The lack of civilian oversight over Sri Lanka’s militarised COVID-19 response raises some very serious human rights concerns, said the International Truth and Justice Project.
“Sri Lanka has an alleged war criminal heading its COVID-19 response, who served in the same army regiment as the President, raising questions about transparency, accountability and oversight,” said the ITJP’s Executive Director, Yasmin Sooka, herself under lockdown.
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Killings, Agnes Callamard, has said that any measures taken to deal with the COVID-19 emergency should be guided by the principles of legality, proportion, precaution and non-discrimination. Appointing military personnel to manage the crisis without any civilian oversight does not bode well for Sri Lanka – nor does Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva specifically identifying those COVID-19 patients who are Muslims in public statements.
“Experienced professionals from the civil service should be in charge of coordinating complex public health and distribution issues, not the Army,” said Yasmin Sooka, “People’s lives are at stake as well as huge amounts of money and supplies that need to be equitably shared. It is essential that the public be allowed to question the response operation without being threatened with arrest. This crisis shouldn’t become an excuse to erode civil liberties yet further.”
Already there are clashes between medical professionals and the military over what the best public health measures should be. Even the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) has expressed disappointment that the Government placed an Army commander in charge of the country’s overall COVID-19 Response.
The National Operation Center for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak
The Sri Lankan Government says all prevention and management of the COVID-19 virus outbreak and healthcare provisions and other public services are to be managed by this newly formed National Operation Centre. All other government officials should be available for the Centre to deploy[1].
However the National Operation Centre is headed by Sri Lanka’s Army Commander who is also acting Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva. Silva was publicly designated this year by the US State Department because of credible information of his involvement, through command responsibility, in gross violations of human rights, namely extrajudicial killings[2]. Silva was appointed to this powerful COVID-19 role by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who was his superior officer in the first battalion of the Gajaba Regiment in Matale during military operations to crush the second Sinhala youth insurgency in 1989 when hundreds disappeared in the area under their control. In 2008-9 when the US Government says Silva was allegedly involved in war crimes, he was receiving orders allegedly directly from Gotabaya Rajapaksa who was then secretary of defence.
Moreover the legal basis for this latest appointment is unclear as there is no gazette notification establishing the COVID-19 National Operation Centre, as for other COVID-19 entities[3]. This raises the question of who in the civilian administration holds Shavendra Silva accountable, other than his friend the President who is himself ex military. Media conferences on the outbreak are dominated by Shavendra Silva who briefs on the quarantine situation[4].
Presidential Task Force On Food Supplies
This was gazetted by the President in March to ensure the supply of food to the nation during the crisis. In a detailed analysis the Centre for Policy Alternatives commented that“the mandate and powers assigned to the Task Force are much wider in scope and range from ensuring the supply of essential goods and services to providing relief measures to vulnerable groups of society”[5]. The Task Force is also headed by the President’s unelected brother Basil Rajapaksa and contains a large number of retired military officials close to the President (including from his Gajaba Regiment) also implicated in the 2009 war in Sri Lanka, which saw widespread violations of international law by the Army.
The appointment of military officers to key public roles has been controversial – for example Major General Vijitha Ravipriya’s appointment as Director General of Customs was opposed by the customs trades unions who said this job should not go to a retired army officer with no experience of civil administration but to a civil servant from their own department[6]. The President’s secretary, P. B. Jayasundera, alleged the reason for appointing a military officer was to curb corruption. Shockingly, in 2008 Jayasundera himself, had to step down as Treasury Secretary over allegations that he was responsible for the unlawful sale of a revenue-producing public asset at an artificially low price to a private corporation but a year later was reinstated by then President, Mahinda Rajapaksa, brother of the current President[7].
In addition, the Chairman of the Consumer Affairs Authority is Major General (Retired) D.M.S. Dissanayaka (Shantha Dissanayake[8]), also from the President’s Gajaba Regiment, was caught on camera recently threatening a vendor profiteering during the COVID19 disaster, saying “I will pulversie your ears”[9]. Moreover, the Committee of Inquiry into the Prison Incident Welikada in 2012 recommended charging Dissanayake under Section 162 of the Sri Lankan Penal Code for his alleged involvement in the Welikada Jail massacre in which 27 prisoners were killed, along with Gotabaya Rajapaksa[10]. Neither was charged.
COVID19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa established this Fund on 23 March to collect direct deposits and donations from organisations and individual donors[11]. On 7 April, the fund stood at SL. Rs. 420m (US $ 2.2m).The President’s website says more details can be obtained from Mr. K.B. Egodawela, Director General Administration. Egodawela is a retired military officer and previously a co-accused in the Avant Garde corruption case with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa but released from the charges two months ago, after he had already been apointed the President’s Chief of Staff[12].
Calls for Civilian Oversight
Twenty leading trade unions representing the public sector workforce recently wrote to the President calling on him to bring COVID-19 prevention under a civil authority. In a joint statement on 18 March they said:
“In such a national disaster situation a national operation centre should be established under the Disaster Management Centre, which is the regulatory authority with special training. We notify the government that all public services should be aligned under that centre..[13]”.
Meanwhile former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said more than a week ago that there should be a mechanism under director health services to unite the private and state health services to face the peak in cases that is expected between April 4 and 11.
Religious Hatred
Organisations in Sri Lanka have expressed concern that the crisis could be misused to whip up religious hatred, in particular against Muslims. This is of concern given Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s closeness to Sinhala Buddhist extremist organisations, such as the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), which are notoriously anti-Muslim.
A statement by 26 trades unions complained that:
“While reporting information about infected and the dead from the novel corona virus, it is evident that people are categorised according to religion and ethnicity in a manner that incites racist sentiments… Our trade unions would highlight that these guidelines should be followed by state officials, government ministers and all politicians who make statements about corona patients and those who passed away[14]”.
Censorship
The acting police chief, C.D. Wickramarathna, instructed the Criminal Investigation Department of the police and all offices to arrest and take legal action against anyone who publishes posts on social media criticising government officials[15]. The 1 April police statement in Sinhala recommends, “Tough legal action against those who publish false or malicious statements in the internet”.
Activists have pointed out this violates the right to freedom of expression[16]. A statement by seven media organisations[17] on 4 April accepted that that “fake news” or “incorrect information” during an epidemic was harmful but added that “fair criticism was a right and if a mistake was made by public officials people should be able to express their views online. A letter to the acting Inspector General of Police and copied to the Secretary of Defence signed by 46 individuals and 9 organisations on 7 April, commented there was “no provision in law that authorizes the arrest of those ‘criticizing’ the state”18.
“There is no doubt that in this unprecedented period of fear and turmoil, many governments resort to securitizing a public emergency response to the COVID-19 crisis rather than a rights-based response. A rights-based approach requires a framework which places human rights and the rule of law at the forefront,” said Yasmin Sooka.
“The Sri Lankan government must ensure that each and every restriction on rights and freedoms has a clear legal basis, described in specific terms so that people know how their rights are being limited, under which law, and precisely what they are (and are not) permitted to do. Any limitation or restriction must be subject to the review of the courts,” she added.
“We call upon the Government of Sri Lanka to establish a civilian, non- partisan, independent response committee that has oversight of the Government’s response; the military and police should not be allowed to simply do whatever they want to combat the pandemic. COVID-19 should not be used as an excuse to impose military control through stealth especially by officials already discredited,” Ms. Sooka commented.
1 http://www.pmdnews.lk/army-commander-shavendra-silva-heads-national-operation-center-for-prevention-of-covid-19-outbreak/
2 https://translations.state.gov/2020/02/14/public-designation-due-to-gross-violations-of-human-rights-of-shavendra-silva-of-sri-lanka- under-section-7031c-of-the-department-of-state-foreign-operations-and-related-programs-appropriations-a/
3 http://documents.gov.lk/files/egz/2020/3/2167-18_E.pdf
4 https://news.lk/news/political-current-affairs/item/29929-lt-gen-shavendra-silva-dig-ajith-rohana-update-the-public-on-the-current- situation-in-the-country
5 https://www.cpalanka.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/FINAL-Presidential-Task-Force-on-COVID19-April-2020-copy.pdf
6 Military DG Only for Two Years, 1 Mar 2020, Sunday Times Lanka, https://www.pressreader.com/sri-lanka/sunday-times-sri- lanka/20200301/281539407998376
7 Jayasundera Interrogated On Hedging Deal, 31 Mar 2015, https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/jayasundera-interrogated-on-hedging- deal/
Also: https://whistleblower.org/in-the-news/sunday-times-sri-lanka-gap-report-pbj-returns-despite-orchestration-unlawful/
8 http://www.caa.gov.lk/web/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=141&Itemid=591&lang=en
9 The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) raided Manning Market in Pettah which sells wholesale vegetables. It found vendors were selling at inflated prices; vendors said they had additional costs. CAA Chair Major General Shantha Dissanayake threatened vendors saying that he would seal the shops if they didn’t sell at the price set by the CAA. Consumer Affairs Authority Chairman Major General Shantha Dissanayake can be seen threatening a vendor: “I will pulverise your ears if you sell goods at a higher price” 0’26”. https://www.facebook.com/ruvibennettmusic/videos/2663054907251432/
10 https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/charge-gota-says-nambuwasam-coi-on-welikada-massacre/
Also Sirasa says quoting the three-member committee report: “Prisons commissioner general P.W Kodippili, Prisons intelligence unit jailor Indika Sampath, DIG Anura Senanayake, Brigadier Shantha Dissanayake and magazine (Welikada) Prison chief Emil Ranjan had neglected their duty.https://web.archive.org/web/20190819143811/https://www.newsfirst.lk/sinhala/2017/11/09/27- %E0%B6%AF%E0%B7%99%E0%B6%B1%E0%B7%99%E0%B6%9A%E0%B7%94%E0%B6%A7-%E0%B6%B8%E0%B6%BB%E0%B7%94-%E0%B6%9A%E0%B7%90%E0%B6%B3%E0%B7%80%E0%B7%96- %E0%B7%80%E0%B7%90%E0%B6%BD%E0%B7%92%E0%B6%9A%E0%B6%A9/
And: CID told Colombo additional magistrate Priyantha Liyanage on July 31:
“On the day of the incident, a statement was recorded from the Brigadier at the time and presently Major General Dissanayake Mudiyanselage Shantha Dissanayake who was the commander in charge of the 14th division that first went to provide security to the Welikada prison on 9/11/2012…”http://www.dinamina.lk/2018/08/01/%E0%B6%B4%E0%B7%94%E0%B7%80%E0%B6%AD%E0%B7%8A/57829/%E0%B7%80%E0%B7%90%E0%B6%BD%E0%B7%92%E0%B 6%9A%E0%B6%A9-%E0%B6%9D%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%AD%E0%B6%B1%E0%B6%BA%E0%B7%9A-%E0%B6%89%E0%B6%AD%E0%B7%92%E0%B6%BB%E0%B7%92- %E0%B7%83%E0%B7%90%E0%B6%9A%E0%B6%9A%E0%B6%BB%E0%B7%94%E0%B7%80%E0%B6%B1%E0%B7%8A- %E0%B6%85%E0%B6%AD%E0%B7%8A%E0%B6%85%E0%B6%A9%E0%B6%82%E0%B6%9C%E0%B7%94%E0%B7%80%E0%B6%A7-%E0%B6%9C%E0%B7%90%E0%B6%B1%E0%B7%93%E0%B6%B8- %E0%B6%AF%E0%B7%94%E0%B6%BB%E0%B6%9A%E0%B6%AE%E0%B6%B1-%E0%B7%80%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%BB%E0%B7%8A%E0%B6%AD%E0%B7%8F- %E0%B6%85%E0%B6%B1%E0%B7%94%E0%B7%80?page=21
Clearly it is the same man:
“Brigadier Shantha Dissanayake says that breaking the siege on the Jaffna Fort was to the success of Thrivida Balaya. In fact, the SLA couldn’t have planned a ground offensive to regain Jaffna at that time without consolidating its positions at the Jaffna Fort, he said. Dissanayake is now in command of 14 Division deployed in the Districts of Colombo, Kalutara, Gampaha, Ratnapura, Galle and Matara”. http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=83040
In 2014 he was the NGO Secretariat director general: July 10, media reported concerns from NGO Secretariat director general D.M.S. Dissanayake that nonprofit organizations registered under the Companies Act were “acting out the role of NGOs” and would be required to register with the NGO Secretariat. https://www.refworld.org/docid/559bd53a12.html
11 https://www.president.gov.lk/covid-19-fund-increases-further/
12 http://www.lankaweb.com/news/items/2020/02/20/court-rejects-amended-indictments-on-avant-garde-case/ http://www.adaderana.lk/news/60275/five-accused-in-avant-garde-case-released-senadhipathi-granted-bail
13 https://theleader.lk/news/2361-request-for-civil-authority-to-deal-with-coronary-disaster (Sinhala)
14 ෛවරසය එ’ෙ’ ජා+ය බලාෙගන ෙනාවන වග ජා+වා0 1චාරකය’ට 56ප8 9:ම< !, 5 Apr 2020, https://www.theleader.lk/news/2578-the-virus-comes-as-a-reminder-to-racist-propagandists-that-the-nation-is-not-watching
15 http://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking_news/Strict-action-against-those-criticise-state-officials-on-social-media/108-186028
Translation of Sinhala statement: “It is reported that videos and other material are made public in the internet that criticize those duties, highlight minor shortcomings of those officers, obstructing their duties immensely, reprimanding them and containing false or malicious statements. The acting IGP has instructed the deputy inspector general of the Criminal Investigation Department and officers in charge of every police station throughout the island to enact the law very strictly against such persons, arrest them and take further legal action by producing them in court.”
16 https://twitter.com/saliyapieris/status/1245299875110989824
17 Tamil Media Alliance (TMA), Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA), Free Media Movement (FMM), Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum (SLMMF), Federation of Media Employees Trade Union (FMETU), Internet Media Action (IMA), Young Journalists Association (YJA).“
“The wide distribution of accurate and true information should be encouraged as the awareness raised among the public makes taking steps against the epidemic, easy. Therefore, every party fighting against the disaster should choose the alternative of making accurate and true information public. Whereas, dealing with punishments could make those who provide accurate information inactive. While appreciating the service provided by public officials, we highlight that if any is mistake is committed, fair criticism is a right.”
17 https://www.cpalanka.org/regarding-notice-issued-by-the-police-media-division/
Kumarathasan Rasingam / April 10, 2020
Birds of a feather flock together> The Defence who conducted the genocidal war and his loyal commanders who are alleged to be war criminals have now joined to do more killings through this position and power. In other countries this is guided and executed by the Professional Medial Team and volenters in this field and Doctors and nurses.
Sri Lanka failed to stop the gates in time thinking of the forthcoming election and this lack of responsibility and greed for power waited until it gets worse. If the gates for incoming planes are closed in time Sri Lanka will not get this virus.
Power corrupts and absolute power destroys the country.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=302&v=F51ozWRkyzA&feature=emb_logo.
/
N.Perera / April 10, 2020
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.
For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2
/
Dr desperate Sinhalaya / April 10, 2020
Let the eyes of the wise people be directed on the following video.
.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BluzmrkCdDw
.
This country is filled with abusive MEDIA men, that spread their misleading news, no matter anyone would feel hurt.
.
I think we need to STAND against collectively – the media men shoudl be purified being unbiased to any parties.
:
Gota should see this … if yes, only people would SUPPORT him further.
/
Leelawathie Jayasinghe / April 10, 2020
Please listen to the VIDEO clip which you will come to know through following link
.,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvsZI2818BU
–
This is one of the powerful and unique video clip. The speaker of the videos gives enough evidences as to why people not to let political henchmen in order them to mislead the nation. I watch his videos on and on. he has no fears to express him out. he repeatedly emphasize that average mindset of this country easily let them misled. that they have in their genetics. they continue to get caught by misleading mechanisms of vicious and sinister politicos. Naivity and total ignorance of the vulanerable masses are targeted by criminals and opportunists. My problem is why the people allow them to be abused again and again. Media mafia men fish in muddy waters. they focus only only their commercial gains. They dont care about anyone being compellingly ended up with any harmful consequences.
I feel, people in this country even if they enjoyed democratic rights for such a long time, are today made to be slaves of sinister forces.
/
Sensitive SLANKEN / April 10, 2020
I have never heard that an Ambulance would be collided with a public transport bus.
:
But that is reported in today s srilanka.
:
That proves the societal nature of this abusive country.
.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtJeF2joByI
/
S. C. Pasqual / April 10, 2020
Mr. Kumarathasan Rasingam,
/
Still living in that dream land…?
/
What genocidal war….?
/
Native Vedda / April 10, 2020
S. C. Pasqual
–
“What genocidal war….?”
–
The 2500 years of war against my people waged by Descendants of Kallthoni converts.
–
“Still living in that dream land…?”
–
Where is it?
/
Milton Silva / April 11, 2020
Pasquel, you may not known because your eyes are blind spot on hatred and racists.
No problem, UN and international community well known about the fact that was genocidal war against Tamils in 2009.
/
John Silva / April 12, 2020
You talk bullshit appearing in a Portuguese name many Sinhalese traitors have adopted, maybe you are a racist Tamil notorious for propagating hatred. If there was genocide US lead Western countries would have been the first to attack this country at the U.N. Factually, genocide was committed by the megalomaniac Prabhakaran, and before him the Tamil invaders from South India. The majority were Sinhalese in Yapa Patuna. They were decimated by the invaders, and the complete annihilation was carried out by Prabakaran. What do you have to say about chasing away 100000 Muslims from Jaffna by that mass murderer Prabhakaran? All Muslims had to hand over their title deeds to Prabhqakaran and those lands were distributed among the Tamils, making Jaffna a mono ethnic region.
/
Dr Raj Rajendran / April 14, 2020
Please note it was 10,000 muslims and not 100,0000 muslims. You are fabricating history by 10 times. How can any educated person believe you.
/
Leelagemalli / April 11, 2020
body {
background-color: lightblue;
}
h1 {
color: red;
text-align: center;
}
p {
font-family: verdana;
font-size: 20px;
}
Why to ignore it – they the brother duo, only day before summoned the University experts and sought their support on the containment of COVID 19 SARs COV2 virus
Why they all along relied on GMOA, knowing that they are not the epxerts in community diseases, why the brother duo were not hearted enough to see it right as of early March ?
This is srilanken calculated fate
/
Mohan / April 10, 2020
Why doesn’t Yasmin Sioka criticise the US President for his inaction and bungling of America’s response to Covid 19 resulting in over 16,000 deaths and many tens of thousands more to come in the next few years? She is a absolute hypocrite of the first degree. She knows her pay check comes courtesy of US. So she dare not. But she has the audacity to criticise a democratically elected president of Sri Lanka for his selection of the Army chief for heading the task force. Yasmin Sooka is a dangerous breed in this world mascerading asnHuman rights activists destabilising smaller states on a hidden agenda. They should be stopped in their tracks like the Covid 19. We don’t need external actors to be interfering in our interna matters. R2P is a dangerous concept being furthered by these hypocrites which needs to be stopped.
/
Ms Maralathoni / April 10, 2020
Mohan,
.
I dont think you have become MOHANAYAta as you added your thoughts.
:
Why not to think about what is being mentioned about than shooting the messenger ?
.
My elders asked me always to see what is being criticised is right or wrong.
We perfectly know that Ballige putha Rajakshes just ignored the PROETCTION of the people:
As a result today entire community is left to be alone with CURFEWs and uncertainities.. even if the chances were there, them to close down the airport to the manner, VIETNAM did it as of begining of March.
:
No, they even let their BUDDIES and buddy supporters entering the country albeit corona patients. Can nt you see it let alone today ?
:
Gotabaya proved that he is an another SIRISENA who failed theh most essential step – to be implemented as of beginning of March and to enforce the authorties that should have been doing the job what they have been doing today … Meeharakake became the leader and now we the people have to suffer.
/
Native Vedda / April 10, 2020
Mohan
–
“Why doesn’t Yasmin Sioka criticise the US President for his inaction and bungling of America’s response to Covid 19 resulting in over 16,000 deaths and many tens of thousands more to come in the next few years?”
–
Why doesn’t the American Gota go back to his country and run US Covid 19 operation if you believe US President by his inaction bungling war against Coronavirus? Why is he here on this soil, and letting his goons to mismanage relieve operations while his family is incharge for collecting charitable donations from public?
–
Pathetic.
/
HL.Tissera / April 10, 2020
Democrats in extreme nature can enjoy the democracy as well as the Corona together.
What ever.. no specific mean to solve the Corona disaster.. Hence end justitify the mean whether the mean is democratic or dictator type or militarised.
End result justify the mean.. not by the critics of universal Pandits.
/
Leelawathie Jayasinghe / April 10, 2020
My elders told me .. back and forth that the BELIATTHA rascals would be good at extra judicial killings, money laundering, and calculated murders but never would they be able to see it right.
:
Even this time, even if we are an island nation similar to the UK -srilanka has failed to protect the nation from being infected…. they reacted much later but also not fully.
:
There were pLANE loads of passengers, that arrived in SL from iTALY and KOrea, but they were not subjected to QUARANTINING…. how come ? This was as of 9th March.. also in the following week those who were brought back from India were set free, on the command of BPs…. and now corona infected and others are mingled .. andlive in anxities as no times in the history.
:
Had the DUO done their job properly::::. should people have been suffering as they are today ?
/
SJ / April 10, 2020
LJ
Which Korean returnees spread infection?
South Korea has acted responsibly.
Italy was not alert to the situation at the time.
/
babalath appu / April 10, 2020
SJ,
please get the facts right. Italy’s huge numbers are connected with the unprecedented numbers of the infected and most of them being older adults.
South Korea has acted reposonsibly as of now, but those infected returned to lanka from SK and Italy are still mingling with you down there.
What govt has been doing today should have been doing as of beginning of March: There had been enough warnings, but BROTHER duo nothaving brains, even went an extra miles in order to promote tourist arrivals. They never controlled the chinese tourists. Nor had they been strict enough to any passengers arriving from Italy as of 4th March. I was also among them, but there had been no quaranining or self-quarantining instructions at BIA.
We as an island nation, with one single ENTRANCE into the country, which is BIA could have done the job very easily. And among the EU nations, UK has restrict to their numbers today, only because them being an island nation. All others have scored more.
–
Our pulligonas noticed it very late. I think today s anxities could easily have been gone, if Gota s govt undrestood it properly. Most ridiculously, even UNI dons were summoned only yesterday to seek the valuable advice on the control.. they thought GMOA may be the experts in COMMUNITY disease… how narrowminded srilanken authorities have been ?
Now they are on to MEDIA displays.. after being total ignorant on the DEADLY harm of the deadly virus.
Ahead of us, there will be lot more patients, that can even go beyond Italy levels. hOPE the best.
/
Milton Silva / April 11, 2020
Pasquel, you may not known because your eyes are blind spot on hatred and racists.
No problem, UN and international community well known about the fact that was genocidal war against Tamils in 2009.
/
Buramphisincho / April 10, 2020
SJ,
.
would you also say, that srilanka has acted responsibly ?
–
Italy s problem was not being alert or not, the flow of the infected was beyond their capacties of the hospitals.
–
And most among them are elderly patients.
–
If you have a brain the size that of Mahinda Rajapakshe, surely you would not get it, but anyone with a bird brain would get it.
–
/
kali / April 10, 2020
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Killings, Agnes Callamard, has said that any measures taken to deal with the COVID-19 emergency should be guided by the principles of legality, proportion, precaution and non-discrimination. Appointing military personnel to manage the crisis without any civilian oversight does not bode well for Sri Lanka – nor does Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva specifically identifying those COVID-19 patients who are Muslims in public statements.
*** In my view the Current Rulers of Sri Lanka have no Legal or Moral Right to Govern, They are ruling Sri Lanka by Default. America and the UN have already passed judgement on the War CRIMINAL Shavendra. But an American Citizen “Gotha ” was elected to the Highest Office by a Racist Majority and he lied his way to the Presidency. As a CRIMINAL President he is PARDONING War Criminals in defiance of the Supreme Court making a mockery of the Judicial System. The only Country which can check an Illegal President is the USA by declaring that his application to renonce his Citizenship cannot be processed without State Deparment and the FBI clearance which is delayed by his Immunity. But the Californian Court has already delivered itsJudgment making it easy for the State Department to state its position.
/
Leonard / April 10, 2020
What a monumental disaster for the planet while the world grappling with all sorts of problems from wars, poverty , neutral disasters, food shortages plus latest corona virus pandemic brightest of the brains-trusts in the world best crop of leaders that world of commerce, science and political leadership been relegated to wallow in to menial task of passing judgment and writing negative vulgar comments in CT on Sri Lankan President that been elected by a majority.
Oh what pity imagine the loss to the human kind what Gotabaya Derangement has done to the planet.
Imagine the daily mental torturer and suffering they endure knowing every morning when they wake up little more depressed and little more deranged knowing its again “Ground Hog Day” ?
/
kali / April 10, 2020
Leonard
passing judgment and writing negative vulgar comments in CT on Sri Lankan President that been elected by a majority.
*** You have left out the imporatant and crucial word and love is blind
has been elected by a RACIST majority
/
Leonard / April 11, 2020
Kali you just proved my point in a spectacular way as you well know one of the meaning’s of your name kali is ( 1 ) and don’t you think it is so profound you are in the minority of 1 margin of error will place you in the under zero . No wonder you don’t agree with the majority when you are in the position one or less even the mention of ward of majority is anathema to you. Don’t be to dishearten you have received at least 3 thumbs up so far now you are in the minority of three. And please keep playing the race card its the in thing.
/
kali / April 11, 2020
Leonard
1) Kali you just proved my point in a spectacular way as you well know one of the meaning’s of your name kali is ( 1 ) and don’t you think it is so profound you are in the minority of 1 margin of error will place you in the under zero .
*** What was your point( there was nothing to prove) and in any case it has gone up in Flames in a Sectacular way like Fire Crackers Do. Where is point (2) because you stopped afteer (1)
2) No wonder you don’t agree with the majority when you are in the position one or less even the mention of ward of majority is anathema to you.
*** The World dosent agree and at is why Shavendra was barred from ever being Airborne. Ahimsas appeal was allowed by Californian Judge and the only thing that is holding Criminal Proceedings is the Majority RACIST vote . When his term ends the Judge has made the order Gotha will be tried for Murder.
3)Don’t be to dishearten you have received at least 3 thumbs up so far now you are in the minority of three. And please keep playing the race card its the in thing.
*** Can you explain how you can be in a Minority from Zero when you go up to 3. Have you forgotten how to count. After all Gothas sons are dumb boys like you. Cant Count and wont Count. I can count Ekkai (1), Thekkai (2) Thunai (3).
/
Leonard / April 12, 2020
Kali of 1
Take a class in comprehension let me explain minority of 3% majority is 97% not to hard for you? let me simplify 100-3 =97 . regarding the negative number sorry I dent your ego because you seems to be very happy and proud to point out 3 . Good on your mate now count up to 100 starting from 4 ( hathara / நான்கு) then work out the difference then you will get bit of clarity if its too hard ask a kid from kindergarten OK. No charge and please no thank you for the lesson always ready to help .
/
Reggie Silva / April 11, 2020
@kali so if that same majority had voted UNP they would not be racist? Grow up.
/
kali / April 11, 2020
Reggie the sleeping Silva
Certainly NOT. Just pretenders. Gotha is a SCUM BAG. and Sri Lanka will be blown to bits Economically. COVID 19 may not kill many but the Economic disaster that is upon you will bury you. Just to survive you need $8000 Million. You have allegedly just got $1.3 so far that leaves another $7999 to be found. WAKE UP
/
Leonard / April 12, 2020
Kali of 1
WAKE UP how loud you scream in your dreams every night when you wake up Gotabaya is still be the President and get use to it now for a second term Gotabaya as the President.
Your parents must be so proud of your vocabulary and the articulate way that you penning words now. Another proof what you learn from your parents as a child is very hard to shake when you become a adult specially the words they frequently used at home to addressing each other may I say words like “scum bag ” ?
/
Leonard / April 12, 2020
Reggie
Please don’t confuse Kali he has enough trouble trying comprehend simple majority because he is factoring the racism as a mathematical equation. I expect to see him not only nominated but to win the Nobel for his new mathematical formula of as I understand even a minority of one or zero is is higher than majority when you factor in racism.
MINORITY > MAJORITY f (x) Racism ?♀️
/
Thondamany / April 10, 2020
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.
For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2
/
rohan Mud / April 10, 2020
Thank you for giving nice propaganda for beautiful and exemplary work done by Sri Lanka to fight against the epidemic and save citizens of Sri Lanka .yes we did the same way to protected people in wartime too. How many $ you begger getting after publishing this.??????
/
nanda / April 10, 2020
This m.. lady is always trying to find fault with Sri Lankan patriotic people. Please look after yourself. We in Sri Lanka are quite happy and we have the freedom we need at this time. You better shut your mouth and do something else.
/
ajith / April 10, 2020
When the majority of majority People in Srilanka wants military government well before Corona- Virus. I don’t know what this militarisation going to bring Srilanka after Corona is very important. Militarisation gives the power to the military. For them democracy is no matter, freedom of speech is no matter. Parliament is no matter, rule of law and justice no matter. If a military person rapes a lady who is a mother of 5 children and her husband lives with her no one can ask for justice including media or even the Mahanayake’s. This is the beauty of Srilanka. Further, Srilanks’s militarisation is a Family militarisation. They were able to make unimaginable wealth during their regime, number of murders without any charges under democracy. The majority of majority community (Sinhala Buddhists) think that militarisation only disadvanatage to Mulsim, and Hindus, and Christians but there is guarantee that Buddhist Sinhala are safe under Family dictatorship. You will not get a chance to get back the democracy even if you like.
/
Reggie Silva / April 11, 2020
@ajith you were quite happy with a military govt under VP so don’t complain from Toronto now.
/
Sarath / April 10, 2020
It looks as if there are many pandits around. If they were facing the situation they seem to have better solutions. Aha!! It is so easy to look at lapses in hind sight. Better to face the reality without ‘IFS.’ Note that Sri Lanka is doing much much better than many others which are supported by these pundits. Always there are people looking for ” two bad bricks.” (I quote: Rev. Brahmawanso”
/
Goviya / April 10, 2020
I am living in Katugastota. For the past 10 days I have been trying desperately to buy wheat flour but it is not available anywhere. None of the delivery services seem to stock flour. And so I get scolded by my wife everyday, as though it is my fault. Why can’t the president assign some military personnel to distribute essential items instead of employing them only to keep the people locked down? Though the intention behind this curfew may be well-meant, it is illegal I tell you!
/
Buramphisincho / April 10, 2020
Goviyo@
–
Wheat flour, toilet papers and soap are the 3 common items that are highly in demand in germany these days.
:
President should not do almost everything, but there should be a proper system to flow all these items to the people right at this critical moments of their life.
:
President’s failure not to have done the due at the very beginning created the mess in srilanka today. As an island nation, if they closed down BIA as of begining of March, to the very same manner as NEPAL and VIETNAM did, things would have been much better for you all.
:
Vietnam – a 100 million population but not a single 1 death reported through COVID 19 yet.
:
Nepal – a 29 million -far poor folks, but their leaders have reacted protecting their own people.. not a single PATIENT death is reported yet.
Nepal also had lower temperatures, they should have lot more numbers of the patients…. by now… but thanks god, they dont…
:
All these will open your eyes, now BRUTAL our leaders have been.
They just ignored the DANGER before the people.
What they are doing today should have been doing as of Early MArch:
If done so, GOTA woudl have been the KING of srilanka.
:
But today, he has turned out to be SIRISENA number 2, being caught by his brother duo, who have proved to be the most abusive LEADERs of this country.
:
Moreover that 10% Basil Raja to allow to lead THOSE fund distributions are more or less like NARIYATA kukul kotuwa baara dheema wage.. asking FOX to be the guard of poultry farm or not ?
Only god can help srilanka next few days.
/
Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / April 11, 2020
Why are you keeping quiet when your wife scolds you for something which is not your fault. Why don’t you tell her off by singing “Piti Kottapang Nonay”.
/
Yasalalaka / April 10, 2020
This article is another demonstration of utter hypocrisy. For Suka and those extolling “human rights” in such a dire situation as the Corona virus pandemic, the “rights and privileges” of the elite are more important than human lives. The basic question is whether it is worthwhile to preserve lives at any cost. Unlike the United States, Sri Lanka is making every effort to save lives.
/
Ranjith Gunawaradana / April 10, 2020
We have our own way of combats of Coronavirus by availabilities of local structure and man power by Elected President of Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka.
There is nothing wrong doing by President that unexpected and unprecedented challenge before our nation by Coronavirus.
Virus is global phenomenon been impact very nook and corner of New Globalization….through out the World.
Ongoing virus has no medical or latest founded Treatment by Doctors or Virigilost of all over the world ?
Ours is exceptional case ,which we under GR capable to resist and combat deadly virus has been contain by President appointment Task forces of many Professionals of Doctors ,Civil Servants Security forces and other govt manpowers.
Mode of system all rules of management are transpired and overboard by democratic pattern of governances guided by Constitution rule of law.
Do not talk of that hypocrisy of >militarization> of false of dictatorship is against rule “Democratic governance of Island” by political gossipers of luckie of foreign puppets .
There is not a political involvement by President of Island which that his discharge all duties regardless any motivation of interest of any particular parties or country or persons.
We are in correct path of enrich Democracy by President of Republic.It has well shown results of curtail Coronavirus by successfully to certain extended.
/
Frustrated sinhalaya / April 10, 2020
Ranjith, –
–
yours reminded me of that COMMEDY program being telecasted by German TV channel RTL.
–
How come that be unexpected and unpresidented where as entire world was pre-warned by WHO as of early January about the COVID-19 virus ?
.
And as you know those island nations such as Thaiwan, UK and other countries have managed it well their patient numbers compared to others in their regions.
:
We the island nations have got a natural safety, when we have one entrance into the country, it is even more safer and easier to control.. as is the case with srilanka having only one SINGLE internaitonal airport and colombo harbor.
:
But our ballige puthas failed to realize this at the begining but focused themselves on their 2/3 .. and that brought nation into all uncertainities by today.
–
pLEASE THINK about it. You may be their asskissers, but the destitute of this country should NOT be misled and let them dead just because STUPID Rajakshes are power intoxicated.
:
May all gods be strong enough to punish Rajapksehs for the mess their stupidity and total ignorance created to srilanken today.
/
Stan / April 10, 2020
R.G.
What you have written is OK. I cannot understand Shakespeare’s English either.
/
Abhaya Premawardena / April 11, 2020
it is not a surprise these NGOs are being shunned by everyone. They no longer serve and useful purpose
/
Mokade badu / April 11, 2020
What you have in GR is an uneducated illiterate war criminal who is only interested in protecting his family and relatives and army mates guilty of murder, war crimes and corruption. These scumbags are cowards, who are now churning out political propaganda abusing the coronavirus situation to further strengthen their vote base. Essentially buying votes using govt funds! The racists and corrupt buddhist clergy who are supporting these ratbags will get their just dues from the one above. What goes around comes around and time is the ultimate equaliser that will even the score. There are so many decent honest people who should be running this country but remember garbage attract vermin, flies and maggots.
/
The woeful Knight (Fare to the foe) / April 11, 2020
To be willing to march into
To be willing to march into hell for a heavenly Cause
ස්වර්ගීය හේතුවක් සඳහා නිරයට යාමට කැමැත්තෙන් සිටීම
ஒரு பரலோக காரணத்திற்காக நரகத்திற்குள் செல்ல தயாராக இருக்க வேண்டும்
I just do not understand.
-‘—‘—-‘—-
Few people have always traditionally made their wines at home and kept them.espically for Christmas, now they ate warned and banned, A hotel was raided for serving alcohol for its in-house foreign guests.
All that is okay .but how will it end the Black market mafias freely selling ciggeretes and Alcohol at unthinkable profit of more than 300 to 500 % profits ?
And the thing is they are doing it openly.
/
Jr / April 11, 2020
You have nothing to say about laudable service rendered by Army to the campaign against Covid-19! USA , france Italy and all other countries use military in their drive against coronavirus ! But you who are paid by your slave masters have nothing to say about that! Slaves are slaves! You are enslaved by your Dollar masters! Are you not ashamed?
/
Hela / April 11, 2020
Again we have to tell ITJP to go and f*** themselves. We know who Yasmin Sooka is and her agenda. The agenda behind this selective BS (including those who re-publish/amplify) is not a secret. The presidential task force they talk about comprises of 40 people including Provincial Governors, Ministry Secretaries, Commanders of the Armed Forces, Acting Inspector General of Police, Heads of Departments, Corporations and Authorities, District and Divisional Secretaries and is headed by Basil Rajapakse, a CIVILIAN under the guidance of an ELECTED, CIVILIAN president. Why doesn’t this article publish the names of all 40?
Many countries have called armed forces for action to fight this pandemic. Like in lot of countries, armed forces in Sri Lanka is the best organised public institution to deploy in emergency disaster management. Those who write this BS all know it. If they had their darling civilian yahapalanaya in power today, we would have seen the kind of catastrophe SL would have faced. We have to thank people of SL for their wise decision that saved them. Not Yasmin Sookas or their fellow travellers.
The results of all those efforts by GOSL is the low level of deaths to date and the visible flattening of the curve. Govt and the people of SL are realising positive results of their efforts which is what matters…..the dogs can continue to bark……….
/
Ranjith Gunawaradana / April 11, 2020
Comment by Frustrated Sinhalya is also mean which is that racist politics of Tamil Terrorist of by shape of Tamil chauvinism ?
Whole world has to be realized that Coronavirus which that US President Trump branded as “Chinese” virus also claim of racism of Western version of that “Democracy”! @ by $$$. Or their civilization !
In fact Western World had been patently enjoyed a real and sustained edge over the REST of others world,which most last 500 yeas after beginning of Renaissance after 1453.
The Coronavirus has widen gap between West and Rest of WORLD that every sphere of Lives of Globally. I would like question of that Western civilization of an Edge now gone for ever ?
This is why that >Tamil Homlendres> are worries about their dream of Tamil Homaled in Island will NOT that become reality ? Talking the false of history ,and fabrication of fake stories was pattern of “Tamil homeland” that is pseudo invented by Tamil ethnicity in Globally. They (Tamil) whom lost their an identity in nowhere in world.
In concept of West that > Coronavirus> is shin,birth in pain, life is toil of death is inevitable. By and large Coronavirus been mishandling & mismanaging by present regimes develop Capitalist which ongoing crisis has been reveled of lost of hundred thousand of death toll . While Mass scale of death bodies in USA, UK, Italy, France, Spain, Germany and Swiss their citizens are disappointments state governance of rulers.
The facts of reality by development of crisis two side of historical methodology.
1 Currently global development of Coronavirus had formed strong impression that the people of world were paying insufficient attention to an unprecedented death of USA UK Spain France Italy Swiss and other EU countries.
2 In depth of 2020 Economic recession and depression of USA led Old World Order has come point of heading for worst than 2008 Wall Street Economic recession in globally .
/