Government refuses false propaganda

Local media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena says propaganda carried out by certain parties regarding foreign aid received by Sri Lanka could not be accepted. The Minister added at a meeting to covey cabinet decisions today said certain groups are attempting to fulfill their personal political ambitions by focusing on a statement alleged to have been made by the Japanese special peace envoy Yashushi Akashi.
Minister Abeywardena also said Sri Lanka’s foreign relations have been strengthened. Palestine for the first time has joined Sri Lanka’s tourism activities. Aid from the European Union remained unchanged.
He further said the government is determined to implement law and order to the letter. He recalled how the government had appeared on behalf of mediamen Gemunu Amarasinghe of the Associated Press during the incident faced by him.
He further said the statement made by UNP parliamentarian Lakshman Kiriella regarding the death of former parliamentarian Sripathi Sooriyarachchi is without a base.
The government headed by the President had expressed deep condolences on the death of Mr. Sooriyarachchi who was an able politician.
The minister also pointed out even the election commissioner has established the fact that free election violence in the eastern province is at a minimum level. There is a possibility to hold the local government elections in the eastern province in a peaceful manner.
He added a special committee headed by Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva is investigating into the Minister Mervyn de Silva incident. The CID is conducting a separate investigation on the security programme in the national television.
The Minister has reiterated that the government has taken no decision regarding admission of Tamil students to National schools in Colombo.