FMM condemns Minister Amaratunga's threatening, abusive conduct towards journalist

The Free Media Movement (FMM) strongly condemned the incidence of Tourism Minister and Christian Religious Affairs, John Amaratunga threatening and turning abusive on a journalist.

The FMM, in a news release, stated that, such immature and violent behaviour is not favourable for a better media culture and a healthy democratic future in the country.

The incident occurred when the journalist questioned the Minister as to why he was not present when the issue of dumping of garbage in Muthurajawela marsh lands was taken up by the villagers.

“As questioning is the major tool used by journalists to get information, the movement observes, the effort to silence the journalists by powerful people, when fair questions with a professional value were asked, can be regarded as a warning for the free flow of information," the FMM said. The news release says the minister had used obscene language to threaten the journalists, while the minister’s followers and police officers were also reportedly involved in the incident.

The news release also said the inability to take any legal action against similar incidents reported in recent past, has resulted in the situation to intensify. The FMM called on the President and the Minister of Mass Media to conduct a fair investigation on how the Minister, his followers and the policemen acted in the situation.

Meanwhile, Minister John Amaratunga, in a press release, said that, while regretting the way things turned out, he hoped the media will act responsibly to protect their new found freedom which we have fought and won for them.

He claimed that, journalists had not been invited for the meeting held at his residence, as it was strictly a discussion between the area residents and him and that, the journalists were trying to drag him into an argument by continuously asking provocative questions.

Meanwhile, Mr Amaratunga left to Myanmar on Friday (9).