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;
Rizwan / October 21, 2015
Like many of these politicians, the Facebook page may not be managed by the man himself. I doubt Arjuna knows how to use Facebook. It would be good if someone were to call him up and check if he is aware of what is going on first.
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Chuti Putha / October 22, 2015
Arjuna cannot comment on others Nepotism and business karayo, family dominance etc where during his Captaincy days , same Dhammika was the CEO, Arjuna was the Captain, prasanna was a member of the Cricket comitee, mother had the contract to supply the uniforms and P & A had the player insurance.
Once he told Russel arnold , ‘ Malli Ceylon gahanna one nam SSC gahanna one’
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Paddy / October 23, 2015
Captain Cool …. not so cool anymore. The Ranatunges are good only for cricket … that too, not all of them.
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Ben Hurling / October 21, 2015
It is with deep sadness I realized “Captain Cool” did not have the balls to publish or respond to my comment on his FB page either.
I have always suspected Ranatunga brothers to be another Rajapassa mafia in the making. My fear has proven to be true. Sadly.
There are just too many of them. Everywhere. Like a web. Some are undercover. Coz’ they do not bear the Ranatunga name. However, either extended family or close cronies.
I gave Arjuna the benefit of the doubt. For a long time. SLPA’s appointment of his brother was the tipping point for me.
Arjuna is just as corrupt and should be treated as such. Sorry.
Cheers!
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Len Hutton / October 21, 2015
Ben
If you had followed Arjuna’s career from the latter days of his captaincy of our cricket team, you would have noticed his arrogance and dictatorial tendencies. His relationship with Dav Whatmore towards the end of Dav’s tenure was an example. More recently his negative comments of two of our cricketing heroes Mahela and Sanga (as well as his earlier history concerning these two gentlemen) exposed his true character.
The attempted (hopefully only ‘attempted’) appointment of his brothers and other ‘henchas’ to his inner circle bureaucracy seals the deal on his character.
Best is to flood his FB page with critical comments as a last resort, but then, characters like him and the Rajapakses are so full of themselves that it may not make a difference!
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Don Breadman / October 21, 2015
Well played Len.
We were premature when we acclaimed Our Arjuna as Captain Cool. He is nothing of the sort. He has let his good fortune as Captain go to his head, and he has turned into an arrogant shit. He says one thing, and does something diametrically opposite. Then again, venturing into the cesspit of Sri Lankan politics is enough to turn ordinary men into perfect bastards.
Take guard!
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Mushtak Ahmed / October 21, 2015
The one that turned the other way …and cleaned bowled
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Legal Lunumiris / October 21, 2015
The Ranatungas, an average bus-train going family, are a bunch of rogues from Gampaha. Reggie, the father, was said to have run a theatre there. When he came into local politics, during Mrs. B’s days of food shortage, is alleged to have hoarded critical groceries in this theatre, black marketeering that is – that was
burnt by UNP hordes as they came to power in 1977. Reggie was a failure as Minister under whom the CWE came.
Arjuna is the first to sanitise Cricket to Buddhism. He is said to be the force behind getting priests to “bless” the team at the airport before they went on overseas tours – to the anger and
embarrassment of cricketers who were not Buddhists. Even some Buddhist crickets from the “better” schools are against this unfair practise. He was the racketeer who introduced Test Cricketers to shady luxury car importers, who made fortunes out of the import licences the cricketers were entitled to. Arjuna was the Broker – and made millions. Often he is believed to have forced new cricketers to part with their licences at low sums. One can guess what happened to the balance.
Arjuna was involved with the Cancer Hospital started by cricketers where the public donated many millions. Whatever happened to the Hospital and what became of the huge funds?
While he must also get credit for the 1996 World Cup victory, the ugly controversy he was involved in the Darrel Hair-Murali
controversy, though populist, was unnecessary and brought cricket to disrepute. This could have been settled in a gentlemanly fashion among officials in the pavilion. Here Arjuna was behaving like the village Chandiya (thug) Consider, last week there was a highly controversial decision at the very last minutes of the Rugby World Cup in England in the Australia Vs Scotland game where the Scots lead till the closing minutes. The burning issue was settled in a civilised way. No Chandiyas there.
Ports Ministry should be in the hands of educated and professional men. It is a highly capital-intensive Ministry under which come the very vital Colombo Port. And so the Corporations within them. Not in the hands of poorly educated thieves.
Legal Lunumiris
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Chandike / October 21, 2015
What Arjuna did to Whatmore after gaining Worldcup win is the similar thing done by MR to Gen. Sarath Fonseka.
Many of the srilankans do not honour the gratitude. This is what happen to us as a nation after 60 odd yrs of independance. We are far behind Bangladesh, Vietnam and Kenya.
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Sandun / October 22, 2015
lol do you mean Whatmore was under Arjuna? Arjuna went behind the then sports minister to remove Whatmore so he can be the dictator. Fonseka went against MR to put a stop to the private war crimes case filed against him in a US court.
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Doosra / October 22, 2015
No wonder this fat bugger couldn’t get on with the GENERAL.
The General would have seen through him in 2 minutes.
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Washbrook / October 22, 2015
Well Len, you are right on the button, as you always were, batting at the other end.
THis fellow Arjuna is unworthy of a ministerial post. At best, he should not have been more than a Junior Minister.
ARROGANCE was his middle name. He ran the country’s cricket, even though he was only the captain. He in fact picked the team and sent his list to the selectors.
Men who carried his bags got selected.
Whatmore was going to make things public, until that ace opportunist Tony Greig stopped him.
Sidat Wettimuny had a terrible time getting rid of him as captain.
He abused a lot of cricketers in filth.
Just a talented, overweight, unfit cricketer, who lost his head.
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JeffK / October 21, 2015
It’s not Ranatunga’s that are destroying my motherland. It’s gullible, selfish, elitist, irresponsible citizen like Ben Hurling that are responsible for the coming stagnation.
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Knickerblockerglory. / October 22, 2015
Jeff, I think you are wide off the mark. You don’t know, that is why you hero worship.
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Ben hurling / October 22, 2015
JeffK,
With all due respect, do you mind explaining yourself?
Cheers!
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John / October 21, 2015
Arjuna Ranatunga,
You are a liability to Good governance, you better go home & live with mistresses
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maali karunaratne / October 21, 2015
I am really shocked by the conduct of Arjuna. Somehow I thought he was the epitome of good governance and I thought he would be the person to fight for yahapalana within the government. Where is Ranil. I do not have faith in MS seeing all the appointments of corrupt persons but Ranil should stop this sort of thing, Whatever persons like Arjuna does, it would reflect on Ranil
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Rajiv / October 21, 2015
Maali,
Shocked???? Really????
How can you be shocked??? 3 of his brothers played cricket for the Sri Lankan national team during his tenure. None if the 3 had the talent to play at the national level but played due to Arjuna’s interference.
Arjuna is yet to say a word about his corrupt brother Nishantha.
Look at how Reggie went about dealing with things. Enough said.
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Jayasingha / October 30, 2015
Ranil is not going to stop anything done against yahapalanaya by MS and his appointed SLFP ministers. He will allow these people to run riot in the next few years and wallow in their own shit until the next elections and facilitate the SLFP to self destruction.
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Pot Shot / October 21, 2015
The two Arujunas have already abused their powers and undermined the people of this country with their actions.
Maithri has let loose his son and daughter and so is unable to control the rest of the Ministers running amok. At least can we have RW say something about this and how he plans to curb such misdeeds.
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Kumar Sandirasegaram / October 21, 2015
He remains in the culture of nepotism and lacks any insight to understand the issues that is displaying massive level of abroance by the public. He needs to understand matters connected with equal opportunity practice in employment opportunity. If he understands the issues associated with good employment practices he would have refrained from embarking on such arrogant and bullish behaviour. He needs to pull back from this disaster and peddle back to avoid further embarrassment to him and to the Sirisena government.
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DPJ / October 21, 2015
Robbing is not new to Arjuna. In 1992 Mercantile Credit where Arjuna worked in its insurance dept as a junior was vested in the Central Bank.The insurance dept with the consent of the CB was taken over by Union Assurance. On the last day before the takeover this great Arjuna pumped his car full tank at the expense of Mercantile Credit. The CB came to know of it but decided to not to pursue with the matter as by that time he was the Captain of Sri Lanka national team. DPJ
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Jim softy / October 21, 2015
If Arjuna Ranathunga is fair, he should step down from his minister post.
HE showed he is not for the country and for his family.
One of his brothers became a thief and he was trying to hide behind Mahinda Rajapakse. Now, he is a MP waiting his opportunity to steal again.
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Plato. / October 21, 2015
The Ranatungas entered Public Life and Politics from Gampaha with the help of CBK. In fact,Ranatunga Snr:was a deputy Minister in CBKs Govt:
The sons Arjuna,Dhammika,Nishantha etc etc are gearing themselves for bigger things.One of the siblings was the Chief Minister of the Western PC, a strong supporter of MaRa.
In Pakistan,another cricketer Imran Khan is trying hard to get a foothold in Pakistan politics.The game of Cricket being immensely popular cricketers like Arjuna think that they could launch their Political careers in the short term rather than the long wait.
I do agree with Ben when he says….I have always suspected Ranatunga brothers to be another Mafia in the making.
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Chuti Putha / October 21, 2015
One cannot compare great Imran Khan with these Ranthunga clan. Imran won the best World Cup which was organised as at now in 1992 where each country had to play with each other where 70 odd matches were played. So eventually the best two had to come for Finals , Pakistan beat Aussis in Quater finals, NZ in Semis, and unbeaten England in the finals, Hence Sri Lanka won the cheapest World Cup on the offer where Two Sides did not turn up and SL was given 4 points, then the Semi Finals were awarded due to Violance, and the finals where Arjuna and Dulip Mendis was shown and given a rare opportunity by the Curator of Gaddafi stadium by putting on the Flood lights and shown the Due the night before . was that fare ?????/
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Seelawathi Bolamanike / October 21, 2015
Srilankens can NOT be comparable to those of illiterate filled Pakistan. We should not do it. Srilankens the time, AR led the team to win the world cup was not even 12 mios. NOt just winning the cup, but entire world looked at the country s performance since then. So please dont underestimate the respect broght by AR and the team to the country at that time. Just comparing issues of the day with those of then you may come to the statments added above; GOING back to my schooling, I feel, cricketers of those days earned all respect in the country – just at the time, AR was in the team. He did a great service to lanken and internaitonal cricket. Basta.
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Harold Larwoood / October 22, 2015
I agree with Chuti Putha,
Imran gave up his wife, his family, his wealth and turned towards a cause. A cause for decency, justice in his country. He underwent severe hardships as a result, but he was steadfast, calling crooks by their name and exposing them wholesale.
Arjuna does not measure up to even his bootlaces. (of course he cant. Imran is EDUCATED!).
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Seelawathi Bolamanike / October 21, 2015
whoever you are, what matters is the ideas of a politician. At the time, naton was not knowing how to get rid of Maharaja – most abusive president of entire south asia, Arjuna et al did a great service. I really dont know think that Arjuna would go after any kind of highly corrupted buggers as his brother WP Minister would do so. THe latter would work diehard for MR for no reasons – common thinkable would be similar to those of village folks that would even die for Maharaja even if Rajas thugs would end up raping the lovely ones of those voters. All in all, recent elections across the country proved the record that majoirty of the voters are stupid as the village folks in any other poverty driven countries like India. So, the democracy of such countries filled with volks that lack basic knowledge have to face it the way we faced it. How can we ever think that the ultra nationalists like Gonmapila and Buurwansee, but with all ill knowlege about the world politics to have gotten over 300 000 votes withinthe most educated provice of the country ?
That alone proves the gravity of the voter mentality.
So long people would not have healthy mind sets, nothing would work similar to the western democracies. I love country to have rigarous leaders such Lee quan u or Mahathir Mohamad of Malaysia – if we ever need to come of the pit.
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MrRetort / October 21, 2015
Ranathungas are heading to feel Rajapakses minions in field of corruption very soon. CBK, MS, MR, SF and Ranil be vigilant, I have feeling Ranathungas are getting ready play the back side of all political parties and their leaders. Be watchful
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aiepl / October 21, 2015
It is a shame for Arjuna to behave in this manner after preaching so much about nepotism by MR and his cronies. What is he just trying to prove now? Is he trying to show he is better than MR & Co in nepotism in such a short period.
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Gune / October 21, 2015
This is a sickening trend in government.
The voters of this country didn’t ask the government for much. They didn’t want to drive in BMW cars, have luxury houses and holidays overseas. All they asked for is good governance, law and order, justice and reconciliation and real peace. Frankly MR. President and Prime Minster is this hard for you to deliver?
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Jega / October 21, 2015
This [Edited out]is a bloody disgrace/liar and a crook. This is the guy who introduced racism to the SL cricket!
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Shantha / October 21, 2015
The hypocrisy continues. It seems our politicians have no sense of decency, and is unable to do the right thing.
They say one thing, and end up doing something completely unethical.
Fine example to the rest of the country.
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Sapumal_Jaya / October 21, 2015
This guy and his team brought us the cricket world Cup and MR gave the leadership to the war. That doesn’t mean we have to sacrifice everything to this corrupted families. That is not democracy. Chased them away or take a action to correct them immediately.
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JULAMPITIYE AMARAYA / October 21, 2015
This is not new for Udugampola Ranathunga Family,
now C T says;
“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”.
an another brother of Arjuna, mastermind Prasanna Ranathunga and his wife’s ransom and bribes saga,
the guy who goes behind Jarapass Kabrayaa.
A person from Udugampola weediyawaththa said to me that,
in 1977 Udugampola Area’s people set fire to Regee Ranatunga’s House and garage.
[ ARJUNA RANATHUNGA’S FATHER’S house]
because,
When people were suffering and starving in the area,
there were stolen Food items, goods, clothes and other materials from Minuwangoda cooperative society’s Central stores stocked inside the house before the General Election of 1977.
That time Regee ranathunga was the Minuwangoda Cooperative Society’s Chairman and Chief organizer of SLFP.
AND they have made/ force, one school principle to commit suicide also.
IF IT IS TRUE, then we have an another hereditary kleptomaniac family in our corrupt political Arena.
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Sapumal / October 21, 2015
I think its true and thank you for your info here. Arjuna may be a good Cricketer but doesn’t know anything about Good governance or politics. Just a opportunist in all round like his brothers. No means no…identify the difference between politicians and , leaders and power hungry thieves.
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JULAMPITIYE AMARAYA / October 21, 2015
not only that,
they say, when Reagee Ranathunga was minister of port and rehabilitation he got compensation for the election violance burnt house and Peugeot 404 car about 26 millions of Rs,
which was worth about 2 million and 1.5 laks that time in 1977.
good to be in political company????????.
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Jehan / October 22, 2015
Couldn’t stop laughing at the back-stabber Arjuna for sleeping with the UNP and getting kicked around like this by UNP supporters. Now the thugs of UNP who burnt down his house are been made into angry villagers by the ardent UNP supporters.
Suits him right for taking separatist money and coming to political terms with Ranil. Ranil deserves to be a leader because even though a western mole he holds his principles. Opportunists like Arjuna, PC Ranawaka, Red Elephant deserve to be ridiculed just like this.
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confu tao / October 21, 2015
This has to be nipped in the bud. I can see the makings of another Rajapakse clan being germinated by the Ranatunga mafia. None of these guys are educated or literate but steeped in treachery and cunning and greed will quietly get into potions of power. All the big talk about eliminating nepotism and introducing good governance has gone with the wind with AR’s behavior. Absolute disgrace and RW needs to take a stand and have this guy sacked from the ministerial post. Also what has happened to the statement made by RW that all top appointments in the public sector will be handled by appropriate committees. Another fart in the wind. The citizens are not going to be duped anymore by these corrupt politicians. The Ports Authority employees must now go on strike to have this appointment annulled. Winning the World cup is no qualification to be a minister. We want to see action on this one as the nepotism is now as bad as what it was under the deposed king.
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Goraka / October 21, 2015
Our problem lies in our culture. We think that if we are in power, our family and friends are smarter than an average Sri Lankan, and they deserve better.
To an average politician, hypocrisy means nothing.
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ohnosiri / October 21, 2015
One family produced…all brother rogues.
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Diogenes / October 21, 2015
I never expected Arjuna to go down to that low level. I thought he was a gentleman. Now I see..A bloody rogue who had been pretending to be a gentleman. Let him also go to hell with all my blessings!
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Ausfart / October 21, 2015
Chandrika akka’s baby elephant now a rough elephant!!!
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Kiran / October 21, 2015
Bloody Shameless Minister.
Crook appointing his own brother a famous crook.
fellows make money , money robbing public saying “Bana “
Maithree pala must kick this crook minister immediately.
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Larwoood / October 22, 2015
Absolutely right Kiran.
This Dhammika Ranatunga was a first class crook at the Cricket Board. Disgusting bunch of fellows, and Arjuna was the worst!
If he played me, I will abandon leg theory and bowl continuously at his head, to knock his block off.
I bet he would run his singles thereafter, not amble for one!
Anyway, he’s reached possibly one of the fastest half centuries at CT, judging by the comments !!
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Eds / October 21, 2015
Oh Rizwan, you clueless man…..do you think all politicos including Indian PM Modi manages his account himself?
Jeez…..
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Mangy Boy / October 21, 2015
“Chandrika akka’s baby elephant now a rough elephant!!!”
Chaur Rajini always kept this fellow in his place and never gave him a chance to rise. He expected to be made minister of sport but the cunning woman she is, she never fell for it.,This time, she was so infused with hatred for JaraaPassa that she consorted with him for that purpose alone- to defeat JaraaPassa at any cost. Now that she has made use of him the for purpose, she will treat him again like her door mat. So, Captain KuCool was never this womans baby elephant.
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sarath sathkumara / October 21, 2015
Leaders rule by setting examples.
I see such a ruler in Modi. When he hired his Secretary (chief of Staff) they have not even met prior to that. Some of his key appointees are head hunted. They don’t even know that they are considered for the top jobs until they get a call. That is why I have so much hope for India under Modi. He is doing his best to eliminate corruption. The main theme driving his administration is less government and maximum governance!
Rajapaksa took Sri Lanka into dark ages when it came to corruption and nepotism. When the history is written, that period will go down as one of the darkest times for Sri Lanka in all aspects.
Sirisena was elected President because people inSri Lanka rejected corruption and nepotism. One of his first actions was to appoint his brother as the Chairman of Sri Lanka Telecom. Then he brought most of the corrupt ministers/MPs from the previous regime, that was rejected by the people, to the current regime. These are not the qualities of a leader.
Arjuna is following the country’s leader and contributing to nepotism. Didn’t he appear with Mervyn Silva before the election to get votes?
There is little hope for Sri Lanka under the so called leaders like Sirisena or Arjuna!
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shankar / October 21, 2015
nepotism will always be there unless you have the requirements for the job spelt out in such a way that you are unable to put your kith and kin because they do not fulfill that requirement.For example arjuna can’t appoint his brother as a doctor because he does not have a medical degree,or as an accountant or engineer or lawyer.All the posts that are highly paid in the government should be also be mandatory to be filled by those with a degree from a recognised university or a professional qualification.Ministers also should have a degree or professional qualifications.These should be made mandatory through a law passed by parliament.otherwise it will be the same old story whoever comes to power.
A doctor is not allowed to operate on a patient unless he has a medical degree,because of the consequences to the patient,but we always allow people to operate on our country even without the ord levels sometimes.
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chimpa / October 21, 2015
It looks that this Government too is repeating the same. So what can we
expect from The so called YAHAPALANAYA.
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M Kuruparan / October 21, 2015
“The people follow the way of (the model set by) the king.”
President appoint his brother and relatives.
P M also do the same.. . . . . .
Then others in the Govt. also will do the same, as the President or P M cannot stop that.
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Petra / October 21, 2015
Recently the bastard Arjuna Ranathunga HORA bought [Edited out]
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Pygmalion / October 21, 2015
Arjuna Ranatunga,Champika Ranawaka and such types have got into the bandwagon of Politics,to advance their SOCIAL STANDING.These two represent the emerging Elite in SriLankan Public life.
I do not see Good Governance with such types.Things would be much worse,like
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Gen Gon Fonsickker / October 22, 2015
‘Arjuna Ranatunga,Champika Ranawaka and such types have got into the bandwagon of Politics,to advance their SOCIAL STANDING”
Like the old Nari Banda who used communalism to destroy the peace of the country in 1958, both these buggers are die-hard communalists who will put the old Nari Banda to shame with their firebrand Sinhala-only politics in order to win popular support for their own survival.
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Jehan / October 22, 2015
Ha ha classic. Separatists and Tamil homeland propagators attacking the opportunistic pacha Ranawaka, Arjuna and Fonny boy. Very deserving.
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Lakshman Malawathanthrige / October 21, 2015
When we elected JR we thought that the country would prosper with clean government. Similarly when we elected Ranasinghe Premadasa, CBK and MR we thought in the same line. We elected MS and RW thinking that the country would be freed from corruption, nepotism and family mafia and institutionalize good governance, but we do not see a change it is the same that we have inherited from decades old corrupt politics and political administration. What RW is doing as PM. Cannot he control these actions. Can’t he be a Lee Quan U, Mahatir or at least be a Modi. What about the commission to look into the appointments of persons to the high posts. People are beginning to loose confidence and are weary of the conduct of the government.Lucky
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Pygmalion / October 21, 2015
Arjuna Ranatunga,Champika Ranawaka and such types have got into the bandwagon of Politics,to advance their SOCIAL STANDING.These two represent the emerging Elite in SriLankan Public life.
I do not see Good Governance with such types.Things would be much worse if they capture power.
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