SLBC denies tampering with BBC broadcasts

28 March 2013 09:55 am - 20 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Sri Lanka's state broadcaster on Thursday denied meddling with BBC programmes after the British corporation abruptly suspended FM radio feeds to the country, alleging ongoing interference.

The BBC said on Tuesday that it was suspending its World Service FM broadcasts owing to "continued interruption and interference" in its Tamil programming, but the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation denies any tampering.

"We have not jammed the programme or edited it," chairman Hudson Samarasinghe told AFP.

"They stopped the feed. They have not informed me why they did it," he said.

The BBC said its Tamil service was jammed on March 16, 17 and 18, prompting warnings to the Sri Lankan broadcaster that it was in breach of their agreement.

After another disruption on Monday, the BBC suspended the service.

The BBC said that listeners in Sri Lanka could still access the BBC on shortwave and via its website.

The BBC suspended its FM programming in Sri Lanka in similar circumstances in February 2009, during the height of fighting between troops and Tamil Tiger rebels.

Sri Lanka lifted a state of emergency in 2011, but media rights groups say journalists have been forced to self-censor their work due to fear of attacks.

Rights groups say at least 17 journalists and media workers have been killed in the country in the past decade. Many Sri Lankan journalists have also fled the island fearing violence.

The country is currently ranked 162 out of 179 countries in the press freedom index compiled by the Paris-based non-profit group, Reporters without Borders.(AFP)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 20

tarzan Thursday, 28 March 2013 11:09 AM

i too personally heard such things in tamil service,

this is how our heroes acting in internationally

Calistus Jayatilleke Thursday, 28 March 2013 05:49 PM

No one is prepared to believe their denials because these government entities are habitual liars whenever they get caught. Especially in this case where a well-known "Hadu" man is involved.

renu Thursday, 28 March 2013 12:34 PM

Vaparaya is the cause of this

Ranjit. S Thursday, 28 March 2013 12:20 PM

Hadda may be the man behind this haddu work.

kawda boy Thursday, 28 March 2013 11:28 AM

if only BBC plays the recorded disturbance!!!!
Then SLBC will sing a different tune!!
for d time being the tune is.........It wasnt me!!!!!

Tangent Thursday, 28 March 2013 11:21 AM

It is time for a major change. We need a government with educated people. Just deining will not do. Investigate.

Ela Malli Thursday, 28 March 2013 11:19 AM

meka nan lemon puff kumanthranayak

kriss Thursday, 28 March 2013 11:16 AM

Mr. Husdon is telling utter lie. What BBC is telling is correct.
I listened BBC on those stated days and there were deliberate voice interruptions by SLBC, by telling their own stories. The acts of SLBC was unethical and childish.

Hapuarachchi Thursday, 28 March 2013 11:13 AM

He never speaks the truth!

lankan Thursday, 28 March 2013 11:12 AM

I personally evident to their interference. It irritated me a lot. Now Sri lanka government institutions also started lying as their masters do. Lies have become govnt's language.

Krish Thursday, 28 March 2013 10:05 AM

SL Gov always deny everything like they haven't done anything.....

Sana Thursday, 28 March 2013 11:01 AM

I too agree with you.

lal Thursday, 28 March 2013 11:00 AM

The BBC is no longer the credible broadcaster it once was. Their reporting of British atrocities in war zones have not been forthright. Also it isn't independant, being dependent on Brit govt funding. The recent disclosure of sexual molesting of dozens of children by BBC's Jimmy Saville within BBC premises, and failure to report duly, and a probable cover up of same, makes one wonder whether BBC should be allowed to broadcast in Sri Lanka. Or anywhere else.

Fayad Thursday, 28 March 2013 10:31 AM

Not SLBC Hadda Hadda

mail_guy Thursday, 28 March 2013 10:29 AM

No we haven't jammed BBC programme. BBC itselt jammed it and blaming us. How could somebody blame the wonder of Asia?

Yuri Thursday, 28 March 2013 10:28 AM

its right, in Sri Lanka we have to read everything take the meaning opposite

Ramzeel Thursday, 28 March 2013 10:23 AM

Who listens to SLBC ?

nilu Thursday, 28 March 2013 10:21 AM

Yeah right, They will believe what Hudsin says, we all know who he is and what he does now, He is not worth talking. Looking at the work he does we feel that he is good for nothing, behaving like a thrid class moran

Truth Hurts Thursday, 28 March 2013 10:14 AM

I personally heard on two consecutive days, some outside voices interfering into BBC Tamil service program between 9.15 and 9.30 p.m. Obviously, it must have been SLBC engineered, calculated acts!

MyLanka Thursday, 28 March 2013 10:08 AM

We deny everything.... We never do anything bad...
We are the best people on this earth...
"Ape thoththa babala..."

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

SLBC denies tampering with BBC broadcasts

Comments - 20

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

Ranil Wickremesinghe caravan moves on despite barking dogs

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

Two racing drivers arrested over Fox Hill tragedy

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

MIRROR CRICKET

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

TODAY'S HEADLINES

SL took minimal steps to punish officials who committed human rights abuses: US report

Iranian President’s visit Sri Lanka withstands western pressure

25 tons of solid waste disposed along Sri Pada route

Temperature rises to ‘Caution’ level

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident

Indian cricket manager indicted for Legend Cricket League match-fixing allegations