Unpatriotic elements spreading falsehoods - minister Devananda

Certain discarded political parties and few anti social elements are spreading false rumours that large scale abductions and human rights violations are taking place in the North, said Traditional Industries and Small Industries Development Minister Douglas Devananda.

He said these anti- government elements are spreading falsehoods in the country and in the international arena, to damage the good image of the country.

“These people are indulging in such unpatriotic actions with a hidden agenda to help the Sri Lankan Diaspora in foreign countries” he said.

“On December 29, 2011 the Uthayan newspaper carried the story that 11 persons who went to take over the body of the person who died in Chennai from the Bandaranaike International Airport are missing for the last 10 days.

The minister said after reading this news item he made an inquiry at the Police and the other government authorities and found that there is no truth in this story. “When this particular newspaper knew that I am inquiring into this matter they kept mum without even carrying a contradiction,” he said.

“Such falsehoods are spread by these elements to bring pressure on foreign governments against our country that even today there are human rights violations and abductions continuously taking place in |Sri Lanka. They fear that if foreign governments know that there is absolute peace and economic stability in our country those governments will send the Diaspora back to Sri Lanka,” he said.

“That is what has prompted these self centered politicians and other unpatriotic elements to continue to spread such false rumours about human rights violations and abductions taking place in Sri Lanka,” the minister added.

Minister Dougles Devananda also said that, today there is peace, stability and tremendous economic development activities taking place in Sri Lanka. The people are living today without any fear.

Therefore these elements are trying to create a fear psychosis among the people by spreading such falsehoods.