Insulting people’s intelligence
Posted on September 24th, 2012

The Island Editorial

Major Chandana Pradeep Susena’s claim that he was too shocked to remember who really beat him the other day at Hilton Residence makes one feel sorry for him and the army. He is a weakling who gets easily shocked and disoriented in a scuffle with a few ruffians. If what he has told the Court is anything to go by, the army must be scraping the bottom of the barrel and it is a pity that the national military has had to depend on information provided by such personnel in making crucial decisions on matters concerning national security. There is a compelling reason to believe that the country has won a fierce war against a ruthless terrorist outfit not because of intelligence operatives like Major Susena but in spite of them. It is time the military intelligence recruited strong officers and men who could take a few blows from political goons in a car park!

If an intelligence officer assigned to keep tabs on elusive characters cannot even remember where he left his gold chain and falsely accuses others of having robbed it, he is certainly not worth his salt. He is a liability to the army! Next time he may forget where he has left his service weaponƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…”ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…”and god knows what else! The army has done a major blunder by assigning important tasks to Major Susena.

The major was spying on two drug dealers at the time of the attack, we are told. There was absolutely no need for the military intelligence to play hide and seek with such elements. They could have been arrested promptly and interrogated thoroughly. We wonder what has become of the White Van brigade. Are we to gather that it is not called in to deal with dangerous characters like drug barons, some of whom have fled the country with the help of ministers? How Kudu Lal, the drug czar who controlled the narcotics business in Colombo, was escorted to the airport by a minister is case in point. The drug barons Major Susena claims to have followed must now be aware that the military intelligence is on their trail. So, they must be arrested forthwith before they, too, flee the country-maybe with the help of Kudu Lal’s saviour. We hope they are real.

22 Responses to “Insulting people’s intelligence”

  1. LankaLover Says:

    We are glad to have ‘media Gods’ looking up on us at least to give people the strengths that they are not alone.

    People should realise their power and not let these political buffoons to kick around the country and her people as they wish.

    It is good that people demand answers and justice at least through media.

    This is how Arab Spring came to being.. People had their un-addressed and neglected issues boiling with the administration, and foreign powers put fuel to it and ignited them.

    In any country, people do not ask more than justice, security, fairness, equality, and human rights. When those needs were ignored or suppressed, people become helpless and frustrated. Such frustrated society easily become vulnerable to exploitation by various interested parties.

    Rather than waiting that to happen and shout about foreign conspiracies, the country’s Administration should deliver what the people expect, which is justice, security, fairness, equality, and human rights.

  2. Marco Says:

    Whose intelligence were you thinking of insulting by writing such an Editorial with that headline?

  3. Lorenzo Says:

    “The major was spying on two drug dealers at the time of the attack, we are told. There was absolutely no need for the military intelligence to play hide and seek with such elements. They could have been arrested promptly and interrogated thoroughly. We wonder what has become of the White Van brigade. Are we to gather that it is not called in to deal with dangerous characters like drug barons”

    ABSOLUTELY!!!

    Bring on the White Van Brigade.

    Otherwise drug barons, czars, emperors, lords, kings, kingpins, etc. will ALWAYS ESCAPE through courts.

    Remember a honest judge who sentenced DRUG BARON Potta Naufer to jail? He was killed by this criminal.

  4. appuhamy1 Says:

    Mr Lorenzo
    How could you be on both sides at the same time,
    Running with the rabbits and hunting with the foxes

  5. Nalliah Thayabharan Says:

    High Court Judge Sarath Ambepitiya was killed at his home along with his bodyguard, Police Inspector Upali Bandara in November 2004. The mastermind of the murder was major drug dealer and mobster Mohammed Niyas Naufer (aka Potta Naufer). Mohammed Niyas Naufer’s henchmen Sujith Rohana Rupasinghe, Suminda Nishantha, Udara Perera and Lasantha Kumara carried out the murder. Recently Bogambara prison officers have found a map of the prison and a mobile phone from Mohammed Niyas Naufer who is presently on death row.

    Lal Peiris (aka Kudu Lal) was a drug dealer cum politician in Colombo. Though Lal Peiris is a close associate of minister Mervyn Silva he was denied of his nomination for the Western Provincial Council election in 2009 on the United People’s Freedom Alliance. To escape from anti-narcotics division of Sri Lanka Police Lal Peiris fled to England.

    Koswattage Donald Nihal Wickremasinghe (aka Nawala Nihal) is the current godfather of Colombo underworld. Koswattage Donald Nihal Wickremasinghe involved in several murders and extortion rackets for several decades. He killed the prominent underworld figure Ajith Dhammika (aka Kalu Ajit)and two of his henchmen at Aththidiya.

    Gonawala Sunil (aka Kotte Sunil) is one of the earliest criminal gang leaders in Sri Lankan underworld. Gonawala Sunil had major connections with the UNP government at that time. He was involved in the massacre of 53 prisoners at Welikada Prison in 1983 and raping a 14-year-old girl in 1982. He was convicted of the murder, and was serving in prison when he was famously released on a presidential pardon given by President J.R. Jayewardene just before the 1982 presidential election. Subsequently, convicted killer and hardcore criminal Gonawala Sunil was made an all-island Justice of the peace (JP) by UNP government. Ranil Shriyan Wickremesinghe recruited Gonawala Sunil as his secretary. Ranil Shriyan Wickremesinghe’s secretary Gonawala Sunil went around killing and intimidating people Ranil Wickremesinghe wanted to be silenced. When Ranil Shriyan Wickremesinghe was the education minister, officials at the education ministry used to call Gonawala Sunil as Ranil Shriyan Wickremesinghe’s husband. Gonawala Sunil was killed in a shoot out with Police in May 2000.

    M.K. Imtiaz (aka Anamalu Imtiaz) from Maligawatte was involved in more than 40 murders, including contract killings, extortion and drug dealing. He was kidnapped and killed in July 2009.

    Arambawalage Don Upali Ranjith (aka Soththi Upali) backed up by the UNP government of President Ranasinghe Premadasa,was the most powerful underworld figure of Sri Lanka during that time. Arambawalage Don Upali Ranjith was a close ally of Sirisena Cooray, the Minister of Housing and Construction of Premadasa government and closest associate President Ranasinghe Premadasa. Sri Lankan Police officers have addressed Arambawalage Don Upali Ranjith as “sir” during that time. He served as a reserve sub inspector at one time and was included in the UNP executive body by President Premadasa. In 1997, a presidential commission appointed by President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga concluded that Arambawalage Don Upali Ranjith was directly involved in assassination of Lalith Athulathmudali. Before the trial against him was finished, he was killed by a rival gang led by Usliyanage Ruwan Dhammika Perera (aka Dhammika Amarasinghe – Brother of Usliyanage Chinthaka Nalin Perera – aka Chinthaka Amarasinghe) in December 1998.

    Usliyanage Chinthaka Nalin Perera was involved in numerous murders, including Malu Nihal and Cheena – who were major henchmen of Arambawalage Don Upali Ranjith, at Gothamipura in March 1993. Usliyanage Chinthaka Nalin Perera hails from a crime-related family, with his uncle Noel Amarasinghe was the chief suspect in the Kollpity Tavern robbery case in 1966. Usliyanage Chinthaka Nalin Perera was killed at Thotalanga by a rival gang led by Ajith Dhammika (aka Kalu Ajit) in 1996.

    Usliyanage Chinthaka Nalin Perera’s brother Usliyanage Ruwan Dhammika Perera was wanted for more than 50 murders and 17 bank robberies. Usliyanage Ruwan Dhammika Perera had lost 16 of his family members due to the clashes with other underworld gangs. Usliyanage Ruwan Dhammika Perera was a close associate of Lohan Ratwatte, a Kandy District MP, General Anuruddha Ratwatte and Thilanga Sumathipala, a Colombo District MP. When Thilanga Sumathipala was the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka, he facilitated Usliyanage Ruwan Dhammika Perera to go to England to watch the Cricket World Cup in 1999 which sparked a huge controversy in Sri Lankan political arena. Usliyanage Ruwan Dhammika Perera was killed in January 2004 inside the court room of Colombo Magistrate by Siriwardanage Chaminda Udaya Kumara in order to conceal the conduct of several high-ranking politicians.

    Jayakody Arachchige Ruwan Perera (aka Olcott from Magazine Road, Borella was linked to more than 28 killings, several robberies and abductions in Colombo and its suburbs. Jayakody Arachchige Ruwan Perera made lots of money selling heroin and bought two luxury residences in Colombo and Kurunegala. Jayakody Arachchige Ruwan Perera lived in Tamil Nadu for more than a decade and returned to Sri Lanka in 2009. When mansion was stormed by STF soldiers in September 2010, Jayakody Arachchige Ruwan Perera was killed by the STF soldiers.

    Geegana Gamage Amarasiri (aka Julampitiye Amare) is involved in 22 murders, 11 rape incidents and 13 extortion cases in Hambantota area. Geegana Gamage Amarasiri had evaded more than 100 arrest warrants until he finally surrendered to Tangalle High Court Judge Chandrasena Rajapaksa in the aftermath of double murder of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna members at Katuwana. He was also wanted for several cases including escaping from the Tangalle prison in 2002; carrying out a murder in Middeniya and attempting to carry out a murder.

    Gurusinghange Priyantha(aka Neluwa Priyantha) was a powerful mobster in the Southern Province. His major businesses were Marijuana plantation and cattle robbery. Gurusinghange Priyantha was responsible for more than 25 murders and his henchmen had accounted for more than 80 murders. He was shot dead by STF Police in July 2011.

    Kamal Dammalarachchi (aka Dematagoda Kamal) was involved in more than 15 murders including the killing of Dushyantha Senevirathne – the Leader of Opposition in the Galle Municipal Council. Kamal Dammalarachchi was killed when he tried to throw a bomb at the Police.

  6. Lorenzo Says:

    “M.K. Imtiaz (aka Anamalu Imtiaz) from Maligawatte was involved in more than 40 murders, including contract killings, extortion and drug dealing. He was kidnapped and killed in July 2009.”

    Wow!

    Justice delivered in STYLE!

    They ONLY understand this language.

  7. Lorenzo Says:

    Walter,

    I’m on the side of the “Brigade” that ELIMINATES drug dealers AND Tamil Elamists.

    This is NOT a pro-govt verses anti-govt thing.

    BAD elements of the govt should be ELIMINATED.
    GOOD elements of the govt should be PROTECTED.

    Don’t support anything BLINDLY. :)

  8. Sunil Vijayapala Says:

    NT – I am surprised how you collected this info. Certainly worth reading. One of the Police Officers, Nihal I befriended at Moratuwa PS was responsible point blankly shooting the thug you mention, while going to Mt. courts. He was at that time attached to Mt. Lavinia PS. Unfortunately he was shot dead while riding his motor bike by probably the thug’s friends. This OIC was an absolute tough guy who dreaded thugs and a pretty straight forward man and exception among Police. He would have thought the thug will have the blessings of the politicians and would never be convicted and took the law on to his own hands. Sometimes one wonders whether this type of extra judicial killing is justified or not as most times these thugs have the blessings of the present and past governments. This is the only way to eliminate them. I remember a slogan during the time of the Old Fool JR. ‘Ballaa rata giya, rata ballata giya’ Hardly any diferrence now.

  9. Melbourne Patriot Says:

    No point of blaming the Major. He is merely following the commands. A commoner, he is not powerful as Mervin. If the Major did not say what he was asked to say (Malaka Silva and Rehan did not assault him ) he would have lost his job and many other repucussions. This is how things are done in Sri Lanka. Poor Samurdhi Worker had to confess that it was he who asked Mervin to tie him to the tree! Latest is how Berty Dissanayake (another rogue) was conned – he was promised a National List MP position, then showed the road. The Governmnet is openly lying to its people

  10. Melbourne Patriot Says:

    those who have seen the JAIC Hilton video states malaka and rehan did assualt the Major, but now even the Police say that did not happen

  11. Sam Perera Says:

    Any more insults from Mervins and Malakas are not acceptable. However, my hopes of President Rajapakse, cleaning up his scum infested cabinet and restoring minimum human decency, appears to be a distant dream as it stands today.

  12. Susantha Wijesinghe Says:

    THE ENTIRE EXECUTIVE OF SRI LANKA, FROM TOP TO BOTTOM, ARE COMPLICIT IN MAKING THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ENTITY A ~~~MERE VEGETABLE~~~ THEY HAVE MADE THEM NUDE.

    THEY ARE ALSO COMPLICIT IN MAKING A ” MAJOR ” RETRACT ON HIS EVIDENCE AND LIE TO COURTS, TO SAVE ROWDIES AND THUGS AND THEIR SIBLINGS FROM LEGAL ACTION. THIS IS THE STINK THEY ARE EMANATING.

    MY SYMPATHIES ARE WITH THE MAJOR, BECAUSE HE IS TRYING HARD TO SAFEGUARD THE FUTURE OF HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN. HE HAS PUT SO MUCH SERVICE IN THE MILITARY, HE DOES NOT WANT TO JEOPARDIZE LOSING HIS BENEFITS TOWARDS HIS FAMILY.

    HERE IS THE MORAL OF THIS WHOLE STINKING EPISODE:~~~~~

    WHETHER ONE HOLDS HIGH OFFICE OR NOT, DO NOT ASSOCIATE WITH LOW BASE PEOPLE, HOPING TO ACCRUE SOME BENEFIT, OR THAT ONE COULD GO ONE RUNG UPWARDS IN LIFE.

    LORD BUDDHA HAS REQUESTED NOT TO ASSOCIATE WITH LOW PEOPLE.

  13. LankaLover Says:

    I came across two allegations made by an online Newspaper. It could be clever fabrication, or have some truth behind it. If there is an iota of truth behind it, then our whole country is in deep danger,

    Allegation 1: Wife of one of the biggest Drug Kingpins Wele Suda has been arrested at the Katunayake Airport recently up on her return to the island on a false passport. Up on questioning by the CID, she has mentioned that during the last election campaign, her husband has given Rs. 5 M to the President (through Mervyn), and Rs. 10M to Gota (through Duminda Silva) for his Son’s wedding. The real allegation is that the Head of the CID Jayantha Kulathilake was removed because he confiscated properties worth about Rs. 1.5 Billion belonging to this Drug Kingpin under the Anti Money Laundering Act.

    Allegation 2: Rena Silva (brother of Duminda Silva) has been able to sell his shares of The Finance Company to National Savings Bank for an inflated price up on direction given by the Central Bank on a request made to the President by Rena Silva to afford the expenses of Duminda Silva’s Singapore treatments.

    Both the stories are eerily correlated and create goose bumps, if there was an iota of truth.

    Sri Lanka has become a game society, where things are run by the Administration on playing games with the people’s conscience. In such environment, such allegations can not be discarded right away either, because people do not see transparency, equality in application of law. There is also a culture of cover-up of all the wrong doing of the politicians and henchmen.

    Police Commission has been neglected, and made it dysfunctional, judiciary being interfered constantly, a toothless bribery commission has been created, SEC investigations have been curtailed, if any clever and honest Policemen were there, they have been transferred or put on administrative duties.

    Aren’t we digging our own graves?

    One way to expose wrong doings is through the Parliamentary Opposition. However, our opposition is a mere School Council with infighting kids. They have no real motive to serve the nation.

    The other clear avenue is the ‘investigative journalism’. However, it is muddled and hijacked by various interest groups, and people do not know what to believe. People are confused. There is no reliability.

    We thought at least the Sunday Leader would do this by being a responsible investigative newspaper. However, it went awry and lost its credibility. Fedrica Janz lost her credibility with white flags and from then onwards all what she did amounted to nothing but personal vengeance – no real motive of exposing the wrong doings.

    Now, people are like headless chicken. Few national newspapers are standing firm on selective basis on issues of national interest. However, that’s it.

    When we have to fight with a Global Force of evil run by the LTTE rump and other vested interests, we are facing the lowest level of humiliation and frustration on our own soil, because of the conduct of our politicians and their henchmen. It hurts.. as a country, we are just going in circles muddying ourselves, and sinking in it.

    “Wetath Niyarath Goyam Kaanam Kaata Pawasamu E Amaruwa”???????

  14. Lorenzo Says:

    I agree these criminals in the govt should be ELIMINATED.

    “she has mentioned that during the last election campaign, her husband has given Rs. 5 M to the President (through Mervyn), and Rs. 10M to Gota (through Duminda Silva) for his Son’s wedding.”

    This has to be taken with a pinch of salt.

    Rs. 5 million to the president and Rs. 10 million to GR are nothing (EVEN IF they are true); just peanuts. They won’t be influenced to save such BIG criminals by such small sums of money.

  15. Leela Says:

    From my own experience, I know very well that all politicians ‘request’ money from business people to be used for their pet projects and election campaigns. But, I doubt very much that the President or Gota would have accepted 5 or 10 million from a known drug dealer. Surely, they couldn’t have been that hard up for money after being in power for five years. Besides, when the President’s fund alone which he could use as freely as he likes exceed billions of rupees why should he be unduly obliged to a drug dealer.

    However, I cannot say the same thing about Duminda and Mervin who according to Lanka Lover, had been the intermediaries in handing over the said money. Could it not be that, they themselves helped for the money. From what I’ve herd about them that usually should be the case.

    Though I have been defending the President and strengthened his hand all this time, I am getting sick and tired of the nominees that he and his party chooses to contest elections. In my opinion, the President cannot wash his hands saying it is we who elect people like Mervin. What could voters do if they are fed with untruth with drug money. Honest men cannot get elected at elections in the present district electoral system. Its too large an area for an average man with modest funds to campaign. This system breeds political dynasty and crooks.

    I am seriously thinking not to cast my vote at any of the upcoming PC elections.
    Leela

  16. Sunil Vijayapala Says:

    Leela – to cast ones vote or not should be the RIGHT of a democratic system. The British unglates have made this compulsory, funny isn’t it? In one way the fool talks about freedom and then makes voting compulsory – enigmatic indeed. I have never voted in my life although I was qualified to do so in Sri Lanka and in Canada. Canadians don’t give a damn about politics. Politics is for the poor in my opinion and democracy is the system of the fool (in my opinion) Don’t vote next time or ever! there is no genuine politicians left in our country. Do not be deceived by manifestos and promises. Kalaama sutra come to mind.

  17. Sunil Vijayapala Says:

    Typo – ‘comes to mind.’ This blood English! with capitals and stupid spelling!

  18. aloy Says:

    NT
    You have got a good opportunity to give the Sinhalas a bad name by compressing things happened over a long period. You could have made it more dramtic by including the SWRD saga also. This website is read by people all over the world, not only Sri Lanakans.

    Perhaps this major was doing private work after official working hours like most government servants today and this is a fight between heavy weights well planned and executed. We need to wait and see more drama unfolding.

  19. Leela Says:

    Sunil: I am afraid I do not agree with you that there ‘is no genuine politicians left in the country’. Like you, I have come across many a genuine politician in my teens. For me, that was in the mid sixties and before leaving Sri Lanka after A/L. But I agree with you that such genuine people are very rare nowadays.

    In the rural village that I have been living for the last twenty years however, I have seen a few young men who truly aspire to do a good job for the county as well as the society. However, they find it impossible to go beyond a Pradesiha Saba in this system because they do not have necessary funds to market themselves in an electorate as large as district and clash within the party buddies for manape.

    I am told that one has to spend several millions to win a Pradeshia Saba seat, and tens of millions to win a Palath Saba seat, and hundred million to win a parliamentary seat.

    For that and other reasons, politics has become a big business in Sri Lanka. So, unlike in the West, politicos have to invest heavily in their business here. They have to spend money like punters and gamble on publicity. If they win; they have to rob, swindle and cheat as much as they could not just to recover their investment but to save enough to gamble at the next election.

    Still for all we cannot ignore the robber baron politicians because they are the ones who play tunes for us dance.
    Leela

  20. Sunil Vijayapala Says:

    They all begin genuine but with time become utterly corrupt. I can name few but for libel reasons I refrain. There is a nice sayng in Uni circles ‘ if u r not a communist when u r in Uni something wrong with u. If u r still a communist when u r out of Uni then something is really wrong with u’ – Here are some genuine politicians I knew – W.Dahanayake – went home from Temple trees after defeat by train or bus a pennyless man. C P de Silva Minneria Deviyo – the humongous work he did, with veracity. There could be a few more. It’s the system which influence them like Pentagon/CIA influence White House – not conforming ones are shot dead – Kennedys. Bribery is rampant now and soliciting Commisions is rampant now. (again I refrain from naming them) The leader thrives on corrupt people and unable to take action – he will lose his support base. They are all in the game and budding politicians look and act genuine until they enter parliament! Then the rat race begins.

  21. Susantha Wijesinghe Says:

    HERE IN USA, MANY OFFICERS AFTER THEIR NORMAL JOB, GO AND WORK PRIVATELY FOR ANYBODY, TO GET AN ADDITIONAL INCOME. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT. THERE WAS THIS TOP OFFICIAL AT THE ZOO, DONNING HIS VOLUNTEER POLICE UNIFORM WITH REVOLVER, AND WORKING IN WALMART IN THE NIGHTS. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT. WE MUST LOOK AT THE GOOD SIDE ALSO. THE “MAJOR” POSSIBLY WORKED A LITTLE EXTRA, AFTER HIS NORMAL DUTIES. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT.

    WE MUST BE FAIR. ~~~~~~~ HE DID NOT TAKE BRIBES AT ALL LIKE THE STINKING DIRTY POLITICIANS. HE WORKED HIS EXTRA HOURS WITH THE FAMILY IN MIND. IT WAS MOST UNFORTUNATE FOR HIM TO CROSS THE ROWDY SIBLINGS OF ROWDY MINISTERS. DISGUSTING.

    SRI LANKA IS NOW MALIGNANT WITH ‘ BRIBOCRACY AND COERSION, AND ALL THE LEGISLATORS ARE IN IT.

    THE MAJOR WAS A PITIFUL VICTIM OF COERSION. HOPE THE ARMY COMMANDER WILL MAINTAIN THE DIGNITY OF HIS OFFICE AND BE FAIR. LET US NOT SEE HIM BENDING INTO TWO TO APPEASE THE BLOODY CORRUPT LEGISLATURE.

  22. LankaLover Says:

    Susantha has asked, “HERE IN USA, MANY OFFICERS AFTER THEIR NORMAL JOB, GO AND WORK PRIVATELY FOR ANYBODY, TO GET AN ADDITIONAL INCOME. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT.?”

    Well, many things are wrong. If you joined military, you are not a civilian anymore. The employment rules governing civilians do not apply to military personnel unless they are ‘ex. military’.

    Both in the US and Sri Lanka, military law does not permit any of their personnel to hold any office, engage in any venture, or engage in any part-time work paid or otherwise unless specifically given permission or you are in the volunteer or civil defense forces and you are not on active duty.

    If the Major was moonlighting, it is an offense under the military law. Nevertheless, it is irrelevant in this context to some extent.

    If Malaka assaulted a military personnel preventing his/her duties, there is an additional offense of obstructing the duties of a military over an above the assault charges.

    It was first told that Malaka assaulted the major with a firearm, and if it was the case it is a non-bailable offense under the Penal Code of Sri Lanka.

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