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Immigration officials warned C-4 crew prior to departure

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18 November 2013 08:22 am - 31     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Immigration and Emigration Department Chief Chulananda Perera today admitted that he ordered six officials of the department to visit the hotel where the Channel 4 crew were staying and warn them against acting beyond the conditions laid down in their visas.

“I ordered the officials to do so because I had received information that the crew were planning to enter Temple Trees. The officials discussed this matter with the crew and reminded them that they were bound by law of the land and that should not violate the visa conditions,” he said.

The allegations made by Perera were denied by the Channel-4 journalists who confirmed that they had no intention of visiting Temple Trees.

When Daily Mirror asked the Immigration Chief as to where he recieved information regarding the alleged move, he said “informed sources” had told him about it.

 When asked about the claim made by Channel-4 journalists that the officials carried cameras and were recording the proceedings, he replied in the affirmative.

“That’s what they normally do on such visits,” Mr. Perera said.

The Channel 4 journalists had left the country sooner than expected claiming they could not continue working as journalists given the level of threat and intimidation they had faced.

The officials are reported to have visited the hotel at 6.30 a.m. on Sunday.

The Channel 4 journalists complained that they had been constantly followed by state intelligence agencies.

They claimed that this was substantiated by an “organized demonstration” that took place in Anuradhapura.

No official or the media were previously informed about their travel itinerary.

However when Daily Mirror contacted military spokesman Ruwan Wanigasuriya, he dismissed the claims of monitoring the journalists and said it was a “ruse to attract attention”.( By Hafeel Farisz)

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  Comments - 31

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  • SAM_SPARROW Monday, 18 November 2013 10:10 AM

    This is how we conduct Media freedom and treating the guests.

    mohamed asfar Monday, 07 April 2014 07:40 AM

    typical blunder of sri lankan authorities. why grant visa in the first place since all knew why they are here.

    Ivar Tuesday, 19 November 2013 11:20 AM

    The lie of the GOSL will be in the open. Have a great Year ahead.

    DDD Tuesday, 19 November 2013 06:11 AM

    SL gvnmt is wolf in sheep clothing...one day everything will come to light. its easy for a person to talk until have actually gone through the problem...why all this drama if u r not guilty???

    Peace Lover Tuesday, 19 November 2013 03:53 AM

    C'mon Sri Lanka Govt. If you have nothing to hide, Why stop any one who is trying to investigate or Visit any place? Everytime you do these types of Foolishness the name Sri Lankans and the Motherland is gettting Tarnished. Shame!!!!

    Suthuputha Monday, 18 November 2013 06:55 PM

    Oops!

    This guy, Perera, by his unwarranted comments made our President a laughing stock!

    MrKasthuri Monday, 18 November 2013 12:59 PM

    Ha.. Ha.. does that video contain soil in it?. Verification couldn't be a fiction. Still science is not advance enough to check virtual soil sample.

    DJ Monday, 18 November 2013 12:46 PM

    Panic....Panic....Panic....:D

    ajan Monday, 18 November 2013 10:59 AM

    HAHAHA ANOTHER GOOD COMEDY DRAMA BY SL GOVT.

    unchikun Monday, 18 November 2013 10:49 AM

    The title of the next documentary " Nothing to hide, Sri Lanka's press freedom". Appropriate.

    Sriyani Monday, 18 November 2013 10:48 AM

    SL always invited/allowed people who were critical on Sri Lanka persons like, Nava Neethan Pillai, Callum Macrae et. al., Karunanidhi, Jeyalalitha, etc for them to come and get the first hand information by seeing the true position. Latter 2 yet to accept the invitation. By now all Sri Lankans aware how sincere people like Pillai and Macrae et.al., were!!!!!!

    Chandana Aiya Monday, 18 November 2013 10:47 AM

    A country should be open for these so called international media, as if there is nothing to hide, but when lot more to hide this is obviously going to be against. 'Gedarata Maragathey, loketa parakasey.

    MrKasthuri Monday, 18 November 2013 10:39 AM

    Sri Lankans will look after if it so...

    Yacoub Monday, 18 November 2013 10:32 AM

    if telling the truth SL is not an safe country.

    Don Monday, 18 November 2013 10:25 AM

    If US can tap the phone of German Ambassador and if Australia can tap the phone of the malasian president there is nothing wrong with tapping the phones of a bunch of so called journalists who prostitute journalism for LTTTE money.

    lalith Monday, 18 November 2013 10:18 AM

    I think the immigration has acted in a haste based on hear say. The temple tree is well guarded and no one cannot enter without prior permission.
    Had they tried to enter without an appointment , would have taken them to the reception and given some"kalu kopi"!

    Define Monday, 18 November 2013 08:29 AM

    SL Government you cant hide the truth in this manner....Have a great year ahead.

    Nadesan Monday, 18 November 2013 10:05 AM

    C4 must verify the Places where the Atrocities happend. Because Sri Lanka says the Video which took by the SL Army is Grafic not genuine. So of their own Word proved to be truth the Sri Lanka Government must allow the C4 Team to verify the place and take the Soil of those places to Laboratary for a Forensic Investigation. If they are nothinbg to Hide they should act smart to allow the C4 Team to stay inside Sri Lanka for certain days.

    Nadesan Monday, 18 November 2013 10:04 AM

    C4 must verify the Places where the Atrocities happend. Because Sri Lanka says the Video which took by the SL Army is Grafic not genuine. So of their own Word proved to be truth the Sri Lanka Government must allow the C4 Team to verify the place and take the Soil of those places to Laboratary for a Forensic Investigation. If they are nothinbg to Hide they should act smart to allow the C4 Team to stay inside Sri Lanka for certain days.

    Bushel Perera Monday, 18 November 2013 10:02 AM

    Some people are for C4 and some are not. But we sri lankans should not forget this is our butifull country and protect it

    Nihal Monday, 18 November 2013 09:59 AM

    Govenment and their stupid officials messed up everything with c-4. you never be able to repair it. CHOWGM end up with at most success to c-4

    Mithy Monday, 18 November 2013 09:57 AM

    Govt says again and again to World that don't listen to diaspora and visit anywhere in SL to get 1st hand Information.
    But if they visit, see the treatment they get. And Govt stopped flights to North too.
    Who is discrediting SL?

    Madanamutha Monday, 18 November 2013 09:57 AM

    I am at a loss!

    President publically invited them for a cuppa and this guy say that “I ordered the officials to do so because I had received information that the crew were planning to enter Temple Trees'

    Did Mr Perara act against the President's wish?

    Nadesan Monday, 18 November 2013 09:56 AM

    C4 must verify the Places where the Atrocities happend. Because Sri Lanka says the Video which took by the SL Army is Grafic not genuine. So of their own Word proofed to be truth the Sri Lanka Government must allow the C4 Team to verify the place and take the Soil of those places to Laboratary for a Forensic Investigation. If they are nothinbg to Hide they should act smart to allow the C4 Team to stay inside Sri Lanka for certain days.

    nalaka Monday, 18 November 2013 09:47 AM

    yes within the next year all lies of the diaspora will come out be ready for more fun

    dave Monday, 18 November 2013 09:44 AM

    Who are you my friend. You better go to Britain lick their back side.

    Moda Heylaya Monday, 18 November 2013 09:38 AM

    This is the gift of MR for his birth day to Channel 4 journalists.
    they know well to create the rules to go anywhere in the country and now harassing and show to the world that very very innocent face

    OohGee Monday, 18 November 2013 09:34 AM

    Free media does not give the right to publish untruths and damaging material to another party. Especially if media has vested interests and stand to gain in publishing such material. It is clearly understood that Channel 4 has no professional ethics at all. This is proved by the cleverly edited and doctored documentaries made to de-stabilize Sri Lanka in all aspects.

    Duminda N Jayatileke Monday, 18 November 2013 08:54 AM

    What a stupid ignorant act. SL is always hiding something or preventing someone from knowing the truth.

    Ram Monday, 18 November 2013 08:48 AM

    our president said
    they are free to go any where ?
    invite for a cup of tea ?
    wonder of asia

    Be Fair Monday, 18 November 2013 08:33 AM

    C4 you said before you came here that the Sri Lanka is not safe. The GOSL demonstrated that they are not by issuing visas. You came here for a publicity stunt, now go and show the world the circus we are, at least the diaspora will be happy, and fund you adequately given that Xmas is around


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