Visa cancellation of six INGOs. On the issue raised over the cancellation of visas for members of six international non-governmental organisations operating in the North and East, the Government yesterday hit back saying the decision was in accordance with the Immigration Regulations, writes Manjula Fernando, Daily News, Colombo 041006 at http://www.dailynews.lk/. Forwarded by Budhi Mulyawan 051006. 

These organisations have violated the Immigration, Customs and Defence Ministry regulations compelling the Government to cancel the entry visas for its members, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said at the weekly media briefing adding that non of their members will be allowed to enter the country in future.

The six organisations embargoed by the Government are, Medicines Sans Frontiers (MSF) France, MSF Spain, MDM France, Doctors of World USA, Medicos de Mundos and Solidarities.

The decision in no way stemmed from any bias, the Minister emphasised. The minister showed a document issued by one of the INGOs on which was imprinted Sri Lanka Ministry of Health and LTTE Department of Health.

"As far as the Government is concerned there is no LTTE medical Department which can deal officially in this manner," he stressed adding that another such organisation which brought down 'lifting bags' during the tsunami to fish out goods from the water has palmed out these to a Kalmunai organisation with terrorist links.

It was the understanding to hand this over to the Navy once their tsunami work is over. But the organisation has gone against this condition, he added.

Referring to weekend newspaper reports of a state imposed media censorship the Minister said the Government has not imposed a censorship on defence news instead were having routine meetings with the Media institute heads was to create a general understanding on dealing with sensitive intelligence information.

He reiterated the Government's and President's will to have a free and cordial relationship with the media and called upon the media to cooperate and be responsible in the way they report issues of national interest.

Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register.

Powered by AkoComment!