President orders Malinda Seneviratne’s removal

Tuesday, 05 February 2013

The President has ordered the owner of the Rivira Media Corporation that publishes The Nation newspaper, Ravi Wijeratne to immediately remove the editor of the newspaper, Malinda Seneviratne, sources from the company said.

Circulation of The Nation newspaper has seen a drastic fall. While the newspaper’s proper circulation figure is around 500 newspapers, about half of its minimum print run, which is 1,000 copies, are distributed free of charge.

The President believes that Malinda Seneviratne is not a successful newspaper editor. Malinda Seneviratne attended the last N Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions in Geneva on behalf of the government. The President has told Ravi Wijeratne, “Malinda is good for lobbying activities like that and not as an editor.”

Meanwhile, sources also said that the CEO of Rivira Media Corporation and senior journalist, Gairuka Perusinghe is to hand over his resignation at the end of this month. Perusinghe has arrived at this decision following the continuous harassment he had faced from Rivira newspaper editor, Sisira Paranathanthri and Rivira newspaper’s Mahinda Wijesundera.

Ravi Wjeratne it is learnt is partial towards Paranathanthri regardless of his actions since he has worked to improve the newspaper.

Perusinghe has decided to resign from the post of CEO after considering all these matters.

How did Johnny’s “Gal” bottle become Rs. 400 when Harry’s is Rs. 800?

Tuesday, 05 February 2013

An Extra Special Arrack (Gal Arrack) bottle manufactured by millionaire businessman Harry Jayawardena’s Distilleries Corporation of Sri Lanka (DCSL) is sold at Rs. 800 while the same arrack bottle manufactured by Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando also known as Johnny’s distillery is sold at Rs. 400. Businessmen in the liquor business are these days discussing how Johnny has managed to sell a bottle of Gal arrack at less than 50% than DCSL.

Johnston Fernando as the internal Trade Minister has in violation of Cabinet ethics, purchased five of the main liquor manufacturing distilleries in the country. The Wayamba Distilleries, Payagala Distilleries and Globe International are a few of the main companies purchased by Johnny. Cabinet ministers now refer to Johnny as “Johnny Walker” which becomes “Johnny Joker” in his absence.

The companies that have been taken over by Minister Johnston Fernando owe thousands of millions to the Inland Revenue Department. Johnny had purchased these distilleries with the help of the Royal Family and the income tax dues have been cut along with the sale. These companies do not pay any of the duties imposed on alcohol spirits that are imported to manufacture the liquor. The above mentioned distilleries companies receive foreign spirits duty free on a directive by the Royal Family.

Customs officers who oppose these moves have been taken into custody by framing bribery charges against them.

Johnny has been able to manufacture a bottle of Gal arrack at Rs. 400 due to the 100% duty concession. Harry Jayawardena who pays the relevant income taxes and duties would undoubtedly lose his business in the next few years. In such a scenario, it would be “Johnny Walker” or “Johnny Joker” who would hold the monopoly in the country’s liquor business.