Failed attempt to kidnap ‘Janarala’ news editor
The attempt made to kidnap the news editor of ‘Janarala’ newspaper G.D.L Priyadarshana on May 30th night has failed.
Speaking to ‘Sri Lanka Mirror’ regarding the incident he stated, “I was standing on the road at around 10 pm at Ekala waiting for a bus. Then a man on motor bike arrived and offered to take me to Kotugoda. On our way we were engaged in a conversation where he stated that he is a police officer on duty. He showed me a pistol on his person and stated that he needs to see my National Identity Card. I refused. Asked me for my mobile number. I refused again.
Then he took me up to Gurugewatta Junction and said that he is not alone. When the bike stopped I saw a whit van with its lights offed coming towards the bike. Then a got down from the bike and ran on a by road.”
Priyadarshana has filed a complaint (CIB 3 12/06) at Seeduwa Police regarding the incident.
A member of ‘Janarala’ staff stated that the report on a certain Lady in the newspaper might be behind the kidnap attempt.
The chief editor of the "Janarala" newspaper Chandana Sirimalwatta was questioned more than three hours on May 17th, by the Crime Division (north) Western Province, over an article published in the paper titled "A lady behind gold racket" and the police had visited the press and the ‘Janarala’ office earlier.
Janarala editor questioned regarding the ‘Lady’
Saturday, 18 May 2013
The chief editor of the "Janarala" newspaper has been questioned more than three hours yesterday (17), by the Crime Division (north) Western Province, over an article published in the paper titled "A lady behind gold racket"
The police wanted to know where he obtained the information, he included in the news article, Mr Chandana Sirimalwatta’s answer was that he was provided with the particular information by a journalist.
The police further asked him why he was not tempted to reveal the name of the lady who allegedly involved in the gold racket. He affirmed that he decided to reveal the name of the so called "lady" after having carefully examined the reliability of the information. He further said to the police, the lady who is allegedly involved in the gold racket hails from an elite family.
The police visited the press where "Janarala" is printed on May 16th and questioned the owners and had returned to the office of "Janarala" to get a statement from Chandana Sirimalwatta.
He said to have been responded by saying that he was busy as the newspaper is going to press very soon an agreed to visit the police station and give out a statement the following day (17).
Accordingly, he has visited Police Crime Division (north) Western Province yesterday where he was thoroughly questioned by the police.
Several popular news websites which have published the story have also been blocked.
When ‘Sri Lanka Mirror’ contacted the Director General of Telecommunications Regulatory Commission Anusha Palpita regarding the situation he stated that the websites were thus blocked by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission under a written order of the Ministry of Mass Media & Information.
The police wanted to know where he obtained the information, he included in the news article, Mr Chandana Sirimalwatta’s answer was that he was provided with the particular information by a journalist.