Media should ensure right to reply - Minister

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

"The media should act responsibly because it can create disaster. The media should ensure the right to reply and should be balanced. It is impossible or difficult to reverse a disastrous situation created by the media. I was attacked by the LTTE on five occasions because of a news item published in a political newspaper", Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said.

Addressing a press briefing at the Health Education Bureau Auditorium,Tuesday, Minister Sirisena said that a few years ago, a media report published in a political newspaper alleged that he was having secret dealings with the LTTE by meeting its leaders near a place close to Welikanda and exchanging money and arms.

"It stated that I was acting as an agent of the government. After publishing the report, the LTTE tried to kill me on five occasions at different locations using bombs and suicide bombers. I escaped with the assistance of the members of the Security Forces and intelligence service,'' he said.

Speaking about current action taken by some health sector trade unions, Minister Sirisena said that he will conduct discussions with all relevant institutions today and speed up procedures to give their demands.

"All patients who obtain treatment from state hospital OPDs can obtain drugs free of charge from all Osusala outlets by producing the prescription issued by the hospital doctor. Certain radio channels recently launched a crusade on some issues related to the Health Ministry not allowing the ministry to reply. This is very regrettable," he said.

The main objective is further improving and strengthening the free health service under Mahinda Chinthanaya - Vision for the Future. But a small shortcoming is highlighted and overshadows all the good work done, just as it happened during the time of the Buddha, Minister Sirisena added.