President Maithripala Sirisena appointed two of his Advisors – Maithri Gunaratne and Azath Salley – as Provincial Governors today.
Sirisena
Both Gunaratne and Salley are harsh critiques of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Gunaratne, on several occasions, attempted to instigate an internal revolt within the UNP against Wickremesinghe’s leadership.
Salley was appointed the Governor of Western Province while Maithri Gunaratne was appointed the Governor of the Central Province.
Meanwhile, former Central Province Governor Sarath Ekanayake was appointed the Governor of the North Central Province while former North Central Province Chief Minister Peshala Jayaratne was appointed the Governor of the North Western Province. M.L.A.M. Hizbullah was appointed the new Governor for the Eastern Province.
No one has been appointed thus far as the Governor of the Northern province. It is learnt that Reginald Cooray will not be re-appointed to the position.
Meanwhile, UPFA National List MP M.L.A.M. Hizbullah will resign from his national list seat in Parliament with his new appointment as the Eastern Province Governor.
UPFA sources said President Mauthripala Sirisena’s loyalist Shantha Bandara would be appointed to Parliament through the national list. Bandara, who currently heads the SLFP youth wing, failed to secure a parliamentary seat at the last General Election.
Steve / January 4, 2019
The question is are these appointees capable Administrators who will improve their respective provinces, or are just “Yes Men” of the President. Hope it is the former.
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Desperate Sinhalaya / January 4, 2019
Steve,
it is crystal clear if SIRISENA would do anything, it will be connected with a court verdict but against him. So let s see, courts will follow him next days.. if COURSTs would remain inthe same spirit as had been in last month.
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Sofar tell us any step him to have taken to be called as favarable to the nation , but bloody nature of lanken cuture – allows the bugger to ruin this nation further.
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Lanken media (Black media) solely run by RAJAKASHES and SIRISENA men paint the picture in favour of their bloody moves, no matter injustice would even overflow.
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Like for example, I see, DERANA TV is even more stronger today than prior to 52-day SIRISENSA made crisis, – but we the sane ones noticed their behaviours during the vicious conspiracy was BEYOND all bearing.
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In Germany, those days HITTER forces were above anything and everything, their radios recited all in favour of HITER as nothing else would outreach the masses in the same frequencies. Likwise, in today SRILANKA even if RAJAKASHES (now the right hand of SIRISENA politics) is allowed to rape anyone on broad day light, but nothing seems to work against.
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What is being practised within lanken bounderies today is very similar to that of Goebbels THEORY based news telecasts.. It is high time, MEDIA to wake up and become very people s friendly and above all INDEPENEDENT:
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I dont think LANKEN POLICE does their job well – YET today, nothing is TAKEN serioius regarding the premeditated PARLIAMENT brawl on the 14 Nov 2018, by which 78 year old SPEAKER could have lost his life – books and other hard materials were thrown to him and his guards turning parliament a mannig pettah market. All these could have been stopped, if B ALLIGE putha Rajapakshe had been a decent and civilized person. What we were compelled to see was Mahinda Rajaakshe and his son directly mediated in the brawl by whispering their commands to those low lives that behaved violating all ethics and morals.
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shankar / January 4, 2019
steve
i think that is the job of the chief minister that you are talking about.These governors are merely like watchdogs.They report to the president and if necessary they may veto decisions of the CM.For example wiggie tried to sack staff in the northern PC administration and put his own people but the governor at that time did not allow it.It is like a check and balance in 13 th Amendment to see that CM’s cannot run riot.Another example is the western province CM devepriya ordering hundreds of chairs each costing 700,000 rupees which the governor cancelled.
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Steve / January 4, 2019
Shankar
I am not much aware of the Constitution. But as an ordinary citizen to me the country is in a bloody mess with a President, Prime Minister, a bloated cabinet, 225 MPs, provincial Chief Ministers and Governors etc etc. So forget the Watchdogs, they can keep the doors open and go to sleep.
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whywhy / January 4, 2019
Steve ,
Being unaware of the constitution is o k if you live in a developed
country but to be so in a country like ours is a life threatening
danger , not just from ordinary folks but top men of the country !
So , at least do some search and get some bits and pieces to cover
your head . Already 6.2 million Srilankans among whom are some
intellectuals , academics and some top of the range politicians
who are hitting their heads on the walls for the blunders they
committed by selecting Sirisena as the top man of the paradise !
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Steve / January 5, 2019
whywhy
Thanks for your advise. Hope you have acquired good knowledge of the constitution when even the President of the country has not and the courts had to intervene. Well the Presidential elections are not far off and everyone with or without a knowledge of the constitution can decide which way to go forward or backwards.
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Babalathappu / January 4, 2019
President has violated the constitution and that became clearer after the court verdict. So now we dont need to argue on his credibility. Now it is becoming worst, he obviously has not learnt anything from the court verdict. What will be the punishment to his behaviours if impeachment is not yet brought to parliament ?
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Bunjappu / January 5, 2019
This man Asath Salley is an abusive person.
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I happened to see him to have joined hand with BBS leaderhip lately.
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Very same Sally was one of the vocals that stood against BBS at the time Rajapakshe supporters inflicted riots against muslim minorities.
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How can ASATH Salley or the like MUSLIM figures to betray their own communities this way ?.
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I thought only SINHALA ya do the job not using the brain. Now Muslim men of same nature are proved to offer them selves for some selfish gains.
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And Maithri Gunasratne is like MAD dog, that would do anything being close to SIRASA but all against RANIL wickramasinghe. All because of their own personal vendetta.
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Do any of these CHEAP men do their job going by their PATRIOTISM or LOVE to the nation ? NO NO NO NO NO NO
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whywhy / January 5, 2019
Bunjappu. ,
The idea behind Azath appointment is to indicate all is not lost with
Fowzi and his son Nowzer jumping over to U N P , I believe . Azath
loses wherever he goes and no doubt he will fit into Sirisena’s shoes.
My3 Gunaratne , another Anti-Ranil guy , just to antagonise Ranil
camp ! Hisbollah , an answer to Rauf Hakeem ! All we would be seeing
in coming days would be this kind of foolish reactions from a mentally
retarded character against historic lessons he was taught whether he
learned it or not .
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Simon De Silva / January 5, 2019
I have no doubt, the day that SIRISENA falls flat on his nose is not far. He deserves to be impeached sooner than later.
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We are fed up of this man.
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The kind of politicians can only BLOCK any kind of move.
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This man is a curse to this nation
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Eagle Eye / January 5, 2019
Simon,
“This man is a curse to this nation”
True. That curse started on January 08, 2015 by Sirisena becoming the President and appointing Ranil the ‘Thuppahiya’ as PM.
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rajash / January 5, 2019
Steve “are these appointees capable Administrators who will improve their respective provinces, …”
Steve which planet are you living?
their concern is to improve their respective bank accounts!!!!!
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Amarasiri / January 4, 2019
Sirisena is building a new team.
He was not happy with his old team, but had to take them back because the Supreme Court said so.
Sirisena is having a good time, being president of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
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mike / January 4, 2019
Amarasiri – IGNORAMUS President Sillysena is unfit to rule and should resign ASAP!
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Amarasiri / January 4, 2019
Milk,
Yes, but he won’t resign. He said he would resign if Ranil E becomes PM again, instead of the Fake PM, and he didn’t. He is like a leach, and can pee on the leach, and won’t drop. You need a lighted cigarette but, and burn the butt for the leach to drop, i.e., Impeach him. Will the parliament do that for all the unlawful and unconstitutional activities?
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Janaka from Matara / January 4, 2019
Sirisena is having as much a good time as he can within the perimeters of his mental capacity.
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Samson Gunawardhana / January 4, 2019
Amarasiri,
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we should all be punished to have brought the kind of WALUREK – as our President.
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What we have been facing today is – the punishment.
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This nation has been marching backward today.
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justice / January 4, 2019
Are there two Governors for the Eastern Province?
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Rfernando / January 4, 2019
I think he is preparing to hold an early presidential election.
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Cholan / January 4, 2019
No Tamils are suitable for Eastern Province and No Tamils are suitable for Diplomatic services.
Cheers
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Real Revolutionist / January 4, 2019
We have more than enough Governors.
Having 9 provinces doesn’t mean we want 9 of them.
We can make it like this
1, Governor for Northern, North Central & North Western provinces
2. Governor for Eastern, Uva & Central provinces.
3. Governor for Western, Sabaragamuwa & Southern provinces.
See there’s no racism @ all & 3 instead of 9
President & PM please take action if you have spines.
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Steve / January 4, 2019
Real Revolutionist
Good idea. So a Sinhalese; Tamil; and Muslim Governor.
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Real Revolutionist / January 4, 2019
Steve
You must be civilized to accept anyway as it comes. Even all the 3 are Sinhalese or Tamils or Muslims.
Steve please don’t be racial.
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Steve / January 5, 2019
Real Revolutionist
Nothing to do with being civilized or uncivilized as we have to accept it anyway since the appointments are being made by the President. What do you mean by me being Racial ???
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Real Revolutionist / January 5, 2019
Steve
“What do you mean by me being racial?”
Being overly concerned about racial back ground is racism too.
Why should we expect 3 governors (in case) to be from 3 racial/ethnic groups?
Doesn’t that limit the president’s freedom to appoint 3 Muslims or 3 Tamils or 3 Sinhalese to all the provinces?
Isn’t it good to identify anybody as a person/human being without a concern for ethnic identity?
Even without a concern for male/female identity?
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Steve / January 5, 2019
Real (or Unreal) Revolutionist
By your definition of a Racist you fall right into that category and certainly not me.
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nalmen / January 4, 2019
how is ranil going to run the country if sirisena goes on appointing his detractors
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Sinhala_Man / January 4, 2019
Yes, nalmen, that is the point.
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Aren’t we getting sick of needing to constantly scour the Internet to see what new thing has gone wrong with our country? Sometimes I ask myself whether I’m subconsciously enjoying all this?
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No, I think not. Few other countries are plagued with politics the way we are.
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Real Revolutionist / January 4, 2019
nalmen
Tell ranil to come up with a fresh mandate from the people if he wants to run the country.
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Sena / January 4, 2019
Appointing governors or other wise, this man is not fit to hold that office any more, after violating the constitution, on which he took oath to protect it, and which was confirmed by the seven judges of the Apex Court, Also master minding and executing the illegal coup for which he, MR and the rest who were involved in it should be prosecuted.
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Amila / January 4, 2019
Gunarathne is the lawyer of that mental case namal kumara as well. Also the media with a red color triangle use to give heavy media coverage to both sali and gunarathne. So it seems like the same clan may be aiming for another drama
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paragon / January 4, 2019
what ever said and done MY3 IS PROVING HE STILL WANTS TO TEACH A LESION TO TNA-MUSLIM CONGRESS AND MAKKAL CONGRESS BY APPOINTING HIS STOOGE M.H.M.HISSBULLA AS GOVERNOR EASTERN PROVINCE.now HISBALLA will use his power to undermine all actions of tamil and muslim supporters of RANIL AND HIS GOVERNMENT. MY3 WILL BE THERE IN POWER FOR ONLY FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF MAY BE one year more before that he will create a rift between TAMILS AND MUSLIMS through HISBULLA. hats off to MY3
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Eagle Eye / January 4, 2019
Kiriella says they plan to present a draft constitution. There again, UNP got the priorities wrong. A large majority of people are not bothered about a constitution. A new constitution does not change anything for the people who are struggling to survive in this country. That might please ‘White Supremacists’, ‘Koti Diaspora’ and a handful of Vellala politicians. Problem is, the ‘Royal Gang’ who is controlling UNP has no idea about how the ordinary folks suffer. They live in a different world. These are kind of guys who would even say ‘If you do not have bread, eat cake.’
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Mallaiyuran / January 4, 2019
Kiriella says they plan to present a draft constitution. There again, UNP got the priorities wrong. A large majority of people are not bothered about a constitution.
For a job people voted for him to be finished with in the first 100 days from Jan 8th, 2015 is still not a priority? Isn’t the people suffering because 1948 Soulbury constitution was abolished?
I don’t think you are one in those people; are you?
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Amila / January 4, 2019
Very true mate. As soon as they got the gov again, started the same old stuff hated by people.
Unpopular mp’s like malik n maarapana were given ministries, ministry was not offered to puttalam district or range bandara, unpopular sagala was given a powerful ministry, immediately started to work on paying debts by getting foreign currency savings in gov banks. With the way they are working, probably unp will get defeated at next election.
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A.D.J. Perera / January 4, 2019
The ill-educated, pugnacious and political long jumper Azath Salley as Governor of our most developed Province???? This is an insult to our citizens. This rascal has attempted to assault Municipal Commissioners and officials many a times.
He has been ousted from several political parties.
Is Gamarala losing his marbles?
ADJP
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Kugan / January 4, 2019
What a contrast these modoyas history is back stabbing but utmost is for religion but not follow the principle
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Mallaiyuran / January 4, 2019
This is apparent retaliation for TNA’s court action against New King and Old King.
Governors were suspended because NPC’s Corey hosted SLFP party meeting on CBK’s leadership at his Galle home. As a drama, all governors were sacked and that opportunity is used to appoint the cabals of New King. During LG election, Hezbollah said that blood river will flow if North East merged under the proposed Secret Solution. Later he was arrested for his fraud in the Eastern University development. It seems his company was building the projected funded by SA. New King ordered to police to release on the same day. A Muslim judge released him. Hezbollah famous racketeering was when Risana’s head was chopped in SA, to pose for picture with SA Prince he used that incident cheating that girl’s poor family. He dodged the NSF check arrest. He wanted to join the UNP’ new cabinet. He and Fowzie were the two of the earlier people wanted jump the fence, but l New King said no for SLFPyers.
Northern governorship is going to be Dilan Perera’s father. There is news that this has been informed to EPDP as EPDP wanted its candidate appointed. Dilan was known for his boisterous campaign of anti- Secret Solution. Dilan still is. It was said he wanted his father appointed to North. Corey has been working closely with Yahapalanaya on suppressing Northern Tamils. But he relaxed it after Kandy’s high caste Ayatollahs kicked that lower caste from Kandy on his recent transfer to Kandy.
New King recently said that he was not in political revenge against UNP. But all 70 years from 1948, all Sinhala Parties have been on political & racial revenge on Tamils. Now there are no people elected PCs in East or North. Only Governors are controlling these provinces. So New King has appointed the highest anti-Tamil governors available for him.
These appointments are to completely cordon the Tamils in North and East.
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Eagle Eye / January 5, 2019
Mallaiyuran,
“But all 70 years from 1948, all Sinhala Parties have been on political & racial revenge on Tamils.”
Since 1948 what Demala politicians have been doing was creating problems for the Governments because they could not get what they wanted. They asked Brits to give them a separate state but Brits said NO. They asked for 50:50 but Brits said 60:40. Demalu refused that offer. Then they pleaded Brits not to leave but they said NO. Although Wellala Demalu kept on licking the a*s of Brits, they could not get anything. So they started creating problems for the successive Governments to see whether they can extort what they want. Even today, they are doing the same thing. Unless we get rid of these racists, opportunistic and selfish Wellala politicians, neither the Sinhalayo nor the low caste Demala people will be able to live in peace.
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Mallaiyuran / January 7, 2019
Eagle,
We didn’t get anything, just brush it off. It is not just to the British Colonialist, but we may end up doing what you described we did to the Colonialists, to many other international colonialist, until we get a justice on the Genocide. That is ok; we now minority, winners writing jaffanahistory.com is the history. That is what British University students- including the Oxford where Ranil made his famous speech about what was the Colonial Whites Justice- will have to read; That is what will be in Wikipedia. But let me tell something interesting; we did it because Chankiliyan was defeated and we were ruled by others. But British Colonialist, who was ruling you that time, did the same service to you (Don Stephen) by surrendering Tamils to you, hoping they can get the Trinco harbor, . But very cleverly, SWRD did the same thing to them what Don Stephen did to Tamils after the Tamil ministers signed off (ratified) for him the Soulbury constitution. So while laughing at Tamils on how you guys fooled Tamil leaders for 70 years, laugh at British Modayas too, who took good lesson from you but yet have to learn about you are.
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ponn / January 4, 2019
Mr. Hizbulla is often changes to different parties. First he was elected from a muslim party . Then, he jumped to U.N.P.and later in both S.L.F.P. parties . In between he was also aligned to L.T.T.E , and then to Karuna . Whether President likes this type of hop step and jumpers who do not have any respect from the public?
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Sri-Krish / January 4, 2019
Maithiri Gunaratnae, Azath Sally and Hisbulla are young and still in active politics.
Only senior politicians in age and experience and respected acroos party lines should be appointed to these mainly ceremonial posts..
.The President had made another blunder by appointing immature fellows for these posts.
Will they engage in active politics once their time is over.
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Ranil will be a happy man to have his arch enemies neutralized by the President from their constant criticism of him.
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President has foolishly done a favour to Ranil.
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K.Pillai / January 4, 2019
The news item alludes that MS will appoint loyalist Shantha Bandara, who currently heads the SLFP youth wing, to Parliament through the national list. Why?
Because Shantha Bandara has the requisite “……….failed to secure a parliamentary seat at the last General Election”. Says it all.
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JD / January 4, 2019
What is this. because of the failed common candidate project, they are cutting Maithripala Sirisena to the size. Sri Lanka needs Racism. That is to save Sinhale and Sinhala culture from on going adulteration, culturzal rape and cyultural destruction
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Ayathuray Rajasingam / January 4, 2019
Maithiripala is appointing corrupt politicians as Governors which will be a blow to good governance. M.L.A.M. Hizbullah is notorious for having links with Islamic terrorist organizations. It cannot be forgotten that he was monitoring the activities of US Embassy when he was Minister from his Ministry. Moreover, Kaththankudy will be a hub for Islamic terrorist organization where recruits for ISIS will take place and his appointment as Governor will be a threat to India and the Western democratic countries. Already there is a record that Sri Lankan ISIS recruits have engaged in war in Syria. Remember Kaththankudy was razed to the ground by the IPKF when Wahabbism was raising its ugly head. The issue is whether Maithiripala wants India to be humiliated by the appointment of M.L.A.M.Hisbullah as Governor of Eastern Province. Will Maithiripala be instrumental for laying a foundation for the introduction of Sharia Laws which will be a threat to the Sri Lankan people. What is the guarantee that there won’t be links with the ISIS in Kerala and Eastern Province. Maithiripala is playing with fire. He should look into the interests of the Sinhalese and the Tamils..Maithiripala’s behaviour is not a helathy sign.
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Eagle Eye / January 5, 2019
Ayathuray Rajasingam,
President might have learnt how to ‘Divide and Rule’ from British.
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Rodney / January 5, 2019
Where does that leave Hemakumara Nanayakkara the former Governor of the Southern Province and the last governor of the Weatern province? Will he be sent back to the South or ignored because he rebelled against the purchase of chairs worth lakhs? Is this Sirisena’s personal vendetta at work again?
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Nathan / January 5, 2019
Sri Lanka aka Sorry Lanka is in such a pathetic awful sorry state that none of these fellows including MY3 or MR or Ranil can destroy it any further. So Sorry Lanka has become a playing field for these unpatriotic, barbaric, selfish, greedy, stupid criminals and morons and thus no chance for the Chosen Land by Lord Buddha, as some claim. One thing is very clear and there is a concerted effort to put a nail on the coffin. Racism, religious hatred and dirtiest politics and above all morons and crooks running the country has produced this tragedy over the last seventy odd years..
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singing fish / January 5, 2019
The insane president appointed the inapt Hisbulla as the governor of eastern province,makes the president a laughing stock.Hisbulla ,who is a racist,robber he himself told that he demolished the KALI KOVIL,at Oddamavadi and bulit shops,not only that he encroached the lands belongs to tamils,brought saudi wahabists and converted some ignorant tamils to Islam.Very soon,this wahabist will bring saudi money and start colonising the whole of eastern province,thus digging the grave to tamils as well as sinhalese.
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Truth / January 6, 2019
President Sirisena has gained the distinction of appointing the worst Governors. At the same time he has issued a circular regarding the appointment of Board Members to Government owned business organizations specifying that the appointees should have degrees and be under 70 years of age. This precludes the appointment of people with a proven track record in business such as Dhammika Perera and Harry Jayawardane to these Boards. This type of circular should have been approved by a committee that includes both President and the Prime Minister. Good Governance is a necessity and we do not require this kind of political instability being created by a President who was elelected by the UNP voters.
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CITIZEN / January 6, 2019
Only qualification these 2 scoundrels have is CRITICISING AND SLANDERING Ranil Wickremasinghe to the coolness of Prez’s heart! Shame, shame, shame!!!
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Buddhist / January 6, 2019
Azath Sally who was kicked out by the voters is now the Governor of the same voters. What a joke! Another PINATA SEAT! He is in the pocket of Maharajah and is manipulated by Maharajah to attack Ranil. Today the Presidential powers are handled jointly by MAITHRIPALA- MAHARAJAH nexus.
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gunasena / January 9, 2019
I have some questions rising from the article. Will someone answer them?
1. Are these advisers are paid from tax payers money?
2. Whether there are any set qualifications to become an adviser?
3. If public money is spent for them do the parliament or any authority approve the payments?
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