SLRC shuts down amidst turmoil
A tense situation prevailed outside Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) soon after former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was sworn in as the new Prime Minister, which ultimately led to the termination of its services last night.
Rajapaksa supporters were seen pouring in numbers at the premises when Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera paid a sudden visit for a special discussion.
The breaking-in crowd was seen flocking around the vociferous spokesman of the previous regime MP Keheliya Rambukwella and his followers.
Meanwhile, the transmission of the SLRC was terminated shortly after the tense situation erupted.
Minister of Mass Media Mangala Samaraweera responding to the incident said that the unlawful intervention of ‘thugs’ had interrupted the SLRC transmission.
However, Rajapaksa backing groups claimed that the transmission was terminated following an order issued by Minister Samaraweera.
In the meantime, security in and around the SLRC premises in Torrington, Colombo 07 were beefed up with Police and Special Task Force officers.
Accordingly, Law and Order Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara said that all the state institutions were provided with police security to avoid any sabotage.