• Govt. Spokesman parrots’ same stance

Amid reports that some ministers are seeking the National People's Power (NPP) party's permission to speak to the media, the National People's Power (NPP) stated that they have not placed any restrictions on Parliamentarians or ministers speaking to the media.

It was recently reported that Minister of Justice and National Integration, Harshana Nanayakkara, refused to attend a media interview, claiming he needed permission from the NPP to do so.

When asked by The Daily Morning, NPP General Secretary MP, Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe said that they had not asked MPs or ministers not to speak to the media. "MPs and ministers speaking or not speaking to the media do not have any connection with the party. Maybe they cannot answer calls due to busy schedules."

Responding to a query during the weekly Cabinet media briefing yesterday (24) on the same, Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa also said that the NPP or the Government had not imposed any restrictions with regard to MPs' and ministers' media affairs. "We have not prohibited them from speaking to the media or expressing their views. They are free to speak."

Dr. Jayathissa stated that the Cabinet media briefing is held once a week to inform the public of the Government's decisions, adding media personnel are free to raise questions during it. "As the Cabinet Spokesperson, I am here to inform the Cabinet decisions to the public. The relevant Ministers will provide information through the respective Ministries. No one is obstructing it."