A local newspaper owned by a Parliamentarian has received a stern warning from the Government, over false news reports published recently regarding the government’s ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ national programme.
Addressing the media today, Government Spokesman and Minister of Mass Media Nalinda Jayatissa said unethical media practices will not be allowed.
He said while protecting freedom of expression, the government is vested with powers to to initiate action against such continuous unethical media practices.
The Minister also revealed that the public has the right to file a complaint against media outlets reporting misleading news.
Minister Nalinda Jayatissa made the comments regarding recent reports by the newspaper on the government’s ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ project, claiming that street vendors will not be allowed to do business under the project.
Providing details on the incident reported by the newspaper, the minister said complaints had been received from parents and teachers regarding street vendors near the Panagoda Junior School and Panagoda Maha Vidyalaya.
Stating that the street vendors had set up their businesses on pavements causing severe inconvenience to both children and pedestrians, he said the Athurugiriya Police had received complaints in this regard.
“The Athurugiriya Police had informed the street vendors of the complaints concerning the safety of children and the issue of mosquito breeding due to their businesses. No legal action has been filed against them. The street vendors had reported to the Athurugiriya Police where they had been advised. No arrests or filing of legal action took place in this instance,” he said.
Minister Jayatissa said the newspaper has confused this incident and the Clean Sri Lanka project, clearly attempting to mislead the public with the opinion that the government project was being used to penalise street vendors.
Stating that the NPP government is one that protects media freedom, he said, however, that the government has the right to initiate action against persons using their media business for political purposes to spread false, malicious and manipulative news.
Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said the government will not allow such news to be spread and is ready to initiate legal action against media institutions responsible for it. (Newswire)
