Journalists defending previous regime will have to be dealt with- PM

24 July 2016 12:22 pm - 35 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Media personnel who defended the previous regime, which robbed the country, will have to be dealt with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Saturday.

Speaking at a United National Party (UNP) membership drive in Kandy, the Premier said these media personnel had no issue with those who robbed the nation as they were wined and dined by those in the previous government.

"Last Monday's Daily Mirror called for the removal of Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera. I know the editor of the Daily Mirror. He once wrote saying I too should be removed from UNP leadership. We will have to see what we should do if he does not resign from his post. He is possessed by Mahinda Rajapaksa. Daily Mirror carried anti Tamil, anti Muslim articles. We should teach them a lesson before they call for the resignation of our ministers," he said.

The Premier also said the Financial Times had also carried such adverse news items throughout a month attempting to sabotage the economy of the country.

“We asked for a loan of 1.5 billion USD but we were offered 6.7 USD billion instead. However, we got only 1.5 billion USD since we didn’t want more than that. We would like to tell these journalists not to play the fool with this government. We will run for five years. I will be criticized for saying this but that's okay. Media can criticize but if they try to appoint thieves by acting against the government elected by the people, they have to be put in with the thieves," he said.

The Prime Minister said he has been fighting for media freedom always. “If necessary, I can even reveal the names of those who I will be summoning in the near future. Media can criticize the government, I have nothing against it. But they shouldn’t try to destroy the government led by President Maithripala Sirisena. We know they were dining with the Rajapaksas but now it’s me who is in Temple Trees and I won’t give away free food or send invitations,” he said.(Yohan Perera and J. A. L. Jayasinghe )

Pix by Nadeeka Daya Bandara

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Comments - 35

Ajantha Monday, 25 July 2016 08:26 AM

RW the biggest failure in Sri Lankan political history is talking rubbish. He should remember that he came to power by offering the whole country and the nation to the West and LTTE in a platter.

Citizen Sunday, 24 July 2016 03:59 PM

Those whom the gods wish to destroy they first drive them mad

Titanic Sunday, 24 July 2016 04:15 PM

Said the correct in correct time. via DM Android App

Sanjo Sunday, 24 July 2016 04:22 PM

Daily mirror normally an unbiased paper. However it is important to note it is better to counter the argument rather than threatening the media. On the long run it will be not be favorable to the government. Because it is MR is in the opposition. It is not going to be easy. But it is not impossible.

Mevan Monday, 25 July 2016 05:02 AM

We have not forgotten the media freedom carried out by MR Govt which attacked Rupavahini, Siras studios, burning of Sunday Leader premises and of course the disappearance of Eknaligoda and last but not least the MURDER OF LASANTHA WICKRAMATUNGA .As a responsible paper DM exposed all these crimes.

lion Monday, 25 July 2016 07:38 AM

what he said was exactly correct we know how certain media institutions worked some time back against him.It was disgraceful to see that spectacle.Media should reveal the damage done by Rajapksha when ruining this country while showing short comings of this government.

cheers Monday, 25 July 2016 07:45 AM

So then why have you so far failed to prove a person who robbed the country and then secondly the previous govt should also asked why the press then from 1977 t0 1994 defended the UNP and all rogues went free including you and what happened to Richard De Soyza still a mystery

Monday, 25 July 2016 08:07 AM

I guess those lap-top journalists who obliged to supermarket for murderers

manu Monday, 25 July 2016 08:13 AM

Is this what the yahalapalanaya democracy? Have you forgotten that you defended the media against the MR. govt?

mike Sunday, 24 July 2016 03:53 PM

what said does not matter what action matters in this arena PM has failed miserably.

jaypee Monday, 25 July 2016 08:27 AM

Still this is much better than what it was.

Perumal Monday, 25 July 2016 08:29 AM

What the PM said was absolutely right.

Guruge Sampath Monday, 25 July 2016 08:33 AM

Fantastic media freedom by Yahapalana government. Some pro Mahinda FB Pages have been already blocked due to fear of losing govt's popularity. What a shame!

probonopublic Monday, 25 July 2016 08:40 AM

he is in parliament for 39 continuous years.what has he done for the country.nothing.he was in cabinet during 83 riots.came to power by eliminating other prominent unp leaders.in 2002 he initiated peace talks with ltte and allowed them to bring in large stocks of arms in the guise of ceasefire.As a result over 10000 forces/public were sacrificed in eelam for from 2005 to 2009.he is a man who said thoppigala is a jungle when our forces captured thoppigala in 2008.Twice he put forward pimps to contest prez elections as he knew he could not win.he should be declared a person non grata for this country.He only wants to stay longer and longer.he is a greedy man even after 39 years as an mp,minister,prime minister.

G.M. Jayawardena Monday, 25 July 2016 08:43 AM

Restricting media freedom is the 1st step of dictatorship....

raj Monday, 25 July 2016 08:46 AM

From outside Sri Lanka, I view your statement is not appropriate. You can take legal action against any media if you have valid reason to charge them. Otherwise, releasing statement that implies threat to media freedom is not good for media freedom.

citizen khan Monday, 25 July 2016 08:50 AM

So far we have only talk of these corruptions and murders by the govt. Once the Rajapakses are convicted of the so called crimes we will accept what you say.

DG Monday, 25 July 2016 10:28 AM

Government has failed to present the correct position for people to understand when different versions are given in the media. President once said that government publicity is lacking. For instance Finance Ministry should give details of borrowings by last regime and present with purpose so that public will know the truth.Let media be free.

raj Sunday, 24 July 2016 03:00 PM

freedom does not mean that you can do anything you like. Even in free country there are certain rules that you have to adhere to, and if you break those rules you will be punished.

Channa Sunday, 24 July 2016 01:13 PM

This is how these guys protect media freedom . First they will try to deal with media against them and after that others will have their turn .

Citizen Sunday, 24 July 2016 01:56 PM

THOSE WHOM THE GODS WISH TO DESTROY THEY FIRST DRIVE THEM MAD!

Kit Sunday, 24 July 2016 01:58 PM

Media freedom, freedom of speech, freedom of press... The change... LOL :D

gamini Sunday, 24 July 2016 02:01 PM

Is this your press freedom?

Shabir Zainudeen Sunday, 24 July 2016 02:02 PM

Well said Sir, you call a spade a spade.

adamsapple Sunday, 24 July 2016 02:39 PM

People who shouted about white vans and abductions are silent when PM is openly thretning journalist...

chaaminda Sunday, 24 July 2016 02:39 PM

You reduced 50000 votes due to this speach

sam Sunday, 24 July 2016 02:47 PM

you are right on the sport sir, most of the media misleading the public of this country.

annoyed Sunday, 24 July 2016 12:58 PM

True media and professional journalists should never be biased to anyone or anything. They should report bad (that keeps their material moving) and also good.

raj Sunday, 24 July 2016 03:03 PM

freedom of speech etc does not mean you can say whatever you like

Kesa Sunday, 24 July 2016 03:04 PM

I remember when MR was president how certain channels supported the green opposition back then. Its all good when the blame is on the other side. But when you start getting blamed its bad ? What happened to media freedom and so on ? Its not the media's fault that you failed at delivering what you promised to us. Yes and i am ashamed i voted for people who just made many of our lives miserable.

Rajan Sunday, 24 July 2016 03:07 PM

Last gov: If some one uncontrolled and against them, an LTTEr then every one knows what happen. Yahapalanaya: If some one uncontrolled and against Yahapalanya: Consequence will be as said by the Honorable PM. Consequences may be different to previous. However, proofing some one supported prev regime is essay because every body including the Honorable PM. lived in this country through out the previous regime.Can any one take Honorable PM. also to courts by supporting prev regime as weakest opposition and the Honorable president as a Cabinet minister in the prev regime . Then real Yahapalaya what you two had promised to the people of this country will come other

Ananda Sunday, 24 July 2016 03:12 PM

Media freedom is not to be bias against the government. They should report the good and the bad at all times. If the editor is biased he must be removed or face the music. via DM Android App

Jeff Sunday, 24 July 2016 03:29 PM

It's obvious that some media are supporting to bring back MR to power. This is not call media freedom.

lokka Sunday, 24 July 2016 03:38 PM

SO THIS IS THE MEDIA FREEDOM WE HAVE RIGHT NOW ALL HAIL THE NEW GOVERMENT. IREALLY HOPE THE PEOPLE WHO VOTED FOR THEM ARE HAPPY via DM Android App

Diplomat Sunday, 24 July 2016 03:42 PM

Must be this article, he was referring. This is not the view of the Daily Mirror editor, but just an opinion by Dr. Dayan... PM Ranil must attack Dr. Dayan not Daily Mirror The link http://www.dailymirror.lk/112789/WHY-MANGALA-MUST-EXIT-AND-AMUNUGAMA-MUST-ENTERDiplomat

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Journalists defending previous regime will have to be dealt with- PM

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