Minister of Ports and Shipping Arjuna Ranatunga who has come under severe criticism for proposing the appointment of his brother Dhammika Ranatunga as Chairman of the Ports Authority has deleted all comments critical of his conduct on his official Facebook page.
Ranatunga a former SLFPer and a self styled activist against nepotism and corruption appointed his brother Dhammika who has no experience in the field of Ports and Shipping as the Chairman of one of the country’s most important institutions.
Ranatungas other brother Nishantha Ranatunga has continuously been accused of massive fraud and corruption. Nishantha in addition to being the former Secretary of Sri Lanka Cricket, was the former CEO of of Carlton Sports Network (CSN) and Mihin Lanka.
His Facebook page saw a volley of criticism leveled at the conduct of the former Cricket Captain. However, each comment was deleted resulting in users being incensed at the disregard paid to them as voters.
Among the comments which are yet to be deleted was Jude Fernandez’s who wrote ” All you big ministers keep doing everything corrupt and uncouth and then delete the comments of small people like us. Now we know what you really are Arjuna sir. At the beginning you showed us a completely different picture about freedom and justice” he said.
Other users whose posts have been deleted have used other Facebook pages to vent their frustration at the actions of Ranatunga.
Comments prior to being deleted;
After being deleted;
Wickramanayaka / October 23, 2015
Protests against this unholy appointments should not be limited to comments contributed on this news article. Action must be taken before damage is done as the President or the PM will not be there to answer at a time people vote them out of power. Legal measures if available should be taken and public agitation campaigns organised by the associations for establishing Good Governance must take place without delay. These institutions belong to the public and not to politicians who take temporary shelter in this dirty profession. If Civil Society Movements cannot go an extra mile justice cannot be expected. Wickramanayaka
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Good Night / October 23, 2015
[Edited out] Please avoid typing all capitalized comments – CT
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Good Night / October 23, 2015
[Edited out] Please avoid typing all capitalized comments – CT
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Helena / October 24, 2015
These Ranatunga buggers attended a school in Gampaha and they were used to be called “Mahabharatha” due to sheer volume of their family. If left unchecked these buggers will make Rajapaksha family seem Lilliputian in corruption and plundering. The voting buffalos in the country do not see the true face of these rogues. The Ranatungas are one family that must be erased from the political and public domain of the country if it is to get out of this quagmire.
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chuti putha / October 24, 2015
The whole Ranathunga family lacked principles. Sanjeewa is married to Marvan Athpathus Sister where As soon As Arjuna became the president of SLC in 2007-2009 he let Indian rebel Cricket league ( ICL) players Marvan and the rest of the SL cricketers free to play cricket and get involved when the whole World banned their players who were part of this league. But still he insist that the Rebel tour of Sri lankan in 1970 s to South Africa was good and deserve that punishment.
There are Captains who have played for their countries and won the World CUp, Clive Lyd ( 1974/1979) Kapil Dev ( 1983) Allan Border ( 1987) Imran Khan ( 1992) Arjune ( 1996) Stve Waugh (1999) Ricky Ponting ( 2003/2007) MS dhoni ( 2011) michael Clark ( 2015) out of these guys MS Dhoni still plays where all the others have retired. Now Only our guy Arjuna wants to get involved and mess around with Cricket and want to fix things where all the other retired Cricket World Cup winning captains have there own way with out getting involved in Cricket Admin.Arjuna is the only Cricketer who says that SLC is run by rogues , mudalali etc when his Own brother has got involved in questionable contracts and issues ( Nishantha) , Arjuna is the only guy who critizes the performances and wants to be the only guy who has won a World Cup ( Pina World Cup) when SLC were beaten finalist in 2007,2009,2011,2012 in World Cup and T 20 finals and ended up winning the T 20 World cup in 2014, so where have we gone wrong ? Its just the pure jealousy of Arjuna to criticize the Team and players because he cannot see these cricketers earning the amount of money which was not available those days . He should take a good look at him self and see what has he done when he based his children and wife in overseas and mucking around with other females in Colombo.
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Matilda Ellepola / October 26, 2015
totally agree in here.
on top of this,
A. Arjuna and Aravinda was accused for match fixing and there was no proper invesitgation as Thilanga S was at the help of SLC at that time and they were buddies and partner in crime during that time though later fell out.
B. Arjuna was accused of getting SLC insurance without any proper tender proeceduers for his own company.
C. Arjuna was caught importing a super luxury vehicle using his wifes name and Customes catch him and went to CBK to get it cleared using political interference.
D. Three brothers Dhammika/Sanjeewa/Nishantha were just very ordinary players and only got the national team selection because of Arjuna as team captain.
E. One wonder what qualifications Dhammika Ranatunga have in getting a post like Chairman of the SLPA a economic powerhouse and it seems MS and RW had to bend their backs to CBK.
F. Nishantha R. was one of the most corrupt under MR regime with jobs like Chairman Rupavahini, CEO Mihin Air, CEO CSN channel, Sri Lankan agent or Indian Cements the business of N Sirinivasan – BCCI and ICC chairman and known crook.
G. Nishantha R is also the local agent for Huawei Technolog the mega Chinese IT and Telecom provider with many govt contracts won.
By Frederica Jansz
President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has misused her position as former Minister for Finance and interfered with an investigation launched by the Sri Lanka Customs, ordering the Director General Customs to mitigate a forfeiture of a luxury vehicle illegally imported by Samadara Ranatunga, wife of Arjuna Ranatunga.
In what is clearly a criminal offence, the president falsely used her former powers as the Minister for Finance and backdated a letter she wrote to the DG Customs, dating the letter as December 4, 2001 (eve of the general election) when in reality the letter was written and delivered to DG Customs, Jagath Gunaratne, on December 18, 2001 — well after the general elections and when Kumaratunga was no longer the minister of finance.
The new cabinet of ministers including the new Minister of Finance K. N. Choksy was sworn in on December 12, 2001. Yet, Kumaratunga falsely used her former power as minister of finance and issued a written order to Gunaratne, who followed the order despite the fact that it did not come from the minister of finance but from the president who did not hold such powers.
Kumaratunga wrote that she was exercising her powers under Section 164 of the Customs Ordinance, and ordered the DG Customs to mitigate the forfeiture of the luxury Mercedes Benz car imported by Samadara Ranatunga.
The fact of the matter is that Kumaratunga did not hold these powers anymore after the new minister of finance had been sworn in.
Jagath Gunaratne in his capacity as Chief of Customs was too afraid to ignore the presidential order, which was not only illegal but also criminal. Gunaratne instead, hand wrote instructions to his investigative officers to carry out the president’s order and signed his directive dating his signature as December 18, 2001 — the day he received the letter.
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Bookie Pala / October 27, 2015
Aha! So, Chor Rajini has been up to no good eh? Thank you Frederica for the article and by the way, where is Victor Ivan?
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Shrikharan / October 24, 2015
There is important truth we learn from the practice of nepotism. We may all shout scolding Mahinda Rajapakse, then My3 and now Arjuna Ranatunge. The fact is we may shout against nepotism but if we have a chance to be a Head of State or a Minister we will do exactly the same – nepotism and give various excuses to justify our stand. That is the history and so the truth. Arjuna was championing against Nepotism and see what he now practices. That is exactly we would also do.
So think of this fact and keep quiet. The fact most of us did not have the chance and capability to be a Minister so we are crying. If we are complaining about someone else’s conduct, we should never do the same when given the chance.
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reeza / October 24, 2015
Idiot!
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Shrikharan / October 25, 2015
I have a thumbs down. We should elect the person who gave me the thumbs down as a Minister and he will ensure a ministry free of any nepotism, influence and favouration. All selections to jobs conducted following proper procedures and transparency. I vote for you, if you may identify you.
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Leon / October 24, 2015
Are these so called honest politicians have any shame or dignity.Sirisena
Ranil Arjuna and all other Governing politicians have any class, most
disrespectful lot criticising the previous lot and coming to power and
behave in the most disgraceful way.they will go into record books as the
most dishonest politicians ever to rule Srilanka
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Jason / October 25, 2015
This is the only way you Crooks can climb up the ladder, special favours, special interests. The voters are an illiterate bunch, so the countries problems will never end. Not even in a generation. We Need visionaries who are selfless, real efficient and knows how to bring people together to serve one purpose, and that’s the progress, development of its country and people. Our low lives come into power to loot, to fullfill their personal deficiencies and insecurities of emptiness and fame.
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SB / October 30, 2015
After having been a vocal critic of paulwadaya now he is doing the same!
[Edited out]
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taraki / November 1, 2015
Well done Arjuna. If Maithri can appoint his brother why cant you? Same old same old.
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Ravin / November 2, 2015
This is a note to our President and Prime Minister thru your esteemed website. It is just bad P.R. and an uncaring regime that in spite of the hundreds and now thousands of comments re the appointment of Arjunas unqualified brother as head of the Ports authority, we have not heard a word from The President nor the Prime Minister re this disgusting obvious nepotistic apointment.What kind of example do you set to the young generation of students and professionals that burn the midnight oil to get a degree or professional qualification while you guys appoint your sometimes unqualified kith and kin to these plum posts in the government. Have you not seen the consequences of such apointments, such as The Chairman of Sri Lanken, the virtual chief of andmin in foreign Affairs by an uneducated con man and of course the biggest disaster the Former Ambassador to the U.S,.a brother in law of M.R. who was such a fool and embarrassment, after takng over such an important posting that in years gone bye was held by Giants of diplomacy and cultured gentleman, such as Our first Ambassador to the United Nations, Sir Senerat Gunewardene, Neville Kanakaratne, Sir Claude Corea, Shirley Amerasinghe,and in recent times by Danapala.Hope to hear from you thru these posts. I think it is high time the PSC checked the eligibility of candidates to these important posts.And please Mr. President and your Ministers don’t preach to us about nepotism in the last crooked regime, you guys are fast imitating their modus operandi.
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ruwan / November 4, 2015
Dear Mr. Prime minister and President why don’t you reply to posts such as Ravin’s here he points out the outrageous appointments made by Arjuna of his brother to head the ports authority. don’t you as elected members have the decency to even acknowledge our concerns.Is this the Yahapalanaya you promised us. Nepotism and Police thugs run riot assaulting students. you as Prime minister interferes with the smooth workings of the immigration Department and boasts that you got Wimal Weerawansa off the hook for trying to leave the country on expired passports while this fellow should be charged and sent to jail.You are fast becoming a regime that was as repressive as that of that of MARA. No amount of spin doctoring will satisfy us unless there is real action.Tell us how many Crooks from the MARA regime have been prosecuted for all sorts crimes, including money laundering and billion dollar accounts in Dubai and Swiss banks you say you have found . you damn well know who these offenders are but do not have the guts to prosecute them . You guys gave us hope of decent democratic government but our hopes are fast vanishing. Learn by your mistakes and at least reply to our concerns
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Gunadasa / November 7, 2015
Dear Mr. P.M. Ranil why don’t you have the curtsy to reply re the hundreds of posts re the nepotistic appointment of Arjuna Ranatunges brother who is an unqualified man to head the Ports Authority.In Fact Arjuna himself the bombastic fellow thinks he is lord for all he surveys, because he could hit a ball with a bit of wood. No brains.You and this Yapalanaya is fast becoming an absolute fraud , all the dirty crooks from the last crooked regime are now your mates.You tolerate fellows like Lanza, Dirty liars Arundika and fellows like Marapana a Minster who defends illegal Arms deals and are employed by the Arms dealers to defend them . You guys make us sick Yapalanaya my foot.
Open your eyes Ranil we thought you were Esmond Wickremasinghes son your father who was never a crooked nepotistic man. A decent gentleman.
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Mahipala / November 2, 2015
Dear Arjuna
I would take your mind back to time where your papa was deputy minister of ports papa was occupying slpa bungalow You were living next to Asoka Vidilaya Maradana Students there were playing cricket and ball fell in to your compound and students ask for the lost ball by addressing your mama as aunty. But you got angry with other brothers assaulted youngsters heads they were hospitalized with sever brain injury.
In srl ianka youngsters address elderly people as uncle or aunty
But for you addressing your mama as aunty took offensive. You felt that you are also like decedents of Gemunu of Kelanlya Wlth corrupt legal system you manage escape by paying millions Infact you became hybrid batsman In the case of Appuhamy or Somapalas would end up in prisons
For you it does not matter
Now you have appointed you brother as SLPA Chairman Not stopping at that you have appointed your three maternal uncles as d;rectors and other one from your house hold to a high post
Shame to you and the yahapalanya
I end this with popular slogan in three wheelers those who fly high falls low
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Mahipala / November 4, 2015
Another pandu from R brothers
SLPA has a bungalow for Chairman at Hill House Gardens Colombo 15
This was used by the former Port Commissioner and there after 17 SLPA chairman
Occupied it Late Dr. Kulasinghe late Captain Henricus occupied it IT was good for them
New Chairman Dhammika Ranatunge does not want to occupy it as it doesnot suit him He has given instructions to build another up stair bungalow
That is main concern and to be given to contractor
Shame on yahapalanaye
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knickerblocksgalore / November 7, 2015
Mahipala,
If it was good enough for ANS Kulasinghe and Capt Henricus, then it is too good for Dhammika Ranatunge.
No one knows this better than the Ranatunga brothers, that is why they are building a new one.
On a ship this Dhammika Ranatunga fellow would not be allowed to be a mess boy or even a wiper or rookie Steward.
So actually this Ranatunga fellow is building a new home because he KNOWS he must not occupy a house previously occupied by men like Kulasinghe and Henricus.
Particularly he must not sit on the same commode seat.
Very sensible fellow, this D. Ranatunga. Ha, Haa!
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Ajantha / November 4, 2015
What a thief . These people should be wiped off from politics . Let him hang with another corrupt politikka Chandrika
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Mahipala / November 4, 2015
Building another bungalow or an extension is justified because he may be planning to change the religion and become muslim and marry 4 wives produce children so that present bunglow is not enough for sinhala buddhist
You will have more comments in future
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Marwin / November 6, 2015
Going through all the comments, it is high time MS either remove Arjuna from his ministerial post or Dhammika from the Chairman SLPA post. Nobody can understand what this so called YAHAPALANAYA of MS and RW is and why an unqualified relative has been appointed to this very high post. What a shame to have this brother-brother combination of Chairman and Minister under the same ministry? What is the qualification of this minister to hold such a prestigious ministry. He was not elected to this post by the public unlike MS. It is high time action is taken by the the Yahapalana leaders to remove all unqualified and questionable relatives working under his or her relative ministers. Nobody can understand why the JVP and the opposition politicians are also quiet on this issue. The Voters are not blind and deaf but eagerly watching. Don’t forget – what happened to the former regime VVIP’s will also happen to all involved. The President and PM should immediately explain to the voters the reasons for appointing Dhammika as the Chairman under his own brother and for appointing the relatives of the minister to other high posts as well.
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Mahipala / November 14, 2015
Dear readers,
Another pandu from Captain Cool
Yesterday He had appointed his sisters brother in law as vice chairman of SLPA
Brother is Chairman and three Mamas in the director board of SLPA
WW took few years to plant family tree but captain cool has done that within few months
Shame on Yahapalana
Over to JVP and Field Marshal
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