Government rejects newspaper report

COLOMBO: The Government yesterday categorically rejected allegations made in a Sunday English newspaper report (not of the Lake House group) titled "The Tiger report on paramilitaries" that the Security Forces were supporting certain armed groups.

In a statement issued by the Information Department, the Government said that the publication of such news items based on falsehoods would be an obstacle to the progress of the peace process.

"The Government believes that responsible media institutions should refrain from publishing such news items which could endanger national security," the statement added.

The Government urged all media institutions to act with a sense of responsibility at a time when it was striving to achieve peace.

Meanwhile, the military yesterday denied any involvement in an attack on an LTTE position in Vavunathivu, Batticaloa in the uncleared areas on Saturday.

Two LTTEers were killed in this incident.

The Army said in a statement that no Security Forces entered the uncleared areas, as alleged by some pro-LTTE media.

The Security Forces have also not aided any armed group, it added.