Archive for June 23rd, 2009
‘The Sunday Leader’ lawyers withdraw from case filed by defence secretary
www.colombotoday.com
(http://colombotoday.com/english/articles/NEWS/The-Sunday-Leader-lawyers-withdraw-from-case-filed-defence-secretary/3195.htm)
Lawyers for ‘The Sunday Leader’ withdrew today (June 23) from appearing for a case filed against the newspaper by defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.
Mount Lavinia district court judge Mohamed Mackie took up the case that alleges articles that appeared in the newspaper, claiming irregularities in the purchase of MiG-27 fighter aircraft, were defamatory of the defence secretary.
The petitioner is seeking Rs. 1000 million in damages.
After the respondent?s lawyers announced their withdrawal from the case, the judge granted a 30 day period for the appointment of new lawyers.
Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa was present at the hearing today.
Add comment June 23, 2009
Signs of Dictatorship Further Endorsed – Now a hunt for Sri Lankans living abroad
http://www.lankanewsweb.com/news/EN_2009_06_23_004.html
The government of Sri Lanka hell-bent on creating a dictatorial monarchy by unconstitutional means in the island has now launched a campaign to brand Sri Lankans who dissent the dogma of the regime and living abroad as “traitors” and severely punish them. A news release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs states “members of the Sri Lankan expatriate community who are engaged in activities detrimental to the sovereignty and dignity of the country would be severely dealt with, said Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama”.
It further said that the government is seeking assistance of INTERPOL to get these Sri Lankans extradited from the countries they live in at the moment. Minister apparently was speaking at a ceremony held to felicitate the defense forces. This is a further endorsement of the dictatorial approach of the Sri Lankan government.
It is common knowledge that dozens of journalists from this Paradise Island were compelled to leave to safer countries due to death threats supposedly have been issued by ‘powers that be’ and physical attacks meted out on them. Now the government wants to silence the voices of some of these journalists who are working in exile by threatening them.
It is interesting to note that the government is not only suppressing the media freedom in Sri Lanka but making attempts to take the media suppression overseas through INTERPOL. Lanka News Web awaits to see whether INTERPOL would provide such assistance to the Sri Lankan government to hunt for dissenting Sri Lankans who live in safer climates
Add comment June 23, 2009
Traitors will be brought to book – FM
Chaminda Perera (CDN)
Members of the Sri Lankan expatriate community who are engaged in activities detrimental to the sovereignty and dignity of the country would be severely dealt with, said Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama.
He said the Foreign Ministry will implement a novel program to bring these unfaithful elements to book under the directive of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The Foreign Minister was speaking at a felicitation to Security Forces personnel in Hanwella. This ceremony was organized by the Pehesara Youth Society at the Sri Wijitharama Viharaya, Hanwella.
“Our foreign missions have informed the Foreign Ministry that a large number of Sri Lankans are involved in disseminating various baseless and misleading news about Sri Lanka through various television and radio channels and websites.
The Minister said these treacherous elements are involved in a malicious media campaign against their Motherland where they were born and bred and received free education. The Government is in the process of devising a plan with the assistance of Interpol to ensure their early extradition from the countries where they are now living. The Minister said stern legal action will be taken against elements who act against the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
(http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/06/23/news28.asp)
Add comment June 23, 2009
