‘Can the JSC Secretary issue media statements?’

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

When there is a law that cleary debars the Judicial Services Commission Secretary from holding media conferences the government sees the release of a media statement by him based on the assault as something that does not come within his official purview, Cabinet Spokesman and Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella observed yesterday .

Addressing the weekly Cabinet Media briefing Minister Rambukwella said it has to be inquired if issuing such a statement to the media was ethical and appropriate and if action should or should not be taken against such conduct.

While strongly condemning the assault on the JSC Secretary Minister Rambukwella also queried if it was also not appropriate to ascertain as to who instigated the assault, in whose direction the accusing finger will be pointed at and also who stands to benefit by the assault.

Therefore, the government ordered the police to carry out a probe and take the suspects into custody. Moreover, such investigations will draw attention of the motives of the attackers, the Minister added.