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’’Are you trying to teach me history? RW asks Archaeology Department official

12 June 2023 03:11 pm - 31     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe pulled up officials of the Archaeology Department over an issue pertaining to the allocation of lands to an Archaeological site.

The President asked the Archaeology Department official "Are you trying to teach me history? Or do you want me to teach you?" 

The conversation took place during a meeting with the President and representatives of the Tamil Political parties.

When the Archaeology Department official said that they were planning to acquire some 270 acres of land for the said Archaeological site, the President asked him if it was bigger than the Maha Viharaya.

"Why do you need 275 acres? Is it bigger than the Mahaviharaya? All three Maha Viharaya, Jethavanaramaya and
Abhayagiri will not take up 100 acres," he said.

 

 


  Comments - 31

  • Man Monday, 12 June 2023 03:29 PM

    A feature of an arrogant idiot with no mandate. Officials must prove their point with facts / documents.

    If official cannot explain maybe he is doing some trick or fraud Monday, 12 June 2023 04:02 PM

    Official maybe shocked, but he has to explain why the particular land area. If he just took some juniors report without reading, he is a fool. Just like asking for many arches he could ask for many many millions, but he must be able to explain why exactly the request. Otherwise he could be up to fraud.

    Anura Monday, 12 June 2023 03:30 PM

    Jack of all trades

    Thusita Monday, 12 June 2023 03:37 PM

    At least this guy can challenge the bullshit of government officials who seem to be accustomed to hoodwinking politicians as their modus if operandi to cover their gross inefficiency and incompetence.

    Jayampathi Monday, 12 June 2023 03:42 PM

    These are pretty simple issues. RW must make use of the opportunity that he was crowned with the highest status and use powers to dissolve parliament immediately and divorce pohottuwa from politics. Basilwith Mangala and Sripathi bribed LTTE and prevented votes in North and defeated you was history. Recall that history and act for a immediate general elevtion to deal with IMF and save democracy.

    Ranil could not pass O and A level exams to current standards Monday, 12 June 2023 03:54 PM

    Ranil is outdated like most religious leaders. They govern and lecture but could not even pass current O level history exams or A level exams either. However, he claims he knows more than years of experienced Archeology professor. Country is going to ruin with fools like Ranil trying to be experts.

    Mohammed Intiquab Ghouse Monday, 12 June 2023 04:01 PM

    I have seen him handle issues with Russian diplomat opposite his fifth lane residence in his first time in parliament.

    Lion Monday, 12 June 2023 04:07 PM

    The man who thinks he knows everything finally proved to be that he knows nothing

    Ram Monday, 12 June 2023 04:36 PM

    It is clear from the recording that there is an issue that the Officer attempted to explain. President trying to show his knowledge did not allow the officer to explain browbeating him. Officer had a backbone, he tendered his resignation.

    ravin Monday, 12 June 2023 04:38 PM

    Well Mr.RW. How far do humans know of there history? As far as general public know day by day historians are discovering new ideas and evidence of human revolution. In this scenario where do you stand?

    Sunil Monday, 12 June 2023 04:48 PM

    Does this pin president know more about history than the professor? This guy has gone crazy.

    Lion Monday, 12 June 2023 05:38 PM

    We would like to see the statement made by DG

    ROSH Monday, 12 June 2023 06:12 PM

    Unelected master debating president now wants become teacher to teach how to master debate in the parliament becomes immortal. Excellent idea I bet he uses his double bed in his double bedroom.

    lester Monday, 12 June 2023 06:21 PM

    Ranil will do anything to please the Tamils and westerners. He will grab land from Sinhalase and give it to Tamils if he can. He even gave away Government owned land in Jaffna to Tamils. If the Archaeology Department was asking for land in Sinhalese areas, he wouldnt have got angry.

    Love UK Monday, 12 June 2023 06:41 PM

    Just show off . Don't worry too much about it Dirty politics Ranil is a historian too He must be teaching history with his life in Colombo university

    Thirukumar S Monday, 12 June 2023 07:00 PM

    Archaeology Department used it's power, in cahoot with racist individuals used the army to acquire tamil religious sites. And in some instance desicrate hindu religious sites that had been part of worship for centuries. As a hindu I respect buddhism and revere it as my own. But using religion to disresppect and destroy another religion should not be tolerated. Including the religious coversions we see in Srilanka using money and slander.

    sarath Monday, 12 June 2023 07:07 PM

    How is this different from Gota going off on CB officials ?

    Mahila Tuesday, 13 June 2023 07:17 PM

    GR made SL Bankrupt and population to STARVE, as a result of his impertinence!!?? That Is the difference!!!???

    Chris Monday, 12 June 2023 07:07 PM

    A very fair question. Why can't the official explain?. This is what is going on by these officials attached to the dept.He has resigned cos he cannot explain.

    Rathnavali Monday, 12 June 2023 07:55 PM

    Excellent Mr. President, you have the ability to separate the wheat from chaff!

    JJJ Monday, 12 June 2023 08:23 PM

    How much history you know about our country Mr. President? I bet you cant even properly name all the kingdoms of this country in order but I am sure you can remember dates of coronations of English kings.

    Jeva Monday, 12 June 2023 09:07 PM

    This professor was appionted by Gotta to safe guard the interest of Sinhalese. He is not appointed on seniority. There must be an issue in taking the land of Tamil community which RW knows. The archiological official are sometimes think only on one side and does not understand the humanitarian issues.

    Abd Monday, 12 June 2023 09:19 PM

    Ranil’s intention is clear, he wants to make Tamil MPs happy,but that also with ulterior motive of, win their support to go for further period but this officer or any other officer should not bow their heads if they have reasonable reasons,they should fight back,otherwise Ranil make the opportunity to shine himself

    Martin Monday, 12 June 2023 10:23 PM

    This DG guy of Gota built a vihara in Gurunthoor when court said not to and prevented building a temple in Vedukku Naari Malai when court said do so to and he now not followed up a decision by the cabinet and so taken to task. President was right in what he said. Ranil is getting rid of problematic guys brought in by Gota. From Eastern governor to This guy to North central and North Governors.

    Gb Monday, 12 June 2023 11:47 PM

    Rw is a lawyer, he knows how to bend the law to suit himself and his friends nothing else

    Sivalingam Tuesday, 13 June 2023 09:12 AM

    Arjuna Mahendran could tell Ranil's history.

    Sugee Tuesday, 13 June 2023 02:42 PM

    Question is do you want more investment/Tourism or ethnic problem ? IMF Mandate!!

    Cherath Tuesday, 13 June 2023 07:58 PM

    Ranil has done this before. We know he had a library at home. He picks up a point based on his scant readings of some his library books and lambasts even an authority on the subject. Professor Manatunga is a professor of Archeology for good reason irrespective of who appointed him. He is a specialist on the subject. Ranil only has a law degree from Ceylon University. How can he claim to be a Jack of all trades then? Give the respect people deserve. Reading the Mahawansa and the Chulawansa ( if he had), doesn't make him the ultimate authority on Ceylon History or Archeology. Since Nicholas

    ROSH Tuesday, 13 June 2023 10:05 PM

    Sorry buddy I am trying teach you how to master debate

    K L L Fernando Tuesday, 13 June 2023 10:56 PM

    Ranil is correct and knows the history and this Archeology DG cannot fool him. in short on what grounds can you just acquire hundreds of hundreds of acres of lands of innocents Tamil people living there using state power.

    nature Wednesday, 14 June 2023 11:48 AM

    Government should focus on Digital Land Survey and digital repository to store and view the land details. otherwise thief will do all the dances to rob the land. (not only this land, lands belongs to forests , land belongs to other natural resources).


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