The Sunday Leader journalist who researched the MiG deal had to leave the country after after being intimidated, according to a leaked cable from the US Embassy Colombo
Pethiyagoda
“In the overheated climate engendered by the officials’ comments, several journalists and members of media organizations expressed to Embassy officers heightened concerns for their personal safety. On May 26, Ruan Pethiyagoda of the Sunday Leader communicated to Emboffs that he was being followed and had gone into hiding. Pethiyagoda had received threats recently after Sri Lankan Government officials learned he was researching a story that involved allegations of corruption on the part of Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa in large armed forces procurement transactions. Pethiyagoda worked closely with Lasantha Wickrematunge, editor of the Sunday Leader, who was slain in January 2009. As Pethiyagoda is an Australian dual national, Emboffs contacted an Australian High Commission officer about the case, who accompanied Pethiyagoda to the airport on May 27. He is now safely outside of Sri Lanka.” the US Embassy Colombo informed Washington.
The Colombo Telegraph found the related leaked cable from the WikiLeaks database dated June 05, 2009. The cable is classified as “CONFIDENTIAL” and written by the US embassy Charge d’Affaires James R. Moore.
US embassy Charge d’Affaires wrote; “Military affairs analyst Iqbal Athas ceased writing his regular column for the Sunday Times (Colombo) several months ago because of fears of reprisals. He had sought safe haven abroad on several previous occasions, but returned to Sri Lanka and lived in hiding. Athas became fearful after the attack on Poddala Jayantha, telling told Pol Chief that he was being followed by men on motorcycles. On June 2, Athas again fled abroad.
“The GSL’s victory has emboldened Sinhalese nationalists. As the most recent intemperate statements against journalists indicate, it appears that the Government intends to continue chauvinistic rhetoric it believes will maintain its support among this key constituency. Post expects the media will continue to feel threatened and inclined toward self-censorship. Newspapers such as the Daily Mirror that previously supported the political opposition in their editorial stance, have increasingly become echoes of the government-owned press. Even the outspoken Sunday Leader has muted it anti-government stance and has muted its crusading tone, shying away from the aggressive investigative journalism that was its hallmark. We expect that an increasing number of journalists will come to the Embassy and other foreign missions for support and protection. For many of them, there appear to be few viable alternatives to fleeing the country, at least temporarily. Those who return may find that the threat against them has not diminished, as Jayantha’s case shows.” James Moore further said.
Related stories;
Academic Exposing Corrupt War Procurement Tender Process Threatened By Rajapaksa Government
Media Not Allowed To Cover Sumanthiran Cross-Examining Gotabaya
Press Barred Again From Covering Gotabaya’s Cross Examination In Court
Apology To Gotabaya By The Sunday Leader
Rajapaksa First Cousin’s Illegal Arms Deals: Sri Lanka To Send Investigation Team To Ukraine
Rajapaksas Siphon Off 18 Billion Dollars: Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera
A Trembling Gotabaya Appears Before FCID
Gota’s MiG Deal: Investigation Finds Secret Bank Account In British Virgin Islands
Wikileaks: Athas Fears Retaliation For Critical Articles On Gota’s MiG Deal
truth finder / June 3, 2015
The MIG deal cost 2 lives of prominent people Lasantha and Sripathi, it agonised and threatened many including Aththas and Janz and Pethiyagoda etc and made them leave the country! I wonder why Mangala was spared? Did he compromise? It all goes to say connections of corruption, impunity and violence had it’s day! Would the people be made accountable?????
/
Paddy / June 3, 2015
This is no laughing matter. The MiG deal endangered the lives of our airforce personnel.
I can’t believe that there are donkeys who are still wanting MR to make a come back. What a dark period that was.
/
Abhaya / June 8, 2015
yeah sure retard . air force would have done a fat lot of good on the ground .
/
NAK / August 21, 2015
If you call that period dark, what do you call the period prior to that?
And how did the Mig deal endanger lives of air force personnel?
/
Amarasiri / June 3, 2015
Pethiyagoda
“The Sunday Leader journalist who researched the MiG deal had to leave the country after after being intimidated, according to a leaked cable from the US Embassy Colombo”
It is all in the Mahinda Rajapaksa Family.
They are Liars, Crooks, Thieves, Criminals and Bastards.
Gottabel placed the order to Kill Lasntha Wickramatunga, after Iqbal Athas left .
The Question to ask is Why are the killers still at large?
/
Native Vedda / June 3, 2015
K A Sumanasekeram
What was Ruan Pethiyagoda a Diasporan from down under doing in this island?
Was he bent on disgracing this country, its inhabitants, Sinhala/Buddhist culture ……… Mahawamsa, …………. Gnanasara, ….?
How dare he goes against the clan?
As national smart ass patriotic duty he should have hushed it up. Instead he had definitely committed treachery, betrayed the clan, …… tried to expose corruption. This is unacceptable.
Could you ask the other smart ass patriot H. L. D. Mahindapala (Australian Diasporan) to track him down, rake some mud, disgrace him,……….. find traces of LTTE connection, …..
V. Kanthaiya Annoey’s donkey is too busy kicking some Accounting asses.
/
Peace Lover / June 3, 2015
ehhh Native Vedha,your asking too many questiones from K A sumansekera(m).please dont disturb him from his fantasy life
/
Peace Lover / June 3, 2015
Good that the dark days are over
/
Sylvia Haik / July 8, 2015
The Rajapakses may be out of power but their thuggery had not diminished. There are women who enjoy being spanked and there are Sri Lankans who probably enjoy being kicked upon. Why else would they be wanting these criminals back.
/
NAK / August 21, 2015
Mistaken identity Sylvie,that was Pa Cha ya’s teritory.
/
NAK / August 21, 2015
Dark day’s came to an end….a permanant end on 19th May 2009. Were you hibernating all this time?
/
Senthil / June 3, 2015
Algeria students decided enough is enough of corrupted politicians and changed the whole system. Tamil youths had enough with ineffective politicians and LTTE born but the Singhalese youths still could not get enough courage to punish corrupted politicians. Even after ruining the country, MR is able to walk on the road with his moustache, means he still think all Singhalese youths are only good to eat rice and they never unite for good course (army only united to abuse Tamil women).Only isolated youths like Lasanths get killed or left the country and made the country orphan. Now the only remaining option is relying on GOD to save our country. Srilanka is the only country in the modern world, Politian ruin without fear and stay in the country and give-up green card. What a country and what a greater people – save your underwear from auction by politicians.
/
NAK / August 21, 2015
That was the difference Senthil. In algeria the Students started the rebellion against a corrupt ruler and it stuck,Algeria is peaceful now.
Until then the US was petting that ruler Ben Ali.
In other ‘Arab Springs’USA instigated rebellions against rulers US wanted deposed and all of them are in a real hell hole now.
/
Mervyn Silva / June 4, 2015
Gotabaya used Major General Prasad Samarasinghe to the maximum for these secret operations. Prasad Samarasinghe also dedicated his time and energy to please MR regime with the fervent hope of becoming the next Army Commander! He deserves a DPL posting as it was he who took Karuna Amman to UK under a DPL passport.
/
Abhaya / June 8, 2015
dogs are following him .
cheers
Abhaya
/
NAK / August 21, 2015
If pethiyagoda was beign follwed on 26th of May 2015 he should have notified the Yahaplanayas. Why go to the US embassy.
Or does that mean that it is the Yahapalayas who are doing what they accused former goverment of doing!
/