Nationalizing The Nation?
A Nation headline in better times
Word outside my headphones is that one a Mahinda’s catchers may be buying The Nation. The Nation is one of the more entertaining and critical papers which I make some effort to find on Sundays. Diff to find but they have interesting interviews and were really killing it scoop-wise for a couple months. It’s not like the toilet patheray Sunday Observer and it bit more fun than the Sunday Times. The thing is very (that is, appropriately) critical of Mahinda’s régime de bananes, recently trashing Sajin Vaas and the flying money toilet Mihin Air. Anyways, word is that one of Mahinda’s friends Nilanke Rajapakse is buying a share of The Nation with hard earned money from somewhere. The number I’m hearing is 49%, with editorial control promised. Him being a relative of the president isn’t necessarily bad, but it is most likely bad. And Occam’s Razor hints that this is a bad move for media freedom, just like that razor that Rupavahini lady got across the back in the continuing aftermath of the Mervyn Silva debacle (Part XVI). I’ll post more info as I get it, what’s now is still hearsay. If The Nation gets clipped I’ll miss it.
What I got is that 100 million rupees has come from Millenium Branch of Seylan Bank. The guy buying is Nilanke Rajapakse who is a close friend and at who’s house in London Mahinda apparently crashes. The check number I have is 574484. Nation hasn’t been doing well, but the wealthy guy backing it should have enough money. Apparently there is no paperwork or written contract on the deal, just cash and a lotta confusion among staff. Developing.
I also heard an unconfirmed rumour that ABC radio network will be back on air soon. Of course under a different name because the majority shares have been bought over by none other than Mr.Chinthanaya’s son! Talk about a growing empire huh?