Half-hearted film stars undermine politics: Ranil

25 December 2013 02:48 pm - 63 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe today said that politics could be undermined by the entry of half-hearted film stars and sport stars who are not committed to a full-time political career.

“Actors, actresses and cricketers should not join politics unless they are able to fully devote themselves to politics. Wijeya Kumaratunga did the right thing because he quit his film career when he decided to join politics,” he said.

Mr. Wickremasinghe said this during a conversation with Southern Province Chief Minister Shan Wijeyalal De Silva while attending the funeral of the late mother of Ratgama UNP Organiser and Southern Provincial Council Member Asoka Dhanawansa. (Hemantha De Silva)

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Comments - 63

Lankan Thursday, 26 December 2013 10:49 AM

UNP ticket given to Paba,Nadeesha ,Ranjan etc. I can't understand why he is acting like this.

Janaki Kalansuriya Thursday, 26 December 2013 04:18 AM

So, RW. Do tell us less knowledgeable knaves, who approved Nadeesha Hemamali? Or, by what standards does she exceed the standards of "Halfhearted Actors"? Or, do you also have the same sickness as Duminda Silva?

mohamed asfar Thursday, 26 December 2013 04:32 AM

you are the weakest politician i have ever seen in my life. because of you we are minus a real opposition leader.

azee Thursday, 26 December 2013 12:00 AM

How is that wifhout being a film star or a sports star you are undermining politics? via DM Android App

The God Father Thursday, 26 December 2013 05:09 AM

You could have been the Best Actor if you had chosen the film career instead political.

unl Thursday, 26 December 2013 05:41 AM

Nadeesha Hemamali ???

dana Thursday, 26 December 2013 12:00 AM

nadeeshata kiwwada? via DM Android App

Seelawathie Thursday, 26 December 2013 06:23 AM

What about Buddhist priests joining politics ?.
No doubt we need a minimum educational level to stop idiots like Dr. Silva joining politics.

Abdul Thursday, 26 December 2013 06:27 AM

Yes correct, make it as a condition in the UNP constitution for contest election.

Randeniya Banda Thursday, 26 December 2013 06:31 AM

Dear Ranil, finally you said about something (film/drama actors and sports entertainers) that threatens really threatens good governance of the country. thank you.

papaGenie Thursday, 26 December 2013 07:00 AM

One of the Signs of the Dooms Day..
41. People who are with naked feet, naked bodies and against religion will become kings...

Azam Thursday, 26 December 2013 07:14 AM

its our people who vote for these actors who docent even know what constitution is, this trend is becoming alarmingly dangerous to our country one day soon we will become a Tamilnadu with full of actors, its us who responsible for letting uneducated people to rule us and make us the same.

Antany Peter Thursday, 26 December 2013 07:42 AM

Nobody can become a doctor or engineer without proper university education in those fields. But anybody can become a politician without any political education in Sri Lanka. It is a disaster for the country. This is the reason the country has been fighting since 1948, and lost more than 100,000 people. A bogus doctor or engineer would not have killed this many people, but the political leaders did. When the country is going to wake up and understand its reality?

Calistus Jayatilleke Thursday, 26 December 2013 07:42 AM

Sadly, Paba the Baba - who is now engaged in building guest houses for artistes - started off with the UNP and the crossed over to the government side although she was clueless about which party she actually belonged to. But then now there is another actress given nomination by the UNP - Nadeesha Hemamali. So, let us keep our fingers crossed.

Sammy Thursday, 26 December 2013 08:51 AM

But Dr. Silva has a doctorate, otherwise he would not be Dr. Silva.

spectator Thursday, 26 December 2013 12:00 AM

at funeral house also they make it a political campaign via DM Android App

Andrew Pitugala Thursday, 26 December 2013 03:53 AM

Educated people with commitment are the urgent need of the hour.

L. Perera Thursday, 26 December 2013 10:53 AM

All nonsense including Ranil and Mr and ...
Nobody wants to serve the country. We are very near to Greece.

John Fernandez Thursday, 26 December 2013 12:07 PM

How can we expect a better ruling policy in a country when there is no minimum qualification is fixed for politicians. The situation will be worse in future if something meaningful is not done right away.

sinhala modaya Thursday, 26 December 2013 12:45 PM

Then ask for left over cyanide pill & jump into gall face sea after enjoying the beauty

Janaka Thursday, 26 December 2013 02:08 PM

Dear Opposition leader, we heard a good thought from you after long time. I must say, they are just coming to use their popularity to gain the vote. Not to serve the people at any sense.
Parliament should not a place for Thotta Paba. All leader should consider this by practice not by word.

Concerned citizen Thursday, 26 December 2013 02:13 PM

Sir, How about Paba whom you once chose. Was she at that time full-hearted or half-hearted?

sss Thursday, 26 December 2013 02:24 PM

anyone is better than the mostly thugs and corrupts we have now

Grace Thursday, 26 December 2013 03:11 PM

Already UNP headquarters as become a cinema studio with full of actors.

Game Kolla Thursday, 26 December 2013 03:13 PM

Ever since we independent of British rule... all most all the politicians were half -hearted... That's why people of this country lives with immense suffering.

thusitha Thursday, 26 December 2013 03:31 PM

Yes We all need professionals to politics without much half-heated lawyers also.

observer Thursday, 26 December 2013 04:42 PM

You are finally right about that! But tell us who is there to serve the country and it's people? Everyone is there to serve themselves!

vAS Thursday, 26 December 2013 05:13 PM

Well Said Antany Peter

Ganesh Friday, 27 December 2013 12:22 AM

Seelawathy You are absolutely not only correct but also real patriot of mother Lanka

Kiris Baba Amaray Friday, 27 December 2013 03:17 AM

Hay Ranil - first of all when have you planned to retire from Politics?

Malin Friday, 27 December 2013 05:44 AM

How about UNP's latest catch Nadeesha?

Godaya Friday, 27 December 2013 09:11 AM

This reflects the political tragedy in our country. All the renounced politicos survive on the cheap popularity of actors,actresses,singers and cricketers. Earlier, artists were sensitive to the needs of the common public. But now they are sensitive to only the needs of Politicos.

Henaka Thursday, 26 December 2013 12:47 AM

Is that why you gave nominations to Paba and now Nadeesha ?

kumar Wednesday, 25 December 2013 03:41 PM

The actors,actresses and sportsmen don't
have the intelect to become politicians , to
start with they must have a university degree
or should be Lawyers.

Dammika Wednesday, 25 December 2013 04:02 PM

MUST PUT GOLD IN YOUR MOUTH Hon. WICKRAMASINGHE

Gamarala Wednesday, 25 December 2013 04:09 PM

I thought past tense of "quit" is still 'quit" & not quitted?

sanaboy Wednesday, 25 December 2013 04:20 PM

Absolutely correct.... Country need more educated politicians.

sanaboy Wednesday, 25 December 2013 04:22 PM

As a leader of the UNP you encouraged and given the permission to those actors and criceters from your party also.

Ami Wednesday, 25 December 2013 04:41 PM

Dont know whether his foot was in his mouth when he said it ? I think your party took more crappy actors and sloppy athletes than any other ! Now look where they are ?

Wiki Wednesday, 25 December 2013 04:55 PM

sanaboy, says should not encourage, read it properly or else you will be stumped

Ramiz Wednesday, 25 December 2013 05:50 PM

Yeah, full time politician like you, successive losses and still hang around, even though nobody wants you, including your own party. Do us all a favor, TAKE A HIKE. MIGRATE !!!!!

Be Fair Wednesday, 25 December 2013 05:53 PM

Whilst wishing you a merry xmas, some times half farted efforts by full time politicos also haven't done any good, must be mindful of that too

Kautilya Wednesday, 25 December 2013 06:05 PM

Not a fair statement by someone had a good education. Democracy is the basis of this government. Democracy counts heads for consensus. Majority wins. Unfortunately we have more that two parties. Ranil should have said something about plural political parties and changing sides for personal gains. As long as an electorate has more idiots they will vote with their sentiments. Their electorate will suffer. However, when we have more than two parties the winner may get 40% of votes, the 2nd place will get 33% and the 3rd place will get 27%. Technically there are 60% opposing votes for the winner. That is a disaster for democracy. A person's talents can't be under estimated. An idiot will not survive much longer in performing arts or sports. A rich kid although really stupid could end up going to Royal college and become a politician one day using money inherited.

Gona Wednesday, 25 December 2013 06:13 PM

Is this what you give a speech on at a funeral? pathetic

kiribath Wednesday, 25 December 2013 06:15 PM

o poor baby, drink some milk and go to sleep,,,,,

Nilam from London Wednesday, 25 December 2013 06:59 PM

Srilanka Need to rule someone like you sir.Unfortunatley and fate of srilankans noone has realised this.

Dayani pallekumbura Thursday, 26 December 2013 12:17 AM

Mr. Ranil, you are the most hafharted leader in the country.

Observer Thursday, 26 December 2013 12:23 AM

Because no alternative, but to put them to get votes in this voting system.

Ranjith Wednesday, 25 December 2013 03:11 PM

First time he said something sensible

sss Thursday, 26 December 2013 01:32 AM

anyone is better than thugs and incompetant corrupts we mostly have now

nicky karunarathna Thursday, 26 December 2013 01:41 AM

What does he meant? Cricketers and film stars are not normal people, aren't they? They do not possess normal heart to think like ordinary masses and feel their heartbeat? This guy is mad to its core. Become sportsman or sportswoman or film star his harder than become simple Simon politician. Politician learn his game while in the job and the rest have to learn their trade thoroughly before embarking into it. This guy need psychiatrist examine his head!

Rudolph Thursday, 26 December 2013 01:51 AM

So can halfhearted politician. By the way if a couple more TV babes want to contest through the UNP you'd welcome them with a kiss, wouldn't you????

Purohitha Thursday, 26 December 2013 02:14 AM

You are joking ! arnt you ? look at what we have !

Punny Pellow Thursday, 26 December 2013 02:23 AM

Encouragement is one thing, tolerating the hitters and the actors and actresses who build only guest houses is another matter.

Gamarala Thursday, 26 December 2013 02:26 AM

Please tell this to your parliamentarian Ranjan R...

Nihal Amarasekera Thursday, 26 December 2013 02:28 AM

He is getting smarter (if not wise) by the day. But then, "Paba" started politics with UNP.

Jan Thursday, 26 December 2013 02:37 AM

You are right but current day politicians are better actors than the movie stars, wasn't MR a half hearted actor once upon a time too?

Goofy Thursday, 26 December 2013 03:05 AM

The UNP keeps producing great athletes, the recording breaking long jumpers. This even includes the leader of the Leadership Council. So what?

Rosh Thursday, 26 December 2013 03:09 AM

Or a Hakkapatas by sajith

ManThillekerathne Thursday, 26 December 2013 03:21 AM

Such people are better than a totally bankrupt politician like you. Because,you have lost about 30 elections and two more to be added shortly to this tally. Even, the right combination of organizers or candidates, cannot be selected by you. For the UNP's debacle, you are totally responsible. No one else.

Goofy Thursday, 26 December 2013 03:22 AM

Sour Grapes and no sportsmen or actors join you!

SB Thursday, 26 December 2013 03:23 AM

A bad political party leader is worse for the the country & the party.

Shehan Thursday, 26 December 2013 03:47 AM

In my opinion, SL politics needs highly educated new young faces to take our country forward.
* Not sons and daughters from previous leaders
* Not former cricket stars
* Not actors or actresses
If you look at the current line-up of members of parliament, they don't do anything for the people except living of the perks associated with being a parliamentarian.

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Half-hearted film stars undermine politics: Ranil

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