President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday assured editors that there is no threat to media freedom and welcomes journalists accurately highlighting any failings on the part of the Government.

“You have the freedom to write anything factually. There is no obstacles, threats or pressures,” he told editors of media in his first meeting since assuming office. 

Rajapaksa indeed acknowledged that media has an important role to play towards development and improving the country’s profile as well as highlight any weaknesses or failures on the part of the Government and its agencies. 

He also said that State media will be run professionally to increase their reach and expects it to follow the middle path in covering both Government and anti-Government news. 

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