The Competent Authority is trying to stifle the freedom of the media by enforcing the rules in the rudest possible manner. The restrictions on freedom of the media is counter productive. When there is a war the people should know what was happening. People should know the truth. The restrictions on the other hand are denying the Sinhalese and the Tamil speaking people of their right to know.
News is freely available to international media.
While news about the war front is being kept out of the people, the LTTE is spreading lies internationally. The war today is not fought on a proper plan. In the Southern Province ticket books are printed to collect funds for the Defence fund, but these tickets do not contain a number. When this sort of fraudulent activity takes place, people who have a desire to contribute to the defence fund will be disheartened. H. M. Weerasinghe, Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways said the war affects the lives of everybody.