Mass Media Minister Dr.Bandula Gunawardena told Parliament yesterday (23) that some standards should be established regarding the media and a Media Authority Bill will be submitted in the near future. Commenting on the allegation that 239 luxury vehicles were brought to the state ministers, Minister Bandula Gunawardena said that a fake news media operation against MPs is underway.
“I saw this happening in the nineteen eighties. We think it is important to meet with media leaders to discuss this kind of fake news. I request the Speaker to intervene in this matter until we create a developed media ethics,” he said.
“We heard the slogans of death if we vote. It is not good to produce news that harms the responsibility of parliamentarians.The Speaker should have a discussion with the newspaper editors.
He said a Cabinet sub-committee had been appointed to pass a Bill on electronic institutions,” the Minister said.
Meanwhile, Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva refuted the allegations which claimed that 239 luxury vehicles were imported and landed at the port for state ministers. The Minister emphasized in Parliament that it was a complete lie.
He mentioned that the Port Authority’s subsidiary has lodged a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department regarding this incident and a request is being made to summon all the journalists who made this false statement before the Parliament Privileges Committee.
Minister Nimal Siripalada Silva who commented further said: This is completely fake and fabricated news.We have also complained to the CID in this regard. We have also sent letters to the newspapers asking them to correct this. This is completely fake news. Therefore, it is very appropriate to bring the people who told about this to the Parliamentary Privileges Committee and the people who published this news and conduct an investigation. Also, the General Manager of the Ports Authority affiliated institution has filed a complaint in this regard to the Criminal Investigation Department.