Uncle troubles son-in-law

Feb 08, 2017

It is not secret that in its entire history, Wijaya Newspapers has been loyal to the UNP. However, during the Rajapaksa regime, Lankadeepa and other newspapers it published were loyal to the Rajapaksas.

Especially, Lankadeepa chief editor Siri Ranasinghe strongly supported the ex-president during the last presidential election. Ranasinghe worked for Rajapaksa and after his defeat, the editor has become close to president Maithripala Sirisena, reports say.

 

That, he has done, throught the president’s close friend Ajantha Kumara Agalakada. Now, Wijaya Newspapers is strongly opposed to Ranil Wickremesinghe and is removing journalists loyal to him one by one.

 

The management has removed Sujith Mangala Silva, who covered Wickremesinghe for 14 years. Last month, Asoka Jayatunga was sacked after more than 25 years of service at the newspaper.

 

The management is planning to remove several other journalists loyal to Wickremesinghe too. Ranasinghe is reportedly behind all these moves. Chairman Ranjith Wijewardena is controlling the institution while fulfilling the needs of Ranasinghe.

 

Wijewardena is planning to start a television channel and has requested the president for the license. His having made the request to the president, but not to his son-in-law, PM Wickremesinghe, the leader of the party that has been so close to him, is a clear indication of the level of animosity between the two. However, the president has told the PM about his request, and that made the premier very angry.