19 March, 2024

Blog

The Dangerous Distortion Of The Aragalaya

By Dayan Jayatilleka

Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka

Before the Aragalaya and even before Mirihana or the candlelight vigils on the sidewalks, there was the peasant unrest. The peasantry got it right, when it said “never since 1948 has there been a leader like Gotabaya who devastated us like this”. Some said it had happened earlier under the British, others demurred, saying not even under the British.

The candle-light vigils, the Mirihana demonstration and the Aragalaya all got it right: Gota Go Home, because he was the one responsible for the catastrophe and he was the very worst we had ever experienced. His was a freak presidency.

The Gota Go Home/Gota Gotta Go slogan corresponded perfectly to Mao Zedong’s definition of the correct line or what he called ‘the mass line’; ‘from the masses, to the masses”; the cognitive cycle from the perceptual knowledge of the masses to the conceptual knowledge of the revolutionary intellectuals and reinserted in its refined version, into the mass consciousness.

This was working fine, as manifested in the spectacular demonstrations in the Sri Lankan Diaspora.

Where are those now? What has happened is the struggle has shifted, been diverted, cluttered, adulterated, confused.

How can anyone square ‘Gota Go Home’ with ‘down with all 225’, ‘shift power out of the Diyawanna parliament’, ‘overthrow the system’ etc., which, if at all, should come ONLY AFTER the ouster of Gota? Fidel Castro and Che Guevara said none of this while fighting to oust Batista. The Iranian mass movement that ousted the Shah never raised these divisive issues during the successful struggle; they only came up later. The Filipino movement which ranged from the Catholic church, and the Liberal to the Maoist CPP-NPA-NDF, never raised these slogans within the mass struggle to get rid of Marcos.

How on earth can one say, as the peasants rightly do, that no one has ever been as bad for agriculture and food security as Gotabaya, and also say that this has been going on for 74 years?

How can one logically say that the 20th amendment created an autocracy and then say that things have been lousy for 74 years?

How can one rightly assert that the economy has never been worse and then say that the years in which Ceylon/Sri Lanka was a model of welfare, as well as those decades in which we had a high growth rate—including an average of 5% during wartime—all belong to 74 years of doom and gloom?

How can a rational mind accept that the truth that Gotabaya’s 20th amendment makes for an autocracy, and then jump from that to the conclusion that one should abolish the entire executive presidency rather than surgically remove the 20th amendment—and in the case of the FSP-IUSF, abolish parliament as well?

How can one justly accuse Gotabaya of having usurped all power through the 20th amendment, thereby creating a powerless Parliament and Prime Minister, and then go on to lynch Parliamentarians for not changing the situation? How can one justly target an autocratic president and his oligarchic clan as concentrating power and wealth in their hands, and also attack the parliament and parliamentarians?

These divisive slogans were imported into the original struggle firstly and mainly by the JVP-NPP and later, with more Tabasco by the FSP-IUSF, or should I say, IUSF-FSP.

Then there is the question of violence and the character of that violence. The idea that it is somehow justifiable to lynch supporters of the government or even its opponents like Kumar Welgama, because Mahinda Rajapaksa’s thugs attacked demonstrators on Galle Face Green is bullshit.

Liberal Party leader Benigno (“Ninoy”) Aquino was assassinated, shot in the back of the head, as he was getting off the plane in Manila, having flown in from the USA to lead the anti-Marcos struggle. Where was the rioting and lynching of Marcos supporters in the subsequent struggle? The massive, inclusionary demonstrations led by widow Cory Aquino (who later became president) and powered by the university student movement, especially of the University of Manila, was determined, militant, massive but non-violent. If there had been even the slightest lethal violence would the military have been neutralized and Defence Minister Juan Ponce Enrile broken ranks, thereby ending the rule of Marcos, forcing him to fly into exile?

Don’t excuse the lethal mob violence by reference to harsh economic conditions or the privileges of MPs. There has been considerably militant, even violent street agitation, in recent years in Latin America, against the terrible economic hardships created by the neoliberal model and its crisis. There was shooting, even lethal shooting, by the State. Examples range from Chile to the town of Medellin in Colombia. Chile has elected a leftwing president while a left populist is front-runner in Colombia’s election. Where was the mob violence against parliamentarians and the lynching to death of any of them throughout Latin America?

The stuffing of slogans and the justification of violence has blurred, even distorted the profile of the Aragalaya and caused cognitive dissonance among its impressively broad support movement and mobilization in the diaspora.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Latest comments

  • 17
    14

    “The Gota Go Home/Gota Gotta Go slogan corresponded perfectly to Mao Zedong’s definition of the correct line or what he called ‘the mass line’; ‘from the masses, to the masses”; the cognitive cycle from the perceptual knowledge of the masses to the conceptual knowledge of the revolutionary intellectuals and reinserted in its refined version, into the mass consciousness.”
    I see Sajith and his advisor speak the same language. Gobbledygook.

    • 20
      14

      “Then there is the question of violence and the character of that violence. The idea that it is somehow justifiable to lynch supporters of the government or even its opponents like Kumar Welgama, because Mahinda Rajapaksa’s thugs attacked demonstrators on Galle Face Green is bullshit.”
      The above, I agree is not Gobbledygook. It isn’t only those who attacked the Aragalaya that had their properties burnt. Even UNP politicians were attacked. There is a third party who took cover behind the Aragalaya to engage in organized violence.

      • 11
        8

        old codger

        Good that Dayan didn’t visit GotaGoGama.
        I am not sure who would spit in his face.
        It would have been much painful experience for Dayan.
        Did you listen to Shanakiyan Ragul Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam’s speech in the parliament?

        Whats the matter with Ranil.
        Has he completely gone nuts?
        Is he that desperate to lead the same old failed cabinet which is picked by failed president Gota?

        Could not he give it a fresh start at least with new faces?
        It appears it is beyond redemption.

        If you see nimal fernando please make sure he is disarmed.

      • 12
        8

        OC
        This is not the first time that Mahindas goons have attacked in this mode. We have seen this in the past in Aluthgama, Beruwela, Digana, etc.
        The difference here is that there was a spontaneous counter-attack to defend those who were being attacked at Gota Go Gama, and there was a massive all-out attack on some selected people’s property (It could well have been the JVP, I don’t care, it was a necessary evil).
        Now, nobody can say for sure who carried out the arson attacks, but in my opinion, it must have sent a vital message to those who have been playing this goon attack game to never try it again.
        This incident has unearthed the skewed justice system. People are beginning to realize that the entire system has been rigged against us from the very beginning.
        The aragalaya will change gears soon, and the people are going to convince the army to fight alongside them, instead of the elite.
        That will be the turning point. I hope by then the masses would have learned all the lessons necessary to build a sustainable, united, and prosperous country that everyone can call home.

        • 6
          9

          HT,
          “Now, nobody can say for sure who carried out the arson attacks, but in my opinion, it must have sent a vital message to those who have been playing this goon attack game to never try it again.”
          That’s true if only those connected with the goons were attacked., like Johnston, the Rajapakses, and their acolytes. But why were Kumar Welgama and some UNP politicians also attacked?

        • 1
          1

          HT and OC,
          .
          I would have been happier, if NAMAL BABY or CHICHI were treated to the manner Mahinda Kahandagama went through on the 9th.
          Next time, for sure, that could be in a few weeks now – all these men would have to face it.
          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiVmaIVv2GU

      • 4
        10

        DJ : The Aragalaya should have been at INDEPENDENCE SQUARE where all protests in Sri Lanka have been HISTORICALLY if it was Genuine!
        Araglaya was always a puppet show whose string a pulled by external actors, a sinkhole of wasted energy at this point– like the violence staged on the same day as the IMF talks about Sri Lanka’s US based ISB Debt trap on May 9 , like the staged US dollar and fuel shortages due to cyber and other forms of hacking of supply chains. ALL sides are gamed at this time!

        • 4
          4

          The fuel shortages and regime change operations to install RW have reached a peak with the IMF talks – May 9-24. This is NOT an accident but carefully planned – a FULL SPECTRUM DOMINANCE Operation. All sides are gamed – everyone Distracted and divided.
          Aragalaya is to divide and distract from Washington’s and Delhi’s plan to asset strip Lanka using the IMF bailout negotiations as a front and turn Lanka into a US QUAD military Base!
          This is why Sri Lankan Airlines, Katunanyake and Ratmalana airports, Trinco and Colombo ports terminals, telecom frequencies, Railway lands and the entire coastal lands are to sold off grabbed by foreign entities with Washington’s Economic Hit man RW and Harin Fernando as US Minster of Land and Tourism! The Third World War has started in the Indian Ocean and Sri Lanka like Ukraine is an American Proxy War site!

      • 8
        9

        I am not going to say what Tamils have faced through out life. Or ask how many days the parliament have discussed the injustice.

        We have had four days after the incident in parliament and they have only spoken of what they lost and the one parliamentarian who lost his life but no one have spoken about the Tamil parliamentarians whom they collectively killed.

      • 12
        7

        “The Gota Go Home/Gota Gotta Go slogan corresponded perfectly to Mao Zedong’s definition of the correct line or what he called ‘the mass line’; ‘from the masses, to the masses”; the cognitive cycle from the perceptual knowledge of the masses to the conceptual knowledge of the revolutionary intellectuals and reinserted in its refined version, into the mass consciousness.”

        Dayan,

        You are sounding like Professor Cuthbert Calculus ( Professeur Tryphon Tournesol) ……… inhabiting and walking around in your own universe ………. everyone knows you are there but no one pays much attention ………

        Revolutions will come and go, you’ll be still walking around with your pendulum looking for something ……….. without the foggiest idea what you want to find ………..

    • 8
      0

      This is neo-Maoism for you, OC.
      Like all neo “isms” it is a parody of the original.

    • 3
      10

      old codger

      “I see Sajith ………………….. Gobbledygook.”

      Thanks

  • 11
    2

    The Galle Face protests were supposed to be apolitical. They were supposed to have been born from the frustration of people of all classes, races and religions. Nurses, Priests, Monks, Lawyers, Nuns etc were all seen in the crowds. Sajith Premadasa tried to attend and was chased away. Other politicians didn’t dare set foot on the Green.
    .
    But now we find FSP banners and protesters in red FSP and JVP shirts and caps. The JVP have admitted that their Youth and Women’s wings were involved in the Struggle. No wonder the protest is so well organised. First Aid posts, litter bins, a library, a theatre…all this from a nation whose people cannot bother to keep their own streets clean? Some party must have usurped the people’s frustration and be running the show, and that party is the JVP/FSP.
    .
    It seems to me that the demand for all 225 MPs to quit is coming from the Communists who see a General Election as an opportunity to seize power. No wonder then that China is lukewarm on restructuring debts, they are waiting to see which way the cookie crumbles.

    • 11
      0

      “The Galle Face protests were supposed to be apolitical.”
      Paul, nothing in society is apolitical. Anything claiming to be apolitical is more political than things that are overtly political.
      The FSP and JVP are there because the Aragalaya was reluctant to transcend the GGH slogan.
      Why do not others enter the fray with their respective political positions on the problems facing the country?

    • 2
      3

      Paul

      There is no politics if we do not see any red book.

      FSP’s front a grassroots organisation is somewhat involved in the protest from the start I am told.

      Some people are sitting on the fence, win or lose, take side once the result is out.

  • 7
    0

    DJ,

    You are comparing the intellectual protest, Aragalaya, to the masses of Lankans who are actually starving.

    These masses of starving Lankans are the ones who burned up the houses of rich parliamentarians who are sitting amongst poverty. Happened during the French, Russia, and Vietnamese revolutions…….natural human psychological reaction to survival.

    As per Aragalaya talking about the 74 odd years and the 225 members of parliament : Yes, they are Wrong.

    They should be talking about the time since Jayawardena, and of the 113 of the SLPP. They should be upholding the JVP-NPP and SJB (although if they do that, they will be accused of being run by political parties, although JVP-NPP & SJB are the broad spectrum parties).

    • 12
      12

      Ramona Fernando,

      “These masses of starving Lankans are the ones who burned up the houses of rich parliamentarians who are sitting amongst poverty. “

      Were these people actually starving? Most of them looked well-fed. People who are “starving” are generally quite lean and tend to conserve their energy. They don’t have the energy to sing choruses of “Gota-Go-Home” for hours in the blazing son. I understand the frustration of these people to some extent – power cuts, high prices. Most of it is not due to Gotha, but to COVID-19. These people should be protesting against China and demanding reparations. If the tourism sector were alive, the government would have forex reserves to import food.

      • 7
        1

        They have just started starving Lester, and are terrified of what the future holds for themselves and their children after all their hard work, especially in the lobour camps of the Middle-East.

        Other places with tourism as main subject are not in Sri Lanka’s position, like Vietnam.

        • 12
          8

          Ramona Fernando,

          This is how starving people look: https://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/78/590x/secondary/North-Korea-3048557.jpg?r=1620835379429

          You can see, they are very thin and short. Most have red faces as they labor long hours in the fields doing agricultural work with their hands and (if they are lucky) oxen.

          And here is the “Aragalaya” for comparison:

          https://foreignpolicy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/sri-lanka-economic-crisis-gas-energy-GettyImages-1239541864.jpg

          Can you spot the pot bellies? Fellow on the left looks like a bodybuilder.

          I am not saying the protests don’t have merit. But starvation is a completely different issue. People in big cities don’t generally starve. This is a political protest. People are not starving. If they were starving, the protests would be much more violent and the Army would probably not be on the governments side. Don’t be fooled by the media spin.

          • 5
            0

            Lester,

            What part of “They have just started starving,” don’t you understand? They will look like N. Koreans in 10 years time.

            • 13
              7

              Ramona Fernando,

              Sri Lankans have never starved. Quite the opposite. “According to the proposed World Health Organization cut-off values for Asians, the percentage of Sri Lankan adults in the overweight, obese and centrally obese categories were 25.2%, 9.2% and 26.2%, respectively. ” So 34% of the population is either overweight or obese. Sri Lankans are eating better than Westerners. Even at these protests, there were venues for passing out unhealthy foods and snacks. The real issue is energy. Oil prices will remain elevated as long as the Russia Ukraine war continues. Sri Lanka needs to increase the pace of investment in alternative energy.

              • 7
                12

                Lester,
                Lying again to cover your Rajapaksa godfathers?
                There may not be absolute starvation at the moment, but there definitely is malnutrition.
                https://bmcgeriatr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12877-018-0892-2
                I am sure you’ll come up with some fake graphs. BTW, I’m still waiting for the dozens of links you promised about the links between fertilizer and CKD. Liar!

                • 5
                  1

                  OC,
                  Lester would never be able to provide us with those links he promised about CKD.
                  :
                  I think the men below would be a better match to Lester the painful clown on CT.
                  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiVmaIVv2GU

                  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNfwgqouFEU

                  Disanayaka diehard BASIL supporter has much in common with LESTER

                  I am not a fan of vandalism, but these people deserve what they faced on the 9th May.
                  Wimalweera Disanayaka is unique, but was caught by MAHINDA BALLIGEPUTHA CHINTHANAYA.

                  • 4
                    12

                    LM,
                    Lester makes up his “facts” in his head, but looks for links later.I pity his parents for wasting money on his “education “.

                    • 3
                      3

                      old codger

                      “Lester makes up his “facts” in his head, but looks for links later.”

                      ramona grandma therese fernando used exactly the same Technic some months ago, now she seems bit matured. A welcome change.

              • 4
                1

                Lester,

                They started starving since 2020. If they do eat, it is unhealthy cheap foods to stave off the hunger.

                • 10
                  3

                  Ramona Fernando,

                  You are confusing food inflation with starvation. These are two separate issues. My argument is that as long as food is available in Sri Lanka, regardless of price, people will not starve. See the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bw-yHWHsODk&t=60s.
                  Plenty of food available. You need a drought/famine (Ethiopia) or economic sanctions (North Korea) to cause real starvation. The climate and politics in Sri Lanka support neither.

                  • 4
                    3

                    Lester,
                    Are you for real? The video shows people waiting in queues for everything, at 4 times the price. Is that what you call “plenty” ?Idiot.

        • 8
          11

          Ramona,
          “Other places with tourism as main subject are not in Sri Lanka’s position, like Vietnam”
          Or Maldives. Maldives doesn’t grow its food, so it wasn’t vulnerable to an ignorant jackass banning fertilizer.

          • 0
            0

            OC,…..yeah, they eat fish.

          • 5
            1

            OC, even if prima facie evidence would be the case, Lester or the like would never want to see it as it is. This is their psychology. These men would not know about rainbow but would go on saying if it reflects on the steeples of WEHERAs or Dagabasa as ” BUDURAS”. … radiations being emitted by Lord buddha…
            .
            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLdqwItKHC8

            These people would not say to COWDUNG, if it would be packeted and be given as a medication….
            .
            School physics would have been useful … Educationalists over to you…. please educate the vulnerable…
            My granny repeated, ” dog s tail would not be straightened even if you would put it in a bamboo sheath”. That fits “passt die Faust auf das Auge”- perfect match with L-E-S-T-E-R the diehard clown of Rajapakshe family.

        • 11
          8

          Ramona Fernando,

          Vietnam is not at at all dependent on tourism. Look at their GDP. 24% electronics, 15% food processing, 39% construction, and 8.1% mining. Sri Lanka’s GDP is at least 30% dependent on tourism. Maldives is in the same situation as Sri Lanka. They borrowed heavily from China for infrastructure: “China debt-trapped Maldives during the presidency of Abdulla Yameen (2013-18) in whose tenure Xi made an official visit to the atoll nation in 2014 to formalize Maldives joining the BRI. During this period, the Maldives borrowed heavily from China to fund infrastructure projects.
          According to previous estimates, the Maldives debt to China then stood at $3.4 billion, raising concerns over its ability to pay back. However, Solih, who replaced Yameen in 2019, pursued closer ties with India, much to the consternation of Beijing.”

          • 5
            12

            Lester the liar,
            “Maldives is in the same situation as Sri Lanka.”
            It most certainly isn’t. It may be in debt, but there are no fuel queues, gas queues, or any other queues.The MVR is only 15 to the USD.
            At least make your lies plausible.

            • 3
              0

              Oc/
              telling lies again and again for defending the bums of Rajapakshe is written in Lester s genome. He would never see it right even if Rajapakshes would be hung by their balls tomorrow. CHICHI baby is reported to be running a car sale business on 5000 millions. Lester or the like would voluntarily go on prayers for them in every corner of the churches in UK. The bond between slaves and Medamulana criminals would stay as it is for few more years. 🐃😎🐃😎🐃😎🐃😎🐃

              • 12
                3

                Leela,

                Did you check Svenson’s link? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi1HD8fYOZk

                It is a “Gota-Go-Home” protest. As soon as the Tamil protestors show up, it turns into a pro-Sri Lanka protest. See how soon our buggers will support MaRa. That fellow tearing up the “genocide” leaflet, he tells the protestor to GO HOME. Hahaha.

                • 4
                  3

                  Lester

                  “It is a “Gota-Go-Home” protest”-

                  What is the “Gota-Go-Home” protest is about?
                  Why does the protest want the entire Rajapaksa clan to go home?
                  “Gota-Go-Home” protest started only two months ago however the Genocide protest has been there for many decades.
                  Watch the clip again and again and again …… you will still find it difficult to grasp the message.

                  Did he find it stimulating when he torn off the leaflet in front of many female protesters? What did it prove? To some the unity that they forge with others still remain fake. Therefore people will have tough time defeating the clan.

                  Perhaps that is the reason why nimal fernando is always seen/armed with AK 47, AK-74,…. Desert Tech MDR, Bazooka …. field gun, old sten gun, Parker VH, Winchester, Grenade, SAM 7, …….. (I am dropping names) .

                  Every time you upset him you are guaranteed a visit by nimal. Hope you don’t indulge in such luxuries.

              • 3
                0

                As we all know Rajapakshes were brought by biased media networks. Blatant lies became the public perception. That was a long project.
                .
                For fair press, they should finally introduce code of ethics for the main media institutions.
                .
                https://www.presserat.de/en.html

          • 5
            0

            Lester

            From Forbes, these are the top 10 countries dependent on tourism. None of them are in Sri Lanka current shoes :

            Bangladesh – 9 jobs per tourist (944 per 100)
            India – 2 jobs per tourist (172 per 100)
            Pakistan – 2 jobs per tourist (154 per 100)
            Venezuela – 1 job per tourist (101 per 100)
            Ethiopia – 1 job per tourist (99 per 100)
            Madagascar – 1 job per tourist (93 per 100)
            Philippines – 1 job per tourist (83 per 100)
            Guinea – 1 job per tourist (77 per 100)
            Libya – 1 job per tourist (68 per 100)
            Nigeria – 1 job per tourist (66 per 100)

            https://www.forbes.com/sites/duncanmadden/2020/04/02/ranked-the-10-countries-most-dependent-on-tourism/?sh=12b23e675939

            https://globaledge.msu.edu/countries/maldives/economy – Maldive

            https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/world/story/sri-lanka-tourism-industry-impacted-on-rising-fuel-prices-power-cuts-328801-2022-04-06 – Sri Lanka

            • 11
              4

              Ramona Fernando,

              Sri Lanka is much better off than all those places you listed, including most of India. Do you know that Modi’s campaign pledge was to build more toilets? Pakistan just defaulted on their debt, Saudi Arabia had to bail them out. Venezuela had several years of something called “hyperinflation”, where the currency is essentially worthless. Bangladesh has a higher GDP, but Sri Lanka has a higher per capita GDP. Some of those African countries you mentioned are on the list of “20 poorest countries in the world.”

              Sri Lanka is a secular state and that is because of Buddhism. Religious theocracies, with a few exceptions, have a lower standard of living. India is the best example, it claims to be secular, but the level of development is far less than China. The caste system has prevented that country from reaching its full potential. The primary issue in Sri Lanka is corruption, meaning development is fairly easy. JR was on the right track, before Tiger terrorism forced him to backtrack.

              • 2
                4

                Lester,
                Don’t change the subject. You lied that Maldives is in the same situation as SL.
                Whether or not India has no toilets, Tamil-nadu is sending food aid here. What is worse, having no food or having no toilets?

            • 5
              12

              Ramona
              Lester always runs away if real facts are presented. Such a coward.
              Here is another list of the top tourism dependent countries, in which Maldives figures, but not Sri Lanka.

              https://www.statista.com/statistics/1100368/countries-highest-gdp-travel-tourism/

          • 4
            3

            Lester the Jester

            “Look at their GDP. 24% electronics”

            We too had great prospect to introduce manufacturing consumer electronics in the early 1970. One of your great first ever female prime minister cocked it up big way hoping to transform this island into a self sufficient, import substituting, …. paradise, instead ended in …….. creating permanent conflict which has no chance of resolving within the next 100 or so years, the 1972 constitution, ….

            The problem started in 1948 with the …. loyal adherence to uphold the public racist Anagarika Homeless Dharmapala’s new identity “SINHALA BUDDHIST”.

            Please explain to us “What is the idea of Sri Lanka”?


            Champika, Wimal, Udaya, Kamala, Sarath Weerasekere, Chana Jeyasumana, ………. …and all other fellow practicing racists should renounce their mundane life and follow Sarath’s brother Ananda Weerasekera into Monk-hood, before being charged with various crimes.

            Your statistics won’t help the island.
            Go celebrate Sinhala/Buddhism, Go celebrate crfooks and war criminals, Go beg

            Now even Tamil Nadu is feeding you.

    • 12
      12

      ramona

      There are only a few MPs participating in parliamentary debates. Among them only Shanakiya Rasamanickam and M A Sumanthiran are trilingual and technically very effective.

      First we should find a way to stop 74 years of self destruction then discover the meaning of “idea of Sri Lanka”, how best to build it, finally start building it. To begin with forget all the stupid notion of Sinhala/Buddhist, Sinhala/Buddhism, ….. etc. Make the island into a secular state, respecting unity in diversity, democratic, ……………

      Tell us what should we do with crooks, bandits, thugs, surplus saffron clad …. politicians, …… , export them to China?

      • 6
        1

        Agree! As per the crooks, bandits, thugs, surplus saffron clad …. politicians,…..we must do what the French and Russian revolution did! Pol Pot is ok too.

        • 4
          12

          A rare occasion ……. Ramona, Native, Old Codger all agreeing …….. and not calling one another names!

          Time to go out and celebrate! …….. Open the ol’ bubbly!

          • 2
            10

            If Sinhala_Man joins the party ……… the circle will be complete! :))

            • 5
              12

              Nimal,
              If a few more idiots like Lester show up, everybody else will be united.

              • 5
                1

                Old Codger,

                Very interesting that you shined boots for the STF. One of my relations was a high-ranker in the SLA (later a high commissioner). Hopefully you did a good job.

                • 4
                  5

                  Lester,
                  “ONE OF MY RELATIONS WAS A HIGH-RANKER IN THE SLA (LATER A HIGH COMMISSIONER)”
                  Certainly, imagine not the one who got lost in Unknown, Hostile and Unwanted territory in South America and had to call assistance from the Host Country to get him to safety??!!
                  HOPE NOT!!!
                  NOT YOUR RELATIVE I BELIEVE, THANKFULLY FOR YOUR SAKE!
                  How could “One continue to LIE for the benefit of one’s country, after that blemish”?
                  That was indeed a Jester in the proper Boots to selflessly serve Lanka with all his might!!
                  He must have thought they are like the Lankan variety LTTE, but turned out to be more POTENT!!
                  Who ever thought there would be a more potent Sri Lankan??!!

                  • 5
                    3

                    Mahila,
                    thanks for coming back. This Lester is an organised group of Rajapakshe backlickers that would do anything and everything painting the picture of them. I wonder how these bps would stay that indifferent this way.

                    Today, looking at that dog Johnsten entering to CID, I thought why and how on earth the man was escaped by the vandalists lately. He deserves to be hung in GALLE face green to the manner, how his speech made at MYANAGAMA on that morning, provoked those stupid gathering.

                  • 5
                    3

                    Mahila,

                    Yes, he was directly responsible for the demise of thousands of terrorists. There is even an article on CT where terror supporters are whining about “war crimes” attributed to him. My family served the country well. What what yours, how was the refugee boat ride? Did the LTTE chapos take 10%?

                    • 1
                      1

                      L
                      “Yes, he was directly responsible for the demise of thousands of terrorists.”
                      That stuff comes straight out of Indian movies, especially Tamil and Hindi.
                      *
                      BTW, how did he do it?
                      *
                      Did the LTTE chapos take 10%?
                      They are capable and may have taken, but you should know who really takes such cuts in this country.

                    • 2
                      3

                      Wow.
                      .
                      “My family served the country well”.
                      .
                      For sure to the manner y ve been upto yet today, by supporting the breeding of criminals.
                      .
                      Beware of our Aragalaya youth when visiting the country next/ we ll bring u to Baira lake from BIA.
                      .
                      Get well soon!😎😎😎😎😎😎😎

                    • 0
                      4

                      Lester,
                      So, is Maldives still having petrol queues?
                      Liar, change the subject when you get caught.

                • 8
                  4

                  Lester,
                  “One of my relations was a high-ranker in the SLA (later a high commissioner).”
                  That neatly explains the lack of intelligence in you and your family.

                  • 4
                    3

                    Old Codger,

                    Yet you were cleaning their shoes. By the way, did you ever come into contact with a certain “Balagalle?” A friend of mine. He killed many terrorists (EPass 1 & 2). I could ask him to loan you a generator for the hopper hut.

                    • 0
                      4

                      Lester,
                      “Yet you were cleaning their shoes”
                      Isn’t that more honest than polishing Rajapaksa backsides for a fee?
                      Upvoting yourself? How insecure can you be?

                    • 0
                      3

                      Lester,
                      What does it matter who your friends are, when you’re a zero trying to be a second- hand hero? Can’t answer a logical argument, but claim to be a “Thomian”.🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

                • 5
                  1

                  Shameless bugger lester would do any low work for medamulana rascals. That pavement man Mahinda kahabdagama should be closely related to Lester.. 🐃😎🐃😎🐃😎🐃😎🐃😎

                  • 4
                    3

                    Poor Leela, another low IQ barking in Germany on behalf of her boss CBK.CBK is a big zero now. But some terror supporters want to go after her for “war crimes.” Mr. Leela, will you have a special dana when your hero is tried at the Hague?

                    Try President Chandrika Kumaratunga For War Crimes,
                    says V.Thangavelu, Canada, 26 July 2000

                    The human rights record of Sri Lanka under President Chandrika Kumaratunga is increasingly coming under international scrutiny. Criticism against President and her government is now swelling in frequency and tempo. Richard Howitt and Robert Evans, two MEPs who visited Sri Lanka recently, without mincing words accused the Sri Lankan government “of not doing enough to protect civilians caught up in the war against Tamil Tiger rebels and is covering up their suffering.” They compared the plight of the displaced Tamil people in and around the conflict zone with those of Sierra Leone and Chechnya.

                    • 1
                      3

                      Lester the clown .
                      .
                      I repeat I don’t support any politicians in sl/ but if u have a brain the size of a mustard seed/ my fight all along is against Rajapakshes as high criminals/ the size of harm they deliberately made to this nation is multiple times than that of Prraba/ wijeweera and all other politicians produced by motherland/ go to Aragalaya liabrary /youth and get u educated/ tomorrow ll be too late/
                      Ur kind of back pleasing cant help us get forward/ learn it from Ethiopians/ or if ur faculties are fully impaired as nothing would help better shut up/ leaving the world in peace😶😎🐕🐕🐕

  • 7
    5

    My enthusiasm for the Aragalaya waned with the realisation that the violence at GallFace was answered with equal violence. An overpowering feeling of shame took over, as I watched a video showing the attackers being stripped of their clothes and being pushed into the Beire Lake and a woman in a saree being pushed into the filthy water followed by abusive language. Then the evening news showed the torching of houses and property. News coming in and the ongoing investigations seem to indicate a link.
    Hence the question: What is the ethos, the understanding, the belief on which the unity and brotherhood of the youth in fighting against corruption, injustice and the murder of the innocent, was based on??? If the Aragalaya stemmed out of a holy, compassionate stand for the people; how come violence was answered with more violence and even more human degradation?
    AND so the cycle continues as we see the comeback of those who fled????

    • 0
      4

      One should discern and differentiate the,
      (1) Cause??
      then
      (2) Effect???
      the effect would not be realised, without the Cause???!!!

  • 2
    2

    Don’t worry. “Aragalaya” has “INFILTRATED” into the “CABINET” of “GOTA/RANIL”.

    • 2
      1

      Simon/
      .
      What do ur Kadamandiya people say today ? I understand ur deeper frustration but u and I know how the majority of our people are. When people/ themajority turns out to be Animals what cant go wrong? .

      Rajapakshes made them like that. That was not overlooked for us expats.Just see even after their houses being flattened/ not a single person among them would utter a single word against Mafia boss today who is now locked up in a camp on the cost of the tax payers/ in a civilised country people would have torn him off to pieces. Sinhala/Buddhism myth is their powerful myth all along.😎🐃☹😎🐃☹😎🐃☹😎🐃☹

  • 3
    9

    Dear Dr. Dayan

    This Presidency is not the worst, by far. I will only type two letters here in my argument: JR.

    The Pandemic was the worst we have had. It could have been a lot worse, with our death rates lower than the world average and much lower than the USA and the UK. Much thanks has to go to the medical profession and those who worked to support the country at that time, and also the government.

    The problem lies elsewhere, when wrong advice is given and orders are not followed. President Gotabaya cannot be blamed for refusing to use police force since that would automatically fuel a regime change, no – one is that stupid. This seems to be an egineered crisis and an egineered default. The question is why. Is it to forestall the world debt crisis and the world food crisis by going first? Who knows.

    In any disaster, and assuming this Presidency is a disaster, then people should rally together for disaster relief – to reverse the effects – not the cause – as soon as possible.

    A President cannot run a country alone – increasingly this is what he has to do.

    Meanwhile people should ask themselves are they part of the solution or part of the problem? Are they causing a plus or minus to Sri Lanka’s profit line?

    • 13
      6

      Vanguard,

      “A President cannot run a country alone – increasingly this is what he has to do.”

      The famous American president John Kennedy once said, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” My opinion is that since colonial times, the majority of Sri Lankan people have been denied the opportunity to participate in the betterment of the country, unless they subscribed to certain ideologies. The British used “divide and rule” to suppress the majority Sinhala-Buddhists, while the LTTE waged a casteist/terrorist warfare for secession. Politics in the South has been dominated by a few families. Education and economic opportunity, even with standardisation and free tuition, has been in the hands of the English-speaking and benefited mostly the affluent. Then there is a whole section of expat Sri Lankans, entirely detached from the country for decades, who went overseas and begged Western countries to punish Sri Lanka for suppressing a terrorist movement. You mentioned private universities as a solution. The solution is actually English-speaking education (broad-based access) using technology enhancements for accelerated learning. The goal should be to develop the manufacturing sector and modernize agriculture.

      • 2
        2

        (Part I)
        Lester,
        Congratulations!
        “The SOLUTION IS ACTUALLY ENGLISH-SPEAKING EDUCATION (broad-based access) using technology enhancements for accelerated learning. The goal should be to develop the manufacturing sector and modernize agriculture”
        Congratulate you in achieving some sanity of purpose in advancing the knowledge base of Sri Lankan youth specifically and the entire Sri Lankan citizens at large! You are very welcome!!
        My only concern is that, all these 70+ years (yes starting from 1950’), we Sri Lankans had been entertained by individuals of greatness, with a collapsed mindset?! The sole purpose of the thrust of all movements and actions, was to neutralise the effect of the English educated Sri Lankans prevailing in obtaining higher education, prominence and elevated to high positions, prior to independence?! Well and good.
        However, in their rush to correct that mistake, they originated and developed another malaise! There were one of 2 ways to correct the imbalance!! The rulers were mystified and did not want to look at sensible alternatives that may have been (or were) available to meet it:
        A. Sinhala only (universal access was already available)
        B. English education made available to all, with universal access, coupled with emphasis of

      • 2
        3

        (Part II)
        I. Mother tongue being the language of instruction up to Year 4or 5
        II. Alternate link language such as Tamil or Sinhala, the case may be
        III. Mandated requirement to qualify for SSC/GCE (O/L) examination to proceed to GCE (A/L) and higher studies
        If ever any one wanted to become Lee Kwan Yew (LKY) of Sri Lanka, which was the preferred solution. Yes, that would mean additional infrastructure and resources, teaching staff, schools and equipment!!
        Our leaders were never wanted to be or become like LKY??!! They were bright sparks, wanted solution at the flipof a finger, to ensure that there Bread (or cake was buttered on both sides!!) and they didn’t care 2 hoots what happened to Sri Lanka or Sri Lankans! All b—-y Crocodile tears to win election at all costs to get to the ‘HOT SEAT’!!
        Then they proceeded to send their progeny to Oxford/Cambridge/Sorbonne to join the elitist club to enable them to be in the ruling class!!
        The story starts much earlier, how this came about, though we fashion to blame the British for their ‘DIVIDE AND RULE’, which may well be the case, BUT not definitely by itself!!!???

      • 1
        2

        (Part III)
        Preceding Dutch period rule, preponderance of Christian Missionary Schools, mushroomed. These attempts were stymied, by the Buddhist for obvious reasons! Ofcourse. This led to the move to the northern and eastern areas and north western coastal region for the missionary schools to be established (except a few in the western province, serving the elitist citizenry for their education) and achieve their goals.
        So the educational facilities, were not equitably available to all the citizens, though the Buddhist Revivalist movement did attempt to save the situation, with their limited resources, before independence!! Ananda, Mahinda Colleges.
        However, the Independent Ceylon could have made amends, but none in power was interested except C W W Kannangara, a lone voice!! I mean resources – money allocation for infrastructure and teacher training in English education!
        This was the culmination of the 1956 revolution, of people frustrated by the unequal distribution of Wealth, Knowledge and Position in society but those who initiated were ‘cunning’ and if they were really interested in making Sri Lanka advance, they would have gone to solution B in entirety!
        Sri Lanka was cocooned, self-imprisoned, belief 2500 years of culture and heritage has the answers issues in this ‘stone-age’!!

      • 1
        2

        (Part IV)
        This was one of the predominant issue that caused 1971 and 1989 too!! The unemployed graduates in the country, because of the closed education system followed since 1956!!
        These were paradigm setbacks of at least 2 generations, until 1990, when international schools and private or affiliated universities made Sri Lanka able to catch up with the rest of the world??!!
        Also 1985 saw the largest student movement to overseas education, which helped the student, though most of them stayed behind in the new adopted country, and the knowledge acquired was deprived to Sri Lanka.
        It was their private funds and who so envisioned to the ‘Kukul Kooduwa’ mentality to come and serve/work in Sri Lanka unless they had some other interest!!
        Remuneration, lifestyle and societal disparity in Sri Lanka, whilst there may be discrimination of other sorts overseas!!!
        Sri Lanka has been devoid of visionaries and whoever has been likened to one is a ‘Card Board Visionary, Patriots’!!!
        Time servers if I may say, no wonder Sri Lanka is at this critical point tight now!!!

    • 1
      2

      VanguardII
      1. “This seems to be an engineered crisis and an engineered default. The question is why?
      2. People should ask themselves are they part of the solution or part of the problem?”
      The answer lies hereunder,
      A. The fertiliser crisis is by the presidents’ own action, already admitted!
      B. Tea crop crisis is due to 1 above and loss of export orders and revenue/earnings!
      C. Rice and vegetable crop failure due 1 above – same culpability!
      D. Not going to the IMF at least 12 months ago, by FM (PM at that time)!! Bad Governance!
      E. Floating of the rupee, wrong procedure and ill-timed, due to bad supervision/governance!
      F. Bad fiscal policy, macro-economic failure; VAT, customs duty & Corporate Tax exemptions!!
      All above done by the President as Head of Government and Cabinet;
      Not by any others??!! Easy target – western imperialists, neo colonists and reactionaries!!!??
      Do not attempt it would not go past muster!!
      People know these slogans are false to cover up one’s own fault!!
      Even Drive or Professor Vasu N. does not use that phraseology anymore??!! He knows no effect??
      Accept failure as the president has exemplified!!!
      Sawbhakiya Dekma Mystified!!
      Or erroneous, ignorant start destined to FAIL!!!

  • 2
    4

    Dear Dr. Dayan

    You have once again given us a cold analysis of the situation, of course one has to keep in mind that you were against this Presidency from the beginning. However you have identified the political schizophrenia (double mindedness) in the body politic especially where kites were flown. Everyone is confused but in their confusion do not know it.

    On this very forum, one of the pundits here use to constantly post claims that the average IQ of Sri Lanka was low, in the 80s. I resisted this awful thought for many moons until finally, I had to agree, looking at the studies and also looking at what is going on.

    It is the Sinhalaya that came up with the epic saying ‘Sinhalaya Modaya’. The Sinhalese, he is a fool. I say this because desperate situation require unpopular diagnoses and bitter remedies. The answer is education, which is a two edged sword, educated people do not resort to violence, I hope, that is the hope that we should have. Get educated. We need more private universities.

    The Galle Faced group protest was started, see news items, by the SJB and then the JVP has said they are involved. Well well, surprise surprise. These people in correct local fashion, have imported an idea but have created a home grown copy that is surprisingly bad.

  • 5
    2

    By any name the Aragalaya was and is necessary and will be necessary. It is poised to be the game changer. Small achievements have been seen and delivery of the of the proposed 21A as demanded – much awaited will vindicate and endorse the Aragalaya for what it has so far would achieve. The rest of its demands will fall into place willingly or unwillingly.
    Apart from this the Aragalaya has changed the mind set of the people who have passively accepted the lies and crumbs thrown at them. Never will the masses be the same. The youth at the forefront is of a different breed and is not willing to fooled. The fear psychosis about GOTA and his men programmed in the mind of the people will not any more. The youth deserve much more credit than given to them.
    The Aragalaya has to carry on and history should give them a very special place.

  • 6
    12

    The entire world is entering a difficult phase ……….. food will be scarce not only in Lanka ……… https://www.cnbc.com/2022/04/06/a-fertilizer-shortage-worsened-by-war-in-ukraine-is-driving-up-global-food-prices-and-scarcity.html

    I can’t stand the sight of Ranil …… but my world-view is not formed by my likes and dislikes ……… the only pol, in the current scene, who has even a remote chance of pulling us out of this, is Ranil. …….. That’s not an indication/testament of Ranil’s talent but an indication of the dearth of talent among the current Lankan pols ……

    But, things are so fucked up in the country today …… I don’t think he can pull us out ……. this time.

    He is going to crash and burn.

    If I were a betting man …….I’ll bet on him to fail …….. bet $18 billion ………. or is it $30 billion now?

    Ladbrokes, Sumathipala, ………… what are the odds? ………. 18,000,000,000 : 1?

    • 4
      12

      nimal fernando

      Here is an interview with Anton Balasingam, LTTE’s chief negotiator. Please watch this interview. It has subtitle in Sinhala.
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22yUPOCYc74

      I understand Anton was willing to go for a negotiated settlement however the military minded two psychopaths led to a complete destruction.

      • 4
        11

        Thanks, Native.

        The war should’ve never happened. Leaders were foolish and short sighted. Matters could’ve been negotiated and settled with some give and take.

        • 4
          11

          nimal fernando

          “Matters could’ve been negotiated and settled with some give and take.”

          There was no conflict.
          There was no reason for conflict.
          Conflict was deliberately started by racists, opportunists, bigots, saffronistas, ….. reasons were manufactured.
          Before solving one they started new one.

          Military logic took over, sanity bid goodbye.
          Politicians, military leaders, state functionaries, analyst, brokers, merchants of death, arms manufacturers …. made loads of money from destruction. Poor people not only became poorer but also paid in blood.
          The tragedy continues.

    • 2
      1

      Please be aware organized crew is behind this ultra idiot Lester. Imagine how thumbs ups could be twisted this way/ these pigs are well trained to work in favour of dog of the nation Mahinda🐃🐃🐃🐃🐃🐃🐃🐃🐃🐃🐃🐃

      • 4
        4

        LM,
        Lester has an upvote machine. But he still hasn’t figured out how to use it.

    • 5
      11

      You are right. All these days these are the people who stolen public money and backed the violence against ordinary civilians.

  • 7
    4

    Dayan Jayatilleka’s argument that the Araglalaya has been distorted due to fringe left groups such as FSP/IUSF is not convincing. The Aragalaya is a space and microcosm of the different groups in the country, protesting the continuity of this corrupt and incompetent regime, and demanding structural political changes to ensure that this kind of crisis does not happen again. So it is to be expected that different ideologies will be expressed and some groups might try to influence the direction of the protest. However, what has been impressive is that despite a visible presence of these fringe left (and potentially questionable) groups at different times, the main thrust of the movement has continued to be democratic, populist and non-violent. Also as Ramona Fernando has pointed out, the Aralgalaya in Galle Face cannot be equated with the manifestations of protest in the rest of the country, some of it which is sparked by an aggrieved, non-organised population and some by politically-motivated groups.

    In any case, I think the main challenge the Aragalaya is facing right now is dilution, due to Ranil Wickremasinghe taking over as PM.

  • 6
    11

    Who has the right to advice “Aragalaya” caused “cognitive dissonance”? What is violence? Dr. Dayan himself encouraged violence almost all of his political carrier. His associations with EPRLF, Mahinda Regime, and Premadasa regime which includes Gotabaya. He was an active partner of Mahinda and Gota’s illegal White Van Terrorism.

  • 9
    9

    It is not only the IUSF-FSP that have tried to hijack the people’s protests. Eelam supporters abroad have been distributing leaflets at local GGH protests. On being rebuffed these racists claim this is yet another example of discrimination. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi1HD8fYOZk

    • 4
      4

      Svenson

      “Eelam supporters abroad have been distributing leaflets at local GGH protests.”

      As far as I know Eelam supporters have been distributing leaflets for donkeys years. Some sources say they were first seen in the 1970, definitely from early 1980s.
      Welcome to planet Earth.

    • 5
      3

      “Eelam supporters abroad have been distributing leaflets at local GGH protests.”

      Without the head, the snake is lifeless. The fake freedom struggle was a cultist movement centered around a Fat Pig and a cyanide capsule. How this comedy lasted 30 years is a wonder. The few remaining remnants of this cult, aka low IQ Codger, fake Veddah, Mahila, and Leela, have the organisational skills of a blind monkey.

  • 5
    5

    Be fair and Good day Mr Stevenson – Watched the video . Hijacked what ? peoples cause or, the direction of Aralgalaya
    If Sri lankans have a problem with the government in different parts of the same country they express it together. The guy in the Sunglasses says “we” organized this “you go to courts” He even goes on to pass judgement confidently, on whether there was genocide or not.
    Don’t assume I am canvassing for Elam but if I was, I don’t need to hijack what I always said anyway—- the minorities were unheard till the problem hit the majority.
    And even now……
    Also my friend, Australia allows protests. Does he want to take his 2500 year old tribal culture of beating up the protesters as a rare commodity for export there ?
    Comming colours no good if you wear sunglasses !

  • 3
    4

    Elitist Dayan is butt hurt because the people at Galleface chased away his master.

    • 4
      1

      Samitha,
      .
      Elitist ?

      Might well be, he is self-proclaimed elitist.

      These men are are no different to that shanty leader Mahinda Kahandagama that became eternal lover to Mahinda Rajapakshe just because his position as a ” social worker” was renamed as ” something else”. These were mlechcha tactics of Medamulana peretha dhandda who is now locked up in an island not being able to face the very same SLAVEs dominated nation.

      Galleface you achieved a lot sofar… and they will achieve lot more in the days to come – that is crystal clear.

  • 3
    4

    Lester the Jester

    “Look at their GDP. 24% electronics”

    We too had great prospect to introduce manufacturing consumer electronics in the early 1970. One of your great first ever female prime minister cocked it up big way hoping to transform this island into a self sufficient, import substituting, …. paradise, instead ended in …….. creating permanent conflict which has no chance of resolving within the next 100 or so years, the 1972 constitution, ….

    The problem started in 1948 with the …. loyal adherence to uphold the public racist Anagarika Homeless Dharmapala’s new identity “SINHALA BUDDHIST”.

    Please explain to us “What is the idea of Sri Lanka”?


    Champika, Wimal, Udaya, Kamala, Sarath Weerasekere, Chana Jeyasumana, ………. …and all other fellow practicing racists should renounce their mundane life and follow Sarath’s brother Ananda Weerasekera into Monk-hood, before being charged with various crimes.

    Your statistics won’t help the island.
    Go celebrate Sinhala/Buddhism, Go celebrate crfooks and war criminals, Go beg

    Now even Tamil Nadu is feeding you.

    • 4
      4

      Native,

      Can you name one person who was forced to convert to Sinhala-Buddhism? Let’s continue after you provide the data. TIA.

      • 3
        4

        Lester

        You are one good example.

        • 1
          2

          Nv/
          Spot on Mr NV.
          .
          We dont need any other examples..
          .
          As said some where else/ lester is delivering his cheap services as done by that Mahinda Kahandagama.
          .
          Only difference is he is from Queen s land. 😎😶😎😶😎😶😎😶

      • 3
        4

        Lester,
        Do you know that Alles is a 100% Catholic family name?
        But R.I.T Alles was told that he wouldn’t be made principal of DSS if he didn’t convert.
        It’s like someone called Kandasamy being a Buddhist, but of course an ignoramus like you wouldn’t know that.
        You asked for just one. There it is.

        • 1
          4

          OC,
          Good morning.
          R I T Alles (RITA), was 1965/66, when Dudley (then PM) had a vision to have a national school to relieve the pressure on Royal, Greenland’s and Thurstan colleges, in the vicinity of his family home ‘Woodlands’ in memory of his Father.
          As recently as 2006 or so, we had Lakshman Kadirgamar, a staunch Christian, well known to attend without exception, unless overseas, the Sunday prayers and Mass seated in the front pew of the Cathedral at Buller’s Road.
          After his unfortunate assassination, he was not buried as per Christian customs perhaps Cathedral grounds?
          Cremated against his avowed Christian ethos merely ½ Kilometre away at independence square, as – powers that be viewed – as the ‘best ever’ Sri Lanka Foreign Minister ever, cannot be follower of any other religious belief, than being Buddhist beholden to the 2500 years of SL Buddhist culture and heritage??
          Lakshman children’s’ protest, were totally ignored and ‘brushed off’ as insignificant objections!!
          Brilliant indeed display internationally!!
          “Low level of cunningness, mistaken for high level of Intelligence”!! – Thanks to – Robert Knox
          Lester, oblivious and more so, insulated by his Pay Master culprit, to advance misinformation, political mastery in ‘Hood winking’, masses?!
          “Api Thamai Kere”!!!!

        • 2
          4

          OC,
          Good morning.
          Incidentally, Lakshman K’s cremation, instead of burial, pales into insignificance, in the light of hundreds of cremations of Muslims, post Covid – 19 infection and resultant death, although internationally (including WHO) it was acknowledged burials of Covid infected dead bodies had no harmful effects on society!!
          Foolish and incredible, abusive and despotic decisions??!!
          No apologies yet??!!
          It may have to happen soon, before they decide to walk out!!
          Or forced out to insignificance themselves, with no-heritage left at Medamulana??!!
          No wonder, the begging bowl has not attracted many admirers from the Middle-East, oil rich Petro-Dollar Muslim countries, who were distinguishably, noteworthy and prominent during 1970-77, period of Sirimavo period, with their assistance??!!
          Retribution they say comes fast in this ‘stone-age’??!!

        • 3
          0

          Rubbish. He was the founder of the school. Keep on lying.

          • 1
            3

            Lester,
            He was founder of GATEWAY, not DSS.
            Shows how much you know.
            Do you even know that he was Ralph Ignatius Thomas Alles, of Chetty heritage, educated at St. Aloysius, Galle and St. Anthony’s Kandy?
            If you want to be an idiot, go ahead, but don’t make it so obvious. Now, go ahead and talk about ancient Sinhalese Hydropower or your ability to fly to Kadawata, or even your ability to detect Muslim coronaviruses 6 feet underground.

        • 2
          2

          Oc/
          .I would rather speak to a wall. Hired Lester doest seem to know anything in detail about the subject but dare to repeat like lindalagasangamaya ( those gossipy women exchange at sl well). Yet today, No links about UKKD as promised to us. This bp is just paying lip service s. This man just abuses the social funds being offered to the kind of migrants in UK.
          Rajapakshes abuse lesters to the manner they hired those gathered to temple trees on the 9th May. .
          I wish I could see this man being thrown to Beira Lake to struggle his life with crocodiles. No doubt he deserves it😎🐃☹🤥🐕🤔😶😎

  • 2
    3

    “Can you name one person who was forced to convert to Sinhala-Buddhism? Let’s continue after you provide the data. TIA.”?

    1)Solomom Dias Westway Ridgway Bandaranayeke

    2)Junius Richard Jaywardne
    Both of Christian Heritage…there is also tamil heritage dancing in the name of the first
    3)RWs Uncle is Bisham Lakshman Wickramasinge…was Bishop of Kurunagala
    Worth
    4)Worth chekcup the Royal family of Sri lanka what they belive and what they show. !!

    Im not saying they were forced—- abmbition got the better of them

    I HAVE NO ISSUE AS I DONT BELIEVE IN RELIGION— you guys to check truth, lifestyle.

    • 0
      0

      FCB,
      .
      What that eunach- Ampitiye sumanarathana cheewaradhariya Mangalaramaya is all along doing is what ? Saddest reality is our expats as if their staple would be punnaku, they keep donating the riots, wihtout any shame.

      Ampitiye man is said to be a kalakaruwek going back to his past. He had been a stage singer, but he has a got distinction in SINHALA KUNUHARUPA… that would be more than enough RAJAPAKSHES to abuse this man for the destruction of real buddhist principles.

      Is that not hurting the thoughts and minds of non-buddhists ( MUSLIMS, HINDUs) for Rajapkshe chinthanaya ?
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjSQWwUXG6g

      At the time war was at its heights, these sivuru wearers were somewhere else. If not for brave forces, no elemination of terror would have been possible. Those who kno wit is well are well aware of the facts.

      • 2
        0

        Ampitiye sumanarathena or the like should be molested in their childhood to spread this kind o fagressions. But these men are not learned to talk in a decent manner, calling themselves as buddhists, but doing the other way around… I thought, going by my DAHAM SCHOOL days, buddhagama is based on NON-VIOLENCE…. this country would turn out to be a hell so long these men hidden behind RED ROBES are not given proper trainings. In order to liv eu ptheir fantasies, these men entered to SIVURU… sanga hood.

    • 6
      3

      Again rubbish. Just because someone changes their religion does not mean they are FORCED. This is stupid Eelamist logic. There are thousands of whites in the West converting to Islam. Anyway, SWRD was born to a WEALTHY family. He did not gain any privilege by converting.

Leave A Comment

Comments should not exceed 200 words. Embedding external links and writing in capital letters are discouraged. Commenting is automatically disabled after 5 days and approval may take up to 24 hours. Please read our Comments Policy for further details. Your email address will not be published.