The three judge bench of the Court of Appeal led by President of the Court Justice Yasantha Kodagoda has unanimously dismissed the petition filed challenging the validity of SLPP presidential hopeful Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s citizenship.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa
Civil Society Activists Gamini Viyangoda and Chandraguptha Thenuwara filed the writ application last Friday, contesting Rajapaksa’s dual citizenship certificated allegedly issued on 21 November 2005 as a legally valid document. The petition argues that a person who is not a Sri Lankan citizen cannot contest to be president of Sri Lanka.
Real Revolutionist / October 4, 2019
Ah, the labor lost.
Sajith halfway down now!
/
paddy / October 4, 2019
So if supposing Gota becomes President, will we be having an American citizen as our 1st lady? Even we deserve better.
/
mike / October 5, 2019
paddy – Sorry Lanka will not only have an American citizen as our First Lady, but they will also have a “First Puppy” by virtue of insanity!
/
Anonymous / October 4, 2019
Legal system is failing the citizens of Sri Lanka opening the doors to the return to an authoritarian dictatorship and the destruction of this beautiful country…
/
Lankan / October 4, 2019
May be now Mahinda and his wife and sons are not happy now ..
/
Kalu Nangi / October 5, 2019
So now we know how family cronyism works in governance. Elder brother President used his executive powers to grant dual citizenship to his younger brother within a matter of 3 days, allowed him to jump the queue and in a mighty hurry. Were all the conditions fulfilled? Did the President MR check all these matters before placing his signature in the absence of a Secretary to the Ministry? If he waived all the requirements, on what grounds did he do so? Is that why the file went missing? Over to you Honorable ex-president. .
This case shouldn’t have been dismissed so quickly…
/
M. Basnayake / October 4, 2019
Unfortunately, this greatly strengthens gota’s hand at the election to come.
/
Sinhala_Man / October 5, 2019
Dear M. Basnayake,
.
Steel yourself for the results of the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha. We don’t want unfair advantages over the Rajapaksas, but Yahapalanaya has been so inept that it is we, the citizens collectively, who have now to bale our side out.
/
Chris / October 5, 2019
Yes indeed. Poorly crafted petition with an average lawyer – Suren Fernando.. This is likely to get some sympathy vote for Gota. Pohottuwas is well-resourced and they will unleash a formidable campaign in coming weeks.
/
mike / October 6, 2019
Siva (a.k.a. Chris) – I concur, they should have got a lawyer like RogueMesh de Silva!
/
Mallaiyuran / October 4, 2019
Though Shanaka De Silva put forward a very powerful argument Court has dismissed the case.
So activist should go for appeal.
/
Matilda Ellepola / October 4, 2019
Well Well, a quite expected verdict as who wants to be in a White Van in a few weeks time or to be humiliated like Madam Shiranee B got from 8th grader Weerawansa and guys like Rajitha and Dilan etc.,
We do not have a independent judiciary in this Banana republic called Sri Lanka !
/
Native Vedda / October 4, 2019
CT
–
Is there any connection between the decision of the courts on this case and post election job opportunities for the judges or may be a defensive action on the part of the judges to avoid any unwanted future white van visit?
–
A sense of self-preservation on the part of the judges should be appreciated.
To Hell with Democracy, Elections, Human Rights, Humanity, Dignity, …..
–
Nimal Fernando,
May I join Gota?
You should consider joining the white van operators fleet.
/
nimal fernando / October 5, 2019
Native,
–
I’m happy where I’m ……. let people desperate for jobs get them …… they also have to survive, No?
–
The writing was on the wall when the judges didn’t recused themselves, unlike before …… I predicted; my predictions are getting better than Sumanadasa’s!
–
It’s surreal …… a country will vote in a well-known serial-killer as the president ……… and many “religious” people won’t give it a second thought!
–
So much for the moralizing influence of religions.
–
Truth is stranger than fiction.
–
I’m beginning to enjoy this!
/
KA / October 4, 2019
Sori Sinhala justice performed as expected.
/
A Ratnayake / October 4, 2019
He must be defeated at the election to end the dynasty.
/
EW Golding / October 4, 2019
I would like to know whther the petitioners are permitted to appeal the judgement and whether they intend to do so.
If so will the uncertainty stretch beyond nomination day and will the SLPP have to submit Chamal’s nomination as well? He has already paid his deposit.
/
Goviya / October 4, 2019
This guy is like Indiana Jones! He overcomes all hurdles including the insurmountable ones and nothing seems able to stop him. Least of all the Sri Lankan legal system, which simply crumbles under the onslaught of his lawyers. It looks like only Direct Action can stop him from becoming the Emperor of Sri Lanka.
/
Jayantha Pathberiya / October 4, 2019
That is a very dangerous comment Goviya.
JP – USA
/
Gajaman / October 4, 2019
Time for Civil Society Activists Gamini Viyangoda and Chandraguptha Thenuwara to leave the the Bananastan sadly…what a bunch of crock!
/
mike / October 6, 2019
Ganjaman – Is this a threat?
/
PARAGON / October 4, 2019
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
/
Wipula / October 4, 2019
I believe that now the petitioners can go to the Supreme Court against this decision
/
Ajay / October 4, 2019
If judges are like this now, what is going to happen when GOTA takes over the reins? All hell is going to break loose.
/
Steve / October 4, 2019
He can now cancel his trip to Singapore.
/
ajith / October 4, 2019
I expected this decision. This is Srilankan style judiciary. This is the decision wanted by the majority Sinhala people. We all know this is the country where President and Defence secretary gave an illegal diplomatic passport to former LTTE deputy leader who attacked Daladha Maligawa (Highest Buddhist Institution in Srilanka) and who murdered 600 Sinhala policeman.
/
Babalathappu / October 4, 2019
All these 3 judges should be executed if this would have been in the US or any civilized country.
:
Enough is enough we the people should stand against INJUSTICE being governed not by anyone but judges themselves in this country.
:
No doubt, president or someone should be behind this issue.
Else, almost anyone with a birds brain would see, that the point made clear by Prof. Thenuwara is highly acceptable.
/
John / October 5, 2019
In USA African-Americans have no faith in WHITE judges, jurists, police, etc. In 2019, they are still fighting for equality.
/
Sirisena Yatawara / October 4, 2019
The issue is very clear ,is that matter of issue not that GR of citizenship, it has challenge in depth study on matter of Rightful of citizenship of Island people .
Are these petitioners are aware and knowable persons about of that fundamental Right of Citizens of Islanders? Needless to say Motive of petitioner are different?
They wanted to be USA military persons can be in our soil without that citizenship of
Sri Lanka.
They can enjoy all rights to live by USA- Military base in Island. We are nation will become without that Sovereignty or soon we will become USA colony.
/
Karikalan / October 4, 2019
Anne Archie and Appu, hope you would not mind to keep watching this never-ending reality series of Mahadena muttas.
/
Sinhala_Man / October 4, 2019
O.K. So Gota is a citizen of one country on planet Earth. This has been decided by three men wiser than most of us, and has to be accepted as final, I guess. So, it looks as though citizenships can be gifted by Presidents – even those who got there by bribing the leader of the Northern insurrection to not allow about a million of our citizens to vote. In this instance, the first action performed by the said President appears to have been conferring citizenship on his bi-polar brother.
.
Is there still some suspicion that Gpts is still a citizen of another country of which his wife and children are citizens? Why must our country be plagued by fellows like this – and the man actually wants to lord it over us.
.
This gets complicateder and complicateder. Our straightforward brains just can’t comprehend all this.
/
soma / October 5, 2019
“Our straightforward brains just can’t comprehend all this.”
Hatred has clouded all your logic and reasoning.
–
Soma
/
Gemini Cricket ? / October 4, 2019
How interesting!
I guess orders from above.
Our judiciary are like puppets anyway.
Lack of Justice is a result of the kaalakanni-kama of our so called Sri Lankan citizens.
We don’t wish others well, so what do you expect. Karma is real.
/
Gratiaen / October 4, 2019
Dear Sir, Congratulations for winning the Court case!! I wish you all the best and may everything turn out smoothly in times ahead!!!
/
kolla / October 4, 2019
So brother appointing brother or making him a citizen is OK. What about due process ?
/
Kugan / October 4, 2019
These two gentlemen Mr.Gaming Viyangoda and Mr.chandraguptha Thenuwara you will be in our history,your courage and show the true colors of these Rajapaksha.
But also give a life to our judicial service as well.
Now people are wake to see how they fool the messes and no regard to law and show us how far they can go.imagine if they comes to power,they are desperate for power in order to finish off from the books.the.pending cases they have.
We all should.move forward and take the country for better.
Security must vigilant and retaliate.
One thing for certain is no way he give up his US citizens.
/
Ajay / October 4, 2019
As plan B, they even had Chamal place a deposit with the Election Commission. If you allowed the Pathalayo to ‘protect’ you once, you can never get rid of them. You are doomed. You’re at their mercy forever.
/
K.Pillai / October 4, 2019
{“he three judge bench of the Court of Appeal led by President of the Court Justice Yasantha Kodagoda has unanimously dismissed the petition filed challenging the validity of SLPP presidential hopeful Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s citizenship”}.
So there we are! Does this ruling cover the question of the alleged dual citizenship?
All this drama but Gota has not lifted a finger yet.
Signs of things to come!
/
Samson / October 4, 2019
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
/
Jayantha Pathberiya / October 4, 2019
Plain sailing from now on Mr. Rajapaksa. You have the blessings of the majority of the population of Sri Lanka and “The Holy Triple Jem”.
Please help the people of Sri Lanka, Mr Rajapaksa.
You should train the next generation of leaders for this dilapidated country.
Destroy corruption in this beautiful land just the way you destroyed the maniacs
from the North and the East, who wanted a piece of the country.
Give the proper place for Buddhism that has been eroded by the Para Present Government
that is gradually selling the country with their bankrupt policies.
Note to Colombo Telegraph – I dare you to publish this as you oftentimes do not entertain pro-Rajapaksa comments.
JP – USA.
/
justice / October 5, 2019
Jayantha Pathberiya,
“………………………….proper place for Buddhism……………………………..”
is being given by Gnannasera Thero – not to worry.
Gamarala knew his forte, hence the pardon.
Even recently he supervised the cremation of a fellow monk close to Neeraviadi Hindu Temple.
Gotler is his patron, so everything will be fine.
/
Siva / October 5, 2019
Yes, indeed. Soon SLFP will directly or indirectly support Gota. Amid the current chaos created by Wahapalanaya, Gota is likely to go all the way. Sajith’s silly talk (salary and residence sacrifice) will support Gota. Let’s remember Sira also wanted to rule from Polonnaruwa before the election. People are tired of these empty words.
BTW, RW is busy opening international airports….old airports “re-branded”. What a joke? Election fever???
/
Christopher Seneviratne / October 4, 2019
God help Sri Lanka. The people of this cursed will get what she deserves.
/
Burt / October 5, 2019
“God help Sri Lanka.”
Not possible: Buddha is holding Sri Lanka hostage.
:))
/