Head of the BBC Sinhala Service, Priyath Liyanage, has been suspended, the Colombo Telegraph can exclusively reveal today.
A non-Sinhala outsider has been specially appointed to look after all BBC Sinhala Service activities for the first time of its history and the Sinhala Service staff has been informed about Priyath Liyanage’s suspension in writing, the Colombo Telegraph learns.
Priyath Liyanage
Unprecedentedly, the BBC Sinhala Service reporters have been asked to translate all their reports into English to be checked by higher authorities.
The Colombo Telegraph sent an email to the BBC Press office [worldservice.press@bbc.co.uk] asking several questions related to the suspension of its head of Sinhala Service. Strangely, the message we received said: “Delivery has failed”.
Early this year the BBC Sinhala head was sent to follow a BBC course on Journalistic ethics after he was caught giving letters of recommendation to Sri Lanka government to approve interest free loans to his deputy Chandana Keerthi Bandara and to the Colombo reporter Elmo Fernando.
Colombo Telegraph reliably learns that the Sandesya programs related to Frances Harrison‘s recent BBC documentary on Sri Lanka have been removed from the BBC website after investigations.
Related posts;
Interest Free Loan Scandal: BBC’s £41,000 Annual Salary Employee Was Favored By Sri Lankan Govt
Expose: BBC Sinhala Head ‘Knowingly Mislead’ The Public
BBC Editor Uses BBC Resources To Cover Up Personal Misconduct
No More Dr. Vickramabahu’s Columns
Left-Right Collusion: Socialist Bahu Called Capitalist Ranil And Urged Not To Expose BBC Misconduct
BBC Pussyfooting On “Takes” From SL Govt’
Pasel / November 17, 2013
You can lie and hide some times not all the times
/
Amarasiri / November 17, 2013
Pasel,
“You can lie and hide some times not all the times”
Yes, but if the culprit is dead by the time the facts come out, then there is no need to hide.
Religions and Mythology has been doing this for along time, and still doing it today.
So this guy Piyath Liyanage ( Wring House) comes from a very long tradition, needs to be sent for more retraining.
Ep 1: Waking Up in the Universe – Growing Up in the Universe – Richard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHoxZF3ZgTo
Uploaded on Feb 7, 2009
http://richarddawkins.net/growingupin…
Oxford professor Richard Dawkins presents a series of lectures on life, the universe, and our place in it. With brilliance and clarity, Dawkins unravels an educational gem that will mesmerize young and old alike. Illuminating demonstrations, wildlife, virtual reality, and special guests (including Douglas Adams) all combine to make this collection a timeless classic.
The Royal Institution Christmas Lectures for Children were founded by Michael Faraday in 1825, with himself as the inaugural lecturer. The 1991 lecturer was Richard Dawkins whose five one-hour lectures, originally televised by the BBC, are now available free online, courtesy of The Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science. The entire 5-hour program is also available on a 2-DVD set through our online store. http://richarddawkins.net/store/index…
/
IOSalli / November 17, 2013
lol what r u telling ?, completely unrelated.
/
Thiru / November 17, 2013
This guy must have been acting as a propaganda arm of the Sinhala chauvinist regime of Sri Lanka, and not reporting truthfully.
Otherwise why do they need English translations to verify the truthfulness of reports? Not only that, all Sinhala reporters were also not trusted. Does it say something? They are all in it together!
That is the main cause for his suspension.
Recommendation for loans is only a minor aspect of his unethical reporting.
Doesn’t it rig a bell about all the stooge media reporters of the MARa junta in Sri Lanka?
/
Amarasiri / November 17, 2013
IOSalli,
“lol what r u telling ?, completely unrelated.”
Let me decode for you.
1. The BBC Sinhala Service employees cannot be trusted, even though the last name was Liyana-ge, translated to coming from the Writing House, the House of scribes, even after re-training, and need to be supervised by a non-Sinhala.( The Soulbury commission did the mistake of trusting the Sinhala Buddhists, without sufficient checks and balances, and see the mess Ceylon or Sri Lanka is currently in, not a nation, a family hegemony.)
2. Since the current regime in Sri Lanka has the habit of buying our journalists, and turning them into Shills of the regime, and even after retraining,it is hard to trust the Sinhala writers and journalists. ( See what is happening at Ceylon Daily news and other Shill Publications). Therefore, avoid them, and closely supervise their work. It is analogous to employing a bunch of thieves by a shopkeeper, need to be on the look out constantly.
3. It is question of growing up. The Sinhala journalist need to grow up, and therefore the need for re-training, and need to further evolve, so that he will not lie and commit fraud.
Ep2: Designed and Designoid Objects – Growing Up in the Univers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGyh1Qsw-Ak
Oxford professor Richard Dawkins presents a series of lectures on life, the universe, and our place in it.
/
Amarasiri / November 17, 2013
IOSalli,
IOSalli,
“lol what r u telling ?, completely unrelated.”
Let me decode for you.
1. The BBC Sinhala Service employees cannot be trusted, even though the last name was Liyana-ge, translated to coming from the Writing House, the House of scribes, even after re-training, and need to be supervised by a non-Sinhala.( The Soulbury commission did the mistake of trusting the Sinhala Buddhists, without sufficient checks and balances, and see the mess Ceylon or Sri Lanka is currently in, not a nation, a family hegemony.)
2. Since the current regime in Sri Lanka has the habit of buying our journalists, and turning them into Shills of the regime, and even after retraining,it is hard to trust the Sinhala writers and journalists. ( See what is happening at Ceylon Daily news and other Shill Publications). Therefore, avoid them, and closely supervise their work. It is analogous to employing a bunch of thieves by a shopkeeper, need to be on the look out constantly.
3. It is question of growing up. The Sinhala journalist need to grow up, and therefore the need for re-training, and need to further evolve, so that he will not lie and commit fraud.
Ep2: Designed and Designoid Objects – Growing Up in the Univers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGyh1Qsw-Ak
Oxford professor Richard Dawkins presents a series of lectures on life, the universe, and our place in it.
/
sarojini / November 17, 2013
The best news of the century , Better late than never. A big bouquet of flowers to whoever took this decision . This is one man who has done enough damage to SL.
/
ranil / November 17, 2013
absolutely you are well correct SAROJINI, this guy done lots of damages to our mother country SRI LANKA, well said
/
JULAMPITIYE AMARAYA / November 17, 2013
It is like same as Wander land,
They follow The footsteps of RUPAVAHINI, SL BC ethics.
See, men, Why you all not Be proud of our Media SPORKS men, Maadia minister and Ministry,
now they are learning from Our State Media to how to maintain media ethics.
/
JimSofty / November 17, 2013
Priyantha Liyanage’s service – either it is for LTTE or for the Sri Lankan govt – was all for money.
/
MrRetort / November 18, 2013
He is an identical twin of you Jim puppa
/
JimSofty / November 17, 2013
Good job Sri Lankan govt and LTTE RUMP living in the UK.
Screwed up Priyantha Liyanage.
/
PalmSquirrell / November 17, 2013
Priyantha screwed himself, he wasn’t forced to use his position to extract favors.
/
Max Silva / November 17, 2013
Bloody hell.Freedom of speech,press freedom all going down the toilet.Thank god the crappy BBC was taken off the air by SLBC.The government should immediately deport the BBC fraudsters operating from Srilanka.
/
Web / November 17, 2013
BBC tries to maintain its credibility. We Sri Lankans take short cuts and our president, politicians are corrupted so we are corrupted. We can’t practice our same bullshit it western countries. Great thing is BBC gave a chance to Liyanage. Our guys are soaked with corruptions and favors. So he was kicked out. He can come to SL and join other crooks.
/
Piraña / November 18, 2013
Mad max
Where are you ? Are you in a mental hospital? Your rantings are not making any sense.
/
Abhaya Premawardena / November 17, 2013
BBC is a joke . just like the Cam MORAN .
/
Anura / November 17, 2013
Yes Abaya, Jim, and all Ghota kickers, BBC is a joke. Rupavahini is great… Ha ha…
/
Abhaya Premawardena / November 17, 2013
[Edited out]
/
kasipu / November 18, 2013
ha ha HA Rupavahini is great. Well he will be rewarded there for singing lies @ the BBC.
/
DesperateSL / November 18, 2013
Daily lies is the best.
/
DesperateSL / November 18, 2013
This Abhaya buruwa is one another ass licker. Perhaps an another Silva who similar to Mervin :) I really dont know having lived on the west, why guys of that sort still see any good in Rajapakshe rule.
/
Lion / November 17, 2013
Any bullshit GU from Suddas is tastey for this fellow .anura
/
Banda / November 17, 2013
Freedom of the journalists at its best!
“… the BBC Sinhala Service reporters have been asked to translate all their reports into English to be checked by higher authorities.”
/
jayasingha / November 17, 2013
Media freedom from the high priests of free media
/
John / November 17, 2013
BBC hypocrisy at it’s best !
/
Amarasiri / November 17, 2013
Priyath Liyanage,was trained in Sri Lanka, and following “normal”, Sri Lankan Ethics.
“Early this year the BBC Sinhala head was sent to follow a BBC course on Journalistic ethics after he was caught giving letters of recommendation to Sri Lanka government to approve interest free loans to his deputy Chandana Keerthi Bandara and to the Colombo reporter Elmo Fernando”
So, the BBC recognized the Ethics problem, and sent for retraining. Unfortunately, it is not correctable.
The same may be said about Sinhala Buddhist Racism for some or many, as well as about Tamil Racism for some or many, the core problem in Sri Lanka.
/
I am no muslim / November 17, 2013
Amarassiriya is a jihadi
/
Amarasiri / November 17, 2013
I an no muslim -Sinhala Buddhist,
Let me decode for you so that you can understand the issue at hand. Ethics.
1. The BBC Sinhala Service employees cannot be trusted, even though the last name was Liyana-ge, translated to coming from the Writing House, the House of scribes, even after re-training, and need to be supervised by a non-Sinhala.( The Soulbury commission did the mistake of trusting the Sinhala Buddhists, without sufficient checks and balances, and see the mess Ceylon or Sri Lanka is currently in, not a nation, a family hegemony.)
2. Since the current regime in Sri Lanka has the habit of buying our journalists, and turning them into Shills of the regime, and even after retraining,it is hard to trust the Sinhala writers and journalists. ( See what is happening at Ceylon Daily news and other Shill Publications). Therefore, avoid them, and closely supervise their work. It is analogous to employing a bunch of thieves by a shopkeeper, need to be on the look out constantly.
3. It is question of growing up. The Sinhala journalist need to grow up, and therefore the need for re-training, and need to further evolve, so that he will not lie and commit fraud.
Ep2: Designed and Designoid Objects – Growing Up in the Univers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGyh1Qsw-Ak
Oxford professor Richard Dawkins presents a series of lectures on life, the universe, and our place in it.
/
Amarasiri / November 18, 2013
I an no Muslim – Sinhala Buddhist,
Be Enlightened. Here are some re fences for your Edification. Just painting Children’s books at Daham Pasela(School) will not get you there.
http://www.amazon.com/Buddhism-For-Dummies-Jonathan-Landaw/dp/111802379X/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1384714794&sr=8-14&keywords=Buddhism
Buddhism For Dummies Paperback
by Jonathan Landaw (Author) , Stephan Bodian (Author) , Gudrun Bühnemann (Author)
Your hands-on guide to this widely practiced and ancient religion
Buddhism, one of the world’s most widely practiced religions, is a fascinating yet complex eastern religion that is rapidly spreading throughout western civilization. What does it mean to be a Buddhist? What are the fundamental beliefs and history behind this religion? Buddhism For Dummies explores these questions and more in this updated guide to Buddhist culture. You’ll gain an understanding of the origins of this ancient practice and how they’re currently applied to everyday life.
Whether you’re a searcher of truth, a student of religions, or just curious about what makes Buddhism such a widely practiced religion, this guide is for you. In plain English, it defines the important terms, explains the key concepts, and explores in-depth a wide range of fascinating topics.
New and expanded coverage on all the schools of Buddhism, including Theravada, Tibetan, and Mahayana
The continuing relevance of the Dalai Lama
Updated coverage on daily observances, celebrations, styles, practices, meditation, and more.
Then read…
What the Buddha Taught: Revised and Expanded Edition with Texts from Suttas and Dhammapada Paperback
by Walpola Rahula (Author)
/
I am no muslim / November 19, 2013
Change your name. Amaraya to Ahamad
/
Devion / November 17, 2013
Disgrace. There are many good journalists in Srilanka(unfortunately most of them are UNAVAILABLE) find one of them.
/
hadagamba / November 17, 2013
De-vine
What about your beloved CH4 friend? HE will do the best fro your Peelum Dream!!!!!!!!!!!
/
M.Sivananthan / November 17, 2013
BBC is now owned and operated by the Anglican Church. BBC Sinhala Service is now known as BBC Parangi Service.
/
Snowdon Asange / November 17, 2013
A lesson for others, whether it be Journalist or ANYONE, IF u dont toe the line for the BRTIS, you are NOT one of US…
Infamous BUsh saying.. either u r with us or with the others…Ironically Blair was Bush’s lap dog…
And Cameron states he took BBC , ITV and C4 to Jaffna coz they are the ones with ethics.. OH pls
/
ram / November 17, 2013
They do have the ‘ethics’ of Judith Miller, the NYT ‘journalist’ who was sacked post-Iraq war.
/
Snowdon Asange / November 17, 2013
Atleast by now all concerned SHOULD know, if you sleep with dogs, u wake up with flees
/
vimukthi / November 17, 2013
At least the BBC, maintained by tax payers money, should now accept the total responsibility for permitting this man to use the BBC serve the despot Mahinda Rajapakse regime, by suppressing the truthful reporting.
/
ram / November 17, 2013
” Colombo Telegraph reliably learns that the Sandesya programs related to Frances Harrison‘s recent BBC documentary on Sri Lanka have been removed from the BBC website after investigations.”
Could we know the reason ? Was it a fabrication, a concoction by the LTTE rump ?
/
Piraña / November 18, 2013
Ram means an uncastrated male sheep.
/
Wadepiya / November 17, 2013
Why don’t you publish the Email Colombo Telegraph sent to BBC. Maybe if that Email (worldservice.press@bbc.co.uk)isnot functioning it maybe that BBC is reading this website. So make the questions public. Then they will have to react to that.
/
Saman from Galle / November 17, 2013
This means the Govt. of Sri Lanka not only buys local journalists.
/
ranil / November 17, 2013
half way of the BBC running by the LTTE money,…ex;— CH4 ,…..SHAME
/
pearl thevanayagam / November 17, 2013
“The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones,” William Shakespeare.
The speed with which websites ran off with Priyath’s suspension says volume for the kind of journalists from Sri Lanka who use their pen to dicredit their opponents or those whom they see as more successful than them. Commentators too ran way with knee-jerk response. Envy and jealousy are the pitfalls which prevent them practising journalistic ethics.
BBC still has not broadcast or published anything on the matter.
If BBC indeed sent him on an ethics course according to CT,who is the source?
Sri Lanka section of the BBC World Service is riddled with cut-throatism and rivalry.
Until investigations are carried please do not cast aspersions at a very senior and intrepid journalist who worked under immense pressue. Priyath is well respected at the BBC and his reporting has been impartial. Along with Chandana and Elmo,BBC Sinhala Service was very brave in reporting the ethnic conflict often during the most difficult times.
So please wait till you have enough proof the said dubious deal was done intentionally contravening regulations before you utter anyhting.
/
Director General / November 18, 2013
Chandana Keerthi Bandara was one of the translators for the latest Francis Harrison film, Sri Lanka’s unfinished War. Could it be anything to do with this?
BTW
Who said this in September 2008?
“All BBC staff must work to the BBC’s editorial guidelines – the most comprehensive book of broadcasting ethics in the world and the template for many other public service broadcasters around the globe. These insist that all BBC journalists must produce high quality news and information that is impartial, fair, balanced, accurate, and editorially independent. All values, especially impartially and editorial independence, are non-negotiable”
Clue – (BBC’s loss, National Health Service’s Gain)
–
–
–
–
–
Answer:
Priyath Liyanage
http://tinyurl.com/aluddjy
/
pk / November 18, 2013
This Bastard who acts like he is holy should have been sacked long ago. This COCK sucker treats SINHALESE the same. I once met him and he was arguing about SRI LANKA. GOOD THAT HE IS JOBLESS NOW
/
Concerned / November 18, 2013
Don’t get carried away with Nonis. I have to admit he spoke very well and is well ahead of all the riff raff that speak out from time to time as govt. spokespersons, and that too in an uncouth uninformed way. However Nonis did not give truthful answers and didn’t answer the questions posed to him. We are not a democratic country at the moment. Lets not live in denial.
/
I am no muslim / November 19, 2013
I can see that you’ll die believing hypocritical neocons. Good for you gullible.
/