Video: Ranil going to US to study

2 April 2014 08:43 am - 50 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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United National Party (UNP) National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said today he would study the latest trends in politics and other related subjects while on a month’s lecturing assignment at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States.

“The MIT invited me last year for a guest-lecturing assignment but I was not keen to visit any Western Country at the time because of the US-sponsored resolution on Sri Lanka. The UNHRC sessions are now over and as such I have now decided to accept the invitation to be a guest-lecturer. During my lecture tour, I will also study the latest trends in politics, information technology, industrial developments and other subjects,” he said.

He said it was necessary to study how to formulate a constitution sans an executive presidency.

“One of the best constitutions based on an executive prime minister is functioning in Japan. That constitution was formulated by the US,” Mr. Wickremesinghe said

He is expected to leave the country on Monday. (Yohan Perera and Lahiru Pothmulla)

Video by Lahiru Pothmulla

Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

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Comments - 50

jim pappa Thursday, 03 April 2014 06:43 AM

"........formulate a constitution sans executive presidency."? You are going to the wrong country, sir.

ASD Wednesday, 02 April 2014 09:41 PM

He is a wise man. Poor sri lankans cannot understand him. via DM Android App

nf Wednesday, 02 April 2014 11:37 PM

Must be going to USA to get lecutres to topple the cureent Sri Lankan Goverment.

Boorusima Thursday, 03 April 2014 05:51 AM

Good luck. via DM iPad app

Reader Thursday, 03 April 2014 01:07 AM

[quote name="ASD"]He is a wise man. Poor sri lankans cannot understand him. via DM Android App[/quote]

If Sri Lankans can understand him, it means he is a useless leader.

Hope he does not come back to SL. UNP will finally be able to get a strong leader.

Crazy Coot Thursday, 03 April 2014 01:45 AM

Yes, he can also EXPLAIN how he "lost", especially the 2005 presidential election!!

sheldha Thursday, 03 April 2014 02:06 AM

"Kopa wuvath raja mathindun gatha nohena
Ugatha mana shilpaya mei mtu rakina' knowledge cannot be stolen by thieves or the king.
Almen akuru iganivu idiri veda thaka!

Rashantha Thursday, 03 April 2014 02:15 AM

There is no point in good governance without having a country to govern. The Ceasefire agreement he signed with LTTE would have had catastrophic results for SL if CBK had not dissolved Parliament called for elections. One needs to be also politically savvy. Let's hope his trip will make him that.

Nimesh Thursday, 03 April 2014 02:52 AM

Look at all the wanna be sarcastic comments about Ranil. You can judge the future of Sri Lanka from these comments. Instead of giving a solution they keep harping about nonsense. Typical srilankans.

ManThillekerathne Thursday, 03 April 2014 02:54 AM

[quote name="ranil"]He is an intellectual, visionary, A statesman in Lankan politics. He deserves this break...after getting hammered from all corners. I think it is with him, we can instill governance in this country. REMEMBER, it was Wickramasinghe, in 2002 introduced the Financial Accountability act. Many don't know these things, but those are goods steps in the direction of good governance.[/quote]
[quote name="ranil"]He is an intellectual, visionary, A statesman in Lankan politics. He deserves this break...after getting hammered from all corners. I think it is with him, we can instill governance in this country. REMEMBER, it was Wickramasinghe, in 2002 introduced the Financial Accountability act. Many don't know these things, but those are goods steps in the direction of good governance.[/quote]

By governing the UNP democratically with road closures and selected members (loyal to him) for the UNP conventions ?

lal Thursday, 03 April 2014 02:55 AM

Study in US, yes. Man has lot to learn. Good luck!

Sinha Thursday, 03 April 2014 02:55 AM

Sri Lankan's be careful of these universities. This is how these universities collect data and information from other countries and then use these as weapons to harass us. What can we expect from US. We already know the games they are playing.

Dirk324 Thursday, 03 April 2014 05:38 AM

isn't little late for an education, buddy?

been Wednesday, 02 April 2014 09:20 PM

plz don't waste da cash....u can make some cash after 29 years of lossing via DM Android App

jim pappa Thursday, 03 April 2014 06:49 AM

The theme of his first lecture - " How to lose and yet stay at the top "

ME Thursday, 03 April 2014 06:54 AM

IF NOT MATURE ENOUGH TO UNDERSTAND HIS DESIRE, WHY NOT SHUT UP & WAIT WILL U RAJIV !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ranjith Thursday, 03 April 2014 06:54 AM

In the meantime in US he can learn how to topple the Governments in US style as they did in Egypt, Libya et al

jim pappa Thursday, 03 April 2014 06:56 AM

Could you please lecture Obama about " Human rights and super power wrongs ", on our behalf, sir ?

ajay Thursday, 03 April 2014 07:41 AM

Why not find permanent employment in the US and let the UNP
win future elections without you!

rajiv Thursday, 03 April 2014 07:42 AM

[quote name="rajiv"]MIT students future SORRY.COM[/quote]
the Colombo 7 posh UNP supporters who still want ranil will dis like this comment but the rest of sri lanka will agree with me

kalana Thursday, 03 April 2014 07:59 AM

No need to go USA or anywhere, if you love the country and follow the Buddhism... Everything is there and everything will go in right way...

MK Thursday, 03 April 2014 08:18 AM

How about the rest of the elections? ;)

Boorusima Thursday, 03 April 2014 02:19 PM

Yes Kalana is right. Don't go to USA. Go to Mannar Islands. You'll feel homely there. via DM iPad app

lasantha Friday, 04 April 2014 03:40 AM

He is Anglican.

Nims Friday, 04 April 2014 05:46 AM

What happened to Touchwood Sri Lanka????

gune Wednesday, 02 April 2014 09:40 AM

Apply for the green card also.

Azee Wednesday, 02 April 2014 02:26 PM

In other words, Ranil has no intention of stepping down but is going to look for new glue to paste and cling on as leader. Are the other party members deaf and dumb ? via DM Android App

jumbo Wednesday, 02 April 2014 02:29 PM

as usual after a election. via DM Android App

komi buwa Wednesday, 02 April 2014 02:37 PM

being educated on the latest developments in the modern economics n politics is always a good thing. at the same time one should be educated on the art of taking such message to the common man in the srilankan context of politics. though we keep our literacy levels high comparing to the countries in the region I don't think it reflects the same when its comes to the level of wisdom. pls learn to speak to the heart of these ppl cos end of the day its always be heart winning person who via DM Android App

tarzan Wednesday, 02 April 2014 09:18 AM

lecture them how to defend the leadership after loosing 29 elections

Prometheus Wednesday, 02 April 2014 09:19 AM

MIT? Wow, good luck Mr. Wickremesinghe .

KSE Wednesday, 02 April 2014 09:21 AM

Did MR arrange the schol?

kandegedara Wednesday, 02 April 2014 02:54 PM

very good you will be the next leader of our country hope you will get much from America to make our country a fivestar democracy via DM Android App

sando Wednesday, 02 April 2014 09:30 AM

This man ruined the UNP. Please retire from UNP and join with MR

Chathu Wednesday, 02 April 2014 09:30 AM

All the best Mr. leader of the opposition.

siri Wednesday, 02 April 2014 09:31 AM

EXCELLENT MOVE SIR! WE NEED THINK TANKS. BON VOYAGE!!!

Lala Wednesday, 02 April 2014 09:38 AM

Good Luck! Learn Well. Don't overstay your VISA ;) , please comeback and save this country.

ANTON Wednesday, 02 April 2014 09:39 AM

HOW TO SELECT MORE EFFICIENT BEAUTY QUEENS.

ABC Wednesday, 02 April 2014 02:25 PM

Lecture theme: How to be in opposition forever. via DM Android App

zuh Wednesday, 02 April 2014 03:12 PM

well said abc via DM Android App

rajiv Wednesday, 02 April 2014 10:46 AM

MIT students future SORRY.COM

ranil Wednesday, 02 April 2014 10:49 AM

He is an intellectual, visionary, A statesman in Lankan politics. He deserves this break...after getting hammered from all corners. I think it is with him, we can instill governance in this country. REMEMBER, it was Wickramasinghe, in 2002 introduced the Financial Accountability act. Many don't know these things, but those are goods steps in the direction of good governance.

dan Wednesday, 02 April 2014 10:49 AM

The problem is even you learn the latest things in politics and economics, by the time you become the president of Sri Lanka those theories will be badly outdated........at that time you may have to go again.....

potheygura Wednesday, 02 April 2014 06:30 PM

Very nice move. Do not forget to take a one way ticket to Mars at the end of your tour to the land of opportunities. Bon Voyage. via DM iPad app

Azee Wednesday, 02 April 2014 06:37 PM

Can't face the people -so he has to find an excuse to be away .He will be seen in public again at the next election. via DM Android App

don charles Wednesday, 02 April 2014 01:34 PM

That can't hurt. Hope you learn something to benefit the country.

Game Kolla Wednesday, 02 April 2014 01:46 PM

President Obama will learn how to stay as opposition leader forever. OOOOPPs sorry ....as a useless leader..

lanka Wednesday, 02 April 2014 08:41 PM

Have a good holiday. Don't bother to come back via DM iPad app

Nisansala. Costa Wednesday, 02 April 2014 09:15 PM

Please settle in US , Don't come back . You were elected UNP leader just like T20 caption Chandimal . Nobody else to appoint . So please don't come back . Take Mangala , Sagala , Malik and Akila with you and have a romantic vacation .

bhoja Wednesday, 02 April 2014 09:15 PM

Gud Luck noty boy u will b the next opposition in USA for ever good by

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Video: Ranil going to US to study

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