Weligama mayor accuses media of invading COVID-19 patient’s privacy, bans unauthorised entry into private property

ECONOMYNEXT – Weligama Mayor Rehaan Jayawickreme has banned the unauthorised entry of media personnel into the private property of suspected COVID-19 patients in the area.

In a letter addressed to the heads of Hiru TV, a private television station belonging to the Asia Broadcasting Corporation, and Adaderana, and Derana TV, Jayawickreme warned yesterday that failure to comply will result in legal action.

“By the powers vested to me under the Urban Council act of 1987(255) section (4), I am hereby banning the unauthorised entry of any media personnel into the private vicinities of suspected COVID-19 cases. In the event that these warnings are not heeded, I will not hesitate to not only initiate legal action against your channel but will also instruct the relevant Public Health Inspectors (PHI) working under me to file separate charges in regard to the obstruction of their duties,” he wrote.

Jayawickreme accused Hiru TV of unlawfully entering and capturing footage of a suspected COVID-19 patient on New Street, Weligama, on Thursday (May 7) which he claimed had caused “great distress” to the patient’s family.

“The said patient was incidentally cleared of COVID-19 but the social stigma that it has caused the rest of the family members is shocking and distressing,” he added.

Courtesy: economynext.com