Sripathi threatens State television heads

COLOMBO: Mass Media and Information Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa has been informed of threatening calls to State television channels - Sri Lanka Rupavahini and ITN - from former Minister Sripathi Sooriyaarachchi against airing issues relating to the current political developments involving him.

Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation Deputy Director General Sumedha Athulasiri has lodged a complaint with Kurunduwatta Police about a call he received from Sooriyaarachchi on Friday evening.

The Deputy Director General who assumed responsibilities as the Head of the News Section on Friday evening, had received a call from the former Minister not to carry any adverse news against him.

"Former Minister Sooriyaarachchi told me not to become a target by carrying any news against him and former Minister Mangala Samaraweera since one day they could again become Ministers," Athulasiri told the Daily News.

He said since the call amounted to a threat, he lodged a formal complaint at the Kurunduwatta Police Station on Saturday for his future protection.

He said the former Minister told him he was aware of all that went inside the news section of Rupavahini as he received inside information.

ITN Chairman Anura Siriwardena told the Daily News that he received a call from Sooriyaarachchi on Friday requesting not to carry news relating to him with regard to the current political situation.

"Since it was unusual to make such a request to me I informed the Media Minister regarding this call and sought instructions from the Minister how to respond to such situations," Siriwardena added.