FMM and the government critisise UNP action on ITN Journalist

The Free Media Movement condemns the handing over of the ITN journalists to the police by the UNP at their Headquarters on Tuesday. FMM also added that accredited journalists should be allowed to cover public events and condemned this incident as it is a violation of the freedom of expression.However United National Party has always talk on media freedom and recent harrasment on media said the government sources.
Making a special announcement in the Parliament on Wednesday Media Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa questions legitimacy of the act of officials at the Sirikotha to interrogate two ITN mediamen who were filming traffic congestion in front of the Sirikotha. Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa in a special statement in parliament said UNP which always speaks on media freedom, has no civilized right to harass mediamen. The Minister further said every citizen is entitled to freedom of speech and other human rights. Minister Yapa also said the entire country is aware of the past anti-media activities of the UNP.
The Minister in response to a query made by member Lakshman Seneviratne said the defence ministry had no connection with the incident of providing bail to a person called Nishantha Gajanayake.