It is said that several parties close to the President are calling for the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) chairman to resign until the truth of a recent exposè is revealed.
The calls have come after the CPC chairman had refuted claims raised by a media report that had quoted the convenor of the United Trade Union Alliance – Mr. Ananda Palitha.
The news in question quotes Mr. Palitha as saying that the Director Board of the CPC has been squandering taxpayer money on cashews to munch on during Board meetings.
A statement issued by the CPC Chairman had also noted that legal action will be sought against responsible parties and a complaint will also be lodged with the CID with regard to certain details.
Meanwhile, speaking at a media briefing yesterday (Dec. 19) on the matter, Mr. Ananda Palitha charged said that the government that swept into power with the backing of trade unions, is now suppressing media while threatening to take TUs that are providing information to the media, to the CID.
Noting that he had never given incorrect information to the media, Mr. Palitha said that he had evidence to prove all that he had said.
Slamming the government further, he said that although the government had previously pledged to listen to all criticisms while ensuring media freedom, now, legal action is being taken against those who air such views and against those who publish such critical content.
Monara TV, launched with much fanfare just a year ago under the Swarnavahini media network, has reportedly shut down operations.
Employees have been informed that the closure is temporary, citing the need to resolve certain administrative issues.
The channel, led by Buddhika Wickramadhara, was ceremonially launched on June 25, 2024, with a grand event at Waters Edge.
Producers who supplied teledramas to Monara TV say they are owed nearly Rs.200 million in unpaid dues.
Meanwhile, it is reported that the parent Swarnavahini TV channel is also reportedly grappling with a serious financial crisis, paying teledrama producers only after 60 episodes are broadcast.
Producers claim they are compelled to wait about 03 months to recover an investment of around Rs.15 million per teledrama. Even then, payments are made in small portions, covering just 05 episodes at a time.
Producers who supplied teledramas before the appointment of Mr. Susara Dinal as CEO say it is even harder to claim their outstanding payments, as they have been asked to recover the dues from former CEO – Udara Wijesinghe.
The Swarnavahini Media Network is owned by Subaskaran Allirajah – Chairman of Lyca Group, which also owns Lycamobile, a global telecommunications company.
A young woman was found in the Dewipahala-Dodam Ella area in Kuruwita, after being brutally attacked and her gold necklace stolen
According to the police, the victim was found collapsed on the roadside with severe neck injuries caused by a sharp weapon. She was rushed to the Ratnapura Hospital but succumbed to her injuries shortly after admission.
The victim has been identified as a 26-year-old.
Arrests are yet to be made and an investigation is underway.
