-By Diplomatic corresondent
(Lanka-e-News -17.Jan.2025, 11.00 PM) In the grand tapestry of bizarre global events, the saga of Farhad Shaqiri—a man allegedly linked to Iranian intelligence, accused of planning an assassination on Donald Trump, and reportedly masterminding a terror alert at Sri Lanka’s Arugam Bay—stands out as a story that could make even Netflix’s wildest thrillers look tame. But the real punchline? A Sri Lankan YouTube channel, known for its dramatic exposés and questionable credibility, claims to have critical evidence about Shaqiri’s escapades—evidence that U.S. authorities have reportedly tossed aside faster than a leftover plate of kiribath.
Farhad Shaqiri allegedly spearheaded an intricate conspiracy involving Iranian agents to target U.S. and Israeli figures, including a plot to attack Israeli tourists in Arugam Bay—a serene paradise that, for reasons beyond coconut trees, has become a hotspot for geopolitical drama. According to FBI indictments, Shaqiri plotted the attack after meeting his accomplice in a Sri Lankan prison. Yes, the same Sri Lankan prisons where even hardened criminals might bond over koththu roti and jailbreak tips.
As the story goes, Shaqiri didn’t stop at planning; he also allegedly instructed his aide to monitor the Israeli consulate in Sri Lanka. The U.S. and Israel issued warnings about the plot on October 23, and three suspects were arrested shortly thereafter. So far, so Hollywood.
But then, enter the Sri Lankan YouTube channel—a program whose host is as famous for his controversial reporting as he is for apparently conducting interviews in his underwear during a U.S. visit. This channel claimed to have the inside scoop on Farhad Shaqiri, including how he escaped justice thanks to none other than the Rajapaksa family.
The YouTube exposé alleges that Shaqiri was initially arrested in Sri Lanka by narcotics investigators but was subsequently rescued by Namal Rajapaksa, the son of then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. According to the program, the elder Rajapaksa personally authorized Shaqiri’s release, leaving the arresting officers to face trumped-up charges and jail time themselves.
This isn’t the first time the Rajapaksas have been accused of interfering with the justice system. But if true, this story raises two crucial questions:
1. Why would a Sri Lankan president go to such lengths for a man accused of plotting international terror?
2. How did a YouTube channel, of all places, become the Sherlock Holmes of this case?
Adding another layer of intrigue is the involvement of a self-proclaimed former Air Force intelligence officer who seems to be a character straight out of a comedy sketch. According to the program, this officer:
* Joined the Sri Lankan Air Force in 1997 as an administrative officer.
* Was dismissed in 2004 under dubious circumstances.
* Famously claimed to be an “intelligence expert,” though the Air Force denies this.
The officer allegedly tipped off the Indian High Commission about a potential bomb attack orchestrated by the Sri Lankan government. This act of whistleblowing (or fabrication, depending on whom you ask) reportedly led to his arrest, allegedly set up by his girlfriend, an Indian diplomat.
To make things even murkier, this same officer is accused of breaking into the house of globally recognized investigative journalist Iqbata Akhtar. If there’s a Guinness World Record for being involved in the most scandals per square foot, this guy is surely a contender.
Of course, no analysis of this YouTube debacle would be complete without mentioning the channel’s director, a man with an unusual flair for the dramatic. This is someone who allegedly demanded money from businesspeople in exchange for not broadcasting damaging stories about them. Rumors also abound about his escapades during a U.S. visit with former President Maithripala Sirisena, where he was allegedly caught working in his underwear in a New York hotel.
It’s the kind of scandal that makes you question whether investigative journalism has a dress code—or, in this case, lack of one.
Despite the YouTube channel’s claims of uncovering damning evidence against Shaqiri and his Rajapaksa connections, U.S. authorities reportedly discarded it, citing concerns about credibility. And honestly, who could blame them? Consider the track record:
1. A “key” piece of evidence supposedly came from the former sacked Airforce man, Truth with “Me” YouTuber received a free house keys from, owner of the infamous Golden Key company, Mr. Kothalawala, whose financial empire collapsed amid allegations of fraud.
2. The channel itself has a history of sensationalist reporting and apparent extortion attempts.
3. The program’s host appears more suited to a reality TV show than a serious courtroom setting.
If the evidence presented by this channel were a dish, it would be labeled “too spicy to swallow.”
Lost in all this chaos is the fact that Arugam Bay—a picturesque tourist hotspot loved by surfers and Instagrammers—was nearly the site of a horrific attack. The U.S. and Israeli governments took the threat seriously enough to issue public warnings, proving that Shaqiri’s plans weren’t just figments of a fevered imagination.
Yet, the YouTube channel’s involvement has turned the narrative into a farcical melodrama, diverting attention from the real danger posed by Shaqiri’s alleged plots. Instead of focusing on the FBI’s findings or the broader geopolitical implications, the story now revolves around shady YouTubers, Rajapaksa conspiracies, and rogue Air Force officers.
In a case that could have been a sobering example of international terrorism and state corruption, the addition of Sri Lanka’s YouTube drama has transformed it into an absurd spectacle.YouTube Truth with “ Hiru” Tv anchor, who received a free house from Golden Key’s Chairmen, Kothalawala lost his lot The U.S. authorities’ decision to discard the channel’s evidence may have been less about the content’s truth and more about the circus surrounding its source.
As for Farhad Shaqiri? He remains a shadowy figure in a story that’s equal parts thriller, soap opera, and stand-up comedy. And as for the YouTube channel, perhaps it’s time for them to invest in some credibility—or at least some pants.
Until then, the world will watch, bemused and bewildered, as Sri Lanka continues to provide plots that no screenwriter could ever dream up.
---------------------------
by (2025-01-17 17:43:12)
Read 8214 Times
Leave a Reply
0 discussion on this news