'Mature' Rajapaksa says no action for 'defaming' him

Rajapaksa's office here today said that the President told the police chief that as a "matured politician", he was prepared to tolerate defamation attempts on him and no action was required.

The instruction came following reports that the police's Crime Investigations Department was to quiz several politicians over alleged defamatory statements against Rajapaksa.

Rajapaksa's government has faced criticism for curbing media freedom.

The police in July seized the offices of two websites which the authorities claimed were posting stories aimed at bringing the government into disrepute.

Journalists and workers were arrested while equipment were seized.

They were given bail by the court later.