All media united against terrorism - Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa

Uditha Kumarasinghe, Irangika Range and Sandasen Marasinghe

Information and Mass Media Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa told Parliament yesterday that the Government was able to bring all media onto a common ground on the operation against terrorism.

The Minister said the operation against terrorism was not successful on previous occasions as the various media institutions looked at the operation from various angles.

"But today all the media are united against terrorism," he said.

The Minister made this observation when the vote under the Heads of the Information and Mass Media Ministry was discussed in the House.

The Minister said the media also have some kind of political background.

All media institutions are interested in the developments taking place on the political fronts, he said.

"We are not controlling the media. All journalists do not write in favour of the Government they express their views from different angles."

Minister Yapa said the country is faced with a terrorist problem.

"The attempts made by some Governments to eliminate terrorism were turned back due to certain opinions created through certain media.

"However, we have been able to strengthen our attempts to eradicate terrorism due to assistance extended by the media."

The Minister said: "Today the entire world has given priority to combat terrorism. In order to eradicate terrorism, the people should be brought into a single opinion.

"Our Armed Forces are going to capture Kilinochchi.

"The Government through all these measures intend to restore democracy in the country."

He said Channel Eye of Rupavahini has earned a Rs. 288 million profit while the Channel One of Rupavahini has earned a Rs. 889 million profit from January to October this year.

"The Rupavahini Corporation has not recorded any loss as claimed by the UNP. Lake House has also turned into a profit making institution," he said.