{"id":156452,"date":"2016-01-28T22:47:56","date_gmt":"2016-01-28T17:17:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?p=156452"},"modified":"2016-01-29T05:00:57","modified_gmt":"2016-01-28T23:30:57","slug":"ranil-hits-out-at-media-for-being-hypocritical","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/ranil-hits-out-at-media-for-being-hypocritical\/","title":{"rendered":"Ranil Hits Out At Media For Being Hypocritical"},"content":{"rendered":"

In a strong hitting statement, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe<\/span><\/a> today criticized the country\u2019s media for adopting a two-faced approach when reporting on certain incidents in the country.<\/p>\n

Addressing parliament today, Wickremesinghe said that Sri Lanka didn\u2019t need media which followed a two way approach where in one instance they applaud the Embilipitiya<\/span><\/a> magistrate\u2019s decision, but then goes silent on the Homagama magistrate\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n

\"Ranil\"<\/a>\u201cHow many of you\u2019ll have reported about the Homagama magistrate<\/span><\/a>\u2019s ruling in today\u2019s papers, tell me when you\u2019ll we report it?,\u201d he asked from the media gallery in Parliament. \u201cWhat have you\u2019ll reported on racism?,\u201d he demanded.<\/p>\n

He went on to say that even when the Bar Association issued a statement condemning the incident against a group of people including Buddhist monks who attempted to obstruct the decision of the Homagama magistrate\u2019s decision to remand Galagoda Atte Gnanasara<\/span><\/a> Thero, not many newspapers had published the association\u2019s statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake a proper stand without hiding the truth. We know the agendas of some of these media, they are trying to create unnecessary communal tensions in the country,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Wickremesinghe also disclosed that there were two sets of journalists in the country, one that fought for the freedom, and the others who are creating problems but are trying to show an \u2018innocent\u2019 face.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere were some of these journalists, when Prageeth Eknaligoda disappeared, and Lasantha Wickrematunge were killed?, why were they silent? I know very well in whose pockets they were,\u201d Wickremesinghe said.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile a media observer told Colombo Telegraph that Wickremesinghe\u2019s speech appeared to be a \u2018bit arranged.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was very critical of the media, but also goes on to reflect the media landscape of the post Rajapaksa era, as well as press freedom in the country.\u201d<\/p>\n