Government says legal action preferable to parliamentary select committee

18-Dec-2025

.

Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Nalinda Jayatissa stated that criticisms against the government should be presented in court, and that taking legal action would allow authorities to bring before court those who create fake news and incite public unrest. He added that going to court is preferable to appointing a parliamentary select committee.

He made these remarks at the Cabinet decisions media briefing held on Dec 16 at the Government Information Department in Colombo.

He stated that the same information provided by the government regarding Cyclone Dithwa was also communicated in writing to the media by the Meteorological Observers’ Association. However, some media outlets created fake news claiming otherwise, including false reports that warnings had been issued from Nov 12 and that the cyclone occurred on 27.

He explained that information isued by the Meteorology Department constitutes forecasts, not intelligence reports, and that red warnings were issued only after Nov 27. Claims that the Indian Meteorological Department had issued prior warnings were also false, and clarification has been sought from the Indian government through the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

On Nov 23 and 24, both Indian and Sri Lankan meteorological departments only stated that a low-pressure area could intensify. The system was officially declared a cyclone only on the 27th. Repeated explanations on this matter, he said, are therefore pointless.

He warned that the continued spread of fake news creates serious obstacles to rebuilding the country after the disaster and urged the media to refrain from such actions. He reiterated that legal action is preferable to appointing a parliamentary select committee.