A popular radio show on the Sinhala radio station 'Neth FM', accused the Tamil diaspora on Friday of "manipulating the law and the prison system of Sri Lanka using remnants of LTTE", claiming to reveal illegal financial deals of the Tamil diaspora.
Find links to the radio show on Sri Lanka's Ministry of Defence website here.
Neth FM found itself under scrutiny earlier this year, after Colombo Telegraph revealed that the editor, along side over 500 fellow Sri Lankan journalists had been presented with interest free car loans by the Sri Lankan president. According to the news site, Neth FM's editor, Kulasiri Kariyawasam, also received a free laptop.
Commenting on the radio's accusations against the Tamil diaspora, Sri Lanka's Ministry of Defence wrote on Friday:
Earlier this month, a 61 year old Tamil woman was arrested in Karavetti, on the grounds that all 7 of her children were living abroad.
The heightened accusations against the Tamil diaspora and targeting of Tamils in the North-East with any relatives abroad, comes shortly after the government's decision to proscribe 15 diaspora groups as terrorist entities, alongside over 400 individuals.
Concerns have been raised widely that the proscription is an attempt to stifle free speech and expression.
See related articles:
Diaspora orgs proscription should not be used to stifle free speech and legitimate criticism, UK tells Sri Lanka (02 Apr 2014)
'Sri Lankan regime’s attempt to silence legitimate criticism is unacceptable' - Canada's Liberal party (12 Apr 2014)
Sri Lanka’s ban on diaspora groups ‘puts all Tamil activists at risk’ – Human Rights Watch (08 Apr 2014)
ICG, CPA criticise proscription of diaspora groups (03 Apr 2014)
Find links to the radio show on Sri Lanka's Ministry of Defence website here.
Neth FM found itself under scrutiny earlier this year, after Colombo Telegraph revealed that the editor, along side over 500 fellow Sri Lankan journalists had been presented with interest free car loans by the Sri Lankan president. According to the news site, Neth FM's editor, Kulasiri Kariyawasam, also received a free laptop.
Commenting on the radio's accusations against the Tamil diaspora, Sri Lanka's Ministry of Defence wrote on Friday:
"Balumgala" the popular radio show of 'Neth FM' in a recent segment revealed how the Diaspora manipulates the law and the prison system in Sri Lanka using remnants of LTTE. Their links are now seeking likely avenues to revive. This exposure reveals the means of influx of Diaspora funds to the country through various illegal means.Commenting on the arrests of 65 Tamils this month, the Ministry of Defence drew particular attention to the fact that investigations had revealed "large sums of foreign currency were in circulation among the suspects."
These illegal fund raisers are active in overseas and their ultimate goal is to destabilize the good governance prevailing in Sri Lanka. The Diaspora is now tapping at the doors of their former masters, trying to get them freed through manipulating the legal system using their vast funds."
Earlier this month, a 61 year old Tamil woman was arrested in Karavetti, on the grounds that all 7 of her children were living abroad.
The heightened accusations against the Tamil diaspora and targeting of Tamils in the North-East with any relatives abroad, comes shortly after the government's decision to proscribe 15 diaspora groups as terrorist entities, alongside over 400 individuals.
Concerns have been raised widely that the proscription is an attempt to stifle free speech and expression.
See related articles:
Diaspora orgs proscription should not be used to stifle free speech and legitimate criticism, UK tells Sri Lanka (02 Apr 2014)
'Sri Lankan regime’s attempt to silence legitimate criticism is unacceptable' - Canada's Liberal party (12 Apr 2014)
Sri Lanka’s ban on diaspora groups ‘puts all Tamil activists at risk’ – Human Rights Watch (08 Apr 2014)
ICG, CPA criticise proscription of diaspora groups (03 Apr 2014)