Colombo: Warning that the re-establishment
of the controversial Press Council would harm journalists in
Sri Lanka, former Premier and opposition leader Ranil
Wickremasinghe has asked the government to abandon its move
to revive the body having powers to put restrictions on media.
The government must cancel its decision to re-establish
the Press Council, he said during a debate in Parliament,
adding that it would not be in the interest of the journalists
of the country.
Wickremasinghe, the leader of the main opposition UNP,
alleged that the government was re-establishing the Press
Council for suppression of the media and added that it would
be dangerous for journalists.
"The government should have consulted other parties
represented in Parliament before it commenced the process of
re-activating the Press Council laws," he said yesterday.
The opposition leader had called for a debate on this
issue in the House and also discussion with media
organisations to examine the Press Council Act (PCA) closely.
Reacting to the opposition leader`s remarks, Minister of
Mass Media Laxman Yapa Abeywardena said the government has no
intention to suppress media in any manner.
Marxist JVP parliamentarians also joined the debate,
leading to heated exchanges.
Bureau Report
