He was responding to 'Sri Lanka Mirror' with regard to a report published in 'Mawbima newspaper'. The news report had claimed the deputy minister as to saying at a press briefing that investigations will be held to expose websites and journalists who have obtained money from Avant Garde Maritime Services and such jounalists and websites will have their licences and media IDs revoked.

Speaking further, he added that a journalist raised a question at that press briefing and in response he had requested to jounalists to inform authorities if someone attempted to pressurise them when criticising Avant Garde incident.