CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA 
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Minister Nimal says a case warranting media regulation
Media reporting incident involving Ven. Ajahn Brahm Thera at BIA
Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva, who accused the media of involving him and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardane in the ordeal experience by Venerable Ajahn Brahmawanso (Ajahn Brahm Thera), said it was a case warranting regulation of media activities.
The minister said that the Prime Minister was at a different lounge while he was at a separate section of the VIP lounge.
"Media should not manufacture news. They report what really happened. This is why we need regulation on the media," he said.
He also apologized to the Venerable Thera for holding him back at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) for 12 hours. An inquiry conducted by the Civil Aviation Authority would reveal who was at fault and assured to prevent recurrent of such incidents in the future, he said.
The Minister told Parliament that the Civil Aviation Authority as the regulatory body was conducting an inquiry as to how the incident occurred.
"The President ordered an inquiry through the Presidential Secretariat. I informed him that the Civil Aviation Authority is the regulatory body to conduct the investigation and as such an investigation is in progress at that moment. We will be able to know who overlooked his or her duties," he said.
Meanwhile, responding to a question by SJB MP Ajith Mannapperuma, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles said there were no armed STF personnel inside the VIP Lounge and said they were only outside the Lounge.
MP Mannapperuma requested the Minister to conduct an inquiry to get it confirmed that STF personnel were not inside the VIP Lounge as there were reports of STF presence in the VIP Lounge. (Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera)
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