News

National Council sub-committee avoids web journalists!

Published

1 year ago

December 16, 2022

editor

The professional web journalists were left out of a crucial discussion held yesterday (15) by the National Council sub-committee on identifying short-and medium-term programs related to economic stabilization, the Professional Web Journalists Association of Sri Lanka alleged.

Its Convener Freddy Gamage told the Sri Lanka Mirror that the sub-committee informed him to join the discussion at around 3.00 pm the day before the discussion (14).

He had informed the organisers that he would not be able to participate in the discussion that was scheduled to be held the next day (15) at 10:00 am because he could not come without any preparation and because he had to take part in a pre-scheduled discussion.

He said that it is doubtful whether this was done in a planned manner and added that the government continues to avoid the issues of professional web journalists.

He said former minister Champika Ranawaka may also have been misled by some group.

Mr. Gamage said the only website that won a Presidential Award is also a member of his association, and that a large number of websites registered at the Ministry of Mass Media are members of his association.

He also said that his association has a history of over 10 years.

This discussion was held yesterday (15) under the chairmanship of MP Ranawaka to discuss the plights faced by media organizations in the current economic crisis followed by solutions and proposals.

It was also revealed that due to the power cuts during the prime time, the number of commercials received by TV stations has decreased and in the current economy, they have to bear high costs for the production of programs.

Journalists representing newspapers pointed out that due to the increase in production costs including the shortage of paper, there has been a major setback in the publishing industry including newspapers.

They pointed out that because of this situation, the pages of the newspapers had to be limited and the prices increased. They said that due to the reduction of newspaper pages, there is no space for the news by the regional journalists and they have not even been able to make payments.

It was also revealed that it is difficult to even pay salaries to the permanent staff of some newspaper organizations. They also pointed out that in this situation newspaper printing has decreased by 60%-70%.

Thus, newspaper journalists pointed out that the circulation of newspapers among the people has been greatly reduced due to economic issues, non-publication of local news, etc.

In addition to the economic crisis, it was also revealed that the newspaper and radio have to face a big challenge due to the current digital media trends including social media.

It was further expressed that the government should make a joint effort to reach one goal by all media organizations to prepare the people to face the current crisis situation. Attention was drawn to the need to act in the same way that the media acted in times like the tsunami disaster, defeating terrorism and overcoming the Covid-19 crisis.

Paying attention to all these comments and suggestions, the committee chairman said that based on these facts, he is expected to include the proposals related to the media sector in the next report and submit them to the National Council.

News

Basil meets Indian High Commissioner

Published

15 hours ago

April 27, 2024

editor

Former Minister Basil Rajapaksa met Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha yesterday (27) and discussed.

The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka conveyed a X message regarding the meeting, highlighting discussions on matters of mutual interest, including the political situation.

This meeting between Basil and the Indian High Commissioner occurred after his departure from the position of National Organizer of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, adding a significant dimension to the encounter.

Before Basil met the Indian High Commissioner, President Ranil Wickremesinghe had also met earlier this week.

In a separate development, the Indian High Commissioner also held a meeting with Minister of Power and Energy, Mr. Kanchana Wijesekera.

The Indian High Commission issued a statement regarding this meeting as well, although specific details were not provided.

News

Sri Lanka allows German research vessel’s port call amidst diplomatic clarification

Published

15 hours ago

April 27, 2024

editor

Sri Lanka has allowed a German research vessel for replenishment in Colombo port for the second time following the clarification from the island nation’s Foreign Ministry after Chinese protest.

“It’s the same German research vessel came last month. It came around New Year time when it was returning and the ship was allowed,” a top Foreign Ministry official told Economy Next referring to Sri Lanka’s traditional New Year celebrated on April 14.

Another Foreign Ministry official confirmed the German research vessel’s Colombo port call.

The Foreign Ministry last month clarified a confusion related to ban on foreign research vessels.

It said Sri Lanka will allow offshore research ships for replenishment at the island nation ports despite the one-year ban on such vessels.

The clarification came after strong protest by China over Sri Lanka allowing the same German research vessel last month.

Chinese Embassy in Colombo raised strong protest against the move to allow a German research vessel early in March following the island nation’s authorities turned down a Beijing request for a research vessel in February.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s government has temporarily halted foreign research ships after strong security concerns raised by neighbour India and the United States following the visit of two Chinese research vessels in 14 months.

When the ban was announced, the government failed to specifically reveal its stance on requests for replenishment or crew change for foreign research vessels.

Sri Lanka is in the process of introducing a SOP (Standard Operation Procedure) for handling foreign research vessels and to improve the capacity of relevant officials in handling foreign research ships.

Two Chinese research ships were allowed to dock in Sri Lanka ports within 14 months through November 2023 with one called for replenishment and the other for research.

Chinese research ship Shi Yan 6 arrived in Sri Lanka in October 2023 and docked in Colombo port, for what Beijing citing was for “geophysical scientific research” in collaboration with the island nation’s National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA).

In August 2022, Chinese navy vessel Yuan Wang 5 docked at Hambantota in southern Sri Lanka for replenishment.

Both drew strong Indian protests citing security concerns in the Indian Ocean.

India uses the Colombo port as its main transshipment hub and accounts for around 70 percent of the total transshipment volume of the port.

(economynext.com)
(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by economynext.com has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Complaint filed alleging assets being misused for President’s political activities

Published

1 day ago

April 26, 2024

editor

Today (26) the Socialist Youth Union (SYU) filed a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) calling for a probe into the alleged misuse of assets owned by the National Youth Services Council (NYSC) for the political activities of current President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The SYU submitted a formal complaint to the CIABOC today (26) afternoon.

The complaint is filed against Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports – Harin Fernando, Ministry Secretary – Dr. Kanapathipillai Mahesan, and Chairman of the NYSC – Pasindu Gunaratne.

Speaking before the media, Eranga Gunasekara, the national organizer of the SYU said, NYSC vehicles bearing the numbers NA 9099, NB 1389, NB 3384, NB 3383 had been misused for the UNP rally held in Kuliyapitiya on March 10.

He has also said a dance troupe of the NYSC, used for the rally, is yet to be paid.