Cabinet spokesman regrets Deputy Minister’s 'Buruwa' remark

20 February 2025 04:09 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 22 Bookmark

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Colombo, Feb 20 (Daily Mirror) - Cabinet spokesman and Minister Nalinda Jayatissa today expressed regrets over the remarks made by Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala, who referred to his driver as ‘Buruwa’ (donkey).

Deputy Minister Watagala, who was at the Hulftsdorp Court complex yesterday after the shooting incident, was overheard calling his driver ‘Buruwa’ while summoning his vehicle.

When questioned by journalists at the weekly media briefing to announce Cabinet decisions about the comment, which was seen as an insult to both the driver and his family, the Cabinet spokesman acknowledged the stress during the situation, but offered his regrets on behalf of the Deputy Minister for the inappropriate remark.

Comments - 22

Rip Winkle Thursday, 20 February 2025 04:38 PM

What stress? Just a brief appearance for public consumption. As for the 'buruwa' remark, I have no doubt that this is how Deputy Minister Watagala's parents addressed him when he was a kid.

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G.A. Gunasekera [Attorney-at-Law] Friday, 21 February 2025 10:09 AM

To see, he is worst than Namal wearing Tie

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LET'S MOVE ON INSTEAD, THE GOVT HAS FAR MORE IMPORTANT MATTERS AND ISSUES TO SORT OUT. Thursday, 20 February 2025 05:20 PM

APOLIGIES ACCEPTED, NOW IT IS TIME TO MOVE ON INSTEAD OD WASTING TAX PAYERS MONEY ON GOING FORWARDS/BACKWARDS ON THIS MATTER, WHICH IS IN REALITY BETWEEN THE D.M. AND HIS DRIVER, I AM THIS MATTER WILL BE SORTED OUT BETWEEN THE TWO, IT IS THE SLANG THAT MOST CITIZENS USE IN CONVERSATION.

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S P Thursday, 20 February 2025 06:16 PM

We didn’t ask NPP/JVP to be pure white angels. That’s a myth that they bestowed upon themselves. They are the ones who say except themselves everyone else in this country is corrupt. Every problem in this country was created by the past governments. Obviously they are a cross section of our society and no better or worse than others. We are quite aware of that!

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Dr. Dee esquire Thursday, 20 February 2025 06:19 PM

It’s ok! We truly understand the caliber of people that have been elected. Not your fault at all. Don’t apologize. It’s the people who is at fault

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Dr Tissa Fernando Thursday, 20 February 2025 06:22 PM

I think it is the right name for majority of drivers in this island.. They are all such creatures because they want to get the thrill of getting injured or dead while driving. There is no other name to be used as majority do not respect any traffic law, do not respect other road users, do not have any patience, press their hands on the horn continously, keep flashing the headlights all the time even when they are driving in the wrong side of the road, always try to pass before the pedestrians, so these are all because of their d,,, behaviour which the Minister has rightfully called. I applaud the Minister for his brave name calling. After all the NPP politicians speak of their mind .

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Wiraj Thursday, 20 February 2025 06:23 PM

Well, now we know that there are monkeys and donkeys in this cabinet. Don't know what's going to come next! Feeling sorry for AKD for accommodating all these species.

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Zarook Thursday, 20 February 2025 06:27 PM

He was referring to the voter base.

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Dr. Kankanamge Thursday, 20 February 2025 06:28 PM

Usuf and Hulangona seem to be running the show.

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I feel sorry for the minister Thursday, 20 February 2025 06:33 PM

For these Bolshevik-Marxist guys, whatever mistakes they make and their misdemeanours are "minor" matters and of trivial importance. Just imagine these words coming from a minister of UNP, SLPP, SLFP, or some other party. Oh my god! These Marxist guys would have created havoc in the country!!! Further, if a minister or deputy minister in charge of security gets "stressed" like this, what level of national security can we expect from this puerile NPP government?

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Jayantha Peiris Thursday, 20 February 2025 06:51 PM

I am happy cabinet spokesman acknowledged it was wrong and apologised. I expect Deputy Minister Watagala to make a public apology. All are equal in this world and should be respected irrespective of their standing in life and differences.

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Don Key Thursday, 20 February 2025 06:55 PM

“Mr” Sunil Watagala’s Wikipedia says that he promotes “human rights” , “social equality “ and “ legal empowerment “. His true form is shown when stress tested. What a hypocrisy and a facade. Hon President and Tilvin S should sack him if they are honarable people. How you you treat the weak and powerless shows one’s calibre which Sunil Wattala does not have!

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R Navaratnam Thursday, 20 February 2025 07:28 PM

Why government has to regret? Is this action to protect him. This is a problem for Deputy Minister. Deputy minister must apologize to the driver and resign for not respecting a person. Failing to do so, is an insult to his parents and his family.

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Anton Weerasinghe Thursday, 20 February 2025 08:06 PM

These are the type of people our good educated voters elected, Not only Watawala all of them are in the same bout GAM BTTAS AND GAM BATTIES

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ACL Thursday, 20 February 2025 08:40 PM

When you take on political assignments - there is bound to be pressure and stress.. that does NOT justify calling someone a donkey or idiot. Respect is earned NOT demanded or commanded. These so called NPP ministers who claim to work for the people need to know how to treat people and address them with respect !!

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Priyanee and Thursday, 20 February 2025 10:00 PM

Why should the cabinet spokesman apologise ?The deputy minister himself should issue a public apology to the driver

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sarath gooneratne Thursday, 20 February 2025 11:30 PM

Well , Donkey is a much loved animal and works very hard. I can't see any problem in a person being addressed as a donkey. If it was a monkey, it would be another matter!!

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We Remember Movement. Friday, 21 February 2025 04:12 AM

It's OK minister, when most of us voted for Gota yes the 6.9m and 2023 SLPP or pohottuwa convention buses were coming to Colombo JVP (now NPP) professors hung grass strands on street lamp posts. even punnakku was kept. So it's the same 6.8m booruwo who voted for the Malimawa. Min Watagida must have been very honest (for once) when he used the term booruwa. Apita Mathakai Viyaparaya

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SIVALINGHAM Friday, 21 February 2025 05:45 AM

GET THE FELLOW TO APPLOGISE IN PUBLIC

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S.R. Premadasa Friday, 21 February 2025 10:11 AM

Yes, this is the best way, otherwise hereafter, this fellow will be considered as a thug not a Lawyer or a deputy minister.

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MMJ Azwer Hanifa Haji Friday, 21 February 2025 10:16 AM

Deputy Minister Watagalla must ask public forgiveness through the media and must step down from his ministry and AKD could re-consider him as Deputy Minister for Women's affairs.

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mohan silva Friday, 21 February 2025 10:35 AM

Moral of the educated NPP.

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