By Harsha de Silva –
Dr Harsha de Silva MP
The Black Friday impeachment is another shameful day in the history of our country. The absolute majority in parliament obtained through dubious means has been used once again by this government to deny justice to the chief justice of our country and undermine the independence of the judiciary.
It is not a black day just for the judiciary. It is a black day for every single citizen of this country. In undermining the judiciary and the rule of law, the freedom and liberties that citizens of this country are born with, have been robbed through the tyranny of the parliamentary majority.
A year and a half ago when the administration brought an ad hominem bill to expropriate private property I said that democracy denoted by absolute majority rule was very dangerous and could destroy the liberties of citizens in the absence of safeguards to ensure justice, freedom and property rights. It was unfortunate that the judiciary, at the time, did not see the necessity to block its passage without giving a hearing to those individuals who were going to be victims of that unconstitutional action. The government applauded that decision. However, last month when the judiciary, in its accumulated wisdom, saw it appropriate to rule the Divineguma bill unconstitutional, the government was not willing to accept that verdict. The judiciary had suddenly checked the absolute power of the government. Using among others, a speech I had made six months ago seeking an investigation on her husband relating to a stock market transaction, the government decided to impeach the chief justice and worked backwards to meet its objective come hell or high water. Even though the judiciary determined that the entire process leading up to the impeachment was illegal and thus a nullity, the government using its absolute majority obtained through dubious means, made an address to the president for the removal of the chief justice.
The assumption is that the judiciary would now fall in line with the wishes of the government due to fear of reprisal. While the Black Friday Impeachment is another step towards achieving the objectives of this autocratic government by taking away the freedom and liberties of citizens I have the confidence that the judiciary would have the strength to stand up against the impending juggernaut.
As a member of parliament I am of the firm belief that the legislature has certain powers that it can exercise without the interference of any other institution. However, I am also of the firm belief that the no ruling party must ever use the majority it enjoys in the legislature to undermine the freedom and liberties that citizens of this country are born with. Consequences of the Black Friday Impeachment will certainly be significant and game changing.
Safa / January 13, 2013
The people of this country must stand resolutely behind the judiciary and bar in its fight for the rule of law and a democratic country. The govt is weak, which is why it resorts to violence and thuggery. The sacking of the CJ signals the next stage of the battle between the intellectuals and the hooligans who have hijacked the economy.
Whatever the govt does it cannot avoid the harsh realities of the world. Economies and countries do not flourish in the shadow of tyranny and dictatorship. The chinthana of one man is not solution for a literate and educated society such as Sri Lanka. Our people are qualified and capable of independent thinking and hard work. We do not need a gang of corrupt politicians and bureaucrats spoiling the hard work and reputation of the majority of people in this country.
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Don Stanley / January 13, 2013
Harsha, you need to look inward and question you boss – Ranil aka. JUDAS – who your silly friend Eran thinks is “visionary”! Give me a friggin break! Ranil, the other dictator has partnered with Rajapassa to destroy democracy in Lanka. He should be BOOTED OUT OF THE UNP WITHOUT DELAY.
Ranil’s performance during the impeachment has been noxious – it stems from his absurd claim: that the parliament is supreme, even though it is not so in law or in fact, in form or in substance!
How can a parliament full of uneducated morons, thugs, criminals and knaves be supreme?! Ranil gets his kicks, his dick up if you will, from being the big boss in the parliament and acting like he is a great intellect and authority on the constitution among the morons in the Diya-wenna parliament – the source of his legitimacy given his unpopularity in the UNP. Hence, his desire to present parliament as “supreme” and of course MONEYPOLITICS – the Audi and Merc that his read lipped, white clad, post-feminist wife is chauffered in and the five star luxury in Venice that stem from his position in the Diya-wenna parliament is the reason for the claim that the Parliament is supreme – so Ranil can be supreme!
At this point, I’d go with Vijitha Hearath and the JVP now. The sad thing is that the other folks in the UNP are as bad as Ranil – Karu, Sajith, Dayasiri etc. Opportunists without brains or guts..!
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James Bond / January 14, 2013
Quite right! Harsha, time to give up on your patron, the slimy, CORRUPT, MONEYPOLITICS man Ranil who was holidaying on Rajapaksa’s bribes in Venice with his hypocritical “wife” Maitree Wickramasinghe, while the Constitution was being shredded by the Dictator and Lanka was burning and flooding in December and January 2013!
Harsha, time instead to do some serious economic analysis instead. For instance, please uss POLITICAL ECONOMIC analysis and assess the economic costs of the governance disaster most recently visible in the illegal impeachment of the CJ in the DEBACLE OF ASIA!
What is gonna be the impact of this on the rupee? Is there gonna be another massive devaluation has international investors loose confidence in the country and put a hold on investment or start pulling out?!
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Chanakya / January 14, 2013
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THE UNP MUST CALL FOR THE IMPEACHMENT OF CHAMAL RAJAPKSE and MAHINDA RAJAPKSE and start a campaign to educate the people of the CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS.
Mahinda and Chamal Rajapakse have run a KANGAROO COURT in parliament AND IMPEACHED THE CHIEF JUSTICE. In so doing they have brought great harm and disrepute to the judiciary and legislature and executive office and violated the trust of the sovereign people of Lanka who had elected them for a limited time.
Chamal Rajapakse and Mahinda Rajapakse must be IMPEACHED!
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P.B / January 15, 2013
Thank you sir, you are right. About Ranil feeling big inside the shitty parliament. It is like the one eyed man feeling like he is KING when in the land of the blind. But the question is , is there a UNP? Like you said , all those fellows are greedy gutless opportunists, we are paying them, to give Ranil Wickramasinghe his kicks. Like you correctly said .
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vizzy pooh / January 13, 2013
I agree with Safa that the Judiciary and all its organs must stand resolute and steadfast and have concentrated activism. The legal profession is in an ideal position with sufficient bargaining power to bring the government to its senses, however insensible the government is at the moment. In fact the government is in an inebriated state – drunk on power and thuggery.
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M Y Foote / January 13, 2013
Harsha,
If you ask me, I was like you. I saw in RW a strategist. He bowled me over with his pragmatism. I became a convert despite his indecisiveness. He is no peoples person. I have always thought he should be been a power broker quietly holding the reins and letting a young buck like Sajith run the peoples show.
His biggest flaw is that he refuses to acknowledge his lack of empathy with the common man. He is also surrounded by geriatrics who are better off in a home for the aged.
Knowing you, you will defend your leader to the hilt, but you know very well you are playing in a team that lost the plot long time ago.
Read carefully what the CJ readers have to say about RW. This view point is that of the English speaking Colombo elite, his core vote base. He has lost them too.
You are hopelessly lost Harsha. the UNP under RW is lost. I can only share this emptiness of a person who has lost something dear with you my friend.
I have told you this before but you will not listen!
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P.B / January 15, 2013
Why a young buck like Sajith ? Frying pan in to the fire? What has he done ? Other than give the pervert Ranil a hand.
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Simple Simon / January 13, 2013
I salute S.L.Gunasekera for his meaningful proposal NOT TO RECOGNISE A NEW CJ. THE JUDGES AND BAR MUST STAND TOGETHER AND REJECT A STOOGE WHO WILL BE APPOINTED.
WHEN NOTHING WORKS THEY WILL HAVE TO CLOSE SHOP. I hope there will be men and women of honour who will stand together for decent democratic governance ,punishment if needed after fair trail
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Park / January 13, 2013
Harsha, its shameful that Ranil is still your leader. You should bring a no confidence motion against him for not participating in the debate of impeachment of CJ. Ranil, as per the |President is the one who forced the President to bring the impeachment procedure against the CJ. Ranil should leave UNP, sorry he should be “kicked out”. I strongly urge you, Premadasa and other leaders to bring a no confidence motion and kick Ranil out. Alternatively, you all leave UNP and start a new party with the professionals of the country who are true believers of democracy.
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Lanka Muslim, UK / January 13, 2013
It is the double role played by the leader of the UNP, which is the main party in the opposition, that gives more courage to the Govt. to continue with its destructive methods. If RW is clear and straightforward and the UNP be will constructive give lead to the growing opposition from the appreciable section of the intellegentia the Govt. would have faced more tough oppostion. But the UNP leadership betrayed its role as a true opposition and failed the people. Whatever said and done the role of the JVP should be appreciated. They played courageous and unambiguous role.
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anaperera / January 13, 2013
If this writer at least bother himself to read the comments on his piece: as mentioned already, this country has a reasonably educated population with some understanding of politics. He must ask himself , as a man with a career is there any future in UNP when its leadership treat the common people worse than its proto leadership did ( meaning JRJ etc; opposing universal franchise claiming the populace wasn’t yet ready in 1930s)
without writing all this all this ” i did this 1.5 yrs ago” etc, this writer must ask himself, did his party have any reasonable dialogue among our parilamentary group in relation to what the party membership and voting public think about the impeachment?
why did he have to apologise to leader for going to courts last weeks since this writer diidn’t deny news reports to that effect ?
What is the difference between his party and President’s party in terms of democracy within party members and parliamentary group on this issue ?
and is he also not a hypocrite like the UNP leader when he writes ” I am also of the firm belief that the no ruling party must ever use the majority it enjoys in the legislature to undermine the freedom and liberties that citizens of this country” after his party leadership saying “this current” parliament can assume the judicial role?
It’s one thing to know hon weerawansa hon. dr. senaratne hon. mervin silva saying things which they don’t mean at all.
But when you and your party leadership also say hypocritical things and do hypocritical things, why should people return your party to power? And why your party SG has to dispel doubts in official statements that your party’s wish is to come to power ?
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K.A Sumanasekera / January 13, 2013
This guy is a deadset Moron is.t he?.
He tried to knife our CSE ,when it was picking up after Nanthikadal.
By doing that he dobbed in his new buddy ex CJ’s poor Hubby.
He tried to rubbish our Central Bank, with his Economic Wizadry to allege that the growth is all bullshit because the it was 0,2% less than the Bank figure of 7.8 Percent.
Now he reckon his rich mates, inding his political mates taking Govt propery at bargain basement prices is legit.
But sacking the CJ who has done dodgy deals is illegitimate.
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kautilya / January 14, 2013
Better you keep out of this debate among intelligent people. You are no match.Probably fittingly to WW.
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M Y Foote / January 14, 2013
K A S
Alias Kiss A**** Sumane
We admire your tenacity. You know very well that your point of view is ridiculed and rubbished. Yet you are steadfast in defending the regime. I have a feeling that you are doing this deliberately, to needle us.
I don’t think any man with dignity would put up with what you have to, unless you are doing this tongue in cheek. Or less you must be paid to do this.
But thank you for keeping us entertained. We need the hilarity that a court jester creates
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K.A Sumanasekera / January 13, 2013
Correction , Illegal.
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K A Sumanasekera / January 14, 2013
It’s easy for you to say things. My wife has deserted me saying I am impotent. There is open warrant against me for fraud. Only President took my side.
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M Y Foote / January 14, 2013
You mean “shape karala demmaa”?
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Dr Hemapala Wijewardena / January 13, 2013
The government is facing serious economic problems that are concealed bys the Central Bank Goebels and serious international pressure.Debt repayment to the tune of trillions are unpayable. Over 50,000 graduates who wre promised jobs but kept on “training” and still on “indefinite training,” are to make islandwide protests. Hospitals cannot afford vital drugs.International pressure is mounting against the regime.Problems all over.MR needs control over the judiciary to bring in a regime of repression and oppression in the face of all these serious natioanl problems.
This is the context of the unholy act of illegally removing the CJ.Rather than a sign of strength it is a sure sign of desperation in regime ranks.It is worsening and worsening.
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Wuliangguobinjiu / January 14, 2013
Dr Harsha: Like Jim Reeves and Upali Wijewardena if Ranil and Preme both working for the Meharaka tota (makabavela) vanish and you could convince 15% of the women with the fish and milk tax You ON all the way and there is no turning back. Good luck.
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Anam Manam / January 14, 2013
You wanted her sacked first no?
You think people will believe you now.
You and Ranil can go to hell in a basket.
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Java Jones / January 14, 2013
Harsha, you say that “The Consequences Of The Black Friday Impeachment Will Be Game Changing”. Maybe you’re right, but in which direction??? You haven’t let us know if you think that the ‘game-changer’ is in favor of the President getting virtually absolute power or if it will backfire on him. Let us know please, so that we can assess your prediction.
Also let us know if you think that Ranil W is leading the so-called Opposition in a manner befitting his position, and if not, why you guys don’t boot him out.
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Jayantha / January 14, 2013
Dr.Harsha De Silva,
I know that it’s you who initiated TFC scandal. It’s good what you did. You also demanded that all the others who were part of this scandal to be punished. But it has not happened yet and only Mr.Kariyawasam was punished.
Did you raise this matter up in the parliament to bring other big crooks to the books?
If you could answer this will be great.
Also I should say that UNP head RW is more of a liability to the Party, to the parliament opposition parties and for us the UNP supporters.
His expiry date has passed long time ago.
Also I strongly believe that the administration of Sri Lanka to be handed over to British or USA and close down the Parliament.
All other administrative and current parliament related matters be deligated to Supreme Court.
Sri Lanka will see more Progress,more productive, more efficient, more organised, less corrupt with no more 10% commission, all will be treated equal and country will see a remarkable progress under British and USA administration.
I again state that…. Sinhalaya Modaya ….MARA hora kanna Yodaya.
Give the country back to British or USA to administer.
Finally I say Madam CJ should continue her work according to Constitution and we Citizen’s request.
Remember as Citizens we are the most Supreme ….and we need her to stay. President think he is the big Fuc…er. But we are Better Fuc…ers than that Gon Vassa.
Please tell him we say this to his face. He is no better than a mutt who cannot be even compared to CJ’s slippers. Moda Gon Haraka.
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janaka / January 14, 2013
Better get rid of the explosives and porn in your office Harsha?
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m c spencer / January 14, 2013
Should not the “Concerned Citizens” group from its very name in not calling itself a distinguished and/ or eminent group expand into the many thousands if not hundreds of thousands and become a sort of 5th estate of Democracy; when the 4th estate of the Srilankan is cowed and helpless to play its role as during the time of Iquabal Athass and others like him?
As any fool, idiot or imbecile can vote to elect and have him or herself be represented by another fool, idiot, imbecile or psychopath without any worthy, proper and good or noble qualifications of character, background or learning; it’s high time the educated and discerning intelligentsia and intellectuals, educated the others with all the wrongs that continue to be done that are inimical to the general populaces and try to redirect the course of Srilankan politics that are surely without doubt heading on a suicidal course for the common people outside the ruling elite parasites and the other parasites that live off them ?
Even in Australia there is a group called “Getup” that has about 50 thousand members of which I am one accomplished some things outside of all the political parties as pressure group.
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Jayantha / January 14, 2013
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Don Quixote / January 14, 2013
Have ANY of you posters come up with a Modus Operandi to DO SOMETHING about this ?
Or is it all Ranil’s fault ?
What is game changing about something that doesn’t affect the game at all ? Rajapaksas’ are in full command and everyone else watches on !
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Peace / January 14, 2013
All of you vote for JVP the only principled party
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P.B / January 15, 2013
JVP is good but very small minded. Even in China they have private universities. They oppose any development, as they have no confidence about competition
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carlton / January 14, 2013
As our President we have a man who was once charged with murder. Because our courts were independent although there was a UNP government then the man was acquited by the courts. If he was innocent he would have felt so bitter when charged falsely. This is exactly how the Chief Justice is feeling today. She was removed on some trumped up charges by a parliament which has no conscience.(That may be why the president said atleast he would act on his conscience) The whole world has lost confidence in our system.Our leaders are just parasites existing only because of a culture which is like a roten piece of flesh.We curse this man Rajapakse and what he is doing to the country. But remember what you did to the chief justice will come back to you one day. By the way Rajapakse was not only charged with murder but also with fraud of tsunami funds.He escaped that only because of his buddy the crooked ex-CJ Sarath Silva
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Jayantha / January 15, 2013
Yes Bring MARA family, Parliament and party goons under “Sharia Law”
70% of population live below poverty line……LOWER THAN AFGANISTAN.
60% people live cadjan houses similar to VEDDA (native) COMMUNITY LIVE
50% CHILDREN UNDER MALNUTRITION…..ALL AFTER 60 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE.
1)Supreme Court should take over Parliament Ministers Duty and close down the Parliament.
2)Give the development and administration of the Country either UK, USA or a Japanese Company Executives.
3)Toyota Motor Co. annual turnover is Three times our GDP.
4)Use Parliament (including President) Gon Harak to Plough Land and feed with Grass and Punnakku, and Burn the Parliament for good.
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P.B / January 16, 2013
Dear Mr Harsha De Silva. Do you think we have , Sadam Husain and his family reincarnated here and our very own Tarique Aziz in the form of an opposition leader? So tell me one good reason , to vote for this nincompoop of an opposition leader?
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Jayantha / January 16, 2013
Dr.Harsha.
We are UNP’rs by our Generations and still stay same.
But due to some Mysteries happening in the party…..we are very much confused as to the direction where it goes.
MARA could never have acted like this UNLESS RANIL ALLOWED HIM TO DO SO.
Did you see how many innocent CJ supporters were hit and humiliated by MARA HAMBANTOTA KELAWADDA THUGS.
Who allowed Gon Harak MARA to com to Colombo pad Intimidate Colombo educated, respectable and honest people…….
Now we here that it was Ranil who instigated this CJ impeachment hearing to trap MARA. IS IT TRUE……..
That means Ranil used CJ and Her Husband as a bait to trap MARA…..making both of them humiliated and unemployed……….simply because Ranil cannot win real elections……..
Please answer to above and below what I have written.
We need your answers……Please
Please read the following and get back to me. We are serious and DO NOT PLAY PANDU WITH POLITICS.
CJ Dr.Shiranee Bandaranayake could not have impeached by MARA, if UNP would have stand strong.
Mr. Attanayake, you and your boss RW have hijacked UNP party. You talk only after lettihg the wolf to eat the chicken. Why you and Ranil did not attend CJ appeal’s court hearing, and also did not allow UNP 2 PSC’s to attend it. While Ranil did not allow Sajith to speak for CJ in parliament debate…..now RW plan to take action against him for taking TNA time. What a hyypocrit.
What Ranil said about parliament is Supreme when it has the most corrupt crooks, Murderers, thugs, rapists and Kappan karayas representing people in Sri Lanka.. Who is Anura Bandaranayake….the 10th grade drop out to analyse Constitution.
You are good at giving talk shows in AC rooms while RW tours abroad with 87 million Parliament Pin Padi. If RW likes to Tour abroad without serving people, why he not talk to his friend MARA and ask for a Diplomatic Posting. It’s better to be honest and do what he like most than deceiving both UNP supporters and deceiving his own self.
How come RW got 4500 votes against his rival’s 500 during last UNP party head vote count. It still baffle all of us UNPers about this mystry high vote for RW.
I did not see either you or Ranil participating or giving any releaf parcels to Flood victims., while all other senior UNP’s did so.
Don’t play double game….get back to business and start meeting people in the villages and help them to survive like what JVP do.
Boycott Parliament….no point going to parliament when there is no constitution and since MR is a dictator. Anymore discussions with MARA won’t help…..other than MARA highjack all of you.
Plan to chase him by goingt to villages and by meeting people. Only mud slinging against MARA won’t help…..but only a part of the strategy.
Today CB Ajith Nevad Cabrall tell that Sri Lanka Per capital Income is heading towards 4000 US Dollars…..and economy has improved Double, Treble and Fourble…….THIS IS A TOTAL LIE BY CB GOVENOR.
CAN YOU TISSA, OR RANIL OR ANYBODY GO TO VILLAGE AND TALK TO PEOPLE AND TAKE SOME VIDEO CLIPS AND PUT THEM TO INTERNET TO PROVE THAT CB GOVERNOR IS LYING….. I still see some 40% to 50% people still live LIKE VEDDA COMMUNITY WITH TIN AND COCONUT LEAF ROOFS AFTER 60 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE.
BASIL PLANS TO RECRUIT 100,000 (One hundred Thousand ) Party members as Administratives alone…..leave alone the poor real Benefictors of the Divineguma project. The payroll for administratives alone cost Half of the 85 Billion Rupee Budget…….Where is the rest of the money left after BASIL GETS HIS 10% to 50% Commission……..
These has to be addressed to people, country and International community.
Good Luck.
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Jayantha / January 16, 2013
Readers:
Please watch the following Derana Video interview with Bar.Association President Wijedasa Rajapakse tell How MARA along with ex.CJ Sarath N. Silva made Golden Key Collapse by restricting Hon.Lalith Kotalawela to sell Golden Key assetts to settle his 10,000 odd customers.
http://www.derana.lk/index.php?route=programs/programs/programdetails&pid=85&vid=6192&page=1
I told long ago How MARA made Golden Key to Collapse …..and subsequently wanted to buy those assets.
MARA is nothing but a BIG NOTORIOUS HAMBANTOTA CRO…K…….A WORST EVER ROB….R IN SRI LANKA’S HISTORY.
IT’S TIME TO IMPEACH BOTH PRESIDENT MAHINDA RAJAPAKSE AND EX.CJ SARATH N. SILVA ON GK FRAUD.
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Mahela / January 16, 2013
Supreme court should check all Bank statements(Both Local and Foreign) and other Assets pertaining to DEPUTY CJ Mr.MOHAN PIERIS as there may be some questionable dealings and transactions.
IT’S TIME TO DIG DIRT.
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