Rajpal responds to Shehan

6 November 2022 09:22 pm - 32 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

In response to the article that appeared in the Daily Mirror online, titled 'Shehan rubbishes Rajpal’s plagiarism claims', journalist Rajpal Abeynayake has sent the following statement.

“Shehan’s claim is that this matter should not be brought up at a celebratory moment for the country’s writers, is symptomatic of the sense of entitlement of a person who has no respect for the rights of others.

It’s rich he has the audacity to say it. It’s like a drunk driver running over a man, and when told he’d be arrested replying: “but it’s our celebratory moment - we were celebrating a Sri Lanka cricket victory — how dare you want to arrest?” To clarify, it’s the huge sense of entitlement harboured by a person not used to doing things the proper way to say the very least. He also states that he has sent my manuscript to some persons and institutions. It’s not just amusing but telling that he kept somebody else’s manuscript which he allegedly didn’t need, for eleven years, and kept it so handy and ready to send at a moment’s noice. Shehan Karunatillaka has also contended that he sent my manuscript to various persons and was thereafter cleared of plagiarism. It’s his version and there is time to judge the veracity of that, also to say the very least. On the issue of his book ‘Seven Moons of Mali Almeida’ being plagiarized from my manuscript, I stand by my original position," he reiterated.

Comments - 32

Kingsley Wijesinhe Sunday, 06 November 2022 10:00 PM

This matter can be settled once and for all if Rajpal Abeynayake publishes a brief summary of his plot and lets those who have read "The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida" decide whether there has been plagiarism or not.

Conscious lankan Sunday, 06 November 2022 10:17 PM

What is he even sayin ??! *facepalm

Bastard Sunday, 06 November 2022 10:18 PM

@Rajpal- He has done what you couldn't do. So shut up and mind your business

Tehan Alan Silva Monday, 07 November 2022 08:32 AM

He didn’t do anything it’s Rajpal who did and he stood there and shamelessly took the credit. There, it’s corrected for you.

Dakshina Dissanayake Sunday, 06 November 2022 10:51 PM

This is disgrace and shame if someone is trying to claim a share of someone else's win. Typical Sri Lankan style from the politicians down the line.

Hohohaha Sunday, 06 November 2022 10:57 PM

Please go to court and fight. Don't waste our time here. It's a disgrace to both of you.

Kadu Karaya Monday, 07 November 2022 08:37 AM

No, the truth must be found out. It's a disgrace to try hide about it. There is enough corruption with trying to hide criminal activity in our country already.

Don Monday, 07 November 2022 03:53 AM

I have 15 years old emails and documents. It is a BS argument that Shehan had this manuscript with him. Shehan did the right thing to pass it to Jury panel to verify whether there is any plagiarism between his and Rajpal’s. The panel confirmed none. End of the story. If you still think there is, go to courts. Don’t make Sri Lankans a laughing stock in front of rest of the world on top of what already done by politicians. If you are that good ate least try to win a. Asian price. Don’t be a pxxxx.

Winning matters Monday, 07 November 2022 01:25 PM

Shehan Karunatillaka is now become a British man. He can't be trusted. British have the white mentality, which probably Shehan takes too now. Whites took from our nation endlessly until 1947. Rajpal is another good man who is being wronged by British citizen!

Allen Selwyn Monday, 07 November 2022 04:47 AM

Rajpal, it would be best if you can find another author of repute who could back your claim.

Yoshana Monday, 07 November 2022 06:27 AM

This is another Rajapakse crony. Daily news chief editor from 2012 to feb 2015. They dont like anything good happen to the country.

Winning matters Monday, 07 November 2022 01:26 PM

The Daily News is government! You talk like traitor when you say government is wrongdoers!

Sunil Monday, 07 November 2022 06:28 AM

Rajpal, we know your background and the type of articles you write and stand you take. We also know how you were brought to a top editorial position in the Sunday Observer by HLD Mahindapala, whose "credentials" is well known. So, please celebrate the Prize as a celebration and victory for Sri Lanka.

Phillip Monday, 07 November 2022 07:36 AM

I have had some e-mails for years, and RA assertion is complexly wrong. Please provide evidence of you emailing your manuscript to him as an attachment

Dee Monday, 07 November 2022 07:40 AM

Don't waste our time to gain publicity. We have better things to worry of. This is just like those artistes who's songs never gained popularity but when another artiste brought it to glory a few years on- various claims are made.

Cloy Monday, 07 November 2022 07:42 AM

Is this what is being called "thomian brotherhood"?

Kasi Ananda Silva Monday, 07 November 2022 08:05 AM

Some Lankans don't understand plagiarism is theft. Keep it up Rajpal

Shehan Randunna Abeysinghe Monday, 07 November 2022 08:10 AM

Only the plagiarized would understand the pin of mind. Sri Lankans assume too much. Look at Danushka Gunatilleke. If there is bad stuff done the consequences would follow. Good luck Rajpal.

Terrence K Monday, 07 November 2022 08:10 AM

Our culture is full of @Dogs in Mangers who are unable to appreciate our fellow countrymen's achievements globally and this is the curse of this country where no encouragement is given to uphold the achievements of others but talk some bullshit of plagiarism and bringing disrepute to this gem of a writer who outsmarted contenders of all walks of life. Only I can sympathize with you and only say "Balla Piduru Kanneth Nahe Kane Gonatath Denneth Nahe" Have a nice day. " day dreaming all your imaginations" which does not hold water.

Niranjan Senarath Senaratne Monday, 07 November 2022 08:11 AM

This Shehan guy keeping manuscripts is suspicious.

Samantha Hetti Monday, 07 November 2022 09:04 AM

Better Rajpal makes his manuscript publicly available. Then all interested in the whole world can read his material and then make own individual judgements.

Samantha Hetti Monday, 07 November 2022 09:10 AM

Why a brief summary? Do you think Rajpal material will ever get a second look until he shows all of the manuscript he claims was plagiarised? Rajpal keeping his manuscript hidden makes it seem his claim is a sham. Best he make it public and freely available as soon as possible. If Rajpal takes his manuscript to his grave, he'll be known even after death as just another green eyed/jealous mud slinger.

Dilshan Perera Monday, 07 November 2022 09:52 AM

Rajpal Abeynayake is known as an old fart loser.. would like to see any fiction written by him.. Goes to prove that Sri Lankan journalists are the worst breed of mongrels in a filthy profession worldwide.. not enough bullets have been shot at Sri Lankan journalists.. they deserve more coffins..

Bookworm Monday, 07 November 2022 10:09 AM

Jealousy, Rajpal, will ruin a person.

Alan Monday, 07 November 2022 11:34 AM

Typical Sri Lanken lawyer trying to get credit for other peoples work

Citizen Silva Monday, 07 November 2022 12:10 PM

So far Rajpal has given zero proof and has the opportunity to go ahead and make the manuscript available to the public or any competent body to analyse as Shehan as done so. Rajpal’s background though is of a class 1 political boot licker and Mahinda Rajapaksa ass kisser. The mere fact that Shehan could pull up the manuscript is not evidence of plagiarism. Many people keep documents and pictures organized and email today is searchable instantly.

Angelo Monday, 07 November 2022 08:44 PM

This is what the war time related facts and figures and efforts ultimately finds its misery. War time thefts and plundering thereafter has brought a wonderful celebratory platform for arguments of this nature for their 'interlects' of the bankrupt country when ordinary people are starving to death. International fame, national fury.

Roberta Flack Monday, 07 November 2022 11:20 PM

Rajpal you have zero credibility and acceptance as a professional and journalist. We have seen your appalling behaviour many times before. But the time and claim of this is impeccable of you. Shame!!! and just get off it!!!

Samson Perera Tuesday, 08 November 2022 06:49 AM

Shehan’s book that won the Booker was first published as an unedited, unrevised novel in 2020 as “Chats with the Dead”. Why did Rajpal not make these moronic claims in 2020- when that was published. He only waited till after the prize was awarded? Not even when it was published or shortlisted? Come one!! Deranged opportunist is what it looks like (I’m taking about Rajpal). shorter version of

NightOwl Tuesday, 08 November 2022 10:53 AM

My oldest email in the Gmail inbox is from 17 February 2010. If I check my Yahoo account, I can also find emails from the 2000s. I'm not sure about Shehan's credibility. But certainly, Rajpal doesn't have any.

Shantha Bandara Tuesday, 08 November 2022 11:17 AM

What r u going to achieve here Rajpal. For u to become a acclaimed personality on global stage should u not only be a genius of ur chosen field of interest u also need to be exceptionally smart and insanely confident enough to promote ur invention. Perhaps u may be lacking those inherent qualities of a such personality , the reason why u treasured ur masterpiece safely for 11 long yrs. Pls try to settle this matter amicably . Deeply wounded society like us expect a mature behaviour from a person of ur calibre during this trying period our country is going thru

ASS Tuesday, 08 November 2022 11:27 AM

Aa

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Rajpal responds to Shehan

Comments - 32

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

Did BASL misappropriate monies sent by JICA for anti-corruption programme?

Proposed wage hike Estate workers appreciated or trapped in election promise?

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Most Viewed in News

Sajith bars Daily Mirror over liquor controversy

Elon Musk to visit Sri Lanka this year to launch Starlink

Will Ranil regain support of Tamil and Muslim voters?

Police respond to video on interprovincial travel concerns

Arrest of four persons over War Dead Commemoration: Sri Lankan authorities in Canada in dilemma

Sarath Fonseka to split from SJB; to run for President

MIRROR CRICKET

Russel Arnold among Australia’s Multicultural Ambassadors

Starc stars as Kolkata thrash Hyderabad to reach IPL final

All teams retained and pre-signed maximum players ahead of LPL auction

Kusal Mendis secures visa to USA after delay

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Gangaramaya ‘Buddha Rashmi’ Vesak Zone second day inaugurated

Rs.4.5 billion fine to be imposed on 13 leading jewellers for gold smuggling

Rampant power outages due to high winds, rain-related disasters

Inclement weather wreaks havoc across country

SLC denies corruption allegations involving its officials in LPL

Russel Arnold among Australia’s Multicultural Ambassadors

Starc stars as Kolkata thrash Hyderabad to reach IPL final

Dulan shatters world record at Para Meet