WikiLeaks: Senior Editors At The Upali Group Are Crusty Survivors
June 19, 2012
By Colombo Telegraph -
“Meanwhile,Sri Lanka’s independent media houses have assumed an unruffled wait-and-see mode. Senior editors at the Upali Group (which publishes independent dailies and weekenders in English and Sinhala) are crusty survivors who tell us that they’ve ‘seen it all before.’ And the owner of the Wijeya Group (which, like Upali, publishes independent dailies and weekenders in English and Sinhala) said that he had not been particularly comfortable under the UNP government and anticipated ‘nothing unusual’ now. On a more pragmatic level, contacts at both Upali and Wijeya predicted that the President’s move would simultaneously increase readership (by piquing interest in the story) and lead to a further loss of credibility for the Lake House Press.”the US Embassy Colombo informed Washington.
Ranjith had not been particularly comfortable under the UNP
The Colombo Telegraph found the related leaked cable from the WikiLeaks database dated November 6, 2003. The cable is classified as “CONFIDENTIAL” and written by Charge’d’ Affaires James F. Entwistle. The cable details the political situation just after then President Chandrika Kumaratunge.
Under the subheading “Impact on the press” James F. Entwistle wrote “These developments have already affected Sri- Lanka’s government-owned media houses, where new, pro-PA leadership has been hastily installed (see Ref B.) What impact these new players will have on the government- owned media remains to be seen. However, some observers have already noted changes — perhaps coincidental, probably not — in the above-the-fold front page of the government-controlled Lake House’s flagship daily, the English-language DAILY NEWS:
– 11/5: a headshot of the PM and headlines that call the President’s actions ‘a deliberate and opportunistic act’ and quote the PM as saying: ‘I will ensure people’s mandate is implemented.’
– 11/6: (the first day of the new PA-installed publishing leadership): ‘Ceasefire agreement will stand – Kadirgamar’ and “President supreme in Lanka’s defence – Supreme Court.”
Under the subheading “Situation in Colombo Calm” James wrote “The situation in Colombo remains quiet, with people moving about the city as usual. Adding to the calm atmosphere, the Norwegian Ambassador told Charge’ that he had received assurances from the chiefs of the Sri Lanka Army, Navy and Air Force that they would continue to abide by the rulings of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission. SLMM spokesperson Agnes Bragadottir characterized SLMM operations island-wide to poloff as ‘business as usual.’
Related news to the cable;
