Ranjan threatens TV host

Vijayani Edirisinghe

Ratnapura District UNP Parliamentarian and film star Ranjan Ramanayake has threatened to end the media career of Dilki Samanmalee who conducts the Derana TV political talk show 360 Degrees. "I will end your daughter's media career," Ramanayake had threatened Samanmalee's father.

On a recent TV program 360 degrees in which Ramanayake had participated, Samanmalee had repeatedly questioned him about his duty free vehicle permit.

Avoiding a direct answer Ramanayake had said that he had disposed of the vehicle parts of the Rs 30 million worth vehicle among friends.

Samanmalee's father Susil Gunasekera and her mother are currently living in Australia. She (Samanmalee) is living in Colombo with two girls working at Derana. Ramanayake is said to have telephoned Gunasekera at around 4.30 a.m. Sri Lanka time yesterday (Monday). It is also learnt that his telephone number had been obtained from Samanmalee by the actor by threatening her.

Samanmalee has lodged a complaint with the Bambalapitiya Police over this threat. Gunasekera said the police have not started investigating over the complaint.

He has requested the police to provide security to his daughter.