‘Lanka’ newspaper shut down
News Source: BBC
The office of ‘Lanka ’ newspaper in Sri Lanka was sealed off by officials of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) this afternoon. This is the latest of a series of measures against the press in Sri Lanka. The weekly publication, Lanka, said the police action came a day after its editor, Chandana Sirimalwatte had been taken into custody for questioning over reports criticising a senior government official.
Prageeth Ekneligoda, a political reporter for Lanka eNews, remained missing since January 24
On Friday a Swiss Radio journalist was ordered out of the country.
Several human rights organisations said the Sri Lankan government had stepped up its harassment of journalists after President Mahinda Rajapakse’s re-election on Tuesday.
The campaign group, Human Rights Watch, says the president appears to be seizing the moment to settle scores with critics of the government.
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When will the Biased Broadcasting Corporation get its act together?
The Swiss jounalist was kicked out of SL for rumour mongering by a deliberate policy of weaving false stories in favour of the presidential election opponent SF. The objective of the imperialist West is to favour a regime change by backing the brutal reprobate unpatriotic retired general who is a lackey of the imperial West. Through him the imperial West planned to indict patriotic heroic highly successful army top brass as war criminals falsely to take revenge for total eradication of the world’s most brutal terrorist organisation LTTE, who they supported to subvert our country and India. We do not know whether the Swiss freelance journalist was highly paid by the imperial West and the Tamil diaspora to write cooked-up and malicious stories in favour of the challenger to the presidency. What he wrote was irresponsible and a breach of the ethical code of responsible journalism. He was not neutral. He was in breach of the election laws of this country to remain neutral in reporting the election and certainly not engage in writing false stories with the objective of rumour mongering. He had to be kicked out for trying to subvert the country and breaking the ethical standards of responsible journalism. Last year the Channel 4 TV reporters were also kicked out for this very reason.
‘Lanka’ is the newspapaer of JVP with vested interests. They also broke ethical standards of responsible reporting and election laws by weaving total falsehoods for the prupose of rumour mongering in support of their common cadidate SF. The ‘Lanka’ office was closed for this reason till the case is heard in the Court. It is for the Court to decide on the evidence presented whether ‘Lanka’ is guilty of irresponsible journalism and breaching the election laws. ‘Lanka’ has a chance to defend itself in Court.
It is not the government that is cracking down on criminals and violators of the country’s laws but the Police who are the executives of the law bringing violators of the law before the judiciary.
Lankaenews reporter who is reported ‘missing’ or rather in hiding from the law has also engaged in gross rumour mongering in violation of election laws. He has to be arrested also and produced before the judiciary. It is for the Court to decide on the basis of evidence presented whether he is guilty or not. He has a right to defend himself. The judiciary is independent.
Brilliant tongue in cheek stuff Nick Dias.
There are certain newspapers that HAVE to be taken seriously. The (London) “Times on Line” had about thirty words on us when the results were known. Something like, “if this is what Sri Lankans really want, let them have it. It’s best to wash our hands off it.”
The world has given up on us; WE have to re-build our country.
President Rajapaksa has now begun saying those obvious things like he must also be the President of those who voted for other candidates.
Another routine statement is “we need a credible opposition.” Ranil W., you are now over sixty years old. You have had a better than average stay on Planet Earth. Better than mine, certainly. Hand over your party to someone else. You may still have a role to play; but your best years are obviously BEHIND you. Reconcile yourself to a future “minor” role.
Mahinda R.: You’ve led a charmed life, but remember what Sophocles said: “call no man happy until he is dead.” From the play called in Greek “Oedipus Tyrannos”. Don’t know any Greek myself. But remember few “tyrants” have died peacefully in their beds. May Mahinda and Ranil both be remembered with gratitude by our grandchildren as STATESMEN.
LANKA NEWS THAHANAM KIREEMA WARADAK NEE. MOKADA ELECTION KALAYA THULA PRASIDDA KALEEMA BORU SAHA MADA. LANKA E NEWS EKATH EHEMAY. VISHEESHAYEN VIDESHA RATAWALA INNA SRILANKIKAYANTA SATHYA DENAGANNA MOVUN IDA THABANNE NEE. MEWAN HORA NEWS PAPIER WEB THAHANAM KIREEMA WEDAGATH.
Dear Neil I welcome your comments actually I am working in Doha Qatar.Mostly i am looking Lanka E News but i understand they are giving all false information to public now at the movement we need development but mostly we are facing problems with this type of media.Some time I am argue my close friends because of false information any way we can see goverment take nessesary action.
The order for the closure of Lanka news press/office must be linked to a real situation.Otherwise, there is no reason for the authorities to take such strict action againstit.
mada pattara kalawata titak