ISLAMPOPHOBIA AND THE SRI LANKAN MEDIA

Islamophobia And The Sri Lankan Media

October 14, 2014 | Filed under: Colombo Telegraph,Opinion | Posted by: COLOMBO_TELEGRAPH

By Hameed Abdul Karim -

Hameed Abdul Karim

In recent times there have been a string of articles in the Sri Lanka print media ranging from claims that terrorist groups like Al Qaeda are firmly entrenched in Sri Lanka to ISIL cells straining at the leash just to wreak havoc in the country at the drop of the hat. All they need is an order from their ‘caliph’. That’s the impression that has been created in the minds of ‘news’ consumers.

In a TV interview, not long ago, a BBS demagogue said he had seen Al Qaeda cadres training in the east of Sri Lanka with his ‘own eyes’.  The military rejected this ‘eye witness account’ out of hand.

So what’s this all about?

Is Israel Our Friend?

October 1, 2014 | Filed under: Colombo Telegraph,Opinion | Posted by: COLOMBO_TELEGRAPH

By Hameed Abdul Karim -

Hameed Abdul Karim

In the recent past there seems to be a rush by sections of the media and top government officials to embrace Israel as a bosom pal.

An article in the once prestigious Daily Mirror claimed the Sinhalese were related to the Jews through the ten headed King Ravana who lived 5000 years ago. It was not the absurdity of the logic of the writer that was in debate, but the fact that the said paper decided to publish the said article that raised eyebrows. Somewhere in the corridors of power in Tel Aviv there will  be top officials laughing their heads off at the thought of being related to ‘monkeys’ as the Sinhalese were described by Mossad officials according to Victor Ostrovosky in his book ‘By Way of Deception’.