PARLIAMENT

It was disclosed at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Mass Media that the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation and the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation continue to incur losses. It was disclosed when the said Committee met in Parliament on 23.11.2023 under the Chairmanship of the Minister of Transport and Highways and Minister of Mass Media Hon. (Dr.) Bandula Gunawardana.

Presenting statistics from 2015, the Chair pointed out how these two channels have made losses. Accordingly, the Chair pointed out that the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation has made a loss of 277 million rupees in the year 2023 and the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation has made a loss of 457 million rupees in the year 2023. Pointing out that it is difficult for the Treasury to provide funds for these channels, the Chair stated that there are plans to convert the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation and the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation into a public company. Accordingly, the Committee Chair further commented that the Cabinet Ministers have decided to appoint a committee to take further action.

It was expressed in the committee that the state media does not provide enough publicity for the various development projects implemented by the government. The Chairman emphasized that public media should broadcast the inconveniences of the public who are affected by various dilapidated buildings, roads, bridges etc. as well as inform the public about the facilities that have been provided to the public following the development.

The Chair instructed the Sri Lanka Press Council to prepare a report on the measures that can be taken to regulate the propaganda activities carried out by the media in a way that harms the social culture and personal health and give it to the Committee,

State Ministers Hon. Shantha Bandara, Hon. Janaka Wakkumbura, Members of Parliament Hon. Velu Kumar, Hon. (Prof.) Charitha Herath, Hon. D. B. Herath, Hon. Sanjeeva Edirimanna, Hon. Gunathilaka Rajapaksha, Hon. Sudath Manjula, were present at the Committee meeting held.