President of Sri Lanka

Do not portray terrorists as heroes or liberation fighters – President
[August 16, 2006 - 10.00 GMT]

President Mahinda Rajapaksa said at a meeting with Heads of Media Institutions that most media institutions acted with responsibility regarding the prevailing conditions in the country. However, he noted that some acted with irresponsibility and callous disregard of the security and sovereignty of the country. The President appealed to the Heads of the media institutions not to portray terrorists as heroes or as liberation fighters. The meeting was held at the President’s Office, this morning (16).
He further said that though some institutions say there is a war going on in the country in actuality it was not war, but a counter attack conducted by the security forces when they were attacked. Recalling his cordial relations with the media in the past the President stressed that he would never interfere with the media. However, President Rajapaksa pointed out that it was a national crime to publish news that created hatred among communities and detrimental to national security and said that he hoped members of the media would understand their duties and obligations towards the country irrespective of party affiliations.

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