"Government is responsible" says Ranil

"Government is responsible" says Ranil

Mr.Wickramatunga died of head injuries
President Mahinda Rajapaksa's government is responsible for the assassination of the Sunday Leader editor Lasantha Wickramatunga, says the Opposition Leader, Ranil Wickremasinghe

''This threat is not confined to the media but violence poses a threat to everyone in the society , and we have to collectively challenge that', he said.

Wickremasinghe said that they were following closely the attacks against the media and particularly Tuesday's attack on MBC (Sirasa TV); and that they were planning to raise questions in Parliament about the threats faced by the media. Lasantha Wickrematunga was to meet him at 11.30 on Thursday to discuss about this, he said.

Govt. reaction

Media Minister Anura Priyadharsana Yapa told journalists that it is the responsibility of the government to find out whether there are some elements who want to tarnish the government.

"We are not trying to hide anything. If some person has done something we have a responsibility to act against it", he said.

Sandeshaya questioned whether forces operating beyond government control are committing these acts.

Minister Yapa replied by saying that it is "not a good ideology".

"There cannot be anyone who cannot be controlled by the government. But in the prevailing situation we all know that there is the opportunity for any group to do so. In such a society we can't provide security to everyone. We can see even bombs exploding everywhere", Minister Anura Piyadharsana Yapa added.