National People’s Power (NPP) MP Nilanthi Kottahachchi raised a Matter of Privilege in Parliament today (20), alleging that the national English newspaper Daily Mirror published false news about her.

Kottahachchi stated that the website of the newspaper reported she had told reporters she could not speak to the media because her party, the NPP, had prohibited her from doing so.

“This is fake news and a blatant lie. There is no such prohibition. Speaking to the media is my choice. However, the newspaper published this claim without even confirming it with me. This is a violation of my parliamentary privileges. I request the Speaker to refer the matter to the Parliamentary Privileges Committee and take appropriate action,” she said.

The Speaker confirmed that the matter would be directed to the Privileges Committee.