‘Big Brother’ cult on the rise?

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has apparently prioritised the summoning of journalists over conducting serious investigations. It is apparently preoccupied with political work.

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Editor of the Aruna newspaper Mahinda Ileperuma has been summoned by the CID for questioning on a news story that one has to produce a letter from the Chairman of the Public Security Committee (PSC) in one’s residential area, in addition to a Grama Niladari certificate, to obtain a police report. Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa and Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala vehemently denied the news item, in Parliament. The JVP/NPP exercises control over the PSCs. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament that the media reports on the issue were accurate. But Minister Jayatissa inveighed against Illeperuma and delivered a long lecture on media ethics.