“All media should be owned by the government by the end of this year” – the President

Monday, 13 May 2013 

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said that all media in the country should be under the direct or indirect control of the government by the end of 2013. He has said that it was important since 2014 would be apolitically decisive year.

Plans have already been drawn under the President’s direction to purchase media institutions through businessmen and racketeers who are being supported by the government.

Former Minister Milinda Moragoda, who defected from the UNP to the government in order to save himself from the accusations leveled against him by the parliament’s COPE, is now trying to purchase the Ravaya newspaper that has been critical of him.

Also, Namal Rajapaksa’s rugby coach and businessman supportive of the government, Asanga Seneviratne has purchased the Leader Publications Company that publishes The Sunday Leader and Irudina newspapers. Seneviratne purchased the institution from monies lent to him by a bank as organized by the government.

Before that, Rivira Media Corporation that published The Nation and Rivira newspapers owned by Sena Yaddehige was purchased by the President’s relatives, Col. Prasanna Wickremasuriya and Nilanka Rajapaksa. The current owner of the company is millionaire businessman Ravi Wijeratne who is closely connected to the President. Unconfirmed reports also state that Ravi Wijeratne is now holding discussions with Sumathi Publications that publish Lakbima and Lakbima News newspapers to buy it as well.

Another friend of the President, Nihal Epa purchased the Siyatha radio channel that was previously owned by the Kariyapperuma brothers who were close to the President at one point of time. Epa is also the head of Neth FM radio station.

Sources also said that several of the President’s businessmen friends are now trying to purchase Mahinda Ramanayake’s Max TV as well.

The JVP’s V FM radio station was purchased by the President’s trusted Cabinet Minister Johnston Fernando for Rs. 200 million about one year ago.

The President has also ordered his businessmen friends to try and purchase the websites that are operating locally and internationally that have become a headache to the government or to take control of them by way of controlling their advertising. Therefore, unconfirmed reports say that a businessman affiliated to Namal Rajapaksa is planning on purchasing the Gossip9 website and to shut it down afterwards.

Fifty limousines for CHOGM

Monday, 13 May 2013 

The government it is learnt is gearing to purchase 50 limousines from UK’s Rolls Royce Company for the heads of state who are to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) scheduled to be held in Colombo from November 15th to 17th.

Each Rolls Royce limousine is valued at US$ 300,000. Therefore, the cost is estimated at Rs. 37.8 million. Although the Commonwealth consists of 54 countries, the government has decided to buy 50 limousines since state heads of Canada and several other countries have said they would be boycotting the event.

The government will be spending Rs. 1,890 million of public funds to purchase these limousines to be used only for two days.

These limousines are most suited for continental countries like the US, Europe and Australia. These limousines are not suitable for small cities like Colombo that have massive traffic jams. The government has not yet decided as to what it would do with the limousines after the summit concludes.

International political analysts say the government is trying to spend so much of public funds to please the head of the Commonwealth, Britain. However, they have identified this system as the “Rolls Royce diplomacy.”
200 luxury limos for CHOGM 2013

2013-03-31 

Notwithstanding the Queen's no show at the opening session and threats of boycott by the West, plans are afoot to import 200 luxury limousines for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) scheduled for the end of the year.

This would include 60 vehicles of latest Mercedes Benz C class and BMW 7 series for the travel of the attending Heads of States. The other vehicles, which also include luxury vans, jeeps and cars, will be allocated for the visiting delegates. The imported luxury vehicles will be used for the ministries and the VIPs who visit Sri Lanka, after the CHOGM.