The former Lakehouse Chairman Bandula Padmakumara who hosted the popular morning programme – Mul Pituwa that is aired in Swarnavahini has been removed from it due to political pressure from the newly formed government, Colombo Telegraph reliably learns.
Sources from Swarnavahini told Colombo Telegraph that the order came from a top politician of the new interim government.
Meanwhile, Padmakumara speaking to Colombo Telegraph said he cannot comment on the reason behind his removal but added that there are no justifiable grounds upon which Swarnavahini could have removed from the programme, except for external pressure as he has been hosting it for the past 12 years.
“It has earned credibility to Swarnavahini and revenue and its the highest rated programme in the morning hours,” he said.
Colombo Telegraph learns that there has been a growing objection against allowing Padmakumara to continue hosting the program, due to the biased nature he displayed towards former President Rajapaksa. The most recent incident that had resulted in his removal had been the presentation of a newspaper article that was published in a daily Sinhala newspaper which argued that MR won a majority of electoral seats at the recently concluded elections. Hence, he had been removed on the grounds of being biased in the recent past whilst moderating the programme.
Media reports also stated that he was chased away by the Lakehouse staff after Rajapaksa lost the elections. But he refuted the claims and told Colombo Telegraph that despite the request by the new Media Ministry Secretary Karunarathne Paranavithana to remain as the Chairman of the Lakehouse until the new board of management is appointed, he handed over his resignation in the morning of January 9 and left the Lakehouse premises by 12 noon.
Sources from the private sector media also revealed that a top politician of the new government has requested the media to not hamper the implementation of the 100-day programme and to conduct their programmes in a manner that supports it.
Matilda Ellepola / January 19, 2015
no worries, good riddance of bad rubbish.
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Dev / January 19, 2015
I hope CT will continue to report on this…interesting development
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Ben Hurling / January 19, 2015
I shed no tears for this clown who just got fired.
However, early signs are ominous for media under the new regime as well.
Unless media professionals with ethics & the general public apply pressure the new regime will soon revert to old habits. I have no doubt.
Just look at ITN or Rupavahini they continue to do the same thing. But, for their new masters. Pathetic.
I heard a guy called Kavan Ratnayake is appointed as new Lake House boss. Who happens to be the brother of Sagala Ratnayake. Cinnamon Gardens chums of the interim PM. Seems to me like a crony appointment by all means.
This is a moment to rescue all media in SL. Both private and state. Lift them to a new level of freedom. We must build a media culture governed by a code of conduct, ethics, law and professional standards.
If we get it right SL can set an example to the world. So far, I haven’t seen any signs of things moving in that direction though.
Cheers!
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srinath.gunaratne / January 19, 2015
Not a single Western democratic country owns pres and TV stations, Lake house and Rupavahini, must be handed over to a trust to be run like BBC, serving the people, not the politicians, Well, when will that happen in the yaha palanaya? Can’t wait! I must be dreaming!
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Ben Hurling / January 19, 2015
Agreed.
All state media should be independent and professionally run and not by cronies. BBC model is worth looking at. Scandinavian nations have pretty good structures for state media as well.
Private media should be held fully accountable to democratic, journalistic traditions and standards as well. Despite being business groups with profit in their minds, owning a license to broadcast or publish must be given with social responsibility attached.
All this will not happen automatic. Yaha Palanya will have to be achieved by the people. Kicking Rajapassa out was just a small step in the right direction.
Cheers!
PS: It is OK to dream. Only way to achieve big goals.
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truth / January 19, 2015
Not only this guy but also other hosts of live political programs telecasted on rupavahini, itn,eyechannel. They called all politicians from all parties.But host gave time to gov members and interrupted opposition members and gave chances to gov members when there was a critical charge from the opposition. Not only that – host’s counter questions towards opposition, their expressions when opposition charge gov corruptions, the point where they interupted opposition participants, if im correct they even name opposition politician names to shut opp members.. all should be fired as they were too biased.
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Abu Mukarram / January 19, 2015
Why only Bandula Padma Kumara. The licence of Swarnawahini should have been cancelled due to their unacceptable strategical third class bias attitude towards MR on the election day for telecasting EHi PASSIKO bana program which promoted Beatle leave. The monk who delivered the sermon with a beatle leave on the hand along with wataapatha said. LOOK, THIS IS AN IMPORTANT SYMBOL TODAY WHICH GIVES MANY PEOPLE A SENSE OF HAPPINESS. HERE SEE I AM FOLDING THIS. BUT I CANNOT MAKE A ‘SWAN’ OUT OF THIS. etc etc. Swarnawahini should be punished for mixing politics with the religion taking the viewers on a ride.
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Humbug / January 19, 2015
I did not see this programm because I stopped watching pro Rajapaksha tv stations. BUT I do agree if this happened on election day, why did not the Election Commissioner take action against this. I am sad for Bandula cos Mul Pituwa was one programme I would never miss before all this political comedy started. In that respect Hiru was much better (it even though was Duminda Silva’s family tv station)
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Palmsquirrell / January 19, 2015
What are some examples of them mixing politics and religion?
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Abu Mukarram / January 19, 2015
@ Palmsquirrell , Ehi Passiko itself is a religious program. Isn’t preaching with a beetle leave in the hand, the symbol of MR on the day of elections, mixing it with politics. Moreover wasn’t talking negatively on ‘Swan’ which was the symbol of the common Candidate emphasizing it? on the Elections Day? isn’t this unusual?
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kk / January 19, 2015
Good governance started , taking political revenge
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Amarasiri / January 19, 2015
“The former Lakehouse Chairman Bandula Padmakumara who hosted the popular morning programme – Mul Pituwa that is aired in Swarnavahini has been removed from it due to political pressure from the newly formed government, Colombo Telegraph reliably learns”
Aiding and Abetting the Mahinda Rajapaksa Family Dictatorship?
Question? How to separate shills and white washers?
When in doubt, throw them out.
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Sharanga / January 19, 2015
Seriously? I voted for Maithree, but they’d soon lose me if they do this kind of thing. Padamakumara definitely should have been removed from Lakehouse a long time ago, but the government has no right to tell a private media outlet to oust him. The point of free speech is for everyone, not just for unbiased people or government lackeys.
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Lan / January 19, 2015
Madamulana game bayya is trying to make a comeback. There is nothing wrong with straightening up the private media which were destroyed by MaRa. Else we will again see MaRa as the prime minister after all the hard work. Who does want to see that other than his bayya supporters?
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sach / January 19, 2015
exactly. Last time when MR was in power when state media was praising MR, there were private media to criticize MR. This time all media are in gover’s pocket.
This is not a good development
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ratnayaka / January 19, 2015
Well, how soon all the private media have fallen in line with Ranil’s dictates? Ranil always had the Times group licking his boots. Did you see how Ranjith W. was so proud when the son assumed duties. After all it was meteoric rise to the post of deputy minister of defense, no? Upali group also will be handled deftly by Chandrika thru the ratwatte connections. Now, with Maharajah joining maithri camp Tiran Alles also is bound to follow suit. Then from where do people expect media freedom? Nation? Sunday Leader?
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Exactly / January 19, 2015
“but the government has no right to tell a private media outlet to oust him”
Exactly. I think some people in Sri Lanka cannot understand media freedom even if it slapped them in the face. Maybe it did.I watched the program this morning, minus Bandula – they were talking about malnourishment and other non political items.
I am surprised but delighted also that these hypocrites are showing what they are made of.
Media Minuster where are you?
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Pot Shot / January 19, 2015
I am anti MR and was vocal to oust the previous regime. I know Swarnavahini’s bias towards the Rajapakses was intolerable but that is how quick rich mudalai’s run their businesses. They have no professional approach or ethics for that matter decency.
Having said that the new government has no business to instruct Swarnavahini to sack Padmakumara although he deserves every ounce of it for his un ethical conduct. By ordering the sacking MS and RW will only be like the Rajapakse’s.
Further, Today’s attack by UNPers on an SLFP office is unpardonable. MS & RW please take note:
http://www.dailymirror.lk/61567/unp-mob-attacks-ps-member-ex-minister
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MirakRajBanda / January 19, 2015
Time to go all the MR henchmen!!! Where’s Hudson hiding now???
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srinath.gunaratne / January 19, 2015
Do not worry, He will come back to Rupavahini again, He was initially with UNP, Did you not know that?
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Worry / January 19, 2015
Very good news. Get others in Swarnawahini also, especially, those who have bowed for MR and GOTA from the 2009 war period. I used to watch this TV program, but the moment in 2009, I realized how these third class TV announcers including Harindra Jayalal and Jackson Anthony slowly slide and spoke in TV saying that MR is KING Dutu Gemunu and who saved the country. Really, Harindra? I told myself FUCK OFF Harindra and Anthony Jackass. You are poor idiots and sold out and you have no inspiration how your future will witness you. Mahinda and GOTA are one uncivilized bustards who came here to kill, steel poor people food, properties, and land. If you idiot (Harindra) thinks that Mahinda is Dutu Gemunu, you better quit Swarnawahini and go school once again and read Sri Lanka history million times. King Dutu Gemunu never killed poor people, steels people’s food, properties and land. But definitely your Medamullane third class king sure did. Anthony Jackass, you are not an artist. You are one sold out third class street male prostitute. Wait, time will tell your future and days are counted Anthony.
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Jagath Fernando / January 19, 2015
The guys to be sent to Timbaktu:
Rajapal from Daily News
Bandula from Lake House
Dinesh from Observor
Anura Siriwardhena and Sudarman from ITN
Hudson from SLBC
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srilal / January 19, 2015
Please add these [Edited out] as well ,
Mahinda Balasooriya
Anura Siriwardana
Manawadu somthing (Army-General)
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Ilyas iqbal / January 19, 2015
Where is Hudsan, he is the first person to be punished!
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Jeremy Ludikins / January 19, 2015
There is a big difference between say a guy like Hudson and Bandula. The latter only read what is reported in newspapers with his own emphasis to give a taste of the audio and video. As to whether it indirectly supported the Rajapakses depends on the contents of news which I beleive was over a fair section
Let us not forget that this guy was doing this program even before he became the chairman of the ANCL. It was also reported that he took permission from the authorities to continue with the program upon his appointment as the chairman of ANCL. The appointment as chairman was opposed by the SLFPers in the ANCL at that time because he was seen as a UNPer. Now he is branded as a Rajapaskse fan, though former President Rajapakse described him as a personal friend at the time of his appointment as chairman ANCL.
I am confident that a guy like Bandula can find a place that recognises his talent. If we are to make Maithripalanaya a true success, we should convert this country to a meritocracy instead of looking everything from a political angle.
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srilal / January 19, 2015
I agree with most of your sentiments , remember Bandula’s daughter is being employed at SL Embassy in Washington and bandula been the head of ANCL for a very long period of time !
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Not Good / January 19, 2015
Not good for free media. The American Embassy will not be impressed.
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Katie / January 19, 2015
Bandula Padmakumar did not have any qualifications to sit on that chair as Chairman Lake House, all he had was his experience as an editor working at Multi Packs writing articles for the Kumari paper.
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K.A Sumanasekera / January 19, 2015
Isn’t freedom for Journos in the My Three Palalanaya?.
Or was it just before the Election?.
Anyway, Dr Mervyn is given full freedom of speech by the UNP PM Ranil whose Elite supporters used to call the former, Mervyn the Vermin and alleged that he was the biggest Drug Dealer next to Mexican Mafia.
Now they have gone Cold Turkey and Ranil apparently has plans to make Dr Mervyn the UNP Organizer for the Buddhist Holy Turf Kelaniaya.
Only Handunnatta had the balls to tell the Dr to F*** O***.
But Dr Mervyn is not interested in the JVP…
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Native Vedda / January 20, 2015
K.A Sumanasekera
“Mervyn the Vermin and alleged that he was the biggest Drug Dealer next to Mexican Mafia.”
I am surprised that you didn’t notice his antiques before 8th January 2015.
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Abu Mukarram / January 19, 2015
During his early days at mul pituwa, he used to attack wimal, the boot licker of MR, with much salt and pepper. And as he himself started to lick the boot of the KING, it diminished gradually. during the election period, he even avoided exposing some interesting cartoons with strong message as it affected the MR regime. we could see those cartoons from other channels. That was the extent of his KADEY YAEMA.
However , Ranjan Ramanayaka made swarnawahini to eat the humble pie in one of the political programmes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7omInEnP8sA
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mike / January 19, 2015
Where is Rajkattapal Abeynayake and “Ambassador” Bijay (Bandula Jayasekera)? I hope they are not in Geneva again to feel the taste of paradise??
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Lawry / January 19, 2015
Good question. Rajpal must be barking and biting any one around him. He attacked anyone who was against the Rajapaksha government viciously with his daily radio programmes. It will be interesting listening to him bark now with all his hatred.
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Saman Wijesiri / January 19, 2015
I too have been following Mul Pituwa for years. I think Bandula Padmakumara should not have presented this program while holding the post of Lake House Chairman. His presentation was certainly biased towards the MR regime, something he could not have helped given the situation he was placed in. Despite certain failings, it was obvious he was trying to make a balanced presentation. I think no one can deny that he has a flair for presenting both news and cartoons in a manner that stimulates your interest and sense of humor. I think he has never made racialist comments while presenting news relating to minority political parties like some of his counterparts on certain other TV channels. For example, a certain morning newspaper presenter of a private TV channel tried to make out the TNA- SLMC getting together to take over the EPC administration as an impending national calamity. For this news presenter the TNA is a proxy of the LTTE bent on forming a separate state for the Tamils in the country! True, Padmakumara has been far from being the ideal news presenter, but he had been doing a much better job than some other TV news presenters. I feel that the Swarnavahini management should not have been pressured to remove Padmakumata from the Mul Pituwa program.
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mahanama / January 19, 2015
Whosoever gave this order no doubt acted like a bad guy from the former Rajapaksa regime. The news program “Mulpitiwa” and Padmakumara are synonymous and by far the mostly watched morning daily newspaper readout among several others.He may have shown political bias in other fields but certainly not in this particular program.
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Govinda / January 19, 2015
If they biased, they have to be removed. Chnage the program now to Anthima Ha Awasana Pithuwa.
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BANDA / January 19, 2015
Most of the people who comment with hatred conveniently forget that Bandula Padmakumara not only presented ” Mulpituwa”, but he invented it. This program is Bandula’s brainchild, perhaps first of it’s kind in the world & led to many copycat programs in almost all the TV channels in Srilanka. No matter what political background he has or he was an political appointee to Lake House, not only people all around the country but Srilankans overseas too enjoyed & loved his calm & professional presentation.
It’s sad that people chant about change & just society interfere with free media like this. Please make my words, soon you will see all the development work stopped, country will divide & only Hench men sing songs of praise in all the media. We will go back to CBK era, which was corrupt & nothing done. We, unsatisfactory, thankless people of this country deserve nothing else !
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srilal / January 20, 2015
“perhaps first of it’s kind in the world & led to many copycat programs in almost all the TV channels in Srilanka.”
You are a frog in the well, mate , these sort of News paper readings in the early mornings were very popular in western world since 80 s , Bandula might have copied from them and started in SL , not the other way round.
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Almeida / January 19, 2015
VERY GOOD…….BANDULA IS GOOD WHITE WASHER WORKING ON BEHALF OF MR & COMPANY.
MUST CANCELL THE LICENCE OF SWARNAVAHINI TOO….YOU JUST REAPEAT ANY NEWS ITEM TELECAST AFTER ELECTION ANNOUNCEMENT
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Randy / January 19, 2015
I think this is the latest mass media freedom in Sri Lanka under the new government. Same rules are being practiced with different faces. Still long way to go to become a civilized nation.
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ruwan / January 19, 2015
Colombo Telegraph, why do you need to give prominence and your space for this non-issues?
We are least concerned as to what happens to this sort of shameless humbugs who prostituted journalism.
Swarnawahini is a private TV channel and it management has a right to take a decision about their programmes.
Majority of the people of Sri Lanka are literate enough to read newspapers without the help of such Malkumaras.
Not only him, his daughter who was recruited to the Sri Lanka Embassy in London through the backdoor should also be dismissed.
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Trueman / January 19, 2015
Hmmm, you called this good governance?? It’s called “Old wine in new bottles”.
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K.A Sumanasekera / January 20, 2015
It is the same “Shit in a different Bucket’ ,,, a bigger Bucket
I don’t want to insult people who enjoy Old Wine..
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Native Vedda / January 20, 2015
K.A Sumanasekera
“It is the same “Shit in a different Bucket’ ,,, a bigger Bucket”
Did it hit the fan on early morning 9th January?
Where is Gota the brave heart?
Are you a practicing racist?
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warnakulasuriya / January 20, 2015
This is a YAHAPALANAYA?????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
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Lalith de silva / January 20, 2015
This guy was biased and was reading only the pro Rajapakse news items just to protect the chairmanship at Lake house. This is how the former regime controlled all the news media.
With regards to the Rupavahini and ITN the new government should make these two organIsation INDEPENDANT
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Ruf / January 20, 2015
Our guys on and behind the screen have a lot to learn from professional BBC and CNN guys about presenting news and other programs without showing bias even with a wink.Alert viewers soon sense something is not right because always there is a group who wouldn’t approve what they see or hear. Popular program presenter of Hiru TV Mr. Rangana also must be careful.
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Vasanthi Danthanarayana / January 20, 2015
No one is asking how the Paranawithana chap came into such high post.
He too was a lacky of the MR regime. Now Somarathne and Renuka are in the
common candidate platform. This couple is also corrupt and got many deals.
Shameful that the Common Candidate campaigns could not be handled without
them. Can we trust the new government with this lot in decision making?
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