By Laksiri Fernando –
Dr Laksiri Fernando
I have received a surprising letter from Mr KT Rajasingham, the Editor of the Asian Tribune and wish to publish his email letter and my reply to him as they are testimonies to the ongoing censorship and perhaps indicating what more to come in the future in respect of freedom of expression, academic freedom and the rights of academics. As they are self-evident, no further comments are added.
Letter from KT Rajasingham
Dear Dr. Laksri Fernando,
Vanakkam.
Thank you very much for contributing your articles and report to Asian Tribune.
I now find that your reports are no more exclusive to Asian Tribune.
Furthermore, I observed the gradual change in your position which is gradually developing contrary to the stance of Asian Tribune.
Therefore, I have decided to inform with much reluctance that I am no more interested in publishing your pieces In Asian Tribune.
I am sorry, I am informing this with a heavy heart.
Thanks and regards.
K.T.Rajasingham
Reply to KT Rajasingham
Mr KT Rajasingham
Editor
Asian Tribune
11 November 2012
Dear Mr Rajasingham,
Vanakkam.
I was surprised to receive your email this morning informing me that you “have decided to inform with much reluctance” that you are “no more interested in publishing” my pieces in the Asian Tribune. You have also added that you are “informing this with a heavy heart.”
First, I like to thank you for giving me the opportunity so far to express my views in the Asian Tribune. So far I have contributed over hundred articles to the Asian Tribune and as you would remember, the first one was titled “UN Intervention is Necessary in Sri Lanka” dated 31 December 2005. In that very article I criticized the President’s comments on the ‘Tamil homeland concept’ as insensitive. The second article was a response to you on 27 January 2006 titled “Emerging Political Scenario in Sri Lanka: A Response to Rajasingham” persuading you to work for a united Sri Lanka and for a common cause unhesitatingly when you in fact were extremely disillusioned with the Sinhala majoritarian policies including the government policy.
I did of course supported President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the government during his first term to end the war and when he contested for the second time, but by always marinating my independence, distance and commitment to democratic principles and policies, including fairness to the minority communities. This was one reason why I was reluctant to write his Biography when you proposed it with his consent. It could have compromised my independence. I cannot recollect any instance that you didn’t publish any of my articles sent to you, except my opposition to the 18th Amendment. In fact you opened a special column for me with easy access for anyone to go through my previous articles. This column was given much prominence.
It is of course correct to note that I have become a strong critic of the government policies for obvious reasons after the 18th Amendment, and irrespective of this situation you have been so far publishing my articles without reluctance. I have never been writing to the Asian Tribune exclusively except on few instances where you particularly requested me to do so. My articles to the Asian Tribune also were published in The Island and Daily News or other web based newspapers almost throughout.
I feel sorry if you have come under pressure from certain quarters not to publish my articles as they are critical of the government and government policies. I am led to presume this is the case since you clearly state that you are writing to me ‘with reluctance’ and ‘with a heavy heart.’ I need not to tell you that (if that is the case) it would constitute a major issue of freedom of expression and it’s opposite, Censorship. It would be worse if it is self-censorship.
I however thank you for writing to me without merely using the guillotine. Please note that I have to go public on this issue.
With kind regards,
Dr. Laksiri Fernando
Related posts;
Sunday Leader Censored Tisaranee Gunasekara’s Column
Sunday Leader Censored Emil van der Poorten’s Column
gamini / November 11, 2012
This bugger K.T. Rajasingham of the Asian Tribune is a wheeler dealer. Presently he is in truck with MR and the Americans. I believe a few onces of lead for him and the Rajapaksa clan has become necessary and fast becoming overdue.
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gamini / November 11, 2012
correction above, should read few ‘ounces’ of lead.
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Dr Romesh Senewiratne / November 11, 2012
So now you are inciting the murder of both Mr. Rajasingham and President Rajapaksa? No wonder you are afraid to reveal your real name “Gamini” – or should I say…………….?
And you reckon, Mr Rajasingham is in a truck with MR and the Americans? Would that be Mr………….. and [Edited out]
Come, come, fellas.
We all know about the [Edited out]
By the way, Mr Fernando (and CT): did you notice that, in this supposed letter from the Asian Tribune, the name Laksiri has been miss-spelt as “Laksri”?
Also, how on earth does someone “marinate independence”? Your slip is showing, laddies.
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gamini / November 11, 2012
Romesh I need not incite. When it happens it will happen. You and I playing according to Westminister Rules will not have any effect as these buggers are playing according to a different set of rules, Heads we lose, Tails they win. So you do not have to get alarmed. Believe me if they are successful, in the future this Website too will close for the Sri Lankans and we will be totally confined to darkness.
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Wuliangguobinjiu / November 11, 2012
WooHoo you have the pedigree of Royal Seepage following your thoughts. Put that kettle on quick ;)
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PresiDunce Bean / November 11, 2012
Asian Tribune is financed by the government. Hudson Samarasinghe always quotes it on his morning harangues on SLBC.
…”contrary to the stance of Asian Tribune.”
Ha haa…so what exactly is the stance of the Asian Tribune?
“I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”
~Voltaire
…I hope that CT will never become like the Asian Tribune.
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Dr Romesh Senewiratne / November 11, 2012
Is Hudson Samarasinghe related to the present Australia High Commissioner, Admiral Samarasinghe?
The plot thickens…
I spoke to Admiral Samarasinghe yesterday and told him about my theory that in the “Tiger Wars” and the “War for EELAM”, the “North and East of Sri Lanka” was a long-term MOVIE SET. That it was a “STAGED WAR”.
He wasn’t too keen to talk about it…
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PresiDunce Bean / November 12, 2012
Hudson Samarasinghe is the chairman of SLBC and a Rajapaksa sycophant to boot. He keeps changing his alliances depending on who is in power. No, he is not related to Admiral Samarasinghe. He is very good in his Sinhala, has a vicious mouth and talks to the gallery. Makes up stories…defames people and runs riot 5 or 6 days a week.
http://youtu.be/tFKFOAgEh00
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gamini / November 12, 2012
Romesh talking of this LTTE War that was a completely staged drama, I have taken notes of most events from day one and I intend compiling it in book form for posterity for the readers to question and realise for themselves how this War was heaped on the foolish masses to arouse Patriotism and a Sense of Victory. A ruse to unify the Sinhalese under MR, yet allowing the Tamil Militants sans the cloak to sit and dine with the leadership.
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Dr Romesh Senewiratne / November 13, 2012
Rubbish, “Gamini”.
It was a staged war, as you say.
But it was not the idea of the Government of Sri Lanka – or even the Indian Government, though Indira Gandhi went along with the plan.
So whose plan was it?
My own investigations implicate the last nation to claim Sri Lanka as another of its “colonies”. Have a look at the history of Amnesty International and its British Jewish Lawyer founder, Peter Benenson.
My father, Brian Senewiratne was one of the first employees of Amnesty International, and was involved in its founding. Not everything my father says can be trusted, so I have looked at this matter closely. I believe it to be the case – he provides details of how he was paid for writing protest letters (actually copying letters written by others) back in the early 1960s.
Look more closely at AI, Gamini, and its connection with the ICJ and UN. Then you may get a better idea of who has been engineering wars during the Cold War, including the war in Sri Lanka.
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Wuliangguobinjiu / November 11, 2012
You never bet on your luck on media anymore.
Presently C.T. are running on advertisements alone and don’t look for donations from anyone who cares to pay just a few bob maybe because they had a good time.
Especially when the site is not automated like Yahoo, its calls for more physical input then when the advertisement dries how do they pay the ever willing controllers? – Money is the root cause of all good.
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Wuliangguobinjiu / November 11, 2012
Can we Say… ;)
.”No Freeman shall be debarred the use of Colombo Telegraph unless of course the advertisements run dry” ;)
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Citizen / November 11, 2012
Laksiri has written many articles in recent days and it seems the regime is getting desperate on CJ’s matter where they are badly exposed. Same as with Tissaranee, Fredrica etc. Except for a handfull of web sites we dont get any feedback on the true situation or a chance to express our views.
The action of the regime to subjugate the judiciary an democratic institutions is another step towards a military dictatorship. People and especially the intellectuals will be badly hit when their freedoms and lives are brought under control. Especially when the economic condition deteriorates the people will be subjected to immense hardship and rigidly controlled.
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Jayantha / November 13, 2012
I fully agree with Citizen’s comments. This is another ploy by the govt. to suppress Mr. Laksiri’s articles. But the Govt. adopting all the wrong methods will fail miserably. It is not practical where our main foreign exchange earners now are ME labor, tourism, free trade zone, tea, rubber exports etc. So what ever suppression methods govt. use will effect adversely on it’s survival and will back fire on them. Infact it will lead towards for a quicken regime change. Same tactics it used to win EELAM war will not suite to suppress masses in the south under AK47. All I could say is earlier the govt. realize this and change it’s arrogant behavior the consequences it has to face and it’s survival could be extended. Otherwise it is heading for a no return volcano.
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Senguttuvan / November 11, 2012
The integrity of a journal of some consequence, from the reader’s angle and populairty, lies in its capacity to allow sufficient space in its columns for plurastic views in a multi-society such as what Sri Lanka is. The moment it arbitrarily decides only views consistent with its own will be given space and those of dissenting views will be not, it loses its validity.
Senguttuvan
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Chandra / November 11, 2012
I did’nt realise Asian Tribune was still in existance and people read such nonsense.
Having only today visited it comes as no surprise just a handful visit. The last comment being a month ago.
Another website that is a joke is Lankaweb. Quite hilarious!
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SERUVILA SENARATH / November 11, 2012
SPADE IS A SPADE.
IN THIS INSTANCE,CALLING IT AS IT IS WITHOUT FEAR IS THETHE REAL PATRIOTISM.
[IF SOME WANT TO TURN IT TO A K 47 AND KILL INNOCENTS, THEY ARE THE REAL TRAITORS ].
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Sanath de Silva / November 11, 2012
I have stopped reading the Asia Tribune since December 2009. KTR and Daya Gamage are disgraceful henchmen of the MR regime. Please do not call them journalists.
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Wuliangguobinjiu / November 11, 2012
It’s good for the sake of the book to say “integrity” in a chaotic wold of malpractices.
In practice the independent, guardian etc. are losing its clientele to the right wing media.
The mouth is where the money is- sad but true; a sic world gone wrong or has it??
It’s the advertisement’s that give a journal its breath of life and it’s the same with media giants Facebook, Google, MSN etc.
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Justice / November 11, 2012
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy
http://colombotelegraph.com/comments-policy/
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JULAAMPITYE AMARAYA / November 11, 2012
This what i read in TAMIL SyDNEY.
http://www.tamilsydney.com/content/view/178/37/
It says;
THE MAN BEHIND ASIAN TRIBUNE LIES – K.T.RAJASINGHAM, A FAILED TAMIL POLITICIAN FROM THAILAND
Asian Tribune online web blog is often popular for twisting news and closely working with Sri Lankan Intelligence establishment & its paramilitary outfit like Karuna Group. The main behind this secret operation is Mr.K.T.Rajasingham, a failed tamil politician currently based in Thailand (House No: 8/6, Muban Amoronpan Nakorn, Sukapibal Road 2, Suan Siam, Bangok 10230, Thailand) and who is also alleged to be on the pay list of Sri Lanka.
Sachi Sri Kantha, a senior political analyst and scholar describes his true face as follows,
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Wuliangguobinjiu / November 11, 2012
Thailand a country that has never been conquered, and during WW2 it let the Japanese pass without resistance to its adjoining nations like Burma which was defended by northern Ceylonese working for the British.
Today Thailand is a country well known and in fact number 1 spot in Asia for American “Rendition” so it doesn’t surprise.
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Piranha / November 11, 2012
K T Rajasingham has been a running dog of the Rajapaksa regime for some time now and his main motive is money. This man will sell his services to anybody for money. He has already amassed a fair amount of wealth from doing errands for the regime and has now become a puppet of the regime. It is no surprise that he no longer wishes to publish articles by those critical of the Rajapaksa regime.Anyway, very few read his website Asian Tribune.
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Kaputa / November 11, 2012
For all journalists and commentators, I have one advice: There are are no independent journalists anywhere in the world. If journalists are living, breathing human beings, how could anyone expect them to be free of value judgments? They do not live in a social vacuum. I studied this subject of “Value freedom” in Social Scientific discourse in my advanced research, and concluded that this was a concept misunderstood by many people because it has been ideologically manipulated over the years by interested groups to attack their opponents. Look at the western media that preaches this bogus concept. Do you come across anything that resemblance of “free” of their “pay-masters’ voices”. No. Not a single media outlet is free of political alliance, ideological alliance, and class alliance because they cannot exist without being allied to any power block.
Laksiri is a supposedly a university professor, and sadly he did not learn this basic principle, or he pretended, like most people, that is politically neutral opinion maker, which itself is an oxymoron.
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C. Wijeyawickrema / November 11, 2012
This Rajaratnam refused to print my articles because I copied them simultaneously to DSB Jeyaraj.
Fernando’s problem is not he is against MahindaR now, but he did not come to defend his (Fernando’s) position when challenged.
I challenge Fernando to come to an open debate with me on his “saintly” positions.
[Edited out]
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Chandra / November 11, 2012
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy
http://colombotelegraph.com/comments-policy/
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Jim Softy / November 11, 2012
Colombo Telepgraph looks like the garbage dump for all the business men and women against the Sri Lankan govt.
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gamini / November 11, 2012
Jim Softy why are you rummaging in the garbage here at CT? How can you when you are not clean yourself?
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JULAAMPITYE AMARAYA / November 12, 2012
get a paper roll and wipe your self before writing to c t.
we don’t like garbage here like you.
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Jim Softy / November 11, 2012
I don’t see any difference between Asian Tribune which publishes articles supporting the govt.
On the other hand, Colombo Telegraph is the haven for people who earn their living by writing against the SL govt.
What is the difference ?
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Chandra / November 12, 2012
Get your facts right you idiot. No one who writes for CT gets paid – so don’t talk of ‘earning a living’
Maybe you do with your your propaganda for the govt. But none of the CT folk do.
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Wuliangguobinjiu / November 12, 2012
J.S.:Quote:”What is the difference ?” Unquote
There are two sides to every issue:
one side is right and the other is wrong,
but The middle is always EVIL and that is undoubtedly YOU”.
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gamini / November 12, 2012
Jim Softy you have got it all wrong. Yes the Asian Tribune publishes articles supporting the MR Govt. and we all know how corrupt and vindictive the MR govt. is. Then you claim that the CT is a haven for people who earn their living writing against the MR govt. That is where you are wrong. Through CT the TRUTH is exposed and is not merely writing against the MR govt although your ilk try to interpret so. This is the difference which your ilk is blind not to see.
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Peter / November 12, 2012
Jim – The “difference” is that CT will publish both ‘pro’ as well as ‘con’ articles, whereas it appears that AT, by barring Laksiri’s articles, is not being objective or taking a neutral stance. So maybe you should revise your “garbage dump” description?
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Sami / November 13, 2012
You should be a donkey minded not to see the difference.
On CT threads, you have all kinds of guys while ASIAN tribune – there you will find only MR appologetic ones who publish their views on taxpayers funds.
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Sami / November 13, 2012
it is worth to check whether you hve a brain the size of a mustard seed. :(
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PresiDunce Bean / November 12, 2012
@Jim Softy
CT not only publishes articles and comments by people who are against the Rajapaksa regime, they also publish articles and comments by Rajapaksa sycophant’s as well. That is the big difference between CT and Asian Tribune.
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watcher / November 12, 2012
“freedom and the rights of academics” lol, are you kidding?
You are nothing but a stooge since your offer of help to the govt. was rejected… Now sour grapes…. Get a life man.
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