Ranil has not mentioned a word about journalists in manifesto - Wimal
 

by Uditha Kumarasinghe

JVP Propaganda Secretary Wimal Weerawansa yesterday said UNP Presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe who has not mentioned even a single sentence on journalists in his manifesto is now attempting to introduce another manifesto on behalf of journalists.

Introducing manifestos for various fields from time to time shows the UNP's political bankruptcy to the people, Weerawansa told a media briefing at Sri Lanka Foundation Institute yesterday.

He said Mahinda Chintana, political manifesto of UPFA Presidential candidate Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse has identified the basic problems faced by journalists by taking necessary remedial measures to overcome such problems.

Rajapakse's manifesto contains a series of new measures which will assist journalists to perform their duties in a more efficient manner. The manifesto has recommenced to give computers, duty free vehicles and motorcycles to journalists, he said.

Steps will also be taken to appoint an ombudsman for the benefit of journalists who faced various injustices and harassment in submitting their complaints in a more respectable manner. "Journalists will independently perform their duties if measures are taken to upgrade their living conditions," he said.

Weerawansa also said several private TV channels are telecasting some UNP advertisements to insult their political opponents by completely violating law and moral values. " Several private TV channels telecast advertisements distorting some statements made by me and our party Leader Somawansa Amarasinghe.

The JVP in writing has already informed the Heads of these media institutions regarding this. The JVP has decided to take legal actions against these media institutions."

He said the media institutions which always clamour for a free media gave a wide publicity and carried lead stories on Ranil Wickremesinghe's election manifesto. Therefore these free media would have given a similar coverage to Mahinda Rajapakse's manifesto too. This shows the impolite use of the media.

"Therefore we request the media to act independently and give equal publicity to Mahinda Rajapakse even within the next 20 days."