Minister Nimal Sirprla blames the media for overblown coverage of the Ven. Ajahan Brhamma issue and justifies the introduction of an act to regulate the media.
Ports, Shipping, and Civil Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva says that the media misreported the inconvenience faced by Ajahan Brahmavansa Thero at the Katunayake airport, and the media should take responsibility for the disgrace caused to the country.
Tendering an apology to the most venerable Ajhan Brhammawansa Thero over the inordinate delay caused at the airport, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said that if there was any deliberate miscalculation on the part of any institution under him regarding his (Ven. Thero’s) travel plan, it is his (the minister’s) responsibility to accept the blame and ensure that such insults would not occur in the future.
But the minister also took the media to task for misreporting facts and said that the media in this instance had enjoyed the freedom of wild asses.
The minister emphasised the need to regulate the media, taking this as an example.
“This is why an act is needed to regulate the media.” He stressed.
“Today, when an incident unfolds somewhere in the country, the media always tries to get a politician involved in the incident. In the matter concerning Ven Ajahan Brammawansa, it had no connection to the Prime Minister since the Prime Minister used a separate lounge and he didn’t even come that way. I was in another area of the airport,” the minister emphasised.”
“Initially, the Prime Minister was slandered. Then they slapped me.
This is why this country needs an act to regulate the media,” He said.
“How do you work when the media is behaving unimaginably, behaving with the natural instincts of a wild ass?” The minister asked.
“Show us our mistakes. But don’t cook up news. In this instance, some media outlets acted irresponsibly. Those media organisations should be held responsible for the disgrace they have caused the country.”
