…questions why action sought against one station over an incident reported by all private media

Former Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris has said that the Media Ministry couldn’t under any circumstances decide the withdrawal of a licence issued to a television station. That would be the prerogative of the courts, he told a media briefing held at the N.M. Perera Centre on Monday (5).

Prof. Peiris was referring to a dispute between the NPP government and Hiru television. Opposition grouping ‘Mahajana Handa’ called the briefing to address current issues.

Pointing out that Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip Dr. Nalinda Jayathissa has threatened to take back the license issued on a temporary and conditional basis by the ministry on the basis of allegations directed at that particular station, Prof. Peiris emphasised that it didn’t hold water.

Prof. Peiris said that in case the government of the day felt that the station concerned violated license conditions and pursued an anti-public agenda, it should be dealt with accordingly. However, the Media Ministry lacked legal authority to take action, Prof. Peiris said, adding that only the courts could do so.

The ex-parliamentarian said that the government couldn’t silence those who reported issues that were inimical to their interests. They couldn’t be faulted for reporting the truth, the ex-minister said, while explaining the action the government needed to take in case it felt a particular television station propagated lies.

The threat to deprive the station concerned of its license denied the public right to know the truth, Prof. Peiris said, while emphasising the responsibility on the part of the media to report matters which the government may find embarrassing. The academic cited the ongoing controversy over the recent deaths of two persons after receiving Indian-manufactured Ondansetron injection.

Prof. Peiris questioned the rationale in the government taking a hostile stand against the media over the reportage of two deaths and related developments. Ondansetron is an anti-nausea and anti-vomiting injection manufactured by the Indian company Maan Pharmaceutical (Pvt) Ltd.

The government couldn’t expect the media to turn a blind eye to such a situation that directly affected the wellbeing of the people, Prof. Peiris said.

The row erupted over the Hiru reportage of a gang led by NPP MP Shantha Padmakumara assaulting a policeman over a raid carried out on a ganja plantation in a land owned by a close relative of the politician concerned. Subsequently, Police Headquarters requested the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) to take appropriate measures against Hiru.

Responding to The Island query after the media briefing, Prof. Peiris said that the government found fault with Hiru for reporting an incident that received wide coverage both in print and electronic media as well as the social media.

Prof. Peiris said that except the state-controlled media all others covered the incident. The fact that the policeman who complained of the assault being interdicted and thereby deprived of livelihood exposed the NPP government. This definitely couldn’t be the system change they repeatedly promised in the run up to presidential and parliamentary polls in 2024, Prof. Peiris said.

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Former President Maithripala Sirisena has backed a statement issued by a group of political parties, including the SLFP, UNP and SLMC against the US attack on Venezuela and the abduction of its elected President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores.

Following is the text of the statement issued by the group: “The political parties of Sri Lanka express their deep concern and firm objection to the recent actions taken by the United States against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, including the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. Such measures, undertaken without international mandate, raise serious questions about respect for national sovereignty and established international legal norms.

We also note with alarm the reports of strikes on civilian infrastructure within Venezuela. These incidents appear to have affected essential services and contributed to significant hardship for its civilian population. Any action that harms civilians or disrupts basic services stands in clear contradiction to international humanitarian principles and may constitute war crimes.

The justification offered for this intervention, framed around anti-narcotic operations, is deeply troubling. It bears resemblance to earlier instances where unsubstantiated claims were used to legitimise military action, most notably the allegations surrounding Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq. The political parties of Sri Lanka reject such reasoning and view it as an inadequate basis for violating the sovereignty of another nation.

Sri Lanka has long upheld a proud tradition of non-alignment, rooted in respect for sovereignty, peaceful coexistence, and resistance to external domination. In keeping with these principles, we call upon the Government of Sri Lanka to take a clear and principled position by expressing its disapproval of these actions and reaffirming the country’s commitment to an independent foreign policy free from undue influence by global power blocs.

We reiterate our solidarity with the people of Venezuela and urge the international community to act against this blatant violation of international law and to safeguard peace, stability, and the sovereign rights of all nations.”

The signatories were sixth executive President Maithripala Sirisena, Duminda Dissanayake (SLFP), Dayasiri Jayasekera (SLFP), Wajira Abeywardena (UNP), Rauff Hakeem (SLMC), Vasudeva Nanayakkara (Democratic Left Front), Asanka Nawaratne(Sri Lanka Mahajana Party), Udaya Gammanpila (Pivithuru Hela Urumaya) , Wimal Weerawansa (National Freedom Front), S. Hapuarachchi (Lanka Sama Samaja Party), Thilanga Sumathipala (United People’s Freedom Alliance),G. Weerasinghe (Communist Party of Sri Lanka), Tissa Jayawardhana Yapa (Mahajana Eksath Peramuna), Sugeeswara Bandara (New People’s Front) and Premnath Dolawaththa (New Democratic Front).

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development to award the contract  for printing and supplying vehicle number plates for the Department of Motor Traffic for a period of five (5) years  to M/s South Asian Technologies  based on the recommendations of the High-Level Standing Procurement Committee and the Procurement Appeal Board.