Some media twisting truth, misleading people: Mangala

The Media Ministry will have to take measures to stop the spreading of falsehood by certain television channels in the country. Some media attack the Government using the tsunami as a tool to take political advantage. Although the media has been given the opportunity to say what they want, action will be taken to stop the spread of falsehood, Port, Aviation, Information and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera said.

Addressing a meeting at Nupe to distribute relief to those who lost their houses and those whose houses were partially damaged, Samaraweera conceded that there could be lapses in trying to resolve problems emerging from the tsunami disaster.

"No doubt there can be lapses in solving problems emerging from the tsunami disaster. We welcome fair and impartial criticism and we have nothing against pointing out our mistakes. We can correct our mistakes. But what some media are doing is not showing our mistakes but twisting the truth and misleading the people and attacking the government to help another political party take political advantage of the situation," the Minister said.

He requested this media institution not to continue with such mud slinging.

"If they fail to respond positively, as the Media Minister I will have to deal with them using my powers," Samaraweera said.

He said Sri Lanka was the first to have begun reconstruction work after the December 26 tsunami hit several countries.

"Within 10 days of the disaster, a number of state heads and dignitaries visited Sri Lanka. Secretary of State of America, former US Presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton were among them. They were surprised to see how we rose from the rubble and admired our efforts," Samaraweera said.

The Minister said 13 school buildings in the Matara district collapsed as a result of the tsunami. Switzerland, Germany and Italy have signed agreements to provide assistance to rebuild them, he said.

"I must tell those who faced the tsunami disaster and lost their houses and their belongings that the Opposition is going round telling that the Government has delayed reconstructing houses. If there is a delay, that delay will bring more benefits. It will not deprive you of what you deserve. What we want is to give a better and comfortable house than what you lost. Work of reconstruction or construction of new houses have to be done according to a program. This is why there is a delay," the Minister said.

"We can give you things in a hurry and then you will not get the best. It is good to be a bit delayed and give you the best than do things in a hurry and give something that is cheap and low quality. We feel sorry that the Opposition is trying to take political advantage of the situation.

The UNP was unable to provide houses to those who lost their houses due to floods in 2003. Those people come to us asking for compensation. The UNP which failed to help people at that time is criticising us today," the Minister said.

Samaraweera reminded the people the promise given by the President and said the government's effort is to give the best to the people who suffered in the disaster. "We cannot give back the lost lives. But other things are possible and we are in the process of doing that," he said. Referring to the Chinese Prime Minister's visit to Sri Lanka, the Minister said China had promised to set up a port in Hambantota.

India has undertaken to create two way railway tracks from Matara to Colombo.

Assistance will be provided for a new railway track to Trincomalee. Work on the new Matara Town is on and a committee has been appointed with experts to draw up the plan.

In three months the work of the new town will be completed in two phases," he said. "Reconstruction was begun on January 19 from Hambantota under the President's directive. Indonesia began reconstruction just three days ago.

Because we have a clear program of work, we are able to proceed with the reconstruction. Some are jealous when we work in this manner," the Minister added.

Accounts in the Bank of Ceylon and People's Bank were opened for 1,000 families who lost their houses.