To find the necessary finances to payback former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Rs. 1.3 trillion loan, the Yahapalanaya government says it is compelled to slap the public with an additional four percent Value Added Tax (VAT).
Rajitha
Cabinet spokesman and Minister Rajitha Senaratne said that that the 15 percent VAT which will come into effect soon will however be imposed only for a period of nine months, after which the government will take steps to simplify the tax.
“This is temporary,” he claimed.
Senaratne also said that both the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank have come forward to lend the government US$ 6 billion to payback Rajapaksa’s loan.
He claimed that the previous government had obtained loans through various state banks and now this government had to figure ways to pay off these loans and hence they are compelled to burden the public by increasing taxes.
Meanwhile the 15 percent VAT will also be imposed on private health services other than diagnostic tests, dialysis and OPD services. The amended VAT bill was approved by the Cabinet yesterday. Earlier, the government presented the VAT bill in Parliament however the Supreme Court ruled it as null and void as the government had not followed due process when presenting it to Parliament.
Leelawathie / September 14, 2016
Why cant the sums be covered by confiscating
1) Rajakashe assets
2) Basil assets
3) Gotabaya assets
why the lawful bodies fail to amend the prevailing laws to allow above confistcations.
Why cant you yet order interpol to make arrangemetns Udayayanga W to be handed over to lanken Govt ?
As Prof. Wijesooriya reiterated to the press, it wasnot the independent committees but Hirunika family made the murder case investigations speedy. If as the govt say, they work diehard to serve the justice, all those highly abusive cases being filed against RAJAPAKSHES and other murder cases related investigations should also be ended by now. Basta
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anonymous / September 14, 2016
“why the lawful bodies fail to amend the prevailing laws to allow above confistcations.”
Beacause the present minister of justice, another Rajapakse sits next to one of the Jarapassaes you’ve mentioned, still. I think he enjoys his company more than the poor innocent population of Sorry Lanka.
Things will only get better when this Wijedasa R fraudster leave the post.
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Simon De Silva / September 14, 2016
You may be right.
His – WRajapakshe s presence in the current cabinet is not even heard all these weeks, as if we dont have a minister of justice…. reminded me the days of Rhyhana case, slumber of former MINISTER of justice… they dont shine a voice where it is must.
I too believe, we need to remove him and appoint a powerful reliable person to the post.
But that alone will not make tangible changes in the prevailing law related stagnations.
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Dodo / September 14, 2016
Today VAT is foisted on the people – to pay for the and sins of the corrupt politicians. Why does not the govt. ask IMF who is directing the VAT increase to track down Jarapassa’s stolent loot and return it to pay of the debt?!
After all IMF and world bank are supposed to be GLobal Financial Institutions for global FINANCIAL GOVERNANCE.
But no, the clown Rajith Seniviratne says that the poor people (as also happened in Greece with the IMF and EU so called bail out), have to pay for Mainahda Jarapassa’s billions worth of Loans.
If Jarapassa took the loans, then he and his family should pay them back!
Why should the impoverished masses who are struggling to make ends meet pay Jarapass’s loans?
Why is that financial criminal and all the other corrupt politicians enjoying SUVs and over seas trips at the people’s expense?
VAT is the SCAM of the CORRUPT IMF and CORRUPT World Bank’s trickle up policies – to make the poor people of the world poorer and pay for the corruption and criminality of the Global 1 percent which include 3rd world dictators whose stolen funds are parked in off shore bank accounts that invest in the Western Capitals and keep their stock markets going.
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Sam Fernando / September 14, 2016
If that is the case that W Rajakapkshe remains not fulfiling his dueties as expected….. he has to go home…
Any young UNP blood would do the job properly.
I believe, if Senasinghe is free from the allegations being levelled at him – him to become the MINISTER of Justice to do the due accordingly.
We dont need any kind of Gonthadiyas like Wijedasa if he further supports stinky politicians of the previous regime.
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thrishu / September 14, 2016
Absolutely the right thing to do, before slapping tax on innocent victims. Confiscate all their assets, home and abroad, first and then look into who else is holding Rajapassa assets in their names as surrogates. Sri Lanka Revenue and tax department must also investigate the acquisitions, income and tax accounts of all that became mega millionaires and billionaires overnight during Rajapassa regime,and extract what is due from them, and confiscate illegal hoardings.
Rajitha, don’t be a useless “bokku kata” (big mouth; do what you were elected to do and that you people promised to the people.
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Sama / September 14, 2016
We perfectly know while living outside of the country – if there are allegations levelled at someone -his or her will be investigted wihtout being that hindered.. But why not Basils assets assumed to have collected in the US is being not even touched yet ?
Basil s family is left to be in the US – his should cover billions as many believed… even fair to believe them, the manner he behaved was also VERY close that.
Thrisu tell me why Lanken Authorities did not reveal anything about Basils assets yet ?
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Ceylonese / September 15, 2016
Innocent victims elected thieves and mobsters.
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Amarasiri / September 14, 2016
Dear Cabinet spokesman and Minister Rajitha Senaratne
Please collect whatever you can from
1. Mahinda Rajapaksa and Family
2, Basil Rajapaksa and Family
3. Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Family
4. The Cronies of Rajapaksa,
and if thee is still s shortfall
Hang them, one by one, especially those who have committed murders and killings.
Aren’t the killers Duminda Silva and Cronies going to be hanged, after being found guilty in a court of Law?
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AJ / September 15, 2016
Well said !
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Seelawathie Jayasinghe / September 14, 2016
We talk about all various kind of discussions being telecasted and broadcasted via TV and Radio.
But none of the MEDIA men /Insitution held a constructive dialogue with former president about the billion ranging debts left by his govt.
WHY ?
Is this not what timeworthy ? Mahinda Rajakashes et al have been making this a joke…. amulika boru.. blatant lies.. he said lately… so do his men too. Why the prevailing laws allow him to add the kind prevarications not being subjected to panel discussions keeping it within the professionals. Each and every debt the current govt has to pay should be discussed via OPEN tv with Mahinda- none other than Mahinda he was the former Minster of Finance… basta
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Babansincho Jayathilaka / September 14, 2016
Why Basil remains scot free ?
No secret the man was the master mind of all high profile abuses deliberately done in terms of money grabs.
He is the person to have offered over 170millions or More to the Ltte at the time Sripathi was alive
Why nothign is being done to corner this MAN yet today ?
Why BASIL et al be given safer heaven in this country even today ?
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Sam Fernando / September 14, 2016
Please guys, if you are not yet aware of it… the manner Rajakashes offered
200, 000000 of Tax payers funds ( 200 million of lanken rupees or more)to LTTE terorists to please them is making very clear by the men that involved,
while the master mind of the deal – Basil Rajapakshe remains no itwas not… Sripathi and others voices you will get to hear if you have listend to the video telecasted by ITN last night under the program of
KAUDA ATHTHA KIYANNE. these are no means doctored ones.
Please watch the videos. Crystal clear Rajakashes betrayed teh nation.. if Army soldiers went kilings and missing, it was becasue the new weapons that LTTE bought withthe money offered to them by Rajakashes .. that no other leaders did, though their CHARACTORs are assaisianted by Rajapakshe MEDIA units. This nation was made fools by those media men no body else.
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Vanguard / September 14, 2016
Why you pay his loans? is it worth it?
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Patriot / September 14, 2016
If that is the case why don’t give the country back to Rajapaksa asking him to pay back the loans instead of robbing the poor people.
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Appubaba / September 14, 2016
You really really sound to be literally patriotic OMG….
Like the chicken nests were handed over to the all greedy fox – MR would have turned the country to a Somalia within few weeks. This will be a certainity than anything else. Is that what you want ?
The bugger, even today, no remorseful at all about the sums that the current regime have to bear due to the exaggerated mismanagement of former regime. Alone that shows he mustnot be appointed to even build a house for a poor man in Hambantota. Bugger s election to the office as I now see should be the major mistake done by lanken voters not forgetting biased media men of the island nation.
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Tamil from the north / September 15, 2016
Patriot the numb scull, so from your infinite wisdom you have provided more muck on CT. Idiot, you want to give the country back to the Rajapaksa thieves so that they can rob the country and kill more people? I see how brilliant Parayapaksa supporters are? Just like the Parayapaksa, the supporters are real pariahs too.
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Ravi / September 14, 2016
Because of Central Bank fraud
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colin / September 14, 2016
Understandable the people have to bear the burden.How about reducing that burden by increasing the price of petrol and use that for recovering.Further double the price of Arrack would be another option and use that too to reduce the burden.So that VAT raised could be halved
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Shamal / September 14, 2016
The price of fuel can be cut by half! This story that Ceylon Petroleum Corporation supposedly being in debt used as the reason they can’t reduce prices! Why don’t they tell the public the amount outstanding and exactly how long it will take to pay it off at the current fuel price (that is already overpriced for this reason) Mr presedant we demand a debt count down counter be put up seperatly for all these supposed debts on the relavent government web sites. So that the public can see on a monthly basis how their tax money is being used for these debets to be settled.and see for ourselves these numbers shrink and get settled once and for all. We are sick of all these made up stories!
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shankar / September 14, 2016
you can pay it back by cutting back your expenditure too.also getting a restructuring program for the loans as greece did with the EU.When you do such things then the people also will be happy to contribute something.Also what about our srilankan airlines.Sell it and pay back the restructured loans.
also what about your personal salary and other perks.Cut it down by 50% and show the people that Dr.rajitha is leading the way for others to follow.
after you are dead we will build a statue for you in a place of your choice.
thank you
yours faithfully
citizens of srilanka.
ps.or else when voting time comes watch out.we know how to use our power now.
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AJ / September 14, 2016
When Rajapakse were going around the world borrowing money at unaffordable interest rate, Ranil openly told the creditors that if I come to power, I will not repay the loan. Why is he paying the loan to creditors now or at least renegotiate the payment plan ?
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Samuel Jayaweera / September 14, 2016
THere is no other way than doing so now – if the govt to proceed.
Do you think that govt change can reject all the loans finliazed with decades long contracts ? IF THEREARE WHERE ON THE EARTH ? Chinese or other investors would never agree with a country if their contracts would have been rejected with govt changes.
Please have your brain check also by Dr Maheshi Seneviratne.. that can lead to you to fall further.
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AJ / September 14, 2016
Where on earth?
Ignorance at its best. Greece’s new government elected on platform that they will renogociate the debt payment and when it failed, Greece actually stopped making its debts payments this year. When a country refuses to pay back its debt, it’s called ‘sovereign default’. Other than Greece, Argentina , Belize and Jamaica defaulted on debt that I know of. I am sure there are more countries other than these I mentioned.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sovereign_default
For your information, I did go to the doctor you suggested for a brain check. He was astonished that I am very smart. He did warn me that you cognitive capabilities are limited and not up to par with mine. He asked me to remind you that you missed your follow up appointment to investigate why you got very low IQ. He asked me to remind you when he attended my presentation at the ”stupids who don’t know that they dumbest.”
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Kolonnawe_Babynona / September 15, 2016
Can we AT ALL compare the very situations of Greece,Agentina and the other few with that of srilanka ?
Greece`s fall was unique to that country.
You are smart- my foot ! I asked to go to a particular doctor – who is said to have doctored the medicalreports of convicted murderer -Duminda Silva.
Please have you checked your brain again for a second view, that can help you further for sure. Good luck btw.
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Aj / September 15, 2016
Well done taking my advice and seeing the particular doctor for a follow up. As a result, you are able to change your persona from Samuel Jaysweers to Kolansea baby brain. Keep going to follow up brain and your brain will evolve into homo erectus. Keep up the good job and good luck, as you need it the most.
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Simon De Silva / September 15, 2016
Yes as Babynona added, lanken issues are no easy. pEOPLEs power is above everything. See is that easy to move an inch towards making those folks clear in terms of devolution of power ?…never will it be AJ. Likewise, with the complex situation left by numerous loans taken most without records being held – there is no options than continue them to the end. Only few contracts could be subjected to further discussions. Similarly the loans taken by them are beyond all levels. And right now the govt make though efforts, they dont want to the press since JO sabotage men woudl spread it as ” govt is incampable of handling it”. There political rabid dogs will never see it… right.. genuine politics like in EU coutnries, you cant do it in SL in a country every second is pro CORRUPTion and Abuses
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Sunil / September 14, 2016
Enough of your lies! Stop giving excuses and continuing this “Game of Shape” (Sri Lankan term for cover up) and bring back the Rajapaksa stolen/black money! tell what you really need the VAT for enough using Rajapaksas as an excuse!
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nishan / September 14, 2016
many stupid comments. if you voted for Yahapalanaya then you should let the courts follow their normal slow process. especially for complicated financial cases. if you want quick cases which don’t follow due process then vote for a government that will have a corrupt judiciary.
looks like most people have voted for revenge against the Rajapaksas and not good governance.
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Rarityminds / September 14, 2016
“looks like most people have voted for revenge against the Rajapaksas and not good governance”
If you say so, then thre should have been some unbearable illparactices being practised by Rajakshes or not ?
6.3Millions to go against Rajapakshes should reflect with the high deficiencies of the previous regime.
For you guys, may be you are caught by intoxications towards Raja – since his term found end to the war… however, it was collectivity succeeded that.. even if he draged the cake fully for their greediness.
Today very same man MR is in a jealousy mode being unable to see Sirisena is doing it bit little bit better with the IC and also interior politics.Rajapakshes are ill fated ill educated, uncultured rascals born to Beliatta, they can be unpredictable as was known to us in 70ties. Hehimself how many times stood against MrsB or CBK or anyone…. where it is greediness to power, MR was there. There nature was somewhat like the behaviours of JVPrs in 89 insurgency. I left for Europe then and escaped myself… good enough to be young man to get caught by them and found the dead body being burnt down on tyre pyres.
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Mary / September 14, 2016
Why should we pay when it should be MR and his family who should be paying. MR is still living in luxury with bullet proof cars security and all other benefits . This government promised to recover the money from MR ….instead of doing that, they are loading us for recovery.
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bo / September 14, 2016
A few months ago, when queried about international debts, MARA allegedly had said that there were no accounts, and if there were no accounts how could he be prosecuted? Moreover his prophecy was that he had made sure that with no accounts, no future generation would have to pay the debts. Given all that diatribe from the previous Prez, may I ask Rajitha and all his lemmings, how they came up with this 1.3 Trillion that they claim. Who had kept the accounts, where the government found them records, and has the Government placed in the public domain how they came up with this figure? Where is the break down and who was responsible for them, and where the money went? Who is being prosecuted for mis-governance? Time to answer these questions as the citizens are demanding to know before they pay extra taxes to bail out the crooked politicians.
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Lanka Watch / September 14, 2016
Why punish the poor people by taxing them to pay the loans taken by
the previous Govt. Why not sell the Govt. assets like the House of
Parliament bldg.,the palatial houses owned by the past and present ministers to settle part of the loan and then request the people for
financial assistance, like increased taxes.
What austerity measures adopted by the govt. in view to pay back the heavy debts incurred by the past and present Govts. will be the
question asked by the people before accepting the VAT.
Have you cut down on unnecessary official travels abroad – NO
Have you cut down on Govt. ‘Thamashas’ – NO
Have you ceased operation of ‘white elephants’ like Sri
Lankan airlines, Mattala airport.and Ham.Habour – NO
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Simon De Silva / September 14, 2016
Said is easier than done, if the govt would close down all the white elephant projects as you suggested above – they will have not the least hope on Mattala or Harbour…instead they have to fight to get investors or giving them for leases so that lanken govt could earn some foreign funds. Man doing politics is no easy specially in the environment left by Meeharaka governance. They did it as no other. Born looters earned the respect for war victory, but that they licenced to abuse the nation.
Now ruling govt has to scavenger all the mountains of extrementa left by MR et al. He did not help the poor but his thugs like Dumind Silva or the like… Peacock Mansion pseudo owner-ASP liyanage or the like… and several other idiots Meeharaka felt was close to him. Ape miniha-Our man was kept in altar no matter have or havt the credentials. Respect and dignity eroded as tsunami wave swallowed the coastal belt of the island. Now with all courage, all patience, ruling duo have to do the job…. clearen of wreckage will take some more time, after that it will be all right.. we only need more patience. Bs
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Lanka Watch / September 15, 2016
Simon – Taxing the poor is easier than getting the money from the
rich as they prefer to lose a meal rather than arguing with the Govt. No foreign airline will agree for a debt sharing agreement
with Sri Lankan airlines (Rs107 Billion Debt) and no commercial airline will venture to operate via Mattala airport because the construction of the runway was not done as per International standards and has many short falls. So you see the reason as to why these ventures cannot be leased in a hurry, hence the govt. should have shifted the Air Force from katu. to Mattala and used the same airport as an alternate airport for ad hoc landings,as
a cost saving measure and given more room for more landing of commercial flights at Katu. Ham.habour could be made a transit hub but at what cost.? and how many ships pass that way?. govt. also should have downsized Sri Lankan airlines to a regional airline,cutting down on enormous operating costs and awaited
for a better period to start an Int’nl airline.
People would have sympathized and volunteered to pay the taxes
to clear the old debt created by the previous govt, provided
the current Govt. took some austerity measures like above.
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Simon De Silva / September 15, 2016
Yes agree, the govt has to warn the public and go for rigorous austerity measures else, it will not be easy. BUt we also have to be very careful when doing so – since we the folks are unique and all ULTRA nationalists such as NFF,BBS and the like will always make every efforts to paint it infavour of their each political survival.
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jim softy / September 14, 2016
Rajitha Senarathne is a liar. Yahapalana govt has given position to him because they know he is good at lieing.
I can not believe these people talk like this. Both the yahapalana journalists and anti-rajapakse Tamils are there to ask bllod of rajapakse, because of that it is a mess.
Yahapalana govt since the day they came, every week they are issueing treasury -bills, bonds and had taken loans from every country and by every way possible.
Yet, they did not stop hiring more ministers, issuing car permits to politicians. Recently, finance ministry lost half a billion custom tax revenue by not taxing car imports. There were few scandles including the Central bank scandla which gave away money to UNP supporters. Some of that money will come back to UNP as donatiopns. If Ranil is that good an economist as he want people to know, he would cut expenses by reducing the no of politicians that govern Sri lanka. Just think about the money spent to maintain these pinguthtayas.
As for comments by others, Rajitha Senarathna has six trawlers and more in his previous ministry Secretary’s name all with illegally earned money.
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AJ / September 15, 2016
The most truthful person in this forum and the one does verbal vomit says , Rajitha is a liar. Therefore it must be true.
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Shan / September 15, 2016
Soon, Rajapakse this, Rajapakse that talks will lose validity. It is time for this government to take responsibility and take country forward. You cannot blame MR for debt while selling his projects to the international community asking for FDI.
When Ban Ki Moon came, he said reconciliation should go hand in hand with development. Everyone takes loans for development. This government’s responsibility is to manage the debt and investigate any corruptions and develop country. Government is failing on all fronts.
My3 said he decided to run against MR in 2011. So he waited 4 more years. That also proved that My3 conspired to topple MR and part of the conspiracy, not a last minute selection by Ranil and Chandrika. Stop the talk and show the deeds.
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Don Juan Appuhamy / September 15, 2016
If you are the ilk are no blind and deaf see the following developments
a) Today we have more media freedom with no white vanning can take away the guts from anyone who would like to add his or her thoughts
b) Today we have made THE BILLA SYNDROME, Electric Chair are fully removed… no billas waiting but FCID or any CID investigations mainly focused on Rajaakashe family kith and kin and their bone lickers like Aluthgamage and that drag queen Wimal Buruwanse
c) Police is reacting independently, with much of being settled to sofar
d) 19 Amendement ot the constitution is passed with higher mandate to allow all the independent commissions being passed except audit bill
e) Salary hikes were given as promised
f) All the higher abuses left by Meeharaka led world have now been under investigation – though you guys keep calling it revengeful agendas
f) Not underestimating, BBS the most fiece dogs in sanga constumes have been cornered by strenghthening the law and order systems, no such attacks are being seen today that was promoted by Meeharaka himself and his brother gota.
g) No missings are reported – except some cases come to surface that is normal for a devleoping and poverty striking country such as hours, even if Rajakashe crooks labelled this land as a midcome earning nation
i) Education is funded more than had been before… after all not to undresstimate even FIRST citizen is being HIGHLY criticised today
And not to forget also Rajapakshes high criminals are made powerless for the sake of RESPECT and Dignity of the nation.
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Anonymous / September 15, 2016
Wander full comments
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Shan / September 15, 2016
It looks like Ranil’s secretory decided to post on CT. These are the same excuses given by UNP ministers. They lie all the time. For example, look at the ambulance service. They told everybody, Harsha even cried saying it is a gift from India and first year is free. Now they submitted a supplementary budget proposal requesting over i0 million (1 Crore). That education spending increase also is a myth. Independent election commission cannot even hold LG elections, we all know how bias police is. Bribery Communion is used to intimidate politicians who are not with the government, same is FCID. If you call them independent then there is something wrong with the word independent or you don’t understand what it means.
We can talk when the laws are applied equally. One rule for government supporters and another for opponents. That is definitely not good governance.
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arj / September 15, 2016
what is happening to the money yahapalanaya crocks borrowing , Ravi and all the thieves stealing it without we know, who ever coms to power next time will protect them as they are doing it to MR crooks, so poor Sri Lankans always loose, did you see what happens to the Drugs (cocaine ) came in sugar containers, or did you see the names of the importer no, why they are colluding and stealing our money.
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Sugath / September 15, 2016
The two biggest liars in this cabinet are Rajitha and Wedding Sam. Rajitha is a liar of the highest order and has no shame or no moral compass.
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D.E.M.O Krazy / September 16, 2016
Dear Mr Senaratna,
The Rajapaksa clan and Chanuka Ratwatta have ROBBED THE COUNTRY BILLIONS of Rupees…they could not have spent all that money in 9 years…as most of the comments suggest CONFISCATE ALL of their assets Freeze bank accounts and pay back the debt instead of Taxing the hard working innocent folk of the country, also stop buying Expensive Cars for Parliamentarians and Ministers!
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jehan / September 16, 2016
confisticate all the assets from Mr and the crowd.
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