COLOMBO (News 1st) – Parliamentarian President’s Counsel, M. A. Sumanthiran noted that there is a dangerous rumour spreading in the Southern part of the country mainly through the Sirasa media network.

MP Sumanthiran participating at an event held in Point Pedro, Jaffna made a statement that the Sirasa, Shakthi and the MTV channels spread fake information and that the statements he had made with much clarity are spread in a contradictory manner.

The MP levelled such an accusation at our media network due to a recent statement that he had made.

On the 12th of January, the TNA media spokesperson made a controversial statement:

“The hearts of the sinhala people should be won over. They fear that the country might be divided. I don’t know the reason for that. It could be divided”

Commenting on this news item, TNA spokesperson Sumanthiran claimed that the headline of the Sirasa news stated that he had said that a separate country can be formed.

However, it is evident that parliamentarian Sumanthiran is attempting to alter the facts with regard to the statement that he himself made on the 12th of this month as a result of the protests of the people and on behalf of the UNP leadership, who MP Sumanthiran is committed to protecting.

It must be noted, that we are not politicians, to withdraw, or alter any information, that we present. We also remind MP Sumanthiran, that our media channels, only engage in moderate news reporting.

MP Sumanthiran speaking in Jaffna on Wednesday noted that everyone should identify those who spread false information. He noted that if such individuals belong to the media industry they should be removed. Similarly, if there are individuals spreading false news in politics, they too should be removed.

Who is the liar? Are you ready to remove yourself from politics?

Mr. Sumanthiran, we would like you to pay close attention to what we are stating here. You were first elected to Parliament by the National List in 2010 by the Tamil National Alliance.  First and foremost, the question on the minds of every single person in the North is this: What have you done for the people who elected you? The people who trusted you with their vote? What have you done?

The people of the North would, in fact, testify that more has been done by President Maithripala Sirisena, who has visited the North on multiple times occasions to other state leaders, since taking office, and has released lands that many parties and leaders had promised but failed to do. In case you are not aware, 1201 acres of land is to be released by the president on the 21st of this month.

What you succeeded in, is playing politics by stoically defending Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe in parliament, despite the majority of people knowing about and accepting the allegations against the PM and his cohorts on the Bond Scam and others.

Where is Sumanthirans courage when it comes to Prime Minister Wickramasinghe? He takes a double standard when it comes to corruption related to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Where are his flowing speeches in parliament and his threats in public when it comes to crimes against the people of Sri Lanka?

Has he ever spoken out against the billions of rupees stolen from the EPF, that include the savings of the people in the North? His outcry has always been with the motive of furthering his own political agenda.

Mr. Sumanthiran has issued a direct threat to our media. We dare you Mr. Sumanthiran, to try! We would like to remind you that our media has faced much bigger and more experienced enemies, for much longer, than you. The very same media you mentioned are those who stand by the people who have the right to know about corruption at the highest levels of the government.

MP Sumanthiran, you do your job and we will do ours.

It is most apt to quote President, Abraham Lincoln: “You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.”

We challenge you now to do all that you threatened to do against our media. Don’t get carried away with your speeches and comment about others, levelling unsavoury allegations. As a lawyer, you will know that this is totally libellous.

DONT BARK WHEN YOU CAN’T BITE

The governor of the Northern province, Dr Suren Rhagavan commenting on the matter stated that

“… When one witness the threats and harassments made on the media, it is clear this is very much
undemocratic. It is the media that defines the depth and evolution of democracy in this country. In that
context, I strongly believe it is the media that definitely defines the depth of democracy …”

TO BE CONTINUED …

• Thundershowers expected tonight (6) – Met Department
• Cinnamon prices drop in Sri Lanka
• N’Eliya Post Office Investment Project to go ahead
• Sri Lanka to import Samba Rice from India
• SLAF paying for two new aircraft in installments