Gota puts pressure on The Island

Thursday, 31 May 2012 

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa is displeased with The Island Editor Prabath Sahabandu for failing to adhere to his request not to publish the word “General” before Sarath Fonseka’s name when publishing articles related to him. It is learnt that the Defence Secretary had on several occasions made this directive to the editor of the newspaper.

The Defence Secretary has also brought this matter to the notice of Chairman of Upali Newspaper that publishes The Island, Nimal Welgama, but to no avail, a senior Defence Ministry official said.

Since Nimal Welgama is also the Chairman of Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT), the Defence Secretary has directed a senior SLT official to prepare a report on the financial assistance given by Telecom to Upali Newspapers. The Defence Secretary has said the report be handed over to him.

The Defence Secretary’s doubts over Upali Newspapers have increased since Manoj Abeydheera, who is among the group trying to promote Economic Developmnt Minister Basil Rajapaksa as the next leader of the country, is also a member of the newspaper company. Manoj Abeydheera was earlier closely affiliated to the Defence Secretary