'UNP, JVP have no moral right to talk media freedom'

Though the Opposition is charging that the media freedom, good governance and democracy have eroded during President Mahinda Rajapaksa's regime, the UNP and JVP combine have no moral rights to talk about these issues since nearly 30 journalists were killed during the seventeen years of UNP rule, Senior Lecturer at the Kelaniya University Dr. Rohana Lakshman Piyadasa said.

Addressing a media briefing in Colombo yesterday, he said several electronic and print media institutes were burnt while death threats were issued to journalists during this period. "These seeds are still fresh in the minds of people though some try to hide them," he said.

Even newspaper agents in many areas were killed by the JVP as they did not abide by the orders issued by the JVP.

This was the history of the UNP and JVP who are today talking about media freedom.

Dr. Piyadasa said Mangala Samaraweera speaking in Parliament in 2008 said the former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka was responsible for violent attacks and abductions of journalists. "In addition, Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has also stated that the attack on the Sirasa TV station was carried out by a special team controlled by Sarath Fonseka," he said.

Therefore, the UNP and JVP alliance have no moral right to talk about media freedom.

Sri Jayawardanapura University Senior Lecturer Senani Harischandra said media freedom is a right of the people to get to know information. But today the Opposition is not allowing journalists in the State media to cover their election rallies. Everyone knows how supporters of Fonseka assaulted reporters in the State media while damaging their cameras," he said.

Therefore, the Opposition has already violated the media freedom.

Kelaniya University's Senior Lecturer Dr. Mapa Thilakeratne said a number of useful steps to develop the country as well as to uplift the livelihoods of people have been taken by the Government during the past four years under President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The Government has been able to create an environment conducive to alleviate poverty through these programs.

Prof. Chandrasiri Rajapaksa said the Government has been able to create an intelligent society in Sri Lanka by giving priority towards the development of the mass media and IT sectors during past four years. "It has resulted in close links with the outside world now," he said.