Polls Chief reads riot act to Rupavahini over Sajith crossover story on polling day

Friday, 9 January 2015 03:58 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

State media broadcaster Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation was forced to apologise after Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya walked into the premises yesterday to demand a retraction of false propaganda. Earlier yesterday Rupavahini had telecast a report alleging that Sajith Premadasa had crossed over to the Government.

An angry letter from UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa to the Polls Chief stated that the state broadcaster was spreading false propaganda about him that could influence or mislead voters. Premadasa charged that the news item had damaged his political image and career. Deshapriya walked into the station and demanded a retraction of the story by Rupavahini. A few hours after the first report was aired, Rupavahini read out the letter from Premadasa in full, denying the story and regretted any harm caused by the news item. Centre Monitoring Election Violence Co-Coordinator Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu congratulated the Elections Chief for his tough position. “The Elections Commissioner should be congratulated for walking into Rupavahini and reading them the riot act over the false new item about a crossover by the UNP Deputy Leader,” Dr Saravanamuttu said.