Sri Lankan Citizen

Who is your Prime Minister? UNF asks UPFA

Incidently that is what SriLankan also wants to ask

But then what does it matter. The way our President treats the PM is like treating a dummy. Remember her mom, who couldn't even sign the papers etc., was the prime minister when PA was in power?

http://www.theacademic.org
"Who is your Prime Minister? UNF asks UPFA "

... However SLFP fronliner Nimal Siripala de Silva claims that President Kumaratunga will decide who the best is suited for the Premier post at the conclusion of the elections, in the event they form a government. “She might decide according to the most number of preferential votes secured by these contenders,” he said.

If you can't do it, pass it on!

Good on ya Tillakaratne, you may not be a great captain, but you're a fantastic example
sigh.. only if our politicians followed your example!

http://www.theacademic.org
"Tillakaratne quits as Sri Lankan skipper after series loss to Australia
Associated Press, Sun March 28, 2004 10:17 EST . JOHN PYE - AP Sports Writer - COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - (AP) Hashan Tillakaratne quit as Sri Lankan cricket captain Sunday, immediately after Australia beat his lineup in Colombo to become the first touring lineup to sweep a three-test series in Sri Lanka - . But the 36-year-old lefthander salvaged his batting position with an unbeaten 74 in Sri Lanka - 's first innings in the third test at Sinhalese Sports Club."

Please use the right example

Just because Dutu Gemunu fought a Tamil King does not make him an example worthy of our nation!
Anybody who knows a BIT of history will know.

The guy was an absolute headstrong young man who went against his father, dishonoured his father by calling him an equivalent of a 'ponnaya' and killed an ageing Elara (age 72) with Elara's own sword when the old king fell from his elephant. Young Gemunu was only 25 years old at that time.

Please refer to your Grade 8 history books if you've forgotton.

Anyway do you know how Dutu Gemunu got his name? Just for reference please read the following excerpt from a Daily Mirror article. (Otherwise you might have to open that big book -Mahawansa)


Please quote that great king, 'Parakramabahu the Great' as an example to this nation. Who put his people first.



http://www.dailymirror.lk/archives/dmr110102/junior.html

SRI LANKAN HISTORY

How Gemunu became Dutugemunu
Prince Gemunu wanted to launch a battle against Elara. With this idea in mind he decided to set out with his forces and marched to Kasatota. He remembered what his father, King Kavantissa had told him - that he should not war with Elara because the time was not right.

After reaching his destination Prince Gemunu thought he will force his father to start an attack against Elara. So, he sent a message to his father. He wanted his father's permission to cross over to the other side of the Mahaweli river. When King Kavantissa heard what his son had done, he was alarmed.

He sent a message to his son saying that Elara had a strong army with over a million soldiers. After reading the message, the Prince sent a message back to his father ridiculing him and calling him a woman for not allowing him to go ahead with the war.
Together with this message he sent his father a pair of bangles and a dress. The King was angry. He ordered his men to arrest the Prince and to bring him back.

He ordered a golden chain to bind and keep his son prisoner. After hearing this, the Prince fled to Gilimale (close to Ratnapura) and went into hiding. In disguise he made his way to Kotmale and lived with a farming family. The behavior and disobedience of the King made the people call him Dutta Gamini (Dutu Gamunu or wicked Gamini) Prince Tissa was then put in command of the King's army.

Sideline story

'Mara' Magic!"

Magician arrested for child abuse

COLOMBO, Monday (AFP) A top Sri Lankan magician has been arrested on charges of sexually abusing young boys, including his own assistant, the government's child protection agency here said Monday.

The man, who conducts several television programs, was arrested in the company of two boys aged 15 and 16 years at his home over the weekend, the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) said in a statement.

It said statements have been recorded from five other children who were allegedly abused by the 32 year-old magician. His assistant had also been sexually abused, the NCPA said.

"The man had attracted young boys under the pretext of teaching them magic tricks," the NCPA statement said, without naming the magician or his victims.

Those convicted under child sex charges face mandatory jail terms ranging from 10 to 20 years.


Daily News


Here's a toast to the NCPA Team!
Will they also publish the picture of the offender in the papers like in Singapore?!

Stretching the truth

I always admire our President. The way she manipulates statements to her own advantage. The way she portrays herself on media. The way she lies without batting an eyelid. Brilliant politician. You've got to admit, 'politics IS her family business'!

Regardless of what LTTE has said recently about the SLFP-JVP Alliance, she simply takes one statement of theirs, trims and adds her own interpretation and makes a bold statement.

Brilliant! You've got to give it to her!

Taken from
The Lanka Academic, a newspaper published by Lanka Academic Network

LTTE ready to talk with SLFP-JVP Alliance
Alladin Hussein in Colombo, March 16, 2004, 11.19 pm.
The LTTE has informed President Chandrika Kumaratunga that they are willing to talk to a United Peoples' Freedom Alliance government under her leadership. Ms. Kumaratunga made this claim during a meeting with a special delegation from the Hambantota district at the President's House yesterday.
The President has however said that it will not be easy for the LTTE to deceive her. 'I am not prepared for talks that will lead to a separation of the country, but would negotiate for the sovereignty of the country,' she told the delegation.
According to the President, the LTTE has informed that they are willing to talk to any government with a 'positive outlook'.

Published: Tue Mar 16 12:21:05 EST 2004

Some points to ponder!

Although I'm no pro jvp, in some aspects I agree with them.

-Full Story- (The LankaWeb - 16/03/04)

LankaWeb - Latest Sri Lanka news
It is clear now that the expatriate Sinhala Buddhists are bitterly divided. The academics in Sri Lanka seem to have taken positions according to the battle lines drawn. Buddhist clergy on both sides of the divide have become restless. Thanks to the prime movers behind the scene, “Sangha-bhedaya” – one of the “panchanantarya papa karma” is just about to be committed. In this melee we have failed to see one basic thing! Buddha was born as a Crown Prince who renunciated everything in the search of enlightenment. If he had the notion of creating a “Dharma rajyaya” and expanding it to other countries he could have easily started it from his own kingdom after attaining enlightenment. Why can’t we realise that there is no logic, no place and no need for “Buddhist Fundamentalism”?

-Full Story- (The LankaWeb - 16/03/04)

Unquotable Quotes

The following gems are taken from
http://www.manthree.com

"PEACE OF TALKS ...


LTTE hate war
--Thamil Chelvam

I was insulted 2346 times in media
--President CBK Maybe it's high time to take the hint- SriLankan

Our biggest task is to make people trust in Democracy
--Milinda Moragoda

SLFP is a peoples party , that's why we should restructure it
--Mahinda Rajapaksaha


Mun tika ellanna thiyenne
Grand Pa

Fredrica Jansz - One fierce fighter.

Just an appreciation. Keep up the good work! Take care!


The Sunday Leader

President finally accepts blame for the escalating violence in the country

Her Excellency alleged that ALL politicians were directly responsible for the escalation of violence.

Recalling her previous statement of 'Politics is our family business', she has this time put her foot in her mouth.

Actually through her own statements, she has directly condemned her family before. Like as soon as she was elected she apologised to the nation regarding her father's deeds. Then later she called her own uncle the most corrupt minister in the land (all true ofcourse) and now this time, she has condemed herself.

Great self confession Madam!

Sri Lanka news updated 24 hours day: The Lanka Academic, a newspaper published by Lanka Academic Network: "Politicians are responsible for the high crime wave
Alladin Hussein in Colombo, March 14, 2004, 11.55 p.m.. President Chandrika Kumaratunga today alleged that ALL politicians were directly responsible for the escalation of violence in the country during the past two years... "

LTTE suicide cadres safer than UPFA?

Yeah when you really think about it. If you count the number of people killed by LTTE suicide bombers, they are much less than the numbers killed by JVP.

Sri Lanka news updated 24 hours day: The Lanka Academic, a newspaper published by Lanka Academic Network: "Prime Minister says LTTE suicide cadres safer than UPFA
Alladin Hussein in Colombo, March 15, 2004, 12.43 pm. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has declared that the United People�s Freedom Alliance, which constitutes the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna is much more dangerous than the LTTE suicide cadres.
He reportedly made this statement during a public rally in Kurunegala. The Premier also said that the SLFP-JVP Alliance is making various attempts to disrupt the future of the country. Mr. Wickremesinghe said that the alliance has introduced disruptive policies far more dangerous than the LTTE suicide cadres. � Suicide cadres destroy people and their property but the freedom alliance destroys the future of the country,;' he alleged. "

President thinks that 'Fresh Mandate' is like fresh milk

which needs to be obtained every once in a while. How many bloody fresh mandates do you need to build a nation. If she thinks 'fresh mandates' expire after some time then she should call for the Presidential Election. I think that job has gone stale and STINKING!

LankaWeb - Latest Sri Lanka news: "Kumaratunga apologises for calling snap poll
Sri Lanka's President Chandrika Kumaratunga has apologised for calling snap elections but says the move was necessary due to the failure of her attempts to work with the government. In a televised address to the nation, Mrs Kumaratunga says she sincerely regrets having to call a third parliamentary election within four years. But she says she had no choice, because efforts to work with the government of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had been unsuccessful, and required a fresh mandate from the people. -Full Story- (Goasia Pacific - 15/03/04) "

Another 'Where Angels fear to tread' story

Desclaimer: The story is not mine, so don't blame me or send hate mail. The story belongs to
Lankaweb a pro-JVP website. So don't take it out on me, take it out on them.

Now that the small print is read...

The Ding Dong Monk

If I say anything more, some of my reader's might get upset so here's the 'juicy' news!!!

LankaWeb - Latest Sri Lanka news: "My married life was disrupted because of Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka Thero " Champa Kalhari.

It has been revealed that Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka Thero, contesting the forthcoming General Election from Jathike Hela Urumaya which promises to establish a "Dharma Rajjya", has been instrumental in unsettling the wedded life of a popular songstress. This has been revealed in a newspaper called "Dhuthaya" (Messenger) issued today. The songstress involved in this incident is Champa Kalhari Jayasekera. According to the newspaper the reason for the separation from her former husband Delman Sumedha Alpitiya was a homosexual relationship Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka Thero had with him. Champa Kalhari who got married in June, 1995 with the help of Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka Thero had asked her husband about the relationship when she became aware of it. He admitted to it and had promised to give up the relationship. However, he had tried to go abroad secretly and when Champa Kalhari came to know it she had filed a case in Mt. Lavinia courts"

I would very much like to see what happens to this songstress and the newspaper in the future!

Of all the excuses...

W.Weerawansa has to say this. Maybe his creatively devious mind is exausted after handling the election propaganda.

As they say, once a thug always a thug.

Sri Lanka News - LankaPage.com - Latest Hot News from Sri Lanka: "Wimal apologises to Lankadeepa editor
Mar 14, Colombo: JVP Propaganda Secretary Wimal Weerawansa, who allegedly threatened the Lankadeepa editor over an advertisement, has apologized to Editor-in-Chief Siri Ranasinghe. In a letter to the editor, the former MP said he had no intention to threaten but said the editor may have interpreted his tone as threatening due to his continuous participation in political rallies. "

OK. Why doesn't she leave now!

If Her Excellency is keen on abolishing Executive Presidency in this country, she can do that NOW! I'm sure all the parties including UNF will be more than happy to support her in that. (Except the JVP)

I really don't see anything except a real bullock story here. She knows very well the election will resolve into a hung parliament and no party will hold that much majority to abolish presidency.

She will probably abolish presidency when she has to leave the seat.

Sri Lanka News - LankaPage.com - Latest Hot News from Sri Lanka: "President again promises to abolish executive presidency
Mar 14, Colombo: President Chandrika Kumaratunga has again emphasized that the executive presidency would be abolished under an Alliance government.
The President, addressing university lecturers and the business community at the President's House, said a Constitutional Council would be set up for this purpose. She said there are fewer opportunities for the abolition of the executive presidency from the 1978 Constitution. "

Are the Mahanayakes split on this

Why certain Mahanayake's are for and some are against?
It is definitely beyond me. I'm sure Buddha's teachings are clear cut on issues! So why the division? Hmmm...

Sri Lanka, 2 - 13 - 2004: Amarapura Mahanayake blesses the contesting monks
the Mahanayaka Thera said he blessed the monks because they were in the fray to protect the country, nation, religion, language and culture. The event at Borella drew thousands of laypeople.

The venerable Thera also claimed that the country had plunged into the deepest of degradations and the time has come to follow the path of the late Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thera.

When he says religion, language and culture I suppose he means the buddhist religion, the sinhala language and the sinhala culture. There starts the rift. So if a citizen is a Sinhala Buddhist, he is sure to be protected by JHU. If he/she is a Sinhala Catholic/Christian, (do you get Sinhala Muslims? Definitly not Sinhala Hindus I suppose.) sorry no go. If you happen to be a Tamil Hindu - please go to India.

Well there are two ways to protect one's religion, language and culture. One is by teaching and being a living example the other is to massacre other religions and cultures.

The conquering nations in the name of Christianity practiced the former method. Recently the Taliban practiced the same method by demolishing the world's biggest buddhist statue!

Will the peace loving monks practice the former method or the latter method? We'll have to wait and see.

Alright a man with some back-bone and conscience>

Ok then, Mr. Dissanayake recognizes that the people in the north are SriLankans. That's a good start. He also warns that if any party disrupts, the polling booths will be removed. That's great, but will he also tell the public which party is the culprit? Then again what about the citizen's in the LTTE controlled areas? I suppose it is asking for too much!

Latest News from Sri Lanka - Sri Lankan Online News - Colombo Page: " Elections Commissioner allows pooling booths in no man's land
[ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka]
Mar 13, Colombo: Following a series of meetings with several parties, Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake announced that pooling booths would be set up in the no man's land to allow voters in areas not held by the government to cast their vote at the forthcoming general election.
Booths would be set up in no man's areas, which do not come under either the security forces or the LTTE, he said. Mr. Dissanayake also said security forces personnel would provide security at these pooling booths, and if any party disrupts the efforts, the booths would be moved. "

GH Srike - Bad old days are coming?

Yeah I remember 87, during the JVP Terror days when they called for a general strike and threatened doctors who were working at General Hospital and other places. The Hospital System came to a standstill. We, some social minded young guys and girls got together, went to the GH, found the chained up gate, climbed the wall, went into the hospital and to our horror found, bed-ridden patients still in their beds! They haven't eaten since the strike started and were waiting there shell shocked, nobody to attend them. We quickly organized food, transportation and some guys even accompanied patients to their villages. I remember crying when I saw a stained (badly mind you) bed in the ICU and a doctor who braved the JVP terror telling me about a child dying there and they had to literally scrape the body (which was lying for 3 or days) because of all the body fluids and stuff.

The JVP never even apologised for their act. I remember they were gloating on the posters that when they call for a strike, the nation strikes - the shameful bastards.

I suppose we have forgotten all that. We being the loving and smiling people of Sri Lanka

I suppose we deserve JVP happening to us!

href="http://www.colombopage.com/archive/March1341342RA.html">Sri Lanka, 2 - 13 - 2004: Crisis talks fail, doctors continue their strike: "Sri Lanka:
* Crisis talks fail, doctors continue their strike
Saturday, March 13, 2004, 4:13 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Mar 13, Colombo: Government doctors decided to continue their islandwide strike after talks between Finance Minister K.N. Choksy and the Government Medical Officers� Association (GMOA) ended in a stalemate this morning.
Minister Choksy told them that the doctors� salary issue could not be resolved under a caretaker government. The GMOA has refused to accept the Minister�s assurance that a solution would be found within eight weeks of a new session of parliament at the next parliamentary session.
GMOA President Kumar Weerasekera says the executive council of the association has decided to carry forward the strike. "

We want a lynch mob!

We don't want a presidential commission, we already know who the guilty party is. We want a lynch mob

Ven. U.Dhammaloka knows by divine perception that the death of Ven.Soma Thero was not due to a medical condition., regardless of what doctors' have concluded. He also knows who the murderer is. He also knows that the Sri Lankan laws are powerless against these perpetrators (whether there is anything to prove is another matter). So 'can we have a presidential commission please. Oh sorry wrong order, can we have a lynch mob please!'

Why is Ven. U.Dhammaloka preaching doubt and violence instead of peace and love? Possibly because the good monk is associating himself with those guys who preached segregationism in the first place - Jathika Hela Urumaya. JHU ofcouse is the wolf in sheep's clothing. The former Sihala Urumaya guys who were only promoting one ethnic race at that time (much like the Tamil Tigers), have changed their colors to suit the current trend.

The Ven. U.Dhammaloka goes onto say, ''She (i.e. the President) is trying to get cheap publicity and also she is trying to cheat Buddhist people who really love Ven. Soma thero,'

What exactly do you want sir?

Sri Lanka, 2 - 12 - 2004: Buddhists monks reject Presidential Commission on Soma thero's death: "* Buddhists monks reject Presidential Commission on Soma thero's death
Friday, March 12, 2004, 5:00 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
'She is trying to get cheap publicity.' - Ven. Uduwe Dammaloka thero, referring to the President

The President has appointed a three-member commission to look into the death of Ven. Gangodawila Soma thera. The commission, headed by former Supreme Court jude P. Edussuriya, has been instructed to submit a full report to the President within three months. Professor Mendis Rohanadeera and specialist Dr. Dilkushi Anula Wijesundara are the other members of the commission.
However, the organising committee that earlier requested such a commission has refused to accept the President's decision.
Ven. Uduwe Dammaloka thero of the Jathika Hela Urumaya says this commission would be directly involved in the President's publicity campaign for the upcoming election.
'She is trying to get cheap publicity and also she is trying to cheat Buddhist people who really love Ven. Soma thero,' he said. "

JVP Terror days are back again

Even before the elections are over, JVP has started their terror campaign. I remember the days, where JVP ruled certain parts of the country with terror. But of course the Sri Lankan Citizens (not this one though) have a way of forgetting things. The first citizen is so forgetful (of the fact her husband was killed by the JVP), she now forms an alliance with them. If that is the situation with the 'first citizen' then what can one say about the rest of the ones.

Sri Lanka, 2 - 12 - 2004: JVP�s Wimal threatens Lankadeepa editor, says paper: "Sri Lankan Top News
Sri Lanka:
* JVP�s Wimal threatens Lankadeepa editor, says paper
Friday, March 12, 2004, 5:30 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Mar 12, Colombo: The JVP's Propaganda Secretary Wimal Weerawansa reportedly threatened the editor of Lankadeepa by telephone on Wednesday, saying he should not publish an advertisement in the paper.
The Lankadeepa paper in today's edition reported, 'Mr. Weerawansa told the Editor that if the advertisement appeared, he would not only take legal action, but also organize a picket opposite the offices of the Lankadeepa, and that he would attack the newspaper at public rallies.'
The paper also stated that any decision to publish advertisements in the publication was the responsibility of the Advertising Department, and they obtain legal opinion whenever they are in doubt."

JVP Back to the Bad Old Days

I don't know whether you have forgotten the terror days of JVP. We sighed a breath of relief when they came into mainstream. But the red boys are weilding guns again., showing their true colors!

The NEWS FLASH of course belongs to Colombopage.

Sri Lanka, 2 - 11 - 2004: Flash: JVP's Wimal and Vijitha face arrest threat over storming Ravi's office: "Sri Lankan Top News
Sri Lanka:
* Flash: JVP's Wimal and Vijitha face arrest threat over storming Ravi's office
Thursday, March 11, 2004, 9:43 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
In the early hours today, a group of JVPers allegedly led by Mr. Weerawansa and Herath have stormed the Minister Ravi Karunanayake's election office at Welikada.
Mar 11, Colombo: Colombo Additional Magistrate Ranjan Disanayake this morning remanded six JVP supporters till March 22, for allegedly breaking into the UNF minister Ravi Karunanayake's election office at Welikada early this morning.
The Additional Magistrate also ordered the police to arrest and produce before the Court, JVP Propaganda Secretary Wimal Weerawansa and Vijitha Herath if there were enough evidence against them in connection with the incident.
In the early hours today, a group of JVPers allegedly led by Mr. Weerawansa and Herath have stormed the UNF minister's election office at Welikada to get defamatory posters against him and have threatened the people in the election office.
President's Counsel Ananda Wijesekera appearing for the complainants told the Courts that aiming a pistol, Wimal Weerawansa had threatened Attorney-at-law Gamini Dharmadasa, who was in the scene. "

A bit of stale news but...

Managing Director of Lake House resigns

No kidding... some guy with conscience at last. He has resigned from the board of Rupavahini as well. The way Rupavahini and Lake house were misused by the President and the UPFA, anybody will feel like resigning.

Now wait a minute, that is not the Sri Lankan way. Srilankan politicians have no conscience... have they changed at last?

Latest News from Sri Lanka - Sri Lankan Online News - Colombo Page: "* Wijedasa Rajapakse resigns from top posts
[ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka]
Mar 07, Colombo: A prominent UPFA legal advisor Wijedasa Rajapakse has resigned as managing director at Lake House and as a board member of Rupavahini Corporation.
Mr. Rajapakse has submitted his resignation letters to Information Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar and to the chairman of Rupavahini.
It is learnt that he has resigned from these top posts as he was not given a place in the UPFA national list. The SLFP had reportedly informed him earlier that he would receive the portfolio of the party's Justice Minister if the Alliance comes to power. "

Ah... say so... for a momeent I thought we are becoming a good nation... phew!