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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Dangreen" data-source="post: 895100" data-attributes="member: 43205">Another Victory for the Mahinda mama and the corrupted Henchaiiyo.Sad, Very very sad. Hope these guys can take a court order or something and get back in operationBroadcasting Licence of ABC Ltd. canceledGovernment Information Department has cancelled the broadcasting licence given to the Asia Broadcasting Ltd. today (October 26) for transmitting a false news item on a terrorist attack at a Southern Village.On Wednesday (October 24), radio stations owned by the company said that LTTE cadres had overrun Ranminithanna Village, in Thissamaharamaya, Southern Sri Lanka.According to the defence sources in the area, the false news item had kindled a great public panic and could have adversely affected the ethnic harmony in the area. Kathargama is an area where a multi ethnic society has been living in harmony since ancient times.Government Information Department is in the view that the company had failed to fulfil its duty for being truthful and act responsibly while perusing its commercial interests.The Ministry of Defence has established a separate organization; The Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) which is entrusted with responsibility to provide accurate and up-to-date news on national defence to the public as well as to the media. The MCNS works around the clock and the media personnel can always verify whatever the facts from the duty officers at anytime of the day. Also, Ministry of Defence maintains two websites namely, <a href="http://www.defence.lk" target="_blank">www.defence.lk</a> and <a href="http://www.nationalsecurity.lk" target="_blank">www.nationalsecurity.lk</a> which are also being updated around the clock with latest news on national defence.It is an accepted ethic among media personnel to act with restrain when publishing information which may affect the country's racial and religious harmony. Unfortunately, in Sri Lanka there are certain media personnel who act purely on commercial interests; misuse the country's media freedom to support motives of a terrorists' outfit which kills their own brethren. Perhaps, Sri Lanka may be the only country where anti-government stance of political parties and their media allies has turned to a pro-terror drive that supports the common enemy of the country.The full texts of the medial relase by the Government Information Department on the cancellation of broadcast licence: Recalling of Broadcasting License of Asia Broadcasting Corporation Ltd.01. On 24.10.2007 certain radio channels belonging to the above mentioned media organization have broadcast a false, misleading and irresponsible news item.02. Without confirming the facts the above media channels have broadcast that Ranminithanna, Thissamaharamaya a village in close proximity to Katharagama has been overrun by a group of armed LTTE carders. This false news item has stirred a great commotion throughout the area. The Government is of the view that if the Security Units had not intervened in the issue there might have been certain unavoidable repercussions in an area such as Katharagama where a large gathering of multi-ethnic groups live.03. The main obligation of a media institute is to trigger the public's right to obtain information. When giving a media license they have to abide by the guidelines to be truthful, since the radio transmissions are a public right. Therefore, as a responsible Government, when someone takes the use of right to express as a mean of circulating false and irresponsible information which can lead to conflicts in the normal social life, we can not remain silent in the interest of the public.04. Thus, regretfully the Government was compelled to take this action.  Dharshana Senanayake.Acting Director of Information</blockquote>

Verification: Dahaya deken beduwama keeyada?

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