President Maithripala Sirisena has taken steps to block the news website www.lankaenews.com. Another news website, www.srilankamirror.com, has claimed that the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) has issued a directive to all internet service providers operating in Sri Lanka to block lankaenews following a court order.
President Sirisena, speaking at events to mark the 2nd death anniversary of Ven Madoluwawe Sobitha Thero, referred to “crooks responsible for the Central Bank bond scam” using certain websites operated out of the country to sling mud at him.
In the meantime, Minister Rajitha Senaratne, speaking at the Cabinet Press Briefing also referred to an unnamed website ‘operated out of the country’ attacking the President in a distasteful manner.
“I have told the President that if we caught a few such people and locked them up then media ethics would improve,” Senaratne said. (By Renuka Jayasinghe)
The reporting website, www.srilankamirror.com, claims that the Presidential Secretariat had directives to entities advertising in lankaenews to stop their ads forthwith.
Lankaenews, in a post on their Facebook page, has acknowledged that the website has indeed been blocked by the TRC last afternoon.
Lankaenews said: “Subsequent to lankaenews breaking a story about the President and the Maharajah Organization working in cahoots to strike a deal with respect to a Russian ship, the Presidential Secretariat has directed our advertisers to stop advertising with us. Not only did they stop advertising, they refused to pay for advertisements already published.
“It was by moving to stop advertisements that the previous regime began its suppression of lankaenews. Next, the CID stormed into our office, apprehended personnel and interrogated them. This happened 9-10 times a year. Finally, the office and library were set on fire.”
Interestingly, Rajitha Senaratne was a minister of the very same Rajapaksa Government that attacked lankaenews in this manner. Immediately after Maithripala Sirisena became President, restrictions on access to lankaenews and other such websites were lifted. Incidentally, the offices of lankaenews was set on fire the day the website carried a cartoon depicting then president Mahinda Rajapaksa as suffering from a sexually transmitted disease. It is this very website with whom relations have soured of late that was propped by the Yahapalana Government via advertisements.
Lankaenews was receiving ads worth approximately Rs 600,000 per month from Lotteries Board and Sri Lanka Telecom.
President Sirisena claimed that there were some individuals in the government violating good governance protocols. He specifically mentioned the Central Bank bond scam and claimed that the attack on him by the unnamed website was orchestrated by the culprits. While many in the government are implicated in the bond scam, Ravi Karunanayake is the only individual who has had to take a hit — he was pressurized to resign. The Lotteries Board was one institution directly under him. As such it is reasonable to put together the pieces of the puzzle that Sirisena and Senaratne have disclosed; the unnamed hidden hand is none other than Ravi Karunanayake and the unnamed website is lankaenews.
Bakaladasa / November 9, 2017
Crooks vs crooks as usual!
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Analyst / November 9, 2017
President ! Sir!! You are correct as you suggest you ‘re on the firing line of the general public.
All their wrath are aimed at you because there’s no one in your government are worthy to shout at.
Your government is in shambles because of the Liars and the Looters who you recruited in your government. They are not worthy of even a Cent to talk to..
You are right in saying a part of the group is sabotaging your Good Intentions.
Were you responsible in forming the Good Governance with the help of the past and present Crooks Sir??
We the public knew then that you have made the Worst choice in choosing even your worst enemies in to your government soon after the Rainbow Revolution in January 2015.
Did you not know?? Were you pressured into Choosing the Crooks into forming the government.
If true !! That was a grave mistake.
Were you not in control??
Why did you let all the Crooks to Rule the country after wards instead of YOU SIR?? ??
There can be ONLY ONE LEADER , YOU HAD TOO MANY RULERS SIR??
There’s a saying ” TOO MANY COOKS SPOILS THE BROTH.”
There’s a truth , in this age old saying.
It’s not too late!! At least show your steely leadership now before it’s too late.
Besides that , what was all this about your family doing ” Shady Business ” with Russia???
IF YOU ARE CLEAN COME CLEAN , then you will get all the Respect you deserve.
We know the Water is Muddy with all the Alligators around you, who are ready to Pounce on you,
With your Cool and Calmness hope you can overcome these Parahnas.
The Minister of Education should answer the mother why her child failed admission to a certain school.
Heads will Roll in a Proper Democratic Government when one Minister steps out of the way.
The Ministers and the PM are FOOLING YOU AROUND SIR!!
You just doing nothing for their Bad behaviours and wrong decisions including wrong moves.
Too bad but could be Better.
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Kalu Nangi / November 9, 2017
Mr. President, if the revelations about your deal with Kili Maharaja regarding the Russian vessel is not true, why don’t you say so? You have gone to the public and declared your good intentions. You had the opportunity at the same time to inform us the truth about the deal involving your son, your son-in-law and Kili Maharaja. Why didn’t you do so? There’s no need to block the free media even if they are throwing stones at you, if you are honest and you live by your principles. Don’t let your children ruin your reputation as Mahinda’s sons did to him.
You should also stop throwing mud at the UNP and its leader, who allowed you to come to power. We hope you won’t forget that it was the UNPers more than the SLFPers who voted you to power. So, please request your friend Kili Maharaja to stop the daily dose of mud throwing at the PM through his Sirasa channel.
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Lapatiya / November 9, 2017
Actually he is in a mess. His media advisers and media unit consists of Keeli Maharaja;s 2.50 Voice cut media experts. He appointed Pundit Shiral Laktilaka who once tried to outset RW from UNP as his Political adviser and coordinating secretory . He came to power from UNP and Minority Votes. Only few SLFP members like Duminda Disanayaka, Rajitha, Hirunika supported him. He came to power as an Independent person and after that accepted SLFP chairmanship. Then he appointed Dilan Perera who offered bottle of poison to Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha as Media spokesman for SLFP. He even can’t control his own Ministers and Members. It is obvious that media attacks from Sirasa, Derana and UNP leadership from President’s media unit. President knows that if he can’t destroy UNP Leadership buy way of Bond commission and media plants SLFP will get the third place in forthcoming election.
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Anonymous / November 9, 2017
Distraction from the budget much!!?
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Amarasiri / November 10, 2017
Dear President Sirisena,
Mahinda Rajapaksa, aka MaRa was identified by 6.2 million voters as a crook, and voted for you. Do you mean to say that you are not much different?
The Mara Poem is:
MaRa MaRa ChaTu MaRa, AmaNa MaRa, HoRa MaRa ,DhushaNa MaRa.
Do you want a new Poem, Kavi:
SiRa SiRa ChaTu Sira, AmaNa SiRa, HoRa SiRa, DhushaNa SiRa?
You have not earned MaRa Sira Yet.
Why not become a true leader and clean up house? A guts issue?
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Silva / November 10, 2017
Wouldn’t it have been better to prove that those are false claims by these websites!!?
Taking such drastic measures only makes our President look guilty!!?
Don’t think this is the best way to deal with these problems…
Now people might think those websites might have had some truth to them!!?
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Amarasiri / November 10, 2017
President Sirisena,
So you want to block websites?. Why not let the truth prevail. What is the truth?
The Catholic Church tried to block the Astronomers, Copernicus. Galileo, Kepler and others, and wanted the Sun to keep going around the Earth, and claimed that it was the truth. They burned Giardano Bruno at the stake, imprisoned Galileo, and warned the astronomers about the punishments they can get for saying that the earth moves, rotates on its axis, and orbits the Sun.
Still, yes still, 25% of Americans , 33% of the Europeans and and perhaps more than 50% of Sri Lankans believe that the Sun goes around the stationary Earth.
The average IQ of Sri Lankans is 79, and they will have a had time figuring out the truth from untruth, even if you provide all the data.
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Justice & fairplay / November 12, 2017
Well said Amarasiri. The Truth will out one day. Never can it be hidden. Sadly, this has been a great Presidential aberration; one he might live to regret.
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Jimsofty / November 9, 2017
Remember, Ratha is a special kind of snake. HE used Mahinda Rajapakse and earned money and tours t Japan. then his Son bashed Mahinda Rajapakse and won the seat. Now, both bash everything they can and stay in power. I also heard Mahinda Rajapakse also allowed him to earn a big jackpot worth about 500 million. From where, I do not know.
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Jimsofty / November 9, 2017
That website is supportive of RAVI THE LIAR. Probably all are UNP-Tamils. Maithripala is just talking. Otherwise, in two instances GALLE ON RAVI is identified as a corrupt finance minister, Money Launderer and has helped LTTE. there are so many proven accusations. Yet, why LAw enforcement is silent. Are they waiting until the election comes nears after which thieves start postponing the court cases or if arrested they stay in the prison hospital (in that case why prison doctors are not yet fired). My3 is talking. He does not know what to do probably with a reason. He is amazingly slow sloth, it looks. Just talk.
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K A Sumanasekera / November 9, 2017
Aiyo…… Where is Dr Managala and Dr Ranil?…….
Sira has deprived me of my other source of resource material………
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Analyst / November 9, 2017
Gon Thadia VS Bond Thadia.
Great !!
Enjoy the Matinee show LOL!!
Now Freedom of Speech will be Fairy Tales of Apeh Aanduwe.
Tales of Narnias of Srilanka on the Websites.
Any Comments??
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Jimsofty / November 9, 2017
If low enfocrement does their job properly, in this AG’s department is sleeping and CID who arrest these theives are deaf are not active, just like that Auditor General’s Department. HE drew a salary for decades and he did not find these frauds. Why he should be there and why he should not be arrested for his own work ethics or just drawing salary and not working for it ?
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Champa / November 9, 2017
Well done, Mr. President. Don’t let Ravi K have his way by using LankaWhatNews or any website to cover a plethora of his financial crimes by defaming you. The other day he tried to tarnish the image of Yasantha Kodagoda. All crooks do that. They attack everybody who blocks or divulges their unscrupulous activities. Ravi K should be sent to jail immediately based on the findings of the Bond Commission, to teach a lesson to his partners in crime.
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shankar / November 9, 2017
lanka enews is a third rate website.I stopped reading it a long time ago when they stated that gota and karuna were dancing with each other at a defence party and the defence top brass were very unhappy about it.Also they had superimposed a photo of the CJ who got impeached side by side with mahinda.These kind of third rate websites should be banned because good websites such as CT also will get a bad name.Once a news organ loses its integrity it is worth nothing.Integrity is everything.
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Sana / November 9, 2017
ENews is a hate monger website, but I don’t agree with blocking it.
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Dan / November 9, 2017
Its high time President Sirisena takes a firm decision and move away from the Corrupt UNP leaders irrespective of the consequences.
If not President will have to shoulder the blame for all corruption that happen in the name of Yahapalana.
When you sleep with dogs you wake up with ticks.
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shevan / November 9, 2017
stupid move.it would only make people to read it even more through proxy servers.Why are the rulers so scared of a website that has limited viewers unless of course they have enough to hide and it would only make people believe in the stories whether true or not.
poor show Mr.President
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Matilda Ellepola / November 9, 2017
I dont understand what the TRC can do in here in blocking the sites from ISP level though there will be so many ways to open a blocked website using web proxies.
Also this site is in Facebook and it is available for anyone to access from anywhere where you have access to FB.
LankaEnews did a very good job in sending the Jarapaksas home and then became a shame of itself in cover the Bond scam for Ravi K and lost my trust big time.
I used to open this site few times a day before and not hardly see a use in opening with fake and cooked up news stories like protecting Ravi K.
We need a good Sinhala language web portal again which is unbiased.
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Omar / November 9, 2017
Ranil must go because he failed and protecting robbers therefore Mangala must appoint as Prime Minister.
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Thanos / November 9, 2017
I fully support sites like Colombo-Telegraph but when it comes to LankaeNews (LeN), I find that site disgusting in the way they ‘manufacture’ news. Long before Donald Trump coined the term ‘fake news’ LeN had mastered that art. But that being said, free speech is free speech including fake news. LeN has the right to publish whatever it wants to as long as it is not directly citing violence against person(s) or property. Blocking LeN is the wrong move and sends a dangerous message. In-fact it further legitamizes garbage like LeN. Only way for people to see how comical some of the LeN contents are, is to actually allow people to visit the site and read its contents. MS Windows users in SL who want to visit LeN can simply download and use the Tor browser or install a free VPN like CyberGhost. Android users have a large number of free VPN like Turbo VPN.
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Upali / November 9, 2017
Wait a minute. Why did Bribery Commissioner Dilrukshi resign?
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Lapatiya / November 9, 2017
Mr. President, you are just talking only. Everybody knows who is protecting Dilan Perera, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Susil Premajayanatha, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Shiranthi Rajapaksha, Namal Rajapaksha, Yoshitha Rajapaksha, Gamini Senarath, Sajin Vaas Gunawardana, Ajith Niward Cabral, Gotabaya Rajapaksha, Mahinda Rajapaksha and other crooks and killers. Also you are protecting killers of Wasim Thajudeen, Lasantha Wickramathunga, Prageeth eknaligoda taking Ranaviru label as a cover. Today Gamini Senarath will get bail, no doubt about it. There is no problem of appointing commission to probe bond scam and the problem is the that the commission is being used to sling mud at UNP. Only Lankaenews is the website critical about you and the Govt. but with reasons. PM Ranil is under heavy attack from Sirasa, Derana, Hiru but he never hit back. He has shown that he has a strong backbone to meet media attacks. We have a reason to believe that you and your Media Mafia unit is behind this kind of unfair media attacks as your media persons are from Maharaja’s Media brothel house. Now you are lack of some titles only. One day you will be known as Maithreepala Rajapaksha with titles belongs to Rajapaksha before your name. Mr. President be a man. try to learn from Rajapaksha’s.
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Analyst / November 9, 2017
Don’t talk about your Rajapake ! Sirisena. can never be the worst Rogue of SL. There’s no comparison.
So stop Brain washing others Lapatiya.
That Family is finished , so stop dreaming !!
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Lapatiya / November 11, 2017
Analyst,
I am Lapatiya all right. But you are Analyst, use your Analytical power. I am also with you to put a permanent stop to Rajapakshas. Who is preventing Authorities to take action against Rajapakshas? I am not saying Yahapalana President Sirisena is a Rogue. He will go to the history as worst President by not taking action against Rajapakshas and Rajapaksha henchman. Actually he is a prisoner among SLFP bigwigs like Nimal Siripala, Susil Premajayantha, Jhon Seneviratna etc. All what Yahapalana President want is to take SLFP to winning path for which he need support from Rajapaksha Loyalists keeping Mahinda Rajapaksha aside. Mr Analyst who send that brave Lady, Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe home. Who send Travis Sinnaiyh home 2 months after appointing him as Navy Commander. Is there any connection with proposed purchasing of a Russian Warship? Who is behind constant “Sirasa” media attacks against UNP leaders? All what I am asking from Yahapalana President is to use executive powers to put a stop to Rajapaksha killers and rogues like you wishes.
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shevan / November 9, 2017
LeN is no different from most of other social media that we come across these days partial to one party or another(depending on the situation).Yet at times when most of the news that are not favourable to rulers of the time (then as well as now) are hidden from the public LeN had the sources to make it public regardeless of the motive.For that alone they should be commended.Blocking the website(a futile excercise) would not make the “allegations” go away
.
Spectrum Award and purchase of a Warship using Russian line of credit both involving the same Commercial entity which is alleged to be in favour with the President are two issues that leaves a serious doubt on the Presidency in so far as Principles of “Yahapalanaya”. are concerned.If there is no truth in the allegations why not comeout clean giving the exact details on the deals and how beneficial they are to the Nation ? I believe there is a Presidential Media Unit as well so many Cabinet spokesmen these days !!!
Getting highly emotional and berating social Media would not help Mr.President at all.Is he trying to emulate President Trump ?
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citizen / November 9, 2017
What really happened to Lasantha?
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mike / November 10, 2017
citizen – “What really happened to Lasantha?” Medamulana Meeharaka may know the answer! When the sad news was brought to the notice of the “King”, he replied – “oluwatathe waduney”!!
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Retarded Reverse Admiral Sarath W. / November 9, 2017
Verbal Diarrhea at its best another cyanide speech. worst was at ven sobhithas death anniversary
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The Professional / November 9, 2017
Assholes have gone forward a bit more widened the spread.
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Henry / November 9, 2017
Our country deserves a clear and a honest Statement from both President and Prime Minister. It is not possible to cover up their misgivings and unwholesome activities ,People have seen these gimmicks of politicians and they are wide awake observing their conduct with regard to Govt affairs. We appreciate the reinstating of the press freedom which is an inalienable right of the people denied by the previous regime. We also fully agree that there should be strict adherence to established ethical standards and traditions. From the very inception of this Govt. people have seen unacceptable and unsavoury conduct of the Govt.and majority of MPP from both sides of the divide are simply running a mock with callous regard to their oath of allegiance to the State and some Ministers were hell bent on protecting the worst criminals and fraudsters and we heard the deafening silence of the leaders which is unacceptable and degrading to say the least. From the very inception the people were aware of President’s underhand dealings with Rajapakse gang and to this day
he has not demonstrated a change of heart. So is the Prime Minister who has his own game plan with his Royal buddies while the country is bleeding white. From parliament down to almost all Govt. institutions are in a state of uncertainty with no
patriotic leadership. This situation has created a favourite hunting grounds for some for their nefarious activities and they are really making hay while the sun shines. The most recent revelation was about the purchase of an old War ship from Russia the Architects we are told are none other than Kili Maharaja and President’s Son in Law and it is reported that President’s cabinet paper was passed understandably without any division ,however one Minister has proposed for a board of inquiry to look into the procurement of this second hand ship. We remember the Board appointed by Prime Minister to report on the Central Bank Bond Issue where three members appointed were from the UNP.
We can see if the President too would follow suit. This is a splendid opportunity for him to stand tall and set an example to the Nation. by appointing three independent
members to examine the procurement criteria. But now with the latest news that USA has gifted a new ship to Sri lanka for naval operations Govt. will have to cancel this deal as it is of no avail, but I will not be surprised if approval is granted as the expected kickback is of very high value as reported. Your guess is as good as mine.
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ramona therese fernando / November 9, 2017
Good to see that Sirinsena is finally becoming true! Suba Patum to him! Guess the TN- CMB- S’pore triangle is no longer needed – the Americans are in emergence. Well, that triangle was one where only Singapore would have gotten even more richer……ah for us poor dumb South Asians.
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Jon / November 10, 2017
Mr president
You used the social media and electronic papers to campaign now you want to ban them. All the men who helped you have been cornered by you and it is you who gave ministries to politicians who we rejected.
Now you are blaming every one else.
While you were busy trying to do LNG terminal deal of the SK company., your man forgot to maintain fuel stocks.
Don’t worry you will not get our vote next time.
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Real Revolutionist / November 10, 2017
Presidents new stance can’t be genuine; see, govt. bowed down to anti-SAITM protest understanding that’s the best trick 2 play for the time being though it’s not the policy, likewise displaying bravery may enhance his personality at least for the time being.
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Tissa De Silva / November 10, 2017
Dissappointing Mr. President. This is unacceptable. If you have a problem come before people and explain, challenge these guys. Please don’t just say they are slinging mud at you. We put you to power and we had high expectations. Banning web sites is very childish. We never bargained for this kind of action from a person like you. We are bloody mad. please correct yourself immediately. We look bloody fools before our opponents.
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SJ / November 10, 2017
Tissa
Banning websites is bad politics.
But it happened under Mahinda Rajapaksa on a much bigger scale.
I wonder if you ever objected.
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Native Vedda / November 12, 2017
SJ
–
has conveniently forgotten the time when his adoring Weeping Widow imposed blanket censorship on all media and introduced exit visas to everyone who wanted to leave the country.
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Sarrij / November 13, 2017
Mr President.
This seems to be the beginning of the end with censorship of news and “infighting” in the cabinet, rampant corruption and incompetent political appointees in the cabinet and a cunning and a dominant PM calling the shots at his whim and “controlling” you.
It is sad.The country had very high expectations when you were elected President but your performance, none the less has been disappointing.
You still are the executive President; although with much less power than your predecessor.You might still be able to enforce the rule of law and get rid of the corrupt ministers with a new set of impeccable cabinet ministers until your term expires in a couple of years. With some determination you might be successful.
Go for it.
.
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