It was revealed recently at a high level security discussion in Colombo that Some of the well known Sri Lankan Journalists are paid millions of rupees by LTTE to provide vital and Strategic Information on military plans. "While working for the national news papers, either pro-government or pro UNP, these journalists are indirectly participating in the LTTE propaganda work as well" security officials claimed.

Following this revelation the president Chandrika Bandaranaike has issued instruction to CID officers to collect as much information on assets and money transactions carried out by the Colombo based local journalists during last five years and to investigate the pattern of their funds accumulation.

Few days ago In Parliament General Anuruddha Ratwatte, Deputy Minister of Defence said that the media should refrain from providing the enemy with strategic information and act with more responsibility in the national interest. He said so moving the motion to extend the State of Emergency in certain parts of the country.

". When we started the Jayasikuru Operation, a certain newspaper had published with maps, the strategy of the operation. Then, We were to send the troops along the Jaffna route and we also had planned to storm into the jungles where Prabhakaran was hiding to capture him. But because of this newspaper's revelation of our strategy we had to abandon that part of the operation. The enemy was informed of our plans and they would have been ready" Minister said.

Meanwhile, "Sinhaya" the Internet news service on the world wide web has pointed the finger at Sunday Times of Sri Lanka and has named one of the key journalist as a possible suspect for leaking such information.

Gen. Ratwatte said taking advantage of the last declaration of the amnesty 13,000 deserters returned to the forces and they are back fighting the war to defend our motherland. Now they are in the Vanni area advancing on set targets. We had to impose a censorship on the defence and military news. We have always respected the freedom of the media In the national interest the media should act with more responsibility.

They must refrain from providing the enemy with vital information. I expect all sections of the media to co-operate with us to end this cruel war soon. I expect to meet the media on this subject tomorrow. I am thankful to them for the co-operation they extended to get back the deserters.

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