Sri Lanka's media minister and government spokesperson Keheliya Rambukwella told a group of Buddhist monks that he will look into their complaint against English language media, accusing them of bias in their coverage of the violence in Aluthgama.
The monks, made up of members from the Bodu Bala Sena, the Sinhala Ravaya and the National Bhikku Front lodged a formal complaint with the ministry, with BBS leader Gnanasara saying that the media disrespected Buddhism, reported Colombo Gazette.
“Some journalists are being funded by Embassies to publish misleading reports on the Aluthgama incident,” he said.
A Muslim minister meanwhile accused the media of being partly responsible for the rise of racist outfits.
Investment Promotion Deputy Minister Faizer Mustapha said in an interview with The Island that Sri Lankan civil society and the media should be more active in condemning racism in society.
"Today media is a such a powerful tool, so giving racist elements exposure makes the situation worse," he said.
Mustapha added that although the majority of western countries were against Sri Lanka, President Mahinda Rajapaksa had won the respect of the Arab nations, which support him.
The minister argued for presenting a united front in front of the international community.
"Even in Geneva [the] permanent representative pointed the finger at one community saying that this was started by Muslims. I think we should, even at an international forum, […] act as one. It is not a question of whether the Muslims or Sinhalese started this. As a government it is not fair to point the finger at a particular community."