{
  "id": 15311267,
  "title": "Kiriella says criticism was directed at Govt, not minorities",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/kiriella-says-criticism-was-directed-at-govt-not-minorities",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T00:00:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Island Sri Lanka",
    "slug": "the-island-sri-lanka",
    "url": "http://island.lk/kiriella-says-criticism-was-directed-at-govt-not-minorities/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "SJB senior politician Lakshman Kiriella has defended his recent remarks, stating that his criticism was directed at the Government, not minority communities. Kiriella's comments came under scrutiny following reports alleging he had accused the Government of attempting to win the support of minority communities via its handling of the case involving Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera. In a media briefing, Kiriella clarified that his remarks were aimed at the Government's actions, not the minority communities themselves. He further asserted that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has the power to grant a presidential pardon to Ven. Gnanasara Thera without the need for new legislation.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}