In a sudden move Minister for Finance and Mass Media Mangala Samaraweera has tendered his resignation as Minister for Mass Media, paving the way for the appointment of Ruwan Wijewardene as new minister for Media but the ministerial shuffle is already being criticised as one rife with conflict of interest issues.
Ruwan Wijewardene is the son of Ranjith Wijewardene Chairman of Wijeya Newspapers Pvt Ltd. Wijeya is the publisher for the Sunday Times, Daily Mirror, Lankadeepa, Daily FT, ADA and Deshaya newspapers and the largest private publishing house in the country.
As State Minister for Media Ruwan Wijewardene will be in charge of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini, the ITN and the Lake House group. As a member of the Wijewardane family and the grandson of D.R. Wijewardene Ruwan Wijewardene holds shares in the Lake House.
The State Minister also has close ties with the Capital Maharaja group and the Sirasa network.
Colombo Telegraph learns that Ruwan Wijewardene will not be granted Cabinet status as Media Minister but will only hold the Ministry in the capacity of a state minister.
K.Anaga / February 22, 2019
Was MANGALA PRESS(d) into action by Ranil.?
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Fathima / February 22, 2019
Though bit late, I think it’s a good move for UNP’s advantage
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Amarasiri / February 22, 2019
Anybody know the real reason?
Or is the continuing stupidity of Ranil Wickramasinghe and Sirisena?
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Simon De Silva / February 22, 2019
Bro Amarasiri,
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What I guess is another way pulling the leg -tactics being practised by OUR SORYSENA goyya.
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I think RW is bit silent these days, not maing any public statements. THere are lot more extensions of 51-day black COUP goes on today.
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LEELAGEMALLI / February 22, 2019
What was the reason President to go for this ?
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Today, he behaves no second to a TINPOT DICTATOR right ?
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Can anybody please explain why President appoinnted RWIJEwardhana this way ?
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Champa / February 22, 2019
LEELAGEMALLI
It is because Maithri is cutting a new deal with Ranil, Mahinda and Basil to abolish Executive Presidency and transfer people’s voting rights to a sneaky Parliament, full of crooks.
Alright, its not the topic here but let me say a few things.
Maithri, Ranil, Mahinda, Basil all four want to abolish Executive Presidency entirely FOR SELFISH REASONS.
1)Maithri – because he cannot win a second term.
2)Ranil and Basil – because they can never win a Presidential race.
3)Mahinda – because he cannot contest for the third time.
If the situation is reversed, they will never even talk about abolishing the Executive Presidency.
Maithri played many cards recently to whitewash himself at the expense of the unity of Mahinda faction. This is another.
About Oct 26 “Presidential Coup,” like many others, Wimal wasn’t aware of the appointment of Mahinda, until it happens.
As I said before, it was Maithri’s and Basil’s game.
Moreover, Maithri is in the second phase of splitting Wimal’s party by creating internal/external rifts and kindergarten Pohottuwa PC Members threatening Wimal of making him lose high number of votes at the next general election is the first part.
Prior to LG elections, Maithri and Basil bribed Wimal’s Deputy and few others with Ministerial posts and money, making them severe ties with NFF. However, they failed to remove Wimal from JO.
I am telling Wimal to ACCEPT the challenge and ANNOUNCE THE COUNTRY THAT HE WILL NOT CONTEST UNDER POHOTTUWA at the next general election.
I swear I will go to the stage for Wimal, make people hate Pohottuwa and get those votes to Wimal, so that he will receive the highest number of votes.
I am telling Pohottuwa jokers, they have to pass me FIRST to reach Wimal.
Leave him alone. Challenge me!
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Emil van der Poorten / February 23, 2019
Champa:
Is it only in Sri Lanka that one can contest an election under a pseudonym as you are threatening to do?
Certainly, ours is a land like no other if that is the case and the rest of the democratic world must be saying, “Thank God!”
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Champa / February 23, 2019
Emil van der Poorten
Are you talking about me?
If so, who said I am contesting?
I will go to the stage to garner votes for “small” party leaders who have a “big” influence on people.
I can encourage them to stand on their own feet without Rajapaksas. Gammanpila is already in the war path. Wimal, still not.
Believe it or not, a few weeks ago, after reading a statement by Basil, I have posted a comment to a Sinhala Daily that Sri Lanka is seriously in need of a new political party/alliance WITHOUT RAJAPAKSAS
As the way it is now, even if people cast their votes to show their loyalty to Mahinda, the real man who would rule the country will be Basil.
Wimal says, the demand is for Gotabhaya right now. I don’t think so.
Wimal is trying to promote Gotabhaya because he thinks that Gotabhaya is better than Basil.
But Wimal should remember that people have already rejected both of them in 2015.
Like millions of other people, I also don’t want them back in politics ever again. I am sure I can convince Wimal to think about someone else in place of Gotabhaya.
The other part in your comment is correct.
Yes, I am threatening Basil Rajapaksa and Pohottuwa, I can and I will split their votes.
And, if Wimal leaves Pohottuwa, he will not go alone. I guess many other MPs will follow suit!!! In fact, there is no point of them being there, as the next President is not from Pohottuwa.
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Bunjappu / February 23, 2019
Emil,
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So long Champas, JD, somas are the the majority, we the unbiased but longing to see peace and prospher would have to die just with the dreams in our mind.
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That is the saddest reality. Now with all is betrayed by BP SHITSENA, what more talks we can hold about the future. I stoped promoting my home country even if some investments could take ground through our mediation from Europe.
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But I can give a gurantee about my country. I wish if divine forces could clear it as it was done with Late Premadasa then or Lybian leader by their own folks… then we can see it beyond. Until then, we have to behave like mimose in today s context.
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Champa / February 24, 2019
Bunjappu
I was surprised to see this in your comment, when compared to your previous comments.
“I wish if divine forces could clear it as it was done with…………….”
Are you guys that exasperated? I never thought.
Who knows, may be your wish will come true.
In any case, Sri Lanka is protected by divine forces. How about an Avatar of Lord Kataragama come down to cleanse the immorality, abuses, misconduct, vices and selfish, self-centred politics?
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JD / February 23, 2019
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JD / February 23, 2019
IT is OK to Abolish EP. but, the 13th amendment has to go. Instead of PM, people elected Executive PM should work. A electoral district elected, PM should not be the governor for whole Sri lanka. Ranil is not a Leader.
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Good Sense / February 22, 2019
We had a TV series called “Always breakdown”. Now the drama that is unfolded can be called “Always problems”. Although there is an apparent conflict of interest, so far no allegations of improper conduct was levelled against him. This is yet another try out. Shall we give the chap a chance or straight away brand him as “one of them”?
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Real Revolutionist / February 22, 2019
Well, the shuffle is unexpected but what’s to be achieved through it?
Most probably nothing, nothing for anybody.
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nalmen / February 22, 2019
god forgive the unp as they know not what they do
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Ben Hurling / February 22, 2019
If Ruwan W has any decency, he would turn this appointment down on his own free will. This appointment stinks all the way. These people have no SHAME.
Cheers!
PS: Why do we need a media minister anyway? Are we the Soviet Union to run brainwashing of people? Media is supposed to be independent. Governed by laws and transparency. Not least by educated, ethical journalism. Media should be a part of Cultural Affairs. So should sports. A part of our Ministry of Cultural Affairs. Especially corrupt Cricket Administration. I would throw in all religious affairs as well under the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, saving SL billions in wasteful spending by idiotic, corrupt politicians.
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Amila / February 22, 2019
Ranil will be the cabinet minister as long as no cabinet minister for media.
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Champa / February 23, 2019
Amila
Ha ha ha, it is the President, not Ranil and it has been proposed by Ranil which is a part of the game to patch up differences to further their selfish interests and survival.
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Amila / February 25, 2019
You are correct Champa. I saw this statement in ruwans family news paper (sinhala version ) but it is incorrect. So probably ranil played a wrong card as usual !
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Champa / February 22, 2019
Yes, it is clear that Ruwan is in a conflict of interest.
If he is appointed as the (State) Minister of Media, there is no way for him to separate his private interests from public interests.
Actually, Sri Lanka’s Parliament should introduce a Conflict of Interest Act to avoid this and many similar types of politics in all sectors.
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JD / February 22, 2019
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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Silva / February 22, 2019
Ranil lost his head, and behaving like a headless chicken. Man, UNP has more talented people, and all of them are overlooked. Ranil wouldn’t look at any thing beyond his nose, and only what matters for him is his cronies and his inner circles. This card
shuffling got be stopped, and more capable and hard working persons should be appointed for all the vital posts for the country to move forward. Also the cesspit Sri Lanka main stream media outlets like Wajiya group, Capital Majarajah, Derana, Hiru, etc, should be check matted to report with fact checking and to be unbiased instead of taking the line of their owners. Already majority of the population started to rejects them and soon the advertisers too would follow suits.
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JD / February 22, 2019
Mangala Gave away as presents, Camara Equipments, LAptops etc to Journalists. that is Rs 120 million and all govt money probably came from the IMF/MCC Loan to the govt but voters will pay back. Now, in order to exclude accusation at the election Mangala quit his post and this Professional corrupt idiot got caught.
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Navin / February 23, 2019
Only in our banana republic. Here we have someone closely connected to companies that own SL newspapers, and he is in charge of the SL media….conflict of interest? Hell yes.
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JD / February 23, 2019
Raniil also is in the LAke house director board and he has given govt contracts to Lake house.
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kolla / February 23, 2019
Undeserving Ranil was appointed to positions in 1977 over several others by JR on family basis.
Ranil is doing the same thing. What happened to his cousin appointed high commissioner to UK ?
This guy Ruwan is a joke, just like ranil. Soon Ruwan will be brought out as decent, intelligent honest etc etc
When Ruwan was made deputy minister defence in 2015 within a few weeks it was found out he had done a favour for one of his girl friends by giving her a defence contract. MS had to then remove him
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Minolika Rathwatte / February 23, 2019
I always knew Champa is God
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Chun Paan / February 23, 2019
Sack the buggar (Awamangala) wholesomely, including from the parliament
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chuck norris / February 23, 2019
I can’t stand Mangala the big headed buffon
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Chuti Menike / February 23, 2019
Mangala came to politics thanks to Chandrika and survived all this time thanks to Chandrika. Now that Chandrika is in obliviation Mangla’s death knell is soon coming. BRAVO.
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JH / February 23, 2019
Mangala is demn too much. Good that someone is taming him
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Kshenuka Bilimoria / February 23, 2019
Mangala’s end has come. RIP Mangala.
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sweet dreams / February 23, 2019
Biggest mistake in Mangala’s life? He didn’t marry Anarkali Akarsha
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Isi Perera / February 23, 2019
Next move – sack the buggar from fiance ministry. the Rascal.
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Plato. / February 24, 2019
Champa.
Your line….
….How about an Avatar of Lord Kataragama come down to cleanse….
Kadirgamer also was felled! Who was the De facto assassin? The Jury verdict was that it was De Jure!
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Naufer / February 26, 2019
Face of this minister looks very much like that of a Drug Pusher, Face is oily and look at the eyes. Look at the face of Niroshan PRemarathne tto, looks the same way.
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