After months of conspicuous silence over his position on the blockage of Colombo Telegraph, former diplomat and rights advocate Dr. Jayantha Dhanapala has decided to step down from his position as member of the Director Board of Dialog Axiata PLC., one of several internet service providers that has blocked the said website.
TRC head Anusha and the Dialog head Hans
Although the site had been blocked by other prominent internet service providers, Dr. Dhanapala received criticism for remaining on the Board even as he advocated freedom of speech and democratic values in other forums.
The former diplomat’s contradictory position was first brought to light by Colombo Telegraph, which repeatedly sought clarification from him on the matter to no avail. The Nation too reported Dhanapala’s silence on the issue in light of his stature in the public sphere as a rights advocate.
However, Dialog in a stock market disclosure to the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) on May 9 (Friday) stated that Dr Dhanapala would retire from his position as Independent Non-Executive Director of Dialog due to personal reasons. The disclosure also said that he would retire after the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the company scheduled to be held on June 10.
Colombo Telegraph rubbishes Palpita’s claims
Meanwhile, Editor of Colombo Teleraph, Uvindu Kurukulasuriya rubbished claims made by Chairman, Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL), Anusha Palpita that if websites relating to media are registered with the Ministry of Mass Media and Information they would not be blocked.
“There is no law in Sri Lanka to register websites, it is only a circular which was challenged by many in the Supreme Court,” Kurukulasuriya said.
Palpita earlier told The Nation that websites were blocked based on complaints received by the TRCSL. In addition, he also stated that TRCSL also monitors websites and blocks them if the content was not suitable for the public.
He however stated that websites registered with the Ministry of Mass Media and Information need not be blocked as they are approved by the Ministry itself.
However, Kurukulasuriya refuted Palpita’s claim, pointing out that despite complaints, other sites remained unblocked. He also asked whether other news websites based abroad were registered with the Ministry for them to be accessed in Sri Lanka? “Is BBC or Guardian or New York Times registered with Sri Lanka’s Media Ministry? BBC has a separate website called BBC Sinhala – is it registered?” he questioned.
Finally Kurukulasuriya alleged that Palpita appears to be the principal actor behind this blocking: ‘He has not denied TRCSL involvement in the blocking although he could have said, for example, that the question should be answered by Dialog. He is therefore implying complicity or even acknowledging directive responsibility.’
Mr Palpita was not available for comment while Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media and Information Charitha Herath did not respond to repeated calls and text messages.
Courtesy Arthur Wamanan/The Nation
Amarasiri / May 12, 2014
Search in site…
TRC Head Palpita ‘Selective’ And ‘Inconsistent’
“Mr Palpita was not available for comment while Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media and Information Charitha Herath did not respond to repeated calls and text messages.”
“Courtesy Arthur Wamanan/The Nation”
Well, Well,
These SHILLS need SHILL TRAINING. Were they trained by Lakshman Borugalla, the Former media Head who tried to commit suicide?
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Dodo / May 12, 2014
TRCSL is Gota the Goon and the Rajapaksa regime’s censor. It blocks websites that expose the Jarapassa regime’s CORRUPTION and CRIMINALITY, and claims that these sites that are FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE and ACCOUNTABILITY are bad for the Public!
Upside down democracy in the land of Sinhala Modayas! Wonder of Asia indeed!
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Pandukabaya / May 14, 2014
Watch this link below about the would be crack within the regime.
Iam not 100% sure if this is a drama or genuine feelings of WW.
I despise Weerawanse for many reasons but what he was saying in this discussion is interesting.
http://www.col3negoriginal.cc/watch.php?id=54253
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Amarasiri / May 12, 2014
TRC Head Palpita ‘Selective’ And ‘Inconsistent’
This is called DOUBLE STANDARDS.
The Paras follow this policy.
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Wickramasiri / May 12, 2014
People like Anusha Palpita lack the character and education that is expected of a person holding such a responsible position.He has been trained only in servitude and all he knows is to obey orders. He needs to be replaced with someone with principles. It is also time to get the whole Board of Dialog dismissed for being totally weak and meek when the country is being assailed with dishonest and unethical acts of the government. I presume this is the Malaysian Standard?
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Sapumal / May 12, 2014
Dont expect any justice from these rajapaksha maffia and its goons. Anusha pelpita is a boot licker and a pet of Rajapaksha regime. He do everything what rajapaksa fellows asks him to do and to keep them in power to make more money. Find out about his share from Lotus tower loans and giving contract to certain unqualified contactors. There is only one option forus to get justice and democracy. We must chased them as soon as possible from sucking our nations blood. MR and goons are the blood sucking parasiites of our nation. LTTE didnt do much harm like them.Rally around a common opposition candidate to change this unhealthy system from today onward.Win for all of us!This is country belong to its people.Establish democracy for people!
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Navin / May 12, 2014
Who the [Edited out] is Anusha [Edited out] Palpita to decide what I will read or not read. Look at his [Edited out]
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Jayagath Perera / May 14, 2014
This demonstrates how Palpita palpitates in the face of issues and problems.
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Simhi / January 2, 2015
Mr. Anusha Palpita is not the chairman of the TRC. It is Mr. Lalith Weeratunge. Question should be addressed to him. Secretary Telecommunications may be helpless. So get an answer from the chairman please.
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