ANCL chief re-appointed

Veteran media personality Bandula Padmakumara was re-appointed chairman of the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL) after a successful three-year first term. He resumed duties on Wednesday morning at a ceremony attended by Mass Media and Communication Minister, Keheliya Rambukwella and Secretary to the Ministry W.B. Ganegala.

The founder editor of Lakbima and ex-Secretary of the Editors' Guild of Sri Lanka, Padmakumara has been the chairman of the ANCL since May 16, 2007. It was during his first term that the ANCL upgraded its machinery after 25 years, purchasing a new Commercial Printing Machine at a cost of Rs. 130 million.

He was also instrumental in installing two Computer To Print (CTP) to introduce the pro-ad system to streamline advertising.

"While incurring all this expenditure without being a burden on the Treasury, we were very supportive of the Government during the conflict period. We are extremely proud that we did our national duty by supporting the Government in its humanitarian battle to defeat terrorism in the country," he said.

"I am planning to improve the quality and content of these newspapers. All our tabloids are well received by our readers and I am planning to introduce a few more periodicals." "I am thankful to the Lake House staff for being very cooperative to promote our endeavours."