soon after the Feb 10 Election.
And hold a referendum to approve it before the end of 2018……
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Fathima / January 26, 2018
At least professionals can produce a report on government corruption and get to live without being white-vanned. If those Rajafucksa barbarians are back, you lose it all. Don’t tell me they are less corrupt!
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Shenal / January 26, 2018
Fathima,
The people who white vanned 60,000 people are currently ruling the country and you worry about Rajapakshas.
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Native Vedda / January 26, 2018
Shenal
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“The people who white vanned 60,000 people are currently ruling the country and you worry about Rajapakshas.”
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Of course UNP and SLFP the white vanners.
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Shenal / January 26, 2018
Native Veddha,
So what about it? We have to choose between the lesser evil party which is SLPP.
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Native Vedda / January 26, 2018
Shenali
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“So what about it?”
Vote Sri Lanka Muslim Congress
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Karolis / January 29, 2018
Not to mention tortured and raped men in Batalanda
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Anika / January 26, 2018
Mangala created them
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soma / January 26, 2018
Lady, it is Rajapaksa barbarians who saved you from the gentleman Prabakaran. If you think a Federal set up will benefit you Muslims , it will be your biggest miscalculation. Wait and see what will happen to you when the terrorist sympathetic Vingeshwaran types start exercising their land and police powers. CT editor will not let me reproduce the words Sinhalese used to describe you people after 2015 elections. Next time around don’t expect the Sinhalese to stick their necks to save you, they will most certainly chase you back. It took 2005 for the Sinhalese to learn about you which Tamils knew all along.
Soma
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Burt / January 26, 2018
Kalu Albert:
Your barking at the wrong tree. Blame MR and Mr. 10% they put the country in a debt trap. The high interest loans with easy terms ie: no payments at the beginning has come to an end and this govt has to service those debts.
“The total debt stock of Sri Lanka has gone up by 233% to Rs.7, 391 billion during the period from 2005 to 2014. The total debt burden of Sri Lanka in 2005 was Rs.2, 222 billion and, within 5 years, it increased up to Rs.4, 590 billion in 2010. In addition there is another Rs 2,000 billion debt obtained by the Public owned Enterprises directly off the balance sheet.
Accordingly, the debt servicing (loan installments and the interest) to be paid by Sri Lanka to foreign financiers is also increasing constantly. The debt servicing of US$ 1,828 million paid in 2016 will be increased by more than double to US$3,992 million being the highest debt repayment to be paid by Sri Lanka in a year due to colossal borrowings by the previous Government. This could be considered as the highest sum of debt servicing to be repaid by Independent Sri Lanka within a year.”
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Native Vedda / January 26, 2018
Burt
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Kalu Albert is the reincarnation of KASmaalam K A Sumanasekere, Dr Mahinda Rajapaksa (LLD + PhD x3)’s official b***s carrier. Please do not disclose his current official status.
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Kalu Albert / January 26, 2018
Burt,
You obviously don’t know about borrowing to build assets..
Ask one of your Diaspora mates,how taking loans to buy houses have made them rich…
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Burt / January 27, 2018
You don’t understand what happens if you over extend yourself in borrowing. Initially you might be able to cut some expenses to pay the mortgage, then its going to be borrowing from peter to pay paul.
I suggest you read some of the main causes for 2007 USA housing market collapse.
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Mudson Amerasinghe / January 26, 2018
KA Sumane alian Kalu Albert,
Welcome back to the forum! Where were you hiding these days guess it was in Medamulana or Polonnaruwa! or Dudley payed you a fat check.
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soma / January 26, 2018
We are forever grateful to Mahinda Rajapaksa, Sarath Fonseka and Gotabhaya Rajapaksa {in that order) for ridding this country of the most barbarian terrorist clan in history. MR was the Architect, SF was the Structural Engineer and GR the Project Manager of that world-first gigantic effort. Needless to say it is the poor Sinhala village boys who laid down their lives for this historial task. May this nation ever remember their sacrifice with infinite gratitude. Though the traitors could exact their revenge in January 2015 they will not be able make Valupiilei Prabhakaran walk again and despite their efforts in Geneva we will continue to breathe the freedom we achieved in May 2009. Mangala Samarweera is a podian toilet cleaner of the stinky house of traitors.
Soma
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Native Vedda / January 26, 2018
somass
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“MR was the Architect, SF was the Structural Engineer and GR the Project Manager of that world-first gigantic effort.”
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Together all three public racists built the modern day Sri Lankan version of Auschwitz concentration camps. In 1988 the same Dr Mahinda (LLD) defended the Sinhala/Buddhist terror group JVP.
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Jim softy / January 27, 2018
MR’s good part was when British and French foreign ministers came and asked to go for negotiations, he did not do that.When american Helicopters came to airlift Pabakaran and the gang, he di dnot allow it. He had the courage. Other wise, MR was not the architect. Anyway Mangala Had got money from LTTE in singapore. so, he was against thee war. when people pushed MR did not have choice but go to war.
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Native Vedda / January 27, 2018
Jimmy the Dimwit
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“When american Helicopters came to airlift Pabakaran and the gang, he di dnot allow it.”
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Stupid man Jim please note the Pacific commander of US navy visited Sultanate of Delhi twice , requested permission to evacuate Vanni area and the request was turned down both times. Shiva Shankaran Menon went US and give the pentagon and state department officials good bollocking, Where did you get the idea of Dr Rajapaksas blocking the passage of US marines landing and rescuing the people?
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Had you read Hindu and Times of India regularly you would not have typed the above ill- informed statement.
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K.Pillai / January 26, 2018
Since independence in 1948, we have been crossing cross-roads. The bus is getting very old and rickety. The ownership of the bus change hands. Bus timetable is a thing of the past.
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anonymous / January 26, 2018
Another ‘Fake Patriot’ and a boot licker of the bygone era. It was SF’s brains all the way. What ‘Jarapassas’ did was making use of the situation to loooooooooooot. What ‘Patriotism’ are you on about from a ‘Tzunami Thief’ and a ‘Patriotic Deserter’?. We were not born yesterday and we know what we, the ‘Sinhalese’ and ‘Buddhists’, did to innocent ‘Tamils’ during the riots. Velupillai Prabhakaran was only a kid when his uncle who brought him up was burned alive in a hot barrel of ‘Tar’ and he witnessed it. So, you morons, will be sent to MY3’s ‘Aveechiya’ to experience the same for a ver, very……very long time. Sleep well my friend! “Dhammo Hawe Rakkhathi Dhammachaaree”.Suwapath Weva!
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soma / January 26, 2018
You certainly seem to have been born yesterday to be ignorant of the fact that all 1982(Jaffna library ), 1983(Holocaust) and 1989(Bheeshanaya) were creations of UNP governments in which Ranil Wickramasinghe was a powerful minister.
Soma
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Native Vedda / January 26, 2018
anonymous
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“It was SF’s brains all the way.”
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If so what were the 20 or so Hindian military men doing in Vanni area especially at Omanthai camp.? Were they their simply on their vacation?
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soma / January 27, 2018
NV
You confirm what I always say:
There was a RAW agent under every other tree in the Wanni and every other lamppost in Jaffna. ‘ War without witnesses’ is the best of all creations of anti Sri Lankan NGOs.
Soma
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Native Vedda / January 27, 2018
somass
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“There was a RAW agent under every other tree in the Wanni and every other lamppost in Jaffna.”
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Yea, there might have been millions of RAW agents in Sri Lanka. They worked for Hindians and not for you nor for your Tamil brethren,.
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How many MPs, Ministers, members of security services, members of bureaucracies, Thempili sellers, …… didn’t work for Hindian’s RAW?
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K.Pillai / January 26, 2018
Local Government is part of democracy. As the name implies Local Government must be about local issues first and not about national issues.
Unfortunately national politicians have taken over Local Government politics. The national rots are seeping into LG.
.
Mangala: Leave LG to the locals. Spend time cleaning up services like education, law enforcement and the like. Also SriLankan Airlines but this is asking too much.
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Jo / January 26, 2018
Thank you Mangala. Well written.
Yes let’s take the country forward we need to Wean out the bad not to bring back the worst.
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De Silva / January 28, 2018
Mangala is the cause of the problems . He schemed to bring in Mahinda as President. We see the results now. We are a failed state, thanks to Mangala. He is writing articles now as he is desperate.
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Nad / January 26, 2018
Mangala, you helped the despot Mahinda Rajapakse to be President in 2005 after makeing a deal with Velupillai Prabakaran , the leader of the terrorist group the LTTE.
You fell out with him and now you are desperate to be the Leader of Sri Lanka. You cannot be trusted. You are capable of ousting Ranil Wickremasinghe in your diabolical scheme to grab power.
Please refrain from creating rifts between parties and individuals in your quest for power.
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Sanjo / January 26, 2018
Let us go beyond the point of Being pushed between the bad and the worst. In January 2015. We cleaned out the country of the worst political family ever. However this was only step 1 of what Ven Sobitha thero started.
As we go forward let’s get rid of the bad politicians and replace them with a new bread of clean politicians. I believe the process will take a few elections for us the people to achieve this for our children.
The results maybe seen by the future generations and not us. But we can all die in peace of doing some good for our country.
So let’s remember the power must be kept Within the people.
As long as we maintain that politicians will know that if they overstep their temporary power, they will be voted out.
The journey is long let’s be focussed and not shortsighted.
Rajapakse had his turn and ruined it now if RW and few others ruin it for them selves we can send them home too. But let’s not give them another chance and risk our progress.
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nalmen / January 26, 2018
it is time that the unp elected a new leader after ranil disgraced himself
it is time the younger members of the party appointed you to the post
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Robert Wanasundera / January 26, 2018
This slimy bugger is indirectly helping the hopper man. All these rubbish written now is to help the other side. fellow is under the feeling that he will get the PM post. Keep dreaming Mr Mangalan
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Native Vedda / January 26, 2018
Robert Wanasundera
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If war criminals and crooks such as Dr Mahinda Rajapaksa (LLD + PhD x 3) and his siblings can dream why can’t Mangalan? If you need a high profile job with plenty of “opportunities then start working for the clan.- Those who with qualifications, experience, hard work, ability, brain, …………… no need to apply.
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Justin / January 28, 2018
Ranil is way ahead of Mangala.
Mangala cant be trusted. He is not loyal to any party. He is politically ambitious. He dreated the monstor Mahinda Rajapakse.
If tomorrow Mahinda is back in power, Mangala will jump sides.
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Edwin Rodrgo / January 27, 2018
Sri Lanka at another crossroads: Why is Sri Lanka at crossroads always? Is it because we take the wrong route at crossroads? If so, it is our leaders who are in the driving, who are responsible.
Secondly, election seems to be a good thing. It seems to have kept the politicians from going on jaunts at people’s expense.
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Jim softy / January 27, 2018
Because of this kind of thieves, the executive presidency is important for Sri lankan people. IT is legislature thieves versus peoples’ power. I heard from a very important information sources; it said, That Mangala Is now concerned about his Seat in the parliament. There is a possibility that JVP takes over it when the time comes..
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Percy / January 27, 2018
We don’t need assorted nincompoops to tell us who the thieves are. Sirisena who heads the Govt has said rhat the thieves are in this Govt. So we don’t have to speculate any more. The head of the Govt has spoken out and said that his Govt ministers aRe robbing the public purse. So all you brainless twits listen to this man.
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Native Vedda / January 27, 2018
Percy the disturbed, pathetic and senile
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“The head of the Govt has spoken out and said that his Govt ministers aRe robbing the public purse. So all you brainless twits listen to this man.”
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This is what you typed about the same Sirisena in Colombo telegraph some months ago:
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{Percy / September 13, 2017
Sirisena is magnanimous with tax payer money.He paid Rs 22 million for sena rate to go to Singapore for treatment, now he wants to use tax payer money to play Santa Claus to his brother’s victims. Another brother has opened a 190 roomed hotel in Nuwara Eliya. All monies scammed from public funds. YAHAPALANAYA is good for donkeys and idiots.}
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Once you have made up your mind tell us whether Sirisena is saint or a sinner.
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K.Pillai / January 27, 2018
How many crossings to Thajudeen Street? Or have we gone past?
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Kushali / January 28, 2018
Mr. Mangala Samaraweera, were you not the brains behind makeing Mahinda Rajapakse the President of Sri Lanka?. You were part of Mahinda’s team who ruled this country. Why are you writing against him now. Can you be trusted? No you cantt be trusted. I would trust any other but not you.
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Upali / January 30, 2018
Mangala the nation salutes you brave. Emanicipate the women from bondage.
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