MR instructs IGP on media

16 February 2010 09:05 am - 69 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Minister of Mass Media and Information has instructed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to inform him before any legal action is to be taken against any journalist, the government information department said.

Meanwhile the President has also instructed the IGP to assist in allowing bail to the 'Lanka' newspaper Editor Chandana Sirimalwatta, the President's media said.

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Comments - 69

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 11:49 AM

Yeah... you are correct................. see more episode will follow........

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 12:22 PM

Are you day dreaming Prasanna ? You are trying tell us that the President did not know anything about arresst of the journalist ? You could take people for ride for a short time but nor for ever.

Wake up Prasanna, Wake Up.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 12:21 PM

Now you can see how President will help to improve the situation of this Island. Well done Sir. It is unbelievable for some people, it seems.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 12:20 PM

Wow What democracy we have in SL .Unless the president says Ok IGP cannot take any legal action against journalist. What a gift for those journalists who will go shopping for MR during the upcoming election

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 12:18 PM

MR dont deceive the people. They can see through you.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 12:15 PM

jst political gimmicks!!! nothing else!!!

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 12:15 PM

as if he can do a better job!!!

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 12:13 PM

Does IGP know's your Telephone No? How about Lanka e-news editor?

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 12:04 PM

Do we hear the whispers of a ghost ordering the President not to play the fool with media freedom in the face of all these commotions inside the country as well as the bad reputation already earned by the country outside. But, we know for sure we cant expect anything better for the media under the President or anyone else in this government for that matter as it is obvious all of them cannot accept fair criticism.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 12:27 PM

For too late . Much damage has already been done . The President should not have entrusted responsibility to inefficient guys in the first place . There are many more in his Cabinet who should have been sacked a long time ago.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 11:48 AM

That means Lanka newspaper editor Chandana Sirimalwatta was unnecessarily arrested..............

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 11:44 AM

Crocodile Tears !.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 11:28 AM

Is this to make sure no legal action taken againts jounalist who support MR.???

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 10:57 AM

President hints media minister was not qualified to hold the post effectively.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 10:50 AM

That's if any legal action is to be taken what about the white vans and the killings of media men.Does the IGP have to inform MR before these happens.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 10:46 AM

Oh my my my, now MR tries to act like all this harrassment to journalists took place without his knowledge. What idiotic cunningness readily swallowed by the idiots of this country.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 10:45 AM

dear president , that is a good start, we expect this kind of good deeds from you.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 10:44 AM

Sir,

Make use of taking over the mass media as an opportunity to show the public about your initiatives on media freedom and democracy.

It is not too late to change the government media policy to be neutral in this election. Entire country will appreciate you if you make this change.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 01:36 PM

MR, thank god you are behaving like a Thomian, i.e. a gentleman, influence from home!

Wednesday, 17 February 2010 08:55 AM

Misplaced Hope - what do you expect considering his past performance in allowing murder, mayhem and thuggery of journalists.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 11:18 PM

Thoththa baba ! Not aware of anything.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 04:27 PM

This not a matter for Media Ministry - the CID is under defence ministry.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 03:56 PM

The president claimed that he was not aware of the arrest while everyone else knew about it. How come. ?.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 03:52 PM

bold and the beautiful.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 03:39 PM

MR will instruct court marshal to release SF soon

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 02:43 PM

Good move MR. however people will only see the sincerity of your actions only if you continue to keep it up after the elections.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 02:32 PM

Good move.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 10:43 AM

well done mahinda

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 01:16 PM

arrest or release of anybody should be based on the law and not on the wishes of a particular person, even it's the countries president!

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 12:37 PM

May Be to offer Janadipathi Samawa on selected people or wifes to come and beg for pardon. Typical raja kale neethi

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 12:36 PM

This is like shooting the messenger. Media minister had to do what he was told. Another election gundu. someone is trying to look like a new born baby now................................................

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 12:36 PM

This is not a matter to be happy. If IGP was instructed by the President to assist in bail it means that the Executive has interfered in the Judiciary and consequently the Executive can also interfere to keep somebody in custody. Is this what we want????? This opens up another issue. Why on earth this man was taken to custody? If there was evidence against him, the president telling IGP to assist bail motion will not change the fact. On the other hand if he was taken to custody without evidence it means miscarriage of justice. Dear friends, are you all comfortable with this?????

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 12:33 PM

WHAT A JOKER.MR IS NOT THE SRI LANKAN PRESIDENT.SF THE PRESIDENT OF SRI LANKA

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 12:31 PM

After a long sleep.. awaken MR.. good move anyway

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 12:31 PM

The famous French Political Philosopher Voltaire once remarked "I totally disagree with you,but I will fight till death your right to disagree".Press Freedom is a universally accepted principle and I as a Journalist have nothing but praise for President Rajapakse for his directive to the IGP on this matter.I sincerely hope that the directive will be striclty followed even after the Elections.

Siva

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 09:32 AM

OR Otherwise! Sir

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 09:49 AM

What is there to instruct everything is happening with his knowledge and his orders. This MR is trying to act as if he is a saint, whereas he the worst leader Sri Lanka has ever produced.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 09:48 AM

WHY Man got cold feet now??????

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 09:45 AM

MR tries to get credit. But you already failed.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 09:45 AM

Poor Anura Yapa.!!!! He is the culprit.. and MR and Gota are innocents... what a way to avoid the blame !!!!!! For how long the country has to see these jokes...!!!!

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 09:41 AM

WHAT ABOUT ILLEGAL ACTION ?

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 09:39 AM

Trying to gain GSP+ Again

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 09:36 AM

May IGP now inform MR before taking any legal action against journalists, but not when they assaulating the journalists.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 09:36 AM

Damage control act?

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 09:50 AM

Thanks to GSP+ suspesion

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 09:30 AM

That's all so tongue-in-cheek....You are not kidding anyone Mahinda

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 09:25 AM

what do you mean? the orders came from YOU!

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 09:25 AM

Hara Martin !

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 09:22 AM

Hope he is genuine. Better late than never.

Nadun

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 09:22 AM

Is it really necessary in a democratic country?

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 09:21 AM

Even though late, sanity at last.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 09:17 AM

So No More White van?

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 10:07 AM

Your intervention not required, he would have been released by the Judge since there were no charges against him.
Get Lost, MR without doing any further damage to the country.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 10:35 AM

Am I hearing the voice of MR or someone else's?

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 10:35 AM

jst a drama for the upcoming elections!!!!

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 10:34 AM

Media freedom is essential and the private media should also impose self sensor without criticizing all the govt's activities as undemocratic!

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 10:24 AM

The next directive would be to his brothers to inform the President before the the next Presidential Results are manipulated. Now the job is done and this is an eyewash.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 10:19 AM

Too late Mr. President... He's already been unconditionally released by the courts!!

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 10:11 AM

Gangodawila magistrate released Lanka Editor because CID was unable to present anycharges against the editor,
What bail are you talking about ?

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 10:11 AM

Throne temperature is rising?
N.A

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 10:09 AM

Why Mr President, Let the IGP handle it, and he would have to pay compensation when the FR case is completed.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 09:17 AM

What about all the 'illegal' action???

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 10:06 AM

He has been released unconditionaly by Magistrate.

Why to instruct assist allowing bail.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 10:05 AM

After loosing GSP plus? How about Prageeth Eknaligoda, Lasantha Wickramatunga? President it is you who should responsible. Stop revenge people.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 10:00 AM

Looks like the EU action is paying off and some sense is setting in!!!

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 09:57 AM

lanka editor was released unconditionally by the Magistrate because CID couldn't present any charges. Now MR is trying to get the credit.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 09:56 AM

Joke of the day.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 09:55 AM

What he is up to now?

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 09:50 AM

HUMBUG !!!

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MR instructs IGP on media

Comments - 69

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