The police intelligence unit has begun a probe on Sirasa TV following the speech made by opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe in Parliament last week.
Sources at the Western Province Police intelligence unit at the Mirihana police station told The Sunday Leader that Wickremasinghe had alleged in Parliament that Sirasa had conspired against him and was behind the attack on the UNP headquarters at Siri Kotha last week.
The police intelligence unit has now begun an investigation to see if the Sirasa media network had any direct involvement in the attack on the UNP headquarters.
The UNP headquarters came under attack following the elections for the UNP leadership posts last week with an angry mob pulling down the fence around Siri Kotha and also pelting the premises with stones.
Several vehicles belonging to UNP members and the Siri Kotha building were damaged in the mob attack.
Meanwhile, police spokesman SP Ajith Rohana told The Sunday Leader that the CID was also investigating the attack.
He said that a police complaint had been lodged by the UNP following the attack and Sirasa had been mentioned in the complaint so the TV network was also being investigated
Police Probe Sirasa Over Ranil’s Claims
Do you have visuals of attack on News Forst at Punchi Borella – MTV/SIRASA
February 05, 2011: The Newsfirst media team covering the protest march last evening at Punchi Borella was set upon and their video camera was taken away by a certain group that attacked the protest march.It was done when the team was recording the event on video.
The incident, where our cameraman and his fellow journalist was assaulted and his camera being snatched away may have been recorded in your camera, mobile phone or any other device.In the event that you are in possession of such visuals, Newsfirst would like to have access to such visuals on condition that your identity would not be revealed
Attack on Sirasa Head offcie: Police ordered to file action against suspects
photographic eveidence of the attack
January 10, 2011: Fort Magistrate Ms. Lanka Jayaratne, today ordered the Slave Island police to send all extracts with regard to the attack on the Sirasa Head Office to the Attorney General and file action against the suspects.
The order was made on a request made by attorneys at law Tissa Dias Nanayakkara and Udaya Rohan De Silva on behalf of Sirasa.
When the case was taken up before the magistrate today, police told court that the police information book containing all statements with regard to the incident, is sealed in connection with another case.
As such, police said they were unable to file cases against the suspects involved in the attack on the Sirasa offices.
At that stage, attorney at law Rohan De Silva requested court to order the police to file action against the suspects as all relevant investigations have been completed.
Acceding to the request, the magistrate ordered police to obtain certified copies of all statements, send them to the Attorney General and submit the relevant number to court.
There are 16 suspects involved in the incident and they are all residents of Kelaniya.
However, only 14 suspects were present before court today.
When the magistrate inquired about their absence, police said they were unaware of the proper addresses of those suspects.
The magistrate ordering police to find their addresses and issue summons on them, ordered that all suspects should be present in court on February 14.
http://www.newsfirst.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15539:attack-on-sirasa-head-office-police-ordered-to-file-action-against-suspects&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=18
ATTACK ON MTV OFFICES: POLICE TOLD TO CUT UNDUE DELAY IN FILING CHARGES
July 19, 2010: The Fort Magistrate today ordered the police not to unnecessarily delay filing charges against the suspects who are accused of attacking the head office of the MTV/MBC media network.
The magistrate made this order when the fourteen suspects in the case appeared before the Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne today.
The magistrate made warrants for the suspects who failed to appear before court today and noted that as the plaintiff had videoed the incident, the police must co-operate with them and arrest any other suspects connected to the attack. She ordered that if the case was to be conducted in a systematic manner, statements should be recorded from the persons who had been caught on tape.
Speaking further, the magistrate pointed out that if they were unable to identify any more suspects, the suspects who had been identified could be named as accused.
The time extension sought by the attorney at law appearing for the suspects to file charges were rejected by the magistrate.
The attorneys at law appearing for the plaintiff noted that all assistance needed to file charges have already been provided.
Acting under the instructions of Attorney at Law G. G. Arulpragasam, attorney at law Udaya Rohana de Silva and President’s Counsel Ananda Wijesekera appeared on behalf of the MTV/MBC Media Network.
The case will be called up again on October 18.
http://www.newsfirst.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=12075:attack-on-mtv-offices-police-told-to-cut-undue-delay-in-filing-charges&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=18
ATTACK ON SIRASA HEAD OFFICE: MAGISTRATE BERATES POLICE
April 01, 2010:
The court berated the police over not informing the suspects of the attack on the Head Office of the Sirasa Media Network, the date on which they have to appear before court.
The police report in this regard was called up before Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayarathne today.
The Magistrate pointed out to the police that even though they have the right to grant police bail, the law clearly states that the suspects need to be informed of when to appear before court.
She strongly advised the police not to repeat such mistakes in the future.
Furthermore, the magistrate ordered the police to conclude the investigation as soon as possible.
Attorney at law Jayantha Dias Nanayakkara, Udaya Rohan de Silva and President’s Counsel Ananda Wijesekara, acting under the instructions of attorney at law G. G. Arulpragasam appeared on behalf of the Sirasa Media Network.
They pointed out that this incident was one of illegal assembly and destructive actions.
The OIC of the Slave Island police then informed court that the staff of the Sirasa Media Network had attacked those gathered opposite their head office building using water.
The police had also noted that another group had attacked the demonstrators with rocks
http://www.newsfirst.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9445:attack-on-sirasa-head-office-magistrate-berates-police&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=18
The Sirasa attack: Was Akon just an excuse?
By Lasanda Kurukulasuriya
Monday’s attack by a pack of goons on the Sirasa /MTV media network’s head office, that took place in broad daylight in the heart of the city, has been followed by the usual round of condemnations by government representatives. The complete impunity with which a motley assortment of men arrived at Braybrooke Place, Colombo, in an SLTB bus, casually took aim and proceeded to hurl rocks continuously at the offices of a respected and popular media network, has left many people flabbergasted. The assault caused considerable damage to buildings and vehicles, and injuries leading to hospitalization of a few employees.
The government’s version of the incident is disingenuous at best. According to the Director of the government’s Media Centre for National Security Lakshman Hulugalle, the violence was sparked off by an altercation between the security personnel at the Sirasa/MTV office and a group of protestors who came there to hold a ‘peaceful demonstration’ against the media network’s sponsorship of a visit to Sri Lanka by the pop musician ‘Akon.’ (“Both sides had thrown stones at each other”). Is it suggested here that ‘both sides’ were to blame? If so it would appear that Sirasa has some strange unnatural powers, to be able to summon its enemies to its own address in order to attack them!
Also quite bizarre is the idea that this ugly display of lawlessness was carried out by persons outraged by a video clip by ‘Akon’ that is believed to have offended their religious sensibilities. Nobody who respects Buddhist values would stoop to such behaviour, which could more accurately be described as the very antithesis of what the Buddha taught. Mr Hulugalle’s statement that the Jathika Sangha Sammelanaya had claimed responsibility for the ‘protest’ was contradicted by the JSS, who went on air Thursday along with the Jathika Hela Urumaya, to deny any involvement in the episode. The entire episode was recorded on the static cameras of the Sirasa office complex positioned at the entrance to the buildings.
These images would have been seen by thousands who watched the network’s news bulletins in all three languages. While there was an unnecessary element of dramatization introduced by Sirasa in the repeat broadcasts of this footage, this did not undermine the stark visual evidence it represented, as to who was attacking whom. A Sirasa /MTV spokesman did go on air to say that staff members had thrown back stones that had been pelted at them, in self defence. He said repeated phone calls had not yielded a swift response from the police, who arrived late. After they arrived, 16 suspects were arrested, all of whom were released on police bail the following day.
Those who watched this drama on TV would have noticed there was hardly any resistance from the suspects in the process of being arrested – almost as if they knew they had nothing to worry about. They would have noticed the difference from some other arrest scenes they witnessed on TV not so long ago where, in various towns, demonstrators sympathetic to Sarath Fonseka were taken away literally kicking and screaming.
According to reports on the case which was taken up before the Colombo Fort Magistrate on Wednesday, all of the 16 suspects released on bail were residents of Kelaniya and surrounding areas (Kadawatha, Kiribathgoda). Sirasa for their part solicited information from the public and offered cash rewards for information on the attackers seen on their TV footage. Within days they named several of them, identifying some as Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha members. Their coverage of the incident also showed a Kelaniya depot name-board on the state transport board bus on which the thugs arrived.
Kelaniya is the ‘home base’ of a government Minister well known for his hostile confrontations with the media in general, and Sirasa in particular. Several news reports linked the incident with this ‘Minister from Kelaniya’ who is notorious for his track record of thuggery directed against the media. But government spokesmen have publicly denied any government involvement in the attack. And of course, an investigation has been promised. Does this all sound familiar?
With the campaign on for a parliamentary election, the bad press surrounding this latest attack on media is not exactly the kind of publicity President Mahinda Rajapaksa would want to be associated with his government. This incident has taken place within the context of an upsurge of intra-party violence within the UPFA. The state of party indiscipline was all too obvious at a recent rally in Kandy where a shameful “booing incident” occurred while the President himself was on the stage.
It is encouraging that the President has asked the IGP to report to him directly on the Sirasa incident. But he also needs to demonstrate clearly, for all to see, that he will not tolerate thuggery and hooliganism by members of his party, no matter whom it is directed against.
If he does not do this, he leaves room for suspicions that such elements are tolerated within the government because they serve a useful purpose – of acting as the ‘cat’s paw,’ unashamedly taking the rap for ‘taking care of’ perceived enemies. People will surely express their distaste for such unworthy candidates at the upcoming polls.
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/100328/News/nws_79.html
Police Protect Sirasa Attackers
By Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema
Police Chief Mahinda Balasuriya vehemently denied having reprimanded the DIG for Colombo H. M. B. Herath and the Slave Island OIC K. M. Perera for taking action and intervening in the attack on MTV/MBC last Monday (22).
The Sunday Leader has learned that political pressure on the Police Chief, compelled the IGP to censure the policemen who acted to stop the attack from escalating further. The Sunday Leader has reliably learnt that the IGP was pressured into acting in this manner following evidence (reproduced elsewhere on these pages) of UPFA members attached to the Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha being involved in the attack.
Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha members from the ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance — Chathura Dhanushka, Sarathchandra Dias and Hasitha Madawala have been identified as being involved in the attack on MTV/MBC network offices in Colombo last Monday.
The three men, along with several other individuals involved in the attack, were identified from video footage recovered by CCTV cameras at the offices. The 16 individuals arrested by the Slave Island Police for their involvement in the attack also hail from the Kelaniya electorate.
All 16 suspects have now been released. Police sources attached to the Slave Island Police, speaking on grounds of anonymity, said that the 16 suspects had been released on police bail after merely recording their statements.
However, Director General of the Media Center for National Security (MCNS) Lakshman Hulugalle, at a press conference following the attack, denied any government involvement in the attack on the offices of the popular radio and television channels.
He said the individuals who targeted Sirasa were protesting against the proposed musical concert by American recording artiste Akon. Hulugalle blamed the Jathika Sangha Sammelanaya for the attack, adding that both parties, the protestors and Sirasa had to share the blame because they had attacked each other.
However, the JHU-affiliated Jathika Sangha Sammelanaya condemned the attack and denied any involvement.
http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2010/03/28/police-protect-sirasa-attackers/
Catholic Bishops condemn Sirasa attack
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Sri Lanka yesterday, strongly condemning the attack on Sirasa TV, said it was shocked and saddened at the reckless behaviour which had caused damage to common property.
The CBCSL statement said:
“The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka, along with all the peace-loving citizens of Mother Lanka, deplores and condemns in the strongest terms possible the attack on the Sirasa Media Unit in Colombo. We are shocked at the most reckless behaviours resulting in the destruction of common property. We are also greatly saddened by such a level of bad example and the ill effects such behaviour will have on our younger generations. We call upon those responsible to maintain law and order to adhere to their responsibilities irrespective of whatever affiliation political or any other.
“It is most disturbing that these acts of violence and vandalism take place when the nation is at the verge of another general election. Franchise is one of our most cherished democratic rights. Hence, it must be respected by all. We reiterate that the required climate of respect for one’s franchise, freedom of conscience, non-violence and justice be maintained at any cost so that the forthcoming general election would be free and fair. We hope and pray that all the leaders of diverse political parties and all those who are responsible for maintaining law and order ensure that all citizens of Sri Lanka are ride of unnecessary coercion and any harassment before, during and after the general election.”
The statement was signed by the Most Rev. Bishop Vianney Fernando President, Catholic Bishops’ Conference and Most Rev. Bishop Norbert M. Andradi OMI Secretary General/Cath. Bishops’ Conference.
http://www.island.lk/2010/03/27/news5.html
Sirasa says anti-Akon protestors barking up the wrong tree
by Shamindra Ferdinando
Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena declined to comment on the attack. Claiming that he had been busy campaigning in Matara for the forthcoming General Election, Yapa urged the media to direct their questions to police headquarters.
Despite the Tourism Ministry denying its involvement with the now cancelled Akon concert, following last Monday’s attack on the MTV/MBC head office at Braybrook Place for being the sponsor of the event, it has come to light the MTV/MBC had only been the media sponsor, whereas the Sri Lankan Airlines, the Cinnamon Grand and Dialog Telecom PLC, too, threw their weight behind the controversial project.
A spokesman for MTV/MBC told The Island that the government and a section of the State-run and the privately-owned media had justified the attack on MTV/MBC on the grounds that they organized the event.
Tourism Minister Achala Jagoda on Thursday (March 25) made an abortive bid to distance his ministry from the Akon show, though Dileep Mudadeniya, the Managing Director of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau said this would contribute immensely towards promoting tourism and make Colombo a popular venue in global entertainment. He said that the Akon show was in line with their campaign ‘Visit Sri Lanka 2011’ to attract tourists.
The Sirasa official said that they didn’t organize or fund the project, though an attempt was being made to blame the MTV/MBC management for inviting a foreign artiste, who had ridiculed Buddhism.
Nothing could be far from the truth, he said, emphasizing that they were only the media sponsor. He said that the print and electronic media reported on the Akon show in the recent past. Platinum Entertainment Private Limited is the main organizer of the event, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau.
The Jathika Sanga Sammelanaya on Thursday denied allegations that its members had been at the scene of the attack. Ven. Hadigalle Wimalasara Thera said that an attempt was being made to blame it on the Jathika Sanga Sammelanaya, though they were not involved in the incident. The denial followed a statement issued by the Media Centre for National Security that members of the JSS had protested outside MTV/MBC offices shortly before the attack.
JHU spokesman Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe said that those who promote tourism should be careful to ensure that they did not cause unnecessary problems.
Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena declined to comment on the attack. Claiming that he had been busy campaigning in Matara for the forthcoming General Election, Yapa urged the media to direct their questions to police headquarters.
He was responding to queries at the weekly media briefing at his ministry. But Cabinet spokesman Minister G. L. Peiris assured that the party would take disciplinary action against any party member if found guilty of attacking Sirasa. Addressing the post-Cabinet press briefing on Thursday, Peiris said that the President had directed the police to take action against the attackers. He was responding to a query whether any UPFA local government politicians had been involved in the incident.
Sirasa pointed out that the State media had accused Sirasa employees of attacking a group of protestors without any provocation. They were quoted as saying that Sirasa employees fired water cannon and pelted stones at them causing mayhem. Sirasa said that they could have deceived people with their lies if they did not capture them on video. Sirasa showed the presence of a police jeep at the scene of the attack, calling on people to help identify persons involved in the attack.
Sirasa went to the extent of offering Rs. 50,000 each to anyone helping the station identify each attacker.
http://www.island.lk/2010/03/27/news4.html
Hand over video footage: court orders sirasa tv
Saturday, 27 March 2010 00:00
Attack on MTV/MBC head office
By Lakmal Sooriyagoda
The Colombo Fort Magistrate yesterday ordered the Administrative Director of Sirasa media network to hand over the video footage on the attack of the MTV/MBC head office to the police to carry out further investigations and directed the police to arrest the suspects involved.
Filing a motion in court, Slave Island police sought a court order to obtain two video footages from the Sirasa media network, citing they had to carry out further investigations and arrest the suspects who were involved in the incident.
Submitting a investigations report in court, police informed that Sirasa media network had recorded the entire incident and it was currently being telecast including the photos of suspects who were involved in the incident. Police told there was a possibility to apprehend the suspects based on the video evidence.
Police further submitted that relevant provisions were available in section 124 of Criminal Procedure Code by issuing an appropriate order.
After considering the submissions, Magistrate Ms. Lanka Jayaratne ordered the Administrative Director of Sirasa media network to hand over the concerned video footage to the OIC of the Crimes Division of Slave Island police, IP Ariyasinghe.
Magistrate Ms. Lanka Jayaratne also ordered the police to present in Court the police bail bonds obtained from the 16 suspects who were earlier arrested over the mob attack on the media institution and later released.
http://www.dailymirror.lk/print/index.php/news/news/6987.html
