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SLFP makes soft launch of media campaign for polls
With drinks and dinner for journalists on Tuesday night, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) backing President Maithripala Sirisena had a ‘soft launch’ of its media campaign for upcoming elections.
The venue was the official residence of Minister and United People’s Freedom Alliance General Secretary Mahinda Amaraweera. SLFP General Secretary Rohana Lakshman Piyadasa and Deputy Media Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna were among those present. Noting that “Joint Opposition” stalwarts like Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila were planning to hold “50 news conferences a week,” Mr Amaraweera told some 40 media personnel that they discussed this matter in detail.
“Every week, we will have a special news conference to keep the public informed,” he said. Mr Ameraweera accused the “Joint Opposition” of spreading misleading propaganda. When a grenade had exploded near Diyatalawa, former Navy officer Sarath Weerasekera had charged it was the work of the terrorists. National Freedom Front leader Wimal Weerawansa had said that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was rising again. They turned out to be wrong, he pointed out.
Dr Piyadasa contended that that SLFP was a “media-friendly party.” He pointed out that the first journalist had been murdered during a UNP government and 36 had been killed since then. “We do not say mistakes have not been made. But there have been no brutal killings now,” he said.
Dr. Piyadasa said he regretted that sensational journalism had come into play, partly due to the separatist war. “We have not been able to get over that situation.” said Dr Piyadasa, who was head of the Media Department at the Kelaniya University. He said that as suggested by President Sirisena “positive things” also should be highlighted.