Namal’s coach buys the Leader

Monday, 27 August 2012 

Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa’s rugby coach, millionaire businessman and racketeer, Asanga Seneviratne has brought over The Sunday Leader newspaper that was established by the late Lasantha Wickrematunge even by sacrificing his life. It is learnt that the transaction has been finalized.

The President had made available Rs. 100 million to Asanga Seneviratne through a bank loan for the transaction. Senevairtane has paid the monies to purchase the majority shares of the company from Lal Wickrematunge. He has also agreed to put Rs. 190 million to purchase a new printing machine and for the development of the company.

Seneviratne has also made a proposal to the President to get this Rs. 190 million through a bank loan as well.

Seneviratne has traveled overseas after concluding the initial transaction and is expected to take over the management of the company following his return.

After taking charge, the first step is to replace The Sunday Leader Editor, Fredrica Jansz with Lalith Alahakoon.

Lalith Alahakoon is currently the editorial consultant to the Sinhala newspapers printed at Wijeaya Publications. Since the heads of The Sunday Times and Daily Mirror newspaper printed by the organization have objected to Alahakoon, he is now facing a clash in the newspaper.

Also, four weekly English newspapers are now facing a severe financial crisis. The four newspapers are Lakbima News, The Nation, Ceylon Today and The Island.

MP Thilanga Sumathipala has decided to shut down Lakbima News and its editor Rajpal Abeynayake has been asked to find another job. The President has assured Abeynayake that he would be appointed as the editorial consultant to the state owned Sunday Observer newspaper. The President has made this proposal after considering the services rendered by Abeynayake to the government during the UNHRC sessions in Geneva in March.