My son is being unfairly targeted by the media - Minister Keheliya

Chaminda Perera

Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella yesterday said that the incident involving his son on board a flight has been blown out of proportion by the media with an ulterior motive of damaging the career of a budding cricketer.

He said Ramith Rambukwella, a promising cricketer was subject to unjust criticism by some sections of the media over an incident while on board a British Airways flight.

"Ramith Rambukwella is being taken to task because he is my son", said Minister Rambukwella.

Minister Rambukwella added that some media persons have reported about the incident as if it took place before their eyes.

"He is being unfairly targeted by the media with a view to tarnishing his image and damaging his cricketing career. I ask the media whether it is appropriate to tarnish the image of this promising cricketer and damage his future prospects."

In an exclusive interview with the Daily News , Minister Rambukwella stressed that he and his family stand by Ramith at this moment.

Q : There were media reports that your son misbehaved on a British Airways flight. What has actually happened there?

A: I do not know what actually happened there. My son told me about the incident. I gathered information from what was reported in the newspapers about the incident.

I cannot say what has happened there, though local journalists have written about the incident as if they were on board the plane when the incident took place. There may be persons who witnessed the incident.

All news reports regarding this incident have been based on the statement given to the Daily Telegraph by a lady called Francis. This particular lady has told the media that either this cricketer was drunk or dazed.

The local media has dropped the dazed part when reporting about this incident and highlighted that he was drunk on board the flight.

This is not the first incident to take place in the world.

Q: Why has the media launched a virulent campaign targeting you and your son over this incident?

A: This incident has taken a new twist. The ulterior objective is apparent when I see some reports which demanded action against the person who selected my son to the team.

Cricket is in the blood of my son. Ramith first came of age when he emerged as a Big Match hero for Royal College, Colombo by scoring 165 in the 131st Battle of the Blues cricket encounter against the traditional rivals S. Thomas', Mount Lavinia.

He made a tremendous achievement in his cricketing career. Rambukwella representing Royal College, Colombo scored 72 against Richmond, 48 against Isipathana, 58 and 68 against St Anthony's Kandy, 56 and 50 against Nalanda and 103 against St Peters College. All these achievements by my son on the cricket field amply proves his commitment to the game . Ramith was adjudged Best Bowler and Best Batsman at the SAARC T20 Cup.

He is being unfairly targeted by the media with a view of tarnishing his image and the damaging his cricketing career. His has dedicated his life to cricket. Ramith was to sit the Advanced Level examination when the Under 19 team was touring New Zealand. He opted to go on the New Zealand cricket tour to the Advanced Level examination. He said that it was his national duty.

Q : Is Ramith disappointed over the aggressive media campaign being launched in the country against him?

A : I can not tell him to stop playing cricket. He was offered an opportunity to play for Kent Country Cricket Club several years ago.

They are prepared to obtain Ramith's Service. Ramith phoned them day before yesterday and and told them that he is still keeping his options open.

I hope to send him to the University of Kent and Cricket Academy to follow a degree course. I am in a quandary whether I should send him to play cricket for Kent Cricket Club. It may be better than facing a barrage of criticism here.

Q: There were some media reports stating that Ramith Rambukwella had consumed liquor four hours before boarding the plane. What do you have to say?

A: Every leading airline has Sky marshals to control unruly passengers. British Airways has made an apology and has insisted that they are well trained to control such a situation while on board.

Some media personnel do not have an iota of knowledge over the operation of planes.

The doors or emergency hatches can not be opened in flight.

The Pilot's Association will soon reveal to the country that the doors of a plane cannot be opened while in flight due to cabin pressure and furthermore, it is beyond the capability for an human being.

This is not the first incident that has taken place in the world. The stewards have confirmed that Ramith has not ordered liquor from them.

The arguments made by the local media from the day my son was said to have been involved this incident are not logical and can not accepted at any cost.

Q: As the Mass Media and Information Minister, why don't you take any action against these media institutions launching a slandering campaign against a promising cricketer, merely because he is a son of a Minister?

A: At the last Cabinet Press briefing, I expressed my regret about the behaviour of the media regarding this incident. Other than that

I have never told any media institution to either stop it or correct it./ This proves that the media needs some form of decency.

Q: Does Ramith attend practices regularly?

A: He is committed to Cricket and is very committed to his practices. His had a very successful career playing for his alma mater. Royal College, Colombo. In 2010, he was the Royal Captain. My wife and the children stand by him at this moment. He will not

bow out from cricket due to this incident.

Q: There were certain media reports that he was a stubborn character during his school days. Is it true?

A: If he wasn't my son, no body would have spoken about it. They would only talk about his performance. Today, he is unfortunately being taken to task because he is my son. I am not shaken by this.