Two senior producers of the Sinhala Sandeshiya Service of the BBC World Service have been suspended from service until further notice, allegedly on charges of harassment, Colombo Telegraph reliably learns.
Bandara
According to inside sources, Chandana Keerthi Bandara and M.J.R. David have been suspended few days ago by the BBC, after two controversial recruits – one from Sinhala Service and the other from Tamil Service made official complaints against the duo.
Although the BBC on previous occasions have, in fact, commented on cases of this nature, a BBC World Service Spokesman when contacted by Colombo Telegraph, declined to comment “on individual cases” in this particular case.
“We do not comment on individual cases but where we find instances of misconduct they will be dealt with. The BBC is leading the industry in the way we support staff with complaints and this includes maintaining a confidential and fair process,” BBC World Service Spokesman Paul Rasmussen told Colombo Telegraph.
The BBC spokesman however, did not deny the suspension of its two Senior Producers attached to the Sinhala Service.
“The fact that we do not comment on individual cases does not indicate that the BBC accepts that suggestions put to us by any newspaper are factually accurate,” the BBC spokesman said.
The Colombo Telegraph has been unable to reach Bandara or David for comment.
As we reported earlier, there is another case against Chandana Keerthi Bandara also pending. This was based on a complaint made by former editor of the Sinhala Service Priyath Liyanage, who was also suspended once and sent for rehabilitation twice within the past two years for breaching the BBC’s code of conduct.
Dushy Ranetunge / March 29, 2014
Deyyo Sakki!!!!!! What Happened ? Did they say….You are with us or you are against us???
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M. D. Perera / March 30, 2014
Very bad situation!
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len / March 29, 2014
Gutless BBC will have them back in couple of weeks.
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Rubert Vanderkoon / March 29, 2014
What is the problem with the BBC? Why don’t they just shut down this phoney BBC-Sinhala service run by a gang who are neither journalists, nor knows no Sinhala?
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M.D. Perera / March 30, 2014
Shutting down BBC-Sinhala service is not the solution!
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eusense / March 29, 2014
It is time to kick BBC out of Sri Lanka. BBC is a corrupt UK gov. funded entity.
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Palmsquirrell / March 30, 2014
We should replace BBC with impartial and fair news sources , like Chinese government run newspapers.
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Sandun Jayamanne / March 31, 2014
You prove your idiocy again and again. Peradeniya Degree seems to have nothing but undemocratic views.
What is your next suggestion ? what kind of ideology ? So then help changing the name from current title
“Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka” into
1) Rajapakshe socialist republic of sl
2) Volks republic of Srilanka
or the like…
In an era where democratic values are being marginalised day to another, this may be the need of hour.
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Ben Hurling / April 1, 2014
Yep.
UK should appoint Rajpal, Malinda & Hudson to BBC management. They will sort BBC out the Sri Lankan way.
Cheers!
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Ranjitha Weerakoon / March 29, 2014
The BBC needs to question it’s principles and it’s professional integrity as an institution.
Tell us what these claims are and why Telegraph.
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Lalith / March 29, 2014
BBC want to use their Sinhala Service as Tamil propaganda machine. If you are against it. You are fired.
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Vanja Ostberg / March 29, 2014
“Charges of harassment”
Who have they harassed and and why?
Why aren’t the BBC telling us what’s happening or what the other side of the coin is?
The BBC operate of culture of fear and secrecy.
So much for freedom of speech and democratic principles.
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Keith / March 29, 2014
What is wrong with BBC. It looks like BBC also taking the disgraced path of SLBC – Kicking out veteran seniors and hiring people connected to the management. “Sinhala Sandeshiya Service” has made a difference when it needs the most to Sri Lankan Sinhalese. Remember 1986 period. These things will kill the creativity of the employees because they have to focus on the survival than innovation.
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Pubudu Karunanayake / March 29, 2014
[Edited out]
We are sorry, the comment language is English – CT
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Ignatius / March 29, 2014
What’s happening in BBC. Interesting to note that the complaints were from two controversial recruits. so was it find place for the recruits.
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Enrico da silva / March 30, 2014
In the name of press freedom, BBC stay with us, or tell us otherwise
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prasan / March 30, 2014
Who are the recruits and why havent they been named? what is the BBC hiding?
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Dayapala / March 30, 2014
How many cases can they bring against members?
This seems very political.
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Dayanath / March 30, 2014
Why are BBC supervisors constantly failing at dealing with employees?
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Kumara / March 30, 2014
What is happening with the cases and sinhala section? Its very corrupt and supports managers who are tools of UK gov.
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Jayantha / March 30, 2014
If BBC can let us know the Kind of Harassments they did that fit for their suspension.
Have they given warnings before they were suspended.
Frankly I don’t like the two girl annoucers. They look pretty novice.
I still love the OLD BBC Sandeshaya, and insist BBC maintain it’s traditional layout.
There’s a unique attachment to it, specially the Voices of the anouncers.
BBC please Recruit back Bandara and David. Patience is the key.
I love their voices, and please stick to your old traditionl layout.
There’s a unique blend in it.
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Lasantha / March 30, 2014
We herd BBC is looking for cost cutting operations due to low budget allocation.
Is this part of BBC strategy to hire new recruits at lower cost.
We BBC listernars love the old anouncers, as they are unique to BBC tradition and to us listeners.
Remember Old is Gold.
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Maveeran / March 30, 2014
First of all who lets these blady sinhalames to run a Sinhalame news service. Look at Chandana Keerthi Bandara, he looks like a [Edited out]. Looks more like Native Veda to me.
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Chamath Kamal / March 31, 2014
I just can’t believe this why are journalist being harrassed?
No one is worried because no one listens!
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Jagath Serasinghe / March 31, 2014
Wasn’t the head Priyath sacked or suspended or now has Priyath sacked these two? What the hell is going on a waste of time comenting on these silly things?
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Stewart Sloan / April 1, 2014
HEALTH WARNING!
BBC News –
HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED – Can cause delusions.
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kakum bandara / April 2, 2014
we salute divaina defence writer keerthi warnakulasuriya who expose chandanas govt car loan case
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Anupama Sirimanna / November 27, 2016
could you pls provide a contact for MR mjr David , he is my teacher
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