2 Wednesday 11th August, 2010 The Island Home News Page Two Media freedom: Govt, Opposition exchange fire over journalists seeking political asylum UPFA accused of muzzling the media, staging boru shows for the benefit of MR

BY SHAMINDRA FERDINANDO WPC Opposition Leader Manjushree Arangala implied HU spokesman Anuruddha led forces in Afghanistan. The that the government had target- Pradeep says the majority of JHU accused a section of foreign ed Siyatha as its proprietors Jthose so-called journalists funded media organizations of funded another political party. who had fled the country seeking being part of the LTTE strategy. The UNP asserted that the gov- political asylum in the West JHU official Pradeep strongly ernment expected its media asso- were nothing but fraudsters. A defended the right of the incum- ciates not to involve with other smiling JHU official likened a bent government to use the political players. He went onto key NGO operative cum journal- State-run media for propaganda say that some television net- ist (name withheld) now living purposes. Stressing that private- works had been forced to accom- abroad, allegedly in fear of his ly owned print and electronic modate certain politicians due to life, to Sakvithi media, too, had an them being major advertisers Ranasinghe. agenda of their own, during election campaigns. JVP he said that nothing MP Chandima Weerakkody District MP Sunil could be as foolish said that those who had accused Handunnetti repre- as the notion that the UPFA of harassing the sented the the government media, had conveniently forgot- Democratic National should not exploit ten the situation before the Front, Western the media. SLFP-led PA defeated the UNP. Province Opposition While criticising Turning towards talk show Leader Manjusri Deputy Minister anchor Teran Karannagoda, the Arangala joined the for Galle District MP reminded him discussion on behalf tying up a Samurdhi that he was a UNPer and an of the UNP, while worker recently, the unsuccessful candidate at an Chandima JHU official urged election. Responding to a query Weerakkody, MP, rep- the people not to by The Island, Karannagoda said resented the UPFA. Sunil Handunnetti overlook what the that he had contested LG elec- Opposition politicians protest opposite the Viharamahadevi Park on Tuesday demanding an impartial Participating at a government had tions way back in 2002 on the live political talk done over the years. UNP ticket. investigation into the disappearance of Pradeep Ekneligoda. The freelancer disappeared on the eve of show Janahanda on TNL on He said that no one should be MP Weerakkody said that the the last Presidential Election on January 26. Photo Jude Denzil Pathiraja Monday night, Pradeep said that allowed to take the law into his UNPers were talking like babes era, though some opposed the that those NGO/INGO activists, hero is not even given access to of those journalists who had or her hands and Deputy rejecting their shameful past. move for political reasons. who had received substantial newspapers, while KP is meeting obtained asylum about 90 per Minister Silva should not be an Referring to the then President He urged the media to recog- overseas funding during the war, the press.” Turning towards MP cent faced no threat. Estimating exception. threaten- nise the post-LTTE scenario and were now looking at ways and Chandima Weerakkody, the number of media personali- MP Handunnetti said that the ing UNP heavyweight Ranjan work in the national interest. means to lay their hands on Handunnetti said: “Why don’t ties allegedly forced to flee the government should be ashamed Wijeratne on stage, attack on a Acknowledging the right of the some foreign currency. They you ask the journalist where he country at 30, the JHU official of Deputy Minister journalist (now top media to expose waste, corrup- engaged in bashing met KP.” said that they had exploited Silva’s shameless Sirasa staffer) at the tion and irregularities in the for financial gain, he said. WPC Opposition Leader their profession to secure asy- conduct. An irate behest of the then administration, the newcomer to Handunnetti said that Sri Manjushree Arangala said that lum. He launched a scathing Handunnetti alleged Minister Ranil parliament reminded the media Lankan intelligence services they understood the need for attack on a one-time FMM that a section of the Wickremesinghe that the next national elections could seize LTTE leader control on the media during the activist for his bias towards the media had made a and the killing of were six years away and they Prabhakaran’s successor, KP in war. But now there was absolute- LTTE. Referring to a woman hero out a villain, Provincial should not waste their time the immediate aftermath of the ly no need to subject the media journalist allegedly killed by the who had cleverly Councillor unnecessarily on politics. conclusion of the war but were to draconian laws, he said, while LTTE during eelam war IV, the manipulated, partic- Lakshman Perera MP Handunnetti alleged that helpless when asked to appre- urging the government to JHU accused the FMM guru of ularly the electronic for his journalistic the Rajapaksas had been using hend those responsible for remove curbs. The WPC member ignoring the assassination. media to his advan- work as well as the the State-run media for their per- attacks on the media. speculated that journalist Pradeep said: “Although he had tage. He pointed out doing away with sonal gain. Referring to a query Handunnetti emphasised that Ekneligoda may have been tar- been in the forefront of protests that the media never Richard Zoysa, MP raised by Nelson Edirisinghe, setting up of an Independent geted due to a controversial in support of the media under questioned the police Weerakkody said media secretary to EPDP leader Media Commission would be piece on the internet regarding a threat by the government. He for its failure to that those who now Douglas Devananda, necessary to pave the way for a constituent of the ruling coali- never bothered about those tar- intervene when discussed media Handunnetti said that even min- truly free media in the country. tion. geted by the LTTE. Subsequently Deputy Minister Teran Karannagoda freedom were the isters had been denied media The proposed MDA would cause In an obvious reference to he left the country amid charges Silva ordered one of worst culprits. coverage. He said that the severe problems by allowing the Sirasa, the WPC member said of misappropriation of FMM his henchmen to tie MP Weerakkody Opposition could not expect a government to introduce dracon- that political parties could not funds.” the hapless Samurdhi worker to said that two key UNPers, Sarath fair coverage when even minis- ian laws aimed at subverting the elect leaders the way singers Pradeep said that many peo- a tree. MP Handunnetti said: Kongahage and Bandula ters complained of double stan- independent media. were elected through SMS. He ple from Wennappuwa had left “Although there were two police- Padmakumara were today work- dards. The JVPer launched a Handunnetti said that said that media could not dictate the country for Italy seeking men at the scene, they did noth- ing for the government. He said scathing attack on the govern- President Rajapaksa went to the terms to the UNP. greener pastures. Some of those ing to rescue the public servant. that President Rajapaksa had ment over a wave of attacks on extent of taking the Weerakkody said that the journalists could be likened to The Media should be ashamed of given them an opportunity to the media, particularly the tar- Telecommunications Regulatory UNP reacted angrily when the them, the JHU representative its failure to expose Deputy serve the UPFA. Another fact, geting of Sirasa and the disap- Commission (TRC) under his coverage did not suit the party, emphasised. He accused some Minister Silva. Today he is the Opposition had opportunely pearance of freelance journalist control to tighten its grip on the though it always demanded media organisations of cate- depicted as a modern day Robin forgotten was the PA allowing Pradeep Ekneligoda. media. Even if God wanted to media freedom. gorising LTTE cadres killed in Hood or Saradiel. The media private television stations to go Commenting on the last attack establish a television channel, he Handunnett said that the an SLAF strike on clandestine should take the responsibility ahead with news bulletins, on Sirasa, Handunnetti said needed to obtain the President’s State-run media was desperate Voice of Tigers (VoT) during the for helping the Gampaha District though many opposed the idea at though Sirasa had captured approval, Handunnetti said. for news. He ridiculed the media Eelam war IV, as journalists, as MP Silva to attract voters that time. almost all attackers on camera Commenting on the recent for trying to describe a recent part of their overall strategy to through their coverage.” Weerakkody strongly defend- the police were yet to take interview The Island had with cabinet meeting held in undermine the country. The JHU Handunnetti said that a sec- ed a move to set up a Media action. He challenged the gov- KP, Handunnetti demanded that Kilinochchi as a major develop- justified military action against tion of the electorate had a ten- Development Authority (MDA), ernment to solve at least one the government should question ment. This was nothing but stu- the VoT on the basis anyone dency to elect those engaged in which he said was needed to case reported over the past sev- the journalist who met the pid strategy of the government working for a terrorist cause was antics and the coverage received strengthen the Sri Lankan eral years. LTTEer. “General Fonseka is in to maintain media focus on a legitimate military target as in by Deputy Minister Silva defi- media. It would be a great mus- Nelson Edirisinghe alleged government custody. The war President Rajapaksa. the case of those attacked by US- nitely benefited him. cle for the media in a post-LTTE

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Details could be obtained Now, Indian from Prasath on 077 8060225. Email- [email protected] Shows will be held at E. P. Paul Perera Magicfiesta in N&E Wellawatte Ramakrishna President’s Counsel Mission hall (from Aug 14 to Close on the heels of IIFA Island that the conclusion of 22), Royal garden hall, Everyday in some small way, ceremony in Colombo, world the war in May last year Loving husband of Matilda, Vavuniya ((Aug 25th and memories of you come our renowned Indian magician, gave the Indian master an 26th), Nallur way. Though absent, you are father of Lal, Ajith, Late Hiranthi Prof. Pradeep Hudino will opportunity to perform in Mangayatkarasi Maha always near, still missed, loved, and Ranjala, expired. Cortege present a series of shows in Sri Lanka. Vidyalaya (Aug 28 to Sep 7), Sri Lanka, including in the Magicfiesta would give Kandy St. Anthony’s school always dear. Fondly remem- will leave the Jayarathne Funeral Northern and Eastern the Sri Lankans a chance to (Sep 10, 11, 12), Trincomalee bered by wife Kulaseeli, sons Parlour at Borella for Cremation Provinces. experience a range of super (Sep 14 and 15), Batticaloa Ronald, Arnold, Harold, A spokesman for organis- items shown in many parts (Sep 17, 18, 19), Kalmunai Rodney, daughter Pushpamala on 11th August 2010 at 4 p.m. ers K. T. Prasath told The of the world. Sep 21, 22). and their families.