{"id":122156,"date":"2014-03-25T02:13:54","date_gmt":"2014-03-24T20:43:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?p=122156"},"modified":"2014-04-04T21:44:25","modified_gmt":"2014-04-04T16:14:25","slug":"colombo-telegraph-has-every-right-to-raise-dhanapalas-conflict-of-interest-friday-forum-member-speaks-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/colombo-telegraph-has-every-right-to-raise-dhanapalas-conflict-of-interest-friday-forum-member-speaks-out\/","title":{"rendered":"Colombo Telegraph Has Every Right To Raise Dhanapala’s Conflict Of Interest; Friday Forum Member Speaks Out"},"content":{"rendered":"

“I am confident that no one in the civil society in Sri Lanka approves restrictions on media freedom by State Sector or Private sector. I am also equally confident that without exception, the civil society condemns the blocking of the websites (including Colombo Telegraph) by the Government, directly and\/or indirectly by giving unconstitutional directives to the regulator (TRC) and the service providers. Blocking of websites is among the series of challenges we face today, under an authoritarian setup.” JC Weliamuna<\/a><\/span>, one of Sri Lanka\u2019s most prominent Human Rights lawyers and activists, the former Executive Director of Transparency International\u00a0Sri Lanka told Colombo Telegraph.<\/p>\n

\"Weliamuna_465696c\"<\/a>As a member of the Civil Society group\u00a0Friday Forum<\/a>,<\/span>\u00a0he\u00a0made above remarks when asked his opinion on Jayantha Dhanapala<\/span><\/a>\u2019s roles as a director of Dialog Axiata PLC and as a member of the Civil Society group\u00a0Friday Forum. Dialog continues to block access in Sri Lanka to news websites critical of the government including the Colombo Telegraph. [Colombo Telegraph is being blocked by all internet service providers and mobile networks \u2013 private and state owned \u2013 in Sri Lanka.]<\/p>\n

The Friday Forum, representing a group of distinguished Sri Lankans, publishes statements<\/span><\/a> about democracy and good governance, and frequently, and in our view rightly, criticises the erosion of democratic rights including the freedoms of expression and information in Sri Lanka. The Friday Forum’s public statements that are often issued under the signature of Dhanapala.<\/p>\n

“Re the specific issue of conflict of interest raised by Colombo Telegraph relating to Jayantha Dhanapala,\u00a0 I am sure that, in the course of his dealings with Dialog and its stakeholders, Dhanapala would follow the corporate best practices and principles of corporate good governance. Further, as required under the Company law and Codes of Conduct, I have no doubt that Dr. Dhanapala, being a person with high integrity,\u00a0 will address the instant issue within the framework of corporate governance and avoid any potential conflict of interest.” Weliamuna said.<\/p>\n

“Every individual has a right to raise matters of conflict of interest and such matters are generally raised in the public interest (as opposed to private interests). Conflicts can arise in any sphere including private companies and even media organisations and therefore I believe that Colombo Telegraph, like any citizen, has every right to raise it in the public interest.” he further said.<\/p>\n

The Dialog Axiata PLC\u2019s 2013 annual report\u00a0 is clear that: \u201cThe Board has separate and independent access to the Group\u2019s Senior Management\u2026 ..The directors, especially non-executive directors, have access to independent professional advice in the course of fulfilling their responsibilities, at the Company\u2019s expense.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dhanapala is an \u201cIndependent, non-executive\u201d director of Dialog, and would in accordance with company policy, have \u201cindependent access to the group\u2019s senior management,\u201d and also \u201cprofessional advice,\u201d on the legal status of the blocking.<\/p>\n

When contacted for comment on the \u2018aims and objectives\u2019 of the Friday Forum, a prominent member replied that it was committed to supporting the \u201crule of law,\u201d \u201cfreedom of information and expression,\u201d and\u00a0 \u201can independent media.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Colombo Telegraph has no direct information of the quantum of compensation Dialog pays Jayantha Dhanapala, the 2013 annual report of lists an amount in excess of 76 million Rupees, as directors compensation for the entire board of 8 members, who meet 7 times a year.<\/p>\n

Related posts;<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jayantha Dhanapala Is A Liar; Caught Lying Over Silence On Colombo Telegraph Blocking<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Jayaratne Says Dhanapala Will Stand By Best Practices, Dhanapala Pussyfoots On Illegal Web Blocking<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Article 19 Slams Ban On Colombo Telegraph Website<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Dialog Board Director And Friday Forum Member Jayantha Dhanapala Fails To Stop CT Blockade On Dialog Network<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Dhanapala May Be Influenced By Large Payment He Receives From Dialog \u2013 Professor Kumar David<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018Dhanapala\u2019s Position Ethically Untenable\u2019 Says Dr. Pradeep Jeganathan<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Sara Says \u2018Dhanapala \u2013 WebBlocking\u2019 Issue Needs To Be Resolved Within The Framework Of Good Governance<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Subtle Business Interests More Damaging Than Anti\u2013Democratic Regime: Dhanapala Should Answer Conflict Of Interest Questions \u2013 Dr. Nirmal Ranjith<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Sri Lanka Blocks Websites And The President Lies On Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Once Again Colombo Telegraph Blocked; Dialog And Etisalat Tamper DNS Responses<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

TRC Blocks Colombo Telegraph, Warns Service Providers To Maintain It\u2019s A \u2018Technical Glitch\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Colombo Telegraph Blocked, How To Reach Us Now: Sri Lanka Telecom And Mobitel Joins The DPI Club!<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Sri Lankan Govt. Periodically Blocked Colombo Telegraph In 2013: US Human Rights Report<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

History of Colombo Telegraph blocking<\/strong><\/p>\n

First -December 26, 2011 –\u00a0We are blocked but we will not be stopped<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Second –\u00a0May 8, 2012 –\u00a0Colombo Telegraph Blocked Again<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Third –\u00a0March 29, 2013 \u00a0–\u00a0Sri Lanka Blocks Colombo Telegraph<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/strong>Selected Tweets: Colombo Telegraph Unblocked<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Fourth –\u00a0August 23, 2013 –\u00a0Colombo Telegraph Blocked, How To Reach Us Now: Sri Lanka Telecom And Mobitel Joins The DPI Club!<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Other attempts\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

October 26, 2012 –\u00a0Colombo Telegraph Was Hacked<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

August 9, 2012\u00a0ColomboTelegraph Password Cracking Attempt Blocked<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Freedom House Report: Freedom On The Net 2012, Sri Lanka Is A Country At Risk<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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