Ravaya newspaper joins other mainstream media organizations in submitting to presidential rules about what’s fit to publish and what should be left out. Colombo Telegraph learns that Ravaya, a newspaper which strongly opposed the previous regime, championed the cause of Maithripala Sirisena and agitated for media freedom, has tamely submitted to Presidential orders about killing stories considered detrimental to the President’s interests.
In this instance a news story about the high-handed behaviour of the President’s son Daham Sirisena has been killed. Daham used the Foreign Ministry to obtain visas for some of his friends to visit the UK. The Foreign Ministry issued TPLs (Third Party Letters) to the British High Commission in Colombo, but while Daham was issued a visa the applications of his friends were rejected.
Colombo Telegraph reported the reasons for rejection. One applicant recommended by Daham Sirisena had earlier overstayed his visa and had been blacklisted. Another applicant was blacklisted for submitting fraudulent documents. Thus, in effect, the son of the President of the Republic of Sri Lanka was trying to smuggle into the UK two persons who have broken UK laws.
There are serious issues that arise from this situation. Is this an attempt by Daham Sirisena to smuggle fugitives? How can the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (more to the point, M.R. Hassen, the Chief of Protocol) accept the responsibility to obtain visas for those who are not entitled to diplomatic privileges? If this is allowed, theoretically even Wele Suda, the drug mafia boss, could persuade some influential persons to ask the MFA to issue a Third Party Letter to support an application for a UK visa.
The Foreign Ministry confirmed that Sirisena had indeed sought to use the Foreign Ministry to help his friends, thereby acknowledging that it (the ministry) had operated outside its mandate in issuing TPLs.
Colombo Telegraph reported that President Sirisena had informed all media not to run the story. Ravaya, despite its stated independence from political pressure, has now joined mainstream media institutions in complying with this informal presidential decree and refused to carry Daham Sirisena story which was written and submitted by a Ravaya journalist.
Related posts;
Foreign Ministry Confirms President’s Son Sought UK Visas
sekara / March 30, 2016
What makes one think that Ravaya has been principled in its journalism?
I remember the crude way in which Editor, Ravaya went for Chandrika Kumaratunge’s jugular after being a great supporter.
Then he went soft on MR for long and then hard.
There have been many things that remain unexplained.
Courage without principles is bogus.
There was subjectivity in the Sunday Leader– now back to normal –but Lasantha and several of its key journalists were a lot more honest.
/
Perisappu / March 30, 2016
To the last end of the previous regime Ravaya did not do enough to chase the dictatorship of former president Rajakashe. Instead he just added few articles saying that MR regime is already failed to fulfil the due with the nomination of MS as the common candidate to contest the PE.
Since the very same man – VICTOR IVON stayed clearly mum while all civil organisation led by golden son of the nation -Sobitha thero fought for the liberation the country from MR clans.
Please folks, remember, dont pass the credit on to Ravaya men, there stayed as if Kirimati gilapu kimublas- clay fed crocodiles- at the time, Rajaakshes regime did high harms to all the folks in the name of their governance. Never forget the way how the thugs physically and mentally attacked the fact finding mission of young UNP mp paid to Hambantota harbor or other places where there so much of issues were kept hidden from the general public continously telling them about the palatable stories. Even today, the bugger not to confess but to leave stupid statements like ” if anything went wrong by previous regime, cabinet ministers too should be accoutable for all the mess”. This comes from the very cesspit of former President who left no space for justice, fairness or respect to his own citizen his family/kith and kin only. Latter was distinquished ascending to his term end /while making decisions for quick election based on his illiterate Astrogers thoughts- all in all, today, he would even go and say, it was the cabinet ministers should have reacted accordingly, if he had gone wrong….. can you guys get this ? this is the BETRAYAL of all abusive levels —- Thajudeen or other murders should also be with the approval of cabinet ministers…. now it is HIGH time, those penisless ministers to defend them saying that they HAD no voice in the previous regime…. only Gota the blood sucker and Basil the econimic parasite (no seconde to LE mapila) should be blamed for all the mess…. then Gota will again start.. hi hi … hu hu prevarications…. that I happpened to listen to have made it day before yesterday last in Thelijjawila.
/
Amarasiri / March 30, 2016
RE: Rāvaya Follows Mainstream Media In Submitting To Yahapālana Censorship
Does it mean that CT and Commentators like Amarasitri and others have to submit to Yahapālana Censorship?
Ysahapalanaya? Good Governance?
/
colin / March 31, 2016
When the media takes mean advantage of the “freedom of the press”which they dared not to do during the last regime for fear of the white van ( shades of lasantha and Ekkenigoda) then they are inviting censorship. If the media acts in a responsible manner and practices self censorship there will be no necessity for STATE CENSORSHIP. After all the State too has a responsibility to safeguard the citizens who democratically elected it.
The media should not take a “holier than thou” attitude
/
Manel / March 30, 2016
It is unfortunate that as the days go by, we see the present regime imitating the previous one, in many aspects.
Despite all the criticism of the Rajapaksa regime, from the Sirisena/Wickremaratne leadership, they seem to eventually do the same thing, even in smaller doses. Sirisena has become yet another arrogant politician, who seemed to be a timid mouse at first, even speaking of abolishing the Executive Presidency, but now seems to be a power hungry leader, who wants to cling to his Presidency, and following the same path as his predecessors. Stifling free speech and censoring the media only shows that they want to control the propaganda, and have plenty to hide. So much for openness and the freedom of press.
He has fooled the Sri Lankan people, like all the others do.
/
Antany Peter / March 30, 2016
I have the feeling that the current regime is going to be worse than the previous Rajapaksa regime. At least the previous regime finished the war, and done few development projects. Surely, we trusted and voted unknown angel. This unknown angel is going to be far worse than the devil we had.
/
Seelawathie / March 31, 2016
You should be one another buffaloe to see that in that way.
Did we have press freedom or any other freedom during the days of meeharaka ?
Only Rajaaskshe men and women were given the first hand regardless of what ever being done by the govt.
Today, even president is being critised, No white vans, .. your god father had taken loans not telling the truth has now become a problem to those who have to pay the sums. Huge sums. I really dont know that the current rulers would waste the funds for any kind of wasteful events. Please open your eyes wider so that you the like can finally get it.
/
sr / March 30, 2016
Leader’s children’s behavior may change the destiny of the leader as well as the country’s: in positive or negative manner.
History has taught us many lessons.
It’s good for anybody to learn from the past.
leaders must be sure that their off springs are kept and treading on the correct path.
/
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / March 30, 2016
Bad habits once learned are hard to discard and it is very hard to teach old dogs new tricks!
Eternal Vigilance is the only way to preserve and improve on what we regained in January’2015- democracy. Thanks CT.
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
/
Newshound / March 30, 2016
If Ravaya is still run by that ‘Integrity Award’ winner who proved his lack of integrity, this is no major surprise!
/
Spring Koha / March 30, 2016
THANK YOU Mr Prez for taking the time out from your onerous schedule to give us guidelines on what we should and what we should not think/say/print. Just like the old days that some of us can still remember. Some of us are already singing ‘Happy Days are here again…’
We excitedly look forward to the appointment of the Kehelmalla Rambutanpotha as the PRESIDENTIAL WATCHDOG cum SPOKESMAN on MEDIA AFFAIRS.
/
anonymous / March 30, 2016
non related but president eat Breakfast Like a King, Lunch Like a Prince, and Dinner Like a Pauper
/
RP / March 31, 2016
Mr. Prez you can now use Ravaya as a banana leaf to wrap your lunch.
/
Chanaka / March 31, 2016
Not only Ravaya, main mouth piece of joint opposition, Lanka C News also missed to publish this news. What a media we have. Thanks Colombo telegraph for your backbone.
/
Greg12 / April 5, 2016
Ravaya is and has always been a pro eelamist propaganda piece been controlled by infamous NGO personalities. Ravaya will protect president Sirisena as long as he could be used to further the separatist cause. After that the poor Sirisena will be attacked left and right to promote the NGO favorite, Ranil.
/
Priyan / April 5, 2016
Who cares? As long as Sinhalese majority could be subjugated and refused their rightful place, the colombo centrist elitists will keep hailing this backstabber as a hero of democracy.
/