Defense secretary threatened to set fire to newspaper Irida Lanka
2010-01-30
On 28th Defense secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaska threatened to set fire to Pro JVP Sinhala Lanaguage weekly Irida Lanka. Irida Lanka newspaper has been harassed continually by the police over last six months and its staff was arrested several times. It editor Chadan Sirimalwatta was summoned to Criminal Investigation Department at lease 3 times during the last six months. ( see MFSL monthly reports). It is unbecoming for the defense secretary, who has the responsibility to maintain rule and law of the country to threaten a leader of a political party in this manner.
This threat came in the wake of presidential election victory by Defense secretary's elder brother Mhinda Rajapaksa on 27th January. The election results has been challenged by the opposition. JVP was one of the major political parties supported that supported common opposition candidate Sarath Fonseka.
According to JVP leader Somawansa Amarasingha defense seratary has called him form his mobile phone no( 00 94)77 350 1626 on 28th morning and threatened to kill him and set fire to Irida Lanka.
Irida Lanka newspaper played an important role during the election campaign in providing news and analysis form the opposition point of view. This was all the more important as mainstream media was under unprecedented pressure form the sate apparatus not provide proper coverage to common opposition candidate Sarath Fonseka.
MFSL condemns the threat in strongest terms and demand that Mr.Gotabhaya Rajapaska make an apology for his unruly behavior.
Source: http://www.lankatruth.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4583:gota-threatens-somawansa&catid=34:lead-news&Itemid=50
© IT Division - Lanka News Web.com
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