By Darshanie Ratnawalli –
“Salagama? Certainly not”, Sumangala Thera of the Sugatha-Dakshinaramaya temple in Skelton Road refutes my speculation about Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe’s caste as authoritatively as only a Buddhist monk hailing from Kanumuldeniya, just two kilometres from Rajapakshe’s original village of Horewala in Walasmulla, and went to school with him can. As political issues hotted up and Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe became flavour of the month, the first public reference to Rajapakshe’s caste was made on 13 August by Badulla District MP Dilan Perera, couched as an admonition not to rely on the caste ridden as well as chauvinistic Joint Opposition which, whichever Rajapaksa it welcomes, will not accept a Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe.
My speculation that Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe may be Salagama was based on his authorship of ‘C.P De Silva, The Minneriya Deviyo, So close and yet so far’, a treatise which casts C. P. De Silva as an unsung hero who was deprived of his rightful destiny to be Prime Minister. On Chapter nine, Rajapakshe writes about the forces which wrested the premiership from C.P. De Silva and conferred it upon Dudley Senanayake in March 1960,
“Although the Governor –General Oliver Goonathileke invited Dudley Senanayake to form a government, the members of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and other leftist parties preferred to form a government under the premiership of C.P. De Silva as leftist parties in the opposition had secured a larger number of seats altogether than the United National Party. There was no barrier constitutionally or otherwise for Oliver Goonathileke to call upon C.P. De Silva…When Oliver Goonathileke was shilly-shallying late into the day as to whom he should call upon to form the government, media personnel were compelled to ask him what caused the delay. Then the cat came out of the bag, he queried as to how he could call upon a Silva to form a government in this country…C.P De Silva’s second chance of becoming the Prime Minister of this country unfortunately slipped off for no fault of his, but for the caste-minded attitude of the then Head of the State Sir Oliver Goonathileke.”
“He is said to be of the Deva caste,” says Sumangala Thera who shares ‘old boyhood’ of Kanumuldeniya Maha Vidyalayala with Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and Pallekande Ratanasara Thera.
Sumangala Thera was the first stop in the necessarily brief journey this writer undertook to discover Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe. What are his motivations, what niche does he expect in the history books of the future?.
According to R. J. De Silva, nephew of C. P De Silva, the niche that W. Rajapakshe identifies most with is what C.P. De Silva had, that of the unsung hero, the real patriot, who is marginalized and deprived of his rightful place due to causes including but not limited to caste.
“He identifies strongly with C.P. Otherwise there is no reason for him to write a book on C.P. C.P. was from Balapitiya, while this man is from Walasmulla. Halfway through the book, he had asked Ranil Wickremesinghe to connect him with a family member. Then only was he referred to us. It’s unusual for people to talk about caste in writing, but Rajapakshe talks about how C.P. was deprived of premiership due to caste. Whatever anyone says, people like to give respect to their caste, not necessarily to follow the caste system.”
Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe the lawyer
There are mixed opinions about his competence as a legal professional. The late Totsy Vittachchi who was among those fought Harry Jayawardena over the ownership of the Stassen Group is said to have spoken glowingly of Rajapakshe’s competence. Another reliable source claims to have met people who have experienced Rajapakshe’s incompetence. C. P’s nephew R. J. De Silva who is also an attorney at law and the present Chairman of HDFC Bank of Sri Lanka admits that mixed reports of Wijeyadasa’s competence exist within the legal profession. A reliable source who wishes to remain anonymous claims that a former Chief Justice, who will also have to remain anonymous, recounts an anecdote which casts aspersions on Wijeyadasa’s professionalism. According this, Rajapakshe once undertook to perform some task in courts, which promise he failed to honour, instead sending his junior to say he had to attend parliament, which it turned out was not true. According to R. J, De Silva, this sort of thing is not unheard of in the profession, where integrity of the type displayed by the likes of S L Gunasekera is quite rare.
What is irrefutable is that at just 58, Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe can claim authorship of at least 11 legal books including ‘Case Law on Civil Procedure Code’, ‘Practice and Law of Banking’ and four volumes on ‘The Law of Property’.
Rajapakshe, the patriot
According to R. J. De Silva, in the book on his uncle, Rajapakshe has “brought out the photographs of all the past patriots. I asked him, why have you designed a chapter in the book for people who have no connection to C.P? He said because they were the real patriots and they were marginalized and forgotten.”
R.J is referring to chapter 17 of ‘C.P. De Silva, So close and yet so far’, which is titled ‘Short-lived memories of people’ and contains subheadings such as ‘Fate of Dr. C.W.W. Kannangara- Father of Free Education’, ‘Sir Don Baron Jayatilake- Kicked upstairs’.
Is Wijedasa Rajapakshe a patriot or is he a populist who carefully calculates what issues to take up and when for maximum impact, instead of doing the right thing at the right time?
When Sri Lanka co-sponsored A/HRC/RES/30/1 at the 30th session of the Human Rights Council, on 13 October 2015, Wijeyadasa held the Justice portfolio. The co-sponsored resolution contained the words, “affirms in this regard the importance of participation in a Sri Lankan judicial mechanism, including the special counsel’s office, of Commonwealth and other foreign judges, defence lawyers and authorized prosecutors and investigators;”.
According to Ambassador H.M.G.S. Palihakkara, former Governor of the Northern Province, former Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Permanent Representative for UN, resolutions are non-treaty instruments that are not legally binding in international law. A co-sponsored resolution represents a promise, an undertaking made to the international community by a State, which then is placed under an obligation to honour the same, the failure of which would reflect negatively on that State’s credibility.
In an academic as opposed to a political evaluation of Rajapakshe’s patriotism, what stands out is that Justice and Buddha Sasana Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe did not object to the above words in the co-sponsored resolution. He did not say, co-sponsor by all means, but drop those words about Commonwealth and other foreign judges, defence lawyers, prosecutors and investigators. What stands out clearly is that Rajapakshe along with his government did not see anything wrong in making such a promise to the international community.
On 6 January, 2017 Minister Rajapakshe came out with his media statement (as reported in Daily Mirror) that “even the UN could not force the government to include foreign judges, as it was against the UN charter to force or to pressure member states, be it large or small, powerful or weak. Having foreign judges in local tribunals is also a violation of the Constitution.” He was effectively saying that it was alright to make a promise and back out of it if such a promise was not legally enforceable. That he was merely reproducing his own government’s position stated by both its leaders, does not excuse him in the light of his loftier aspirations towards an earlier era of patriotism.
Rajapakshe, the champion of the Buddha Sasana
Malinda Seneviratne, a prominent spokesman for the Sinhala Buddhist position in the ideologisphere says that Rajapakshe used to be anti Buddhist and sought to prevent Buddhist monks from entering Parliament. Sumangala Thera however holds that this was not anti-Buddhist as being biased towards any stand or party goes against the essence of Buddhism. Rajapakshe has even authored a book in Sinhala on ‘Adverse effect of the participation of monks in politics’, which can be interpreted as an act of a devout Buddhist.
Wijeyadasa Rajapakhe, a marginalized hero
The careergraph of Rajapakshe in politics so far shows a shooting star. His removal from Justice and Buddha Sasana portfolios shows rather than marginalization, an inevitable consequence of suddenly displaying in public, a radically different position from his government, which he has failed to show in his cabinet persona. The jury is still out on Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, because his story is yet to develop fully. Whether he realizes his aspirations to be another C.P. De Silva by freeing Sri Lanka from international bullying, ridding society of such feudal remnants as caste prejudices, serving the rural community, strengthening the Buddha Sasana among other things would depend upon how ready he is to sacrifice heroics in favour of true integrity.
Jimsofty / August 27, 2017
Idon’t know the caste implications. Those things comes only when people cannot find anything else to be superior to the other———- As I read else where, Maithripala sirisena and Ranil wickramsinghe thought to pick on wijedasa Rajapakse to prove a point that is WR was corrupt and so that he favoured Rajapkses over the Central Bank daylight robbery. Anyway, the central Bankk robberyinvestigatin is the coverup arranged by MY3 and no one else.—————— When RW was fired, JO thought doing something similar to show that they are also against corruption and they picked on what AKD was planning and they filed a no confidencemotion against another corrupt politician of the Horapalanaya, that is Rajtha Senarathne. Then I know Nothing Ravi came and took advantage of that and some how the JO lost the motion. I think WR should be helped.
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Jagath Fernando / August 27, 2017
Wijedasa has moved from one party to another like Thonda and Hakeem and benefited over the last 30-40 years.
It was Mahinda who helped him the 1980s to establish himself as a lawyer. He used to introduce him to senior lawyers and got him work as a junior.
When CBK was President he made inroads. Made loads of money on legal cases from state institutions including media institutions. He capped off the CBK period by being appointed as a President Counsel purely as a political appointee.
During the time of Mahinda, made his mark and ended up with Avant Garde case.
Crossed over to Ranil during Yahapalanaya and got himself appointed to CC. Kept the relationships with Rajapakse clan going for future benefits and due to his loyalty.
Was seen with Mahinda last night at Bellanwila temple and likely that he will support Joint Opposition.
Seen by the Buddhist priests as the savior of the nation and Buddhism..
Don’t be too surprised if he ends up as common candidate in 2020.
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Justice & Fairplay / August 28, 2017
Jagath, to be considered the savior of our nation, old Wije needs to be in a sarong. Nothing like a sarong to save the nation.
Maybe a satakaya will elevate him to absolute pedigree status?
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Chokka boy / August 28, 2017
No, not sarong but a loin cloth with parts exposed, that keeps with his character!
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Silva / August 28, 2017
My speculation that Darshanie Ratnawalli’s surname is ‘De Silva, a Salagama’ was based on her authorship of this article regarding ‘Salagama and De Silva’.
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Matilda Ellepola / August 27, 2017
WR-more commonly called as the DEAL-Dasa is a very smart cookie.
He is playing the religious cards close to his chest as he is trying to fool the Sinhala/Buddhist masses around Maharagama in Colombo District with the likes of Weerawansa, Patali etc in a preferential vote in a future election., he need a card to get into the vote block of the JHU and this fake Buddhist is very much successful so far.
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Ben Hurling / August 28, 2017
Sir,
A SMART COOKIE indeed. Masterfully blocked & delayed ghastly Welikada prison massacre. Had the audacity to promise the nation, once so powerful, blood-thirsty, lunatic behind that horrific crime will never be arrested. Never under his watch. An ace FAKE BUDDHIST too. Can any one with a heart turn a blind-eye, help cover up, even justify such utter injustice? Only fake buddhists, right-wing christians and Islamic fanatics can. In that sense, Dealdasa is pretty low caste. That is how your caste is defined in Buddhism. Based on your actions. Not your background. Dealdasa, is indeed low caste. Consolation must be that he is among countless other low caste operators, in our public life.
Cheers!
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Upasiri De Silva / August 27, 2017
Wijedasa Rajapaksa is not From Salagama caste, and his family name ‘Rajadura’ proves it. While working for the Sri Lankan government , I was compelled to meet WR to correct a wrong Legal Opinion he gave to the Lawyer, now she is a Magistrate, and the driver who helped me to go to WR’s house was a classmate of WR, and according to him his cast was something else. According to my opinion WR is very poor in Contract Law as it took me sometime to correct his wrong Legal opinion, if followed the organisation should have lost millions. Writing a book on late C.P.De Silva cannot prove WR is Salagama, like many others.
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Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam / August 27, 2017
If his “GE” name ends with “Dura”, he must be of Durawa caste. I had a Durawa caste friend whose “GE” name was Mahadura.
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K A Sumanasekera / August 27, 2017
I know a few friends who have a bit of dough , speak a little English and think they are superior…….And barrack for the UNP………What I can’t understand is how the poor Sinhala Buddhists in the rural sector wear Green T Shirts and wave Elephant flags,,……And go behind Keslwatta Kids……..Sir Goonathilaka and Sir Kotalawala, as I understand were A list bigots, who wanted the Anglicans, Elite and Vellala Royal Boys to rule the 70 % Sinhala Buddhist nation……Their agents did a good job to recruit Villagers, who couldn’t even say UNP properly as cadres…….During that time Poverty lack of access to education and lack of jobs kept the Sinhala Buddhists as the Dalits Community ………Free Education through Mahavidyalas changed the situation to a significant extent…… I am not sure about the UNP supporters but most of them couldn’t give a shit about the Caste…….And rightly so…. Sad part is some people who came from Madya Mahavidyales are now turning a blind eye to the fact that UNP hierarchy hasn’t changed their values. aspirations and where they want to keep the Sinhala Buddhists in their own land which they have occupied for over 4000 years. according to the latest Balangoda finds… But then Car Permits worth 30 to 40 Million each , free Land , free Penthouses , Good Life at Tax payer expenses to engage even in Snorting top end stuff must be compelling to focus on, rather than trying to help poor Sinhala Buddhists , their culture and their ambitions to achieve a descent level of living standards………..
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bo / August 27, 2017
Come on KAS, people that occupied the land 4000 years ago were not Sinhala Buddhists. They were pagans, worshipped sun, moon, trees, rocks, mountains, and anything a significant natural object or phenomenon.
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K A Sumanasekera / August 27, 2017
bo……..They must have been Hindians then……………
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Native Vedda / August 27, 2017
KASmaalam, you just ****ed me off. The Mahawamsa says the Bengali Vengi Sinhapurians kundars came by kallathonies ony 2500 years ago and there were no Hindians and no Hindia. Your Sinhala/Buddhist lot came from South Hindustan.
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K A Sumanasekera / August 27, 2017
Dear Native, Sorry mate….. my people came from Balangoda……
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Native Vedda / August 27, 2017
KASmalam, Sorry your people came from Erivirapatinam in South India. Soon the Hindians will be officially take charge of what they deemed to be Sinhala state of Hindia. This is about streamlining their federal states. Check Adichanallur for your ancestor’s skeletons. Matale pits are only 30 years old. Gota will confirm it for you because he hand picked the people and place, I was told.
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K A Sumanasekera / August 28, 2017
Dear Native……..You got it all wrong mate………My ancestors surname is Homo Sapien Balangodansis…… I still have Balangodage bit which I do not use….Just imagine …..trying to fit it as well, into my Passport……
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Niro / August 27, 2017
The Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. Ed. by James Prinsep 1836
previous to Vaivaswata, who by many of the most eminent chronologers has been considered identical with Noah, B. C. 2984, The Cingalese works state that KAKUSANDA was of the race of SAMATA Rája. The first Menu, also the first king, and elected by the people, after they had lost immortality and become subject to earthly passionsłł. At the time of KAKUSANDA BUDDHA, Adam’s peak was called Dewiyakuta, (peak of God;) when Kona GAMMA BUDDHA visited it B. C. 2100, the name was Samantkuta, (peak of Saman.)
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Tungsan Yu / August 27, 2017
Its biased bastards like you who have ruined this beautiful country for the younger generation and still shamelessly continues doing it.
You and yr fucked up sinhala Buddhist caste systems should be flushed down a pit.
All the qualified younger generation who have the ability to leave this country are leaving because of your sickening attitude and the senseless shit and drivel that spews out of that foul mouth of people like you.
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Emil van der Poorten / August 27, 2017
Sumaney:
All over the map as usual. Incoherent, to say the least. Yet another attempt to say what nice fellows the Rajapaksas and their fellow travellers were and are in the hope that if/when they return you will again go on their payroll.
Every circus needs its clowns and you play your part admirably in the circus that is Sri Lankan politics today.
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K A Sumanasekera / August 28, 2017
Emil Aiya, ………. You are not a Kundar who came in a Kallathoni…..Right……I am not sure whether you came from Goa. either …….Recently I read in CT that Portugese brought mixed race people from India and other colonies to Mahavamsa land ……..And put them amongst the Salagamyans and Karayars along the coast line…….who eventually became Fonsekas and Fernandos……… Got Government Gigs and Free Land…. And moved on …. You are not related to our one and only Mahavamsa Field Marshall……….Are you ?………..
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Ben Hurling / August 28, 2017
Sumanwathie,
Is criminal Rajapassa clan from somewhere in Southeast Asia? They all have slanted eyes. Unusual red lips. Specially Namal Raja, Yo Baba & criminal King Kong himself. Could they be Burmese Chinese? Is that why they had inked a trecherous deal to sell parts of Port City to Chinese on a freehold? BTW, if you live in the UK, keep in mind, soon you will be dragged out and packed off to SL by UKIP for re-intergration over here. Welcome back mate.
Cheers!
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nalmen / August 27, 2017
the Buddha Sasana ministry has been given to the minister of wild life
is it because present day monks are behaving like wild animals?
today caste is no longer a political issue it only persists in the sasana like the siam nikaya
wije is an ambitious man so he would not make such statements without a hidden motive which in my opinion is to become the presidential nominee of the JO as Gota will not give up his American citizen ship. so lets watch his next move
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Mallaiyuran / August 27, 2017
the Buddha Sasana ministry has been given to the minister of wild life is it because present day monks are behaving like wild animals?
Good one!
That what you call in Business, “merging for vertical synergy”.
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KAMAL ILLESINGHE / August 27, 2017
Chauvinism and casts-ism are two main straws used to suck the peoples vote in the hope of gaining political power in primitive societies, specially in south Asian countries. No matter whether the cast is salagama or govigama , politicians should accede to the common people’s request.If they are not able to fulfill the bare necessities for people of the country, then they must leave the office. Politics is a public service and it is not limited to one cast ore one religion. In present Sri Lanks , neither politicians nor people know the basic principles of democracy. The politics has become a business for everyone. Even we don’t know where we are? Reality is we have been in the pits of several political parties and our brain has been washed and filled up with full of rubbish. We do what we are asked to do by the owners of our pits. We never use our brain to understand the real situation. As long as we are in their pits our objective is to support the pit owner.
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Mallaiyuran / August 27, 2017
Deal’s portrayal him as “Sinhala Buddhist Extremist” is controversial idea. It is not because it is not guaranteed to work, but it is bound stir from other “Sinhala Buddhist Extremists”. It is not Darshanie Ratnawalli, but soon or latter many other “Sinhala Buddhist Extremist” will come for to claim as they are true “Sinhala Buddhist Extremist”, not Deal. Malinda, Udaya, Ratnawalli, Champika.. …they all will be in line in this. I had earlier pointed out that this is a crowded highway, so dog eating the dog is only way to produce political space in that. (See my earlier comments.)
Ratnawalli trying artistically hit Deal with his Caste. It is probably a tip off from Ayatollahs to Ratnawalli take this direction as they may not have been feeling well with Deal intruding into their territory. One issue all Ayatollahs jealously maintain is the caste system. So Ratnawalli is taking a messenger route rather than prosecutor rote. Here she is pretending like ” Teacher, I did not say that, it the other 1st grader is saying so”. She might be divot Sinhala Buddhist Extremist, but a poor Appa diplomat the way she handles the Deal’s caste. It is so obvious how she is hitting him. She wants to artistically put Deal’s caste in the open market for bargain. So the “Sinhala Buddhists” identified as “Sinhala Buddhist by religious process” will naturally feel nauseating of him and abandon him. (See my earlier comments).
She is criticizing Deal of accepting the wording on Resolution 30/1 and she is accusing him now is cheating on that. A first thing here is Deal is sacked for breaking the Cabinet Collective Responsibility.
When Mangala signed it UNP Cabinet approved it.
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Mallaiyuran / August 27, 2017
Ratnawalli’s suggestion of how Deal should have behaved on that occasion is not in the way whatever she feels right or she wants to suggest what is right. Thus she is not just a Sinhala Buddhist Extremist, but an extreme hypocrite too. Otherwise, Ratnawalli could have started her essay criticizing UNP for sacking Deal for breach of Collective Responsibility instead of Deal’s caste. She should or could have argued that collective responsibility is against Democratic freedom of speech so Deal should reinstated as JM.
Every UNP lawyer in Parliament and outside has accepted Resolution 30/1. They have accepted now 34/1 to second time to implement it. Ranil too is a lawyer. The wording had more responsibility for Foreign Minister and Prime Minister rather than to local Justice Minister. FM Ravi did not accuse Mangala. May I know what the caste of Tilak (Former AG and present FM) is? Because, when Tilak was questioned about it last week, he said he did red and accepted the wording as correct that time and Lankawe need not to have go ahead and appoint UNHRC or Commonwealth Nominees, because “foreign or commonwealth” meant the Sinhala Buddhist Extremist lawyers who are in the above mentioned geographical area. Further it is very famous that the SLFP Outcaste, New King’s somersault when Donald Trump became president elect, he gave and speak in Galle that he even will have the resolution repealed. Did Ratnawalli came to CT and wrote an essay about the caste of New King and his insincerity of backing off from an international promise? Or is that Ratnawalli is saying New King was not aware of what was signed in UNHRC, only the Justice Minister Deal did know that? Did Ratnawalli write about Thero de Silva’s & Old Kings cheating in UN & UNHRC?
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K A Sumanasekera / August 27, 2017
Mally………I know you guys never called Pirhaparan a Tamil Hindu Extremist because all his Foot Soldiers were Catholics and or , Dalits ……..You can’t call the Vellala Kid Abraham a Tamil Hindu extremist either , although the Kid wanted his mate Dr Ranil to expunge Buddhism from Dr Ranil’s Federal Thing……….. Wonder what you call Vellala Sambandan and Sivaljilingam. ?………….
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Mallaiyuran / August 27, 2017
Sampanthar, with his TNA gang, work full time for Hakeem, in the Eastern Province. In his leisure time helps out Ranil in colombo, too. He knows about Ramadan and Christmas only. He knows nothing about the Eastern Religions Buddhism or Hinduism. You guys live in Lankawe need not worry about if he is going to support Hinduism or oppose Buddhism. He would not go for that. I guarantee that!
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Siri Gamage / August 27, 2017
Caste matters in politics,especially in Hambantota district. In the village Horewela, most people are Deva or Vahumpura caste people. So are in nearby villages like Ethpitiya,Kanumuldeniya, Madagamgoda. In fact in the Mulkirigala electorate a significant minority is Vahumpuras. Majority voters are Goyigamas. This is why JR gave the nomination to Ananda Kularathne in 1977. However,when the electoral boundaries were demarcated during George Rajapakse time, the Vahumpura villages were divided into Beliatta and Mulkirigala electorates so that the Vahumpuras could not influence the electoral outcome in Mulkirigala. The grip that Rajapakse family had on Hambantita district was such that no other politician from a different caste could emerge either within the SLFP or otherwise. This discouraged members of the Vahumpura caste in the area to participate in politics for fear of reprisals. Many chose to use education to get out of rural poverty and go to Colombo and even overseas. Others chose to work in the Middle eastern countries. Some had no option but experience the misery maintained by the political establishment in the name of democratic governance. Wijeyadasa represents the category of people who left the area through education and succeeded in legal profession. But unlike many professionals like engineers, doctors, government servants, he entered politics from the upper end of the political hierarchy as his legal knowledge was valued by those in power. So he carries some authenticity as a person who rose to prominence via education and professionalism by using his intellect. This is in contrast to other Vahumpura leaders who played some role in party politics earlier such as Kularathne during Sirima time, and Cyril Mathew in JRs government. When evaluating the person, Wijaedasa’s caste is immaterial in my view as he did not come to parliament from Mulkirigala or Beliatta electorates. His skills and identity were developed in Colombo with no caste influence ( I suspect) and he became a prominent figure in national politics via mainstream parties. He developed a capacity to shoot big targets rather than small ones through his political journey. We are yet to see a good part of his work if he is further cornered by the party establishment. However, we may not see much firework as such if he accepts another cabinet portfolio as a result of elite consensus.
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K A Sumanasekera / August 27, 2017
Good one….mate…Galleon, Whiskey Madam, Tommya’s pup and Digital , all claim that they organised Yahapalanaya. with Dr Ranil & House Boy at the top…..Dr Wijedasa now says these are the biggest crooks in the Mahavamsa history , after Pandukabaya…….Wonder how the hell a fella with a real deal PhD who wrote so many law Books could get sucked in to this ” plot”……..BTW who is Pnadukabaya……
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Jim softy / August 28, 2017
Siri Gamage: How you were watching all these. Even Some Tamils come here and say, they lived even Before the Buddha.
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Native Vedda / August 29, 2017
Jim softy
–
“Even Some Tamils come here and say, they lived even Before the Buddha.”
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Sinhala/Buddhists believe the first ape spoke Sinhala and practiced Buddhism well before Buddha.
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Gunawanse E / August 29, 2017
worry yourself Sumane.Rajapakse what ever caste he is from, lacks quality
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Mama Sinhalam / August 27, 2017
Good Tamil girl Valli, named after the consort of the Tamil God Murugan is spilling the beans about caste among the Sinhalayas. At least the Salagamas are not born of the buggery by the lion but come from Saligramam in South India. They claim to be brahmins. K A Sumane and the Malay Tun will be mortified. Most Sinhalayas came from India anyway, except possibly the Veddahs.
Writing law books must be easy. I tried to do law once. They have a lot of old notes circulating around the law college written by lecturers down the line. These notes are made into books by people like GL Pieris and Deal Dasa. Everyone is impressed. We have charlatans all around us.
About the UNHCR Resolution not being binding, this has to be tested out. Unknown to the public, there have been many arbitrations with foreigners deciding cases involving Sri Lanka. When Mohan Pieris, another one of our “great lawyers” was Attorney General, there were three cases involving the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation two of which SL lost. Millions were involved.
We do not know who decides disputes arising from the Chinese sale of Hambantota port.
All this is hushed up because there was huge corruption and much incompetence on the part of our “great” economists. at the Central Bank. This is a hapless country, not at all protected by the Triple Gem.
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K A Sumanasekera / August 27, 2017
Wonder whether ” Valli Girl ” watched that Video Clip which is doing the rounds among Face Bookers in Scarborough…….Vellalar Daddy kicks Vijay out to the utter disgust of his darling daughter when the daughter brought him home…………Because Vijay comes from Karayarar ,, Nanduliyarar or Chakiliyarar ,, castes not the Vellarar caste…….Dear Daddy in fact was so furious that she told the daughter to not bring shame to their generations of Vellarar progeny…….. Surely Valli Girl as Mamam Sinhalam calls Shenali , must know that our Down South Sinhalams do not take this caste business serious……..Unless the Dads vote UNP and think they have Vellalar like progeny……….Hope Vellalar Hindus do not practice honor killings…..
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Spring Koha / August 27, 2017
Steady on old girl!
Sir Oliver couldn’t give a bulath-vita for caste (even though caste has played an important part in both marriage and politics locally).
Uncle Oliver only delayed because he wanted to be sure of selecting someone who would unify rather than divide the country in those last days before our country went to the dogs. The worst that you could accuse him of was preferring somebody who knew how to behave at table than someone who would spit in the flower beds.
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prem / August 27, 2017
Wijeyadasa’s political career has come to an end. He was too greedy for money and too ambitious to reach the top too soon and met hos Waterloo. He took the wrong side at the wrong time and said the wrong things at wrong times. Singhala Buddhist card will not win presidential election. What happened to his BBS what happened to the so called “Singha-le” disappeared in to thin air. What happened when BBS chaps were jailed, nothing happened. Because majority of Sinhalese are peace loving real Buddhist, they will not be stirred up by communal politics. WR chose a cheep way to become popular. His friends among lawyers and doctors would have given him the wrong impression. Because these so called educated lot are very communal because of professional rivalry. Anyway WR is marked now he cannot get into the rank and file of JO, SLFP or UNP. He was anyway a loner, he did not have any followers in politics.
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K.Pillai / August 27, 2017
Darshanie Ratnawalli refers to CP De Silva in “Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe: The Man Vs The Hero”. Should the “De” be “de”?
Darshanie brings out the caste factor in politics. An Australian HLD Mahindapala earns his bag of Basmathi rice by claiming that caste is practiced by Tamils and not by the enlightened Sinhalese!
The similarity between Charles Percival de Silva and Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe is, both are party hoppers. Both could never have become the Mahanayake of Malwatta or of Asgiriya chapters.
Some differences: Was not Mrs CP de Silva Tamil speaking? It is said that CP de S drank a cup of milk meant for SWRD B and ended up seriously ill. WR drinks whiskey.
CP de Silva was no hero but was a politician as ambitious as SWRD B. WR’s ambition is as unrealistic.
Is WR a “Man?” Not till the mystery as to who harboured a fugitive monk is established.
By the way will someone please tell us the universities that awarded the two doctor degrees to WR?
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Nimal Fernando / August 28, 2017
Regarding the Salagamas, Sir Alexander Johnston, Chief Justice of Ceylon, during the British rule gives an interesting account in a paper contributed by him to the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain, of which he was Vice-President (Vol.111. of the Journal).
Early in the thirteenth century, the Sinhala King offered great rewards to any subject who would bring over some weavers from India for the purpose of introducing that art to Ceylon. Marrikkar, a Moorman (Muslim) of Beruwala in the Kalutara district, induced by the offer, brought over some weavers from a South Indian village known as Saliya Mangalam or Saliya Pattanam in Kerala. Saliya (or Sali or Sale) is a Malayali caste, their traditional occupation was that of weaving. The King received them with great kindness and gave them houses and lands, established a manufactory for them in the vicinity of the palace, and conferred the highest honors upon their chief.
Later, the descendants of these people, having in the course of around two centuries become numerous and powerful. Due to a conflict with the Sinhala Aristocrats and the Kandyan Government, they were compelled by the King to quit the interior and settle near the South-west coast (Balapitiya, Ratgama, Hikkaduwa and Boossa) where cinnamon grew to perfection, as punishment to peel and prepare for the Government without pay as much cinnamon annually as it might require.
Later, the Salagamas became overwhelmingly Buddhist. In 1799, Ambagahapitiye Gnanavimala Thera a monk from the Salagama caste, from Balapitiya on the south western coast of Sri Lanka, departed for Burma with a group of novices to seek a new succession of higher ordination and the Amarapura Nikaya was of pivotal importance in the revival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka in the 19th century. Today they are a part of the Sinhala Buddhist majority.
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K A Sumanasekera / August 29, 2017
Good one mate….Thank you….. They are one of the poorest sects in the South…. And they suffered the most from the Tsunami………. Now I can understand how they got that accent…..
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James / August 29, 2017
It is believed that the Osariya (sari that the Sinhalese ladies wear) was first introduced to Kandy by these people, the style of wearing saree by the early Sera/Kerala women was exactly what the Sinhalese women wear today (Osariya).
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WijithaMuni de Silva / August 28, 2017
Salagamas are not low caste. They were Nambudiri Brahmins from the village of Shaligramam in Kerala brought to Sri Lanka to perform the rituals associated with the coronation ceremony of Prince Wathhimi (Galey Bandara Deyyo). Their family names are Namediri or Nanediri family names ending with the suffix Muni (Sage), the seven famous MUNIs who were given in marriage by the Sri Lankan King to seven royal maidens in order to keep them in Sri Lanka. Later, during the Portuguese period, they adopted the Portuguese Royal title/name ‘de Silva’ as their surnames. They assimilated well into the Sinhalese community and their descendants formed the Salagama caste. How can anybody call a Nambudiri Brahmin ‘Muni’ with a Portuguese Royal name ‘de Silva’ as a low caste?
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Mama Sinhalam / August 28, 2017
I wonder what old KA Sumane and the Malay Tun thinks of all this. So, all Sinhalese are not descendants from the buggery of the lion. Most came India. Sumane must read the matrimonial columns of the newspapers. Caste is very much alive among the Sinhalese. So, this Vellala rubbish is just a figment of the Sinhala imagination. The Malay Tun of course finds refuge in it so as to deny his Malay origins, just like Hitler did to his Jewish descent.
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James / August 28, 2017
Wonder Dayan Jayatilleka De Silva, Nalin De Silva, Bandu De Silva, and several other racists who write articles on a daily basis are from which caste?
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Upali / August 28, 2017
Casteism should be buried 100 feet below never to rise again. Compared to India we are well ahead. Although a Dalit became president casteism remains still in India. Most of the present day children do not know what caste they are. Millions have been killed in the name of caste creed and religion.
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Mano Ratwatte / August 28, 2017
To say one is a Buddhist and then crow about caste is ludicrous. The Buddha’s movement partly arose as a battle against the horrid caste bound structure of repression found in Hinduism. He said “Najjaja wasalohothi, Najjajja hothi Brahmano; Kammana Wasalohothi, Kammana hothi Brahmano”. Those words in today’s context can be said to aver “no one is born superior by virtue of birth, race or caste and no one is born inferior by virtue of birth, race or caste. It is our actions and our actions alone that will make us superior or inferior beings”.
I will never understand this desire to feel better on basis of one’s race or caste. Absurd. This is the 21st century. The reason Neo Nazis, Aryan Supremacists and Segregationists are on the rise in the USA with encouragement from the Tyrannical ruler now, is based on the same backward tribal belief that one is born superior to another even if one is low IQ with no accomplishments or have not fruitfully contributed to society’s well being. Sad very sad weak. Please look within to see if we are all inferior or superior based on our actions and our value to society. Have we as HUMANS done our best rather than engaging in backward tribalism and insults here. Sinhala and Tamil and Muslim lankans share the same DNA and are from the same South Indian stock for the most part interspersed with
As for 1965 election, it is believed the UNP engineered a great parliamentary coup by buying over a few of the SLFP led coalition people including CP and Philip G. That is the political angle. In 1965 UNP formed the government based on crossovers and support from the Federal party.
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Mano Ratwatte / August 28, 2017
Nazis thought their were superior to everyone else. Their ideal Aryan race considered even the Slavic race(Trump’s first wife and current wife) as sub-human and worthy of enslavement. Now Nazism is on the ascendancy in the USA and this is a worrisome development. How on earth can anyone claiming to be a practicing Buddhist think he or she is superior to another being based on race or caste? What the hell? Where is the logical rational underpinning for it? We all look alike. At least the Nazi Aryan model said blue eyes and blonde hair. Look at a random sample of Tamils, Muslims and Sinhalese. Can we tell each other apart? no. hell no. Do a scientific testing of DNA. We are the same. My ancestry DNA test came out this way.
81% Asia South
11% Asia East
8% Other regions
I wish all of you who hide behind anonymity of social media(a topic I will be covering in two weeks time in my classes after we visit the local Holocaust museum; oh yes I will talk about savage Black July in SL and Black October in India too to a 95% white student body), look at the mirror and ask oneself “what did I do that is good? and what did I do that is inferior or bad?”. Then start throwing stones and rocks if you feel all you have done is good and nothing bad or nothing inferior. I can say I will have to throw rocks at myself first then. Heed Buddha’s superior teachings. If it makes you feel better to hurl invectives, by all means do so; one who does that will see it reflecting on oneself.
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wannihami / August 29, 2017
Mano, if race or ethnicity is not important to you why were you compelled to get your DNA analyzed to find your ancestry?
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Manori Meethotamulle / August 29, 2017
Rathnawalli is a good Veddah name, good on you Dharshini.
Show well Veddah colours next time too and keep the Veddah flag flying very high
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Silva / August 30, 2017
Very true. Even the hair and the face (including the teeth) looks Veddah. Forget Salagama and De Silva, lets talk about Veddah.
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Mama Sinhalam / August 31, 2017
Valli in Tamil legend is a Veddah girl whom Murugan (the God of Kataragama) marries. The Kapu Mahathayas are descendants.
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Punchi Point / August 30, 2017
“So, this Vellala rubbish is just a figment of the Sinhala imagination.“
Yeah right! Vellala is a figment of Sinhala imagination . . .
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D.Nimal / August 30, 2017
The incomplete bourgeois Revolution in Lanka that cast politics play unending role of Politics of Parliamentary Democracy . What I have seen many decades that UNP and SLFP play to cards of Cast, Class and Party has that keep going on backwardness of social order of democratic structure .
It has corrupted and raped that island politics of norms and democratic order that aim of remain in power by Major Cycling two parties!
No that classes of bourgeoisies landlordism or petty bourgeoisie that want totally eradication of cast differences in holding power of state of Sri lanka.
But immigrant from of Tamils or Keralaliytes has converted into Buddhist and become Sinhalese had been clime the ladder of Power of state.
The even after British Occupation end ,they crafty families which penetrated into politics gain Capital and Land, landlords those family -build-monopoly of political empire in Society ?
They were control major political parties then become leaders of UNP and SLFP? Some of them are Tamils or Kerala origin like their DNA has proven JRJ -UNP proved Tamils and SWRD-SLFP is Tamil-origin.
The time of while they married women from Sinhalese -Buddhist families, they turn to justification of social credentials and credibility of Leaders of Nation?. These political leaders and their families has turn to Master and Servant of the mint of democracy of Sri lanka.
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Mama Sinhalam / August 31, 2017
Nimal, you must tell us then who the real Sinhalese are? Mercifully, they are not descendants of the buggery of the lion. Clearly, Karawes were fishermen from the Malabar coast of India. The Salagama are from Saligramam from India. The Vahampura and Durawa are late comers. The Kandyan radala are mixed with the Nayakkas of Tamilnadu. What does that leave? All these guys are Kallathonis. Unlike the Tamils who came across the waters from the Indian coast that is only a few miles from SL, these guys came from afar. The Salagamas even think they had to be carried from the boat to land by the Muslims. So, if you take these legends of origins (not as absurd as the buggery by the lion) who are the real Sinhalese? You guys have an identity crisis which you take out on the other minorities.
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Plato. / September 1, 2017
A leading Q.C. of yesteryear, Sir.Lalitha Rajapakse belonged to the Salagama caste,like Dr.Colvin.R.de Silva,C.P. de Silva etc.and had their origins at Balapitiya. Interestingly, Sir Lalitha was Minister of Justice in the 50s. He and Minister K.W.Devanayagam married two sisters,also of Salagama caste and the wife of the latter was the first Lady Lawyer of Ceylon.
Given below is a list of Sinhala caste groups.
1] Govigama 2] Karawa 3] Salagama 4] Durawa 5] Wahumpura 6] Berava 7] Badahala 8] Hannali 9] Rodiya 10] Hinna 11] Panniki 12] Ahirikuntaya 13] Padu.
This list may not be exhaustive,but I have highlighted this purely for academic reasons and nothing else.
As per Thesawalamai:
Koviar,Pallar, Chandar and Nallavar were condemned as slaves from birth.
I was told that another caste group in Jaffna known as Thrumbar suffered worse indignities than the aforesaid groups quoted in the Thesavalamai.
If that Brilliant man Dr.Colvin proclaimed in Parliament ,in the 70s when he was Minister of Constitutionalaffairs that he belonged to the Salagama caste why not a lesser man like WR?
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Chokka boy / September 1, 2017
Plato “why not a lesser man like WR?” You have to be corrected.
Why not a lesser worm like WR?’
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