Leaders of Sri Lanka major Opposition United National Party (UNP) and media men at a press conference on Thursday locked in heated argument. The press conference was held at the Opposition Leader's residence this morning where the MP was clarifying that the recent statement of the Tamil Tiger political chief S.P. Thamilchelvan had proved the allegations against the government for funding the rebels.

At the press conference the exchange of hot words erupted when a journalist asked what if Basil Rajapaksa said he went to Wanni to urge the LTTE to let the Tamils to vote.

Sharply reacting to this question, Kiriella told media persons not to be slave to the government. He said some media persons work on political agendas.

Instantly, several journalists protested the MP’s statement and they wanted explanation from the MP of his remarks.

It is worth mentioning here that a similar incident took place on Wednesday when UNP leader Ranil Wickremasinghe criticized the media, particularly an international news agency, accusing them of being biased to the government.

He made this observation when a journalist from the international news agency asked if the National Congress could block the controversial bond issue worth US$ 500 million.

In reply, the UNP leader said a reply had already been given to that question in a press statement issued by the party but the media had however failed to publish it since they are frightened of losing HSBC advertisements.

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