Manoeuvre to stop political debates on TV
The President, who publicly announced that he possessed files of all ministers and MPs of the government, has said in a cabinet meeting held yesterday (4th) that a media operation exists to severely criticize the government.
Several manoeuvres have been launched by the government to stop political programmes telecast by private TV channels in an attempt to prevent severe criticism carried out by the JVP revealing frauds, corruption and irregularities of Rajapaksa regime. However, the President had made the statement as if he was not aware of these manoeuvres.
The immediate cause for such a statement is the incident that occurred when Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, enraged by a question from a listener while participating in ‘Wadapitiya’ political progamme on ‘Derana TV, stampeded away shouting abuse at the listener and the TV channel. The listener, without mentioning any name, questioned regarding frauds and corruption of ministers.
The President, taking advantage of this incident, had stated that a ‘media operation exists to mercilessly criticize the government’. However, it is revealed, through TV channels, that pressure is exerted for the managements not to get the JVP to participate in political debate programmes and it is possible that orders would be given to completely stop such programmes.
The statement made by the President in the cabinet could be a warning of a regulation that would be employed to curb TV political programmes say political analysts.
