17 September 2019 08:59 pm
Relating to the remarks made by Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) Chairman Inoka Sathyangani during a news briefing that Rupavahini’s rank was increased to 6 from 8th place, Kalum Palitha Mahirathna said it was not because of any progress of SLRC but two stations quitted from the rating list.
Mahirathna was the latest recommended nominee to be appointed as the SLRC chairman by Non-Cabinet Media Minister Ruwan Wijewardene. However, he was not appointed.
Addressing a news briefing today, Mahirathna said SLRC Chairman had expressed her views with pride that the rank was increased during her administration and it was a great achievement.
“It was true that the rank was up to during her administration. However, it was not a result of any progress made by the SLRC but because of quitting two institutions from the rating list,” Mahirathna said.
Nevertheless, he said the remarks made by Sathyangani that he had forcibly entered the SLRC premises and allegedly threatened the security personnel, was baseless and false. “I challenged the chairman to prove if I have entered the premises with force or any SLRC employees,” Mahirathna said.
“I should mention that I was not present in the scene that the chairman is referring to. If there is any doubt, she can check my presence through CCTV cameras. I neither forcibly entered the premises nor threatened any SLRC employees,” he stressed.
“It was, in fact, two officials from the Media Ministry, who had come to the SLRC to hand over the letter that I was appointed as the SLRC chairman.
However, he said those two officials had not been allowed to enter the premises and the security around the SLRC was also tightened during the time they had attempted to enter. Moreover, he said his appointment was a legal one as the letter sent to him, was signed by the Ministry Secretary despite the remarks made by Sathyangani that the appointment was not authenticated and legal. (Sheain Fernandopulle)