It was an inside job-Hulugalle

13 April 2013 05:47 am Views - 8585

Director General of the Media Center for National Security (MCNS), Lakshman Hulugalle said that initial Police investigations into the attack on the Uthayan office in Jaffna had revealed that it was an 'inside job'.

“There is nothing new in this attack- this is the same tactic used by the LTTE. Initial investigations have revealed that it is an inside job to tarnish the image of the government and the country,” he said.

Meanwhile, military spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya issuing a statement rejected the speculation that the military was involved in the attack.

Following is the full statement

PRESS RELEASE
RE:  ALLEGATIONS DIRECTED TOWARDS THE MILITARY WITH REGARDS TO AN ATTACK ON UDAYAN PRINTING PRESS IN JAFFNA
There is a widespread speculation regarding the attack that has taken place in Jaffna at the Udayan printing press in early hours today (13 April 2013).  Some speculate that the Military was involved in either carrying out or supporting this attack.  We reject such allegations.
It is reiterated that the Sri Lankan Military Forces are duty bound to protect the constitutional rights. The freedom of expression is one of the guaranteed rights.  The Military has no requirement to engage in acts against freedom of expression.  
There are a large number of different media institutions in Sri Lanka and anyone following what is published/broadcasted/telecasted would know that criticism on Government as well as Military are very common.  Except a handful of media institutions the vast majority are privately owned.  In the recent past it is only Udayan which is owned by a Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian (who is actively campaigning against the Government and the Military in the north and east) that allegedly faced numerous forms of harassment.  This is an interesting phenomenon.
There are several other publications in Jaffna and elsewhere (published in all three languages) that level harsh criticism on the Government as well as the Military but there are no allegations of harassment.  Why is it only Udayan?
According to preliminary investigations carried out by the authorities the damage caused by the latest attack is not excessive.  Only three paper rolls are partially burnt along with few papers, no damage to any printing machines, and power supply has been interrupted due to heat.  When power is restored the paper can resume its operations, perhaps today itself.  
As things appear, it is obvious that the publicity gained by the paper through this alleged attack on its printing press is enormous.  The local as well as international political mileage that the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), as well as other international pro LTTE organizations propagating the ideology of establishing a separate state in Sri Lanka, gain by way of discrediting the Government and Military is much greater than the physical damage. This publicity will surely be used by them to support their widespread claims that international interference is essential for local reconciliation.  
We refute speculations of any Military involvement on attack on Udayan in Jaffna.