UNP Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra today called for the reintroduction of criminal defamation laws to save Parliamentarians from pernicious attacks by media. 

Speaking in Parliament yesterday, Premachandra launched a scathing attack on two private TV channels and some newspaper for publishing fabricated stories to tarnish her image. 

"I have been targeted by them as I stand up for the right thing. What media has launched against me is a selective and targeted campaign as some media bosses don't like what I am doing. This is immoral, vicious and uncivilized, " the Parliamentarian said, in an emotionally charged speech. 

"They recently fabricated a story about a court case involving me. They painted a distorted picture of the case through their usual misreporting, " she added, stating it was. a deliberate initiative. 

"As a Parliamentarian, my privileges have been violated. I request the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker to launch an investigation into the matter and mete out justice to me, " she said. 

Premachandra also said she has come under persistent attacks as she was a lone woman crusading against powerful evil forces operating in mafia-style. 

"I am aware of various deals they have struck with the government. I know how they are operating behind-the-scene. I am not sure whether they are trying to drag me into a street fight, " she said adding that many parliamentarians have been targeted by the same unruly elements.