And more so, when it accuses the media of publishing only the acquisitions with no references to where and when they were delivered, and continues to maintain a censorship. Believe it or not, the situation had been made worse. Soon after the announcement, video footage of the unloading of the military cargo has been released to the media worldwide. Even local TV stations gave wide coverage. This is not to fault Asia Vision or Rupavahini at all.
Military cargo is always unloaded under high security conditions.
No one appeared to take the responsibility last week. It would not be a bad idea for President Kumaratunga to ascertain how this came about and whether the act was in the best interests of her Government and the country. Various recent events have shown that some sections of the Government have not been able to get their act together or tell their own story correctly. Recently a Defence Ministry official wrote a letter to the Army Commander that a ban on 24 items has been relaxed when in fact there was no such ban. Then there was the Defence Ministry press release on the enforcement of a New Year truce for four days and six hours.