My lifelong friend
[Sri Lanka raids office of pro-opposition news websites
Posted by Karthiyayini on June 30,2012 in Exclusive, Headlines, News, Sri Lanka · 0 Comments
Colombo, June 30 (TruthDive) : Media freedom has always been a huge concern in Sri Lanka. The country shows its ugly face yet again by showcasing it as one of the world's most dangerous countries for journalists.
An independently running and pro-opposition office of two news websites have been raided by Sri Lankan Police. The Police have arrested nine workers including the editor of one of the websites, searched the premises for about three hours on Friday and seized computers and documents.
A statement from government stated that the police officers had acted on a court order, searched and sealed off the office on Friday. The websites were said to be publishing flawed information and had put a ‘blot on Sri Lanka's image.'
The Opposition United National Party member Mangala Samaraweera said that the office had operated two websites - www.srilankamirror.com and www.srilankaxnews.com that belong to the party. He added that the nine arrested employees were released on bail after an appearance before a magistrate.
Samaraweera said that Friday's raid had been initiated as his party's website had uncovered corruption and other unlawful activity by the government.
Gnanasiri Kottigoda, who heads Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association, stated that the police action showed that the government has not ceased to harass and intimidate independent media institutions and journalists in Sri Lanka. He also opined that it is a step towards silencing the independent media groups in Sri Lanka.
The Committee to Protect Journalists said, in the year 2010, Sri Lanka was ranked as the fourth most dangerous country for journalists. Since the beginning of year 2006, at least 14 Sri Lankan media employees were said to have been killed, according to Amnesty International.
www.srilankamirror.com and four other websites were blocked by authorities last year over so-called character assassination, and the action is still in effect for four others.
www.srilankamirror.com went on to file a case in the Supreme Court after which the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority agreed to unblock the website on condition that it would not provide links to blocked or unregistered sites. Several media rights groups and other countries, including the United States had severely criticized the blocking of the websites by the Sri Lankan government.
To top it all, attacks on media men and media institutions either fail to get properly investigated or blocked, according to Reporters without Borders.]
I was born with you and since in the cradle
We crawled together.
It's not a bed of roses,
My bare-feet very familiar with the thorny painful streets.
Sometimes you hide in my eyes as tears
And often remain as a hug in my weeping heart.
You too starved in my difficult times
And you never betray me that's certain as death.
I realized that you never smile but I embrace you
From the bottom of my heart
And you are my lifelong friend, Sorrow!
nimal dunuhinga
poem by Nimal Dunuhinga
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Related quotes
Mi Media Naranja
I am searching for my soul mate
Oh baby I know it’s not too late
Maybe try in a foreign tongue
The very reason for my song
Hey why not in Spanish…
Chorus:
Mi Media Naranja por donde encuentra
Madrid, Perú o Sri Lanka…
(interlude with Spanish guitar)
Oh I am not gonna vanish..
I climb mountains and dive a sea
So why not search an orange tree
Ying and Yang my high ambition
Oh on my love life’s mission
Chorus:
Mi Media Naranja por donde encuentra
Madrid, Perú o Sri Lanka…
(Interlude with Spanish guitar)
In Spanish a fine expression
Made me such an impression
My other half of orange fruit
I am now completely en route
Chorus:
Mi Media Naranja por donde encuentra
Madrid, Perú o Sri Lanka…
(interlude with Spanish guitar)
Life is mine to fully discover
Now on the hunt for new lover
A love anthem for any language
Just never be quick to judge
Chorus:
Mi Media Naranja por donde encuentra
Madrid, Perú o Sri Lanka…
(interlude with Spanish guitar)
poem by Isabel Lavender
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Kiss The Net Goodbye
“It’s for your own good”
The Senators’ did assure
Freedom of speech my eye!
Kiss the “Net” goodbye
Or censorship for sure
ROTMS
Source: Wired News
(Excerpt from) Who says Congress never gets anything done?
“On Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved a bill that would give the Attorney General the right to shut down websites with a court order if copyright infringement is deemed “central to the activity” of the site — regardless if the website has actually committed a crime. The Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act (COICA) is among the most draconian laws ever considered to combat digital piracy, and contains what some have called the “nuclear option, ” which would essentially allow the Attorney General to turn suspected websites “off.”
poem by Ray Lucero
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
A Humble letter to the Queen
Honored Madam,
I take this opportunity to wish you a happy birth day as I saw in the BBC the celebrations,
Oh! What a lovely pageant.
My blessings, you may long-lived!
Sri Lanka is once a colony under your kingdom.
Thank God we got independence.
But Madam you left your precious friend in our tiny country
And his name is ' Divide & Rule' a real gentleman.
One day some innocents died of a bomb explosion
But your precious BBC showed only the empty bus.
I think some defect to their cameras?
This ethnic cleansing is a by-product of your factory 'The Imperialism'.
Never mind Madam we can forget the past as we are Sri Lankan.
But I humbly request a favor Madam,
if possible could you please minimize?
You're prominent BBC's (Prima Donna) partial yelp!
Thanking you in anticipation of a kind and a favorable reply.
I remain Madam,
Yours most obediently,
A scribbler,
Nimal Dunuhinga
I dedicate this poem to Miss or Mrs. Dumeetha.Luthra (BBC correspondent in Sri Lanka) for your prominent double standard.
poem by Nimal Dunuhinga
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
And let the oil flow cheaply!
Heads of state or government of 25 nations met in Belgrade, capital of Yugoslavia at the first Summit of Non-Aligned Nations on 1st September 1961. Sri Lanka was a founder of the Non-Aligned Movement which consisted mainly of developing countries that preferred to stay away from any power blocks. These nations were not aligned to any superpower – either USA (America) or USSR (Russia) .Sri Lanka’s newly elected Prime Minister, Sirimavo Bandaranaike attended the inaugural Summit, stepping on to the world stage as the world’s first woman Prime Minister. She attended the second Summit held in Cairo in 1964 and in 1976 hosted the fifth Summit in Colombo. Thereafter Sri Lanka occupied the chair for three years.The origin of the movement dates back to 1954, when the Prime Minister of India, Shri Jawaharlal Nehru had coined the term “non-alignment” during his speech at the Asian Prime Ministers Conference in Colombo. In this speech, Nehru described the five pillars to be used as a guide for Sino-Indian relations. Called ‘Panchaseela’ (five restraints) , these principles would later serve as the basis of the Non-Aligned Movement.The five principles were: Mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereigntyMutual non-aggression
Mutual non-interference in domestic affairsEquality and mutual benefit
Peaceful co-existence
I hear a sad Bedouin song of an aging Dictator
Who sung with his deep voice for a long period!
Yes, let others to sing and get rid of the power.
Bring the lute and leave the wealth.
Like your younger days remember
You touched the Sri Lankan soil once
As Omar Mukthar the Hero!
At the 5th Non-Alignment Summit, Colombo, Sri Lanka in 1976.
We're old now and leave aside the burden
Watch how they sing with the different pitch?
Companion Camel too old now
And no more desert crossing
Stop at an Oasis!
Take the lute out and sing the oldest song;
'Where we've come from
And where do we go? '
And let the oil flow cheaply!
poem by Nimal Dunuhinga
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
I've been doing this 17 years but I can tell you I have more websites now than I have ever had devoted to me or my past career or my character. When I got this show, I think I had two fans out there that had created websites on my behalf.
quote by Robert Patrick
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Sethu Ocean Project(TamilNadu, India)
To shorten the sea-trade route
and export goods and expand trade,
the stone-bridge across the Palk Straits
off the town of Rameswaram
needs to be cleared away.
But some superstitious men
trade tirade against the Project
and stop carrying on the work.
The stones might have been laid
in ancient days by the Tamil Kings.
But these religious bigots
argue with fictional stories
that it was built by Rama
with the help of Hanuman's forces.
Whoever could have built it
but what use the people have
within the sea the bridge to save?
When Katchativu Islands
where the Tamils catch fish,
were gifted to Lanka,
these leaders slept in Parliament.
When the lakhs of Tamils were killed
enmass by hurling bombs on them
in the war-torn Lanka,
these Indians were on a honeymoon!
But the Sethu Sea Project work
which would bring jobs and livelihood
to lakhs of workers and farmers
is blocked by a writ in court, citing
legends, myths and fancy tales.
The Chinese are fast in trading.
Their astute men and material,
their indigenous and electronic goods
have filled and spilled Australia.
See, our flustered ambassadars
prostrate before the Lankan leaders
to plead them not to be a host
to the agile Buddhist Chinese.
As the Pakistan demands Kashmir,
Lanka will stretch its hand
to Rameswaram, the temple town.
The Chinese would succour them
as they have formed a triangle
to feel the pulse of the brave Indians.
------
poem by Rajendran Muthiah
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
An open letter to the Cricket Board if it still exists
You must arrange a triangular cricket tournament
In between India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in lankan grounds
And must be fair umpires to be present to catch the shy bowler.
*Dedication to my poet friend Jerry Hughes
poem by Nimal Dunuhinga
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
A middle class wedding
The bride and the bridegroom exchange the rings
While an invitee comes and introduced himself as 'Muscovite.'
Then the bride's father a Middleman who's never been to a school inquired; 'A strange name.'
'Sorry, I am from Moscow.'
'Oh! That sounds good and we can do cow business.'
Then he replied angrily; ' Yes, you can import cow and export donkeys.'
* I think of damned politics in my tiny island Sri Lanka. Freedom of expression goes for a song nowadays and I heard that innocent journalists are missing again, is this the democrazy?
poem by Nimal Dunuhinga
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
A wearied flower and a skeletal bee
'Sorry dear, I came to wipe your tears
Not to suck the nectar.'
Old bee whispered.
'I too must say sorry, Sir.
And it's a surprise to see such a kind bee in an off-season.'
Exploited flower responded.
And the inquisitive Autumn eavesdrops in a garden's corner with a wry smile.
*[ Suicide bomber in Sri Lanka kills 13 and wounded several dozen including a government minister.The attack attributed to the Tamil Tigers indicates they can still strike far from where they're concerned.]
-Los Angeles Times headline today with a photograph.
poem by Nimal Dunuhinga
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
For All Americans Who Love Freedom
A page has turned in America
once the police were sent
into Southern cities to beat;
and arrest Afro-Americans
and those with a conscience
who believed in racial equality
for all Americans;
and we who love freedom,
were shamed, by water cannon,
and beatings lashed out,
by southern police brutality.
Now in New York, New York's
finest choose their slimiest,
to creep in during dead of night,
at 3.30am with their batons hate
aggression; to attack peaceful
protesters on Wall Street.
Protesters who protest claim
America is not the 1% richest
that George W. Bush decreed
should pay no my mates taxes.
Observe whole world watches
self promoted land of free,
claiming rule by democracy,
club their poor who were bleed
of their tax dollars, employment,
houses to pay Wall Street debts;
cheating bankers stock brokers.
Michael Rubens Bloomberg,
Mayor of New York City,
with a net worth of $19.5 billion;
in 2011, plus the 12th-richest
person in the United States
dances with glee as founder and
88% owner of Bloomberg
L.P. financial news and
information services media company;
Bloomberg does not have to pay
off mainstream media; he is the media.
Time to vote jackals out of office.
Inspired by the poem ‘Faces On Hands, Hands On Heart’ by Eric Cockrell.
poem by Terence George Craddock
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
I use computers for email, staying current with my own website as well as finding important information through other websites. I also use it for creating MP3 files of new music I'm working on.
quote by Clint Black
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
The news media are, for the most part, the bringers of bad news... and it's not entirely the media's fault, bad news gets higher ratings and sells more papers than good news.
quote by Peter McWilliams
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Hi,
We are interested in booking a video ad unit on citatepedia.com for 1 year. We can provide a player or VAST/VPAID tags.
We are a Google Premier Partner and we connected top 50 ad networks, SSPs, and DSPs to achieve the highest results.
We work with multiple over 400 websites including 100 in the Europe.
How can we book an ad unit on your website?
It Is Because Of The Media
'The media is the reason for our problems.
The media is the reason for our dysfunctions.
The media is the reason why there is conflict.
The media is the reason our kids are the way they are.
The media is the reason for racism and division.
The media is the reason why the economy is perceived,
To be knocking on death's door.
And it is because of the media our great country,
Has fallen into dire straits and has less educated citizens! '
That's a wrap, Sarah.
Very well done.
Now we do have you scheduled for that magazine shoot.
With you standing on the pier in common street clothes.
Very representative of the people.
As well as very clever.
Now...
Should we re-schedule the talk show for next week?
Or...
Should we keep it and move your appearance for the fund-raiser?
Since your announcement...
We have been overflooded with requests.
'What are the ratings for the talk show?
I want to know their demographics.
Also...
Do not schedule any of my activities around the playoffs.
Last year PBS refused to carry my message!
And it is important that my followers know how the media is used,
To manipulate their thinking process.
And that is the reason my campaign is important.
These are issues that must be prioritized...
And addressed!
IF we are going to move forward as a nation!
And get out of this mess!
Here are my questions to be asked,
By those selected reporters.
I need to freshen up before the press conference begins.
Make sure all cameras are placed behind,
Those who flew in from Hollywood.
They are filming a documentary...
To be used to solicit potential donors.
And I need as much as I can get,
To offset my travel expenses.'
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
I'm a Canadian citizen. But I always want to feel at home in Sri Lanka. I'm a member of both countries.
quote by Michael Ondaatje
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
National leaders who find themselves wilting under the withering criticisms by members of the media, would do well not to take such criticism personally but to regard the media as their allies in keeping the government clean and honest, its services.
quote by Corazon Aquino
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Money
A rustle,
' You cannot live without me.'
Then the rustic man cried;
'I have never seen you.'
'Then you must be a house arrest.'
*In Sri Lanka,
Ex-General in Military court.Former Army chief Sarath.Fonseka stood before a Court Martial on March 16.2010.
War with Tamil Tigers ended and when this Vendetta ends?
poem by Nimal Dunuhinga
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Media
An exposure to media, the press
Is dangerous, an overexposure, worst damaging,
You lose an image, you lose yourself,
And people would not mind, who are you and what is your name,
how did you do it, not what did you do, and that would be the end of you,
I do not talk to media since then, it has always the last say, I shy away from an interviewer from a media coverage, from that writer
Who smiles at me, taking carefully what I am saying
On a certain legal question, only to find out,
The following day, he says what I did not really mean in that proper context,
In what I said to him and which he twisted,
I had that bad experience, and
Had not recovered for years, walking in the city,
Without my head, all to my shame and loss,
I did not mind, my deeds my fingers will speak for me
Eventually, and my conscience shall tell my vocabulary avenging finally that
The better plural form of media, after all,
Is mediocre,
of course, its correct singular form is still
Media. How can I argue with you, medium man?
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Parole
Par excellence!
The worst criminal in the world was pardoned
and he comes again into this uppish new world?
Half of his life he has spent
in the Government's boarding house.
Still in his forties but almost forgotten
how to approach a girl properly.
The hypocritical handsome politicians all over the world
search his whereabouts and offer him lot of new profitable contracts.
This illegitimate & ill-mannered person idles again at toll gates
with his new identity.
Dedication to the Norwegian peace brokers in Sri Lanka
poem by Nimal Dunuhinga
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
A few countries like Sri Lanka and Honduras have led the way in slashing maternal mortality.
quote by Nicholas D. Kristof
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!