The government has issued a stern warning to a local newspaper owned by a Parliamentarian for publishing misleading reports about the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ national programme.
Addressing the media, Government Spokesman and Minister of Mass Media Nalinda Jayatissa emphasized that unethical media practices would not be tolerated. While reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting freedom of expression, he stated that legal action could be initiated against continuous violations of ethical journalism.
Misleading Reports and Public Complaints
The controversy arose from the newspaper’s claim that the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ project would ban street vendors. Minister Jayatissa clarified that this claim was false and misrepresented a separate incident involving street vendors near Panagoda Junior School and Panagoda Maha Vidyalaya.
Complaints from parents and teachers about vendors occupying pavements and creating safety hazards for children prompted the Athurugiriya Police to intervene. The vendors were merely advised on public concerns, including mosquito breeding issues, but no arrests or legal action were taken.
Government’s Stance on Media Responsibility
Minister Jayatissa accused the newspaper of deliberately conflating the incident with the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ initiative to mislead the public and undermine the government’s efforts.
He stressed that while the National People’s Power (NPP) government upholds media freedom, it will not hesitate to act against media outlets that exploit their platforms for political agendas or disseminate false information.
Public Recourse
The Minister also reminded citizens of their right to file complaints against media institutions that report inaccurate or manipulative news. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring accurate reporting and combating the spread of false narratives.
Legal action against the newspaper remains a possibility if such unethical practices persist, he warned.
