The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa

¶ 01 On the first point, no such report has reached the Ministry or the Government Information Department. If there is a specific incident, we will consult the Police and ascertain the facts.

¶ 02 On the Cabinet media briefing, it is reasonable to require the Information Department press ID for that single forum. Many journalists have sought registration; we expedited issuance. Journalists without an ID may attend any other press conference; only the Cabinet briefing requires the ID. This was also prompted by an incident where a person, purporting to be a media representative and later found connected to multiple crimes, attended numerous briefings. Identifying bona fide journalists also enables us to extend benefits—equipment concessions under discussion with the Ministry of Finance, training, and scholarships. Thus, the ID requirement has value, and the briefing now proceeds smoothly with journalists respecting the rule.