State media distorting facts - Alahapperuma
by Uditha Kumarasinghe
UPFA parliamentarians who represented former President Mahinda
Rajapaksa at the Maithri-Mahinda talks on Wednesday alleged that the
state media was deliberately attempting to give a distorted picture of
what was not even discussed at the meeting, to destroy the SLFP's
internal cohesion.
The sole purpose of the discussion between President Maithripala
Sirisena and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was to strengthen the
SLFP. The following day, the state media had given a completely
distorted picture on the outcome of the talks to mislead people, they
said.
The state media had reported that there was no assurance to
accommodate the pro-Mahinda faction at the election. This is a
fabricated news item as the former President's delegation did not utter
a word about this issue. The former President also did not make any
reference to the Prime Ministerial candidature, UPFA Parliamentarian
Dullas Alahapperuma told a media briefing at the Abhayarama temple,
Narahenpita yesterday.
MP Alahapperuma queried as to why the state media deliberately
distorted the facts. Of the 28 SLFP high-ranking officials, 21
represented the Government having accepted ministerial portfolios.
Therefore, it has raised doubts whether the state media caters to those
whose agenda is to destroy the SLFP's internal unity.
The genuine desire of both parties was to continue the dialogue in a
cordial manner towards a positive direction to strengthen the party
mechanism. Some members included in the President's delegation had been
changed at the eleventh hour. However, former President Rajapaksa
decided to take part in the talks to further strengthen the unity in the
party.
"It is obvious that attempts are being made by the UNP to destroy the
SLFP's internal cohesion. Doubts have surfaced whether some SLFP MPs who
had secured portfolios are also behind this move to create divisions
within the SLFP," MP Alahapperuma said. |