SLC media manager Ranjith Fernando had sent invitation cards to journalists who write according to his wishes and prepared table no. 54 especially for them.

They were served with Black Label, while the others, invited by fax, had remained even without a glass of water.

Thus treated, they had parata and tea at a night hotel after the ceremony and left agreeing not to publish anything.

That is the reason for a lack of publicity for the awards ceremony in the media yesterday (20).

The SLC manager has adopted an attitude like ‘We didn’t bring them by force.’

Not a journalist, Ranjith had been an advertising manager at a newspaper company, when he was appointed to SLC courtesy ex-secretary Nishantha Ranatunga.

He is also alleged to save Red Bull cans served to journalists during cricket matches and take them home.