Opposition Parliamentarian Mujibur Rahman strongly criticized the government in Parliament on Tuesday (9), questioning why a group of 16 Sri Lankan journalists had been sent to Israel, a country he said has killed over 200 journalists during its ongoing war against Palestinians in Gaza.
The delegation of journalists reportedly travelled to Tel Aviv on an invitation extended by the Israeli government. The trip was coordinated by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Israel along with the Israeli Embassy in New Delhi.
Calling it a “serious matter” that could trigger “unhealthy developments within Sri Lanka,” Rahman accused the government of adopting double standards. “On one hand the government publicly claims to support the Palestinian cause, and on the other, it is actively pampering Israeli interests in the country,” he charged.
Rahman further highlighted that the group was not limited to journalists, but also included officers from state institutions such as Rupavahini, the Kotelawala Defence University, public relations officers from government departments, and “two notorious YouTubers who could do more damage to the country.”
He alleged that certain government officers were exerting undue influence on Sri Lankans sympathetic to the Palestinian cause, attempting to discourage them and warning them not to speak out against Israel.
Rahman urged the government to clarify its position and explain the reasoning behind facilitating such a visit at a time when international concerns over Israel’s actions in Gaza continue to mount.
