Mob attack on MTV/MBC: Public representatives and civil activists express views

Public representatives and civil activists expressed views regarding the mob attack on the MTV/MBC head office. General Secretary of the First Front, Chandrasena Wijesinghe, said it is very clear that the incident was organised through a minister who was very close to the Prime Minister and that the thug who was used for this incident is the very man who organised a religious event to invoke blessings on the Prime Minister at the Gangarama Temple following the no-confidence motion vote. "These thugs are being protected and being given various perks including political positions by the Prime Minister himself," he added. Commenting on the incident, Convenor of the Parapuraka Balaya Organisation Chamara Nakalanda said Sirasa - the people's channel has fulfilled the responsibility of exposing matters, therefore he will standby Sirasa. "If they are thinking of putting a stop to this media institution which could not be stopped by an inferno, by simply lighting firecrackers, they are dreaming," he said, "At the next election, we can see if there is faith in Ranil Wickremesinghe or not," he said. Minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training, Chandima Weerakkody, said: "We are saddened, the UNP did not win the people's mandate. They shuffled the 225 Members of Parliament to achieve this victory. How did they celebrate such a victory? They used a mob lead by Choppe's son to assault the media. We vehemently condemn this." Minister of Ports and Shipping, Mahinda Samarasinghe condemned the attack on MTV/ MBC head office. He said the media cannot be suppressed or hindered. "There should be an independent media in this country, if not the people will not be informed properly," the minister added. Deputy Minister of Ports and Shipping Affairs, Nishantha Muthuhettigamage, also condemned the attack on MTV/ MBC head office. "You cannot beat Sirasa by assaulting them or setting fire to them. The Sirasa media team renders a yeoman service, we need to commend the service they do whether it is day or night. We condemn this attack. We are prepared to help out in any way we can," he said. UPFA MP Shehan Semasinghe said the attack on MTV/ MBC is an attack on all journalists. He also said, Kithsiri Rajapaksa should be arrested immediately. "We have our doubts as to whether the PM encouraged this because right after this incident, the person accused of causing the incident was seen behind the PM at the temple," Shehan Semasinghe said. UPFA MP Pavithra Wanniarachchi commented saying: "Such behaviour, attacks on Sirasa... When they were coming into power, Ranil Wickremesinghe said they were going to establish good governance. They are just preaching falsehoods. In reality, we believe that such actions are nothing for the murders of Batalanda." Former cricketer and political commentator Sanjeewa Ranatunga also commented on the unruly behaviour opposite MTV/MBC Head office. (Watch video)