| The clarification sent by Koththigoda stated that he was not officially informed of the discussion held at the Sri Lanka Press Institute on July 8 to form the Media Collective and of the press conference held afterwards. He also said the letter sent by the Collective to media organizations requesting for media coverage for a meeting held at the New Town Hall the same day, which included the name of the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association as one of its representatives was a bogus.
According to Koththigoda, Free Media Movement Secretary, Sunil Jayasekera had over the telephone requested him to make a speech at the event organized to mark the 6th month anniversary of Lasantha Wickrematunge’s killing. However, Jayasekera had not informed of the inclusion of the names of either Koththigoda or the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association in the press statement issued by the newly formed Media Collective.
Koththigoda further stated that while the five media organizations acted in unison in the media field, certain individuals are now acting separately to appease various political agendas.
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