By Colombo Telegraph
“The president’s campaign had ordered eight GA’s including those in Ampara, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Batticaloa to send election results directly to the president’s house for his review before sending them to the Election Commissioner.” the US ambassador wrote to Washington.
The US ambassador Patricia A. Buttenis and USAID Mission Director met with about ten business representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Ampara District and made a separate call on Ampara Government Agent Sunil Kannangara less than a week before the presidential election 2005.
The leaked cable classified as a “CONFIDENTIAL” by the ambassador Patricia A. Buttenis under the title of “ELECTIONS IN AMPARA: INTIMIDATION AND WEAK ALLEGIANSCES”.
“Business representatives reported that Iniya Barathy, Karuna’s second in command and Rajapaksa campaign coordinator, controlled 600 to 700 armed supporters and had created a climate of intimidation that precluded any expression of support for the opposition. On the other hand, support for Rajapaksa appeared weak” Ambassador Patricia further wrote.
Rajapaksa’s chief opinion pollster and close advisor Sunimal Fernando said to the US embassy in less than a week before the election, the President was doing very poorly in the East, mainly due to the corruption issue. Read the Colombo Telegraph story yesterday; http://colombotelegraph.com/2011/10/02/wikileaks-%E2%80%9Crace-is-neck-and-neck%E2%80%9D-rajapaksa%E2%80%99s-chief-pollster-sunimal-fernando/ However Rajapaksa received 67% and Fonseka received 30.45% in Ampara district. See the election results here; http://www.slelections.gov.lk/presidential2010/13A.html
The private lawyer of the Election Commissioner, Elmore Perera challenged the EC Dayananda Dissanayake just after the presidential election (26 January) to appear live on TV and truthfully divulge to the country where, and with whom, Disanayake and his wife were between 3.30 p.m. on 26th January 2010 and 4.45 p.m. on January 27th 2010. Read his challenge here; http://transcurrents.com/tc/2010/03/where_and_with_whom_were_you_a.html
Read the full confidential cable below;
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 000048 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INSB E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2020 TAGS: PGOV PREL PREF PHUM PTER EAID MOPS CE SUBJECT: ELECTIONS IN AMPARA: INTIMIDATION AND WEAK ALLEGIANCES COLOMBO 00000048 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: AMBASSADOR PATRICIA A. BUTENIS. REASONS: 1.4 (B, D) A VIEW FROM AMPARA DISTRICT ---------------------------- ¶1. (SBU) Ambassador and USAID Mission Director met with about ten business representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Ampara District in eastern Sri Lanka and made a separate call on the Ampara Government Agent (GA), Mr. Sunil Kannangara. Ampara has fewer Tamils than its eastern neighbors Batticaloa and Trincomalee, but its ethnic diversity (41 percent Muslim, 40 percent Sinhalese and 18 percent Tamil, according to the 2005 census) makes it a complex campaign ground. A CLIMATE OF FEAR ----------------- ¶2. (C) Business representatives reported that Iniya Barathy, Karuna's second in command and Rajapaksa campaign coordinator, controlled 600 to 700 armed supporters and had created a climate of intimidation that precluded any expression of support for the opposition. On the other hand, support for Rajapaksa appeared weak, as the promise of Rs 3,000 and dry rations for each attendee at his January 15 meeting lured only 500 villagers. Tamil voters in particular were expected to vote against the president rather than for Fonseka. Business representatives predicted opposition votes from 85 percent of Tamils, 65 to 90 percent of Muslims, and half the Sinhalese. ¶3. (C) Security incidents raised concerns, which the GA was working to control. On January 17, buses returning from an opposition rally were reportedly attacked by motorcycle riders throwing bricks and 30 to 40 boys charging with "swords" as they passed through police checkpoints. The attackers were apparently alerted to the buses' location by cell phone from the buses. On the same day, 25 Fonseka supporters were injured and one shot in the leg, but it was unclear whether this was part of the bus incident. The GA aimed to prevent violence through police action and crowd control. Contacts noted, however, that while the 70 to 80 police in the area were trying to do their jobs, 25 to 27 police had themselves been attacked. The GA planned to prohibit meetings and gatherings from January 23 until one week after elections. ¶4. (C) Approximately 420,000 of 627,000 people in Ampara District were registered to vote, but some expected that fear of violence would keep many voters home on election day. A group of 59,000 "home guards" were expected to "protect" Sinahalese areas. The guards were reportedly headed by Commander Sarath Weerasekera, the local Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) organizer. ELECTION PROCEDURES ------------------- ¶5. (C) As Returns Officer for Ampara District, the GA was responsible for organizing and overseeing the election. He planned 20 coordinating centers throughout the district, with officers poised to investigate fraud allegations. He also was responsible for reviewing reports of complaints and irregularities documented by the senior president of the polling centers, local observers, police and others, and passing them on to the Elections Commissioner. After polls closed, ballots would be taken from polling stations to counting centers. One contact stated that the president's campaign had ordered eight GAs (including those in Ampara, Anuradhapura, Polonaruwa and Batticaloa) to send election COLOMBO 00000048 002.2 OF 002 results directly to the president's house for his review before sending them on to the Elections Commissioner. Other potential irregularities included voter identification fraud, stuffing of ballot boxes, and removing ink marks in order to vote multiple times. BUTENIS
nuwan de silva / October 3, 2011
This is too late.Winner and real President in Jail for sake of these people,Please do some thing do release this great man.thanks.n de silva
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Peter Casie Chetty / October 12, 2011
BULL SHIT!
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Peter Casie Chetty / October 3, 2011
This information was collecteed by people who wre known opposition members. Particularly the NGOs like Paikyasothy Saravanamuttu, Sunila Abeysekera and other supporters of Sarath Fonseka. George Bush was worse and it is evident that he did not win the election he stole it. Butenis was sent with the sole purpose of seeing that the LTTE were given a place somehow somewhere. It did not work out like that because the loyal people of Sri Lanka voted. Sarath Fonseka was promised the votes of the Tamil people just lik Ranil Wickremasinghe was when he contsted the Presidentials. What happened? The LTTE ordered the Tamil people not to vote andone man who did had his hand cut off. Sarath Fonseka backed the wrong horse. He lost and then started making allegations against his own men. Now he eats “sira bath”!
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Gemunu Wirasinghe / October 3, 2011
Absolute nonsense. You cannot play hide and seek in US politics. It is a well known fact that General Fonseka was the popular choice. Rajapakse won abusing state property and Police thuggery. It is a well known fact that Rajapakse did nothing during his 40 year career as a politician. When Prabhakaran was killed Rajapakse was hiding in china afraid of last minute air attack on his palace.What has he done for the country????? Nothing.The day will dawn when Rajapakse will spend time behind bars.
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Seelarathna - Canada / October 3, 2011
Well said Gemunu
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Charlie / October 3, 2011
Gemunu,
You do not have any idea about the USA election in year 2000. Al Gore against G. Bush. Before talking about the USA politics, please read and learn.
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sonna boy from Kandy NOT from Matara / October 3, 2011
And BTW SF won North and East so why cry about it now, and did the GA’s communicate with Her Excellency the Ambassador.. vice versa, if so this is the typical Gladstone episode, Breaking protocol time and again.
And what is this Classified confidential bull if everything is leaked to wikileaks, since when did SL become such an important country to US to follow events even if a straw falls.
President Rajapakse may not be a sweet Angel but he is certainly better than the SF in a civilian rule at least!!!!
So to all the SF supporters bite the pill forget about the past move forward,
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Peter Casie Chetty / October 4, 2011
You seem to be the only one who does not read a newspaper in the US. Everything about the country is devious. Did you watch how George Bush was elected when the votes were neck and neck. He is the worst US President in history. Only people who have not read History will belive that the US is a paragon of virtue. Where was Fonseka when the battles were being fought? In Colombo or on a plane somewhere conspiring to become the Dictator of Sri Lanka. Talk about hs statements to Fredrika Jansz….. Why did he let his own men down and then deny that he ever did? I am glad that man will never see the light of day as a free man.
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Peter Casie Chetty / October 5, 2011
You must live on some lunatic asylum in the US without access to newspapers or books. Or you are so surprised that you can con your way to the American dream that don’t see that the US has the worst record of crimes committed by their armed forces, they have the worst human rights records vis a vis of the Afro American and minority population. Right you have moved froma shanty in Sri Lanka to a house with a roof and feel you are very lucky but how many times has the US tried to murder Fidel Castro- officially sanctioned assassinations? Do you know that the US supported Philippines President Marcos and Chilean President Augusto Pinochet while these two murdered their political opponents.
In Sri Lanka we have had Governments who follow the rule of law and despite the problems we had in 1971 or 1988-89, criminality is negligible. There has been a lot of progress made in the country but you must have eyes to see and a brain to work it out. How many times was Bush in Aghanistan when the fighting was going on? Why did he dodge the draft and fly planes around the safe US skies. Was Barak Obama in Pakistan leading the cowardly attack on Bin Laaden? No so why then do you want President Rajapakse to be on the battle field when the “soldier” was in a air conditioned bunker in Colombo when the fighting was going on. The last time Fonseka was involved in head on combat was in 1988-1989 against the JVP insurgents. Against the LTTE he sat in an armoured truck at a safe distance… you moron.
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len / October 3, 2011
So true some LTTE members were promised favours and GWB and his inner circle was so occupied with Sri Lankan issue they all missed that the US economy was falling apart. MR never curie favours with ex LTTE murderers case in pint Col Karune and KP now locked up. SF will confirm this from his luxury single room apartment MR has provided him for services rendered.
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Peter Casie Chetty / October 4, 2011
Well said Len.
All those hanging on to the Western Countries are unaware that they are controlled by the Jews. Just like in 1929 the Jews called this collapse but now have no power to stop it continuing because they have no control in China or India. For as long as the West supports Israel they will be involved in wars they are bound to lose.
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Gemunu Wirasinghe / October 3, 2011
Sri Lankans (Sinhalese) are ungrateful people who forget everything within two weeks. We knew the elected president was General Fonseka but Rajapakse manipulated and stole the presidency. His rage did not stop there. He went on to arrest him on coocked up charges and put him behind bars for the simple reason he is a danger to Rajapakse’s chicanery. You can fool some people all the time and all the people for some time. But not all the people all the time. When Rajapakse has to pay, it will be a heavy fine.
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patas / October 3, 2011
p##a thama…SF awanam thopey pu###l palai….gong matta
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Rohitha - Sydy / October 3, 2011
Hey, PATAS, than p### hondata thiyenavada???? :) :)
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Rodrigo / October 3, 2011
Hey I am with you man.One day rajapaksha has to pay heavily.
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sonna boy from Kandy NOT from Matara / October 3, 2011
And could you be kind enough to Elaborate what would have happened if SF won, he publicly announced that he would execute the presidents family. How high handed is that even before winning !!!! and opened his big mouth and sold a story to Fredrica, for which we are still paying the price with UN reports etc.. I mean come on folks Not liking MR is one thing but see the amount of hatred in here..You guys are worse than the LTTE they cant stand or bear the loss No doubt achieved by President, Sec.Def, SF and other forces commanders. Thats why you can see Canada, US, UK and all other LTTE supporters trying their better than best to bring down Srilanka, And what do we see here!!! I have not seen any rebuttal or string of comments on forums in support of SL, Instead when an SF issue comes up ,,wow come up with all guns blaring and shoot your self on your foot and look up and spit. what a disgraceful bunch!!! sad but true.
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Peter Casie Chetty / October 17, 2011
Well said Sonna boy. These people who think that SF was a hero know nothing about the war and hpow it was fought. As for giving into the LTTE, the UN UK or the USA the patriotic Sri Lankans will never let that happen.
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Peter Casie Chetty / October 12, 2011
You should be locked up somewhere with other mad people and the key thrown away.
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Abeyakoon - Kandy / October 3, 2011
good work Colombo Telegraph! our salute to you!!
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Dinidu Liyanarachchi / October 3, 2011
Before publishing this article ,all srilsankan know about this.but mr elmo u are too late now because thuggery family now are in power.they do what they need,srilankan people are afraid of going streets to protest against them.they are dangerous and wild family, But I appreciate for your follow up Colombo Telegraph
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Kulathunga / October 3, 2011
We wish more people come out and reveal the extent of corruption by the current administraton. The whole “conspiracy” theory is becoming a little old and most will be happy to gain some momentun from people-power.
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Peter Casie Chetty / October 17, 2011
Every Government even those ones you pay pooja too is corrupt. Read the news man. Don’t blab for the sake of blabbing and display your ignorance.
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Banda / October 3, 2011
The election commissioner has no right in any sense to deprive the ultimate democratic right of the all Sri Lankan peopel. We are really suspecious about you commissioner.
I listen to you address at the time you release the Election Results last presediential elecation 2010. It direclty implies that something has happen during the time as you counting the eletion result. Did what you release last presidential election fraudulent? This is a shame. Now the facts seems to be coming out?
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Keerthi Ilangakoon / October 3, 2011
You know what guys, you all should not blame this innocent man, because he was under the threat of MR, Basil and specially from Gota. When the second statement he publicly announced about the 2010 presidential election results his wife was kept at president house and was threatened him to go and make a statement to the public that the election results are true and there was no malpractices had been taken place. And also he was asked to withdraw his previous statement that he will not step into the EC office hereafter and will retire from the post of EC. Who does not think about his wife’s life at a situation like this and why should that innocent lady pay for this dirty things. That’s why he made that second announcement even without his consent. Then he was asked to stay in the post until the General Election is over. May be he was given some lump sum the way he (EC) acted according to their wishes, but I don’t know about that.
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Polman / October 3, 2011
The EC knows exactly which side of the bread the butter is in and he played his game accordingly – so that a super-comfortable retirement is assured for him and the extended family.
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Premakeerthi / October 3, 2011
MY SINCERE FEELINGS IS THE ELECTION TO BE STALLED,AS THERE IS NO DEMOCRACY INTHIS COUNTRY ,WHAT THE NATION NEED NOW IS A REVOLUTION.IF RAJAPAKSE BROTHERS GAVE 180 MILLION TO THE LTTE,THEY BOUGHT THE EC TOO.
IN ORDER TO SUPPORT THE ALLEGATION, THERE ARE SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE.MY DEAR FELLOW SRI LANKANS,YOU NEED TO DECIDE,HOWEVER THERE IS ENOUGH DOCUMENTED EVIDENCE TO PROOF WHERE THE EC WAS,AT THAT SPECIFIED DAY N TIME.ALL DIPLOMATIC YOU ARE AWARE OF THIE CORRUPTED ELECTION COMMISSIONER N THE RAJAPAKSE BROTHERS.
WE WILL REVIEW THIS AT THE PANEL BEFORE THE UN.THIS ELECTION COMMISSIONER NEED TO BE IN HIS DESIRED PLACE THE JAIL,TIME WILL ENLIGHTEN THE WHOLE PICTURE.BLESSED TO YOU THE EC N THE BROTHERS.
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Yohan de Mel - Kadawatha / October 3, 2011
“At about 2.30 p.m. on January 26th 2010, a public announcement was made on several TV Channels that casting a vote for General Sarath Fonseka was of no value because his name was not included in the list of Electors and that, even if elected, he could not lawfully hold the post of President”.
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Well, it was so. Also the learned ex professor of Law Hon. G. L. Peiris chaired a press meet and emphasized the same point. If so, may I ask GLP to show evidence whether Basil Rajapaksa who is contesting the General election from Gampaha district and Sajjin Vas Goonewardena and actress Anarkali, all these three being domiciled in Colombo and the latter two elected for the Southern Provincial Council from Galle district, are registered voters in the respective constituencies?
Further, some say Basil Rajapksa is an American citizen while others say he is a green card holder, the fact is known to him and God only. What ever that may be it is proved that he is an US tax payer with dual passport while his elder brother is said to be an American citizen who took the Oath of Allegiance.
When UPFA filed a case against Fonseka that he was a green card holder thus becoming a foreigner and can not be a candidate, would not that apply to Basil Rajapaksa and one or two other green card holding candidates with the UPFA?
If an Army officer discussing politics while in uniform is a crime, can a Secretary of a ministry who controls the very army officer, canvas for a party or a candidate in an election?
Alice in the Wonderland
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Cyril Jayasinghe / October 3, 2011
There were serious breaches on the fateful day of the Presidential election:
1) Election Commissioner was not at the election Secretariat at the time ballots were counted.
2) According to the Swiss journalist she has seen Mr Basil Rajapakse at the secretariat.
3) Counted results were sent via Email from the counting centres to the secretariat. (Not by fax signed by representatives of both candidates)
4) Some centres carbon copy of the counting results were not given to the opposition party.
If I understand the comments above it appears that EC was under some kind of pressure. Truth is like a rubber ball that is pressed under water. It will bounce to the top sooner or later. When it does, those who exerted such pressure on EC will be found naked in front of the whole world
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Gunapala Herath / October 3, 2011
That Disanayake EC was nothing but a snivelling, backboneless , coward who has destroyed the future of this country.
He will be cursed by future generations and his children may wish they had been killed on that fateful day, in the cause of bringing out the truth !
This time is Mahinda Deshapriya??? he also same. he call to Basil – Basil Ayye, Basil Ayye. so this country is finish.
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Herath M. Herath / October 3, 2011
Seems like all the people write in here are agaist MR. You cannot reveal the truth when you do not want to look at both sides of the story. There is no proof that this happened. It is just a story. This is when you hear something that you want to believe, it becomes reality to you. It seems like non of the above people who left comments live in Sri lanka. SF was a good commander but was a poor politician. He destroyed the image of the country after entering politics. I wish if all of you go to Sri Lanka and live there to see what is happening in SL under MR’s leadership. Do not post anything that you cannot prove. Speculation means like someone stating that you have an affair with your neighbours wife. People who want to believe it can believe it and may even comment on it. You think of yourself and see if that is true or not.
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Kalu Albert / October 3, 2011
MR Herath, you ask other people to go to Sri Lanka, you should go first man. because it seems you also live out site the country, otherwise you should have asked ” come to Sri Lanka” / not ” go to Sri Lanka”
BTW, thank you for your offer , we live here man, we know what’s going on here. no government, it is just a family business. please don’t try to twist the facts.
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ashok / October 3, 2011
what about Lampu Kalagedi joke of J R Jayawardena? Mahinda did not want any corruption for winning.Even now he is the most popular politician in Sri Lanka and it will be like this for years to come.
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Tania / October 3, 2011
Can’t play hide and seek in US politics? C’mon dude,. What else do they do. Both MR and SF were guilty of various unlawful/unethical acts. Whatever is said and done, Sri Lanka had achieved unprecidented progress in the last few years.if anyone is serious of getting anyone other than MR to power in the coming years, they better get Ranil out of the opposition leader role.
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Peter Casie Chetty / October 12, 2011
That man is a moron who lives in the US soon he will find himself among the 45 million living on welfare stamps!
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Mahasona / October 3, 2011
I think SF is good for war and Mahinda born for politics see how Mahinda control super powers without harming them. He is a friend of super powers and also a friend of India and china, this is strategic thinking, is this brain had for SF at least 1% he would have been today Minister of Defence or Next President. Greediness make people blind, and Political power make people more blind. Best thing is as a spectator to see what is going on. But I like if we can have a Tamil Prime minister Sinhala president and a Burgher foreign Minister
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lasith / October 3, 2011
so da super power sophisticated US is soo dumb enough to gt their cables leaked!!!!!!!! hmmmmmm!!
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mohamed / October 3, 2011
now all is over MR think he never catch by god he can lie to people of Sri lanka but he cant lie to god the God will punished him as soon as not only to him to whole his family. dissanayake the lier do you know what you do to this country the life of your wife is worth than whole country s peoples life you will be punished too,
this all happen because of our mad oppasition mainly Ranil pls go home and sleep. then only Sri Lanka will devaloped
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Chitra / October 3, 2011
Thank GOD the truth is coming out.What goes around comes around.
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Cicil / October 3, 2011
Butenis was sent to Sri Lanka to effect a regime change. She is trying hard to complete her assignment.
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sarath / October 3, 2011
there is boubt about the victory of MR in the election 2010. the election petition does not bear any maninipulation of election results or any computer “gil pit” as Somawansa said. SF, Somawansa and Ranil had join meeting to calling the people to agitate against the false results. but never proceeded as usual. sorry to say now we know how US had interfered with internal matters in every country.specially in South Asian Countries. Every where Butenis was had changes of Govt or soame crucial time. take Pakistan India Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. She was the US ambassdor . we Sri Lankans have habit of beleaving any foreign source than their own news sourcers or own eyes. without talking balls we can ask SF and his team of lawyers move in court to expidite his election petion case started.
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Peter Casie Chetty / October 4, 2011
Very few people have seen Butenis and the US in their true light. Spot on. They are still trying to get the regime changed. With the world finance in recession the US is now a country that cannot afford to stick their noses in other people’s business. They will leave Afghanistan, Iraq and Baharain as they did in Vietnam.
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gay / October 4, 2011
NIYAMA WEERAYA HIRE. HORA WEERAYA ELIYE. APE MINISSU OHOMA THAMAI. MONAWA KARANNADA. ANE ANIHCHANG.
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sunaka yaka / October 4, 2011
gong booruwo
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Peter Casie Chetty / October 4, 2011
Why should anyone believe the Us Ambassadsor? The US is one of the worst countries for crime and deciet.Nothing good has come out of that country, South Africa or Australia. The native people of the USA are in concentration camps slowly dying of alcoholism because of whet the migrant WASPs do to them.
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Herath M. Herath / October 4, 2011
In Reply to Mr. Kalu Albert ( who I assume is a lawyer who hates MR) I like to state that he is also getting stuck ad words. Going to SL, coming to SL does it really matter when the facts are not proved by any of the people opposing president MR? I wote with the best english I know. So for me Going to SL/ coming to SL wording was not that much of a difference other than to a lawyer. Just for you to know, I live in Colombo SL.
According to SF he is the only one who did the war. No airforce or navy were involved. Do you remember this? Do you remember he also treated his son in law well giving him arm deals which was proven in the courts. Do you people have any proof against MR or his brothers other than just gossip. What have SF done different. I do not see a difference between him or some of the western countries who are against us. (Not just MR) They are against our country. SF should be in jail for many years to come until he learns a lesson (which I do not believe will ever happen)
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Rosy Silva - Swiss / October 4, 2011
Herath Mahatha, if you think North America is better than our motherland that is your choice. please don’t blame others.
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Kj / October 11, 2011
The person who wrote this article conveniently fails to mention that the US ambassador was only reporting on hearsay. See the original document. It says “One contact stated that the president’s
campaign had ordered eight GAs (including those in Ampara,
Anuradhapura, Polonaruwa and Batticaloa) to send election……” Won’t be surprised if this ‘contact’ mentioned here is a UNP/JVP supporter who is looking for excuses
And Ampara(Digamadulla) district was won by SF, not MR as this article implies. The link only directs you to the result of the Ampara POLLING DIVISION, not the district. You can view the final district result here http://www.slelections.gov.lk/presidential2010/DIGAMADULLA.html
Yet another failed attempt at excuses for the complete humiliation/annihilation at the presidential election 2010
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D.E.M.O CRACY / October 19, 2011
government robbed the election with the help of the election commissioner.that is the truth. one day they will have to suffer for this. a week ago ardent supporter of the freedom party was killed by a famous kudu king.this government is behaving like a thoththa baba hence .everybody should help the real hero of the war to safe gurd our motherland from these crooks
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