SLPA chief goes to CID against media

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana  

Whilst denying the reports which said 240 new vehicles have been imported for Ministers and MPs, the Media Minister Bandula Gunawardena yesterday informed Parliament that Sri Lanka Ports Authority Chairman had filed a complaint with the CID against the media institutions.  

The Minister came out with this information as some MPs including Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapaksa slammed media and Jathika Jana Balawegaya (JJB) activist Samantha Vidyaratne on the report.  

“I have inquired from SLPA and I was informed that no importation of vehicles have taken place. SLPA Chief had filed a complaint with the CID against media and Vidyaratne,” he said.  “I also request the Speaker to summon all heads of media institutions and discuss with them on the reports,”he added.  State Minister of Media Santha Bandara who was furious about the vehicle importation story called for stern action against Vidyaratne and the media. “The media institutions have committed a crime,” he said.  Deputy Speaker Rajapaksa said there are some who earn by planting news.