{"id":122929,"date":"2014-04-09T02:28:50","date_gmt":"2014-04-08T20:58:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?p=122929"},"modified":"2014-04-24T01:33:31","modified_gmt":"2014-04-23T20:03:31","slug":"dhanapala-must-choose-says-saravanamuttu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/dhanapala-must-choose-says-saravanamuttu\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Dhanapala Must Choose’ Says Saravanamuttu"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dr.\u00a0Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0Executive Director of the Center for Policy Alternative, one of Sri Lanka\u2019s major think tanks, told Colombo Telegraph earlier this morning that Ambassador Jayantha Dhanapala<\/span><\/a> must choose. \u201cGiven the information now in the public realm<\/span><\/a>,\u201d he said, \u201c I believe that the two positions – one within Dialog which blocks Colombo Telegraph and the other within Friday Forum which champions democratic governance – are incompatible. In that position, I would choose between them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Jayantha<\/a>

Jayantha Dhanapala<\/p><\/div>\n

Dhanapala is an \u201cIndependent, non-executive\u201d director of Dialog Axiata PLC and also a leading member of the Friday Forum<\/span><\/a>, which states it is committed to supporting the \u201crule of law,\u201d \u201cfreedom of information and expression,\u201d and\u00a0 \u201can independent media.\u201d<\/p>\n

Earlier, on the 19th of March Dr. Saravanamuttu had said<\/span><\/a> that, \u201cI am sure that Ambassador Dhanapala will act within the framework of good corporate governance and in so doing uphold the best principles and practices of governance in general.\u201d<\/p>\n

Even though the blocking of CT by Dialog is an established fact, and has even been reported by an uncontested 2013 US State Department Human Rights repor<\/span>t<\/a> on Sri Lanka, Dhanapala continues to serve on the board of Dialog Axiata PLC, the holding company of the broadband telecommunications provider, which is one of the larger corporates, traded on the Colombo Stock Exchange. He has also said, he only learnt about the blocking from Colombo Telegraph itself, and also maintains that he can not speak for the company.<\/p>\n

In earlier statements to Colombo Telegraph, Dr. Kumar David<\/span><\/a>, Dr. Nirmal Ranjit Dewasiri<\/span><\/a>, and Dr. Pradeep Jeganathan<\/span><\/a> all pointed to the grave ethical issues raised by Dhanapala\u2019s continuing presence on the board of Dialog. Dr. David, has as wondered if Dhanapala,\u201c..may be influenced by the apparently large payment he receives for his services on the Board.\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

Dr. Dewasiri said, in an earlier statement to CT, \u201c Perhaps business interests are more damaging for freedom of expression and right to information than the state repression because the former is more subtle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Contacted for comment a few weeks ago, Dr. Jeganathan\u2019s said, \u201cIt is certainly fair to say that Ambassador Dhanapala can not speak for Dialog Axiata PLC. But certainly, he can consult his conscience and speak for himself. And more importantly, act ethically…I have a deep disquiet about the very concept of \u2018good governance\u2019 \u2013 which implies that public affairs, and common interests can be \u2018managed\u2019 in the same way as a for profit company. This is perhaps where we need to rethink our collective ethical stance.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Picture Evidence: After Dhanapala Addressed BASL Meeting Dialog Blocked Colombo Telegraph Again<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Unlawful Restrictions On Media By State Or Private Actors Is A Matter Of Serious Public Concern And Must Be Questioned \u2013 Bishop Chickera And Prof. Savitri<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/strong>Dialog Unblocked Colombo Telegraph For Dhanapala To Address A Public Meeting<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/strong>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

International Press Institute Urges UN To Ensure Interference With Colombo Telegraph Ends<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/strong>Colombo Telegraph Has Every Right To Raise Dhanapala\u2019s Conflict Of Interest; Friday Forum Member Speaks Out<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Article 19 Slams Ban On Colombo Telegraph Website<\/a><\/strong><\/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><\/span><\/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><\/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":"

[…]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":121732,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,1,6969,2375],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-122929","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-colombotelegraph","category-news","category-popular-stories","category-stories"],"yoast_head":"\n'Dhanapala Must Choose' Says Saravanamuttu - Colombo Telegraph<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/dhanapala-must-choose-says-saravanamuttu\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"'Dhanapala Must Choose' Says Saravanamuttu - Colombo Telegraph\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"[…]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/dhanapala-must-choose-says-saravanamuttu\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Colombo Telegraph\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2014-04-08T20:58:50+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2014-04-23T20:03:31+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Jayantha-Dhanapala2.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1280\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"720\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"COLOMBO TELEGRAPH\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"COLOMBO TELEGRAPH\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/dhanapala-must-choose-says-saravanamuttu\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/dhanapala-must-choose-says-saravanamuttu\/\",\"name\":\"'Dhanapala Must Choose' Says Saravanamuttu - Colombo Telegraph\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/dhanapala-must-choose-says-saravanamuttu\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/dhanapala-must-choose-says-saravanamuttu\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Jayantha-Dhanapala2.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2014-04-08T20:58:50+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2014-04-23T20:03:31+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#\/schema\/person\/9db3d0cfcfa59e1997e3c3524d454cb3\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/dhanapala-must-choose-says-saravanamuttu\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/dhanapala-must-choose-says-saravanamuttu\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/dhanapala-must-choose-says-saravanamuttu\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Jayantha-Dhanapala2.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Jayantha-Dhanapala2.jpg\",\"width\":1280,\"height\":720,\"caption\":\"Dhanapala\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/dhanapala-must-choose-says-saravanamuttu\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"‘Dhanapala Must Choose’ Says Saravanamuttu\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/\",\"name\":\"Colombo Telegraph\",\"description\":\"In journalism truth is a process\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#\/schema\/person\/9db3d0cfcfa59e1997e3c3524d454cb3\",\"name\":\"COLOMBO TELEGRAPH\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/920b3181b0bf86b5c339ad9f0963a89f6a8b19c4b971e629987a021ba7a663df?s=96&d=identicon&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/920b3181b0bf86b5c339ad9f0963a89f6a8b19c4b971e629987a021ba7a663df?s=96&d=identicon&r=g\",\"caption\":\"COLOMBO TELEGRAPH\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/author\/colombo_telegraph\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"'Dhanapala Must Choose' Says Saravanamuttu - Colombo Telegraph","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/dhanapala-must-choose-says-saravanamuttu\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"'Dhanapala Must Choose' Says Saravanamuttu - Colombo Telegraph","og_description":"[…]","og_url":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/dhanapala-must-choose-says-saravanamuttu\/","og_site_name":"Colombo Telegraph","article_published_time":"2014-04-08T20:58:50+00:00","article_modified_time":"2014-04-23T20:03:31+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1280,"height":720,"url":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Jayantha-Dhanapala2.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"COLOMBO TELEGRAPH","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"COLOMBO TELEGRAPH","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/dhanapala-must-choose-says-saravanamuttu\/","url":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/dhanapala-must-choose-says-saravanamuttu\/","name":"'Dhanapala Must Choose' Says Saravanamuttu - Colombo Telegraph","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/dhanapala-must-choose-says-saravanamuttu\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/dhanapala-must-choose-says-saravanamuttu\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Jayantha-Dhanapala2.jpg","datePublished":"2014-04-08T20:58:50+00:00","dateModified":"2014-04-23T20:03:31+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#\/schema\/person\/9db3d0cfcfa59e1997e3c3524d454cb3"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/dhanapala-must-choose-says-saravanamuttu\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/dhanapala-must-choose-says-saravanamuttu\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/dhanapala-must-choose-says-saravanamuttu\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Jayantha-Dhanapala2.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Jayantha-Dhanapala2.jpg","width":1280,"height":720,"caption":"Dhanapala"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/dhanapala-must-choose-says-saravanamuttu\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"‘Dhanapala Must Choose’ Says Saravanamuttu"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/","name":"Colombo Telegraph","description":"In journalism truth is a process","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#\/schema\/person\/9db3d0cfcfa59e1997e3c3524d454cb3","name":"COLOMBO TELEGRAPH","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/920b3181b0bf86b5c339ad9f0963a89f6a8b19c4b971e629987a021ba7a663df?s=96&d=identicon&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/920b3181b0bf86b5c339ad9f0963a89f6a8b19c4b971e629987a021ba7a663df?s=96&d=identicon&r=g","caption":"COLOMBO TELEGRAPH"},"url":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/author\/colombo_telegraph\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Jayantha-Dhanapala2.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/122929","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/22"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=122929"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/122929\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":122950,"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/122929\/revisions\/122950"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/121732"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=122929"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=122929"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=122929"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}