More
problems at State TV
There are more problems brewing at the Rupavahini Corporation, and
this time mainly for the female workers. The Director General had
hired a new producer recently and he had reportedly tried to lure
a freelance television artiste cum teledrama actress who frequents
the Corporation to a hotel along with a friend on the pretext of
making a special programme on her. The angry lady soon realised
what the man was up to and returned to the Corporation and went
straight to the Chairman to make a complaint. An immediate inquiry
was launched and the man found guilty and sacked. The DG was out
of the island when the matter unfolded but there was a telephone
call from the politically connected private secretary at the Presidential
Secretariat to the Chairman to hush up the case. But this time the
Chairman does not seem to have given into orders from the top.
Desire
under the nuga tree?
This is not the only dilemma of its kind at the Corporation.
On the daily morning show the female presenters too are having a
similar problem, that too from some of the producers demanding certain
'favours' from them to be put on the show. Several complaints have
been lodged in this regards as well and inquires are pending. Things
sure seem to be shady under the 'nuga' tree.
Has
to watch what he says
The World Bank Representative in Colombo Peter Harrold
is an extra careful man since his controversial statement to The
Sunday Times led to many a protest calling for his removal. So whenever
he faces the press now, he personally carries a cassette recorder
with him. Although he carries the cassette recorder, he will also
have to watch what he says.
At
Thursday's press conference on the Development Forum at the Finance
Ministry auditorium, Mr. Harrold was present with the UN representative
in Colombo Miguel Bermeo but despite the presence of almost all
the media personnel, there was no one from the Finance Ministry
to tell the gentlemen where to sit at the head table. So they were
seen walking around waiting till eventually some official turned
up.
Keeping
them waiting
A Minister from the East who is in charge of infrastructure
development in the area sure likes to keep his constituents waiting
when they visit his Ministry in Colombo. These people come from
as far as Pottuvil, Batticaloa, Akkaraipattu and Trincomalee, reaching
the office in the morning but sometimes they wait till past five
in the evening but the minister does not show up. This has become
a regular feature now. |
