Sri Lanka News Updates with Discussions

[28-12-2007 3.45pm] President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is reportedly angered over the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation`s coverage on the violent behaviour of Minister Mervyn Silva every five minutes, has reprimanded top SLRC officials including CEO Karunarathne Paranawithana and Director-General Sisira Kothalawala. The President has demanded to know as to what they had been doing until the minister became a hostage in the SLRC chairman`s room and as to who authorized the telecast of the unfolding scenes.

It is reported that the President was dissatisfied with their answer that it was impossible for them to calm down the enraged workers.

The two media ministers Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena were also not spared from the president`s angry outbursts.

Finally, the President had ordered not to telecast footage relating to the incident in the SLRC primetime news at 8.00 pm.

Accordingly, the SLRC has downplayed the incident and reported it with no visuals.

However, all other electronic media institutions including Sirasa TV, Derana and Swarnawahini highlighted the incident as their main news item of the day.