Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has called for explanation from Secretary to the Ministry of Parliamentary Reforms and Mass Media Nimal Bopage over the recent letter sent by the latter to the media regarding the use of the term 'Joint Opposition.'

In this letter sent on April 28, Bopage said that the use of the term was 'illegal, immoral and professionally unethical.'

Minister of Parliamentary Reform and Mass Media Gayantha Karunathilake denied any knowledge of the letter, saying that it was not the government's policy to suppress media.

However, Bopage stubbornly defended his action yesterday, saying that it was done in accordance to the powers vested upon him as the Ministry Secretary. He acknowledged that the Minister or any high official in the government was not made aware before he sent the letter.

However, the Prime Minister has called for explanation as Bopage had exceeded his authority on a parliamentary matter, sources said.