No media suppression - Minister

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE

The Government has taken every possible step to safeguard media freedom since media freedom is among the key factors in a democracy, Media Minister Laksman Yapa Abeywardena said.

The Minister addressing a media briefing yesterday at the Government Information Department said there is no restriction whatsoever regarding print, electronic or any form of media institutions such as web based media.

"As far as I know and everyone is aware of this, there is no media suppression in the country", the Minister said. The Minister asked media personnel present to mention if there was media suppression in the country.

When the Minister was asked that some media personnel have been questioned by Security Forces, he pointed out that the Security Forces have the right to question media personnel as they also come under the civil law of the country. Under the provisions of the law, the editor of "Lanka" Newspaper was questioned by the Security Forces. "How can that incident be an issue regarding media freedom", the Minister asked.

However the Minister pointed out that certain persons had pointed an accusing finger at the Government in connection with certain incidents that took place recently such as the dissapearance of e-news editor Eknaligoda and the assassination of Lasantha Wickramatunge. Investigations are being conducted by the Police and according to the Police Spokesman the police would reveal the story behind the missing incident and the assassination.