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High drama at Lake House: Editor fired and reinstated

Tension and high drama gripped Lake House yesterday after Media Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa ordered the sacking of Daily News editor Bandula Jayasekera and the sacked editor apparently stood his ground saying that the President should decide about his appointment.

Mr. Jayasekera who took over as Daily News editor in November last year after the election of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, was sacked by Minister Yapa on Friday night. Various charges were levelled against him.

The Sunday Times learns that Mr. Jayasekera who was transferred to the Media Research Unit of Lake House had tried to contact President Rajapaksa in London.

He failed to do so and had got in touch with Defence Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa, Peace Secretariat Chief Palitha Kohona and Presidential Advisor Sajin Vaas Gunewardena. Mr. Jayasekara told The Sunday Times that no reasons were given for his removal and that he was waiting for the President to take a decision on the matter.

Yesterday morning, the Minister appointed Pramod de Silva as editor of the Daily News.

But Mr. Jayasekera told The Sunday Times last night President Rajapaksa had telephoned him and told him to continue as editor of the Daily News.

Minister Yapa was not available for comment. Late last night Minister Yapa appeared to be trying to back out of the crisis, claiming he had not sacked the editor, but Lake House Chairman Anil Obeysekera confirmed that a letter of dismissal handed over to the editor had been withdrawn.

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