Government information release ban

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 01 February 2000, 15:05 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Cabinet re-imposed a ban on public officers releasing information to the media. The ban is effective from today.

Excerpts from the press release follow:

ìThe Cabinet today decided to strictly re-impose the relevant sections of the Establishment Code regarding the release of official information to the media and the public by Govt. Officers. According to a proposal made by the Minister of Posts Telecommunications and the Media Mr. Mangala Samaraweera the Cabinet approved the re-imposition of section 3 of Chapter XXXI of Volume I and section6 of Chapter XLVII of Volume II of the Establishment Code.

ìAccordingly public officers should not use the media, electronic or print, by writing an article or granting an interview to criticize the Government or Government Departments or to publicize his grievances whether or not of an official nature (Eg: criticize or complain regarding lack of staff to carry out his functions, criticize the Treasury for failure to provide extra funds etc.) and should refrain from the release of official information to the media and the public.

ìCabinet also decided to take stern disciplinary action against Government officers who violate the provisions of the Establishment Code and to set up a special monitoring unit at the Department of Information under the direct supervision of the Director of Information Mr. Ariya Rubasinghe to bring such violation to the notice of Secretaries of Ministries or Heads of Departments concerned in order to take suitable disciplinary action against such errant and indisciplined officers.î