Alleged LTTE connections led to investigations against certain
private TV channels - Senior State Counsel
Sandasen Marasinghe
colombo: Senior State Counsel Gihan Kulathunga yesterday submitted
that the Criminal Investigations Department initiated the investigations
into private television channels when the CID was informed that certain
channels were allegedly helping the LTTE to transmit their necessary
information.
SSC Kulathunga submitted it before the Colombo Additional Magistrate
Gihan Pilapitiya when the cases against CBN Sat, LBN and Sat net were
taken into consideration.
SSC Kulathunga said while that investigation was in progress the CID
found that these channels were functioning without a valid licence.
The Court granted Managing Director of LBN Shivantha Herath, Managing
Director of CBN sat Muhanda Kanage and Managing Director of Sat net
Laxman Hulugalla Rs. 1,00,000 personal bail.
Attorney Kuwera de Soyza appearing for the Lanka Broadband Network
said that their company was a BOI approved company and their company was
sealed on June 15, by the CID came with a search warrant. They were not
aware yet for what reason it was revealed.
Although they requested for a copy of the search warrant from the CID
they did not get it. He submitted that the CID has gained the search
warrant hiding certain facts to the court. Since their company was a BOI
approved company if any order was issued with regard to such companies
it should be done following hearing to their submissions.
The Defence Counsel said that LBN possesses a licence to import
equipment, repair, maintain and install those equipment and a
broadcasting licence. SSC Gihan Kulathunga stated that LBN does not have
the licence from the Rupavahini Corporation and the licence from the Sri
Lanka Telecommunication Regulatory Commission for the function of this
television channel.
Defence Counsel de Soyza said that they had no objection with
conducting investigations but asked that they be allowed to continue
transmissions.
SSC Kulathunga said that if the equipment was brought it would cause
damage that the CID sealed them and if the relevant authorities inform
the court that they were considering giving them the licence he had no
objections to them being allowed to resume transmissions.
Attorney Anuja Premaratne appearing for the Sat Net said that their
company was not doing any transmission. The transmission was being done
from India and their company was only providing an apparatus to
customers to receive programmes transmitted from India. Sat Net has the
licence to import this apparatus sell, install, maintain and repair and
that is what's our company doing.
SSC Kulathunga said that their company was charging a monthly fee
from their customers and Defence Counsel said that they were the agent
of the Indian company. Thereafter SSC Kulathunga said that it was
illegal.
The Judge ordered the CID to submit a further report after
investigations on July 6 since the CID requested for more time for
further investigation.
Additional Secretary to the Media Ministry Vajira Narampanawa told
Court that he handed over the application form of the CBN sat company
for a licence to the ministry. He said that the applicants have to fill
up other documents which is required from the Ministry and when those
requirements are fulfilled the Minister would consider if the company
could be given the licence. According to his experience it takes nearly
four weeks for this process.
The judge observed that four weeks was too long and instructed to
Additional Secretary to inform the court that if it were in a position
to issue the licence or not on June 28.
Kuvera de Soyza appeared with Sumedha Mahawanniarachchi for LBN
instructed by Sudath Perera Associates.
Senior State Counsel Gihan Kulathunga, Senior State Counsel Sumana
Dharmawardana, Senior Superintendent of Police Ravi Vidyalankara,
Sub-inspector M.R. Dayaratne appeared for the prosecution while
President's Counsel M.L.M. Ameen, President's Counsel Ikram Mohammed,
Ian Fernando, Sadi Wadud, Riyad Ameen and Sajeewa Antony appeared for
the defence.
President's Counsel Hemantha Warnakulasuriya appeared for the
Rupavahini Corporation. |