Bandula rakes up abduction and murder of Richard de Zoysa

By Saman Indrajith

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday (07) told Parliament that the government was planning to suppress the Sirasa TV channel.

The government should assure that no harm would befall Sirasa, Opposition Leader Premadasa said, noting that hundreds of thousands of people would stand by the channel.

 Opposition Leader Premadasa said: “Reliable sources have informed us that a top-level group in the government has gathered a team of lawyers to find legal provisions to cancel Sirasa’s licence. Why is the government trying to suppress Sirasa? Why is it so afraid of this channel?” he queried, adding that the media network had been reporting the truth to the public.

In response, Trade minister Bandula Gunawardena said that no illegal action would be taken to suppress the media.

SJB MPs invaded the Well of the House following the claim by Opposition leader Premadasa that a plot was being hatched to cancel the transmission licence of Sirasa TV.

 Opposition MPs alleged that the Opposition leader’s microphone had been switched off, allowing Leader of the House Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena to continue to speak.

When the microphone was switched on, Opposition Leader Premadasa said: “We will not allow the government to suppress Sirasa. The government must make a public statement that it will not do so.”

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena: “You asked for five minutes. You have now spoken for nine. That’s enough.”

As the SJB MPs demanded a response from the government, Minister Bandula Gunawardena was given the microphone to continue with the proceedings.

Opposition Leader Premadasa: “I request this minister who is now speaking to make a statement on behalf of the government that Sirasa will not be harmed; claymore mines will not be exploded, and transmission licence will not be cancelled.”

Minister Bandula Gunawardena: “The government under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has not taken any decision to suppress any media organidation. Who is saying that? We remember how Richard de Zoysa, who reported impartially, was abducted and murdered. Did we do that? Did Gotabaya Rajapaksa do that?”

Opposition Leader Premadasa: “This is a minister who cannot even control the prices of goods.”

Minister Bandula Gunawardena: “Murderers. Murderers. Where is Richard de Zoysa?” Every day since Ranil Wickremesinghe came to parliament, the SJB MPs will make something up in the morning and shout disrupting the proceedings of the House.”