A tense situation unfolded at the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) today, as a group of employees booed Director General Manoj Nadeeshana Amarasinghe, forcing him to leave the premises.

According to employees, the incident stemmed from an ongoing dispute between the Director General and Administration Department Head Thanuja Ariyarathne. Employees allege that both officials, specially Ariyarathne have repeatedly mistreated staff members and, at times, used abusive language toward them.

On the evening of 20 May, several individuals, including Assistant Directors , held a discussion with the Director General regarding the issue. However, during the meeting, the Director General defended the concerned officer Ariyarathna and failed to offer any solutions to the problems raised.

Subsequently, on the morning of 21 May, employees held further discussions with SLRC Chairman Gihan de Silva. During the meeting, the Chairman explained that the two officials at the centre of the controversy were not appointed during his tenure and requested one week to resolve the matter.

However, amid growing frustration, the employees collectively forced both the Director General and the administrative officer in question to leave the premises.

It was reported that the Acting Minister of Mass Media too were presented at the today’s scene.

Employees stressed that today’s (21 May) events were not politically motivated.

Attempts to contact SLRC management for comment were unsuccessful.