TV political programme stopped after telephone call

Commotion at Derana Vaada Pitiya .... after a call from a viewer!  Minister Mahindananda leaves studio!  (video)

As a result of an exchange of words that took place when the Vaada Pitiya programme was in progress over Derana Channel last night (3), those who represented the Government Party left the discussion table and in the end the programme had to be stopped. 


Those who represented yesterday's programme on behalf of the government were Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and parliament Member Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, Messrs. Ajith G. Perera of the UNP and Sunil Handunnetti of the JVP who all joined in the discussion. 

When the second session of the programme was in progress, an individual by the name of Sunil from Matara area happened to come on line and said that he wished to bring forward his question to Dr. Ramesh Pathirana. As such, the Programme Presenter Chatura gave the caller an opportunity to speak. The caller then said, "Ramesh Dosthara Mahatthaya .... you know that the President had told a story about files of some individuals no. If viewed in that perspective sir, there is one person who has joined this discussion .... and he is the person who has the largest file! Why aren't inquiries made about such people? He's the biggest rogue!!" etcetera.

On this occasion the person who then broke in at that very point was none other than Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage in a rage. Though he queried, "Tell me the name of that person," the caller did not mention anybody's name and instead kept on saying, "Rogues like this should be chased away!" etcetera. The caller did not disconnect his line either.

Though Chatura intervened at that moment and said that it was not necessary to make any response to those remarks as no specific name was mentioned by the caller, what the Minister reiterated was that those remarks were targeted at him. Even though Chatura said that those matters are not necessary to be brought out on that occasion, the Minister kept on talking.

The Minister then said that he had a private issue with his former wife and on the grounds that she had made a complaint to the Bribery Commission, he had given his explanations and that as he has still not been found guilty in that respect, these accusations cannot be accepted. He further said that his father and grandfather were of the affluent class and that he attended Royal College. He once again repeated that these accusations are bogus information.

The Minister who responded in a hot temper, as a reply, on that occasion reprimanded Chatura for leaving room for telephone calls of this nature over Derana Channel and further went onto say that it would be better than doing things like this, to hang the UNP Elephant symbol on top there.

What Chatura said was that until calls are given to Derana Channel, it is not known as to who and for what purpose the call is given.

The Minister who then said that there is no point in remaining further at a programme of a channel that operates in this manner, spoke to someone over his mobile phone and even secured the advice of someone.

The Minister after remaining a short while with the programme then left Derana Studio calling Dr.Ramesh to come with him, saying that thereafter no one else from the Government Party would participate anymore with Derana Channel. The minister also said that he would find the number of the person who gave the call and would take legal action against him; thus leaving the studio.

Subsequently, until such time as inquiring from the producers whether the programme is to continue amidst this sudden outburst Chatura later on got back and announced that the programme would be stopped.

Whatever it is, Ajith and Sunil who had participated from the Opposition said that they would not leave and to give them a chance to talk about the incident. Chatura who once again felt helpless went once again for a break but the interval came to an end with Derana Channel bringing down the curtain broadcasting the national anthem; thus surprising everybody viewing the programme.

Even without informing anybody, they had brought the programme to a close.

The relevant part of that programme on video, from BELOW