Speaking to Sri Lanka Mirror, Cassim responded to media reports about his having publicly criticized the premier.

He said he was presently in China on official duty, and the visit had nothing to do with Wickremesinghe’s remarks in Kandy last week.

Cassim said he would return home in a few days.

Meanwhile, joint opposition’s Prof. G.L. Peiris has criticized the PM’s having censured the media.

Civilized society condemns the threats issued to a senior and respected journalist by the PM, says Peiris.