Public express dissatisfaction over demo:
Underhand move against SL
* ‘Attempt to destabilize country’
* ‘Hidden agenda evident’
Daily News reporters
People from all walks of life yesterday expressed their
dissatisfaction over a scheduled protest today by a handful of persons
posing as journalists, whose agenda it is to tarnish the country’s
image.
They said that these elements with vested interests are trying to
disrupt the day- to- day life of the people by launching these protests
to achieve their sinister agendas.
They also said that these elements were trying to harm the country’s
image by launching this type of protest at a time when Lanka has won
accolades internationally for eliminating the scourge of terrorism.
According to S M Sirinivasa, a businessman from Kegalle, the
government has ensured the freedom of the people in all parts of the
country by eliminating terrorism which plagued the country for more than
30 years.
He said that these elements in connivance with their collaborators in
foreign countries are engaged in a futile attempt to tarnish the
country’s image. Sirinivasa was of the view that the objectives of the
LTTE rump in foreign countries and group of persons who are trying to
incite the people in the South and North are the same and thatthey want
to destabilise the country.
Sirinivasa said the country has seen massive development in the
aftermath of the war and these elements want to reverse this progressive
march towards development and prosperity.
Peradeniya University, Sociology Department, Senior Lecturer Dr
Vijitha Nanayakkara said that the government took many steps to protect
media freedom as soon it came to the power. “The government took great
efforts to strengthen the civil society and protect media freedom in the
post- conflict period despite various obstacles. Some groups and persons
allege that there is no media freedom at present.
We can recall how these groups and persons were engaged in media
suppression in the past. It is obvious they are doing so to achieve
their own objectives,” Dr Nanayakkara said.
“A free but more responsible media are essential for
conflict-sensitive reporting. All media personnel have a responsibility
to engage in fair and balanced reporting. They should uphold media
ethics and moral values. It is only then that we can create a truly
humane society,” he said.
He said that the aim of this so called protest and agitation is to
place the government in difficulty. “The government is engaged in
rebuilding Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the 30 year war.
It is the responsibility of all Sri Lankans to help and strengthen
the government to achieve targeted economic and social goals”. The Free
Media Movement is organizing a protest against the government by
claiming that there is media suppression in Sri Lanka.
Ven Watinapaha Somanada Thera commenting on this said that there is
no truth in the claim that the media was suppressed. “The fact is some
media organizations are trying to take unnecessary advantage over media
freedom. This is an attempt to mislead the people. Media organizations
should do a service for the betterment of the country as well as people
and act with responsibility. Media organizations should be well
disciplined when reporting incidents,” said Ven Somananda.
“The ‘Black January’ declared by certain media groups against the
government is part of a conspiracy being adopted by some NGOs and it is
the new version of Neocolonialism, Lakbima News Chief Editor
Attorney-At-Law Rajpal Abeynayaka said.
“It is true that during the war, there were some restrictions on the
media ,but that situation no longer prevails in Sri Lanka.
“These situations occur during times of war.
That is a common feature anywhere in the world. Great Britain also
controlled the role of the media during the IRA conflict, he pointed
out. “These fake journalists run on money and have been hired to carry
out the western agendas.
“Certain NGOs found it difficult once the war ended. They lived on
weapons dealings and armed sales and would never like to see a peaceful
environment in the country. “If the country is rife with turmoil, it
will be easy to sustain their livelihoods depending on the money pumped
in to their organizations. After the war ended,their funds were limited
and their luxurious lives were dealt a severe blow.
“Sri Lanka has been named as one of the best countries for tourism.
This situation will be further strengthened in the future. Therefore,
these elements began to tarnish the good image acquired by a terrorism
free Sri Lanka. This move clearly bares the conspiracy;, he added.
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