Role of provincial journalists discussed

by Naalir Jamaldeen

The role of provincial journalists is vital to improve the brotherhood between people who belong to various cultural segments and social groups, Director General of Government Information Ariyarathne Athugala said.

He was addressing a workshop organised by the Government Information Department under the theme 'The role of provincial journalists in district development' at the Public Library Auditorium recently.

A large number of provincial journalists from the Jaffna district and Government officials participated in the workshop. The ways and means to improve the productivity of provincial journalists was discussed in depth.

"Sri Lanka was a pioneering country to the world in the areas of compassion, unity and cohesiveness, but due to some reasons, this has been crushed. Cursing the past or reminding it is not our duty. Our aim is to develop the country so that all communities can benefit.

"First of all, we must identify the cultural values and ethnic identities of each community", Athugala said.

Athugala, quoting Martin Luther King, said that the lack of a common language was the reason for disharmony among people. Whatever it is, we should move forward in search of humanity.