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.