No media censorship: Health Ministry

In reference to the circular issued by the Health Ministry informing health officials to be careful in issuing statements to media on the prevalent COVID situation, State Minister Sudarshini Fernandopulle said the relevant circular issued has no intention to do with media censorship.

Responding to a question by a journalist, she said they had no intention to hide the actual COVID scenario in the country.

“However, it is important that health officials must make statements with responsibility, without causing confusions to the general public on the existing ground situation,” she said.

She proceeded to say that people have been puzzled by different statements made by certain health officials.

“We are dealing with a pandemic. There is no way that we can hide the ground reality pertaining to what is happening in the country in terms of COVID-19 outbreak,” the State Minister added.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa also raised this matter in Parliament today and said it was an attempt to cover the actual crisis in the country. (Sheain Fernandopulle)