The Defence Ministry yesterday challenged the authenticity of photographs shown on Al Jazeera stating that the images were nothing new but what was shown earlier.

Al Jazeera itself could not verify the photographs and thus their authenticity was in question once more, similar to the footage and photographs that had emerged in the past, the Ministry said.

Following is the press release issued by the Media Center for National Security on the issue:

Al Jazeera Television has been telecasting a series of news items continuously since this morning (10) regarding false allegations of Human Right violation during the final stage of the Humanitarian Operation. After expressing the view of the government Al Jazeera Television stated that they cannot confirm the authenticity of these visuals and they cannot take the responsibility to vouch that the visuals and pictures are true. By these campaigns pro – LTTE elements are in an attempt of tarnishing the image of the Security Forces and the government of Sri Lanka. After eradicating the 30 years long terrorism from the Sri Lankan soil, various false allegations were made by the Tamil Diaspora and the local LTTE supporters with an aim of bringing back life to the destroyed LTTE organization. When the attempt was a failure an allegation of human right violation was brought with forged visuals and pictures by some foreign media. Each time countering the false allegations the government proved the soldiers of the Sri Lankan Security Forces are well disciplined. Further the government proved that the pictures telecasted by the pro – LTTE websites were fabricated. The fake News telecasted with some pictures without any reliable source by the Al Jazeera television today also is a similar kind of attempt with an aim of tarnishing the image of the valiant government troops as well as deteriorating the process of the Lesson Learnt & Reconciliation Commission. However the government vehemently condemns and denies these fabricated stories and these futile attempts by unscrupulous local & foreign Forces aiming to cause damage to the prosperity and the Image of Sri Lanka.