Sirasa TV

Sirasa TV is an analogue terrestrial television network in Sri Lanka. It is the sister channel of 'Channel 1 MTV' which was established in 1992. Sirasa TV was founded in 1998 to similar itself to their Radio network Sirasa FM. Sirasa TV is owned by the Sri Lankan business conglomerate The Capital Maharaja Organization Ltd together with Gregson Holdings Ltd. Since then, another multi-national company - International Media Management - has also invested in MTV. It broadcasts its programs mainly in Sinhala language.

Attacks

Sirasa was repeatedly threatened by minister Mervyn Silva. It was attacked by a petrol bomb on 2.1.2009.

2009 New Year attack

Fifteen masked gunmen stormed the studio and transmission complex, and destroyed the main control room of the group on 6 January 2009. Investigations revealed that a Claymore minewas used for the attack. Critics and observers linked the attack to the controversial reporting that was adopted in relation to the capture of Kilinochchi by government forces.^[1] Opposition political parties and media organisations accused the government of being responsible for the attack.^[2] The president Mahinda Rajapaksa promised a thorough investigation of the affair. His brother Gotabhaya Rajapaksa announced on 16 January 2009 that "investigations have conclusively revealed that the attack on Sirasa was carried out by Sirasa station itself."^[3] He furthermore blamed the station to be close to the LTTE:

"At this moment Sirasa is the Voice of Tigers. In Colombo Sirasa is the station that represents the LTTE. As we are winning now they have become desperate. Now the Tigers are losing the war, they are seeking public sympathy. That is why they set fire to Sirasa," ^[4]

Other than he, everyone has blamed the Sri Lanka government for the attack on Sirasa. ^[5]

References