Cabinet spokesman and Minister of Mass Media Nalinda Jayathissa on Tuesday warned media institutions against spreading unverified information, as the government rejected claims that it failed to act on early warnings about severe weather linked to Cyclone Ditwah.
Speaking at a media briefing following Cabinet decisions taken on Dec. 15, Jayathissa defended the credibility of official information released to the public and dismissed opposition calls for a parliamentary selection committee to examine the issue.
“They are free to go to court if necessary. Then we can show how certain media institutions edited and distorted these clips,” he said.
Jayathissa said the government had already provided extensive explanations through multiple television discussions and a detailed statement in Parliament, insisting that allegations circulating in parts of the media were misleading and inaccurate.
The minister reiterated that the Department of Meteorology formally issued information on critical weather conditions on Nov. 25, rejecting claims that authorities were alerted much earlier.
He dismissed allegations aired by some television channels that the government received information about the cyclone as early as Nov. 12, describing them as false and irresponsible.
“These are completely false allegations,” Jayathissa said.
Addressing claims that authorities were informed through 23 red notices, Jayathissa said official records showed that 19 of those notices were issued after Nov. 27, a timeline he said could be verified through the Disaster Management Center’s website.
He also criticised reports based on an article published by India’s Indian Express, which some Sri Lankan media outlets cited as evidence that Indian meteorological authorities warned of the cyclone from Nov. 12. Jayathissa said Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with the Ministry of Defence, had sought clarification on the matter.
Jayathissa said Sri Lanka’s Department of Meteorology confirmed on the morning of Nov. 25 that the system had weakened into a deep depression and stated only on Nov. 27 that it could develop into a cyclone.
“All of this can be verified through archives and online sources,” he said, adding that repeatedly revisiting the issue was unnecessary.
Jayathissa said the government would not hesitate to act if false reporting continued, warning that misinformation could lead to public unrest, social conflict and potential threats to national security. (Newswire)
