Tough action against rumour mongers

Rasika SOMARATHNA

The Government yesterday warned the public not to fall prey to malicious rumours regarding national security, spread to destabilise the country and reverse military victories gained by the Security Forces.

Director General of the Media Centre for National Security, Lakshman Hulugalle told the Daily News that rumour mongers were at work, playing on the patience of the public with the ulterior motive of creating communal backlashes in the South.

He added that the Government would not hesitate to take strong action under Section (28) of the Emergency Regulations to punish the culprits.

“Some parties are spreading rumours such as closure of schools and attacks on temples spreading fear and anger among the public to create communal clashes,” Hulugalle said.

He urged the public not to be misled by such tactics and maintain communal harmony at all times, as the Government had taken all steps to ensure security.

“Such matters could be clarified by the local authorities and the police,” Hulugalle said urging the people to seek help from them without giving vent to their emotions.

If the people fall prey to such rumours it could adversely affect the concentration of Security Forces conducting a humanitarian mission in the North to liberate civilians from the clutches of LTTE tyranny, Hulugalle said.

According to the Director, another target of such interested parties was to hamper the progress of the local economy by creating an unstable situation in the country to realise their ulterior motives.