Cabinet Spokesman and Minister of Mass Media Nalinda Jayathissa on Tuesday cautioned media institutions against disseminating unverified information, as the government rejected allegations that it failed to act on early warnings related to severe weather conditions caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Speaking at a media briefing following Cabinet decisions taken on December 15, Jayathissa defended the accuracy of official information released to the public and dismissed opposition calls for a parliamentary select committee to investigate the matter.
“They are free to go to court if necessary. Then we can demonstrate how certain media institutions edited and distorted these clips,” he said.
Jayathissa said the government had already provided detailed explanations through multiple television discussions and a comprehensive statement in Parliament, maintaining that allegations circulating in sections of the media were misleading and inaccurate.
He reiterated that the Department of Meteorology formally issued information on critical weather conditions on November 25, rejecting claims that authorities were alerted significantly earlier.
The minister dismissed allegations broadcast by some television channels that the government had received information about the cyclone as early as November 12, describing such claims as false and irresponsible.
“These are completely false allegations,” Jayathissa said.
Responding to claims that authorities were informed through 23 red notices, Jayathissa said official records showed that 19 of those notices were issued after November 27, a timeline he said could be verified via the Disaster Management Centre’s website.
He also criticised reports based on an article published by India’s Indian Express, which some Sri Lankan media outlets cited as evidence that Indian meteorological authorities had warned of the cyclone from November 12. Jayathissa said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the Ministry of Defence, had sought clarification on the issue.
Jayathissa said Sri Lanka’s Department of Meteorology confirmed on the morning of November 25 that the weather system had weakened into a deep depression, and stated only on November 27 that it had the potential to develop into a cyclone.
“All of this can be verified through archives and online sources,” he said, adding that repeatedly revisiting the issue was unnecessary.
The minister warned that the government would not hesitate to take action if false reporting continued, cautioning that misinformation could lead to public unrest, social conflict and threats to national security.
