While Sri Lankans were focusing on floods and relief efforts, the Yahapalanaya Government, appeared to have turned the disaster into an opportune moment for them, by appointing controversial ex-Director General of the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRC), Anusha Palpita, to a top Government post.
Anusha Palpita
Palpita who is embroiled in corruption charges, and is currently out on bail, was appointed as the Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Home Affairs on May 23, 2016.
However subject minister, Vajira Abeywardena defended the appointment insisting that the world order was ‘everybody is innocent, until proven guilty.’
“At this rate, all ministry secretaries must be guilty then. Even everyone who worked for Basil Rajapaksa has been produced in courts, but that doesn’t mean they are guilty. Yes, there are charges against him (Palpita), but nothing has been proven, and he has not been convicted, plus work wise he has never been suspended,” Abeywardena told the Colombo Telegraph.
Abeywardena also said that the appointment was not a personal decision, but it was made by the Public Service Commission and the Sri Lanka Administrative Service Division after he requested that steps be taken to fill in several existing vacancies at his ministry. “After the floods, it became critical that the shortage of 30 officials at the ministry be filled urgently. It was they who sent me the names and filled them. I have not done any personal favours to anyone,” Abeywardena claimed.
When asked what Palpita’s role will be at the ministry, the Minister said that it was only ‘just’ two days since he was appointed, nothing specific has been given over, but he was currently overseeing flood relief related work.
The appointment of Palpita is a blatant violation against what the Yahapalanaya pledged during the run up to both the Presidential and Parliamentary elections as a champion for a corruption free country, apart from it’s continuous rhetoric for good governance and accountability.
Palpita and Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa are charged with criminal misappropriation of Rs. 620 million of TRC funds which was allegedly used in Rajapaksa’s presidential election campaign. Palpita and Weeratunga are both out on bail.
As Director General of the TRC, Palpita also played a major role in blocking news websites, which were critical against the Rajapaksa regime. (By Munza Mushtaq © Colombo Telegraph)
Native Vedda / May 25, 2016
KASmaalam KA Sumanasekera
“Yahapalanaya Falls Flat On The Face, Anusha Pelpita Gets Top Government Position”
Don’t their b***ls get caught between revolving doors?
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Siva Sankaran Sarma / May 25, 2016
“”Don’t their b***ls get caught between revolving doors?””
`je ne sais quoi factor` (that little contingency that cannot be explained.)
You put the ice cubes in hot water to wash them and they have disappeared!!
HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL??
The hood is the hood because there are only hoodlums in the hood the poison in the well, and, most of all, the rich always break their promises to the poor fools who voted for them.LOL
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KA Sumanasekera / May 26, 2016
Dear Native..
It seems to be even worse than that.
Darsha Bastions from your Camp, says “Yahapalanaya gone to the Dogs” in a Hesd Line in the FT..
That is serious…
Darsha hasn’t even touched on Wahabi Nazeer, although she makes mention of the Singaporean..
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timbuttu / May 26, 2016
KA Sumanasekera ,
“Darsha Bastions from your Camp,”
roaming at blooming dolls and flabbergasted with impartiality.
lokka lokka patholayaaaa;))))
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Native Vedda / May 26, 2016
KASmaalam KA Sumanasekera
“Darsha Bastions from your Camp, says “Yahapalanaya gone to the Dogs” in a Hesd Line in the FT.. That is serious…”
Why it is serious?
“Darsha hasn’t even touched on Wahabi Nazeer, although she makes mention of the Singaporean..”
So unlike you Dharsha is not a b***s carrier after all.
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Commmon Sense / May 25, 2016
It looks as if they would go scot free even after pilfering Rs 600 Million. It looks as of a thing called the suspension has not been heard of by the Public Service Commission. As long as the case us being heard he should have been placed on a state of limbo. For lesser offences people are suspended from duty without pay. This bloke was in the “Pool”, that means no work assigned but he got his monthly pay. This is a traversity of justice. SOME ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS. Leave the Minister out. Who are the officials who recommended him for appointment to the Public Service Commission? Next time we will hear that the man being appointed as the Secretary to a Ministry WHILE A CASE FOR DEFRAUDING 600 MILLION IS ON. We must seriously look into the working of the so called independent commissions for taking absurd decsisions like this.
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citizen silva / May 25, 2016
Way the things going on no sooner Ex-SDIG Senanayaka may get a Presidential pardon appointed as Presidential Advisor.I still wonders how President Sirisena went to Anti-cooruption meeting in London and speak eloquently while at home all the corrupt people still at large.It is a typical situation “Loketa Maragathe & Gederatha Maragathe ” .Very Soon MS also face similar situation what MR had to face during his tenure in International Forum.One reason was MR backtracked what he promised in public to international community to implement thinking speaking International forum is like adressing Weeraketiya Sunday Pola.For example he declared joint statement with Ban Ki Moon he will implement joint mechanism to war crimes soon after 2009 May 19 but never materialized.Then MR appointed International Judges go into war crimes,Promising India go beyond 13th Amendment etc.
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citizen silva / May 25, 2016
Typograpical error “Loketa Parakase Gederata Maragathe” nearly trnalated “Running with hare &hunting with Hound “
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KA Sumanasekera / May 25, 2016
Giving “Sil Ammes” ( our Sinhala women Buddhist Devotees ) a piece of White Cloth and a Jacket free of charge is a major crime in Yahapalana Kingdom of Bodhi Sira, Batalnada Ranil and Surendran..
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Criminal / May 25, 2016
According to ‘Yahapalana’ government, giving ‘sil redi’ is a crime but giving free rides in the expressway on May 1st to bring people to a political rally is not a crime.
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citizen silva / May 25, 2016
Mr.Sumanasekara MR didn’t give it from his grandfathers property he gave it during Election time violating all cannons of decency & country’s laws even bye passing A.R. (Administrative Regulations) & (Financial Regulations)in public.what is amusing is CCS Officer tuned secretary to the President then Mr.Weeratunga who is product of Matara Rahula College son of Daya teacher agreed to do this without any form resentment is baffling.I have watched Mr.Weeratunga singing Hosanas in Rupavahini about his Master sadly a plight Top senior most country official had to face.If Mr.Lalith didn’t agree he will have to face consequence like Dr.Balasuriya (According to Wele Sudha confession to open courts former drug-load, he was the one who paid for former IGP s Doctorate who is good friend of former MP. Duminda Silva)who was hammered by MR in front of SDIG in Temple Trees.Ratakata Giya Kala !!!
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Shan / May 25, 2016
Well, this one is on Ranil no on My3. Offending minister is from UNP.
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S.Modaya / May 25, 2016
Hambantota Tsunami Hora, Jarapassa, has returned to steal from the victims of the floods!
Bravo Ayahapalanaya. Great job Sira-Ranil, lord and leader in the miracle of Modayas!
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vetmahadeva / May 25, 2016
The new regime came to power shouting slogans of anti-corruption drive involved itself in the biggest scam of all time through sales of Central Bank Bond siphoning billions towards a family as well as to a particular political Party- not only once it has happened twice. In a latest bid to swindle and burgle the foreign aids towards the 2016 Flood and Land slide victims, The Ministry of Home Affairs has just appointed an “Expert” of Swindling & Siphoning of aid funds – V. P. Anusha Pelpita who has records of being indicted in the High Court of Colombo for Siphoning 600 Million Sri Lankan Rupees, being Chairman of Telecommunication Regulatory Commission and in as same capacity he has been indicted for swindling 125 Million US Dollars, through Digital Conversion of Television transmission system – under Japanese Easy Pay System Aid worth only 5 Million US Dollars. Thus holds the record of pick-pocketing a jackpot of five fold than the worth of entire purchase.
What a selection by Minister of Home affairs Vajira Abeyagona ……..Vajra it is your turn for Wanjava, go Vajira go Vajira! What a proud southern bloc Sinhalaya and Buddhists to lay plan to swindle aid money!!
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Chef / May 25, 2016
So what else is new?
‘Eating’ this Yahapalanaya’s ‘pudding’ has proved to be ‘proof’ that it is a cruel fraud on the voters.
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SB / May 25, 2016
Case of one crook looking after another !or is it two crooks team up to kick start Yahapalanaya!I wonder whether Sirisena and court jester Ranil or should I say parliment jester trying to commit Hara Kiri!
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Zonda / May 25, 2016
Yes, the norm is that one is innocent until proven guilty. But this Anusha Palpita has been charged and is out on bail. There are good reasons to believe therefore that he is a crook and will steal again.
Is such a person then the best person to be appointed to this high office? Is this appointment not an unnecessary risk with public money?
This government clearly does not believe in its own principle on which we voted for it. We made a big mistake.
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nandimithra / May 25, 2016
Can someone please set up a progress chart on the web/blog or whatever and maintain a performance index for all MPs and Ministers. This was mentioned in some circles during the 100 day programme, but nothing seems to have been done.
If you maintain such an index, we the voters can assess each ones performance, when the next election comes around.
People power should not stop after the election.
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sr / May 25, 2016
Yahapalanaya administration should not deviate from its course due to the campaigners voice for Good Governance.
There might be destabilizing forces in the guise of campaigners for GG.
let not the tail wag the dog.
But face consequences if the appointees found guilty for corruption charges.
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Gune / May 25, 2016
It is quite evident that the Yahapalanaya gov who we brought into power is completely switched off from the expectations of the people who got them their positions. Now they act like the MR regime but under a new name and identity called “Yahapalanaya” which has been devalued by their pathetic inaction into nothingness.
They have already begun ushering their defeat at the next election. Sigh ! Sigh! Does disappointment have another destination ?
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Funlover / May 25, 2016
Bravo Yahapalanaya!
The Ra-Siri Combine have earned a gold medal for their ‘come what may’ adherence with alcoholic exuberance to the rockbed of Yahapalanaya – namely unqualified obeisance to the maxim innocent until proven guilty. In gay abandon they have transported it from the area of adjudication of individual criminality to the exalted arena of a Nation’s governance.
I laavyou Shirishena! What better example of a worm infested mindset can we find?
Logically, then, Mahinda Rajapakse, as the most experienced politician and administrator of the country, should be awarded an appropriate position in the Yahapalanaya. He has yet not been found guilty of any wrong doing.
[edited out]
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Wera / May 25, 2016
Here’s the problem with your arguments Mr Abeywardena. This man Palpita was asked to fund a politicians election by spending $600 million on sil redhi as a bribe to the bhikkus of this country. If he did not do it then there will not be a case. But there is one and it also implicates the secretary to the former president. At the very least this man is a suspect in a major financial fraud case. He cannot be trusted to execute his duties honestly until his case is heard and he is found not guilty. ( by the looks of it highly unlikely ) This case is being delayed and the two suspects have been shown favoritism where instead of being arrested and bailed they were let off the hook. If you have vacancies aren’t there any number of unemployed graduates who would love to have a crack at a job like this? By offering him a job are you saying you love secretaries who are ever willing to splurge 600 million no questions asked on your political campeighn as well?
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Wijayasiri Waduge / May 25, 2016
Yahapalanya has really betrayed the civil leaders and groups that made the venue to bring down corrupted MR and his regime. This is absolutely ridiculous.This country will never become a develop country as long as they practice double games on folks.They will put a purse snatcher behind bars not this mega thieves.What a disaster!
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Devaka Jayasuriya / May 25, 2016
In the Coalition Government in 70 S, NM and Colvin and The LSSPs were widely regarded as the intellectual elite among Sri Lankan politicians. In their propaganda too they averred that they possessed ” Golden Brains” a peculiar locution which stuck and eventually turned into a derision . Likewise before coming into power many UNP MPs claimed that they are the best people to exercise the matter of economics , good governance , transparency , reduction of the budget gap, Unfair tax burdens etc. Now apparently they are proving to be miserable failures in almost all aspects . Democracy is assailed .people who are opposing the govt. are tried and charges leveled and others are set free.
Eastern CM and ” Machan Puli” are fighting openly . Ground swell of resentment floating against the government over the miscarriage of Flood relief programmes . In Latin this is called ” Res non Verbos ” Words are not Deeds !
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Burning Issue / May 25, 2016
It is a mammoth task to steer back a country that was on a steep precipice of disaster! A national government was formed with the available elected people; hence, it is about working with the people with diverse political and personal agendas. It is not easy at all. The best thing that the present government must focus on expunging impunity and restoring law and order while minimising corruption. There are people within the current government who are hell bent on eschewing any attempt at uncovering past transgressions. Anyhow, in comparison to the past autocratic and unscrupulous government, the present one is welcome change!
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Chedi / May 25, 2016
In the photo, Palpita seems to be rubbing his hands in glee and, anticipation..
Excerpt from Daily FT article today:
‘A provision of Chapter 48 – 27 (10) of the Establishment Code reads:’Where legal proceedings are taken against a public officer for a criminal offence of bribery or corruption the relevant officer should be forthwith interdicted by the appropriate authority.’
“Has he been interdicted or not? If yes, how has he got this new appointment? If no, why hasn’t he been interdicted?” ..
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rew / May 26, 2016
This Minister should be removed. Failure to correct this situation will be one of the main reasons for the downfall of this Government.
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Samsom / May 25, 2016
The public should stop paying taxes as a mark of protest. Our hard earned money is used to feed and fatten these useless good for nothing fellows who are appointed to a high position with no bloody work to do. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
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lal / May 25, 2016
“As Director General of the TRC, Palpita also played a major role in blocking news websites, which were critical against the Rajapaksa regime.”(sic)
Then, in a twisted manner it makes sense to appoint him once more. His services might be required to do the sane yet again!
Those who believed in Yahapalanaya must be wondering what will befall on the nation under the present administration!
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Concerned / May 25, 2016
With the Minister concerned anything is possible. May be he wants to use this guy to make some money for himself He is the one who blocked the work at Southern Highway during the UNP government because Access did not give him the promised commission. He is the one who took Avantgarde guy to meet the President. Prime Minister should be blamed for appointing this minister and this minister should be immediately removed before he appoints some more of his rogue buddies to high places.
It is time for the people to get organised and protest this kind of corrupt activities of the present government.
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Emil van der Poorten / May 25, 2016
“Same old, same old.”
If there are charges pending and if there is, in fact, the shadow of a doubt about the guilt of these people, they should NOT be appointed to positions of any significance.
Instead, they are being elevated under the excuse of “Everyone is innocent until proven guilty.” All that does is give them an opportunity to cover their (corrupt) tracks.
It is obvious that there is MORE than a “shadow of a doubt” about the innocence of those MAKING THE APPOINTMENTS as well.
Simple as that? Yes it is and isn’t it time that MR2 (Maithripala and Ranil) did WHAT THEY WERE ELECTED TO DO; ROOT OUT CORRUPTION instead of condoning it?
“Uhuth horu, munuth horu,” to paraphrase the JVP!
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CITIZEN / May 25, 2016
Why not the President appoint Lalith Weeratunga as his Addl Secretary? After all, he pardoned his would-be assassin also! It would be MAITHRIPANAYA AT WORK!!!
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CountryFirst / May 25, 2016
The Yahapalanas are a new brand of “thick-skinned” politicians who are quite insensitive to any cries of hypocrisy and double standards against them. Can this display of blatant highway robbery that will put the country in a new peak of indebtedness continue?
One of these days what is happening on the streets of Venezuela will be seen in Sri Lanka. The ONLY country that has come up with sincere offers of post-disaster help for Sri Lanka this time around is China…!
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B Mackka / May 25, 2016
For some people the sun shines everyday even under YahaPelena duk karadara.
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Douglas / May 25, 2016
In another news item that said the Minister was contacted over this appointment and he had said: “this case (Rs 600 million)will be dismissed”. So this Minister has become the newest “Judge” sitting in his Ministry office and giving a “Judgment”. His Ministry media unit has not so far denied that statement, probably because that conversation has been recorded and the publisher has claimed full responsibility. Now, isn’t it the responsibility of the prosecution in this case to report the publication to the courts and charge the respective parties viz. the Minister and the news reporter for contempt of court. If that is not done, we know already what this “Yahapalanaya” has done to the Judiciary, the Legal System and above all what the ultimate outcome of this particular case would be. Where are those “Civil Society” campaigns?
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renu / May 25, 2016
Remove the Minister
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moderate / May 25, 2016
Is This not expected?? At the moment at least some in Yahapalanaya have Asayi Bayayi syndrome! They want to take bribes but are scared!! However with the help of Subha Anagathaya veterans they feel that it may be possible. They have to learn to do the mega tricks of the Rajapakse’s! Don’t worry most of the MARA catchers are already there! The be/uggars don’t have a religion or creed! Their only identity is corruption? They will be only loyal to themselves! E.g Vass G! They will let down this group the moment these guys are down! Although unlikely, even if the JVP wins they will advise Anura ! Vajira A is no baby, does not have the best past record! Therefore I am not surprised by the affiliation!
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Goraka / May 25, 2016
Sri Lanka amazes me, or more a dissapointment!
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BBS Rep / May 26, 2016
What a joke, what a joke, what a sick joke on the people of Sri Lanka.
Just look at the explanation given by Vajira Abeywardena. So he has to appoint a man facing a heavy corruption charge, without an interview, without calling for applications by prospective candidates, as he has to fill up long overdue vacancies. So basically there are no candidates to fill these jobs so it goes for known (of course unproven)rogues. And then after filling these so called long overdue vacancy Vajira has no work to give to this fellow. “When asked what Palpita’s role will be at the ministry, the Minister said that it was only ‘just’ two days since he was appointed, nothing specific has been given over, but he was currently overseeing flood relief related work.”
Holy mother, we all know where tsunami funds ended up. You can be absolutely sure where the flood relief funds will end up with Palpita under control.
What a sick joke this Yamapalanaya is putting on the people of Sri Lanka.
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Diogenes / May 26, 2016
K.A.Sumanasekara is interpreting the whole case like a bloody “Godaperakadoruwa”. May be another ardent follower of Mahinda Chintanaya!
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Mervyn Silva / May 26, 2016
This Pelpita along with his close buddy Major General Prasad Samarasinghe did everything possible to defeat Sirisena at the Presidential elections, Now both are harvesting what others sow.Does this mean that anything is possible in Sri Lanka!
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