Disgrace ! Arjuna Ranathunga who screamed against nepotism appoints his brother not even A/L qualified as Ports chairman !

(Lanka-e-News -19.Oct.2015, 11.00PM) Minister of Ports, Arjuna Ranatunge is one of those who castigated and condemned the Mahinda Rajapakse regime over their raging nepotism, cronyism and family rule.

Sadly, it is this same minister Arjuna even before some months have elapsed, who is being charged by one and all as committing the same crimes, by appointing individuals without qualifications or suitability to posts based on deplorable cronyism, nepotism  and favoritism . Arjuna himself has descended to the level of those he was bitterly and loudly critical.. 

Arjuna who has close ties with Chandrika Kumaratunge taking advantage of that relationship, day before yesterday brought in his brother Dhammika Ranatunge and installed  him as the Ports Authority chairman. In addition he gave posts  in the Ports Authority to three Gunasekeras – Ajith Gunasekera , Mangala Gunasekera and Natha Gunasekera who are his maternal  relatives . It is this same Arjuna who gave appointments during the 100 days program  to Wimale who supplies food to his family ,and Suresh who provides transport and other facilities . 

The President and Prime Minister who consented to the appointment of Dhammika Ranatunge who has not even the GCE adv. Level qualification to the post of Chairman, Ports Authority must explain to the country how this came by. It is however reported that the president and P.M. were opposed to this appointment, but because  of the intense pressure exerted by Arjuna this appointment was granted. The worst part ? Though Arjuna had said , all the trade unions of the Ports Authority wanted Dhammika as chairman , the letters forwarded by Arjuna in this connection were  bogus, for no trade union had made such a  request to Arjuna to appoint his elder brother as chairman.

Arjuna who maneuvered to install his elder brother as chairman, Ports, is next seeking to bring in his younger brother Nishantha Ranatunge who played just two one day matches and scored naught  to head the cricket board, while Dhammmika his other brother has played only two test matches. It is no secret that if Arjuna who was captaining the team then had not exerted his influence ,   both his brothers would not have secured  places in the Sri Lanka team. How Arjuna moved heaven and earth to axe skilled players like Waruna Waragoda during that period is still indelibly  etched in the memories of many.

Though Arjuna claims there isn’t a more ‘clean’ player than he , during that period , there were grave accusations against him of match fixing. It was Bookmaker Thilanga Sumathipala his bosom pal then (now enemy) who went out of the way to rescue him. It is also common knowledge that Arjuna who  is unable to bear to see cricketers like Mahela Jayawardena and Kumara Sangakkara who are more popular and respected , is  always very  critical and speaks humiliatingly of them.

It is worthy of note Arjuna who maligned all the officers in the board of control for cricket  as rogues never uttered a word against  his own most culprit brother who is facing  most charges. Arjuna even took his brother to Ranil Wickremesinghe in order to cleanse his brother and paint a picture he was ‘clean’ and not a rogue. To their consternation Ranil had  said ‘I know him very well’ implying his rackets are well known to him, whereupon both the brothers had to come back crestfallen. 

Arjuna openly announced last month that he is contesting at the cricket board elections , but when he realized his main opponent is Thilanga Sumathipala , and two other popular  candidates , former popular cricket board chairman Jayantha Dharmadasa  and K.Manivanan are contesting , he withdrew from the fray silently , and is getting ready to promote Nishantha Ranatunge as a contender. It is learnt Upali Dharmadasa who did all the sordid biddings of ex president Mahinda Rajapakse is in the process of propping and propelling Nishantha.

Last Saturday , the officials   of the cricket clubs were invited to the residence of Upali Dharmadasa. The latter after treating them to a sumptuous meal , had in an inebriated condition blabbered  , Nishantha is seeking election to the post of cricket board chairman ,  and requested all present to support him , while adding he and Arjuna too are extending their fullest support to Nishantha.

Previously . when Arjuna and Sumathipala were contenders for the post of Cricket board chairman , Arjuna could only secure 8 votes when Sumathipala polled over 100 votes, thereby trouncing Arjuna. The latter could not even secure the votes of players of SSC cricket club with whom Arjuna had been playing cricket from his school days.

We may have to hear all the lies and bluffs from Arjuna in his defense again  after Mahinda Rajapakse meets him as part of   Chandrika Kumaratunge’s efforts , who is toiling hard to make Arjuna Ranatunge the leader of SLFP. 

Chandrika Kumaratunge like how she steered  Mahinda Rajapakse forward and courted disaster , is trying to make Arjuna the SLFP leader . Thereafter , we will be compelled to listen to her  bluffs ,lies and excuses  to cover up again her indiscretions and bungling.

At least brothers of Mahinda behaved well  until Mahinda became president, whereas the brothers of Arjuna , namely Prasanna and Nishantha  have already proved beyond any trace of doubt to the nation that they are contemptible notorious crooks long before Arjuna became minister.

May we emphasize , the nation did not throw out Rajapakse family lock , stock and barrel in order to elect a government of good governance , and remain as  idle spectators when  Ranatunge family is wreaking havoc.

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by     (2015-10-19 19:06:41)