If the Eastern Province Chief Minister was a Sinhalese, some newspapers would not have made a major fuss about the recent dispute in Sampur, Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne said.

Speaking at a recent event, the Minister said that while it was not correct to scold the navy officer, certain media picked up on it because it had a communal aspect.

These newspapers did not make a protest when Sarath Fonseka was dragged away and imprisoned, Senaratne recalled. Even though Fonseka made immense sacrifices for the war victory, no one spoke for him when he was taken to prison, Senaratne also said.