(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) –Director General of the Government Information Department Nalaka Kaluwewa states that the activities of the department are functioning without any hindrance.
Issuing a media statement, the Director General further noted that some people are spreading false information about the Department with narrow intentions.
Following is the statement in full:
It is now being observed that some parties are spreading baseless false information regarding the Department of Government Information with different narrow objectives.
All possible health protection measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 virus are being implemented within the department premises.
However, it was revealed that a departmental employee was infected with Covid-19 virus due to his visit to the fish market Peliyagoda. All the employees those who have been in contact with the said employee were subjected to quarantine immediately. By the time the patient was identified, only an essential minimum staff was reporting to the department for their duties and all relevant health measures had been taken.
Although the Department of Government Information is an institution where journalists visit regularly, they have not been called to the department for the past two weeks due to the health concerns. Even the Cabinet Press Briefings were also conducted online.
As an institution that makes maximum use of modern technology and strategies including the Internet, the Department possesses the ability to perform its role to the maximum even with a minimum of staff.
I would like to inform you that the Department of Government Information is carrying out its essential and regular duties without any hindrance and there is no accuracy in the baseless facts spread by certain parties.
In the context of the Covid-19 where the contribution and involvement of the Department of Government Information is essential to the official communication of the Government, the Department carries out its role continuously with greater dedication and without any hindrance under the instructions and guidance of Hon. Keheliya Rambukwella, Minister of Mass Media and Mr. Jagath P. Wijeweera Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media.
