Sri Lanka’s closely guarded political secret, that the owners of two media organisations have been brokering Sajith Premadasa’s entry as Deputy Leader of the United National Party (UNP), on behalf of the Government is now public.
Rajapaksa and Sajith | File photo
The confession has come from none other than the General Secretary of the UNP, Tissa Attanayake. He admitted that he had been meeting Tiran Alles MP and Kili Rajamahendran during talks with his leader Ranil Wickremesinghe for the re-entry of Sajith Premadasa as Deputy Leader. He revealed this at the Working Committee meeting of the UNP held on September 23.
Tiran Alles, who has confessed to handing over millions of rupees to the LTTE to stop Tamil voters from exercising their franchise at the 2005 Presidential elections, is the Publisher of Mawbima Group of Newspapers. They publish the Ceylon Today (English) and Mawbima (Sinhala). Their Director Editorial Thushara Gunaratne has been given the assignment to name and shame anyone who criticises Alles. Kili Raja Mahendran alias Maharajah is the owner of MTV networks who owns the TV station Sirisa.
Today’s Sunday Leader and Sunday Times newspapers reported the revelations made by Attanayake. If the Sunday Leader said Attanayake has confessed to meeting Alles and Maharajah, Sunday Times quoted the head of the Eksath Bhikku Peramuna accusing Alles of acting on behalf of the Government. He alleged that a lot of money has changed hands.
Here are some highlights of Sunday Times report:
“The EBP members, during a 90-minute meeting with Wickremesinghe, placed their demands and a heated debate ensued. Others present were Karu Jayasuriya, Ravi Karunanayake, Wijayadasa Rajapaksha and Malik Samarawickrema, a former Chairman of the UNP and a close confidant of Wickremesinghe. Though invited Premadasa was absent. National Organiser Daya Gamage, who arrived for a different errand, also took part. Venerable Ananda charged that Tiran Alles (a National List MP of the Democratic National Alliance -DNA-) was in tow with a UPFA dignitary to ensure Sajith Premadasa was made Deputy Leader. He alleged that large amounts of money had changed hands. Wickremesinghe was to quickly assert that there was no such thing and that the delegation had got it completely wrong. Daya Gamage declared, “We cannot work on other people’s agendas.” Added Wijayadasa Rajapaksha, “The General Secretary of the party should not be a kapuwa (marriage broker). He must work for the best interests of the party.”
“Attanayake was to drop a bombshell during his speech. Whilst taking pride in the fact he was able to ‘unite’ Ranil Wickremesinghe, Karu Jayasuriya and Sajith Premadasa on the same platform in Passara, he said, there were others who were strongly critical of him. He revealed that during consultations with his leader Wickremesinghe for the return of Premadasa as Deputy, he had met both Tiran Alles and Raja Mahendran. Eyebrows were raised when the self-confession came. All that while he had told party leaders and the Sangha that he did not deal with “anyone outside.” He said the purpose of his meetings was to ensure that the media organisations owned by them did not criticise the national leader or the UNP. Did Attanayake brief Wickremesinghe about his meetings? During Wickremesinghe’s meeting with the Eksath Bhikku Peramuna last Sunday, Attanayake denied any link with ‘those outside.’ He also denied it when asked by the Sunday Times at one of his press conferences. Here are the relevant excerpts from last week’s political commentary.
“The Sunday Times asked Tissa Attanayake, General Secretary of the UNP, about reports that Alles, who is from another political party, discussed with him the appointment of Premadasa as Deputy Leader of the UNP. The question was posed when he addressed a news conference at Siri Kotha, the UNP headquarters on Thursday. It was summoned to say that the Government could have further lowered electricity and fuel prices.
“Attanayake replied: ‘I have not had such talks. There have been various reports about me. This is particularly in websites and in some weekend newspapers. I don’t mind that as I have got more publicity. But I am happy about the role I played to unite the UNP. If the party is to win (the presidential election) all should get together. No one should be left out.’ Ravi Karunanayake contested Attanayake’s claim by saying he saw the General Secretary visiting Alles’ office at Rosmead Place a number of times…..”
Hinnihamy Gunaratne / September 28, 2014
This man Sajitha Ranasinghe premadasa would do anything to drag power. His rebel nature is to get it by hook or crook. I have no idea why the people seem to allow this. Even if he is proved to have no knoweldge to govern this country. RP has no whatsoever contacts with foreign countries as the pervious leaders had it. Mahinda buru chinthanaya profit today from Bandaranayake contacts that was the case with China in Mrs B s days. So RP to First learn who he is and what his capablities are shold be made clear to by his advisers before making efforts to ruin the nation. Else, the country would be fallen it frying pan to fire. If a change would be made from Mahinda to SAJITH it would be comparable to taking Ginger by getting rid of chillies – as common knowledge from colonial days descricbe it.
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Yehiya / September 28, 2014
Ranil is the master in politics. He brought the deputies under leadership council.Sajith haven’t any future.He is like Anura.Peoples knows What Ranasinghe Premadasa done to UNP while on leadership.We have to salute to Ranil holding the party leadership.Sad stories of tissa political future.
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Saman / September 28, 2014
Yehiya,
Everything you say is true. But the problem is 70% of low educated village voters are looking for some one “Look Alike” to govern the country. They don’t care if he is a Crook, a liar, a cheater or a thug as long as he is a Buddhist and who eat Thalapa and who wear a white Sarong and who is a Buddhist giving Dana to everybody.
That’s why our Political crooks are using and duping these low educated masses to get their votes by deceiving them.
Ranil Wickremasinghe did not change his dress to get the vote, but others did.
That’s why we need to educate the voters, specially the 70% rural voters as to what these political wolves do to rob their money.
That’s what JVP, UNP and Gen.Sarath Fonseka has to do before the next Presidential elections. They have to educate the rural masses on what the Rajapakse do to loot and rob the country and to rob opposition party members.
Sajith has to be a “Team Player” first before he takes up a leadership role in the party. Also he has to be Transparent, loyal, honest and open in his dealings, specially after Pres. Rajapakse bought 65 UNP MPs for money, perks and positions in UPFA. Same with his other dealings.
That’s why we like JVP and Gen.Sarath Fonseka, the two parties that Pes.Rajapakse could not buy. Here you are talking about Billions changing hands. We are happy that finally UNP is uniting, but they have to stay away from Rajapakse temptations. No more Black coffee chit chats.
Good that at least now UNP correcting their mistakes.
Also UNP needs a more energetic, hard talk and more effective General Secretary, like Ranjan Ramanayake, JVP AKD, Gen.Sarath Fonseka like personalities who could give more energy, power and confidence to the party and to face any opposition.
Good luck to UNP.
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Sun / September 28, 2014
YOU ARE DEAD RIGHT::::: RWs strength is his patience and perseverance. It is all because of his principles.. there we salute him as last Trojan remained to save the nation.
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Flycatcher / September 28, 2014
‘But I am happy about the role I played to unite the UNP’
This is what matters – End of story.
Its the wish of tens of thousands of Sri Lankans – A united UNP and the rest is history.
Mara bribed LTTE thru Basil/Tiran doesn’t mean that Mara is a pro LTTE. In politics there are games to play. RW did the right thing at the right time although its not something to appreciate highly (I cant stand Tiran Alles or Sirasa).
The motive is to send this regime home. So it doesn’t matter who does what in order to send Mara and his rogue clan home.
Well done Tissa Attanayake!
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Don Stanley / September 28, 2014
The UNP is a bunch of morons and corrupt crooks greedy for power – led by Ranil the dictator! Let the whole lot drown – particularly Sajtih the biggest retard who lied about getting a degree from LSE.
Sobitha Thero should act urgently to unite the joint opposition under his patronage for Chandrika Bandaranaiyake to fight Mahinda Jarapassa at the next election.
Civil society should start a campaign to educate Sinhala Modayas about the corruption within the UNP and SLFP and the need to vote for an independent candidate now. Tell the Sinhala Modayas that MR has no legal or moral right to run for a 3rd term as Executive President, because the term limit of 2 terms is there to STOP CORRUPTION AND LIMIT ABUSE OF POWER.
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Dude / September 28, 2014
Dead on Don!
“Let the UNP drown… Sobitha Thero should act urgently to unite the joint opposition under his patronage for Chandrika Bandaranaiyake to fight Mahinda Jarapassa at the next election.”
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thondamannar / September 29, 2014
Sajith lied and so do did CBK………… Whats the diffrence.
Only the straights that seperated the countries.
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mOHAMED / September 30, 2014
Don Stanley where were you when Chandrika and her clan ruled the country dismissing a legally elected government even before it could came to grip after that so claimed leader (by you) who ran that country down to a negative growth. I think vast majority will prefer the present President to that foolish humbug big lady who once brought so much misery to this country which are yet suffering.
Hope you have not landed from the moon like her mother one time claiming that she will get down rice from the moon to feed fools like you
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Siribunja / September 28, 2014
This picture of the current article shows everything – his shirt looks like dark similar to ARMY uniforms depicting the man s journey is not far from a milltary rule. By all practices he has proved this sofar, but only way out to get rid of this python is making aware the volks by giving them facts and figures that have been taken away by local media senders upon the hidden agendas practised for pro govt.
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bobby / September 28, 2014
Whatever said and done or whoever made party united should be commendable. Forgetting all the differences should win the hearts of other small parties like JVP, SF, Thonda, Hakeem, TNA etc to win this time and make Ranil the new president with a new constitution of this country. Subsequently, Ranil should punish all the political rouges who spoilt the country’s economy, taking the stern action as an example in Tamil Nadu. Put all the rouges in jail for life banning politics for all the rouges in future.
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Upasiri de Silva / September 28, 2014
Sajith Premadsa is a MORMAN CHURCH member getting money from them to distribute Rs 50,000 per Temple. Also he has no Leadership Qualities other than to grab the power to be the Leader in Sri Lanka. Sajith is married to a Christian Sinhala Burger mixed woman who is directing Sajith.
Sajith is under obligation to Gotabaya Rajapaksa for helping out his sister and are in close contact with the RAJAPAKSA family. I am not a supporter of the UNP but I hope Sajith is not going to be the D/Leader of the party.
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Amarasiri / September 28, 2014
“Sajith is married to a Christian Sinhala Burger mixed woman who is directing Sajith.”
Mahinda is married to a Catholic woman who is directing Mahinda based on Christian input to attach the Muslims.. and continue on the Portuguese plan of 1505 to turn Lanka into another Philippines…
They Got help from the Norwegians and christian West to fund BBS , and relive the pressure on Christian conversion of Sinhala Buddhists and Tamil Hindus…
Did Joshua really stop the sun…
Did Jesus rose from the dead and rise ti heaven above in 40 days….
Was the World Flat then……
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Adrian Perera / September 28, 2014
No Mr. Gunaratne your comparison is wrong. It is like taking a buffalo in place of a buruwa.Uneducated, uncouth man this Sajith.UNP lost Moneragala because of his father. The killings at Moneragala in 87-89 was horrible.
If Harin thought that sajith was a help he was mistaken and he lost the Chief Ministership as a result.If the UNP want to win throw that fellow out.He could not win Hambantaota few months ago.
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sirisena / September 28, 2014
Now all you great political commentators pl tell the people where Mr Mangala fits in to this equation. We know that it was Magula who sealed the sordid ltte deal with Tiran in 2005. But is he not a RW favorite now,?
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Lasantha / September 28, 2014
sirisena,
Both Karu and Mangala were staunch allies of Rajapakse. But soon after winning 2005 Presidential elections Pres.Rajapakse dumped both of them the same way he dumped Madam CBK and her brother Anura.
Rajapakses are snakes when it comes to politics and many have learned from their experience.
Mangala, Karu, Madam Chandrika and others will take back the old SLFP from Rajapakses very soon.
Wait to see more drama in the coming months.
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Sirisena / September 28, 2014
Now will you great political commentators explain to us where RW’s confidante Mangala fits in to this equation. After all it was Magula who sealed the 2005 sordid deal with the Ltte. Tiran was his tool. So why only attack Mr A for an alleged dirty deal with T A.
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Lasantha / September 28, 2014
sirisena,
Both Karu and Mangala were staunch allies of Rajapakse. But soon after winning 2005 Presidential elections Pres.Rajapakse dumped both of them the same way he dumped Madam CBK and her brother Anura.
Rajapakses are snakes when it comes to politics and many have learned from their experience.
Mangala, Karu, Madam Chandrika and others will take back the old SLFP from Rajapakses very soon.
Wait to see more drama in the coming months.
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Matilda Ellepola / September 28, 2014
Sajith Rakapaksa who need only the Satakaya to fullfill his shameful [Edited out] of the regime is going to harm UNP in a big way and MARA is doing the strings to make a break in UNP with a decisive elections in the horizon.
This man should be kicked out of Sri Lanka and ship to a African banana republic in a Mihin Air plance just after the next elections.
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Jayantha Mudalige / September 28, 2014
Sajith Premadasa neither has the brains nor the
astuteness of his late father Ranasinghe
Premadasa.
The latter’s rise was meteoric because he was a
devoted politician and had a vision. Sajith cannot
see beyond his nose. This is why he is allowing
hangers on like that notorious Tiran Alles to use
him like a robot. Alles gets paid. If people point
this out, they are villified by Alles’ paid hit man,
Thushara Gunaratne. He is the media terrorist for
Alles to carry out attacks.
Other than asking for more like Oliver Twist, what
has Sajith given the party? This is other than the
songs he sings from election platforms?
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Park / September 28, 2014
All these negotiations and acquisitions are nothing unless we see Sajith Premadasa getting on to each stage during the next national election canvassing time. If he finds another lame excuse not to participate fully during the campaigning process then he has to be kicked out of UNP for good.
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Piranha / September 28, 2014
What matters is that the UNP is now united and as shown in Uva has the potential to beat the criminal Jarapassa regime. Who cares about Sajith but the man is popular but useless as a visionary or a doer. Ranil appears to be the best choice available at present and all the best to him.
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Lasantha / September 28, 2014
sirisena,
Both Karu and Mangala were staunch allies of Rajapakse. But soon after winning 2005 Presidential elections Pres.Rajapakse dumped both of them the same way he dumped Madam CBK and her brother Anura.
Rajapakses are snakes when it comes to politics and many have learned from their experience.
Mangala, Karu, Madam Chandrika and others will take back the old SLFP from Rajapakses very soon.
Wait to see more drama in the coming months.
/
David Gamage / September 29, 2014
Why Government help to unit UNP, any intelligent layman can understand. There is a big drama behind this, Ranil is one of the main reason that Rajapaksa family densely he supported still supporting, Ranil is an agent of the government, Sajith is another he can not lead UNP poor people don’t understand this shit politics! Ranil and Sajith are puppets of MARA. regime. GOD BLESS SL
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Tamodaya / September 29, 2014
[Edited out]
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K.A Sumanasekera / September 29, 2014
Is this why UNP CF leader Ranil has taken a break and gone to London to hang out with the Conservative mates?
Things there also do not look that good when it comes to defections.
Two of Cameron’s MPs have jumped ship on the eve of the Convention.
One pure political but the other seems a bit weird .
He apparently sent a “selfy” via the Net to some of his mates.
Is Ranil one of them, I wonder !!!
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Dr Dayan Jayatilleka / September 29, 2014
I read this story carefully and fail to see a shred of evidence that the Govt is involved at all. Where and how does the Govt come into this at all? How does the reunification of the divided UNP help the Govt? How does the renewed support of the powerful Sirasa and Mawbima for the opposition cause help the Govt?
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Native Vedda / September 29, 2014
Dev
“High Commissioner Nonis Quits After Assault By Sajin Vaas -CT”
Are you looking for a job?
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srilal / September 29, 2014
No wonder you can’t see the obvious , Tiran and Kili characters are carrying the water for the king (That’s why you have been given a prominent place in MTV ), any way here is what you can’t see in the article ,
“The confession has come from none other than the General Secretary of the UNP, Tissa Attanayake. He admitted that he had been meeting Tiran Alles MP and Kili Rajamahendran during talks with his leader Ranil Wickremesinghe for the re-entry of Sajith Premadasa as Deputy Leader. He revealed this at the Working Committee meeting of the UNP held on September 23.”
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rohanth / September 29, 2014
Does not matter !!!!. The primary aim should be to get all the warring factions in the UNP together. Once victorious , RW will see premadasa will be no more
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Upul Gunaratne / September 29, 2014
The bane of this country are the political brokers.
Mangala brought the JVP into Chandrika’s PA govt.
They taught her a good lesson. The difference here
is one thing – Mangala did not do that for money.
He believed in political gains that never came.
But broker Tiran Alles, who is running newspapers
today and wants to be Sri Lanka’s Rupert Murdoch,
with the money he earned from the LTTE is doing it
for a different reason.
He has undertaken a contract from the government of
Rajapaksa. The clergy has complained money has changed
hands. So for Tiran Alles, he will do anything and
everything to make money. Like a monkey being given
a razor, he has got the newspapers to attack anyone
who exposes his actions which are against the people
of Sri Lanka.
So democracy is being stifled by the like of Tiran Alles
(or Allus). Why blame the Rajapaksas?
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Upul / September 29, 2014
What short memories?
Mangala Samaraweera was a key advisor to CBK. He was a key architect of the Wayamba polls campaign where violence and mayhem were unprecedented. He orchestrated the LTTE bribe using Alles as his bag man. Alles was then Chairmen, Airpots Authority under Samawaraweera. [Edited out]
These are the characters involved as consultants and advisors these days. Ranil will do well to keep clear of them.
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Leslie Basnayake / September 30, 2014
The greedy political wanna be Tiran Alles brokered
Sarath Fonseka’s release from jail.To day neither
Fonseka nor anyone else knows the terms. He took
Fonseka’s contribution money and ran a campaign.
No one knows how much was spent.
Alles brokered with the LTTE to prevent people in
the north and east from voting. He was rewarded by
Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Now Alles is brokering for Sajith Premadasa to come
to unp with full powers. He is doing it this time to
help the government. Vermin like Alles are a social
evil.
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