By Colombo Telegraph –
“I see this interest-free motor vehicle loan as a sort of a ‘bribe’. I don’t think it’s appropriate at all for a BBC journalist to take this. Obviously it will damage their credibility.” says former head of the BBC Sinhala Service Vasantha Raja.
Vasantha Raja
He made the above remarks when asked how he saw the issue of BBC World Service employees applying and receiving an interest-free motor vehicle loan from the Sri Lankan Government.
BBC World Service Journalists Chandana Keerthi Bandara and its Colombo reporter Elmo Fernando have been granted Rs. 1,200,000/- each as interest free loans from state banks to purchase cars or vans. The Treasury will grant the interest due to the state banks for the interest free loan amount of Rs.1,200,000/-.
Quoting the Secretary of the Ministry of Mass Media and Information Charitha Herath, the Colombo Telegraph reported yesterday that the BBC World Service Journalist Chandana Keerthi Bandara’s application for an interest-free motor vehicle loan has not been rejected and like others, is on a waiting list. BBC’s Colombo reporter Elmo Fernando has been granted the loan last week.
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Asanga M / November 19, 2012
Well done sri! Thank you for telling the truth.
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Herath KKS / November 19, 2012
Bribery and journalism spread to London BBC. ;) ;) ;) :0
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Kanaka / November 19, 2012
Wonder what BBC says about this. Does BBC allowed its journos to accept bribes?
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Wuliangguobinjiu / November 19, 2012
Well BBC has cut its overseas services funding but then £6000 is just peanuts and wont auger well.
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Nisal Amarasingha / November 19, 2012
This is nothing but bribery and corruption now being advanced to even Foreign correspondents. The BBC a world renowned Radio service can well afford to provide official transport for their reporters. Why do these people have to beg for a loan from a third world country living on loans from foreign countries to balance their budget. I sure Agree with Vasantha Raja a former correspondent who knows best.
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watcher / November 19, 2012
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Chandra / November 19, 2012
More importantly
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Yehiya / November 19, 2012
Dear Wasantha Raja, You are best in journerlist, but fall in tiger net.
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Vasantha Raja / November 19, 2012
Some Tamil nationalists think I’m in the government-net. Some Sinhala nationalists think I’m in the Tiger-net. Both are wrong. The truth is: I’m an international socialist.
This is beyond the nationalist mindset!
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Bruno Umbato / November 20, 2012
No Sinhala nationalists or any body who really know you do not say you are in the government net … Everybody knows that you and ‘chura queen’ were in the same net to destoy Sri Lanka through minority extremists …. You French buddies have a passion to talk in terms of internationalism and socialism to show your high morale values to the world to deceive it …
… Look at what your French buddy, chura rajini achieved … Nothing and nothing except to take the whole country to the brink of disaster …
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Gajaba / November 20, 2012
BBC Sinhala Service was very popular and honest service before Vasantha Raja. [Edited out] 3rd rate ideology,crafty politically and racially motivated people like you ruined respectable place like BBC.Still that legacy is carrying on by your henchman.After you also you introduce some puppets to continue your work.In History of recent Sri Lankan Journalism biggest blunder is your Appointment as a Chairman of Rupavahini Corporation by Chandrika(According to Victor Ivon -Kuveni of SL. [Edited out]
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Kumar de Silva / November 21, 2012
Obviously it will damage their credibility.” says former head of the BBC Sinhala Service Vasantha Raja.Ade Raja ……..please tell us what type of credibility you had built during your period.Worked with LTTE openly and appoint third rate Journalist (Few of the are Credible ) without any
prior experience.P… yath/Bandara some of them.They are still damaging
their credibility due to lack of experience in the field.Chandrika’a (According to Victor Ivan -Kuweni)your appointment as a Chairman of Rupavahini is one of the biggest blenders in recent his I believe.LTTE gain lot of advantages from this.Even Personally I believe you don,t have any credibility build as a radio Journalist.it is shame you are taking about Bandara (your Henchman)damage credibility of BBC.You are the first person responsible for appoint them to the BBC.
Kumar
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Sumudu / November 21, 2012
Munge ammage sallida me widiyata nasti koranne – while millions stay not being able to even think of their daily 3 meals. Why to offer Laptops and vehicle loans to ones who can afford them by themselves. What kind of strategies go through the skulls of these megalos.
Stupid ministers, henchmen seem to be helping THE RAJA further :(((
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Lakshan / November 23, 2012
BBC should not allow two corrupt bastard to undermine its integrity
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GTMVK - Navala / November 25, 2012
The BBC has been unfairly criticized by the Sinhala extremists for being anti Sri Lankan and pro Tamil. Moderates have defended it as a reliable source of news and impartial analysis. The applications of some BBC journalists for money from the Rajapaksa government compromises seriously the credibility of the BBC, and makes it impossible for those who trust the BBC to defend it. If the BBC is to maintain the credibility it so far enjoyed, it has only one choice, to demand the resignation of those who have lined up to receive the tainted Rajapaksa money.
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