Clarification

In reference to the article published in Daily Mirror on 1st November 2023, title ‘Sri Lanka’s Democracy under siege – The lurking shadows of business – politics nexus’ lawyers of Mr. Dilith Jayaweera has sent the following clarification.  
“Our client is the leader of Mawbima Janatha Pakshaya, a registered political party in Sri Lanka and a leading entrepreneur, a philanthropist and a respectable citizen of Sri Lanka. In 1993, our client founded Triad (Private) Limited which has grown from a small advertising agency to Sri Lanka’s largest and most awarded communications powerhouse extensively diversified to offer integrated communications solutions. Our client is the Group Chairman of George Steuart & Co., Sri Lanka’s oldest mercantile establishment. Our client also serves as a Board Director on several listed and non-listed entities which includes Citrus Leisure PLC, Colombo Land & Development Company PLC. He is also the Chairman of Powerhouse (Private) Limited, the holding company of Sri Lankas premium entertainment network “Derana”. Overall, the Group of companies which our client is part of employing over 35000 employees. Further, our client is an Attorney-at-law by profession and holds an LL.B from the University of Colombo and an MBA from University of Wales. Our client has been involved in numerous corporate social responsibility and charitable projects benefiting the country and the communities. In 2011, our client was named as one of the top entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka by LMD Magazine. In 2019, our client was featured in LMD Magazine’s A-List, the 100 Club. As a result of the above, our client has acquired a substantial goodwill and a reputation as a successful and patriotic businessman, investor and a professional Within Sri Lanka and beyond.  
And therefore several statements in the said article about our Client Mr. Dilith Jayaweera are ‘false and are not justifiable on any basis whatsoever’.”  
Editor’s Note 
The above mentioned article carried under the page banner “Point of View” is an opinion from a well-respected citizen and a civil servant. The writer has been a former Senior Consultant at the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA) and as a responsible newspaper it’s out duty to allocate space for the views of respected citizens and writers who are experts in the areas of their subject matter.