No organised campaign against media, says Minister

Shirley Wijesinghe

There is no organised campaign against the media by the Government and the Government has no hesitation to mediate on issues related to the media personnel, Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardana said at the media conference held at the Ministry of Media and Information yesterday.

Minister Abeywardana highlighted the restrictions on media coverage imposed at the convention of SLFP(M) party and strongly condemned the incident which occurred while the participation of Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe who criticises the Government on media freedom was a participant.

"The so called list prepared by the UNP for the international community including the names of 27 media personnel who are allegedly likely to be victimised is baseless," the Minister stressed.

Condemning the press statement issued by JVP Parliamentarian Vijitha Herath claiming that the money allocated for holding Provincial Councils is a great waste, Minister Abeywardana said that the JVP was keen on dissolving the last UNP Government and holding a fresh general election.

Abeywardana assured victory in Provincial Councils and said the people will endorse the development drive of the present Government despite the war situation in the country.

Responding to the media, he said that there will be no question of joining with the UNP by their group even if there is a leadership change.