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We footed up the bill for fmr President Gotabaya: Bandula
Cabinet spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardana today admitted that the Sri Lanka government footed the bill to provide former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to fly to Thailand from Singapore in a chartered flight last week.
Responding to a journalist at today’s post cabinet news briefing, Minister Gunawardana said the Sri Lanka government paid the bill as it was the responsibility of the government.
“Each and every executive president retired and widows of those passed away enjoy benefits, privileges and special facilities and they are also paid an allowance under the ‘President Entitlement Act No. 4 of 1986’. Therefore, the government is committed to pay former President Rajapaksa’s bills,” he added.
It was under the provisions of this Act, that former Presidents Maithripala Sirisena, Chandrika Kumaratunga and Mrs. Hema Premadasa are provided with a residence, allowance and other facilities, Minister Gunawardana stressed.
If and when former President Rajapaksa returns home in future, the government must provide him with all facilities and privileges entitled to a retired President from the public purse, he added.(Sandun A. Jayasekera)
Comments - 81
Comments - We footed up the bill for fmr President Gotabaya: Bandula
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vithura Tuesday, 16 August 2022 03:12 PM
Vacation of position by resignation cannot be construed as retirement.
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ANTON Tuesday, 16 August 2022 03:18 PM
HE VACATED AND RESIGNED FROM HIS POST. HE DID NOT SERVE OUT HIS TERM OR RETIRE!
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Sena Tuesday, 16 August 2022 03:29 PM
So much for the news stating that his son Manoj and a businessman had footed all the bills.
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sam Tuesday, 16 August 2022 03:33 PM
You are correct in saying that the govt must provide housing and other facilities in SL to a former president. Which rule says that the govt must foot bills, including chartered flight cost, for a person on the run?
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AS Tuesday, 16 August 2022 03:35 PM
And why should other countries and institutions NOT come to the help of SL with grants and long term loans when at least a few can be given chartered flights and privileges?
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B. Bandara Tuesday, 16 August 2022 03:36 PM
I think it's time for these nonsense to stop. Once you are retired it's over. This is why this country doesn't have money.
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Ravi Perera Wednesday, 17 August 2022 03:16 AM
Yes sir you are 100% correct. Presidents like all others in society should make their own arrangments for houses , cars , travel , ect when they retire. A modest pension based on their time in that office would be acceptable i think to most people. As for Gotta , he has fled the country to avoid arrest , and is now looking for a bolt hole he cannot be extradited from. The idea that hard pressed Sri Lankan citizens should still be paying his expenses is an utter disgrace.
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Voter Tuesday, 16 August 2022 03:36 PM
What a disaster ! The Presidential Entitlement Act No.4 of 1986 should be scrapped in toto. We can expect only the JVP to do this., including paying pensions to Parliamentarians.
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sam Tuesday, 16 August 2022 03:37 PM
Confusing because earlier reports indicated that his son paid for the chartered flight.
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Waste Tuesday, 16 August 2022 03:38 PM
Does the Act has the provision to pay bill of chartered flights? Where the US$ came from for this colossal expenses? If IMF grants, you will pay and waste like this.
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Sokrates Tuesday, 16 August 2022 03:40 PM
The former German chancellor was stripped of all privileges for getting involved with Putin. So it will be possible for a former president who is guilty of the most serious crimes to have his privileges revoked. If he insists on his privileges, he should come to Sri Lanka and sue for them in court. Bandula, what a sad creature you are, still obeying your criminal master.
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CitizenP Tuesday, 16 August 2022 03:45 PM
This person did not serve his full term as President to get those benefits.
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Adam Tuesday, 16 August 2022 03:54 PM
Gotabaya Rajapakse did not retire. He did not serve the full term. How can he be given all the privileges. All parliament privileges are misused by these present bunch of parliamentarians while the ordinary people are suffering.
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Rani Garusinha Tuesday, 16 August 2022 03:54 PM
A liability forever
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Prabu Tuesday, 16 August 2022 03:55 PM
He didn't retire. He resigned before the expiry of his term. Can he enjoy these previllages?
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Sunil Tuesday, 16 August 2022 03:55 PM
Totally bankrupted country but still paying millions of Dollars for useless man. Totally failed state. Sad for new generations dark future.
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AnnoyedLankan Tuesday, 16 August 2022 03:55 PM
High time to amend this act. We don't want to foot bills for those who robed us and ruined our country. All benefits to Rajapaksha family should be revoked and file case against them for mismanagement and looting. They are not mentally suitable to be leaders.
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Kikazaru Tuesday, 16 August 2022 04:00 PM
Nice, the flawed constitution. The country is bankrupt and Sri Lanka pays for charter flights. I hope the IMF takes note of this before decision a bridging finance.
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BuffaloaCitizen Tuesday, 16 August 2022 04:00 PM
So that is why the punk Ranil also was mad to creep in to get this post. So even if one is a blooming utter failure and even after bankrupting the nation, the public money is there to dole out for all the pleasures of the Post? Also do we pay for his BodyGuards overseas and for Chartered Flights from a utterly poor nation like ours while normal passenger seats are available and the family in the village is eating only one meal a day?
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Mudalali Tuesday, 16 August 2022 04:01 PM
Why would anyone think otherwise? The corrupt protecting the corrupt. You all belong in jail, your bank accounts and assets must be seized as proceeds of crime. The day will come soon. Get ready.
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Media Miss Chief Tuesday, 16 August 2022 04:06 PM
Considering the enormous responsibilities a country's President carries on his/her shoulder a nation should not grudge such retirement benefits. Sadly in Sri Lanka we as citizens don't feel they deserve it as there are so many corruption and murder charges etc we believe they committed.
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Enormous responsibilities Tuesday, 16 August 2022 08:36 PM
I think you are correct. The enormous amount of responcibilities they carry; ensure people stand for days in queues for fuel and gas; ensure medicines and foodstuffs are adequately not available for the people; ensure famers become incapable of producing as they did before; ensure those who dissent against them are summarily eliminated; ensure instilling and fanning race and religious hatred among peace loving people; ensure public funds are swindled to the naximum; ensure nepotism is sown all over the adminstration of the country; enter into borrowing non prouctive projects for huge kikbacks making the country indebted for years and consequently make the citizens suffer while they enjoy a kushi life . I may have missed some more. OMG!!! Enormous responsibilities. Feel pity for them. Actually they deserve more than what they are currently entitled to when they efficiently and successfully fullfill their enormous responsibilities.
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Mahesh Tuesday, 16 August 2022 04:18 PM
This is an utter waste of money. Imf or any future loan provider should force the government to cut down paying any bills or giving property. Giving a pension and about 4 security officers is fine if the president has served at least one term. This fellow did not even complete 3 years. These are the unnecessary expenses when country is struggling.
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anura hettiarachchi Tuesday, 16 August 2022 04:25 PM
Where in the act it states the eligibility for a Chartered Aircraft? We understand the rest of the entitlements mentioned above iro ex-presidents/Widows whilst living in Sri Lanka. Except for these acts which you all follow very dearly rest of the acts favouring the people are made junk...
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Tak Tik Tuk Tuesday, 16 August 2022 04:25 PM
Gota did not retire... he was forced to resign. therefore he is not entitled. And if govt is footing the bill, which means using tax payers money, why does he need a luxury lodging with 26 lakhs per night? this bill should be amended to only provide a house for former Prez, not all expences paid trips.
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Charity starts at home Tuesday, 16 August 2022 04:41 PM
How long do we - the poor Sri Lankans have to feed this mammoth, unsatiating mouths. This is a luxury we cannot afford. How many kidney, heart transplant can be made with this money? How many Cancer patients and monkey (Gay) Pox and Covid patients can be cured with this money? How long will this charity last?
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Surain Tuesday, 16 August 2022 05:00 PM
This is totally misuse of the powers by the current president government
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Giriya Tuesday, 16 August 2022 05:01 PM
If CBK or Maithri decide to take a 1 month holiday in Singapore or Thailand with their partner,,,will the govt foot the bill?
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Thinker Tuesday, 16 August 2022 05:09 PM
Sri Lanka is under economic and severe currency crisis and you guys are spending millions of cash for an escapee who pushed us to this situation. What a horrific and stupid justification. Shame!
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janp Tuesday, 16 August 2022 05:12 PM
Chandrika given her own house at Rosmead place for Hotel and she is enjoying Government Special Benefits ,Privileges ,Incentives while Millions of SRILANKANS Undergoing Tremendous Untold Severe Hardships
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suresh Tuesday, 16 August 2022 05:14 PM
No wonder we are in this situation, and also the same reason no one will bail us out
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Punchi Tuesday, 16 August 2022 05:15 PM
Ranil protected the Rajapakses by not acting on information provided by the FBI of money being brought into LA airport by GR son. Now Ranil is protecting GR by providing chartered flights at state expense when we are living with food insecurity. This is our fault for our sins we have committed in the past
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Nihal S Tuesday, 16 August 2022 05:20 PM
Dear Manoj, your grand parents monuments were done using public money. Now your parents travel around the globe using people money at a time when the country has no money to bring essential medicine. Please stand up and remove these 2 from becoming a burden to us. Why should we take care of your parents? I wonder why they use charter planes.
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Lumbini Tuesday, 16 August 2022 05:25 PM
We need to change this kind of special provisions. This is very unfair.
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Repeal President Entitlement Act Tuesday, 16 August 2022 05:26 PM
How horrifying, too much benefit for past President. Ranil, surely you know the general public are disgusted by the benefits given the past Presidents? SJB is too scared to act, because Sajith has a conflict of interest, wants the benefits on the public for his mother. Why Ranil you show some decency to our bankrupt country and repeal the President Entitlement Act for yourself and Gota at least, as well as future cases like your presidential selves? And Bandula not mention of Mahinda R who was twice president in all of this. He too lives off taxes imposed on the general public and tried to build a dynasty of Rajapaksha to get the same. When will it end?
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Kusum Tuesday, 16 August 2022 05:29 PM
Should be challenged in court.
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ranjith Tuesday, 16 August 2022 05:46 PM
BASL that rightly came to the rescue of Aragalaya should come forward to file a case and retrieve this money
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sunil Tuesday, 16 August 2022 05:47 PM
this is adding insult to injury
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zarth Tuesday, 16 August 2022 05:52 PM
A President who decamped in mid term, resigned whilst abroad and still on the run should not be entitled to any perks as he has lost all respect, and regards, having acted in a totally unbecoming manner of the position that he once held.
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Hassanda Tuesday, 16 August 2022 06:07 PM
What a Foolish Law in this Country This Bastard Gota President Ran away scared For his life - Even Past Presidents the Govt should Not pay all luxury facilities Bloody Stupid Law and that idiot JR Bought this executive President system
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Perks based on benchmarks Tuesday, 16 August 2022 09:03 PM
Correct. Not a single past president deserves such luxury perks. What have they got to show as their achievements?? Simply occupying a post!!! With every succeeding president/PM the country had plunged deeper and greater into alarming troubles. Only those who achieve some set benchmarks should be given perks post their. Knowing SL there are people to coockup achievements for politicians.
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Coo Mawatha Tuesday, 16 August 2022 06:19 PM
“Government of the people, by the people (244 corrupt goons), for the people”, carrying out the will of the people!? Go around the world with a begging bowl seeking foreign currency. And then spend that on a murderous, thieving thug chased out of the country, who has already amassed wealth stealing our money. We can see clearly now whose ‘welfare’ is top most for this ‘elected’ government. How can a government justify spending public (taxpayer) money chartering a private jet for a coward murderous fugitive running from justice? Is Gota still a government official? Last time I checked, this thieving thug was forced to resign.
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Uncle Paradise Tuesday, 16 August 2022 06:21 PM
Giving a house, and other expenses paid in rupees is different from paying in dollars for international expenses. Even then, paying for an economy class ticket is different from a chartered flight.
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Anne Karunaratne Tuesday, 16 August 2022 06:24 PM
So much for the son paying for the expenses, personal money!!!!! Mismanagement of nation's funds and then abandoning/running away and resigning after that, should not call for retirement benefits as a president!!! Can understand that WE paid for his holiday in the Maldives cos he had not resigned at the time but after that???????? My gosh!! The unending curses of an entire country will follow the rajapakses for the next 50 generations to come!!!!!!
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Roshan Tuesday, 16 August 2022 06:53 PM
Does it mean the Govt has to foot his luxurious vacationing bills forever. How about recovering some of the loot which can feed thousands of poor SL citizens who can not afford a simple meal.
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TONI Tuesday, 16 August 2022 06:59 PM
GOTHA DID NOT RETIRE. HE VACATED POST AND SUBMITTED HIS RESIGNATION. IS HE ENTITLED TO BENEFITS OF A RETIRED PRESIDENT, IF SO FOR HOW LONG IS THE GOVT GOING TO SPEND FOR HIM? BANDULA PL DO NOT BEND THE LAW
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D S de Silva Tuesday, 16 August 2022 07:02 PM
This is not retirement you fool, he was sacked. When an employee is sacked for misappropriation he looses all privileges and benefits. Fools like you who doesn't understand basic things should be no where near Parliament. The people who voted for these thugs and idiots are now collectively paying the price for it.
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Athk69 Tuesday, 16 August 2022 07:11 PM
A man who had to vacate his post in half the time, due to failures, is getting privilege treatment off public funds? Only in the wonder of asia... bloody shame on you...
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Triple Tuesday, 16 August 2022 07:14 PM
People and all workers please come out to the road and chase all these politicians home. They are all same, squeezing your blood out of you, unworthy bastards.
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Marsipala Tuesday, 16 August 2022 07:25 PM
Dr Shafi Sinhala ganu wadakaranawoo, badurdeen gaskapana wooo, wada bra for sale, meka aperata meya ape deviya mokuth kiyanna eppa God bless him Teruwan Saranai.
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Karalasingam Sivalingam Tuesday, 16 August 2022 07:42 PM
Once out of job, you are not paid anything, except ETF AND EPF, no special favours for any one. All are equal citizens of the country, the minister or the official who approved this bill should reimburse such amount incurred for the private jet to fly got whi ruined this country . All are equal citizens of this mother land.
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Rajapakshas areca curse to this country Tuesday, 16 August 2022 07:49 PM
Bandulla you are very proud to say you paid the bills. When people of this country are begging for a meal you are paying in dollars to the man who made us suffer so much without food medicine gas fuel milk etc and whatever available is at an unbearable cost. Why can't Rajapakshas friends who got thumping tax reduction pay his bills. Rajapakshas are torturing the poor masses while they still leading a luxurious life.
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Mohamed Hussain Tuesday, 16 August 2022 08:02 PM
I have never ever heard like this news in the world.
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Get rid of the 226 Tuesday, 16 August 2022 08:03 PM
The sooner we get rid ofvthe self serving 226 the better it will be for SL. These bastards rob the people and look after each other only. Gota ran away like tge coward he was. Not entitled to any State benefit.
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Zarook Cassim Tuesday, 16 August 2022 08:03 PM
Appreciate the comment only way out system change. A new people friendly constitution, a new electoral system, age and qualification caps on contestants, Transparency, accountability, Meritocracy be the order. Urge for a early election. Ranil says Rajapaksa Hora, Rajapaksa says Ranil Hora - Heyath Hora, Mayeth Hora, Ape Mala.
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Cecil Tuesday, 16 August 2022 08:27 PM
Sri lanka will only become a progressive nation when the Sinhalese are relieved of their public duties and those duties given back to the minorities like in the good old days of the 1950's and 60's.
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Massdeen Tuesday, 16 August 2022 08:34 PM
Gotabaya is not entitled for this privileges as he is a failed President who ran away from the Country without solving the peoples problem so how can he expect peoples money for him???
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Shitlank Tuesday, 16 August 2022 08:35 PM
Not only gotabaya. The same VIP treatment must be given to armed forces personnel. We must all do our part to contribute towards this. People should give their seat to armed forces personnel when they see them. This is true Sri Lankan values.
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Enormous responsibilities Tuesday, 16 August 2022 08:40 PM
@ Midia Miss Chif - I think you are correct. The enormous amount of responcibilities they carry; ensure people stand for days in queues for fuel and gas; ensure medicines and foodstuffs are adequately not available for the people; ensure famers become incapable of producing as they did before; ensure those who dissent against them are summarily eliminated; ensure instilling and fanning race and religious hatred among peace loving people; ensure public funds are swindled to the naximum; ensure nepotism is sown all over the adminstration of the country; enter into borrowing non prouctive projects for huge kikbacks making the country indebted for years and consequently make the citizens suffer while they enjoy a kushi life . I may have missed some more. OMG!!! Enormous responsibilities. Feel pity for them. Actually they deserve more than what they are currently entitled to when they efficiently and successfully fullfill their enormous responsibilities.
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Achievements determine the perks Tuesday, 16 August 2022 08:51 PM
No ex President, ex PM, ex cabinet minister or even an ex MP should be awarded any benefits, unless they can prove they have fulfilled their promises and responsibilities. Any benefits awarded should be corresponding to their achievements. So far in SL not a single person could be awarded any benefits. Every subsequent politician has plunged the country into deeper and greater perils than the previous. Most of them enter politics to be entitled to these benefits. These laws/rules should be amended. Lawmakers (politicians) should not be the ones making the laws of a country. Obviously they would make every law in their own favour and benefit. Thats the reason SL is in the current crisis.
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C Fernando Tuesday, 16 August 2022 09:11 PM
So our scarce dollars are being used to provide charter flights and expensive hotel accommodation for the man who is responsible for our present disastrous situation??? He osmot entitled to any privileges. He resigned and is on the run. Why should our money be used to look after him. What a joke this country is.
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Read about Jose Mujica Tuesday, 16 August 2022 09:20 PM
People please google are read about Jose Mujica. I promise you'll be fascinated. Even while he was still in office he lead a simple life. Didn't have an entourage of security personal. If one is genuine and sincere why does one require security after securing 2/3 public support. Won't the 2/3 sufficient to protect him from the balance 1/3???
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Crafty Fox in action Tuesday, 16 August 2022 09:58 PM
We think that Ranil is doing all these for an ex- President who has been in office for just about two and a half years so that a precedent is being created for Ranil too to enjoy similar privileges when he leaves office in two years time.
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Mandayan Tuesday, 16 August 2022 10:00 PM
Bandula, are you talking about paying out of the 170million recovered from his room in the presidential house?
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Adam Speak Tuesday, 16 August 2022 10:04 PM
So much has been written, nothing more to write. let the general public decide in the coming election. In my opinion people are thoroughly disgusted with UNP, SLFP, SLPP. Obvious next fight is between SJB and JVP. Not sure what they can do and the engagement of the World bodies (East
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GHT Tuesday, 16 August 2022 10:34 PM
Yeah, Justice should be served equally to all. In fact, His Excellency Gotabaya Rajapaksa was not a Former President but voters feel His Excellency Gotabaya Rajapaksa is still a serving president of Sri Lanka. He's deserved to be having all the PERKS.
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Mad Dog Patha Tuesday, 16 August 2022 10:48 PM
I am sick of hearing this from Bandulla. Why should we bear his travel cost. Why he couldn't travel on normal schedule flight. The people in Sri Lanka are suffering from Rajapakses crime. Ranil is anotherfox. He too will be chased out soon,
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Ajith Tuesday, 16 August 2022 11:06 PM
Thats fine for a normal president, wht abt the person who looted and put country in a shit situation and ran for his life
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A. Nimal Tuesday, 16 August 2022 11:24 PM
Why was I born in a country with low IQ individuals like these commentators?
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Cam Kay Wednesday, 17 August 2022 02:16 AM
1. GR was forced to resign for his failures that he himself admitted. 2. GR participated in corruption and just watched without taking action while his family participated in high level corruption. 3. No one had the power to go above and take action against GR to his family. In this situation, GR should not be entitled for any retirement benefits. The only honourable thing GR should do to prove he has self respect is to go as a Buddhist Monk....That will make many happy and he will have a chance to go to heaven!!! Sri Lankans cannot afford any more from these people. MR/BR should also choose the same path.
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emily Wednesday, 17 August 2022 02:41 AM
Manoj has 5 houses in califonia with our money Puspa ha 5 houses in califonia ioma has 2 houses
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Expatriate Wednesday, 17 August 2022 03:10 AM
All expatriates please note. This is how SL government spends foreign reserves. Never send even a dollar to Sri Lanka.
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Hawkeye Wednesday, 17 August 2022 03:52 AM
Minister Bandula Gunawardana is yet again proving that the cabinet and the government are corrupt. Gotha is nothing but a murderous cowardly individual who should categorised as on AWOL. Who provides for these individual to stay in the best Hotel in Singapore for over Rs2M per day ? Then a flight too to run to safety? Did anyone think of the innocent people this guy has murdered?
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Sudhuloonu Wednesday, 17 August 2022 06:47 AM
Not only pharmaceuticals he even stopped import of termaric with medicinal properties. How dare Bandula talks of his retirment benefits?
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Kumar Wednesday, 17 August 2022 07:08 AM
Gota gets a social security pension check from the US social security administration from a tax he paid the government while working. I am sure he has a fund called 401K pension plan as well which is setup when working for the private sector. He is no pauper.
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Jeerathie Palapugedara Wednesday, 17 August 2022 07:13 AM
How much you or your 134 crooks government have contributed to develop the country? none!! But stolen all and still sucking the blood of poor people!! Thopita Hena Hatha - Thunder Balls will follow all one after the other!!
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rohani de silva Wednesday, 17 August 2022 09:04 AM
Sri Lankans were on the streets sans food for days to collect their daily needs with many deaths. How some are helped to enjoy. These monies could have been used to uplift the country and save its ruining image. Wither Sri Lanka.
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Terrence Wednesday, 17 August 2022 09:36 AM
This refugee should be kicked out instead of footing the bill as he ruined the livelihoods of the public
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VJ Wednesday, 17 August 2022 01:56 PM
You have triggered an avalanche of comments which gives a clear indication of what people think of you. Few days ago you made another comment which was countered by the speaker of the parliament. Is it too difficult for you to keep your ugly mouth shut?
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Ranjan Wednesday, 17 August 2022 10:23 PM
Ooh that’s too bad. Please release all the bills immediately. After all it’s the public who have to pay for it. So they can all go through and inquire on it.
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D LL Gunasekera Monday, 22 August 2022 12:51 PM
I am duel citizen Swiss/SL.Since my retirement In 2015 I have invested around USD 750000.00 in Sri Lanka.Even in Last April I have transferred SGD 50000.00 to my HNB SLR account , hoping this amount might help the treasury to avoid the bankruptcy of the country. After I got to know , Gota‘s private jet paid from the Sri Lankan people money , I am speechless.
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