The ‘Aruna’ newspaper notes that the report published by its newspaper last week stating that jackfruit cannot be sold on the streets under the Clean Sri Lanka program initiated by the government does not contain any false information.
In a special editorial today, the newspaper points out that they have the relevant audio and video evidence to substantiate everything in this report.
Mass Media Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, who came to the media with a copy and a photocopy of the Aruna newspaper, accused the Aruna newspaper of publishing false information and also published the name and address of its owner.
The newspaper stated in its note that immediately after the news broke that a group of people including a jackfruit vendor who was trading on the side of the road in Panagoda town were to be removed by the Athurugiriya Police under the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ program, its editorial member obtained a full report from the vendor in question and that it has it in its possession as a recorded statement.
The newspaper stated that after the relevant press conference of the Minister, they tried to veracity of the news by providing him with relevant reports, video clips, etc., but he could not be contacted by phone, so this note is being published.