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8th February 1998

Sports

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Clarke under cloud?

Challenges allegations made by a British tabloid

By Tharuka Dissanaike

Child Rights Organisations are calling on the government for an investigation on the allegations made against Dr. Arthur C. Clarke. The science fiction guru was quoted in a London tabloid newspaper, Sunday Mirror (February 01) admitting to have had a sexual relationship with young teenage boys. In the wake of the allegations, Dr. Clarke refused to accept his Knighthood from the visiting Prince Charles, until his name was cleared. His statement in the Mirror on Monday, denied all that was said in the "expose" calling it a "political hatchet job- not aimed at me- but designed to embarrass Prince Charles."

Dr. Clarke has consistently avoided giving press interviews after the report was published. When The Sunday Times called on his office, a person named Tony answered the telephone and informed us that Dr. Clarke was resting and did not wish to be disturbed. He also said that Dr. Clarke is seeking legal advice in an attempt to disprove the statements.

Meanwhile, child rights groups and activists are taking up the position that the government cannot simply ignore the issue. Since the initial report, last Sunday, several other British and foreign newspapers had carried the article, or extracts from it. Every major wire service carried stories on the subject, as it involved an internationally reputed personality.

"The government must initiate an inquiry," Maureen Seneviratne, President of PEACE an NGO dedicated to fighting child abuse said. "Even if he has denied the allegations, there is considerable damage done to the country's image by this article."

She said that PEACE itself could do little since Paedophilia is a criminal offence and only the Police could prosecute. "Our organisation does not witch hunt paedophiles, we look after the interests of the abused children." She said on their part, PEACE had already informed the relevant authorities of Dr. Clarke's alleged confession.

Arun Tampoe, attorney-at-law and child rights activist also said that when cases are brought to the notice of the police they have to take special interest and initiate inquiries. He said that NGOs and activists can do little in the light of the present laws and that the police, especially the child abuse desk, must take up the issue.

Tampoe also recalled that another British Tabloid had come to Sri Lanka to inquire into Dr. Arthur C. Clarke few months ago.

Prof. Harendra de Silva, Chairperson of the Presidential Task Force on the Prevention of Child Abuse said that the committee would certainly be taking up the matter of Dr. Clarke soon. Prof. de Silva told The Sunday Times last Thursday that as he had just returned from abroad, he did not have the opportunity to look at the relevant newspaper report, but said that the Child Protection Authority would be "looking into it."

The Sunday Mirror, quotes Dr. Clarke as saying "I think most of the damage comes from the fuss made by hysterical parents afterwards.

The newspaper also quotes three adults who claim to have had sexual relations with Dr. Clarke when they were teenagers.

Dr. Clarke is also quoted in the same article as saying, "here it would embarrass everyone right upto the President. I mean, I am Chancellor of the university, a public figure, so I would be swallowed alive. I would be outed , you see."

Further, the Mirror on Sunday and Monday carry disclosures by a senior journalist in state media, who is alleged to have said that Dr. Clarke had a lot of pornographic material and had once showed him a book full of snapshots of young boys and girls, some Sri Lankan, others European.

The reports also paints the country in dark light, where the "government still turns a blind eye (to paedophilia) for fear of scaring tourists away."

Reuters quote Dr. Clarke as saying "I am outraged by Sunday Mirror's allegations and I am seeking legal advice".

"On view of the nature of the story, I have asked that my investiture be postponed in order to avoid embarrassment to HRH the Prince of Wales during his visit to Sri Lanka."

A spokeswoman for the Prince is quoted as having accepted the position and that the investiture has been duly postponed.

The British High Commission could only say that it was not included in the itinerary of Prince Charles' visit here, and that there were no changes made by Thursday evening. They said that no date has been set as yet for the investiture.


"We are strict about our code"

By Dilrukshi Handunnetti

In a hot denial of the charges raised in the British tabloid The Sunday Mirror against space visionary Dr.Arthur C. Clarke, General Secretary of the Otters Aquatic Club Sam Lovell told The Sunday Times that Dr. Clarke was the club's most imagedistinguished member with an impeccable record.

Dismissing allegations of paedophile connections which according to the article, was kept a dark secret in Dr. Clarke's life, Lovell said that the Club treasures this member in whose honour a felicitation ceremony was held a few weeks ago.

Commenting on the regulations of the Club, he said that a strict code of discipline was observed, especially as its membership included very young children.

"Certain people have been refused renewal of membership when they failed to measure up to the required behaviour pattern," he said.

The Sunday Mirror article referred to the Otters Club unkindly as " a notorious pick-up haunt for perverts."

"This is not a place to pick young men up. If so, the 65 year old Club record would have been tarnished long ago. We are strict about our code of discipline."

"Dr. Clarke is a quiet person who has held Club membership for the past 40 years. This is a place where people are allowed to be free of inhibitions. If he behaved in an unbecoming manner, especially taking into account the young membership here, we would have noticed, and 40 years is long enough for our staff to discover unusual sexual preferences and the like," Lovell said.

Lovell said that it was extremely malicious to have defamed one of Sri Lanka's honoured citizens who has earned international repute. The story, in his contention is the work of those working to discredit Dr. Clarke and the Otters Club, especially in the eve of his life and before his receiving a knighthood.

Lovell said that the science fiction writer spent only a fraction of his time at the Club. "If the writers truly wanted to 'expose' Dr.Clarke, the best course of action would have been to publish the article in a Sri Lankan paper where he is domiciled.

The Otter Aquatic Club has a membership exceeding 5,000 including persons from the ages 2-90 years. The Club is expected to take up the issue of derogatory references made in the article shortly.


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