Professor Kumar David call upon Jayantha Dhanapala to resign from Dialog and condemn its illegal and unethical behaviour. “Then he will win back his self-respect.” Prof David said.
When asked for a comment on ‘Jayantha Dahanapala – Dialog – Friday Forum’ issue, Prof. David today said, asking Dhanapala to resign from Friday Forum is “rubbish”. “It would be unprincipled to resign from Friday Forum; JD must take a stand and resign from Dialog. These worthies love money, so it is unimaginable for them to part from big money! I call up JD to resign from Dialog and condemn its illegal and unethical behaviour. Then he will win back his self-respect.” he said.
These worthies love money, so it is unimaginable for them to part from big money! I call up JD to resign from Dialog and condemn its illegal and unethical behaviour. Then he will win back his self-respect.
We publish below prof Kumar David’s statement in full;
This Jayantha Danapala (JD) – Dialog affair is dragging on for too long. Chandra Jayaratne, Radhika, Chaminda Weerawardana and Paikiasothy have all written in saying JD is a splendid fellow and deserves the benefit of the doubt. These are all people of good social standing; so JD is entitled to the benefit of the doubt for a period till he drafts his reply. But JD has not responded for weeks to a serious charge of being a hypocrite; remember he has projected himself as a public figure in democratic rights and freedom of expression issues. It is now time to conclude that he will NOT explain himself to the public before whom he takes this high moral stand on public interest issues.
I would like to make a definitive summary of the matter and bring it to a close.
a) Dialog and other service providers are blocking access to CT and other sites critical of the government. This is not an allegation; it is a fact. I am a technical type and I have checked it out at several user locations. THEY ARE BLOCKED.
b) This is both illegal (in violation of the Telecommunications Regulations) and, for obvious reasons, it is unethical. This is a serious erosion of democracy.
c) If this is because of verbal instructions from the Defence Secretary then Dialog and JD are stooges intruding on freedom of information by complying with such instructions.
d) If this is in obedience to formal (written) instructions from the government, then Dialog and other service providers resorting to this illegal and unethical practice, need, at least, to bring this to the attention of the public. One would expect JD, if such instructions exist, to insist they are brought to public attention.
e) Most of the commentators in the CT have said JD needs to make a decision and “resign from Friday Forum (FF)” if he perceives a conflict of interest. I say this is rubbish. It would be unprincipled to resign from FF; JD must take a stand and resign from Dialog and condemn its illegal and unethical behaviour. These worthies love money, so it is unimaginable for them to part from big money! I call up JD to resign from Dialog and condemn its illegal and unethical behaviour. Then he will win back his self-respect.
f) JD’s failure to do so makes the conclusion unavoidable that he is not prepared to forgo the large payments he gets from Dialog for his services on the Board. JD has a high reputation and being well paid is fine. Compromising his principles is NOT fine.
Maybe we can close this matter on this sad note.
Related posts;
Related posts;
‘I Give Dhanapala The Benefit Of The Doubt’ Says Radhika
Calling Jayantha Dhanapala A Liar, Or The Tragedy Of Lankan Public Life
Swedish Govt. Appointee Dhanapala’s Unethical Behavior Embarrassment To The SIPRI
‘Dhanapala Must Choose’ Says Saravanamuttu
Picture Evidence: After Dhanapala Addressed BASL Meeting Dialog Blocked Colombo Telegraph Again
Dialog Unblocked Colombo Telegraph For Dhanapala To Address A Public Meeting
Jayantha Dhanapala Is A Liar; Caught Lying Over Silence On Colombo Telegraph Blocking
Jayaratne Says Dhanapala Will Stand By Best Practices, Dhanapala Pussyfoots On Illegal Web Blocking
International Press Institute Urges UN To Ensure Interference With Colombo Telegraph Ends
Article 19 Slams Ban On Colombo Telegraph Website
Dhanapala May Be Influenced By Large Payment He Receives From Dialog – Professor Kumar David
‘Dhanapala’s Position Ethically Untenable’ Says Dr. Pradeep Jeganathan
Sri Lanka Blocks Websites And The President Lies On Twitter
Once Again Colombo Telegraph Blocked; Dialog And Etisalat Tamper DNS Responses
TRC Blocks Colombo Telegraph, Warns Service Providers To Maintain It’s A ‘Technical Glitch’
Colombo Telegraph Blocked, How To Reach Us Now: Sri Lanka Telecom And Mobitel Joins The DPI Club!
Sri Lankan Govt. Periodically Blocked Colombo Telegraph In 2013: US Human Rights Report
History of Colombo Telegraph blocking
First -December 26, 2011 – We are blocked but we will not be stopped
Second – May 8, 2012 – Colombo Telegraph Blocked Again
Third – March 29, 2013 – Sri Lanka Blocks Colombo Telegraph and Selected Tweets: Colombo Telegraph Unblocked
Fourth – August 23, 2013 – Colombo Telegraph Blocked, How To Reach Us Now: Sri Lanka Telecom And Mobitel Joins The DPI Club!
Other attempts
October 26, 2012 – Colombo Telegraph Was Hacked
August 9, 2012 ColomboTelegraph Password Cracking Attempt Blocked
Freedom House Report: Freedom On The Net 2012, Sri Lanka Is A Country At Risk
Despem / April 19, 2014
If Dhanapala is not another Machiavellian, but a man with integrity he should resigned from Dialog forthwith, unless Dialog withdrew the blocking of free media that expose the state of affairs of the lawless regime.
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loku baba / April 21, 2014
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2/
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Mallaiyuran / April 19, 2014
I understand why KD keep saying this should be ended. But until there is a pain there will be a cay. This the experience I gained from Tamils situation. Unless there comes some kind of ease from blocking CT will be raising this issue this way or other.
Dhanapala not going to even say a sorry, if not in CT, somewhere else too. Anybody who took Royal side once, that is a dead end. They will never apologize for anything. Contrary to that, little by little, he may become an active advocate of Royal government. That is another experience Everybody has seen how GLP, Vasudeva, DEW… all these peoples who had some respect within the sinhalese community is now unconditionally supporting the Royal government.
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Palmsquirrell / April 19, 2014
Dhanapala already made the decision on which side he is on, he choose Dialog and the government because Dialog blocks CT and Dhanapala is on its non executive board and did not admit that CT is blocked when asked on the matter.
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Amarasiri / April 19, 2014
Professor Kumar David,
“Professor Kumar David call upon Jayantha Dhanapala to resign from Dialog and condemn its illegal and unethical behaviour. ”Then he will win back his self-respect.” Prof David said.”
Why not call upon the Chairman, President and CEO and the entire board of directors of Dialog to Resign.
Why are they exempt? Because they are shills?
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Nimal / April 19, 2014
I think CT should make a summary of the discussion on this episode available in Sinhala and Tamil as well.
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Crazyoldmansl / April 19, 2014
Kumar have you not learned anything? This is NOT the way that things are done by Sinhala Buddhists. The Sinhala Buddhist way is for Jayantha to ask Dialog for a raise AND for a FAT donation to Friday Forum to be DISTRIBUTED amongst its members.
Let me tell you that this is the BEST thing that can happen. When it does those on the Friday Forum who understand the concept of INTEGRITY will refuse their share of the money and RESIGN.Those who do not will take the money AND resign. Friday forum can then change its name to the Movement against Fascism in Sri Lanka (MFS)and take on the task of educating the citizens of Sri Lanka about the nature of fascism and its logical consequences so that they can make informed decisions about their future.
In the meantime I think that the nation should CONGRATULATE Jayantha for his exemplary portrayal of Sinhala Buddhist Ethics.THANK YOU JAYANTHA MAH BOY!!! THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
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kaputakukula / April 19, 2014
Its a pity…. or … is it the fate and curse befallen on SL with these so called educated!!!! such as Dhanapala, Peiris, Mohan etc.?
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SJ / April 19, 2014
To Colombo telegraph, Dr.Jayantha dhanapala is a eminent distinguished person. Please do not accuse notable person like this. Dialog follow the LAW of sri lanka. Law is law to everyone.
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Navineethan / April 21, 2014
Exactly right Dr.Jayantha dhanapala is a eminent distinguished person. That is why he need to come clean. He cannot be associated with FF and Dialog when the very things he stands for under FF is not being practiced by the other organisation which he is part of. At this rate Dr.Jayantha dhanapala is well on the way of becoming a distinguished person with his eminence extinguished.
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YU / April 19, 2014
Dr.Jayantha dhanapala is a decent, Well educated, Noble person.
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Palmsquirrell / April 20, 2014
So why is he keeping silent on the blocking of CT?
Either he resigns from Dialog’s board over this blocking and speaks out about it, or he resigns from Friday Forum . He wants to have the cake and eat it too.
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Navineethan / April 21, 2014
‘Decent’ – I do not disagree. So why can’t he answer the decent citizens among us?.
‘Well educated’ – Sure. The education should assist one in making the right judgements and confront/interact with the critics. Whys hasn’t he done that?. What is the use of education if the man can’t put it to good use?.
‘Noble’ – Certainly. He is behaving like a hereditary peer answerable to no one.
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Rohan / April 20, 2014
aiyo aiyo… do you want jayantha to starve? the man in him has long gone….
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J.Thavarajah / April 20, 2014
In this whole affair the Friday Forum has turned out to be the casualty.It would indeed be an uphill task for the FF to hold on to its high moral ground.
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Khema / April 20, 2014
He has no reputation now, sad!
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Leel / April 20, 2014
Guys he will be the most suitable person for common candidate for next presidential election form opposition.
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Triple Gem / April 21, 2014
0 0
Azath sally Challeges BBS .
BBS accuses Colombo Telegraph as platform for Minister Weerawanse,Hakeem,Dilan,Risard & vasudeva ..
what does CT think of this?
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http://youtu.be/I3h0theH
http://youtu.be/un-MBEHhbws
3sQ
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Abhaya / April 21, 2014
for supposedly blocking CT .. lmao . this is a joke isnt it . CT keeps crying wolf all the time . and it is not like this rag has much readership . I think its trying to replace Tamilnet .
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Prakash / April 24, 2014
Why not Dhanapala make his stand clear and make a public statement.
He should either admit that he is just another Machiavellian and enjoy the perks offered by Dialog responsible denying the access to the Cooombo Telegraph.
OR
Straightaway resign from any dialog office he holds and make a statement that he respect the people’s right for information and that he was absolutely innocent and has nothing to do with the suppression of information by the Dialog
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