The newspaper cites Karunatillake and Paranavithana as to saying during a cabinet briefing that any websites and journalists found to have done so will have their licences and media IDs revoked.

The news report further states as follows :

The minister and deputy minister were responding to a question raised by a journalist who had asked what measures would be taken with regard to journalists and websites found to have obtained money from Avant Garde.

They had said that if journalists who were not bound by Avant Garde money were influenced in any way, they could complain to the Mass media ministry.

They had pledged to safeguard such journalists.

Speaking at the media briefing, minister Rajitha Senaratne said that they would reveal all journalists and websites linked to Avant Garde.