DILKA SPEAKS ABOUT THREATENING PHONE CALLS

It was in the news that Dilka Samanmali who presents the Derana 360 programme has threats to her life and that she sought the support of the law. It was said that this problem cropped up as a result of a question asked about an allegation aimed at a monk who participated in a programme in the recent past. After the programme was over a certain person who called her over the phone and threatened her which made her seek the assistance of the law. Dilka spoke about the incident concerned as well as a number of incidents that occured in Derana 360.

    *It is known that you have got threats about a programme broadcast a few days ago in relation to the series of Derana 360 programmes?
     Yes .... that's true.

    * Did you take any legal steps regarding those steps to your life?
     By now legal steps have been taken ..... therefore nothing can be discussed about it.

    *Information received says that the reason for this is that you inquired about the legal allegation aimed at the monk who participated in that programme.
     I questioned him about documentary evidence about the charges aimed at him. The thero answered me. These threats were directed at me after the programme was broadcast.

    *Do you suspect that these threats were directed at you by someone on the monk's side?
     It's difficult to give an answer to that. Some people try to fish in shallow waters in these circumstances. As such, I don't know whether this is something that took place from a third party. Whatever it is, legal proceedings are underway against those who threatened these days. Therefor it's not possible to give an explanation about those points.

     *Were there instances where you had to go before the law?
      Derana was started in 2007. By now there had been 3 such instances.

     *What were the other 2 instances?
      I got threats like this after a programme in relation to a certain politician. In that case I didn't get threats to my life. I got threats of a mud-slinging type and that it would be circulated around in a manner that it would defame my character. On that occasion too I had to seek the assistance of the law. In another instance, an invitee who came to the programme mentioned the name etc, against a certain person. Because of that, that person filed legal action against the programme and the invitee. Even upto now the case is proceeding.

     *You ask questions that inconvenience the other party. Aren't there instances when you were put into inconvenience in live programmes?
      As a policy, I speak to an invitee in the programme only when the programme is going on. I don't even speak when make-up is being applied. Even during breaks and intervals in the programme I don't look at his or her face. As such it is difficult to put me into inconvenience ..... but there were instances when some of those who participated in Derana 360 tried to put me into inconvenience during the process of the interview. But on such occasions I don't go to answer them or look at his or her face.

     *What are your recorded memories of the Derana 360 live programmes?
      In Derana 360 we question them about their political background as well as their personal details.  At one particular programme, a prominent political member was present. That day I asked her whether she was a good mother. The response she gave was that she pours her milk into a drain and had engaged in political matters .... and that she wasn't able to be a good mother to her children. So saying she began to cry ..... and because the camera covered her face, the public was not able to see all that ..... but I saw it alive! On another occasion, a young politician came to the programme. I asked him whether he had no idea of marrying. He said that of course he did ..... and asked what my idea was. At that time I was single .... and so immediately I was embarassed ... but I didn't display it. I said that I was having my own ideas about marriage and that I only asked him about his own ideas of marriage.

     *If we talk about your personal affairs?
      My husband is Dulan Chandana Asela. He gives me a lot of support in my activities. Both of us are busy and we both are attached to wild life. So on free days what we do is go to places like Yala.

     *If I were to ask the question you asked that lady Minister some day?
      (Smiling) ... my mother (Wimalindra Kumari) is a stage, teledrama and film actress. After I was born she gave up all that. The day I also have a child, I'd give priority to my domestic life. If I have to leave the field of media that day ...... I am prepared for it.