<b>CBK wants air time from Imitiaz to justify her Polonnaruwa speech</b>

Shamindra Ferdinando - The Island

President Chandrika Kumaratunga on Wednesday (24) requested air time for SLFP representatives over the SLBC and Rupavahini to justify her recent speech at Polonnaruwa after state controlled television stations repeatedly aired the controversial speech in which she levelled a series of serious allegations against some of critics including Ministers Ravi Karunanayake and Dr. Rajitha Senaratne. She also reportedly ridiculed Finance Minister K. N .Choksy.

President Kumaratunga phoned Media Minister Imitiaz Bakeer Markar on Wednesday, an informed source said yesterday, adding that the minister promptly agreed to her request. President Kumaratunga has been critical of the government decision to repeatedly air the speech which was made at an internal gathering of partymen.

Later in the day Minister Markar in a letter delivered to Janadhipathi Mandiraya informed President Kumaratunga that he had never put pressure on the SLBC and Rupavahini since taking over the media portfolio. He has also offered air time for two of President Kumaratunga’s representatives while making necessary arrangements with Rupavahini chairman Prof. Ganganath Dissanayake.

The president has asked SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena and national list MP Dilan Perera to justify her speech. The source said that their statements were recorded at the Media Division of the presidential secretariat yesterday. "They were given 15 minutes," the source said, adding that they sought air time for the General Secretary and two SLFP MPs.

President Kumaratunga has been assured that the two recorded speeches would be aired on Thursday night.

PA sources said that some local correspondents had been allowed to enter the venue where the meeting was held on a directive given by a senior party official.

The Island

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