Sri Lanka’s highest ranking serving military officer Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne was remanded till December 05 by Colombo Fort Magistrate Ranga Dassanayake.
The magistrate denied bail request presented by the Chief of Defence Staff’s lawyers and named him the second accused in the case over abductions and killings of 11 youth by a Navy affiliated criminal gang.
The Magistrate refused bail to the accused on the grounds that there would be obstructions to the investigations if the court granted bail to the Chief of Defence Staff.
This was the first time a serving military chief was remanded over a criminal offence in the history of Sri Lankan judiciary. Wijegunaratne is charged with aiding the main suspect in the case, Chandana Hettiarachchi alias Navy Sampath, to abscond the Police.
Admiral Wijegunaratne, who failed to appear before CID twice to gave a statement on the abductions and killings of 11 youth, appeared at the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today in his military regalia.
The Magistrate censured Wijegunaratne for appearing before the court in his military uniform and the lawyers representing the Chief of Defence Staff said that Wijegunaratne was “at work” this morning and had no clue that he would be asked to get into the dock.
Dushmantha / November 28, 2018
Sirisena the dog should be castrated and hung on galle face green flag pole for everyone to pelt stones
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Radical Ideas / November 29, 2018
Dushmanyha, I think it would be more appropriate to hang him upside down, if he is convicted, where his MY3 upright and his head down hanging in place of his MY3 between his loins. For a long time, this Govigama Elite scumbag has been sitting on his brain. By turning upside down the brain might fall and set back to the correct position in his muck filled head or the skull.
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Richard / November 29, 2018
CT please publish lots and lots of photos and video of the arrested CDS, so that everyone can see this narcissist. Daily Mirror is playing this news down with just a small photograph and not much information on the arrest; wonder why????
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Justice and Fairplay / December 2, 2018
This CDS is a disgrace to his uniform and the forces. Absolute disgrace. The country and the judiciary must not waste time and resources in getting such people out of its way.
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Simon De Silva / November 29, 2018
Now it is high time, very same manner, Yoshita Rajakashe and Shiranthi Rajakashe (abusive former first lady who wasted millions from tax payers funds but telling the palatable) to be remanded going by Thadudeen murder. Yoshita s name came up again in the audio tapes released by Range Bandara UNP MP as the fund giver for purchase of UNP MP all these weeks.
There had been speculations, and even rumours, that Shirathni R would commit suicide if she was called for interogation sessions.
Ballige putha became FAKE PM to block all these high crimes, we stand by those victimized from Thadudeen murder and other murders without race religion or anything other barriers.
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babanpunchi / November 29, 2018
These pigs are no means heroes, but they are the ones that damage the respect earned by real heros of the war.
There are lot more the kind of rascals, just abused the good name earned by lanken real heros.
Most of them yet live scot free for the same reasons. Ballige putha Rajakshe led groups are inbedded in lanken society, to protec tthem.
By the way, even that permanently chilling voice -Gewindhu Kumaranathunge ( who is the public racist against TAMIL srilankens known to any child) has been telling the the truth today, if there is no MAJORITY in parliament, they have to consider it.
Also that good guy, Welgama has been showing his true nature, as he has always been. – respect the democracy.
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Analyst / November 29, 2018
CT. we understand fully that while the case of the CDS RW in progress no further reporting on the case is justifiable.
So please stop taking comments on the matter of this war crime sensitive scenario .
The comments can incriminate the outcome of the case.
STOP RIGHT THERE.
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whywhy / November 29, 2018
Dushmantha ,
There are many who recommended Sirisena to us . All of them must be
brought to Galle Face ! THE TRUTH IS SRILANKANS DON’T HAVE
LEADERS TODAY . Late Ven Sobitha played his role to bring this man
and where is he now ? All happened in good intentions and with
precautions that is 19A but the real Sirisena who was sleeping woke up !
But remember , there’s a Sirisena in every Srilankan and that is one
reason why we put up with this !
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Buramphisincho / November 29, 2018
There is a youtube video that a lanken citizen makes it clear. Sirisena has no the least knowledge of anything but like an 4-leg animal would do, he just bends his head on and on as if he understands what is being spoken by some authorities or some political leaders.
This picture above depicts that 100%, keeping the most abusive navy high man, SIRISENA is sending the message across, even if navy high man would not tolerate court orders, sira as the president does not find him having done a greater mistake.
This is infact not overlooked by any of the occassions where uneducated, unethical, unmoral SIRISENA turns up. He is just overwelmed mostly by even simple issues. So the reason has been not having proper knowledge on various complex issues.
He will react perhaps tomorrow with the next bomb explosion-like statments but not thinking twice. His wanid battayasa guide him to hell day by day, with the telecasts being made by world press to date.
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K.Anaga / November 30, 2018
How can you castrate a non existent BODY PART.
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Good Sense / November 28, 2018
I have commented on this before under other articles. My positions is that the very day the CID mentioned to the court that there is evidence of harbouring or allowing a wanted man to escape, the magistrate should never have merely stated that if there is evidence then arrest. Instead, the magistrate should have recorded the evidence and based on that issued a warrant of arrest the very day itself. Many moons have passed since then and he was able to travel to Mexico as well. The impression that one gets is that as usual the evidence is weak. No one can deny that the only successful conclusion at the trial stage is the Sil redi affaire. Other are still in working progress. No one can deny that in the case of the Thajudeen case two police officers were remanded for more than one year and they have been released on bail. No proper conviction. In the case of Johnston Fernando, he was acquitted in the trial. So any reasonable man has a poor opinion of the system.
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Mallaiyuran / November 28, 2018
What Gnanam is for Ekneligoda’s kidnap, torture and murder, that is what Ravindra is for 11 boys’s kidnap, extortion, torture and muder.
Scapegoat.
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shankar / November 29, 2018
mallai
who is gnanam?and BTW why is this fellow giving millions of rupees to get this navy sampath out of the country if he is not involved in the abductions?And if it is Navy money then how come he can access it ?These are serious issues so i think calling him a scape goat is like saying he is innocent.he has not behaved the way an innocent man will so he has to be charged and jailed as one of the major culprits in the abductions.
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Raman / November 29, 2018
This is the result of letting any goon rise to the top just because he belongs to a particular community.
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Ayathuray Rajasingam / November 29, 2018
Karma. When he is a very powerful position with powerful politicians, he forgets that no one can prevent Karma. Let this be a good lesson to the present politicians and some officers (a lady officer) who arrogantly stepped into a Hindu temple with her shoes on while religious rites were going on. They also fail to realize that Power corrupts and absolute power correupts absolutely.
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shankar / November 30, 2018
“officers (a lady officer) who arrogantly stepped into a Hindu temple with her shoes on “
aiyo .name please?
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Vp / November 29, 2018
The CDS looks very unfit. Like a mudadlali.
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Kugan / November 29, 2018
Well said now a days most of them are Mudalallies as well as fish mongers in parliament too
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Steve / November 29, 2018
A lot of money stacked in that stomach.
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Analyst / November 29, 2018
Why this Malwatte is calling for Election?? ?
So that the Fake government can claim themselves as going to the country with the fake PM Rajpakks”
All wrong…
As per NCM the UNP should be reinstated and then the government be dissolved in time by the MAJORITY GOVERNMENT SIR Rev Malwatte??
Putting the cart before the horse.
Follow the constitution Malwatte priest! We all know why you ask for the election .
There’s a Parliamentary Constitution to follow! You cannot go for election with the Minority Fake Unrecognised Government.
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Analyst / November 29, 2018
Malwatte Thero
Read and understand the Parliamentary constitution before asking for nonsense . You cannot have an elecction at this moment.
Use your brains sir, if it’s too much go and read your Buddha sasana and understand how to live a clean life without supporting crimes and murder in our country.
It will be good for the religion and for the people who are yearning for Peace.
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Vp / November 30, 2018
Buddhists fascists are ruining Sri Lanka for sure.
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Athula Mallikarachi / December 2, 2018
VP-
From whatever little I know, the Buddha became what he did only by giving up his entire kingdom in the search for truth and the salvation of humankind. In the process, he in fact conquered the entire world. What the current day proponents of religious nationalism in Sri Lanka are promoting is a crude kind of ‘landlordism’ and certainly not ‘Buddhism’, which has nothing to do with ownership of property.
The idea of the Sinhala elite being champions of Buddhism – a religion of compassion, peace and tolerance – is also simply laughable given their historical record of taking so many lives. Ultimately you are a Buddhist only by what you do in practice and not by wearing saffron robes, chanting a few mantras in Pali or Sanskrit or building large and expensive monuments to the Buddha.
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Simon De Silva / November 29, 2018
That has lot to do with his JARAWA that he has been having being priviledged in his position.
See, thse arrest would have been case under Ranil, they would have roused as saying that no respect is given to WAR heros.
These ballige puthas the name of war, abused own folks, how would thse men have sobre private life styles. I think these men deserves to be beheaded on broad day light.
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shankar / November 30, 2018
Vp
you mean like a kassippu mudalali.
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AshyD / November 29, 2018
JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR !
Let him remain inside and reminisce what he did for being in this predicament. They say “POWER CORRUPTS, ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY”.
These sort of people should not have been inducted to our military in the first place. A thorough check on the CDS’s background would reveal what sort of background he comes from.
If he was from good stock he would not be in this predicament.
IT IS JUST IN THE GENES.
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JD / November 29, 2018
Chairman of the BASL was a Tamil. He installed and digitized the Court Records. So, everything is available to the west for ecomplaints.
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Rajash / November 29, 2018
when is the turn of the Rajapaskse clan?
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shankar / November 29, 2018
sirisena will try his best to get his buddy who approved the russian vessel for 20 billion rupees when it was worth only 10 out of this mess,otherwise he could spill the beans on that.
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shankar / November 29, 2018
journalists covering the event have got hammered by a motorcycle gang.Not even 2 months since rajapakshes comback and we have motorcycles.after 3 months yellow vans and then white vans.
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Leon Anthony / December 1, 2018
Yes, Shaking Faking Shankar. But when you write as “Malinda” you root for Rajapakse. What a f…ing two-timing fraud!
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shankar / December 2, 2018
leon,i told you once before,its the DNA mate.Not my fault.Like jekyl and hyde.Must have been a politician in my previous birth.Soul leaves the body and enters another.
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Jay / November 29, 2018
It is the house of LAW which is going to clean up the act, which the beautiful land of Sri Lanka is currently tainted.
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Adrian / November 29, 2018
Please remember after this thug in uniform was filmed assaulting an innocent reporter mercilessly, he was pictured the next day in full regalia with PM Ranil. Obviously, a message was being sent. This is the man over whose claim to the PM seat is causing havoc to the country. Can the UNP have some sense, ditch this loser, and give us a fresh face like Sajith?
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Shrikharan / November 29, 2018
One should stand up to the respect of the post and tittle you hold. Your post and title are very holy. What Admiral Ravi Wijegunaratne did brought damn shame not only to him but to the Navy and the security forces of Sri Lanka.
This idiot chose to appear in his uniform and brought the entire military to damn shame to see being hand cuffed and dragged in the powerful uniform and offered a pleasing sight for the Diaspora!
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Champa / November 29, 2018
Yes, Sri Lanka’s highest ranking military officer is remanded.
What a handy work by the President, who is also the Commander-in-chief, Minister of Defence, Law and Order, who never lifted a finger to stop military officers or Buddhist priests being jailed for the past 4 years or against FCID when he could easily abolish it.
I am sure, the now-defunct-JO is happy to the highest ranking military officer is jailed by “their own President and government” to appease LTTE diaspora.
Where are the vociferous nationalists and patriots who screamed their heads off when Ranil jailed military officers? Oh, I forgot, they are now part of the alternative government “which promised to stop treachery.”
This is on top of Mahaviru commemoration funded and attended by LTTE diaspora and TamilNadu LTTE supporters with the backing of “JO’s own government.” Some try to highlight the fact that there were no display of LTTE flags, banners or other such material. Who wants them? Everybody knows Mahaviru week is declared to celebrate/now commemorate terrorist leader Prabhakaran’s Birthday.
I don’t have the heart to attack the former President. But what can I do when he swallowed Maithri’s and other people’s bait to make him unpopular among the folks so much so even making Sirisena style lame statements possibly drafted by weaklings.
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Shrikharan / November 30, 2018
Champa
” to appease LTTE diasporaa “
No to appease justice and that is all. So you are ok when a ransom demand and a gruesome murder of 11 innocent youths takes place when they are Tamils.
Do you feel the same if the 11 youths were Sinhalese and are prepared to say Ranawiruwo cannot be prosecuted. I only wish your loved one should suffer the same fate with violent death from a ‘ranawiruwo’ then I will like to see what you say.
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Keppaya / November 29, 2018
Sirisena is not an ordinary dog. He is a mad dog. [Edited out]
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Upali / November 29, 2018
He should have been arrested long before. Well to do influential and educated try to evade and avoid law enforcement, I won’t be surprised if this healthy looking hefty man enters hospital following many others previously. By this type of behavior they not only insult the schools they studied but their parents and teachers as well. If this happened to an ordinary citizen he would have been in jail by now.
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Wipula / November 29, 2018
This man is a disgrace not only to the Sri Lanka Navy ,but also to all Tri Forces .As the most high ranking officer of the all Tri Forces ,his behaviour and conduct should be exemplary .But it seems that he and his henchmen are always behaving like thugs of the Underworld .So he must be tried by a Court Martial for the Military Offences of disgraceful conduct of an officer and conduct prejudicial to military discipline under the provisions of the Navy Act and discharged from the service with ignominy
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hancho pancha / November 29, 2018
Now there is ample material to impeach the President for obstructing criminal justice. He has abused his Presidential powers by intimidating, thus obstructing a law officer diligently performing his legal duties to produce before a court of law a person alleged to have blood in his hands responsible for abominable, gruesome murders. The evidence available is overwhelming.
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MirakRajBanda / November 29, 2018
Even law of the jungle finds no loop holes to let these criminals and murderers a way to let go.
God’s mills grind sure!
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edwin rodrigo / November 29, 2018
Folks, it is impossible that an ordinary person, leave alone the President of any country, would behave the way that Pissu Sira is behaving. Considering all the evidence here is a theory that I built up.
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It all started with the visit to UK, where the Queen is supposed to have shaken hands with him. Being a real Godaya this mesmerized Sira and he wanted to be employed in the Royal household even in a menial position. This wish was conveyed to the Queen, who offered him a job as a footman at the Royal Banquet Hall, provided he possessed the required qualifications. Sira was thrilled and an interview was arranged with none other than the Queen herself, which went like this:.
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The Queen says “My footmen must have good ankles. Show me your ankles.”
After he shows her his ankles, the Queen says: “Knobby knees are not allowed, May I see your knees too.” Once she has seen his knees, she says: “Those things appears to be in shape. Now show me your testimonials .”
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That is where Sira’s Motta Kaduwa let him down. He showed the Queen the wrong things and was put in jail. Knowing that it could produce an international uproar the Queen called in experts to decide on a cover up.
.
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edwin rodrigo / November 29, 2018
Part-2:
Finally, a stupid Sri Lankan refugee of the right size was selected and plastic surgery carried out to make him look like Sira. This is the Sira who is now issuing edicts on a daily basis on a surprised population while our genuine model is languishing in the cold dungeons of the Balmoral Castle of Scotland. (Credit to Jokes page of Infolanka for the original joke)
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Mrs Mayadunne / November 29, 2018
Sirisena the dog tried his level best rescue his animal friend Ravi but failed as the Magistrate Ranga was brave and forthright.
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whywhy / November 29, 2018
Now , the court orders C I D to arrest the suspects of Thajudeen murder , it is reported .
But the court magistrates also says there’s no sufficient evidence to suggest that
there’s been a conspiracy to kill the rugby player . C I D has asked time to get advice
from the A G according to the report ! What else are we expected to hear from the
ongoing circus in the town ? Games are stale and stinking like Meethotumulla !
Forty and fifty years of experts of fooling the people on a mass scale is now reaching
the mount Everest ! Are the efforts to clear Mahinda or catch him while he says he is
the boss now ? Is it an effort to clear Mahinda name that he doesn’t interfere with
judiciary ? The ball can not remain in the air , it has to fall either in Mahinda’s court
or Ranil’s , if not straight into unqualified umpire Sirisena’s pocket !
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Buddhist / November 29, 2018
Why has the President not removed the Chief of Defense Staff from his post and appoint another person? CDS is an accused in 11 murder cases, why should he not be removed immediately?
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K.Pillai / November 29, 2018
The ‘discomfort’ Admiral Ravi Wijegunaratne is being put through is only to hoodwink UNHRC.
Worry no more Admiral. Which ever team wins, the Admiral is in for a diplomatic posting.
It may not be ‘plum’ because most countries may not welcome him.
Russia? Maybe. Dayan look out!
Qatar? Porter ASP Liyanage will stay-put.
Myanmar? Wirathu does not like Obama because of his race.
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Thanga / November 30, 2018
There is no merit in the accusation by President Sirisena that Ranil was shielding the corrupt and the murderers. It is Sirisena himself who publically declared that murder suspects who are high ranking officers should not be arrested without his consent. On October 09, Wijegunaratna was scheduled to appear at the CID office to record his evidence. But at 9.00 am the same day he was on a flight to Mexico to attend that country’s National Day by the courtesy of Sirisena who is the Commander in chief of the armed forces. Electing Siriseena is like placing a palmyrah fruit on the head of a little hummingbird.
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Lalith / December 1, 2018
Remember, the president is too weak to withstand the determination of M R to officially get into power again. M R must have manipulated. Or blackmailed the. Prez otherwise who would openly do one unlawful action after the other? Nobody is THAT stupid. This mess has the hardwriting of the infamous Mr do or die!
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Ravindra Perera / December 1, 2018
I understand lots of people look at Admiral RW superficially and make decisions for polishing of RW’s boots. As a person personally know his immature and improper acts from long ago, I invite boot-lickers to analyze and justify following four case studies, which are already published, out of numerous crimes and inappropriate practices (some of which are highly confidential and sensitive in nature) he has committed during his naval tenure:
1. He has misused Area Commanders Steel Fund, where ever he has served, and latest case was when he was working as the Northern Area Commander, he emptied all coffers, when he was leaving the area for West. No one knows what happened to non-public funds. For your information Area Commanders Metal Fund is fund established by sales of scrap metal, which is amply find in naval environments due to ship breaking activities. Once he was about to send out of the navy for financial misappropriation by then Commander of the Navy. However later due to intermediately pressure he was sent out of the main stream as Director General Coast Guard after informing the matter to then Secretary of Defence Mr. NG Rajapaksa.
Isn’t this just for the own advantage or betterment of the country?
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Ravindra Perera / December 1, 2018
2. Can you verify all insignia worn by him are genuine? As a matter of fact, he never completed the parachute course and he still wears that. Just for your information, I hope you could remember one US General committed suicide, for mistakenly wearing a gallantry medal.
Does this officer have that sanity? Isn’t this just for the own advantage or betterment of the country?
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Ravindra Perera / December 1, 2018
3. He was instrumental as then Commandant of Naval and Maritime Academy, Trincomalee Cadet Yoshitha Rajapaksa, had been inducted into navy bypassing mandatory educational qualifications, was trained under special arrangements and other privileges and later to select as “Midshipman of the Year” and was awarded the “Sword of Honour.”, bypassing all the standard naval procedures. Lieutenant Y.K. Rajapakse NRX2431 underwent extensive training programs in the United Kingdom and Ukraine and Government spent Rs.22.23 million for his training in the UK during the period from January 2007 till August 2010.
The selection of Mr. Rajapaksa as the best cadet was talk of tri-forces training circles, however, he was offered the scholarship and was sent to Britain’s Britannia Royal Naval School (BRNC) in Dartmouth. He stayed at the BRNC had to be extended to two and half years after he failed several subjects. Later UK decided not to offer that course for Sri Lanka.
The scholarship which was reserved for the best cadet officer in any particular batch after he or she completed one year’s training was offered to Cadet. Rajapaksa after a three-month training period, purely due to the influence of Admiral RW. Did he do the justice for 45th Intake of Officer Cadets?
Admiral RW as Commandant of Naval and Maritime Academy, just kept quiet allowing the naval discipline to be ruined, because then his expectation was to become Commander of Navy.
Additionally, when Admiral RW was Commander of the Navy Lieutenant Y.K. Rajapakse NRX2431 proceeded 74 foreign tours. Officers of the security forces are not allowed to engage in politics or business. Cadet Yoshitha Rajapaksa was also to be the owner of a private television network. These are all violations of the law. Even he was given a land plot from naval lands of radio station at Pidurutalagala for his TV station. Not only that few good naval engineering officers were sent whilst in service to work in his private television network.
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Ravindra Perera / December 1, 2018
4. Admiral RW backed in purchasing of a Russian warship for double the price of its actual value, through a Rs. 20 billion deal with Russia’s war machinery, JSC Rosoboronexport, despite three different committees that were appointed and respectively headed by Rear Admiral Wattewa, Vice Admiral Ranasinghe and Rear Admiral Rosairo at different stages not given the approval to go ahead with the Russian ship deal.
Chief of Defence Staff Admiral RW took in favor of the procurement and his reason being, the requirement to protect foreign naval ships when they make a port of call in could there have been a more idiotic justification from someone of his stature and rank who may or may not have a personal interest’ in the deal?
If the purchase of the Russian ship at $ 195 million is a foregone conclusion, and if selling the Mattala Airport at around $ 200 million is what it takes to pay for the ship, would the future generation be kind enough when judging the handling of the economy?
This is just get his extension granted as Commander of the Navy.
While I am hopeful of your good judgments prevailing, I am also optimistic that someone would eventually steer the country to safety and prosperity by fighting off this type of cunning saboteur officer criminals trying to hold to ransom and personal privileges and ruin the development of the country, which public is not aware of. If general public get know the real truth of these people behind uniform I do never know how much they will be amazed.!!!
Even though it is boosted he was appointed as Director General Coast Guard, it was an act of removing him from the main stream due to disclosure of financial misappropriation, due to which he was about to send out of the navy, by then Commander of the Navy.
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