Despite bragging about their disregard for US policies and its hypocrisy, Sri Lanka’s External Affairs Ministry has hired two more firms specialising in government relations to white-wash its image in the US.
Rajapaksa
According to reports by Kevin Mccauley, the External Affairs Minister has signed Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) contracts with the ‘Madison Group’ and ‘Beltway Government Strategies’.
The contract with Madison Group, on which the Sri Lankan government will spend a whopping $18,000 worth of public money per annum as well as expenses and bonuses for their performance, has been signed to assist the EAM in ‘creating a situational awareness of current affairs’ in the country.
Beltway Government Strategies based in Los-Angeles has been hired to ‘retain and manage firms to engage in government relations activities’ on Sri Lanka’s behalf, according to its FARA contract. It has been reported that the firm may also participate in lobbying or other political activity on behalf of Sri Lanka’s EAM Monitoring Unit.
However, the specific issues have not yet been ironed out. The contracts are said to have been signed about a week ago.
According to news reports, Sri Lanka already has two other active FARA contracts with Thompson Advisory Group and the Majority Group – a boutique lobbying firm.
These new agencies are hired in the wake of the probe in alleged war crimes during the final years of Sri Lanka’s war with the LTTE, led by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights as it has been anticipated that the international inquiry would intensify international pressure on the government.
Paul / July 2, 2014
Whatever we think about MR we have to accept that there is a difference between the US Government and private American companies.
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Native Vedda / July 2, 2014
Paul
It seems that the public relations work you, K A Sumanasekera and others do in this forum is not working.
Therefore you could revert yourself being a normal human.
Its difficult but doable.
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Paul / July 2, 2014
Native Veddah, well then set us an example.
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Native Vedda / July 2, 2014
Paul
“Native Veddah, well then set us an example.”
You should endeavour to seek truth and then present it here without hate or bias.
Your position is untenable in the medium to long term.
David Blacker with his right wing credentials tried very hard and failed. Now he has disappeared altogether from this forum.
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len / July 2, 2014
Not much different under former constitutional Law Professor Obama who promised honesty and open government US is stumbling from one controversy and cover-up to another. And just like MR he is a populist user of teleprompters keep blaming every thing on the opposition and George Bush and surrounded with best PR guys & girls money can buy. I think MR is got the right country. Jim Carney ex (White house liar) will be available for the right amount of US $ for advice.
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JimSofty / July 2, 2014
There is a truth in what you said.
On the other hand, think about ROMAN KINGDOM at the end of it’s peak period.
It is natural empires and every one else tries their best to stay afloat.
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BBS REP / July 2, 2014
The Rajapaksa brothers are getting desperate. Palitha Kohona was in tears grovelling to the US and the UN not to punish a poor third world country. The Rajapaksa brother’s bravado specially Gotabhayas finger wagging with veiled threats seems to be slowly fading away. Their foray to whip up support from the lower end of the Sinhala Buddhisp spectrum by letting the mad dog BBS rampage through Aluthgama and Beruwala seems to have backfired.
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justice / July 2, 2014
Gota and Basil,both US citizens should personally go there and supervise the campaign.
They will be given many opportunities by the media to tell their side of the ‘human rights’ implementation.
Now the anti muslim program is news there.
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ema / July 2, 2014
I think Palitha Kohana was asking for a discount indirectly by saying “third world poor country”
modayas sp distressed there are some people care about war crimes.
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Shantha / July 2, 2014
Stinks of desperation…looks like despite all the false bravado, and insulting the “Western nation” that keep asking for accountability, the rajapaksa’s are pathetically afraid, they will lose the benefits they keep begging for, from the US. Despite all the USAID and other charity we have to beg for, the big talk from these scoundrels, is simply a joke. Did’t that thug Gota, dismiss the US as not being important? Now why are they spending the country’s money, to make them look good over there? Where is the pride and arrogance now?
What a bunch of losers, who behave like village idiots.
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Pakshe / July 2, 2014
To the firms hired to white wash the Rajapakshes I say “You cannot polish a turd” This is an unbelievable waste of money.
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Lapatiya / July 2, 2014
Actually this is our Hon. Presidents weak point. I just can’t understand why he is wasting his money for unnecessary purpose like this. He should have appointed some very famous persons to promote public relation with US with no cost. Actually this new Public relation panel can do a better service while in the Country and no need to go to US. therefore Visa problem also will not arise.
I suggest Sampath Pushpakumara Vidanapathirana as Chairman. All what he has to do is to repeat “Khuram Shaike” drama with American Lady. Then USA President should come behind our President pleading to take action against culprits. Our Hon. President can be the Hero by appointing 25-30 Police teams, Ordering IGP to take stern Action, Appointing Presidential Commissions, appointing Anura Senanayaka under the guidance of our Intelligence Cheap to Investigate in to the matter etc. etc. Now without spending even one Rupee he will have good relationship with USA and with US President himself. Sampath Vidanapathirana can admit to the Luxury hospital at the cost of Gen. Public.
As other members of the Panel I suggest Saruwa Sunil. He is an expert of Raping Underage Girls. All what he has to do is to follow Sampath Vidanapathirana.
I would suggest Galagoda Gandasara, Dilatha Vithanage, Champika Ranawaka, Nishantha Sri Warnasingha as other members of the panel. Also Mr. Lalith Weeratunga, Chaos specialist to Co-Ordinate under the guidance of US Citizen, War Hero, 7/11 War expert, International Liar Hon. Gotabaya Rajapaksha.
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LAPATI BURRU / July 2, 2014
WTF ARE YOU TALKING ABT? HONOROUBLE PRESIDENT HON GOTA? WTF these people have done to the coutnry? made thier realtions richer. HE elected a tea tester to be the us ambasaddor. Thse idiots said we dont care about US or UN. They cannot touch us. These uneducated bastards behaved like sri lanka was a first world and rest should be scared of us beucase we defeated LTTE. And you call these gas gembas HON? There is no law and ordrer. EVery dept they poke thier fingers and influence and at last every dept that they dd this is bankrupt and lawless spreading throught the country. RAING KILLINGS./ How come idiots like BBS MERVYHN DUMINDAS are still free?
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Ansar / July 2, 2014
The best thing I like about this write up is the heading.RAJAPAKE REGIME. It would have been better if it had RAJAPAKAYA REGIME.
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mike / July 3, 2014
Rajapaka is rehearsing to be taken to The Hague with a forced smile!!
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gamini / July 2, 2014
Not even the best of Media Firms can resurrect this bugger MR now.
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Rodger Williams / August 12, 2014
No matter how much money is spent by this Government, nothing will cover up this families’ crooked and vile family. With utter blatant disregard for civility, decency, human rights and Constitutional legitimacy, money is wasted against the increasing poverty of our citizens as rampant corruption goes on without any compunction at all
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