A photograph published by www.sinhala.srilankamirror.lk has conclusively proved that Sunil Jayasekera, Convenor of the Free Media Movement (FMM), has deliberately lied when explaining Jacqueline Park‘s presence at a workshop held in Janaki Hotel, Colombo.
Park - Kandalam Hotel
Jacqueline Park, Asia Pacific Director of the International Federation of Journalists (a paid worker), is currently being questioned by immigration authorities over suspected violation of immigration laws. Park entered Sri Lanka on a tourist visa.
Immigration authorities had been tipped off about Park’s visa issue by elements in organisations that are full members of the IFJ, disgruntled over continued preference of the IFJ for an affiliate (FMM) over member organizations. Even this event, as evident by the wording on the banner, clearly shows that full members of the IFJ are not involved.
Free Media Movement Convener Sunil Jayasekera has claimed that Park and another IFJ member were originally not assigned to take part in the workshop organized by them.
“After hearing that they were in the country we (FMM) decided to request for their presence at the workshop. They did not come here on an invitation extended by us,” he said.
This story appears to be a barefaced lie considering that the event was jointly organised by the FMM and IFJ. Jayasekera’s statement implies that neither he nor the FMM had prior knowledge of Park’s presence in Sri Lanka, which is highly unlikely given Park’s position in the IFJ and given IFJ’s involvement in the event as co-organiser.
The Colombo Telegraph learns that Park has visited Sri Lanka on no less than 17 occasions. Immigration authorities are currently investigating whether these visits were on tourists visas and whether Park participated in workshops, seminars or other events as per IFJ direction, i.e. ‘official work’.
Abhaya Premawardena / October 30, 2013
she should park her azz in jail for 1 month like the TN fishermen.
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shiromie / October 31, 2013
agree
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gandha azwer / October 31, 2013
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K.A Sumanasekera / October 31, 2013
Human Rights protectors who pay these freedom fighters,even listen to Angela’s personal calls to her physician about her menopause medication. to protect their citizens and their borders.
What the hell is going on, on protection of our borders and our citizens when anti Lankan NGOs sneak in not once but seventeen times using dodgy Visas and or Passports?.
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PalmSquirrell / October 31, 2013
Anti-Lankan = anyone criticizing and exposing Rajapaksa regime and Sinhala Nationalists.
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Dr.Easwaran / November 1, 2013
Because your country is also doggy. all your comments seem to show that you all are the example of the story of the frog in a well. get out of your box and see things around you. You all have become a nation of Liar’s. In this particular case please find out the actual story, before casting your pearls.
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Wickramasiri / October 31, 2013
Is CT against the FMM and the IFJ? If so why? I do not see the reason to punish someone for coming on a tourist visa except where such person seeks permanent employment in the country. There is no point in being paranoid about people visiting the country, whether tourist or NGO. If they have an agenda of their own, so be it. Have we got anything to hide? This is a democracy is it not?
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ela kolla / October 31, 2013
should be put in a jail cell with 20 inmates.[Edited out]
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Capucine da Silva / October 31, 2013
Abaya Premawardena another joker joins Sumanasekara
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srilal / October 31, 2013
Dear CT Editors & Owners ,
these people might have got involved in misusing the finances , but you guys adding fuel on the raging inferno by going after your rivals , in other words helping the Junta regime and its sympathizers.just look at the bigger picture , what do you expect to happen ? Lackeys and stooges will jump on the usual band wagon ” LTTE sympathizers & its NGOs” are trying to divide the country and discredit democratically elected pure sinhala Buddhist nation !
CT whose side are you on ?
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NAK / October 31, 2013
Why do you think CT should be on your side or be on anybody’s side for that matter!!
This park woman could have easily obtained a visa to attend what ever she was attending, if it was not something fishy.
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Rev.Devi / November 1, 2013
Sunanda Deshapriya!!
A school drop out, joined the Wijeweera’s JVP and battled with shot guns in vain to become a Minister of a Revolutionary Government in 1972. Spent about seven years behind bars and came out at the mercy of JRJ. All his comrades clearly identified his classless nature and departed from him but late Sunila Obeyasekara and Ranjith of the INSD (Germany).
His reading habits of books and men helped him to gain more knowledge about people and opportunities but has never changed his nature- Nature that lacks quality, nature that always filled with greediness, nature that always runs behind opportunistic gains, nature that is ever ready to ignore values for money and power !!
When Sunila decided to say good bye to the JVP in the 80s, Sunanda followed her paths, but the reasons for Sunanda to quit were different from Sunila’s.
His contributions to Yukkthiya and Ravaya paved the ways for him to become the founder convener of the free media movement (FMM) in the 90s.
He became the Emperor of FMM by influencing his close associates in FMM with perks.He held the position until he emptying the accounts of the FMM in 2009 to ran away with a bogus claim of ”life threat”!!?
The IFJ poured millions of Dollars into the FMM for various projects including the welfare, protection and safety of Journalist in Sri Lanka.
When the truce broke out between VP and the Government in 2006 Journalist from the North East and South as well had a terrific time in the hands of Gota’s men. Sunanda enjoyed heaven in five star hotels with his close associates with the money given to protect Journalists. He played out more than three millions and kept no accounts for his spending.
Whenever a fight breaks out among his colleagues , especially after a booze….you can hear them accusing each other as ‘horu..horu” (Thief ..thief).He refused to certify with a line in black and white about the terrific problems faced by certain journalists from the North.
It’s non but Mr.Clean – Dr.Sara , who threw him out of CPA for Sunanda’s usual and classless art of theft. That act was the eye opener on Sunanda.
Sunanda was vrey much sure that Gen.Sarath Fonseka – his classmate and village mate could win the Presidential Election. He was planning a return to retake the FMM seat to continue with his looting. That’s why he was ready to read a three minute page at the UNHRC – prepared by Sunila !! He would , in public ,boasts that he is an ardent warrior of minority rights but in private shall regret that the act was a stupid mistake he committed against MR !!
In the mid 90s ignoring the principles and mandate of the FMM he openly supported Mrs.Kumaratunga Chandrika for nothing but perks. Many Tamil Journalist confronted with his ways and quit FMM. Sunanda while befitting from Kumaratunga, tried some of his classless tricks on her to get hammered by her thugs. Uthaya Pathirana of the INFORM should have a better picture about this along with Wediya and Buddhika Weerasinge !!?
Anything and everything he does is merely to boast about him. Anywhere he goes to collect news means he would become the news.
This man is worse than Dr.Thuttugemunu.
He continues with his money laundering projects and proposals in Geneva with the help of the INSD – run by Ranjith in Germany. Ranjith in a private meeting held in Geneva in 2011 claimed that Sunanda should be given a house and a monthly allowance to live in Geneva. These shameless and greedy creatures want the world to believe that they are fighters of the voiceless people.
Sunanda now has ended up with TNGT and BTF in Geneva as every righteous men has departed him.
Even Sunanda’s close associates address him as ”Sakvithi Ranasinghe”!!?
When Sunil Jeyasekara took the seat of Convener of the FMM in 2011, he announced that he is going to look into the past accounts of the FMM, to see Ranjith bought Sunil Jeyasekara a two way ticket to and from Geneva to spend wonderful time with Sunanda. Sunanda’s theft money seems to be keeping Sunil’s mouth shut on Sunanda’s malpractices in the FMM to-date.
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Voice of Justise / October 31, 2013
When junta Governments refuse permission to people who work for freedom of expression and democratic rights they obviously use other methods to meet their colleagues and try to collaborate with work involving with peoples rights at local and international level.It is 100% sure that Mara will never grant visa if they say that they wanting to visit the country and work with local groups for freedom on the basis of international solidarity.
Mind you that this is a country which allows people who engage in money making processes for MARAs family and friends. People who are needing to support Sri Lankan citizens for their rights strictly prohibited by the dictator but it is unfortunate of the country that people who are claiming to be the freedom fighters support MARA to do his job very easily by betraying their own colleagues.Mara will take the maximum out of the situation as usual
The FMM could have handled this matter in a more tactful manner.
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Mahasona / November 1, 2013
In any other country, she would be in a lot of trouble for what she is doing. Immigration officials in the US, the EU, in India, in Australia…Let us observe what will happen. Good lesson for other countries on how to treat the visitors even if they do not trespass the country on dodgy visas and write ‘anti-government material’.
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bo / November 1, 2013
This episode confirms the average citizen’s suspicion that the so called freedom loving journalists are nothing but a load of greedy mercenaries, willing to write any dirt to satisfy their pay masters on any subject: To discredit MR’s government, to have a go at BBS, UNP, LTTE or anything, they dont care about principles themselves, as long as their bellys are full.
Look at this sordid story. A freedom loving journalist has been shopped by their own kind. Pathetic. MR is having a field day, by one move properly timed, he has discredited the lot of you – just before CHOGM. And what did the mother of democracy, Britain, do this week: Privy Council approved the Royal Charter on press freedom (better to call it, its limitation. It proves that journalists area wild bunch, a law for themslves that need to be tamed. Now put that in your pipes and smoke!
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m.m.usoof / November 1, 2013
Let the law of the land take its own course. Nobody is above the law.
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Dr.Easwaran / November 1, 2013
m.m.usoof he say’s;”Let the law of the land take its own course. Nobody is above the law”. What law is that, and in which land. If SL then MR and his family are above the law. You and I don’t get justice in that lawless land.
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Sukumar / November 1, 2013
Poetic justice!
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