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’’Rattaran’’ is my childhood nickname: Rohitha

24 January 2024 09:45 pm - 20     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera

Parliament, Jan. 24 (Daily Mirror)- Claiming that "Rattaran" was a nickname given to him in childhood, Parliamentarian Rohitha Abeygunawardane said he would resign if anyone proved that a police complaint had been made against him for snatching necklaces.

The MP told parliament that he was called "Rattaran" in his childhood as a nickname and that after he came to politics, people started to say that he was called "Rattaran" because of snatching necklaces.

"We are given nicknames when we were born. I was called 'Rattaran' in my childhood. People in my area know me as 'Rattaran'. When I came to politics people started to say that I was called "Rattaran" because I snatched necklaces. It is circulated in social media. If anyone can prove that a complaint was made against me for snatching necklaces, I will resign as MP tomorrow," he said.

Speaking during the debate on Online Safety Bill, he said social media was circulating false news to get hits and earn money.

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  Comments - 20

  • Upulpb Wednesday, 24 January 2024 10:07 PM

    So this bill was taken up to stop name calling Very funny

    Rubu Fernando Wednesday, 24 January 2024 10:38 PM

    No wonder - by name association - you robbed and nabbed all the gold chains that came within your sight.

    Ran Putha Wednesday, 24 January 2024 10:56 PM

    Nothing will be recorded by Police of politicians. Ask the people who come to the railway station

    Sri Lankan Wednesday, 24 January 2024 11:00 PM

    Oh I thought that people call you ratharan because of you were a chain snatcher earlier, now I understand why they call you ratharan!

    Jamal Kudu Wednesday, 24 January 2024 11:34 PM

    You are correct, how people can be sure that you only snatched gold chains, there could be silver, glitter, copper etc. A local politician from my area has a name, it is Kasippu Mudalali, now I understand it is his childhood name, thanks for enlighten me.

    Ganesh Wednesday, 24 January 2024 11:59 PM

    This same fellow said aids comes by boat during a tv debate.

    Ram Thursday, 25 January 2024 04:21 AM

    Babies are given names that are registered in their Birth Certificates. I haven't heard of babies given nick names at birth. Nick names are received when growing up and attending school. Some receive the nick names due to their conduct. Rohitha could be one who received his nick name due to conduct

    DOT Thursday, 25 January 2024 04:24 AM

    But the people in Kaluthara tells otherwise !

    lion Thursday, 25 January 2024 06:12 AM

    But you avoided going to courts claiming that you were bitten by a snake in the case where you were accused of amassing money through illegal gains.

    Neville Thursday, 25 January 2024 06:39 AM

    He had the early childhood tendency for snatching those gold chains parents recognised it and he proved his capabilities to the train commuters!

    Ram temple people Thursday, 25 January 2024 06:59 AM

    This low life snatched gold chains from dead people when taunami struck South... People who knows Knows...

    wickrama wijayasiri Thursday, 25 January 2024 07:04 AM

    Sad you were not with Sanath Nishantha in the Jeep!

    Abd Thursday, 25 January 2024 07:10 AM

    His past is not a secret but he amassed a so much thanks to political success as fellow of rogue team, but very soon he would have answer to his accumulation of wealth,there snake bit wouldn’t be an excuse

    Sambo Thursday, 25 January 2024 07:40 AM

    So not because you were breaking peoples chains on the train. Be careful Gold is very expensive and people may try to abduct you.

    VJ Thursday, 25 January 2024 08:57 AM

    Are you saying you started at a very young age?

    Mohamed Adham Thursday, 25 January 2024 09:27 AM

    Can people who travelled on Trains at that time pleasea clarify ???????

    Commuters Thursday, 25 January 2024 01:24 PM

    Your horoscope seems to have predicted this.

    Bernard Jayatilake Thursday, 25 January 2024 04:58 PM

    From Aluthgama to Panadura you became very famous as "Rattaran" because you used to snatch gold necklaces of lady train commuters between these two stations and the party leadership immediately grabbed this opportunity to appoint you as the party organizer and requested you to grab votes in lieu of gold necklaces as it was a more lucrative stepping stone to be qualified even to be appointed a Cabinet minister.

    ANNECUNT Thursday, 25 January 2024 09:03 PM

    he wants to beat mahinda while mahinda was stealing dead beople tseunami relief fund he was doing the gold chains

    UAli Friday, 26 January 2024 07:50 AM

    It’s not fair to call him ‘Rattaran’ as he snatched only , few gold chains to collect capital for his future ,but MR who stole with impunity,many kilograms of gold which belong toJaffna civilians, which was earlier grabbed forcibly by LttE, he is not call ‘rattaran’

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