SLFP muzzles members

• Says only party can decide which members can participate in programmes of electronic media outlets 

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) yesterday issued a statement banning its members from speaking on political shows on television and radio, unless prior approval has been given by party headquarters. 

The short statement requested all TV and radio outlets to notify the SLFP headquarters of the need to have a SLFP representative, and the spokesperson would be provided by the headquarters. It called on media to refrain from making requests directly from its party members.  “This is in an effort to create a good media culture,” the statement added.  The new directive came hours after the Supreme Court ruled that President Maithripala Sirisena could not dissolve Parliament until four and a half years of the Parliament’s term is completed. The Order effectively nullified the Gazette issued by President Sirisena on 9 November, dissolving Parliament. On 26 October, President Sirisena triggered a constitutional crisis when he removed sitting Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and appointed MP Mahinda Rajapaksa in his place. 

 – Pix by Shehan Gunasekera