Govt. curtailing freedom of expression: UNP

18 July 2013 08:34 am - 15 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The UNP said today that the government was curtailing freedom of expression and creativity of artistes by targeting their artistic creations and branding them as treacherous.

Speaking at a media briefing UNP MP Mangala Samaraweera questioned the rationale behind the furor created by the movie Flying Fish and asked how it could be termed as treacherous and stated that it couldn’t be an affront to the army.

He mentioned that it was merely an expression of human nature and that the depictions in the film couldn’t be in anyway an insult to anyone and denounced the allegation as untrue.

He refuted the allegation that army uniforms being used without permission as being completely untrue and unsubstantiated.

“These are normal happenings throughout history and is merely an expression of human nature, therefore I don’t understand how it can be an insult to the Army,” he said.

He said that that government alleged that it was funded by a member of the Tamil diaspora, whom they have named as Manohan, conveniently omitting his surname Nanyakkara.

Samaraweera further pointed that only a meagre sum of Rs. 25 lakhs was expended by Mr. Nanayakkara to facilitate the aspiration of a young film director.
Pointing out the irony of a film of this nature being termed an anti-national act, Samaraweera went on to state that it was the government that harbours those identified as having had LTTE ties.

“We must question who the real traitors are. Karuna Amman is a Cabinet Minister, KP a Presidential Advisor and Daya Master a Northern Provincial Council candidate of the UPFA. Are the LTTE members with us, or with them? We must open our mouths and ask.” he said.

He said that the real oppressor of the integrity of the Army was the present government itself and that this must be made known to the public.( By Yohan Perera & Jehan Gunasekara)

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Comments - 15

KD Thursday, 18 July 2013 08:38 AM

If you morons did your job then by now there will be a change of govt

Roshantha Thursday, 18 July 2013 08:48 AM

This man Mangala Samaraweera is the main cause for UNP losing votes and elections. Cannot believe why seniors in the party are tolerating him.

cw Thursday, 18 July 2013 09:49 AM

Hey ,waht about your comrades in crime- the JVP during the last Prez Eleaction?

Sherlock & watson Thursday, 18 July 2013 10:28 AM

So what are you doing about it?

Uncle Johnson Thursday, 18 July 2013 11:02 AM

To believe your fairy tales? You can fool some time but not all the people all the time.

Kodituwakkuarachchi Thursday, 18 July 2013 11:14 AM

Don't be silly.

You cant curtail something we never had!!

Cobra Thursday, 18 July 2013 12:13 PM

Look who's talking!

Betty Thursday, 18 July 2013 12:32 PM

MY ADVICE: Do something for yourself, for you beloved family. Don’t waste your time talking politics/sports while others are enjoying their lives with money without politics. See how this S.Lanka poor woman became a millionaire just by buying and selling accident cars, very interesting idea. Go to (USED.CO) not dot com, to see the methods and companies that she was using to do that (USED.CO) not dot com, it is a very simple idea but a very powerful One, Wake up Africans

Game Kolla Thursday, 18 July 2013 12:42 PM

This man is a "Jumping Fish".

Burampi Aathaa Thursday, 18 July 2013 01:06 PM

UNP talking about freedom of expression?

Dee Friday, 19 July 2013 06:51 AM

Time to paste koti label to him as Dr J J is no more

පොඩි බණ්ඩා Friday, 19 July 2013 07:02 AM

don"t tell lie mr.mangala

AL-AMBRILLA Friday, 19 July 2013 10:26 AM

He not the only one...RA-NIL,Ravi,Karialla, to name a few..With JJ gone to ELAM one less now.

Renu Saturday, 20 July 2013 04:56 AM

Todays Army & the forces are reduced to do LKavbour jobs by the Defence mInistry. Give people who have no jobs to earn some money through this kind of job, without blocking those avenues as well

Perumal Monday, 22 July 2013 03:50 AM

No one can insult the Forces; only they themselves can and do so.

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Govt. curtailing freedom of expression: UNP

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