TNA To Take Blockade To Court

By Camelia Nathaniel-Sunday, October 19, 2014

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) is to go to the Supreme Court to lift the restrictions on foreigners travelling to the Tamil-majority Northern Province.

Mavai Senathirajah, president of the Illangai Thamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK), the main constituent of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) which rules the Northern Province, said that his party is consulting legal experts on taking the matter to the Supreme Court.

“It is a violation of a Fundamental Right, because thousands of Lankan Tamils living abroad as citizens of other countries will be put to great inconvenience if they want to go to their ancestral places in the Northern Province. Thousands come home to the North to visit their relations, participate in weddings and funerals and to attend to their properties. Many come to help war affected people. These Lankans, will now have to get two visas: one to enter the country, and another to go to their ancestral homes in the North. This is totally unacceptable,” Senathirajah said.

As per the new rules announced by the Military Spokesman on October 15, foreign passport holders including Colombo-based foreign correspondents and members of the Lankan Tamil Diaspora will have to get the written permission from the Secretary, Ministry of Defense, to travel to the North. The spokesman for the Ministry of Defence, Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya said that the step had been taken to foil “negative interventions” with implications for national security and social harmony. No details were revealed giving rise to speculation about the exact reasons.

Meanwhile the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) leader V. Anandasangaree described the ban as a thoughtless action and warned that it would only give a boost to extremists among the Tamils and encourage the pro-LTTE section among the Tamils in Sri Lanka and overseas. “I will write to the President about this,” he said.

Top FAO official, hundreds of others turned away at Omanthai

By Chris Kamalendran-Sunday, October 19, 2014
View(s):

A top United Nations official was turned away at the Omanthai checkpoint this week as the Defence Ministry started strictly enforcing a requirement that prior approval is needed for foreign passport holders to travel to the north. The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Country Representative, Beth Crawford, was on her way to Kilinochchi on Wednesday when she was turned back.

Northern Province Agriculture Minister P. Iyngaranesan said he was also invited for the event for which the FAO Country Representative was invited to mark World Food Day, but he was told that Ms. Crawford had not been given permission to proceed beyond Omanthai.

Meanwhile foreign countries upgraded their travel advisories, warning their citizens about the new requirement of obtaining Defence Ministry approval to travel to the north. This came as hundreds of tourists and Sri Lankan expatriates were prevented from travelling to the north during the past week.

The British Government on Friday reviewed its travel advisory on Sri Lanka, informing its citizens of the new requirement if they wished to travel to the north of Sri Lanka. The Sunday Times last week exclusively reported that Defence Ministry approval was required for foreign passport holders to travel beyond Omanthai. The restriction coincided with President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s visit to the north.

On Sunday, two Japanese tourists who were traveling north in a car were told they could not proceed. On Friday a Sri Lankan attached to an international non-governmental organisation was told that his wife, a foreigner, holding a resident visa would not be able to proceed to the north. Some of those turned away said they were unaware of the new Defence Ministry requirement.

Hundreds of hotel bookings, mainly by Sri Lankan expatriates visiting their families, were cancelled.
The army has been deployed to check all vehicles and also trains travelling to the north while private airline operators have also been informed about the requirement.

EU EYE ON LANKA 

By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan- October 19, 2014 

The European Union (EU) is closely monitoring the recent developments in Sri Lanka, including the domestic reconciliation process.
EU Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, David Daly, told Ceylon Today, that the Presidential Commission appointed to probe the missing persons is a recent development and the EU has always encouraged Sri Lanka. .to have its own strong independent credible domestic process, which is a part of the US resolution placed in Geneva.

He said, "Whether the recent development constitutes that or not, 'that remains to be seen' and too early to comment on it."
When asked whether a domestic process using international experts on human rights is welcomed by the EU, the Ambassador said, "It's a good development if it brings concrete results and improvements." He added that probing human rights violations is extremely complex and it's important to see how the resources are used, as well as the conduct of the hearings on the missing persons.

"All what I can say is that, the EU is closely following it up and monitoring the new developments in relation to the reconciliation process." On the EU annulling the restrictions on the LTTE, the ambassador said they were studying the case very carefully and that they will reflect on all options open to them before responding. "At this point, we cannot do anything since it is very normal in EU countries. The EU functions on a set of democracies where the law applies to the judiciary system and rulings. People can say, people can evaluate it and people can respond to it," he explained.

He added, "EU countries are against terrorism and that is on top of all agendas and there are lots of different measures that EU takes every single day in addition to fighting terrorism. We all take measures within the law and we are studying the Court hearing and will continue to do so." On the question how the EU views Sri Lanka in countering terrorism and taking measures to prevent the LTTE regrouping, Ambassador Daly said, "Be it the UK, Ireland, Sri Lanka or the EU, we all should be very measured in our responses, in our actions on counterterrorism and on the security measures. Whatever the measure we take, it should be within the law, be lawful, and abide by the law, which is the fundamental principle."

Taking Tamil Sovereignty Through Sri Lankan Presidential Elections

| by A.R.Arudpragasam 

Part II

Anchoring Sri Lanka on Her True Historical Foundation

( October 19, 2014, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) The mistakes of the Sinhalese leaders, since independence, originate from one basic false assumption that Sinhalese hold the historical title of ownership over all of Sri Lanka and Tamils are invaders and aliens. The historical falsification and misrepresentation that started with the dubious mandate of King Bhuvanegabahu VII of Kotte given to the Portuguese in 1543 taken further by the Siamese sect monks who were brought to Sri Lanka in 1753 to write the history of Sinhala Buddhists and subsequently by the British who invented the Aryan Sinhala race who brought civilisation to Sri Lanka from North India.
Taking Tamil Sovereignty Through Sri Lankan Presidential Elections-Part II by Thavam

Army questions NPC member Kajatheepan

October 18, 2014

Stepping up its campaign of threat and intimidation in the Northern province, Sri Lankan military personnel in military fatigue on Saturday has questioned an active member of the Northern Provincial Council, Balachandran Kajatheepan.

“Three soldiers in military uniform came to my house in Earlalai and questioned me about the personal details of my family. They said they have received orders from the top to question me. One of them said that he was officer in-charge of the Vasavilan army camp,” Kajatheepan from the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) told Colombo Mirror via phone from Jaffna.

He said that although they soldiers did not behave in a threatening manner, it was very evident that “they want to give a message or a kind of warning to the effect that I am under watch”.

“Everybody in Jaffna are under the military watch nowadays. We cannot be bothered too much about these kind of intimidations,” the young NPC member said.

Sri Lanka’s Defence Ministry on Wednesday re-introduced the war-time regulations that the foreign passport holders will need prior approval from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to undertake a visit to the Northern province.

It said it was absolutely inevitable for the foreigners to inform the MoD “about the nature of the proposed visit and the area they intend visiting”.

The TNA and the NPC unanimously boycotted President’s three-day visit to the north last week, saying that ‘inappropriate’ for them to attend “politically motivated” at a time when the Tamil speaking people “continue to be marginalized by the Rajapaksa regime”.

Addressing a public rally in Kilinochchi, which was once the politico-administrative capital of the Tamil Tiger rebels, President Rajapaksa said that the intention of “the TNA and the Tamil Diaspora is to create a separate state in the North-East”.

BASL Concerned Over Next AG as Present Incumbent’s Retirement Approaches

19/10/2014

[Upul Jayasuriya (centre) addressing the media. Pic by Indika Handuwala]
Concerned over the possible new appointment, following the retirement of the current Attorney General (AG), the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) highlighted the need to appoint an impartial and independent person to the post. BASL President, Upul Jayasuriya stressed on giving due consideration to merit and seniority of the service in the AG’s Department when the appointment is made.

Speaking at a press conference, he highlighted that the BASL has noted how a number of appointments to high office within the Judiciary has been made without due consideration to qualifications and merit.

The BASL on Friday adopted a resolution at a special committee meeting to represent their concerns to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, regarding the recent appointments to some of the superior courts. In a statement, the BASL recommends that the selection criteria in the appointment of individuals to the superior courts, requires “strict adherence to transparently clear qualification of merit and seniority, and that, only persons with unblemished professional and personal records should be appointed”

The BASL highlighted that, “the members of the Legal Profession in Sri Lanka are gravely concerned and disturbed by some of the appointments to the superior courts, which do not appear to have been made in accordance with salutary and time honoured criteria of merit and seniority, and impeccable record of integrity, while being of unimpeachable character.”

The BASL also recorded their concern over non-appointment and non-promotion of judges who have “clearly satisfied all these criteria and are highly respected by the legal profession for their independence and impartiality.”

Emphasising that both the Government and the Opposition should work towards maintaining the aforementioned standards, the BASL urged President Rajapaksa to duly consider and act upon the recommendation made by the BASL on the appointments of judges to Superior Courts.

The Saffron Brigade And The Buddhist Terror

By Hilmy Ahamed -October 19, 2014

Hilmy Ahamed

The Chairman of the Foreign Employment Bureau (FEB), Mr. Amal Senalankadhikara, another political appointee of the Rajapaksa regime, is the latest victim of the saffron brigades.

A group of monks, representing the Ravana Balaya raided the office of the Chairman; Foreign Employment Bureau (FEB) on the 16^th of October with a large number of monks and journalists, questioned the Chairman on his integrity and efficiency as someone tasked to protect the Sri Lankan migrant labour force in the Middle East. The pleas of the FEB chairman to discuss any particular issue of concern to the invading force away from the glare of the media camera’s fell on the deaf ears of the protesting group. A clear evidence of the publicity stunt played by these groups.

Ittakande Saddhatissa – Ravana Balaya | Photo courtesy Ishara Kodikara

The Convener of the Ravana Balaya, Ven. Ittakande Saddhatissa Thero, claimed that our labour force in the Middle East are ill treated, harassed, sexually and physically abused on a daily basis and with ample evidence, the FEB has failed to take appropriate action.

What is disgustingly shameful is that Mr. Senalankadhikara claims that he too is a Sinhala Buddhist, in response to the treats by these monks. Did he imply that these unlawful intruders couldn’t question him because he was a Buddhist? Does that imply that it would be acceptable that this Saffron Brigade could target non-Buddhists? Why has he not made a complaint to the Police against these trespassers? Why has the government failed to protect its own public servant?     Read More

Ravana Balaya accosts with FEB Chairman

Wearing Sackcloth And Ashes As We Apologize

| by Kishali Pinto-Jayawardena 
Courtesy: The Sunday Times, Colombo  

( October 19, 2014, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Piquantly enough, this seems to be the week of apologies and confessions for Sri Lanka.

First, we witnessed the nationalist Jathika Hela Urumaya parliamentarian Rathana Thero’s confession in his capacity as convener of the Pivithuru Hetak (For a Better Tomorrow) movement, that it was wrong to have supported the 18th Amendment to the Constitution.

Wearing Sackcloth and Ashes as We Apologize by Thavam

Land Bill is a concern, needs flexibility – US Trade Rep

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Sri Lanka’s proposed new Land Bill shouldn’t be ‘one size fits only’ and should accommodate unique situations, according to a top US trade delegate.

“We have a few concerns on the new Land Bill. It is a ‘one size fits all’ Bill at present. It should have (provisions) to fit individual situations that merit flexibility,” Michael J. Delaney Assistant US Trade Representative for Central and South Asia told the Business Times on the sidelines of Sri Lanka – USA Business Forum on Thursday.

“We don’t object to the proposed Land Bill, but a strong case can be made for having some flexibility in the law.” The visiting US trade envoy made similar comments at a news conference at the USIS office, Colombo soon after the business forum.

“(There is) A lot of concern about the land laws and this is not limited to American investors alone. In fact some of the stronger objections I heard were from Sri Lankan businessmen,” he told reporters when asked for his views on the controversial bill, which limits foreign land ownership to less than 50 per cent, and has drawn concerns from the local business community.

ஒரு இனம் இன்னொரு இனத்தை அடிமைப்படுத்த முடியாது - ராஜித

Submitted by MD.Lucias on Sun, 10/19/2014 

ஒரு இனம்  இன்னொரு இனத்தை அடிமைப்படுத்த முடியாதென தெரிவித்துள்ள  அமைச்சர் ராஜித சேனாரத்ன  எத்தகைய  அபிவிருத்திப் பணிகளை  மேற்கொண்டாலும்  மனிதத்துவ பண்பு கொண்டவர்களை கட்டியெழுப்பத் தவறினால் பயனில்லை எனவும்  சுட்டிக்காட்டினார்.

நாட்டில் சுதந்திரத்திற்காக அன்று  சிங்கள  தலைவர்களுடன் தமிழ் முஸ்லிம் தலைவர்களும்  ஒன்று சேர்ந்து  போராடினர். இந்த ஒற்றுமையின் காரணமாக  நாட்டுக்கு சுதந்திரம் கிடைத்தது.  

ஆறு தசாப்தங்களுக்கு முன் எமது  தாய்நாட்டிற்கு கிடைத்த சுதந்திரத்தை பேணி பாதுகாப்பதற்கு சகல சமூகத்தவரும் கைகோர்த்து செயல்பட  வேண்டும்.  சிங்கள  தலைவர்களுடன் சேர் பொன்னம்பலம்  ராமநாதன், அருணாச்சலம்,  மஹாதேவா, ரி.பி. ஜாயா போன்ற தலைவர்கள் நாட்டிற்கு  செய்த தியாகம் மறக்க முடியாதவை. 

நாம் எத்தகைய  அபிவிருத்திப் பணிகளை மேற்கொண்டாலும்  மனிதத்துவப் பண்பு கொண்டவர்களை கட்டியெழுப்பத் தவறினால்  அதில்  பயனில்லை. மனித உள்ளம்  சீர் பெற வேண்டும். ஒரு இனம்  இன்னொரு இனத்தை அடிமைப்படுத்த முடியாது.   தனிச்சிங்கள மொழிச்சட்டம்  காரணமாக  எமக்கு என்ன பலன்கள்  கிட்டியது. 40 வருடங்களின் பின் சிங்களத்துடன்  தமிழ் மொழிக்கும் சம  அந்தஸ்து   கொடுக்கப்பட்டது. 

Sri Lanka’s Dilemma

By Siri Gamage -October 19, 2014

Dr. Siri Gamage

Imbalance of Power between the Executive and the Legislature, Constitutional Dilemmas and the Need for a Community-Oriented Model

For a society to function smoothly, there has to be a commonly agreed framework of governance. This framework defines and specifies the way those who are elected to govern are to be elected, the powers they ought to have, in which circumstances and for what purposes, ability to delegate, responsibilities of various sections such as the executive and legislative branches, and more importantly the limitations. Usually the constitution of a country provides the principal blueprint of such a framework supplemented by various legislation approved by the legislature. When disputes arise about the way a given power is exercised by a given person or a body pertaining to the government, there ought to be judicial and para judicial mechanisms for resolving them. For this function to operate smoothly, the independence of such judicial and para judicial bodies, e.g. Human rights commission, labour tribunal, has to be guaranteed. All this can ensure the functioning of a society where reason, sense of fairness and justice, rule of law, transparency and accountability etc. work as governing principles rather than the application of sheer force of power itself. A society with such characteristics and a framework of governance is one that will install a high degree of confidence among the country’s population, mostly the literate sections, as well as international observers.

However, constitutional and political developments since the late 70s have taken the country as well as the governance framework on a slippery slope culminating in a situation where the rule of law, reason, justice and fair play, as well as transparency and accountability seem to have been thrown into the dustbin of history by large measure. Instead, a governance framework where one individual or his/her office is able to command a very high degree of power and resources as well as manipulate the functioning of the legislature through the party system and coalition politics plus the practice of luring opposition politicians to his/her side with impressive inducements such as ministerial posts seem to have emerged and expanded in its grasp. Thus we can see today the largest cabinet in the world. The neoliberal, free market economic system that was introduced by the UNP government in 1977 has assisted this change in the governance practices. The expansion of this system by all parties, without examining its consequences on society, culture, and the governance framework for so long has ensured various social ills as well as the loss of community rights also, e.g. encroachment of the coastline by privately owned tourism companies and other entities, large scale appropriation of state land by private sector companies by way of joint ventures with foreign entities.                                     Read More

Mahinda’s Election And Rajapaksa Future

| by Tisaranee Gunasekara

“Heil myself

Raise your hand

There’s no greater

Dictator in the land!

Everything I do, I do for you!”

Mel Brooks (Springtime for Hitler)

( October 19, 2014, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) No one wants an early presidential election, except the Rajapaksas.

There is no national need or a popular clamour for an early election. The opposition is not demanding one. The SLFP and the UPFA are reportedly extremely unhappy about the prospect.

But the Rajapaksas seem determined to hold a presidential election at the earliest possible constitutional time.

Mahinda’s Election and Rajapaksa Future by Thavam

That Third Term

By Reeza Hameed -October 19, 2014 

President Rajapaksa’s eligibility to seek a third term as President has become a contentious issue ever since former Chief Justice Sarath Silva declared several weeks ago that President Rajapaksa is legally barred from contesting a third time. Some commentators have challenged Sarath Silva’s views and Chinthaka Mendis was one of them (see Chinthaka Mendis, ‘Why Sarath Silva is wrong’, September 14, 2014, The Island). In my view, Sarath Silva is right in his assertion that President Rajapaksa is disqualified from bidding for a third term and that the Eighteenth Amendment did not remove the disqualification to which he became subject no sooner he was elected for a second term.

*Picture courtesy N Ram

The view that President Rajapaksa is disqualified to contest a third term follows from a reading of the Constitution as amended by the Eighteenth Amendment, read together with the Interpretation Ordinance. A correct interpretation of the Constitution would lead one to the conclusion that the Eighteenth Amendment was only prospective in its operation and despite that amendment President Rajapakse’s disqualification continues.

The Eighteenth Amendment and its effect

President Rajapaksa’s disqualification stems from Article 31(2) as it stood before its repeal by the Eighteenth Amendment. Article 31(2) disqualified a person who had served two presidential terms from seeking office for a further term. Article 31(2) provided that:

“No person who has been twice elected to the office of President by the People shall be qualified thereafter to be elected to such office by the People”.                           Read More

'No third term for Mahinda' – BASL too agrees

SATURDAY, 18 OCTOBER 2014 

According to the Constitution Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa cannot contest for a third term says Professor of Public Law at The University of Queensland and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law Suri Ratnapala. This was revealed at the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) meeting held today (18th) to announce its view.

The meeting was chaired by the President of BASL Upul Jayasuriya, its General Secretary Ajith Pathirana, Dr. Jayampathy Wickremeratna, Dr. Sunil Cooray and Dr. Prathibha Mahanama.

BASL had assigned Prof. Suri Ratnapala to clarify the legal point put forward by former Chief Justice Sarath N. de Silva that Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa cannot contests for a third term. Accordingly, Prof. Ratnapala had informed BASL regarding his clarification.  Today at the auditorium of the BASL this view was declared as the official view of the BASL.

Lawyers who spoke on behalf of the government put forward various arguments. The government side was headed by former president of BASL W. Dayaratna. His main argument was certain clauses in tenant farmer act (The Agrarian Development Act) were contrary to the Constitution. He asked why it is not changed.

Dr. Jayampathy Wickremeratna responding said there were clauses that were contrary to the Constitution in many other acts but they had not been challenged yet.

Mr. W. Dayaratna coming up with another argument asked why clauses of the 18th amendment were brought forward now.  Responding to it Dr. Jayampathy Wickremeratna said the issues hav

After the exchange of ideas Prof. Savithri Gunasekera and Prof. Deepika Udagama accepted Dr. Jayampathy Wickremaratna’s argument.e come up as Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa is preparing to contest the presidential election again.

Currently, ‘People’s Movement for Democracy in Sri Lanka’ is holding seminars throughout the island under the theme ‘No third term for Mahinda – Challenges of illegal presidential election.’ Former Chief Justice Sarath N de Silva and JVP Leader Anura Dissanayaka have come forward to make the masses aware of the dangers the country will have to confront if a person is given a third term and through holding an illegal presidential election.

'No Third Term for Mahinda' – BASL Too Agrees by Thavam

Imbalance of power between the Executive and the Legislature, Constitutional Dilemmas and the Need for a Community-Oriented Model

• by Dr. Siri Gamage 
• - on 10/19/2014 

For a society to function smoothly, there has to be a commonly agreed framework of governance. This framework defines and specifies the way those who are elected to govern are to be elected, the powers they ought to have, in which circumstances and for what purposes, ability to delegate, responsibilities of various sections such as the executive and legislative branches, and more importantly the limitations. Usually the constitution of a country provides the principal blueprint of such a framework supplemented by various legislation approved by the legislature. When disputes arise about the way a given power is exercised by a given person or a body pertaining to the government, there ought to be judicial and para judicial mechanisms for resolving them. For this function to operate smoothly, the independence of such judicial and para judicial bodies, e.g. Human rights commission, labour tribunal, has to be guaranteed. All this can ensure the functioning of a society where reason, sense of fairness and justice, rule of law, transparency and accountability etc. work as governing principles rather than the application of sheer force of power itself. A society with such characteristics and a framework of governance is one that will install a high degree of confidence among the country’s population, mostly the literate sections, as well as international observers.

Imbalance of Power Between the Executive and the Legislature, Constitutional Dilemmas and the Need for a Co... by Thavam

Ragging And Violence Developing Within The Faculty: Colombo Uni Arts Faculty Teachers

October 19, 2014

Colombo University Arts Faculty Teachers Union (AFTA-CU) has expressed their concern over an increase inragging among students, pointing out there has been a breakdown of democracy within the faculty as a result of these incidents.

Issuing a statement, the AFTA-CU has stated the increase in ragging incidents during the past couple of months has targeted students as well as academics who hold dissenting views. They have noted that the hike in ragging with the Arts faculty is appalling particularly since its student population is overwhelmingly female.

“Our association maintains a position of zero –tolerance on harassment and violence carried out on freshers under the pretense of welcoming, familiarizing and developing friendships with them,” the union has said in their statement adding that they unconditionally and unequivocally condemns ragging or any other action that inflicts physical or mental violence on others.

Furthermore in their statement, the AFTA-CU has urged the authorities to take immediate and decisive disciplinary action against the anti-democratic behavior developing among students of the Arts Faculty and has also called upon all student groups to put an immediate stop to the ragging and related incidents.

Related posts;

Colombo University, Arts Faculty Academics Boycott Lectures Protesting Student Violence

The Politics Of (University) Violence

Ministry secretaries tasked with election campaigning!

 Sunday, 19 October 2014 

Basil Rajapaksa has given ministry secretaries the task of ensuring that public servants take part in the presidential election campaign of Mahinda Rajapaksa. That measure has been taken in view of the situation in which most ministers are going to evade giving their contributions to the president’s campaign.

Accordingly, public officials and servants are being summoned to Temple Trees and workshops held for them. Employees of the Women’s Bureau have been summoned to Temple Trees tomorrow. This is a gross violation of election laws.

Boss won’t sack me – Sajin Vaas!

 Sunday, 19 October 2014 

The controversial supervising MP of the external affairs ministry Sajin Vaas Gunawardena has told a wealthy Muslim businessman whom he meets frequently, “Don’t you be afraid. The boss will never sack me. Boss can’t do without me.”

He was responding to a question by the Muslim businessman, who asked, “What trouble you are getting into, boss?” Explaining the incident, Sajin Vaas has told him that together with Kshenuka, he had been planning for a long time to expel Chris Nonis. Making use of his closeness to the president, Chris had continued to disregard ministry orders, he said, adding that the anger within him for a long time exploded while he was under the influence of liquor.

“Chris thought the H.E. was treating him more than me. The man came to Sri Lanka whenenever he wanted for his business purposes. When we called for explanations, the man tried to show his might. I have been thinking about that. The Foreign Service should have no people whom I cannot control. I expelled all such persons. Who he is to show his might to me, even when the minister too, is under my control? I do not care whatever is published by websites. The boss doesn’t care either. We do not govern accoding to what they say.”

“If not for Prasad (Kariyawasam) and the political counsellor, Chris would have lost a couple of his teeth. They were the ones who restrained me. It was a good opportunity for me to make trouble for Chris as there weren't many people at the party. When I ridiculed him by calling him a Portuguese, he acted as if he did not hear. It was a good thing that Lalith Weeratunga was not present. Majintha too, was not there. So did Suresh. I punched him saying that he cannot be the president’s lad, and that I am the president’s lad. On the previous day, I tried to provoke him. But, Nimal Siripala, Nirupama, Shavendra, Kohona all were there. So, I gave up. Chris is a Colombo aristocrat. I am a street fighter from Ambalangoda. I beat up Chris in order to teach a lesson to the others,” he boasted to his Muslim businessman friend.