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EP CM condemns boycott by tri- forces

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29 May 2016 10:26 am - 20     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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In a letter, Eastern Province Chief Minister Nazeer Ahamed condemned the decision taken by the tri- forces to boycott events he attended.

The CM went on to say the decision made by the forces was political, whose leaders appeared to have joined hands to look at the issue from the limited perspective of protecting the offenders within their ranks and not from the broader prospect of establishing truth and justice.

“In any event, the issue has broader implications. It would be in the best interest of the country for the responsible officers to apologise,” the letter read.

The CM also said he would not hesitate to express his unequivocal regret and apologies to all those who were present, including the staff and students of the school, the foreign dignitary and the concerned naval officer for his strong but justifiable reaction.

Full letter

Sampur Maha Vidyalaya is a school under the Eastern Provincial Council. It is not a national school.

A well- known business organisation in Colombo had volunteered through the Sri Lanka Navy to donate computers and other items to the school. In appreciation of this good gesture, in my capacity as the Chief Minister of the Eastern Province, I attended the function held at the school. The Hon. Minister of Education of the Eastern Province Hon. Thandayuthapani also attended the function. The function was organised by the school.

As I arrived at the function, the Hon. Governor’s name and the name of HE Atul Keshap, the Ambassador of the USA in Sri Lanka were announced by the compeer who was the English teacher of the school. My name or the name of the Minister of Education of the province was not announced, though both of us had arrived. The Hon. Governor perhaps, noticing the lapse, signaled me to come up to the stage.

When I came up on stage, a naval officer who was acting as the ‘master of ceremonies’, physically obstructed me from proceeding to take my place on the stage. It may be due to the fact that he was trying to stop the media personnel getting on to the stage. His grossly offensive conduct, an offence under the Penal Code, shocked me. I censured him, questioning him as to who he was to stop me. I also blamed the Hon. Governor for not directing the officials to follow proper protocol. I felt insulted in the presence of a foreign dignitary and a large public gathering.

Though it was clearly a usurpation of the functions of the Eastern Provincial Council and in violation of the country’s Constitution, I attended the function without raising any issue, out of respect to Your Excellencies and the foreign guest in attendance in the province of which I happened to be the Chief Minister.

I also understand that the Tri-Forces have today decided to boycott functions attended by me even before Your Excellency the President had looked into the matter. I condemn this as a political decision by the forces whose leaders appear to have joined hands to look at the issue from the limited perspective of protecting the offenders within their ranks and not from the broader prospect of establishing truth and justice.

In any event, the issue has broader implications. It would be in the best interest of the country for the responsible officers to apologise. I would not hesitate to express my unequivocal regret and apologies to all those who were present, including the staff and students of the school, the foreign dignitary and the concerned naval officer for my strong but justifiable reaction.

I wish to leave any further steps in this regard in the hands of Your Excellencies.


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  Comments - 20

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  • ANTON Sunday, 29 May 2016 12:48 PM

    TRI - NATION ALSO.........

    Anja Monday, 30 May 2016 12:51 PM

    There are some people who has been parsing CM Feel sorry about you guys. via DM Android App

    with held Monday, 30 May 2016 12:45 PM

    to Anton - do not mix Religion with politics. No one is perfect. Philosphy is taught in all religions.

    jagath Leanage Sunday, 29 May 2016 04:18 PM

    What else you expect them to do after doing a such a dirty thing by you? Are you asking to worship?

    Marikkar Sunday, 29 May 2016 03:45 PM

    wadurata mal malayak dunnawage

    Maya Sunday, 29 May 2016 03:40 PM

    Commenting on this incidents in Japan to a Tamil media, President MS says this issue has been exaggerated unnecessary.

    dilshan Sunday, 29 May 2016 01:08 PM

    Do invitees or guests behave like that, It is recognised that the Navy organised the donation not the Govt or Chief Minister.

    waco Sunday, 29 May 2016 01:02 PM

    Mr, President sack this CM for what he did. Indecision is the worst enemy you have.

    Sumedha De Silva Sunday, 29 May 2016 12:59 PM

    There is no apology in this letter, and he justifies his reaction. What would be more acceptable is that he started the letter by apologising.

    ANTON Sunday, 29 May 2016 12:50 PM

    IS THIS THE PHILOSOPHY PROPHET MOHAMMED PREACHED YOU

    Yowsan Sunday, 29 May 2016 11:50 AM

    CM, your reaction was not justifiable.You not only made a fool of yourself, but brought disrepute to the country and it's administration with your actions of haste.

    malij Sunday, 29 May 2016 12:46 PM

    Or... "Wandurata deli pihiyak dunna wage"

    malij Sunday, 29 May 2016 12:41 PM

    Instead of apologizing for what had happened, this bloody moron is still trying to justify his street thug actions. It is time to get rid of such third class thugs from our politics.

    nalaka Sunday, 29 May 2016 12:32 PM

    this guy should step down for insulting the Navy

    Senior Citzen Sunday, 29 May 2016 12:18 PM

    It is a welcome apology and a good explanation of the incident. well done CM.

    Cobra Sunday, 29 May 2016 12:17 PM

    ...and the Tri-forces condemn your attitude!

    kk Sunday, 29 May 2016 12:13 PM

    boycott MR also because he sent SF to jail. via DM Android App

    NARAYANA Sunday, 29 May 2016 12:12 PM

    Miracle of YAHAPLANA

    Harry Sunday, 29 May 2016 11:52 AM

    Stop Baila and apologize for your arrogant behavior and correct yourself to control your emotions and revenge on an innocent officer!

    onlooker Sunday, 29 May 2016 11:50 AM

    There is a Sinhala saying " katustata ran malayak demma wage " A gold chain around a lizards neck ".


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