Violent mobs have marched through parts of the Kurunegala District for nearly 24 hours attacking mosques, homes and businesses in Muslim settlements in the area with most of the violence taking place while police curfew is in effect, raising fears of another anti-Muslim riot in the area along the lines of Aluthgama in 2014 or Digana in 2018.
Mobs laid siege to the Kuliyapitiya, Hettipola, Aukana, Kottampitiya areas and by evening today May 13 had moved to Nikaweratiya town area driving Muslim families, now in the midst of their Ramadan fast into paddy fields and into hiding Muslim leaders said.
Footage has emerged of mobs moving through towns while curfew is in place in full view of the police. Mobs burnt vehicles meters away from the Hettipola police station earlier in the day.
Activists also reported that mobs had been stopping vehicles and beating passengers. At least three mosques were attacked in Kiniyama a Muslim village in Kuliyapitiya.
Residents are fearful the mobs will return as darkness falls again to attack homes.
Police arrested several suspects in connection with the violence overnight but released them within hours after the mobs threatened to attack more and more villages unless the suspects were released.
President Maithripala Sirisena who is the Minister of Defence and Law and Order left for China to attend another conference. Apart from calling for calm on Twitter Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has made no moves to control the violence or call in the armed forces to maintain the peace.
After several incidents of violence were reported from Minuwangoda Police declared a curfew that covers the Gampaha District as well until 6AM tomorrow (14). The entire North Western Province is under curfew until further notice as the unrest continues.
Lankan / May 13, 2019
Sri Lanka is full of bloody morons, donkeys, racist pigs.
Ashamed to be Sri Lankan, ashamed to be a Sinhalese.
Bloody police and bloody army..
Who’s to argue that they couldn’t have massacred innocent Tamil civilians in 2009?
Is there even a statement from the bloody President or the bloody PM warning people to desist from this?
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Chitra / May 14, 2019
There are plenty of videos showing the police looking away and not doing a darn thing to stop this ugly display of thuggery and racism.
This reminds me of the July 83 riots. This is going to be another black mark for Sri Lanka. Where the hell are our leaders?
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Rationalist / May 14, 2019
Why are we Sri Lankans, willing to be led by the Nose by American Weapons Manufacturers?
Why don’t we realise that Wars are started by Weapons Manufacturers to keep them on top in the Race for Economic Leadership?
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babanpunchi / May 14, 2019
Why aer we srilanken, forced to be led by Chinese ? Is it not the cold war between america +west against China ?
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Not just ours but all the likeminded countries have to purchase weapons.
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We should be able to create the atmosphere so that no such purchases would be need of. This can only be achieved through PROPER awareness programs.::: Latter is blocked within the country since MEDIA MAFIA run by political goons along with media owners are very strong.
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So long, blood thirsty politicians of Rajaakshes nature, or ones who may try to win back their extensions, irrespective of brutal past, we the people in this country are guinea pigs being set for their poltiical masturbation.
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Reg / May 14, 2019
The Ponnaya President has gone overseas and left the country to burn.
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Thiru / May 14, 2019
“There are hundreds of rioters, police and army are just watching. They have burnt our mosques and smashed many shops owned by Muslims,” a resident, who asked not to be identified, told the Reuters news agency. “When we try to come out of our house, police tell us to stay inside.” Aljazeera news.
If this is how the State and the security forces act – not protecting the victims, where is the rule of law will normalcy and peace ensue?
Sinhalese mobs jungle law is in force! I won’t be surprised if attacks on Muslims continue during the island-wide curfew. This was the norm in the past/present.
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Chitra / May 14, 2019
Not a word. Just like JR Jayawardene after the July 83 riots, which was a massacre. Where is the address to the nation condemning the violence and telling these brainless dolts to stop attacking people and property? Who is in charge here?
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Amarasiri / May 14, 2019
Lankan ,
“Is there even a statement from the bloody President or the bloody PM warning people to desist from this?”
Sirisena, Gamarala is in China! Anyway from the grape vines,, bulath vines..
Although there were allegations against Minister Rishard Bathiudeen for supplying tons of copper to the millionaire businessmen Inshaf Ahmad’s factory Closures Pvt Limited at Wellampitiya, who detonated a suicide bomb at the Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo, it was revealed that it was President Pallewatta Gamarala who has insisted minister Bathiudeen to supply tons of copper to the suicide bombers copper factory.
Public relations director general Shantha Bandara of president Gamarala has sent a signed letter dated 6th June 2018 to the chairman of Technical Development Board (under minister Rishard) to supply 500 tons of scraped copper for a concessionary rate to the above factory.
Lanka e news has no personal agenda o white wash minister Bathiudeen but it is our duty to reveal that the public that the alleged person for the disaster is not Bathiudeen but president Gamarala.
Although president Gamarala was the real supplier to the bomb factory, he covered that and exposed Bathiudeen as the offender to the public because it was the president who has said Bathiudeen to leave the country. President who has called Bathiudeen and said, he has lots of pressure to arrest him, therefore to leave the country for few days. Since he cannot deny the request of the president minister Bathiudeen has left the country without telling even the premier. Now the whole country assumes that Bathiudeen left the country in fear that he supplied copper to the bombers factory. One can comprehend the treacheries and unpatriotic conduct of president Gamarala.
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Ritigala Jayers / May 14, 2019
Terrorist doesn’t have a race or religion! Same for Sinhalese , Tamils & Muslims.( Copied from Muslim brothers after the terror attack)
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SJ / May 13, 2019
All violent acts of crime against any people should be treated in the same way.
The government and the security forces should show the same determination that they show in disarming and arresting the Muslim terrorist groups to contain the racially motivated criminal gangs..
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Failure will mean that the cooperation of Muslims in eliminating terrorism will be affected. It can also lead to the emergence of frustrated groups acting in irresponsible ways.
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Lanka rani / May 14, 2019
Rather than attack innocent Muslim, time to organize massive protests out side the US Embassy in Colombo which should be searched for bombs as US diplomats were found with Bomb materials at JAIC Hilton,
Where is the JVP at this time? AKD desperate for power, bought by USAID funds just like many Colombo NGOs?
JVP is very quiet about the foreign hands that fund, own and operate ISIS – USA and its proxy Saudi Arabia which had advanced notice of the carnage.
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Sigera / May 13, 2019
What is Madhumadhawa Arawinda doing in the riots. Arrest the bastard NOW.
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Oliver / May 13, 2019
Thanks to Galabodaatthe Gnanasaara we have the Wahabis planting bombs. Don’t release Galabodaatthe Gnanasaara. He with Sirisena and Gota will cause further havoc to this country.
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Ritigala Jayers / May 14, 2019
Terrorist doesn’t have a race or religion! Same for Sinhalese , Tamils & Muslims.( Copied from Muslim brothers after the terror attack)
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JD / May 14, 2019
Police should arrest those culprits and should find what their religion ans whether there are any handlers behind. Who organized it etc.,
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Silva / May 14, 2019
Jay Chambers, you are really a gas chamber. Your hate towards fellow human beings should poison you and destroy you for good. CT please refrain posting comments of this nature from mentally sick person like Jay Chambers. This sick man should know, these kinds of barbaric action by these Sinhalese mobs, it’s not only destroying the Muslims but the entire country, all of them Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Christians etc..When the economy hits the bottom of the pit, and is destroyed, they would feel the pinch and pain. Then all of them would start to eat each other, when nothing is left there for to them make a living.
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Siri / May 14, 2019
Oh Good and wonderful scenes, do it well and good for it would bring the Americans, Russians, Chinese, Indians, Iranians, Saudis, Israelis into the country to do a grand party like in Syria, and Muslims, Buddhists, Hindu, Christians etc, and all of them would take part with full and ferocious actions. Yes, these hooligans and their puppets masters are heading in the direction to make the beautiful, paradise Sri Lanka another Syria, and going to destroy it for good.
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Prof Kumar David / May 14, 2019
The majority of the population, most Sinhala-Buddists included, abhor these acts of religious violence against Muslims just as much as 99% of Muslims abhor the Easter Sunday terrorism.
The government and the cops-military are afraid to deal with these mobs as firmly as they were willing to go after the jihadists. Why? The SB vote bank and the impending elections. The UNP/F, the SLPP/FP and unfortunately even the JVP are playing bastard politics because of this vote bank.
Unfortunately it seems very difficult to float a credible alternative at the moment. Looks like we are being pushed to choose between two s-o-b’s – Ranil and Gota
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Buddhist / May 14, 2019
I was shocked to hear the preamble of News 1st news tonight. Maharajah”s News 1st has no right to give opinion on any politician or political party or political action taken by the Government. Its sad to see Sirasa, Hiru, Derana, Daily Mirror, Island etc have become political opinion dispensers. Immediately the Govt should take action. Its not the duty of the media to give opinion. They can only broadcast or telecast news and that too they have to make sure its not FAKE NEWS. If they telecast or broadcast any FAKE NEWS, even if they came from other politicians, these media institutions should be taken before the courts.
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Mallaiyuran / May 14, 2019
After ordering to his acolytes, EP gone to China. Sinhala Buddhist Patriotism is in action once more. Allah and Buddha together “Naunpoo Kaakkinam” (fasting). Didn’t do much! You can depend on Aappa kara Judas, but not on Allah or Buddha. Laymen are alone, on their own, running for their safety.
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Jeewaka / May 14, 2019
Due to his relentless hate speech Galabodaatthe Gnanasaara should take bulk of responsibility for breaking down Sinhala – Muslim relations and race riots. Do not release him.
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Chris / May 14, 2019
Ven Galabodaatthe Gnanasaara, Udaya Gammanpila Madumadhawa Aravinda and Hisbullah, Asad Sali, Ali Sabri are both extremists though operate in two opposing sides. Both extremests (Sinhala and Muslim) are pouring petrol to burning fire
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Rajash / May 14, 2019
1983 all over …
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Sri Lanka is the property of the politicians
…when will Ceylonese wake up ……
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Buddhist / May 14, 2019
Its time the Government bans all gatherings where there are more than 10 individuals. Further from all media one can notice its SLPP members of Mahinda Rajapakse who are conducting various political meetings and making very dangerous statements. Mahinda too got the information about the attack in advance, he called Gotabaya and both did nothing other than protecting themselves and their family members. Government should immediately ban all gathering over 10, ban all political meetings until there is calm in the country, ensure that all media organizations which publish statements which are not evaluated for Fake News are taken to task etc. This is not a time to stay calm when SLPP is making bogus statements.
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Saman / May 14, 2019
Gotabaya, Mahinda, Ranil, Sirisena must be responsible
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K A Sumanasekera / May 14, 2019
Nearly all UNP & LTTE supporting spokespeople of the overseas residents ,have come out, firing on All Cylinders to give a hand to their respective parties which are under siege, to drag the Sinhala Buddhists n in to this .
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Mangala Samraweera, Dr Ranil , Galleon Ravi, Dr Rajitha ,Sampthar , Abraham ,Suren Surendran ,and their NGO operatives who work hard to protect their Yahapalanaya and get another Extension must be rubbing their hands with glee..
Because there are so many unresolved items in the Yahapalana MOU, which Dr Ranil has been unable to fulfill, although the Yhapalanaya has reached the home stretch…-
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The Cardinal Dr Malocom Ranjith has issued a Yellow Card to his followers to refrain them.
I am sure they would not join the Mobs to attack Muslims in general who live among Sinhalese.
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Buddhist Monks have joined the Cardinal and promised their fullest support to the Cardinal to restrain Sinhala Buddhists from attacking Muslims.’
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Although it is not possible the general consensus among our great Sinhala Buddhist Majority is that His Highness Dr Malcom Ranjith should become the President to get them out of this Yahapalana Mess.
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SLPP which got 5.8 Million votes in 2015 now have well over 6.5 Million with the Catholic Community craving to get their lives back and live in peace and harmony.
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No one among those High Flying UNP Power Rangers, who are backed by Billions of Diaspora , and Western Bux are not game enough to even put the Hand up as a challengers to Nandasena.
Even with the Election only less than 6 Months away…..
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So logically will the Sinhala Buddhists who are with the Opposition and Dr Malcolm want to riot ?
Of course not.
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Sapumal / May 14, 2019
Rajapaksa gang (including wimal, Gammanpila factions) is behind this ugly incidents. It is clear with this Madhu Madhawa racist fellows presence. certain intelligence Agencies may have the information.
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roy / May 14, 2019
These bloody bastards will never learn a lesson .We witnessed everything in 83 ,and felt the consequences . The same goons repeating this type of riots for the third time and get away with the same style ,police were with the rioters during the curfew harassing the Muslims.
This is a well planned attack , they started checking Muslim houses took all the knives swords etc ,
used the media for their propaganda to say the terrorist are planning an attack , and they chose Monday so that they cant’t have processions all over the world till the weekend, Gamarala leaves to China leaving his allies MaRa brothers to run the show.
what a tragedy ,for political gains they ransacked the country killing innocent men destroying properties . By doing this they only create more Zaharans .
Because of these perpetrators the rest of the Srilankans have to suffer. The economy is already feeling the pinch . This is what the terrorists wanted and the fools delivered it.
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Sri... / May 14, 2019
Very sad state…. Sri Lanka will never prosper if this is the mind set of our people. Sri Lanka is a nation that depends heavily on imports and such kind of action will prompt more import to replace the goods, folks please remember that Sri Lankan dollar flow outward will increase and that will jepodise our nation.
Act wisely!!!!
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nalmen / May 14, 2019
it is reported that it is members of the ravana bala kaya that are responsible for the attacks on mosques in the nwp and not catholics .
it was the same crowd that attacked muslims at digana
security forces dont show the same enthusiasm in arresting them as they showed in the case of muslim terrorists
i hope ruwan is up to it as ms was an utter failure
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Ad / May 14, 2019
Don’t have much Hope’s from SL politicians and security forces. UN must send its forces during such riots.
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kebab / May 14, 2019
What would have happened if Christian, Hindu or Buddhist attacked a mosque or a public place in a Muslim majority country like Pakistan, Indonesia , Egypt , Saudi or even Malaysia ?
Double standards is the theme here. I don’t excuse this, but can the Muslims afford to talk after what they did to the churches and hotels ?
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Soam / May 14, 2019
My God, please save the Sri Lankan from this utter misery. It is pathetic the President is on two weeks “Leave” while the country is burning. This is beyond joke and treacherous.
The mass should wake up NOW, otherwise the country become worse than Afghanistan or Somalia. It will only take few good Sri Lankans, young and old of all races to rally and end the current state and the current ineffective Government and the President. Constitution can be overridden by mass rally calling for the President to be sacked. WAKE UP SRI LANKA, the land of the ill-omened people.
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DAN PRASAD TAKES OVER / May 14, 2019
Bus loads of supporters of some members of opposition were seen along with Dan Prasad moving from Chillaw to other areas destroying shops ,vehicles and homes and dragging muslim.men ,women and children out of their home before setting fire to properties and beating men ,Women &children who later ran into paddy fields ,later one of the opposition member was seen rescuing few mob remembers who were under police custody driving his own Jeep.
The mob moved to Minwangoda after attacks in Minuwangoda they were suppose to.attack.Ekala ,Mahabage ,mabola and proceed to Colombo.
Another mob was planned to move from waduwe to dehiwala but cancelled the plans after the iron fist speech of The Army Chief.
People are more than certain some members of the opposition are behind this , one of the main reasons is the anger towards The Cardinal.,they wanted to humiliate him and send him a message he is not in control.
Although the present Anti-Anti Teroror has no provision to take strong action against rioting mobs ,The Army chief must be salutated ,he consolidated the three arm forces and the police and was ready to do more than he can if he had to stop the mob move beyond Minuagoda and he was able to stop it.
If The anti Teroror act was amended this would not have happened.
Some members of The opposition were completely behind this.
Now its in the hands of the sane Sinhalese voters to decide the future of this country in 2020
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Jay Chambers / May 14, 2019
I would implore everyone here to try and think straight. Did anyone ever imagine Moslems fanatics will produce suicide bombers of ISIS in Lanka? I don’t think anyone wearing away here had the remotest clue. I have been CONSISTENTLY telling everyone on CT that a massive attack in coming. And I was berated for my thoughts by everyone, without exception. And yet, I was correct.
And this attack was just a preamble. Moslems already have the supply chain and logistics with nerve gas, VX, Sarin, Tabun and the works. When they attack, then the Easter Sunday attacks will look like mere fireworks. Please BEWARE of ALL Moslems. Almost everyone is radicalized and energized and believe that Allah’s heaven is within reach. They WILL attack with nerve gas and tens of thousands will die.
I don’t want to be correct again and writing here after the worst massacre in the history of mankind by never gas has happened in Lanka. Your politicians are corrupt and they know the nerve gas is in the Eastern province and other homes of Moslem elite all over the country. Take action, check them out carefully. They will likely keep them in canisters like ISIS does in Syria. They can be difficult to detect.
Do not trust a single Moslem or their apologists until this menace is wiped out but that can happened only if mass incarceration and interrogation of Moslems in Lanka happens fast.
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J. Chambers / May 14, 2019
As a frequent visitor to Lanka, I have seen the rise of Islamic extremism. When I first started coming here twenty years ago it was such a lovely place. As a member of the queer community, I enjoyed the company of many young people on the beaches. The liberal Sinhalese parents never objected to my socialising . After all I compensated them very well.
But when I started visiting the East coast after the war, I was always met with hostile stares from burqa clad Moslem women who kept their children from me. How unjust is this? These Moslems stick to their mediaeval practices, including banning homosexual practices even between consenting individuals. I suppose they don’t need my money due to the inflows of Wahabi money. I was arrested only once in Bangkok, but apparently the Lankan police are aware of that due to information provided by Muslims
Do not trust a single Moslem or their apologists until this menace is wiped out but that can happened only if mass incarceration and interrogation of Moslems in Lanka happens fast. I would be delighted to provide input on colonic irrigation techniques.
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Eagle Eye / May 14, 2019
“Apart from calling for calm on Twitter Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has made no moves to control the violence or call in the armed forces to maintain the peace.”
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As happened in 1983, may be he knows who these guys are. Plan A did not work. May be going for Plan B.
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I wonder what happened to the Bond Scam report that President promised to release.
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chiv / May 14, 2019
It is time CT needs to look into, not just the comments policy but what is being published. I read CT only because I do not read anything in social media or Lankan media. But if CT allows people to use this platform to spread hatred and violence , by way publishing articles with. hidden messages, altered facts,fake news and comments ,then there is no difference between CT and the rest. These rogues are already abusing the Lankan media including Mirror, Island and others who,s sole purpose is to cause hatred and more violence. Is ” F” word is the only criteria to edit comments??????There are plenty here who are writing much more degrading comments . Just see the comments under the Muslim writers articles. The purpose is to suppress them from presenting their views. If this is going to be the case why would anyone even bother writing or reading anymore.
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Leslie / May 14, 2019
How is is that all Sinhalese people only moving about in vehicles after curfew is imposed and butchering people and burning everything in their sights.
How is it that Madumadawa allowed to go to place which is in strict curfew.
It is under curfew these Sinhalese thugs attacked Aluthgama and Digana while the security officers watched and aided them.
Who are you kidding. So who is there to protect these people. Government is incapable, Security forces don’t THEN WHO
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Ad / May 14, 2019
This is the result of politicians taking over unnecessary powers which should have been vested with police and forces. Now because of fear of losing votes from majority community, all the MP’s are quiet expecting that they will be re elected only if they allow violence from the rowdy majority. If citizens are clever, don’t vote for any of these MP’s again. Give your vote to a new entrant with proven track record of honesty. It is then the citizens can expect peaceful co existence.
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Vijani Abeywardane / May 14, 2019
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2
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