SRI LANKA: Bharatha killing, drugs and CSE 'linked'

SRI LANKA: Bharatha killing, drugs and CSE 'linked'

26 October, 2011

There seems to be a link between Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), illegal drugs and the recent murder of a presidential advisor, says the owner of a private media network.

Shan Wickramsinghe, the owner of the TNL media network, told BBC Sandeshaya that he received death threats after his network discussed the alleged link in a talk show.

The link was "exposed" after the killing of presidential advisor on trade unions, Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra allegedly by the supporters of Duminda Silva, MP.

Media reports said there has been a short supply of drugs after the incident in which Duminda Silva also received serious head injuries.

"Reports said the stock market had collapsed while there was no illegal drugs in the market," Mr Wickramasinghe explained.

'Secret talks'

"When we were exploring this, we noted that there was a link between the illegal drug market and the stock exchange," he added.

The head of the private media network says they investigated how the CSE, which is hailed by the government as the best in Asia, suddenly falls due to short supply of illegal drugs such as heroin.

"We found out that Duminda Silva, his brother Reno Silva, Waruni Amunugama, and Dilith Jayaweera share a suite in Intercontinental Hotel in Colombo and I revealed what they recently discussed in that suite," said Mr Wickramasinghe.

While Ms Amunugama and Mr Jayaweera are co-owners of the Ada Derana network, Reno Silva is the owner of ABC media network.

After the revelation, says the TNL owner, senior officials at the TNL have received threats over the phone.

"In a separate call, Waruni Amunugama has told my daughter that I will not be allowed to see the day light again," said Mr Wickramasinghe.

The TNL owner, who has lodged a complaint with the police regarding the death threats, has sent a copy of the complaint to the foreign embassies.

There was no immediate response from the government for the allegations made.

About AHRC: The Asian Human Rights Commission is a regional non-governmental organisation that monitors human rights in Asia, documents violations and advocates for justice and institutional reform to ensure the protection and promotion of these rights. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in 1984.

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