Ranil merely joked about shooting-CBK

17 April 2015 02:49 am - 56 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga said that people misunderstood Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe about his ‘right to shoot' statement.

"He was joking and people misunderstood him," Ms. Kumaratunga told India's DNA news agency.

“Media persons kept harassing him with questions. In response, he just said that if an unwanted person came into my house illegally, I had a right to shoot him for trespassing," she said.

Kumaratunga was in Dubai recently attending Global Education and Skill Forum. On the sidelines of the conference, she spoke to DNA technical in nature.

Excerpts of an interview:

Q: Do you think the recent pacts between Sri Lanka and India on visa, customs and youth development signed during Indian PM's visit will bring a change in Indo-Sri Lankan relations?

A: Narendra Modi's visit gave a strong message to Sri Lankans that India would be with us in our efforts in getting good governance. However, the signed agreements are technical in nature. I don't know whether these will change the nature of Indo-Sri Lankan relations but they will definitely build trust that has broken down.

Q: But Lankan PM Ranil Wickremesinghe's “right to shoot” statement echoes a different approach.

A: He was joking and people misunderstood him. Media persons kept harassing him with questions. In response, he just said that if an unwanted person came into my house illegally, I had a right to shoot him for trespassing.

Q: Why do you think we are unable to resolve the long pending fishermen issue?

A: Indian fishermen use illegal methods like exploding dynamite to catch fish which is completely unacceptable. This destroys marine life at our side. It is very frustrating for Sri Lankan fishermen. I don't know if it is allowed in India but Sri Lanka has banned it.

Q: India has voted twice against Sri Lanka in the United Nations Human Rights Council on the war crimes issue. How is India's stance viewed by the new government?

A: Many countries voted against us. There were justifiable causes for that. Previous government was intransigent on human rights issues of Tamils, press freedom and human rights of even Sinhalese people. These countries have been flexible with the new government. Publication of the UN report has been postponed for six months. This will allow us time to conduct internal investigation with the support and presence of the international community.

Q: Sri Lanka’s growing closeness with China is a cause of concern for India. Will Sirisena government change the foreign policy discourse?

A: This was during previous government when Rajapksa gave all investment projects to the Chinese. Our government, which is a coalition of two parties, believes in non-alignment and active engagement with all neighbours. We will not allow any country, however friendly they are, to exploit us.

Q: What does an average Sri Lankan think about India?

A: India and Sri Lanka have 3,000 years of close relations. There is a lot fondness and respect for India among our people. They also have some fear as well. In ancient times, Sri Lanka was invaded by south Indian kings 52 times. Invaders often destructed our irrigation system leading to floods everywhere. And ours was an irrigation economy. People felt that Indians were not like us. The perception continued till the recent past… Indira Gandhi was very unwise...After Mrs Gandhi, every Indian government has sought to normalise relations.

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Comments - 56

don Saturday, 18 April 2015 04:37 AM

"MAHAMANGA"

chamila Friday, 17 April 2015 07:59 PM

CBK is no 1 joker in Sri Lanka.

SriLankan Friday, 17 April 2015 08:12 PM

Ranil was not joking, He did the right thingThis is our waters! and Indian fishermen has no right to fish here!CBK was one who dragged Sri Lanka into an economic crsis only to be saved by Ranil She should not speak about who is the joker

Raj Gonsalkorale Friday, 17 April 2015 08:13 PM

Do we hear anyone laughing at this joke, except maybe laughing at the joker?

Shan Friday, 17 April 2015 08:16 PM

Did she mean that Ranil would use Air Gun to shoot?

ibnuaboo Friday, 17 April 2015 08:20 PM

This comment by Madam Chandrika is the joke because Prime ministet Ranil said that shooting on trespasser seriously

abdul Friday, 17 April 2015 08:21 PM

If somebody cross the border forcibily Sri Laka has the right to shoot, i do not undestand what is wrong in this statement. And also as a wise priminister, Mr ranil still stand by his statement.

Citizen Friday, 17 April 2015 08:24 PM

YOU ARE THE BIGGEST JOKE!

Korale Friday, 17 April 2015 09:52 PM

The Joker is CBK!We are proud of our PM for standing up for our fishermen

John Fernandez Friday, 17 April 2015 09:53 PM

When speaking to a foreign media one should be careful not to use local slang to explain a serious issue.

Sirimal Friday, 17 April 2015 09:55 PM

Fully agreed bro!CBK alomost destroye dteh country before Ranil saved what was left

ibnuaboo Friday, 17 April 2015 10:18 PM

IndiaーSrilanka relationship has never been strong freindship since theirs inception. Once upon a time its bitter incident happened with a heavy fight between Indian king Rama and lankan king Ravana who kidnapped the Ramas wife Seetha to Lanka. Inthis battle Lankan king Ravana was killed by Indian king Rama. Like this many bitter stories are found why these both countries hate each other . It proove the truth Srilanka has strong relationship with China and Pakistan which are not trusted countris to India

Shukri ibrahim Friday, 17 April 2015 11:33 PM

What PM told media correct and manly answer for that CBK replied to indian media inteligent diplomacy

Sam Saturday, 18 April 2015 03:12 AM

All seems like a jokes, But openly campaign for Nobel Peace Prize, Not thinking of country and War Heroes is not a joke...

gayan Friday, 17 April 2015 07:23 PM

She is the biggest joker in our political history.

tomsam Saturday, 18 April 2015 05:06 AM

Hi, Was this the "joke" similar to what you said in South Africa during your regime, that "Tamils are recent immigrants Brought to work in Plantations and ONLY Sinhalese are the original people of SL.

Nakkiran Saturday, 18 April 2015 05:26 AM

RANIL SHOOT HIMSELF HIS OWN MOUTH.

Tomsam Saturday, 18 April 2015 07:28 AM

With this interview, CBK shot her foot.

s Kalpage Saturday, 18 April 2015 01:13 PM

this means Sri Lanka needs not politicians but statesmen

KUMAR SHANTHI Saturday, 18 April 2015 02:08 PM

CBK admits Ranil is a joker. Not only Ranil the whole lot of SL politicians are spineless jokers. If the Indians does not wants to stop their fishermen illegally fishing in our waters we should shoot those fellows to stop this or next they will come to our land and pluck even our coconut. Anyway it is a big mistake to trust these Indians, they have done the maximum damage to Sri Lanka by creating

Alto Saturday, 18 April 2015 04:30 PM

Ranil did the right thing. Always did.

Aba Jayasekera Saturday, 18 April 2015 06:13 PM

Chandrika, of course, is in the habit of joking about serious matters. I remember how after her first election as president, from the Office of the Commissioner of Elections she said she would abolish the Executive Presidency within ten months. She did nothing of the sort and when she had to go after 11 years she felt that she had been deprived of carrying for her 12th year. For a person like that joking about shooting a few fishermen is a minor matter!

S.Sriranjan Saturday, 18 April 2015 06:19 PM

No Joker needs in Serious Politics!

senator Saturday, 18 April 2015 06:40 PM

Mam you are a joke yourself.

poker Saturday, 18 April 2015 09:50 PM

can some one with common sense make some comments

REALPATRIAT Saturday, 18 April 2015 10:15 PM

SHE KNOWS PRETTY WELL TODAY ALL THE POLITICIANSAREJOKERS. via DM Android App

garawi Sunday, 19 April 2015 04:22 PM

A leader of a country has to be serious when he opens his mouth especially when commenting on a serious matter like the fishepeople affair which is a life and death matter to the fisherfolk involved. No jokers are required at the top!

s kalpage Monday, 20 April 2015 01:57 PM

She joked in 1994 too. That year smile duped the people.

Chandler Friday, 17 April 2015 10:30 AM

CBK Can you find any genuine Sri Lankan fond of India !

ANTON Friday, 17 April 2015 08:35 AM

YES, WE KNOW VERY WELL THAT MOST OF OUR COUNTRY LEADERS ARE GOOD JOKERS, .........LIKE ROWAN ATKINSON.

Dan Friday, 17 April 2015 08:35 AM

What else jokers can do???

Wele Vidane Friday, 17 April 2015 08:40 AM

When are you all going to stop joking?

Cobra Friday, 17 April 2015 08:43 AM

But Ranil also have this ability of shooting his mouth off at times confusing all and sundry!

moodayoo Friday, 17 April 2015 08:49 AM

You both are jokers who brought calamities to our island. Majority of countrymen aware of this fact. Plase stay away from politics...you both have nothing to offer for this island nation.

ish Friday, 17 April 2015 08:49 AM

During elections, she said she will not take any responsibility of the government. Now we are back to 1994-2005 era!

Sincere Friday, 17 April 2015 09:23 AM

Well, she knows about joking more than any other politician. One she mocked in public an opposition Minister and said she was joking!

Prem Nath Friday, 17 April 2015 09:36 AM

Jokes apart,a head of the government cannot make statements and call these jokes.

Mick Friday, 17 April 2015 10:04 AM

CBK is all out to protect the UNP while destroying the SLFP

Bala Friday, 17 April 2015 10:06 AM

It is standard for even the top politicians to joke and give off the cuff quips.Only the stupid will take these seriously.

Musthafa Friday, 17 April 2015 10:20 AM

we know ,Ranil , Maithree, Chandrika in yahapalanaya Jokers .......

ranil Friday, 17 April 2015 10:23 AM

I said Mr. Prabakaran as a joke but people took me seriously too. ..

chandler Friday, 17 April 2015 10:27 AM

Because Ranil himself is a joker and half!

nalaka Friday, 17 April 2015 08:21 AM

how can a person in a responsible role Joke about shooting at some one. Does Ranil consider the PM post as a joke

Ganesha Friday, 17 April 2015 11:20 AM

Well done Madam .You have given a witty remark cum reply by justifying the prime minister of your fold ,even his statement may have been serious , in the face of the international community, without betraying our country and the Premier

upali Friday, 17 April 2015 11:30 AM

Chandrika is now at the mercy of UNP.

Lawry Friday, 17 April 2015 12:09 PM

Average Sri Lankans love watching Indian films be it Hindi or Tamil. They love Indian music and fashion. We watch IPL. Sri Lanka heavily depends on goods from India as always the top exporter to Sri Lanka. We got Buddhism from India. Our pilgrims still visit India. In the Middle East Sri Lankans mingle with Indians. Are we India haters? or is it just the politicians talking?

Calistus Jayatilleke Friday, 17 April 2015 12:50 PM

Wonder if she was joking when she prematurely dismissed the UNP government during her period as the President.

nizhm1944 Friday, 17 April 2015 01:58 PM

Its better to have a joker than a criminal!

Damien Friday, 17 April 2015 02:18 PM

Dear Madame for us citizens this entire government is a joke

Praba Friday, 17 April 2015 03:21 PM

Everybody knows that he is a joker. But now another joker confirms the same.

John Fernandez Friday, 17 April 2015 03:32 PM

Lack of political diplomacy. What else?

CLIVE Friday, 17 April 2015 03:44 PM

Political jokes can only be understood by political jokers. Chandrika seems to be understanding that very well. People at large are not politicians and they are not jokers.

srilankan Friday, 17 April 2015 04:32 PM

do not insult Mr. Been

Chaana Friday, 17 April 2015 05:05 PM

Pleople who shoot wont tell that they shoot and vise versa just like the sinhala saying...burana ballo hapanne nae ...hapana ballo buranne nae

sss Friday, 17 April 2015 05:43 PM

should have acted in vinoda samaya

Maya Friday, 17 April 2015 06:38 PM

Making of a joker!!But we have Mervin for that!

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Ranil merely joked about shooting-CBK

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