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The New Government at least in theory seem to be adopting a few measures which appear to be geared to National Interests despite the hoopla and hype of the more negative Foreign and Local media which are in a visible minority however, quick to pounce upon the smallest shred of information pertaining to Government Matters regardless of their veracity or credibility and falling over themselves to present it to the public and constituting the greatest apathetic display of negative journalism, alarmingly so in Sri Lanka especialy when the end result quite often is a flagrant distortion of the truth considering the high standards of News Reporting which was maintained painstakingly over the years now going a bit awry and being overun by flybynights.

The recent report about an assassination attempt on the Prime Minister and Leading Public Figures by a group of dissenting Military Officials is one such where the prime objective appears to be the denigration of the Opposition and the PA Organization as the emerging facts do not seem to lend any credence to any PA involvement although in the morass of rabid armed renegades and deserters, the lawlessness which was rife during the run off to the Elections could easily have played a role in the findings now neing blown out of proportion by the media especially that of India which never seems to be able to contain their curiosity relating to Sri Lankan Affairs. Amazingly a matter of classified status appears to have been leaked to the media where the logical norm would have been to have conducted a secured inquiry in ascertaining facts before being made public as a result of which obvious conclusions regardless of their accuracy have been reached.

As an aftermath of any Election in Sri Lanka the outgoing Administration typically faces a backlash from the newly elected representation and this scenario has gone on unabated for generations probably due to a flawed Constitution which has never addressed the issue of security for ' the have beens ' although fortifications for the Ruling Party's best interests especially that of the Presidency has been the foremost consideration which now appears to be a blessing in disguise. In Western Countries with the odd exception, High Office is respected and secured even after the Government changes hands unless criminal investigations are involved.

It may be a fortuitous moment for the media which tends to be more bi-partisan towards rulers once established, to now put their monies where their mouths are and take up the latest reports in the International Press, factual and confirmed as they are about the LTTE's latest involvements in Arms Smuggling, Drug Running, Child Recruitment and their many links to International Crimes of huge infamy and degenerate despicability, to point out to the Sri Lankan Administration, hell bent on granting concessions to the LTTE to 'Halt In Their Tracks And Ponder Upon The Realities Of What The Consequences Might Be!' should they continue their irresponsible projections towards lifting LTTE embargos and granting free access into secured areas as their continued dialogue indicates, while paying scant respect to what has now turned out to be an Everest of World Opinion which shares no sympathy with any form of terrorism.

Hypothetically the realities of The UNP's stand on terrorism appears to be factional bearing in mind the Defence Ministry and its stand on the issue based on Minister Tyrone Fernando's resolve towards eliminating the LTTE which is admirable where the end certainly would justify the means albeit the hint of a double standard between the moderates and the die hards singing two different songs!! The Media has certainly not downplayed the importance of its role in identifying those responsible nor its significance although the balance in favour of accomplishing the ultimate goal of eliminating the LTTE probably rests upon a unified nod from the Administration and Parliament with the exception of conscientious objectors to which the Media should not be a party.

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