Government curtailing media freedom – Dinesh

Opposition lawmaker Dinesh Gunawardena yesterday charged the Government for violating media freedom, going against the promises made in the Yahapalana Government’s elections manifesto.

Drawing attention to a website allegedly blocked by the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC), Gunawardena accused the Government of preventing the media from practicing independent journalism.

“Breakingnews.lk, a site that has been functioning for over a period of six years was blocked recently. The TRC has prevented public from accessing the site locally as well as from abroad. We would like to know the reasons for such measures,” said Gunawardena.

In response, Chief Government Whip and Minister of Parliamentary Reforms and Mass Media Gayantha Karunatilake promised Parliament to investigate before responding to the House on Saturday. (AH)