Channel 4 allegations:

Govt will respond no further - Media Minister

Rasika SOMARATHNA

Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella yesterday said the Government has no intention to further respond to the re-airing of a video and fresh allegations leveled by Channel 4, as the video in question had been scientifically proven to be a fake at the first instance.

Responding to questions from the Media, the Minister said the Government had specifically and categorically stated, based on scientific evidence presented by both local and foreign experts that the video in question was a fake.

The Minister said that the resurfacing of the disputed video was done with malicious intent at a time when Sri Lanka was savoring the first anniversary since defeating terrorism and when talks were proceeding in Brussels by a local delegation to regain GSP plus.

The Minister further added that although the Government had gathered sufficient material within 72 hours to prove the video was a fake, Channel 4 even after 10 months had failed to prove that it was authentic as claimed by them.

The Minister responding to another question during the media briefing held to announce Cabinet decisions however said that the Government might contemplate legal action against such false allegations in the future.