New media culture will be established - Minister Rambukwella

by Mohammed Naalir

A Media Development Authority will be established to give incentives and facilities to improve the working conditions of the media personnel. This matter has already been discussed with President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Minister of Mass Media and Information Dr. Keheliya Rambukwella said.

Minister Dr. Rambukwella explained that this will not be a move to restrict the freedom of media personnel, or a regulatory mechanism but to improve their working conditions and provide them with more facilities. Addressing the media seminar organised for Kandy District Journalists at Hotel Suisse, Kandy, Minister Rambukwella said that without making various promises the new Ministers should combine their past experience with the futuristic visionary programs and implement them effectively.

Amidst strident criticism by the international presence when the humanitarian battle launched against LTTE terrorists the Government successfully eliminated the LTTE terrorism from our mother country.

He said that the dedication of the war heros and right leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa brought us historical victory against LTTE terrorists.Director General of Government Information Department Prof. Ariyaratne Athugala inaugurating the seminar said that “Mahinda Chinthana” policy has promised the creation of a new media culture to steer the media personnel to become partners in the development of the country.

Addressing the seminar Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media and Information W. B. Ganegala said that the Minister of Mass Media and Information has become the symbol of the voice of Sri Lanka not only in the local media circle but in the international arena as well.

Similar to the forces who faced the enemies directly the Minister stood robustly against foreign forces who attempted to disparage this country through media, the Secretary added.

The Deputy Country Director of the Internews, Menik Mendis addressing the seminar said that we have held seminars and workshops from Jaffna to Hambantota and have worked with the media personnel very cordially.She said that maximum efforts will be made to establish a Media House in the Kandy District.

They also conduct reading programmes and train on news editing and reading for the children in the Kandy District and their programs are broadcast over the Mahanuwara Service.