“I am sure that Ambassador Dhanapala will act within the framework of good corporate governance and in so doing uphold the best principles and practices of governance in general. “ Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, the Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Alternatives told Colombo Telegraph.
Dr. Saravanamuttu
Dr. Saravanamuttu made above remarks when ask his opinion on Jayantha Dhanapala‘s roles as a director of Dialog and as a member of the Civil Society group Friday Forum. Dialog continues to block access in Sri Lanka to news websites critical of the government including the Colombo Telegraph.
“On the face of it that there is an issue appears to have been established. What remains is its resolution within the framework and in conformity with the principles and practices mentioned above. This would strengthen the civil society contribution to governance in the country.” Dr. Saravanamuttu further said.
Speaking to Colombo Telegraph yesterday Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri said; “This is a serious allegation. As a key public figure who is in the frontline in defending democratic rights in recent times, he has a duty to defend himself against this allegation. While acknowledging his role in raising his voice against the growing authoritarian tendency in Sri Lanka, I would like him to be equally outspoken when business interests are cooperating with the anti-democratic regime. Perhaps business interests are more damaging for freedom of expression and right to information than the state repression because the former is more subtle. I think, therefore, that The Colombo Telegraph has every right to ask Dr. Dhanapala for a clarification on this serious matter, and we the readers of the Colombo Telegraph too should do the same.”
Related posts;
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
Sri Lanka Blocks Websites And The President Lies On Twitter
OutRider / March 19, 2014
What further proof is needed Pakiasothy Saravanamuttu’s human rights work cannot be taken seriously. His response is pure claptrap to a pretty straightforward issue. He is talking like a glib politician. If he cannot make a simple direct statement condemning this obvious violation of one of the most basic human rights – free speech – how can we take his ponderous reports on more convoluted events, made even more obscure by biased media coverage, seriously? It’s time to expose all human rights slickers.
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Palmsquirrell / March 19, 2014
You have been supporting GOSL and Sinhala Nationalism in previous threads and yet now you condemn Pakiasothy for not being blunt enough.
You are just an opportunist finding an excuse to attack Pakiasothy, and your concern for human rights is fake.
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Trudy / March 19, 2014
Jayantha Dhanapala does not have a proper doctorate as far as I know and should NOT be referred to as “Doctor”. He has some honorary doctorate – but these come cheap today.
In any case, people who have JDs or honorary doctorates are NOT expected to use the title “Doctor”. This also applies to Radhika Coomaraswarmy and Jehan Perera and Mervin Silva too!
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Amarasiri / March 20, 2014
Dr. Saravanamuttu
“I am sure that Ambassador Dhanapala will act within the framework of good corporate governance and in so doing uphold the best principles and practices of governance in general. “ Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, the Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Alternatives told Colombo Telegraph.”
Yes. He Already acted.
He is a Shill.
Shills are paid.
Shills have no Ethics.
What more data you want?
More Words?
Call a spade, a spade.
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Crazyoldmansl / March 19, 2014
Sara has caught the beast by the Ba–s. Now squeeze man! squeeze the hypocrite till his nasty racist guts spill out for all the world to see. Nirmal it is time for you to wake up. Where are the words of this DJ attacking the rising fascism or even daring to call it by its name?
I have said it before and I say it again BOTH the DJs fully support the blocking of Colombo Telegraph especially because of its “Colombo”.
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K.A Sumanasekera / March 19, 2014
Does poor Danapala deserve this from [Edited out] Sarawanamuttu?.
Specially in light of his painstaking work to prepare those Letters to denigrate our Sinhala Buddhist majority and their elected leaders, to give ammunition to Ms Pillai, Cameron , Harper and the Lady Ambassador in Colombo to help the Diaspora and the LTTE proxy TNA ,by instigating Regime Change?.
Wouldn’t poor Danapala also like to make a few quid ,in the current economic boom ?..
And the Dialog Dollars must be serious money in comparison to the NGO funds,
I am sure Danapala wouldn’t compromise his principles of helping the Vellalas of both communities and bring about regime change to give the UNP Christian Faction the opportunity to look after our great majority of the Sinhala Buddhist population.
But it may not necessarily fit in to the Dialog Mission statement and Danapala’s job description.
It is pity that Dr Sara couldn’t fathom it…
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Wickramasiri / March 19, 2014
Any one can ask Jayantha Dhanapala, but it is important that he asks himself why he is impotent in a Board where he is a Non Executive Director. Such Directors are there to ensure proper corporate governance. If he cannot get Dialog to stop blocking CT, then he must demand the resignation of Hans Wijesuriya, Chairman of Dialog, whist he himself tenders his resignation from the Board of Dialog and the Friday Forum. Otherwise he will have no credibility as an upright citizen, nor will Friday Forum.
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Dawn Dale / March 19, 2014
all non executive directors sitting on boards claiming independence but actually supporting internal politics of companies should be charged under criminal law. these are real white collar crimes.
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chandra / March 20, 2014
As a non-exec they can only advise and recommend on corporate policy, practices and governance. They do not and cannot take on operational policy decisions which is not within non-exec remits.
The best JD could do is to voice any disagreements on policy/practice decisions and get them minuted at the next Board Meeting.
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Nimal / March 22, 2014
Chandra talking in technocratic legalese says again that “The best JD could do is to voice any disagreements on policy/practice decisions and get them minuted at the next Board Meeting.”
C’mon Chandra, Is there an ethical issue here, or not of JD simultaneously being in the FF and Dialog which illegally blocks the CT (and other webs sites also from time to time) at the behest of the govt.?
If JD considers his income from Dialog is crucial for his existence then he should leave FF, no?
Pl. advise him of correct ethical practice.
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Palayang yako! / March 20, 2014
For those believing in decency, honesty and ethics as public practice – doesn’t Dhanapala epitomise the absolute fraud that is Friday Forum? Or are you going to continue believing that they are “nice people?” For those not in favour of fascism, murder and mayhem in government, I’d suggest thinking about that old saying: “Who wants enemies/enemas when you have friends like these?”
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Aadvaak / March 19, 2014
You guys including the CT should grow up. There is a a civilized way of talking things through, of reflection and action. CT calling JD a liar is petty and symptomatic of the triumph of the rajapakse clan’s pollution of our public debate. ie the simplistic false binary of -if you not my friend your my enemy. Come on CT growth a pair. Give the man a chance to do the right thing without petty bullying.Save that for dodgy sods like Rajpal. Dont devalue your currency!
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Palayang yako! / March 23, 2014
Aadvaak:
What are you trying to do? Divert attention from this hypocrite with this nonsense? Thank you, CT, for calling a spade a spade!
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Davidson Panabokke / March 19, 2014
JD should quit Friday Forum asap before FF loses credibility among ordinary citizens.
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Chandra Seneviratne / March 20, 2014
I agree with with Amarasiri. Jayantha Dhanapala seems over dependent
on the perks that he receives as a Director in Dialog and will not compromise benefits for his principles. Yet he has sufficeint means with a substantial pension probably in foreign currency earned for years of his service as a crrier diplomat.Who knows MR’s Junta would deprive it for JD as they did to General Fonseka. Our sympathy should go to the ordinary masses and students who are fighting for just democractic rights and not to the so-called elite.
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J.Thavarajah / March 23, 2014
Davidson Panabokke.
I agree with you.Cheers.
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