Thank you Mr. Deputy Speaker, for the
opportunity given to me to speak on this Adjournment Motion moved by the Hon.
Member for Kandy District. Before I get on to what I wish to state, I’d like to
deal with some very interesting matters that the Hon. Acting Minister for Media
just stated to this House. He said that this Motion and the Motion to implement
the recommendations of the LLRC are nothing but the agenda of the Tamil
Diaspora. I wonder how kindly His Excellency will take this comment having
appointed the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission? Is the Hon. Minister
suggesting that His Excellency the President was acting according to the agenda
of the Tamil Diaspora in appointing the LLRC?
He further stated that media freedom
in this country is like that horse that was tethered and walked round and round,
and even after its release keeps walking round and round. That is concession by
the Minister himself that there is self imposed censorship out of fear; that
they are being kept within the bounds; and even if one can’t see the rope, the
horse knows that it dare not move outside that circle. Even the private media
today knows only too well what is good for their health. That message has been
clearly delivered by the Government and today by the Hon. Minister himself in
this House. The Motion identifies two matters. There is recommendation that
rules and regulations must be formulated for the Freedom of Information, and
secondly, that investigations must be initiated on serious violations of
international laws and Human Rights. But the substantive part of the Motion is
with regard to the appointment of independent commissions. Whilst I fully
endorse that Motion to appoint independent commissions, I recognize that the
Proposer and the Seconder have dealt with that adequately, and I wish to move on
to the other matters that are mentioned in this Motion and some matters that are
not mentioned in this Motion. Full
Story>>>
