Public Performance Board chair removed

Renowned author, critic and novelist Prof. Somaratne Balasuriya has been removed as Chairman of the Public Performance Board.
A decision taken by Balasuriya regarding ‘Aksharaya’, a film by Asoka Handagama, prompted the move, Secretary to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs G.L.W. Amarasinghe said.
Attorney Ashoka Serasinghe, former Chairman of the State Film Corporation will be the new head of the PPB, according to Amarasinghe.
When contacted, Balasuriya told ‘Lanka Dissent’ that the Cultural Affairs Ministry had telephoned and informed him about his removal.
Despite a request to show reasons for the decision, a letter sent to him yesterday (Feb. 18th) only mentions that he had been removed from the PPB.
Balasuriya said that as a free thinking and liberal-minded person, he would treat this move indifferently.
Responding to a question as to whether he expected independence at the PPB when accepting the position, Balasuriya said that he had been promised a free hand.
He said that in the beginning, he was allowed to function independently, but things changed later on.
According to Balasuriya, he had been able to bring about a change in certain inflexible approaches of the PPB during his office to help several newcomers to make high-quality creative work.
The attitude of the Cultural Affairs Ministry to force upon its ideas on creative work is having an adverse impact on the local film industry, he added.
Recently, veteran film director Dharmasena Pathiraja was removed from the chair of the National Art Council, after his attempt to make the institution independent met with stiff opposition from the Cultural Ministry Secretary.
It appears that Balasuriya was also in the bad books of the Cultural Ministry Secretary

State radio head removed !

Sunil Sarath Perera has been removed as chairman and member of the director board of the state-owned Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC).
And, his replacement in the acting capacity is the Director of Government Information, Anusha Pelpita.
When contacted, Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena told ‘Lanka Dissent’ that the president has made the change.
The relevant letters have been sent to Sunil Sarath Perera and his successor, Abeywardena added.
However, Media Ministry sources say that former chairman Hudson Samarasinghe will make a comeback next week to head the SLBC.
www.lankadissent.com

Rupavahini’s DG ordered to resign

   
        
   
  Media Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa has ordered Director-General of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation Sisira Kotelawala to immediately tender his resignation.

Yesterday (Feb. 29th), Chairman of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation Sunil Sarath Perera was removed from the post.

The moves are said to be part of efforts by the President to restructure the state media after several cabinet ministers and trade unions had warned him that the administration of state media institutions was in complete turmoil.

Sunil Sarath Perera had spoken to the SLBC staff in his farewell speech, and prayed that not his worst enemy be faced with a similar situation.

“When governments change, heads of state institutions are told to resign. The letter informing me of my removal had thoughtlessly been sent to my home. Not even my worst enemy should face such a situation.”

“Yesterday at 4.00 pm I had a meeting with the minister regarding the Tamil Service. After that I was attending the funeral of Mr. Tyronne Fernando, when I was told by home that there was a letter for me that says I have been removed.”

“If the president does not want me here, I won’t stay. I tried to make the SLBC a public service radio. I did not go after commercial objectives. That was the reason for disagreements with certain ministry officials. That may be one of the reasons for my removal,” he said.
 - www.lankadissent.com

Sangha Nayake assaults ITN correspondent

Matara Police are investigating an alleged assault of Pankaja Sankalpa, the ITN correspondent there, by Chief Adhikarana Sangha Nayake of the Southern Province Ven. Getamane Siridhammakitti Thera.

Sankalpa had gone to Anura Vidyalaya, Matara on a request to cover an event by the students of the school on February 28th.

When the Thera was called upon to light the traditional oil lamp, he had reportedly abused the journalist and ordered him out.
 
  
  Pankaja was also grabbed by his shirt and assaulted – he told ‘Lanka Dissent’ – in the presence of around 1,500 persons, including the Matara Assistant Education Director, principals of several schools and schoolchildren.

The Thera had continued to use abusive language on the journalist, prompting two other photographers present there, to leave the function.

Four years ago, the Thera had been arrested by the Matara Headquarters Police on the charge of brutally raping a schoolgirl.

Sankalpa was the correspondent who had covered the incident for ITN
 - www.lankadissent.com