State media make profit

Despite the attempts made by the UNP to highlight that state media institutions are running at a loss, Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella who countered those allegations explained in detail how all the state media institutions have earned profits over the past two years.

UNP MP Gayantha Karunathilake who started the committee stage debate on the Media Ministry on behalf of the Opposition attempted to show that all state media institutions have become inefficient and loss making. The Minister in his reply categorically rejected the claims made by the MP and pointed out how Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, Independent Television Network (ITN), Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation and the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL) have earned profits.

In order to further confirm his remarks, the Minister presented all statistics about the latest financial situation of these institutions. He said he can be satisfied with the balance sheet of all these state owned media institutions. Minister Rambukwella queried if these media institutions are running at a loss as claimed by the UNP, will they be able to get such a vast amount of advertisements.

Citing an example he showed how the ITN has earned Rs.501.3 million net profit this year.

MP Karunathilake tried to build up his argument that the ANCL is running at a loss and its newspaper circulation have come down by referring to some statistics as he said were provided by the SLFP trade union.

Minister Rambukwella who categorically rejected these statistics presented by the MP informed him that he has been given distorted information. However, the Minister informed the House ,UNP MP Mangala Samaraweera who was then Media Minister should be held responsible of creating an employees surplus at the ANCL.

Referring to some statistics, UPFA MP Manusha Nanayakkara also informed the House how the ANCL has recorded profits during this year. Certain remarks made by MP Karunathilake on the concept of a “family channel” led UPFA MP Namal Rajapaksa to respond to him. The MP urged all media Heads of the state media institutions to show his family only if there is a need to do so. He stressed the importance of the media highlighting and giving publicity to the views and constructive criticism levelled by all 225 Parliamentarians. MP Rajapaksa in his speech stressed the importance of journalists acting according to their consensus and unity of the entire media on the issues of national importance.

The Governments ranks also responded to the queries levelled by the Opposition on the proposed Rs.1.2 million interest free vehicle loan proposed by the budget 2012 for journalists. UNP MP Gayantha Karunathilake proposed 25 years professional experience needed for a journalist to apply for this loan should be reduced to at least 10 years as majority of those who have engaged in the print and the electronic media today are young journalists. Otherwise a few journalists will get the benefit from this loan facility while the majority of young journalists will be deprived of a right to apply for this. Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa who also endorsed the views expressed by the Opposition members also stressed the need of reducing 25 years experience to at least 15 or 18 years. Minister Keheliya Rambukwella who gave a more positive response to Parliamentarians informed the House that President in his reply speech to be made at the third reading of the budget on December 21 would make an announcement to reduce this time frame to a reasonable period.

Minister Rambukwella highly criticised some remarks made by the Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe on the recent attack of Lakbima News Editor Rajpal Abeynayake. Wickremesinghe in his remarks attempted to show Lakbima News Editor had gate crashed to that function. He came out with the idea that both journalists Rajpal Abeynayake and Fedrica Jansz have caused a serious damage to the media.

Environment Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa who responded to the remarks made by the Opposition Leader informed him the function which the Lakbima News Editor had attended was an annual event organised by the lawyers. Minister Yapa told the House that he also regularly attended to this event and he has seen Lakbima News Editor was also there at several occasions.

The Minister queried if the Opposition Leader launched this kind of scathing attack against journalists, how will he treat journalists if he would come to power? Minister Yapa drew the attention of the House how former Media Minister Imtiaz Bakeer Markar was disappointed and finally retired from politics because of Ranil Wickremesinghe. The Minister pointed out the number of television and radio channels, newspapers and magazines are a perfect example to show the amount of media freedom exercise in Sri Lanka. However, he said it is very difficult to find out or create the nature of media freedom in which the UNP talks from anywhere in this world.

The ongoing leadership crisis within the UNP was highlighted in the House once again referring to a question raised by the Chief Government Whip and Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena who asked whether there would be a change in the position of the Opposition Leader in the UNP electing a new leader. The Minister who cited recent media reports informed the House that it was the reason for him to raise the issue. The Minister made the point that in a situation where a large amount of money has been allocated to the office of the Opposition Leader through budget 2012, a change in the Opposition Leader’s office would be a serious concern to the people.

When the Government has given top priority to achieve national reconciliation after the eradication of terrorism, Leader of the House, Irrigation and Water Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva presented the Report of the Commission of Inquiry on Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation (LLRC) in Parliament on Friday. Making a brief statement, he informed the House the Government would endorse unreservedly the comment by the commission that “there must be willingness on the part of all political parties to give up adversarial politics and have consensual decision-making on national issues”. The Minister described this as the need of the hour.

The crisis in Sri Lanka cricket came to light due to certain remarks made by the Parliamentarians at the committee stage debate on the Sports Ministry. Former Sri Lankan Captain and UPFA MP Sanath Jayasuriya blamed the players the cricket crisis and losses. Jayasuriya emphasised the problem of losing matches was solely due to a problem with the players. MP Jayasuriya maintained the stance, it is not appropriate to put the blame on the Government, Minister or the Cricket Board if the team keeps losing matches. He noted cricket has not been politicised but politics between players should be stopped immediately.